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Broadway in Vegas?

Disney on Broadway?

How about Disney in Vegas?

Disney's The Lion King will show Las Vegas that it isn't afraid to take on the failed theatrical projects littering the Strip.

The Tony Award-winning musical based on the animated film will replace one of the few musicals that managed to be successful in Vegas -- Mamma Mia!, which opened Feb. 13, 2003 and will play its last performance Jan. 4, 2009 with more than 2100 shows under its belt.

The Lion King takes over for Mamma Mia! at Mandalay Bay on May 2, 2009. Tickets and prices are not yet available.

Unlike other fallen musicals in Vegas, Disney is taking a page from the uncut Mamma Mia! and porting over The Lion King and all its 2:45 running time glory, complete with intermission.

What? A show in Vegas can be longer than 90 minutes? It remains to be seen, but we have high hopes that The Lion King will be successful and relaunch the idea of Broadway in Vegas.

As for seeing the ABBA musical before it leaves, check out this link for $30 off tickets.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This Vegas Crapshoot promotion will save you $20 in our fine neon city, and you can thank your candidate, whichever party it may be.

Starting tomorrow, make a purchase at Vegas.com for $200 or more, and you'll receive $20 off when you enter the name of your candidate as the promo code (McCain, Obama, Clooney, No one, etc.).

A poll showing votes will be available to show who's in the running (based on those with $200 to spend in Las Vegas).

Offer expires on Election Day, Nov. 4.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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And while we're thinking job opportunities, even better is networking and schmoozing with fellow members of the workforce who you might befriend and be recommended for.

Much like the Hollywood movie industry, landing a casino job is largely who you know. We've networked at the blackjack table, at the pool, even while playing poker (we didn't check-raise).

On Thursday, Oct. 2, B2B has a business-to-business mixer with your first drink free and free hors d'oeuvres. Other prizes included theater tickets and dinners for two.

The event takes place at Carmine's Little Italy Restaurant at 2940 S. Durango (Sahara and Desert Inn). Cocktails at 6 p.m., prizes at 7:30 p.m.

Cost is $15 at the door (or $10 in advance by calling (702) 792-2378), and if you want, you'll have control of the microphone for 30 seconds to promote your company.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Next Monday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Texas Station hosts a job fair with over 80 companies hanging out to take your resume off your hands.

We've attended this in the past and had several interesting leads for positions we had never held before.

This type of Open House is much better than cold-calling or blindly sending cover letters to ads in Help Wanted. You can connect with employers and immediately add a face to your resume. Remember, this is Las Vegas, where skillset and common sense isn't the strongest. Just dressing up will earn you points.

The companies in attendance aren't just casinos, either. Companies include:

• Air Conditioning Technical Institute
  
• Avon
  
• Consolidated Resorts
  
• Country Financial Services
  
• Credit One Bank
  
• Crescent School of Gaming & Bartending
  
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
  
• Excalibur Hotel Casino
  
• Fairway Henderson Chevrolet
  
• Georgia Pacific
  
• Harrington & Reed, Inc.
  
• Hilton Grand Vacations
  
• Holiday Systems International
  
• KVBC - TV Channel 3
  
• La-Z-Boy
  
• Luxor Las Vegas
  
• LVCC Library Dist.
  
• Macy's Las Vegas
  
• Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
  
• MGM Grand Resorts
  
• Neiman Marcus
  
• Nevada Army National Guard
  
• Priority Staffing
  
• SOS / Skill Staff
  
• Station Casinos
  
• The Nuance Group
  
• The Signature at MGM Grand
  
• University Health System
  
• University of Phoenix
  
• Westgate Resorts
  
• Winder Farms
  
• Wyndham Vacation Resorts
  
• Wynn Las Vegas
  
• yellowpages.com

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Flipchip has posted some of the poker face images taken during the 2008 WSOP Main Event. Checking out the people that play poker for a living is a great way to start your workweek. Maybe you would like to join them? Nothing could be simpler, all you need is the price of a buy-in. No license, no expensive equipment, no working out...no nothing, just the buy-in, an ample dose of fortitude and a little card sense.

Hopefully Flipchip's poker face photos will inspire you to pursue a new dream. All players welcome.

