Las Vegas News

New Show for Sahara:

Sandy Hackett, son of funnyman Buddy, who previously starred in the Sandy Hackett Comedy Club and The Rat Pack is Back tribute show, which is still performing at the Plaza, will open his Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show at the Sahara next month. Hackett wrote the Plaza show and is currently involved in a copyright lawsuit with his former partners.

Free Tipsy Tows:

Halloween revellers don't have to be a member of AAA to take advantage of the free "Tipsy Tow" service through Halloween weekend. From 6 p.m. this evening until 6 a.m. Sunday, drivers and potential passengers can call 800/222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow home of up to five miles. Just tell the AAA operator, "I need a Tipsy Tow," and a truck will be on its way. You can't make a reservation to use the service. Las Vegas' Designated Drivers will be offering their standard service to be driven home in your own vehicle for a basic fare of $55, plus mileage after the first 10 miles (they offer this for free for New Year's, but not Halloween). Just call 702/456-RIDE.

Cirque Promos:

Tickets for Cirque du Soleil’s LOVE and Criss Angel Believe tickets are 50% off this weekend, and Zumanity tickets are two for $99. Call 866/241-2833 and mention code word "Halloween. "

Free Concert:

Guests dressed in disco garb receive free admission to tonight’s K C & the Sunshine concert at Primm Valley Resorts. The show starts at 8 p.m. and free tickets are available from the costume table located outside the Buffalo Bill’s box office from 6 – 7 p.m. For those not in costume, tickets are priced at $32.50 but Primm’s ongoing 2-for-1 offer is still good.

Free Sharks:

Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Exhibit transforms into its annual kid-friendly "Haunted Reef" alter-ego from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today. Children (age 5-12) in costume get free admission and free candy, as do adults (minus the candy) who donate blood through United Blood Services, who will be at the Reef from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today.

Plane Crash Update:

We understand that the pilot and passenger of the experimental, home-built plane that crashed earlier on a street near North Las Airport and Texas Station hotel-casino suffered minor injuries after its engine failed. The FAA is going to investigate the incident.

Plane Crashes Near Casino:

An experimental plane has just crashed in front of Texas Station. It's as yet unknown whether there are any injuries are unknown but traffic is currently blocked in all directions on Rancho Drive. We'll bring you more as and when we get it.

Football Update #5:

Check out Anthony Curtis' latest round-up of all the football contests, parties, and other happenings around town at

New "Hot Thread" at LVASports:

The latest feature in our "Hot Thread of the Week" at LVASports.com just went live, so check it out and see what you're missing on the member-only forums! We'll choose one cool new thread every week to share with everyone.

Concert Shake-Up at Primm:

Queen Latifah has just cancelled her scheduled Nov. 5 concert out at Primm Valley Resorts, while Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina's postponed Oct. 14 gig will now take place on Nov. 21. Tickets, priced at $59.95, are on sale now. Plus, the good news is that Primm Valley's doing its bit to ease the current economic woes by offering 2-for-1 tickets to all concerts and sporting events through 2009.

"Stewies" Coming to Rio:

Two-time NASCAR champ Tony Stewart will host the third annual "Stewie Awards" live on Sirius XM Radio Dec. 3. Broadcasting from the Rio, Las Vegas, Stewart and co-host Matt Yocum will honor the best, boldest, and funniest moments from the 2009 NASCAR season during the two-hour event.

Hot Rod Autograph Signing:

From 5 p.m.-7 p.m. this evening the Stratosphere will host a free National Hot Rod Association Full Throttle Drag Racing autograph session, featurning Don Schumacher Racing drivers with Top Fuel champion Tony Shumacher and Funny Car driver Ron Capps scheduled to appear. The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will be competing Oct. 30-Nov.1 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Calling All Peter Max Fans:

Peter Max, the world-renowned pop artist famous for his psychedelic multimedia paintings of American iconic landmarks, will make his annual Thanksgiving-weekend appearance at the Art of Peter Max Gallery in the Forum Shops at Caesars, the only dedicated Peter Max gallery in the country. He’ll unveil his newest collection of 16- by 14-inch acrylic-on-canvas paintings that pay homage to the masters of expressionism, including Rembrandt, da Vinci, Van Gogh, and Picasso (priced at $22,000 each). Max'll be at the Gallery on Saturday November 28.

Flood Closes Northern Stip:

Las Vegas Boulevard north of Sahara Avenue has been squeezed down to one lane of traffic due to a burst water main at the Fontainbleau construction site. Crews hope to have repairs completed by early this afternoon, but until then the other traffic lanes will remain blocked off, so avoid this part of the Strip if at all possible.

Good News for LV Sands:

Las Vegas Sands Corp. has been granted preliminary approval from the Hong Kong stock exchange for an IPO that's expected to raise $2 billion or more to help the company pay off its huge debt and revive a major casino-resort project in Macau. This news comes in the wake of Sheldon Adelson's announcement yesterday that the company lost $123 million, or 19 cents per share, during the third quarter. Adelson also announced this week that the Las Vegas convention business is picking up again after being hit hard by the recession. "Today we have more group room nights on the books for 2010 than we expect to realize in all of calendar 2009," stated the casino billionaire on Thursday.

Lots of New e-Books from ShopLVA:

We just translated a whole raft of Huntington Press titles to e-Book format, including some of our best sellers. Our e-Books are in downloadable pdf format, so there's no special reader required and there are all kinds of advantages including reduced prices, no shipping charges, and immediate fulfillment and downloadability. e-Books are also environmentally friendly and don't take up any bookshelf space, plus you can print any pages of particular interest and bring them with you on your trip without having to lug a heavy book around. So, if you're looking for instant gratification at bargain prices, look no further than our e-Book program!

Las Vegas This Weekend:

Ghosts, goblins, ... and cowboys? Yup that's right: It's Halloween and the first round of PBR this weekend. So, if you haven't made plans already, check out our Special Events section. If you're not in the mood for either of these, here's the round-up of other happenings around town: Music: Country star LeAnn Rimes takes to the stage at TI (10/29-10/30); Rob Zombie's here for a Halloween show at the Palms (10/30) followed by Slipknot (10/31); Planet Hollywood welcomes Avant (10/30); Nashville Unplugged returns to Green Valley Ranch (10/30); Led Zepagain pays tribute at the Cannery (10/30), while the San Fernando Band (10/30-10/31) and M.O.C.C.A (11/01) play at the Eastside Cannery; The Scintas take over at Suncoast (10/30-11/01); The Tragically Hip entertains at the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay (10/30) followed by CMT on Tour with Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser (10/31) and The Blues Brothers Band (10/31); Vicki Lawrence takes the stage at the South Point (10/30-11/01); Wasted Space at the Hard Rock welcomes Fear (10/31) and the Genitorturers (11/01); and KC and The Sunshine Band plays out at Buffalo Bill's (10/31) Other: The NRHA Las Vegas Nations are taking place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (10/29-11/01); Howie Madel's at the MGM (10/29-11/09); The Mirage welcomes back Jay Leno (10/30-10/31); and Kathy Griffin keeps 'em laughing at Mandalay Bay (10/30) For more details about these and other events, full listings of all the production shows Las Vegas currently plays home to, and to purchase tickets to all, click here for our "Shows & Nightlife" section. And for updates throughout the day about adult-oriented events, entertainment, and news, from topless pool parties to strip club promos to nightclub events, sign up for our two Twitter feeds, Topless Vegas and SinCityAdvisor.

Manilow Moving to Paris:

Paris on the Strip, that is. It's been confirmed that the singer, who's currently performing his Ultimate Manilow: The Hits show at the Las Vegas Hilton, will be moving to Paris once his five-year contract is up in December. His new show is set to debut on Valentine's Day, 2010.

Online Gambling Tax Bonanza:

According to the findings of a report by the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation published in today's Wall Street Journal, the decriminalization of A measure decriminalizing Internet poker would raise nearly $42 billion in tax revenues for the U.S. Treasury over the next decade. To date, around 60 House lawmakers have signed on to support legislation that would lift the current ban.

New Casino for Arizona:

The $125 million, 10-floor Wild Horse Pass hotel-casino will become Arizona's largest when it debuts tomorrow at the Gila River Indian Community, near Chandler. The property features 1,002 slot machines, 71 gaming tables, a separate nonsmoking gambling area, five lounges, restaurants, a 400-seat showroom, and a nightclub.

Anthony's Latest is Live:

With news of the much-awaited World Series of Poker final table, a great dining deal, Monday night football parties, and a huge new Strip headliner, Anthony Curtis' weekly Vegas round-up is now live at LVA in the Media (which will be migrating to our new blog environment any day now -- stay tuned). If you haven't already, also check out his new blog, Anthony Curtis Recommends at ShopLVA.com, where he'll be sharing his thoughts on new books and other products, both from Huntington Press and other sources, plus whatever else he feels like sharing. The date stamp on the ShopLVA.com home page will change every time there's a new entry, so be sure to check back for the latest from AC.

Louie Anderson Cancels:

Comic Louie Anderson, whose Larger Than Life show is currently performing at Excalibur, has unexpectedly canceled tonight's performance. Contact the point-of-sale for refunds or to reschedule your ticket.

PBR Events Kick Off:

Las Vegas is about to go PBR crazy (although not quite as crazy as in past years, we note). Still, Rockhouse Bar & Nightclub on the Strip is holding nothing back and launches into a week-long celebration tonight with the Official PBR Pre-Party from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. The event will be hosted by some of the world's top bull riders and it's open to the public. There will be nightly parties, drink specials, costume parties and more through November 8 -- check out their Web site for details.

U.S. Airways to Slash Vegas Flights:

US Airways has announced that it will continue its downsizing with the elimination of a further 1,000 jobs by the middle of next year as it closes flight crew bases in three cities and cuts more flights, including nearly 30 more flights (half its current schedule) from its once-large Las Vegas hub.

