There's plenty going on for Halloween today. It's 10X points on slots and 2X on video poker at South Point, Simon at Palms Place is hosting a costume brunch, and tickets are 2-for-1 for the Lion King at MBay. See our full list in "Special Events" on the home page. And careful about wearing costumes in the casinos; security frowns on the wearing of masks at the games.
You have until today's first kick-off to enter the free Pick the Pros football contest. Swipe your players card at any Coast casino for three free entries into the contest with $30,000 in prize money.
There's an all-you-can drink deal tonight in the Gold Bar at Aria. It's $20 for men and $10 for women from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Plus there's a "Sexy Costume Contest" with a $1,000 first prize. Downstairs in The Deuce, women dressed in lingerie get complimentary champagne from 10 p.m. to midnight.
This weekend marks the true end to pool season, with only the hardcore party pools still offering one last fling. Wet Republic, the "ultra pool" at MGM Grand, closes at dusk today, while the Palms Pool & Bungalows will close on Monday, Nov. 1.
The 2010 Women's Expo takes place at the Cashman Center from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. today and tomorrow, featuring shopping, beauty tips, jewelry, accessories, crafts, health screenings, and more. Admission's $7.
MMA star Randy Couture hosts the Third Annual "Operation All-In" Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Golden Nugget at 2 p.m. today, featuring various pro sports and poker players and other celebrities. Entry's $225, with $100 rebuys, for a grand prize of $1,000. The event is to raise money for injured troops.
Gossip columnist Robin Leach just revealed via his Twitter, @Robin_Leach, that Mötley Crüe rocker Vince Neil has unexpectedly exited from his Feelgoods restaurant-bar partnership on W. Sahara, with a lawsuit to follow next week. He still has Vince Neil Ink tattoo studios at O'Sheas and the Rio. We'll have more on this story later.
Today is the last day to take advantage of our special pre-publication offer on our newest title, My Week at the Blue Angel: And Other Stories from the Storm Drains, Strip Clubs, and Trailer Parks of Las Vegas ends at 5 p.m. PST today, so purchase your copy now for 50% off and discounted $3 shipping.
Today is our state's national day, which used to be celebrated on October 31, but since 2000 has taken place on the last Friday in October. The highlight of the festivities is the annual Nevada Day Parade in Carson City, which takes place tomorrow. The theme for 2010 is "100 Years of Aviation in Nevada".
In Las Vegas, this year will mark the first in many that Former Nevada Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren will not open his home to the public this Oct. 31 for tours and free ice cream, ending a long-standing Nevada Day tradition. In a statement, he said the decision was due to illness and a "very complicated legal situation," apparently stemming from complaints from neighbors and questions about whether the eccentric home, which is full of Las Vegas memorabilia and other artifacts, is up to county code.
Work is due to recommence Monday on the $2 billion Revel resort-casino in Atlantic City, which has been on ice since January 2009, a victim of the economic downturn. CEO Kevin DeSanctis is currently pitching the project to Wall Street, hoping to raise the $1 billion still needed to complete the resort.
Anthony Curtis' latest Las Vegas Football Update just went live at LVASports.com, while the subject of this week's "Fezzik Friday" Question of the Day is sports-betting jargon.
MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren said in a statement yesterday that the company and CityCenter partner Dubai World are currently seeking to refinance the project's $1.8 billion debt with loans that mature in five to eight years; he also stated that MRI would ultimately like to be the sole owner of CityCenter.
Our friends at DailyFiasco.com have put together a neat approximation of all the money up for grabs at the myriad Las Vegas Halloween costume contests this year, and have come up with a total of more than $330,000 on the line for the most devilish and daring costumes this year. Click the link for the breakdown and some suggested itineraries for maximising your chances.
For all users of the Las Vegas Advisor forums, after a few weeks of Beta testing a new environment, we have what we hope is at least good interim news. As Anthony Curtis writes, "We honestly thought the Zoho solution was the right one, but it definitely wasn't. We've switched back to our original boards, but will continue to look for a better alternative. We need to up the speed and I don't think it can be done without moving to a different environment. The good thing is we learned a lot about what we have to preserve in any future moves. Thanks for hanging in there. We're trying. I'm wide open to suggestions here following this misstep."
The complication when it comes to switching to a platform like the VBulletin boards we have at LVASports.com is that the Members-Only LVA boards are part of the subscription package you pay for, and Zoho was the only solution we could find that could handle this component; but we'll keep looking or, if necessary, have our own program designed to interface with our other membership systems. In the meantime, bear with us and tell your forum friends it's safe to go back in the water!
It's one of those eclectic weekends that only happen in Vegas, with the NHRA, some serious rock headliners, and the freak fest that is Halloween in Sin City. Here's the lowdown:
Carlos Fuente Jr., fourth generation of the Arturo Fuente cigar family, will be in Las Vegas at his Casa Fuente cigar store and lounge inside the Forum Shops at Caesars tomorrow evening from 7-10 p.m. Fuente will be meeting and greeting fans, who will have the rare opportunity to purchase the Fuente Forbidden X Scorpion, part of the exclusive private collection.
Expect an announcement November 3 from Cirque du Soleil regarding their new Michael Jackson show, which is due to debut in 2011. For now, there's just a cryptic teaser on YouTube.
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, the popular fast-food joint from Louisiana, is hosting a local Las Vegas "I'm having a CANIAC moment!" YouTube video contest. Submit your best rhyme, rap, or ode and let them know what you love best about Cane's. The winner will receive a year's supply of box combo meals (one free meal per week for 52 weeks). You're encouraged to make your entry original, artistic, family-appropriate, and 30 seconds to four minutes in length. Send to [email protected] no later than 5 p.m. on November 24. For more information, call 702/385-7300.
The popular Disney production at Mandalay Bay was just given a 14-month extension and will now end its run on the Las Vegas Strip on Dec. 30, 2011. When it closes, the Las Vegas Lion King will have had the longest run aside from the Broadway original.
For the second straight year, South Point will host thirteen days of college basketball action, including "The Great Western Shootout," "Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic," "D3Hoops.com Classic," plus a game featuring two of the top high school programs in the country. The events will run December 16 through 29.
There are various events going on around town for NHRA Week. Tonight, meet star drivers for a two-hour autograph-signing and Q&A session in front of the Third Street Stage at the Fremont Street Experience from 6-8 p.m.
It's a busy night for Funny Car driver Melanie Troxel, who'll be among the drivers downtown. At 9 p.m. she's challenging the rest of the drivers in the NHRA's nitro categories to do the 108-story free fall "SkyJump" from the top of the Stratosphere Tower to raise money for Speedway Children's Charities. The Strat is hosting NHRA-related events all week, including a display of race cars in the casino, driver appearances, and drink specials.
The bad boys of magic are about to celebrate their tenth anniversary playing at the Rio and have announced that Penn & Teller has had its contract extended through 2013.
P.J. Clarke's, the famous New York watering hole established in 1884, will open its first West Coast location this December in the Forum Shops at Caesars. The décor will feature bone fide saloon fixtures, including a solid mahogany bar imported from France, reclaimed subway tile, and authentic Victorian and '40s light fittings. Sister properties already exist in D.C. and in São Paolo, Brazil.
The latest title from Huntington Press author Matt O'Brien, titled My Week at the Blue Angel (And Other Stories from the Storm Drains, Strip Clubs, and Trailer Parks of Las Vegas) just received some love from Thrillist Las Vegas. Thanks, guys!
The Atlantic City casino has been in the news alot lately; the latest is a report that three percent of the workforce, estimated to equate to about 200 jobs, was cut this week in response to declining business. Collectively, the East Coast gambling destination already axed a total of 1,400 casino jobs in September, partly due to an annual seasonal downsizing, but also because of the economic downturn and increased competition from Pennsylvania.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is following the lead of its arty neighbor CityCenter with a novel parking-garage concept. The Las Vegas Weekly reports how the entire garage has been given over to the "Wallworks" project, a series of murals by prominent graffiti artists.
