If you haven't had enough of this five-day Halloween weekend, stop by PURE tonight for a whopping $20,000 costume prize contest.

With stakes that high, you're bound to see some eye-popping costumes.

Jenny McCarthy takes a break from The Palms and hosts. DJ Vice handles music duties.

For our money, however, we're taking our hard-earned $20s and heading over to Scores Las Vegas tonight as they trick-or-treat in eye-popping noncostumes stripper style with a The Grudge 2 party.

Grudge 2 star Arielle Kebbell (pictured above) hosts.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Adult Entertainment Expo runs Jan. 10-13, 2007, culminating in the Adult Video News Awards on Jan. 13.

And now, to broaden its appeal, the awards show that honors the best and, um, brightest of the adult video industry is being open to the public for the first time.

Affectionately dubbed "the porn awards," this year's show will move to Mandalay Bay and will be hosted by Jessica Drake and comedian Jim Norton.

Tickets will run $100 to $250 and can be purchased in advance at the Mandalay Bay Events Center box office, across from House of Blues or by calling (702) 474-4000.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

10.30.06 Widespread Panic, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV

Set I: Contentment Blues > People Are Strange, You Should Be Glad> John's Other Jam > Pilgrims > Greta > Sharon > Time Zones, Stop Go > Three Little Birds > Imitation Leather Shoes > Chainsaw City

Set II: Can Get It Here, Slippin Into Darkness, When the Clowns Come Home, DOner > Proving Ground > Halloween Movie Theme Jam > Drums (with Carrot Top) > Airplane > Morning Dew, Love Tractor

Encore: ?, Radar Love, I Want You So Bad

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The boys from the Cheese played a weird show at the Orleans. Our crew stopped by around 1AM to take in the late night scene which had a monkey and jungle theme.

10.29.06 String Cheese Incident, Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, NV

Set I: Hey Hey We're the Monkeys, Black Clouds, Bam, Piece Of Mine, Round The Wheel > Solution > Birdland > Wheel Hoss > Birdland, Las Vegas > Welcome to the Jungle > Drums > Jam > Welcome to the Jungle

Set II: Shantytown, Rain, Little Hands > Concrete Jungle > Bumpin' Reel, Eye Know Why > Jungle Boogie > Texas

Encore: Doin' My Time, Daryl

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 11:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

10.29.06 Trey & Phil, Vegoose, Las Vegas, NV

Set I: Shakedown Street > Sweet Dreams Melinda > Row Jimmy, Let It Ride > Sleep Again, Like a Rolling Stone, Back on the Train > Bird Song > Help's On the Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower

Encore: Donor Rap, Not Fade Away

Mike Gordon sat in for Back on the Train. Also in the band were Jon Medeski from Medeski, Martin, & Wood (keyboards), John Molo (drums), Larry Campbell (guitar), and Christina Durfee (vocals).

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Review-Journal slipped in an interesting rumor over the weekend.

Seems that within the next 12 to 18 months, another hotel-casino is on the imploding block, and it's one that's completely unexpected.

Though the casino hasn't been officially identified, the R-J thinks it's the Las Vegas Hilton, current home to Barry Manilow and Trekkies.

The largest Hilton hotel at 3,174 rooms, it also sports the largest free-standing sign in the world (pictured above).

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you've ever escaped the porn slappers of the Strip by heading downtown, your reprieve may be over.

In 1997, an ordinance was passed to ban handouts and leaflets all along the Fremont Street Experience.

Ever since, the American Civil Liberties Union has been fighting the law, citing it unconstitutional. And now, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected the ordinance.

Which means, more stripper flashcards littering the street.

We actually don't mind the porn slappers. They're extremely respectful of not bothering us or tourists with their ads, and they're nonaggressive when ignoring them.

The same can't be said for timeshare solicitors, but that's a whole other story (a tip for solicitor avoidance: they don't go after singles, only couples).

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

10.29.06 Widespread Panic, Vegoose, Las Vegas, NV

Set 1: Climb to Safety > Surprise Valley > Henry Parsons Died, From the Cradle > Pigeons, Rebirtha > Tallboy, Blue Indian, Solid Rock > Fishwater, Conrad > Thought Sausage > Barstools and Dreamers > Action Man, Papa's Home, Little Wing > Porch Song, Ribs and Whiskey > Good People > Chilly Water

Encore: Ain't Life Grand

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 2:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Phil Lesh from the Grateful Dead and Trey Anastasio from Phish joined forces and played an amazing show at the Orleans Arena late on Saturday night. Also in the band were Jon Medeski from Medeski, Martin, & Wood (keyboards), John Molo (drums), Larry Campbell (guitar), and Christina Durfee (vocals).

10.29.06 Phil & Trey at Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, NV

Set I: Ghost > Cryptical Envelopment > The Other One > Drifting > Dark Star > Mountains of the Moon > 46 Days > St. Stephen > The Eleven > Plasma

Set II: Dark Star > Run for the Roses > Dark Star > Wharf Rat > I Know You Rider

Encore: Viola Lee Blues > Here Comes Sunshine > Shine

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sound Tribe Sector Nine (STS9) invaded The Joint at Hard Rock Casino for a late night Vegoose show. Here's the setlist:

10.29.06 STS9 Late Night Setlist, The Joint, Las Vegas, NV

Set I: Rent, Some Song, Pianoir, One A Day, ??, Blue Mood, ??

Set II: (order is off) Low Swagga, F Word, Moonsocket, Aimlessly, Orbital, Arigato, Mischief of a Sleep Walker

Encore: You Don't Say, Gologi

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Phish's frontman Trey Anastasio kicked off the late night Vegoose concert series with a sizzling show at the Orleans Arena. Robert Randolph opened for Trey, who eventually took the stage at Midnight. He played one set for over two and a half hours which included a cover song of Jimi Hendrix's Stone Free featuring Robert Randolph.

