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Holly Madison Goes Goo-Goo Ga-Ga over Candy Necklaces in Las Vegas

Former Hugh Hefner flame, reality TV beauty and Las Vegas “Peepshow” star Holly Madison will unveil her new line of candy necklaces at the Sugar Factory inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Friday, May 21 at 5 p.m. 

 A longtime Sugar Factory fam, Madison approached the confection company to collaborate on a signature version of her favorite sweet treat, the candy necklace. 

Madison will be filming the candy necklace launch for her new E! reality TV series, “Holly’s World.” 

Sugar Factory isn’t your average sweet spot. The brand has made confections part of popular culture and has turned sweets into the latest designer accessory. Sugar Factory’s signature Couture Pop collections have already hit the red carpets in the hands of celebrities at major events in Miami, Los Angeles, New York City and Las Vegas. 

Kim Kardashian, the Pussycat Dolls and Britney Spears are now endorsing their very own Couture Pops, and are just part of the buzz that has made Sugar Factory a national media sensation in People, OK!, Us Weekly, In Touch Weekly, NBC’s “Today” show and more. 

The Sugar Factory offers everyone an opportunity for a sweet escape. For more information please visit www.SugarFactory.com.

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Miss USA Pageant Contestants Vie for Porn Star Honors in Las Vegas

Remember when Miss USA Pageant contestants once wanted to cure cancer and be the first female president?  Or do you recall when swimsuits and two-piece bathing suits were all the rage? Well, get with the times– that was so last century! This year’s Miss USA pageant is trying to boost rapidly sagging television ratings by promoting its upcoming pageant with an erotically explosive expose of the contestants shown in busty and skimpy photos and videos. 

A pageant spokeswoman calls the underwear photos tasteful. The contenders for the pageant title ALL dream of being Victoria’s Secret Angels, reveals pageant president Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, which operates the Miss USA pageant. 

“They’re not looking to bring peace to the world,” Shugart explained to Today Show co-host Matt Lauer on May 11. That’s why it was not just OK, but it actually made sense to have the 51 contestants photographed in bust- and leg-revealing, bras, panties, fish-net stockings and open men’s shirts, while laying on beds and chaise lounges, for their pageant promo shoots. 

The “come hither” black and white photos make the contestants look more like members of Tiger Woods‘ harem than the young ladies who supposedly combine beauty and brains we’re used to seeing in pageants.  

The tenuous line between wholesome family entertainment and soft porn has now, apparently, been obliterated- one for the dusty history books. 

Girls in bikinis appear chaste and sublime next to this year’s crop of potential Miss USAs, who are adorned in masses of long wild hair, heavy smoky make-up and pouty lipstick, sprawled seductively on beds. 

But pageant officials are quick to point out that the seductive shoots were all voluntary and had no force or effect on the judging.  Yeah, right.  Nearly all contestants participated.

Swirling controversy, however, has been common fodder for the pageant as of late.

Former pageant winner and now judge Tara Connor says she doesn’t have a problem with the revealing looks, questioning why many have their “panties in wad.” She nearly lost her crown after reports of substance abuse cropped up in 2006 and even had to go into rehab. 

The next year, Miss Nevada, Katie Rees, lost her title after racy photographs surfaced on the Internet.

And last year, Miss California, Carrie Prejean, got into some trouble for comments against gay marriage — and her own set of racy photos appeared.  Eventually, she was fired. 

Pageant owner and well-quaffed Donald Trump seems to feel that the sexed-up look is necessary for the contestants if the pageant is going to compete for ratings on TV. He says he has no problem with the pictures. He calls them “a little bit sexy” and is glad people will be watching.

“If you look at Miss America, it’s now off network television,” Donald told the New York Daily News

So, BFFs — wanting to be a beautiful brain surgeon who happens to also look good in elbow-length gloves and a ball gown just isn’t enough to compete in a beauty pageant anymore. 

You also have to be willing to crouch on a bed, pouting on all fours in Madonna-style soft-core porn pics. 

“There used to be an idea that pageants … were about upstanding young women with a future and it wasn’t at all surprising to find a woman of stature in public life, in government or corporate America who had a pageant tucked into her resumé,” says Pamela Paul, author of Pornified. ”There was an idea that pageant contestants could be well-rounded woman with ambition. This ad campaign chucks aside any other qualifications than they look good in a bra.” 

