Las Vegas News

More Big Game Parties Announced:

As suspected, no sooner do we bite the bullet and post the annual Super Bowl QoD than a whole host of other parties appear on the radar, so check today's QoD for updates if you're still undecided on your venue. And on Saturday we post the results of the poll asking where your top recommended viewing spots are, aside from the comfort of your favorite armchair, so tune in for some other suggestions from your fellow readers.

Big Bubbles on the Strip:

Saturday, February 2 will see the debut of the Strip's newest show, Guinness World Record Holder Fan Yang's Mega Bubble Show. The show, which revolves around Fan Yang's mastery of the soap bubble (as featured on "Oprah" and "The David Letterman Show," among others), will apparently feature spectacular lighting and laser effects and is scheduled to perform 13 times per week in the Steve Wyrick Theatre in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. For more information visit megabubbleshow.com

Chuck Liddell Book Signing Tonight:

From 6 p.m.-9 p.m. this evening, the UFC Heavyweight Champion will be signing editions of his autobiography, Iceman: My Fighting Life in the main entrance bar at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. It's a ticketed event and tickets can only be obtained through advance purchase of the book from The Reading Room at Mandalay Place.

Welcome to Fabulous Red Las Vegas:

From 7 p.m. this evening, the famous original Las Vegas "Welcome" sign on south Las Vegas Blvd. will be lit up red in support of tomorrow's "National Wear Red Day" that promotes the fight against women's heart disease.

Eichner Bailing on Cosmo?:

That's what the Wall Street Journal says, reporting today that Ian Bruce Eichner is trying to negotiate a buyout of his stake in the now $3 billion (formerly $1.8 billion) Cosmopolitan Resort Casino. Eichner is in default on a massive construction loan, although Deutsche Bank is underwriting continued work. The WSJ tips Eichner partners Global Hyatt Corp. and Marathon Asset Management as likely rescuers. (A tip of the cap to David Schwartz's DieIsCast.com blog, which was quick to pounce on this story.)

A.C. Dealer Campaigns Taking a Toll:

According to a story in the Jan. 29 edition of Newsday, dealers in Atlantic City are at the ragged edge of desperation, as talks between the United Auto Workers and Boardwalk casinos are at a near-standstill. Negotiations at Caesars Atlantic City are reported to be in their ninth month, with no end in sight. Bally's dealer Barbara Basile complained of being alloted as few as two shifts a week, being unable to buy Christmas presents for her children and having to subsist on a daily diet of hot dogs and macaroni. "Everyone's running around working two jobs because they can't afford to live in this area," lamented another. With the Tropicana's ownership up for grabs, the Caesars A.C. talks are the only ones in progress. Union elections at Trump Plaza and Bally's are being disputed by ownership. Dealers at the Hilton and Trump Marina voted the UAW down.

Local Talent Showcased at Caramel:

Caramel Bar & Lounge at Bellagio hosts Exposé, their montly showcase of local Las Vegas artists from 7 p.m. this evening. Featured are the works of Britney Manzi and Amber Doherty.

WPT Tourneys at Silverton:

The Silverton will be playing host to a World Poker Tour qualifying period through March 2, giving 60 qualifying players a chance to win a grand prize $7,500 entry to the WPT's World Poker Challenge event March 25–28 at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno. Twenty players will qualify to win by participating in daily poker tournaments, while forty more will have the chance to win the $7,500 seat through live poker play in the Silverton poker room. Sixty players total will play in the WPT satellite tournament March 8–9.

More Kudos to Bellagio et al:

Following on the heels of Wynn's announcement of it various star awards, MGM-Mirage has just released details of its various Mobil accolades. Spa Bellagio received the 2008 Four-Star Award (one of only 84 spas in N. America to achieve this); Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand once more garnered the rare Five-Star Award, while the Four Stars went to Bellagio for lodgings and restaurants Aureole and miX (Mandalay Bay) and MICHAEL MINA and Picasso (Bellagio).

Bellagio Gets Romantic Vote:

With Valentine's Day looming, TripAdvisor has just released the results of its latest polling of travelers and editors. Top of the list was New York's Central Park, but the ever-popular fountain show at Bellagio came in at a respectable #7 -- "the most romantic place in Las Vegas!", as one respondent termed it. For LasVegasAdvisor.com's own take on top places to pop the question, check out the Question of the Day archives for Dec. 24, 2007, where we came up with a whole host of options for a would-be bridegroom, who wrote back to tell us that his proposal had been successful (see QoD Jan. 11, 2008, where we also threw in a few more romantic suggestions). Our traditional Question of the Day Valentine's round-up will be hitting your screens very soon, so stay tuned for tips on dining, cocktailing, lingerie-ing, and chocolate.

C & A II:

One of our favorite local joints, Crown & Anchor, has opened a second location on Spring Mountain Rd., just east of Decatur. It's a tough location that's seen many bars come and go, but this one's good enough to make it. It's got great food and some of the most liberal comping policies for video poker play we've ever seen. It's scheduled for review in the March LVA.

News on the Polls:

Beginning with tomorrow's new reader poll, we're going to switch to one poll every other week, so you'll have two weeks to vote. As now, the new ones will go "live" on Wednesdays and run for 14 days, with the results posted in the QoD spot the following Saturday (so, for tomorrow's, that will be Saturday, February 16.) We're getting great feedback from everyone and feel the polls are yielding a lot of useful data, both for us and our readers, but two a month feels like a good program, so we're going to try out this new system for awhile and see how it fits.

Scratch at Orleans/Hard Rock:

Scratch for points, instant credits, movie tickets, bowling games, meals, and more at the Orleans through Feb. 2. 500 earned points gets you a scratch card, up to a max of four per day. The Hard Rock kicks off a similar scratch card promotion beginning February 1 that will run through Feb. 29.

Mystère's Days Numbered?:

That's the word on the street, or rather the blog -- the very wonderful strippodcast blog, to be precise. Apparently, a "key source" has informed Steve Friess that the Cirque du Soleil-MGM Mirage vision for Vegas will feature one new Cirque show every year for the next four years. Criss Angel's will debut at the Luxor this summer, the Elvis Cirque show should open in 2009 at CityCenter, and that leaves two new shows in search of an MGM-Mirage home, meaning Mystère will need to vacate it digs at TI. The show just renewed its contract for two years, so look for something new from Cirque at TI in 2010. The home of the fourth show remains the subject of Steve's speculation, with our favorite podcaster leaning towards the Monte Carlo, as the end of Lance Burton's contract looms...

Denim Sale at Circus Circus:

There's a 2-day premium denim sample sale at Circus Circus from noon to 8 p.m. today and tomorrow, featuring up to 80% off retail prices. Admission's free with the ad in the Las Vegas Weekly or if you RSVP; otherwise, it's $5 at the door. For more information and to RSVP visit www.thewarehousesale.com

Good News for Beer Fans:

The Gordon Biersch brewery and restaurant group is holding tapping parties* to introduce a new "Brewer’s Select" prix fixe tasting menu tomorrow. Designed to pair with the specialty seasonal brews that have been created onsite at 31 of its venues around the U.S., including Las Vegas, the three-course menu will be available through March 2nd. * Gordon Biersch (3987 Paradise Rd. in Las Vegas, 702.312-5247) will debut a "Gordon Biersch Roggenbier," made with both rye (roggen in German) and barley to give the beer a crisp, spicy finish. The restaurant will celebrate its debut with a tapping party on January 30 from 5 p.m.–7 p.m. * Gordon Biersch Boca Park (750 South Rampart Blvd. in Las Vegas, 702-487-6463) will release the same Las Vegas "Gordon Biersch Roggenbier" at a tapping party this evening.

No Free Rides for Super Sunday:

Designated Drivers has had to scrap its annual program to provide free Super Bowl rides, having exhausted all available funds during its New Year's "Safe Streets -- Home for the Holidays" operation, which safely delivered almost 1,000 vehicles to patrons’ homes this year. The paid-for service will still be available for normal fees by calling the 24-hour hotline at 702/456-RIDE and the company has not yet abandoned hope of local government officials or a resort industry stepping in to sponsor the program and cover the cost of Super Sunday rides home. We'll keep you posted if we hear any good news; if not, please still do the safe and sensible thing and give 'em a call if your Super Bowl plans involve drinking.

Another Wizard Bites the Dust...:

We're hoping it's merely an unfortunate coincidence, but following the death of poker player Chip Reese late last year, we've just heard word that a second of the gambling luminaries featured in Gambling Wizards: Conversations with the World's Greatest Gamblers has passed. Australian Alan Woods, considered the world's most successful horse-racing gambler, died in Hong Kong on Saturday night from what's believed to have been a pulmonary embolism, following his recent diagnosis with appendiceal cancer. A founding partner in the earliest computer betting team in Hong Kong, Woods had built a fortune estimated at more than US$600 million before his death and was also famed for his legendary parties.

Fertitta Floats Landry's Buyout:

Tilman Fertitta, CEO and owner of 5.7 million shares of Landry's Restaurants, has proposed to take the company private, for $23.50 a share. Landry's (ticker symbol: LNY), which once traded as high as $36, closed last Friday at $16.67 per share. News of Fertitta's offer stimulated trading, with the stock closing Monday at $20.45. Landry's is the owner of the Golden Nugget hotel-casinos in Las Vegas and Laughlin. It was planning to add slot routes to the Joe's Crab Shack chain in Nevada but ultimately decided to sell the eateries.

Pole-A-Palooza at Jet:

The nightclub at the Mirage is hosting a pole-dancing contest* ($10,000 first prize) tonight, plus music from The Crystal Method in the 3400 room. General admission $30, front-of-line $50. *Rules are allegedly to be found on lightgroup.com, although we have no idea where...

Wynn Show Deal Duo:

Wynn's offering two upcoming show specials. The "Men In Tights" promotion on Super Bowl Sunday is a $69 (plus tax) package that includes one ticket to Spamalot, plus access to a special post-show cocktail party, where you'll have the opportunity to meet and mingle with "The King" John O’Hurley and other male cast members of the show*. The show begins at 8 p.m. with the cocktail reception in the lobby immediately following the final curtain. (*We're not quite sure who this promotion is aimed at, but assume all are welcome...) Wynn is also offering a special ticket package for Le Rêve each Friday in February. Guests who purchase a regular priced premium seat for $119 (plus tax) will also enjoy a complimetary "Tango" cocktail from Level Vodka and gourmet chocolates by chef Frederic Robert. Package is good for 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. performances on each Friday in February.

Wynn Las Vegas Honored:

For the second consecutive year, Wynn Las Vegas has been awarded the Mobil Five Star and AAA Five Diamond awards, the only casino-resort to be so honored. Awards were also presented to several of the resort's eateries, including Alex (Mobil Five Star and Michelin Two Star), Daniel Boulud Brasserie, and Wing Lei (one Michelin Star each).