Spencer Platt and Ethan Miller, two photographers for the Getty image library, recently captured some dramatic but depressing images of the recession- and foreclosure-addled Las Vegas landscape. You can check out the slideshow at The Huffington Post.
No sooner did we report that Las Vegas is to receive a branch of New York's legendary P.J. Clarke's, than we read in the New York Times that Manhatten is about to be graced with its own Lotus of Siam, the Las Vegas original of which has been celebrated as having the "Best Thai Food" in N. America by Gourmet magazine. The East Coast version, due to open November on lower Fifth Avenue in the spot formerly occupied by Cru, will feature a menu about one-third the size of the Las Vegas menu, which features some 150 dishes, and higher prices, due to the pressures of New York rent levels.
The troubled Foxwoods casino project in Philadelphia now has interest from Harrah's Entertainment, which has signed a non-binding agreement to operate the planned $438 million casino. Earlier this year Wynn resorts signed deal to operate the project, planned since 2006, but then quickly backed out of the project.
The Daily Beast has named Las Vegas the dumbest metropolitan area in the U.S., based on criteria including the number of bachelor and graduate degrees among the population and the year-to-date sales of adult nonfiction. Our IQ score was ranked at 3.33 out of a possible 200; Boston was named the smartest city, with a Daily Beast IQ Score of 176.68.
Now through January 11, 2011, Blue Man Group at Venetian is offering 2-for-1 tickets for locals if you quote code LOC241, available in person, online at the Venetian's website, or by calling 702/414-9001. Don't worry if you're not a local; we've got a great offer for Blue Man tix that's valid for everyone; just click the above link for details.
Tuesday in Las Vegas sees some of the best happy hours around, including an LVA Top 10 Value at Todd English P.U.B. at Crystals, where they'll be serving up their nickel cups of PBR tonight; plus, enjoy 25-cent cocktails at Paris' Burger Brasserie from 4-7 p.m. and again from 9 p.m.-close, where you can also get a 2-for-1 burger deal with our Member Rewards Book.
AOL has ranked Circus Circus' Fright Dome #4 among the Top 10 Halloween Theme Parks in the U.S.A. Click the link for our complete Las Vegas Halloween Guide.
The RTC has unveiled its new $17 million commuter hub for the Max, Centennial Express, Ace, Deuce, Las Vegas Strip, and downtown Las Vegas express buses. Located next to the new City Hall, the Bonneville Transit Center is due to open for public use Nov. 7, when new routes and schedules will go into effect.
The Washington Post reports that Las Vegas Sands Inc. has signed a 10-year deal with hotelier InterContinental, owner of the Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and other brands. The deal will give Sands access to InterContinental's 52-million-member database and give their loyal customers an option to stay on the Las Vegas Strip and earn or redeem rewards points. The partnership is similar to one recently announced between the soon-to-debut Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Marriott International (see Today's News for Aug. 26, 2010).
This December 9, boxer Fernando Vargas will become the first fighter to be honored with a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. A ceremony is planned at Encore and the star will be placed that day somewhere on the Las Vegas Strip. A Walk of Stars spokesman says stars have also been approved for Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao, but ceremonies have not yet been set.
Boyd Gaming, operator and half-owner of the Borgata resort-casino in Atlantic City, said it will not exercise its right of first refusal to bid on the other 50-percent share being sold by MRI. "Given other opportunities and our current focus on deleveraging our balance sheet, the current offer would not provide a sufficient return on investment for our shareholders," the company said today in a statement. An offer of $250 has been tabled by buyout firm Leonard Green & Partners.
Following word over the weekend of a fatal shooting during a robbery in the restrooms at the Opera House Casino in North Las Vegas, comes news of a stabbing at the Orleans at around 9 a.m. this morning, during which a man carrying deposit bags was injured and robbed. The latest we heard police are still looking for the suspect.
Travelocity's traveling mascot will be in Las Vegas this week, visiting eco-friendly hotels on October 26 and 27. They have a list of "green" hotels in Las Vegas on their website, but we have to say we like our Las Vegas Green Guide better. And you can follow us on Twitter at @GreenVegas for news alerts, travel and dining tips, and more.
Today's USA Today carries a feature on how the Reno gaming market is suffering from the double whammy of the economic downturn and competition from Indian casinos.
The Las Vegas Tropicana, which is currently undergoing a frenzy of upgrading and rebranding, announced the latest plans today for the Tiffany Theatre, which has been taken over Eagle Group Holdings, owner of the soon-to-debut Las Vegas Mob Experience. There are plans to turn the theater into a premier entertainment venue, with Yesterday, a Beatles tribute that ran for three years at the Trop Atlantic City, the first show to be announced. Yesterday is performing Tuesday through Sunday, at 5:30pm. For tickets and information, call the box office at 702/739-2417.
Don't forget to check out Anthony Curtis' weekly Las Vegas Football Updates at LVASports.com, where you'll get the latest on all the Monday Night Football parties, contests, and more. Plus, you can find details of all the Team Bars around town.
Now through December 31, Clark County locals can enjoy a discount at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. Adults with valid ID can enter for $12 (a $3 saving) and local children ages 4-12 are $6 ($4 off) Kids aged three and under are free. (Thanks to SaveLV.com for this tip.)
For the two legal casinos there, that is. Two gamblers reportedly lost $115 million in a "session" of baccarat at Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. Informed speculation that a portion of the loss was forgiven by the casinos puts the likely amount closer to $86 million, but it still ranks as one of the biggest single-session losses ever.
Today's LV Review-Journal contains a feature on Las Vegas' sports-talk-radio scene. It includes a complete listing of shows, hosts, stations, and air times.
Legendary downtown casino owner Jackie Gaughan is celebrating his 90th birthday today by sharing cake and champagne with friends and guests in the historic lounge of the El Cortez from noon to 6 p.m.
There's no charge to watch the UFC matches tonight in Lagasse's Stadium at Palazzo and Kahunaville at TI. The Palms will also have a viewing party in the Playboy Club; there's a $25 admission fee. The card begins at 7 p.m.
B Connected members have the chance to win $500 in slot dollars tomorrow between 3 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. Here's the link to the promo, where you can get more details.
M Resort hosts its second annual Italian Festival at the Villagio del Sole pool area today and tomorrow, with food, entertainment, and family fun. The event runs both days from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and admission's $10 for adults and $5 for kids aged 6-12.
The official Jimmy Buffett pre-concert Margaritaville street party takes place today in the alley between O'Sheas and Margaritaville at the Flamingo. The all-day outdoor event (11 a.m.-6 p.m.) features live entertainment from DJ Bo and Tommy Rocker, midway games, a Ferris wheel, food, and giveaways, including Jimmy Buffet concert tickets.
There are two Hawaiian festivals in Henderson this weekend. KUNV 91.5 FM's Emory Nihipali Jr. hosts the Little Grass Shack Hawaiian festival at Sunset Station from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a special buffet and live acts hailing from the islands. General admission is free. Lake Las Vegas also hosts the ninth annual Hawaiian Isles Festival, taking place Saturday and Sunday. Sponsored by the Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club, the festival will feature its Outrigger Canoe Regatta, plus cuisine, crafts, and music. Again, admission is free.
The 14th annual Bite of Las Vegas food festival takes place today in Desert Breeze Park (Durango Dr. at Spring Mountain Rd.), with live music and diverse food stalls from more than 60 local restaurants.
Today through Sunday, from 9 p.m. to midnight, the Madame Tussauds attraction at Venetian hosts a special "After Dark" event, featuring a flashlight-lit tour of scary historical exhibits in their own "Chamber of Horrors." Admission's $20 for all ages and the event will be repeated next weekend for Halloween.