On the Miss Universe/Miss USA website for the 51 contestants, brief bios list their ages, hometowns- and nothing else. They do, however, all get star ratings. Interestingly, the top-rated contestant was Miss Louisiana, Sara Brooks, a 21-year-old from Lafayette who happens to be the most clothed of all of the 51 contenders. Maybe people do like having pageant beauty leave a little something to the imagination and just maybe they would like them to be brain surgeons as well as beauties after all? 

Just a few decades ago, more than 20 million viewers watched women in one-piece bathing suits in the Miss America pageant. But as the suits got skimpier, that portion of the competition was downplayed — and viewers fled. That contest is now off the air, a fate Miss USA is trying to avoid like the plague- at any cost.

“Any press is good press,” Conner admits. “So — keep talking!” 

NBC’s “59th Annual Miss USA Pageant,” which will broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on May 16 (7-9 p.m. ET). 

Tickets to the Miss USA Preliminary and Finals competitions at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com and at (800) 745-3000. 

{Pictured is Miss USA 2010 contender Nicole Johnson from California.}

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Mystery Surrounds Death of Pro Golfer Erica Blasberg in Las Vegas Suburb

Pro golfer Erica Blasberg, according to most accounts, had much going for her in life and was well liked by her golfing peers, friends and family. 

Blasberg played her only L.P.G.A. Tour event this year just two weeks ago in Mexico and tied for 44th place. 

Blasberg found great golfing success in college, winning six times in two years at the University of Arizona and then turned pro and played on the Curtis Cup team in 2004. 

One of the most photogenic women’s golfers in the country, she also inked an endorsement deal with Puma. In addition, Erica competed favorably in the L.P.G.A. Championship, U.S. Women’s Open, Women’s British Open, and Kraft Nabisco Championship. 

But last Sunday something turned horribly – and deathly -wrong.  

Henderson, Nevada police spokesman Keith Paul would only say they are continuing to investigating the 25-year-old American’s sudden and untimely death on Sunday, adding it was not immediately clear whether foul play was involved.  

The virtual freeze of information from the Henderson Police Department about her death has fueled rampant speculation.  They only say that it was not a suicide. 

TMZ, citing Erica’s father, also proclaimed that it was not a suicide. 

HLN host Nancy Grace took it a step further: “Found dead, possibly smothered to death in the bedroom of her desert home,” Grace said on her recent show. 

Erica had withdrawn in recent months, not updating her website, Facebook or Twitter accounts. 

Paul said police responded to a 911 call and were dispatched to Blasberg’s suburban three-bedroom house in Henderson, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas, around 3 p.m. last Sunday. Paul declined to say who made the call, saying it was part of the investigation.  

But, since then, knowledgeable sources have came forward saying the call was made by a male golfer, yet unnamed, who was inside her home at the time. 

Blasberg, whose bags were packed and waiting to go on her next L.P.G.A. tournament in Alabama this week, according to her agent, Chase Callahan, also reportedly text messaged her caddie hours before her death, saying she would not be at the tournament.  

The caddie, Missy Pederson, recently told the New York Times that Blasberg said she wasn’t going to play at this week’s Bell Micro L.P.G.A. Classic in Mobile, Alabama. 

Because the message was sent in the middle of the night, Pederson said she was worried and texted back a question about whether Blasberg was all right–  and the 25-year-old golfer never replied. 

Pederson normally caddies for Irene Cho. Cho told the Times she and Blasberg had made plans to have dinner Sunday night in Mobile, the night before Blasberg faced a qualifying round. 

Cho said Blasberg was unhappy with her golf game lately. 

“She was kind of down on herself,” Cho said. “She was upset how she played last year. I told her she has so much talent and so much beauty and so many people who love her. I didn’t want her to lose sight of all that.” 

Her dad, Mel Blasberg, says Las Vegas had become a “bad influence” and a “distraction,” and she was considering moving back home to California.  Despite this, he seems to believe it wasn’t suicide saying Erica was upbeat during practice at Southern Highlands Country Club in Henderson just days before she was found dead. 

“I never saw her more positive,” says Blasberg.  “This was a very motivated person to get to Alabama this week.” 

Police will not say how Blasberg died and the Clark County coroner only said the autopsy results were inconclusive and that determining the cause of death through blood and tissue tests could take 4-6 weeks. 