10.27.06 Trey Anastasio Band, Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, NV

Set I: Simple Twist of Dave, First Tube, Stone Free*, 46 Days*, Sweet Dreams Melinda, Push On Til the Day, What's Done, Goodbye Head > Plasma, Gotta Jiboo

Encore: Mr. Completely > Tuesday

* with Robert Randolph on pedal steel

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Celebrate Halloween this Sunday, Oct. 29, at the new nightclub Moon at The Palms.

Ladies in costume receive free champagne until midnight.

While you spent all that time on your costume, head back on out to Gossip Tuesdays at ghostbar on Tuesday, Oct. 31.

And a special offer -- if you're one of the first 50 to send an email to this address, you and a guest will be placed on the guest list. Specify which club. Costumes are required to gain free entry.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Beginning Nov. 1 and running through Nov. 30, the Golden Nugget in downtown Vegas celebrats their 60th anniversary by giving away a Mustang every day.

That's 30 chances to win 30 Mustangs. (Girl pictured not included.)

To qualify, just play slots and table games. You earn entries as you play. You also earn an entry by signing up to their player's club.

Drawings are held every night at 8:30 p.m.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Want a preview of the slot machines of the future?

Every year at the Global Gaming Expo, slot manufacturers converge in Las Vegas to show off their latest wares. This year, that will be Nov. 14-16.

IGT, the largest slot manufacturer based out of Reno, Nevada, has posted photos of some of their new slots.

Games include mechanical reel slots (Triple Hot Ice), video slots (Indiana Jones), and video poker (Guaranteed Play Poker).

They have another slot version of a table game, this time a multi-player with baccarat (pictured above). While generally worse odds than the actual table game counterparts, more people are likely to play slot versions because they're less intimidated that they'll make a mistake.

IGT will also be the first company to introduce a widescreen display on their monitor.

Check out their site for more previews, as well as photos of past expos (where you'll see other slot machines that still haven't been released yet).

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last year you could take a peek at live Vegoose performances through the AT&T blue room. And this year, you can do the same by going to attblueroom.com/music this weekend to see selected live performances direct from the event in Las Vegas. Archived performances will be hosted in the blue room after Vegoose ends.

By the way, Superfly and A.C. Entertainment announced special single day tickets available for either Saturday October 28 or Sunday October 29 dates. I think this is in response to lagging ticket sales.

The cost is $75 for single day tickets and you can buy them at www.vegoose.com or www.unlvtickets.com for $75.00 per day plus applicable fees. Two-day Vegoose Music Festival ticket packages are still available.

Here's the Vegoose 2006 lineup:

Saturday October 28
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
The Killers
The Mars Volta
The Keller Williams Incident
The Black Crowes
The Raconteurs
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
Medeski Martin & Wood w/special guest Maceo Parker
Cat Power and the Memphis Rhythm Band
Jurassic 5
Praxis
Yonder Mountain String Band
Gomez
Dr. Octagon aka Kool Keith
The Zutons
Yards Dogs Road Show

Sunday October 29
Widespread Panic
Phil & Trey
Fiona Apple
Ben Folds
The Roots
The Rhythm Devils: Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzman, Mike Gordon and Steve Kimock
G. Love & Special Sauce
Galactic
Built to Spill
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
Guster
Jim James of My Morning Jacket
Band of Horses
Jamie Lidell
Yard Dogs Road Show

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 6:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here in Nevada we've got a midterm election that is going to fill large number of offices, some of which are quite important, but most of the races are between candidates I've never heard of, and this close to the election, they're still just anonymous faces, lost amongst the thousands of other anonymous faces on any of the thousands of billboards that deface the landscape every election year.

Now I find myself avoiding the dog and pony show that the gubernatorial race has become and looking at the Ensign vs Carter race and after careful consideration I've decided I'm going to vote for Jack Carter[Prof's Note: As am I, which I explain in my Carter and Ensign on the Iraq War article].

The reasoning is simple, John Ensign is a walking rubber stamp for King George and company.
Anyone who wants to check on this should go to ontheissues.com and see how he's voted.

And while I don't agree with everything Jack Carter says, yet I think he's logical enough and reasonable enough to at least help break the stranglehold the current administration seems to have on the house and senate.

You can check out Jack Carters' stance on a number of important issues ontheissues.com.
Just my two cents worth.

Posted by Richard at 5:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FanFest Drag racing fans are invited to attend a free NHRA FanFest in the parking lot outside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (4455 Paradise Rd.) from Noon to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, to help kick off the annual NHRA ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Oct. 26-29. The FanFest is sponsored by Budweiser, Oakley and Harley-Davidson.

Included in the festivities will be live entertainment, show cars, an NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series simulator, live radio remotes, plus a free NHRA driver autograph session will take place in the parking lot outside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino from 5-6:30 p.m..

Posted by Zounds Off at 4:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At 8:30 p.m. tonight, SAW III premieres at The Palms' Brenden Theatres, but if you don't have your exclusive invite (you can still win tickets by listening to Xtreme 107.5), you can always gawk at the stars as they arrive on the red carpet beginning at 7:30 p.m. The red carpet at The Palms, by the way, is a little sliver of rug in front of the box office.

Then hang out in the casino until the after-party at RAIN, which doubles as SAW III's soundtrack release party.

Live performances include Hydrovibe, Bodipartz, and Static X.