President Obama is scheduled to land at McCarran International Airport between 5 and 6 p.m. this evening and ground traffic is expected to be subject to periodic delays until 8 p.m. as the president's motorcade travels to the rally at Orr Middle School (on E. Twain, off Maryland Pkwy.) Air Force One is scheduled to depart Las Vegas about 10 a.m. Saturday morning, so again expect traffic delays in the area from 7 a.m.
It's only a week away and the events are still pouring in; it's out of control! Check out our ginormous Las Vegas Halloween Guide, from sexy strippers to safe trick or treating, and a whole heap of stuff in between.
Now through Nov. 7, the famous Strip property is hosting the Fourth Annual Caesars Classic poker tournament and players of all skill levels, novice to professional, are invited to join in the daily events. Click this link to the Caesars Palace website for more information and a schedule of events.
Atlantic City's main casino companies have formed a group called the Atlantic City Alliance, which will contribute $30 million to a fund to market the troubled gambling resort -- money that they were formerly obiged to give to horse track owners as compensation for keeping slots out. The group consists of the owners of the Borgata, the three Trump casinos, the four Harrah's Entertainment casinos, and the Tropicana.
A shout out to Vegas Deluxe blogger Robin Leach for his coverage and kind words about our new Eating Las Vegas guide; check out his latest Strip Scribbles for some exciting news about the launch party.
Anthony Curtis just posted his latest weekly Football Update at LVASports.com, with reviews of all the Monday Night Football parties he's been checking out, contest updates, and more.
The cause of the power outage downtown is still unknown but NV Energy has fixed the problem and everything's back to normal. Gamble on Golden Nugget patrons, gamble on!
NV Energy is currently working to restore power to several customers in downtown Las Vegas, including the Golden Nugget. The Golden Nugget is open but patrons cannot gamble at slot machines or table games. We'll keep you posted.
The Nevada Gaming Commission unanimously approved the new Strip resort-casino's gaming license today. Cosmopolitan Las Vegas is due to open Dec. 15.
Not only did lead diva darling Frank Marino recently celebrate his 25th anniversary performing on the Las Vegas Strip; his Divas Las Vegas show celebrated its first anniversary performing at Imperial Palace yesterday, and announced that the show has had its contract extended for another two years. Congrats!
Genting Malaysia and the U.K.'s Apollos Resorts & Leisure have entered into a joint agreement to build a large casino and entertainment complex in the docklands area of East London, one of the official venues for the 2012 Olympics, pending the acquisition of a license.
"Live! With Regis & Kelly" is returning to Las Vegas to shoot four more shows this November at Encore. Click here for dates and to register for free tickets.
President Barack Obama will stage his sixth "Moving America Forward" event at Orr Middle School Park in Las Vegas tomorrow. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and it's free and open to the public.
The front-cover story in today's USA Today covers the contentious Senate race in Nevada. The deadlocked showdown between incumbant Harry Reid and Sharron Angle is considered one of the pivotol contests on this year's national scene.
NV Energy is currently working to restore power to more than 2,000 customers across the Las Vegas valley affected by the current thunderstorm, particularly in the area of Green Valley Parkway and Warm Springs, reports "8 News Now." Clark County firefighters are on the scene of a lightning-caused apartment fire on Los Feliz near Lake Mead Blvd., but no one has been injured.
The latest "Thread of the Week" just went live at LVASports.com, where you can check out the latest football-handicapping discussion -- for free! There's an extensive Archive of previous threads you can read, too, but that's just a taster of what's available to paid members on the LVASportsboards.
The Gift of Lights holiday display, hosted for the past nine years by Sunset Park, is moving to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the 2010 holiday season and will be the biggest display in the attraction's history. The speedway is donating the facility to the event organizers and $2 from every car visiting the experience will go to the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities. The experience will open on Friday, Nov. 19 and run nightly through Sunday, Jan. 2.
The Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh is apologizing to slot players who were accidentally awarded $1,000 in free play this week as the result of a computer glitch. At one point on Monday afternoon, everyone with a player's card that was playing a slot machine received the credits, but within 10 minutes the error had been discovered and the credits deducted once more. It has not been revealed how much the casino stood to lose potentially had the error not been spotted.
The mystery buyer for MRI's stake in Atlantic City's Borgata resort-casino has been named as Leonard Green & Partners, a buyout firm that manages about $9 billion, according to Bloomberg. This is the same firm that bid unsuccessfully for the M Resort in Las Vegas recently against Penn National.
The Las Vegas City Council has voted to approve a four-day work week and other cuts that will save the city $22 million over the next two years. This means City offices will no longer be open on Fridays, once the plan goes into effect in January.
SEA: The Thai Experience, a new Thai-fusion restaurant originally out of New York, has opened next to Bally's Steakhouse. It's open daily from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for lunch, dinner, and late-night bites.
According to Arizona Department of Transportation, the long-awaited Hoover Dam bypass bridge is now open to traffic. At 1,900 feet, the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge is the longest single-span concrete arch bridge in the western hemisphere. Vehicles traveling between Arizona and Nevada will no longer be able to use Hoover Dam.
A new gourmet burger joint is heading our way. We just learned that Holstein's Shakes and Buns is hosting a job fair today and tomorrow in the space formerly occupied by Christian Audigier nightclub at T.I., looking to fill both back- and front-of-house positions. Click the link for more info. This is a new concept from the same company that owns the eco-friendly LBS: A Burger Joint at Red Rock, and the new LBS Patty Wagon food truck, and Holstein's will open inside Cosmopolitan, which debuts in December.
We just added an extra voting option, which somehow slipped through the net when we set up our new Reader Poll; so, if you're a video poker player, check back and scroll down to the bottom of the poll to see if a vp app might be something you'd be interested in. Thanks!
Our newest title, due to ship the first week in November, is from the best-selling author of Beneath the Neon. Matt O'Brien's latest collection, My Week at the Blue Angel, and Other Stories from the Storm Drains, Strip Clubs, and Trailer Parks of Las Vegas, provides more colorful insights into the real Las Vegas underbelly that few get to see, and we're offering it through Oct. 29 at a special pre-publication discount.
Don't forget, this is the last chance to vote in our current LVA Reader Poll about the best restrooms in Las Vegas. We got some great feedback on a couple we forgot, and some suggestions of a few we didn't know about, so keep 'em coming until midnight!
This should be interesting... Tonight, at 6 p.m. PST (9 p.m. EST), the Penn Jillette half of Penn & Teller will be Larry King's guest on CNN, discussing the upcoming elections.
For a limited time only, the the price of the regular Dinner (Sun-Thur) at the Feast Around the World buffet has been slashed to $6.99 for Boarding Pass holders; non-players-club members still pay $12.99. San Lorenzo Italian restaurant is also currently offering 2-for-1 entrées.
The 2010 PBR World Finals kick off tomorrow, and we just updated our Spotlight feature with some extra drink specials around town, so be sure to check it out for the lowdown on parties, autograph signings, and more.
In celebration of what would have been the singer's 95th birthday this December 12, Wynn Las Vegas will premiere performances of SINATRA Dance With Me in the Encore Theater beginning December 11. The show follows four couples as they fall in and out of love at a swinging nightclub and features a 17-piece big band, dancers, and classics including "Fly Me To The Moon," "My Way" and "That's Life." Ticket prices are $69 and $89, plus tax and service charge, and the show will perform at 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday through January 29, 2011. To reserve tickets for SINATRA Dance With Me call 888/320-7110 or 702/770-9966, or visit www.wynnlasvegas.com.
Tonight from 4-7 p.m. and again after 9 p.m., Le Burger Brasserie is pouring quarter cocktails -- "quarter" cocktails as in 25¢ each, not 25% of a drink, they're quick to clarify. And don't forget there's a 2-for-1 burger offer for Le Burger Brasserie in the 2010 LVA Member Rewards Book, so you can really have a bargain evening.