L.P.G.A. spokesman David Higdon called Blasberg’s death a “tough hit” for women’s golf. “She was a very popular player and well-liked and we’re going to miss her,” Higdon said, adding, “This is a very close-knit group of players and tour and we’re saddened by what happened.”

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Economy-Busting $40,000 Motel Rooms in Las Vegas

A library with dark, wood-paneled walls and a bookcase filled with leather-bound books sits adjacent to a regal living room at Caesars Palace’s Octavius Tower. You’d almost forget you were in Las Vegas if not for the tanning pool patrons outside the window. 

The antique-looking books in the library are seldom used, but they add to the villa’s residential illusion. So does the formal dining room that seats 12 and the media room with movie theater-style seating. 

The centerpiece of each villa is the patio overlooking the pool area. The villas opened last fall, but the new Garden of the Gods pool just began to welcome summer visitors. 

The three massive villas are the newest suites at Caesars Palace. With nearly 10,000 square feet of space, they’re some of the most opulent and largest suites on the Las Vegas Strip. The villas are on the second floor of Caesars’ unfinished Octavius Tower and are part of the resort’s long line of over-the-top suites.

 From the private elevator to the 24-hour butler service, everything about the Octavius villas feels exclusive, including the price tag. The cost for a night is $40,000. The price isn’t recession-friendly, but their patrons aren’t exactly struggling in today’s economy. 

The Octavius villas feel more like miniature mansions than hotel suites. Caesars spent about $15 million on each villa – a total of $45 million – to accomplish that goal. The villas are a collection of eclectic furnishings and faux artifacts, giving the feel of a collector’s well-kept home. 

Wilson & Associates designed each suite with an individual identity — an opulent Grecian palace, an Old World Spanish home and a Parisian luxury apartment.

The design firm is responsible for other suites at Caesars, as well as the fantasy suites at the Palms and the rooms and lobby at The Venetian. 

At 9,930 square feet, the Greek-style villa, which Caesars Palace dubs “Constantine,” is the largest of the three. The four-bedroom villa is far from subtle, but it’s subtly Greek with its fake marble columns and terracotta painted vases. 

After stepping off the private elevator into the marble foyer of the Greek villa, guests will find a formal sitting room, a grand Steinway piano and working fireplace. On the other side of the hall are rooms with a pool table, a restaurant-sized bar and a theater. 

Down a long hallway there are four bedrooms, each the size of a large hotel room, with walk-in closets and their own bathrooms. With custom marble and mosaics, no two bathrooms in the three villas have the same stonework. 

Inside the Greek villa, the master suite’s bathroom is almost as large as the bedroom itself. The bathroom is covered in green and beige marble and features his and her toilets, sinks and vanities. It also has a steam shower, towel-warming racks and flat-screen TVs, among other amenities. A marble-topped tub with gold-plated fixtures is the centerpiece of the lavish master bath. 

As trivial as they seem, the toilets are often the talk of the suites.  They’re controlled by remotes, function as bidets, have heated seats and the lid opens as guests approach. There’s never a reason to touch the toilet seat. 

The villas are filled with quirks galore: mirrors that turn into TVs, pianos that play themselves and chairs that massage to the beat of an iPod’s song. A networked system allows the butler to control every device in the villa. 

Though the three villas have different design schemes, they have similar amenities. The French villa is light and airy. The Spanish villa is designed with distressed wood throughout the main rooms. 

Off each living room is the patio that overlooks the pools. Each patio includes a fire pit, dining table and a private Jacuzzi. 

The view of Flamingo Road is less impressive. Those views are reserved for penthouses and other suites higher than the pool level. The resort’s two 10,000-square-foot penthouses in the Forum Tower are still the largest suites at the resort. Caesars Palace now has 11 villas, 11 penthouses and about 200 suites.

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Feel No Pain: Get Uncork’d in Las Vegas

For the next four days you can attend the largest foodie event ever held in Las Vegas, if not the Western world: Vegas Uncorked, sponsored by Bon Appetit.

The event officially kicks off at 4 p.m. today when French superchef Alain Ducasse performs the champagne uncorking with a saber at his Mix restaurant and lounge atop The Hotel at Mandalay Bay.

The festival takes place May 6-9, with the signature event being a “Grand Tasting” ($175) on May 7 at the Garden of the Gods in Caesars Palace.  That event will feature chef Hubert Keller serving.

