Las Vegas News

Strip and Downtown Celebrations:

The Strip will be jammed all night long and through the 8 minute 36 second fireworks show. Downtown's party is scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. There is a $30 admission fee.

Going for the Record:

A record 314,000 visitors are expected to be in town for tonight's festivities. It would make it the biggest New Year's Eve in Las Vegas history, surpassing 2008's count of 312,000.

Point Mutiplier at GC:

The Gold Coast is ending 2011 with one of its point-multiplier days. Get 11X points on slots and 7X on video poker today.

NYE Transport Tips:

You can ride free on RTC buses from 6 p.m. Dec. 31 to 9 a.m. Jan.1, while Designated Drivers and AAA are both offering free services to get you and your vehicle home safely if you've had too much to drink. Just don't risk it: Metro will really be clamping down, with three DUI vans stationed throughout the valley where officers can bring suspected drunk drivers to get processed before they are sent to jail. As far as access to the Strip is concerned, ramps from the 1-15 to the Spring Mountain, Flamingo, and Tropicana Ave. exits will be closed at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and the Strip itself will be closed from Mandalay Bay to Sahara Ave. For additional access restrictions for both drivers and pedestrians, visit the Nevada DoT website.

Public House Debuts:

It's a big night for Block 16 (The Barrymore, Holsteins, LBS, etc.), with the opening of Public House, a new "gastropub" located in the Canal Shoppes in The Venetian. The menu will feature hard-to-find cask beer selections, Nevada’s first certified beer cicerone, and classic American dishes "with a new-age spin."

Vegas Flash Mob:

A flash mob is due to perform the "Party Rock Anthem" shuffle in front of Rave Theatre at Town Square at 4 p.m. this afternoon, featuring performers from a local dance club. The event's sponsored by Findlay Kia and Kia Motors.

Office Hours:

We'll be closing early today -- at approx. 2 p.m., so come over now if you need something before the holiday weekend. And here's a reminder that the 2012 Member Rewards Books will not be in-house or shipping until Jan. 6.

Magical Forest Seeks Volunteers:

Opportunity Village's Magical Forest needs additional volunteers to cover the extended run, now that the seasonal attraction will run through Jan. 7. Click here for more information if you're available to help out.

NYE Guide:

If you haven't picked your party yet, check out our New Year's guide in Special Events for the lowdown on who's hosting where. And yes, we know Christmas is over, but there are still lots of ongoing holiday activities to check out before the kids go back to school, so we're keeping our guide live awhile longer.

Record Crowds Expected for NYE:

Those in the know anticipate that Saturday will be the biggest New Year's Eve in Las Vegas' history, with a record 314,000 people expected to be in town for "America's Party."

Big Weekend for Clubs:

No less than three new nightclubs are set to debut this weekend, beginning with RPM at Tropicana, which opens tonight in the former Club Nikki space. New Year's Eve sees the debut of 1OAK at the Mirage and Hyde at Bellagio; the former takes over from Jet, while the latter overlooks the fountains in what was previously the Fontana Lounge.

Farewell Lion King:

Today will be the last performances for The Lion King at Mandalay Bay. There are two performances today, one at 3:30 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m. The Lion King opened at Mandalay Bay in May 2009 and after tonight the cast will have performed a total of 1,078 performances.

Miss Playboy 2012 to be Crowned:

Tonight at the Playboy Club at the Palms, the winner of the 2012 "Miss Playboy Club Las Vegas" will be announced, with a Playboy calendar cover gig, $5,000 in cash, and the chance to win a spread in the magazine all up for grabs. For more info and tickets click here.

Rum Giant Saves the Day:

We had previously reported in this column that Designated Drivers would not be offering its traditional free service to Las Vegas drivers this year due to a perennial lack of sponsorship from local businesses. However, thanks to an eleventh-hour $25,000 donation from Captain Morgan, the Designated Drivers Foundation will be offering free rides home for adults (21+) from 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30 through noon, Sunday, Jan. 1. To arrange a ride home in your own vehicle, call (702)-456-RIDE. AAA will also be offering its free "Tipsy Tow" service to both members and non-members alike.

LV Only 14th Drunkest City:

The Daily Beast has released its annual list of the Most Drunken Cities in the U.S. and once more, Las Vegas shows up much farther down the list than you might anticipate, ranked #14. A previous "winner," Reno clocked in at #4 this year, with Boston topping the charts as America's drunkest city.

New Caesars Eatery:

Following in the footsteps of New York City transplants Rao's and PJ Clarke's comes the debut today at Caesars Palace of Old Homestead Steakhouse, one of the Big Apple's most historic restaurants. Located near the Forum Casino, adjacent to Mesa Grill, Old Homestead is open for dinner nightly from 5 to 10:45 p.m. with a menu that features several signature dishes from the classic NYC menu, including the 32-ounce Gotham rib, USDA prime dry-aged porterhouse, and filet mignon on the bone, plus a raw bar and a number of dishes exclusive to the Las Vegas location, like Kobe meatballs and prime short rib in a wine reduction.

Las Vegas Weekend Highlights:

The biggest party night of the year just happens to fall on the weekend this year, and although it may have been another tough year economically, Las Vegas shows no signs of skimping on the champagne this year. Here are some of the entertainment highlights as we kiss goodbye to 2011: UFC 141: Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem is at MGM Grand (12/30), with the official Tapout Fight After Party hosted by Stephan Bonnar at the Hard Rock Cafe (12/30). There are viewing parties all over town, too, including at all Station Casinos (except Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho), Blondies Sports Bar, Kahunaville at TI, Rock and Rita's at Circus Circus, Sapphire gentlemen's club, and more. John Legend will celebrate New Year's with a performance at the Pearl inside the Palms (12/31), followed by an official after party at Moon Nightclub (12/31). The Hard Rock is celebrating with "Absolution - A Symphony of Sounds," featuring Guns N' Roses at the Joint (12/30-12/31), DJ Pauly D at Vanity (12/30), and Drake inside the Joint (1/1) LMFAO will be at Haze Nightclub inside Aria (12/31) Bruno Mars hosts at The Bank inside the Bellagio (12/31) There will be a Midnight Bar Hop at the Venetian and Palazzo (12/31) Mary J. Blige hosts at the Grand Opening and NYE Party at the Tropicana's new RPM nightclub (12/31) And the 2012 Bridge Bash at New York-New York will feature a 4-hour premium open bar and live entertainment (12/31) For all the details on these parties and many others, check out our Special Events feature.

Aristocrat Enters Online Fray:

Slot manufacturers Aristocrat Technologies is the latest company to file an application with Nevada state regulators to expand its gaming license and offer online poker games, reports the R-J.

Entertainment News:

Mike Weatherford reports in his column in the R-J that the Las Vegas residency first hinted at by Cee Lo Green back in July is set to debut at Planet Hollywood sometime next year, although no date has been announced for the opening of what the singer's describing as a "theatrical show" called Loberace. Other news includes magician Jan Rouven's plan to close his Illusions show at the Clarion in mid-January and reopen at the Riv in March, and word that Rick Thomas' scheduled move to the Riviera's main showroom will not take place, due to negotiations breaking down over who would pay to renovate the room.

Magical Forest Extended:

Due to overwhelming demand, Opportunity Village's Magical Forest attraction will be continued for another week. Originally scheduled to close New Year's Day, it will now run until Jan. 7, 2012, and general admission has been reduced to $5 (previously $9.75/person).

Red Rock Traffic Delays:

"8 News Now" reports that a rescue mission to airlift a hiker with a broken ankle is currently causing major traffic delays on the Red Rock Loop (this posted at 4:18 p.m.)

NYE Airport Traffic Update:

Lane restrictions currently in place in the southbound lanes of the airport tunnel at McCarran will be lifted at 5 a.m. tommorrow and will not be reinstated until the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 3, in an attempt to accommodate the extra holiday traffic.

Big Blow to Wynn Casino:

Wynn's plan to build a $1 billion casino next to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., received a big blow this week when the town's selectmen voted to send a letter to state officials opposing the project. To have legs, the casino plan will now need to win a town-wide vote and win support for the overturn of current zoning laws that prohibit casinos in Foxborough.

