As of July 1, Harrah's requirements for reaching Diamond level in a 24-hour period will go up almost 70 percent, from 1,800 credits ($9,000 coin-in for slots, $18,000 coin-in for video poker) to 3,000 credits ($15,000 coin-in for slots, $30,000 coin-in for video poker).

Each credit is $5 of playthrough for reel and video slots and $10 playthrough for video poker.

Credits can be obtained by playing slots at any of Harrah's six Las Vegas casinos that use Total Rewards, but be aware that the 24-hour period at one casino may differ from the 24-hour period at another.

Credits will be combined at the end of the 24 hours, but a running tally will not appear on your card; credits shown on the slot display refer to the individual casino. Visit a Total Rewards booth to find out how many total credits you have and how far away you are from Diamond. In some cases, if you're close and the 24-hour mark is looming (and you're nice), they'll speak to their manager about bumping you up to Diamond.

Those getting Diamond-in-a-Day will stay Diamond through March 2007.

Diamond-in-a-Day is also now reserved for players who are not currently Diamond. Current Diamond members will be unable to renew their status by doing Diamond-in-a-Day and can only renew by earning 10,000 credits ($50,000 coin-in for slots, $100,000 coin-in for video poker) by Dec. 31 that year.

Diamond members receive benefits including access to the Diamond Lounge, two free show tickets per month, discounts to gift shops, an annual slot tournament, and priority service at hotel check-in, cashier, valet, and restaurants.

Platinum-in-a-Day has also increased to 2,000 credits. Earning Platinum in a calendar year (or renewing) remains the same at 4,000 credits.

Posted by Poker Grub at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You've found the Sin City scuttlebutt. Here you'll see unofficial, off-the-record reports, obtained from fairly reliable insider information.

In other words: overheard in Las Vegas taxis.

Pssst... From the "Say It Isn't So" and "She's Gone" departments, just why did Hall & Oates cancel their June 24 appearance at the Lake Las Vegas resort (17 miles from the Strip)? And at the last minute, no less? Deadbeat Daryl and John were enjoying their stay in luxurious suites at the Ritz Carlton, one of only three hotels in Nevada awarded AAA's Five Diamond award (Bellagio and the Four Seasons being the others). And they were even able to command $49.95 and $89.95 ticket prices to their show.

But when faced with performing outdoors, well, their delicate sensibilities were too much and we hear they dropped out because of the extreme heat.

Lake Las Vegas said "I Can't Go For That" and is planning to sue.

Posted by Poker Grub at 7:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For last-minute clubbers jonesing to see some fireworks before July 4th, pop by the VooDoo Lounge tonight at Rio Las Vegas.

It's VooDoo Risin's 1st anniversary, and in addition to spectacular views of Las Vegas, the Red Bull Air Force (is that like the Diet Coke Army?) will have a skydiving exhibition at 11 p.m., with fireworks afterwards.

Cover charge is the usual $20.

For VIP table reservations, call (702) 777-6875.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been awhile since we've talked about Paris Hilton, but when we hear about another Mrs. Dolittle experience, we must share. What other socialite cares so much about animals to adopt them en masse? Paris Hilton is to animals as Angelina Jolie is to Ethiopian babies.

Well, now we hear that Hilton attempted to take her bevy of beasties aboard a plane from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. And was denied!

Denied!

She told BBC Radio 1, "They said it wasn't a traveling circus."

Hilton was in Vegas over the weekend for, well, does she really need an excuse? All she wanted to do was return home with her animals and talk about the clothes she wears.

So what's an heiress to do with a newly purchased monkey, tiger, and ferrets?

We'll let Hilton explain.

"I had to drive all the way home from Vegas in a limo with all these animals, there was like six. It was a lot!!!" (extra exclamation points ours).

We're taking donations for a sympathy card.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

As quietly as Centex Destination Properties (owned by Centex Corp.) canceled their plans for the Westward Ho space (with what was to be the world's largest observation wheel), just as quietly they are already in construction on Las Vegas' first urban village.

Called, appropriately enough, Urban Village, the $1.8 billion project on South Las Vegas Blvd. and Pyle Ave. (six miles south of Mandalay Bay) will encompass 50 acres of hundreds of new lofts, condos, flats, condo-hotels, and brownstones. Over 2,900 residences will be accommodated with amenities expected from small neighborhood cities, including restaurants, stores, gardens, pools, outdoor grills, parks, trails, and fitness centers.

