Some sources are reporting that singer Celine Dion, due to return for a second residency in Las Vegas in 2011, has undergone emergency surgery to prevent her twins from being born three months prematurely and is experiencing a "pregnancy from hell"; her publicist, on the other hand, denies all rumors and says the singer is 100 percent healthy.
After nine years at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where it debuted, the Global Gaming Expo, known as G2E, is moving to the Sands Expo and Convention Center in 2011, it was announced today. The schedule of the convention is also being pushed up from November to October, with this year's show scheduled for Nov. 15-18.
According to R-J gossip columnist Norm!'s Twitter, uncensored hypnotist Anthony Cools has just signed a two-year option with Paris, extending his run there through 2014. Cools has been performing at the property now since 2006.
10 cars that belonged to the late Danny Gans will be part of Barrett-Jackson's Las Vegas Collector Car Auction, which takes place in Las Vegas Sept. 23-25. Included in the sale will be Gans' 1932 Ford 3-window coupe, a 1955 Chevrolet Cameo pickup, and a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda coupe.
Wynn Las Vegas is in the process of completely renovating all its guest rooms and suites, a program that's due to continue through early 2011. The new "Resort Deluxe" rooms feature new wallpaper, carpets, chairs, couches, and lamps.
Yes, that's officially what August 31 is, so check out the September issue of the Las Vegas Advisor for a feature on all the food trucks currently operating around the Vegas Valley, and see our Restaurant listings for details of all the eateries in town with outdoor seating (click the brown button).
It's reported in today's Las Vegas Sun that under its parent company's bankruptcy reorganization plan, the Riviera in Las Vegas will reverse the current policy of conserving cash and will invest a significant sum in maintenance upgrades, including exterior paint, select window treatments, elevator upgrades, and exterior and interior signage improvements, while the Riviera Black Hawk is set to receive new slot machines and gaming software and hardware.
Comedian Jeff Dunham returns to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace Sept. 3 and tomorrow Caesars will be giving away a pair of free tickets on Twitter and another pair on Facebook, so follow/friend @CaesarsPalace or
As part of the ongoing Restaurant Week, FIRST Food & Bar is hosting its second annual "Shuck & Swallow" event -- a battle between some of Las Vegas' top chefs to see who can shuck and swallow the most oysters in 10 minutes. The event kicks off at 3 p.m. and is emceed by X1075's Dave and Mahonye Morning SHow.
Channel 8 reports that Metro's on the scene of a fatal accident that's closed the northbound lanes of Boulder Highway near Missouri. (This posted at 3:50 p.m.; we'll keep you posted as/when we hear any update.)
Today's 2-for-1 drink password at the new boutique resort opposite the Hard Rock is "Viva Vegas". Come in with it and get a drink voucher up until 11 p.m.
The Tropicana has debuted its new steak and seafood restaurant, Biscayne Steak, Sea & Wine, part of Phase 1 of the property's $165 million remodel and new South Beach "re-theming."
The annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon returns to South Point September 5 and 6. Free tickets are available to the public but only limited seating is available. Click here for more information.
Today through September 5 marks Las Vegas' annual Restaurant Week, a celebration of fine dining which includes participation from more than 80 restaurants offering prix-fixe menus at special prices to benefit the Three Square food bank. Click here for more information and a list of participating restaurants.
Socialite Paris Hilton was charged with possession of cocaine on the Strip on Friday night, while her boyfriend Cy Waits was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI after the couple's Escalade was pulled over by a bike cop who smelled marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Waits was fired from his job running the nightclubs at Wynn and Encore as a result of the incident.
Today's R-J carries the results of two polls. One indicates that a third of Las Vegans would opt to leave the city if they could find a job in another market, or if they weren't upside down on their home loan, while the second poll found that a large majority of Nevadans are not in favor of legalizing either marijuana or prostitution to boost the economy.
Today is the 241st anniversary of the death of Edmond Hoyle, who famously compiled rules for card games. USA Today founder Al Neuharth provides insight into Hoyle and the importance of rules in his column in the newspaper's weekend edition.
Stars of "The Bachelor" Jesse Csincsak and Ann Lueders are celebrating their wedding at Rumor on Saturday with a public pool party open to all today from noon-4 p.m. Space is limited so get there early to party with the newlyweds and 20 other reality TV stars.
The Weekend edition of USA Today lists the best ice cream parlors in every state in the U.S. From Nevada, the pick was Luv-It Frozen Custard. We reviewed Luv-It as a Las Vegas Advisor "Local Corner" in July 2003.
The recruitment drive for more than 250 seasonal workers at the Adventuredome's annual Halloween spectacular starts today, with an open audition from 4-7 p.m., repeated on Sunday. Applicants must be 18+ and bring valid government-issued ID and social security card.
Wear tie-dye or peace signs to any full-service Metro Pizza location today for 25% off a large pizza (limited to one pizza per person; dine-in only).
Remember, you can donate new pair of kids shoes and get a free ticket to Jersey Boys’ 1,000th show with the Walk Like A Man shoe drive at Palazzo today.
The latest update from "Fox 5 News" reports that as many as twenty-six people have been taken to area hospitals and 100 more are being evaluated following the malfunction of a chlorine injection pump at the MGM Grand pool today. Maintenance is working on the problem and the pool remains closed.
Sports handicapping phenom Fezzik, who hosts the message boards at LVASports.com, is the subject of a feature about football contests in today's R-J; check it out at LVA in the Media.
"8 News NOW" reports that at least 10 people have been overcome by fumes at the MGM Grand's Lazy River water attraction. It appears that two chemicals were mixed together causing a toxic reaction and more than 10 ambulances have been called to the scene. One person is reportedly unconscious.
Firefighters are currently gaining control over two separate fires on Mt. Charleston, but there have been no evacuations and no buildings are threatened. The fires were caused by lightning strikes on Thursday.
The Nevada State Gaming Control Board has fined Caesars Palace $250,000 for allowing a high-limit baccarat player to stand and dance on the card table while the game was being dealt. The board filed a complaint accusing Caesars for failing to take action to protect the game and the customer, who even placed a bet while he was standing on the table. The incident took place last October.
It was in 2007 that his mother Afeni Shakur sold the rights to her son's life, and it finally sounds like the long-promised movie about him will come to fruition, according to Rolling Stone. Director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) has brought on Oscar-nominated screenwriters Stephen J. Rivele and Chris Wilkinson to pen a new script and the movie will apparently no longer be a biopic, but rather will focus on the last 24 hours of the rapper's life. He was fatally shot in Las Vegas in 1996; for the full story and exclusive photographs, check out The Killing of Tupac Shakur, now in its second edition and available as both a paperback and e-Book download.
The September issue of the LVA newsletter is live and ready to read online; if you're not an LVA member, you can check out what you're missing by clicking here.
On Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 10 a.m., local artist Gabe Ortiz will unveil his version of the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign, a 5' x 7' "canvas" fabribated from more than 50,000 M&M's chocolate candies. The event's taking place to celebrate the newly-launched "My M&M's" Experience, where guests can now create and print custom messages and popular Las Vegas icons on M&M's candies on demand and on location (previously this service was available online only.)
AOL Travel today has a feature about the safest and most dangerous neighborhoods in Las Vegas, together with stats on crime rates. Click here to see which areas got the thumbs up, or otherwise, plus the latest crime stats and how they compare with the national average (in particular, note that the car-theft rate is double the national norm).
Big-cat magician Dirk Arthur, formerly a long-time performer at the Tropicana, is opening at O'Sheas on Monday, Sept. 13. The show will perform at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. nightly (dark Wednesday and Friday) and General Admission tickets are $22.95. Meanwhile, over at the Hilton the "Bringing Back the Music" tribute-band series has ended and a new musical comedy called Nunsense, which comes from a 10-year run in New York, is performing daily at 4 p.m. in the Shimmer Cabaret (dark Tuesday). Tickets start at $19.
