Las Vegas News

Jackpot at Caesars:

A Texas woman put an exclamation point on her 2012 with a big $2.8 million slot jackpot at Caesars Palace on Friday. She hit on a Money Madness machine.

SHe Opens Tonight:

SHe by Morton's, the former Beso's, opens at 10 p.m. tonight in Crystals at CityCenter. The combo steakhouse and nightclub is a joint venture between Eva Longoria and Tilman Fertitta from Landry’s.

January LVA Posted:

The January Las Vegas Advisor is posted and available to read online by LVA members. Only the HTML version is posted, however; the flash version will be up on Wednesday.

NYE Road Closures:

If you need to cross the Strip, it will be easier prior to 5 p.m. At 5 the easbound offramps at Tropicana, Flamingo, and Spring Mountain will be closed. At 5:45, all roads and ramps accessing the Strip between Sahara and Russell will be closed. The Strip will be opened to the public at 6:30, at which time the Strip's moving walkways, elevators, and escalators will be shut down. You will be able to cross the Strip on Sahara, Desert Inn, and Russell throughout the night and access will begin to reopen around 3:30 a.m. Major roads will beging closing downtown around noon today.

Getting Ready to Party:

Some 300,000 vistors are expected in town for New Year's Eve. The Strip will be closed to traffic so people can congregate on the street and downtown is hosting an all-night party. The big fireworks show will be visible from all parts of the valley at midnight.

SNF Cowboys/Redskins:

The Washington Redskins are -3.5 favorites over the Dallas Cowboys in the final Sunday Night Football game of the season. The total is 49.

NYE Drinks at the Palms:

The Palms has an $80 all-you-can-drink deal on New Year's Eve. Get a wristband for $80 that's good for unlimited drinks from 6 pm to midnight.

Illinois VP Off to Slow Start?:

The new video poker games in Illinois bars may not be performing as well as expected. Some reports indicate that results have been below expectations, though state officials say it's too early to tell.

One More Shot:

You still have time to take one more shot at the $30K prize in Boyd's Pick the Pros football contest before it ends for the seasno. Put in your picks before kick-off at Gold Coast, Suncoast, Sam's Town, Orleans, California, or Fremont.

UFC dos Santos/Velasquez:

Junior dos Santos is a -220 favorite over Cain Velasquez in tonight's UFC championship match. In the other big match, Jim Miller is -210 over Joe Lauzon.

Body English is Back:

Body English has reopened at the Hard Rock. One of the most popular nightclubs in Las Vegas before closing four years ago, Body English is smaller and considered more intimate than many of the major clubs in town.

Another Vegas Movie:

Watch the theaters for The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, then next Las Vegas-based movie, due out in about a month. Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, and Steve Buscemi all play magicians that appear to have the characteristics of some of Las Vegas' finest, like Chris Angel and David Copperfield, the latter of whom worked on the movie.

Airline Traffic Down:

Traffic at McCarran International Airport was down .3% in November. Year-to-date numbers are up, but only by .6%. A recent report predicts that in the first half of 2013, outbound flights will decline 4.3% and seat capcity will decline 2.7%, negative indicators for Las Vegas. About 42% of visitor volume is attributed to air traffic, of which Southwest/Air Tran controls 40% of the market.

NYE Drinkathon:

Silverton is running a "Skip the Strip" campaign for New Year's Eve, using an all-you-can-drink deal as the lure. It's $20 for unlimited draft beer, well drinks, and sparkling wine from 7 to 10 pm, then admission into a party in Veil. You might want to grab a room with this one.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

New Year's is always a big holiday for Las Vegas and this year is no different. With more than 300,000 people expected to be in Las Vegas to ring in the New Year you can expect that almost every bar, nightclub, etc. will have some type of party planned. Here's some of the big events happening: The Downtown Countdown at Fremont Street Experience features performances by Buckcherry and Queensryche, Yellow Brick Road, Zowie Bowie, and more. The event includes a 2012 year-in-review retrospective on the Viva Vision screen, a midnight countdown led by Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and virtual fireworks on Viva Vision. Tickets are $40. The firing locations for the Strip firework display are the Stratosphere, Venetian, Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, Aria, MGM Grand, and Treasure Island. The show is expected to last just over 8 minutes and is put on by Gucci. Body English inside the Hard Rock reopens on NYE and will feature DJ sets and a $175 open bar from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Doors open at 9 p.m. and cover charge is $100 men/$50 women. Foster the People perform live at The Bank inside the Bellagio. Doors open at 10 p.m. and cover charge is $165 men/$110 women. Rain inside the Palms welcomes Travis Barker and Yelawolf. There will be a hosted bar for $200 from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Doors open at 9 p.m. and cover charge is $40 men/$20 women. Fun. will be over at Haze inside Aria. Doors open at 9:30 p.m., tickets are $125, and there will be an open bar from 9:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. And New York-New York is hosting a NYE Bridge Bash from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.. Tickets are $150 per person and include a 4 hour premium open bar, live entertainment, and great views of the Strip fireworks. For a full list of parties around the valley check out The Las Vegas Sun's Event Guide. And remember The Regional Transportation Commission offers free bus rides on New Year's Eve. Starting at 6 p.m., buses will be free of charge to those heading to the Las Vegas Strip and downtown Las Vegas.

Score!:

The Score! sports-memorabilia exhibit has opened at Luxor. The developers worked with several sports organizations, including the football, basketball, and hockey Hall of Fames, the U.S. Soccer Federation, and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to create its sports-themed displays and interactive experiences. Tickets are $28 for adults ($20 for locals) and $15 for kids under 12.

Konik on Edge:

Michael Konik will be the guest on tonight's Gambling With an Edge radio show, hosted by Bob Dancer and Michael "The Wizard of Odds" Shackleford. Konik will certainly talk gambling, but he'll also discuss his new book, Becoming Bobby, which was recently published by our fiction imprint, Vegas Lit. The show airs from 7 to 8 p.m. PST. Tune in to KLAV 1230 AM.

Sports Update Live:

Anthony Curtis' weekly round-up of the Las Vegas football scene just went live at LVASports.com. While Monday Night Football is over for the season, there's still plenty of news updates, and a preview of tomorrow's "Fezzik Friday" QoD.

Goodbye IP, hello Venetian:

Rockhouse, which closed at the Imperial Palace back in May, is set to open at its new 9,000-square-foot location in The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian in late January. Once again the popular bar will have direct access from Las Vegas Boulevard and will offer drinking games in the day time and DJs at night. New features include three bars, pool tables, beer pong tables, a mechanical bull, plenty of room for dancing, and a full menu of bar food.

Jackpot at Four Queens:

A $1.4 million slot jackpot was hit on Christmas Eve at the Four Queens. The anonymous winner hit on a $1 Millionaire Sevens machine.