Not everyone has the chance—or wherewithal—to dine at the restaurants of chefs such as Joël Robuchon, Guy Savoy, Bobby Flay or François Payard, but they all will be there (along with about 60 other celebrated chefs) displaying and offering up their delicious wares.

Among the events on May 8 are the Ultimate All-Star Interactive Luncheon ($195) at Encore; Culinary Theater: All the Kitchen’s a Stage ($95) at RM Seafood; and the Wine Immersion Experience ($75) at Bellagio.

The lineup of celebrated chefs who have Las Vegas restaurants includes Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, Paul Bartolotta, Julian Serrano, Todd English, Luciano Pellegrini and Charlie Palmer.

Tickets are going fast; please go to www.vegasuncorked.com for further information.

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Sean “Diddy” Combs Las Vegas Appearance Causes Red Carpet Cancellation

During Saturday’s Shane Mosely and Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s after-fight hosting appearance by Sean “Diddy” Combs at Eva Langoria’s Parker’s Eve nightclub in Las Vegas, the crowd was so huge at Crystals (CityCenter) that management was forced to cancel the red carpet event to ensure fan safety. 

“There are 6,000 people outside Eve now,” Diddy tweeted. 

Among the attendees:  TI, Gabrielle Union, Swizz Beatz and Nelly. 

Meanwhile, dining at Eva Langoria Parker’s Beso Restaurant (CityCenter), Paris and Nicky Hilton were spotted, who later partied at Tao (The Venetian), while down the Strip, Mya hosted the evening at Pure nightclub (Caesars Palace).

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Steve Wynn’s Fling is Kaput

Billionaire Las Vegas and Macau hotel and casino mogul Steve Wynn, 68, and his British girlfriend, Andrea Hissom, right, 46, have split, according to multiple sources. 

Their parting comes a little more than a year after their romance, which bloomed on the French Riviera, became public. 

Wynn and former wife Elaine were divorced Jan. 5, and she received a settlement that Steve Wynn, who became a billionaire in 2004, confirmed was one of the largest in U.S. history. 

There was a recent spat, and Hissom, the mother of two teenage sons, has apparently returned to London, sources said. 

Wynn and Hissom lived in a luxiorious villa on the Wynn Las Vegas property, a long walk from the villa occupied by Elaine Wynn. 

In a recent interview that appeared in Sunday’s South China Morning Post, Steve Wynn acknowledged that the two women have not met. “Elaine does not want to meet Andrea,” he told the newspaper and saying he and Elaine had split a year before he met Hissom. 

During the interview, it was clear he was still smitten with Hissom.  “I get to go to bed at night with this lady who is sweet and perfect,” he says. “She’s 46 but looks 18. She is genetically lucky. I grew up with Elaine.” 

Elaine told the newspaper, “I am mourning the loss of the dream as much as the man, but I do not feel like a victim in any way.”

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Gloria and Emilio Estafan Receive Las Vegas Star

Gloria and Emilio Estefan were honoured with a Las Vegas walk of fame entertainment star, the first for the celebrated Latino music icons.  Following two days of fanfare, a star was placed in their honour on the Las Vegas Strip sidewalk on Friday. 

Famed producer and musician Emilo Estefan told The Associated Press that the award was special to him because it is the first time he and his wife have received a star as a couple, and it comes from Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world.

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Playboy’s Playmate of the Year to be Vetted in Las Vegas

Playboy’s Playmate of the Year will be announced at the Palms Casino & Resort in Las Vegas for the second year in a row on May 15.  This time it’s in the Rain nightclub instead of a ballroom and it’s open to the public.

Grammy winner Robin Thicke will perform and Pamela Anderson will be among those to receive an honor.  Tickets: $38 general admission; $69 for floor seats.

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A Bronx Tale Spins in Las Vegas

Chazz Palminteri was sitting on the front stoop of his parents’ apartment block, minding his own business, when shots were fired during a fight over a nearby parking space. A man was murdered right in front of him, and young Palminteri’s life changed forever.

Palminteri used the shocking event as an inspiration and wrote a screenplay called A Bronx Tale about his growing up in world filled with crime, gambling and gangsters. In 1993, the play was made into a movie, directed by and starring Robert De Niro.

Now an Academy Award-nominated actor himself, Palminteri revisits his checkered past in his one-man version of A Bronx Tale at the Venetian Showroom in Las Vegas.