Cost is $10 at the door, which opens at 11 p.m. If you're female with local Nevada I.D., you get in free.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Sunday, November 5th is a day to remember. The Hard Rock's night club, The Joint, will be the site of a charity poker tournament hosted by Motley Crue's Vince_Neil. The 2nd Annual Off Strip Poker Tournament will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation, an organization that does fund raising for cancer, Luekemia and AIDS research. Last year's first Vince Neil's Off Strip Poker Tournament raised $170,000 for this worthy cause and it is the direct result of the Skylar Neil Foundation established by Vince Neil in 1995 to honor the daughter he lost to cancer that year.

The tournament will be a $500 + $50 buy-in No-limit Hold'em event with first hour Rebuys and an optional Add-on. The prize pool is a guaranteed $50,000 with all ten players making the final table going home with some money. Seating is limited to the first 150 players so sign up early and don't miss this one. To sign up call the Joint Box Office at 702.693.5000 and tell them the Poker Prof sent you. From my experiences, I can recommend the Tournaments at the Hard Rock as always being fun and providing a rare opportunity to hang out with some of the stars from the music, movie, sports and poker industries. You've seen them on TV, come meet them in person.

The event gets under way at 3:00 PM with Vince Neil hosting a cocktail party followed by Tiffany Granath, host of Playboy and Sirius Radio's Afternoon Advice, conducting a one-of-a-kind live charity auction. A silent auction for items from an incredible collection of unique memorabilia from the worlds of music, sports and entertainment will be on display in the joint so the public is invited to stop in anytime throughout the day to bid on items of interest. All proceeds go directly to the Foundation.

The tournament will begin at 4:00 PM and continue until one lucky player has all the chips. Due to the limited seating I strongly recommend you pre-register for this tournament by calling the Joint Box Office at 702.693.5000. Tell them the Poker Prof recommended you call and reserve a seat in the tournament. FYI FlipChip will be there with his cameras to take your photo so call now and to join the party and play some poker. See you on Sunday, November 5th at the Las Vegas Hard Rock's 'The Joint'.

photo by FlipChip/LasVegasVegas.com

Posted by flipchipro at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today, MTV premieres local band The Killers' latest music video "Bones" (pictured above), the first music video directed by Tim Burton.

You can also catch it online at MTV's homepage.

Burton infuses desert and ocean with old Vegas inspired by drive-ins and Jason and the Argonauts' stop motion in the new song from the Sam's Town CD.

A 4-minute making-of video can be seen directly afterwards online.

The Killers will be back in their hometown Las Vegas this Saturday as part of the Vegoose music festival before heading off on a European tour.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This Friday, Oct. 27, is Nevada Day.

Nevada entered the union as the 36th state on Oct. 31, 1864, and now the last Friday of every October is Nevada Day.

We think schoolchildren rallied behind this just to get the day off, but we're behind this day just for the Saturday festivities, the likes of which you won't see until the last Friday of next October.

Yep, head 12 hours up to Carson Nugget in Carson City, Nevada, and you'll get to take a 4 1/2-pound hammer and ram it into bits of steel in a 4,320-pound piece of granite. Even better, it's a contest.

While hammering, you can also enter a beard contest.

Good times.

A parade starts the festivities with F-18 Hornets flying overhead.

For those a little closer to civilization (i.e., Las Vegas), the Atomic Testing Museum (755 E. Flamingo Rd., near Terrible's and pictured above) is opening their doors and offering free admission for the day.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is normally $10.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Retired FBI agent Joe Navarro has used FBI methods of decoding nonverbal behavior for 25 years.

Now get Navarro to train you how to use these tells for poker.

In this eight-hour seminar, Navarro covers topics including:

• How to effectively pick up tells in a tournament environment
  
• Exercises to enhance observation and decoding skills
  
• Controlling your emotions and reactions at the table
  
• How to conceal tells effectively
  
• Effective bluffing using powerful little known cues
  
• Identifying the most reliable tells
  
• What to do with the "unreadable player"
  
• Examination of common and uncommon tells
  
• Using your hands to bluff more effectively
  
• What the eyes really tell us about your opponent's hand
  
• Using eye gaze behavior effectively at the table
  
• How to confuse your opponent any time any where
  
• What does each part of your body communicate at the poker table
  
• Understanding the psychology of nonverbal behavior
  

The seminar is limited to 100 people and takes place Nov. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Caesars Palace. Breakfast and refreshments will be served.

Cost is $1,699.

For more information and to register, call 1-888-435-5688.

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

Rumors are running rampant that a certain 25-year-old Las Vegas poker professional was caught marking cards and has been arrested for cheating.

The rumor has the Nevada Gaming Commission entering the Wynn poker room and arresting the guy right on the spot.

We haven't been able to confirm or deny so have left out his name, but we'll keep you informed as soon as we hear.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The ailing monorail is being given a new sense of awareness.

First a brand spanking new website that greatly improves over their previous version.

And now... showgirls!

Las Vegas showgirls from around the city have been drafted for the day job (Thursday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and are dressed in sexy ambassador uniforms to greet potential riders and provide useful information (maybe even their phone number?).

The 20 or so ambassador ladies can be found at busy areas up and down the Strip: the Roman Plaza at Caesars Palace, in between The Venetian and Mirage, The Mirage volcano, and at Harrah's north entrance.

Asked if they would escort us to the monorail, they said they weren't that kind of woman.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

They are running a series of slick ads, suing to prevent counter advertising and have invaded YouTube with numerous video's on the topic including this 90 second spot:

More State Question #7 videos and ads I found interesting are on the Nevada Business and Politics Blog next to a glance of all ten State Ballot Questions.

Posted by pokerprof at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Progressive Gaming International Corporation and Harrah's have announced a World Series of Poker Peer to Peer Texas Hold'em device.

