Las Vegas News

Tapas Restaurant Remains Closed:

The original Firefly venue on Paradise Road has been closed since Friday following what has been identified as an outbreak of salmonella poisoning, the source of which is still under investigation. The popular eatery was one of three valley eateries ordered to close during the Southern Nevada Health District's latest round of inspections; Ocha Thai restaurant downtown and Sumo Japanese Restaurant on Green Valley Parkway were also closed for multiple demerits. Firefly's location on Eastern Avenue passed the same round of inspections with an "A" grade; the Firefly on Sahara received a "C" due to 30 demerits, however.

Bowling for South Point:

South Point has announced that it is to build a $30 million bowling center with a view to staging big-league bowling events and providing an "unrivaled destination" for bowling fans. Construction is due to start imminently, with an opening before year's end anticipated.

Burgers for Burgers:

Once again (it's become an annual tradition), Smashburger locations nationwide, including the five restaurants in Southern Nevada, will be celebrating National Burger Day on Tuesday, May 28, by giving away a free "Classic Smash" to customers with the last name "Burger," or variations thereof, including the 1,530 listed in the White Pages named "Hamburger," not to mention all you Bergers, Weinbergers, Rosenbergers, and Bacon Double Cheeseburgers out there. Valid roof of last name is required; limit one Classic Smash per ID.

Twitter or Facebook?:

Our current Reader Poll surveying which social media platforms, if any, you subscribe to -- and why -- will close at midnight, so get your votes in if you haven't already. Thanks!

Rodman Talks Online Poker:

Kill Phil author Blair Rodman will be on the Cokin and Cofield radio show today talking about the opening of online poker at UltimatePoker.com. The interview is scheduled for 3:45 P.M. PST on AM 1100.

Dancer on Munchkin and Marital Harmony:

This week video poker expert Bob Dancer addresses a point of etiquette, as considered by him and his radio co-host Richard Munchkin, plus how much you can expect to slip him in cash if you want to know where the current best plays and how he avoids strife on vacation. While he may not be prepared to spill the beans too readily on where to play, Dancer has no problem sharing his uniquely honed skills on how to play video poker optimally, however. Check out his software, strategy cards, and written tutorials at ShopLVA.com, designed for everyone from newbies to pros.

MRI Wins in MA:

MGM Resorts International has been selected as the company to develop the sole casino license to be awarded in western Massachusetts, beating out Penn National -- the only other horse in the race after Ameristar pulled out late last year. MRI's proposal includes a plan for an $800+ million resort-casino on a hurricane-damaged 10-acre site in downtown Springfield, with a commitment to making annual payments of more than $25 million if the casino's built -- part of a host-community agreement that must yet be approved by the city council and Springfield voters. A July 16 referendum is planned, after which the state gambling commission must give a final thumbs-up to the decision.

Online Poker Begins:

UltimatePoker.com became the first online site to open for legal, live, real-money poker today. While this is being referred to as a beta test, you can play for real money if you are over 21 and located in Nevada. You need to be physically in Nevada to play, but the software can be downloaded and accounts funded from anywhere. Ultimate Poker is connected to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is owned by Station Casinos' Fertitta brothers. The site loaded slowly when we checked today, and we have been, thus far, unable to successfully download the software.

Passenger Count Up:

March saw McCarran International Airport buck the recent trend of declining traffic, with a slight uptick in the passenger count. The 3,682,058 arriving and departing passengers last month represented a 0.7 percent increase on the same period last year, although for the year to date, the passenger count is down 1.4 percent on 2012.

Win a Night at the Riv:

The Riviera, which has been celebrating its 58th birthday all month, is now offering the chance for you to win a night in one of its suites, plus dinner for two at R Steakhouse. Just fill in the form on their Facebook page.

Pleasant (Green) Valley Saturday:

Popular '60s band The Monkees are including the Grand Events Center at Green Valley Ranch as a stop on their upcoming "A Midsummer’s Night With The Monkees" tour, which features all remaining members of the band’s original lineup, including Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork, on Saturday, Aug. 10. Tickets start at $35.

GVR Pool Opens Wednesday:

The Pond, the intimate adult pool at Green Valley Ranch that debuted as European-style, but was subsequently forced to put its bikini top back on thanks to Henderson ordinances, will debut for the 2013 season this Wednesday, May 1 and is planning to be open daily, if it's busy enough. It's also going to be free to locals all-summer long (if you're non-local and not staying at the hotel, the only way to get in will be by renting a cabana). Wednesday is a soft opening and the entertainment lineup for the season isn't due to kick in until around Memorial Day weekend. For more information about all the top pools in town, including which are open to non-guests (a lot this year, including on the Strip!), who's having concerts, parties, poolside gaming, topless sunbathing, and more, check out our Cool Pools feature, which is constantly updated throughout the summer.

Extras Needed:

Silver State Production Services needs extras for a block-party-style announcement video being shot downtown tonight for the Life is Beautiful Festival, which takes place this October. At least 500 people are needed from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Fremont East Entertainment District; those taking part will be compensated with discounts on food and drinks at Fremont East businesses.

Happy Birthday LVCC:

Today is the anniversary of the Las Vegas Convention Center, which opened on April 29, 1959. (Click the link for a cool historic photo, courtesy of the Mob Museum.)

Kenny Kerr Passes:

Pioneering Las Vegas drag queen and long-time Strip-casino entertainer Kenny Kerr died on Sunday, aged 60. "The star of Boy-lesque was the Strip’s first must-see female impersonator, pulling a locals-heavy audience into a tiny casino called the Silver Slipper for 11 years with his deadpan stare, cutthroat wit and killer gowns," writes entertainment columnist Mike Weatherford in the R-J. Kerr, who specialized in impersonations of Barbra Streisand and Cher, went on to perform long runs at the Sahara and the Plaza after the closure of the Silver Slipper, and most recently was performing at the Onyx Theatre.

R Bar Closed:

We've just learned that the long-operating R Bar on W. Charleston has closed. It's being completely renovated and will become, what else, a Dotty's.

Derby Seminars Set:

Four free Kentucky Derby handicapping seminars will run later this week. Palace Station will host a seminar on May 2 at 6 p.m., while on May 3 there'll be seminars at Sam's Town at 4 p.m., and at South Point and Sunset Station, both at 6 p.m.

PT's Deals:

Valley locations of the PT's chain are all now selling $2 bottled Dos Equis and $5 cigarettes (evidently challenging Dotty's in the cheap-tobacco market, although Dotty's still charges less).

Action On the North End?:

The LV Review-Journal reported today that there are rumblings of a big announcement coming from MGM Resorts International involving 30 acres of land it owns on the north end of the Strip. MRI's plans to build another CityCenter-type project there were shelved when the recession hit. MRI announced its park-and-retail project on the south Strip last month.

Bonus-Points Sunday:

Today is the last April Sunday bonus-points day. Station and Fiesta casinos are awarding 3.3X points on slots and 2X on video poker. Sam's Town and Suncoast are awarding 7X points on slots and video poker. Earn 200 points at South Point and spin for free-play and comps.

UFC Jones/Sonnen:

Jon Jones is a prohibitive -1050 favorite over Chael Sonnen in tonight's UFC Main Event. In the other bit matches, Michael Bisping is -173 over Alan Belcher and Roy Nelson is -245 over Cheick Kongo.

Milos Lunch Up Two Bucks:

The price of the weekday lunch deal in Estiatorio Milos at the Cosmopolitan has been raised by $2. Now $22.13, the long-running lunch special had been on our Top Ten list for close to two years prior to the increase.

Party at Bagatelle:

Representatives from the just-opened Bagatelle Pool at the Tropicana are out today inviting customers to come in for a free pool party and cocktails. Part of the Trop pool complex is run by Bagatelle, while the other is run by the hotel and will be open to the public in May.

Top Gun at Atomic:

Atomic Las Vegas, which recently reopened on Fremont Street, is hosting a Pub Lecture organized by the Atomic Testing Museum tonight. The event, which begins at 6 p.m., features a talk and book signing by David "Bio" Baranek, the real maverick who flew for Tony Scott in the movie Top Gun. Admission's $10 for members, $20 non members, with 100% of proceeds going to benefit The National Atomic Testing Museum.

Racetrack Opens:

Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack in Farmington, N.Y., opens for business today, with a nine-race card and the return to the track of the five-year-old mare and 2012 Finger Lakes' Horse of the Year Clean Jean, the highlight of the sixth race.

Silverton Food Fest:

Don't forget Silverton continues to host its food festival all through the weekend, with 30+ food trucks, plus food-vendor booths (including a first-time-ever-in-Vegas appearance from White Wastle burgers), a farmer’s market, eating contests, a beer garden, carnival rides and games, and live entertainment. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Three Square Food Bank, and the $10 cover will grant you access today and tomorrow.

No-Shows Targeted by SWA:

Southwest Airlines is instituting a new policy under which customers who don't show up for flights and don't cancel their reservations will lose their fares. The rule will apply only to bargain fares and flyers who call or cancel online will be allowed to re-book at no charge as before. Southwest is the only U.S. carrier that doesn't charge to change flights. United and US Airways recently raised their change fees by $50 to $200.

Family-Friendly Entertainment Deal:

Blue Man Group has teamed up with Circus Circus to offer families an exclusive kid-friendly offer this spring: Purchase a Blue Man ticket and receive a complimentary all-day pass to the Adventuredome theme park at Circus Circus when you mention code "ADVENTUREDOME" at the Blue Man Group Box Office, any MGM Resorts International ticketing outlet, or by calling 1-800-blueman. The offer can only be applied to Category A or C show tix and the passes expire after seven days.

May LVA Posted:

The May issue of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter has been posted, with news of another new al fresco tourist attraction coming to the Strip, the scoop on Sin City's first strip-club pool and dayclub, a great new video poker promo, a bundle of new happy hours, and a Sigma Derby tournament, among many other juicy morsels, so check it out, right now!

Webcam Update:

For all of you Vegas fans out there jonesing for a dose of Sin City in-between visits, we've just updated our Las Vegas Webcams guide, with some cool new editions since the last time we investigated. Check it out!

House Ends Air-Traffic Furloughs:

Congress today approved legislation ending furloughs of air-traffic controllers, one of the forced budget cuts stemming from the sequester that has resulted in delays to hundreds of flights daily this past week. Congress easily approved the bill one day after the Senate also agreed, putting an end to recent passenger misery.

LVA Love from USA Today:

@ExpLasVegas the Twitter account for USA Today's new ExperienceLasVegas.com dedicated Las Vegas online travel site, will be tweeting gambling tips from our very own Anthony Curtis all day today. Anthony was a major contributor to the new "Experience" experiment, having penned their gambling guide and the "Wallet Watcher" visitor profile -- one of several guides tailored to different "Traveler Types."

Las Vegas This Weekend:

It's an eclectic one, to be sure, with all manner of entertainment options, both inside and out. Here are some of this weekend's highlights: Disney on Ice presents "Treasure Trove" at the Thomas and Mack (4/25-4/28) Ron White does stand up at the Mirage (4/26-4/27) Comedian Whitney Cummings entertains at TI (4/26) The Suncoast welcomes Jay White as Neil Diamond (4/27) Trace Adkins performs at the Smith Center (4/28) The Animal Foundation's 10th Annual "Best in Show" dog show and fundraiser takes place at the Orleans (4/28) The Silverton welcomes the Las Vegas Foodie Fest which features over 30 food trucks and vendors (4/26-4/28) Pool-wise, it's the launch party for the annual SpyOnVegas Hot 100 contest at Wet Republic, plus Naked (topless) at Artisan and Gossip (dog-friendly) at Rumor get their respective party seasons underway. Motley Brews presents the 3rd Annual Great Vegas Festival of Beer at Sunset Park, with in excess of 200 craft brews and more than 50 breweries represented (4/27) And the 21st Annual Las Vegas City of Lights: Jazz and R & B Festival takes place at the Clark County Government Center (4/27-4/28)

Mob Museum Hosts Evening with the Governors:

Tonight, history buffs and anyone fascinated by Las Vegas' background in organized crime, can enjoy "Protectors of the State - A Conversation with Three Former Governors." Hosted by downtown's Mob Museum in its historic courtroom, the event, which will begin at 6 p.m., will feature a panel, moderated by journalist and author Jack Sheehan, comprised of former Nevada Governors Bob List, Senator Richard Bryan, and Bob Miller (who'll be signing copies of his new book, Son of a Gambling Man) discussing the various challenges posed to their office and its objectives by factors including the state's libertarian tendencies, periods of economic hardship and, or course, the role of organized crime. Tickets are $10 for members, or $19.95 for non-members, and include light refreshments. To reserve your spot call 702/229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/upcoming-events.

