Las Vegas News

Full Tilt Buyer Named:

Following today's earlier reports of online gambling site Full Tilt Poker losing its gaming license, comes word that a French sports tycoon has agreed to buy the company and its assets. Bernard Tapie, who the R-J reports is a former French government minister and actor, has apparently agreed to the purchase on condition that the company's legal troubles, which include federal charges of money laundering and fraud, are settled favorably.

Zipline Expansion:

It's being reported that the Fremont Street Experience has approved plans for the popular Flightlinez zipline attraction to become a permanent fixture and to double the length of the ride, which currently runs for about 800 feet. The upgrade would involve building a higher launch platform and a second landing pad. An engineering study will now be undertaken to determine the feasibility of the plan.

New Owner for Fitzgeralds:

Brothers Derek and Greg Stevens, co-owners of the Golden Gate casino downtown, are in the process of purchasing Fitzgeralds, formerly owned by Don Barden, who died earlier this year. The pending transaction awaits approval from the state Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission; if the deal is greenlit, Derek Stevens says he plans to remodel the second floor of the 640-room hotel-casino with a "vintage Vegas" theme, reports the R-J.

Full Tilt Loses License:

Today's Wall Street Journal reports that the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, the body responsible for regulating gaming in the U.K.'s Channel Islands, where Full Tilt is based, has revoked the online site's gambling license. Apparently, a party close to the situation said the company still hopes to announce a deal with an interested investor that would allow it to pay back the more than $300 million owed to poker players.

Pool Season Winds Down:

Is it us, or did it all seem more subdued this year than in the past couple? Either way, the Las Vegas party-pool scene is winding down for the season. Here's what we know so far: Encore Beach Club - This week will be the end of the Friday and Sunday parties Palms - Ditch Friday Season Finale takes place 9/30 with Three 6 Mafia GVR - The Pond is now closed for the season. Hard Rock - Rehab Season Finale takes place 10/9 with Cut/Copy, Chromeo, and DJ ZTrip MGM - Wet Republic - David and Cathy Guetta's F*** Me I'm Famous Sunday party ended quietly Sept. 19th, and this weekend's event with Steve Angello of Swedish House Mafia will be the official closing party for 2011 (10/2)

Fright Dome Time:

The annual Halloween attraction, ranked among the scariest in the nation, debuts this weekend at Circus Circus. Tickets start at $36 and it's not suitable for those under 12, or anyone with a weak heart.

Wyrick Folds:

The Hilton's dubious track record show-wide continues with news from entertainment columnist Mike Weatherford that magician Steve Wyrick's show is on indefinite "hiatus" because the performer can't afford to make his rent for the showroom.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

As pool season finally draws to a close, and with the iHeart Radio festival behind us, it's a relatively quiet weekend -- but only by Vegas standards. Here are some of the highlights: '80s supergroup Duran Duran performs at the Joint inside the Hard Rock (9/30) Legenary ink man Mario Barth's annual Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth takes place at the Mirage (9/30-10/2), and Lewis Black entertains in the Terry Fator Theatre (9/30-10/1) Queensryche performs at the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay (9/30), and David Foster's on stage in the Events Center (10/1) The Hard Rock Cafe welcomes Thrice (9/30) The Springs Preserve hosts a Grapes & Hops Festival (10/1) Cheech and Chong are out (of it?) at Buffalo Bill's (10/1) Planet Hollywood welcomes Justin Timberlake & Friends (10/1) ZZ Top takes the stage at Sunset Station (10/1) Yellowman (10/1) and David Allen Coe (10/2) perfom poolside at Silverton's Sway Pool And Steve Angello's at Wet Republic (10/2)

Freakshow Wrestling Snake Pit:

No, we couldn't make that up. Tonight from 8-11 p.m. WWE legend Jake "the Snake" Robers will host Freakshow wrestling at the FSW Arena (6658 Boulder Hwy.) with GWAR's Techno Destructo, Rudy Uresti, Tawdri Hipburn & JENN O CIDE, plus "Jesus, Satan, midgets, burlesque, and more," apparently. Musical entertaiment will be provided by Radioactive Chickenheads and Deathmachine. Click here for more info, if you dare.

Bet the Games at PT's:

Today the PT’s Entertainment Group, which operates the numerous PT’s Pub, PT’s Gold, and Sierra Gold taverns throughout the Vegas Valley, is rolling out new Sports Bet Live sports betting kiosks, in conjunction with Leroy’s Sportsbook. The kiosks will allow sports bettors to sign up for a Leroy's account by simply swiping their Golden Rewards players club card and the kiosks will take cash deposits and dispense vouchers for cash withdrawals from inside the taverns. The kiosks are being touted as revolutionary, but in fact a similar experiment was tried back in 2006 and turned out to be a big flop (see Question of the Day 5/2/06). One of the reasons cited for the failure back then was the fact that patrons could place wagers at the kiosks, but had to go to Bally's on the Strip to cash any winning tickets. The new kiosks sound more user-friendly, so perhaps this time around the venture will prove more successful.

Eating Las Vegas 2012:

If you didn't get the email we sent out earlier, don't miss out on our massive pre-publication offer on the 2012 edition of Eating Las Vegas. Due back from the printer early November, right now you can purchase this guide to Las Vegas' "50 Essential Restaurants" for 50%-off, plus $2 reduced-rate shipping (within the U.S.) But ELV is way more than a guide to 50 top eateries: This year, there's upward of 150 restaurants and bars included, with the expansion of the popular and contentious "Vetoes" section, plus new "Additional Recommendations" for for steakhouses, downtown dining, Sunday Brunch, food trucks, special diet, and more. You won't ever find this title available at this price again, so snap up a copy or three (makes a great stocking-stuffer) right now, while you can.

Elton's Back:

Sir Elton John debuts his new

Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

Several Las Vegas properties are hosting "pink" events for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. Here are details of those we've heard about so far: The Hard Rock is offering food and drink specials at Pink Taco, with $5 donated to Nevada Cancer Institute for each special purchased. On Sunday, Oct. 23, Vanity nightclub will host a "Pink Party" and ladies who text VANITY to 56242 will receive a wristband for complimentary pink champagne until 1 a.m. For every wristband redeemed, $20 will be donated to NCI. Other specials are being offered by Reliquary Salon and the Hard Rock's retail store. Silverton is offering a variety of promotions: From Oct. 1-15, players can earn 500 points in one day and receive a wine accessory set. Earn 1,000 points in a day and receive a wine accessory set and a bottle of wine. For every 1,000 "Earn & Win" point redemption, the property will donate $1 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Players who earn 100 points in one day Oct. 16–30 will receive a black "Silverton Supports Breast Cancer Awareness" T-shirt. The Miracle Mile Shops mall at Planet Hollywood is turning its fountain pink during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and donating all money tossed in to the Southern Nevada Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. And the Tropicana is hosting "Pink October" in affilation with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This Friday, the whole building will be lit up pink for a month, as will the resort's website, where guests will be able to find various offers, including Pink Room Packages and Pink Specialty Menus at Biscayne Steak, Sea & Wine, and Bacio by Carla Pellegrino, with 20% of proceeds being donated to the casue. An array of special fundraising food and fashion events will also take place.

Fall at Palazzo:

Palazzo's horticultural staff is complementing the resort's "Bordeaux Month" festivities with a new Harvest Crush autumn display in the atrium, featuring trees, 10,000 grape clusters, 30 wine casks, and 1,000 pounds of corks from Venetian and Palazzo's 30-plus restaurants. Bordeaux Month kicks off with Festivino ($30) in the atrium this Friday, featuring wineries such as Chateau Giscours and Reserve de Barons de Rothschild. Click here for more information about this and other upcoming events.

Cirque Week Returns:

Cirque du Soleil is brining back "Cirque Week" for the second year in succession, offering what's in fact a 10-day series of exclusive events, including workshops, behind-the-scenes access with cast members, and other exclusive opportunities, plus discounted access to Cirque's seven Las Vegas shows, including KÀ, O, The Beatles LOVE, and Mystère. Cirque Week packages range from $165 for a two-show ticket package to $561, which includes tickets to all seven productions. For more informatin, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/cirqueweek.

Nightclub Pass:

Caesars Entertainment has added to its inventory of all-inclusive passes with a new one for nightclubs. Like the ongoing show and buffet deals, the All Night Pass allows patrons to pay a flat fee for access to seven of the group's nightlife venues, offering unlimited entry for one night, Sundays through Thursdays to clubs including Pure, Chateau, Gallery, and others. The pass is $44.99 with a players card ($49.99 without).

Wranglers Renew:

The Las Vegas Wranglers ice-hockey team today announced today that they've renewed their contract with the Orleans Arena for a further three years, through the team's 11th season in 2013-14.

New Vegas Ads:

As Robin Leach reports in today's Las Vegas Sun, a new "What Happens in Vegas..." campaign has been launched, or rather two parallel campaigns called "WHHSH" and "Know the Code", which even has a microsite where visitors are encouraged to bust friends who spill too many beans about their visit.

New Dancer Column:

This week, Bob Dancer reviews Busting Vega$ by Ben Mezrich, author of Burning Down the House, on which the movie 21 was very loosely based. The latter work is also about an MIT blackjack team, but not a team of counters: The players in Busting Vega$ used techniques including shuffle tracking, ace tracking, and forcing a 10-card into the dealer's hand. Dancer says the book gives a pretty good explanation of what the techniques are all about and the review makes for an interesting read, whether or not you're a blackjack player.