One-Night One-Woman Show:

There's a one-off performance of Madame, a "sassy, raunchy, and bawdy" one-woman show featuring the original Wayland Flowers' Madame at Town Square's Stage Door Theater tonight. Tickets are $20 with proceeds benefitting AFAN. The show is co-produced by Penn Jillette's wife Emily (see November issue of the Las Vegas Adivsor newsletter for more on the Jillette takeover of Las Vegas).

Halloween Explosion:

The lineup of parties, balls, haunted houses, movie screenings, pumpkin carvings, and trick or treatings is getting seriously out of control. If you're going to be in Las Vegas for Halloween, we guarantee you will not be disappointed (unless you hate parties, balls, haunted houses, and pumpkins). We even give you tips on where to pick up your costume, if you haven't already got one in our Halloween Special Events 2009 feature.

Major Arena For Downtown:

Channel 8 Eyewitness News has just revealed that Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has announced that the city's entered into an agreement to plan a major arena for downtown Las Vegas. We'll update you with details when we have more.

Wynn Wages War on Scalpers:

Anyone who purchased tickets for the first run of sold-out Garth Brooks shows faces some serious obstacles to actually attending the event. Those who bought tickets on October 24 was given a deadline of October 27 at 12 p.m. (PT) to supply the name of every guest in their party or risk immediate cancellation of their orders. Prior to the deadline, the resort was reaching buyers via phone calls and e-mail notices, which asked for the completion of an online ticket reservation verification form. Even after supplying the names of all guests in a group, ticket holders will face additional challenges on the day of the show. Every member of a party must present a valid photo ID that matches their reservation in order for tickets to be tendered. IDs will be checked a second time as the ticket holders enter Encore Theater for the performance. These measures are all aimed at thwarting ticket scalpers.

Long Delay Ahead for Echelon:

The previously announced indefinite postponement of completion on Boyd's Echelon project has now been set at between three to five years. "Given the ongoing weak economic conditions, the significant new supply coming online, and a difficult capital-market environment for projects of this nature, resuming construction in the near term is not an option," said CEO Keith Smith today.

Anthony Curtis' Blog:

As promised, Anthony has started blogging at the new ShopLVA.com. He'll be using the Anthony Curtis Recommends column to share his thoughts about books and other products, whether produced by Huntington Press or others, that he thinks LVA readers should be aware of. First up, his recent experience resulting from the media whirlwind surrounding our Beneath the Neon title, which has been profiled by outlets as diverse as the New York Times, the UK's Sun tabloid, CNN, and Arab news network Al Jazeera. Check it out.

Wynn, Boyd Also Down:

Wynn fell $4.81 (7.6 percent) on the Nasdaq today after reporting a 33 percent drop in third-quarter profit. Boyd Gaming also reported a third-quarter profit decline of 27%, having been hurt by the effects of unemployment and the housing crisis on its locals-led Las Vegas clientele.

Harrah's Drops A Billion:

Harrah’s Entertainment today reported that it lost more than $1 billion in the third quarter, with companywide revenues down 13.7 percent on the same period last year.

Another Air Advisory:

Southern Nevada air quality officials have issued an advisory for blowing dust in Las Vegas and surrounding areas today and tomorrow, with gusty winds expected. The Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management is advising residents and construction site operators to prepare for gusts reaching up to 60 mph Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday and to take measures to prevent blowing dust. Children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases are urged to stay indoors during dust storms. If air quality becomes unhealthful for all, the department will post an alert.

Blogs on the Move:

Today marks the beginning of the epic move of LasVegasAdvisor.com's four blogs to the WordPress environment. We've been experiencing technical problems with the software we've been using to date and frankly, we've had enough. First to make the leap was David McKee's Stiffs & Georges, and Jean Scott's Frugal Vegas and Robin Camacho's House Advantage have now followed suit, so please update your bookmarks. The migration of the archives is a work in progress that should be completed very soon. LVA in the Media will follow shortly. Please bear with us while we're on the initital learning curve, but we think everyone's going to like the new blog environment a whole lot better.

Free Food Demo at Whole Foods:

The latest in the ongoing "Cooking with the Star Chefs of Wynn/Encore" series at Whole Foods Market, Town Square, features rising star chef David Spero of Tableau, sharing recipe tips for breakfast favorites. As usual, the event takes place from 6-8 p.m. and is free to attend.

Lesnar Withdraws from Title Defense:

UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar has withdrawn from his upcoming November 21st title defense against Shane Carwin at the Mandalay Bay Events Center because of an unspecified illness. The UFC hopes to reschedule the fight for early 2010.

Casinos on Facebook, Twitter:

There's an interesting article today in the Las Vegas Sun gaming writer Liz Benston about how Vegas casinos are employing social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter to communicate with their clientele and stay atuned to customer feedback, whether positive or otherwise. Our LVA_Tweet follows all the casinos we know of that are on Twitter and we've found it to be an invaluable source of news and exclusive deals, plus it's a great way to make immediate contact with someone who'll likely respond far quicker than you'll experience via the email route.

Today's QoD:

We received a lot of response to today's Question of the Day, including a photograph of the elusive plane, so check back for some interesting updates. Thanks to everyone who wrote in.

311 Day Moves to Vegas:

Multi-platinum group 311 is relocating its "ultimate concert series" to the Mandalay Bay Events Center next year. Every other year on March 11, the band performs a special extended five-hour concert that attracts thousands of fans from around the world and the event is typically held in New Orleans. However, a massive medical convention clashes with the "311 Day" 2010, so they're moving to Las Vegas. For more information, visit the band's Web site.

New Title from Huntington Press:

Our latest book, Arts America, is hot off the presses (it literally arrived from the printer 10 minutes ago and, we have to say, it looks fabulous!) It's a guide to the whole fine and performing arts scene in American's top 20 cultural cities and not only includes comprehensive listings of all the relevant venues and organizatins throughtout the country, but also tips on how to enjoy your arts for less. It's a must-have for anyone who likes to travel and will make a great holiday gift for the arts enthusiast in your life. Check it out at the all-new ShopLVA.

Mirage Anniversary:

The November issue of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter will include a feature on the 20th anniversary of The Mirage, which falls this Nov. 22nd. In the meantime, you can check out some historic footage of the property, including timelapse footage of the construction of the resort that changed the Strip forever, on their website.

New Non-Stop Service Underway:

Yesterday marked the inaugural arrival of British Airways' new non-stop service from London's Heathrow airport to Las Vegas McCarran. The Boeing 777, whose passengers included returning Mayor Goodman, who's been on a PR trip to the UK capital, was greeted with the traditional welcome of a water arch created by airport fire trucks, while passengers were greeted by two showgirls. The airline will offer a fiercely discounted introductory fare of $276 round-trip for economy flights between Nov. 2 and Dec. 20 and from Dec. 24 through March 28 and will also will offer deeply discounted one-stop trips from Las Vegas to Paris, Milan, Rome, Madrid, and Athens for $358 round trip. Tickets must be purchased by midnight Thursday Oct. 29 and don't include taxes and fees.

Free Pasta!:

Buca di Beppo, the Italian chain with locations on W. Lake Mead and E. Flamingo, is celebrating "World Pasta Day" today with free spaghetti. Purchase any Buca Small or Large pasta or entrée (dine in only) and get a free order of spaghetti with your choice of meat or marinara sauce, plus a 16-ounce package of Rummo-brand pasta to take home with you. (Our thanks to SaveLV.com for this item.)

Blue Man Band:

Sometime after midnight tonight you can catch UBERSCHALL, featuring musicians from the Blue Man Group, performing at the Double Down Saloon, aka "The Happiest Place on Earth."

Garth Brooks Sold Out:

Tickets for the much-publicized Vegas comeback of country star Garth Brooks went on sale at 8 p.m. this morning and had completely sold out by 1 p.m. These tickets were for the first five weekends of his extended contract at the Encore Theater at Wynn; more tickets will become available as future dates are announced.

K9 Trials:

It’s round two of Metro’s 19th annual K-9 Trials today, which take place at the Orleans Arena from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., with dogs and their handlers displaying their talents. Yesterday’s first round was a closed event, but today’s is free and open to the public to attend.

Blues, Brew, and BBQ Finale:

It’s the final Blues, Brew, and BBQ of the season at downtown’s Hogs & Heifers, with live music Chris Bell & 100% Blues. The popular Sunday sessions will start up again in February.

UFC Update:

Here's a complete list of the Station casinos that are showing tonight's UFC fight: GVR, Red Rock, and Aliante, Palace, Santa Fe, and Sunset Stations. Admission is $10 at all and the card starts at 7 p.m.

UFC Bargain:

We just learned that Palace Station is showing tonight's UFC card in the main ballroom for a $10 admission fee. That's a good alternative to a $45 pay-per-view and worth a roll even if you just want to watch the main event and split.

Stratosstairs:

They're doing it again. Firefighters from around the city compete today in the "Firefighter's Tower Run." The winner will be the fastest to ascend the 108-floor 1,455-step Stratosphere. It will take a cardio monster to set the winning pace here and some 100 competitors are reportedly lining up to take their shot.

New Season of Comedy Classes:

Comedian and comedy writer Cliff Lawrence will teach a new season of Bonkerz comedy classes at Palace Station, commencing today from 4 p.m.- 7 p.m. The cost is $275 per student for the four-week course, which includes two complimentary tickets to each 8 p.m. performance of the "Bonkerz Comedy Club" during the course. Please call 8666/414-2665 or email infor@bonkerzcomedy.com for more information.