Ball-Shaving Probe:

Roulette balls, that is. A UK gambling watchdog has demanded a report from the Grosvenor Casino, Portsmouth, where staff made ball-tampering allegations to inspectors from the Gambling Commission there on a routine visit last month. Apparently, casino workers claim they've been asked to 'file down' roulette balls. A union spokesman representing the workers stated, 'I've worked in casinos for 20 years and have never heard of a roulette ball needing to be filed down. I don't know what benefit anyone could possibly get from filing down the roulette balls, but it should not be allowed to happen.' After an initial inquiry the GC has referred the issue back to owners Rank/Grosvenor, demanding a full internal investigation and report.

More Midler Dates Announced:

While the rumored-to-be-imminent confirmation of Cher's supposed May arrival on the Las Vegas Strip is still awaited, we can confirm that Bette Midler will not be peforming in May or early June, but has just announced the next series of dates for her The Showgirl Must Go On production at Caesars' Colosseum. Tickets went on sale today for dates commencing Tuesday, June 24 and running through Sunday, July 27, with the show performing five nights a week at 7:30 p.m. (dark Mondays and Thursdays). Bette Midler will perform approximately 100 shows per year in her contracted run, which premieres February 20. Tickets can be purchased by calling 877/723-8836, online at ticketmaster.com, or in person at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace box office, open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are $95, $140, $175, and $250, plus handling fees.

Chorus Line Record Broken -- We Think:

It's awaiting authentication by the Guiness Book of World Records, but with approximately 1,700 partipants, it seems that Saturday's chorus line on the Strip featuring members of the Red Hat was long enough to break the previous 2004 record of 1,628 participants. The stunt was arranged to publicize the recent opening of the show HATS! at Harrah's. You can view a video of the red and purple high-kicking spectacle by clicking here.

Upcoming Bunny Hunt:

If you think you have what it takes to be a Playboy Bunny, the Playboy Club at the Palms is hosting a Bunny Hunt on February 3, when you'll have the chance to interview with Playboy Playmates and famed Bunny Mom Pat Lacey. For more information, visit www.playboybunnyhunt.com

Flair Final at RoadRunner Tonight:

The grand finals of the seventh annual "Best in the West" bartender contest takes place at the RoadRunner Saloon in Henderson (corner of Eastern and Pebble) from 8 p.m. this evening, with bartenders from around the world competing for the title and over $10k in cash and prizes.

Props-a-Poppin':

The sports books have posted their prop-bet line-ups for next Sunday's Super Bowl. The Las Vegas Hilton and Palms lead the way with most offered. It's expected that prop betting will make up 1/3 of all wagering. They're fun to play and exploitable by experts, but most carry casino edges that are higher than that of the standard bets on sides and totals. And speaking of sides and totals, the Palms is dealing -108, rather than -110. Thus far, it's the only SB reduced-vig special we've seen.

Monte Carlo Still Shuttered:

Though the building has been pronounced safe, the Monte Carlo remains closed due to concerns about the possibility of falling debris. When the outside portions causing the concern are repaired, the resort will be allowed to open, except for floors 27-32, where there was some smoke and water damage. It's expected that repairs will be completed by Monday.

Fashion Show at the Riv:

Until 5 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Sunday, the Riviera Convention Center is hosting an Alpaca fashion show and sale. Admission to the event is free.

Hard Rock Owners Sanctioned by NGC:

The joint venture led by Morgans Hotel Group Co. has won the right to operate the casino portion of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino by the unanimous vote of the Nevada Gaming Commission. Morgans is a 33.3% stakeholder in the partnership with DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, which purchased the Las Vegas hotel-casino from founder Peter Morton for $770 million last year. They're investing a further $750 million in an expansion that's already underway and will double the size of the property and add 950 additional rooms by mid-2009. They also announced plans to shift the Rock's marketing strategy to appeal more to the locals market. Golden Gaming Inc., the company behind the PT's bar and tavern chain, had been contracted to run the casino while the licensing process was underway. The Morgans joint venture has now also announced plans to expand the Hard Rock casino brand into other areas including expanding United States west of the Mississippi (where it owns the right to operate the brand) and in Australia, Brazil, Israel, and Venezuela.

Monte Carlo Aftermath:

No injuries and relatively light damage is the good news coming out of the Monte Carlo. The casino was still closed as of this morning, but may reopen soon. Fire damage was confined to the visible areas on the roof, and only some water damage affected a few of the rooms. News reports indicate that because of the now-mandatory sprinkling systems in the casinos, there was never much chance that the fire could have taken hold inside the building, which is reassuring in the broad picture. It's still unknown what caused the fire, but there's speculation that welders on the roof may have sparked it. Firefighters are being credited with a lightning-fast 5-minute repsonse time. Today's LV Review-Journal has outstanding coverage of the event, including historical coverage of Las Vegas' other high-profile fires, including El Rancho Vegas, MGM Grand, and the Las Vegas Hilton.

Film Footage of Monte Carlo Fire:

We don't mean to be ghoulish but figured some readers would be interested to see footage of today's fire at the Monte Carlo, which we're glad to report now seems to be fully extinguished and did not result in any fatalities or serious injury, so far as we've heard. Click this link to see video footage of the conflagration that engulfed the upper outer level of the Strip resort late this morning.

Accidental Payday for Canadian Gamblers:

The Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation announced yesterday that an employee error last October cost the casino thousands in overpays from a self-redemption kiosk. Someone at Casino Regina accidentally loaded the machine with $20 bills instead of fives and the error was not spotted for 11 1/2 days, when a casino customer finally came forward to report the problem. By that point one patron, who was subsequently identified on surveillance tape, had alone raked in $11,000 in one day, with other as-yet unknown customers having received undisclosed sums in the accidental bonanza. The casino is still trying to identify the other beneficiaries of the mistake and is conducting an internal investigation with the involvement of the police, who are trying to ascertain whether any crime took place.

40 Years=40 X at EI:

Ellis Island Casino is celebrating 40 years this year, rolling out with 40X points on select machines, including some video poker machines. They are also offering 6X points (on selected machines) every Sunday & Tuesday, in addition to their standard 5X points every Friday. Additional 40th-anniversary promotions will be forthcoming over the next few weeks.

New Binion's Owner Approved:

Longtime Las Vegas resident and Four Queens owner Terry Caudill has had his license to run Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission, clearing the way for him to take control of the property sometime next month. Caudill made a deal last June to purchase the ailing but landmark downtown property from MTR Gaming for $32 million last June. He plans to spend about $10 million upgrading the hotel rooms and gaming floor. "There is no miracle cure," he’s quoted as saying in today’s R-J. "It is going to be a lot of little things."

Speedway Condos Nixed:

LVRealty.net reports the demise of a condo project slated for the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Trouble was, the project was less than 1.5 miles from the end of a Nellis AFB runway and the Air Force is very protective of its airspace, as demonstrated by its long-running opposition to the 1,000-plus Crown Las Vegas project, slated for the old Wet 'n Wild site.

Monte Carlo Update:

Reports now indicate that the severe look of the fire may have been misleading. Flamable decorative material may have been what was primarily burning and the fire may have had minimal penetration into the building, though there's a lot of damage on the outside.

Fast Work at Monte Carlo:

No flames are currently visible and it appears that firefighters may have the fire under control. Very quick and good work. First reports are that it may have begun in an upper-floor kitchen. It's early, but no casualties have been reported.

Monte Carlo Flames Diminishing:

Television transmissions show the flames diminishing significantly. We don't know what's happening inside, but the outside situation looks close to being under control.

Water on the Roof:

Water from hoses on the roof is now visible from the TV coverage and appears to be slowing the spread of the fire, at least directly on the roof. Part of the Monte Carlo logo has been destroyed. The Strip has been blocked off.

Monte Carlo on Fire:

A fire is burning at the top of the Monte Carlo. Firefighters are not yet on the scene, but television coverage shows that the fire is serious. We will update throughout the day.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

It’s all about the ladies this weekend as Planet Ho' rolls out the red carpet and crowns Miss America 2008 on Saturday evening in the Theatre for the Performing Arts. Meanwhile, McFadden’s at the Rio will host their grand opening celebration this weekend and gives local lovelies the chance to shine in a calendar-girl competition. Prelims are on Friday night and the winner will be chosen on Saturday night during an event hosted by actor Kevin Dillon. Music: This weekend's highlights include George "Bad to the Bone" Thorogood and the Destroyers (1/25) and Social Distortion with Inward Eye at HoB (1/26); Rock ‘n Roll Wine kicks off the '08 season at The Canyon Club at Four Queens with music by Rick Duarte and Michael Soli (1/25); Tom Jones is still belting out the oldies but goodies at MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theatre (through 1/30); Michael Grimm sings the blues in a free concert at The Club at The Cannery (1/25); country music artist Brad Paisley's onstage at the MBay Events Center (1/26); boogie with KC & the Sunshine Band at Buffalo Bill’s(1/26); Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine perform their musical comedy act at The Joint (1/26); classical violinist Itzhak Perlman takes to the stage at UNLV Artemus W. Ham Hall (1/23-1/26) and will then conduct the university’s symphony orchestra in the their 50th Anniversary Concert (1/26); and '80s pop musician Howard Jones stops by Ovation Lounge at Green Valley Ranch (1/26); Sports: The Las Vegas Wrangles host the Utah Grizzlies on the ice at the Orleans Arena (1/26-1/27); the PSCA Winternationals are taking place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1/26-1/27); The CBR World Championships take over the South Point equestrian arena (1/25-26) with after parties at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country (1/25-1/26) Comedy: Dana Carvey takes over the Orleans Showroom (1/23-1/27); David Brenner will make you laugh at the Suncoast Showroom (1/25-1/27); and Ralphie May yuks it up at South Point (1/25-1/26) Other: The CineVegas Art House Screen Series continues at Galaxy Neonopolis (through 3/6); Planet Hollywood Theatre hosts the 2008 Miss America pageant finals (1/26); and Ashanti hosts the MySpace Monthly party at PURE (1/26) For more details about these and other events, plus full listings of all the permanent shows Las Vegas plays home to, click here to use our "Shows & Events" finder, under "Vegas Info." Plus, tickets to many of the above-listed events are available by clicking here; if not, just contact the box office direct.

