My doctor says it behooves me to take it easy, so that can mean only one thing … news briefs!
If you were waiting for Native American tribes to put down roots in Las Vegas, wait no longer. Virgin Hotels has contracted with Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment to run the soon-to-be-former Hard Rock Hotel in Sin City. We 
think this is a good decision, as it pairs Virgin with a seasoned, successful gaming operator, to say nothing of availing Mohegan of the Virgin brand (perhaps in Bridgeport). Virgin couldn’t be coming to Las Vegas in more auspicious fashion. Don’t expect any overnight changes at the HRH: Scott Roeben tells the world that the transition won’t be finished until August of next year. Besides, the Mohegan-owned Connecticut Sun of the WNBA will get no nearer to the new-look Virgin Hotel than Mandalay Event Center.
* Better count out the casino cage at MGM Resorts International properties. A sports bettor received a check from MGM that bounced not once but twice, according to KTNV-TV. Does the Nevada Gaming Control Board need to investigate?
* Watching construction in progress is a sure cure for sleepless. Thus insomniacs will be gladdened to know that Derek Stevens has set up a construction camera at Circa. There’s a catch (of course): You have to sign up for Circa’s e-mail list, ensuring that you’ll be inundated with junk mail.
* The change of SLS Las Vegas to Sahara (again) is the worst-kept secret in Sin City. That, however, does not stop Alex Meruelo from holding an “exclusive reveal party,” streamed on social media. Grab yourself as many SLS souvenirs are you can before they become historical curious.
* First, the good news. Phoenicians will have a new alternative for getting to Las Vegas when Frontier Airlines incepts service on Sept. 6. The carrier is kicking off with a special, $29, promotional rate. Now for the bad news. You’ll be sandbagged with hidden fees, like asking for a seat assignment. Don’t want to pay to check baggage, fine. You’ll be charged for your carry-on baggage, too. It’s another step in the airline trend to offer the least amount of service for the greatest amount of money.
* Getting older has its perks. The Orleans is offering $4 movie tickets plus a comped lunch or dinner … provided you rack up one tier point ($5) in play. Time to hit those slots! Speaking of senior citizens, Peachy, the flamingo at the Flamingo Las Vegas, turned 21 last week. Congratulations, Peachy. Long may you reign.
* The Plaza is staging a July 4 pool party. The festivities start at 5 p.m., one hour later there’s a hot-dog-eating contest (gross!), then you can swim or 
shake, shake, shake your booty until the annual fireworks launch brings the event to a climax. Las Vegas, incidentally, was ranked the fifth-best city in which to celebrate the Fourth, according to WalletHub. True, Vegas rates a dismal 55th for walkability and 21st in average beer and wine prices. But it notches top marks for availability of fireworks, prevalence of 4.5-star hotel rooms and lowest price of a three-star hotel room. Who said you couldn’t find a bargain in Las Vegas anymore? Incidentally, the value of American flags imported from overseas exceeds $5 million, with most of them coming from China. We’ll just let that irony sink in.
* Story of the week: Awwwww! Prepare to have the cockles of your heart warmed.