Operators of the new Cosmopolitan resort, due to debut on the Strip December 15, have announced a deal with Marriott International to be one of the chain's Autograph Collection, a portfolio of luxury independent hotels and resorts. This enables Cosmopolitan to market to Marriott's 32 million travelers -- one of the largest customer databases in that industry.
Beginning Sept. 2 and continuing every Thursday, Hussong's Cantina at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place is offering an awesome-sounding happy hour special for locals from 7-9 p.m.: For $3 on "Uno! Dos! Tres! Thursdays," get a combo that includes one taco, one Dos Equis, and one Tres Agaves margarita or shot. The venue features live Rock n Roll Mariachis and already offers a 20% discount on food for everyone who shows a Nevada ID or local business card.
It's been a bad day for traffic. The R-J reports that a truck's spilled sulfuric acid on northbound U.S. Highway 95 between Charleston and Las Vegas boulevards and NHP estimates it will be closed in both directons until approximately 6:30 p.m. while the spill is cleared. It's not known what caused it.
Channel 8 reports that Nevada Highway Patrol is on the scene of an accident involving a cement truck on the Beltway near Russell. All northbound and southbound lanes are currently closed to traffic due to debris. The driver has been transported to the hospital. His condition is unknown. (This item posted at 12:40 p.m.)
The huge helium balloon that was destroyed by high winds earlier this year is set to re-launch September 10. (It was originally scheduled for September 3, but their cargo was delayed by Customs, so the relaunch has been set back a week.) Don't forget there's a twofer/50%-off coupon in the 2010 LVA MRB.
@CasaDiAmore, the old-school Italian restaurant on E. Tropicana, is looking for one "motivated, exceptional team player." If you think you fit the bill, they're holding interviews from noon to 3 p.m. today and tomorrow.
Penn Jillette's cutting off more than 10 inches of his famous ponytail today for the Locks of Love Cut-A-Thon to benefit children who've lost their hair due to illness. The event's taking place at the Rio Spa and Salon from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today and anyone who has at least 10 inches of hair to donate is welcome to participate; Penn's due to get his haircut this morning.
Following Sunday's fatality at Rehab comes breaking news from Channel 8 that a child has been involved in a near-drowning at the Rio pool. Apparently, Las Vegas medical personnel responded to the incident earlier this afternoon and the child has been transported to University Medical Center in an unknown condition. We'll keep you posted as we receive updates.
Say code word "dolphin" to your cashier at Johnny McGuire's Deli at Town Square today and receive half off your check. (Thanks to SaveLV.com for this tip.)
Traffic lanes will remain closed at Warm Springs and Decatur through 2 p.m., Aug. 27 for construction work.
This Sunday, Aug. 29 from noon-2 p.m. catch Stephen Hopcraft, Executive Chef of SEABLUE at MGM Grand and "cheftestant" on Bravo's "Top Chef: Washington D.C.," demonstrating how to shuck oysters and prepare the restaurant's signature paella and sangria, which you'll get to taste, along with other house specialties. Admission's $60.10 per person and tickets are available from the concierge at MGM, Signature, Aria, Bellagio, Mirage, Mandalay Bay, and the MGM Grand Ticket Office. A portion of the proceeds will donated to Three Square food bank.
Deutsche Bank, Nevada Property 1 LC, and Nevada Voteco, have been named as defendants in a lawsuit against the Cosmopolitan, in which the plaintiffs claim that its parking garage sits below the water table and is forced to run pumps "around the clock to keep the hotel from filling with water, engulfing both cars and people." The two investors bringing the action claim that they've been trying to obtain accurate information about the situation for more than a year.
This action comes in the wake of an earlier lawsuit, brought by a group of plaintiffs including former "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" host Robin Leach, who claim that 500 investors were suckered into buying condos at the unfinished resort, which may not even have a condo element anymore. Leach and other investors also claim that they were misled into believing the high-rise would open by the end of 2008.
Dennis Gomes, a Gaming Control veteran whose investigation into Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal and the skimming practices at the Stardust formed the basis for the movie Casino, is to purchase Resorts Atlantic City, New Jersey's oldest casino resort, from a group of creditors. "We are going to bring it back to life," said Gomes in his statement. "I have disagreed with the doom and gloom analysts who have painted a bleak picture of our city." The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Vegas Seven, the cool new weekly Las Vegas lifestyle magazine, just reviewed our new Topless Vegas Pocket Guide. You can see what they said about it at LVA in the Media, where you can also read the recent review by Thrillist. (Hint: They liked it!)
We figured it was only a matter of time, as the whole "daylife" scene has become more and more extreme over the past few years, but it's with much sadness that we report the first pool-party fatality that we're aware of. A 27-year-old man from Oregon died after suffering a head injury while swimming in the Rehab pool at the Hard Rock yesterday evening. The coroner's office says the cause of death has not yet been determined.
Check out the current "Top Vegas Room Deals" feature on this page for three excellent offers from Aria, Mandalay Bay, and Excalibur, but hurry to book if you're interested -- these deals will only be valid for 72 hours.
The new nightlife venue in the Miracle Mile Shops, taking over the space formerly occupied by Hawaiian Tropic Zone, is now open for business. It's a sister property to The Rockhouse Bar at Imperial Palace and features food, drinks, and a fearsome mechanical bull, apparently.
In celebration of its sixteenth birthday today, Boulder Station is offering free cake and champagne throughout the casino from 5-8 p.m. today, plus $250 in free slot play will be awarded every five minutes to a total of 36 Boarding Pass members, plus earn entries all day for a prize drawing at 8:15 p.m., with ten players winning a share of $7,000 in cash.
For the sixth consecutive month, the passenger count was down at McCarran International Airport last month. Figures released this morning by the Clark County Department of Aviation reveal that 3,518,217 passengers passed through airport last month -- a 1.1 percent decline compared with July 2009.
Channel 8 reports that the Nevada Test Site will henceforth be known as the Nevada National Security Site or N2S2, according to a spokeswoman with the National Nuclear Security Administration.
It's hard to believe, but Halloween looms and once again the Adventuredome at Circus Circus will make its annual seasonal transformation into "Frightdome" and is hiring 250 extra staff for the duration. Interviews begin on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. in the Adventuredome. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and bring a valid government-issued ID and social security card when they apply.
Not unlike his tendency to obsess in other areas of business, Steve Wynn has done the same with his new devotion to veganism. Every restaurant in Wynn and Encore now offers vegan-friendly choices. No other resort in Las Vegas, and we imagine the world, offers as extensive a choice of vegan cuisine. For our complete guide to vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Las Vegas, click the button in our Restaurant listgings and scroll down to see the "vegetarian and vegan-friendly" options, which have increased extensively in recent years.
We've arranged the first of our sports-service discounts for members of LVASports.com. Our team analyzes and chooses the best sports-handicapping services, then secures members-only discounts. The first is $75 off the Right Angle Sports College Football service. It costs $24.95 to be a one-month LVASports member and qualify for the discount.
An article in today's Sun section of the LV Review-Journal suggests that the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas may already be lowering room prices in an attempt to draw customers from the outset. Given the emphasis the resort has put on its room product, it could lead to a strong lodging play on the Strip. We're looking into it for the September LVA.
McCarran International Airport will become the busiest station for Southwest Airlines in February. Chicago's Midway International is currently busiest, but SWA flights will be reduced there leaving Las Vegas at the top.
West Hollywood's Abbey Food & Bar has partnered with Vdara at CityCenter to host a new LGBT pool party every Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. through Sept. 26 beginning tomorrow. noon – 6 p.m. The cover's complimentary for Vdara hotel guests, $10 for Las Vegas locals, and $20 for all other guests.