New Wedding Chapel for Aria:

The new wedding chapel at Aria in CityCenter, announced earlier this year as part of a variety of additions and upgrades (see "Today's News" 1/30/2013) debuted this week. The venue can accommodate up to 60 guests and a variety of packages are offered, starting at $1,500. The chapel's located on the first floor of the Convention Center and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Chef Shawn McClain's first foray into casual dining, the FIVE 50 pizza bar originally due to open this spring, is apparently still under construction and now tentatively scheduled to debut in July on the casino floor, in front of the race and sports book.

New Lease on Life for Golden Palm:

The Associated Press is reporting that the owner of the long-shuttered Golden Palm hotel, located on West Tropicana at Dean Martin Drive, has plans to reopen the venue as a restaurant and Karaoke bar. Entrepreneur and real estate mogul Marvin Lipschultz purchased the property back in 1999 and had grandiose ideas of razing what originally opened in 1980 as a Travelodge and constructing a Miami Beach-themed hotel and casino in its place. That plan was dogged by opposition from rival local hoteliers Station and Boyd, and was finally scuppered by the economic downturn. A subsequent concept for the site involved a collaboration with chef Charlie Palmer to build a boutique hotel, but the financing dried up and the two partners ended up settling a breach-of-contract suit that went to the Supreme Court. (As an interesting aside, a Charlie Palmer boutique hotel planned for Symphony Park downtown, home of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, has also failed to materialize.) Now, apparently, after waiting out the recession for a half-decade, Lipschultz is back in action, as indicated by the billboard sign off the I-15 announcing, "Hotel Casino Coming Soon." A date has not been set nor staff hired, but according to the AP piece the owner has already stocked the bar and ordered food for the resort’s former IHOP restaurant. Watch this space.

Give Big to Big Give at Miracle Mile:

Here's a reminder that you have a little over 14 hours left today to make donations to your favorite nonprofits, thanks to the Nevada Big Give fundraising initiative that's being hosted by the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Pledge online, or go along to NV Big Give HQ (located at House of Hoops by Foot Locker and Las Vegas Fight Shop) anytime before midnight, where a succession of Strip headliners and other celebrities will be volunteering their time and making in-person donations, while select restaurants from the mall will be offering light bites for guests and volunteers. All day, the Miracle Mile's Strip-side LED screens will display the total amount of money raised, which has already passed the $100,000 mark (organizers are hoping to surpass last year's $400K total and raise a million dollars for the benefiting nonprofits.) Here's the schedule for today's guest appearances at the Miracle Mile: 10 a.m.: BMX rider and TV personality Ricardo Laguna Noon: Comedian Jeff Civillico 1 p.m.: Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Interim Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky 3 p.m.: Million Dollar Quartet – Benjamin D. Hale and Tyler Hunter 4 p.m.: cast from Chippendales 5 p.m.: Jersey Boys – Graham Fenton and Rob Marnell 6 p.m.: Absinthe – Angel Porrino 7 p.m.: cast from Frank Marino’s Divas 8 p.m.: PEEPSHOW – Josh Strickland and cast 9 p.m.: cast members from X Burlesque

Experience Las Vegas with USAToday (and LVA):

The Travel section at USA Today recently launched a new all-Vegas interactive online site. Experience Las Vegas contains current highlights regarding what's going on in Sin City, plus a selection of expert guides tailored to the type of visitor you are and what type of "experience" you're looking for. Options include the Wallet Watcher, compiled, naturally, by our own Anthony Curtis, the long-time master of getting more out of Vegas than it gets out of you, and the

Happy Hour at Andre's:

Andre's at the Monte Carlo is now offering a "5-6-7" Happy Hour menu Tuesday through Sunday, from 5 to 7 p.m. Available both at Andre’s Bar and the second-floor Cigar Lounge on the second floor, the menu features $5 beers (including Heineken, Corona Extra, and Newcastle), $6 cocktails (including the Moscow Mule, Pomegranate Lemon Drop, Lower Manhattan, and other specialties), plus $7 small plates, including French flat bread; tuna tartare; warm stuffed dates; and steak frites.

Border Brunch Price Hike:

The weekend brunch at Border Grill, a perennial "Essential 50" restaurants pick in Eating Las Vegas, has hiked its prices, we just learned from a trusty LVA foodie field scout. The former $25 food tag has now been upped to $35, while the previous $5 add-on for bottomless mimosas has been increased to $8.

Pawn Star Slot Tourney:

Downtown's Golden Nugget is hosting a $100,000 slot tournament this May, in conjunction with the cast of History Channel's hit reality show "Pawn Stars." The $100,000 Pawn Shop Slot Tournament takes place May 24-26 with a $100 entry fee and top cash prize of $25,000; every entrant is guaranteed a minimum prize of a $100 gift certificate to spend at Gold & Silver Pawn, plus two free pulls on the brand new Pawn Stars slot machine, entry into daily drawings for a VIP tour of the store, a Pawn Stars t-shirt, and casino room rate over Memorial Day Weekend. Other perks for players include meet and greets with Chumlee, The Old Man, and Rick Harrison. Visit goldennugget.com/specials/eblasts/pawn_stars for more information.

QoD on Cabbie Clampdown:

If you haven't yet checked out today's Question of the Day feature, it's on the subject of taxis and the notorious practice of "long hauling" passengers. This has been a bugbear among savvy visitors for a long time, but the good news is there's a wind of change over at Nevada Taxicab Authority and if you don't believe us, check out the update we just posted, recounting the true-life recent experience of an LVA reader, saved by an undercover NTA agent. True story!

Olivia Newton John Postpones:

Yup, another delay, this time for the strongly rumored residency planned for singer Olivia Newton-John at the Flamingo, where she was set to fill in dates for Donny & Marie (see "Today's News" 4/11/2013). ONJ's announcement today, reported by Robin Leach's Luxe Life blog, is on account of the sad news that her sister has been diagnosed with brain cancer. (The singer herself is a breast-cancer survivor.)

Still in the Dark About Light, for Now:

Following the not-so-welcome trend of over-ambitious debuts, including those of Hakkasan and Bagatelle Beach Club (the latter coming a full year behind schedule and still seemingly somewhat confused about it's doing), comes word tha Friday's planned grand opening for the new Light Group/Cirque collaborative nightlife venue at Mandalay Bay has also been postponed. Light nighclub is now set to debut Memorial Day Weekend, while the associated Daylight Dayclub, which was set to open May 4, is also behind schedule, we've heard. Stay tuned for updates. Those who've already purchased tickets for the club are being offered the option of rescheduling for the relevant DJ's next date at the venue, or a full refund, available through the original point of sale. Contact VIP services at guests@thelightvegas.com for any questions or concerns.

Caveman Calls it Quits:

After 10 years and 3,000 performances, including the accolade of a recent Guinness World Record for Most Performances in 50 Days (he clocked up 60), Defending the Caveman star Kevin Burke has decided to call it quits. His final performance at Harrah’s will be May 25. It's been announced that fellow improv impresario Chris Allen, of Second City, will take over the Caveman role.

Miracle Mile HQ for Big Give:

This Thursday, April 25, Nevadans are encouraged to support their favorite local nonprofits in a 24-hour online fundraiser at a central online website, Nevada Big Give. The top nonprofits that receive donations from the greatest number of unique donors will receive bonus cash prizes. If you make a donation in person at NV Big Give headquarters at the Miracle Mile Shops, which will be manned from 7 a.m. to midnight, and you'll receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of a number of prizes donated by key event sponsor The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, including room and spa packages, concert tickets, and more. Visit the Nevada Big Give website for more information and to nominate your favorite non-profit for inclusion in the event; follow on Facebook or Twitter for updates. The previous event raised more than $400,000 and this year they're hoping to pass the $1 million mark; the minimum individual donation is $10.

Bob Dancer on Risk of Ruin:

In this week's article, Bob Dancer explains the very useful gambling concept of "Risk of Ruin," and how you can use his Video Poker for Winners to make essential calculations regarding your bankroll and comfort zone. (As an aside, Risk of Ruin is also the title of blackjack legend Arnold Snyder's debut novel, although he borrows the gambling concept and applies it to life in general, albeit with reference to the game.)

Message from the Blue Men:

Blue Man Group has teamed up with the Nevada Department of Public Safety (NDPS) and the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to promote safe driving with a statewide, month-long campaign in support of Ditstracted Driving Awareness Month. Using a handheld cell phone or other device while driving is not only illegal in Nevada, but drivers who use hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into serious crashes - click the link to watch Blue Man's awareness video, made in conjunction with Nevada's Zero Fatalities road safety initiative. Metro issued no less than 230 citations in the first month that the cell-phone ban came into effect -- don't become a statistic!

Closures this Week on I-15:

Expect period closures this week on the I-15 near the California state line as crews install transmission lines along the highway. The work begins at 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 23 and will run daily from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Thursday, with full lane closures -- in both directions -- for a stretch about half a mile south of the Cali. state line. The sporadic closures will be initiated by California Highway Patrol and each stop is not anticipated to last more than 15 minutes, but obviously there will be knock-on disruption, so avoid that stretch during those hours if you can.

Vegas Dominates "Largest" List:

Las Vegas is the city of superlatives, with everything from the (self-styled) biggest gift store in the world, to the largest chandelier in North America, and according to the latest figures, reported in today's R-J, we currently hold 17 spots out of the list of "20 largest hotels in the U.S." Topping the list, as as it has for many years, is MGM Grand, with some 4,996 hotel rooms (these figures always fluctuate as accommodations are taken out of commission for renovations, or suites get combined or reunited, for example). Rounding out the top five are the Luxor with 4,400; Venetian/Palazzo with 4,027; Aria with 4,004; and Excalibur with 3,991. While MGM Grand for many years also held the mantle of "Largest Hotel in the World," this ceased to be true in 2006, when it was overtaken by Malaysia's First World Hotel. Today, the record-holder is debatable (not least for the reasons cited above, and for the occurrence of mixed-use properties where some rooms may technically be residential), but according to Wikipedia, it seems the current #1 and #2 are Saudi Arabia' Mecca Clock Tower and Moscow's Izmailovo Hotel.

Borgata Invests to Stay on Top:

Atlantic City's Borgata resort-casino is typically the top-grossing casino in New Jersey and is following last year's completion of a $50-million room upgrade, followed by a similar investment earlier this year spent upgrading some restaurants and redesigning its elevator banks and hotel lobby, with an additional spend renovating to some of its upscale stores, including Misura, Carina, and Borgata Collection. In addition, Antica Murrina, which sells Italian glass jewelry, opened April 12 in the Shoppes at the Water Club, Borgata's second hotel.

Earth Day Monorail Sale Reminder:

As promised, and in case you missed Sunday's Tweet, in honor of Earth Day, Las Vegas Monorail is launching a special 48-hour "Las Vegas Fans & Followers" sale, which commenced at one minute past midnight this morning and runs for 48 hours. Tix may be used anytime between today and May 20th. To qualify for the discount, simply "like" the Monarail's Facebook page or "follow" them on Twitter. For more information visit tickets.lvmonorail.com/earthday2013.