Dog Day:

The Vegas Dog magazine celebrates its 10th anniversary at The Village at Lake Las Vegas today with "Dogtoberfest." From 1 p.m.-6 p.m. there will all kinds of canine entertainment, including a dog show, pet adoptions, a free performance by the Gregory Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, and a costume contest with prizes for the spookiest looking dog.

Mindfreak Signing:

Magician Criss Angel will be signing autographs at his "Mindfreak" store at Circus Circus from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. today.

Oktoberfest Special:

From noon-10 p.m. today Ellis Island is serving an Oktoberfest special in their restaurant, featuring Brats, Knockwurst, ox-tail soup, and complimentary brew. It’s $12.99 or you can use your player’s points.

Happy Birthday Jackie:

In celebration of Jackie Gaughan’s 89th birthday, the El Cortez will be serving cake and champagne from 1 p.m.-7 p.m. today. Players can also sign a giant birthday card, and showgirls and an Elvis impersonator will be on hand to help with the festivities.

Watch Out for U2 Traffic:

Metro's issued a warning to drivers about expected congestion and delays in the vicinity of the Sam Boyd Stadium this evening due to the crowds arriving at and leaving the U2 concert. If you can avoid the area, please do.

Las Vegas Football Update #4:

Anthony Curtis' latest round-up of the Las Vegas football scene -- the best and worst of the Monday Night Football parties, contests, and more -- just went live at LVASports.com.

New Feature at LVASports:

To give sports fans a taste of what they're missing out on at the LVASportsboards, we've today launched a new feature on our free LVASports site. The "Hot Thread of the Week" will be a weekly feature where we pick the best thread from the previous week on the member-only forums and post it live in pdf format for everyone to read. They'll be archived, too, so you can read previous "Threads of the Week" if you miss one. There are 250 members currently on the boards, including many of the sharpest and most respected minds in sports betting. This week, Fezzik posed the question, "Why don't NFL teams hire pro gamblers to help them?" Click the link to see how that discussion went down.

Garth Brooks Tickets:

Tickets to the country superstars much anticipated first concerts at the Wynn go on sale tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 24) at 8 a.m. PT. During select weeks, he'll perform one show on Fridays and Sundays and two shows on Saturdays. The initial performance dates are Dec. 11-13, Jan. 1-3 and 22-24, and Feb. 12-14 and 26-28. Tickets, which are all priced at $143 (inclusive of tax and fees), are available online from the Wynn Web site or by phoning 702/770-7469. To discourage scalping, there's a six-ticket limit per person or credit card.

Criss Angel Loyalfest:

If you're a fan of the "Mindfreak" magician, you won't want to miss the ultimate fan fest today. In order to get access to the online event, which will feature Teach A Tricks, never-before-seen footage, and a live video stream with Criss, you need to sign up on Criss' Web site to be an "Ultimate Loyalfreak." Also, if you're in town right now, there's a ticket treasure hunt in the Criss Angel Believe merchandise store at Luxor. Follow the clues on Twitter at Twitter.com/crissangel. The store opens at noon and the first clue is: "A very unusual place." There are two tickets for the show to be found... Happy hunting!

Regis and Kelly to Tape in Vegas:

The trend for major TV series filming shows in Las Vegas continues with the announcement that TV co-hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa will be taping four shows for "Live! With Regis & Kelly" at the Encore Theater on Nov. 22 and 23.

Romance (Harlequin-Style) at Paris:

To celebrate Harlequin's 60th anniversary, the famed publisher is sponsoring an exhibition of original cover art from more than 100 of its romance novels at Paris Las Vegas. From October 24 through January 31, the Paris Gallerie will display 60 years (1949-2009) of cover artwork reflecting the "profound transformations that have occurred in women's lives," the "changing shape of desire and fantasy," and the "social meaning and context of the images" over the past six decades. Hours of the free exhibition will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

We're gearing up for the huge Halloween in Vegas weekend, so don't expect any big parties this weekend. There's a whole bunch going on for music lovers, however. Music: U2 plays at the Sam Boyd Stadium (10/23); The Orleans welcomes Alice Cooper (10/23-10/25); Brand New entertains at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay (10/23); Clint Holmes takes over the Suncoast (10/23-10/25); Everlast performs at Wasted Space inside the Hard Rock (10/23) followed by Taintstick (10/24) and Swollen Members (10/25), while the Steve Miller Band takes the stage an the Joint (10/24); Gordon Lightfoot plays at Aliante Station (10/23); country singer Jamie O’Neal takes the stage at the South Point (10/23-10/25); Michael Lington jazzes it up at the Santa Fe (10/23); the Stone Temple Pilots are out at Buffalo Bill’s (10/23) followed by ABBA the Music (10/24); the M Resort welcomes country music star Tim McGraw (10/23); Tonic (10/23) and The Village People (10/24) perform at the Silverton; Carolina Liar entertains at Green Valley Ranch (10/24); Rare Earth performs at the Cannery (10/24) while Next Movement makes 'em get up 'n dance at the Eastside Cannery (10/25); UFO's at Boulder Station (10/24); and last but definitely not least, Rob Thomas rocks out at the Pearl at the Palms (10/24) Other: A Bronx Tale, starring Chazz Palminteri finishes up its run at the Venetian (10/7-10/24); America's Got Talent Live continues at Planet Hollywood (10/7-12/13); the South Point welcomes Don Bull presents Toros Las Vegas (bloodless bullfighting) (10/23-10/24); the Wranglers take on the Alaska Aces at the Orleans (10/22-10-24); the Traxxas TORC Off-Road Championships are at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (10/23-10/24); Andrew Dice Clay does standup at the Riviera (10/12-10/25); and Ray Romano returns to the Mirage (10/23-10/24) For more details about these and other events, full listings of all the production shows Las Vegas currently plays home to, and to purchase tickets to all, click here for our "Shows & Nightlife" section. And for updates throughout the day about adult-oriented events, entertainment, and news, from topless pool parties to strip club promos to nightclub events, sign up for our two Twitter feeds, Topless Vegas and SinCityAdvisor.

Fright Fest Downtown:

Fremont Street gets into the Halloween spirit early with Vegas Weekly's OktoberFrightfest tonight from 7-9 p.m. Jan Rouven will be performing "death-defying" illusions on the 1st Street Stage, there's a costume contest, and complimentary MGD, "Sailor Jerry" cocktails, and appetizers. Click here for more details.

Bon Jovi Tour Heading to Vegas:

The Grammy-award winners today announced their "Circle World Tour," which will be coming to the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, March 6, 2010. Ticket prices have not yet been announced, but they're due to go on sale November 9.

More Limelight for HP Title:

The media frenzy surrounding Matt O'Brien's Beneath the Neon shows no signs of letting up: We just received word that CNN International will today run with the story of the growing number of people living in the storm drains beneath Las Vegas. The book is available in both paperback and e-Book formats.

Mixed News for CityCenter:

It was today announced that CityCenter's quest to achieve LEED certification for the entire project is progressing nicely, with the Crystals retail/entertainment district having just been awarded Gold certification, making it the largest retail complex in the world to achieve that level of recognition. On the other hand, MGM Mirage now calculates that the total investment value of the project has dropped by over $2 billion since the beginning of the year, when it was valued at $8.7 billion.

Wednesday Column Posted:

The "greening" of the Las Vegas casino industry, the closure of a big restaurant, and confirmation of a major new headliner are all covered in Anthony Curtis' weekly column, which just went live in LVA in the Media.

Allegiant Flying High:

The no-frills Las Vegas-based airline is the most profitable airline in the U.S., having reported a $13.8 million profit for the third quarter -- its 27th consecutive profitable quarter. The majority of other domestic US carriers are in the red, and have been for awhile.

Vegas Home Prices Rise:

Las Vegas has been one of the cities hardest hit by the collapse in the housing market, but figures released today reveal that Las Vegas housing market showed improvement in almost every category in September, including a $3,500 increase in the median existing home price from the previous month. At $123,500, it's still down 33.7 percent from the same month a year ago, however.

Oscar Goes to London:

Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman is currently in London, schmoozing his counterpart and promoting our fair city whenever the opportunity presents itself. He is, naturally, flanked by his two showgirls at all times, which apparently is stopping traffic in the capital. You can read about his exploits in his blog, Vegas on the Road.

Job Fair for New Bar:

Pete's Dueling Piano Bar, which will be opening at Town Square on Friday, Nov. 13, is holding a 2-day job fair on Tuesday, Nov. 3 and Wednesday, Nov. 4 from noon to 5 p.m. Pete's is seeking to fill a number of positions including bartenders, cocktail waitresses, door staff, piano players, managers, cleaning crew, and bathroom attendants. For more information, call 702/220-PETE (7383).

Big Smoke Coming:

No, not a wildfire, but Cigar Aficionado annual cigar fest, which this year will take place at the Venetian on November 13 and 14. Tickets, which are $240/day, include complimentary wine, liquor, food, and a large selection of cigars. For more information, click here.

Blue Men on TV Tonight:

The Blue Man Group, one of whose groups performs at the Venetian in Las Vegas, will be special guests on Disovery Channel's "Time Warp" show tonight at 10 p.m. The popular series uses slow-motion footage to reveal breathtaking moments previously unseen by the human eye.

Hooters Offers To Go Service:

You can now order Hooters famous chicken wings online thanks to the Las Vegas casino's new Web site, hooterswings2go.com. This new service is offered to customers within the hotel and in surrounding areas.

LVA in the Media Blog Glitch Fixed:

If you want to read the interesting interview with professional poker player and Huntington Press author Blair Rodman, the technical snafu at LVA in the Media has now been fixed, so feel free to drop by now and check it out.

Daniel Boulud Brasserie to Close:

The Las Vegas outpost of the star chef for whom it's named will be closing in April of next year, when its five-year operating agreement with Wynn is up. No word yet on what will take its place.