Yet Another Massive Bust:

Following today's decision by a District Judge to deny a motion to dismiss a criminal case against defendants in Las Vegas who claim they were distributing state-sanctioned medical marijuana, comes word of another huge bust, this time from the Spring Mountains west of Las Vegas. Apparently, as many as 17,000 plants are now in the process of being removed during the city's biggest-ever pot haul, which is more than three times larger than the two previous recent busts combined. For anyone interested in the whole debate about the legalization -- or otherwise -- of marijuana, check out award-winning writer Michael Konik's Reefer Gladness: Stories, Essays, and Riffs on Marijuana -- click the link to read an excerpt.

Fox News Birthday:

We've just learned that there's a fête taking place at Caesars right now in honor of Fox News' 15th birthday, featuring the showgirls of Jubilee! and magician Nathan Burton, who's apparently just about to levitate over the Caesars fountain.

Luxor Deal:

Every Tuesday and Thursday from 3-5 p.m. the LX Logo store at Luxor sells Luxor t-shirts for just $5.

Passenger Count Up Again:

Passenger volume at McCarran was up by almost 4 percent in August on the same month last year, but down by approximately 60,000 on July's traffic.

Jackson Trial:

The trial of Las Vegas-based doctor Conrad Murray, who's accused of being responsible for Michael Jackson's death, began today. You can watch the proceedings streaming live on Fox5 News.

Props for Henderson:

Henderson has earned the rank of #38 in Bloomberg BusinessWeek's list of Top 50 Cities in the U.S. The study compared 100 of the nation's largest cities based on criteria including crime levels, poverty, air quality, extra-curricular activities, education levels, median income, and other quality-of-life factors. Henderson ranked well for its schools, high median income, activities for kids, and the city's restaurant and bar scene, among other things. Reno also appeared on the list, in the #44 spot; the top city in the U.S., according to this study, was Raleigh, N.C.

Lucky's Progressive at $18K:

With no winner in Week 3 of the Lucky's 2011 Progressive Carryover Pro Football Contest, the Week 4 jackpot stands at $18,315. It's $5 per entry (with unlimited entries permitted); click here for more info.

Save Downtown Nightlife!:

Just when downtown Las Vegas really seems to be getting its groove on, with a cool and burgeoning bar and live-music scene, not to mention the monthly First Friday and Vegas StrEATS festivals, comes the worrying news that certain elements are trying to introduce changes to the local noise ordinance that would mandate a midnight noise cut-off Sun-Thurs and 2 a.m. on the weekend. We have to concur with the sentiments expressed on Vegas StrEATS' Facebook: "We are sympathetic to a person's right to a night's sleep. However, we are not sympathetic to a person who decides to live in the center of an all-night entertainment district, and then whine about the noise. If peace and quiet is what you want, downtown LV is probably NOT your ideal place to live. It's not rocket science." If you'd like to know more about this issue and get involved, there's a meeting tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. in the Founders Room on the 2nd floor of El Cortez and the organizers are hoping to rally as many supporters as possible to keep the current laws, which protect a six-block area of downtown as an "entertainment district," in effect.

News from Allegiant:

The cut-price airline today announced fare reductions on its nonstop fares to Long Beach and Phoenix from Las Vegas to $58.41 and $63.37 roundtrip, respectively (inclusive of fees and taxes), while a new route between Las Vegas and Mesa, Ariz., commencing Nov. 17, was also announced today. Allegiant will operate six nonstop roundtrips per week on that route.

Tennis Greats to T&M:

The 2011 "Champions Series" Tennis Tour, featuring Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, and Michael Chang is coming to the Thomas & Mac center Oct. 15. Each one-night tournament in the tour features four champs paired off in one-set semi-finals and culminates with the winners meeting in an eight-game pro-set championship match, with $1 million dollars on the line for the top three players.

Latest on Full Tilt:

Today's Wall Street Journal carries more in-depth coverage of the ongoing Full Tilt "ponzi scheme" allegations, with revelations that in fact the online poker site was failing to collect deposits from many players, while still crediting their accounts with funds that the company never received. Payments continued to be made to some players who'd attempted but failed to fund their accounts, due to the crackdown on money transfers to accounts associated with Internet gambling. Meanwhile, despite the horrible cash-flow situation that arose, creating what the government has termed $130 million of "phantom money" that never existed, it's alleged that the company's owners continued to withdraw funds at a rate of $10 million per month for personal use.

Sting to Play Caesars:

As part of the celebration of his 25th anniversary as a solo performer, the former Police front man will play one night only at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Friday, Nov. 25. Tickets, which go on sale on Oct. 3 at 10 a.m., start at $75.

Nikki Beach All Washed Up at the Trop:

Less than six months after the Miami-inspired pool club debuted at the Tropicana, the newly remodeled Strip property has severed all ties and is taking over control of the pool, club, and restaurant operated under the Nikki Beach brand. So far, there's been no official statement as to why ties have been severed, although it was evident that the experiment had failed to compete with the likes of Wet Republic and Rehab.

Window Closed:

We've heard that the Peppermill sports book at the Rainbow in Henderson has closed. It had only been open a few weeks.

Pumpkin Patch:

The long-running "Pumpkin Patch" promotion is running again this year at Coast casinos. If you play the games, you'll earn tickets for several cash drawings through October 29. This is one of the bigger giveaways of its kind.

Adelsen Leads Richest List:

Sheldon Adelson again leads all Las Vegas representatives on the Forbes list of "Richest People in America." With an estimated worth of $21.5 billion, Adelson is eigth on the list overall. Also on the list is Steve Wynn ($2.8 billion), Phil Ruffin ($2.4 billion), Elaine Wynn ($1.7 billion), Frank Fertitta ($1.25 billion), and Lorenzo Fertitta ($1.2 billion).

Free Movies at Cosmo:

The Cosmopolitan's Dive-In Movie Monday events are set to continue through the end of October, with a free poolside screening of Viva Las Vegas at 8 p.m. tomorrow. Other scheduled movies include Ocean's 11 (Oct. 3) and Swingers (Oct. 10).

Two Big Favorites in Tonight's UFC:

Jon "Bones" Jones is a big -550 favorite over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in tonight's UFC main event. In the second featured match, Josh Koscheck is a -500 fave against Matt Hughes.

Bobby Flay Signing:

Food Network celebrity chef and restaurateur Bobby Flay will be signing copies of his latest title, Bobby Flay's Bar Americain Cookbook -- an homage to America's answer to French bistros -- today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Colosseum Steps at Caesars Palace.

Santana on Sale:

Tickets go on sale at noon today for the three encore performances of "Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits", due to take place at The Joint at the Hard Rock Nov. 11 through 13. GA starts at $55, plus tax and fees.

iHeart Radio:

It's the much-anticipated and long sold-out iHeart Radio two-day music festival at MGM Grand this weekend, so expect the city's hotter pools, restaurants, and clubs to be awash with partying celebrities. There's an official pool party at Wet Republic tomorrow, too.

Harvest Moon Festival:

Springs Preserve presents the second annual Asian Harvest Moon Festival today from 12 - 6 p.m., featuring art and crafts, food concessions, traditional musical and dance performances, and a Children’s Lantern Parade. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids.

Downtown Deals:

As part of the "Be a Tourist in Your Downtown" promotion, present your RTC transit pass at a number of businesses downtown and across the valley for discounts on dining, shopping, and other services.

In-Room Gaming Greenlit:

The Nevada Gaming Commission voted unanimously yesterday to approve a regulation amendment that will allow hotel guests to gamble in their rooms using mobile devices, where approved. The change is due to take effect Oct. 1. For LVA readers' thoughts on the subject, check out the July 13 survey we ran in the Poll Archives.

More Media:

Poker fans can now tune into an interview in the archives of ESPN Radio with Tysen Streib, a key contributor to both Kill Everyone and Raiser's Edge. He's the acknowledged authority on bubblenomics and equilibrium play.

Hiking Author on the Radio:

Branch Witney, author of Huntington Press' extensive range of Hiking Guides, is the guest on KNPR's "State of Nevada" show at 10 a.m. this morning. The show repeats at 9 p.m. tonight, so tune in for some insights from Nevada's premier hiking and scrambling expert.

Obama Vegas-Bound:

The White House has announced that President Obama will visit Las Vegas on Oct. 24. No further details about the trip have been released as yet.

ShopLVA Sale Extended:

We need to make space in the warehouse for Eating Las Vegas 2012, so we're extending the current sale at ShopLVA.com, where you can pick up killer deals, including

Blues Legend to Play Silverton:

Blues legend and Las Vegas resident B.B. King is will perform in the Veil Pavilion at the Silverton on Friday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. GA tickets are $45.

Betting Booths Approved:

Nevada's gaming regulators have approved the use of sports wagering kiosks inside taverns operated by Golden Gaming, but license has only been granted for an experimental period through July 2013, while its determined whether the devices are actually legal or not under current gaming law. The kiosks are owned and operated by Leroy's.