Plaza Sclhepping Bags:

The Plaza is the first hotel in southern Nevada to offer its guests free luggage service to and from McCarran International Airport. The service is offered by other resorts, but for a fee. Working through a company called Bags Inc., guests can have their bags transported if they're flying Southwest, Delta, United, American, US Airways, JetBlue, WestJet, or Virgin Atlantic.

Skybox Closing:

The Skybox Sports Bar and Grill in the Aria sports book will close on Jan. 2. A not-yet-announced "new concept" will take its place.

The Quad is Official:

Announced back in September, the official change of name from the Imperial Palace to The Quad took place last week. According to a press release, renovations are underway and will eventually encompass "improvements" to the exterior façade, porte cochere, front desk, bell desk, lobby, casino floor, retail promenade, and dining levels. All work is scheduled to be completed by "late 2013."

New Rooms at GN:

The Golden Nugget has introduced 74 "Gold Club" rooms in its Rush Tower. The new rooms are located on key-card access floors, and feature an elevated level of luxury and room amenities.

Thermometer in Jeopardy:

The giant thermometer in Baker, California, visible from I-15 on the drive from LA, may be on its way out. Built in 1991 and billed as the "World's Largets Thermometer," the 134-foot structure is no longer illuminated, which may prompt the town to demand its demolition. The owner claims that the thermometer's nearly 5,000 light bulbs rack up an $8,000-per-month electric bill.

Roseanne at the Trop:

Roseanne Barr will perform in an extended run in the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana, currently scheduled for Jan. 14 through March 3. Ticket prices have not been released.

Condos Sold:

Veer Towers at CityCenter has made a bulk sale of 427 condo units to a New York investment firm for $119 million. The sale leaves only 11 penthouses unsold from the Veer inventory and CityCenter retail says it will now turn its attention to unsold units at Mandarin Oriental.

The Push for 40:

Las Vegas visitation increased by 2.9% in October, putting 40 million visitors for the year in reach. With two months to go, the total is 33.6 million. The record for visitation is 39.2 million set in 2007 and last-year's total was 38.9 million.

Nevada Growing Again:

For the second year in a row, Nevada's population has increased. In 2012, the state's population grew by 38,903 to 2,758,931 residents. The 1.43% increase ranked Nevada as the sixth-fasted growing state in the U.S.

Party Train:

A "party train" that would run between Las Vegas and Fullerton, California may be operating by the first quarter of 2014. Unlike several high-speed trains that have been proposed, this one would travel at normal speeds and take five and a half hours to make the journey. However, passengers will have access to bars and restaurants on the train, giving them the opportunity to start their Vegas party during the trip. Tickets are expected to cost $100 each way, with food and drink programs included in the price.

New Candy Shop:

Sweet Spot Candy Shop has opened downtown at 616 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Among the shop's offerings are "retro" candies and soft drinks.

Merry Christmas:

Specials are running in restaurants all over town today. South Point is paying 5X points on slots and 2X on video poker. Following today, the town will begin gearing up for the big visitor influx for New Year's Eve.

Buffalo Bills Closes Briefly:

As it's done in the past, Buffalo Bill's at Primm closed for about a week for renovations. It's scheduled to reopen tomorrow.

Bob Dancer Posted:

Video poker expert Bob Dancer's new column just went live, and it's about his thoughts on Video Poker on Twitter.

Lobster Update:

Monstah Lobster has closed on the east side (replaced with a BBQ restaurant). Coupled with the closing of the Coachman's Inn a couple months ago, that's two good lobster joints now gone. Though not the same as being able to get a fresh lobster out of a tank, the Cortez Room at the Gold Coast is running a good deal. Order any entree and get either one pound of king crab or a half pound lobster tail for $10 extra.

Amazing Johnathan Calls it Quits:

After 13 years in Las Vegas, comedian-illusionist the Amazing Johnathan, is calling it quits. Back in September The Amazing Johnathan moved from his home of almost 4 years, the Harmon Theater, to Bally's. The comedian broke the news on his Facebook page on Dec. 21.

SNF 49ers/Seahawks:

In one of the biggest Sunday-night games of the year, the Seattle Seahawks are -2.5 favorites over the San Francisco 49ers. The total is 40.

Subway Opens at GC:

The new Subway that replaced Kate's Korner at the Gold Coast has opened . If you liked the ice cream from Kate's, don't despair; it's now being served at GC's nearby Java Vegas outlet.

'Vegas Trends' in USA Today:

Check out the "Life" section in the weekend edition of USA Today for a big feature on current Las Vegas trends. No surprise, the trends remain pointed toward the hip and chic, but the article also has a good listing of new projects in the works, which is also a primary focus of the January Las Vegas Advisor.

Saturday Night Football:

In tonight's rare Saturday-night NFL game, the Atlana Falcons are -3.5 favorites over the Detroit Lions. The total is 49.5.

EC Drink Deal:

All drinks at all bars are just $3, 24 hours a day at the El Cortez. The deal includes top-shelf liquors and runs through Dec. 27.

NYE Fireworks:

The rest of the details regarding the New Year's Eve "America's Party" fireworks display have been released. The 8-minute 12-second show will feature 88,000 fireworks explosions, which will be set off from seven Strip-casino rooftops and be coordinated with music that will be "geared toward mostly the younger generation." The song list is "Auld Lang Syne", "Whistle" (Flo Rida), "Raise Your Glass" (Pink), "Le7els" (Avicii), "Light Up the Sky" (Duncan), "Glad You Came" (Wanted), and "Titanium" (David Guetta). Some 300,000 visitors are expected to come to town.

Las Vegas Bowl Game Today:

The Maaco Bowl Las Vegas is today, matching Boise State and Washington. Boise St. is a -4.5 favorite and the total is 45. The nationally televised game kicks off at 12:30 p.m.

Allegiant Goes the Distance:

Allegiant has launched its longest overland route, a nonstop service between Las Vegas and Plattsburgh, N.Y., which on Mondays and Fridays.

Pinnacle Buys Ameristar:

Las Vegas-based casino operator Pinnacle Entertainment is to purchase Ameristar Casinos in a $869 million deal, it was announced today. The move will add properties in Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi and Nevada to its current inventory in Louisiana, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio.

Locals Bloodfest Discount:

Evil Dead: The Musical is offering locals a special $20 rate on GA tix (reg. $49.99) now through the end of the year. Just click the link and print out the coupon.

Sports Update Live:

Anthony Curtis' weekly round-up of the Las Vegas football scene just went live at LVASports.com. While Monday Night Football is over for the season, there's still plenty of news updates, and a preview of tomorrow's "Fezzik Friday" QoD.