Rodman on ESPN:

You can catch WSOP bracelet winner and

Kerkorian to Downsize:

MGM Mirage majority shareholder Kirk Kerkorian, whose net worth plummeted from $11.2 billion to $3 billion in the past year, as gaming stocks tumbled, announced this morning that he may reduce his 43 percent stake in the company, although if he does, it won't be until CityCenter has been completed. This announcement comes on the heels of MGM Mirage today informing shareholders that it plans to take a $955 million third-quarter write-down on its CityCenter project.

Show Prices Slashed at V:

We're in the midst of making our monthly calls to every buffet and showroom in Las Vegas for the LVA newsletter and can confirm that the V Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops has slashed the prices on all of its shows, with the exception of the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater and Amazed. Tickets for The Mentalist and Sin City Comedy are down by $20, while American Storm, Fab Four Live, Mesmerized, and V: The Ultimate Variety Show (which features Mario and Jenny, who recently made it to the latter rounds of "America's Got Talent") have all been cut by $10. We'll bring you all the other news from showland in the November issue of LVA, which will be out next week.

New Harrah's Boss Looks Overseas:

Peter Murphy, the former Walt Disney Co. executive who, it was announced yesterday afternoon, has been hired to oversee strategy and development for Harrah's Entertainment Inc., says he plans to push for growth, particularly in overseas markets, as he did during his last decade at Disney. This announcement comes despite the casino giant's massive debt and problems in the domestic market with falling revenues.

Monopoly Championship:

The world's best Monopoly players are gathered in Las Vegas for the 13th Monopoly World Championship, which takes place today through Thursday in the ballroom at the Caesars Palace. Players from 42 different countries are competing for the $20,580 grand prize (equivalent to the amount of Monopoly money that comes in every set).

Locals Specials at Simon:

Chef Kerry Simon is saying "thanks" to his Las Vegas clientele with a range of locals-only specials at Simon, Palms Place. These include drink specials all day, every day, with $4 domestic beers (regular price $6), $6 well cocktails ($8-$10), and $7 wine by the glass ($10-$15). In addition, receive 25% off the sushi menu Monday-Friday 4 p.m.-7 p.m. and half off all bottles of wine and sushi all night on Wine Wednesdays.

The Foreclosure Crisis Deepens:

According to Fiserv, a financial information and analysis firm, we haven’t seen anywhere near the bottom of the real estate crash. Nationwide, from the end of the second quarter 2008 to the end of the second quarter 2009, the median price for houses dropped 32.6% to $157,000, and Fiserv predicts it’ll drop another 11.3% by end of the second quarter 2010. In Las Vegas, prices have fallen 54.6% from their highs and are expected to lose another 23.9% by June 2010. Fiserv is anticipating the losses in Las Vegas to continue into 2011, though they’ll drop to less than 5%.

McCarran Down, But Southwest Up:

While approximately 41,000 (1.2 percent) fewer passengers used Las Vegas' primary airport in September compared with the same month a year ago, Southwest Airlines, McCarran's largest carrier, actually carried 4.8 percent more passengers. The biggest loser was was U.S. Airways, which experienced a 26.4 percent decline in Las Vegas passengers.

Dust Warning Issued:

Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management officials have issued an advisory about the potential for elevated levels of dust blowing tonight. So far, unhealthy levels are not expected to be reached, but construction sites are being asked to take measures to prevent blowing dust and drivers are being asked to avoid unpaved roads and vacant lots. Residents are urged to cover barren property with gravel, if it's not fenced off.

Scenic Byway Status Now Official:

After a nine-year campaign from the City of Las Vegas, the stretch of Las Vegas Blvd. from Washington to Saraha Avenues has today officially been designated a "National Scenic Byway." The cultural, historic, and nighttime scenic aspects qualified Las Vegas Boulevard for the status, particularly due to the amount of neon signage along that stretch. The official designation now means that federal grant money can be applied for and that the plan -- already underway -- to introduce more historic neon signage to the median can progress.

Worst Las Vegas Movie Ever:

If you haven't already taken part in our survey of the worst Las Vegas-based movie of all time, get voting: the current LVA reader poll closes at midnight tomorrow and as of now, the two leaders are neck and neck!

CityCenter Deals:

Further to today's Question of the Day, regarding the properties that comprise the CityCenter center-Strip mini-city, we're noticing some enticing deals in our mailbox. Today yielded an email offering $129/night rates at Vdara, plus $50 in amenity credits, while last week's offer from ARIA was for $159/night, plus $75 in resort credits. Both rates are predicated on a two-night stay.

Casino Shooter Sentenced:

Steven Zegrean, who was convicted of injuring four people during a shooting spree at New York-New York in July, 2007, was today sentenced to a jail sentence of from 26-90 years.

Poker Women Race Tonight:

Poker players Tiffany Michelle and Maria Ho are one of the teams on the TV show, "The Amazing Race." Catch them tonight at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Rugby Tournament Coming to Town:

For the first time, the U.S.-hosted tournament in rugby's World Sevens Series will be held in Las Vegas. Tradtionally played in Los Angeles or San Diego, the tournament will be held at Sam Boyd Stadium on February 13 and 14. This fast-paced version (played with 7 instead of the usual 15 players a side) of one of the world's most popular sports was approved as an Olympic sport beginning in 2016.

Plaza/Vegas Club Promo:

Now through November 24, the Plaza and Vegas Club are offering $20 in new slot play to all guests who make reservations and stay within that time frame.

Monopoly Reminder:

Harrah’s "Advance to Go, Collect $50,000" oversized Monopoly game takes place tomorrow morning from 11:30 a.m., with the 50 finalists competing for a $50,000 first prize, with a minimum of $500 each to the runners up. Expect extra-heavy traffic in the vicinity of the Las Vegas Blvd. and Flamingo Road intersection tomorrow morning, as cars are bound to slow down to watch what’s going on, with human Monopoly tokens and the 25’x25’ oversized board.

Entertainment Deals Make the News:

The weekend edition of USA Today ran two Las Vegas entertainment notices. The first was a feature on the Garth Brooks deal at Encore, but there was also a small mention of Wayne Newton's deal at the Trop.

Poker Pros on Stage:

Annie Duke and Andy Bloch are the celebrity guests in tonight’s 10 p.m. performance of Matt Donnelly’s Celebrity Tarot Lounge, produced by Penn Jillette’s wife Emily. The show takes place at 10 p.m. at the Stage Door Theater at Town Square and tickets start at $24.95. They’re available from the box office by calling 702/949-6123 or from tarotlounge.com.

Food Festival at M:

It’s a culinary weekend in Las Vegas, with M Resort hosting a two-day Italian festival poolside at the Villagio Del Sole. Guests can sample a variety of Italian dishes from local restaurants and Louis Prima Jr. will be providing musical entertainment throughout the day. Admission to the event is free and food items are priced at $6-$11; to purchase food you must also buy a $1 ticket. The event runs from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. today and tomorrow.

Bite of Las Vegas:

The 13th annual Bite of Las Vegas food and music festival takes place from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. today in Desert Breeze Park. There will be many different cuisines on offer in $1-$5 portions and performances from Uncle Kracker, Parachute, and other bands. Bring a canned food donation for the City Mission of Las Vegas for $1 off the $8 admission price.

Buffets for Blood:

Donate blood between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. today at the Orleans and receive two buffet passes. You’re advised to eat well before giving blood and to drink plenty of water. The blood drive will take place in the Big Easy Lounge on the first floor.

Pumpkin Patch Pick Drawings:

Drawings take place tonight and tomorrow at 6:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. at Coast Casinos as part of the month-long Pumpkin Patch Pick drawing promotion. 100 winners at every Coast Casino are guaranteed to win a share of the $2 million prize pool, with 20 cash drawings every Friday and Saturday through the end of the month.

Kudos for Vegas Chef:

Lionel Clement, chef chocolatier at Wynn Las Vegas, took second place in the World Chocolate Masters Competition in Paris today. He was competing against chocolatiers from 18 countries. In addition to creating a master showpiece, the demanding competition required each contestant to create hand-dipped pralines, chocolate pastries, and desserts, and -- it being Paris -- to decorate an haute couture hat.

Latest Football Update Live:

Anthony Curtis' latest update on all the football contest and party action around town just went live at LVASports.com.

Cooking Show Casting Call:

Auditions are taking place today from noon until 5 p.m. at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Las Vegas for the sixth season of the hit FOX show "Hell's Kitchen" with Gordon Ramsey.

Unlucky 7 for F'bleau:

This morning's Las Vegas Sun revealed that bankrupt Fontainebleau has pink-slipped President Audrey Oswell and six other execs. Oswell's career has been through a rough patch lately. Previously she had been chief operating officer at Resorts Atlantic City (which has since gone into foreclosure) and was COO at the Cosmopolitan (which was foreclosed upon) before landing at F'bleau. The latter has also scrapped all meetings and conventions through October 2011.

Garage Sale at Silverton:

Today from noon until 6 p.m., and tomorrow from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., the Silverton's holding a garage sale in its recently completed parking deck, getting rid of excess swag, including t-shirts and hats leftover from players card promotions. The two-day event is open to the public and guests who bring non-perishable food items to donate to Three Square will also receive a free gift.