Recently, Urban Village has been overshadowed by construction beginning this week on MGM Mirage's Project CityCenter, a 66-acre, $7 billion project that will create 12,000 full-time jobs by the time it opens in 2009.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A bit late to the party (other casinos such as MGM Mirage have already been offering a similar program), but still a party nonetheless, Harrah's is now offering two sets of gift days, where players can use gift points to purchase gifts.

Wait, what's a gift point?

Gift points are solely set up to redeem for gifts. They have no cash value and they expire at the end of the year. Think of it as a little something extra in your slot stocking from Harrah's.

Every time you earn a base/bonus reward credit at a Harrah's property in Las Vegas, you also earn a gift point. It's a roughly 1:1 ratio, but occasionally you'll receive extra gift points.

The best thing about the program is that gift points have been retroactively accumulating in all players' accounts since Jan. 1 this year.

All Total Rewards players have already and will continue to accumulate gift points by playing at any of Harrah's six casinos in Las Vegas that use Total Rewards (Bally's, Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Harrah's, Paris, Rio).

Gift points won't be shown online or on the slot display; to find out how many gift points you have, visit a Total Rewards booth in Vegas.

Gifts offered include iPod Nanos, jewelry, golf clubs, kitchen ware, binoculars, luggage, watches, pool tables, TVs, exercise equipment, cameras, camcorders, and even a grand piano (7,006,100 gift points required, which means over $35 million of coin-in).

Gift dates are Nov. 13-19 at Harrah's Las Vegas and Dec. 11-17 at Caesars Palace Las Vegas, and all gifts will be shipped in time for Christmas delivery. Even the grand piano.

For more information, call 1-866-WRAPUP1 or visit www.greatgiftwrapup.com.

All gift points expire Dec. 16.

Posted by Poker Grub at 4:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

The Venetian is offering a special $149 (weekday) and $199 (weekend) summer rate on their luxury suites.

If you book before July 4th, you'll also get:

• A complimentary upgrade to the exclusive Venezia tower
  
• $25 in slot credits or table match play
  
• 2 for 1 Watermelon Crush specialty drinks at Wolfgang Puck's
  poolside oasis, Riva

To make a reservation, click here or call (866) 403-8046 and mention code GRED63D.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At a whopping 5 million reviews from 20 million monthly visitors to the site, TripAdvisor has culled together a series of 25 travel guides containing information on where to eat, sleep, and play.

Each free guide is a short printable PDF file providing the aspiring traveler advice and tips to make traveling less stressful and more fun.

Twenty-five summer destinations were chosen as the world's "hottest," according to TripAdvisor's 20 million visitors. Coming in number one is Las Vegas. Not that we're biased or nothin'.

The eight-page Las Vegas guide can be found at this link.

Each time you download a guide, you'll also be entered into a drawing to win a trip worth $5,000. A trip will be awarded every week for 10 weeks, with a final grand prize taking the winner to Rome and the Amalfi Coast of Italy.

TripAdvisor's top 25 worldwide summer destinations include:

• Las Vegas
  
• London
  
• Orlando
  
• Paris
  
• San Francisco
  
• Chicago
  
• New York City
  
• Rome
  
• Washington D.C.
  
• Boston
  
• Dominican Republic
  
• San Diego
  
• Cape Cod & Islands
  
• Vancouver
  
• Sydney
  
• Hong Kong
  
• Philadelphia
  
• Dublin
  
• Miami
  
• Playa del Carmen
  
• Amalfi Coast
  
• Maui
  
• Cabo San Lucus
  
• Charleston
  
• Phuket

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With today's beginning of the World Series of Poker 2006, 4kingpoker.com has a tongue-in-cheek article about a mysterious crop circle that popped up in England.

Seems a Wiltshire farmer awoke one morning to discover a 150-foot crop circle bearing the image of an alien playing hold'em.

The article does not mention whether the alien is a disciple of David Sklansky or Gus Hansen, or if he was playing at a full table or heads-up.

From the picture and lack of sunglasses, I can't tell if he/she/it's passive or aggressive, but I'd be wary of any raises for the sake of humankind.

Posted by Poker Grub at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you're like me, you base your Las Vegas hotel decision on what the pool action is like. Well, that and the buffet.

Casino floors are a dime a dozen and the hotel rooms all blend together. Besides, what do you need a fancy room for, other than sleeping?

But oh the pool! Some have European (a.k.a. topless) sections (Mandalay, MGM, Caesars), some have frozen towels (Caesars), and some have pool cams where your thong can be the star of the Internet (Hard Rock).