Happy Earth Day:

This may be news to a lot of people, but Las Vegas is probably a lot "greener" than you know, from major hotel groups and restaurants that actively pursue sustainable practices and conservation programs, to local environmentally aware businesses and a vibrant and growing farmers-market scene. Below you'll find some useful links, so support a "green" Las Vegas businesses this Earth Day! In our own Green Vegas guide in the "Visitor Guide" section of this site, you'll find: Listings and links for "Green" hotels (did you know Excalibur was a national pioneer in this area?) and explanations for the programs they have in place that have earned them this credential. We also list the "eco-friendly" restaurants in Las Vegas that actively support locally grown producers, sustainable fishing practices, organic growing techniques, and more.Plus, you'll find suggestions for "green attractions and activities", some of which even Vegas locals may not be aware of. Did you know there's a farmers market in the Las Vegas Valley now every day of the week?! Click here for the original Las Vegas Farmers Market site, where you'll find details of regular Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Markets, plus check out the

Seinfeld on Sale - Part II:

Following the exclusive pre-sale period for Total Rewards members, tickets are now available for purchase by the general public for Jerry Seinfeld's upcoming dates at the The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, where he'll be performing his signature stand-up routine for two nights on Friday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 7.

Earth Day Sale from Monorail:

In honor of Earth Day, the Las Vegas Monorail is launching a special 48-hour "Las Vegas Fans & Followers" sale, starting on April 22nd, with a buy-one-get-one-FREE deal on 24-hour passes. The tickets may be used anytime between April 22 and May 20th, but the sale doesn't start until 12:01 a.m. tomorrow (Monday) and will run for 48 hours only. To qualify for the discount, simply "like" the Monarail's Facebook page or "follow" them on Twitter. For more information visit tickets.lvmonorail.com/earthday2013. We'll post a reminder tomorrow, too.

Las Vegas Top for Conventions:

Las Vegas was the top convention city in 2012, hosting 53 of the biggest 250 shows ranked by square footage. Second-place Orlando and third-place Chicago hosted only 47 combined. The biggest show was CES, with 1.86 million square feet of exhibits, easily outdistancing Chicago's International Management Technology Show, which had 1.24 million square feet. It was the 19th straight year that Las Vegas has topped the rankings.

Boulder City Fine Arts Festival:

Apologies for the belated news, but you still have more than three hours to catch the second day of the 28th Annual Fine Arts Festival, with lots of awesome local talent on display -- a lovely day for it, and well worth the drive out to Boulder City, so head over and support!

Travel Center in Primm:

A new travel center has opened at Whiskey Pete's in Primm, at the Nevada/California border. The 13,000-square-foot facility includes restaurants, a slot parlor, and free Wi-Fi. It's located on the west side of I-15, where more than 37,000 cars pass daily.

Bonuses and Free-Play Today:

Get bonuses today for slot and video poker play at several casinos. Station and Fiesta casinos are awarding 3.3X points on slots and 2X on video poker. Sam's Town and Suncoast are awarding 7X points on slots and video poker. Earn 200 points at South Point and spin for free-play and comps (this deal runs every Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in April).

UFC Henderson/Melendez:

Benson Henderson is a -285 favorite over Gilbert Melendez in tonight's UFC Main Event. In the other big matches, Daniel Cormier is -435 over Frank Mir and Nate Diaz is -137 over Josh Thomson.

GREENFest Earth Day Celebration Today:

Today, for the first time in their respective histories, the fourth annual GREENFest and 17th annual Festival of Communities are collaborating in honor of Earth Day and to celebrate UNLV's cultural diversity. The GREENFest event, which takes place until 6 p.m. today at the university's campus, features artists, eco-friendly exhibits and information on sustainable living, a farmers market, beer garden, recycling opportunities, kid's zone, and much more. Click the link for more information.

New Nature Center for Wetlands Park:

The new 45,000-square foot Nature Center debuted today at Wetlands Park. Clark County’s largest park, the 210-acre, seven-mile-long preserve is the manifestation of a conservation master-plan, conceived back in 1995, at the core of which is the ongoing goal of adding an acre of wetlands to the park to compensate for every acre damaged or destroyed elsewhere in Southern Nevada. The new complex features an 8,335-square-foot exhibit gallery and an 85-seat auditorium in the heart of Wetlands Park, which is located off Tropicana Avenue, about a mile east of Boulder Highway.

Third Wheel?:

The owners of a parcel on the east side of the Strip south of Harmon say they want to build a $50 million "London-themed thrill park," the focal point of which would be ... you got it, a big (undisclosed height) observation wheel. That would make three big wheels on the Strip. Don't bet on it.

Trump Deal Hits Snag:

A deal to sell the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City to the Meruelo Group has been put on hold, due to problems with Trump Entertainment obtaining a release of the mortgage held by its senior lender. Meruelo has an option to go ahead with the deal in the future if the problem is resolved.

Glass Prohibition Sought:

Clark County officials are seeking a ban on glass containers outdoors on the Strip. While there would be no changes in laws allowing alcohol in open containers, those containers would have to be non-glass. An ordinance must be introduced and passed before the prohibition can come into effect.

Megabucks Hits in Reno:

The Megabucks jackpot hit at the Bonanza in Reno in early April for $11,798,517. That makes two this year after a January jackpot at M Resort.

Downtown Casino Owner Buys Slot Assets:

Terry Caudill, owner of Binion's and the Four Queens, has purchased the Las Vegas assets of a defunct slot manufacturer called Atlantic City (AC) Coin and Slot Service Co., which formerly provided gaming equipment to casinos in various Indian gaming markets, reports the R-J. Caudhill described he slot machines, which his Next Gaming company will now continue to manufacture, as among the best gaming devices in the marketplace.

Fremont Friday Debuts:

To the roster of regular monthly events downtown, including the self-explanatory "First Friday" arts happening and the and "second-Saturday" Vegas StrEATS food truck fest, you now can add "Fremont Fridays," which debuts tonight. Hosted by the newly reopened and refurbished Atomic Las Vegas (originally Atomic Liquor), Las Vegas' oldest licensed bar, the new monthly event will showcase classic "rat rods" and low riders, from 5-11 p.m. every third Friday, commencing tonight, April 19. The first drink is free to registered car owners. Check out their website for more information.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

Pool season is well and truly underway, with some major events going on at the major party pools (see our Cool Pools feature for details and updates throughout the summer), plus there are some other cool outdoor pool-less events to enjoy, in addition to the de rigueur lineup of top comedy and rock talent. Here are some of the highlights: The 12th Annual Pure Aloha Festival continues at the Rio (4/19-4/21) The 39th annual UNLVino wine-lovers bash features events through Sunday at various venues around town (4/19-21) Mandalay Bay welcomes Dropkick Murphys (4/19) Daniel Tosh makes 'em laugh at the Mirage (4/19-4/20) Tim Allen does stand up at the Venetian (4/19-4/20) Kenny Chesney performs at the Hard Rock (4/19-4/20) The Smith Center welcomes "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" (4/16-4/21) Bon Jovi takes the stage at MGM Grand (4/20) Jeff Bridges entertains at Santa Fe Station (4/19) and then heads over to Red Rock (4/20) For nightlife fans, the Hakkasan grand opening weekend continues with a lineup of top talent (2/19-21) And if "daylife" is your thing, Sapphire Pool and Dayclub continues to celebrate its launch weekend, while the 10th season of Rehab, the notorious Sunday pool party of reality-TV fame, debuts at Hard Rock (4/21)

Sapphire Dayclub Rocks!:

We'll have the full review in the May issue of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter, but having just attended the soft opening, we can confirm that the new gentlemen's club dayclub is very cool. Awesome menu from Kerry Simon (check out the kale salad -- yes, really), very reasonable drink prices ($8 for a beer at a strip club pool party?), good DJ, lots of daybeds and cabanas, and an all-around good vibe -- think Bare Pool Lounge (design is almost identical, including the human fish-tank thingy), but with pasties and more energy. We had fun!

Pure Aloha Festival:

The 12th annual Pure Aloha Festival takes place at the Rio starting today and running through April 21, featuring live entertainment from (the most awesome) Katchafire, Common Kings, Maoli, and others, plus popular Polynesian acts, food stands, carnival rides, retail vendors, and more. Admission's $8 for adults and $6 for kids, members of the military, and seniors 55 and older.

UNLVino Starts Today:

The 39th annual UNLVino festival, a four-day bash for wine-lovers, gets underway today, with events through Sunday. Featured venues include enetian, Mirage, Paris, and downtown's Cleveland Clinic Lou Rouvo Center. Click the link for more information and to purchase tickets.

New Park Planned for Strip:

In the biggest reversal of Strip mentality since Steve Wynn opted to stop offering free attractions to the public with the debut of Wynn, MRI has countered with news that they'll be converting the sidewalk space outside New York-New York and the Monte Carlo into a $100-million park and public promenade, apparently inspired by New York City's Madison Square Park, complete with popular vendors from the original like Shake Shack burger stand. The development, which is due to break ground any day and be completed sometime in 2014, is a precursor to the 20,000-seat arena that the company plans to build behind the two resorts.

Update -- Hakkasan to be Pool-less:

We just received confirmation from AMG that, contrary to initial announcements, Hakkasan at MGM Grand will not feature a rooftop pool, so you'll have to wait for the debut of Gansevoort Las Vegas (the reinvention of Bill's) in 2014 for a rooftop dip overlooking the Strip. Like Hakkasan, Gansevoort will be a collaboration between the New York-based boutique hotel brand and long-time Las Vegas (and Cali) nightlife entrepreneur Victor Drai (the original "after-hours" king); Hakkasan, meanwhile, was due to debut a year ago, and evidently plans for the concept have changed in the interim.

Hakkasan Opens Tonight:

Hakkasan nightclub, the first and pivotal element of the new $100-million five-level indoor-outdoor restaurant/nightlife/daylife complex at MGM Grand, debuts tonight with deadmau5 on the decks. He's among the $65-million lineup of resident DJs who've been signed by the club for residencies; the list also includes Tiësto, Calvin Harris, and Steve Aoki. This weekend's festivities continue with Hardwell on Friday, Bingo Players on Saturday, and Tommy Trash on Sunday. Hakkasan's restaurant, described as "modern Cantonese" and to be overseen by Chef Ho Chee Boon, opens May 3, while the rooftop pool and "daylife" venue is scheduled to debut sometime later this season. Hakkasan is a collaboration between billionaire Alan Yau and local day-and-nightlife impresarios Angel Management Group.

Sapphire Dayclub Debuts:

The long-awaited Sapphire Pool and Dayclub opens tomorrow, with regular hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, for the duration of pool season. Tomorrow is a soft-opening "Friends & Family Day" for invited guests, but Saturday, April 20 the party kicks off in earnest, with a crazy line-up of events, including: STRIP LV magazine's April-issue launch party, hosted by Penthouse Pet Danielle Trixie, plus go-go dancer auditions for the new Dayclub, Playgirl model and Men of Sapphire star Rico Elbaz' birthday celebration, and, from 5 p.m., they'll be screening UFC on FOX live poolside, where guests can hang with welterweight MMA elites Martin Kampmann and Mike Pyle, while catching the Melendez/Henderson main event. There will be giveaways and prizes, including the chance to win tix to UFC 160. See, told you it was gonna be crazy!

Neon Museum Open Daily:

Downtown's Neon Museum is now open daily. The guided, hour-long tours of the "Neon Bonyeard" take place every half hour, starting at 10 a.m., but this schedule is subject to change, so visitors are encouraged to check with the museum and book their tour in advance. Tickets are $18 for adults 12 and older, $12 for students, Nevada residents, veterans, and seniors age 55 and over. Don't forget your camera!

Small Bites, Big Chairs:

SHe by Morton’s, the female-oriented steakhouse by Eva Longoria at Crystals, has launched a new patio happy hour to celebrate the spring weather (minus yesterday's gale-force winds, presumably). "Happy" consists of a new bar and small-plates menu, available from 5-7 p.m. daily on the patio, which features over-sized furniture and views of CityCenter. Cocktails are $9 and include signature specials like the Cucumber Mint Martini and Lavender Lemontini, while featured beers are $5 and wines-by-the-glass are $7. "Happetizer" selections are priced from $8 to $10 and include chicken wings, tempura shrimp, and oysters on the half shell.