Posted by flipchipro at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

It's still early for concrete information, but we're hearing reports that the Las Vegas Hilton was robbed.

Unlike the one suspect who took money from the Harrah's cage, this was a seemingly large planned operation.

Up to three people robbed the sports book and stole in upwards of $500,000.

Are criminals becoming more brazen that they don't care about the thousands of cameras in casinos?

More details as they emerge.

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

GenieKnows.com provides a twist on search engines, allowing the user to find local businesses and attractions by zones.

The Las Vegas search engine just launched, with a focus on information to locals.

Searching on an area is shown by grids with search results by category displayed.

We did a search on LasVegasVegas headquarters, then typed in "food" and it came up with a list of restaurants, stores, and coffee shops, all within a 0.25 mile radius.

We did find the user interface pretty cumbersome, but expect it to improve in the coming months.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The annual Walk from Obesity takes place tomorrow at the Bruce Tent Park (Vegas Dr./Rampart).

The walk will support and raise awareness of obesity.

Anyone may attend the event, which is the only national event joining people together for those affected by obesity.

Registration begins at 7 a.m., and the walk starts at 8 a.m.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Fires in Las Vegas haven't just been confined to theatrical shows.

We seem to be on a hot streak of fire outbreaks around the area, all occurring this week.

Monday was The Venetian on the 14th floor. Sprinkler systems took care of a small fire from what investigators think started from air filters. No one was evacuated or hurt.

Tuesday was the Bellagio on the 26th floor. A mattress caught fire from what investigators believe came from a lit cigarette. People were evacuated, and one person was taken to the hospital for burns.

And on Wednesday, the fire rested.

This morning, it was the Palo Verde High School. Sprinkler systems doused a fire in the school's storage facility for their theater. No one was in the school when the fire erupted.

We've seen fire in Cirque du Soleil's KA, but this is ridiculous.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Even with the economy rapidly sinking into the dark abyss of doom and the Las Vegas unemployment rate at near record levels there's a shining point of light down the tunnel. Steve Wynn, Las Vegas' most optimistic cheerleader, is looking for 5,300 dedicated employees to staff his nearly complete Encore Resort.

On track for a December opening, Wynn's signature property began taking applications in July and reports that it has received more than 65,000 job apps through the employment website; but, don't let the high numbers of applications deter you from applying, especially if you are highly qualified and want to work at a world class destination resort. It's common knowledge around Las Vegas that a job at a Steve Wynn property tops the list of resort employers.

Openings include the usual list of categories for a major Las Vegas resort -- casino operations, food and booze, retail, security, housekeeping, hotel ops, facility maintenance and more. Workers interested in joining Wynn's Encore team can apply online at www.wynnjobs.com. Don't have access to a computer? You can apply at the Employment Center, located in Las Vegas at 3823 Manhattan Street. The job center is open Monday thru Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM PT. Visits to the Employment Center are by appointment only, call 702.770.5627 to schedule an appointment. Applicants are reminded that Wynn hires the very best, bring your A-game.

Posted by flipchipro at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cold Stone Creamery is inviting everyone to "indulge in a good cause" by holding their 7th annual Ice Cream Social on Thursday, Sept. 25 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Cold Stone will be giving away a 3 oz. scoop of ice cream in a Like It cup (for size comparisons, Baskin-Robbins gives out 2.5 oz. scoops).

The flavor is a choice between two Make-a-Wish Creations from two Wish children: either Emily's Creation (Nutter Butter ice cream, yellow cake, Kit Kat, white chocolate chips) or Jack's Creation (marshmallow ice cream with Oreo cookies, chocolate chips, fudge).

Once you're in the door, you can purchase a Make-a-Wish wall star that will benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

The offer is limited to one per person.