Celebrity bloggers and tabloid media are circulating a rumor that Madonna's in negotiations with a Strip property to begin a five-year residency in Las Vegas. A figure of $1 billion is being touted as her fee, but so far all inquiries to likely properties, including Caesars Palace and Wynn/Encore, are being met with denials.
Join Executive Chef Eddie Zindle and Sushi Chef Wai Aung for a hands-on sushi-making class and sake tasting event tomorrow at China Grill (Mandalay Bay) from 3 p.m. The class is $59/person -- call 702/632-7404 for more information or to make a reservation.
We've posted a new free Thread of the Week by Fezzik at LVASports.com, where you can also check out our new feature, the NFL and MLB Sports Database.
Today's R-J reports that the Suncoast is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in a 2005 robbery and shooting death in its parking lot. Click the link for more details.
Yes, it took longer than we'd hoped, but we're now beta testing the new LVA Message Boards and welcome all your feedback. We're starting with the Free Forums, then once any bugs have been worked out, we'll be moving the Member-only boards off site, too. You'll find instructions for how to log in if you click the link above; let us know if you experience any problems and welcome to the new boards!
The long-stalled remodeling of downtown's Lady Luck hotel-casino should finally get underway, following approval for the plans this week from the Las Vegas City Council. The project was most recently held up by Oscar Goodman, who was concerned that a proposed pedestrian bridge across Third Street would obscure the view of the Mob Museum, a project with which he's closely associated. However, the Mayor acknowledged that his desire for an underground connection between the Lady Luck's towers would be too costly and accepted that the design was "about as good as it's going to get."
Whiskey Pete's in Primm was cited in today's USA Today list of "10 Great Places to Motor into a Truck Stop." The description mentions the casinos, roller coaster, outlet mall, and business center.
The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will celebrate its 1000th show at The Palazzo at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 28th. To celebrate the milestone performance, Jersey Boys will host the "Walk Like a Man" shoe drive, where fans can bring a pair of new children's shoes to the theater lobby between noon and 5 p.m. on the day of the show and receive a complimentary ticket to that night's performance in exchange. A maximum of two pairs of shoes per person will be allowed and up to 1,000 tickets will be distributed to fans who participate in the drive. All shoes will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.
We have to assume that the deafening silence regarding downtown's gas-leak evacuation this morning means that all is well and everything's returned to normal; some of the local news sources have a habit of breaking stories, then apparently forgetting all about them, so we remain in the dark on this one.
Yep, one of our favorite rappers is up to his usual mischief tonight and blowing up an armored car at a secret location in the desert. The stunt has something to do with popular online game Mafia Wars, for which Snoop's set to detonate a four-ton armored truck as part of a promotion for the newest addition to the game franchise, Mafia Wars: Las Vegas.
In an effort to keep fans from flooding the event, the exact location of the stunt is being kept a secret but it will be streamed live at the Mafia Wars website starting at 6 p.m.
It's another truly eclectic weekend entertainment-wise; here are some of the highlights:
A second Las Vegas Minus5 Ice Lounge has opened inside the Monte Carlo (the first venue opened in 2008 in Mandalay Place). Like the original, everything in the new Minus5 is made of 100% ice, including the bar, tables, benches, walls, sculptures, and even the glasses guests drink from.
Allegiant, the Las Vegas-based low-cost airline has today announced a new, nonstop jet service between the Moline/Quad Cities, Ill., and Las Vegas, which will begin Oct. 14. The new service to the Quad Cities will operate twice weekly on Thursday and Sunday and will feature introductory fares as low as $44.99 one-way.
It's just been reported (9:15 a.m.) that the 500 block of Fremont Street (the Fremont East district) and businesses in the area are being evacuated due to a reported gas leak. Last month two people were injured and several buildings damaged by an explosion at an NV Energy substation on Main Street.
Catch up with the latest Las Vegas happenings with Anthony Curtis' nationally syndicated weekly column, which just went live at LVA in the Media.
Metro's currently on the scene of a fatal accident at the intersection of Tropicana and Valley View, where a pedestrian was struck by a truck. Tropicana Ave. westbound remains closed at Procyon until investigators are finished with the scene. (This item posted at 10:45 a.m.)
Bridge work will cut off access to Russell Rd. and Flight Path Ave. by way of the northbound tunnel between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. both tonight & Thursday night.
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles is reporting all computers are back online following an afternoon outage.
As unlikely as it sounds for someone who has a long history of bringing Las Vegas some of its most famous carnivore-oriented high-end eateries, it comes as a surprise that the new issue of Vegas Seven see food critic Max Jacobson, co-author of our upcoming Eating Las Vegas guide book, commenting that Steve Wynn has embraced veganism and, to that end, that Chef Alex Stratta is now creating a vegan menu for his eponymous restaurant.
For other vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other specialty dietary requirements in Las Vegas, check out the various buttons in our Restaurant listings.
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles is reporting a computer outage at offices statewide. We'll let you know if and when we get word that they're up and running again. (This item posted at 2:20 p.m.)
Twelve of the world's top ranked bartenders will put their talents up for action tonight during "Flair for the Cure" at Rock & Rita's, the new dining and entertainment venue at Circus Circus. The event's hosted by the American Cancer Society's Young Professionals Against Cancer and the bartenders will create cocktails that will be auctioned off with prize packages. Reigning Mrs. Nevada Susie Monahan will emcee the event, with celebrities including Jabbawockeez, the casts of FANTASY and Thunder From Down Under, and Recycled Percussion among the those due to attent. The auction kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
Present a new or gently used musical instrument at the Paris Box Office and receive a complimentary ticket to Barry Manilow for supporting his Manilow Music Project.
According to a report by Forbes magazine, which released its ranking of America's Most Stressful Cities this week, Las Vegas has the dubious accolade of holding the #1 spot. Reasons cited include the current high unemployment and foreclosure rates, long and irregular work hours, and the excessive heat that also limits outdoor activities.
Station Casinos, a minority investment partner in the Palms, in which it owns 6.7 percent, currently estimates the property is totally worthless. However George Maloof Jr., who runs the Palms, called the estimate inaccurate and said the casino is doing better these days. Gambling industry consultant Bill Lerner of Union Gaming Group also denied that the Palms was worthless, but did acknowledge a genuine slump in the property's profitability in the weak economy.
NBC, Donald J. Trump, and Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization, have announced the celebrities and experts who will judge NBC's "2010 MISS UNIVERSE Pageant," which will broadcast live from Mandalay Bay on August 23 at 9 p.m. ET. The celebrity panel of judges comprises: Criss Angel; William Baldwin; Sheila E (former drummer with Prince and the Revolution amoung others); Tamron Hall, anchor of "MSNBC Live"; Evan Lysacek, 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist and 2009 World Figure Skating Champion; Chazz Palminteri, Oscar-nominated actor and director of A Bronx Tale; singer and actres Chynna Phillips; actress Jane Seymour; and supermodel Niki Taylor.
Lloyds Banking Group has put its majority stake in M Resort up for auction. It's an interesting move that's expected to draw interest from Boyd, Station, Penn National, and even the Marnels, who developed the property. The casino will continue to operate as usual.
Letters spelling out "THE COSMOPOLITAN" are now up on the top of tower at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. It was simply "THE COSM" for a while, but all is now well.
Expect to see an unusual spectacle outside City Hall from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today as angry Hula Hoopers protest the proposed banning of their gyrations, and those of other types of performance art, from downtown's historic Fremont Street.
Have you checked out the Bargain Bin at ShopLVA.com lately? You'll find all kinds of huge discounts on top gambling titles, guide books, Las Vegas story collections, and fiction, all at knock-down prices. $7 standard shipping applies to your whole order, so you can pick up a bunch of titles for an unbeatable price.