Taylor Hicks Dates:

"American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks has announced a new show schedule at Bally's for 2013, with dates through Dec. 23. Starting Jan. 21 the show will perform at 8 p.m. nightly (dark Sunday and Wednesday) and tickets start at $39.99. They go on sale this Saturday, Dec. 22, at 10 a.m. PST.

WSOP Goes Online:

Caesars Interactive Entertainment has been approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission to operate an online poker website in the state under the World Series of Poker Brand, owned by CE, although the venture won't be launched until European partner 888 Holdings is licensed in Nevada.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

It seems to be a quiet one this weekend (did no one make any plans for fear of the apocalypse?). A few brave souls are daring to defy the threat of world devastation, however. The show must go on! Social Distortion performs for three nights inside the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay (12/20-12/22) The Las Vegas Tenors entertain out at South Point (12/21-12/22) Red Rock welcomes Nashville Unplugged (12/21) Snoop Dogg takes the stage at the Hard Rock Cafe (12/22) The MAACO Bowl takes place at the Sam Boyd Stadium (12/22) And if you're getting into the holiday spirit, the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas show is still running over at the Palazzo (11/20-12/30), while The Nutcracker is performing at the Smith Center (12/21-12/23)

Zombie Santa:

The Zombie Apocalypse Museum, located just around the corner from our office and the recent subject of a "Question of the Day," hosts Zombie Santa in the store today, Friday, and Saturday (end-of-the-world permitting), from 2 to 7 p.m.

Lederer Settles:

Poker player Howard Lederer, brother of fellow pro of Annie Duke, has agreed to forfeit more than $2.5 million in assets and cash to settle a $42.5 million civil lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice over his role in disgraced online poker site Full Tilt.

Three Card Poker Bonus Spreads:

As of Thursday, Dec. 20, customers at Harrah’s, Horseshoe, and Tunica Roadhouse casinos in Tunica will become the only casinos in Tunica to offer the $1 million 6 Card Bonus jackpot to Three Card Poker players. To date the bonus game had only been available to players at Ceasars Entertainment properties in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, where six millionaire players have been created since the game was introduced in 2011.

More Shania:

Country superstar Shania Twain just completed the first 10-day run of her two-year residency at Caesars Palace, and has just announced additional dates for 2013, in addition to existing March and April dates. Tickets for 12 shows scheduled between May 14 and June 1 are now on sale, starting at $55 (plus tax and fees).

Shout Out to Rao's:

A big thank you to Frank Pellegrino, Jr. and Chef Nicole Grimes of Rao’s at Caesars Palace for hosting our launch party for the 2013 edition of Eating Las Vegas: The 50 Essential Restaurants. Robin Leach served as MC for the third consecutive year, with an array of celebrity chefs in attendance, including: Rick Moonen; Mary Sue Milliken; Susan Feniger; Kerry Simon; Luciano Pellegrini; and Alex Stratta.

Two-Martini Lunch:

While we still mourn the passing of the 25-cent martinis at the much-missed Commander's Palace, downtown has come up with something to ease our misery, with a new "two-martini lunch" special, with BOGO martinis at Mob Bar and the Triple George during lunch, Mon. to Fri.

Miss Universe:

The 2012 Miss Universe Pageant takes place this evening at Planet Hollywood, to be broadcast live on NBC and Telemundo to a global audience of 1 billion in more than 100 countries.

Aria Buffet Returns:

The buffet at Aria, which closed in October for a remodel, opens again this Saturday, oct. 22, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and "bottomless beverage" services.

Evil Dead Recruiting:

If you have the right zombie credentials, this could be your lucky break: Sirc Michaels Productions is auditioning for a swing performer for the iconic character of Ash in Evil Dead: The Musical. Certain requisite attributes for the part include: male; 6'-6'2"; must be in good shape (for the undead); and have no visible ink. If you sing, dance, have experience of stage combat, and don't faint at the sight of blood, that's a plus, too. Think you've got what it takes? Submit your headshot and resume before 5 p.m. on 1/4/12 to: sircmichaelsproductions@gmail.com

Bob Dancer Posted:

"Video poker is a lifetime-of-learning-type endeavor," observes expert Bob Dancer in this week's column. If you want to even aspire to being a professional-level video poker player -- one who can actually make money at it! -- there are many factors to take into account, and no shortcuts.

Extreme Thing Returns to Desert Breeze:

The 18th Extreme Thing Sports & Music Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. March 30th at the Desert Breeze Skate Park, 8275 Spring Mountain Road (at Durango Drive). Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 on the day of the show. The event features a lineup of live bands and the return of the dubstep stage, plus a BMX Dirt Challenge hosted by local pro-rider/reality TV Star Ricardo Laguna and the Vegas AmJam Skate and BMX amateur competition.

WSOPE to Paris:

The 2013 World Series of Poker Europe will take place in Paris at the Casino Barrière Enghien-les-Bainsinside, the oldest casino in France. The event will take place Oct. 11-24 and will conclude with the No Limit Hold'em Main Event, won last year by Phil Hellmuth Jr. for his record-breaking 13th individual gold bracelet.

Freeway Reopens:

I-15 southbound at Blue Diamond Road is open to traffic once more following an earlier three-car wreck.

New Stripside Breakfast Option:

Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood has launched a new $5.99 breakfast option, a platter featuring two eggs, potatoes, choice of any meat, and toas from 8 to 11 a.m. daily. Bottomless mimosas are available for an additional $5.99.

Megabucks Hit:

It's been confirmed that an anonymous winner hit the statewide Megabucks slot progressive at M Resort over the weekend for a $17.3 million payday.

I-15 Southbound Closed:

All southbound lanes of the I-15 at Blue Diamond Road are currently closed due to an accident. We'll let you know if/when we hear updates.

Holiday Shipping Deadline:

Noon was the deadline for holiday shipping from ShopLVA.com (make sure you sign up for our email updates if you didn't get the memo...) but you might still get to sneak in a phone order before the mail man comes, if you're really nice to our customer service department. So, check out our Holiday Catalog and pick up the phone, pronto! (800-244-2224)

The Who Doubles Down at the Joint:

Legendary band The Who has added a second date to its "Quadrophenia & More" concert at The Joint at the Hard Rock and will now perform Sunday, Feb. 10 in addition to the previously scheduled appearance on Friday, Feb. 8. Tickets for the new date go on sale this Friday, Dec. 21 at 10 a.m.

Former Mayor Welcomes Beer Pong:

Former mayor Oscar Goodman is to host the 8th Annual World Series of Beer Pong, which kicks off Jan. 2, 1013 at the Flamingo. The event will feature more than 500 teams from around the world competing for a $50,000 grand prize.

Broadway Blockbuster to Smith Center:

Nine-time Tony Award-winning musical The Book of Mormon, from the creators of "South Park," will visit the Smith Center for the Performing Arts downtown as part of the 2013-2014 "Broadway Las Vegas" season. Dates for the scheduled 2014 downtown tour stop have not yet been released, but it's set to be sometime in the summer of '14.