Thursday Football Update:

Anthony Curtis just posted his latest weekly roundup of the current football scene at LVASports.com, with news of reduced juice, contest updates, MNF parties, Sunday happenings, and more, so check it out.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

It's a HUGE one music-wise, with the long sold-out iHeartRadio festival taking place over two days at MGM Grand (the city will be awash with celebs), but that's just the tip of the entertainment iceberg, with cars, comedians, food fests, and foolery by the pool, too: Barrett-Jackson's 4th Annual Las Vegas Collector Car Auction starts today at Mandalay Bay (9/22-9/24) The iHeartRadio Music Festival takes over MGM Grand (9/23-9/24) Las Vegas' 28th Annual Greek Food Festival kicks off tomorrow at the St. John's Baptist Greek Orthodox Church (9/23-9/25) Summerlin welcomes the 17th Annual Summerlin Art Festival (9/24-9/25) Jay Leno does stand-up at the Mirage (9/23-9/24) Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's at the Orleans (9/24-9/25) Smokey Robinson entertains out at Buffalo Bills (9/24) The Stone Temple Pilots perform at the Palms (9/24) The Hard Rock welcomes Styx and REO Speedwagon (9/24) The Las Vegas Tenors take the stage at South Point (9/24-9/25) And The Scintas entertain at Suncaost (9/24-9/25) Pools: The Concerts on the Beach series at Mandalay Bay Beach welcomes 38 Special (9/24) Will.i.am will be at Encore Beach Club (9/24) Love Shack performs poolside at the M Resort Pool (9/24) And Wet Republic at MGM Grand hosts the iHeart Radio Music Festival Pool Party with DJ Paul Van Dyk (9/24)

Flightlinez Happy Hour:

The Fremont Street Experience zipline attraction is offering a happy hour special: Tonight get two flights and a t-shirt for 430. (The regular fare is $15 before 6 p.m., $20 thereafter.)

Fezzik on the Radio:

LVASports.com handicapper and boards moderator Fezzik is live on SportsXRadio this afternoon from 4-5 p.m., so tune in live. Fezzik will also be contributing the next "Fezzik Friday" QoD tomorrow, too.

Foodie Showdown:

John Curtas will be the guest on Al Mancini's Top of the Food Chain weekly live online television show, which airs at 4 p.m. on Vegas Video Network. If you're familiar with our Eating Las Vegas restaurant guide, co-authored by John, Al, and Max Jacobson, you'll know that there's no culinary love lost between these two, so you can expect some fireworks. Click the link for more info. and to tune in -- you can even take part in the live chat! Just call the Listener Line toll-free at 866/966-4599.

Rí Rá Celebrates Guinness Creator:

Today, Sept. 22, is "Arthur's Day," a celebration of the creator of Guinness, and Rí Rá Irish pub at Mandalay Place is joining in the worldwide toast and serving Guinness drafts, Guinness black lager, and Guinness foreign extra stout for $5 all day. From 8-10 p.m., Guinness girls will give away various items including special Arthur Guinness Day 2011 t-shirts, while The Cray & Dempsey Experience will perform live at 8:45 p.m.

Absinthe Not Absent for Long:

According to today's LV Sun the much-lauded Absinthe production, which ended its run at Caesars last Sunday, will return to Roman Plaza Oct. 21 for another run. No word as yet on when the new stint might end.

Whiskey Wednesdays Return:

Andre's at the Monte Carlo today announced that Oct. 5 and Dec. 7 will be the final two dates in 2011 dates for its popular Whisk(e)y Wednesdays. Each event features an unlimited tasting from 9-11 p.m. and the price per person is $25 in advance or $35 at the door. For more information, call 702/798-7151.

Free Hugs:

Apparently, it's national "Free Hugs" day today, and to celebrate this auspicious occasion, some 15,000 Paul Mitchell salon students will take to the streets to offer hugs to people. In Las Vegas, a group of the students will gather outside Mandalay Bay from 11 a.m. to noon, then again from 6 to 7 p.m., offering their hugging services.

Full Tilt Called "Massive Ponzi Scheme":

The latest turn of events in the ongoing online-poker saga, which saw major sites charged with fraud and forcibly shut down earlier this year, occurred Tuesday when the Manhattan U.S. Attorney motioned to amend the complaint against Full Tilt Poker and its board of directors, which includes high profile players Howard Lederer and Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, to highlight that the company was operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme" that abused its players to the tune of hundreds of million, in addition to defrauding the U.S. banking system.

Classic Car Show:

The 12th Annual SuperRun Classic Car Show takes place in Henderson this Thursday, Sept. 22 through Sunday 25, featuring over 1,000 hot rods, muscle, classic, and vintage cars, plus live entertainment, food and beverage booths, and merchandise vendors. The event is free and open to all.

Zumanniversary:

Zumanity, the adult Cirque du Soleil production at New York-New York, celebrates its eighth anniversary tonight and, apparently, the first 100 early-show guests will receive a commemorative photograph in a meet-and-greet with the artists, plus a special gift, so get there early if you have tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance.

Vegas Partner for Black Bear:

Black Bear Development has announced that it will partner with the Silverton to operate its casino in Oxford, Maine, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open next spring. The Las Vegas casino will also be in charge of hiring executives and managers to fill key positions at the facility.

Reno Death Toll Continues to Climb:

Last Friday's deadly plane crash at the Reno air show has claimed its 11th life, it's just been reported.

Pai Gow Progressive:

Red Rock and Sunset Station now have the first live linked table-game jackpot in Nevada and the Shuffle Master Pai Gow Poker Progressive is now over $150K. (To win, hit a 7-card straight flush, which can include the Joker.)

Reader Poll Closing Soon!:

Today's the last day to get your vote in for our current Reader Poll, which is all about where you like to eat. And don't forget that now through September 23, you can pick up a copy of the 2011 edition of the Eating Las Vegas restaurant guide for just $2.99 in the end-of-summer sale at ShopLVA.com.

Dotty's Fights Back:

Dotty's Gaming & Spirits, the chain of local slot casinos that operates throughout the Las Vegas Valley, has filed a lawsuit against the Nevada Gaming Commission, seeking to overturn a recent regulatory change that would oblige the company to retrofit its so-called "taverns" to include a nine-seat bar, 2,000 square feet of public space, and a kitchen operating during at least 50 percent of business hours. Dotty's claims the measure could cost up to $6 million.

Bob Dancer Posted:

Video poker expert Bob Dancer has just posted his latest column and the topic this week is an introduction to new vp game Extra Action Poker, which is starting to appear in a few casinos. EAP is found in Triple Play and Five Play variations.

Mob Talk Radio:

Tomorrow sees the debut of "Mob Talk" will on Crime Wire Radio at 9 p.m. Eastern. Co-hosts Andrew DiDonato (Surviving the Mob) and former cop-turned-mob-history author Dennis Griffin will be joined by guest and former FBI undercover agent Joaquin "Jack" Garcia. Garcia, best known for his role as "Jack Falcone," a self-described Sicilian jewel thief and drug dealer from Miami, Fl., who infiltrated New York’s Gambino crime family and was responsible for the arrest and conviction of 39 mobsters, is regarded by many to have been the most successful undercover agent in the history of the Bureau. Tune in for what promises to be a fascinating discussion.

Drai's Scales Back:

Tonight's the last Monday night at pioneering after-hours club Drai's, so expect a BIG party; hereafter, the venue will still be open Thursday through Sunday.

Summer Sale:

Don't forget the knock-down prices on some of our current Bargain Bin items, like Eating Las Vegas 2011 and Topless Vegas, are only good through Sept. 23, so don't miss out on a deal!

New Vegas Reality Show:

"Bachelorette Party: Las Vegas", a new eight-part "reality" television series for Oxygen, will premiere Oct. 14 at 10 p.m., featuring brides and bridesmaids on the loose as they put together the ultimate girls' nights out.

MNF at EI:

Ellis Island has $1 beers and a $1 food menu Sundays and Mondays, plus drawings for gift cards and NFL memorabilia (tonight they're raffling off an autographed Giants jersey and a Sam Bradford mini helmet starting at 5 p.m.) See LVASports.com for a full round-up of the parties we've heard about so far, and check in every Thursday for Anthony Curtis' weekly Las Vegas Football Update, with the latest news on contests, parties, parlay cards, team bars, and more.

Kudos for CSI:

CSI: The Experience,, the interactive attraction at MGM Grand, based on the hit TV show, has been recognized by the The Franklin Institute as an official learning exhibition, after evaluation in the six categories of the National Science Education Content Standards.

Paul Simon Coming to Colosseum:

Paul Simon, half of the former iconic '60s due Simon and Garfunkel, will perform at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for one night only this Oct. 24. Tickets go on sale this Friday and start at $59.50.

Possible Reincarnation for Shuttered Sahara:

Owners of the historic Sahara Hotel and Casino, which only last week completed its liquidation sale of all fixtures and fittings, say they have purchased the mortgage they had taken on the property and hired architects to redesign the casino, according to today's WSJ. SBE Entertainment Inc. and Stockbridge Real Estate haven't disclosed how much they paid for the loan, for which they handed over $288 million back in 2007, and they'll still need to raise new capital to fund a remodel.

Santana Returns:

For three nights only, Carlos Santana will bring his "Trip Through the Hits" show back to the Joint at the Hard Rock. The shows are due to take place Friday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 13 and tickets, which start at $55 (plus tax and fees), so on sale on Saturday, Sept. 24 at noon.

Football Viewing:

We spot-checked a couple of the top Sunday viewing venues during the morning games. Both Lagasse's Stadium and Palazzo and the SuperBook at the Hilton are packed. Both are great places to watch, but beers are $5.50 at Palazzo and just $2 at the Hilton (in the showroom).