Satre to Take Over at IGT:

It was announced yesterday that Philip Satre, who retired in 2005 after 25 years with Harrah's Entertainment, is taking over as chairman of slot giant IGT. He joined the board of directors in January of this year and speculations's been rife since that he was destined for a larger role.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

There are some treats for music fans of all generations this weekend, but otherwise it's a pretty mellow weekend this time around, after last week's event frenzy. The weather's due to be nice, so make the most of the outdoor opportunties. Music: Mark Chesnutt performs at the South Point (10/16-10/17); Kool and The Gang and The Commodores play out at Buffalo Bill’s (10/16) followed by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons (10/17); the Eastside Cannery gets taken over by Sixtiesmania (10/16-10/18) and The Archies (10-16-10/17) while Viva! Tribute to Santana takes the stage at the Cannery (10/16-10/17); Moby entertains at the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay (10/16) followed by The Sounds (10/17) and Justin Timberlake and Friends fill the Events Center (10/17); Billy Dean performs at Santa Fe Station (10/17); Wasted Space at the Hard Rock welcomes Framing Hanley (10/17) and Bonafide (10/8) while Bob Dylan is on stage at the Joint (10/18); and duo Wisin and Tandel play at the Orleans Arena (10/18) Comedy: The Las Vegas Hilton welcomes George Lopez (10/16-10/17); Jay Leno returns to the Mirage (10/16-10/17); and Playboy Comedy at the Palms features Ryan Stout and Bryan Callen (10/16-10/17) Other: The Artwalk takes over The District at Green Valley Ranch (10/16-10/18); Town Square welcomes back the Celebrity Tarot Lounge with Robin Leach, Terry Fator, Adam Savage, and Annie Duke (10/16-10/17); the 8th Annual Hawaiian Isles and Outrigger Canoe Regatta takes place at MonteLago Village (10/17-10/18); and the Italian Festival is at the M Resort (10/17-10/18) For more details about these and other events, full listings of all the production shows Las Vegas currently plays home to, and to purchase tickets to all, click here for our "Shows & Nightlife" section.

Twitter Room Promo from Rio:

Starting at midnight tonight, the Rio is holding a '500 Wild Weekends' promotion exclusive to the hotel's Twitter followers. Their goal is to attract 20,000 followers by December 4 -- sign up and include #riovegas in your Tweets to qualify. The more followers they get, the more prizes will be given away, with up to 500 two-night hotel packages up for grabs. If the magic 20,000 number is hit in time, one follower will be awarded a grand prize of a VIP Rio New Year's package. Click here for more details. With less than 4,000 followers so far, it's a tall order, but we wish 'em luck. We have over 2,000 followers (and growing by the day) at LVATweet. Perhaps we'll start doing some contests of our own one of these days...

Wednesday Column Live:

Anthony Curtis' updates on the latest openings and closings in Las Vegas, who the richest casino head honcho is, and more, is now live and available to read in LVA in the Media.

Garth Brooks Update:

The press conference is still going on, but we can confirm now that the country superstar will begin performing in Las Vegas on December 11 and tickets will be priced at $125. There will be one show a night on Fridays and Sundays and two on Saturday nights. Tickets go on sale October 24.

Frank's Back:

Frank Marino, the former star of long-running drag show La Cage, which closed suddenly earlier this year, is back with a new show on the Strip. Frank Marino's Divas Las Vegas recently tested the waters with a limited run, which was evidently a success, so the show opens with a year-long contract at the Imperial Palace this Saturday, Oct. 17. Divas features 16 male, female look-alikes impersonating stars including Cher, Beyonce, Diana Ross, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, and Tina Turner. The show performs six nights a week (dark Fridays) at 10 p.m. and tickets start at $69 (plus tax & fees).

Garth Brooks Announcement:

As long speculated, country star Garth Brooks this morning announced that he'll be coming out of retirement for a residency at Encore. The official announcement is due later today -- we'll keep you posted.

New Music Venue Coming:

Following the trend for celebrity-owned businesses in town (Vince Neil's tattoo studios and now Feelgood's rock lounge, for example), comes word that two other rockers will be opening their own joint. Jerry Cantrell of Alice and Chains and Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian plan to launch "Dead Man's Hand," a live-music venue, next month. The venue, which will have a capacity of approximately 200 and is located next door to The Playground, home to the Rock Room, and will showcase live bands and DJs.

Fezzik in the "Hot Corner":

Sports betting pro, Fezzik, is featured in today's LV Review-Journal. Check out the "Hot Corner" in the sports section (he picks Central Florida +15). Fezzik moderates the message boards at LVASports.com.

Another Casino iPhone App:

Hot on the heels of Harrah's announcement about its reel slot iPhone app comes news that Foxwoods casino is Connecticut is launching a branded iPhone application that allows players to try their luck at virtual games using "play money" and pratice with table-game tutorials. Like the Harrah's app, this one also interfaces with human representatives via a virtual "velvet rope club" and allows customers to ask questions, book rooms, and so on.

Crooners on the Move:

The show currently known as The Platters, Cornell Gunter's Coasters, and The Marvelettes, which performed over 3,000 shows at the Sahara, has moved to the Steve Wyrick Theater inside the The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. To date, such a move has been the kiss of death to numerous shows, so we hope this one fares better.

Root for Wynn:

Today Lionel Clement, a French-born chocolatier who now works at Wynn Las Vegas, is competing in the finals of the World Chocolate Masters competition. He made the final 18, which comprises pastry chefs from Europe, China, Japan, Thailand, Russia, Canada, and Mexico, with a creation that consisted of the silhouette of a woman's face, with hat, formed from layers of chocolate. The finalists, competing for a total prize pool of over $100,000, have 11 1/2 hours over two days, beginning today, to complete their desserts.

Monopoly Las Vegas-Style:

Bally’s, in conjunction with Hasbro, will host a life-size Monopoly game 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. next Monday, October 19. The front sidewalk of Bally’s will be converted into a 25-by-25-foot Monopoly board, with human Monopoly tokens and oversized Chance and Community Chest cards. Fifty finalists from a national promotion will compete for the $50,000 Advance to GO first prize; five will move up to the championship round, held at Caesars Palace October 21-22. Open to the public, championship play is 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 21 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 22; the first 600 visitors each day will receive a free Monopoly World Championships T-shirt.

Wynn Entertainment News:

A press conference is scheduled for noon tomorrow, when Steve Wynn will make a "special entertainment announcement" at the Encore theater. It's long been rumored that Garth Brooks will be the new headliner.

Harrah's in Slovakia:

Harrah's has announced plans to build a $2.22 billion hotel-casino near Bratislava, Slovakia. The project, to be called Metropolis, would consist of a hotel, casino, mall, and "entertainment park," with Harrah's operating the hotel-casino and Hungarian developer TriGranit running the retail and entertainment wings. Construction of the first phase of Metropolis, which, according to projections, would attract up to five million new visitors to central Europe and employee 28,000 full- and part-time workers, would begin sometime in 2010; no completion date was announced.

Rodman on ESPN Tonight:

Check out tonight's ESPN coverage of the World Series of Poker's main event, which should include the first appearances of Kill Phil author Blair Rodman. Blair will be getting some good exposure over the next few installments as the field is getting whittled down -- Blair eventually finished 34th.

More Greenspun Layoffs:

Breaking news via Norm Clarke's Twitter: There were apparently more layoffs at Greenspun Media Group today, including the disbanding of the short-lived 702.tv. At least a half-dozen videographers were let go.

Former MGM CEO Has Cancer:

Terrence Lanni, former CEO of MGM Mirage, has revealed to Gaming Today that he's been diagnosed with cancer and will require treatment including chemotherapy and possibly surgery. Lanni retired last year after more than 13 years leading the Las Vegas-based company.

New Vegas Eating Challenge:

LBS: A Burger Joint, the eco-friendly fast food eatery at Red Rock, has added a new option to its menu: the $30 "Extreme Burger," which includes six half-pound patties loaded with American cheese, smoked bacon, a Portobello mushroom, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, LBS Burger sauce, spicy mustard, herb mayo, "ghost" peppers (the hottest chili in the world, as confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records), and a pound of French fries. Clean your plate in an hour and it's on the house, plus, the first successful gourmand will have the burger renamed in their honor and be the inaugural member of the Heroes of the Hamburger wall. For more of Las Vegas' eating challenges, which range from a gargantuan steak to a monster burrito, check out Question of the Day for July 24, 2009 (LVA members only.)

A Bronx Tale Adds Dates:

The acclaimed one-man show with Chazz Palminteri that's currently performing a limited run at the Venetian has just added three more dates: October 22, 23, and 24. The show performs at 8 p.m. and tickets start at $46 (plus taxes and fees) -- check for locals discounts with codes LOCALS10, LOCALS20, or LOCALS30.

Comfort Food, Gourmet Style:

Tonight's "Cooking with the Star Chefs" at Whole Foods Market (Town Square) features "Childhood Classics" with "Adult Attitude." Kim Canteenwalla of Society Café at Encore will be demonstrating recipes for the ultimate sliders, sloppy joes, and fried, truffled Mac & Cheese. The event takes place from 6-8 p.m. and is free to all to attend.

Harrah's Introduces iPhone App:

Harrahs Entertainment has just launched its first iPhone app. Called iSpin, it's a 3-reel slot machine that incorporates customizable functionality, like being able to incorporate your own photos as the reel symbols. Total Rewards members can log in to their accounts from the app to view their Tier Score, Reward Credit Balances, offer counts, and so on, plus you receive the latest offers, discounts, promos, and updates from Harrah's properties. The app supports solo and multiple players and is available for free at iTunes App Store.

Celebrity Home For Sale:

Actor Nicholas Cage of Leaving Las Vegas fame has been forced to liquidate assets, including putting his Vegas home up for sale, in order to settle a $6.35 million bill for back taxes, which the IRS says he owes, dating back to 2007 and before. To date, the movie star has sold a castle in Germany and is also trying to sell homes in New Orleans and elsewhere.

Macau to Limit Gambling?:

Today came news that one of the few gambling enclaves that's actually doing well may have its wings clipped. Macau's government met with the city's six casino operators Monday and said it would review the size and growth of the industry, including potentially restricting the number of gambling tables as part of a program to prevent "unlimited expansion."