Using the WSOP brand, the peer to peer game will be available in wired and portable wireless versions, to be played in areas of the casino that don't normally contain gambling (restaurants, nightclubs, pool, shopping). Players also don't need to be at a physical poker table to play with other players.

PGI already has a Texas Hold-em Live peer to peer game (pictured above), and presumably the WSOP version will be similar in look and feel but smaller.

Several months ago, the Nevada Gaming Control Board granted Nevada the first state to allow gambling on mobile devices.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While you're Halloweening about Las Vegas, do check out Madame Tussauds, housed inside The Venetian.

Through Oct. 31, the wax museum features Freddy (Nightmare on Elm Street), Jason (Friday the 13th), and Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre), together at last.

The trio (played by live actors) takes the audience through a new Chamber of Horrors maze containing scenes from each movie brought to life. Guests will visit the boiler room, smell the pine trees at the cabin of Camp Crystal Lake, and experience the meat locker and smell of burned meat and slaughtered animals. Yummy.

Afterwards, pose for pictures in front of the respective wax figures... or are they real?

The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Cost is $24 and can be purchased by calling (702) 862-7800 or at their website.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today, the Hearts on Fire Diamond Fantasy bra goes on display at Victoria's Secret.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of their line of Fantasy bras, this 800-carat bra contains 2,000 clear diamonds with a 10-carat Victorian-style floral diamond brooch in the center.

Over 20,000 hours were put into cutting the rare diamonds that adorn this bra.

It appears in the 2006 Victoria's Secret Christmas Dreams and Fantasies catalog and costs $6.5 million.

You might find it for less on eBay.

A bonus if you buy one: model Karolina Kurkova (pictured above) wants to meet whoever that person is.

You can see the bra in person at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We've known this for years, but now the country knows.

USA Today celebrates National Pizza Month by posting "10 great places to moon over a big pizza pie," and the first listed was our very own Metro Pizza:

The pizza menu at this gourmet oasis in the desert reads like a map of regional flavors. With grilled shrimp on the New Orleans, barbecued chicken atop the Memphis and pineapple on the Honolulu, there's something for everybody. "The owners, two cousins from New York, are dedicated to all kinds of pizza," Ruby says. Because of popular demand, a fourth location has opened. 702-736-1955; metropizza.com.

Our favorite is the Honolulu with a home-brewed root beer.

Metro Pizza has three locations in Las Vegas (1395 E. Tropicana Ave., 4001 S. Decatur Blvd., and inside Ellis Island at 4178 Koval Ln.).

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With just a week before Vegoose, here's who's playing this weekend around town:

10/19/06 Thursday
Coco Montoya @ Boulder Station Hotel & Casino
David Lindley @ Boulder Station Hotel & Casino
Placebo @ House of Blues
HOJPOJ @ Freakin' Frog

10/20/06 Friday
Less Than Jake @ House of Blues
Nashville Pussy @ Celebrity Ballroom
The Beach Boys Band @ Luxor Hotel & Casino

10/21/06 Saturday
O.A.R. @ Desert Breeze
Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band @ MGM Grand Garden
The Beach Boys Band @ Luxor Hotel & Casino

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 9:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) has created a dark rock show called Van Helsing's Curse, running this weekend Oct. 20-21 at 8 p.m. at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Every year around Halloween, Snider and his 18-piece gothic orchestra stage the show, a tale of despair, anguish, and all that good stuff brought about by All Hallow's Eve.

Snider was on Penn Jillette's radio program today to promote the show, and he mentioned that he and his wife Suzette will renew their wedding vows in a gothic 25th anniversary wedding ceremony to take place during the Saturday performance. Sounding a bit too happy for a gothic ceremony, he did mention that "there'll be no bibles present."

Tickets are $15 and $25 at The Joint at Hard Rock and through Ticketmaster.com.

For those who can't make it, Snider also has a DVD of the show for sale at his website. Cost is only $5, including shipping.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you tune in to KXNT-AM 840 from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., you'll hear Casey Kasem's daughter on the air every morning.

Kerri Kasem joins the Las Vegas morning show to co-host with Alan Stock. She was most recently broadcasting at KLSX in Los Angeles.

KXNT is also home to Rush Limbaugh (9 a.m. to noon), Dr. Laura (noon to 3 p.m.), and Sean Hannity (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.).

For those outside the listening area, you can also hear a live streaming version at their website.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Composer/lyricist Jerry Herman, the man behind such musicals as Hello Dolly!, La Cage Aux Folles, Mame, Parade, Mack and Mabel, and many others, will be in town for a concert and seminar at UNLV's Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall.

Sponsored by the ASCAP Foundation, the Jerry Herman Legacy Series runs Oct. 19-21. In addition to the concert/seminar by Herman, master classes will also be offered in musical theater performance.

In 1999, Herman was commissioned by Steve Wynn to write a Broadway-style musical for The Mirage called Miss Spectacular. It was never ultimately produced, but you can catch some of the songs during the concert.

Ticket prices are $35, $50, and $80 and can be purchased at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office and UNLVTickets.com.

For more information, visit http://pac.unlv.edu.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First mentioned a couple months ago, we received an update.

Those attending conventions in Las Vegas can now avoid lines at the airport by checking in luggage and receiving boarding passes at the Convention Center.

You actually do not need to be a guest of The Venetian nor an actual convention attendee.

The service costs $20 and is currently only available for Southwest at Airport Speed Check Advance kiosks at the Convention Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority hopes to increase the service to other carriers soon.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Stop by the Vegoose website to see the schedule of artists for both Saturday and Sunday. It was finally released today.