Jersey Pushing for Sports:

New Jersey is trying again to legalize sports betting . There will be a referendum for legalization on the November ballot; however, even if it's passed, there would still have to be a repeal of the federal law against sports betting before it could be installed in the state.

Wheel Perspective:

You can get an idea about what's being proposed for the two observation wheels on the Strip by checking out the Ferris Wheel at the San Genero Feast in the parking lot of the Rio. The San Genero wheel is 140-feet tall, while the proposed Strip wheels are in the 550-foot range -- almost four times as tall.

National Cheeseburger Day:

Celebrate with LBS Burger Joint at Red Rock with BOGO Steakhouse Burgers all day today.

Reno Crash Death Toll:

It's now being reported that nine people, including the pilot, died as a result of the plane crash in Reno yesterday, when a P-51 Mustang smashed into a box-seat area in front of the grandstand during the National Championship Air Races. And, following yesterday's tragedy, word comes today that a World War II-era plane crashed at an air show in W. Virginia while performing during the Thunder Over the Blue Ridge air show. No word at the time of this writing as to the casualty count.

Mayweather/Ortiz:

Floyd Mayweather is a -450 favorite over Victor Ortiz in tonight's championship fight. A lot of money has come in on Ortiz late, driving the odds down from close to -700 as recently as yesterday.

Fireworks Revisited:

Lake Las Vegas’ Independence Day fireworks spectacular, canceled due to rain on July 3, has been rescheduled for 8:30 p.m. tonight. The event is free and open to the public of all ages.

Absinthe Absents Itself:

Absinthe, the temporary burlesque circus extravaganza that's been wowing audiences at Caesars Palace, enjoys its last two performances this weekend, with a 10 p.m. finale on Sunday. Host The Gazillionaire promises the show will "go out with a bang..."

Pizza Party:

East West Pizza (5025 South Fort Apache) is hosting a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation from noon to 7 p.m. today, with carnival rides, pizza specials and contests, face painting, a raffle, and more. Call 702/735-9044 for more info.

Mexican Independence:

Check out "Las Vegas This Weekend" in "Today's News" (9/15) for a roundup of the principal festivities taking place around town through the weekend.

Reno Air Crash Update:

At least three people, including the octogenarian pilot, are dead and 75 injured -- many with life-threatening injuries -- following this afternoon's Reno air crash, when a P-51 Mustang smashed into a box-seat area in front of the grandstand at about 4:30 p.m. The reason for the crash is as yet undetermined, although eye-witnesses say the pilot appeared to lose control of the plane. An eye-witness quoted in the R-J described the scene: "I saw body parts and gore like you wouldn't believe it. I'm talking an arm, a leg. The alive people were missing body parts. I am not kidding you. It was gore. Unbelievable gore." Sadly, more fatalities are anticipated, but Reno's hospitals have geared up to deal with the influx of victims.

Plane Crash in Reno:

The Reno CBS television station has reported that a plane crashed at the Reno-Stead Airport during the National Championship Air Races at approximately 4:30 p.m. this afternoon. There's no word yet on any injuries, but there are reports that the plane crashed into the stands... (This report via Channel 8 News.)

AC on the Radio:

Oops, we almsost forgot (and so did he!) but you can catch Anthony Curtis live on the radio right now, offering tips on deals, coupons, and more. Tune in!

Mystery Safe Yields Nothing of Interest:

The hype surrounding a long-lost Lake Tahoe casino safe, thought to contain evidence pertaining to the former owner's suspected mob murder, came to nothing this week. The Bill's Lake Tahoe safe, discovered by its new owner last year, was opened Wednesday in the presence of an Oprah Winfrey film crew that was given exclusive access to the event, but turned out to contain no information about Richard Chartrand Jr.'s still-unsolved death from a 1968b car bomb. Whatever the safe did contain will be revealed on the Oprah Winfrey Network in the next month or so, apparently.

Hooters Pool Party:

Hooters is hosting a UNLV football kickoff party tonight, from 6 p.m., featuring lots of collectibles for sale. Wear "Rebel red" and get full access to the wing buffet.

Star Power Weigh-In:

Catch the official weigh-in for Saturday's "Star Power" fight between Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz at MGM Grand today. Doors open at 1 p.m.; the weigh-in's at 2:45 p.m. and the event is free to the public to view.

Pride Parade:

Downtown's 4th Street is scheduled to be closed from 5-11 p.m. this evening between Fremont St. and Charleston Ave. while it plays host to the annual PRIDE Parade. The actual parade kicks off at 8 p.m.; there's an after-party at the FreeZone.

Another Food Fest:

Next Thursday, Sept. 22nd the Palms Pool hosts the 3rd Annual DISH Las Vegas, a culinary fundraiser by Three Square, sponsored by Smith's, with a performance by Sugar Ray. The event will featutre tasting stations by more than 20 of Las Vegas’ top restaurants and a silent auction. Tickets are $100/person in advance and $150 day of.

Mike Tyson Signing at Chateau:

Mike Tyson will be signing autographs at Chateau Nightclub at Paris from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Memorabilia, including photographs, gloves, trunks, and championship belts will be available for purchase and there will be photo opps with "Iron" Mike, who tweeted earlier this week, "I will never get in the ring again, no way. I'm so glad it's over. I was a wild man."

Kardashian Job Fair:

The Kardashian Khaos store at the Mirage, scheduled to open in November, is holding an open job fair today from 4 to 8 p.m.

Store Back Up and Running:

In case you hadn't noticed, ShopLVA was only "down" for a few minutes and has been open for biz again for a couple of hours (sorry, we got sidetracked and forgot to tell). So, if you had trouble placing an order earlier, please check back and all should be well.

New Football Update:

Anthony Curtis just posted his latest round-up of all the footaball action, including contests, parties, promos, and other useful tidbits, so check it out in the "Articles" section at LVASports.com.

Trop in the Pink:

Speaking of the Tropicana, the newly upgraded proprty has partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to launch 'Pink October,' a breast-cancer awareness campaign, in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From Friday, September 30, the exterior of the resort will be lit up in pink for a whole month, marking a month-long campaign to raise funds for the non-profit organization.

Yet More Show News:

Barry Manilow will move his show yet again, this time from Paris to Harrah's. No date has been announced as yet, but it will be sometime next year. Meanwhile, Recycled Percussion will return to the Tropicana October 4.

ShopLVA.com Down:

The company that hosts our online store is experiencing technical problems for the first time in forever. Their techs are working on it and hopefully it will be back in working order very soon. Please bear with us in the interim.

Dancer Column Posted:

Bob Dancer's weekly article is now live, with tips on figuring out how to make the most of video poker promotions, and more.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

It's a multi-cultural, musical, and boozy weekend, so no excuse to be bored! Check it out: The San Gennaro Feast is underway at the Rio (9/13-9/18) Brew Las Vegas - Beer and Music Festival takes place at the Royal Resort (9/16) The Las Vegas Hitlon welcomes back comedian Mark Curry (9/14-9/18) Gabriel Iglesias does stand up at MGM (9/15-9/18) David Spade's at the Venetian (9/16-9/17) Carlos Mencia's at TI (9/16) Howie Mandel makes 'em laugh out at Buffalo Bills (9/17) Luis Miguel's in town for Mexican Independence Day and performs at Caesars Palace (9/15-9/18) The Cosmopolitan hosts a Mexican Independence Day Celebration with a performance by Pedro Fernández, folkloric dancers, temporary tattoo and face painting carts, candy sculpting, and much more (9/15-9/17) The 21st Annual Las Vegas Mariachi Festival takes place at Planet Hollywood (9/17) Fantasia entertains at the Las Vegas Hilton (9/16) Ke$ha's at Planet Hollywood (9/16) The M Resort welcomes Lynyrd Skynyrd (9/16) Nashville Unplugged is at Green Valley Ranch (9/16) and Santa Fe Station (9/17) Maroon 5 perfoms at the Palms (9/17) And Mayweather takes on Ortiz at the MGM Grand (9/17) Pools: The 6th Annual Wine Amplified event takes place at Mandalay Bay with OneRepublic at Mandalay Bay Beach (9/16) and Train at Moorea Beach (9/17) The Red Rock 'n' Roll Friday Night concert series features Tears for Fears (9/16) And Zowie Bowie's poolside at the M Resort (9/17)

Pop Up Dining Comes to Vegas:

Top food truck Fukuburger just Tweeted that Las Vegas' first "popup" dining experience will take palce at Marché Bacchus with Chef Jet Tila of Wazuzu at Wynn and Chef Joe Swan, formerly of Alex at Wynn, who is now at the helm at the lakeside bistro. Like other popup events, this is a one-night-only affair, taking place on September 26. The duo will serve four courses for $50/person. On the subject of food, if you didn't receive our email notice today, the 2011 edition of Eating Las Vegas just went on sale for a crazy-low price, so pick up a copy or three while you can!

Plaza Pool and QoD:

Thanks to the reader who wrote in to inform us that the Plaza will open their pool tomorrow and that it will remain open for the rest of the season (which these days tends to run into October). So much for the concierge there, who told us last night that it would be closed until next year!

Springer to Host Price is Right:

To help celebrate its fifth anniversary on the Strip, Jerry Springer will join The Price is Right, Live! as celebrity host from Nov. 9 to 20 and again from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, 2011. The show performs at Bally's -- click the link for an online discount on ticket prices.

