Aria Resort at the CityCenter project on the Las Vegas strip received a gaming license from the Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday just days before the scheduled December 16th grand opening. The twin towered resort with 4,000 guest rooms will have the only casino at the $9 billion CityCenter project.

CityCenter's Vdara Hotel is set to open on December 1st. A few days later and just in time for the holidays the Crystal retail shopping complex comes online followed then the Mandarin Oriental Hotel opens its doors. Gamblers have to wait until mid-month for the Aria opening to place a wager at the city within a city.

The Las Vegas Hilton is giving a free buffet with the purchase of a buffet and the donation of an unwrapped toy.

Toys will be donated to the Salvation Army

Just bring your toy to the Player's Club between now and Dec. 21.

Want to buy a multi-billion-dollar casino for cheap?

Keep in mind you will most likely need to spend another couple billion in order to finish building.

The casino on the auction block is the $3 billion, 4,000-room Fontainebleu, and the first bid was placed by Penn National Gaming, which has been trying for years to enter the Las Vegas market. Two years ago, Penn made a failed bid for Harrah's.

Penn offered $50 million with a promise to fork out another $1.46 billion to see it through. Already $2 billion has been spent on the bankrupt project.

The deadline for bids is Jan. 15, 2010.

Assuming that Penn gets the bid, construction wouldn't begin until the following year.

Dejà Vu gentlemen's club in Las Vegas decided to remain a good neighbor and park the Stripper Mobile. Instead of cruising up and down the Las Vegas strip the see-through truck now sits in front of the club on Industrial Blvd behind the Trump Tower. Instead of one of their voluptuous dancers hanging onto the pole we found a skeleton wearing a bikini (maybe it was a very skinny dancer).

All of the attention surrounding this marketing ploy has the County Commission debating the removal of the sign trucks that plow the strip nightly with their promises of hot babes delivered direct to your hotel room. We liked the truck with the live pole dancer and we hate the sign trucks that create traffic jams and block the views of the billion dollar resorts.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

M Resort & Casino is getting into the Christmas spirit by taking in the United States' tallest Christmas tree.

Beginning Dec. 2, the 109-foot White Fir will move into the Villaggio Del Sole Outdoor Entertainment and Events Piazza.

It's expected to take over a week to decorate, before going on display Dec. 12 with a tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m.

The tree will be accompanied by festive carolers, cookies, hot chocolate, and other entertainment.

M Resort offers a special $110 night for all of December that comes with a $75 dining credit. To book, call 1-877-673-7678 with code HMFALA9 (otherwise known as the Fa La La package).

Planet Hollywood, which by the way is currently hurting for revenue as its lenders are now controlling the property, is selling a new kind of hotel offer for their 2,500+ rooms.

Purchase the Phanatic Pass for $599, and you'll get 10 nights, but those nights do not have to be consecutive or used all at once You can use any number of them anytime between now and March 15, 2010.

Even better, there are no blackout dates, so you can book for weekends such as New Year's Eve and the Super Bowl. Try finding a room on the Las Vegas Strip for less than $200, not to mention $60 that the average rate comes to. By New Year's, PH's across-the-street-neighbor CityCenter will be open, competing for the same customers.

The Phanatic Pass also comes with one free bottle of liquor of your choice.

The hotel-casino is counting on the upfront payment but also that you probably won't actually use all 10 nights.

Planet Hollywood's debt of $870 million was paid down by Harrah's, and it's rumored that Harrah's is interested in taking over the property, which is right next to Harrah's-owned casinos Bally's and Paris.

The Venetian Deep Stack Tournament IV continues through Nov. 25.

And now, all tournament players in the Deep Stack Extravaganza will get access to a free buffet. That's pretty impressive, as The Venetian doesn't have a regular buffet. Chow down between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and show your tournament entry receipt.

Remaining no-limit tourneys (all begin at noon):

Tuesday, 11/17 $340
Wednesday, 11/18 $340
Thursday, 11/19 $340
Friday, 11/20 $340
Saturday, 11/21 $550
Sunday, 11/22 $275 (super satellite)
Monday, 11/23 $2500 (main event, day 1)
Tuesday, 11/24 $2500 (main event, day 2)
Wednesday, 11/25 $2500 (main event, day 3)

Sit-n-go satellites run throughout the day beginning at 8 a.m., with lammers awarded that can be used for any tournament, even for the next Deep Stack.