The production sees Palminteri retrace his steps and navigate the rough streets of ’60s-era New York, as he is forced to choose between the law-abiding life of his father and the lifestyle of a local mobster.

Palminteri premiered his production at the Venetian last year, and he brings it back for a second 11-night running now through May 9. 8 p.m., $45.75, dark April 30 and May 7.

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FREE Comic Book Day Today in Las Vegas and the World

In the world of comic books, the first Saturday of May is akin to a national holiday. That’s because every year since 2002, comic book shops around the world have taken the day to celebrate Free Comic Book Day, an event centered on exactly what it sounds like: 100 percent free comics. 

It’s a dual-purpose occasion: to encourage reading, especially by youngsters, and to familiarize people with their local comic book retailer. What started as a grassroots effort is now supported by—along with publishers, retailers and suppliers—Diamond Comic Distributors, the company responsible for filling most specialty store racks and shelves with comics, graphic novels and collectibles.

Publishers use the day as an opportunity to introduce new readers to their titles and characters, often reprinting No. 1 issues and creating special, new comics exclusive to the event. Alternate Reality Comics owner Ralph Mathieu recommends the Iron Man/Thor special from Marvel Comics, the Radical Comics “Bigger Books! Bigger Value!” sampler and the “Overstreet Guide to Collecting Comics.”

Here are just some of the highlights of the participating Las Vegas stores: 

Maximum Comics.  One of Vegas’ most popular stores, it will have costumed guests, including the Neon Garrison, the local chapter of famed Star Wars costuming group 501st Legion, free snacks, candy and sodas, a raffle featuring prizes from GameStop, Panera Bread and Regal Cinemas, and, of course, a huge sale on non-free merchandise. 5130 S. Fort Apache Road 

Alternate Reality Comics. The Valley’s most indie-friendly shop is focusing on the comics themselves, unleashing a plethora of back issues and overstock titles in front of the store for a deep-discounted sidewalk sale. 4800 S. Maryland Parkway 

Wishing Well Comics.  Formerly known as Dreamwell Comics, this is one of the oldest comic bookstores in Vegas, and as usual, will host one of its 25-cent sidewalk sales featuring boxes of old and new comics, as well as 15 percent off everything in the store. 5706 W. Charleston Blvd.

Comic Oasis.  Northwest Valley residents will find plenty of goodies at this area favorite, including 20 percent off graphic novels, 50 percent off T-shirts, signed merchandise up for raffle and members of the 501st Legion. 3121 N. Rainbow Blvd.

Avatar Comics and Games.  In addition to the Free Comic Book Day titles, Avatar will feature a storewide sale with up to 40 percent off comic-related merchandise, raffle prizes, costumed characters and ice cream samples from Dairy Queen. 881 S. Rainbow Blvd. 

To locate a participating store near you or to preview this year’s FCBD comics, visit www.freecomicbookday.com

Come one, come all, for after all, Comic Book Day unleashes the inner child in all of us.

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Michael Jackson had a Gay Lover?

Since his death last year, every nutjob has come forward claiming to be Michael Jackson’s kid/wife/sperm donor/spiritual vessel.  So it’s surprising it has taken this long for anyone to put their hand up and say they were his gay lover. 

Jason Pfeiffer, a heavyset man in his mid-30s, was the former assistant to MJ’s dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein and now has come forward claiming he was the Pop King’s boyfriend.  

Dr. Klein claims he saw the couple together while Jackson was shirtless, adding, “When you see two people looking at each other you know what’s happening. I was just very happy for both of them.”

Klein, a lontigme confidant of Jackson’s, was rumored to be the biological father of the singer’s two older children, Prince and Paris. 

Pfeiffer, now a CEO of a medical company, says he began a “passionate and sexual” relationship with Jackson shortly after they met in 2008 in Klein’s office and continued up until Jackson’s death last June. 

“We were very close,” Pfeiffer reveals in an exclusive interview last night with “Extra” entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs. “I know we loved each other. I know he told me that all the time. I told him that all the time. I believe that he was probably my soul mate,” said Pfeiffer. 

The two reportedly bonded while talking about their childhoods. 

“We were just sitting there and we both started to cry and I got up and went over to him and said it’s going to be okay Michael… We hugged,” Pfeiffer adds. “And it was kind of then that the hug was a little bit more. It wasn’t until a few months later that it was obvious that Michael had feelings for me as well.” 