Mariachis at Cosmo:

The Cosmopolitan is kicking off its Mexican Independence Day celebrations at 11 a.m. today with "Grito Mexicano," a cry of patriotism performed by Mariachis on The Chandelier Stage. The festivities will continue thrugh Sept. 17, including a performance by Mexican recording artist and actor Pedro Fernández at The Boulevard Pool on Friday, performances by folkloric dancers, temporary tattoo and face painting carts, candy sculpting, and a special menu featured by Holstein’s at a Street Fair on Saturday. There's also a book signing by Food Network star Marcela Valladolid on Sept. 17.

Le Rêve Revision:

We put in a call to Wynn after Le Rêve we noted that tickets were still available online through Sept. 17 and we just received a new press release amending the upcoming dark days to Sept. 18 through 22.

Hilton Headed for Receivership:

The Las Vegas Hilton's lenders have asked that the financially-troubled hotel-casino, which is in default on its $250 million mortgage, be put into receivership. Gramercy Capital and Goldman Sachs have filed a complaint in state court in Clark County asking that a judge appoint a receiver to oversee the property's operations and finances after the it was late in paying some of its trade bills. Hilton Worldwide Inc. has already announced that it will pull its brand from the property, once home to Elvis, by the end of this year.

#2 for Nightlife:

Travel + Leisure has named Las Vegas the No. 2 city for nightlife in the U.S., behind New Orleans, beating out other party hotspots including New York, Miami, and Austin.

More Flooding:

NHP has rescued the drivers of two vehicles who were stranded in 3-4 feet of water on the southbound off-ramp from the 215 and Flamingo, which has now been closed to traffic. A flash flood warning remains in effect until 3:45 p.m. for central Clark County and portions of the western Las Vegas Valley.

Holiday for Le Rêve:

Le Rêve, the aquatic stage spectacle at Wynn will be dark for a scheduled holiday from Sept. 16 – 20. The show will resume its normal schedule on Friday, Sept. 21.

Station Unveils New Players Club System:

In a big move, Station Casinos has launched a revamped Boarding Pass system that has several improved features for players. The main points are as follows: cashback is now offered; points are now earned three times faster -- .33% return for slots, video poker (except the best schedules), and video keno; and all 18 Station, Fiesta, and Wildfire casinos are now linked. There will be a full report in the October Las Vegas Advisor.

Free Wings:

It's Wednesday, which means 10 free wings per party at Hooters Casino when you say "Go Rebels" to your server.

Big Plans for Golden Gate:

Downtown's Golden Gate, the oldest hotel in Las Vegas, is planning a $12 million expansion and renovation, including the addition of a new five-story structure housing 16 new suites and a major upgrade for the famous deli. The proposal has already secured Planning Commission approval and now just awaits a green light from the City Council.

Fukuburger on Fire!:

Today's LA Times contains a big feature on Fukuburger, one of the Las Vegas Valley's pioneering gourmet food trucks, which will debut its first bricks-and-mortar restaurant in Hollywood Oct. 1, and hopes to open five to ten more venues in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Congrats!

Annie Duke Book Signing:

If you're in LA this evening, stop by the ESPN Zone (1011 S. Figueroa) from 6-7 p.m., where Annie Duke will be giving a quick talk and then signing copies of her new book, Decide to Play Great Poker, which is currently #1 on the Amazon best-seller list for poker books. Oh, and if you're there, wish Annie a happy birthday.

Flash Flood Warning Remains:

With almost half an inch of rainfall in the past 24 hours, and more expected, the flash flood watch has been extended through midnight for Southern Nevada, including all of Clark County.

Tupac Remembered:

It's 15 years today since rapper Tupac Shakur died of his injuries, five days after he was wounded in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. Tributes abound on the Internet for the controversial "thug life" proponent whose music continues to be influential; you can read about his life and still-unsolved murder in The Killing of Tupac Shakur.

Entertainment Rumors Abound:

Gossip columnist Robin Leach is on fire today (perhaps because he just celebrated his bithday), and his latest Luxe Life blog entry is awash with unconfirmed rumors of big changes on the Strip, including the possible closure of the MGM Grand Lion Habitat and conversion into an intimate music venue. If the rumors are correct, expect some big shake-ups in the nightlife arena, with the possible closure of an adult revue at an undisclosed location (we have a theory, but can't share) and opening of a Pink Elephant nightlife venue in its place, a complete remodel for another club (ditto), the conversion of a name lounge into a burger bar (hmm...), and more.

Nightlife Shake-Up:

Angel Management Group has lost its gig managing the Rehab pool party, Vanity Nightclub, and Hard Rock Beach Club, although it will keep the Tiesto in Concert DJ engagement at The Joint, reports David McKee in his Stiffs & Georges blog. It's separately rumored that the company will reopen the long-shuttered Rumjungle club at Mandalay Bay, hopefully in time for New Year's.

Fator on TV:

Former "America's Got Talent" winner and now Strip headliner Terry Fator will return to guest on the TV show tonight.

Triumphant Return for Celine:

Celine Dion's new show at Caesars Palace, which was recently named the number one show in North America by Billboard Magazine Boxscore listings and the "biggest act since Elvis" by Newsweek, will return to The Colosseum on Dec. 28. Tickets are already on sale for shows through Jan. 22, 2012, plus an additional 52 performances have been added to her schedule, from Feb. 22 through Aug. 19.

Show News:

Gladys Knight's run at the Trop has been extended through the end of the year, and dance crew Jabbawockeez will perform their show MÜS.I.C. at the Monte Carlo through Spring 2012.

Star Power at MGM:

Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz make their official arrival at MGM Grand today at noon, ahead of Saturday's "Star Power" fight, and the public is welcome to attend the festivities. (Note: MGM Grand's Twitter says they arrive at 1 p.m., MGM Grand Garden Arena says 12 p.m.)

Sitcom at the Rio:

Not only is the off-Strip property home to the the San Gennaro Feast this week; the Rio is also hosting a three-day shoot for Fox TV sitcom "Raising Hope". A cast and crew of some 60-80 people are on property through Wednesday while a special wedding-themed episode is filmed for the show's second season, reports entertainment columnist Carol Cling in the R-J.

San Gennaro:

It's a shame the weather's so inclement, as today sees the start of the six-day San Gennaro festival, which this year is being hosted by the Rio. The event features Italian food stalls, live entertainment, and carnival rides, which are free to ride for moms today, and free for dads on Thursday. General admission is $8.

First Friday Being Sold:

The R-J reports that First Friday's operations are to be sold to four prominent members of the the Zappos organization, who are promising to expand the monthly event, elevate the caliber of artists involved, and add additional parking and shuttle services.

AC Hit Hard by Irene:

An already beleaguered Atlantic City saw gaming revenues plummet by almost 20 percent in August, thanks to the effects of Hurricane Irene, which forced the closure of the city's casinos for a three-day period.

Caesars to Complete Tower:

Construction is set to recommence on the Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace and room reservations are now being accepted for January, 2012.

Flash Flood Warning:

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Las Vegas and southern Clark County, which will remain in effect until this evening. Please drive carefully.

Bellagio Conservatory Gets Interactive:

Bellagio Horticulture has introduced "Mr. and Ms. Green Thumb", a pair of experts who will be on hand daily from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. to answer guest questions about the gardens, including the types of plants used and the technical aspects of installing the seasonal displays.

Revenues, Visitation Up Again:

Gaming revenues for the state of Nevada were up almost 3.7 percent in July to $860.1 million, while that month also saw a 4.3 percent increase in visitation from a year ago. Average room rates were up almost 10 percent for the month.

Accolade for HP Author:

Matt O'Brien, author of the internationally acclaimed best seller Beneath the Neon and, more recently, My Week at the Blue Angel, is to be honored by the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame with a Silver Pen Award. Established in 1996, the award recognizes writers who are in mid-career but have already shown substantial achievement. Congrats, Matt!

Asian Expansion for Wynn:

Wynn Macau has agreed to pay the local government the equivalent of $193 million to develop a new resort-casino on 51 acres on the so-called Cotai Strip, reports Bloomberg. The new property would open in 2015 at the earliest.

Monday Night Football:

It's party time! Check out our listings at LVASports.com, which we'll keep adding to as new events come to light. Look out for Anthony Curtis' annual review of them all in the October issue of LVA.

Half-Off Wine at First Food:

First Food and Bar at Palazzo offers half-price deals on select bottles of wine with your dinner reservation every Monday from 5 p.m. to midnight.

Duke on the Radio:

Annie Duke, author of HP's Decide to Play Great Poker, is a guest on KNPR's "State of Nevada" at 10 a.m. today, discussing her role as president of the new Epic Poker League. You can tune in live on 88.9 or catch the podcast online; the show airs again at 8 p.m. tonight.

Mob Upgrade in the Works:

The Las Vegas Mob Experience at the Tropicana has announced that the attraction, which is now under new ownership, will embark on a major upgrade beginning this week. The area that houses the museum's artifact collection will remain open while technology uprades are made to the "experience" portion, reports the R-J. There was no word about whether the admission price would be reduced for the duration, nor how long the work will take.