South Point Santas:

A week-long holiday celebration kicks off at South Point with 5X points on slots and 2X points on video poker today. The buffet is also 2-for-1 when you show your club card. These promotions are today only, but all drinks at all bars will be $2 (and only $1 if you buy with points) through December 24.

SNF Patriots/49ers:

The New England Patriots are -4 over the San Francisco 49ers in tonight's Sunday Night Football game. The total is 47.

Rock Time:

The musical "Rock of Ages" is set to open this week for what's slated to be an extended run at the Venetian. The soft opening is Tuesday, with tickets starting at $57.

Vegas Bags Book:

It's been announced that Las Vegas will be in the rotation for the national tour of "The Book of Mormon." The hot Broadway musical that won the Toney Award for "Best Musical" in 2011 will play at the Smith Center sometime in the summer of 2014.

Holiday Cash at Stations:

Today's the first day to earn entries in the $1 million "Holiday Cash Giveaway," running through December 31 at all Station and Fiesta casinos. Entries are earned playing all the games and you can get 10 free each day by visiting one of the participating casinos beginning Dec. 21, the first day of the drawings. There will be 162 winners each night.

Another Penny Palooza Bonus:

It's 15X points again today in the Penny Palooza promo at Gold Coast, Suncoast, Sam's Town, and Orleans. Look for the applicable slots in the Penny Lane section of each casino.

Penn & Teller Blood Drive:

Penn & Teller are to join forces with United Blood Services for the 12th consecutive year, sponsoring a blood drive from Tuesday, Dec. 18 through Saturday, Dec. 30. Blood donors within that period will receive two complimentary tickets to the duo's show at the Rio. Visit unitedbloodservices.org/LV for more information and to book an appointment.

Lane Closures Ahead:

Monday through Thursday, a "manhole rehabilitation" project will affect motorists on the Strip and Flamingo intersection from 2 and 10 a.m. daily. On Las Vegas Boulevard, the inside northbound left-turn lane onto westbound Flamingo Road will be closed, as will the far right southbound through lane. The outside left-turn lane onto westbound Flamingo will remain open, as will the southbound right-turn lane. On Flamingo, the two left westbound through lanes will be closed, and traffic will be reduced one lane. Left turns will be allowed onto southbound Las Vegas Boulevard. The outside eastbound left-turn lane to northbound Las Vegas Boulevard will be closed, but the inside left-turn lane will be open. The outside eastbound left through lane will be closed, with the two right through lanes remaining open.

UFC Nelson/Mitrione:

Roy Nelson is a -260 favorite over Matt Mitrione in tonight's UFC Main Event. In other featured matches, Mike Ricci is -245 over Colton Smith and Shane Del Rosario is -285 over Pat Berry.

Bikers for Santa:

Hogs 'n Heifers downtown is sponsoring a toy drive tomorrow, with more than 100 bikers riding from the downtown saloon to Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center to deliver toys to more than 250 children served by the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. The event, also sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts, will include children’s activities and live entertainment for families served by NCCF, kicking off with breakfast being served to participating bikers from 8-10 a.m Sunday.

Sandy's Effect Reported:

Recently reported numbers indicate that Hurricane Sandy caused the worst monthly year-over-year loss in the 34-year history of Atlantic City. The five to seven day closures that began on October 28 resulted in a 27.9% drop in the casino win for November. Sandy was also responsible for a 19.9% drop in October, which was the second biggest in A.C. history.

Powerball at Primm:

The California Lottery Commission has approved the sale of Powerball lottery tickets on the California side of the border with Nevada at Primm. The Primm Valley Lotto Store has sold tickets for other lotteries in the past, but not Powerball, which is one of the most popular. The casinos at Primm stand to benefit, as this is the most convenient lottery-sales location for Las Vegas residents. The Powerball sales begin April 8.

Taxi Strike Averted:

It comes as no great surprise to report that Yellow Checker Star Transportation and its unionized drivers have agreed on a temporary extension of their labor contract through Jan. 31, averting the threat of a significant cab strike through the holidays.

Spago Menu B'day Menu Extended:

Wolfgang Puck's Spago in the Forum Shops at Caesars is extending its 20th anniversary celebrations by offering its limited-time-only throwback menu -- complete with retro pricing -- through Thursday, Dec. 20. The special menu options are available at dinner only.

Plaza Showroom Closed:

"Technical issues" have closed the showroom at the Plaza, rendering Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Bite! Grand Ole Vegas Revue, and Phat Pack dark until future notice.

Cantor Contest Finale:

Bryan Leonard and Frank B face off against Mike Green today in the final of the Cantor Football Showdown. They'll compete in the M Resort sports book beginning at 2 p.m. The show will be broadcast live on The Las Vegas Sportsline radio show, 1100 am.

MD Casinos Go 24/7:

Maryland officials have approved expanded hours and preliminary table-game regulations, with the Casino at Ocean Downs and Hollywood Casino in Perryville now operating all day on weekends and Maryland Live! Casino commencing 24/7 operations on Dec. 27.

Venetian Culinary Clash:

Tonight the Venetian hosts the semi-final of its ongoing "Culinary Clash," which takes place from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in front of the Doge's Palace. The cook-off is being judged by a panel that includes Mario Batali, Emeril Lagasse, and Sam "Sammy D" DeMarco as competitors from various Venetian/Palazzo restaurants fight each other and the clock to create dishes featuring a secret ingredient. Participating eateries include: SUSHISAMBA, Table 10, FIRST Food & Bar, Aquaknox, Zine Noodles Dim Sum, Lagasse Stadium, Carnevino, Valentino, Delmonico Steakhouse, B&B Ristorante, Rattlecan, TAO Asian Bistro, LAVO Italian Restaurant, and Otto Enoteca Pizzeria.

Ski Resort Gets Festive:

Celebrate the holidays at Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort Dec. 21 and 22 for "Holidays on the Mountain," with holiday-themed festivities and food and drink specials, including s’mores, marshmallow roasting, carolers, a snow-play zone, and a visit from Santa. Complimentary bus transportation will be available both evenings on a first come, first served basis, leaving from Centennial Hills Hospital at 3:30 p.m. and returning at 8 p.m.

Weekly Sports Update:

Anthony Curtis just posted his weekly roundup of football news and events at LVASports, including all the latest on football contests, parties, and the latest "Fezzik Friday" QoD, which goes live tomorrow.

Coco Pops Back to NY:

After a well-received debut, apparently new Peepshow star Coco Austin has already been summoned back to New York by hubby Ice T, who's deeply unamused by photographs that surfaced on gossip site TMZ showing his curvaceous blond wife apparently cavorting with rapper AP.9. Whatever the reason, a source at Planet Ho confirmed that Coco will not be appearing in the show this weekend. We'll keep you posted...