Man vs. Crawfish:

Las Vegas-based Hot 'n Juicy Crawfish, which now has two locations on Spring Mountain Rd. and a restaurant in Washington D.C., is featured on Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food" show tonight.

Celine Returns:

Just as Cirque's Michael Jackson Immortal tribute exits Las Vegas to hit the road once more, Celine is back to fill the entertainment gap as her next run at Caesars' Colosseum kicks off tonight, with dates through August, 2012.

Countdown to New Year's with Metro:

Follow @LVMPD on Twitter for some sound advice on how to navigate the biggest party night of the year without getting yourself, or your playmates, in trouble. For our guide to all the parties and other events going down on Dec. 31, check out our New Year's feature in Special Events.

Rio Job Fair:

On Jan. 4, the Rio will host an open job fair featuring more than 3,300 vacancies from more than 21 companies. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Pavilion Ballroom. Click here for more details.

Expert Picks Top Vegas Wine Lists:

Award-winning wine author and contributing editor to Bon Appetit Magazine, David Lynch, has just picked the Top 5 Wine Lists in Las Vegas for Forbes magazine and one of them is not in a casino restaurant. Click the link to see who made the cut.

Lion Habitat to Close:

It's official: As rumored by Robin Leach back in September, the famous Lion Habitat at MGM Grand will close for good on Jan. 31. There's no official word as yet as to what will take its place, but there's been talk that the space will be converted into an intimate live-music venue. Apparently, visitors will still be able to see the lions as there are plans for the Cat House habitat to open to the public.

Sale at the Trop:

The Tropicana is holding a very short-term sale today: Starting at 9 a.m., and running for just 12 hours, the newly remodeled Strip resort is offering 25% off rooms, with rates starting at $44. Click for more information and for other Tropicana hotel promotions.

Author on the Radio:

With Chinese New Year approaching, today's "State of Nevada" show on KNPR 88.9 is a rerun of an earlier piece featuring Eating Las Vegas co-author Al Mancini discussing the tradition of shark's fin soup, and its moral implications.

Poll Closing:

It's your last chance to vote on what you're most looking forward to in Las Vegas for 2012, if anything; at midnight a new Reader Poll goes live.

Showgirl Revue Hiring:

Jubilee!, Las Vegas last remaining classic showgirl spectacular, is holding an open casting call for male and female dancers, showgirls, singers, and principal dancers from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. All females must be at least 5 feet 8 inches and all males must be 6 feet and taller. It's a topless revue, so all must be 18 years of age or older.

Green Light for Casino Strip Club:

While Las Vegas has experimented -- not too successfully -- with a topless casino pool operated by a strip club, and with pole-dancing patrons inside some of its nightclubs, Atlantic City is set to become the first gaming city to have an actual strip club inside a resort-casino, after New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement ruled Friday that the Taj Mahal could legally have a gentlemen's club on-property. The plan was first mooted in September, 2010; the new Scores club is now due to open sometime in 2012.

Cantor Plans IPO:

Las Vegas-based Cantor Entertainment Technology Inc., the gaming software company whose parent company also operates several casino race and sports books, has filed with U.S. regulators to raise up to $100 million in an IPO, reports today's R-J. The company said it plans to use the moeny to pay down its debt.

MRBs Delayed:

The 2012 Member Rewards Book has been delayed at the printer and is not due to be in-house until Jan. 6, which means it will also be shipping later this year. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused; please contact our Customer Service department on 800/244-2224 with any problems.

Tivoli Adds Tennants:

The sparsely populated Tivoli shopping district, located on the west side of town across from the Suncoast, has announced the addition of 11 new tennants. All are retail stores, except for the restaurants Bottles & Burgers and Kabuki and a cocktail lounge called The Strand, which are all said to be "coming soon."

Drawings at Stations and Palms:

Station Casinos and the Palms are running daily cash drawings this week leading up to New Year's. All Station and Fiesta casinos will have evening drawings at 8:15 p.m. through Jan. 1, while the Palms draws at 8:30 p.m. through Dec. 30.

Quiet Saturday:

According to a story in today's LV Review-Journal, the sports books were eerily quiet on Saturday. The combination of the NFL slate being moved forward by a day and it being the last chance for Christmas shopping made for the slowest weekend of the NFL season.

Basketball is Back:

The NBA is back today with games beginning at 9 a.m. The sports books will be busy with several basketball games playing today, along with traditional Christmas-day football.

NBA at PBR:

Basketball fans are invited to enjoy opening Dday at PBR Rock Bar & Grill in the Miracle Mile, which is celebrating the end of the lockout, and the beginning of an exciting basketball year, with specials including $18 Pabst Blue Ribbon beer buckets and $5 Jack Daniels today.

Merry Christmas:

The casinos are busy and special holiday dinners are being served all over town. Things will cool down after today until Thursday, when visitors will start streaming in for New Year's Eve partying.

Big News for Internet Gambling:

The Department of Justice has issued a 13-page opinion declaring that Internet gambling is legal between states where gambling is legal. The opinion is being hailed as a major step toward legalization, as it would allow states with legalized gambling (almost all) to work together to allow online gambling across state lines. Apparently, sports betting will still be prohibited, but the door appears to be open for poker and other forms of gambling.

HP Author on the Radio:

Matt O'Brien, author of My Week at the Blue Angel, is featured on NPR's nationally syndicated State of the Re:Union show this afternoon, which explores the lives of the people who live in the tunnels that lie underneath Las Vegas, first brought to light by O'Brien in the internationally acclaimed best-seller, Beneath the Neon. The show airs locally on KNPR 88.9 at 2 p.m. or you can catch the podcast at knpr.org.

NFL a Day Early:

Most of the NFL games are being played today. Don't forget to get your bets and contest picks in before the 10 A.M. kickoffs.

Drink Special at South Point:

Today's the last day for $2 drinks at South Point. All drinks at all bars are $2, and only $1 if you pay with club points.

Alien Sex Comes to North Las Vegas:

It looks like the plan of reality TV personalities Dennis Hof and girlfriend Heidi Fleiss to open a brothel may finally be coming to fruition, reports today's R-J. Hof apparently recently purchased a rundown bordello 90 miles north west of Las Vegas, and plans to open a sci-fi themed "Alien Cathouse".

Vegas on Top:

On a Travel Leaders' list of top domestic travel destinations already booked for 2012, Las Vegas was ranked the No. 1 for the second year running, reports the R-J. Orlando came in second, with Maui in third.

Nevada Votes Yes to Online Gambling:

The Nevada Gaming Commission has voted in favor of regulations that could pave the way toward Nevada becoming the first state to allow legal Internet-poker gambling within state borders and set the standard for regulatory controls.

Poker Champ Robbed:

Former WSOP Main Event champ Jonathan Duhamel was the victim of a home invasion Wednesday, during which he was tied up and beaten by two men who stole his winner’s gold bracelet. "After being threatened with death and having given them everything I had, I was bound and hit repeatedly in the face and body before my attackers left," he related in an interview with ESPN. Duhamel became the first Canadian to win the Main Event when he scooped the $8.9 million top prize in 2010.

Party at the Preserve:

Today and Friday, Dec. 23, Las Vegas Springs Preserve is hosting a two-day Christmas party, with ponies dressed up as reindeer, a skating rink complete with faux snow, a children's train, hot food, gift ideas, Santa, and more. The festivities run form 5-9 p.m. each night and admission's $8 adults, $5 children ages 5 to 12, and free for children 4 and younger.

2012 LVA Member Rewards Announced:

The wait is over! Click the link to see the complete list of coupons confirmed for the LVA 2012 Member Rewards Book -- we're excited, and we think all our members will be happy. If you're not already a subscriber, click to read about all the other member benefits that come with a $37 annual subscription to Las Vegas Advisor.

Microsoft Quits CES:

The Microsoft Corporation has announced that it will cease attending the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas after 2012, which could be a huge blow to the trade show, which annually attracts in the region of 150,000 attendees. The reason given for the pullout was that the show's January timing doesn't alighn with the company's product milestones.