New Article About Money Management:

A feature by Anthony Curtis about the pros and cons -- primarily the latter -- of money management just went live on the home page of LVASports.com. The feature originally appeared in Casino Player magazine.

Mysterious Shoot at Hooters:

The movie Area 51 will be filming scenes this week at Hooters casino-hotel. You can catch director Oren Peli, whose current cult movie Paranormal Activity is showing all over the country, filming scenes for his next picture on Thursday, October 15th at Dixie's Dam Bar located in Hooters Casino Hotel. Doors open at 9 p.m.

New ShopLVA Store Launched:

As promised in last month's LVA newsletter, we have an all-new shopping enviroment at ShopLVA.com. If you've been experiencing any problems with the old store over the past few days, those have all now been eradicated. Check out the new "Spotlight on..." feature that just went live and will walk you through some of the features to be found in our store. Happy shopping!

Time Running Out to "Save the Dream":

The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America "Save the Dream" tour, which this weekend saw the Las Vegas Convention Center swamped by locals and out-of-towners eager to have their home loans modified, leaves Las Vegas at 8 p.m. tonight. Already several thousand people have been ushered in and out of the building during this weekend's event, during which, NACA has offered homeowners the chance to have their loans modified on the spot, with help from bank representatives.

Meatball Eaters Unite:

On Sunday, Nov. 8, the Rio will host the first-ever Martorano's Masters Meatball Eating Championship, featuring top-ranked Major League Eaters, including #1-ranked Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, winner of the last three July 4th hot dog-eating contests. The 10-minute event will take place at noon and feature chef Steve Martorano's famous giant meatballs. The public's encouraged to attend.

Southwest Teams With Venetian-Palazzo:

Southwest Airlines announced today that the Venetian and Palazzo properties have joined its Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program as preferred partners. This means that members of the program can earn Rapid Rewards credit for each qualifying stay at both hotels. Additionally, members who book hotel stays on southwest.com by Nov. 5, 2009, can earn double credit for stays through Dec. 31, 2009.

Windy Weather:

Expect lower temperatures and gusty winds of up to 15 mph this afternoon as a storm approaches from the west.

Not Green Enough:

Despite what have appeared to be big strides by casino companies in the establishment of environmentally friendly "green initiatives," their representation in a major ranking of America's largest companies by Newsweek is meager. The gambling industry doesn't show up until 128th, and only three casino companies appear on the 500-name list. Highest ranked is Las Vegas Sands at 128th, followed by MGM Mirage (164th) and Wynn Resorts (176th).

Columbus Day Bonuses:

Get ready for a couple of decent point bonuses on Monday for Columbus Day. At Coast properties, it's 7X points for slots and 5X for video poker. At Silverton, it's 5X for slots and 2X for video poker. Silverton will also have a $5 buffet from 11 am to 8 pm.

Football Fun:

We've whittled our favorite Sunday-football viewing venues to two. The first, as expected going into the season, is the LV Hilton, but the second is a surprise. The Imperial Palace has a vibrant scene going on, both in the sports book and in the Strip-adjacent Rock House. The beers are cheaper in the book at two for $4 vs. two for $6 in the House.

Olympic Casino?:

After losing its bid for the 2016 Olympics, Chicago may try to salvage the situation with a new casino. There's talk of building a casino and entertainment complex in the area where the Olympic village would have stood. Such a move would require Illinois to green-light land-based gambling.

Coco's Open:

After a quick conversion, the Coco's restaurants have already opened at Palace, Boulder, Sunset, and Texas Stations. They join an existing Coco's at Santa Fe Station, replacing the Cafes.

Max and Megan:

Comp City author Max Rubin got a name check in Norm Clark's column in today's LV Review-Journal via a mention of daughter Megan's off-Broadway one-woman play, "Luck." In the play, Megan talks about her stint as an advantage player in Las Vegas. Like father like daughter. The same column leads with an interesting discussion on how Ted Kennedy may have gotten a bet down on brother John's presidential win in early '60s Las Vegas.

Small Earthquake Outside Vegas:

According the the University of Las Vegas, Reno's Seismological Lab, a mild 3.9-magnitude earthquake with an epicenter near Lake Mead hit at 3:13 p.m. today. Mild vibrations were felt in Boulder City and Henderson, but no damage is anticipated.

Latest Football Update Live:

Anthony Curtis' latest round-up of what's happening on the football contest and party scene, plus the latest from the members-only LVASportsboards forums, which have really been buzzing, just went live at our free sister site, LVASports.com.

Tuscany Coupons in R-J:

Today's LV Review-Journal (section A) contains two coupons from Tuscany. The first has run before and has a twofer for Marilyn's Cafe and $10 off at the Cantina. But the second is new, offering $20 off at the good Italian restaurant, Tuscany Gardens. Plus, Fridays (along with Wednesdays) is 10X-players-points night in the casino. Good parlay.

Everything Down:

Las Vegas visitor visitation was down 3.7 percent for the month of August, while gaming revenues were down for the 20th month in succession, with a drop of 9.7 percent compared to last year. We're still noticing the effects on the ground, with room rates continuing to fall, often accompanied by huge incentives, not to mention moves like M Resort's decision this week to cease serving breakfast in its buffet.

Off-Strip Entertainment:

Today's LA Times profiles some entertainers from Wynn's Le Rêve who are making their own amusement and making up for Las Vegas' dearth of local artistic outlets with a show of their own...

Cirque in Space:

Not content with Cirque du Soleil's Las Vegas takeover, founder Guy Laliberté is now branching out into other dimensions and is currently in space as part of his Poetic Social Mission -- a campaign to raise awareness and action concerning global water issues. Today at 4:30 p.m. ET there will be a 2-hour broadcast featuring the space clown, plus celebrities including U2, Al Gore, Shakira, and Peter Gabriel. You can catch the broadcast live online at 5 p.m. PST at the onedrop.org website, or attend a free screening int he Big Springs Theater at Springs Preserve.

Weekly Column Posted:

With good news for Elvis fans and bad news for Barry Manilow fans, plus word of a possible new casino for Las Vegas and a good points promo, Anthony Curtis' weekly column has just gone live in LVA in the Media.

Vegas Deal for Kylie?:

Following the success of her first North American tour, which took in The Pearl at the Palms, Kylie Minogue's sister Dannii hs told UK newspaper the Mirror that the singer's been approached about taking the show back to Sin City and extending it as a residency. Whether the Palms was the venue in question was not disclosed in the piece.

Charo Out for the Year:

The famed flamenco performer, who's show at the Riviera has been on hiatus since she fell and suffered an injury during the Jerry Lewis Telethon in mid September, will be out for the remainder of the year, we learned today. Whether or not she will return in 2010 has yet to be announced.

End for Moulin Rouge?:

There's not much of it left and Mayor Oscar Goodman wants to bulldoze what remains. He called it unsafe, "a nuisance ... a blight," and Councilman Ricki Barlow, in whose district the Moulin Rouge's remnants sit, seconded the emotion. Terms like "monstrosity" were also tossed about by elected officials. Famous for being Las Vegas' first integrated casino, the Moulin Rouge has been derelict for some time, ravaged by two fires in the last six years.

Fall at Bellagio:

The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens has transitioned to the fall display, which features autumnal colors, a 35-foot-tall cider mill, 13-foot scarecrow, a 10-foot-tall mythical tree made of recycled paper and wood. The exhibit is free to the public and will be on display through November 28th.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

Pool-party season may have finally drawn to a close, but there are still plenty of things to choose from entertainment-wise, both indoors and out. It's a particularly big weekend for music, with an eclectic selection of headliners to choose from, plus more than a spattering of sports, comedy, theater, and festivals, so there truly should be something for everyone who's in town and looking for fun. Music: Jamie Foxx brings his music to Caesars Palace (10/09); Mariah Carey returns to the Palms (10/9-10/10); Barenaked Ladies (10/9) and Kenny Rogers (10/11) play out at Buffalo Bill's; the Cannery welcomes Legends of Motown (10/9) and Dionne Warwick (10/10); The Las Vegas Connection (10/9-10/10) and Déjà Vu (10/11) take the stage at the Eastside Cannery; The Lettermen take over at South Point (10/9-10/11); The Used rock out at House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay (10/9) followed by Motorhead (10/10); the Suncoast welcomes The Four Preps (10/10-10/11); The Rippingtons play at Boulder Station (10/10); and Creedence Clearwater Revisited hit the stage at the Silverton (10/11) Comedy: Howie Mandel continues his run at MGM (10/2-10/14); Carlos Mencia entertains at TI (10/8-10/9); Dane Cook's at the Hard Rock (10/9-10/10); Ray Romano teams up with Brad Garrett at the Mirage (10/9-10/10); and Dennis Miller makes ‘em laugh at the Orleans (10/9-10/10) Sporting Events: The US Open Supercross (10/10-10/11) and the Amateur Arenacross World Finals (10/11) take place at the MGM; the MMA Xplosion PRO/AM will be at the M Resort (10/11); the UNLV Rebels take on the BYU Cougars at Sam Boyd Stadium (10/10); and the World's Largest Flip Cup Tournament's being held at Hooters (10/11) Other: A Bronx Tale starring Chazz Palminteri has commenced its limited run at the Venetian (10/7-10/18); the Barrett-Jackson classic/collectible car auction event is being held at Mandalay Bay (10/8-10/10); the Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival's in town at Sunset Park (10/9-10/11); MonteLago Village hosts the Fall Arts Festival (10/10-10/11); and the 4th Annual Pure Aloha Fall Festival takes place at the Silverton (10/9-10/11) For more details about these and other events, full listings of all the production shows Las Vegas currently plays home to, and to purchase tickets to all, click here for our "Shows & Nightlife" section. And for updates throughout the day about adult-oriented events, entertainment, and news, from topless pool parties to strip club promos to nightclub events, sign up for our two Twitter feeds, Topless Vegas and SinCityAdvisor (new SinCityAdvisor.com sister site coming soon... Sign up for email updates.)