A new site called www.vegashotelpools.com will give you all the information about Vegas pools you'll ever need to know, complete with photos (such as the above one of Hard Rock), reviews, and user ratings.

Now if they could only give information about how to get comped cabanas.

Posted by Poker Grub at 5:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Who said RFID was only for casino chips?

Already in use at casinos such as Wynn, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips enable exact tracking of casino chips. After a good run in blackjack, just plunk your chips down on the scanner at the cashier, and the reader will know exactly how much you're cashing out. Eventually Wynn will use this technology at the gaming tables, where pit bosses will be able to calculate exactly how much and how often you bet per hour.

RFID also has other applications, including prepaid tags for your car windshield to get you through tollbooths quickly (and perhaps also to determine how fast you're speeding when clocking in from booth to booth). Some are even implanting RFID chips into animals and themselves for identification purposes.

And now, RFID will be used to monitor liquor usage. Or rather, liquor waste.

It's estimated $7 billion is lost nationally from bartenders overpouring, undercharging, or just giving free drinks.

And in a land of free drinks, the RFID liquor monitor will be used in four bars at Treasure Island.

The RFID chip and battery will be part of the liquor spout. The motion of pouring a drink will activate the device and transmit information in real-time to a wireless antenna up to 100 feet away. Its accuracy is within 1/10 of an ounce.

In addition to checking how much and what time liquor is poured, the chip will track inventory, letting the casino know when bottles are empty or near-empty, while also providing specific brand and bottle size information.

The system by Beverage Tracker costs up to $20,000 to install and implement, but Treasure Island expects to save $90,000 per year from wasted liquor.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The last Sunday of every month, Fiesta Rancho (owned by Station Casinos) holds a $50 no-limit hold'em tournament with no fee, making it the only regular tournament to return 100 percent to the player. (Imperial Palace is the other casino that holds semi-regular tournaments; their next is a $500 buy-in tonight through Sunday.)

Fiesta's tourney is also a guaranteed $5,000 prize pool, with first place receiving $3,000. Even if 10 people show up, Fiesta will put up the difference.

All players in the Sunday tournament will also receive a free t-shirt and, the time we played, a coupon for $5 off the next tournament.

The catch is a low starting chipstack and rapidly rising blinds, designed to end the tournament in a couple hours.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thirty years ago, Bingo Palace (now Palace Station) started it all. Now, nine casinos later, Station is still going strong and is still catering to and rewarding locals.

To celebrate, the Daily Jumbo Jackpot is back beginning tomorrow and running through July 9. That's an odd 17 days, and not the natural 30, but Station always has reasons for doing what they do.

The regular Jumbo Jackpot, which begins at $100,000 and must hit by $150,000, is still in effect. The lucky slot player wins the Jumbo, with every other currently playing slot player winning $50 in free slotplay. That's every other player across all nine casinos (Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, Sunset Station, Santa Fe Station, Green Valley Ranch, Red Rock, Fiesta Rancho, and Fiesta Henderson).

With the Daily Jumbo, up to $25,000 is up for grabs to the lucky winner (resetting to $15,000 and must hit by $25,000), with everyone else receiving $25 in free slotplay.

(By the way, has anyone noticed The Borgata in Atlantic City has started a similar progressive, called Powerprize Jackpot? Shame, shame, Boyd Gaming for ripping off Station Casinos thinking they wouldn't notice all the way on the right coast. I have my eye on you, Boyd!)

Better than the random jumbo jackpots, Station is also giving away up to $500 in free slotplay to every player, now through June 23. Just insert your card and see how much you won. This is for current as well as new players. I received $10, which I played on the penny slot Betting Zoo, hit the Mr. Cashman bonus, and cashed out $15, which I spent on beer and tube socks.

Not as interesting is a souvenir Boarding Pass card that you can also pick up, boasting their 30th anniversary. Sure, it looks nice, but what will it get on eBay?

Posted by Poker Grub at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Census Bureau released data on the fastest growing cities around the country from July 1, 2004 to July 1, 2005. Cities with a population greater than 100,000 people were rated.

Two years ago, two Las Vegas cities were neck and neck: North Las Vegas was second and Henderson was third. Last year, North Las Vegas bumped down to three and Henderson moved down to 11th.

Now, the Census Bureau reports Henderson has dropped to 20th.

North Las Vegas, however, recaptured its title as the second-fastest growing city in the nation, assisted strongly by booming Aliante (pictured above) and Centennial Parkway.

Las Vegas itself was 19th last year and dropped to 42nd this year.