Here's what I'm excited to see:

Saturday
Gomez
Medeski Martin Wood w/ Maceo Parker
Yonder Mountain String Band
The Ranconteurs
Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley
The Mars Volta
The Black Crowes
The Killers
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Sunday
Built to Spill
Galactic
The Rhythm Devils w/ Mike Gordon
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
Phil Lesh & Trey Anastasio
Ben Folds
Jim James from My Morning Jacket
The Roots
Widespread Panic

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 12:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid has amended ethics reports to now account for the $1.1 million land deal he recently scored... for property he hadn't owned in three years.

Reid was previously contacted by The Associated Press and when pressed for a reason why, he hung up on them.

Not accounting for the deal appears to violate Senate ethics rules, which requires all transactions and investments to be fully disclosed.

A few days after The AP contacted him, Reid amended his financial disclosure form to now show the sale of the land.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Next week's New Yorker has a fun article by Nick Paumgarten, who describes how Steve Wynn's elbow was responsible for $40 million worth of damage to a Picasso.

Wynn owns Picasso's "Le Reve" (pictured above), which is his favorite painting and which the show at Wynn Las Vegas is named after. He was planning to sell it to billionaire collector Steven Cohen for $139 million, what would be a sales record for a piece of artwork.

The deal was as good as signed, sealed, and delivered, until Wynn showed the painting to friends in town (including writer/director Nora Ephron, who writes personally about her experience being offended by the painting's penis-shaped face). As he showed it, he accidentally gestured his hand a little too close to the painting, and his right elbow went right through Marie-Therese Walter's left forearm.

According to Ephron, he told his guests, "Oh shit. Look what I've done."

"Thank God it was me," Wynn said. Ephron said everyone else was left speechless.

Wynn's wife Elaine considered it an omen to not part with the painting.

Though an art restorer said he could repair it as good as new, Wynn decided to keep the painting.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Two weeks ago, Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa, and Casino unveiled its third major expansion since opening in December 2001.

The $110 million expansion includes 1,200 additional parking spaces in a new garage, a new 170-seat sportsbook, a new 22-table poker room, two new restaurants, and 14,000 more square feet for meeting and convention space.

The new restaurants are Tides Oyster Bar and Turf Grill, reflecting the look and feel of sister casino Red Rock more and more.

The fourth expansion will be completed in the spring, with more casino space and a 500-seat entertainment center.

To celebrate, GVR is offering all Boarding Pass players a discount on the Feast Buffet.

Just show your Boarding Pass at the cashier and receive breakfast for $6.99 ($2 off), lunch for $7.99 ($3 off), dinner Monday-Thursday for $12.99 ($5 off), and dinner Friday-Sunday for $13.99 ($5 off).

For the rest of October, slot players also receive 2x points.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you've been missing impressionist Gordie Brown at the Golden Nugget, he's now taken up shop at The Venetian.

Tickets are $64 and $74, but for preview performances through Oct. 23, you can purchase tickets for $50.

That's still $5 more than his show used to be at Golden Nugget, but you would've spent that much on a cab downtown anyway.

Purchase tickets at Venetian's website.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Photo source Brandon Flowers

I found this hilarious copy of The Killers backstage rider over at The Smoking Gun. The Killers specifically request different types of booze depending on the day of the week.

The Killer's Daily Booze Schedule:

Monday: Maker's Mark & Absolute Vodka

Tuesday: Jack Daniels & Gin

Wednesday: Maker's Mark & Absolute Vodka

Thursday: Jack Daniels & Gin

Friday: Maker's Mark & Absolute Vodka

Saturday: Jack Daniels & Gin

Sunday: Jamesons & Tequila

It's good to see that the boys take a break on Sundays and cut back to just Jamesons and tequila. They also request 96 beers and two bottles of red wine everday in addition to the booze.

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 12:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vegoose is two weeks away and they added a couple of more artists to the already kick ass lineup. Here are the new aditions:

Money Mark
Matt Costa
Toubab Krewe
The Coup

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This Sunday, Oct. 15, the brand new Playboy Club (at the top of The Palms' Fantasy Tower) releases the November Playboy issue with a party at both The Playboy Club and the Moon nightclub.

If you missed the opening last week and want another chance to check the place out, this first promotion at the new clubs will give you more than a peek.

Tamra Witmer, October's cover girl and playmate, will sign autographs and make your girlfriend jealous.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Celebrate the Friday the 13th weekend when Movie Nation Festivals hosts the 2006 Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Supernatural indie films from around the country at The Plaza in downtown Las Vegas.

Exhibit rooms abound throughout The Plaza, with movies such as Dumpster Diver, Lucas Vampire Diary, Mexican Werewolf in Texas, Blood Gnome, and our favorite, Easter Bunny Kill! Kill!.

The festival runs through Sunday, and day passes are $15 ($10 for students)

Tonight from 8 p.m. to midnight is a masquerade ball and costume contest at Barcode (5150 Spring Mountain Rd.). Protomen with Slow Children and Throttlebent perform. Cost is $10 with costume, $12 without.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tonight at 9 p.m. is the grand opening of the new restaurant Stripsteak at Mandalay Bay.

The latest restaurant from star chef Michael Mina, he's no stranger to Las Vegas. His Nobhill and Seablue (both at MGM Grand) and self-named restaurant at Bellagio continue to do great business.

Along with serving American fare, Stripsteak is Mina's first official steak restaurant. Angus Beef is cooked over wood, slow-poached prime ribs are cooked for eight hours, oh jeez, now we're hungry.

Guest artist Federico Aubele will be performing at tonight's opening.

Click here for an animated invite.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Despite a ratings downturn in televised poker, NBC is putting together a new poker show called "Poker After Dark," with a 6-max table of poker players competing for a single prize of $120,000.