Race Bettors Retroactively Reimbursed:

The New York Racing Association has announced that it will lower its takeout on superexotic bets from 26 percent to 24 percent beginning on Dec. 28, to compensate for a regulatory error that officials say could have cost bettors up to $8.6 million over the past 15 months, reports the Racing Daily Form. The unintentional error apparently stems from a complex provision in an amendment to the state's 2008 racing law that affected only NYRA's three tracks -- Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga -- which only just came to light during a recent audit. The new reduction will affect trifecta, superfecta, pick three, pick four, pick six, and Grand Slam wagers.

2011 LVA Coupon Offer Expiring:

Today is the last day to swing by our office and pick up one of the few remaining 2011 Member Rewards Books, as part of the limited-duration 3-month trial membership offer we've been running. You have until the end of the year to take advantage of most of the coupons in there, so you can totally still get your monehy's worth, but look out today for the launch of our 2012 Member Rewards package and all the coupons we've bagged for you for next year.

Las Vegas This Holiday Weekend:

In case you hadn't noticed, it's Christmas weekend and there are still plenty holiday activities going on around town. Here are some of the highlights: Chocolate Wonderland at the Ethel M Cactus Gardens is open Mon-Sun, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. and is free to enter. The MonteLago Village Floating Ice Skating Rink is open Mon-Fri, 3 p.m.-9 p.m.; Sat, Sun & Holidays, noon-9 p.m. and is only $15 for adults and $12 for kids. And Santa will be at the Silverton, swimming with the mermaids from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (12/24)

Nevada Votes on Online Gambling:

Nevada state gaming regulators vote today on whether to allow companies to apply for licenses to operate poker websites in the state, reports today's WSJ. If passed, the measure will position Nevada to become the first state to legalize gambling on Internet poker within its borders.

Indoor Farmers Market:

It's the newly reinstituted "Bet on the Farm" Farmers Market today inside Springs Preserve from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with fresh local produce, herbs, and gift ideas.

Holiday Listings:

Don't forget to check out our Christmas and New Year's event and activity features in Special Events for lots of family fun and adult parties.

Goodman Steakhouse Debuts:

The former mayor's eponymous Oscar's Steakhouse, Beef, Booze, & Broads has opened at the Plaza downtown. The new restaurant will serve dinner nightly from 5 p.m. until late. The lounge opens daily at 4 p.m.

6 Months for Mayweather:

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was today sentenced to six months in jail following his guilty plea to a charge of battery domestic violence. 90 days of the sentence will be suspended. The boxer must also pay a total of $2,500 in fines, and attend 100 hours of community service and a 12-month domestic violence program. He must surrender on Jan. 6.

Public House for Venetian:

Public House, the new venture from corporate executive chef, Anthony Meidenbauer of Block 16, debuts New Year's Eve in the The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. The menu will feature rare cask beer selections and "gastro-pub"-sytle food in an ambiance described as being reminiscent of a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Block 16 is also the company behind Holsteins Shakes and Buns at Cosmo, LBS at Red Rock, and The Barrymore in The Royal House.

Gospel Contest Reminder:

If you want to take part in the House of Blues Gospel Contest, with the chance to attend the premiere of Joyful Noise, the new gospel-themed movie starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, plus a chance to sing at the HoB Gospel Brunch, you need to have your entry in before Dec. 23, when voting opens to the general public. Click here for more details.

Tipsy Tow in Effect:

Commencing this weekend, AAA will offer its annual "Tipsy Tow" free-ride program to drivers who've had too much to drink, reports "Fox5 News". The program runs from 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve to 6 a.m. on Christmas Day and you don't need to be a AAA member to take advantage of the service -- just call 800/222-4357 and tell the operator, "I need a Tipsy Tow." A truck will transport your vehicle up to 10 miles for free. There are also plans to operate the program on New Year's Eve. Las Vegas Designated Drivers, which has formerly offered a free-ride service during the holidays, has discontinued this program due to lack of funding.

Zappos Deal Done:

The terms of the lease agreement Zappos.com to take over the former Las Vegas City Hall have been finalized after more than a year, reports "13 Action News." The building is scheduled to become the new corporate headquarters for Zappos in 2013.

Absolute Exec Pleads Guilty:

Brent Beckley, former director of payment processing for now-defunct Absolute Poker online gambling site, faces up to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of bank fraud, wire fraud, and engaging in unlawful Internet gambling, reports today's ,a href="http://www.lvrj.com/business/man-pleads-guilty-in-connection-with-internet-poker-crackdown-135962058.html" target="_blank">Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Food Truck Holiday Party Tonight:

Tonight from 8 p.m., Moon Doggies bar and Naked Pizza are hosting a party for all the hard-working folk of Las Vegas' ever-growing Food Truck industry, with 50% off food and alcohol, Smirnoff shot girls, prize raffles, and a holiday gift bad for all food truck workers. Come join the fun!

Nightlife Update:

Robin Leach has announced in his Vegas DeLuxe blog that the Las Vegas outpost of New York's "the Box" nightclub and restaurant, whose arrival he rumored awhile back, is set to take up residence in an unused space in the Venetian's Canal Shoppes, near Tao nightclub. Apparently, the venue will have the air of a "New Orleans bordello" (similar to the aim of CatHouse at Luxor, but more so, we anticipate). Expect something of a sideshow vibe, too, with performances by "human oddities, bizarre circus acts and wild, wacky, and fearless performance artists".

New Downtown Bar:

The resurgence of the downtown nightlife scene continues, with the opening Dec. 5 of the new Mob Bar on Third Street. It takes the place of what was formerly sidebar, next to Triple George martini bar.

Dancer Article Live:

Bob Dancer's Weekly Column has been posted, and finds him musing on how insights into having a "winning mentality," gleaned from watching the televisation of this year's WSOP, can also be applied to video poker (or any other form of professional gambling).

Disount on Sevens Rugby Tix:

For the third year running, the USA Sevens International Rugby Tournament will take place at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. Purchase your tickets before Jan. 2, 2012, and receive a 33 percent discount. The tournament takes place Feb. 10–12, 2012.

Poll Shows Growing Support for Sports Betting:

As New Jersey moves closer to legalizing sports betting, a new poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind shows that Americans are evenly split on whether it should be legal across the nation, reports The Associated Press. The poll showed people evenly split 42 to 42 percent over whether betting on professional and collegiate sports should be legalized nationally, demonstrating a shift in the public feeling since March 2010, when group's last poll found 53 percent opposed and only 39 percent supporting legalization.

Free Ferrari Access:

Now through New Year's Eve, the Wynn Penske Ferrari auto showroom, which normally charges a $10 admission fee, is free to enter. We heard from a reader that they're also offering a free gift (we don't think it's a Ferrari, though).

Italian Festivities at NOVE:

Chef Geno Bernardo at NOVE Italiano at the Palms is serving the traditional Italian "Feast of Seven Fishes" tonight through Christmas Eve.

Neon Museum Update:

Construction on the Neon Museum's visitor's center, inside the reconstituted La Concha motel lobby, is expected to be completed within six months and open to the public 30 days later, reports today's R-J. Check out our current Reader Poll to vote for your most-anticipated new attraction for 2012.

MJ Twitter Offer:

Followers of @mandalaybay_LV can get an exclusive 20%-off discount for tickets to the Michael Jackson IMMORTAL World Tour -- click the link for details.

Henderson Scores for Safety:

A new list from Forbes magazine, ranking the safest cities in the U.S., places Henderson at #2, behind the Dallas suburb of Plano, Texas, reports the LV Sun. Factors taken into account include violent crime rates, traffic-fatality stats, median income, and poverty rate. By contrast, the Las Vegas metropolitan area was ranked #9 by the same magazine's list of Most Dangerous Cities this year.

New "Pop-Up" Wedding Chapel:

The Cosmopolitan has introduced a new Stipside, street-level "pop-ip" wedding chapel, offering everything from traditional marriage and vow-renewals, to commitment ceremonies, pet weddings, and "faux" weddings. Packages start at $80 for the "Hitched In a Hurry" ceremony, which includes two Sofia Coppola champagne poppers, two Molla Space Eraser rings (dispensed from a gumball machine), a picture taken in a photo booth, and a gift bag.