Taking the top spot is Elk Grove, California, so big they even have their own website.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tonight, poker professional Phil Gordon (pictured above left) appears on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (with Bonnie Hunt and Buckcherry).

But if you want to see him live, you have a chance this weekend when Gordon teaches a one-day poker seminar in Las Vegas as part of his Expert Insight company.

Topics include pot odds, tells, bluffs, and other insights into the game that he used to propel him to win two World Poker Tour tournaments.

In addition, Andy Bloch (from Bringing Down the House, pictured above right) will reveal secrets to being a successful blackjack player.

I applied to teach strategies for playing penny slots, but they never responded.

Cost is $199 (or $149 for just poker or just blackjack), which includes a q&a with both afterwards. Register online at Expert Insight.

The seminar takes place June 24 at the Village Square Stadium 18 movie theaters, 9400 W. Sahara Ave.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the poker seminar from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and blackjack seminar from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Posted by Poker Grub at 7:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef celebrates its 6th year anniversary with a slashing... of prices, that is.

For the rest of the summer and through Sept. 3, tickets to see the fishies are only $6 after 6 p.m. (last admission is at 10 p.m.).

Regular admission is $15.95 for adults, children 5-12 are $10.95, and children under 5 are free.

If you're driving, park at the southern most entrance to Mandalay. That'll save you a mile of walking through the casino.

Get engulfed with this 90,000 square-foot, 1.6 million gallon aquarium containing over 2,000 sea creatures including poker players, sea turtles, piranha, brilliantly colored exotic fish, and rare golden crocodiles that lay golden eggs (kidding about that last part, but bring your Easter basket just in case). Oh yeah, there are also more than 200 sharks than you want to shake a stick at.

That stick would be the audio wand each visitor receives, which gives a personal walking tour through the aquarium at your own speed. Each exhibit contains a number, which can be keyed into the wand to hear pre-recorded audio about the fishies.

Don't forget to stop by the touch pool, where you'll get to feel up manta rays, baby sharks, and horseshoe crabs. Just don't take it too far: employees are off-limits.

As you dive deeper and deeper into the aquarium, the final exhibit puts you at the bottom of a sunken ship, with sharks swimming all around you… above, around, and even beneath your feet. All separated by glass, thankfully.

Even after six years, I still enjoy taking a break from the 115-degree heat (forecasted for this weekend) and popping into the tranquility of the Shark Reef.

Posted by Poker Grub at 6:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Gentlemen's club Treasures (2801 Westwood Dr., off South Highland) is now offering a happy hour that's happier than most. Between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., well drinks and domestic beers are free. Through 8 p.m., call and premium drinks are 2-for-1.

Between 4 and 8, there's also no cover charge. And, lapdance specials are offered for $1.

On top of that, there's a free buffet bar.

Not to be outdone, fellow off-strip club Seamless (4740 S. Arville, across from The Orleans) is giving away free t-shirts on Wednesdays just for stopping in. On Sundays-Tuesdays, the t-shirts can be had with the purchase of a lapdance. One t-shirt per customer per night.

If you're having trouble deciding, just think what the dancers can do with your free t-shirt.

Posted by Poker Grub at 4:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

A little-known benefit to being a Diamond member at Harrah's six Las Vegas properties (Bally's, Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Harrah's, Paris, Rio) is that you get two free show tickets every month.

Shows to choose from include:

Clint Holmes (Harrah's, regularly $59.95 per ticket)
George Wallace (Flamingo, regularly $54.95/$59.95)
Jubilee (Bally's, regularly $65/$77/$82) (pictured above)
Erocktica (Rio, regularly $49.95)
Bareback (Harrah's, regularly $49.95)

Your two tickets must be for the same show.

Go to the Total Rewards booth, show your Diamond card and photo I.D., and ask for your two free monthly tickets. They'll fill out a voucher, which you can take to the show box office to exchange for tickets.

This voucher must be redeemed within 7 days.

Platinum members can receive 2-for-1 tickets to the same above shows.

Posted by Poker Grub at 3:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tonight beginning at 10:30 p.m., Strip Las Vegas magazine celebrates the publication of their July issue with a Dancers Night Out party at JET Nightclub at Mirage.

Taking over hosting duties is Penthouse Pet of the Year runner-up and Strip Las Vegas' July cover girl Cassia Riley.

Also in attendance will be Pet of the Year Jamie Lynn (pictured above, censored) and Pets Charlie Laine and Melissa Jacobs.

The Pets as well as the SLV girls (pictured below) will be roaming throughout the club, testing your faithfulness to your girlfriends.