The hour-long show will be hosted by former World Poker Tour host Shana Hiatt, who recently took action against her former employers for enacting on a non-compete clause that she didn't sign. Hiatt reportedly left WPT because of harassment, and that hearing is set for Oct. 17.

Beginning Monday, each night takes place in the back room of a Vegas casino, focusing on one table as it progresses to a final winner on Friday.

Pros featured include Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Doyle Brunson, Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson, Erick Lindgren, Jennifer Harman, and Gus Hansen.

The show begins Jan. 2, 2007 and will air weeknights at 2:05 a.m., with a recap, commentary, and strategy show after "Saturday Night Live."

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey of The Associated Press are reporting that Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid received over $1 million selling land in Las Vegas, despite not having owned the property for three years.

The AP links Reid's sale with Jay Brown, a casino lawyer who's been investigated for organized crime and a bribery trial.

When the AP called Reid to question the deal, he hung up on them.

We wonder if the sale included boxing tickets.

Click here to read the whole story.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Harrah's investors Henoch Kaiman and Joseph Weiss have filed a lawsuit against the company, stating the proposed $15.1 billion offer is an "apparent camouflaged management buyout" and "inadequate."

On Oct. 2, Harrah's revealed private equity firms Texas Pacific Group and Apollo Management made a bid to take over their company at $81 per share.

Since then, Harrah's stock has increased some 15 percent (closing yesterday at $76.39).

Kaiman and Weiss filed their claim Oct. 5 in a Delaware Chancery Court. They allege the timing of the equity firms' offer was made to take advantage of the low stock price and that a "fair process" for selling shares should be conducted instead, perhaps in an auction.

Harrah's is the largest gaming company in the world, operating more than 40 casinos in the U.S., with seven in Las Vegas (including Barbary Coast, which was acquired last week).

If the buyout were to happen, it would be the fifth-largest ever and could affect Harrah's upcoming Las Vegas Strip redevelopment plans.

Harrah's has already pulled out of the running to operate the second casino in Singapore, a market that just a few months ago they were keen on obtaining.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., gentlemen's club/nightclub Seamless (across from The Orleans) hosts a happy hour "Networking Event."

While networking, guests receive gift bags and complimentary food from My Buddy's Deli. Guests may also register for a bachelor party giveaway that includes wedding chapel reservations and wedding rings.

Bring enough business cards to place in everyone's gift bags... and that's no double-entendre.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes

10/12/06 Thursday
Chris Duarte Group @ Boulder Station Hotel & Casino
HOJPOJ @ Freakin' Frog

10/13/06 Friday
Blue October @ House of Blues

10/14/06 Saturday
Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes @ Moondoggies West
Dave Mason @ Boulder Station Hotel & Casino

10/15/06 Sunday
The Pogues @ House of Blues

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 1:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just in time for Halloween.

Have you heard the one about State Controller Kathy Augustine?

On July 11, 50-year-old Augustine died from what was thought to be a heart attack.

On Sept. 29, Augustine's fourth husband Chaz Higgs, 42, was arrested, charged with her first-degree murder by way of poisoning.

This morning at the time of this posting, Las Vegas authorities are digging up the body of Augustine's third husband Charles Augustine to determine whether he was also poisoned.

Charles Augustine, 63, was buried three years ago, and the drug succinylcholine deteriorates rapidly and would be undetectable; however, if injected in his muscle tissue, there could exist traces.

Succinylcholine is a muscle relaxant used by doctors to assist in inserting breathing tubes, but it can also be deadly to patients' respiration.

Higgs is a critcal care nurse and holds a Nevada nursing license. He has worked in hospitals and clinics, with probable access to the drug.

When Charles Augustine was admitted to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center for a stroke, Higgs was his nurse.

Higgs then married Kathy Augustine three weeks later.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Elton John appears live from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas... on QVC.

This Friday, Oct. 13 from 4-5 p.m., John will be on the shopping network to sing selections from his new The Captain & the Kid album, a sequel to Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.

John will also talk about the story behind the release, including his inspiration and how it's based on the 39-year partnership between him and Bernie Taupin.

Customers purchasing the CD from QVC (item #E01919) will also receive a bonus set of songs from John's Fashion Rocks concert in New York.

John continues his residency at Caesars Palace with "The Red Piano."

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Every October for Halloween, Circus Circus' regular Adventure Dome turns into a scary Fright Dome.

Special this year is the Zombie Mansion, named after Rob Zombie whose Captain Spaulding (from House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects) appeared at the grand opening this past weekend.

Spanning five acres, the Fright Dome also includes five haunted houses, 20 rides and attractions, three haunted ride films, and freak shows galore.

Tickets are $29.95 and $41.95 for Thursdays through Sundays from 7 p.m. to midnight, with additional nights Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.

Discount tickets can be found at Subway, Hollywood Video, The Tan Factory, and Terrible's gas stations.

The show is not recommended for children 12 and under.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their website or call 702-794-3939.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At the 11th Grand Slam for Children charity auction at MGM Grand, Andre Agassi had two tennis rackets up on the chopping block.

One racket won him his first professional match; the other closed out his final U.S. Open.

Bidding ran up to $320,000 before Agassi's wife Steffi Graf threw in a final bid of $360,000 to make sure the rackets stay in the family.

To make up for the next highest bidder's loss, Agassi offered him a free tennis lesson. Without the rackets.

Grand Slam for Children, based in Las Vegas, assists underprivileged and abused children in Southern Nevada.

The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation raised more than $8.6 million at the gala benefit with over 8,000 people in attendance.

Audience members were entertained by performers including Counting Crows, John Mayer, Sarah McLachlan, Phil Collins, Tears for Fears, and Michael Buble. The event was hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vegoose is just three weeks away!