For the first time since its inception in 1979 (as far as we're aware), two players will be inducted into the WSOP Hall of Fame this year. Dan Harrington and Erik Seidel beat out Chris Ferguson, Barry Greenstein, Jennifer Harman-Traniello, Phil Ivey, Linda Johnson, Tom McEvoy, Daniel Negreanu, and Scotty Nguyen and will join the elite list of poker legends at a ceremony at the Rio on November 8. In order to be added to the list, a gambler must have played poker against acknowledged top competition, played for high stakes, played consistently well, gained the respect of peers, and stood the test of time. For non-players, who are also eligible, the criteria are that a person must have contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results. Click here to learn more about the Poker Hall of Fame and previous honorees.
"Channel 8 News" reports that sometime between 11 a.m. and noon Sunday, Lake Mead sank to its lowest level in three-quarters of a century, when it was first filled. Although the lake is still eight feet above the level at which a shortage is officially declared and limited rationing could go into effect in Nevada and in Arizona, the Bureau of Reclamation is planning to increase the amount of water delivered to Lake Mead from Lake Powell.
Las Vegas is awash with deals right now, particularly Monday and Tuesday happy hours, but the one we can't wait to try is at the Hard Rock's Rare 120° steakhouse, where Mondays feature 50%-off the entire food menu. Yep, that includes appetizers, steaks, lobster, sides, desserts -- the whole nine yards. Everything except booze. It's a gorgeous room, too. Open 6-11 p.m. tonight.
The El Cortez downtown has reintroduced its seasonal jumbo Stone Crab special to The Flame steakhouse. It's flown in from Florida and, in theory, is available on Fridays and Saturdays for $28 per pound; however, as you can read in the February back-issue of the LVA newsletter (members only), we recommend you call ahead before making a special trip, as availability was somewhat haphazard earlier in the year.
Harrah's Entertainment Inc., has announced plans to become a public company once again, almost three years after it was taken private. It plans to sell an unspecified number of shares in order to raise cash for several projects, including the unfinished tower at Caesars Palace and the planned "Project Linq" pedestrianized entertainment and dining complex across the street, plus other "corporate purposes," reports "Fox 5 News."
It's just come to our attention that the Poker Bar at the Flamingo is serving $1 draft Foster's, Blue Moon, Miller Lite, Coors Light, MGD 64, Newcastle, Dos Equis, and Leine's Sunset Wheat all the time.
Tonight's the 8,000th performance of Mystère, Cirque du Soleil's inaugural Las Vegas show. To celebrate, they're hoping to reach 8,000 messages on Twitter, sharing your memories about the show. Visit the Mystère Facebook page for details.
Popular local pizzeria Metro Pizza is offering an all-you-can-eat pasta and salad deal today for $8.99 at all its sit-down locations (i.e., excluding Boulder Station and Ellis Island). Dine-in only.
There's been a shake-up at the Sahara, with the closure of Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show and The Comedy Stop, one of the longest-running comedy clubs in town. The good news, however, is the Sandy Hackett has signed a new three-year contract with the Riviera (whose own comedy club closes Halloween weekend), and there are still plenty of choices in town when it comes to comedy clubs.
The BMX rider and TV personality is reportedly showing signs of improvement after a serious accident Thursday night at the Dew Tour Championships at the Hard Rock. Lavin, a Vegas native, has been in a medically-induced coma since he crashed, but his mother texted a friend over the weekend, saying "Neuro came and spoke to T.J. He moved his hands around and he gave the docs a thumbs up. He is not conscious. He's back on sedation to rest and minimize brain swelling." We wish him the best.
The poker room at Tuscany reopened on Saturday. It looks like low-entry-fee tournaments may be prominent.
This weekend's USA Today contains a feature titled "New Hot Spots Up Vegas' Ante" that sites several new options in town (most of which you've read about here first). We also have to admit being gratified by the use of "Vegas'" for the possessive of Vegas (people keep pushing "Vegas's" on us -- ugh).
Today marks the end of a 31-year run for the Liberace Museum, home of outrageous costumes, antique pianos, and flamboyant cars all owned by the entertainer, who died in 1987 at the age of 67. The Liberace Foundation plans to take the memorabilia on the road as a national touring exhibit, and a new musical production, titled Liberace – Music & Memories is set to open Nov. 9 at the Saxe Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops -- see this column from Friday, Oct. 15 for information on how to get free tickets to a preview performance at 2 p.m. today.
You have until the start of today's NFL games to play the free Pick the Pros contest at any Coast casino. Just find a kiosk and swipe your players club card to get three free entries.
There's more beer action today at this free music festival at 107 E. Charleston (behind the Arts Factory), featuring bands, spoken-word artists, and a variety of imported and American craft brews in the Urban Beer Garden ($20 cover). The event starts at 4 p.m., bands start at 6 p.m.
The Target Center just west of Lake Mead and Water Streets in Henderson is having a grand opening ceremony for the new Carls Jr. today, featuring day-long food giveaways, a dog obedience demo, a performance at 2 p.m. by Show Biz Kids, and a Grand Prize Drawing for an iPad around 5 p.m. Discount Tire is also having their grand opening today in the same plaza, featuring entertainment, a jump house for kids, and custom hot rods.
The former heavyweight boxing champion will be signing autographs from 1-3 p.m. and again from 4:15-6:15 p.m today at Painted with Oil in the Miracle Mile Shops. Fans must have a ticket to gain access to the event and tickets are $100 (available in advance or at the door).
The public gets its first experience atop the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge over the Colorado River at Hoover Dam today, with a six-hour open house (reservations are required and this list is now closed). Expect traffic delays in the area. The bridge is due to open to vehicular traffic in approximately two weeks and is expected to take an hour off the travel time from Arizona to Las Vegas.
As we write, Ricardo's Mexican Restaurant, located at Flamingo and Decatur, is commemorating 30 years in Las Vegas and Breast Cancer Awareness Month by attempting to make the "World's Largest Margarita," using ROSANGEL, the world's premier hibiscus-infused tequila, which will give the margarita a pink hue. The current record is 7,039 U.S. gallons. A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Southern Nevada.
We just learned via the @ParisVegas Twitter that there's a complimentary wine tasting in the Lobby right now until 7 p.m., complete with live music.
Downtown's Golden Nugget hosts its inaugural Fall Beer Festival today and tomorrow, kicking off from 7-10 p.m. tonight with the Great American Craft Beer Tasting sponsored by Samuel Adams, featuring over 300 craft beer selections and appetizers, plus live music. Tickets are $50. Tomorrow's event is a traditional Oktoberfest Pool Party (is there such a thing?) sponsored by Paulaner, from 3-9 p.m. Admission to this event's free and there will be 200 different international and domestic beers available and a traditional German band. Guests (presumably female only, although it's not specified) dressed in sexy beer maiden costumes get $10 in food and beer tickets and entry into a Miss Oktoberfest contest with a $1,000 cash prize.
The three-day country music festival and fair in Henderson runs today through Sunday, with peformances by Montgomery Gentry, Kenny Rogers, Glen Campbell, Lonestar, and others, plus family-friendly fun, including carnival rides, games, food, and exhibitions. Visit the Nevada Wild Fest website for more information and tickets.
Following on from their "Buffet of Buffets" pass, Harrah's Entertainment has now launched a Las Vegas "All Stage Pass" which, for $99 ($119 for non-Total Rewards members), entitles you to see as many of 17 of the group's Las Vegas shows as you can in a 48-hour period. The deal includes 17 of the production shows currently performing at Bally’s, Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Harrah’s, Imperial Palace, O’Sheas, Paris, and the Rio, from family-friendly matinées like Mac King's Comedy Magic and The Price is Right Live to adult revues, including X Burlesque and Chippendales.
All Stage Pass holders also receive preferred pricing of just $40 (plus tax) per ticket for premium shows including Cher, Donny & Marie, Barry Manilow and Penn & Teller. The passes are available for purchase from the Planet Hollywood box office. For more information, visit lventertainment.com.