Counterterrorism Excercises at Valley Malls Tonight:

Counterterrorism exercises will be conducted at the Las Vegas Premium Outlet Mall North (7400 Las Vegas Boulevard S.) and at Town Square, starting at 11 p.m. tonight, Metro has announced. The exercises, which will also involve personnel from Nevada Highway Patrol and the Southern Nevada Fire Department, have apparently been being planned for since earlier this year, although the implementation is timely in light of this week's tragic events in Boston. The aim of the practices is to test the coordinated response of multiple law enforcement agencies. No other information has been forthcoming, but we just wanted to give people a heads-up, especially if you'll be partying out at Town Square.

New AGA Chief Named:

U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman has been named as the successor to American Gaming Association president and CEO Frank Fahrenkopf, who's retiring at the end of June having headed the casino industry's trade organization since it was founded in 1995.

Catch It If You Can:

The hit Broadway musical Catch Me If You Can, based on the DreamWorks movie that's based on the real-life story of teenage con meister Frank Agagnale, Jr., will be in town for a limited engagement at the Smith Center June 18–23. Tickets don't go on sale until April 26, so we can't tell you how much they cost, but what we can tell you is that, should you get a chance to meet with Abagnale himself anytime, don't bother -- we had an audiotape of his entire life story, before the movie was even conceived of and he was just on the after-dinner speaking circuit, and how a man who led such an incredible existence for so many years could be so snooze-inducing is a mystery, but take our word for it. Perhaps he just recited that same life story one time too many...

Uber Coffee Shop Gets Even Chicer:

In an era when the classic Las Vegas-casino 24-hour coffee shop is becoming a thing of the past (see Question of the Day 7/23/2011), Central at Caesars Palace continues to break the mold, with a James Beard Award-winning chef at the helm, in Michel Richard, a corkage-fee policy, and now the addition of an outdoor patio, which celebrates its grand opening this Friday, April 19.

"None" Option in New Poll:

For everyone writing in saying, "There's no 'none of the above' option" in the new LVA Reader Poll about social media -- there is now! For some reason, the poll replicated itself and posted a prior version where we'd forgotten to include that option. It's in now, and we'll add all the current votes, plus those from everyone who emailed us wanting to vote for the missing "none," so there's no need to vote again if you already did, or emailed us with your choice. If you haven't yet voted, however, please do! This is a very interesting and useful poll, so apologies it was glitchy to begin with.

New Bob Dancer Article:

This week, our video poker expert discloses, unexpectedly, how he's mellowing slightly with age, although he's still sticking to his guns. Check out his philosophical musings on a mathematical scenario that applies to anyone who gambles in Bob Dancer's latest weekly column.

Riv Parties Harder:

In addition to the long list of cool "58"-inspired specials that this venerable hotel-casino is offering in recognition of reaching an almost-six-decade milestone this month (see "Today's News" 4/18/2013 or Anthony Curtis' "The Deal" column in the new edition of Vegas Seven magazine -- out tomorrow -- for details), the Riviera, the first high-rise hotel on the Strip, is offering a special room-rate deal: Book two nights and get a third night for 58 cents! Select room dates are available in April and May but must be booked by Apr. 30, using the promo code "CELEBRATION."

Britney Confirmed, Finally:

After months of rumor, speculation, and an apparent tug of war, it's been that Planet Hollywood has won the fight to land Britney Spears as a headliner, with a two-year residency at PHLive, although details, including the start date, have yet to be officially announced. The deal will, according to Robin Leach's source, comprise some 40 alternating weekend shows -- stay tuned for a major upcoming press conference that will apparently reveal all.

Topless Show Extends, Gives Back:

X Burlesque, the topless revue at the Flamingo, is celebrating its 11th anniversary with new numbers featuring tracks by Beyoncé, Rhianna, and Keri Hilson, a three-year contract extension, and a silent auction to benefit a former showgirl who's currently recovering from breast cancer. At the Wednesday, April 24 anniversary performance, a one-of-a-kind X Burlesque painting by former Las Vegas performer and well-known artist Terry Ritter, whose showgirl mural adorns the new Terminal 3 at McCarran International Airport, will be auctioned off, with all proceeds benefiting Shellee Renee.

New Santana Dates:

Iconic rock guitarist and humanitarian Carlos Santana has just announced the remaining 2013 dates for his two-year residency at House of Blues Las Vegas, with additional November shows for An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live, which is due to perform through May, 2014.

Seinfeld on Sale:

Jerry Seinfeld will return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for two nights Sept. 6 and 7, and CET Total Rewards members get a head start on snagging tickets, which start at $75, with an exclusive pre-sale that runs from 10 a.m. this morning to 10 p.m. Friday, April 19. Tickets for everyone else go on sale Saturday, April 20, at 10 a.m.

Another Extended Happy Hour:

McCormick & Schmick's is doing its annual extended Tax Day happy hour (although it was news to them until we phoned to check). You'll find the regular happy hour fare, with apps priced from $2.95 to $5.95, plus drink specials including $3.75 domestic drafts and $4 well drinks, but it runs until 9 p.m., instead of the usual 6:30 p.m. cutoff. (At other McM&S venues around the nation, the extended hours will be in operation through March 19, but they seemed confused enough already here and after placing two calls, we couldn't face calling back a third time to verify.)

Marathon Bombing Update:

For anyone with friends or family who were present at the Boston Marathon today, or anyone who was at the scene and has information about others, Google has set up on online person-finder aid. According to the official website baa.org, of the total of 26,839 registered to run in today's race, 85 were from Nevada, including 26 from Las Vegas, 15 from Henderson, and one from North Las Vegas.

Buffet Name Change:

The all-you-can eat eatery at Monte Carlo has decided to change its name from the (refreshingly candid but perhaps ill-advised) Big Belly Buffet to the far more popular (this will be the sixth) and anonymous (not even "at Monte Carlo") choice of The Buffet.

Wheel of Fortune Seeks Contestants:

The popular gameshow, which has previously taped at Venetian, will return this July and August and is looking for contestants. Hence, the "Wheelmobile," the show's promotional vehicle, will be rolling into Sin City this coming weekend, April 20 and 21, and will be at the Venetian both days as the first step to awarding fans a place on the actual TV shows. Searches will be held at noon, 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. both days; visit the official website for more information and detailed instructions for would-be contestants.

Bombs at Boston Marathon:

This is not a Las Vegas story, we're relieved to say, but reports are flooding in now of a double-explosion at the finish line of the Boston Marathon and photographs posted online and Twitter posts from eye-witnesses are not sounding good. DON'T click this link if you're not prepared for some pretty horrific images.

Take the Bite Out of Tax Day:

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay is running its annual Tax Day special: Drop off your federal tax return between noon and 8 p.m. in the parking lot and receive a free-admission voucher good until May 24.

No Taxation Without Libations!:

That's the commendable cry coming from RA Sushi in Fashion Show Mall, with news of the latest Tax Day promo to land in our "in" box. Today's extended happy-hour menu will run from 3 p.m. to close, featuring more than 35 wallet-friendly food-and-drink specials in the $2.25 to $7.25 range.

Stormy Monday:

Okay, not so much "stormy" as windy and allergy-y, with high winds sweeping across town and bringing with them a nasty dose of dust and pollen and other undesirables. The National Weather Service has issued an unusually lengthy wind advisory for the valley and surrounding areas, remaining in effect until 3 a.m. Tuesday, with gusts of up to 55 mph expected. The Clark County Department of Air Quality has followed suit with an air-quality advisory, recommending those with allergies or any respiratory issues to stay indoors, if possible, or mask-up.

Allegiant Hearts Hawaii Less:

Having commenced service to/from Hawaii last June, budget air carrier Allegiant has announced that it will discontinue indefinitely some of those routes, including service to Hawaii from Boise, Idaho; Eugene, Ore.; Phoenix; Spokane, Wash.; and the California cities of Fresno, Stockton, and Santa Maria, effective Aug. 14. Flights between Honolulu International Airport and Las Vegas, Honolulu and Bellingham, Wash., and Kahului Airport on Maui and Bellingham will continue, however. Apparently, in protest against the move, Honolulu-based Allegiant flight attendants last week took out an ad in a local newspaper, urging the Las Vegas-based airline to reconsider the cuts.

Golden Gate Hearts Canadians:

We just came across this little promo by accident, hidden in a secret nook on the Golden Gate's website: If you have dollars from north of the border to change, and you take them to the Gate, you'll be awarded a 5% bonus in slot free play or matchplay, up to a limit of $200 per day, thanks to their Canadian Exchange Promotion (which isn't some kind of casino-vacation swap with Niagara Fallsview, as we wondered when we first saw the name). If you have another currency to exchange, check out the QoD Archives for information about the available options and where to find the lowest fees/best rates in town.

Sigma Derby Tourney:

Knowing how enamored (we could even say obsessed) our readership is with this ultra-low-tech mechanical horse-racing game (its whereabouts, or the lack thereof, has been the subject of no less than SIX Questions of the Day, and four QoD "Updates," putting it up there with the likes of: "Where's the best spot to catch the New Year's fireworks display?" when it comes to QoD FAQs), we are ecstatic to announce that the D is celebrating the Kentucky Derby this year with its first-ever Sigma Derby tournament. The entry fee's $50 and there's a $10,000 cash prize pool, but the D's also teamed up with Vegas Chatter (one of our favorite blogs) and is giving away five free entries to some lucky folks picked at random. Click the link to find out more about the tourney and how to earn entries into the free-entry drawing. Good luck!

Big Day at Silverton:

In addition to the point multiplier for tax day, there are other good Monday promos at Silverton. Earn 500 points, which is only about $40 coin-in on slots if the multiplier is counted (check at the booth) and $500 coin-in on VP, and get a $20 dining ticket. Dining in all restaurants is 50% off from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. There are also drawings at 2, 4, and 6 p.m. for members of the 50+ Club.

Tax Day:

Several tax-day bonuses are running today, along with ongoing deals that involve cashing your refund check at a casino. Check-cashing rebates at El Cortez, Cannery, and Eastside Cannery are covered in the current LVA, as well as in Anthony Curtis' column, "The Deal," in Seven magazine, which is available around Las Vegas now. The Seven column also provides details on deals running today, including bingo bonuses at Station and Fiesta casinos, a drawing at Arizona Charlie's Decatur, and 14X points on slots and 2X on table games at Silverton. One new offer that's just popped up is for two free buffets at any Station casino for cashing your refund check. The offer runs through May 31.

Another Hotel Goes Resort-Fee Optional:

Following a no-brainer trend started by JW Marriott and Treasure Island, Venetian and Palazzo have now gone "resort-fee optional," while increasing the nightly charge, for those who choose to accept it, to $25. In addition to the standard menu of Internet access, local/800 calls, fitness-center access, a daily newspaper, and drink coupons, it now also covers printing of your boarding pass. A call to room reservations at Palazzo revealed that the property increased the fee for daily Internet access to $19.95 (up from $14.95) when the resort-fee-optional policy was introduced; fitness-center access, the other usual "big-ticket" item when it comes to these charges, remains at $15.99. This contrasts with the JW Marriott in Summerlin, who informed us that "everyone opts out" of their resort fee, which has always been optional, hence the very friendly reservationist had to look up what it covers. In so doing, he discovered, much to his surprise and that of his co-workers, that the fee was recently reduced from $25 to $20 per night, while more amenities are now covered than the last time we checked (which was only a couple of months ago). Whereas at Venetian/Palazzo where, if you're going to get online, the resort fee probably still makes sense, at the JW Marriott daily Internet access is just $9.95 when purchased à la carte (one of the lowest daily charges for this amenity in Las Vegas). Spa and fitness-center access is $20, however, even with purchase of a treatment, so for you treadmill junkies out there (who presumably work up an appetite), this resort fee might make sense, being that it also includes 2 bottles of water daily, a free appetizer or desert with entrée purchase at the Irish Pub, a free appetizer at TPC cafe (no other purchase necessary), and free breakfast for kids aged 12-and-under with purchase of an adult breakfast. For the pros and cons of the optional resort fee at Treasure Island, see Question of the Day 4/1/2013 in the Archives (and no, it wasn't an April Fool's joke).

Farewell Gold Spike:

Today's your last chance to hit the Gold Spike. The long-running downtown casino that was once Las Vegas' ultimate downtown dive will close today at 3 p.m. Plans for its future have not been disclosed.