Honoring the famed Parisian tradition, Paris Las Vegas once again welcomes the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau for the properties 3rd annual wine celebration. This year the resort welcomes Holly Madison--blonde bombshell, reality television sensation and star of Peepshow in Las Vegas--and a Lucille Ball impersonator for a traditional grape stomping that is reminiscent of the iconic "Lucy" scene on the property's Strip-side harvest-themed patio. The 3:00 p.m. daytime event coincides with the start of festivities at midnight in Paris, France.

The five days heralding this year's harvest feature special events, tastings, and unique Beaujolais Nouveau pairings at eateries such as Mon Ami Gabi, Les Artistes Steakhouse and the Sterling Brunch at Bally's Steakhouse.

As regulated by French law, Beaujolais Nouveau is released no sooner than the third Thursday in Nov. - six weeks after the grapes are harvested. Huge celebrations take place worldwide at one minute after midnight to taste the latest wine of the harvest, with 65 million bottles to be consumed in the following months.

2009 Beaujolais Nouveau celebration at Paris Las Vegas schedule of events:
Thursday, Nov. 19 - Saturday, Nov. 21
Noon - 6 p.m.
Be one of the first to taste the delicious result of this year's harvest, compliments of Paris Las Vegas and Georges Duboeuf. Samples of the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau, along with commemorative glasses, will be available at a special lobby bar in the Paris reception area.

Thursday, Nov. 19
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Wine 101: Passport to Wine is a sensory tour of the highlights of Paris, France without having to travel further than Paris Las Vegas. Guests are invited to mix and mingle while sipping a selection of Georges Duboeuf wines accompanied by an assortment of decadent desserts. Brought to you by Paris Las Vegas and Passport magazine, a portion of the evening's proceeds will be donated to The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada. Held in Napoleon's Lounge, tickets are $35 and are available by booking a special room package on www.gayparislasvegas.com or at the Paris box office.

Friday, Nov. 20
7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Rock 'n Roll Wine will host a Beaujolais Nouveau-themed wine tasting inside Risqué, the nightclub at Paris Las Vegas. Part wine tasting, part show and all fun, the event features live music and a unique assortment of delicious world wines including Beaujolais Nouveau. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.rocknrollwine.com or calling 702-240-3066. Ticket prices, which include the wine, are $35 in advance and $40 at the door, plus live entertainment tax.

Saturday, Nov. 21
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Wine 101: Celebrate the Harvest is a fun and informative learning and taste experience that brings together novices and connoisseurs to sniff, swirl and sip the wines of Georges Duboeuf, the leading wine merchant of France. Featuring a unique selection of wines, a Georges Duboeuf representative will lead the exploration of distinctive and notable wines that embody the fall harvest. The wine tasting will be accompanied by an assortment of artisan cheeses and breads and fresh fruits. Held in Les Artistes, tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the Paris box office.

Sunday, Nov. 22
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Round out the weekend with a relaxing Beaujolais Nouveau-themed brunch at the Parisian bistro Mon Ami Gabi or the refined and elegant Sterling Brunch inside the Bally's Steakhouse. When booking the Sterling Brunch, mention Beaujolais Nouveau and receive a bottle of 2009 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau and two commemorative glasses.
A Beaujolais Nouveau package can be booked online at www.parislasvegas.com/wine.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

The fireworks are back! The fireworks are back!

Not that they actually went anywhere, but New Year's Eve last year was decidedly unspectacular because of the decision to move the fireworks to the ground instead of their usual hotel rooftop location.

Based mostly on Monte Carlo's burning rooftop earlier in the year, extra safety precautions led switching the pyrotechnics away from the rooftops and onto the tops of parking garages -- making it difficult to see unless you were overhead.