(Note to editor: LasVegasVegas needs some parties like these.)

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Through Sept. 7, The Orleans has a special room rate of $49 per night on Sundays through Thursdays.

To book, call 1-800-675-3267 and mention promo code EDE0613 or book online.

In addition to the room, you'll also receive a funbook (valued at $250), a free buffet for two, and a free game of bowling for two.

A free shuttle will pick up and drop passengers from The Orleans, the Barbary Coast (next to Flamingo) on the Strip, and Gold Coast (across from Rio). The shuttle runs every 20-30 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to midnight.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thinking about becoming a teacher? Thinking about moving to Las Vegas?

Faced with almost 1,000 teaching vacancies this fall, the Clark County School District is offering an additional $3,000 per year plus a $2,000 signing bonus to all first-year teachers.

First-year teachers will now start at $33,000. Five years ago, rookie teachers began at $26,000.

Clark County has been having a difficult time keeping teachers, too: of the 16,000 teachers in the district, half have been teaching more than five years.

In an effort to keep more teachers from leaving, this fall Clark County will be giving all teachers a 4 percent raise.

The average teacher salary for Nevada last year was $43,500.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Vegoose is back!

In what looks to be an annual Halloween event, this year's Vegoose will be one day longer and run from Oct. 27 through the 31st.

Like last year, multiple parties will take place at venues all around the Las Vegas Strip, where over 45,000 people attended (including over 33,000 from out of town).

Bands have not yet been announced, but many of last year's lineups are expected to return. Bands included Dave Matthews and Friends, Beck, Phil Lesh, Widespread Panic, Jack Johnson, Trey Anastasio, Primus, Spoon, and many others.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You've found the Sin City scuttlebutt. Here you'll see unofficial, off-the-record reports, obtained from fairly reliable insider information.

In other words: overheard at Las Vegas buffets.

Pssst... Prince was his usual tardy self when he performed Memorial Day weekend at Empire Ballroom. He sauntered in two hours late for his first show (thereby cutting into his second show later that night), irritating fans who paid $312.50 apiece to see him. The Purple One was also seen catching a movie at The Palms' Brenden Theatres (the reason he was late?), flanked by gorgeous models. But with one rule to the Brenden staff: no one could look him in the eye. Unless you're a gorgeous model, probably.

Pssst... The $200 million Aladdin makeover to Planet Hollywood is continuing in the Desert Passage mall as well. The desert theme will be removed and renovated into what will be called Miracle Mile Shops. All at a pricetag of $50 million. Give me half that and I'll change my name to Miracle Mile.

Changes are also being done inside the hotel guest rooms. In one room, a guest awoke to nightmares, greeted by a larger-than-life likeness of Chucky (pictured above) on the wall. Can't wait to see what other tacky B-movie accoutrements crop up.

Got a rumor to pass on? Your secret is not safe, but your identity is. Email pokergrub@lasvegasvegas.com.

Posted by Poker Grub at 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This Father's Day weekend offers a smorgasbord of comedy for the Howard Stern fan. Which means not only are the performers affiliated with the show, expect to party with Stern fans all weekend.

Stern sidekick Artie Lange will introduce two screenings of his new film Artie Lange's Beer League (pictured above) as part of the CineVegas film festival tonight at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Lange cowrote the movie with director Frank Sebastiano, and stars himself, Laurie Metcalf, and Ralph Macchio. Beer League is about softball misfits who prefer drinking and fighting to playing. Tickets are $10.

Also tonight at 8 p.m., Stern regulars Craig Gass, Rev. Bob Levy, Jim Florentine, Sal the Stockbroker, and Yucko the Clown (all collectively known as the Killers of Comedy) perform their comedy at the House of Blues. Tickets are $25-35.

Then tomorrow at 9 p.m. at House of Blues, Lange's friend Norm Macdonald will give his unique slant on the world. Comedian Brandon Muller opens. Tickets are $35-57.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Las Vegas is now the official second sweatiest city in the nation.

Every year around the first day of summer, the sweat experts of Old Spice (who should know) list the top 100 sweatiest cities and awards first place with a year's supply of their antiperspirant, delivered to the mayor. Just don't shake his hand!

Las Vegas has been moving up in the rankings since 2002, when we didn't even place.

In 2003, Las Vegas was number 12. In 2004, number 10.

And now number 2! We're just within reach of that antiperspirant. Oh so close.

Phoenix came in at the sweaty top, reclaiming its first-place rank it held in 2003.