MJ Book Signing Event:

Tomorrow, from 4 p.m., Michael Jackson costumier Michael Bush will be signing copies of his book, The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson in the Planet Hollywood store located on the 3rd floor of the Forum Shops at Caesars.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

It's really still all about the NFR this weekend. With the cowboys finishing up at the Thomas & Mack, there are Country concerts and comedy all around town to help see them off, plus some seasonal ballet/fighting: The National Finals Rodeo wraps up at the Thomas & Mack (12/6-12/15) Leann Rimes entertains at the LVH (12/13-12/15) Randy Travis performs at the Golden Nugget (12/13-12/14) The Riviera welcomes Jamey Johnson (12/14), and Trace Adkins (12/15) Ron White does stand up at the Mirage (12/14-12/15) Bill Engvall makes 'em laugh at TI (12/14) Travis Tritt takes the stage at the Orleans (12/14-12/15) The Ultimate Fighter Finale takes place at the Hard Rock (12/15) And if you're getting into the holiday spirit, the Deana Martin Christmas Show takes place at the Smith Center (12/14-12/16), as does The Nutcracker( 12/15-12/16)

New Home for Legends:

Long-running tribute show Legends in Concert will have a new home for 2013 at the Flamingo, it's just been officially announced. The show, which closes at Harrah's Dec. 30, has signed a multi-year residency with its sister property, beginning Feb. 2013.

Weekend Car Show:

Long-time Vegas headliner Amazing Johnathan is hosting his first-ever car show and sale this Saturday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 6290 Harrison Dr. (near Sunset/McLeod). There will be live entertainment and a remote broadcast from 97.1 The Point, with 10% of all car-sale proceeds going to benefit Make-A-Wish of Southern Nevada.

America's Party Details:

The first information about the official New Year's Eve celebrations for Las Vegas. Known as "America's Party," the show will encompass both live entertainment downtown at the Fremont Street Experience and the famed annual fireworks show on the Strip, launched from seven rooftop locations, including: MGM Grand; Aria; Planet Hollywood; Caesars Palace; TI; Venetian; and Stratosphere. More details will be announced later today.

New Hagar Party Dates:

The free third-anniversary performance by the Red Rocker at his Cabo Wabo Cantina, announced for January, 2013 and then postponed, will now take place over three days from Feb. 6, culminating in Sammy Hagar's guest appearance on Saturday, Feb. 9.

Possibility of Snow:

A small storm is giving a 60 percent chance of snowfall on Mt. Charleston tonight, with showers and wind expected in the Vegas valley. The storm, which may see additional rainfall Thursday morning, is expected to continue into Friday, with temperatures between 23 and 41 degrees expected at the end of the week.

Third Water Park in the Works?:

Apparently, following news of new water parks for both Summerlin and Henderson comes word, via Vegas Inc., that there may be a third water attraction coming our way, with word that MGM Resorts International is considering building a 5.5-acre water park at Circus Circus and is asking for permission to reclassify almost 23 acres of land near the KOA Campground from RV, commercial, and hotel zoning to zoning for a recreational facility. With two rival observation-wheel projects on the Strip, why not have three water parks? There will, however, only ever be one Circus Circus.

Great Bar Restaurant Massacre:

It's ironic, with the reversal of the smoking ban that took out so many bar restaurants, and evidence that the Las Vegas economy is picking up, but an increase to the minimum wage and an ongoing struggle for business has evidently proved too much to a number of eateries, both new and old favorites. Our current casualty list includes the kitchen at Michael's Pub (hopefully a temporary measure and they still put out some free food in the back at at times), Monstah Lobstah at Doc Holliday's on the east side (looks like the Florida and Maine locations are done, too, although the latter might be making a comeback of some sort -- check their Facebook for updates), Bobby Q's Grill at Spectator's on the west side (we had Member Rewards Online coupon for the food there, which obviously is now defunct), and Carlos' Kitchen at the Charlie's Bar on Durango. The good news, however, is that Kilroy's, for which we have two ongoing gaming deals at

More 12.12.12. News:

Following on from yesterday's Question of the Day about 12.12.12 promos and events comes news today that members of Boyd Gaming's B Connected players club can book rooms at the Orleans, plus select event tickets, for just $12 from noon to midnight today -- look out for the email, which contains the promo code, then log in to your account (we're not sure if this is open to all players or if you have to be of a certain "tier"). The D downtown is hosting a mass 12-12-12 wedding reception for a dozen couples from 2:15 p.m., in conjunction with KOMP 92.3, as well as offering 12X odds on craps all day.Today sees the debut of Commonwealth (525 E. Fremont), the new downtown bar from the Block 16 group (owners of the Barrymore, Public House, LBS Burger, Holstein's, and Pinks), with an open bar from 5 to 7 p.m.Aliante Hotel + Casino is holding a bingo special, with $12,000 cash ball at the 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. sessions and $1,212 at the other six sessions today.Receive $12 free slot play for every 1,200 base points earned at both Arizona Charlie's locations today and tomorrow.The Rampart's offering 3X points on video reels and 2X points on video poker all day today, with hot seat drawings for $100 in free slot play every 12 minutes from noon to 8 p.m. Sam's Town's offering 12X points on reels and 6X points on video poker today, as is Suncoast.

Happy Birthday Spago!:

Today marks a big milestone for Las Vegas' original celebrity-chef restaurant, as Spago (an annual pick for the "Essential 50" in Eating Las Vegas) celebrates its 20th anniversary in the Forum Shops at Caesars, with restaurateur Wolfgang Puck receiving the Key to the City from Mayor Goodman in recognition of his pioneering contribution to fine dining in Sin City. Bravo!

12 Days of Coney:

American Coney at the D, the only authentic Detroit Coney Island vendor outside of Motor City, is celebrating the holiday season with "12 Days of Coney!", featuring daily offers starting tomorrow and running through Christmas Eve. "Like" the D on Facebook or follow on Twitter and tune in from 12:01 a.m. each day for details of the offer valid for the next 24 hours and to obtain the secret holiday password to take advantage of the promo.

All Forked Up:

It's official: We can finally dish the details on the new Travel Channel series to be hosted by two of our Eating Las Vegas co-authors Al (mohawk) Mancini and John (bow-tie) Curtas. "All Forked Up" is a six-part half-hour show that each week sends the culinary odd couple to a different city, where the'll be challenged with finding the dish that best reflects the character of the chosen burg. Keeping a dose of their Vegas roots in the mix, each week the "loser" will have to pay up on a crazy side bet.