Although the bad news is that the Liberace Museum closes on Sunday, there is a silver lining, in the form of a new show opening at the Saxe Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops. Liberace: Music & Memories doesn't officially open until November, but this weekend, to coincide with the museum's closure, there are free* previews. Click the link to pick the day you'd like to go and how many people are in your party (up to a maximum of six).
*A $7 fee is charged at the box office, but the tickets are complimentary.
The pre-order discount on Eating Las Vegas expires at 5 p.m. PST today, so this is your last chance to take advantage of the half-price offer and $2 shipping; after that, the price will revert to our regular 25%-off publisher's discount and $7 shipping.
All 11 notables charged with alleged vote-buying in order to legalize gambling in Alabama have entered not guilty pleas. Casino owners Milton McGregor and Ronnie Gilley; state Sens. Quinton Ross, Harri Anne Smith, Larry Means and Jim Preuitt; lobbyists Bob Geddie, Jarrod Massey, and Tom Coker; legislative analyst Ray Crosby; and former Gilley spokesman Jay Walker are all charged by the federal government with alleged widespread corruption to buy and sell votes for legislation that would have legalized electronic gaming in the state.
Station Casinos has announced that it's looking to hire 160 new workers, mainly for full-time positions, including casino shift managers, front desk clerks, race and sports book writers, pit clerks, and dealers. The company isn't holding a job fair but instead encourages job seekers to apply online at the company careers site.
Blue Man Group has announced the launch of an "Invent an Instrument" national program, a creative contest that fuses music, arts, and innovation with math and science. Students in grades 5-9 are invited to build instruments out of existing objects for use in a Blue Man Group show at the Astor Place Theater in New York and the chance to win a $5,000 scholarship prize for both themself and their school.
The winner will be selected by a panel of celebrity judges, including music luminaries Ludacris, Stevie Van Zandt, Nile Rodgers, and Pat Metheny, plus President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, Joel Peresman. For more information and to enter, visit blueman.com.
Rescued Chilean miner and Elvis fan Edison Pena has been invited to visit Sin City and get the full VIP treatment, courtesy of impersonator Jesse Garon. The Las Vegas entertainer was so moved by the plight of the miners that he was inspired to pay for a once-in-a-lifetime trip for Pena and his wife. The trip will include accommodation, show tickets, and a renewal of their wedding vows with the King under the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign in a 1955 Pink Cadillac.
Not only is the long-running Riviera Comedy Club closing Halloween; Mike Weatherford's column in the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Barbra & Frank, The Show That Never Was will also close at the end of the month, prior to an engagement in London.
New Jersey casino regulators on Thursday approved the sale of land underneath the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, as part of MRI's forced exit from the New Jersey gambling market. The Casino Control Commission approved the sale of 11.3 acres to Vornado Realty Trust and Geyser Holdings, through their newly formed company New Jersey GL LLC, for $73 million.
Professional BMX dirt rider and TV host TJ Lavin is currently in a medically-induced coma at UMC after being seriously injured during the Dew Tour Championships in Las Vegas last night. The 33-year-old Las Vegas native was admitted to the trauma center after he was thrown from the bike and knocked unconscious. He also suffered a shattered right wrist and broken ribs.
It's a pretty quiet one, as pool season truly winds up and Vegas takes a breather before the big Halloween party. Still, "quiet" in Vegas is definitely a relative term and there's still plenty to keep you from being bored. Here are some of the highlights:
Following news earlier in the week of George Maloof's DUI incident comes word that a dispute has erupted between the Palms and the N9NE Group, who are partners in several nightlife and restaurant venues at the off-Strip property. At the crux of the argument, which appears to be getting ugly, is the accusation that N9NE's opening of a new venue at Wynn Las Vegas constitutes a conflict of interest and that staff at the Palms venues have been neglecting their duties in order to work on the new project. For more, check out the Las Vegas Sun.
Liquid Pool at Aria closes for the season today and is going out with a bang, with DJs and an open bar for locals all day.
Alerts are coming in thick and fast now Halloween-event wise, so this year promises to be as big a party as ever. You can check out the lowdown on parties, balls, haunted houses, costume stores, safe trick-or-treating, and more with our Las Vegas Halloween Guide.
It's the final stop of the season for the Dew Tour Championships which kick off in Las Vegas today and run through Oct. 17. The first-ever Dew Tour Championships are being hosted by the Hard Rock, featuring the best skateboard and BMX athletes battling it out for the coveted Dew Cup. Click the link for more information and to purchase tickets.
Famed champion bull rider and country music singer Justin McBride will celebrate the release of his second album "Justin McBride: Live at Billy Bob's Texas," on Wednesday, Oct. 20, to coincide with the beginning of the annual PBR World Finals in Las Vegas. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature an acoustic set by McBride, plus drink specials, and will take place from 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
Today's LV Sun reports that Greenheart Conservation Co. Ltd., the company behind the zipline ride at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, will debut a similar attraction at the Fremont Street Experience downtown tomorrow. Four lines have been installed that will move riders 800 feet from the Fremont Street parking garage to a 14-foot-high landing platform near one of the FSE's performance stages. We understand riders will be charged $20 from 6 p.m. to midnight, $15 from 2-6 p.m., and $10 for a re-ride, but this is not confirmed and may change.
A year-long undercover operation resulted in nearly 40 arrests of career criminals in Las Vegas Tuesday, reports Channel 13 "Action News." "Operation Bad Company" used a bogus storefront to snag 39 suspects, accused of stealing firearms, narcotics, personal ID's used for identity theft, and vehicles. In total $440,000 dollars-worth of stolen property was recovered.
The Democratic National Committee is giving people the chance to meet Barack Obama when he returns to Las Vegas next week, by raffling off three backstage passes. Prize winners, who also have the chance to receive round-trip air transportation and a one-night hotel stay, will be drawn from online and text message entries. To register for a chance to win, text keyword "BACKSTAGE" to 62262 by Friday, Oct. 22, or sign up online at my.barackobama.com.
These two items come courtesy of Robin Leach's Vegas Deluxe blog. Firstly, news that the weekly "High Society" brunch at the Palms' NOVE Italiano ended for the season last Sunday (it was tied in with the Palms pool). Also, there are big plans for Encore's Surrender nightclub and Beach Club, which will be continuing the indoor/outdoor party through the winter thanks to portable heaters, custom blankets, and the transformation of the middle of the Encore Beach Club pool into a dance floor that's due to be unveiled Halloween weekend.
Premier Radio Network's "Bob & Tom Show" is running an open mic contest for would-be impressionists, and the prize is the chance to appear on stage with Frank Caliendo at the Monte Carlo. Click the link for more details.
"Fox 5 News" reports that the FBI conducted raids on three Las Vegas businesses this morning, all suspected of grant fraud. Agents raided the offices of Silver State Holding, Foundation Research Inc., and SBA Consulting Services. The former's website advertises $100 billion in grant money available.
Sustainable fishing advocate Rick Moonen has been honored by Star Chefs in the 2010 Innovator Awards. Moonen, who owns rm Seafood at Mandalay Bay, was the recipient of the Community Award, which honors chefs who are "consistently active in their local communities, and to whom community involvement is an essential part of their professional mission. They are generous with their knowledge, resources, and time, making them role models to other chefs."
R-J gossip columnist Norm! just Tweeted that there will be a live taping of NPR's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!" news quiz at Paris on Thursday, Nov. 18, with host Peter Sagal, official judge and scorekeeper Carl Kasell, and the usual line-up of witty panelists. Tickets, priced from $50 to $150, are available for purchase now in person at the Paris box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.
MGM Resorts International announced today that it plans to raise about $550 million by selling stock; founder and biggest shareholder, Kirk Kerkorian, will also reduce his stake by almost 30 million shares, diluting his Tracinda Corp's stake to about 30 percent, reports Bloomberg.