New Brunch:

Rick Moonen's rm seafood at Mandalay Place introduced a new brunch yesterday that will run during football season on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Bottomless Brunch offers unlimited orders of several options, including chorizo & egg wraps, French toast, and RM eggs Benedict. Drinks, including the famous rm Bloody Mary, are $4.

Lines at the Windows:

A spot check shows good action at the betting windows. Not a mob scene, but players lined up to bet.

NFL Sunday:

It will be a huge day in the books today. The LV Hilton and Stratosphere are among the casinos advertising formal parties, but there will be deals all over town, such as dollar hot dogs and beers at all Staions and Fiestas. Don't forget to get your three free entries into the Coast's "Pick the Pros" contest.

San Gennaro Time:

From Tuesday, Sept. 13 through Sunday, Sept. 18, the Rio will host the 32nd annual San Gennaro Feast, a celebration of Italian culture featuring more than 70 restaurant food booths, amusement rides, complimentary entertainment, and arts and crafts.

Free Dirty Jokes:

Hooters Casino will be offering a complimentary ticket to the Dirty Joke Show, starring Geechy Guy, to all first responders, service men and women today. To take advantage of this offer, show your fire, police, or military ID to the Owl Rewards Club for one free ticket, based on availability. For other 9/11 events today, see "Today's News" for 9/9/2011.

Seven Beer Fest:

From 6 to 10 p.m. today, Green Valley Ranch hosts Vegas Seven magazine's inaugural beer fest, featuring 150 different brews from around the world, plus food from various GVR eateries. Tickets are $35 on the door.

Another Good Football Contest:

We've discovered another good football contest at the local bar Dean's Place (8355 S. Dean Martin Dr.). The entry fee is $30 and all of the entries plus $500 is returned to the players. The fee also includes food every Sunday. Sign up before the games tomorrow to be eligible for the end-of-season prize pool. Check out the details on this an all of the contests we know about at

Hustler Anniversary:

OutKast hosts the first anniversary party at Larry Flynt's Hustler Club tonight, with a live stage performance from adult stars Alexis Texas and Teagan Presley and $2 drinks from 4-10 p.m. There's a flier on their website which you can print for free admission for two.

Harvest Festival:

Today through Sunday, the Cashman Center hosts the annual Harvest Festival, featuring hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, food booths, and all-day stage entertainment. Admission is $9 for adults, with discounts for youths and seniors.

Pizza-Loving Bills Fan Sought:

Moon Doggies, a Buffalo Bills Team Bar, is seeking a server to help out its Naked Pizza shop on Sundays during Bills games through the end of the season. If you're interested, respond via Twitter to @nakedcitylv ASAP.

Final Fright Dome Hirings:

In-person applications for Fright Dome, the annual Halloween experience at Circus Circus that's ranked among the Top 5 Scariest in the nation, hosts its final two recruitment drives from 4 to 7 p.m. today and again during the same hours Saturday. Applicants must be 18 or older, provide a valid ID and Social Security card, and be able to put a scare into the audience. Tickets for the attraction, which start at $36.95 for adults, are now available for purchase online.

Epic Poker:

At 3 p.m. this afternoon they'll shuffle up and deal at the Palms for the final table in Epic Poker League's $20,000 buy-in Main Event, with a first prize of $782,410 up for grabs.

Downtown Food Truck Fest:

It's the second Friday in the month, which means that it's time for the Vegas StrEATS food truck festival, hosted by El Cortez, featuring gourmet food to go, live music, street vendors, and more. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Las Vegas Remembers 9/11:

On this 10th anniversary of the September 11 attack, a number of commemorative events are taking place around Las Vegas. Here are the ones we've heard about: CSI: The Experience at MGM Grand, along with U-Swirl and Exotics Racing, will participate in the "Remember the Fallen 9/11" blood drive at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The event takes place Friday, September 9th from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. in the Infield Media Center. Donors will receive one free admission to CSI: The Experience, one free ticket to the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race, and a voucher for one free 16 oz cup of U-Swirl frozen yogurt with toppings. On Sept. 9th & 10th Golden Nugget Las Vegas headliner, Gordie Brown, will honor current and retired service members surrounding our National Day of Service and Remembrance with a special local ticket price of $20.45, a portion of ticket sales will be donated to U.S.VETS. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Through Monday, Sept. 12, The Fremont Street Experience will display a piece of an I beam from one of the World Trade Center Towers. Today, the 9/11 Car Show takes place, with 150 cars all showcased in the name of all those injured on 9/11 and service personnel injured since the attack. From 10 a.m. to noon streets in the vicinity will be closed for the staging of cars, which are free to the public to view. On Saturday, the One Runner, One Fallen walk/run takes place, with check-in commencing and 4 a.m. and closing at 5:30 a.m. (9/10) God Lives in Glass will take place at the Judy Bayley Theatre at UNLV from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. This special concert performance will feature performers from The Lion King, Love, Jersey Boys, Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular, Menopause The Musical and the UNLV Music and Theatre Departments. Tickets are $25 (9/10) The 911 Memorial Stair Climb will take place at the Stratosphere with registration beginning at 7 a.m. Each climber will climb 110 stories with a photograph and biographical sketch of a firefighter who was lost on September 11, 2001 (9/10) The West Coast Heroes Parade and Ceremony will begin at 5:46 a.m. Sept. 11 in unison with ceremonies at ground zero in New York City. The parade and ceremony will begin at Charleston Blvd. and Fourth St., proceeding north to Ogden Ave. at 6 a.m. The parade will feature entries from first responders, military and veterans agencies, bagpipers and special performances. Closing ceremonies will begin at 8:30 a.m. and a memorial ceremony will take place at 11:11 a.m. at Police Memorial Park (Cheyenne Ave. and Metro Academy Way) led by Sheriff Doug Gillespie of the Metropolitan Police Department. (9/11) Red Rock Harley Davidson is staging five "One Rider, One Survivor" events, with each participant riding for an unnamed survivor of the Sept. 11 tragedy. The rides will travel through Southern Nevada and Northern Arizona, with a final run down the Las Vegas Strip, departing from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway at 2 p.m. For more information and to register, visit www.911unity.org.(9/10)

UK Fashion Store Headed to Vegas:

Following the debut this week in Chicago of America's second Top Shop store, billionaire UK retailer Sir Philip Green says he plans to open a third US location in Las Vegas early next year. The first US store opened in New York in 2009.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

Here are this weekend's entertainment highlights; we'll be posting a separate listing of 9/11 anniversary events: Country singer, Billy Currington entertains at Sunset Station (9/9) Crosby and Nash take the stage inside the Mandalay Bay Theatre (9/9) Selena Gomez headlines at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (9/10) Bill Maher performs at the Orleans (9/10-9/11) And Weird Al Yankovic's at the Cannery (9/10) The Pool Scene: Silverton's weekly "Bikinis, Bands & Burgers" party features Marcy Playground (9/9) The Concerts on the Beach series at Mandalay Bay Beach welcomes Shaggy (9/9), and Slightly Stoopid with special guest Fishbone (9/10) Vegas Seven holds its First Annual Beer Hops Festival at The Backyard at Green Valley Ranch (9/10) The Hard Rock Beach Club welcomes Collective Soul (9/10)

Football Update Posted:

Our first Football Update of 2011 has been posted at LVASport.com. Check it every Thursday throughout the football season for the latest on parties, contests, betting deals, and other football-related developments.

LVA in the Media:

With Anthony Curtis' latest columns for Vegas Seven magazine and the Arizona Republic, Dallas Morning News, and Honolulu Advertiser just posted, plus a link to catch Decide to Play Great Poker author Annie Duke on the "Late Late Show" with Craig Ferguson, check out all the recent activity at LVA in the Media.

War of Words Heats Up:

Responding to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's remark Wednesday that anyone would be "stupid" to visit Las Vegas in the summer, over Atlantic City, newly elected mayor Carolyn Goodman responded with a reminder that Sin City does have air conditioning and that his state was recently hit by Hurricane Irene.

Another Club Bites the Dust:

Following the closure of Jet at the Mirage earlier this week comes word, last night, that Blush, the boutique nightspot at the Wynn, will also close this Sept. 10. No word as yet as to what will takes its place.

Hiking Sale Ends Soon:

The big introductory discount offer on our new guide to Hiking Las Vegas ends Saturday, so be sure to get your order in before then to take advantage of our special offer, which includes reduced shipping for delivery within the U.S. The weather's perfect, so get out there and enjoy it!

Football Time!:

The new season kicks off tonight and we've just udpated our listings of Team Bars at LVASports.com, so check out where to catch the Packers and Steelers this evening, or find out where to go watch your team play (if you know of somewhere that we don't, please drop us a line).

Puck Out at Preserve:

Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck will no longer operate the café at the Springs Preserve; as of Oct. 3, the venue will be taken over by the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas. A five-year contract was approved by the Clark County Commission this week with the aim of saving money (Puck's group was controversially paid a management fee of almost $350,000/year) while still delivering high-end casual cuisine at the eco-attraction.

Henley Presale:

A presale for Don Henley's Oct. 7 concert at The Joint at the Hard Rock kicks off at 10 a.m. this morning and ends 10 p.m. Friday. Use password: DHAEG when booking online or calling the box office. Tickets, which start at $46, don't officially go on sale until noon on Saturday.

Deadmau5 and the Creepy Old Dude:

Blair Kill Phil Rodman has posted an amusing new blog entry for "Killing Phils" at LVAPoker.com.