Buy a Piece of Celine -- $1.64 Per Square Inch!:

Yes, the show may be over but the merchandising goes on and on, with Ticketmaster currently offering two exclusive memorabilia packages. For a mere $149, Celine fans can purchase a piece of the actual stage that Ms Dion actually trod on at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The 4,148 individual 13" x 7" flooring slabs each come in a laser-etched custom acrylic shadow box, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a performance photo of A New Day. Also available are limited-edition framed pieces that include a souvenir ticket from the opening night and the final performance of Celine Dion - A New Day, plus a $5 souvenir casino chip and a photo of Celine. Both items incur a $17 shipping charge. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. For more information click this link for the flooring or this link for the ticket & chip package.

Ladies-Only WSOP Qualifier:

The HightHeelsPokerTour (HHPT) is hosting a World Series of Poker qualifying No Limit Hold'em tournament on March 29 at the Seminole Casino, Hollywood (Fl.) You don't have to be a HHPT member to participate in the event, which features a $450 buy-in for a chance to win a seat at the WSOP Main Event and $15,000 prize package, including airfare, hotel, and spending money. For more info visit www.highheelspokertour.com

Round-Robin Euchre Tonight:

This weekly tournament has been taking place for some time now -- the venue may change but the euchre lives on! We include it in our Tournament section (see "Play") but figured it was time to issue a reminder to all your euchre fans out there (we have one in house who didn't know about it...) The buy-in's $15, the venue's MVP's (6120 W. Tropicana), and the time is 7:30 p.m. For info. on future events, plus any details we ommitted about tonight's, visit vegaseuchre.com

McFadden's Opening Party Tonight:

The Rio's new Irish restaurant/saloon will host its grand opening celebration tonight, with open bar from 9 p.m.-10 p.m. For more information and guest list reservations call 702/777-2463. Festivities will continue throughout the weekend with a calendar girl contest on Friday night and finals on Sunday.

Final "Hit Parade" Show at Suncoast:

The last in the Thursday afternoon concert series at Suncoast takes place from 2 p.m. today, featuring entertainers from the Strip performing in the Showroom. Tickets are free to players club members and may be picked up from the box office (limit two tickets per member).

Meet & Greet for Bull Riding Fans This Evening:

From 6 p.m. this evening, championship bull riders Pistol Robinson, Tuff Hedeman, and Wesley Silcox will be at the Silverton for a meet and greet and autorgraph-signing session. Fans attending can enjoy $2 Coors Light bottles as well as the chance to win various prizes including Championship Bull Riding tickets and gift certificates to several of Silverton Casino Lodge’s restaurants.

Evel Knievel Immortalized by Madame Tussauds:

The latest addition to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas -- a youthful figure of the world-famous motorcylcle stunt man in a trademark red, white and blue costume -- was unveiled yesterday at the Venetian. The Evel Knievel likeness will be placed within the "Speed" room of the attraction, where guests will be allowed to sit on an authentic replica 1972 Harley Davidson XR750, put on a themed Evel cape, and take pictures of themselves with his figure.

New Friendly Face of Area 51:

According to a bizarre item in the generally unbizarre Air Force Times, the Air Force's classified test range at Groom Lake, Nev., popularly known as Dreamland, Paradise Ranch, The Box, and, most famously, Area 51 has been officially renamed "Homey Airport." We have absolutely no idea why and neither did the spokeswoman for Nellis Air Force Base, which sits 85 miles south of Homey Airport and is responsible for the airspace and ground facilities there, but it should certainly make it sound more welcoming to any passing extraterrestrials who happen to spot it on the map.

Who Says Vegas Not Good Value?!:

United Vacactions, United Airline's travel agency, has teamed up with various Las Vegas hotel operators to offer discount flight and hotel packages (2 nights), with savings of up to $200 per reservation and the chance to to win one of seven vacations valued at over $30,000. Sample package deals include: From Los Angeles: -- Riviera Hotel & Casino, standard room -- from $199 Includes 2-for-1 buffet lunch, free entry into daily slot tourney and $10 in free slot play when you play $20. -- Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, deluxe room -- from $224 -- The Mirage, deluxe room -- from $304 -- Bellagio, deluxe room -- from $354 From Chicago: -- Riviera Hotel & Casino, standard room, as above -- from $364 -- Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, deluxe room -- from $389 -- The Mirage, deluxe room -- from $469 -- Bellagio, deluxe room -- from $519 Book by March 31 for travel anytime between February 1 and April 30, 2008. For more information or to make a reservation visit www.unitedvacations.com/ or call 888/328-6877.

Poll Glitch Fixed:

We have no idea what happened. At six minutes past midnight, the current poll was just fine and dandy. At some point between then and 6:45 a.m. PST, it went into meltdown, so please accept our apologies if you tried to vote and found there was no poll, or that the "Other" link was not functioning. After much hair-tearing our valiant but now completely bald* Webmaster has fixed the problem, so please revisit if you experienced problems before. We'll be running a QoD on Super Bowl, sorry Big Game parties soon, so any advice and tips the experienced out there can offer to Vegas SB novices will be much appreciated. *Actually, he was bald already, but he would have torn his hair out if he had any to tear.

Las Vegas No Longer Good Value?:

The cover story of February Budget Travel Magazine features the publication's first-ever "Best Value" list. In a partnership with TripAdvisor, the magazine profiles the 132 best luxury hotels around the world with an average nightly rate of less than $250 and not a single Las Vegas property made it into the Top 100. Yikes.

Trop's Troubles Outlined in WSJ:

Today's Wall Street Journal contains a big story titled "Is a Comeback in the Cards for the Storied Tropicana," that's really about the problems in Atlantic City. In one of the few Las Vegas references, Columbia Sussex boss William Yung is quoted saying he thinks "there's a chance to get this [Las Vegas] thing financed," in reference to plans for a $3.5 billion 9,500-room addition for the Strip resort.

SB Number Pats -12:

The number for next week's Super Bowl is Patriots -12, meaning the Pats are 12-point favorites over the Giants. The over/under number (total points scored in the game) is currently 53.5. Both numbers figure to vacillate a little, considering the uncertainty over Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady's foot injury. Over the next week, several sports books will release the hundreds of proposition bets ranging from who wins the coin toss to whether Tiger Woods' golf score will exceed the combined passing attempts of the quarterbacks. For most props, check Las Vegas Hilton, Palms, the Stations, and the online books.

WPT Launches Subscription Site:

The World Poker Tour has launched its subscription-based tournament site, ClubWPT. The club works off the Ultimate Blackjack Tour's ClubUBT platform and the affiliation should eventually result in addtional poker perks for members of both clubs. The announcement appeared in an article in today's "Sports" section of USA Today, that also discussed WPT's intention to compile and track statistics (similar to a sports league) that will help in rating the ability of players who appear on its TV shows.

Last Chance to Vote in "Worst Trend" Poll:

We've already had a phenomenal response to the current Reader Poll about the worst trends in Las Vegas, both in terms of votes and email feedback. If you haven't yet voted and would like to air your views, you have until midnight tonight... (The voting box is on the left-hand side of this page, under the Member Sign-In box.)

MGM Mirage Embraces the Rat:

Yup, the group is doing plenty to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Rat, which begins Feb. 8. Celebrations include: Diaoyutai State Guesthouse Culinary Festival, presented in collaboration with MGM Grand's Pearl restaurant and featuring traditional delicacies from the Imperial Court banquet. (Feb. 6-12: Lunch 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; prix-fixe prices $200/$250; Dinner 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; prix fixe prices $300/$450/$600. For reservations call 702/891-3701.) February 7-12, Shanghai Lily (MBay) and Fin (Mirage) will feature specialty menus. For reservations and more information call 702/632-7200 (Shanghai Lily) or 866/339-4566 (Fin). Saturday, Feb. 9 Taiwanese singers/actors Richie Jen and Ruby Lin appear at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Tickets range from $38-$178. Call 800/929-1111 for more info. Starlight Lion Dancing Group will perform traditional Lion Dances in the main valet areas of Bellagio (3 p.m., Feb. 9), MGM Grand (7 p.m., Feb. 9), The Mirage (3 p.m., Feb. 9), and Bellagio (7 p.m., Feb. 10). The Bellagio Conservatory has already debuted its Year of the Rat display, which runs through March 15 and features a 5-foot-tall herbal rodent as the centerpiece, plus pools of brightly colored carp and an 18-foot-tall Chinese God of Wealth and Fortune. As in previous years, some properties will be releasing limited-edition commemorative chips, but most participaing casino cages (of which there are few this year) have yet to finalize the details of their promotions. We'll keep you posted.

Great Locals Phantom Offer:

Now through March 31, locals can enjoy $50 off tickets for Phantom at the Venetian. The offer's valid for the $120 and $150 tickets. Call 702/414-9000 or visit phantomlasvegas.com and quote promotional code SAVE50. Must show valid Nevada ID when you collect your tickets from the box office.

Stalking-Horse Buyer for A.C. Trop:

The mystery behind the $950 million bid for the Atlantic City Tropicana, currently held in trust by the State of New Jersey, has been solved ... well, sort of. A certain Joseph Palladino has identified himself as the prospective buyer "on behalf of a company to be disclosed." Said company is "slated" to buy a develop a hotel in New York City's Hudson Yards area and a resort in Ocean County, N.J. The mystery firm is a "Private Family Office," for whom Palladino serves as principal director of acquisitions and "has assembled a highly respected team of licensed operators that are well know [sic] state-wide" and reputed to be familiar with Garden State casino operations. On top of its $950 million bid, Palladino's employer promises $150 million in capital investment in the Trop.

Rita Rudner Show To Tape for PBS:

In honor of the comedienne's 2,000th and 2,001st Las Vegas shows this February 22, both performances will be taped for PBS' first-ever comedy special. Harrah's is marking the occasion by transforming the theater where Ms Rudner performs into a 1930s style Hollywood nightclub and guests are encouraged to dress accordingly to add to the ambiance. The performances will take place at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. and general admission seats are available at a special discounted price of $33 (plus tax).

WSOP Hits the Airwaves:

Harrah's Entertainment has just announced the launch of World Series of Poker® Radio, an official weekly radio show of the WSOP, which is presented by Bluff Media and is already available to more than 200 stations of the Sports Byline Radio Network and local radio affiliates in major cities (including KSHP 1400 AM Las Vegas). The broadcasts can be heard every Monday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST. The shows will be hosted by Nick Geber and guests will include celebrities, past and present WSOP champions, tournament officials, and up and coming players from around the world. Listeners can participate in the show by calling 866/925-TALK. More stations will be added weekly and WSOP Radio can also can be accessed over cell phones using Upsnap beginning January 28.

Boyd Launches New 'One Card':

Today marked the first phase of the launch of Boyd Gaming's new integrated players club, with the company's four Las Vegas locals casinos -- Sam's Town, Suncoast, The Orleans, and Gold Coast -- being unified under a new "One Card" program. Eventually, the consolidated program will be rolled out to the company's downtown properties and then nationwide to its Midwest and South regions, which will enable members to use the same card throughout five different states. For more details about the implications of the new program, contact the players club at any of the four properties locals properties named above.