DJ phenom Tiësto, named "World's No.1 DJ" in three consecutive years by DJ Magazine, has finally announced the details of his long-rumored residency in Las Vegas, where he'll be performing a live show in the Joint at the Hard Rock on select dates throughout 2011. Tickets went on sale today; visit his Facebook page for more information and dates.
Cirque du Soleil's Mystère production at TI is celebrating its 8,000th show this week. Share your memories on Twitter via @Cirque using #Mystere8000 and check out all the messages others have been leaving.
Last night's episode of MTV's reality show, The Buried Life referred to Huntington Press' best-seller Beneath the Neon, which inspired the guys to explore the storm drains beneath the city and help reunite one of the residents with his daughter.
Gossip columnist Robin Leach reports Holly Madison, headliner in Planet Hollywood's Peepshow adult revue, has had her contract extended for a year, commencing January 1, 2011. The same goes for Angel Porrino, who will be guest-starring for nine weeks throughout the year, freeing up Madison to pursue her other projects. For reviews of this, plus all the other topless shows and gentlemen's clubs in town, check out our Topless Vegas guide.
Chef Julian Serrano's eponymous restaurant at Aria was named among Esquire magazine's Top 20 New Restaurants in the U.S. Monday. Don't forget that the special publisher's discount on our new Eating Las Vegas restaurant guide expires this Friday, Oct. 15, so take advantage of the offer while you can.
Last night's attempt by four MTV reality-show actors to turn $125,000 into $1 million playing roulette at the Golden Gate was unsuccessful. After winning the first coup (a bet on red) to turn the $125,000 into $250,000, the second spin landed on red again with everything riding on black. Regardless, the $250,000 bet surpasses a $220,000 wager on roulette made at Binion's Horseshoe in 1994 as the biggest roulette bet on record. Anthony Curtis was there and will relate the whole story in detail in the November LVA.
The Playboy Club atop the Palms is hosting a series of Monday Night Football parties, starting tonight with Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Jets at 5 p.m. There will be more than 30 flat screen TVs displayed throughout the club, with Miller beer specials and a savory happy-hour menu from NOVE Italiano. Best of all, there's no cover. Future parties will include the Giants vs. Cowboys on Oct. 25 and Steelers vs. Bengals on Nov. 8. For the word on all the other MNF parties and team bars around town, visit LVASports.com.
Harrah's today announced that three Las Vegas properties -- Caesars Palace, Imperial Palace, and the Rio -- have implemented new dog-friendly initiatives with the launch of the PetStay Las Vegas program. Click the link for our complete listings of Pet-Friendly Hotels in Las Vegas, plus the various fees and restrictions that apply.
Opportunity Village has reopened at a new location at Meadows La., near Decatur Blvd., three months after its long-time downtown home was destroyed in a fire.
A couple of fraudulent sites claiming to sell Fezzik's picks have popped up on the Net and on Twitter. The fraudulent websites we know about are stevefezzik.com and fezzikfootball.com. The fraudulent Twitter addresses are @realstevefezzik and @fezzikfootball and have been reported to Twitter as impersonating accounts. These sites are all scams and you are being ripped off if you give them money.
Thousands of couples tied the knot in Las Vegas yesterday, figuring that 10-10-10 was an auspicious day.
Sunday saw the opening of The Sporting House, the new sports bar at New York-New York that occupies the former home of the ESPN Zone. The two-story bar and restaurant features 130 HD TVs and is open from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Hotel guests receive a free $10 Game Card and locals receive a free $15 game card with a $25 purchase - must show valid Nevada ID.
It's one of those days that Vegas goes nuts for. Several casinos are having 10/10/10 (calendar date) promotions today. There's 10X points on slots and 5X on video poker at Orleans, 10X on slots and 2X on VP at South Point, and 10X on slots and VP at Suncoast. The Palms has 10X points on slots and $1.10 draft beer. The biggest promotion is at Hard Rock, where there's 10X deals on dining, drinking, shopping, and gambling.
The Siena Hotel Spa Casino in downtown Reno is temporarily closing its casino but keeping its hotel, restaurants, and sports book open, reports the Reno Gazette-Journal. The Siena filed for bankruptcy protection in August in a move to keep the property open while a deal to bring in a partner to run it can be finalized; it has been struggling to maintain its casino license due to lack of requisite funds. According to papers filed with U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the Siena's overall debt could be as much as $100 million.
It's the last of the infamous Rehab pool parties for the season today, so get down to the Hard Rock from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. today for one last hoorah.
There's been a key change in the "Big Spin" at the Golden Gate that we wrote about on Wednesday. Rather than try to parlay $250,000 into $1 million by winning two roulette spins, the MTV dudes will come with $125,000 and try to win three in a row. It lowers their risk, but also increases the odds against them from about 4-1 to 9-1. The event takes place Monday evening and the public is invited.
Today's LV Sun reports how Tesco, the UK owner of the Fresh & Easy supermarket brand, has announced that 13 stores in the southwest, including six in Las Vegas, will be "mothballed" due to the impact of the residential and commercial property crash. The official press release did not specify which six stores here will close; the company says it hopes to re-open them when the housing and employment markets pick up.
From 3 p.m. – midnight today O'Sheas invites you to tap into your German roots at their "Rocktoberfest" block party, featuring drink specials hand-delivered by lederhosen-clad bar maids, traditional festive German cuisine and games, and a live broadcast by KOMP 92.3 FM.
The 10th annual Hispanic International Parade & Festival takes place from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. today at the Water Street District in Henderson, featuring floats, traditional costumes, and music from various regions of Latin America.
As part of National Fire Prevention Week, Las Vegas residents are invited to visit any city fire station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today to view fire-fighting equipment, go on a tour of the fire station, and learn about fire safety. Over the past three years, 22 people have lost their lives in fires here.
Today is the RTC Viva Bike Vegas 115-mile bicycle ride to benefit Nevada Cancer Institute. Expect traffic delays all around town as over 2,000 cyclists take to the road. The first riders began at 6:30 a.m. from the RTC's offices at 600 S. Grand Central Parkway. Route information is available at: http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/vivabikevegas/route.cfm
The annual discounted membership to the member-only LVASportsboards message forums ends at 4:30 p.m. PST today, so click the link to take advantage of the special rate; hereafter, only the $24.95/month membership option will be available.
Embrace the philosophy of Epicurus and attain a state of tranquility, free yourself from fear tonight, at the ninth annual Epicurean Affair, hosted by M Resort. The charitable fundraiser, proceeds from which fund scholarships for students attending hospitality programs, kicks off at 6 p.m. poolside and features participation from some of Las Vegas' best restaurants. Click the link for more information about the event and the Epicurean Foundation.
We just wanted to send out a little Friday afternoon love to our friends at Suncoast and Sam's Town, and the rest of the Boyd Gaming group in Las Vegas for celebrating their inclusion in our Top Ten Values for the 2010 Pick the Pros contest. Thanks, much appreciated!
Elvis impersonator Trent Carlini, who currently performs at the Las Vegas Hilton, was forced to cancel last night's show after he did the "Jailhouse Rock" for real for failure to pay child support. We hear that he's since posted bail and will be back tonight performing as The King.
There seems to have been a bizarre spate of planes and helicopters crashing or being forced to do emergency landings in residential areas this year. The latest incident was reported by Channel 8's "Eyewitness News," which relates how Metro is reporting that a small plane carrying two people is down in the area of Blue Diamond and Grand Canyon. Police say the plane was having engine problems and was attempting to make an emergency landing on SR160. No word yet as to whether anyone was injured.
Today marks the beginning of the annual Age of Chivalry Las Vegas Renaissance Festival in Sunset Park, which runs through Sunday. It's three days of parades, plays, full-contact jousting, tournaments, jugglers, fire-eaters, and much more. Tickets are $10 (children under 5 are free).