School to Rock Vegas:

School of Rock, the nationwide music school, will open its first Las Vegas location at 9340 W. Flamingo Road, Suite 117 on Oct. 1, 2011. The school offers students an authentic band experience by giving them the opportunity to jam with other kids and perform at popular venues in front of live audiences. It's primarily focused on students ages 7 to 18, but adult programs are also available.

New Cafe at Caesars:

The ongoing culinary upheaval at Caesars Palace continues, with the opening today of Central, the new 24/7 coffee shop that takes over the space formerly occupied by the Augustus Cafe. The latest venture from Michel Richard, who opened the original Central in Washington D.C., this will be the first Las Vegas-style coffee shop to be operated by a James Beard Award-winning chef.

Alt Basketball Series for Vegas?:

As negotiations aimed at averting an NBA lockout resume today, gossip columnist Robin Leach reports in his Vegas Deluxe blog that there's a strong rumor that 40 basketball stars have agreed to compete in a new championship series, to be headquartered in Las Vegas, and scheduled to commence as early as next week. Click the link for more details.

Tupac Remembered:

It's 15 years ago today since rapper Tupac was fatally shot in Las Vegas, after attending a boxing match at MGM Grand. MTV today remembers the life of the rapper, whose influence continues to be felt today. For the full story of his still-unsolved murder, check out The Killing of Tupac Shakur by Las Vegas crime reporter Cathy Scott.

Porrino Back in Peepshow:

Co-Star of E! Network's "Holly's World" and current Absinthe performer Angel Porrino will return to the cast of Peepshow at Planet Hollywood for a limited engagement while regular lead Holly Madison is on vacation. Porrino will step back into the role of "Bo Peep" from September 19-25 and again from Dec. 5-11.

Go-Kart with a Pro:

IZOD IndyCar Series race winner Marco Andretti will be warming up for October's World Championship tomorrow at Pole Position Raceway (S. Arville location), where 10 fans will be chosen to race against him and receive two tickets to the race. The event will take place from 1:30-3 p.m. and fans must register upon arrival for their chance to win one of the racing slots.

Think "Linq":

It's your last chance to take part in our current Reader Poll about your thoughts on The Linq; at midnight PST a new LVA Reader Poll will go live.

Spirited in from SD:

As of tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 7, budget airline Spirit will commence its first non-stop route from San Diego to Las Vegas. The carrier will fly two non-stop flights daily, leaving San Diego at 7 a.m. and 6:55 p.m., returning from Las Vegas at 5:05 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. On Sept. 22, Spirit will add a noon flight to Las Vegas and a 10:10 a.m. flight to San Diego.

The Canadians are Coming:

WestJet, the discount Canadian airline and McCarran's busiest international carrier, today introduced an expanded slate of seasonal flights, adding an additional 1,760 seats per week through next spring from eight cities.

More Signage for Aria:

Last December we reported that Aria was trying to increase its user-friendliness with additional internal signage (see "Today's News," 12.27.2010). Now Vegas Inc. reports that MRI has submitted plans to Clark County for permission to add a massive new 260 by 65-foot marquee sign to the property, advertising its presence on the Strip. Whether or not the plan will be granted approval should be known within the next couple days.

Downtown Music Fest:

The annual music event encouraging new talent kicks off today and runs through Sept. 11, featuring multiple venues downtown and a host of up-and-coming bands. Visit the Neon Reverb site for a schedule and information about festival passes.

New Dancer Article:

Bob Dancer's weekly Tuesday feature article just went live, with instruction on how not to confuse apples with oranges, particularly when it comes to evaluating EV...

QoD Email:

Due to a technical issue with our mail provider that occurred over the holiday weekend, the daily Question of the Day email was not dispatched as normal, and new subscribers attempting to sign up for that mailing list may have experienced difficulties, too. The line-up of weekend QoDs was changed after they'd initially been posted and so today's email, sent out belatedly, actually referred to yesteray's answer. All has now been restored to working order and the daily email should be sent out as normal, chronologically, as of tomorrow.

Buffet Milestone Rewarded:

L.A. resident Erwin Jones, in Las Vegas this Labor Day celebrating his ninth wedding anniversary with his wife, became the millionth customer to take advantate of Caesars Entertainment's 24-hour Buffet of Buffets pass. The couple was awarded with a prize package that included a spa treatment, show tickets, and gift certificates to restaurants.

Lobster Wednesdays:

Get a whole lobster on Wednesdays in September at Silverton's Seasons buffet. The price is $27.99 from 4 to 9 p.m.

Hurricane Pain:

The weekend shut-down of Atlantic City casinos forced by Hurricane Irene was costly, possibly costing the city a collective $40 to $45 million. It was only the third time in the history of Atlantic City that the casinos had a forced closure.

Jet Closing:

Confirming earlier rumors, the Mirage's Jet nightclub will close on Tuesday. The club will reopen on New Year's Eve as 1OAK ("One of a Kind").

Springs Preserve Freebie:

Thanks to sponsorship from Target, guests can enjoy the Springs Preserve attraction for free from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, including access to all exhibits and museums, plus free live animal shows, face painters, kids' crafts, and more.

Labor Day:

Watch for Labor Day specials around town today. Purchase a buffet at regular price at the Orleans today and get a free buffet on your next visit. Silverton is charging $5 for its buffet until 8 pm and awarding 5X points on slots and 2X point on video poker. South Poin is also awarding 5X and 2X points. El Cortez is serving free White Castle burgers to players from noon to 6 p.m.

Lotta Lotto:

According to USA Today, 28 out of 41 state lotteries had increased year-over-year sales in the most recent fiscal year, with 17 of those posting all-time records. The bad economy is considered to be the reason, as lottery-ticket sales historically increase in times of financial uncertainty.

Transit Upgrade:

After more than a decade's wait, Henderson is finally set to receive two new express bus routes which, beginning Sept. 18, will link the Water Street area and Boulder highway to the Bonneville Transit Center in downtown Las Vegas, shaving up to 45 minutes off the current regular route times.

French BBQ at Cosmo:

Comme Ça, the upscale French bistro at the Cosmopolitan, is hosting a barbecue on the patio from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. today, with a prix-fixe menu for $49 per person.

Margarita Fest:

Sonrisa Grill and Jose Cuervo host the third annual Margarita Festival at the Village Lake Las Vegas today, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN). For $20, guests can enjoy 10 tastings from their choice of participating mixologists and vote on their favorites to win. Guests can enjoy live entertainment from 1-6 p.m., plus day-long food and drink specials. The margarita tasting/competition takes place from 3-6 p.m.

Howard Jones Tonight:

Howard Jones plays a free concert tonight at the Fremont Street Experience. It's the conclusion of a good summer-long series at FSE. The concert begins at 9 p.m. on the Third Street stage.

Coast Connection:

The Coast casino's Coast Connection promotional magazine that's bundled with the LV Review-Journal came out yesterday. It contains a $10 and $25 matchplay and lots of good information about football parties and promotions at Coast properties, including confirmation that the free hot dog and beer deal at Suncoast will run again for Monday Night Football.

New Thread at LVASports:

As football season kicks off, the action will be ramping up at LVASports, where a new free Featured Thread has been posted. It gives a glimpse of the caliber of conversation on the members-only message boards.

Rhumbar Fantasy:

The cast of Fantasy, the topless revue at Luxor, will be at Rhumbar at the MIrage from 4 to 6 p.m. today, autographing copies of the new show calendars and T-shirts, and giving away tickets to the show.

Binion's Pool Party:

Enjoy a free pool party tonight on the rooftop deck at Binion's, featuring live music from Jay Bolan's All Star Band, full bar, and hot dogs. Bring your VIP pass from the Howard Jones concert prior and receive your first cocktail on the house.

Central DUI Checkpoint Announced:

Metro will set up a DUI checkpoint from 7 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday near Paradise and Tropicana, with extra officers patrolling the surrounding area. So, be smart. Here's a link to all the: taxi company numbers; and the number for Designated Drivers is 702/456-RIDE (7433).

Holiday Weekend at Cabo Wabo:

Sammy Hagar's bar and restaurant in the Miracle Mile Shops is offering food and drink specials on the patio through Monday, including buckets of six Coors Light, Tecate, or Dos Equis for $20.

Women in Poker at the Nugget:

The Golden Nugget celebrates the Women in Poker Hall of Fame Weekend with the US Ladies Poker Championship $500 No Limit Hold ‘em Tournament at noon today, plus various additional poker tournaments that will take place through Sept. 5, including HOE, a tag team event featuring Omaha Hi-Lo and Hold ‘em and a charity event benefiting PokerGives.org.

I-15 Update:

Good news! Earlier reports stated southbound lanes would be closed until Saturday, but apparently Interstate 15 is now open to traffic in both directions.

Southbound I-15 Closed Until Tomorrow:

The Regional Transportation Commission says I-15 southbound will be closed at least until tomorrow because of the wildfire burning near the Cajon Pass in California. Drivers planning on going to southern California should find an alternate route.

Blondie's Birthday:

Blondies Sports Bar & Grill in the Miracle Mile Shops is celebrating its seventh anniversary today with a complimentary happy hour until 6 p.m. featuring all-you-can-drink domestic draft and well drinks. The bar will also host a black light party from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., with $20 all-you-can-drink domestic draft and well drinks.