But oh how many Cold Stone locations there are in the Las Vegas area (not that we would ever condone advantage-eating this promotion, I mean, jeez, it's for a good cause):

• 2192 N. Rainbow Blvd.
• 3720 W. Lake Mead Blvd.
• 6640 N. Durango Drive
• 1829 W. Craig Road Suite 2
• 4604 W. Sahara Avenue
• 9350 W. Sahara
• 3850 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
• 3310 East Flamingo Suite A-1
• 5891 East Charleston
• 7435 S. Durango Dr.
• 9785 S. Maryland Parkway
• 1311 W. Sunset Road (Henderson)
• 10550 S. Highlands Pkwy
• 1500 N. Green Valley Pkwy.Bldg. 100 Ste 130 (Henderson)

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Flipchip was out on the Las Vegas strip on Monday evening to record an update of the massive CityCenter construction project scheduled to open the first phase in late 2009. Even with the free falling national economy the mega-resort continues towards completion. While the Boyd Gaming Group's shuttered $5 billion Echelon project has become a study in rusting rebar sticking out of crumbling concrete, the $9.2 billion CityCenter is a shining beacon confidently lighting the way to a bright future for Las Vegas.

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

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

Popular Las Vegas spinner DJ AM was onboard the plane that crashed in South Carolina.

On Friday, Sept. 19, DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) and former Blink 182 drummer (and current member of +44) Travis Barker played a free concert together as TRVSDJ-AM in Five Points, South Carolina to thousands of college students, then headed home in a Learjet 60.

The plane that crashed into a highway at the end of a runway left four dead, including the pilot, co-pilot, Barker's security guard, and Barker's assistant.

Barker and Goldstein were critically injured and suffered second- and third-degree burns but are expected to make full recoveries.

DJ AM is widely known for being engaged to Nicole Richie and dating Mandy Moore He is Pure's DJ (at Caesars Palace) and owns part of LAX (at Luxor).

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

After 2011, Mayor Oscar Goodman will step down.

Not for the lack of public support, however. The "most popular mayor" was re-elected in 2003 with an 86 percent majority, and re-elected a third time in 2007 with 84 percent.

Mayoral limits for Nevada state a maximum of three terms.

So the mayor is floating his wife Carolyn as a potential candidate, to keep it in the family.

She hasn't yet entertained the idea of succeeding Goodman, but anything is possible.

As for Goodman, after he leaves office, he may go for a run at governor of Nevada.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As the summer heat winds down (yeah right), Mandalay Bay is closing out the remainder of their free"dive-in" film series right on the Mandalay Bay Beach, our favorite fake beach on the Strip.

Tonight it's Pulp Fiction and Sept. 26 it's American Pie (both rated R).

Enjoy watching the movie while hanging out on the beach or floating in the pool.

Entry to the Beach and movies are free, but you do need to be at least 21 years old.

Gates open at 8 p.m., and movies begin at 9 p.m.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

We just might be looking forward more to new restaurants opening in Las Vegas than new casinos.

With the city's biggest and most expensive project to date -- the $9 billion CityCenter -- also comes at least seven gourmet restaurants helmed by seven top top chefs around the nation.

Names are a who's who for culinary fans: Sirio Maccioni, Michael Mina, Julian Serrano, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jean-Philippe Maury, Masayoshi Takayama, and Shawn McClain.

Mina will be helming the new American Fish restaurant. Mina is known for Nobhill and Seablue at MGM Grand, his self-titled restaurant at Bellagio, and Stripsteak at Mandalay Bay. Keeping in the MGM Mirage family, American Fish will feature ingredients purchased right from fishermen, ranchers, and farmers that are expected to give diners something they haven't tasted before.

Serrano comes from Picasso at Bellagio and will run a self-titled restaurant with raw bar and tapas.

New to Las Vegas is Takayama, who comes from Masa in New York City. He will open the Japanese restaurant Bar Masa containing casual and intimate rooms with different dining experiences.

Also new is Chicagoan McClain, who will oversee seafood restaurant Sage.

Don't worry, though. True to its Las Vegas roots, among the restaurants there will still be a buffet.

CityCenter and its restaurants are expected to open at the end of 2009.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

If you're a tourist and planning to visit our fine neon city, or you're a local and just want to get away from the soiled drapes, now is a terrific time to hit up casino-hotels for a free or discounted room.

With the downturn in the economy affecting Las Vegas casino business, we've noticed casinos have begun cutting costs by spending more money. After all, they have to spend more to make more. The cost-cutting includes room prices, which are considered a soft cost. Filling the room is better than letting it go empty, because the cost of cleaning is nominal compared to the potential a player has to spend in the casino.