Ramsay Double Whammy:

Chef Gordon Ramsay will complete his Las Vegas takeover later this month, with the debut of the second and third restaurants in his trilogy of new eateries. Tuesday, December 18 will open at Caesars Palace on Dec. 18, while BurGR at Planet Hollywood is set to open Dec. 22.

Bob Dancer on Feeding the Beasts:

Video poker expert Bob Dancer's new column just went live, and it's about ways to get your money into the machine. Might sound like the opposite problem to what many of us experience, but in fact it's handy advice for when you're playing a promo and trying to maximize a limited amount of time, or just trying to make your life easier.

Evil Dead Blood Drive:

The cast of Evil Dead: The Musical, which churns through 20 gallons of fake blood on a nightly basis, is hosting a drive for real blood on Friday, Jan. 4, from 3-7 p.m., at MaximuM Comics (7950 W. Tropical Parkway, Suite 120, just north of Ann Road). All donors will receive a free pair of tickets to the show and a comic book from the store. Visit bloodhero.com to make an appointment.

Nutha Locals Offer:

Blue Man Group, a long-time locals' supporter, is dishing up a 2-for-1 offer for Nevada residents now through Jan. 27, 2013, on Category C ("standard view") tix. To take advantage of the twofer deal, just mention code "LOCALS"{ at the BMG Box Office or call 877.459.0268.

AC Needs Dance Partner:

No, not Anthony Curtis, but the east coast gambling enclave, which is backing away from plans to allow temporary "pop-up" casinos at the Meadowlands Racetrack in light of a lack of legislative support. "We need dance partners," said Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee Chairman Ruben Ramos. "Right now, we’re dancing with ourselves." The committee will, however, keep the conversation going with the contingent of North and Central Jersey lawmakers who support expanding gambling to other parts of the state, a move opposed by existing and already-hurting gambling facilities who fear they will lose even more customers to intra-state competition.

2 Weeks Left for LVA 3-Month Trial:

Our end-of-year Member Rewards Book sale, which comes with a 3-month trial membership to Las Vegas Advisor for just $12, ends when we close for the holidays at noon on Dec. 24, and you have to pick up your coupon book in person, so get on over here if you haven't already! There are multiple single deals in there you can take advantage of through the end of the year to easily cover your $12 outlay, including $50 off at the Palms and numerous restaurant discounts, but the offer's only good while supplies last.

CSI Deal for Locals:

Now through Dec. 21st, "CSI: The Experience," the interactive attraction at MGM based on the blockbuster Vegas-based TV series, is offering Nevada residents a two-for-one deal on tix (reg. GA is $28, plus tax and fees). Present a valid state picture I.D. at the MGM Grand Box Office to take advantage of this offer.

SNF Packers/Lions:

The Green Bay Packers are -6 favorites over the Detroit Lions in the Sunday Night Football game. The total is 48.5.

Penny Palooza Bonus:

Get 15X points today in the Penny Palooza promo at Gold Coast, Suncoast, Sam's Town, and Orleans. Look for the applicable slots in the Penny Lane section of each casino.

FSE Menorah Lighting Today:

There'll be a Grand Menorah lighting today at the Fremont Street Experience at 4 p.m. Mayor Carolyn Goodman will preside. There will be a Christmas-tree lighting tomorrow at 5 p.m.

Scuba Santa:

One of the more creative Christmas attractions is at the Silverton, where Santa dons scuba gear and swims around in the 117,000-gallon acquarium while posing for photos. Santa is there today until 1 p.m. and again each Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 23.

ELV in USA Today:

The weekend edition of USA Today covers our new book Eating Las Vegas 2013. The article lists the Top Ten selections, with thumbnail descriptions of each. Eating Las Vegas is available for $12.71 post paid from ShopLVA.com.

Red Rocker Reschedules:

The free Sammy Hagar performance at Cabo Wabo Cantina that we reported on yesterday has been postponed. The event was due to take place Jan. 12, 2013, as part of the three-day celebration marking the anniversary of the venue opening in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, but it's now being rescheduled. Stay tuned for the new date.

Pacquiao/Marquez Line:

Manny Pacquiao is a -220 favorite over Juan Manual Marquez in tonight's boxing match. The fight is -250 to go over 10.5 rounds. It's the fourth meeting between the two, with Pacquiao holding a 2-0-1 advantage over the first three, very close, contests.

UFC Henderson/Diaz:

Benson Henderson is a -170 favorite over Nate Diaz in tonight's UFC Main Event. In another big fight, Rory MacDonald is -290 over BJ Penn.

Drinking Play Up:

The El Cortez is running a good NFR drink special. All drinks, "top shelf included," are $3 all day at all bars through Dec. 15.

Drinking Play Down:

Radio City Pizza has closed at the Tivoli Village shopping district. Gone with the pizza parlor is its 50-cent PBR special.

Vegas StrEATS:

It's the monthly food/music/streetwear fest downtown from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. tonight, with a couple of new mobile eateries we've not heard about before, plus a bevvy of old favorites, so check it out (opposite the El Cortez).

Downtown Throwdown -- Part II:

Last night was the chili challenge; come back from noon today for the barbecue cook-off brought to you by some of the best cowboy cooks around. Guests' votes determine the "People’s Choice" winner, based on their opinions of 2 oz. sampling cups, available for $1 each. Every 10 samples purchased earns a ticket to vote for the People’s Choice, with additional private adjudication to award first, second and third place in various categories. The awards ceremony will take place tonight from 5 p.m. on the 3rd Street Stage, with Crown Royal rodeo riders Wes Silcox and Tildon Hooper handing out the winning trophies, signing autographs, and taking photos with fans from 4 – 6 p.m.

More Freeway Closures:

Three southbound lanes of the I-15, between Charleston and Spring Mountain, are scheduled to be closed from 8 p.m. tonight through 5 a.m. Sunday for a graffiti-removal project. Two southbound lanes will remain open for the duration, but expect slight delays

Downtown Throwdown - Part I:

The Fremont Street Experience and the Nevada Barbecue Association host the first-ever Downtown Throwdown Barbecue Championships, starting tonight at 6 p.m., with cooks competing in the the chili cook-off. Purchase a sampling cup and vote on your fave, then tune in tomorrow for Part II...

Signing Reminding:

In case you forgot, hit a double whammy on Saturday morning and score some organic local produce from Fresh 52 Farmers Market, while hitting the debut book-signing extravaganza for Eating Las Vegas 2013 at Tivoli Village. As fresh as the fruit and veggies, this year's restaurant guide is just in-house from the printer, and we have to say it's truly a thing of beauty. Great info, gorgeous photos, and lots of mud-slinging between our trusty trio of feisty foodies who compile this unique restaurant guide. Go get up-close and personal with them tomorrow and make sure they sign your copy!