Trader Vic's Fêtes Miss America:

The public is invited to celebrate six decades of American beauty tomorrow when one of the Strip's newest eateries hosts up to 20 former Miss America winners, including Ms. Lee Ann Meriwether (Crowned Miss America 1955 and went on to star as "Catwoman" in the "Batman" TV series of the '60s). The festivities, in honor of Saturday's Miss America competition, which will be hosted for the third year in a row by Planet Hollywood (formerly the Aladdin), will take place from 5 p.m.-7.30 p.m. tomorrow and will feature food and drink specials as well as the chance to meet the past winners.

Hooters Going Old School on Tipping:

Hooters Casino Hotel is doing away with its tip pool for casino dealers. Now, each dealer gets to keep all of his or her tips, according to PR Manager Joe Donato, who describes the move as "Go for your own. [Hooters management] just wanted to change it up, give the dealers more incentive to be courteous." While some fear this return to the tipping policies of old will bring about the return of tip hustling, it's almost certain to thwart any unionization moves by the Transit Workers Union (which has won elections at Wynn Las Vegas and Caesars Palace). The TWU has been successful, in part, because of dealers' fears of not being in control of how their tips are split.

Free Cake!:

Yup, the latest deal for LVA members is a 2-for-1 cupcake offer from the Cupcakery, which just debuted its second venue in Summerlin and was recently featured on "Ellen Across America." You can find the link to the coupon when you log on to the current issue of LVA (see "Daily Deals eCoupons" at the top of the page). Visit thecupcakery.com for more information about hours, locations, and the myriad flavors of cupcakes available.

Joey & Maria on Hiatus:

Further to the Jan. 17 item in this column reporting on the Soprano's Last Supper's move to the Riv., we can confirm that Joey & Maria's Comedy Italian Wedding will not be joining it. The show has closed at the Empire Ballroom and will be remaining on indefinite hiatus. This mean's the Empire's currently back to being essentially an after-hours club, as it was prior to its temporary home to shows vacating Krave.

Hawaiian Tropic Zone Grand Opening:

In spite of last November 16's bikini beach party and the fact that it opened for business November 30, Hawaiian Tropic Zone has not yet had its grand opening party. That will take place Friday, Jan. 25, featuring live performances by The Forbidden World of Don Tiki, Little Steven Van Zandt's "The Chesterfield Kings," and the Hawaiian Tropic Zone dancers.

Pink Taco Relaunch:

As part of the ongoing expansions and renovations at the Hard Rock, the twelve-year-old Pink Taco is celebrating its success with a re-opening party on Friday, Feb. 1 to launch its newly expanded bar and new monthly "Cinco de Taco" night. The new monthly parties kick off Tuesday, Feb. 5 with $2 Coronas, $3 Sauza Hornitos shots, $3.75 margaritas, and half-off appetizers from 4 p.m. until closing. Other festivities will include a live Mariachi band and lingerie-clad ladies participating in a series of Piñata bashings that will each unleash a cache of Love Jones lingerie.

Spin on the Move:

After less than a month's residence at Alexis Park, Spin Nightclub is already relocating. According to resident DJ MasterWeb, the club has already outgrown its current venue and will be undergoing a million-dollar renovation and relocating to 1700 E. Flamingo Road with a new upscale look. The grand opening's due to take place Saturday, Feb. 2 with E-40 performing live for the celebration. Call 800/261-7400 to get on the guest list. We hope this will constitute a fresh start for the E. Flamingo location, which has long been home to a string of hip hop clubs and more than its share of trouble. It's been the scene of fatal shootings both in its current incarnation as Club 702 and previous SRO identity, prior to which it was Suge Knight’s Club 662 and the intended destination of the Death Row impresario and Tupac the night the latter was fatally shot. For more information on that story, check out The Killing of Tupac Shakur.

Canniversary:

The Cannery is celebrating its 5th Anniversary on Monday, January 21 with free cake and sparkling cider from noon to 4 p.m. and the first 5000 American Can Club members will also receive a free Anniversary T-Shirt.

Playoff Parties:

Mist Bar & Lounge at TI and Caramel at Bellagio will host NFL Playoff Conference Championship parties today starting at noon. Guests at Caramel will feast on a special game day menu from FIX restaurant featuring wings, free dips, wraps, and more.

Clinton Wins Nevada Caucus:

According to a projection from the Associated Press, Sen. Hillary Clinton took the jackpot in the today's Democratic caucuses in Nevada. Entrance polls showed that almost six in 10 of the estimated 50,000 voters were women and over half of them chose Mrs. Clinton.

Romney Takes Nevada:

The Wall Street Journal has just announced that, according to media projections, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has won Nevada's Republican caucus. Early returns in Nevada's Republican caucus showed Mr. Romney with about 45% of the vote. Sen. John McCain and Rep. Ron Paul were far behind in second place, with 16% and 14%, respectively. The outcome of the Democratic caucus is not yet known, with reports indicating a close race between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Cosmo Construction to Continue:

Despite the momentous news earlier this week that the Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino had defaulted on its construction loan, Reuters reports that Perini Building Co Inc, a unit of Perini Corp, has said Deutsche Bank will continue paying for the construction of the project, which will continue unaffected, while the issues of loan default with the developer are being resolved.

Nevada Caucuses Today:

If you're just reading about it now, you're too late. The Republican caucus was at 9 am today; the Democrat at 11 am. The results are expected by this afternoon. Today's LV Review-Journal has good coverage and explanations of the process.

Plan Announced for Greek Isles:

The owners of Greek Isles, the slots-only casino on Convention Center Drive, say they want to demolish the casino and build a two-tower mixed-use development on its 6.1 acres. Financing is not in place, however, so plans are not firm.

Latest from CineVegas "Arthouse" Series:

CineVegas continues its series of foreign, cult, indie, and documentary films with screenings of Mr Untouchable, the true-life story of notorious '70s drug lord Nicky Barnes, at the Galaxy Theatre at the Cannery (showing at 7 p.m., 9:25 p.m., and 11:50 p.m.) and Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten, a biopic of the Clash's front man, who died four years ago, showing at the Galazy Neonopolis (7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.) For more information about screening times and ticket prices contact the respective box offices on 702/639-9779 (Galaxy at the Cannery) or 702/383-9600 (Galaxy Neonopolis) or visit www.cinevegas.com

Unique Audition Opportunity:

It was announced today that from March 3-6, MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris will hold the first American auditions in the Crazy Horse Group's 27-year history. A celebrity guest judge, whose identity has yet to be announced, will help determine which three lucky winners will be chosen to join the prestigious dance troupe, which has never before recruited outside of France. Hopefuls must possess the following attributes: Be a height between 5'4" and 5'8" Aged between 21 and 30 Possess natural physical beauty and an "uplifting personality" Have formal dance training Have valid ID and the ability to obtain a passport If you think you've got what it takes, email crazyhorseparis@lv.mgmgrand.com or call 702/334-4518 for more information.

Talking of Records...:

In one of the most outlandish promotional events since Paris sent out bevies of little old ladies on Segways to advertise The Producers, Harrah's Las Vegas will attempt to make history this January 26, when 1,700 members of the Red Hat Society will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for "Most People in a Chorus Line." The stunt, designed to promote the arrival of HATS! the musical, which opened at the property Jan. 12, will kick off at 11 a.m., with the world record attempt taking place at 11:30 and spanning a half-mile or so of the Strip, from Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon to the Carnaval Court at Harrah's.

For the Record:

It looks like the official final number for the cost of Palazzo is $1.9 billion. The resort is holding its grand opening this weekend.

Spotlights Are On at Palazzo:

As the Strip's newest resort gears up for this weekend's grand opening, we can report that the spotlights are shining from the roof, the dealer's are in their positions, and LVA's already been over to inspect. You can read our full report in the upcoming February issue of Las Vegas Advisor.

$1/2 Million Point Challenge at Stations:

Now through February 29, Station Casinos will be holding a series of point challenges that will collectively see $525,000 given away to Boarding Pass members. The first challenge runs now through Jan. 27, with a second one commencing Jan. 28 and running through Feb. 10. An additional overall point challenge runs now through the end of February and will see the top three total point earners taking home $100,000, $50,000, and $25,000 respectively. Visit a players club booth for more information.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

In case you haven’t heard, the MGM Grand will be all-abuzz with Hannah Montana-mania, so expect a generational collision with the Tom Jones posse -- the lingerie-flinging inducer will be belting 'em out in the Hollywood Theatre. Meanwhile, up the Strip, the Palazzo takes center stage with its grand opening celebration, featuring Motown diva Diana Ross. See the list below for the best of the rest. Music: Lenny Kravitz is in the house at the Pearl at the Palms (1/20); Esteban performs at the Suncoast Showroom (1/18-1/20); Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell stop by the Orleans Showroom; Michael John performs his Billy Joel Tribute at The Club at the Cannery (1/18-1/9); Lupe Fiasco plays the House of Blues (1/18) and then hosts his album release party at Jet Nightclub at the Mirage (1/18); the Showroom at South Point welcomes Sha Na Na (1/18-1/19); the Pink of Diamonds Pink Floyd tribute band takes to the stage at The Canyon Club at Four Queens (1/18); Michael Franks jazzes up the Railhead at Boulder Station (1/19); catch the Monterey Jazz Festival at UNLV’s Artemus Ham Hall (1/20); and Shawn Barker appears in his "Man in Black" Johnny Cash Tribute in Santa Fe Station’s Chrome Showroom(1/18-1/19) Sports: Football viewing parties start at noon at Caramel at Bellagio, Mist Bar & Lounge at TI, and 40/40 Club at Palazzo (1/20), plus there’s high-octane action at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Drag Strip with the Nitro Blast Off and Pro Stock Showdown (1/18-1/20) Comedy: Ray Romano and Brad Garrett share the stage at the Danny Gans Theatre at Mirage (1/18-1/19); Lisa Lapanelli's in your face at House of Blues (1/19); and ventriloquist Terry Fator returns to the Las Vegas Hilton (1/17-1/19) Other: Disney on Ice presents Princess Wishes at the Orleans Arena (1/16-1/21); The CineVegas Art House Screening continues at Galaxy Neonopolis (through 3/6) and Galaxy Cannery (through 1/24); My Little Pony Live! takes over UNLV’s Cox Pavilion (1/18-1/20); Palace Station hosts the Las Vegas Paranormal Conference (1/19-1/20); support Vegas PBS at the annual Splendor in the Glass Wine and Beer Tasting fundraiser at the Las Vegas Hilton (1/19); Psychic Sylvia Brown is in the house at Excalibur (1/19-1/20); Endless Productions presents Fiddler’s Green (1/17-1/18); and the Las Vegas Antique and International Sporting Arms Show takes place at The Riviera (1/18-1/20) For more details about these and other events, plus full listings of all the permanent shows Las Vegas plays home to, click here to use our "Shows & Events" finder, under "Vegas Info." Plus, tickets to many of the above-listed events are available by clicking here; if not, just contact the box office direct.