Our snail mailboxes are more full of offers than ever that our mailman must think we're a bunch of degenerates (but then aren't we all who live in the desert), but even if you don't have any offers, try calling directly and see what happens.

If you're a new player to the casino, call hotel reservations and ask to be connected to a casino host (if you get a voicemail, call back later to speak in-person -- hosts generally don't return calls from new players). Be friendly, say you'll be in town and normally stay at X casino but wanted to check Y casino. State the level of your play. Be as truthful as you can, saying how much you bring to gamble with (which the casino sees as what you're willing to lose), what games you play (slots are best -- don't mention video poker), and how long you usually play per day.

More than likely you'll be given casino rate upfront (perhaps a free day with the purchase of a couple days) with the suggestion to contact the host on checkout to review your play and see if they can knock off any or all remaining charges.

While there, make sure to get a player's card (it's free) and insert it into any slot machine while playing, or show it to the dealer before playing any table game (make a big bet for your initial bet... your average rating will begin with this bet). If with someone else, play on the same card. Casinos often allow two people to play on the same card, consolidating points and comps to one household.

As for which casinos to try for, we've seen offers we don't normally see from MGM Mirage properties. These include MGM Grand, Excalibur, Monte Carlo, Mandalay Bay, and New York New York. We haven't seen anything from Bellagio or Mirage, but we've never stayed there in the past.

Local casinos would also be good to check -- any of the Station Casinos in particular. Silverton, too. They may be even more accommodating than the Strip.

And that's really all there is to it. Once you establish yourself by playing, you'll soon begin to receive offers (no more than 3 months later) suited for you and good for future visits.

Remember -- casinos can't give you what you don't ask for. This is true at any time, but particularly as we head into the slower months (Thanksgiving/Christmas) compounding the downturn, casinos will be looking to fill rooms fast.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

The closing of today's OJ Simpson trial (live in Las Vegas!) went out with a whimper.

There was some farce potential when Judge Jackie Glass returned from break, saying she wanted to go on record with a revelation she discovered. Turns out that the bailiff was eating out of a box of All Bran snacks, but when the judge stuck her hand in the box, she withdrew something very unbranlike... a covert chocolate chip cookie.

Cross-examination then began of the Palace Station surveillance officer.

Simpson attorney Gabriel Grasso attempted to discredit the officer as well as the surveillance video by questioning whether signs were posted around the casino to notify patrons that they were being filmed. Grasso said that The Palms, for example, did have signs.

The officer didn't know for sure.

"What about the hallways?" Grasso asked.

"They don't have no cameras."

This answered the question we posed, and surprised us as well as Grasso that Palace Station does not use cameras in their hotel hallways -- for either the Courtyard (where witness Bruce Fromong had his hotel room) or the more expensive Tower (which was also debated back and forth, despite the witness not having front desk experience to know for certain).

So folks, watch yourselves in the hotel hallways of Palace Station. And for you criminals, if you're planning a crime, the hotel hallways there are your best bet. Somehow, though, we suspect not for long.

This ended Grasso's line of questioning (and our speculation) that only the Courtyard did not have cameras in their hallways, though it didn't deter him from trying to trap the witness later on.

Boy, these lawyers are ruthless.

From the testimony, we also found out that certain areas in the parking lot are not covered by security cameras and that the number of cameras used by Palace is in the "high hundreds, low thousand."

FBI forensic examiner Jason Abramowitz then took the stand to explain his job (almost browbeaten to admit he isn't an agent) and his analysis of a recording device where he discovered files were deleted and recovered.

The contents of these files will presumably be brought up again later in the trial.

We're off now to find some chocolate chip cookies disguised as bran snacks.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

A stunningly dull foray into Las Vegas security cameras was the highlight of today's afternoon trial of OJ Simpson.

An overly detailed map and video establishing Palace Station and showing OJ Simpson and his entourage entering the casino, walking through to the Palace Station courtyard, then exiting carrying boxes.

The one interesting thing is that sports memorabilia owner Bruce Fromong chose the courtyard over the tower to set up shop. If he were setting Simpson up, he would've wanted as much footage as possible. And interestingly, no security footage was shown of the entrance into the courtyard hotel or the hallway to the room.