As to Michael’s denials that he was gay, Pfeiffer says, “I just assumed that he was probably bisexual.” 

Pfeiffer believes Michael would approve of him setting the record straight.

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Criss Angel Wins “Magician of the Century” Award

Las Vegas magician and illusionist and Luxor headliner Criss Angel has won the “Magician of the Century” award, which was presented to him after Angel’s second “Believe” show this Tuesday by Tony Hassini, founder of the International Magicians Society. 

Hassini was at the center of a controversy last year when questions arose after his society reportedly honored three different female magicians as the top female magicians of the year for 2008, including former Las Vegas headliner “Scarlett — Princess of Magic.”

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‘Stripper-Mobile’ Putt-Putts Back to Las Vegas

The creator of the “stripper-mobile” plans to bring it back to Las Vegas but officials say they’ll try to enact a permanent ban on the traveling nudie show. 

Larry Beard, the creator of the innovative truck featuring strippers dancing in the back in a lighted Plexiglas box to advertise local strip clubs, said he wants to bring it back after their national “tour” to participate in Las Vegas’ April 30 Pride Parade. 

The truck debuted in November 2009 with dancers from the Deja Vu and Little Darlings strip clubs, but when Clark County commissioners complained, Beard took it off the streets. 

Since then, the truck has gone to New Orleans for the National Football Conference championship game, then to Miami for the Super Bowl. It also spent some time in Tampa Bay and St. Louis. 

“I’d like to run it up and down the road {in Las Vegas} a couple times,” Beard said. “If I get half a chance, you know, I will.” 

Clark County Commission members say they want to rewrite an existing law to keep the “stripper-mobile” off the Sin City streets for good.

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Harrah’s Entertainment Expands Rewards Program to Nongamblers

Each day in Las Vegas tens of thousands people spend oodles of money on nongaming activities.   Knowing this, Harrah’s Entertainment has recently come up with a new revenue enhancing idea- expanding their rewards programs to nongamblers. 

Customers signed up on the programs can now earn a reward point for every dollar spent in stores and restaurants at Harrah’s casinos.  Although the largest chunk of overall casino revenue is generated by gambling, that amount is falling as other segments, including rooms and drinks, is growing at warp speed.

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Las Vegas Gay Pride Parade and Festival on April 30

Las Vegas Gay Pride is built around two key events: the Las Vegas Pride Parade, held on Friday, April 30, at 8 pm; and the Las Vegas Pride Festival, which takes place the following day, Saturday, May 1, from noon until 10 pm. Keep in mind, though, that there are a number of smaller gatherings and parties leading up to the big weekend – here’s a full calendar

Las Vegas’ first Gay Pride took place in 1983 – there’s a nice synopsis of the event’s history on the Pride Las Vegas website.

More than 10,000 people attended in 2009. 

Las Vegas performer Frank Marino acts will be the Grand Marshal on Friday during the Gay Pride Parade in downtown Las Vegas.    

The Pride Parade takes place in downtown Las Vegas at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 30. The parade route is along 4th Street from Charleston Blvd. to Ogden Avenue.

In 2009, organizers added a Parade Pre-Party, which takes place on Friday at 5:30 pm in the pedestrianized Fremont Experience section of downtown’s historic Fremont Street. 

The Las Vegas Pride Festival is set at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater at 500 S. Grand Parkway on Sat., May 1 from noon until 10. This action-packed, all-day event always features a slew of notable entertainers. 

Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Please check local gay papers and websites, such as Q Vegas and GayLasVegas.com, for details.

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Spinning Out of Control in Las Vegas

If you’ve driven through any major intersection in Las Vegas (or even along roads around the country) you’ve likely encountered one of them. They’re pumped up, rhythmic, sweating and holding (or spinning, or jumping over) some kind of sign while trying to make eye contact. In the industry they’re known as “human directionals,” and they take many forms—ranging from a man in an Astro Boy costume with a “COLONICS!” sign at Green Valley Parkway and Interstate 215 to Pelvis Cleansly, the colonics-crooner dressed like Elvis who works for A Gentle Cleanse on Wigwam Parkway and Pecos Road.

While we’re a bit, uh, murky on why human directionals point toward colonics so frequently, we do know this: Sign spinners are about more than clean colons. They’re used by all kinds of businesses. And in Las Vegas, they’re perennial.