Fast Food Chain Helps Animals*:

Donate to help abandoned and abused shelter animals at any Carl's Jr. in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson today. (*Aside from chickens, cows, and bacons, obviously.)

PokerStars Eyes Land-Based Casino:

Online giant PokerStars, which was effectively exiled from the U.S. two years ago but remains a force in other international jurisdictions that sanction online gambling, is looking to buy the struggling Atlantic Club (former Hilton) in Atlantic City for an estimated $50 million, reports Forbes. Although the struggling casino currently doesn't even have a poker room, PokerStars has scored big points in the eyes of U.S. authorities -- and players -- by making good on debts owed by disgraced rival Full Tilt and if the company is granted approval for a bricks and mortar license by New Jersey gaming regulators it will be a significant coup.

Gaming Revenue Up:

Nevada gaming revenue was up 1.8 percent in October to $978.8 million, thanks in part to a more than 11 percent jump in slot revenue on the Strip. Downtown and North Las Vegas experienced small gains of less than one percent on the same month the previous year, while the Boulder Strip was up 8.3 percent.

Cab Drivers Vote for Strike:

Approximately 1,200 union drivers at Yellow Checker Star Transportation, the second-largest cab company in Las Vegas, have rejected the terms of a proposed five-year contract and have voted in favor of a strike. While the strike could commence Dec. 16, more talks have been scheduled prior to that in an effort to reach agreement.

Cowboy Augustus:

To whomever it was who came up with the bright idea of dressing up the Caesar Augustus statue outside Caesars Palace for memorable events, which we believe began with accessorizing him for the Electric Daisy Carnival, we can only say, "Hail!" It's the most imaginative PR concept we've seen in a long time and his current cowboy get-up for NFR week is most becoming. Nice job!

Big Love from Criminal Element:

CrinimalElement.com, the review blog dedicated to serving up daily dishes of "murder, mystery, and mayhem," features a review today by New York Times best-selling author F. Paul Wilson of Andrew DiDonato's Surviving the Mob: A Street Soldier's Life Inside the Gambino Crime Family. Titled, "What I Didn't Learn from the Godfather," Wilson's glowing review describes the memoir as "an eye opener in the truest sense" and concludes "Andrew DiDonato’s arc from loyal street soldier to broke, disillusioned informer is a tale that’s as informative as it is fascinating." We concur, and can highly recommend this rare perspective on a perennially fascinating subject. A great gift for the mob enthusiast on your list!

Temporary Home for Drai's?:

Daily Fiasco is reporting a rumor that Victor Drai's legendary and eponymous after-hours club may find a temporary home at Bally's while Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon undergoes its scheduled year-long transformation starting early February. We'll keep you posted.

Local Wife on Cupcake Wars:

The wife of a North Las Vegas fighter pilot competes on Food Network's "Cupcake Wars" tonight, which is an episode featuring military spouses that airs at 8 p.m.

ELV Book Signing:

This Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon, you can catch a pre-holiday book signing for Eating Las Vegas 2013, with all three authors in attendance. It's at the so-brand-new-they-don't-even-have-a-sign-up-yet Pop-Up Shoppe at Tivoli Village, across from the Fresh 52 Farmers Market, so go check out the local produce, both edible and readable -- it's all eminently digestible :-)

Las Vegas This Weekend:

It's NFR time. Enough said. Andrew Dice Clay entertains at the Riveria (12/6-12/9) Journey performs at Planet Hollywood (12/7) ZZ Top takes over the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay (12/7) And Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao takes on Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez at MGM Grand (12/8) NFR Highlights: The National Finals Rodeo kicks off today at the Thomas & Mack (12/6-12/15) Pretty much every country comedian you can think of is in town to entertain the NFR folks, including Rodney Carrington at MGM Grand (12/6-12/15), Ron White at the Mirage (12/7-12/8), and Bill Engvall at TI (12/7) Country music group, Lonestar, performs at the Orleans (12/7-12/8) And the Charlie Daniels Band takes the stage at the Golden Nugget (12/9-12/10) For all the daily events, nightly entertainment, autograph sessions, and more, please visit www.nfrexperience.com (For a complete roundup of NFR happenings, check out the comprehensive listings in the Las Vegas Sun.

Sammy Hagar Freebie:

Sammy Hagar is to celebrate the third anniversary of his Cabo Wabo Cantina inside the Miracle Mile Shops with a free performance on Saturday, Jan. 12. The Cabo UNO house band will kick of the 3-day party on Thursday, Jan. 10 and perform nightly through Jan. 12, when they'll be joined by the Red Rocker. Tickets will be distributed the day of the concert on a first-come, first-served basis.

New Flights to Reno:

Las Vegas-based discount airline Allegiant will launch a new non-stop route from Las Vegas to Reno beginning Feb. 1, 2013. The twice-weekly schedule will launch with introductory 449.99 one-way fares (plus fees) and will end Southwest's monopoly of that route.

Question of the Day Submissions:

There was a problem with the email-delivery system for Question of the Day the past couple of weeks, so if you sent in a query, we did not receive it. Please resubmit your questions!

Celebrity Poker Tourney:

The One Step Closer Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization to raise money for those suffering from cerebral palsy, is hosting a pro-celebrity poker tournament this Saturday at the Venetian. Celebrities expected to take part include Cheryl Hines, Mekhi Phifer, Shannon Elizabeth, Montel Williams, and Scotty Nguyen, and the buy-in is $500. Members of the public wishing to take part should just show up on the day to register for the event, which starts at 2 p.m. and will have $250,00 in cash and prizes for the final table. Visit onestepcloserfoundation.org/tournament for more information.

Happy Repeal Day!:

December 5 is the anniversary of Repeal Day, the date when Prohibition ended in 1933, and downtown's Mob Museum and Mob Bar (which is also celebrating its first anniversary today) are both hosting parties. Wear your swankiest '20s/'30s outfit and "Party Like it's 1933" at the Mob Museum with host former Mayor Oscar Goodman. Tickets for the party, which runs from 6 to 10 p.m. and will feature booze, live jazz, contests, and more, are $19.33 ($15 for members). Meanwhile, the Mob Bar will host its double-duty celebration from 5 p.m. Buy one drink at regular 2012 pricing and get one for a nickel à la 1933 and enjoy half-price appetizers.

Super-Athletes Sought for Relay:

The MS Run the US 2013 Relay, a coast-to-coast event to raise money for multiple sclerosis awareness, is seeking 14 "super-athletes." The runners will each complete one of 22 140-mile segments over the course of six days for the "adventure relay race" that will begin in Los Angeles and end in New York, to mimic the 2010 trans-continental run the event’s founder, Ashley Kumlien, ran on behalf of her mother on the 30th anniversary of her fight against MS. Interested potential Running Partners should visit msruntheus.com for more information.