Trojan brand condoms has partnered with the Palms to offer a unique couples vacation package. The "Fire & Ice" program will feature a variety of components, ranging from custom vacation packages, to pool parties and night club events, to the "Trojan Fire & Ice Get It On At The Palms" sweepstakes. As part of the promo, Trojan will be the exclusive brand of condoms sold at the Palms during the term of the sweepstakes and "Intimacy Kits," featuring a variety of Trojan products will be available in every room. TrojanCondoms.com/GetItOn for more information and to take part.
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn is suing the Tropicana Las Vegas hotel-casino with the aim of forcing it to pay royalties for the use of the 52-year-old Tropicana name. Tropicana Entertainment LLC, now the Icahn-owned Tropicana Entertainment Inc., went bust two years ago and the Vegas property was sold off. Icahn's always maintained that the resort should pay for the privilege of using the Trop brand; hotel officials disagree.
Bally's has debuted its new Steakhouse Bar, which is open nightly from 5:30-11:00 p.m. serving cocktails and an appetizer menu featuring dishes including Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Assorted Antipasto, Kobe Beef Brochettes, and a Sashimi Plate. Prices start at $8 and food is served until 10:30 p.m.
If you're on @ Foursquare, check in whenever you visit the Flamingo for 2-for-1 drinks at any of their bars; check in at the Rio and get a free meatball appetizer with the purchase of an entrée at Martorano's; and check in at Harrah's for a complimentary appetizer when you buy an entrée at Toby Keith's; check in at Paris and receive $5 off an entrée at Le Burger Brasserie; and check in at the IP for a 2-for-1 valid at Burger Palace. No word of any Caesars Palace or Bally's promo yet, but we'll keep you posted if we hear of anything.
A new Carl's Jr. location opens today at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Vegas and Buffalo -- stop by for the chance to spin to win free food, an iPod, and more.
According to the nation's gaming regulator, the Philippines aims to become Asia's next big gambling hub, with plans for casino and entertainment resorts to be built in tourist spots across the country that it's hoped will rival those of Macau and Singapore. An "Entertainment City" in Manila is at the center of the plan and a spokesman for the gaming industry said they hope to have the project completed by 2014.
The Mirage has unveiled the newest additions to Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, namely two 7-week-old twin white tiger cubs. Click the link to read more about them in the Las Vegas Sun, where you can also see a slide show of the cubs.
Popular local pizzeria chain Metro Pizza is offering 50% off between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday this month. Visit
Beginning Sept. 5, the Palms will join forces with Jim Rose, circusmaster of the macabre and weird, for a slot tournament. Rose's toured with acts including Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, and Korn, will bring a unique cast of carnival acts to the casino for the Curiously Strange Slot Palladium, which will combine a regular slot tournament with periodic performances by the crew of freaks and sideshow performers. Club Palms members will have the chance to participate in the $200K tournament through Oct. 2, with events held daily from 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Check with the players club for more information.
The iconic Attic vintage clothing store on Main Street downtown was forced to vacate its long-time home following damage from the gas explosion that happened downtown recently; the good news is that we just drove by and can confirm that the Attic's now reopened across the street in another big purple building. Also, signage outside the original location confirms that no people or pets were injured in the incident.
BeLIEve and "Mindfreak" magician Criss Angel will be the guest on "America's Got Talent" tomorrow night.
Family-owned Ricardo's Mexican Restaurant (located at Flamingo and Decatur) is celebrating 30 years in business in Las Vegas with an attempt to build the world's largest margarita as part of a weekend of celebrations starting Friday, Oct. 15., including food and drink specials, live outdoor entertainment, taco-eating contests, and special prize giveaways. Currently, the Guinness World Record for the "World's Largest Margarita" is 7,039 U.S. gallons.
On Tuesday, Aug. 17 and Wednesday, Aug. 18, Hash House A Go Go will hold a job fair to staff its third Las Vegas location, coming to the M Resort in October. The restaurant will be hiring a range of positions for both front and back of house, including servers, hosts, bussers, and cooks. Interviews will take place in Molise Room 4 at M.
The Venetian-Palazzo is celebrating the launch of its new Social Rewards program with a Tweetup at Lagasse's Stadium from 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20. There will be prize giveaways, including suites at the Palazzo. Click the link for more information and to RSVP.
Is a new gambling movie with Angelina Jolie in the works? No, this reference is to an old one. According to a piece in today's LV Review-Journal, a five-year-old Jolie made her acting debut back in 1980 in the gambling-based movie Looking to Get Out. Her parents, John Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, were also in the movie.
Connecticut's Foxwoods Casino has announced a three-year contract for the naming rights to the former Hilton Theater, situated at 214 W. 43rd St. The recently renovated venue, which occupies the space once held by both the Apollo and Lyric theaters, will now be known as the Foxwoods Theater, an arrangement reached in concert with LiveNation, which operates the theater. It was the advertising and marketing potential represented by the upcoming production of Spider-Man that apparently attracted the casino to the deal.
Primm Valley's celebrating the approaching end of summer by offering Nevada residents complimentary rides on the Desperado rollercoaster tomorrow, Aug. 16. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Memphis Championship Barbecue is celebrating 15 years in Las Vegas with buy-one-get-one breakfast entrées and chicken dinners today. Dine-in only.
Las Vegas Springs Preserve is hosting its first-ever kids-only "Night at the Museum" event tonight from 6-10 p.m. Parents can drop off their kids (ages 5 to 12 only) at the Preserve for a safe night of entertainment, including a screening of the film Night at the Museum and a guided scavenger hunt. Kids will also have full access to all the interactive games and exhibits at the Preserve's ORIGEN Experience, including the outdoor animal exhibits. Snacks and a pizza dinner will be served to all. Admission's $25 and reservations are required. Limited to 120 children, first-come, first-served. Visit www.springspreserve.org for more details.
NBC, Donald J. Trumpm and Paula M. Shugart announced this week that the the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant will air live on NBC and Telemundo, Monday, August 23 (9 p.m. EST) from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Former Playmate Jenny McCarthy hosts the Palms' annual summer "masquerade lingerie bacchanalia" poolside from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. tonight. Tickets start at $140, which includes a hosted bar from 9 – 11 p.m. and VIP all-venue access to Rain Nightclub, Moon Nightclub, ghostbar, and Playboy Club.
Local pin-up artist Jon Hul is hosting book signings from noon - 5 p.m. today and tomorrow at Mario Barth's King Ink tattoo studio and lounge at the Mirage.
Today and tomorrow, celebrate National Parks Free Entrance days with complimentary access to Death Valley National Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area (reg. $10/person or $20/vehicle and $3/person or $5/vehicle, respectively).
Enjoy more than 60 draft beers at the 1st Annual Strong Beer Festival hosted by Aces & Ales (3740 South Nellis Blvd.) today through Sunday. 21 breweries are featured, including Dogfish Head, Widmer Brothers, Sierra Nevada, Newport Beach, Red Hook, Pyramid, and more. The cost is $15 per person.
Harrah's Entertainment has teamed with Cisco Systems Inc. to develop a new generation of interactive hotel-room keys that will show guests how to find amenities and deals not just in your hotel, but citywide throughout the company's Vegas properties. By touching your key to digital signs at Caesars Palace, you'll see deals for dining or be able to book a spa treatment or cabana, for example, at all 10 of Harrah's 10 Las Vegas hotels.
New York's Assembly has approved Malaysia-based Genting New York, the sole remaining bidder, for a lucrative video slot machine contract at the Aqueduct race track in Queens. The "racino" will feature about 4,500 video slots.
Traffic's reported to be at a standstill on the interstate near Primm where one person was killed and four others reported injured in a crash earlier this afternoon when a truck hit a Nevada Department of Transportation vehicle.