In a typical summer day, Phoenix residents sweat an average of 0.76 liters per hour, which is more than two cans of Diet Coke. That means in less than three hours, you could take a dip into an Olympic-sized swimming pool filled with Phoenix resident sweat.

San Francisco held the honor of being 100th, and hence the Least Sweatiest City.

To keep cool, Old Spice recommends drinking water, wearing cotton, and of course, using Old Spice Red Zone deodorant.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Harrah's recently made a second distribution of $2.1 million to assist almost 2,800 of their current and former employees suffering losses from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The first distribution was $4.5 million to 3,600 employees.

Almost 9,000 employees were employed at the four Harrah's properties when closed from the hurricanes. Harrah's guaranteed paychecks for 90 days after, as well as health insurance. They offered those employees first preference for jobs at other properties across the country, while also providing relocation expenses.

Financial assistance from the Harrah's Employee Recovery Fund is available to non-management employees affected by the hurricanes.

The Fund was seeded by Harrah's with $1.5 million, with other funds coming from contributions through fundraising and donors, including $2.1 million raised from a benefit concert with Elton John, Celine Dion, and Jerry Seinfeld.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Architect Paul Steelman will steer the design of the new resort replacing the New Frontier.

The New Frontier is on the imploding block (by year's end) to make way for a $1.9 billion casino and resort called Montreux.

It will feature a Swiss mountain lake theme and carry over 2,500 rooms, a 104,000-square-foot casino, a retail and shopping area, and that darn observation wheel that went away with the scrapping of Westward Ho's future plans.

An early 2009 opening is expected.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last night, the second-season of FOX's "Hell's Kitchen" premiered, with chef Gordon Ramsay berating 12 new people in white hats.

Second-serving Antics included making his cooks dumpster dive, showing how much food they actually waste. Panic attacks and hospital visits rounded out the boot camp cooking reality show premiere, with more cringe to come.

The winner gets to be executive chef at the new Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa, at the T Bones Chophouse & Lounge (pictured below). The winner may also receive input into the restaurant's design, along with a financial interest.

If you can't stand the heat, er, change the station.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Various press releases are being posted about The Latest in Vegas, a new quarterly publication available only in print, providing the subscriber with up-to-date information on Las Vegas.

We question how up-to-date it can be when offered only through postal mail and on a quarterly basis.

Nevertheless, New York publisher Robert Ardini boasts he travels to Vegas five times a year, enough to qualify himself as an authority.

Cost is $40 for four issues, and only checks are accepted to Ardini & Associates, Inc., 331 West 57th St. #541, New York, NY 10019. That address, by the way, is a post office box.

We would like to offer up an alternative publication providing the latest in Vegas, published daily, and available for free online: The Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Ardini is also the publisher of Classical Music Today, another new quarterly publication not available online.

Why only conventional mail? From a press release on that newsletter, Ardini said: "Internet subscriptions work well for some publications, but I want to offer people something they can throw in their briefcase, purse or pocket and have an enjoyable read when they have some down time."

Caveat emptor.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By the end of this summer, Motley Crue's Vince Neil will open a tattoo parlor at the hip and happening... Flamingo.

Yep, that Flamingo. Just another change that new Harrah's and Flamingo president Don Marrandino is tinkering with to skew their demographics downward. Marrandino was formerly the president/COO of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where he introduced celebrity chefs and ultra nightclubs.

The new tattoo shop will replace the prominent 2,200-square-foot space currently housed by O'Shea's Irish pub. Expected to be called Vince Neil Ink, we'd like to suggest something keeping with the Irish theme -- Vince Neil O'Ink.

Earlier this year, Neil and Lia Gerardini (pictured above) were seen at rival Hart & Huntington at The Palms getting tattoos before getting married (with MC Hammer officiating). As far as marriage ceremonies are concerned, it was his fourth and her second. As far as tattoos, we suspect they outnumber the weddings.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Hairspray closes this Sunday, June 11.

Those holding tickets after June 11 will receive full refunds.

The closing does not affect the upcoming movie version of the musical (which itself was originally based on the 1988 John Waters film), which will star John Travolta, Billy Crystal, Queen Latifah, and Amanda Bynes.

Performing at Luxor for just 148 performances, the musical's end comes just after the May 28 closing of Avenue Q (after 9 months), raising the question that in a climate of condos, Elvis, and Cirque du Soleil, can musical theater find an audience in Las Vegas? The Tony Award-winning shows originally had open-ended, permanent runs and were expected to herald Broadway theater onto the Strip.