Classic Caddies at Town Square:

Catch over 40,000 feet of classic chrome at Town Square today, with the concluding day of the annual Cadillac Through the Years event, with an opportunity to view some of the world’s rarest and most eye-catching classic Cadillac and LaSalle automobiles. From originals (including the 1954 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine used by Marilyn Monroe during the filming of the movie Bus Stop) and restored models, to the modified and the newest 2013 releases, the event, which runs until 5 p.m., also features period staged roaring '20s photo shoots, wine tasting, the "Fintastic Fortunes" raffle, prize giveaways, live music, celebrity meet-and-greets, and more.

Private Salon at Bellagio:

The Bellagio has opened the 2,600-square-foot Villa Prive, a private gambling salon accessible by invitation only. Under the rules established a couple of years ago for these private salons, players must put up a minimum of $300,000 and play is constantly monitored and reports provided to Gaming Control.

Jackpot at Flamingo:

A New York woman hit a Wheel of Fortune machine at the Flamingo for $1.1 million on Friday. It follows a $1.4. million jackpot hit at Flamingo in March.

Big Debt at CET:

According to a report from Moody's Investors Service, Caesars Entertainment's debt now stands at $26.3 billion. The combination of high interest payments, large capital expenditures for projects like Linq, and reduced casino-spending by middle-class customers has prompted some credit-assessment agencies to cut CET's rating to levels that approach default.

Sunday Bonus Points:

Today is another bonus-points day at Station and Fiesta casinos, with 3.3X points on slots and 2X on video poker. Sam's Town and Suncoast are awarding 7X points on slots and video poker.

UFC Faber/Jorgensen:

Urijah Faber is a big -525 favorite over Scott Jorgensen in tonight's UFC Main Event. In the other big matches, Uriah Hall is -305 over Kelvin Gastelum and Cat Zingano is -135 over Miesha Tate.

Gambling Jones:

Today's LV Review-Journal contains an interview with famed musician Quincy Jones, in which Jones tells some good stories about the days he ran the town with Frank Sinatra. In those days the celebs did a lot of gambling in the casinos and Jones recalls, "We had so much fun it was ridiculous. Every night." Jones says he wrote the theme song to the TV show "Ironside" to pay for a particularly bad week of roulette. The interview in Doug Elfman's column also discusses the racial situation back then and Sinatra's intolerance of it. Interesting read.

Duffle Bag Play:

Get a logoed duffle bag today by earning 500 points ($167 coin-in) at any Station or Fiesta casino. You keep the points, but they must be earned by 7:59 p.m. today to get the bag.

Las Vegas Club Closing Hotel:

The Las Vegas Club is closing its hotel. After renting rooms only on weekends since early last year, the Las Vegas Club has announced that its 400 rooms will no longer be available at any time, beginning in May. While a spokesperson for owner Tamares Real Estate said that the casino will remain open, with renovations continuing on the casino floor, the timing seems suspect given the recent developments at the Gold Spike.

Facelift for Lottery Store:

The Primm Valley Lotto Store has received a $200,000 makeover from owners Affinity Gaming, in light of California's April entry into the multi-state Powerball Lottery. The store, opened back in 1992, is strategically placed just across the California state line and regularly ranks as the No. 1 or No. 2 location in the state for lottery sales, according to the California Lottery Commission. The recent upgrade includes the addition of four new lottery service stations to the seven existing terminals, plus two self-service kiosks and additional scratch-off ticket vending machines.

Poker Tourney Reminder:

Today at 2 p.m., Fiesta Henderson will host a charity poker tournament to raise funds for the music program at Brown Junior High School, specifically to purchase new string instruments for the orchestra. So, whether you're a poker player or a cellist, or neither, ante up for this worthy cause -- registration is $75 at the door and there's a top prize of $1,000 cash to the winner if the event attract a field of 50 players or more. Call 702/748-2421 to register or for more information.

Free Wine Tasting:

Hostile Grape wine bar at M Resort is showcasing Château Laffitte Laujac, a Bordeaux from Médoc, as the subject of its bi-weekly complimentary wine-tasting event from 5 p.m. this evening; tomorrow evening's featured vino is a Francis Ford Coppola "Diamond Collection" Merlot.

Two Vegas Hotels Make Dining Longlist:

Two Las Vegas hotels, both well-represented in the 2013 Eating Las Vegas "Essential 50" have been selected by Bon Appétit for this year's "Food Lover's Hotels" nominee list. Congrats to both Caesars Palace and Cosmopolitan for making it to the longlist, but only 10 of the 40 will make the final cut, so root for Vegas, all you foodies out there!

Martini Deal -- Lose One, Win One, Kinda;:

While we've lost the long-running "Martini Madness" deal at El Cortez, there's a new martini deal for ladies coming soon. Commencing Memorial Day weekend, Rockhouse, the former Stripside party zone now located in The Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian, will introduce a new $10 "Bottomless Bikini Bar" -- an open bar available nightly from 6-10 p.m. to all females sporting pool-side attire.

Summerlin Half Marathon:

Online registration has closed, but you can still sign up in person for the 2013 Summerlin Half Marathon, which takes place at 7 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday April 13. In-person registration is $90 and open from noon to 7 p.m. today in the Marquee Room at the JW Marriott (also the window for packet pick-up for those who registered online already). The course, which starts at the resort-spa, follows a loop running through the parks and communities of Summerlin and the the event is a fundraiser for the Lili Claire Foundation charity for children living with neurogenetic birth conditions. (If you're taking part in this event, you may well feel like treating your tired feet and legs to a spa treatment afterwards and there's no better one in town, for our money, than Aque Sulis at the JW Marriott, where LVA members can enjoy a $50 discount with the 2013 Member Rewards Book!)

Gold Spike Sale Confirmed:

The story we first broke earlier this week (see "Today's News" 3/9 and 3/10/13) has now been officially confirmed, with word that the Gold Spike hotel-casino downtown has indeed been sold to Zappo's CEO Tony Hsieh's "Downtown Project" redevelopment initiative, for an undisclosed sum. According to previous owners the Siegel Group, the Spike will close at 3 p.m. Sunday; CEO Stephen Siegel said his company will endeavor to find jobs for as many ex-Spike employees as it can within its other Vegas properties (Artisan, Rumor, Mount Charleston Lodge, Siegel Suites).

Changes at House of Blues:

In honor of the 20th anniversary of HoB's legendary Sunday tradition, as of May 12 the Gospel Brunch will feature a new "experience" created by Grammy-Award winning Gospel-music icon Kirk Franklin, and the "ticket" price (although it's essentially a meal, it's billed as a concert) will increase to $50. (LVA members will still be able to use the 2013 Member Rewards Book twofer deal for the Brunch, not to mention the other exclusive 2-for-1 offers we have at House of Blues).

Yet Another Festival:

Add to our epic round-up of April festivals (see "Today's News" 4/8/2013) the 39th annual UNLVino fest, for which tickets are now on sale. The four-day wine-lovers bash takes place April 18-21, with events at Venetian, Mirage, Paris, and downtown's Cleveland Clinic Lou Rouvo Center. Click the link for more info and to buy tix.

Talent Show Ends Saturday:

The current run of America's Got Talent Live at Palazzo ends this Saturday, April 14.

ONJ to Flamingo:

As long-rumored by entertainment-gossip guru Robin Leach, Grease star Olivia Newton-John will be commencing a mini-residency at the Flamingo sometime this summer, with tickets due to go on sale sometime in May. The run will free up the schedule of headliners Donny & Marie, who've wanted more time to spend with their families and to take their act outside of Vegas.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

It's another one of those "something-for-everyone"-type weekends, and that's just the comedy offerings that we're talking about. In addition, if you're into classic cars or Chardonnay, food trucks or fighting, then we've got you covered. Andrew Dice Clay performs at the Hard Rock (4/11-4/13) Jay Leno's at the Mirage (4/12-4/13) Jerry Seinfeld does stand up at Caesars Palace (4/12-4/13) The 5th Annual Wine Festival takes place at the Golden Nugget (4/12-4/14) Clark County Amphitheater hosts the inaugural "Vegas Loves Brazil" cultural festival, with food, music, vendors, and more (4/13) Town Square welcomes "Cadillac Through The Years" (4/13-4/14) Don Rickles entertains at the Orleans (4/13-4/14) Rihanna takes the stage at Mandalay Bay (4/12) Jackie Evancho, from America's Got Talent, performs at the Smith Center (4/13) The Silverton welcomes Tracy Lawrence (4/13) It's Vegas StrEATs time again downtown, with food trucks galore, live music, street-wear vendors, and more (4/13) And Urijah Faber takes on Scott Jorgensen in the Ultimate Fighter Finale at Mandalay Bay (4/13)

Happy Hours - Good News and Bad News:

We'll start with the bad: Following recent unwelcome reports (verified) of some happy-hour clampdowns (see "Today's News" 3/29/2013) at South Point and Silverton, comes word from one of our reliable scouts of another cocktail hour biting the dust. The Parlour Bar at El Cortez, which had been running a nightly 2-for-1 "Martini Madness" and top-shelf liquor happy hour since 2008, abruptly ended the promo at the start of April. There is currently no happy hour at any EC bar. On a happier(-hour) note, the Grotto at the Golden Nugget serves $4 beers, $5 glasses of wine, bellinis, martinis, and other well cocktails, plus $7 pizzas (regularly $11.99 and up) from 2-6 p.m., Mon-Fri. The signature house peach bellini is just $3 during happy hour.

Free Wi-Fi for Downtown:

Back in the summer of 2007, it was announced that Las Vegas City Council had approved agreements to turn the City of Las Vegas into a wireless "hot zone," with community-wide wi-fi access. Equipment facilitating the service was to be installed on streetlights, traffic signals, and school flasher poles. And then there was a deafening silence -- until now, that is. According to some tech sources we've come across, within the next few months, the free- Wi-Fi-for-downtown plan will be unrolled, in two stages, and covering only limited areas. Phase I apparently will involved activating service for the area bound by Charleston Boulevard, U.S. 95, I-15, and Eighth Street, while Phase II will extend free Wi-Fi to the zone delimited by Charleston, Wyoming, Las Vegas Boulevard, and Main Street. In the meantime, check out our list of existing Free Wi-Fi hotspots in the Las Vegas Visitor Guide section of this site, where you'll also find all kinds of other useful info, including childcare facilities, convention dates, information for visitors with special needs, printable maps, our "Green Guide," and lots more.

QoD Update:

Anyone interested in Las Vegas mob history, we just added an interesting tidbit to today's Question of the Day, which turns out to have been submitted by someone very close to the subjects...

Las Vegas Hotel Resort Fees:

Even though we have written about them copiously of late, both in this column and in various "Questions of the Day," in light of the changes at South Point and CET, among other things, still we are receiving daily queries from readers wanting to know which properties charge a mandatory fee (at both TI and J.W. Marriott, the $25/night resort fee is optional), which don't, and what the fee covers when there's one in place. So, here, for all those who've missed it, is a link to our comprehensive list of Las Vegas hotel resort fees; it should tell you all you need to know, and if a hotel is not on this list, then it does not charge a resort fee.

Nude Dancer Bill Dies:

A bill aimed at preventing performers under the age of 21 from dancing nude in Nevada strip clubs is destined to die this Friday, following the decision by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee not to hold a vote on Bill 413, on the grounds that it would unconstitutionally deny those affected their rights to freedom of expression and to earn a living.

New Indian Eatery at the Rio:

The space formerly occupied by the unlamented Gaylord's, which has been vacant for a seeming eternity, is once again home to an Indian restaurant. Royal India Bistro at the Rio is open Sun.-Mon., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., featuring a daily lunch buffet until 4 p.m. for $14.95, and happy hour, with half off select drinks, from 3 to 7 p.m. daily.

Gold Spike Update:

Here's an update, following yesterday's rumor of the imminent closure of this recently remodeled downtown hotel (see "Today's News"): Rooms are currently available to book at the Spike tonight through Saturday night, and with a 50%-off discount. So, you can get a room tonight for $39.99, and upgrade to the full-breakfast package for an additional 10 bucks; alternatively, you can book Friday and Saturday nights for $80 each, and for an extra $15 you can enjoy a bucket of beer or bottle of champagne ($15 champagne?!) in your room upon arrival. Sunday is listed as a check-out date only and beyond that, there is currently zero availability.