The Eye in the Sky is pretty much as we assumed, showing all the common places of a casino -- valet, lobby, parking lot, elevator area. It did look as if Simpson stayed in the waiting area for awhile, unrecognized by passersby.

The jury is currently on break, presumably to splash water on their faces to stay awake the remainder of today, which looks to be establishing video footage of The Palms and cross-examination.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At times the OJ Simpson trial seems like one big cluster-f*.

We're now in Day 2 of the OJ Simpson trial, taking place at the Nevada Supreme Court.

Bruce Fromong is the key witness against Simpson, who is testifying that he was robbed at gunpoint by Simpson and his gang. Fromong's testimony halted yesterday as he became lightheaded and dizzy -- he's had four heart attacks since last year and his heart is operating at 50 percent.

Fromong said that he called the TV tabloid show "Inside Edition" right after the robbery but was not seeking money.

Simpson attorney Gabriel Grasso then played a tape to contradict.

Grasso had the tape on his MacBook but no one could hear it. This led to an aside about technology (with District Judge Jackie Glass saying "we should be pleased with the technology we have"), as Grasso then held a microphone up to the laptop's speaker.

The judge gave Grasso a transcript to follow.

Grasso still couldn't hear if that was his voice, so he asked the judge to approach the laptop.

This led to several people circled around the MacBook, the judge telling everyone to "shhhh" as it played a tape that may or may not have been Grasso's voice claiming he was calling "Inside Edition"... and he wanted "big money."

When Grasso returned to the stand, he would not confirm that it was him but repeated twice, "That does sound like me."

Going into the lunch break, Judge Jackie Glass told everyone to behave.

Ah, trials in Las Vegas + OJ = riveting television.

Robbery by gunpoint is among the 12 charges against Simpson, with the most serious being kidnapping.

If convicted, Simpson could face life in prison.

To hear the 911 call made from Palace Station room #1203 to report the Simpson robbery and to watch live streaming coverage of the trial, visit Channel 8.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Monday was the first day of the OJ Simpson trial in Las Vegas. The former professional football legend is charged with robbery and kidnapping in an incident related to the apparent recovery of sports memorabilia Simpson claims was stolen from him. Courtroom observers believed the defense claimed a slight edge after the prosecution failed to aggressively pursue some details that would help the jury understand details of OJ's involvement.

Word on the street claims this will be a gotcha for Simpson since most of the world believes he is guilty of double murder. Many also expressed the belief he will receive all the justice an all-white jury composed of nine women and three men have historically doled out to accused black men. If convicted on the kidnapping charge Simpson could be facing a life sentence.

Day two will get underway on Tuesday with more of the same.

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

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photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Posted by flipchipro at 12:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A free concert will be held at Cashman Field on Wednesday.

There won't be much music, but there'll be lots of rallying, as Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama will appear with a "discussion with area voters."

Cashman Field seats 9,000, and we expect every seat to be filled.

It's free to the public, but you can RSVP at this link.

Doors open at 2:30 p.m., with the rally beginning at 5 p.m.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

The new, revamped Britney Spears has her publicity machine in high gear.

First she appeared on "How I Met Your Mother" to show she can hold a job (albeit a temporary one) and work congenially with others.

Then she kept intoxication and automobile accidents to a minimum.

Then she appeared on the VMAs and picked up awards.

Now...

The rumor mill from London (where we suspect the majority of rumors start) says Spears will perform on New Year's Eve at the Pearl Theatre (at The Palms), which will kick off a world tour.

The tidbit may have been floated to keep another positive puff piece in the news, gauge the public's reaction at yet another Brit comeback (we constantly hear about her beginning a tour at The Palms), cause the media to write about it alongside her new single and album dropping soon (Sept. 22 and Dec. 2, respectively), or all three.

The Pearl currently does not have anyone listed for Dec. 31, or any of December for that matter. They do have Jessica Simpson on Sept. 18, who looks a bit similar if you squint.

You can sign up for an alert at Ticketmaster by clicking this link and filling out your email. As soon as they know, they'll let you know.

And we'll probably let you know too.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Perhaps the perfect Friday evening. Top down weather, the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, and the perfect machine...a shiny new Lamborghini. God, I love the smell of high octane raw gasoline. Wish you were here to enjoy it with me. Now move aside while I let all those ponies eat.