Both shows continue to play Broadway to strong houses. Similarly sized audiences were actually found in Vegas, but in Vegas everything is bigger including the number of theater seats. And theaters were rarely sold to capacity, the measure of a successful show in Las Vegas.

Producers have their game faces on, but will likely be counting the beans closely for upcoming shows Cats (Aladdin, limited engagement) a new version of Phantom of the Opera (The Venetian, beginning previews June 12), The Producers (Paris, late summer), and Spamalot (Wynn, in 2007).

If those fail to pull in the box office, the much-touted Broadway in Las Vegas could be toes up in tulips.

One advantage Cats and Phantom have is the brand-name recognition of an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical (Phantom is the longest-running show on Broadway). Still, changes are being made to appeal to what's perceived as what Las Vegas tourists seek in entertainment: more special effects and a shorter run time.

Even Steve Wynn isn't standing still. Wynn will pay $15.9 million to purchase rights to Franco Dragone's currently running Le Reve (at Wynn)... all so that he can tinker with the show by adding lights and lasers.

Mamma Mia! appears to be the only successful Broadway import. We Will Rock You, which imitated its formula by centering a musical around the music of Queen, failed to find an audience.

Posted by Poker Grub at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Now you can convert your points to free slotplay at The Palms.

Until June 30, the points you earn playing slots can be converted to free slotplay at the rate of $10 for every 4,000 points ($4,000 coin-in). A minimum of $10 must be redeemed per each transaction and multipliers do not count.

This is the same rate that players receive all the time in the high-limit area (except video poker, which is $10 for every 8,000 points). It's also the equivalent comp value (1 comp dollar for every 400 points).

Up to $500 in free slotplay (200,000 points) can be redeemed per day.

The catch is that existing points are not valid and certain machines (NSU Deuces Wild, for example) are not included in the promotion. Check with the Club Palms booth to see if your machine is included.

Club Palms is open Sunday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to midnight and Friday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Poker blends with fiction when the improvised comedy The Grand begins filming in July at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino downtown.

Poker playing celebrities will follow an outline of writer/director Zak Penn (screenwriter of X-Men: The Last Stand) and improvise their own dialogue while playing real games of poker.

Actors include Jason Alexander, David Cross, Woody Harrelson, Cheryl Hines, Michael Karrow, Gabe Kaplan, Richard Kind, Ray Liotta, Ray Romano, and German director Werner Herzog, who worked with Penn on the faux documentary Incident at Loch Ness.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From the "everyone gets a casino" department (which is next door to the "let's stay in the news and get free publicity" office), hip-hopper Jay-Z (Sean Carter) is looking at expanding his 40/40 Club into a, surprise, Las Vegas casino.

Already successful in Atlantic City and New York, the 40/40 Club format would be adapted to a casino.

How about instead of Blackjack going to 21, going to 40? Or having a Cirque du Jay-Z? Or moving the New Jersey Nets to Vegas (Jay-Z is co-owner)?

No? Okay, we'll settle for the casino.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Emmy-award winning "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" hit Las Vegas last night for the fourth-season premiere on Bravo.

Yep, the fab five is back to comment on straight guys' styles (or lack thereof).

If you missed it, don't worry. Carson, Jai, Kyan, Ted, and Thom will be in Vegas for the entire 16-episode season, shacked up in their loft at The Palms.

Travel highlights will include Harrah's, Caesars Palace and the Forum Shops, Bally's, Cristophe Salon (MGM Grand), Rio, Paris, Silverton, Olives restaurant (Bellagio), the World Market Center, and Aureole restaurant (Mandalay Bay).

Upcoming makeovers include an animal magician/fire-eater and his G-string designer wife, professional poker player Ed Miller, an injured firefighter, a male model, and more.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

No fair!

Megabucks hit yesterday at the Cannery... again.

Statistically due to hit for the past couple months, Megabucks was just over $20 million when the lights went off.

A 64-year-old retiree took home the loot and was unable to say "I quit" to his boss.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Everyone gets a casino!

Maxim magazine announced yesterday that its name would be used for a $1.2 billion, 60,000-square-foot hotel-casino with 2,300 rooms (2,000 of which will be hotel-condos, rented out by the owners), located near Circus Circus.

Dennis Publishing (Maxim's parent company) will partner with Concord Wilshire Partners, and for the honor of being a Maxim hotel-casino, Dennis will receive an upfront fee in the mid-seven figures, along with a percentage on all but casino revenue. Rande and Scott Gerber will design Maxim Lounge, and Dennis' music magazine Blender will headline a 3,000-seat concert venue.