New Home for Soprano's Last Supper:

The interactive production, which opened at Krave and then moved to the Empire Ballroom, will perform its last show in the current venue on Jan. 22, prior to moving to the Riviera Comedy Club, where it opens Jan. 31. The fate of sister show Joey and Maria's Comedy Wedding remains unclear: We've seen conflicting reports about whether it, too, is moving to the Riv. or if it's staying at the Empire Ballroom. Watch this space for updates.

Tribute Show Put on Ice:

A legal battle has closed the oldies music revue at the Sahara, as reported by Mike Weatherford in today's Las Vegas Review-Journal. A preliminary injunction was issued in L.A. last week after a U.S. District Court Judge ruled that the use of the name "Legendary Lead Singers of the Temptations" infringed upon a trademark held by Otis Williams, the last surviving member of the group's most famous "classic five" lineup. The revue, which also features The Platters and Cornell Gunter's Coasters, has been suspended until further notice. Those with tickets can obtain a refund at the box office, we've been informed. Call 702/737-2515 for more information.

"Hit Parade" at the Suncoast:

At 2 p.m. today the Showroom at the Suncoast will present the second in its "Hit Parade at the Suncoast" series, featuring entertainers from the Strip. Tickets, limited to two per member, are free to Club Coast members at may be picked up at the box office.

New Cupcakery Debuts Today:

The new Summerlin branch of Las Vegas' popular Cupcakery bakery opens today at 7175 W. Lake Mead Blvd. in the Rock Springs Plaza. To celebrate the grand opening, customers are invited in to either location today (the original's at 9680 S. Eastern Ave.) to sample a complimentary cupcake-of-choice, including the signature "Southern Belle," a red velvet cake smothered with cream cheese frosting and red sprinkles. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new venue, which takes place at 4:30 p.m., will feature the chance to register for a chance to win a dozen specialty cakes and two tickets for George Wallace.

Cosmo Story Hits WSJ:

Today's Wall Street Journal goes in-depth on the status of the Cosmopolitan. Included in the story are some numbers we haven't seen before. The article puts the price tag of Cosmo at $3 billion, whereas the highest we'd seen prior was $1.8 billion (following an initial estimate of $1.5 billion when the project was announced in January 2005). Also, WSJ puts the opening date at late 2009 "according to a spokesman for the casino." As early as last month, when we researched our "2008 Report Card," the opening was expected in 2008.

Cosmopolitan Foreclosure Announced:

Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino, having defaulted on its construction loan, is being confronted by the threat of forceclosure. Associated Press reports that lender Deutsche Bank "took the first step" toward seizing the $3 billion project, which owes Deutsche Bank $760 million. Cosmo owner Ian Bruce Eichner said he was seeking other investment capital and had "planned and anticipated for this." The shortfall apparently cannot be blamed on presales, as the roughly 3,000 units are reportedly 84% sold. News of trouble at the Cosmo doesn't come as a complete surprise. Blogging at the Las Vegas Sun Web site, gaming reporter Liz Benston intimated that the project was facing a cash shortfall. The property also suffered a blow in the executive suite when CFO Audrey Oswell abruptly left to join the rival Fontainbleau project.

MGM Sweetens Dubai Offer:

Evidently finding few takers for its $75/share tender offer, MGM Mirage and Dubai World have upped the minimum price to $80/share. The principal purpose of the offer is boost Dubai World's ownership stake by scooping up stock positions held by minority shareholders. Majority MGM Mirage owner Kirk Kerkorian will not be diluting his stake by selling shares to his company or Dubai World. The announcement perked up MGM Mirage's stock price, which closed Wednesday's trading at $70.47, a $4.10/share improvement over the previous day's close.

Adeleson Article in USA Today:

The front page of today's "Money" section has a good story on Sheldon Adelson written by Steve Friess. Lots of good history and insight into the aggressive casino king who has just opened Palazzo.

Poll Link Fixed:

Apologies to anyone who voted for the "other" option in today's reader poll and tried without success to use the email link -- we had a technical glitch earlier but it's now fixed, so please revisit and email us your feedback. Thanks!

MGM Takes First Steps on Renaissance Pointe:

MGM Mirage has made the first move in the New Jersey planning process that will lead to construction of its Renaissance Pointe project in Atlantic City's Marina District, applying to the state fora Coastal Area Facility Review Act permit. The company hopes to break ground later this year and finish in 2012. The 60-acre project sits cheek-by-jowl with Borgata, in which MGM Mirage holds a half-ownership.

21 to Debut at Texas Film Festival:

The gambling drama 21, starring Kate Bosworth, Jim Sturgess, Lawrence Fishburne, and co-producer Kevin Spacey, will open the 15th annual South by Southwest Film Conference & Festival in Austin, Texas, on March 7. The Columbia Pictures project revolves around the group of six M.I.T. students who studied card counting and won a small fortune playing blackjack. It's based on Ben Mezrich's 2002 nonfiction book Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions. The movie has generated some mixed feelings among the actual characters represented, due to the lack of accuracy regarding the ethnicity of the protagonists in the casting of the film. The film is set for a March 28 theatrical release.

Carrot Top Offers:

Luxor is offering a locals’ two-for-one ticket special to see Carrot Top in the Atrium Showroom. The offer may be used only once, excludes holidays and special events, and expires Jan. 31. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Luxor box office. Another deal that's open to all: Purchase your Carrot Top tickets on-line and receive a free Carrot Top DVD -- pick up the voucher when you collect your tickets at the Luxor ticket counter. Offer valid through February 29, 2008 and limited to one per transaction.

Kudos to Signature at MGM Grand:

Readers of TripAdvisor.com, the world's largest travel community, have voted the Signature at MGM Grand the Best Luxury Hotel in the U.S. in the site's 2008 Travelers' Choice Awards.

King of Queens Comes to Vegas:

Tickets are now on sale for special performances of Ray Romano's show inside the Danny Gans Theatre at the Mirage, featuring guest appearances by "King of Queens" star Kevin James. James will take the stage first, then following Romano's performance, the two will return to the stage together to reminisce about their years of working together and conduct a Q&A session with the audience. These special performances will take place February 15– 6 and February 29–March 1 at 10 p.m. Tickets are priced at $110 (plus tax) and can be purchased by calling 702/792-7777.

LV Motor Speedway Enters the Political Fray:

Las Vegas Motor Speedway is jumping on the Nevada caucus bandwagon with a unique promotion. The first race fans whose surnames match any of the primary candidates’ last names and who purchase a Neon Garage pass will receive a refund for that pass. Eligible last names are Clinton, Edwards, Obama, Giuliani, Huckabee, McCain, Romney, and Thompson. The offer began on Monday, Jan. 14 and runs through 5 p.m. on Jan. 19.

Jury to Decide in Battle Over Plaza Name:

Clark County District Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez yesterday dismissed the petition for an interim injunction against unauthorized use of the Plaza name, filed by Las Vegas' Plaza hotel-casino owners Tamares, and ruled that the case will be heard by a jury, with the first hearing set for July 21, 2008. She turned down Tamares' request for an interim injunction to bar the Elad consortium from using the Plaza name on the grounds that construction on the new complex has not yet begun and is unlikely to be completed before the end of 2011. Tamares owns the Las Vegas Plaza, which has operated downtown for 30 years, while the Elad group, which plans to construct an $8 billion hotel-casino and residential development on the site of the old New Frontier, also lays claim to the Plaza name via its purchase of New York's famous Plaza Hotel in 2004.

Final CityCenter Condo Sale:

MGM Mirage releases the last of CityCenter’s residential offerings at 10 a.m. today with the sales launch of The Harmon Hotel, Spa & Residences, which includes 207 condominiums. Interested buyers can make appointments to preview The Harmon Residences at CityCenter’s Residential Sales Pavilion by calling 702/590.5999 or 866/708.7111. Visit www.citycenter.com for more information.

Rally to the Rebels' Cause:

Lon Kruger, Head Coach of UNLV's Runnin' Rebels basketball team, is appealing to all fans to come and support the team when they face BYU at 8 p.m. tomorrow night at the Thomas and Mack. Bring a friend, wear red, and MAKE SOME NOISE!

New Year at Bellagio:

Chinese New Year, that is, which came to life in the Bellagio Conservatory today with a new exhibit celebrating the Year of the Rat. Yes, it features a 5-foot-tall botanical rodent in a setting guided by the principles of Feng Shui. The highly symbolic exhibit also features an 18-foot-tall Chinese God of Wealth and Fortune, surrounded by gleaming I-Ching coins and two Ming Dynasty-styled dings, ancestral vessesl that are said to protect against bad luck.

Tough Month for Casinos:

The Nevada state gambling win had its steepest downturn in nearly five years in November, booking a 13.99% decrease compared to the same month last year. A greater drop in win has not been reported since January 2002 (-14.9%). The November decrease was attributed primarily to a large fall-off in baccarat action, primarily on the Strip, where the win was down 19.1%. The win at downtown casinos fell by 9.3%, breaking a run of four consecutive months of upticks.

Harrah's Deal Closing Date:

Harrah’s Entertainment has announced that the closing date of the buyout by Apollo Management Group and TPG Capital is expected to be January 28. It is not expected that any obvious changes in operations will take place at that time, though its likely that some properties in the Harrah's group will eventually be sold as a consequence.

Hard Rock Takes Back Casino:

Morgans Hotel Group, owners of the Hard Rock, has been approved for a gaming license, which means it will finally be able to run its own casino. Casino operations had previously been run by Golden Gaming, which runs the PT Taverns in town. Meanwhile, the resort's $750 million expansion is underway. The additions will include two new towers, plus restaurants, retail, a spa, and other amenities.

Books Jammed:

The sports books will be jammed today and tomorrow for the NFL playoff games. One good choice to beat the crowds is the recently remodeled book at Green Valley Ranch -- great vibe and TVs wall-to-wall.

Elvis Casino News:

A long-time Las Vegas casino executive has signed on with FX Entertainment, the company behind the proposed Elvis-themed casino on the Strip at Harmon. Barry Shier spent 15 years with Mirage, prior to its sale to MGM. He is assuming the post of CEO.

Maserati Viewing Party Tonight:

Blush ultralounge at Wynn hosts the official Las Vegas launch party for the Maserati Gran Turismo tonight and all are invited to get an exclusive first look at this luxury automobile. Doors open at 9 p.m. and table reservations are strongly recommended. Call 702/7700-3633 for more information.