Milos Locals Deal:

In more foodie news, it's just come to our attention that Estiatorio Milos, the acclaimed Greek/seafood restaurant at Cosmopolitan that's already home to the awesome $20.12 three-course lunch special (and is a "Top 10" pick in Eating Las Vegas 2013) is currently offering an exclusive deal to Vegas locals. Now through Dec. 25, reserve a table for four and receive a complimentary bottle from a choice of hand-selected boutique Greek wines.

Food Smackdown Picks Vegas Top 10:

At the polar opposite of the wallet spectrum from the "Top 10" restaurant list in Eating Las Vegas 2013 comes the "Top 10 Restaurant Hot Spots in Las Vegas for Foodies!" from culinary blog Food Smackdown, which focuses only on gourmet fast food (burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, wings, and food trucks) in seven cities, including Las Vegas, making it akin to the specialist "back of the book" Additional Recommendation lists in ELV.

Advice from Bob Dancer:

This time around in his weekly column our resident video poker expert discusses the apparently common-sensical, but frequently ignored concept of paying attention and asking advice when looking to maximize casino-promo opportunities. (Brings to mind numerous occasions when a neighboring player has questioned our use of Bob's handy pocket strategy cards. Often, we'll donate our card to the player, having explained how beneficial they are to improving your play, but it's amazing how many times the player will thank you profusely, before proceeding to place the card in their pocket or handbag -- kind of like putting a text book under your pillow at night and expecting to wake up an expert.)

Cowabunga Groundbreaking:

Construction gets underway today at the new '60s-themed Cowabunga Bay water park in Henderson, reports the Las Vegas Sun. Located near the Galleria at Sunset mall in Henderson, the 23-acre, $23 million attraction has ambitious plans to open by Memorial Day, to coincide with the debut of the new Wet 'n' Wild park across town in Summerlin, which already has a head start on construction after being on hiatus for awhile. Click the link to see some renderings of what Cowabunga is planned to look like.

Coco Peepshow Debut:

Tonight marks the first performance of Coco Austin as the new Bo Peep character in Peepshow, the long-running burlesque production show at Planet Hollywood that's featured a string of celebrity leading ladies since opening. The curvaceous wife of rapper/actor Ice T takes over the Bo Peep role from the heavily pregnant Holly Madison.

M Hearts Facebook Fans:

M Resort is rewarding its Facebook fans with 2,500 free points for their iMagine Rewards accounts beginning December 3 and running until December 17. To take advantage of the offer, players club members should "like" M Resort’s Facebook page and then fill out an entry form. The bonus points will be posted to your iMagine Rewards account within two business days. The promo is open to both existing and new club members, and also to fans who already "like" M Resort's Facebook. Click the link for the complete rules and instructions on how to take advantage of this one-time-only offer.

Dillard's Joins Mall at Summerlin:

It's today been confirmed that Dillard's department store will join Macy's as one of the anchors in the new Shops at Summerlin, the 200,000-square-foot retail complex being developed by The Howard Hughes Corp. near the Beltway and Charleston Boulevard, which is set to open in the fall of 2014.

NY Times on Card Counting and Christianity:

Today's New York Times carries a feature about the group of Christian card counters who are the subject of the documentary film Holy Rollers, which examines whether there is a conflict between advantage blackjack play and the Bible.

Cosmo Ice Rink Opens:

The real-ice skating rink, with a Strip view, is open for business at the Cosmopolitan, and the Blvd Social Club has a special menu of seasonal munchies to keep you toastie. It's $15 for all-day skating access ($10 for locals), with $5 skate rental if you don't have your own.

The Cowboys are Coming:

The annual National Finals Rodeo kicks off December 6 at the Thomas & Mack Center and runs through December 15, with related events (autograph signings, parties, the annual Cowboy Christmas Gift Show, and much more) taking place all over town. Check out the official nfrexperience website for updates and information about tickets, shuttles, special events, sponsoring hotels, and more.

New Home for Human Nature:

As rumored, Motown-tribute show Human Nature will commence a new residency at the Venetian commencing January 22, 2013, once they return from tours of Florida and their native Australia.

SNF Cowboys/Eagles:

In tonight's Sunday Night Football game, the Dallas Cowboys are -10 over the Philadelphia Eagles. The total is 44.

Public Wins:

According to Jay Kornegay, sports book director in the SuperBook at LVH, November was the worst month in history for the sports books. With favorites covering the spread all month long, the public bettors (who traditionally back favorites and overs) scored their "best result in 26 years" of his tenure in the business.

Kate's Korner Gone:

Kate's Korner, the long-time snack bar/ice cream shop at Gold Coast is no more. Construction is underway on what will be a Subway.

McCarran Traffic Down Again:

Passenger traffic at McCarran International Airport was down again in October, for the fourth time in five months. The decline was only to the tune of 1.5 percent, but visitors who fly are known to spend more than those who drive, so it's an unwelcome trend that officials do not expect to see reversed anytime soon.

Marathon Time:

Today sees the annual Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half-Marathon, which return to an afternoon start after last year's experimental nighttime race.The full marathon starts at 3 p.m., just south of Mandalay Bay, with the half-marathon kicking off at 4:30 p.m. The Strip, much of downtown, and some areas of North Las Vegas will be restricted to traffic from 2 p.m. until as late as 11 p.m. Click here to see the course map.

USA Today on Eating Las Vegas:

Travel writer Kitty Yancey profiles the new 2013 edition of Eating Las Vegas in today's online edition of USA Today, as did Robin Leach in his local Vegas Deluxe blog. Thanks to both!

Reno Floods Expected:

Northern Nevada authorities declared a state of emergency on Friday, with minor flooding anticipated for the Reno area Sunday and Monday due to a powerful storm that will likely cause the Truckee River to crest above flood stage.

New Owners for Ravella/Monte Lago:

Ravella at Lake Las Vegas and the adjacent Casino MonteLago have been sold to Newage Lake Las Vegas LLC for $47 million. Nothing material is expected to change at either place, as the same operating companies remain at both the hotel and the casino.

New Sports Book at Silverton:

A new Cantor race and sports book has opened at Silverton. Similar to the Cantor book at the Palms, there's an adjoining poker room. It's Cantor's seventh book in Las Vegas.

Shania Opens:

The much-anticipated residency of country superstar Shania Twain, who arrived dramatically at her new home at Caesars Colosseum recently on horseback, commences to tonight.

Great Santa Run:

The annual 5 km Opportunity Village Great Santa Run kicks off at Town Square at 10 a.m. today, with more than 10,000 Santa-suit-clad runners signed up to defend the World Santa Challenge and entertainment from celebrities including Jabbawockeez, Chippendales, Jeff Leibow (Jersey Boys), Lorena Peril and the cast of Fantasy, and the one-and-only Robin Leach.