$1 Million for $20:

A female gambler at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City scooped $1 million for a $20 bet on the "Three Card Poker 6 Card" bonus jackpot on Sunday when she hit a royal flush in diamonds — the top payout. It's the second time that jackpot has hit since the promotion was introduced in September.

PA Overtakes NJ for First Time:

With gaming revenues surging to $245.8 million in November, for the first time in history Pennsylvania overtook Atlantic City, whose casinos brought in $245.1 million, to become the second-largest gambling market in the U.S., behind Las Vegas. In separate news, the ACH (former Atlantic City Hilton) has won Gaming Control Board approval to introduce 25- and 50-cent chips on its table games, in a bid to attract the low-roller market.

Reprieve for Club:

Studio 54 at MGM, which had been due to close Jan. 8, will now remain open through Feb. 4, 2012. Details for the closing bash will be announced in the coming weeeks. The club is open from 10 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Twitter Sunday at Rockhouse:

It's Twitter Sunday Rockhouse Vegas, with an open bar for all Followers from 9 p.m. until midnight: $5 for girls; $10 for men.

McCarran Traffic Alert:

Beginning tonight, southbound tunnel traffic at McCarran International Airport will be reduced to one lane overnights for the next two weeks. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route.

Bellagio Display:

The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens are in full festive bloom, with 43,000 flowers, 350 shrubs, a 42-foot-tall white fir tree, and animated penguins. The winter wonderland will remain through January 3, when the exhibit switches to Chinese New Year mode. In the meantime, if you can't get to see it in person, check out the "Living" section in today's Las Vegas Review-Journal to see some photographs.

Strip Club Open Bar:

Crazy Horse III topless club will kick-off what's being dubbed the world’s longest running consecutive open bar, beginning at midnight tonight and extending through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27. The deal, which features 24 hours of free well drinks for 10 consecutive days, is open to locals only. For our unique guide to the city's gentlemen's club scene, check out Topless Vegas. The full-color e-book version, newly updated as edition 5.1, features photographs of real Las Vegas strippers throughout and is now also available for the Amazon Kindle.

PT's Toy Drive:

PT’s and Sierra Gold taverns are hosting a toy drive from noon to 5 p.m. today in conjunction with the Shane Victorino Foundation, benefiting local children at The Shade Tree women's and children’s shelter and Toys for Tots. MLB All-Star Shane Victorino will be at PT’s Gold located at South Buffalo Drive at I-215, during the event.

Concert at Home Plate:

"America's Got Talent" winner Michael Grimm will play a free concert tonight at 8 p.m. at the Home Plate Grill and Bar at 4785 Blue Diamond Road. Grimm recently played the Flamingo, where tickets were $49. If you want to combine dinner with the concert, Home Plate has good food, including live crab sold by the ounce.

Get a Free Kitchen Remodel:

Ugly kitchen? Want a remodel? An L.A. TV production company is casting immediately for 4 episodes of a kitchen makeover show being shot in Las Vegas. Locals in need of a culinary facelift are invited to submit a photo of themselves and their kitchen to iwantanewkitchen@gmail.com for a chance to have their kitchen remodeled on TV -- for free! The latest submissions will be considered is Jan. 5, but you're encouraged to get your email in over the weekend, if possible.

Blood Drive Reminder:

The annual Penn & Teller-sponsored blood drive starts today and runs through Saturday, Dec. 31 at designated United Blood Services locations and mobile units. Donors, who receive a complimentary ticket to the P&T show, are invited to attend the locations at 930 West Charleston and 601 Whitney Ranch Drive during the following hours: Monday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Tuesday – Thursday: 12:30 – 7:30 p.m.; Friday – Saturday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed Sunday).

Football Star Signings:

Former Nebraska Running Back Mike Rozier will be in The Art of Music store at the Mirage from 1-5 p.m. today and tomorrow, meeting fans and signing autographs. The 1983 Heisman Trophy winner will have the trophy with him for photo opps. Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers will also be signing autographs at The Art of Music store inside the Shoppes at Mandalay Bay from 1-5 p.m. both days.

New Repertoire for Bellagio Fountains:

The Fountains of Bellagio will be adding three new songs to their choreographed repertoire, reports USA Today Travel writer Kitty Bean Yancey (how come Kitty heard before us?!) The additions -- the first in six years -- include: The Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," and Glen Miller's '40s hit, "In the Mood," which are all due to debut next week and will bring the total number of rotating songs to 32.

Dancer Classes:

Video poker expert and LVA weekly columnist Bob Dancer has just posted his 2012 schedule of FREE video poker seminars at South Point, which commence Jan. 4.

Free Fries Friday:

Burger King restaurants are introducing their new golden, crispy fries today and participating venues are offering a complimentary value-size order of the new fries, with no purchase necessary, while supplies last. (This via SaveLV.com)

New High-Limit Room at Cosmo:

To coincide with its first anniversary celebrations, The Cosmopolitan, whose casino operations have struggled since opening, has debuted a new high-limit room called The Talon Club, which features a program of exclusive hand-selected spirits, in addition to high-stakes wagering.

Wheldon Crash Findings:

The Las Vegas' MotorSpeedway's multi-grooved wide racing surface, which heightened the dangers of pack racing on a high-banked oval, was singled out as a significant factor in a "perfect storm" of conditions that led to the death of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon in October, casting doubt over whether IndyCar racing should ever take place again at the track. IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard already has bought his way out of Year 2 of the Las Vegas contract, while the third and final year of the lease agreement is up for review pending further investigations.

Teriyaki Madness:

Today through Sunday, purchase one buy one bowl/entrée, plus two regular drinks ($7 value) at any of the Vegas Valley's seven Teriyaki Madness locations and get a second bowl/entrée for free. Offer applies weekends only in December.

Station Bonus Points:

Today is one of the sporadically occurring Station Casinos bonus-point days. All day, $1 coin-in earns 6 points on video poker and 10 points on slots, which translates to very generous club returns of .6% and 1%, respectively (some high-return video poker is not eligible). The bonus runs across all 18 Station properties and points can be redeemed for cash.

Football Update:

Anthony Curtis has posted his weekly Football Update at LVASports.com, so check it out for the latest word on contests, promos, parties, and more.

Cosmo Site Possibly Hacked:

We've been hearing from various readers that they've been unable to log in to the Cosmopolitan's site for more than a week now, and our understanding is that the site was hacked and some people's personal information shared with others. We don't have more details than that, but if anyone knows more, drop us a line. For now, apparently you'll get a message saying that the site is down for "routine maintenance" if you try to log in.

Zynga IPO:

Social gaming site Zynga Inc. priced its shares at $10 today, raising $1 billion and making it the biggest U.S. Internet debut since Google, reports the WSJ. Zynga Poker was the company's first social game and is the largest free-to-play online poker game in the world.

Sapphire B'Day Reminder:

Don't forget, it's Sapphire gentlemen's club's 9th birthday bash tonight, from 7 p.m., with live music from Zowie Bowie and a Rat Pack theme. Check out "Today's News" item from yesterday for more details. If there's a strip club habitué in your life, our Topless Vegas guide makes a great present -- get the "Update" package for a gift that keeps giving all-year long! And now available in full color for Amazon Kindle, too.

Bonus Point Day at Stations:

Tomorrow is Bonus Point Day at all Station Casino properties, so don't forget to swipe your new Boarding Pass.

Trib Love for HP:

A big shout out to Mark Gruetze of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, who picked out no fewer than three Huntington Press products as top picks for gambling gifts, including Annie Duke's Decide to Play Great Poker, The Raiser's Edge by ElkY and Bob Dancer's Video Poker for Winners software. All good choices, we have to agree! You can find these, and lots more ideas, in our Holiday Catalog.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

It's a quiet one, we confess, in the lead up to the holidays and New Year's madness, but here are a few festive highlights: The Kotton Mouth Kings perform at the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay (12/16), followed by a special Adam Carolla Hates The Holidays comedy show (12/18) The Magic & Tigers of Rick Thomas Holiday Show is at the Tropicana (12/9-12/31) The Clint Holmes Holiday Special takes place at the Suncoast (12/17-12/18) And with Christmas right around the corner there's plenty festive things going on around town including the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village and the Outdoor Ice Skating Rink at the Venetian . For a complete list of Holiday activites and event check out our Special Events listing.