Long Live the King!:

In celebration of Elvis' birthday (Jan. 8th), the Cannery is hosting a 2-day tribute today and tomorrow, with special appearances by Johnny Fortuno and Elvis' original backing singers, plus other special guests. Tickets are $15 at the door, which opens at 6:30 p.m.

Vegas Weddings on the Decline:

According to an item reported on Fox5 News, the number of people getting hitched in Nevada has dropped for the fourth year in a row, with last year seeing the lowest number of marriage licenses issued in a decade. Factors cited for the decline include new hours for the licensing office, which ceased offering a 24-hour-a-day service last year, plus negative publicity surrounding individual wedding chapels, with one, dubbed "The Chapel of Shame," shut down following accusations of everything from technical impropriety to threats of violence to rival venues.

2007 Bad Year for A.C.:

Year-end figures released yesterday by the state Casino Control Commission come as no great surprise: 2007 saw Atlantic City experience its first revenue decline since casino gambling was legalized there in 1978. Although three properties bucked the trend, overall the city's 11 casinos saw a 5.7 percent decrease in revenue from 2006, as reported in today's New York Times. The downturn has largely been attributed to competition from newly legalized slot parlors in Pennsylvania and New York (slot revenues fell 8.9 percent), while the introduction of a casino smoking ban was also partly blamed.

China Considers Legalized Race Betting:

The Chinese government has approved the reestablishment of regular horse racing in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, which was a major center for the sport from the nineteenth century until it was banned on the Chinese mainland in 1949, when the Communist Party came to power. Horse racing was reintroduced to China in the early '90s but gambling remains illegal. However, it's rumored that the government is seriously considering lifting the ban, in part to counteract the popularity of illegal online gambling, and China could see legal race betting as early as 2009.

New Deano Tribute Show at Riviera:

Tom Stevens has moved his occasional Dean Martin tribute show to a more permanent footing, taking up residence in Le Bistro Theatre at the Riviera. Starting tonight, the show will perform at 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 4 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $35. Call 702/794-9433 for more information.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

The adult entertainment business steps into the spotlight this weekend with industry film star Tera Patrick hosting this Saturday evening’s AVN Awards show at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Many nightspots have scheduled activities all week in conjunction with the event and the Adult Entertainment Expo will be at the Sands Expo Center and open to the public (for a fee) through Saturday. Music: There’s a lot of it this weekend, with some of the highlights including the Cannery’s celebration of Elvis’ life (1/11-1/12); Cross Canadian Ragweed hitting the stage at HoB with their unique brand of country rock (11/13/08); Sunset Station’s Club Madrid brings heavy metal back with Skid Row (1/11) and then mellows out to the folk rock of Al Stewart (1/12); BJ Thomas stops by the Railhead at Boulder Station (1/12); Eric Burdon performs classic rock at Green Valley Ranch’s Ovation Lounge (1/11); Bill Medley and Paul Revere & The Raiders take to the stage at the Showroom at South Point (1/11-1/13); jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum is in concert at Sante Fe Station’s Chrome Showroom (1/11); The Orleans Showroom presents Tower of Power (1/11-1/13); and Chubby Checker will be doin’ The Twist in the Showroom at Whiskey Pete’s (1/13) Sports: Las Vegas Hilton presents World Championship Muaythai mixed martial arts competition (1/12); LV Wranglers play host to the Victoria Salmon Kings (1/11-1/12); and the Extreme Monster Truck Nationals take place in South Points Equestrian Arena (1/11-1/13) Other treats include: Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s the site of this year’s Red, White, and Blue Balloon Festival (1/12-1/13); Experience Walking With Dinosaurs at Thomas & Mack Center (1/9-1/13); The CineVegas Art House Screening Series kicks off at Galaxy Neonopolis (1/10-3/6); and Get in on the MidAmerica Motorcycle Auction at the South Point Exhibit Hall (1/10-1/13) For more details about these and other events, plus full listings of all the permanent shows Las Vegas plays home to, click here to use our "Shows & Events" finder, under "Vegas Info." Plus, tickets to many of the above-listed events are available by clicking here; if not, just contact the box office direct.

Fun with Phil:

In case you harbored any remaining doubts about poker making for enjoyable TV, Casino City Times has compiled "Top 10 Phil Hellmuth Moments," from the files of YouTube. The Tarantino-esque torrent of profanities that follows a loss to Annie Duke is particularly high in entertainment value.

CineVegas Art House Festival Kicks Off:

CineVegas commences its ongoing presentation of foreign, cult, documentary, and independent American movies tonight with a screening of the controversial new Brian De Palma film REDACTED at the Galaxy Theatres Neonopolis at 7 p.m. tonight. A fictional story inspired by true events, REDACTED follows a small group of American soldiers stationed at a checkpoint in Iraq, alternating points of view of these young men, members of the media, and the local Iraqi people. Tonight's screening will also serve as a fundraiser for Nevada Public Radio and following the film, NPR's Dave Berns will moderate a panel, which will include LAS VEGAS WEEKLY's Joshua Longobardy and UNLV history professor Joseph Fry, to discuss the film. Tickets may be reserved in advance by calling 702/992-7979. Note that the CineVegas screenings of this film, which will continue through January 17, will be the only opportunity to view the movie, which will not be screened anywhere else in Las Vegas. For more information on the Art House Screening Series, visit www.cinevegas.com

"Las Vegas" Hits Las Vegas:

Celebrate the 100th episode of NBC's series "Las Vegas" with the cast at Moon nightclub at the Palms tonight. Doors open at 10:30 p.m. and the usual cover charge applies.

Wanna Be a Porn Star?:

Adult film star Sunset Thomas is looking for a male (we assume) fan to co-star in her final film. The "Into the Sunset" contest is being hosted by Vavoom Films and interested parties are asked to register in person at the OG gentlemen's club (formerly Olympic Garden) or online at www.vavoomfilms.com. The elimination contest will be held tonight from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. at the OG, so register without delay if you haven't already. The filming's due to take place on Valentine's Day (how romantic).

Slots in USA Today:

There must be something in the water today. Today's USA Today contains two stories in the "Newsline" section on the proliferation of slots in the US. The first contains a good roundup of the current situation and some interesting stats -- slots in 37 states, 767,418 total (we assume not counting the illegals), one machine for every 395 residents. The second story quotes some strong experts -- including Robert Hannum from the University of Denver and our own author of Gambling 102, Michael "The Wizard of Odds" Shackleford -- but makes the typical media mistake of confusing the key concepts of "drop" and "edge." The confusion leads to a dastardly graphic that makes it look as if the best bet in Nevada casino is slot machines, ranked above sports betting, baccarat, and even blackjack. Yikes!

WSJ on Bingo:

Today's Wall Street Journal contains a front-page feature on the bingo industry's leading publication, the Bingo Bugle. The game comes off as being something of a frivolous pursuit financially, which it normally is. But not mentioned in the article is the reality that the game has for years been beatable in Nevada casinos, due to room guarantees that lead to player overlays. An interesting sidenote in the WSJ piece: "Tests conducted by the University of Southhampton's Centre for Visual Cognition showed that a player's mental speed and accuracy were superior to those who did not play."

3rd Annual Celebrity Poker Tournament:

Caesars Palace will host Opportunity Village's 3rd Annual Celebrity No-Limit Hold 'Em Poker tournament on Saturday, February 16, with with a VIP Reception at PURE nightclub and all proceeds going to benefit the charity. The event is open to the public with a $500 buy-in and unlimited rebuys through the 6th round. Initial celebrities scheduled to participate include Ronn Lucas, Frankie and Joey Scinta of The Scintas, Thunder from Down Under, and poker pro "Oklahoma" Johnny Hale. $50 grants access to watch the tournament and attend the reception at PURE, which will feature live entertainment, a silent auction, open bar, and hors d'oeuvres. Call 702/880-4038 or visit www.opportunityvillage.org for more information and to download a registration form.

Win-A-Car Promo at Silverton:

Now through January 26, the Silverton's offering its Discovery Card members a "New Year, New Audi" promotion, with $5,000 in weekly cash prizes and a 2008 Audi A4 up for grabs. Drawings will take place every Saturday in January at 8 p.m. See the players club booth for full rules and conditions.

Penthouse Club Opening Delayed:

This just in: The Grand Opening party will now take place on Friday, Janauary 11. Doors open at 7 p.m.

"Miss LAX Bikini" Contest Launch:

In keeping with the sexy adult theme in town this week, thanks to the annual AVN awards, LAX nightclub will launch its bikini contest tonight, with competitions taking place each Wednesday in search of "Miss LAX Bikini." The city's hottest swimsuit models are invited to participate for the chance at winning a $50,000 grand prize and a guest appearance on Criss Angel's "Mindfreak" TV series.

Las Vegas Awash with Penthouse Pets:

Tomorrow marks the grand opening of the Penthouse Club Las Vegas, located at 3525 W. Russell Road in the space formerly occupied by Sin. At 46,000 square feet, it will be the largest Penthouse Club in the world. In addition to the usual entertaiment and dining amenities, the club has added the R U 702 "Locals-Only" Lounge, open only local residents through an exclusive membership. To coincide with the opening and the AVN awards, renowned Penthouse "Pets," including Jamie Lynn, Martina Warren, Jaime Hammer, Justine Jolie, Lux Cassidy, Erica Ellyson, Brea Lynn and Melissa Jacobs, will be appearing at various parties and events all over town through Saturday.

Adelson Gets Nod from Bush:

Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson was named by President George W. Bush to a four-year term on the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy & Negotiations. Adelson's experience in the trade-show field was cited as contributing to his selection. The Sands CEO is a prominent GOP donor and patron of the neoconservative movement. In other news, David Norton was tapped as chief marketing officer for Harrah's Entertainment. While continuing his oversight of Harrah's relationship-marketing programs, Norton will also run its brand-management activities, according to a company press release.

Interior Dept. Drop-Kicks NY Casinos:

A pair of tribal casinos proposed for New York's Sullivan County got the back of the hand from the Department of Interior, in a move likely to please those who oppose off-reservation tribal gambling. Both the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and Wisconsin's Stockbridge Munsee band had their bids rejected on the grounds that their lack of proximity to each tribe's reservation would dilute the on-reservation population, as tribal members migrated away to jobs in Sullivan County. "The St. Regis Mohawk tribe is located about 350 miles north of its proposed [casino] site. The Stockbridge Munsee are more than 1,000 miles away," noted Newsday. Florida's Seminole tribes received better news when a federal judge rebuffed state Attorney General Bill McCollum's attempt to block new gambling compacts from going into effect. The judge ruled that there was no demonstrable harm in allowing the compacts to move forward, as published in the federal registry, while McCollum and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist wrangle in state court. Florida's Supreme Court is slated to hear the matter at the end of the month.