Northbound I-15 Reopens:

Northbound lanes of Interstate 15, shut down earlier by a fast-moving wildfire on Southern California national forest land, are now all open once more, but traffic must be escorted through the area by Cal Trans crews; as far as we know, southbound lanes currently remain closed. [This item posteda at 4:05 p.m.]

Pop Postponed:

The Iggy and The Stooges concert set for Saturday, Sept. 10 at The Joint at Hard Rock has been postponed after Iggy sustained multiple fractures to his left foot during an appearance in Romania last week, necessitating a six to eight week hiatus from performing. A new concert date will be announced once the singer receives medical clearance. Show tickets for the Sept. 10 date will be valid for the rescheduled date, or refunds are available at point-of-purchase.

Cali Fire Closes I-15:

Just ahead of the holiday weekend, a Southern California wildfire that began around 1 p.m. today and has already grown to more than 250 acres has almost completely shut down the I-15 on the north side of Cajon Pass. The fire apparently started along the freeway median and then jumped into the San Bernardino National Forest. 10 engines, 15 aircraft, and a bulldozer are currently fighting the blaze, which has closed all southbound and two northbound lanes.

New Show Debuts:

Tonight sees the opening of Hooters new adult revue, Raack n Roll. The show performs Friday-Sunday night at 8:30pm in the Night Owl Showroom and tickets start at $39.99 for GA. Look out for a review in the next update of Topless Vegas - coming very soon!

US Airways Ditches More Vegas Routes:

US Airways has announced that by early next year it will cut its Las Vegas service by 40%, axing nonstop routes to Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, resulting in daily departures from Las Vegas dropping from 35 to 21.

Country Bar Bankrupt:

"Vegas Inc." reports that Dylan's Dance Hall & Saloon, the formerly popular country music venue on Boulder Highway recently renamed Jesse James Rock House, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize its finances. The venue has already been closed for around a month and a half for a remodel but will apparently reopen soon with new management.

Fast Response from Lucky's:

Bad start, good reaction. Lucky's contacted us within minutes of the posting of our quickie review of its Riviera opening, both to get the details about what happened and to assure us that "those problems will be remedied." We have to give credit where credit is due -- that's a good and proactive way to do business.

Too Soft at Lucky's:

We've heard of soft openings, but this is crazy. The new Lucky's sports book opened yesterday at the Riviera with a single ticket writer as the first games of the college season were going off. There was a line nearly 10 deep and some couldn't get their bets in. One patron asked for drink tickets for a $400 bet and was told he'd have to wait till the writer had a chance to retrieve them. He left after 5 minutes. The sidewalk betting window was closed. Come on, guys!

Lucky's Opens at the Riv:

The new Lucky's sports book opened today at the Riviera. It's located near one of the entrances and features the Strip's only walk-up betting window; the lines are visible from outside. Cool.

Epic Poker League:

Watch the YouTube video just posted here on our home page then click the link for details about how to win your seat the Epic Poker League's $20,000 Pro/Am Main Event.

Locals Wine Offer:

Now through December 30, 2011, (and excluding Nov. 24 and Dec. 25) from Sunday to Thursday locals with valid ID can enjoy 50% off wine on bottles priced up to $500 at Aria restaurants.

Hottest August on Record:

According to the National Weather Service's records, last month set the record as the hottest August in Las Vegas history, since record-keeping began, with 30 days of triple-digit highs and an average temperature of 105.8, 3.8 degrees above the average temperature for the month.

Martinez/Smirnoff DWTS Faves:

Oddsmaker Johnny Avello at the Wynn race and sports book has made J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff 4-1 favorites to win "Dancing With the Stars."

Titanic Not Only Sinking Thing at Luxor?:

When the Luxor first opened in 1993, it was soon discovered that part of the hotel was sinking. Measures were taken immediately to arrest the problem but now, 18 years on, new concerns about the safety and construction of the building have come to light in the wake of the discovery of cracks in non-visible parts of pyramid. In an official statement, MRI commented this week that, "Engineers ... concluded that cracks noticed by County inspectors occurred over a long period of time and that there is no current risk to life safety." They will implement a program of long-term monitoring, however, to ensure that there is no risk to guests or employees. At the time of its construction, Mandalay Bay also suffered from structural problems, with the discovery of differential movements ('dishing') between the tower core and the wings, with the tower sinking at a rate of 1/2 to 3/4 inch per week, while the other structure were sinking at a slower rate. A remedy involving micro-piles and hydraulic jacks was implemented and there have been no subsequent signs of a problem.

Jersey Boys on the Move:

According to Mike Weatherford's latest entertainment column in the R-J, hit musical Jersey Boys will today announce a move in January from its current home at Palazzo to Paris, just as Blue Man Group is quitting the Venetian for the Monte Carlo. Weatherford speculates that both moves stem from Venetian/Palazzo's less-than-generous business terms and the fact that both shows will be promoted for free amoung the multiple sister properties to their new homes, rather than being charged for this privilege. It's speculated that Barry Manilow will wrap up his residency at Paris a little earlier than first announced, freeing up a home for Jersey Boys.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

There's plenty to keep you occupied this holiday weekend -- just try not to trip over any partying celebrities on your travels -- we're going to be literally knee-deep in them. (There's a prize for dunking one in a pool : ) Air Supply entertains at the Orleans (9/2-9/4) David Spade's back at the Venetian (9/2-9/3) Ron White does stand up at the Mirage (9/2-9/3) Shaquille O'Neal's All-Star Comedy Jam is at Mandalay Bay (9/2), followed by Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers (9/3) TI welcomes Bill Cosby (9/3) Kenny Loggins performs at the Cannery (9/3) Paul Anka's out at Buffalo Bills (9/3) MGM Grand welcomes Sade with special guest John Legend (9/3), and Def Leppard (9/4) Aaron Lewis of Staind takes the stage at Green Valley Ranch (9/4) And Tracy Morgan makes 'em laugh at the Hard Rock (9/4) Party Pools: Encore Beach Club - Will. I. Am (9/2), and Kaskade and Pete Tong (9/4) TAO Beach - Venetian - DJ Vice (9/2), DJ Reach (9/3), Robbie Rivera (9/4), and Cedric Gervais (9/5) Nikki Beach - Tropicana - Carmen Electra (9/3) Azure - Palazzo - Joey Mazzola (9/2) and hedkandi (9/3) Hard Rock Beach Club - Wyclef Jean (9/4), plus DJ Muggs will spin at the finale of Relax Mondays (9/5) >Wet Republic - MGM Grand - Boris (9/3) Boulvard Pool - Cosmopolitian - Ben Harper (9/3) Marquee - Cosmopolitian - Roger Sanchez & Ec Twins (9/2), Fatboy Slim & Chuckie (9/4), and Benny Bennassi (9/5) Palms Pool - The Pharcyde (9/3), and Diddy (9/4) Mandalay Bay Beach - The Beach Boys (9/3), and the B-52's with Human League (9/4) Sway - Silverton - Reel Big Fish (9/2)

Vegas Ranks High Among Worst Drivers:

It comes as no surprise that Las Vegas came in at #138 out of 200 on a new list of the nation's safest drivers released by insurance agent Allstate. Well, the surprise, for anyone who drives here, might be only that we ranked that high -- Las Vegas drivers are 22 percent more likely to get in a car crash when compared to the national average. It's an improvement on last year, when we were in the 144th spot. Surprisingly Reno, which for the past two years has been named the second most drunken city in the U.S. by Forbes magazine, ranked 8th safest for driving.

Plaza Back in Biz:

After a lengthy remodel that saw the entire hotel and casino renovated, downtown's historic Plaza officially opens for business today (elements have already been up and running for a week or so). New additions include Las Vegas' fourth Hash House A Go Go restaurant, the Swingers Club (a nightlife venue on the casino floor that features dueling pianos and miniature golf), and over 1,000 completely revamped rooms and suites. Other amenities will follow, including a new speakeasy and steakhouse by former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Panorama Tower Development:

The center-Strip Panorama Towers condo complex is getting a upgrade, reports DailyFiasco.com, with the "mysterious Third Tower" now transformed into the redesigned The Martin by L.A.-based developer The Kor Group. Prices start at around $250k and go up to $1.5 million mark. (Good luck with that...)

New Club Launches on Lake:

More news from Lake Las Vegas, as "Fox5 News" reports the grand opening tonight of D'Amore Nightclub on the La Contessa Yacht in the LLV Marina. The kickoff event starts Thursday night and apparently runs through Sep. 5 (that's some party!) As of Sept. 8, the club, which features two bars and a dance floor, will be open every Thursday through Saturday night from 9 to 2 a.m.

MonteLago Book Opens Today:

The race and sports book at Casino MonteLago, operated by South Point, debuts at noon today. It's located on the casino's upper level and will operate 24/7, featuring live sports writers on weekends, along with a kiosk for round-the-clock wagering.

Bubbles, Burgers, and Bocce at Rao's:

The popular Italian restaurant at Caesars Palace is hosting a charity fundraising event tonight, featuring Prosecco sparkling wine, signature dishes including the newly added "Dino's Sliders," and a bocce ball tournament on the back patio, with prizes including a complimentary night's stay at Caesars, and dinner for two at Rao's. Admission is priced at $25 per guest and a portion of the night's proceeds will be donated to Three Square in conjunction with Restaurant Week. It's a limited-space event, so guests are encouraged to RSVP through email at Raos@langdonflynn.com.