Betsey Johnson Sale:

The flamboyant designer is offering up to 70% off selected items at her store in the Miracle Mile Shops today through Oct. 12 in a Columbus Day sale.

Dylan Seats Available:

Reserved seating has just been made available for the Bob Dyland and his Band gig at The Joint at the Hard Rock on Oct. 18. Fans who've already purchased GA Floor tickets may exchange them for seated floor tickets at the point of original purchase (based on availability). Tickets start at $59.50 (plus taxes and fees).

M Axes Breakfast Buffet:

M Resort has reduced its breakfast offering to a small buffet served in the Red Cup Cafe; the main buffet will be open for lunch and dinner only. Check our listing in Buffets for revised times.

Fight Heats Up in A.C.:

Both sides have raised the stakes in the battle for Donald Trump's Atlantic City properties. A judge refused Trump's request to dismiss the bondholders' offer, which they raised this week to $225 million, while the Donald, who's bidding in conjunction with daughter Ivanka and Dallas-based Beal Bank, offered nearly $13.9 million in cash to bondholders in his bid to regain control of the gambling empire he once ran. Under his previous offers, they would have been left with nothing of their $1.25 billion investment. The judge has set Jan. 20 as the first of five possible days of hearings to pick a plan to get the company back on its feet.

Classic Car Rally Today:

From 1:30 p.m. today, expect worse-than-usual traffic on the Strip as the Barrett-Jackson road rally takes over. Approximately 100 classic and collectible cars will start out from the Las Vegas Convention Center before heading west to Las Vegas Blvd. and ending at the southeast parking lot at Mandalay Bay. After the rally, from approximately 2-5 p.m., the cars will remain on display to the general public, with Ride 'n Drives and live radio remotes.

Elvis Exhibit to Open:

For a limited time, beginning October 21, the Imperial Palace will be home to The King's Ransom Museum, a one-of-a-kind exhibit of Elvis Presley artifacts and personal treasures. It's the first time the multi-million dollar collection has been displayed in Las Vegas and it will remain until April, 2010. The exhibit will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission's $10.

Thanks for the Twitter Love:

We just hit 2,000 followers on LVA_Tweet, thanks to sky142 (a Las Vegas local). If you're not yet signed up, check it out -- you'll find links to all our regular features, plus extra timely tidbits that we come across. If you're interested in nightlife and the "adult" side of Vegas, follow SinCityAdvisor and ToplessVegas, while for environmentalists, vegetarians, yoga enthusiasts, and anyone else interested in eco-issues, GreenVegas is the Twitter for you!

Luxury Offer from Wynn:

Wynn and Encore have introduced a package starting at $780 per person for two people that includes three nights at either resort, plus a roundtrip flight from one of two private terminals in southern California. Guests will receive their hotel keys before the flight, limousine service to and from the hotel, and will find their bags in their room once they arrive.

Manilow Not Renewing:

As anticipated, Barry Manilow, currently headlining at the Las Vegas Hilton with Ultimate Manilow: The Hits, will be ending his five-year run at the end of December, when his current contract's up. Whether the crooner will relocate to another Las Vegas residency remains to be seen but, as addressed in the QoD for 9/27, if he does, the venue will not be Mandalay Bay.

Helium Balloon Launch:

At 10 a.m. this morning the Cloud Nine helium balloon -- the world's largest -- is scheduled to take its maiden voyage, with a champagne at 500 feet for VIPs and media. The Strip's newest attraction, located opposite Mandalay Bay, will open to the public immediately following the event. Ticket prices start at $17.50 for children and $22.50 for adults. For photographs, see Friday's QoD.

Ski Resort Opens Early:

The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort is opening today at noon, seven weeks ahead of schedule and the earliest it's ever opened in the season. For now there will only be access to the beginner terrain until more snow is made. Resort hours will be 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Sunday, and then the resort is scheduled to open on weekends only until conditions allow additional slopes to open. Lift-ticket prices are currently reduced to $20.

Another Reprieve for Privé:

The nightclub at Planet Hollywood and its sister ultra-lounge The Living Room were today granted another 90-day liquor license by County commissioners. Metro needs to complete background checks on two of Privé’s owners and three managers before the club can be issued a permanent license, a process which they estimate may take up to a year or eighteen months.

JR in the House at MGM:

Or, in the kitchen, we should say. Joël Robuchon is in town and cooking all this week at his eponymous restaurant at MGM Grand. Expensive, yes, but this is a chance to sample the cuisine of who many rate as the world's best chef.

Poll Closes at Midnight:

Today's your last chance to vote in the current LVA reader poll about what major development you'd like to see for Las Vegas in 2010, so make your voice heard, if you haven't already, and feel free to email us with your thoughts. Tomorrow a new poll goes live and it's a fun one, so stay tuned!

Latest Celebrity Debtor:

Former pitcher Shawn Chacon became the latest athlete to be arrested for a gambling debt in a Las Vegas casino this week. He was arrested at a bowling alley in Colorado on Monday for unpaid markers totalling $150,000 extended to him by Caesars Palace. Chacon will now face felony charges relating to three bad checks he wrote in March of this year.

Worst Yet to Come Unemployment-Wise:

In spite of a recent spate of large-scale job fairs in Las Vegas, according to information distributed today to members of the state Employment Security Council, unemployment in Nevada will average 14.4 percent per month in 2010. The August unemployment rate of 13.2 percent is the highest ever recorded in the state and second highest to Michigan in the nation.

Car Show Opens Tomorrow:

From tomorrow, Oct. 7 through Oct. 10, the 2nd Annual Barret-Jackson Collector Car Auction will take place at Mandalay Bay. Among the vehicles up for grabs this year are three owned by actor and long-time car collector Bruce Willis, including his 1967 Corvette convertible, 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400, and 1988 Lincoln Limo, which was originally used to drive Willis to and from the set of "Moonlighting" and was also used in the filming of Die Hard.

More Non-Stop Flights from U.K.:

From October 25, British Airways will join Virgin Atlantic in offering daily non-stop flights to and from Las Vegas. Unlike Virgin, whose route operates out of London's Gatwick Airport, BA will fly to and from Heathrow's luxurious new Terminal 5. Prices will begin at around £550 ($875) for a round trip, depending on day of travel.

Tailgating Tips from Top Chef:

Chef Rene Lenger of Encore's Switch hosts tonights "Cooking with the Star Chefs" demo at Whole Foods Market (Town Square), with tips for hosting the perfect tailgating party.

California Slot License Bonanza:

As anticipated, the California Gambling Control Commission today conducted a gaming device license draw which issued a total of 3,547 licenses to eleven tribes throughout the state. It's the result of years of ongoing litigation and, as reported in this column last week, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to appeal the decision next February.

Kudos to LVA Reader Critics:

According to an interesting article on the front page of today's Wall Street Journal, people who rate products and services on the Internet are not very critical at all, with the average grade for online things being about 4.3 out of 5. Not so when it comes to LVA readers! A quick glance down the Hotel Listings on our site reveals plenty of places with a meagre 3-star rating, or even less. Ditto our Dining section, where a 4-star rating is praise indeed according to our readers. You can rate and review practically everything listed on our site, from shows to spas, tournaments to thrill rides. There are a few rules that we ask you to abide by, including no bad language, libel, or self-serving reviews, but otherwise you're free to express your opinions. We do monitor all new posts and were recently forced to delete a slew of reviews that had obviously been posted by a show promoter, not to mention a vicious feud concerning Chicas Bonitas strip club. But aside from that, it's been smooth -- and often highly entertaining -- sailing and we're delighted to have so many amusing and informative readers. So, don't be shy -- join the conversation!

Vegas Expansion Frozen:

According to a not-so-surprising feature in today's Wall Street Journal, Las Vegas casino executives are anticipating that it will be a decade before we see any renewed expansion in terms of existing properties or new projects while some fundamental financial regrouping takes place.

Discounts at CityCenter:

The residential elements of three properties in CityCenter will be offering a 30 percent price reduction at closing to existing buyers, it's been announced today. Closings are scheduled to begin in Jan. 2010 with buyers of The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, followed by Veer Towers the following month, and Vdara Condo Hotel in March. "We believe that in this economic climate, this price reduction is an appropriate step to take on behalf of our buyers, so as to provide them greater flexibility in closing on their residences," said Bobby Baldwin, president and CEO of CityCenter.

Latest Halloween News:

It's one of the biggest parties in the Vegas calendar and this year promises to be no exception. The bigger and scarier-than-ever Fright Dome opened on Friday at Circus Circus and now two of the city's legendary haunted houses -- The Asylum and Hotel Fear -- have joined forces with each other and KOMP 92.3 and 97.1 The Point to create "Texas Screams." Texas Screams is located on the northeast side of the Texas Station parking lot, near the corner of North Rancho Dri. and Lake Mead Blvd. and tickets are $12 for a "single haunt" or $18 for a Scream Pass combo. Look out for our annual comprehensive Halloween coverage in a soon-to-launch Special Events feature.

Kudos to Encore Eatery:

Society Cafe, the American restaurant located inside Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, has been named one of the "Best New Restaurants in America" by Esquire magazine. It's the only Las Vegas restaurant to receive the accolade this year.

Fezzik Romps:

After all the plays were tallied, Fezzik posted a 6-1 record, including a best-bet winner, to advance against Johnny Bono (3-4) in the Leroy's Money Talks Invitational. Fezzik will take on Tim Trushel on Nov. 13 at Hooters.

Vegas-Based Show Premieres:

Let's Make a Deal, the game show hosted by Las Vegas headliner Wayne Brady (Making %@it Up) and filmed at the Tropicana debuted today. It will be aired weekly from 9-10 a.m. on CBS.