Yoga WIth Dolphins:

The Mirage is now offering a new Yoga with the Dolphins class at the Dolphin Habitat. While it sounds tranquil, it's hard to condone dolphins in capitivity: Check out the latest blog entry from Kill Phil author Blair Rodman at LVAPoker.

Farmers Market:

Chef Mario Batali's "Bet on the Farm" Farmers Market is back! Check it out -- indoors! -- at Las Vegas Springs Preserve, from now until 1 p.m.

Penn & Teller Blood Drive:

For the 11th consecutive year, Penn & Teller join forces with United Blood Services for a 13-day blood drive. Donors receive two complimentary tickets to the show. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, with Penn donating platelets at the UBS location at 6930 W. Charleston, while the blood drive will be held Saturday, Dec. 17 through Saturday, Dec. 31 at designated United Blood Services locations and mobile units around the valley.

New Year's Update:

The LVCVA has announced more details for America's Party 2012, which will be themed "Dance - Las Vegas" and feature simultaneous firework displays on the Strip and Fremont Street. As reported earlier (see "Today's News" 12/8/2011), the firing locations for the Strip pyrotechnic display will include the Tropicana, MGM Grand, Aria, Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace, TI, Venetian, and Stratosphere and will comprise an 8 minute, 36 second program, consisting of more than 56,400 effects accompanied by a soundtrack featuring SalSoul Orchestra, LMFAO, Lady Gaga, Ne-Yo, Afrojack, Nayer, and Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, Adele, and a finale from ZZ Top's version of "Viva Las Vegas."

First Friday Update:

As promised, First Friday's new owners are expanding and upgrading the event, and switching to winter hours of 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the January, February, and March festivals. In the Arts District location, new art tents and a music stage will now extend south on 3rd Street from the intersection of Colorado and the Fremont East street art fair will now take place in the space behind Downtown Cocktail Room and Beauty Bar, between Las Vegas Blvd. and 6th Street. The organizers are actively recruiting new participants, and as of today a new artist, vendor, food truck, and volunteer application process can be found under the "Get Involved" tab on the First Friday website.

Rat Pack Thursday:

Sapphire gentlemen's club celebrates its 9th anniversary in Las Vegas tomorrow with a Rat Pack-themed party that will also mark the official renaming of Industrial Road to Sammy Davis Jr. Parkway, leaving Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford the only two Rat Packers yet to have Vegas streets named for them. The party, which will feature Rat Pack impersonators and big band tunes played by the Zowie Bowie band, kicks off at 7 p.m., with hors d’oeuvres, prize giveaways, and an open bar to 10 p.m. The club was the sponsoring land owner on Industrial to recommend the name change and has volunteered to make a contribution toward the fees to cover new street signs and other expenses relating to the name change. Sapphire will also be collecting unwrapped gifts tomorrow for the holiday toy drive.

HoB Gospel Contest:

So, you think you can sing? House of Blues is hosting a singing contest to coincide with the launch of Joyful Noise, the new gospel-themed movie starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, which is due to hit theaters Jan. 13. If you think you've got what it takes, you need to upload a video of you and up to 3 of your friends singing either "Amazing Grace" or "This Little Light of Mine" to the HoB Joyful Noise website. The recording must be acapella (i.e., no music, just voices!) -- if you don't have the means to record your entry, HoB will do it on property for you. Voting is by the general public and opens on Dec. 23 and closes at 5 p.m. Dec. 29. Click the link for more details and to register for the contest. The winners will attend the movie premiere and get to sing at the House of Blues Gospel Brunch.

Kudos for Vegas Clubs:

ClubPlanet.com has released its annual list of the Top 25 Clubs in the U.S., and Las Vegas scored high, with five clubs in the top ten. XS at Encore came in at #4, with Cosmo's Marquee at #5, TAO at the Venetian #6, Rain at the Palms #8, and Wynn's Tryst at #9. The #1 pick was LIV at Miami Beach, FL.

12 Beers of Christmas:

Todd English P.U.B. at Crystals kicks off its "12 Beers of Christmas" promo today with $1 Pabst Blue Ribbons from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tomorrow will feature $1 Jubelale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and $1 Deschutes Jubelale all day. Future featured beers include Sam Adams Winter Lager on Saturday and Newcastle Winter IPA on Sunday. Check out their Twitter at @ToddEnglishPUB for more information.

New Year's at Stoney's:

The first 200 people through the door at Stoney's on the Strip tonight will receive a free ticket to the New Year's bash (reg. $20 in advance, $25 on the door). Well drinks are 75¢ all night and there's no cover before 10 p.m.

Resort Fee Poll:

Don't forget, the current Reader Poll concerning hotel resort fees closes at midnight. We'll be passing on your feedback to our hotel partners, so make your voice heard!

CineFest Seeks Submissions:

The Las Vegas film festival, which is an IMDb qualifier, is calling for entries for the 2012 event. Submissions must be in by Feb., 2012. Click here for more details.

Manilow Back to Hilton?:

The singer's two-year run at Paris ended last weekend, but rumors that he would be moving to sister property Harrah's were confused when his wrap party was hosted by execs from the Las Vegas Hilton, where he previously headlined for five years. Manilow is currently hospitalized following hip surgery (not replacement), and will require six weeks of recovery before his next scheduled performance in Chicago Feb. 2, reports the Las Vegas Sun. We'll keep you posted.

Cosmo Hires Seasoned Pro:

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has hired longtime casino executive Thomas McCartney as chief operating officer, reports Vegas Inc. McCartney left the Tropicana in October, prior to which he'd been CEO of Planet Hollywood.

Blue Angel Motel to be Demolished:

The Las Vegas Weekly reports that the historic downtown motel, with its iconic sign and statue designed by Betty Willis (who also designed the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign), is set for a date with the wrecking ball as its downtown neighborhood prepares to be redeveloped as the Las Vegas Gateway Center -- 91,000 square feet of retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Apparently, the much-loved sign and angel statue will be saved, restored, and incorporated into the new development, however. Fans of Las Vegas history and the downtown area should check out best-selling author Matt O'Brien's collection of essays, My Week at the Blue Angel in which he recounts his experiences co-habiting with some of the motel's colorful residents, plus other stories from the storm drains, strip clubs, and trailer parks of Las Vegas.

New Dancer Article:

Video poker guru Bob Dancer has just posted his latest weekly column, where he discusses the perils of playing too fast and a possible change in casino policy that players should be aware of.

A$$ Juice Hits a Milestone:

Some time this month, the famous Double Down Saloon out by the airport will serve its millionth shot of the house specialty "A$$ Juice," reports Vegas Seven magazine. The concoction is blended from the dregs of whatever's leftover in the well at the bar and whoever buys that milestone shot will be showered with gifts by the bar's owner, who's already selling celebratory toilet-shaped shot glasses -- the perfect stocking-stuffer.

Vegas Named #3 for New Year's:

Hotwire.com has named Las Vegas the #3 Top Deal destination for New Year’s Eve, citing average nightly room rates of $139. Orlando was the surprise winner, with rooms as cheap as $64. New York came in second, although the nightly rates there were $221. If Las Vegas is in your New Year's travel plans, check out our annual round-up of parties and other happenings in our Special Events feature.

Jackson Show Update:

Robin Leach is on fire today! His Luxe Life blog is reporting exclusive updates regarding Cirque’s new permanent Michael Jackson show at Mandalay Bay, which will apparently open May 13, 2013. Click the link for more details.

Trop Show Rumor:

Robin Leach reports in his Luxe Life blog that plans are progressing to bring a live version of ABC's ratings "Dancing With the Stars" for a residency at the Tropicana, starting next February. Apparently, the new dance show will feature a combination of dance professionals and a rotating roster of stars who've previously taken part in the show, although the lineup has yet to be finalized.

Foodie on the Radio:

Tune in tomorrow morning to KNPR's "State of Nevada" show to catch Eating Las Vegas co-author and food critic Al Mancini discussing Desert Companion magazine’s recent restaurant awards from 9:30 to 10 a.m.