Cosmo Exec Jumps Ship:

Former Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino COO Audrey Oswell has hopped from that in-progress resort to Fontainebleau Las Vegas, where she will be both president and COO, reporting to CEO Glenn Schaeffer. Her new bosses will also include minority shareholder James Packer. The publishing heir owns a quarter of the project. Oswell's previous presidencies include Resorts Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City and the Casino Association of New Jersey.

Trailer Station Gone:

Yup, if you blinked you missed it -- we did! We drove all the way over to Fremont East to check it out but Las Vegas' shortest-lived casino had already shut up shop by the time we got there around 3 p.m. However, proof that it did indeed exist can be found on our message forums, thanks to the omnipresent Sparky-dog.

Rio Replaces Irish Pub With ... Irish Pub:

McFadden's Saloon is the latest to join the city's growing list of dining/nightspots. Housed in the space formerly occupied by the Tilted Kilt, this new Vegas Irish pub joins others already established in NYC, Philadelphia, DC, Boston, Nashville, Columbus, and Chicago. The establishment quietly opened for business last Friday and is operating during dinner hours (5 p.m.-11 p.m.) through this weekend. After that, we're told they'll be open 24/7. The official grand opening celebration is slated for Jan. 24, with an open bar from 9 p.m.-10 p.m.

Trailer Station Open Today -- We Think:

We haven't had visual confirmation of this yet and we couldn't get hold of the relevant contacts for Stations nor United Coin, but according to reliable sources, including Steve Friess' The Strip Podcast and VegasTripping.com, today's the day that Station Casinos is operating it's mobile casino -- i.e., a few slot machines in a trailer -- on the site of the old Castaways. It's a legal manoeuvre to keep the site's gaming license valid and we gather that visitors are not overly welcome, since the event has received no publicity whatsoever. We're going to try to make it over there (2800 E. Fremont Street) to take some pics before it all shuts down at 4 p.m. today.

Harrah's Adds Toby Keith Party Pit:

Inspired by the "Big Dog Daddy" of country music, Toby Keith, Harrah's Las Vegas has added a country-themed Toby Keith gaming pit, to complement the singer's Bar & Grill venue upstairs. The pit area, which is adjacent to Bill's Bar, features eight gaming tables and offers a mix of games including Casino War, Triple Shot, and blackjack. It's open from noon to 4 a.m. daily.

MGM Mirage Honored by Forbes:

The magazine has for the second time named MGM Mirage one of the "Best Managed Companies in America," as part of its annual Forbes Platinum 400 list of top-performing large corporations. MGM MIRAGE was one of nine companies recognized in the "Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure" category.

Las Vegas Snubbed by Spa Awards:

Not one of Las Vegas' 40+ spas was among the top ten as selected by TripAdvisor, which today announced the best spas in the world, based on the TripAdvisor Popularity Index and traveler ratings. Top of the list was California's Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, followed by the Victoria-Jungrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken, Switzeraland, and The Lodge at Woodlock in Hawley, Pennsylvania.

Last Chance to Vote for Best Comped Drinks:

At midnight tonight, our current poll on which casino offers the best comped drink service expires. We've had a great response and lots of interesting feedback, which we'll share with you on Saturday when we publish the results. If you haven't yet voted or emailed us your personal experiences/thoughts on the subject, then make sure you do before the end of the day. Thank you!

Locals STOMP Deal Extended:

The current 2-for-1 for locals ticket deal for STOMP OUT LOUD at Planet Hollywood has been extended through February 29. Call 702/474-4000 or visit ticketmaster.com and quote promotional code 241DEAL.

New "Green" Vegas Dining Option:

Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck has opened his new venture, the Springs Café by Wolfgang Puck, at Las Vegas Springs Preserve. The menu at the 6,800-square-foot café, located on the second floor of the Gift Shop, features organic ingredients from regional artisan producers and growers and offers indoor and outdoor dining, with views of the Preserve and the Las Vegas Strip. Hours of operation are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. For more information on Las Vegas' "green" programs and attractions, see QoD for 12/13/07.

"Cruise-A-Week" Promo at Terrible's:

For the fifth year in a row, Terrible's casino is running its "Cruise-A-Week Giveaway" promotion, with over 500 week-long cruises in Mexico to be given away to lucky players between now and the end of October. Rules are posted at the players club (must be a member to participate).

Elvis Bash at Sapphire:

In honor of the King's birthday, Sapphire gentlemen's club (3025 Industrial Rd.) will host an Elvis impersonator contest from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. tonight, hosted by Elvis tribute artist George Thomas. There's $1,000 up for grabs for the winner ($500 for second place), a free Blue Hawaiian cocktail for anyone wearing Elvis/'50s attire, and drink specials available all night long. You can use the in-house entertainers as part of your act or bring along your own backing singers/dancers. Call 702/869-0003 for table reservations and bottle service.

CES News: Gamer Favorite Blu-Ray Wins:

As the Consumer Electronics Show prepared to kick off yesterday, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced it was ceasing production of HD-DVD discs. Warner Bros. had been one of the leading purveyors of HD-DVD and its withdrawal spells all-but-certain victory for the competing Blu-Ray format. Partisans of Blu-Ray include video-game players, since Blu-Ray is compatible with PlayStation. It also has considerably larger memory capacity than HD-DVD, permitting more special features per disc.

More Better Cell Reception in A.C.:

Verizon's experiment in providing Atlantic City's casino-goers with better reception must have proved successful, as the company's just announced that last January's improvements at Bally's have now been extended to the Borgata. In each instance, the wireless networking system they're using works by connecting to an in-building distributed antenna to increase cell coverage and capacity througout the property.

LVA Forums Voted Best:

Readers of VegasTripping.com have voted our forums the best Las Vegas message boards on the Web. Thanks! The editors of the site also voted HP's Gay Vegas author and renowned podcaster Steve Friess "2007 Vegas Person of the Year." Congratulations!

LV Trop Up for Sale?:

That's according to The Press of Atlantic City, which reports that outcast casino owner Columbia Sussex may up the asking price for its Atlantic City Tropicana but "bundling" it with the Vegas Trop. At present, the LV Trop is the more lucrative real estate play, while the Boardwalk Trop has the far greater cash flow. According to The Press, the conservator of the Atlantic City Tropicana is about to start vetting potential buyers -- and that both Ameristar Casinos and Pinnacle Entertainment, both of which were also-rans in the previous bidding for the Trops -- are back in the hunt. A sale of the Vegas Trop would also forestall Columbia Sussex having to reach an agreement with the Culinary Union over a new contract. The two parties are currently at loggerheads and talks have been sparse.

Depressing News for Air Passengers:

ABC News puts it in four words: "Pay More, Expect Less."

Mamma Mia! Extended:

Due to popular demand, the longest-running full Broadway show to ever play the Las Vegas Strip will now secure that record even further by extending its run through January 4, 2009. It was almost exactly a year ago (Jan. 4, 2007) that it was announced the show would be ending its Vegas run this summer.

Two New Real Estate Articles:

Kicking off 2008 in a spirit of optimism, the "Top LV Real Estate Deals" page offers a pair of new, forward-looking articles. In "Price, Not Location," Realtor Robin Camacho writes, "it is difficult to beat the incredible deals popping up in the newer areas of North Las Vegas." In the companion piece, "End of the Storm," Brandon Foor argues that the worst is over for the housing market, adding that "if you didn't buy between now and the next four months, you're gonna wish you had when 2009 rolls around."

Gambling Becoming a Huckabee Issue:

An Iowa casino figures in an AP story about growing pains in Gov. Mike Huckabee's run for the GOP presidential nomination. According to the article, Huckabee campaigned aboard an Iowa casino riverboat, despite his stated opposition to gambling, drawing criticism. While Huckabee's newfound flexibility may be comforting to gaming executives, his stance on taxes may not. Huckabee strongly favors a 30% federal sales sales which, if enacted as written, would exempt all businesses except gambling-related ones.

LV to AC Flights Canceled:

Spirit Airlines has canceled its direct flight between Las Vegas and Atlantic City, which has been the only direct flight between the two cities since it was established last May. Rising fuel costs were sited as the reason. Spirit will still fly into Atlantic City from other destinations, and continue its flights between Las Vegas and Atlanta.

CES Invades Today:

The Consumer Electronics Show begins tomorrow and runs through Thursday, but many of the 140,000 attendees of the biggest annual trade show in America are arriving today. Most of the action will be around the Las Vegas and Sands convention halls, which will likely make a trip to Palazzo a little more problematic.

5X-10X Points at Tuscany:

The latest casino to offer a big multiple in players club points is Tuscany. As part of its five-year anniversary celebration, Tuscany is awarding 5X points today and every Sunday and Wednesday in January. On Tuesdays, the multiple is a big 10X.

Wrong Paris:

An earlier note in this space indicating that Alain Ducasse would take over as the head chef at the Eiffel Tower restaurant at Paris Las Vegas was in error. It's the real Eiffel in the real Paris France at which Ducasse will take over duties in the restaurant Jules Verne. Las Vegas' Eiffel Tower restaurant remains under the supervision of Jean Joho.

Klondike Development on Hold:

Another announced resort will not be happening in the near term. Royal Palm Las Vegas has announced that it's shelving plans for a casino project on the site of the Klondike casino on the south end of the Strip. Royal Palm has not said what it will do with the property, but the value of approximately 10 acres that was bought for $6.2 million per acre in 2005 is estimated to be worth from $14 to $16 million per acre today.

7X at Suncoast:

Suncoast is awarding 7X players club points on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in January. Today and tomorrow (and January 12 & 13), you can also get 50% off in Suncoast's buffet and coffee shop when you pay with points.

Half-Off Feasts:

Until January 13, you can get all Feast buffets for half price when you pay with Boarding Pass points. This includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch at Palace, Boulder, Texas, and Santa Fe Stations, Green Valley Ranch, and Red Rock.

Party at Diablo's Cantina Tonight:

Pin-up tattoo model Sabina Kelley hosts her calendar release party with DJ Que at Diablo's Cantina (Monte Carlo) tonight. The party starts at 10 p.m.

Palazzo Plans:

We've heard that Grand Opening invites for the Palazzo are being received. The dates are January 17-19, so that looks like the firm official-opening date.

John Legend Birthday Bash at the Bank:

Join R&B recording artist John Legend for his birthday party at The Bank, the new Bellagio nightspot that replaces Light. Doors open at 10 p.m and fashionable attire is required. Call 702/693-8300 for table reservations.