The latest stats released by the LVCVA show that Las Vegas visitor volume was up for the 12th consecutive month in August, with 3.5 million tourists coming through Southern Nevada, a 3.5 percent increase on the same month last year.
In even better news, the State Gaming Control Board reports that gaming revenues were also up in August, with an 11.5 percent increase, which ended a five-month trend of declines.
Our apologies for the disappearance of the blogs from the home page once more; we're experiencing ongoing issues with the RSS feed from the site that hosts them and it was causing our home page to take an inordinate amount of time to load. We're looking into the problem, but for now, if you don't already have your favorite blog bookmarked, click here for Jean's Scott's Frugal Vegas and here for David McKee's Stiffs & Georges. "LVA in the Media" can still be accessed via the link under "Features" on the home page.
Following reports yesterday that two buyers were in the market for the debt-laden property (see Today's News 10/7/2010), Penn National announced today that it has acquired M Resort. The buying price was $230.5 million, a huge discount on the $1 billion cost to build the resort. Penn is an experienced and successful operator of regional casinos, which should serve it well in operating the M.
Anthony Curtis has posted the fifth of his season-long football updates at LVASports.com -- get the lowdown on the best (and worst) parties around town, contest updates, and more on our free sports site.
Bloomberg reports that Penn National Gaming Inc. and Leonard Green & Partners LP have submitted offers for the M Resort Spa Casino, according to people with knowledge of the sale. The latter's bid is in partnership with the Marnell family that built the $1 billion development. The bidders have apparently submitted final offers for the 390-room property after multiple auction rounds; the resort is set to be sold for a fraction of its $1 billion cost, according to one of the sources.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board today voted to recommended approval of a gaming license for the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The application will now go before the Nevada Gaming Commission on Oct. 21 to determine whether it should receive the license. The 2,995-room resort, which was purchased in foreclosure in 2008 by Deutsche Bank, will bring 5,000 jobs to Las Vegas, including approximately 1,000 casino positions.
We've posted a new free thread at LVASports.com (there are a total of 20 in the archives now, all accessible to all). Also, be aware that as of October 9, we will be ending the discounted $199 annual membership option, and you'll only be able to sign up month-on-month for $24.95. So, if you've been thinking of joining but haven't gotten around to it, check out the free threads to see the caliber of discussion that you've been missing out on, then sign up before the weekend to take advantage of the discount.
It's not a mass-suicide, but rather part of an effort to raise money for the Special Olympics in Nevada. Sometime tomorrow (we're not sure when, but think early in the morning), more than 40 people, including UFC champ Frank Mir and magician Nathan Burton, will rappel down the Rio hotel tower as part of an event dubbed "Over the Edge." So, don't be alarmed if you happen to be staying at the hotel and see a stranger outside your window. All those taking part were required to raise a minimum of $1,000 to participate. Here's a link to the Fox 5 News website, where you can watch a terrified Amy Carabba attempting a pratice run.
The hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys is going to be turned into a movie, reports the Hollywood Reporter. GK Films has acquired the film rights to the Tony-winning show, which will be adapted for the big screen by the original writers and executive-produced by Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio, the group's keyboardist.
The Plaza downtown, which is planning to close its hotel tower and other sections of the property Nov. 1 to begin extensive renovations, has been the beneficiary of Fontainebleau's financial hardships. The incomplete but furnished Strip resort recently auctioned off its unused contents, just as the Plaza was in the market for new furniture, so the downtown property was able to pick up some very high-end furnishings at a knock-down rate, reports today's Las Vegas Sun.
The valley's third Hash House A Go Go, located in the M Resort, opened for business today, serving "twisted farm food" for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Deutsche Bank, owners of the $3.9 billion Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, are due to meet today with Nevada gambling regulators, who will make a recommendation on whether the resort-casino and its operators should receive a gambling license. If all goes according to plan, the casino's due to open Dec. 15.
As indicated in this column earlier in the week, Atlantic City agreed Tuesday to let state officials take control of the city's finances in an effort to help the beleaguered gambling destination get back on its feet and avoid the substantial tax increases that otherwise would have had to be passed on to residents and businesses. The arrangement will allow the city to gradually close its $9.5 million budget deficit over five years.
Following a flurry of Tweets over the weekend (see "Today's News" 10/4/2010), announcing his filing of a lawsuit against performers Donny & Marie Osmond, their producer Chip Lightman has just released this statement:
"At this time the claim will speak for itself. I am hopeful and optimistic that an amicable resolution will come quickly to this unfortunate situation I never wanted to find myself in."
The attached complaint accuses Donny of being "underhanded, devious, fraudulent and greedy" and Marie of being guilty of the same through her acquiescence. The brother-sister act has yet to respond to the allegations.
We just received a call from our friends at the Golden Gate casino downtown with a big scoop. This coming Monday, Oct. 11, four guys from MTV's "The Buried Life" will take their shot at making a gambling fantasy come true at the expense of Las Vegas' oldest casino. The property's offering them two spins on the roulette wheel for a possible million-dollar payday; if they win, the players will donate their spoils to charity.
Following the premise of carrying out bucket-list-type chores, the show's principals will attempt to turn $250,000 into $1 million by winning two consecutive spins on a Golden Gate roulette wheel (about a 22% chance of success). The "Big Spin" will be open to the public, and will air later this year on MTV. You read it first here.
We can't believe it's that time of year again already, but details of Halloween parties, balls, haunted houses, costume stores, and suchlike are starting to grace our "in" boxes thick and fast, so we just posted the first incarnation of our annual Halloween in Vegas feature in Special Events; keep checking back, as there will be plenty more announcements as the end of the month draws near.
We received the following query from a reader over the weekend:
"Just leaving Stateline. Heard in Jan. they are tearing down Whiskey Pete's and are talking about closing Buffalo Bill's, too. In fact, as we were leaving they were putting locks on the doors... Have you heard anything? I can't find anything on the Web, but I couldn't make reservations for two of the hotels on the Primm site."
Prior to this we had not heard anything, so we attempted to get information from Terrible's but were unable to elicit any comment, which leads us to believe this could be true. No upcoming events are listed on the Primm Valley Resorts website after Thanksgiving. You heard it here first. Watch this space for updates...
We've now heard back from a spokesperson for Primm Valley Resorts, who states that there are no current plans to shut down or demolish any of the properties out there:
"We are adjusting and managing to business levels and have no desire to tear down our properties or close them. We are controlling our occupancy levels midweek at Whiskey Pete’s and condense our guests to the other two properties as needed.:
So, that's the official word, at least for now.
International "celebrity" chef Joël Robuchon, who holds an unrivaled 25 Michelin stars and has two restaurants in Las Vegas -- the eponymous Joël Robuchon and L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, both at MGM Grand -- shares some of his cooking tips in Thursday's Wall Street Journal, available already online. "When a dish works, it works for everyone," comments Robuchon.
For reviews of all Las Vegas' finest dining establishments, plus picks of everything from the best pizza to the best beer, check out our upcoming release, Eating Las Vegas, available now from ShopLVA.com for a special pre-order discount price of just $6.95.
Today's L.A. Times contains an interesting article about the future of smartphones and how the functionality they offer will soon be an itegral part of visitors' Las Vegas experience. MRI offers apps for all its Strip hotels, from Mandalay Bay to Circus Circus, although currently only for Apple's smartphone, while Caesars Palace currently offers a GPS-driven app for iPhone and Droid. "We want to make sure that when you're enjoying your stay at Caesars Palace, all of the information we can offer you is available in your pocket. [You] just pull out your phone," comments Neal Narayani, who oversees mobile marketing for Harrah's Entertainment.
In response to demand from Maui residents, Hawaiian Airlines inaugurated service between Kahului Airport and Las Vegas McCarran Tuesday, offering twice-weekly flights on two-class Boeing 767-300 jets that seat up to 264 passengers.