Construction is expected to begin in 2007, with an opening in 2010.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With every day that passes, the breakup between Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen gets messier and messier (she's after his pension! he's claiming their 11-month alien daughter Lola is actually fathered by Richie Sambora!).

But Richards will take a break from her gossip (or stir up even more) by coming to Las Vegas this weekend.

Richards will be in town to celebrate the Pussycat Dolls Lounge's first-year anniversary this Friday, June 9, at Caesars Palace's Pure nightclub.

She'll host with DJ AM and will also perform at the burlesque revue, raising temperatures above the 108 degrees that's predicted for today.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ever wonder why Mentos mints foam when dropped into soda?

The scientists over at EepyBird.com have put the chemical reaction between Diet Coke and Mentos to spectacular use by re-creating a minty version of the Bellagio Fountains, complete with music by Audiobody.com (you'll need QuickTime to view the video).

Mixed from 101 2-liter bottles of Diet Coke and 523 Mentos mints (they don't specify whether original or mixed fruit), Fritz Grobe and Stephen Voltz majestically spray over 100 jets of soda in under three minutes.

Imagine what goes on in your stomach!

Posted by Poker Grub at 5:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"The worst part of my job has to be the fact that no one gets to see how incredibly attractive I am. You'll have to take my word for it, but I am seriously hot."

Nah, we didn't say it. Nor did Sen. Harry Reid. These are words straight from the mouth of "The Banker" on the hit NBC show "Deal or No Deal."

The banker's that mysterious guy in silhouette who calls host Howie Mandel to make the contestant a deal.

And we admit we had a few laughs from the banker's blog. Still, we'd prefer to read the blog of Suitcase Model #23, Aubrie (pictured above, with Howie Mandel). A professed member of Mensa, her bio states that while growing up, animals were her best friends. That's harp music in the background... which she also plays.

All this is to say auditions for "Deal or No Deal" will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton tomorrow, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The $5 million season finale takes place June 5 with special guest Celine Dion.

Want to be a contestant? Deal!

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

grubby pointed out Krispy Kreme is offering free doughnuts today, and herewith are a baker's half-dozen of Las Vegas locations for your doughnut-eating convenience:

Excalibur, 3850 Las Vegas Blvd.
(702) 736-5235

Fitzgeralds, 301 Fremont Street
(702) 366-0150

Circus Circus, 2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
(702) 733-9944

1331 West Craig Rd., N. Las Vegas
(702) 657-9575

3377 South Las Vegas Blvd. #2240
(702) 414-3408

7015 W. Spring Mountain Road
(702) 222-1813

9791 South Eastern Avenue
(702) 617-9160

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You're a Catholic high school. Your mascot is the Irish Knight called the Gael, and you use it as an acronym where the "G" stands for God.

How do you raise money?

Why, hold a wine and beer tasting, of course!

It's the 12th annual, with proceeds from a live and silent auction going to the school.

The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. tonight with a champagne reception, then continues with the tasting and auction through 10 p.m.

It all takes place at the Red Rock casino. Tickets are $95 and you must be at least 21.

For more information, call the Bishop Gorman Development Office at (702) 732-1945 ext. 328 or 363.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Whoopsie. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid did an about-face when confronted with Senate ethics rules about accepting gifts like, say, boxing tickets from an agency that, say, wants your influence on a legislation that just so happens to involve creating a feared federal boxing commission.

Reid had previously stated that he did nothing wrong and would continue to accept gifts of that nature, from boxing to ballet.

Yet in the past, he had paid his own way. To accept free tickets at the time he was involved with legislation affecting boxing skews his perceived ethics.

Now Reid's changing his mind and will no longer accept free boxing tickets.

We assume this now means Reid's Saturday night has freed up (Castillo vs. Corrales at Thomas & Mack).

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas will be showing free outdoor movies throughout the summer.

Movies include family classics, romantic comedies, and movies appropriate for children. Prizes will be offered to children before each movie.

Screenings will take place on the lawn every Thursday at 8 p.m. from June 1 to Sept. 7. Parking is also free.

June 1 -- Chicken Little
June 8 -- Meet the Fockers
June 15 -- Dreamer J
June 22 -- School of Rock
June 29 -- Daddy Day Care
July 6 -- Madagascar
July 13 -- Elizabethtown
July 20 -- Nanny McPhee
July 27 -- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Aug. 3 -- The Perfect Man
Aug. 10 -- Curious George
Aug. 17 -- Hitch
Aug. 24 -- Hook
Aug. 31 -- Eight Below
Sept. 7 -- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)