Mandalay Bay has evicted Rumjungle nightclub, with which it's been in litigation for two years over alleged non-payment of rent. Rumjungle filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in March amidst claims that its landlord was in violation of the lease agreement by allowing the eyecandy lounge to compete as an alternate nightspot on property.
The Associated Press reports that Harrah's Entertainment Inc. filed papers with federal regulators on Thursday to publicly trade a nearly 10 percent stake that's now owned by the New York-based hedge fund run by billionaire John Paulson. Paulson acquired the stake in June in exchange for $710 million in Harrah's debt.
The papers filed aren't a primary offering by Harrah's, however, and the company said in the filing that it will try to list the shares, but can't guarantee there will be demand for them.
Of course, the BIG news this weekend is that Lady Gaga's bringing her world tour to the MGM Grand, appropriately enough on Friday 13th. However, for all you non-monsters out there, and everyone who couldn't get tickets (it's long been sold out), there are plenty of other major acts in town, not to mention one of the biggest parties of the year at the Palms:
Channel 8's reporting that a helicopter has made an emergency landing near the intersection of Desert Inn and Jones. Metro said that the pilot smelled smoke in the cockpit and decided to land as a precaution. Avoid the area for the time being (posted at 1:08 p.m.)
Lotus Broadcasting has augmented its sports coverage with ESPN Radio. KWWN, ESPN Radio 1100, has served the Las Vegas area for years but will now reach even more people by being heard on 98.9 FM, along with 1100 AM. The brand new FM signal carries all of the programming that ESPN Radio 1100 already has, including UNLV football, UNLV basketball, the New York Yankees, the World Series, the San Diego Chargers, the NFL playoffs, and the Super Bowl.
Check out Fezzik's Week 1 college football picks for free with the new Featured Thread at LVASports.com.
The Sweet Treats ice cream truck is on Water Street in Henderson today at the Farmers Market -- mention you saw their Tweet and get 2-for-1 ice cream. And look out for an upcoming feature on Las Vegas' growing legion of food trucks in the September issue of the LVA newsletter.
Visitation to Las Vegas rose for the 10th straight month in June, with more than 3.1 million tourists passing through. That's a 4.3 percent increase on June 2009. On the other hand, Nevada gaming revenues were down 6.65 percent in June, making it the worst single-month decline this year. Analysts blame lack of consumer confidence and reduced spending for the drop, which came in spite of the rise in the number of visitors.
TripAdvisor.com has come out with a list of the Top Ten Celebrity Chef-Owned Restaurants in the United States, as identified by both TripAdvisor editors and travelers who use the site, and no less than four Las Vegas restaurants made the list, including Wolfgang Puck's CUT (Palazzo, #3); Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill (Caesars, #6); Tom Coliccio's Craftsteak (MGM Grand, #9); and Todd English's Olives (Bellagio, #10). The top pick was Thomas Keller's Per Se in New York.
Anthony's latest weekly column just went live; you can access it at LVA in the Media, where there's been nothing short of a frenzy of activity this week...
BET is filming a reality TV DJ competition tomorrow at TAO Beach at the Venetian and is looking for extras. To quality, you must be 22-35, attractive, and hip, and Afrian Americans are particularly encouraged to apply. Send a photo to [email protected]. The shoot starts at noon and runs till 8 p.m.; lunch and drinks will be provided, plus a cash payment of an undisclosed amount at the end of the shoot. You need two valid forms of ID to take part.
Sylvester Stallone will be joined on the red carpet at Planet Hollywood tonight by some of the co-stars of the highly anticipated Expendables, including Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Charisma Carpenter. The official premiere took place in Hollywood last week.
The Metro Pizza located at 1395 E. Tropicana Ave has started serving a gluten-free crust, at no extra cost. Click the "gluten-free" button in our restaurant listings for all the other gluten-free dining options around the Vegas Valley, of which there are more and more.
The rooftop two-alarm fire at Staybridge Suites this afternoon was extinguished quickly without any injuries and and hotel officials do not think that any of their guests will have to be relocated.
Meet the cast of MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris topless revue in the Logo Lounge at Mandalay Bay's eyecandy tomorrow at 3 p.m. as part of MGM Resort International's "Fabulous" LGBT promotion this coming weekend. Click here for more details and other events.
A large-scale fire that broke out at an extended-stay on Dean Martin Drive at Russell this afternoon has been extinguished. There are several accommodations at that location and it's still unclear which one was affected. We'll report as more information becomes available.
Whrrl, the latest mobile location-based social networking program, is rewarding Las Vegas visitors and locals with the chance to win free food, drinks, and tickets - and even meet celebrities. Whrrl's Society Rewards are the first to reward people for their positive word of mouth and recommendations about their favorite businesses and today announced that a number of top hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment destinations are participating, offering the chance to win the following prizes:
Hooters will be the latest Las Vegas hotel-casino to get in on the current tattoo frenzy when Sleep Lagoon Tattoo and Piercing opens September 4th.
It was drawn to our attention that "I bring my cell phone [as opposed to smart phone] and keep it turned on all the time" was not a voting option; it is now, so feel free to revisit and re-vote if that would be your preferred choice. Thanks!
Today the Golden Nugget casino downtown launched "Golden Nugget Vegas Casino" - an online casino game that utilizes the same platform as Farmville. Even though the game is still in trial mode, players will be able to make payments in a couple of days. Click here for more details.
Even more media attention for Huntington Press today, with Matt O'Brien, author of Beneath the Neon: Life and Death in the Tunnels of Las Vegas featured on tonight's CBS News with Katie Couric. You can click that link to watch it, or else catch it live on TV at 5:30 p.m. PST.
Gary Loveman is the subject of a major profile in Businessweek, titled "How to Survive in Vegas," in which the former Harvard Business School professor reveals his philosophy about how to run casinos. "I am purely empirical," says Loveman. "I am not attached to any romantic notion of how this business should be run. I am only driven where the evidence takes me." Click the link to read the whole feature.
We don't often blow our own trumpet, but several Huntington Press authors have been receiving a lot of love from the media of late for recent publications, so we thought we'd share some feedback with you in our LVA in the Media blog. Another author is due to receive national TV coverage tonight, but we don't want to jinx it; if all goes according to plan, we'll share a link with you tomorrow...
Our current poll, asking which defunct casino you miss the most, will close at midnight tonight, so cast your vote if you haven't already; a new poll goes live tomorrow.
Travel and Leisure magazine has named five of the Strip's luxury resorts among the list of Top 50 Large City Hotels in the continental U.S. and Canada, with Palazzo the highest ranked in the #18 spot, followed by Wynn (#20), Bellagio (#31), Four Seasons (#36), and Wynn/Encore (#40). Aria was named on the magazine's "20 to Watch" list. The top ranked hotel was Trump International in Chicago.
The current issue of Forbes magazine has named Las Vegas the "coolest" city in the U.S., tied with New York City. While young singles canvassed for the survey tended to pick New York, it was married couples who chose Vegas and even though the "daylife" and celebrity nightclub scenes give the impression that this city attracts a young crowd, according to LVCVA statistics, in 2009 the average visitor age was 50.
Victoryland, Alabama's largest electronic bingo hall, has been closed pending the threat of a raid by the state's anti-gambling task force. The owner of the last non-Indian casino still doing business contends that his electronic bingo machines are just a hi-tech version of paper bingo, which is legal; Gov. Bob Riley holds that they are illegal slot machines. Both parties await word on a decisive court ruling.
Each Tuesday in August, the Silverton's inviting Discovery Card Club members to "Date Nite" - with a meal at the Seasons Buffet for $5 per person (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and a free movie in the Pavilion starting at 7:30 p.m. The lineup includes Blue Hawaii on Aug. 10, Some Like It Hot on Aug. 17, On the Town on Aug. 24 and Roman Holiday on Aug. 31. The Pavilion will be transformed for movie night with candy concession stands, popcorn, ice cream, and a full-service bar.