Broken Show-Ticket Links:

Our apologies to anyone who had trouble trying to book show tickets via last week's LVAGold email -- a technical snafu directed some links to the wrong shows. If you're still trying to book, you can find all the correct links to our current discounts, some of which are exclusive to LVAGold members*, on the Las Vegas Show Deals page. *Sign-up is free, just register with a valid email address.

Resort-Fee Poll:

Our current Reader Poll is all about the dreaded hotel resort fees. If you haven't cast your vote yet, don't miss out -- the poll ends at midnight tomorrow.

Casino Win Up:

Nevada casinos posted an 8.1 percent increase in gaming win in October, compared with the same time last year. Winnings on the Las Vegas Strip were up 13.3 percent at nearly $561 million for the month, while downtown casinos posted an 8.1 percent increase in October. Reno and Washoe County both posted a 12.3 percent and 9.3 percent drop in gaming win, respectively, however.

South Point Spreads Festive Cheer:

Today through Dec. 24, all drinks are just $2 at all bars at South Point, and only $1 when using club points.

Casinos Coming to Arizona?:

A group calling itself "Arizonans for Fair Gaming" has filed an initiative that would allow gambling at private casinos and racetracks if it wins voter approval, reports "Fox 10 News." The proposal was filed Friday with the Arizona Secretary of State's office and will require nearly 173,000 signatures before July 5, 2012, in order to go before voters in November. If passed, the move would end the Indian-tribes monopoly on running casinos in the state.

Green Monday:

It's the biggest online buying day of the year, and we have lots of great ideas for gifts in our Holiday Catalog, including books, tutorial software, strategy cards, and fun hand-held electronic games, so check it out for ideas for the gambler/Vegas fan on your list.

Flavor Flav Launches Vodka:

Rapper and reality TV personality Flavor Flav will launch "LeFLAV STRAIGHT UP" 80 proof vodka at a 2-day bottle signing and tasting in the Paradise Gift Shop at the Las Vegas Hilton on Monday, Dec. 12 – Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m.. The brand will feature a range of flavors, including grape and bubble gum, and comes in bottles blinged out with a 4-carat Swarovski.

Multiplier at GC:

The Gold Coast is paying 7X points on slots and 5X on video poker today. Good play for video poker players who can take advantage of the casino's good schedules, including 9/6 Jacks or Better for 50 cents and dollars at the sports book bar.

Santas Helpers at Palms:

The Palms cocktail waitresses have donned their holiday uniforms. As they have for the past several years, the waitresses are all sporting Santa-style outfits.

Rodeo Leaves Town:

The National Finals Rodeo concluded yesterday and the cowboy crowd is heading home. The casinos are transitioning back to normal and preparing for the next big event -- New Year's Eve.

Trop Entertainment Shake-Up:

Comedian Brad Garrett ends his run at the Tropicana today, pending a move of his Comedy Club to MGM Grand, while the new iCandy Burlesque debuts in the resort's Ambhar Lounge, with what the R-J's Mike Weatherford has dubbed "environmental performers" spilling into gaming areas. The stage performances are free and will take place three times a night, Thursdays through Saturdays. Since the lounge area is not enclosed, the burlesque performances will not feature any toplessness.

UFC Lines:

Jon Jones is a big -580 favorite over Lyoto Machida in tonight's UFC main event. In the other feature matche, Frank Mir is -255 over Antonio Rodrigo Nogruiera. Sapphire gentlemen's club is a new venue with a viewing party. Admission is $20 for locals and includes free food, raffles, and prizes. Cabo Wabo has a $20 admission. And the Lift bar has changed its deal -- there's now a $10 admission that can be applied to drinks tonight.

Heisman Odds:

Robert Griffin III is the prohibitive -3000 favorite to win the Heisman Trophy today. Trent Griffin is +450, Andrew Luck +750, and Montee Ball and Tyrann Mathiew each +5000.

Carnival of Cuisine:

Venetian and Palazzo host the the 4th Annual Carnival of Cuisine today from noon to 4 p.m. in the Palazzo Ballroom, featuring award-winning cuisine from more than 15 eateries, plus live entertainment. Tickets start at $60 -- Click here for more details.

Christmas at MonteLago:

The holiday spirit continues out at Lake Las Vegas, with a Santa meet-and-greet for kids from noon to 2:30 p.m. today and the Sin City Strolling Carolers from 1-4 p.m., followed by a free children's cookie decorating event in the Village tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. For full Christmas entertainment listings, check out our annual feature in

Vegas StrEATs:

It's the monthly food truck fest downtown at El Cortez tonight, featuring Slidin' Thru, Fukuburger, Pop's Truck, Carefree Catering, Yellow Lunch Box, Grouchy John's, BBQ Boy, Sin City Wings, and Pappi Churro, plus streetwear, live music, DJs, and more! If you're still hungry after all that, you can segueway to the weekly Saturday Night Truck Stop event at Tommy Rocker's, where you can catch the Haulin' Balls, Redneck Kitchen, and Sausagefest food trucks from 10 p.m.

LWWC Bags Another:

The Strip's Little White Wedding Chapel bagged another big name this week when Sinead O'Connor got hitched on Thursday. According to Norm Clark of the LV Review-Journal, the ceremony took place "in the back seat of a pink Cadillac convertible in the Tunnel of Love drive-through." The Little White Chapel may be best known as the site of the short-lived marriage of Britney Spears to Jason Allen Alexander in 2004.

Underwater Santa:

Enjoy an alternative holiday photo opp today and tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the Silverton's "Underwater Santa", who you can find in the resort's 117,000 -gallon aquarium posing for free festive family snaps.

Bounty on Annie Duke:

Decide to Play Great Poker author Annie Duke's the bounty in tonight's $100 Pro/Am satellite Epic Poker tourney at 9.30 p.m. Knock her out and win your buyin back.

Tiesto on the Move:

Mega-DJ Tiesto is forsaking The Joint at the Hard Rock for XS at Encore as of Saturday, Jan. 7. Click here for tix, which are available at the early-bird rate of $20 for females and $50 for males (plus fees) -- sorry boys!

New Las Vegas Coupon Site:

We're beta testing our new Coupons in Vegas site, which is now home to all the LVA Member Rewards Online offers, and will soon also be populated with other deals that are free for anyone to download and use. If you're already a Las Vegas Advisor subscriber, just log in at the top of the page to access the MROs; non-members will be able to register with a valid address from one of any 12 valid OPENID emails to access the open-to-all offers -- coming soon! Check it out and let us know if you have any problems.

Food Truck Drive Thru':

Good luck to Slidin' Thru with the grand opening of their bricks 'n mortar drive thru' location (6410 N Durango Dr.)at 5 p.m. tonight! Other food truck news: Welcome to the Redneck Kitchen, the latest addition to our ever-growing array of mobile dining options -- this Food Truck frenzy is getting out of hand! But we're not complaining. You can check out a bunch of 'em at the monthly Vegas StrEATS festival (downtown at the El Cortez) and Saturday Night Truck Stop (Tommy Rocker's) events tomorrow.

Gambling Show Reminder:

Don't forget you can tune in to hear 2006 WSOP Champion Jamie Gold and gambling guru Anthony Curtis on the "Vegas Banter" show this afternoon. The show, broadcasting live from the poker room at the Tropicana, can be viewed live at TLVS1.com between noon and 3 p.m. PST. Listeners are encouraged to call in and pose questions to Jamie (who'll be on from noon to 1 p.m.) and Athony (1-2 p.m.), with giveways awarded to callers.

12 Beers of Christmas:

Beginning Wednesday, December 14th, Todd English P.U.B. at Crystals kicks off a "12 Beers of Christmas" promotion, offering a different beer served for just $1 all day. The "1st beer of Christmas" will be Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Holiday Time at the Lake:

Lake Las Vegas kicks off a weekend of holiday events this evening with the second annual "Spirits of Christmas" Cocktail Walk. The restaurants of MonteLago Christmas Village will provide free tastings of special holiday cocktails, custom-created just for the event, from 5 to 9 p.m. this evening. Guests can pick up a free tasting guide and voting score card at Casino MonteLago, with one lucky taster also winning a stay-cation at Lake Las Vegas. Cocktail Walk revelers must be 21 to participate.