Trey Anastasio from Phish announced his lineup with Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead during their Vegoose run. Larry Campbell (Dylan's guitar player) will join John Molo (from Zero) on drums and John Medeski (from Medeski, Martin & Wood) on keys. They will perform on Saturday 10.28 at the Orleans Arena and on Sunday 10.29 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

There's also going to be a Vegoose/StubHub Charity Blackjack Tournament at MGM!

Vegoose Black Jack Tournament
Friday, October, 27, 2:30 p.m. PDT
Prize money - $30,000*
Entry Fee - $250

Seats in the tournament are limited and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Fans will get a chance to play side by side with their favorite Vegoose artists, including John Medeski and lap steel wizard Robert Randolph and the Family Band. There will be more than $30,000* in prizes awarded with the Grand Prize Winner walking away with $15,000!!* A few lucky Vegoose patrons will kick off this amazing weekend with a pocket full of MGM Grand chips while raising money for great causes.

The Tournament will be held Friday, October. 27, 2006 at the MGM Grand at 2:30 p.m. All Tournament entry fees must be paid in person at the MGM Grand on the day of the Tournament. However, you may reserve an entry into the Tournament in advance, by submitting a winning bid in the StubHub.com online charity auction (minimum donation bid $10). The auction will permit you to bid against other individuals for the chance to compete against Vegoose artists** and fans. All net proceeds raised via the StubHub.com online charity auction will be donated directly to the charities mentioned below. Auction winners desiring to enter the Tournament must register for the Tournament and pay the $250 entry fee in cash upon check-in at the MGM Grand Tournament Registration Desk. All Tournament entrants must be 21 years of age or older. Proof of age in the form of a government issued picture ID is required to register. Check-in and payment of the Tournament entry fee only can be done at the Tournament Registration Desk on Friday, October 27 between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. PDT.

Net proceeds raised via the on-line charity auction and Tournament will go to the Nevada Cancer Institute, a comprehensive cancer care and research facility; the Common Ground Collective, a grassroots collective working on aid and advocacy efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina; and Rock the Earth, a group of attorneys and scientists who raise awareness of environmental concerns in tandem with members of the music industry. For official rules and tournament structure please contact the MGM Grand Casino Operations Department at (702) 891-7403.

* prizes based on 150 participants
** Artist participation in the Tournament subject to change

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

With 40 million Total Rewards members spread across their properties, Harrah's is able to offer promotions bigger than any other casino.

Over the summer, their "$3 Million on the House" promotion awarded one person $1 million, another person 1 million frequent flyer miles, and another person 1 million Total Rewards points.

Their newest promotion is a "$1 Million in the Bag" event, culminating in a grand prize of $1 million to be used in a shopping spree through the Caesars Palace Forum Shops. (The winner may also choose a different spree at an alternate upscale shopping center or a cash equivalent.)

From now through Dec. 2, players can pick up mystery tote bags at Harrah's properties on select dates. Bags contain gift cards ranging from $5 to $1,000 along with entries to the $1 Million in the Bag event, to be held Dec. 3. Check your local Harrah's casino for exact date.

You can also enter the drawing by clicking here, without leaving the comfort of your overstuffed beanbag armchair.

Five winners receive a trip to Las Vegas and entry into the event. By entering, you'll also get to play the online game where you can win a gift card.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[Editor's note: I recieved this email earlier today:

Comment: The post for Mandalay Bay rooms from $89 posted by RC Clark is not a public offer and will not be facilitated by the hotel. Please remove this offer from your site.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Rob Hoffmann
Director of Interactive Marketing
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino]

Mandalay Bay has a special rate of $89 on select nights in the upcoming months.

For anyone who's stayed at Mandalay, this is an extraordinary price.

Typically, Las Vegas hotels aren't as booked in the days surrounding the winter holidays, so if you're looking for a Christmas getaway, December dates would be your best bet.

As of the time of this post, dates include:

Oct. 12, 19, 22-25, 29-30
Nov. 5-6, 12, 19-23, 26-30
Dec. 3-4, 7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28

There's a maximum of three nights per reservation.

Use code CSUN06J-EM and reserve at 1-877-632-7503.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday 10.6.06
Queensryche @ House of Blues
Mark Mallman @ The Cooler Lounge

Saturday 10.7.06
Jet The Joint @ Hard Rock Hotel
Counting Crows, Phil Collins, and Sarah McLachlan @ MGM Grand Garden
Yellowjackets @ Boulder Station Hotel & Casino

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 8:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So you're new resident of Las Vegas, and you have so many entertainment and dining options that not only don't you know where to start, but you don't have anyone to do those things with?

Aside from being the most convoluted paragraph ever, check out the social group GetOutLV.

Recent events have included Shakespeare in the Park, Monday Night Football, movies, happy hours, skydiving, and much more.

Upcoming events include a Halloween Party, more happy hours, more movies, wine tastings, hikes, roller derby, jazz, and more.

In fact, they have a scheduled event practically every day. See their calendar for what's planned this month.

You pay your own way at each event, but you must be a member.

To become a member, prospects are advance screened in person to make sure they're a good fit with the current mostly single group (estimated at 150 men and 150 women).

With any social group centered around an activity, meeting people is much less stressful, particularly if you're meeting prospective dates.

And it beats doing things alone.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The above cryptic image looks suspiciously like a well-known casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

In this case, it's all that appears when you visit 3121 -- the website of Prince.

The past week, The Purple One has been on a Las Vegas tear, with multiple sightings at the PURE nightclub at Caesars Palace.

Hmm... Harrah's owns Caesars. Harrah's also owns the purple-neon-lighted casino up top.

In May, Prince was in town performing at Empire Ballroom, then he also made a surprise appearance with Morris Day & the Time at the same purple casino.