We just posted Kill Phil author Blair Rodman's final 2010 WSOP Report at LVAPoker.com and it's a great read, even if you're not a poker player, so check it out!
Bite, the topless vampire-themed revue at the Stratosphere, is celebrating its sixth birthday on Friday, Aug. 13 and the first 500 guests will receive complimentary fangs and a glass of champagne. Don't forget there's a 2-for-1 coupon in the 2010 LVA Member Rewards Book.
The 61-year-old Bootlegger Bistro at the southern end of the Strip has been named one of the greatest bars in the country by Playboy magazine, which hailed its décor, menu and Karaoke room. It joins Bellagio's Petrossian Bar and the Double Down Saloon, which received similar accolades in the past from Esquire magazine.
As Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay celebrated both Shark Week and its 10-year birthday celebration this week, it passed an impressive milestone by welcoming its 10 millionth visitor. Julian Ruvalcaba and his family received the grand prize package, which included a two-night stay at MBay, tickets to Disney's The Lion King, annual passes to Shark Reef, and dinner at Michael Mina's STRIPSTEAK. The birthday celebration continues this month with discounted admission prices, complimentary face painting, balloons, cookies, and more on August 21.
"Cash Cab," the TV gameshow that takes place in a taxicab, with passengers being asked trivia questions by comedian-driver-host Ben Bailey. Tonight's show, at 7 p.m. on Discovery Channel, features Bailey picking up passengers in Las Vegas, filmed around a gig he had at The Orleans casino back in May, when he took his cab to the Strip.
It's Industry Monday at Encore Beach Club and ladies are free before 3 p.m.
Online retailer Zappos.com is letting customers take a peek behind the scenes at its well-known quirky company culture by offering regular tours of its Las Vegas-area headquarters. You can take a basic free tour or sign up for a more in-depth visit for $47 that includes a half-hour question-and-answer period. The tours are given four times a day, four times a week. Highlights apparently include themed cubicle pods, no dress code, free food and massages, cowbells, noisemakers, Mardi Gras masks, and mullet wigs, which sum up the company's corporate philosophy, according to a Zappos culture guide: "Business in the front, party in the back." For more information visit zapposinights.com/main/experience/tours.
This helps fill a void left by a number of previous factory tours in Las Vegas that have been discontinued in recent years, including the Ocean Spray bottling plant and warehouse, Kidd Marshmallow plant, Coffee Roasters of Las Vegas, National Vitamin Company, and Vegas Chips potato-chip factory.
The Hard Rock entered into an operating agreement with Cantor Gaming to serve as its exclusive race and sports book operator, as is already the case at M Resort. Cantor offers state-of-the-art In-Running technology that allows bets to be placed throughout a game, on numerous different outcomes and with the lines constantly changing, up until the final whistle. They also are behind the suite of proprietary casino games for eDeck, the mobile gaming system that offers casino customers the ability to play casino-style games including slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker within designated areas of the casino property away from the gaming floor.
Today's pre-season Hall of Fame game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals marks the start of the 2010 NFL season. The Bengals are 3-point favorites and the over/under total is 33. Here we go!
As expected, a bid from current Station Casinos executives was accepted at Friday's auction for control of a group of 11 Station properties. The result effectively means that the current ownership situation will remain intact.
Expect significant delays through the McCarran Airport tunnel this week, as road construction narrows the tunnel to just one lane in each direction starting Monday night, widening to two lanes by Thursday. It's part of the the expansion project that will eventually link the tunnel to new roadways and a new terminal, scheduled to open in mid-2012.
Please accept our apologies -- we experienced some technical issues today with our servers, which took us offline for awhile. Everything has now been fixed and we're back up and running, so we'll be posting those Today's News items that are still relevant.
Fiesta Rancho hosts the "Guns & Hoses" event at 6 p.m. tonight, with police officers go up against firefighters facing off in a hockey game to raise money for the Rape Crisis Center. $10 adults, children under 12 are free.
The National Weather Service says there's a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms for the Las Vegas Valley throughout the weekend, so watch the roads if it rains. For the full forecast, Click here for the full forecast in the LV Sun.
Yes, yoga, not yogurt. Town Square's continuing its free fitness programs for adults and children called Fitness in the Square with a free Bikram yoga class at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Bring the whole family to try Bikram's Beginning Yoga under the shade of the tents in Town Square Park. It's a 90-minute class; bring a big towel. (Thanks to SaveLV.com for this tip.)
With every $10 reward dollars earned while playing slots and table games until 7 p.m. today you'll receive 2 drawing tickets for the Wheel of Winners drawing. Ten lucky names will be drawn for a chance to spin, with one $10,000 spot available on the wheel. There will be another Wheel of Winners promotion from Thursday, Sept. 9 through Saturday, Sept. 11.
The El Cortez Hotel & Casino is serving free slices of Marie Callendar’s fresh strawberry pie to all Club Cortez members today from noon to 6 p.m. while playing slots and table games.
Sambalatte is due to open in the Fashion Village Boca Park Sept. 1, serving coffee, tea, and food, including organic and sustainable options.
The biggest casino operator on the Las Vegas Strip, but smallest current presence in the Chinese gambling enclave, plans to build "multiple properties" in Macau as it expands in Asia, said CEO Jim Murren this week.
You can now catch the podcast "2010 NFL Betting Line and Other Tips from Fezzik" -- who dubs himself the "Phil Hellmuth of football contests" -- at the Gamblers Book Clu site. Fezzik defied the odds last year to become the first person in history to win the Hilton's SuperContest twice, and in consecutive years.
The restaurant company that owns and operates four venues at the Venetian has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, reports today's Las Vegas Sun. The company, which owns restaurants in Florida, Maryland, and Colorado, as well as Las Vegas, owns AquaKnox, Taqueria Canonita, and a Canonita Express outlet in the Venetian food court. They've already closed the Timpano Tavern restaurant, formerly David Burke, at the Grand Canal Shoppes, which is itself operating in bankruptcy, along with a dozen other shopping malls in Las Vegas.
The world's largest annual Star Trek Convention is underway at the Las Vegas Hilton, with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Sir Patrick Stewart, and a host of other cast memebers will all in attendance. Tickets for the events, which run through Sunday, are no longer available online but can be purchased at the door. Click here for more information and the schedule.
The stars of History Channel's "Pawn Stars", the reality show filmed at a downtown Las Vegas pawn broker, are hosting a Gold & Silver Road Show at Suncoast on Saturday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. in the Ballroom. Bring your gold, silver, antiques, and collectibles to sell or just to learn more about their hisotry. No firearms, please. General Admission is $7 -- save on "convenience" fees by purchasing tickets in person at the box office (open noon-8 p.m.) or call 702-636-7075/877-636-7111. Click here to purchase tickets online.
Tomorrow sees the 3rd Annual Carnival of Cuisine at the Venetian and Palazzo, with the chance to sample food and complimentary beverages from over 20 of the resorts' award-winning restaurants, plus live entertainment and cooking demos. General Admission tickets are $50. Click here for more information.
Today through Saturday, auto enthusiasts have a treat in store at Crystals at CityCenter, where TAG Heuer Tesla Electric Roadster is on display as part of an international tour celebrating TAG Heuer's 150th Anniversary. The custom roadster is making a six-month around-the-world journey coined the "Odyssey of Pioneers." Also part of the exhibit are three cutting-edge TAG Heuer timepieces.
Zia Records, the new and used collectors' music store that has two locations in Las Vegas (4225 S. Eastern and 4503 W. Sahara) is celebrating its fifth anniversary today with a "Buy four items, get the fifth (of lowest value) for free" promo today. Not valid for sale items.