Posted by flipchipro at 4:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Starring Hugh Jackman, the hybrid TV musical series "Viva Laughlin" was critically panned and no one showed up to watch. It was cancelled after two episodes aired.

The show was no big help to our fine neighboring city of Laughlin (about 90 minutes away), whose tourism office has been busy generating slogans to whip up interest that Nevada has other gamblin' towns.

Obviously comparing itself to Las Vegas, Laughlin is attempting to lure tourists away with "It's like you own the place" and "Here, every seat in town is the VIP section."

We thought of some others:

"Laughlin. The other Las Vegas."

"Laughlin. We've got casinos too."

"Laughlin. Nothing like the TV show."

"Laughlin. We didn't need to spend millions on our slogan."

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Smithsonian magazine wants you to get cultured (art, not yogurt) and will be paying your admission at select museums on Saturday, Sept. 27.

In Las Vegas, you can visit the Atomic Testing Museum (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., tickets normally $12) and the Las Vegas Natural History Museum (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., tickets normally $8).

The list of museums are around the country, so if you're not in the Vegas area, click here for other participating museums.

To get in for free, fill out some information at this link (if you don't want to be spammed, you can fake it if you want), then print out the Museum Day admission card and take it with you.

Free general admission is good for 2 people, and the card will be collected when you enter. If you want to visit more participating museums, just print more than one card.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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A sign will soon have a parking lot.

Okay, it's not any ordinary sign, but arguably the sign that put Las Vegas on the map.

Almost 50 years old, Betty Willis's "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign is one of the most memorable signs around, welcoming visitors into our fine neon city south of the Strip.

Wednesday at 11 a.m. begins the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 12-space parking lot (including two handicapped spaces and room for two buses) designed to make pictures with the sign more convenient.

Previously, tourists or wedding parties or photographers had to park across the street and dart over Las Vegas Blvd. traffic. Or they had to pull up on a curb.

The $416,000 parking lot is expected to be completed by late November, perhaps in time for Thanksgiving.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The very first edition of the Las Vegas edition of the Michelin Guide came out this year, and the highest award of Five Red Pavilions for 2008 was given to Wynn Las Vegas.

What an award hog that Wynn is, as they also locked up the prestigious Mobil Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond awards.

So it's only natural that next year's Michelin Guide will debut at Wynn in a red-carpet event.

Michelin also used Wynn for last year's debut. Hmm... we wonder who might possibly be Five Red Pavilions again this year...

You may recall last year that the influential guide accidentally leaked the results on their website in advance of the guide's debut, so it's no surprise that the website is currently devoid of any information.

Wednesday, Oct. 22 is the date to pencil in for the star-studded event. That is, if you're one of the chefs or honorees or stars or person with an invitation.

Ours was obviously lost in the mail.

Again.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ever wonder how much of your tax money goes to fund salaries in Clark County?

Ever wonder exactly how much individual public employees make?

In an effort to show they have nothing to hide, The Nevada Policy Research Institute has launched the website TransparentNevada.com that shows salaries of counties in Nevada.

In Las Vegas (aka Clark County), it shows Director of Aviation Randall Walker draws the top salary of $222,195.20 with $35,746.85 in benefits. Cost to taxpayers? $266,562.85. No overtime, though. (We don't know how up to date the site is, because Walker, who oversaw McCarran International Airport, resigned in 2006.)

For OJ Simpson's Second Trial of the Century, a bailiff you might see on TV earns about $25k.

In all, 8,106 employees' salaries are listed for Clark County.

In addition to salaries, the website also shows lobbying costs.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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While apparently driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon Simpson was stopped by Nevada Highway Patrol after they received a tip that he was driving under the influence. NHP reported they found no evidence to support the claims and indicated he was simply driving to Vegas leaving him free to go. Apparently a "concerned citizen" was getting in their licks for the disgraced sports star.

O.J. Simpson and co-defendant, Clarence Stewart will answer charges of armed robbery and kidnapping during an altercation at the Palace Station Casino in Las Vegas. Simpson has maintained his innocence saying he was only trying to recover his stolen sports memorabilia being offered for sale out of a room at Palace Station.