Harrah's vs. Harrah's:

Atlantic City casinos are having to think up new strategies for pulling in customers, now that slots have come to Pennsylvania. So what do you do if you're Harrah's and have both a racino in eastern Pennsylvania and several casinos on the Boardwalk, basically competing with each other? That question and others are addressed in a Philadelphia Daily News story.

Tangerine Finally Closed:

After a stay of execution last year, when the scheduled September 1 closure date was pushed back until the end of the year, TI's Tangerine ultralounge has finally closed for a full-on remodel, which will involve a complete change of name, décor, and concept for the venue.

Macau News Sends Stocks Slumping:

Casino stocks went into a Thursday swoon after downbeat news from Macau, mainly that visitation is growing at half the pace of 2005 and MGM Grand Macau has only captured 2% of market share in its first two weeks of operation. JPMorgan Securities analyst Harry Curtis warned against a "sticker shock" panic but MGM, Wynn, and Las Vegas Sands stocks slipped an average of 3.3%, with Sands having the worst of it.

Carmen Electra Launch Party Tonight:

The actress will be hosting a sexy launch party at MGM Grand's Studio 54 tonight to celebrate the release of her latest fitness DVDs, "Carmen Electra’s Aerobic Striptease: Vegas Strip" and "In The Bedroom". Doors open at 10 p.m. and the first 100 guests receive a free copy of "Vegas Strip."

Russell Crowe Declares War on Video Poker:

The Oscar-winning Australian actor is leading a fight against his countrymen’s addiction to video poker machines, or "pokies," as they’re known Down Under. Australia is home to more than 200,000 vp machines –- 21% of the world’s total –- but Crowe is heading a revolt against them, having already convinced the board of his Sydney football club last month to dump scores of machines that had been raking in A$1 million a year.

Star Trek Freebie for Locals:

In celebration of its 10th anniversary Star Trek: The Experience will be offering free admission to Las Vegas locals all day tomorrow, January 4. (Admission is usually $42.99 for an all-day pass, although 2-for-1 deals and other discounts are available on their site.) Hours are 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., but depending on the crowds they might stay open late to accommodate additional visitors. Remember to bring your local ID.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

Even Las Vegas needs to take an occasional breather and after hosting nearly 300,000 New Year’s revelers, the city will take it down a notch this weekend in an effort to regroup, recharge, and revive. Most of the major music venues in town will be dark but a good majority of the production shows are back to business after the holiday hiatus. There are, however, other entertainment opportunities to choose from, including a visit downtown for the first First Friday gathering of 2008. Music: Chris Brown and Bow Wow share the stage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (1/4); The Canyon Club stays busy this weekend with Lukas Rossi (1/4) and Sham live with LA Guns (1/5); Mocca plays at The Club at the Cannery (1/4-1/5); The Suncoast Showroom presents Ethel Merman’s Broadway with Rita McKenzie (1/4-1/6); The Four Freshman perform at the Showroom at South Point (1/4-1/5); Dennis Wise appears at Santa Fe Station’s Chrome Showroom (1/5); The Bellamy Brothers make a stop at Whiskey Pete’s Showroom (1/4) Other: The Las Vegas Wranglers take on the Fresno Falcons at the Orleans Arena (1/4-1/5); The Spa, Pool & BBQ show moves into Cashman Center (1/4-1/6); Carmen Electra launches her Vegas Strip striptease video at Studio 54 (1/4); Sabina Kelley hosts her calendar release party at Diablo’s Cantina with entertainment provided by DJ Que (1/5); Indulge presents over $5,000 in clothing giveaways at Body English (1/4); Stars of MTV’s The Hills host a party at Mirage’s Jet Nightclub (1/4); Kristin Cavallari (star of MTV’s Laguna Beach) celebrates her 21st birthday at LAX (1/5) For more details about these and other events, plus full listings of all the permanent shows Las Vegas plays home to, click here to use our "Shows & Events" finder, under "Vegas Info." Plus, tickets to many of the above-listed events are available by clicking here; if not, just contact the box office direct.

Feds OK More Seminole Gaming:

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's gambling compact with the Seminole tribe has received the thumbs-up from the Interior Department. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the compact will be published on Jan. 7, although the Seminoles have given no indication how soon they will add Class III slots, baccarat and blackjack to their casino offerings. Meanwhile, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is trying to hurry up his lawsuit to block Crist's compact -- a move that enjoys strong support among other Florida Republicans. Class III slots are currently in place at three Broward County racinos, none of which are tribally owned.

And Another One...:

Just when we were hoping that the festive season was behind us and that our livers would have an opportunity to regenerate, the parties seem to be coming as thick and fast as ever. The latest we know of is at SCORES gentlmen's club, which tonight will be hosting the "Heaven or Hell" party, with an open bar for all "devilish industry guests" from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. All locals welcome. Call 702/367-6040 for more info and VIP reservations.

Post-Party Season Party at Tao:

The Venetian's popular nightspot will host the "Hungover & Broke Post-Holiday Party" tonight with an open bar for all locals from 10 p.m. to midnight. Sounds provided by DJ Five.

LV Sands Yearns for Kansas Casino:

Taking advantage of a newly opened loophole, Las Vegas Sands has upped the ante in its pursuit of a Sunflower State casino. Its previous bid for one Wyandotte County site has been superseded by two. In addition to an upsized version of its I-435 site, LV Sands is also pitching a site in Edwardsville, KS, despite the opposition of the Wyandotte County Planing Commission. LV Sands had pulled out of the running last month, due to local opposition, then threatened a lawsuit. Amended Kansas regulations now allow it to pitch its project to the state Lottery Commission -- though county approval is still required. "Las Vegas Sands remains committed to building a premier multiuse resort destination in Kansas," said company President William Weidner, "and we will exhaust any options that would give us an opportunity to reach that goal."

Three Tenors Too Many:

A friend of LVA writes: "Just got a release from Luxor about a new show [that] doesn't seem to fit in with the direction they're taking the property: "3 Redneck Tenors: This one-of-a-kind musical comedy follows three singing cousins from their modest beginnings in Paris, Texas, all the way to their triumphant debut at New York's famed Carnegie Hall. 3 Redneck Tenors is a foot stompin', knee-slappin', uproariously funny musical redneck romp, with tunes from Elvis to Puccini, soul to pop and country to opera. Join Billy Bob, Billy Joe and Billy Billee as they mix NASCAR with Beethoven, lite beer with Puccini and even kick up a little dust with Ave Marie Dixie!" Yes, the upscaling of Luxor continues unabated.

Loveman Gets Minor Contract Extension:

Harrah's Entertainment yesterday announced an unspecified extension of the contract of Chairman/CEO/President Gary W. Loveman. The actual extension, as filed with the SEC, runs out on either June 1 or the closing of the purchase of Harrah's by Apollo Global Management and Texas Pacific, whichever comes first. Loveman has a pre-existing agreement with that consortium whereby he collects nearly $19 million if he exits Harrah's one year after the deal's consummation. That's on top of a $94 million gratuity he received for setting up the acquisition in the first place.

Unflattering Comparisons Dept.: Palazzo:

One of our favorite people stopped by recently and shared some impressions -- almost 100% favorable -- of the newly opened. The wide-open expanse of its casino floor was likened to that of Michael Gaughan's South Point. It wasn't meant pejoratively (we think) but it seems highly doubtful that Palazzo promotional copy will soon brandish the phrase, "Just like South Point!"

Great Grosjean:

Blackjack phenom James Grosjean won the skills competition at Max Rubin's Blackjack Ball. The win was Grosjean's second in a row and his third total, making him the only triple winner in the event's history. Locked in a seven-way tie for two remaining seats at the final table, Grosjean won a card-counting tie-breaker and eventually defeated runner-up Darryl Purpose to take the crown.

Four Horsemen in the HoF:

Roger Baldwin, Wilbert Cantey, James McDermott, and Herbert Maisel -- better known in blackjack circles as the Four Horsemen of the Aberdeen Proving Grounds -- were inducted into the Blackjack Hall of Fame yesterday at the annual Blackjack Ball, sponsored by Max Rubin and Barona Valley Ranch Casino. The Horsemen created the first basic strategy for blackjack in the late '50s, using only hand calculators to do the myriad calculations required. The strategy took nearly two years to complete, and was nearly error free. All four are still alive and all but Maisel traveled from the east coast to attend the ceremony in Las Vegas.

LVA Erratum:

Apologies: Brand, the Monte Carlo's new steakhouse, is not yet open, as was reported in the current Las Vegas Advisor. It's not actually scheduled to debut until April. Oops.

Boffo Start for MGM Grand Macau:

According to China Post Daily, MGM Mirage's new Macanese casino (a joint venture with casino heiress Pansy Ho) raked in $6.6 million during its first two days of business. An official of the enclave's Gaming Inspection & Coordination Bureau is cited as projecting $10 billion in casino revenue for 2008, putting the Chinese 'special administrative region' well ahead of the Las Vegas Strip.

Liberace Museum Launches Cabaret Series:

Bruce Ewing, who's currently performing in Phantom, will be the first featured performer in the Liberace Museum's new 2008 cabaret series, the debut of which will coincide with the venue's Second Sunday event on January 13. There will be two shows, at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., and they're free for Nevada residents and their guests, although a donation to the non-profit Liberace Foundation is requested. Please note that regular admission prices to the museum have just increased and are now $15 for adults (previously $12.50) and $10 for seniors aged 65 and older and students with valid ID (up from $8.50). Museum and Foundation members and children ages 10 and under are still free.

Las Vegas Tops List of Domestic Destinations:

According to Carlson Wagonlit's authoritative 2008 Travel Trends Survey, which includes responses from over 500 frontline travel experts throughout the U.S., Las Vegas continues to top the list of domestic travel destinations, ahead of Orlando, Honolulu, Maui, and New York.

Illinois and Colorado Casinos Go Smokeless:

Starting yesterday, a casino smoking ban has taken effect in the casinos of Illinois and Colorado. We understand that one casino in Black Hawk, Co. is defying the ban, however: The Wild Card Saloon is claiming exemption on the grounds that it's a cigar bar and on Tuesday night was reportedly packed with puffing clientele.

New Show Debuts at Luxor:

Three Redneck Tenors, a musical comedy starring a cast of veteran Broadway and opera performers, premieres today at the Luxor. The show performs irregularly at 8 p.m. (9 p.m. Saturdays) with dates scheduled through July -- see our Shows & Events section in "See & Do" for dates. Tickets are $30, $40, and $50 (plus taxes and fees).

City Packed for New Year Celebrations:

The Strip and downtown New Year's Eve celebrations were busy and boisterous. An estimated 14,000 revelers packed downtown and several times that crowded onto the Strip to watch the midnight fireworks. More than 300,000 visitors were expected this weekend.