Bikini Bar Birthday:

The Bikini Bar is celebrating its first birthday with a $20 open bar tonight, with premium liquor included.

Curtis and Gold on the Radio:

2006 WSOP Champion Jamie Gold and gambling guru Anthony Curtis will be appearing on Joe Pane's Vegas Banter show tomorrow, which can be heard and seen live via a live video stream between noon and 3 p.m. PST. The show's being hosted by the Tropicana poker room and listeners are encouraged to call in and pose questions to Jamie (who'll be on from noon to 1 p.m._ and Athony (1-2 p.m.).

Locals Waxwork Discount:

Las Vegas locals with a valid Nevada I.D. can enjoy $12.50 tickets (half-price) to Madame Tussauds through Feb. 29, 2012 when purchasing two or more adult general admission tickets online at www.madametussauds.com/lasvegas.

IndyCar Series to Skip Vegas:

Following the death of driver Dan Wheldon during the Oct. 16 season finale, the IndyCar Series will not return to Las Vegas Motor Speedway next season. The future of the event at the track is in part dependent on the results of the investigation into Wheldon's fatal accident.

Free Steak at Hooters:

The Cattlemen's Ranch Steakhouse (a.k.a. The Mad Onion) at Hooters is running its free steak promo again through December 11. The offer is open to visitors with out-of-state ID with purchase of a beverage.

LVA Coupon Blowout:

Yes, we've done it again! Now through December 22, you can purchase a 3-month online trial to Las Vegas Advisor, which includes the 2011 Member Rewards Book of coupons for buffets, restaurants, shows, attractions, free slot play, and more (including a $50 all-purpose comp at the Palms), for just $12. Plus, the 2012 American Casino Guide is now in-house and shipping, and we're offering it as a package with the 3-month trial for a mere $25. This offer is only available for pick-up from our office during regular business hours (Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) -- it doesn't ship. Hurry while supplies last!

New Year's Fireworks:

This year's pyrotechnic display will be launched from eight casino rooftop locations, including the Tropicana, MGM Grand, Aria, Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, Venetian, and Stratosphere.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

The National Finals Rodeo wraps up this weekend (12/1-12/10) and there's a whole bunch of country entertainment to help finish it up. Comedian Rodney Carrington's at MGM (12/4-12/10) Bill Engvall does stand up at TI (12/8-12/9) while fellow Blue Collar comedian Ron White's at the Mirage (12/9-12/10) Gary Allen performs at Mandalay Bay (12/9-12/10) Joe Nichols entertains at Santa Fe Station (12/9-12/10) The Orleans welcomes The Charlie Daniel's Band (12/9-12/10) Trace Adkins performs at the Riviera (12/9) And Uncle Kracker takes the stage at the Silverton (12/9) And for the non-country fans...there are plenty other events happening around town. Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch The Throne tour makes a stop at the MGM (12/9) Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque Du Soleil continues its run at Mandalay Bay (12/3-12/27), accompanied by the Michael Jackson Fan Fest (12/3-12/14) Puscifer's at the Palms (12/10) Comedian Mark Curry's at the Las Vegas Hilton (12/7-12/11) And Andrea Bocelli performs his annual holiday concert at the MGM Grand (12/10)

QoD Update:

Thanks to all of you who've written in to shed more light on the mystery of the bell chimes audible at The Cosmopolitan, the source of which we are now able to confirm. Check back for the "Update" if you've already read today's answer.

Epic Poker Reminder:

Don't forget there's an Epic Poker qualifier kicking off at the Palms at 7:30 p.m., with a bounty on Anthony Curtis. The buy-in is $100 ($50 rebuys) but you get your entry fee back if you bump him. There's also an earlier event that kicks off at 5 p.m.

Adelson Opposed to Online Gambling:

While other casino owners are actively prepping for the predicted legalisation of Internet gambling, Las Vegas Sands chairman Sheldon Adelson is morally opposed to the move, citing a lack of adequate technology to prevent underage gambling, according to the R-J.

Top 10 Bargain Hotels:

The UK's Guardian newspaper has named its picks for the Top 10 Bargain Hotels in Las Vegas. For all our best current room rates, including deals exclusive to LVA Gold members, check out our Hotel Deals listings.

New Year's in Vegas:

Our annual round-up of Las Vegas New Year's Eve parties and other happenings is live, so check it out if you're planning to be in town. We'll keep adding to the listings as more events are announced.

Strip Club Open Bar:

Crazy Horse III topless club will kick-off what's being dubbed the world’s longest running consecutive open bar, beginning at midnight on Sunday, Dec. 18 and extending through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27. The deal, which features 24 hours of free well drinks for 10 consecutive days, is open to locals only. For our unique guide to the city's gentlemen's club scene, check out ,a href=http://www.shoplva.com/search?q=topless" target="_blank">Topless Vegas. The full-color e-book version, newly updated as edition 5.1, features photographs of real Las Vegas strippers throughout and is now also available for the Amazon Kindle.

Hypnotist Extends:

Comedy hypnotist Marc Savard has just signed a three-year contract extension with the V Theater. Congrats!

Pei Wei Giveaway:

Drop your holiday food donations for Three Square food bank today at Pei Wei Asian Diner locations and receive 25% off your entrée. The drive ends today.

Localites Awards:

Today is the penultimate day to vote in the 2011 Las Vegas Localites TV awards, honoring the best of the city's nightlife and entertainment, with categories including Best DJ, Best Daylife, Best Hair Salon, Locals Favorite Strip Club, Socialite of the Year, Most Well-Known Casino Host, and more. The award ceremony takes place tomorrow at Haze nightclub at Aria, with a live performance from Wynter Gordon.

Miracle Mile Holiday Tweetup:

Tomorrow, Dec. 8, Saxe Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood is hosting a holiday Tweetup, featuring the latest holiday party fashions from stores in the mall, free appetizers and cocktails, plus giveaways including a grand prize package featuring a $100 gift card to Miracle Mile Shops, one-night stay at Planet Hollywood, and dinner for two at PBR Rock Bar & Grill. All attendees will also receive a complimentary ticket to VEGAS! The Show, following the event at 7 p.m.

McFadden's Closed:

We just learned that McFadden's in the Rio closed without notice on December 5. No word as yet as to what may take its place. This closure seems to be an isolated event for the Irish restaurant and saloon chain, which also has venues in numerous other cities, including New York, Boston, and Chicago.

Bounty On A.C.:

There will be a bounty on Anthony Curtis in tomorrow's Epic Poker qualifier at the Palms. Play begins at 7:30 p.m. and the buy-in is $100 ($50 re-buys). He ain't no Shanna Moekler or Tatjana Pasalic (recent Epic bounties), but you still get your entry fee back if you bump him.

New Dancer Article:

Video poker expert Bob Dancer just posted his latest weekly article. This week Bob discusses casino policies in handling player mistakes and how you should adjust your play if the casino won't give you grace on an error.

Singapore Score:

A new report says a projected 13% increase will generate a $9 billion gambling win by the casinos in Singapore next year. That makes Singapore the second biggest jurisdiction in the world for gambling revenue, second only to Macau with a projected $40 billion.

Bowl Games Set:

The college football bowl games are set and opening lines are out on the games. In the national championship, LSU is a -1 favorite over Alabama. In other games of note, Oregon is -6.5 over Wisconsin, Oklahoma St. is -3.5 over Stanford, Michigan is -2 over Virginia Tech, Clemson is -3 over West Virginia, and Arkansas is -7.5 over Kansas St.

A $22 Million Poker Pot:

World Series of Poker officials say that 22 players have committed to putting up $1 million each to play in what they expect to be the biggest poker tournament ever, contested during next year's WSOP meet. It's not really a $22 million pot yet, since 11% is being taken out for charity. However, if seven more players enter, the first prize will surpass the $12 million Jamie Gold won as the champion of the Main Event in 2006.

Christmas Comes to Downtown:

Mayor Carolyn Goodman will be on Fremont Street tonight to light Las Vegas' official Christmas tree at 5 p.m. Santa and his elves will fly by on the Flightlinez zipline and directly following the ceremony Candy and the Canes will perform a live song and dance show to holiday music hits. For all the other holiday attractions around town, check out our feature in Special Events.