Scintas Show Starts:

Tonight sees the opening of popular Las Vegas habitués The Scintas, whose music-and-comedy show debuts at their new home at downtown's the D at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $51.40, inclusive of tax and fees.

Sahara Sign Finds New Home:

Well, so far it's only the "R", but it's a start... Yes, the Neon Museum is now home to the fifth letter from the iconic hotel sign, which has apparently had a temporary home at the Old Mormon Fort, but is now right where a vintage piece of Las Vegas neon needs to be.

Another Gourmet Burger Joint:

We're not sure how many "gourmet burger joints" Las Vegas needs, but the owners of the new PoshBurger Bistro that debuted in Summerlin last week are hoping the answer is at least one more and heck, we love good burgers. In addition to choices (apparently all organic and free-range) including the classic Angus Burger, or the de riguer Kobe Burger, which comes topped with truffle aioli, seared foie gras, frizzled onion, watercress, cherry tomatoes, and a fried quail egg ($29), the menu also features the Organic Lamb Burger, the Wild Boar Burger, the Venison Burger, the Elk Burger, and the Ostrich, Salmon, Duck, and Oxtail Burgers. Beverage-wise, they also serve an array of raw juice blends and a menu of craft beers. Located at 9921 W. Charleston, PoshBurger is currently open from 11:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m daily.

Queen of the Desert Coming ... to the Desert:

Appropriately enough, the first national tour of camp hit Priscilla Queen of the Desert, based on the movie starring '60s icon Terrence Stamp about two drag queens and a transsexual who get a cabaret gig in the middle of the desert, is coming to the desert for real, with an 11-week engagement at the Venetian, beginning Tuesday, June 18. Tickets, which start at $59, plus tax and fees, go on sale to the general public Wednesday, April 10 (there's a presale for Club Grazie members starting April 8).

Brits on the Move:

The Queen Victoria British Pub, currently located (somewhat incongruously) inside the Riviera, will be closing at that location at the end of this month, one of the owners confirmed with us. They are, however, looking to move to new venue, which will be announced as soon as they've signed the lease. We've had mixed experiences of the joint since it debuted, and had issues with one of the former partners, but he's no longer in the U.S., we were assured, and the trio at the helm includes a Master Butcher from East London, so we'll check 'em out again at their new home. We have a Brit. on staff who knows her (pickled) onions when it comes to English pub grub, and the menu looks a lot better than it did the last time we looked, but the proof will be in the (Yorkshire) pudding.

Tiger the Favorite in Masters:

Heading into tomorrow's first round of the Masters golf tournament, Tiger Woods is the favorite at +300. He's followed by Rory McIlroy at +850 and Phil Mikelson at +900.

Gold Spike Closure Rumored:

Following recent news that entrepreneur Tony Hsieh had a lending note on the downtown casino (see "Today's News" 4/7/2013) as part of his ongoing redevelopment plans of downtown Las Vegas, we today heard from a reliable, but unofficial source, that the closure of the property could be imminent. When we tried to book a room there, we found all future dates on their online calendar blacked out as unavailable, while a call to the reservation desk informed us that they were completely "sold out" for every date we checked. Hmm...

Put Up, or Shut Up:

That's pretty much the gist of Bob Dancer's latest weekly article, which profiles the case of an advantage player who feels that the casinos aren't playing fair with him, when the truth is, why would they? As they would argue it's their house, their rules. Where things gets murkier is in Dancer's observation that if, in the unlikely case that what the house is doing is illegal, they'll simply lobby to have the law changed. As the major industry in the state, is it fair for casinos to go to these lengths to protect the games? Check it out and see what you think.

New Identity for Ravella:

The casino-less Lake Las Vegas hotel, which originally opened in 2003 as the Ritz-Carlton, closed in 2010 amid the economic woes that had seen the Lake Las Vegas experiment declare bankruptcy, and then reopened in February 2011 as a Dulce resort called Ravella, has once again changed hands and commencing this June will be under the Hilton umbrella.

Cone Day:

No, it's not a tribute to Madonna, but rather an April 9 ice-cream celebration from ice cream makers Ben & Jerry's, which will celebrate its 35th annual Free Cone Day by serving complimentary scoops of Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Therapy, Half Baked, and other iconic flavors until 8 p.m. tonight, with donations going to benefit St. Jude's Ranch for Children. Participating Vegas Valley venues include the B&J's at Sunset Station and at the District at Green Valley Ranch, where celebrity guest-scoopers from Chippendales, X Burlesque and Fantasy will be serving.

Pixel Pi$$ing Contest:

Perhaps anticipating the implosion of the Harmon, which has basically been used as a giant billboard since construction ceased, Aria this week began testing of its brand new 10,000-square-foot LED-screen marquee. At 250 feet tall and 65 feet wide, it's the tallest on the Strip and comprises 11 million pixels. It's still not as big as the Harmon Crossing shopping mall screen across the street, however, which at 60 feet high by 308 feet wide, is reportedly the largest video billboard in the world. And then there's the precursor to those two, at Planet Hollywood, whose five massive 57-foot-high Panasonic Astrovision curved LED screens tower over the Strip. In addition, spanning the entire length of the hotel is one of the largest "ribbon displays" ever deployed, which traces the contours of Planet Ho's undulating facade and measures 600 feet in length by 5 feet in height, displaying a constant feed of seamless text and graphics.

Leach Rumors -- Part II:

We figured it was too much to digest all in on Today's News item, so here's the rest: "Which club is rumored to be coping with multimillion-dollar losses and might not recoup the $14 million investment before its final act?", asks Robin. Hmm, we can read between the lines, and in fact this column already reported on the demise of The Act (see "Today's News" March 5), only to be corrected by various sources, including the venue itself, telling us that far from closing, the club was actually expanding into the after-hours scene. It seems we (and our in-the-know foodie blogger associate), were right the first time, and it sounds like time's up for the popular-but-strangely-placed (it's in a shopping mall) $14-million avant-garde nightspot at Palazzo. We'll keep you posted. Similarly, another act folds at the obscure Boulevard Theater, with the exit of Stars in Concert, while a new after-hours gay club called The Affair is apparently set to open next month at a Strip venue as yet undisclosed by Señor Leach (we have some ideas but will keep them to ourselves for now.)

Entertainment Rumors -- Part II:

Gossip columnist Robin Leach has leaked some more information about developments he hinted at a few weeks back, regarding a local nightlife group, an east-coast finance connection, and the possible sale of a Strip hotel. (Follow closely, as the elements in this story and their relationships are like the business equivalent of a matryoshka doll.) Apparently, the Wall Street money man is supermarket tycoon Ron Burkle, whose investment-capital company Yucaipa has absorbed Morgans hotel group, which not-so-long ago purchased local day-and-nightlife impresarios The Light Group. The latter will be behind operations when THEhotel at MBay transforms into The Delano Hotel later this year, while The Light Group is also teaming with Cirque to open Light Nightclub in the space formerly occupied by RA, and a new adult pool called Daylight, both at MBay. Got all that?

Perk for Rihanna Fans:

Madame Tussauds is offering half-price adult general admission to visitors who present their Rihanna concert tix/stubs April 12 through 14 at the attraction's box office.

Happy Birthday Charlie's:

In addition to being "festival month" (see "Today's News" 4/8/2013), it turns out it's also casino-birthday month. Following news yesterday that the Riv is all about the number 58 in April, comes word that Arizona Charlie’s Decatur is celebrating its 25th anniversary on April 25 so, in addition to free coffee, cake, and champagne from 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., there will be lots of specials that day, including: Guests with an ace | PLAY card can enjoy a $25 prime rib dinner at Ron’s Steakhouse, which includes soup or salad, au gratin potatoes, breadbasket with flavored butters, a glass of wine or Budweiser, and crème brûlée for dessert. Players club members are also eligible for $5 lunch or dinner buffet on April 25th. Get a 25-cent slice of fruit or cream pie with purchase of any entrée at Sourdough Cafe (11 a.m.-midnight) $1 draft Buds all day at all casino bars. Earn 500 points and receive a logo hat; earn an additional 3,500 points and receive a logo denim jacket. And for all casino-memorabilia collectors out there, new players club sign ups will receive a special 25th anniversary commemorative card, while a limited number of $5 anniversary chips will also be available (click link for a pic.)

Monster April Festival Round-Up:

It's come to our attention that this month is pretty much awash with festivals of one flavor or another, so here's a quick* synopsis: The 5th annual Golden Nugget Spring Wine Festival takes place at the downtown casino April 12-14, featuring a theme of North American vs. South American wines. Tickets start at $35/person, depending on the event. The inaugural Vegas Loves Brazil festival takes place April 13 at the Clark County Amphitheater from 1 to 9 p.m., featuring live samba bands, capoeira performances, and authentic Brazilian food and drinks. Admission's just $5 for adults, with free admission for kids. Click to see where you can purchase tickets. 12th annual Pure Aloha Festival takes place at the Rio April 18-21, featuring live music from Katchafire, Common Kings, Maoli, and others, plus live Polynesian entertainment and food, carnival rides, retail vendors, and more. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for kids, members of the military, and seniors 55 and older. Festival of Communities +

Pool Update:

We've just completed Phase I of our annual update of the Las Vegas Cool Pool scene, with details of amenities, plus event listings. The feature includes all the hotel pools in town that fulfill one or more of the following criteria: open to non-hotel guests; topless; host parties and/or concerts; or feature poolside gaming. Check back in May for additional updates, as some pools are not yet open and have yet to announce their entertainment lineup.

Party at Park on Fremont:

Park on Fremont, the new bar and restaurant from the Block 16 group, which is built out of a deconstructed Michigan barn, hosts its grand opening this Wednesday, April 10, with an open Stoli bar from 6 to 9 p.m.

Mob Museum to Host Eve. with the Govs:

Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m., The Mob Museum, downtown will host "Protectors of the State – A Conversation with Three Former Governors, featuring a panel discussion with former Nevada Governors Bob List, Senator Richard Bryan,d Bob Miller, moderated by journalist and author Jack Sheehan, followed by a Q&A session. Admission's $10 for members, $19.95 for non-members, and includes complimentary light refreshments.

Wind, Dust Advisories Issued:

The National Weather Service has issued wind and dust advisories for the Las Vegas Valley, with southwest to west winds of between 25 and 35 mph expected, and gusts up to 55 mph. Drivers are advised to exercise caution, especially as dust levels could lower visibility -- Clark County Air Quality also has issued a dust advisory.

Riv Celebrates the Big Five-Eight:

In celebration of turning the grand old age of 58 on April 20, the Riviera is offering 58-inspired specials this month. Deals during t the month of April include: Month-long 58-cent drink specials at Le Bistro Lounge $58 dinner-for-two menu at R Steak & Seafood on Apr. 20 Free entry to the Riviera Comedy Club's "Next Headlining Comic Search Finale" on Apr. 20 From April 18-21, get dealt "5" and "8" suited cards on blackjack, or get "5" and "8" winning numbers on roulette, and earn a voucher for the "Money Blast" slot machine, with prizes including an iPhone 5, cash, and tickets to the Riviera Comedy Club. ·

Local Band Showcase Tonight:

Don't forget, tonight the new ultra-cool speakeasy-style Commonwealth bar downtown (525 E. Fremont) hosts the third of the monthly showcases featuring up-and-coming local acts, all vying for a headlining spot at the inaugural Life is Beautiful festival taking place this October. Featured acts include: A Crowd of Small Adventures; Moondog Matinee; Avalon Landing; The Dirty Hooks; Chandelle; and The All-Togethers. Doors at 5 p.m.; performances from 6-11 p.m.; no cover.

Galleria Mall Getting Makeover:

The Galleria at Sunset in Henderson is getting a $7 million renovation, signaling its owner's confidence in an improving economy. The remodel will include new color schemes, lighting, seating, tile, an redesigned food court, and a two-story 20,000-square-foot H&M store. All stores and restaurants will remain open during construction.