October South Points:

Throughout October, slot players get 5X points at South Point. The deal doesn't extend to video poker, but there's a little giveback there in the form of free-play bonuses for royal flushes, starting with $10 for nickel RFs and increasing proportionately -- $20 for dimes, $50 for quarters, etc. -- up to $1,000 for $5 play.

Bloody Mary Day:

The list of "10 Great Places to Toast Bloody Mary's 75th" in the weekend edition of USA Today doesn't include a Las Vegas representative, but that doesn't mean there aren't some teriffic options. You can get a lead on several of them by consulting our poll archives. And our favorite, the $1 Bloody Marys on Sundays at Irenes, are being mixed as we write.

Forbes 400 Released:

The annual Forbes 400 list of America's wealthiest individuals reveals a new top dog in the gambling industry. Carl Icahn, majority owner of Tropicana Entertainment, lines up in 22nd spot overall with an estimated net worth of $10.5 billion. Last year's top industry representative, Sheldon Adelson, fell to 26th spot by virtue of a net worth of $9 billion (down from $15 billion last year). Kirk Kerkorian dropped from 27th to 97th with his net worth reduced from $11.2 billion to $3 billion. Others from the gambling industry on the list include Steve Wynn (141st, $2.3 billion), Donald Trump (158th, $2 billion), Phil Ruffin (193rd, $1.85 billion), and Ed Roski, Jr. (236th, $1.5 billion).

Fezzik Advances:

Fezzik has successfully advanced in the Leroy's Money Talks football contest. Fezzik put up a strong 4-1 record on yesterday's college board, while his opponent, John Bono, came up 0-3. Since both have the Broncos today, Fezzik is guaranteed to advance.

Coco's Coming:

The Cafe's at four Station Casinos properties are closed, pending conversion to Coco's restaurants. After a successful debut at Santa Fe, the change is now being implemented at Palace, Boulder, Sunset, and Texas Stations.

Custom Cars at the Lake:

Enjoy the Endless Summer Cruise at Lake Las Vegas until 5 p.m. today featuring up to 100 of the area's top hot rods and muscle cars. There's a live DJ, games, giveaways, a raffle, and a live auction. Guests can stay into the evening to enjoy the free "Jazz on the Lake" concert at 7 p.m.

Unique Angle:

In his quickie column in USA Today, the newspaper's founder, Al Neuharth, suggests cutting back on buying "booze and sweets" and using the saving to place a bet on the baseball playoffs. Neuharth takes a strictly for-entertainment stance on betting, and suggests it's healthier for you.

Fezzik's Picks:

Following are Fezzik's picks in the Leroy's Money Talks football contest: Miami of Ohio +29.5 Washington +13 Mississippi St. +6 Miami +7.5 UTEP +15.5 Browns +6 Broncos +3 (best bet) See more about this week's college and NFL schedule at LVASports.com.

Patrone at Palace:

Palace Station has placards in the casino advertising 2-for-1 shots of Patron at all bars. PS (along with all Station and Fiesta casinos) is also offering dollar beers and hot dogs in the sports book during the football games.

Listen Up Sports Fans!:

Hancicapping guru and LVA affiliate Fezzik's is appearing in the "Leroy’s Money Talks Invitational" broadcast from Hooters from 3-4 p.m. this afternoon. His opponent is Johnny Bono. If you can catch this live, do so—Fezzik is tremendous in person. Otherwise, it will be broadcast live on KLAV AM1230. For more information and past interviews about Fezzik, visit LVASports.com, where you'll also find the latest on all the football parties and contests around town, up-to-the-minute line and sports-news feeds, and more.

Weekly Column Posted:

With the latest on developments both above -- and below -- ground in Las Vegas, Anthony Curtis' new column is live and ready to read in LVA in the Media.

More Slots Likely for California:

In spite of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's objections, a federal appeals court has paved the way for up to 10,549 new slot machine licenses to be granted statewide. They'll be distributed by the California Gambling Control Commission on Monday. The governor's appeal to the August ruling that facilitated this development is set to be heard in February of next year.

$2M Pumpkin Patch Promo:

Beginning today, every Friday and Saturday in October Coast Casinos (Suncoast, The Orleans, Gold Coast, and Sam's Town) are holding cash drawings in a $2,000,000 giveaway. Earn five entry points for every 100 base points, plus free bonus entries every time you swipe your Club Coast card at a kiosk. Drawings take place 4:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. every Fri. and Sat. in October. Details of where the drawings will take place at each property are available from the players club.

Fright Dome Reminder:

One of Las Vegas most popular Halloween festivities kicks off tonight when Fright Dome at Circus Circus opens its doors at 7 p.m. Not for the feint of heart!

Las Vegas This Weekend:

It's the seventh anniversary of the First Friday arts festival tonigth, while the Mirage celebrates its 20th birthday all weekend. Big names in town include Kylie Minogue and Howie Mandel, plus we've got BikeFest, The Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth, and the 47th annual Art in the Park festival in Boulder City. Music: Cash'd Out performs inside Wasted Space at the Hard Rock (10/2) followed by The Aggrolites (10/4); Fan Halen, a tribute band to Van Halen (10/2) and The Guess Who (10/3) take the stage at the Cannery; Cornell Gunter's Coasters take a break from the Sahara and perform for free at the Eastside Cannery (10/2-10/3) followed by the Goodfellas (10/4); country legend Randy Travis entertains at Texas Station (10/2); Tony Orlando's in concert at the South Point (10/2-10/4); the San Fernando Band plays the Suncoast (10/2-10/3) followed by Shades of Sinatra (10/3-10/4); the Mirage welcomes Slash and Friends for its 20th Anniversary Concert (10/2-10/3); Australian pop star Kylie Minogue performs at the Pearl at the Palms (10/3); and Charlie Wilson smoothes is out with some R & B at the Las Vegas Hilton (10/4) The Cool Pool scene: Free Jazz Fridays at Aliante Station comes to an end with the Release All Stars (10/2); Paris Hilton hits the Hard Rock Beach Club for the poolside premiere of her new line of Sunglasses (10/2); The Mystic Roots take the stage at the Mandalay Bay Beach (10/3); Ashlee Simpson-Wentz celebrates her Birthday at Wet Republic at MGM (10/3); and Journey performs at the M Resort (10/3) Other: Bikefest 2009 has taken over the Sahara (10/1-10/3); Mandalay Bay welcomes The Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth (10/2-10/4); the Endless Summer Cruise Car Show rolls into MonteLago Village (10/3); the 2009 Bugorama is at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (10/4); Les Grands Ballets De Tahiti presents Land of the Gods at Paris (10/3); Howie Mandel starts his run at MGM Grand (10/2-10/14); Jay Leno does stand-up at the Mirage (10/2-10/3); downtown celebrates the seventh anniversary of First Friday (10/2); Boulder City hosts the 47th annual Art in the Park event (10/3-10/4); and if you're looking for something to do with the little ones, Disney Live is at the Orleans (10/2-10/4) For more details about these and other events, full listings of all the production shows Las Vegas currently plays home to, and to purchase tickets to all, click here for our "Shows & Nightlife" section. And for updates throughout the day about adult-oriented events, entertainment, and news, from topless pool parties to strip club promos to nightclub events, sign up for our two Twitter feeds, Topless Vegas and SinCityAdvisor (new SinCityAdvisor.com sister site coming soon... Sign up for email updates.)

Weekend Football Update:

The first of a new feature, "Weekend Football Update," has been posted at LVASports.com. Read about what's happening in the contests, parties, and other football-related activities this week.

Yet More Show News:

Looks like doing two shows has proven too much for Wayne Brady and his Making %@it Up show at the Venetian has gone dark until November 12 to "rest his singing voice" while he continues to host Let's Make a Deal at ... yep, you got it, the Tropicana.

More Show News:

In the latest in a string of happenings in the entertainment scene at the Tropicana, magician Dirk Arthur has canceled both of tonight's Extreme Magic shows. Inside sources tell us that there's a chance Rich Natole may get a new slot at the property after his show was canceled on Sunday. We'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, at the other end of the Strip, Scarlett and her Seductive Ladies of Magic closed at the Riviera on Monday.

Comedy Fest Goes Way of CineVegas:

Just days after the sad announcement that CineVegas is on an indefinite hiatus pending rosier economic times, comes word that the annual Comedy Festival, hosted by Caesars Palace, will also not take place in 2010, although it may be back "in the near future." The Comedy Festival was an established event in the Las Vegas entertainment calendar and attracted many of the biggest names in comedy.

BikeFest Week:

Today through Sunday, October 4 its the annual Las Vegas BikeFest, with over 30,000 bikers expected in town. Events include a custom bike show, poker runs, parties, and competitions. Click here for more information and for registration/tickets.

Roads Reopened:

Metro has reopened the intersections of Sahara and Arville and Sahara and Decatur to car and pedestrian traffic. As suspected, the suspicious package turned out to be a bag of clothing.

Traffic Update:

Sahara is now open to traffic but Arville is closed from Sahara to Oakey.

Suspicious Packages Close Roads:

Metro has closed Decatur and Sahara to auto and pedestrian traffic as they investigate a suspicious package. Sahara and Arville is also still closed on account of another suspicious package found earlier. We'll keep you posted as announcements are made.

PT's Anniversary Giveaway:

From today through October 27, PT's is adding to its anniversary festivities with a $10,000 cash giveaway. Every 10 points earned by Gold Rewards members earns them one entry; ten $1,000 cash winners will be drawn at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.

October Promo from HHAGG:

Popular eatery Hash House A Go Go has joined forces with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and throughout the month of October $2 from each "For the Love of Jordan" pancake will benefit the organization.