Half-Price at South Point:

It's 50%-off again when you pay with club points at South Point. The discount is good in restaurants, bars, showroom, spa, movies, bowling, and even the gift shop. Offer runs through Dec. 24.

Magician Movie Coming to Vegas:

A new movie set in Las Vegas is reportedly in the works. It will star Jim Carrey and Steve Carrell as rival magicians. Advance crews were spotted around town over the weekend.

Repeal Day at MBay:

Any excuse for a party. Rick Moonen's rm seafood at Mandalay Bay will celebrate Repeal Day today to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition. Drink specials and a special "speakeasy era" of small-plate appetizers will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m.

Poll Glitch Fixed:

Looks like there was a technical issue with Saturday's LVA Reader Poll results, but it's now fixed.

Beach Boys Restaurant Announced:

A new restaurant called Beach Boys Good Vibrations has been announced for Bally's. It will be the first in a planned national Beach Boys chain and is scheduled to open next summer.

Frank Retiring:

Massachussetts congressman Barney Frank, one of the most active proponents of online gambling, says he'll retire next year at the end of his current term. Frank's early efforts to legalize online poker are credited for advancing the movement to its current state and for getting others in government to lend support. Frank says he'll continue to work for legalization while in office.

Marathon to Close Strip:

The Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon will close the Strip today from 3 to 11 p.m. Motorists will also be prohibited from exiting I-15 onto eastbound Charleston, Sahara, Flamingo, and Tropicana. This is the first time the race has not been staged in the early morning. A field of 44,000 is expected.

Spa Spreads Holiday Cheer:

From Monday, Dec. 5 through Friday, Dec. 16, Aquae Sulis spa at the JW Marriott in Summerlin is hosting "12 Days of Giving," a holiday fundraiser with a portion of the proceeds benefitting a different local charity each day. Guests of the spa are encouraged topurchase gift certificates for their loved ones and 10 percent of all sales over $50 will be dedicated to participating charities and non-profit organizations serving the Las Vegas community, includin Aid for AIDS Nevada, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas, The Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, and others.

Rare Spread:

The New England Patriots are a 20-point favorite today over the Indianapolis Colts. MGM Grand sports book director Jay Rood said that there have probably been fewer than 10 spreads of 20 points or more in the NFL since 2000.

Immortal:

The Las Vegas stop of Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson -- The Immortal World Tour begins tonight. Mandalay Bay will host 33 shows through Dec. 27, with tickets priced $50-$175.

Margarito/Cotto:

Miguel Cotto is a -200 favorite over Antonio Margarito in tonight's fight. Over 10.5 rounds is also the favorite at -170.

Blackjack Tourney at Hooters:

Hooters is advertising a daily blackjack tournament during the National Finals Rodeo (till Dec. 10). Entry fee is $50.

Wynn and the Pats:

Talks are reportedly in progress between Wynn resorts and Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, to build a mega-casino in Foxboro, MA. The resort would be built on 200 acres adjacent to Gilette Stadium, where the Pats play their NFL games.

Fifty Million for Monorail:

The Las Vegas Monorail had its 50-millionth rider this week. Despite the milestone, ridership and revenue continue to be below what's needed to keep the monorail running.

Stay Out:

New Jersey has seized nearly $70,000 in jackpots this year that were won by gamblers who'd put themselves on the state's casino self-exclusion list. The biggest one was $54,000.

Santa Run:

As many as 10,000 "Santas" are expected to take part in today's seventh annual Las Vegas Great Santa Run. The 5K run and 1-mile run begin at 10 a.m. from the Town Square shopping district; registration is $45 for adults and $35 for ages 2-12.

Countdown to Shania:

It must be residency week. Caesars Palace is promoting the start of the "one-year countdown" to the premiere of Shania Twain’s Las Vegas residency show Shania: Still the One in the Colosseum. The first show of the two-year residency will be Dec. 1, 2012. Tickets are available beginning Jan. 1 at caesarspalace.com or by calling 800-634-6661, with prices ranging from $55 to $250 plus applicable fees.

London Gets Largest Casino:

The UK's largest casino, Aspers Casino at Westfield Stratford City, opened yesterday in London. The 65,000-square-foot casino occupying the third floor of the "largest urban shopping mall in Europe" has 40 tables, 150 slots, 92 other electronic games, and a poker room, along with a restaurant and bars. While some are calling it a "super casino," others contend that the designation is incorrect, claiming super casinos are classified as having 1,250 machines.

Mötley Crüe takes on Vegas:

Mötley Crüe officially announced their residency gig in Las Vegas last night on CNN’s "Piers Morgan Tonight." The will Crüe will perform an extended run, February 3-19 2012, at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Tickets start at $45 and go on sale tomorrow.

Football Update:

Anthony Curtis has just posted his weekly Football Update at LVASports.com, so check it out for the latest on contest news, MNF parties, and more.

Las Vegas Weekend Highlights:

It's NFR weekend, which means cowboys and county singers galore, but that's only half the story, with a heap of comedians, the Michael Jackson tour and fan fest, a bunch of UFC fighters and of course, First Friday, this weekend is sure to have something for everyone: The Seventh Annual Las Vegas Great Santa Run takes place this weekend at Town Square. This year's race features a performance by Monte Carlo headliners Jabbawockeez prior to the race, five parachuting Santa Clauses, and Mirage headliner Terry Fator will be there to pump up the crowd and serve as Grand Marshal (12/3) The Ultimate Fighter Finale takes place at the Pearl at the Palms (12/3) America's Got Talent winner, Michael Grimm, starts his run at the Flamingo (11/29-12/11) Comedian Mark Curry's at the Las Vegas Hilton (11/30-12/4) David Spade does stand-up at the Venetian (12/2-12/3) Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's at Caesars Palace (12/3) The Scintas perform at the Suncoast (12/2-12/4) And Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque Du Soleil starts up at Mandalay Bay (12/3-12/27), along with the Michael Jackson Fan Fest (12/3-12/14) The National Finals Rodeo is underway at the Thomas & Mack (12/1-12/10) and Las Vegas is full of activities and entertainment for all you cowboy lovers out there. Here's a quick highlight of events around town: The Mirage welcomes funny man Ron White (12/2-12/3) Clint Black performs at the Golden Nugget (12/2-12/3), followed by Travis Tritt (12/4-12/5) Jake Owen takes the stage at Green Valley Ranch (12/2-12/3) Lee Ann Womack entertains at the Orleans (12/2-12/7) The Eastside Cannery welcomes John Rich (12/3) LeeAnn Rimes is at Santa Fe Station (12/3) Rodney Carrington makes 'em laugh at MGM (12/4-12/10) And there will be autograph sessions at ARIA, Golden Nugget, Palms, TI, Monte Carlo, and the Mirage. For a full list of events check out NFRexperience.com

NASCAR Victory Parade:

The NASCAR victory parade takes place today along the Strip. At about 3:15 p.m. the intersection of Spring Mountain Road and Las Vegas Boulevard will be closed in all directions. The southbound lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard in front of the Bellagio will be closed at about 3:30 p.m. as well as the intersection of Harmon Ave. and the Boulevard. All lanes and intersections will reopen following the parade.

Cirque Week:

Cirque du Soleil kicks off its second annual Cirque Week today, offering fans access to a 10-day series of Cirque-related events. Packages run from $165 for a two-show ticket package to $561 for tickets to all seven Cirque du Soleil productions in Las Vegas. Purchase tickets or get more information at cirquedusoleil.com/cirqueweek.

Plaza Plans Scrapped:

One of the last mega-projects to be announced before the economic downturn is officially toast. Elad Group, which purchased the 36-acre site where the New Frontier used to be to build a $5.4 billion Plaza Hotel complex, has announced that the project will not go forward. Elad paid $1.24 billion for the land and razed the New Frontier in 2007, but that's as far as the project went. Steve Wynn reportedly turned down subsequent offers to develop the property and the vacant site is now valued at about half Elad's purchase price. The future for the property could become more clear when loan renewals come up in six months.