Channel 8 "Eyewitness News" reports that the city of Las Vegas and its largest union, the Las Vegas City Employees Association, have reached a tentative agreement for workers to switch to a four-day, 38-hour work commencing in January. The proposal could save the city more than $20 million over the next few years, but would see many of the city functions closed on Fridays.
Lead singer Steve Lee of Swiss rock band Gotthard was killed in a motorcycle accident on Interstate 15 between Mesquite and Las Vegas Tuesday when his bike was hit by a semi-truck.
If you aren't currently on any of our mailing lists, you might not have heard about the great new LVA-exclusive $100 free-play offer we have from Terrible's casino. Click here to read Anthony Curtis' explanation of how strong this deal is, then click this link to sign up for a subscription to Las Vegas Advisor, which will entitle you to take advantage of this promotion, plus our annual Member Rewards Book, stuffed full of dining, entertainment, gambling, and room discounts, the monthly newsletter, and lots of additional members-only benefits.
Harrah's Entertainment Inc. and Wynn Resorts have both earned the top score in the 2011 Corporate Equality Index on supporting LGBT rights, reports today's Las Vegas Sun. Both companies scored 100s, while MGM Resorts International scored an 85. Earlier this year MRI was named among the "40 Best Companies For Diversity" by Black Enterprise magazine for the sixth year in succession -- the only gaming company on the list.
It's a close race in the current LVA Reader Poll. Voting closes at midnight PST, so don't miss out on picking whichever personality best personifies Las Vegas for you.
There is talk of possible state assistance and intervention in Atlantic City, in light of the city's $10 million to $15 million budget deficit. There was discussion yesterday between Mayor Lorenzo Langford and Gov. Chris Christie and further talks will take place today. The state has offered to assist the city if it agrees to cede at least some control of its financial management.
It's that time of year again and Anthony Curtis has been all over town checking out the MNF party action. His weekly reports can be found at LVASports.com, including reviews of all the football parties around town, from locals casinos to major gentlemen's clubs.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe storm warning for southern Nevada tonight. McCarran International Airport reports that several outbound and inbound flights have already been delayed due to the storm system, which also sparked a flash flood warning in northeast Clark County until 4:30 p.m.
Access to Lake Mead Recreation Area was closed at Boulder Beach, Lake Mead Parkway, Lake Mead Boulevard, Lakeshore Road, Northshore Road, and Overton and the National Park Service has reported flooding in much of the park and debris covering roads leading to the lake. Please take extra care when driving.
We've just learned that today is both "National Taco Day" and "National Vodka Day." While it would seem more of a natural fit to pair tacos with tequila, we're not complaining. Here's the link to all the coolest bars in Las Vegas, where you can find myriad vodka libations to suit any palette; we still rate the tacos at El Taco Fresco, adjacent to Money Plays bar, as the best in town, especially for the money (99-cents per). Tell them we sent you.
We've had a tremendous response to the current LVA Reader Poll, asking for your pick of which individual best encapsulates your sense of "Las Vegas." The voting closes at midnight tomorrow, so be sure to contribute if you haven't already.
Sasha Grey, adult movie actress and star of HBO's "Entourage," will host the Playboy Club at the Plams on Oct. 9. She graces the cover of the October 2010 Playboy magazine.
Celebrities in town to attend actor Tony Curtis' memorial service today included Kirk Douglas, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian, veteran entertainer Rich Little, and daughter and actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who described her father as, "A little mashugana, but always full of life."
The Associated Press reports that Milton McGregor, the owner of Alabama's largest casino (currently shut down), four state senators, and several top lobbyists have today all been indicted on federal charges accusing them of vote buying in an effort to get a bill passed that would have legalized electronic bingo. More on this breaking story as developments are announced.
1 and 1 Hosting is back up, so you can once more access David McKee's Stiffs & Georges, Jean's Scott's Frugal Vegas, and LVA in the Media.
Our apologies for the absence of LVA's three blogs, "Stiffs & Georges," "Frugal Vegas," and "LVA in the Media." This is due to technical problems currently being experienced by the off-site server that hosts these blogs and is, unfortunately, beyond our control. We hope normality will be restored soon.
We can confirm that the Cloud Nine balloon ride is back in action after a long hiatus due to severe storm damage earlier this year. The re-launch was postponed a couple of times, but the giant helium balloon opposite Mandalay Bay resumed operations last week. There will likely be no rides today, due to storm warnings, and for the next couple weeks the final ride will be at 6 p.m.; thereafter, the prior schedule of 10 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays, and till midnight on Friday and Saturday, will be restored. Don't forget there's a twofer/50%-off coupon in the 2010 Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book.
Producer Chip Lightman is suing performers Donny & Marie, whose show performs at the Flamingo. The sibling duo claim that their contract with the ex-Danny Gans producer is up and that they don't intend to renew; Lightman claims they have two years left to run and is threatening to cooperate with a "tell-all" book.
Meanwhile, singer Marley Taylor has announced her departure from Zowie Bowie, which performed its last gig with her at Red Rock last Friday. Taylor split with ZB partner Chris Philips some months back, but the pair had continued to perform together. The singer is now pursuing other interests with The David Perrico Group, which just landed a residency at the Tropicana (see September issue of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter -- members only).
At least that's the word from USA Today, who's weekend-edition list of "51 Great Burger Joints" list's a Reno product from Nevada. The Little Nugget Diner, located near the University of Nevada, has been in business since the early '50s and is known for its Awful Awful Burger, which costs $6.50.
Just a reminder that the public memorial services for the Oscar-nominated star will be held tomorrow from 11 a.m. at Palm Mortuary & Cemetery in Green Valley.
The free Pick the Pros contest is in this month's Las Vegas Advisor Top Ten Values as the best football-contest value in town. You can enter it up till the start of today's first games at any Coast casino. Just find a kiosk and swipe your players club card to get three free entries.
Michael Konik, best-selling author of our new Reefer Gladness title, will be hosting a book signing today at the Borders Bookstore in Summerlin (10950 W. Charleston Blvd.) at 4:20 p.m.
Screw Balls bar has 25-cent draft beers during today's college games. Screw Balls is located on Warm Springs Rd., just off Las Vegas Blvd., about two miles south of the Mandalay Bay. They also have the 25-cent deal from 5 to 11 p.m. on Fridays.
Big Dog's Draft House (Rancho and Craig) hosts a DOGtober Beer Fest and Brat party today from 2-8 p.m., with more than 25 different draft beers, plus bratwurst, knackwurst, frankfurters, Bavarian-style pretzels, and kraut. There's an after-party from 9 p.m., too, with live music.
Tonight marks the first anniversary of The Playground, the adult-entertainment complex on W. Russell that features Crazy Horse III gentlemen's club, the Rock Room live-music venue, Sushi Avenue, plus a hookah lounge and after-hours club. The festivities will include a sponsored open bar from 8-10 p.m. and a performance by Heather Chadwell of "Rock of Love." For the full lowdown on the Las Vegas strip club scene, check out the new handy-sized Topless Vegas Pocket Guide, available from ShopLVA.com for just $5.95.
Not only does today mark the debut of Frightdome 2010, the annual scary incarnation of Adventuredome, but this Halloween season, the 13th floor at Circus Circus has been transformed into a haunted tour, featuring 13 rooms decked out with creepy hotel furniture that comes to life, a séance to contact former guests, and other spookiness. This 13-minute interactive experience is open daily from 2-10 p.m. and tickets are $13 -- naturally. It's not suitable for children under the age of 12. For more information, please call 702/691-5898 or visit circuscircus.com/haunted tour.
Michael Konik, author of Man With the $100,000 Breasts and Telling Lies and Getting Paid, will be a guest on KNPR's "State of Nevada" at 10 a.m. this morning, discussing his newest book, Reefer Gladness: Stories, Essays, and Riffs on Marijuana. He'll be signing copies of the book this evening from 7 p.m. at the Bluebird Cafe as part of First Friday. You can also read an interview with Konik in today's Las Vegas Sun.