The Atlantic City City Council introduced an ordinance yesterday that would more than double the building-height limit for Boardwalk casinos, increasing it to 800 feet, reports the Press of Atlantic City. Buildings in the Marina District, along Route 30, or at the Bader Field site can be even higher — up to 1,000 feet, the ordinance states. Current restrictions set the limit at 385 feet along the Boardwalk and 560 feet in the Marina District, limits that date to when the resort had a functioning airport, but Bader Field closed in 2006. Some properties, including the Borgata and Harrah's, have already successfully received variances to build above the height limits, following the closure of the airport.
Poker News Daily reports that Harrah's rumored sale of the Rio is just that -- a rumor that is being hotly denied by Seth Palansky, Communications Director for Harrah's Interactive Entertainment and the World Series of Poker, who told the site that, "We've already been meeting about the 2011 WSOP and are planning on having it at the Rio, with the Main Event final table in November at the Penn and Teller Theater."
Also reported in today's LV Sun is news that veteran casino executive Anthony F. Santo, who's previously served as President of Paris, Bally's, Flamingo, Las Vegas Hilton, Reno Hilton, and Flamingo Reno and is currently on the board of the Las Vegas Monorail, has gained preliminary approval to run the Plaza, Vegas Club, and Western all of which will undergo renovations. He plans to rename the former the Union Plaza and invest $20 million to refurbish the rooms.
Today's Las Vegas Sun carries an update on the fate of Fontainebleau, the unfinished hotel-condo resort at the northern end of the Strip, on which construction was halted last summer, due to the bad economy. Owner Carl Icahn confirms he has no plans to sell the property, as had been rumored, but also that construction won't resume until the economy has improved. Click the link for more.
DailyFiasco.com just reported that "sources close to the situation" confirm Carey Hart's Wasted Space live-music venue at the Hard Rock, which just celebrated its second anniversary, is to close to make way for a new sports book. The closing date hasn't been announced yet, but will likely be toward the end of the year, since the venue has bookings through October.
Dick's Last Resort at Excalibur is celebrating Neil Armstrong Day (apparently it is, today) with $1 brews from 1 p.m.-9 p.m.
Grab a free strawberry lemonade today by Tweeting "I'm eating (lunch or dinner) @HashHouseLV", and/or get a free glass of prosecco if you show your tweet saying "I'm having (lunch or dinner) @EnotecaSanMarco!" at the Venetian.
The new Topless Vegas Pocket Guide is just back from the printer and we're really pleased with how it turned out. It's genuinely pocket-sized, but still features candid reviews and complete details for every gentlemen's club in Las Vegas, including photos, so you can see what the joint looks like before you make a special trip. For just $5.95 we think it's a fantastic value, and you can buy it with the upgrade package for $12.90 and have exclusive access to a year's worth of online updates, so you'll never be out of the loop. Check it out!
Good news for bingo fans: Throughout the month of August, Suncoast is offering double points in bingo (every $1 spent in bingo = 12 points), plus get 50% off bingo when paying with your points.
Anthony Curtis' nationally syndicated weekly column was just posted at LVA in the Media -- check it out!
Al Dente, the Italian eatery at Bally's, has closed. We understand the space is being renovated and that the current bar will become part of a new bar for the Steakhouse, while the rest of the space will be used for private parties and small banquets. (Thanks to the LVA reader who posted this on the forums.)
Club Fortune Casino (725 S. Racetrack Rd., Henderson) continues its aggressive marketing campaign with news of a new food challenge that launches Aug. 8. Guests of Emily's Café are invited to try the new "Colossus Burger Challenge," which consists of a gigantic burger, complete with 12 patties, available for $19.99 between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. If you finish it solo in 20 minutes or less, you'll receive the meal and a t-shirt for free and have your photo placed on the café's wall. If you finish it in more than 20 minutes, you'll still receive a t-shirt.
For information on all the other food challenges currently on offer around the valley, check out the QoD for 7/24/2009.
The plans to finally get the remodeling of downtown's Lady Luck casino underway were delayed yesterday by Mayor Oscar Goodman, who voted against green-lighting the action until he was reassured that a proposed pedestrian walkway over Third Street would not obscure the Mob Museum building. Goodman's due to study the plans between now and the next council meeting in two week's time.
In the meantime, if you haven't already, don't forget to vote in our current Reader Poll about which defunct casino you miss the most.
Join Criss Angel tonight at the Liquidity Bar at Luxor from 11:30 p.m. for the season premiere of "Mindfreak" Season 6.
Check out @Cirque on Twitter today if you're interested in behind-the-scenes info about Cirque du Soleil shows and performers, and what it takes to stage of these spectacles; they're sharing a lot of interesting info and answering reader questions.
Barry Manilow's new resident show at Paris has been extended with an additional 27 performances scheduled from September 24th through January 16th. Tickets for the new dates go on sale Saturday, August 7th at 10 a.m. (PST) and start at $65.
Club Fortune Casino will be continuing its $1 Buck [sic.] Tuesdays promotion, with $1 house margaritas and $1 seabreezes from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. every Tuesday night (sorry, we didn't get the press release until Wednesday!)
Following earlier reports of second quarter losses for MGM Resorts Int'l and Boyd Gaming comes word of the same story for Harrah's Entertainment, which lost $274 million in the second quarter, blamed on weak customer spending. Revenues for the three months that ended June 30 were $2.22 billion, a decline of 2.2 percent compared with $2.27 billion in the same quarter a year ago, reports Howard Stutz in today's Las Vegas Review-Journal. However, in Las Vegas, Harrah's grew revenues 1.1 percent at its nine resorts, which the company attributes to its acquisition of Planet Hollywood.
Strip headliner Terry Fator has become the official spokesperson for Opportunity Village and has pledged to raise $1 million in part to rebuild the downtown thrift store, which was destroyed by fire last month. Opportunity Village raises money to help those with intellectual disabilities to improve the quality of their lives and the lives of their families. "There are only a handful of foundations that I support," said Fator. "Opportunity Village is a very important local charity that does so much for the community ... Once I learned more about them, I felt compelled to get involved."
Alex Rodriguez today became the youngest player to hit 600 home runs, exactly
three years to the day after his 500th homer. He joins the ranks of just six other players to have reached this milestone.
Web host GoDaddy.com is being sued for $100 million over an unauthorized Michael Jackson online casino that's registered with them. Howard Mann is the person behind the lawsuit, claiming he owns the copyright to photos featured on the site, whose owner currently remains anonymous. A representative for the company told FoxNews.com, "While we have not seen the lawsuit, if we are named, Go Daddy plans to vigorously defend itself. When customers are involved in a legal dispute, Go Daddy complies with court orders."
Pennsylvania's casinos had a record July, raking in $211.1 million in gross revenue from slot play alone - a 17.8 percent increase from a year ago, reports the Philadelphia Enquirer. This comes even before the effects of the recent table-game legalization are felt. Gambling revenue from slots is taxed at a rate of 55 percent in Pennsylvania, which translated into an average of $3.74 million per day for the state's coffers. "What has caused this explosion is that we've captured 90 percent of what has been leaving the state. One million Pennsylvanians have been gambling in other states, and we've captured that market," said Gov. Rendell in an interview Tuesday. "We're off the charts. We're now getting more revenue from gambling than Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware, and doing it during a recession. It's stunning."
There was a glitch in the system this morning and yesterday's QoD appeared again; this has now been fixed, so if you want to hear the latest news about ex-Hollywood Madam Heidi Fleiss, check back!
Today's USA Today contains a feature titled "Nevada's Glow Dims" that rehashes the problems Nevada faces with sluggish tourism and the nation's highes unemployment. Once the fastest-growing state in the U.S., more people are now leaving than moving in.