Put two and two together, and...

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you flew in or out of McCarran International Airport on Tuesday, you would've seen some 69 people spread out on the tarmac.

A simulated plane crash starring students from the Southern Nevada Vocational Technical Center as victims, the Federal Aviation Administration requires airports to go through a mock drill every three years to maintain certification.

The scenario was a collision between an airbus passenger jet and a private aircraft.

Fire, police, and emergency crews participated in the simulation, displaying how they would respond if it were real.

According to Randall Walker, director of the Clark County Department of Aviation, the simulation went well.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For this month, Tropicana's Les Folies Bergere is offering 2-for-1 tickets to local residents of Nevada.

Perhaps a parting gift before Trop is no more?

Folies is a French-style musical cabaret featuring showgirls performing everything from the Can-Can to Latin Mambo.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday and 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.

7:30 p.m. shows are for all ages; the rest are topless.

Regular tickets are $64.90, $70.40, and $75.90

Show your Nevada I.D. at the box office. Tickets can also be purchased at 1-800-829-9034.

For out-of-town visitors, you can find rooms in these final days of Tropicana for as low as $45.95 per night, which also includes the 2-for-1 Folies offer.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You've played poker with celebrities, how about golf?

And how about golf with the Dallas Cowboys?

Join Danny White, Larry Brown, Chad Hennings, Jethro Pugh, Butch Johnson, Robert Newhouse, Mel Renfro, Billy Joe Dupree, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Ron Fellows, and other celebrities in a star-studded event to benefit the Cowboys Alumni Association, an organization that helps former athletes in need or distress.

Even if you aren't a Cowboy you can still become an Associate Member.

And, of course, you can play golf with your favorite teammates.

Hosted by Excalibur, the Cowboy Roundup Golf Classic will take place Oct. 12-14 at the Primm Valley Golf Course.

For more information and entry fee, call 1-866-255-0104.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today's the day for locals news, because we also have a 20 percent discount to Giorgio Caffe & Ristorante at Mandalay Place (the indoor shops between Mandalay Bay and Luxor).

Just show your Nevada I.D.

Not only is this discount good for the sit-down restaurant, but it also applies to grabbing something on the go at the deli.

Even the gelato bar? Yes, Virginia, even the gelato bar.

The offer is good through the end of the year.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bally's celebrates the 25th anniversary of Donn Arden's Jubilee! by offering $25 tickets to locals, good throughout October. Regular price is $65-$89.

Jubilee! is seven acts of topless dancing showgirls, one of the last remaining big stage spectacles featuring showgirls.

Purchase at the Jubilee! box office inside Bally's and show your Nevada I.D.

Through Travel Zoo, you can stay at Bally's for $59 per night on selected dates through December, which also includes 2-for-1 show tickets, 2-for-1 cocktails, $5 to $10 off the buffet, and souvenirs.

Selected dates are: Oct. 3-4, 25-26, 29; Nov. 19-22, 26-28; and Dec. 10-14, 17-21.

'Course, that won't get you into Jubilee! for cheap, but if you have a friend who lives in Las Vegas...

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

Visit the Poker Blog for our analysis, expert opinions and ongoing developments (such as Party Poker's plans to pull out of the US market).

Posted by pokerprof at 1:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You can view their performances via You Tube:

When You Were Here

Bones

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 1:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Jim Perkins has begun an online petition protesting the Internet gambling bill.

It reads as follows:

To: All Members of the Congress and Senate

We would like to register our strong disagreement with and disapproval
of the recently enacted bill regarding the prohibition and/or
regulation of internet gambling. The bill was originally introduced in
the House of Representatives by Representative Goodlatte and was
attached to "must pass" legislation in the Senate by Senator Frist.

We strongly believe that the government should not attempt to prohibit
online gambling by adults. We favor legalization, regulation and
taxation of online gambling by the government of the United States.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

http://www.petitiononline.com/LOGNOW/petition.html

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Texas Pacific Group and Apollo Management are the private equity firms behind a whopping $15.05 billion ($81 per share, 22 percent what Harrah's stock closed at on Friday) buyout offer of Harrah's.

Harrah's has formed a committee to review the offer, though has stated that they have "not determined that a transaction is in the best interests of Harrah's and its stockholders.''

Harrah's stock rose to an early-morning high of $80 before settling to about $76 midmorning, up 14.5 percent. Trading is almost four times what it's been in the past 30 days.

Earlier today, Harrah's announced they were acquiring Barbary Coast from Boyd Gaming Corp. in exchange for 24 acres of property near Stardust, the site of Boyd's Echelon Place.

A win-win for both properties, Boyd has more space to work with, and Harrah's now has a continuous majority of the east Las Vegas Strip.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A surprise article posted online in today's Wall Street Journal mentions private companies are banding together to buy Harrah's.

Could this possibly be online gaming companies making an aggressive bid for the casino giant, estimated to be worth $12.34 billion (with $10.2 billion in debt)?

Or could it be Texas Pacific Group, one of the biggest private equity gamblers around?

If it were to happen, it would be one of the largest leverage buyout deals we've ever seen.

It isn't like the WSJ to spread rumors.

Stay tuned and fasten your seatbelts...

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The big money grab box is back, this time at Imperial Palace (a version of the box is pictured above).

Loaded with $1, $5, $10, $20, and $100 bills, seven lucky people will be selected every day ths month at 3 p.m. to enter and collect as many bills as they can.

Players will enter one by one and have 45 seconds to catch bills amidst constant wind blowing. Players also need to push collected bills through a small slot. Whatever bills they collect in the slot they get to keep.

Earn entries to be considered for the daily drawing. One entry is awarded for every 100 points ($1,000 playthrough) earned in playing slots.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)