Additions at the Palms:

The Palms has replaced the Playboy Club with a new bar and lounge called The View. It offers shuffleboard, pool, and a selection of board games (checkers, chess, dominoes). It's open Fridays and Saturdays only, beginning at 9 p.m. Admission is free till 10:30, then there's a $25 cover. Also, a Chronic Taco outlet is set to open in the food court on May 5.

Changes at Palace Station:

The bar near the casino cage has been completely boarded up along with the adjacent showroom where Louie Anderson played. The area is being remade, though there has been no announcement of plans.

Zappos Looking at Gold Spike?:

An article in today's LV Review-Journal about Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh's plans for redeveloping the downtown area revealed that the company has a "lending note" on the Gold Spike. While details are sketchy, the note suggests that Zappos could make a move to acquire the property in the future. It recently bought the shuttered Western casino.

Bonus Points Today:

Today is a bonus-points day at Station and Fiesta casinos, with 3.3X points on slots and 2X on video poker. Sam's Town and Suncoast are awarding 7X points on slots and video poker.

Michigan/Syracuse Line:

Michigan is a -1.5 favorite over Syracuse in today's second Final Four game. The total is 129.

Downtown Hangout Closed for Gross Health Violations:

We've just learned that Bar + Bistro, an "Essential 50" pick in the inaugural 2011 guide to Eating Las Vegas, but dropped from subsequent editions, was closed by the Southern Nevada Health District on April 4 for a staggering 47 violations, including no hot water, "gross unsanitary occurrences, including pest infestation," lack of adequate refrigeration and employee handwashing/toilet facilities, improper disposal of liquid waste and sewage, a suspected foodborne-illness outbreak, and the misuse of poisonous or toxic materials. Oh yeah, and the power had been shut off, too. Yikes!

Strip Talent-Show Pilot Airs at 3 p.m.:

Sorry for the short notice, but if you want to support some local talent, tune in, or set your DVR for Travel Channel at 3 p.m. today, when newcomer Strip headliner Jeff Civillico, who has a matinee comedy-juggling show at The Quad, presents his pilot for a contest-format show called "Vegas Strip Search." The concept, Civillico's own, is to find a new star among the ever-growing pool of Las Vegas street entertainers, and Travel Channel was impressed enough to invest in production costs. The winner will be rewarded with a spot in his show at The Quad, while the entertainer himself will get to turn his idea into a series, if the show attracts enough viewers, so skip the Louisville/Wichita game and vote with your eyeballs!

Sushi Showdown on Sunday:

Sushi lovers, competitive eaters, and gros gourmands are invited to RA Sushi in the Fashion Show Mall tomorrow for a sushi-eating contest, with the grand prize of free sushi for a year, plus gift certificates for runners up. Space is limited to 24 contestants and not many spots remain, but there are still openings, so call 702-696-0008 to pre-register if you're up for it. Alternatively, if you're more of a spectator, that's cool too and there will be food and drink specials from 3 to 6 p.m. Visit the restaurant's Facebook page for more details.

Louisville/Wichita St. Line:

Louisville is a 10-point favorite over Wichita State in today's first Final Four game of the NCAA College Basketball Championship. It's one of the biggest spreads ever for a Final Four game. The total is 132.

New San Diego Casino:

Penn National Gaming has announced that it will build a $360 million casino in the San Diego area with the Jamul Indian Village. The three-story, 200,000-square-foot, Hollywood-themed casino will have 1,700 machines and 50 table games. It's expected to open two years after constuction starts some time later this year.

Shockers Shocker?:

With two Final Four basketball games playing later today, the buzz in betting circles is about the the price on the Wichita State Shockers on the futures line. The long-shot Shockers were anywhere from 100-1 to 300-1 to win it all when the tournament began. With only four teams left they're still the long shots at 12-1, but tickets are out there with the potential for a very big payday. We'll post the lines on both games later today closer to tip-off.

Community Center Grand Opening:

The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, now in its 20th year, hosts the grand opening for its new, freestanding, multi-million dollar facility downtown this morning. Mayor Carolyn Goodman, plus U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, Councilman Bob Coffin, and members of The Center’s staff and Board of Directors will be there for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Robert L. Forbuss Building, located at 401 S. Maryland Parkway, and the open-house-style event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature refreshment's from the Center's Bronze Café , in addition to a "candy buffet" laid on by downtown's Sweet Spot Candy Shop.

Plant Sale at Springs Preserve:

Las Vegas Springs Preserve hosts its annual spring plant sale today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring an array of species including water-efficient and drought-tolerant plants, sold in container sizes ranging from 1 to 15 gallons. Staff experts will be on hand to answer questions about plant care. Admission is free.

MRI Announces The Park:

Not to be outdone by CET’s Linq, MRI is planning a Strip-side outdoor retail center and gathering space of its own called The Park, outside and around NY-NY and Monte Carlo, to compliment the new events arena it's building out back in the same area. The facades of both New York-New York and Monte Carlo will be modified to fit the motif, but the plaza itself will be built in the space between the two resorts. The area will feature trees, water features, an al fresco performance stage, and a beer garden, plus a two-story Hershey’s Chocolate World, plus various bars and food options.

HP Authors at Spring Fling:

Tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Clark County Library hosts the 5th Annual Spring Fling Book Fair, featuring a celebrity authors panel, live music, and book signings from many notable local authors, including many from the Huntington Press stable. So, if you'd like the chance to meet Bob Dancer, Jean Scott, A.D. Hopkins, Cathy Scott, Matt O'Brien, Al Mancini, John L Smith, or Arnold Snyder, and have them sign a copy of their best-selling titles for you, then come along! Check the event's Spring Fling Facebook page for more details about the event and who's on the celebrity panel.

Sway Pool Update:

No sooner did we announce that the poolside entertainment for Silverton had not yet been announced, than they announced the first event, which will be a concert by Maggie Rose on May 18, as part of what's being dubbed the "Party Like It's 1999" concert series, that will feature cover bands from the '60s, '70s, and '80s. Check out our Cool Pools feature more details on this and all the other upcoming activities and amenities at Las Vegas' party pools. (Note, we just braced ourselves today and embarked on the annual update, which is a huge and ongoing task, so bear with us if you still find data from 2012 for a few days while we affect the changeover.)

Crüe Tix on Sale:

Tickets are now on sale for the second Las Vegas mini-residency for rockers Mötley Crüe, whole be performing at The Joint at the Hard Rock Sept. 18 - Oct. 6. The prices starts at $45.50, plus tax and fees.

Pool Season Update, and More:

The Voo European-style pool at the Rio opened for the season today (VooDoo Beach debuted a few days ago). Also, apparently the Masquerade Tower at the Rio, which the long-running Show in the Sky recently vacated, is apparently now home to the new Masquerade Piano Bar: Catch dueling pianists Frank and Les doing their thing from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Thur. through Sun. In addition, Sway Pool Lounge at Silverton opens Saturday. It's free to Las Vegas locals during the week, with a $5 cover on the weekend. No word yet on this season's entertainment lineup, but expect some poolside concerts.

Strip Club Mystery:

According to the marquee, Twitter account, and recorded message, Cover Girls gentelmen's club (formerly Jaguars, SCORES, Rick's Cabaret, etc.) is to due reopen as NV Nightclub and After-Hours tonight (no more boobies), with doors at 11 p.m. (after-hours from 2 a.m.) and resident DJ Scotty Boy. The Twitter has been silent since March 26, however, and the Facebook page has disappeared. We'll keep you posted...

Construction Pending on Aerial-Dining Tower:

Work begins at the end of this month on the 200-foot-high tower that will support the "Dinner in the Sky" open-air dining platform. Packages will start at $290 per person for the experience that plans to open this summer.

Labor Talks Begin:

Negotiations between the major casinos and the Culinary Union begin today, with MRI and CET meeting with labor representatives. This is always a tense time in Las Vegas, as negotiations are traditionally lengthy and combative, including the last session that produced the current five-year agreement that expires June 1. Contracts are also expiring at Tropicana, Riviera, LVH, Stratosphere, TI, and several downtown casinos.

NHRA Fanfest at NY-NY:

Stop by the NHRA Fanfest this evening in the Staten Island Room (near the Sporting House) from 6 to 8 p.m. for a Q&A and autograph-signing session with top drivers, plus the chance to win a Don Schumaker prize package.

Buffet News from CET:

So, prices are up again for Caesars Ent's "Buffet of Buffets" pass, which is now $49.99 (or $54.99 without a Total Rewards card, but those are free, so get one). The pass, which enables diners to eat as many meals at as many buffets as they can stomach in a 24-hour period, was formerly $47.99/$49.99 (originally $29.99, with a players card, when the concept debuted in 2010, but there have been so many price hikes since, we can't even count them). But wait, there's more. Much more. After much online sleuthing, coupled with some official misinformation, we can confirm lots of other stealth hikes have been added to the cost of using this "discount" pass. For one thing, the price quoted above now only applies during the week. Back in December, CET introduced a weekend surcharge, and Friday/Saturday it's now $64.99 with a Total Rewards card or $69.99 without. We've seen them allude to this in a few places now, but only on the B-of-B FAQ page did we find disclosure of what that price actually is, and the official recorded information on the B-of-B dedicated hotline has not been updated to reflect the change. Nor had the change ever been disclosed to us, and we call every single buffet in town every single month, specifically to check prices (see today's ultr-timely Question of the Day, which is all about our Buffet listings.) Talking of the hotline, this also fails to mention that the up-charge for using the pass at Caesars' uber-gourmet Bacchanal Buffet has also been increased. While it was formerly a flat fee of $15 on top of the price of the pass, should you wish to include this buffet in your 24-hour chowdown, it's now an additional $15 for breakfast, $20 for lunch, and $25 for dinner. We called Caesars and were told summarily that, "It's always been that way." No, it hasn't! And if you don't believe us (or any of the other third-party sites, reviews, and blog entries we checked), just call CET's own recorded-info line on (702) 862-3530 for proof! So, this means that, if you wish to eat the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars for dinner on the weekend as part of your "Buffet-of-Buffet" experience, and you don't have a Total Rewards card, it's going to cost you ... wait for it ... a total of $94.99 for the pleasure -- and that's not inclusive of tax. The one tiny bright spark in all of this is that the upcharge for using the pass at Rio's Village Seafood buffet, which was added to the pass-eligible list back in April 2011, has been dropped from $15 to $10. They don't tell you that on the info line, either.

Las Vegas This Weekend:

It's ACM Weekend again, which means there will country stars, concerts, and activities all over town, including downtown (we're intrigued to see how the cowboys and the arty-vegan-wine-tasting-kungfu-ballet crowd are gonna get down together), plus there's the usual mix of music, comedy, and drag racing. The 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards take place at MGM Grand (4/7) and the ACM experience takes over the Orleans for the weekend (4/5-4/7). There will be free concerts on Fremont Street (4/5-4/6), including: Gary Allen (4/5); Kip Moore (4/5); Joe Nichols (4/5); Jake Owen (4/6); and Randy Houser (4/6). And to top off the weekend, MGM Grand will host Tim McGraw's Superstar Summer Night, with scheduled appeareances by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, and more. The 2-hour special will be taped (to be broadcast on CBS at a later date); tickets for the live event are $118 and they're going fast!! (4/8) Def Leppard continues its run at the Hard Rock (3/22-4/13) George Lopez will be getting your laugh on at the Mirage (4/5-4/6) Whoopi Goldberg's at TI (4/5) The House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay welcomes The Dan Band (4/6) The NHRA Nationals take place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (4/5-4/7) And it's that First Friday time-of-the-month again in the Arts District downtown (4/5)

Reward Offered in Key Largo Arson:

Fire investigators have determined that the March 28 fire at the long-shuttered Key Largo hotel-casino was "incendiary," in nature which, according to the National Fire Protection Association, means a deliberate burning of property, with a likely focus on monetary harm. In light of the investigation's conclusion, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the blaze, which is estimated to have caused some $4.5 million in damage.