Throughout the month of August the Silverton is hosting a "Lucky Lexus" promo, with the chance for a Discovery Card Club member to win a brand new Lexus. Earn ticketless entries by playing slots, video pokers, live kenos, and table games Aug. 1 through 28. Slots and video poker players will be awarded one entry for every 50 base points earned, live keno players will receive one entry for every $5 buy-in, and pit players will receive one entry for every $5 in rated earning potential. New player signups will be awarded 25 entries for signing up at the Players Club desk.
Drawings will take place every Saturday in August at 7 p.m. and players must check in between 2 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. to be eligible. Other prizes include $300-$500 in free slot play.
The recruitment drive to fill all positions at the new PBR Rock Bar venue at Planet Hollywood continues until 3 p.m. today in the Ballroom. The new bar will apparently feature the "meanest mechanical bull in town."
The Las Vegas Mob Experience, scheduled to open this December at the Trop, is offering tourists and locals a sneak preview of the upcoming attraction with a new Preview Center that opened yesterday, which showcases the floor plan, artist renderings of its interior, and a representative selection of artifacts from its collection. There will also be opportunities to meet family members of notorious former mobsters, including Meyer Lansky II, Vincent Spilotro, Antoinette Giancana, and Millicent Rosen (daughter of Ben "Bugsy" Siegel).
2011 Annual passes will be available for a limited time for locals under a special promotional price of $29.95, which is the retail price of a regular single day admission ticket. Annual Passes for non locals will be $49.95. The Preview Center is open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
The rash of new openings continues, which must be a positive sign. The latest word is of a new bar at Mandalay Bay, located adjacent to Mandalay Bay Beach. Every drink on the menu at O.N.E. Oasis Bar is created with Signature O.N.E. Coconut Water, harvested from young, green coconuts, which contains five essential electrolytes (calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sodium), and no added sugars, fat, cholesterol or preservatives. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available. O.N.E. Oasis Bar will be open seasonally, May–September, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The world's biggest gambling market saw revenue surge 70 percent in July from a year earlier as gamblers returned to the tables following a brief lull attributed to the soccer World Cup. Sales of 16.3 billion patacas ($2 billion) in July was 20 percent higher than the previous month.
The suspicious device found in a storage shed near Stewart and Lamb that forced evacuations and closed roads has been removed and Lamb is now once again open to traffic.
MGM Resorts International's second-quarter loss widened as the company posted a $1.12 billion write-down on the $8.5 billion CityCenter resort. Even though the Las Vegas market seems to be stabilizing and the CityCenter write-down was anticipated, the $883.5 million loss was wider than analysts had feared, sending shares down 2.8%. CEO Jim Murren said the Las Vegas market remains difficult, but is seeing a gradual recovery, and CityCenter is seeing "improved activity."
Boyd Gaming's 2Q profits also plummeted by 73%, as the Las Vegas locals market continues to suffer from high unemployment and foreclosure rates.
A new to-go cocktail bar called Numb has opened at Caesars, as has chef Bryan Ogden's (son of Bradley) new Munch restaurant, an "homage to the greasy spoon restaurants of the 1950s with a bit of a gourmet twist."
The National Weather Service reports that July's average temperature of 96.2 degrees was the highest of any month since record keeping began in 1937, as reported in today's R-J. The previous record, set in July 2007, was 95.4. Although no daytime records were broken, nighttime temperatures remained high, with 85.7 the average low temperature for the month -- the highest on record by almost two degrees.
The Cosmopolitan will debut its signature marquee at 4:45 p.m. today. Apparently, it will featuer a "unique blend of information and art."
Here we go again... A suspicious package was found in front of the Regional Justice Center in downtown Las Vegas. The package was spotted a little after 8 a.m. in front of the Phoenix Building at Lewis Ave. and 3rd St. (That's across from the main entrance to the RJC). The 17-story courthouse had been evacuated, and firefighters and the Las Vegas police ARMOR bomb unit are at the scene. We'll keep you posted as announcements are made.
Búzios Seafood Restaurant, Martorano's and VooDoo Steak at the Rio are now each offering three-course menus for $29, $39, and $49 per person, respectively. Each menu offers a starter course, entrée, and dessert, with optional supplements and wine pairings.
The first phase of the Tropicana Las Vegas' $165 million remodel has been completed, with the debut of its transformed Paradise and Island Tower deluxe rooms and suites, which feature custom-designed furnishings, plantation shutters, a chaise, Euro Top Serta Perfect Sleeper mattress and 300-thread count linens, 42" flat-panel plasma TVs, original artwork, and a palette of warm tones designed to evoke the property's new South Beach theme.
Le Rêve, the Franco Dragone production that performs at Wynn, is giving certified SCUBA divers the chance to dive with the cast during a live performance of the show with the Divers' Dream Package. The package, which starts at $999/night, includes a two-night stay in a Resort Room at Wynn or Encore, VIP Indulgence tickets to Le Rêve, a private backstage tour, SDI Certified SCUBA training session with the Le Rêve diving team, and the opportunity to dive during the live show.
SCUBA fans should also check out Shark Reef's Dive with the Sharks experience.
ALEX, the namesake restaurant of Chef Alessandro Stratta at Wynn, has received the coveted 2010 Grand Award from Wine Spectator magazine. ALEX is one of an élite group of just 75 dining establishments worldwide to have received the Grand Award, which is the magazine's highest honor. Restaurants are selected based on their superior wine lists, in addition to outstanding food, service, and ambience.
Former "Baywatch" actress Angelica Bridges has finished her headlining role in Luxor's Fantasy adult revue, and has been replaced by Lorena Peril, formerly of Sin City Bad Girls, which just concluded its run at the Las Vegas Hilton. Topless Vegas author Arnold Snyder raved about Peril's performance in SSBG and will be re-reviewing Fantasy, so look out for an updated v.4.2; and check out the handy new Topless Vegas Pocket Guide, which is also available with an upgrade package for a year's worth of exclusive online updates.
M Resort's "Biggest Winner" promo kicks off today, with the chance for 26 people to eat free for life at Studio B buffet. Other prizes include free buffets for a year or six months; click here for more info and the official rules.
Donn Arden's Jubilee! at Bally's is celebrating its 29th anniversary by offering Nevada residents a discounted ticket ($29, usually $64.25) to the show through Tuesday, Aug. 31. The special ticket offer can be redeemed at the Bally's Box Office by showing valid Nevada ID and there's a four-ticket purchase limit. For more info. call 702/967-4111. (Thanks to SaveLV.com for the heads-up on this offer.)
Don't forget that today and tomorrow, the new PBR Rock Bar, which is taking over the space formerly occupied by Hawaiian Tropic Zone, is holding a job fair looking to fill all positions. Click here for more details.
For a limited time only, the Laguna Champagne Bar at Palazzo is offering bottomless glasses of Domaine Ste Michelle Brut for $20, daily from 8 p.m till midnight.
Eastside Cannery's month-long "Canniversary" celebration begins today with free cupcakes and champagne until 5 p.m. in Marilyn's Lounge. Other promotions will run in August in conjunction with the casino's second anniverary.
On Sunday, August 1, 2010, anyone named "Dave" gets a free entr ée (up to $15) at all four Famous Dave’s BBQ locations in the valley. (You get half off your middle name’s Dave.)
The hunks from the male revue at the Rio will be hosting their 2011 Calendar Release Party poolside at Caesars topless Venus Pool Club today, so ladies, head over if you're looking for eye candy. Must be 21+.
The Fresh 52 Farmers Market takes place in Sansone Park, Henderson today from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring pesticide-free seasonal produce, freshly baked goods, gourmet olive oils, salsas, spices, sauces, nuts, artisans, and more.