But now they're back, with seven hotel-casino passing new safety guidelines in order to launch synched fireworks from their rooftops: Planet Hollywood, TI, The Venetian, MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, the Stratosphere, and the new Aria at CityCenter.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

We didn't think we'd live to see the day where a Las Vegas promotion was deemed to risque.

A couple weeks ago, a truck for the Dejà Vu gentlemen's club was refurbished to include windows on the sides, along with a pole in the middle.

The traveling vehicle would drive in traffic between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., and it contained strippers dressed in bikinis on that pole, dancing along their merry way.

We honestly can't think of a better promotion for a strip club.

It was somewhat of a safety hazard, but Dejà Vu was cleared because it acted as transportation for hire, and the women could hold onto the poles.

The stripper truck drew a lot of publicity (both good and bad) but ultimately was deemed a safety risk, not just for the women but because of passersby who may be drawn to the truck at the risk of a red light, for example.

To see a video of the truck in happier times, visit this link.

On Sunday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m., Mario Lopez (from EXTRA and "Nip/Tuck") will be on hand to take you through his career at the Film Actors Expo, taking place at Rave Motion Pictures (at the Town Square).

Tickets are $25 if you register before Saturday; otherwise it's $30 at the door. ($20 student tickets with valid student ID are also available.)

For more info, visit Actors Expo.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is stating that tourists to Las Vegas increased by 4.3 percent in September, compared with data from September 2008.

Yes, increased.

Convention attendance was also up by 12 percent.

This bit of good news marks the first time that tourist volume has been up in 15 months.

Casinos are in full swing with greater offers to players. Even we locals are getting free room offers. Assuming we'll be starting to dig ourselves out of this economic rut, we advise you to take advantage of the offers while you can.

Green Valley Ranch offered us two free nights in a suite with $200 freeplay and $200 in food. We weren't able to take time off to do it, and our next offer was zilch (free nights with no freeplay or food, and we had to pay the resort fee).

In an abbreviated session heads-up that lasted less than four hours the 2009 World Series of Poker crowned the youngest player to ever win a WSOP Main Event. Joseph Cada is a 21-year-old from Michigan that now claims the title of World Poker Champion after eclipsing the record set last year by 22-year-old Peter Eastgate.

Cada takes home a winner's purse of over $8.5 million and a very special bracelet from the 40th anniversary edition of the World Series of Poker. Darvin Moon, a logger from Maryland, traded the chip lead with the young player a number of times before the final hand was dealt and Joe Cada took all the chips with a pair of Nines.

Watch all of the November Nine playing the final table of the 2009 WSOP tonight on ESPN Sports TV at 9 PM ET. Included in tonight's two hour show is all the action from the heads-up match between Moon and Cada and it's delivered on the same day it was played.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Tonight at 10 PM PT the final two players will take their seats on the stage at the Penn & Teller Theater inside the Rio Resort in Las Vegas to decide the World Championship of Poker. An unlikely pair of poker players consisting of a logger from Oakland, Maryland, Darvin Moon, facing the youngest finalist to make a Main Event heads-up match, Joseph Cada, a college dropout from Shelby Township, Michigan.

Joseph Cada goes into this evening event with a commanding chip lead of 136 million to Moon's 59 million. The winner will receive $8,547,042 in cash and the the most coveted prize in poker, the WSOP Championship Bracelet, while the runner-up walks away with a cool $5,182,928.

Fans can catch the action on ESPN Tuesday evening at 9 PM ET. Two hours of coverage from the final table that will conclude with the winner claiming the championship.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

An excuse to drink? For free?

A free beer tasting takes place next weekend (Nov. 17-18) in Las Vegas, but you must RSVP to reserve your place.

Tasting will be of Budweister lager and ale, comprising interactive lessons that talk about the history of beer, learning how to do "The Perfect Pour," and other fun beer-related tasks.

Sessions take place in sets of 2 on two different dates - Sierra Gold Tavern (6515 S. Jones Blvd.) on Nov. 17 and South Point Casino's Equestrian Center.

Session 1 for both runs 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Session 2 runs 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. And no, you can't attend both sessions.

You must be at least 21 years old and show a valid photo I.D.

To RSVP, visit this link.