Is this destined to be another trial of the century? Will the public at large finally get their pound of flesh? With a media frenzy already taking place in a parking lot next to the Las Vegas Regional Justice Center and satellite antennae sprouting like weeds it is guaranteed to be a circus of justice.

Of the five men that accompanied Simpson on his raid three have criminal records and four of the five have since taken a plea deal of a reduced sentence in exchange for testimony against Simpson. If convicted on the kidnapping charge O.J Simpson could face a life sentence. Stay tuned for the trial that's expected to go for six weeks.

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Posted by flipchipro at 4:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Be careful who you argue with while checking in.

Early this morning at Bally's Las Vegas, two women at the registration desk had an argument.

This led to one of the women stabbing the other in the neck. The 22-year-old who was stabbed then walked outside, collapsed, and died.

Metro is investigating. It's unknown what the argument was about or if the two women knew each other. They were not guests of the hotel.

What was released is the identity of the assailant -- 23-year-old Latrovia Reed (pictured above) -- who was arrested on the scene and charged with murder with a deadly weapon.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

The bad economy has even affected strip clubs to want to add gambling.

Every once in awhile, a gentlemen's club will request to operate slot machines in their establishment, and the Nevada Gaming Control Board almost always denies the application as unsuitable for gaming.

Today, it happened with the Girls of Glitter Gulch, the only topless club on the strip of downtown Fremont Street casinos.

The board turned down Glitter Gulch's request to have 15 slot machines operating within their club.

Last time, it was Sin (now Penthouse) that wanted video poker machines. They also attempted to sponsor a topless poker tournament, which was thwarted by the Gaming Control Board.

As far as we know, out of all the Las Vegas strip clubs, only OG (Olympic Garden) contains gaming machines.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

After Starwood's failed attempt to bring W to Las Vegas (which would've been the large parcel near Hard Rock where the old Ice nightclub still sits), they're trying again with St. Regis.

This time, Starwood is partnering with Las Vegas Sands (owner of The Venetian and Palazzo) to manage the luxury condo. While Sands manages their own casino-hotels, they will relinquish managing control to Starwood.

In the Vegas area, Starwood runs Westin and Planet Hollywood Hotel-Casino, with a new luxury hotel opening Dec. 18 in Summerlin called element.

St. Regis will be located next to Venetian and Palazzo at a cost of $600 million for the nongaming development.

It's scheduled to open in 2010.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Once again we'll be tuned to see comeback #17 of Britney Spears this Sunday.

Spears returns to MTV's Video Music Awards after last year's debacle, showing her barely present as she walked through the motions of her former star self.

We suspect this time she'll be high energy. Unfortunately, it isn't expected to be a performance but maybe a skit or introduction as she "opens" the show.

Rumored to be on the same show is Michael Jackson, another fallen star who, like Spears, has been rumored to make a comeback in Las Vegas.

Unlike last year's VMAs at The Palms, this year's takes place in Hollywood at Paramount Studios.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the recovery of former boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s burgled Las Vegas mansion last month.

Mayweather's home was robbed of jewelry amounting to as much as $7 million. Among the jewelry were glove pendants and a necklace.

No one was hurt during the robbery, which occurred Aug. 17 or 18 in the empty house.

Four males were spotted on surveillance cameras. One of the four is pictured above and goes by the alias Johnny Brassballs.

Callers with information on the crime can be anonymous and collect a $100,000 reward. Call Sherbrook, Jelan and Associates at (678) 457-5858.

Mayweather's father will be training Ricky Hatton for Hatton's upcoming fight against Paulie Malignaggi on Nov. 22. Mayweather Jr. defeated Hatton in his final fight in December 2007 at MGM Grand.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is painting the town pink.

Town Square, that is.

Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. begins Paint the Square Pink day, turning Town Square Las Vegas (off Las Vegas Blvd. a couple miles south of Mandalay Bay) into a big party for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Included as part of the festivities is a fall fashion show from many of the shops within Town Square, hors d'oeuvres paired with wine, a silent auction, live entertainment, and all culminating in an after party at Blue Martini (from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.).

Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door, the proceeds of which go to the Southern Nevada Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

For more information and for tickets, visit Komen Southern Nevada or call (702) 739-3267.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)