Frommer's Reprieve:

83-year-old ravel guru Arthur Frommer has announced that he's reacquired the rights to his travel guidebooks from Google, following news last week that the online giant, who purchased the Frommer's brand in 2012, would cease publishing the series (see "Today's News" 3/29/2013). Frommer's travel guides originated in 1957 with Arthur Frommer's self-published hit, Europe on 5 Dollars a Day, and today encompasses multiple country and city guides, including several for Las Vegas. Back in the hands of its founder once more, who is also taking over the associated website Frommers.com, the travel guides will continue to be produced in both eBook and print formats, he confirmed to Associated Press.

North Strip Closure Tonight:

Crews will close Las Vegas Blvd., from Belmont Street to Van Der Meer Street, from 9 p.m. tonight until 5 a.m. Thursday, for the installation of pedestrian bridges. A detour will route traffic along Civic Center and Pecos to Cheyenne. (Yes, this one's for real -- in-joke, which some will appreciate.)

Happy Hustler Hour:

It's Double Trouble Happy Hour at Hustler Vegas right now! Get FREE beer and vodka and 2-for-1 lap dances until 6 p.m. Order a $2 whiskey shot and get free wings (and, possibly other food?? -- we're confused, they're confused, but there's definitely a lot of free stuff going on). Follow @ToplessVegas for top tidbits from the Sin City strip club scene, and other cool stuff.

Denny's Wedding:

The first wedding at a Denny's is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. tonight in downtown's Neonopolis. The wedding chapel is a feature unique to this flagship Denny's, which opened last November and also features a full bar and only-in-Vegas Elvis-themed menu items like the King Stack (pancakes with bananas, bacon, and peanut butter) and the King Milkshake (same ingredients...) Tonight's lucky couple will be treated to a Pancake Puppie wedding cake and celebratory "Grand Slamosa's" (we're pretty sure those are cocktails, as opposed to the spicy Indian street-food delicacy, although they probably involve bacon).

A.C. Deals Blow to Horse Racing Fans:

Last Sunday, March 31, Trump Taj Mahal became the latest Atlantic City casino to get out of the simulcasting business when it closed its racing operation Sunday. Now only five of the city's 12 casinos, including Borgata, Bally’s Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort, and the Showboat Casino Hotel, continue to offer simulcasting. The simulcast parlor at Taj Mahal will be used for live keno and to extend the poker room.

NV Senate Votes to Up Speed Limit:

The state Senate today voted to allow the Department of Transportation to increase the speed limit to as high as 85 mph on selected highways in Nevada, with "yes" voters citing positive results elsewhere from a similar move, including in Utah, where the limit was raised to 80 mph. (The fatality rate on the German Autobahn, which are famous for being some of the few public roads in the world without blanket speed limits for cars and motorcycles, is lower than the fatality rate on rural Interstates in the U.S.) In order to become law, Senate Bill 191 still must be considered in the Assembly and signed by Gov. Brian Sandoval. If approved, the higher speeds will only be allowed in Nevada on divided highways with at least four lanes, so will likely include the I-80 between Fernley and Wendover, and I-15 between Craig Road and Mesquite.

Free Wine!:

Thursday, April 4th, local vino promoters (what a job!) Rock 'n Roll Wine host their weekly complimentary open wine bar at Tao nightclub at Venetian, featuring their award-winning "Rhapsody" and "The Grotto" signature blends, plus happy-hour priced apppetizers. The event runs from 6-8 p.m. (or while supplies last)and is free to attend, but you must The event is free, but you must RSVP. R 'n R is also the official wine of this month's First Friday (April 5). Their lounge will be next to the Green Street Stage (Casino Center Blvd & California) so swing by for a swig or three -- they'll be featuring their two house blends, plus three other wines.

Rick Allen Reminder:

Thursday, April 4 is the second and last chance to catch Def Leppard drummer and artist Rick Allen at Martin Lawrence Galleries in The Forum Shops at Caesars, where he'll be explaining the unique process behind his art and unveiling a new, signed, limited edition print from 6-8 p.m.

Star for Penn & Teller:

If you happen to be in Hollywood this Friday, in the vicinity of 7003 Hollywood Drive, then you can catch Las Vegas headliners Penn & Teller receiving the 2,494th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with David Copperfield and "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone also scheduled to be on hand to speak at the unveiling. The plaque recognizing the "bad boys of magic" will, appropriately, be located down the street from the Magic Castle, the vaunted private magician's club that will also award P&T with its "Magicians of the Year" honor on Friday. If you're not able to make it in person for the 11:30 a.m. star presentation, you can catch it streaming live online at walkoffame.com.

Red Rock Room Deal:

Red Rock resort is currently posting an exclusive deal on Twitter, offering $50 off best available prevailing room rates, now through August 29 (subject to availability). A few nights are sold out already, but there are still plenty of dates to choose from, so check it out.

Poll Closes at Midnight:

Just the regular reminder that our current Reader Poll, asking about your feelings and habits about playing games online, whether for fun, or money, or both, will close at midnight PST tonight, when a new survey goes live, so vote now if you haven't already.

Vegas Sign Turns Blue Tonight:

Adding to its recent rainbow repertoire of pink, purple, and green, the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign will light up blue tonight in support of World Autism Day, so get your cameras out. Click the link for more information.

Bob Dancer Article Posted:

This week's column finds our gambling guru in a playful mood, with a clever useful tip on how to silence over-curious strangers without being rude and that's applicable to all manner of situations. Check it out! And, as an aside to answer the queries we've been receiving over the past week or so and haven't had a chance to address personally, nothing has happened to Bob's column! When we changed the layout of the daily Question of the Day email alert (click to sign up for this, and our other free-info. newsletter alerts), the designer linked the daily question to the page where you can read the answer, as opposed to the LasVegasAdvisor.com home page, that it previously had linked to. We figured everyone knew that there was more than one page on our website (actually, there are around 6,000, or more), but that just goes to show how dangerous assumptions can be, and we've been fielding panicked inquiries from fans of Bob Dancer's weekly column who thought we'd axed it. Fear not! It's still there, exactly where it's always been, with a prominent link from the home page to help you find it. Still, we switched the link back to the way it used to be, for everyone who was freaked out by the change.

Random Awesome McDonald's Tip:

We came across this blog in the course of revisiting some research regarding English high tea (not to be confused with afternoon tea), specifically that acquired-taste delicacy known as a "Scotch egg," and we just had to share. It is, we just learned, possible to order any McDonald's breakfast sandwich made with a 100% real egg, cracked and cooked fresh on-premises. We promise we're not making this up; just click the link to find out the secret.

Stiffs & Georges on Temporary Hiatus:

We regret to report that our much-esteemed and ever-feisty Stiffs & Georges business blogger, David McKee, has been temporarily laid low by some dastardly lurgy, and has spent a good few days out of commission, hence the lack of bloggery. We are conversely happy to report, however, that he is now on the road to recovery and will be back doling out insightful commentary on the casino-biz universe, laced with his inimitable brand of acerbic wit, any day now. Look out, world!

More New Eats for Downtown:

The Morton Group is poised to unveil its latest restaurant offering, La Comida, downtown sometime in mid-April. Located in what was formerly an old laundry facility at 106 Sixth Street, the concept behind the new Mexican bar-restaurant is to deliver an authentic (e.g., a menu featuring regional specialties and lots of tequilas) but fun and funky (look out for the flashing pink neon monkey on the roof) vibe.

Mötley Crüe - They're Back, and They're Dangerous:

Apparently, his recent kidney-stone problem is all better and Vince Neil will be back to front Mötley Crüe for a second mini 12-show "residency" at The Joint at the Hard Rock, commencing Sept. 18. Tickets go on sale this Friday and Neil assured local gossip guru Robin Leach that, "It’s going to be a dangerous set. Dangerous for us, dangerous for the hotel and dangerous for the fans -- all custom-designed specially for The Joint." (They custom-design their fans for the venue? Hardcore!)

Life is Beautiful Fest Update:

The Life is Beautiful (L.I.B.) festival has announced that its inaugural event will take place downtown on Saturday, Oct. 26th and Sunday 27th, and will feature live music performances, culinary demonstrations, art exhibitions, and speaker forums both in existing locations and in temporary venues erected across more than 10 blocks in and surrounding the Fremont East District. Don't forget the third of the monthly showcases featuring up-and-coming local acts, all vying for a limited number of headlining spots at L.I.B., takes place this Sunday, April 7 at Commonwealth. The night will feature $6 Stoli cocktails and a lineup including: A Crowd of Small Adventures; Moondog Matinee; Avalon Landing; The Dirty Hooks; Chandelle; and The All-Togethers. Doors at 5 p.m.; performances from 6-11 pm; no cover.

Sobriety Checkpoint Warning:

This Friday, April 5, Metro will be conducting an alcohol- and drug-sobriety checkpoint at Charleston Boulevard, west of Rainbow Boulevard, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. You have been warned (and that doesn't mean, "Take Oakey instead," it means "Don't Drive Impaired.")

Poker for a Cause:

On April 13 at 2 p.m. Fiesta Henderson will host a charity poker tournament to raise funds for the music program at Brown Junior High School, specifically to purchase new string instruments for the orchestra program. So, whether you're a poker player or a cellist, or neither, ante up for this worthy cause -- early registration is $50 (ends April 5) and there's a top prize of $1,000 cash to the winner if the event attract a field of 50 players or more, and places 2 through 4 will also be awarded prizes. After April 5 and at the door it's 75 bucks. Call 702/748-2421 to register or for more information.

Free "Caps" for Kids:

For a limited time, children under the age of 10 get a free "Cap's kid's meal" at Capriotti's sandwich stores (several locations throughout the valley) with the purchase of a nine-inch sub.

Sahara Closed by Major Accident:

Sahara Ave. is currently closed in both directions in the vicinity of Arville and Decatur, following an accident this lunch time that involved a car ploughing into the Egg & I restaurant, while diners were outside on the patio. According to reports, 10 people have been taken to UMC and Sunrise Hospital for serious but non-life threatening injuries. We'll keep you posted as more information becomes available.

Gold Coast Room Remodel:

It's the first we'd heard about it, but Vegas Inc. reports that the Gold Coast is about to complete a remodel of 400 of it's 700+ rooms, with the refurbished accommodations scheduled to reopen in the next couple of weeks. Upgrades include new wall coverings, carpets, blackout drapes, furniture, and bedding, plus new counter-tops in the bathrooms and hi-def TVs in the rooms.

Las Vegas a Good Pick for LGBT Travelers:

With several hotels that actively market to the gay and lesbian community, including Paris, Planet Hollywood, Wynn, Paris, New York-New York, Luxor, Artisan, and Rumor, not to mention the all-male gay-owned Blue Moon Resort, plus established LGBT clubs, pool parties, and more, it's no surprise that Travel + Leisure has picked Las Vegas as among America's best cities to visit for gay travelers.

Machines Down at 702:

The video poker machines at Bar 702 that we've written about recently following the bar's makeover on the TV show Bar Rescue have been removed. It's not permanent -- there's apparantly a problem with a former license holder that still has an interest in the bar -- but for now, those good pay schedules aren't available. We'll let you know when the problem is resolved.

No Change for NV Minimum Wage:

The Nevada's Labor Commissioner today has announced that the state’s minimum wage will remain at $7.25 per hour ($8.25 for workers not offered medical insurance by their employers).

Skin City Shake-Up Continues:

Following on from recent news that two male revues, along with The Library, that venerable topless institution out on Boulder Highway, had all closed (see "Today's News" 3/21), and more recently that Crazy Horse Too is reopening after several years ("TN" 3/31), plus talk of raising the legal age for nude dancers (3/29), we now have more word on the strip club front. Firstly, Oracle Nightclub (a.k.a. Oracle Mansion, and formerly Badda Bing, Leopard Lounge, and Men's Club), which has for some time been operating as a nightclub (Weds. to Sun.) is once more to host a topless club on the ground floor, debuting in approximately two weeks. Meanwhile, Cover Girls (previously Rick's Cabaret, SCORES, and Jaguars), is reopening April 5 strictly as a nightclub and after-hours venue called NV, featuring local name DJ Scotty Boy as the resident talent on the decks. (Follow @ToplessVegas for updates.)