A variety of companies offer the services of human directionals, a.k.a. sign twirlers or sign wavers. EyeShot, for example, lays claim to being the “original human directional company,” having been in the directional business for more than 26 years. EyeShot works with local businesses to pair them with its attentiongetting sign spinners.

The four or five times a year Cricket Communications uses human directionals from EyeShot, the business has a noticeable increase in traffic, says Traci Holman, office manager for Cricket in Las Vegas. “It drives business,” she says.

Sign spinners who work for Aarrow Advertising, which is based in San Diego but operates in Las Vegas and 26 other cities, puts its spinners through a boot camp. By the time they’ve hit the street corners they’ve learned up to 500 tricks out of Aarrow’s “tricktionary,” with names such as the Bruce Lee, the Helicopter and Jump Rope.

But it’s not just about the tricks, according to Joe Ambert, director of business operations for Aarrow. A large amount of training is devoted to the presentation of the sign—how to freeze it and give each of the thousands of passing cars time to read it. That personal touch, he says, is key.

“Traditional forms of advertising are becoming obsolete almost—radio, TV, print,” Ambert says. “Nowadays you have to have something new, you have to stay on top of it. Having street-level advertising that’s targeting the people one by one, or hitting each single target it really causes them to remember the message.” For five years, sign spinner and Aarrow director of training Johnny Aarrow (who legally had his name changed because, he says, he loves being a sign spinner) has worked to share many messages.

But to hear him talk, he’s received at least as much as he’s given.

“On a good day it gets to the level you would see at a concert when someone’s performing onstage,” he says. “There’s 10, 20 people leaning out of their cars screaming, ‘Yeah! That’s awesome!’ And we get tips and, I don’t know how appropriate this is, but I’ve definitely had a couple of people flash me on the corner. It’s full-scale performance. I put everything I have into it and I think people recognize that.”

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Indians End Blood Feud

The University of Arizona has agreed to pay $700,000 to 41 Havasupai tribal citizens to settle claims that the university misused DNA samples given by tribe members over a decade ago. 

In 1989, some members of the small Grand Canyon-based Havasupai Indian tribe gave their blood to university researchers in order to participate in diabetes study. Tribal members later learned that samples of their DNA, without their knowledge or approval, had been analysed further, and played a key role in research conducted on schizophrenia, inbreeding, and one study even supported the Bering Strait Land Bridge theory. 

In addition to monetary compensation and returning blood samples, both ASU and ABOR formally apologized to the Havasupai tribe for the alleged wrong doing. 

Other important provisions of the agreement included a promise to collaborate with the Indians on various issues including health, education, economic development and engineering planning.

Also, a third party funding for a health clinic and high school is in the offing. 

Among the immediate gains will be tele-medicine services for Havasupai citizens, and scholarships for tribal members at ASU, the University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University. 

The tribe had originally asked for $50 million in its pre-litigation claim, and individuals who filed the other separate lawsuit sought $10 million. 

Carletta Tilousi, the lead plaintiff in the case and a tribal council woman, said she hopes the settlement will make a statement on behalf of all indigenous people that their cultures should be respected, not analysed by scientists.

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Cirque du Soleil’s New Michael Jackson Show in Las Vegas

Cirque du Soleil has confirmed months of rumors and announced plans to unveil a Michael Jackson-based show in 2011 in Las Vegas. Shows, actually—there will be two of them.

The first, a touring arena show, will debut next fall and get “an extended run” in Las Vegas before the permanent Jackson show opens in late 2012.

Assuming none of the existing shows—KÀ, The Beatles Love, O, Mystère, Zumanity, Believe or Viva Elvis—don’t close between now and then, the incoming MJ spectacle will make the eighth resident Cirque show in Las Vegas.

Cirque is keeping tight-lipped about where the show will be housed, among other facts, but its promised “special lifestyle projects, including a nightclub.”  Rumors say the show will be at Mandalay Bay.

The new show announcement comes less than a year after Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009. 

Michael Jackson’s estate will receive royalties from the projects—but it will also share in half the costs of “creating, developing, building and producing” the shows, too.

The size and scope of the Cirque show will be unprecedented, including larger than life 3-D technology and most likely the largest budget for any Las Vegas show.

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“The Hills” Returns to MTV as Heidi Montag Reveals New Body

“The Hills” will be returning for one last season when it premieres Monday, April 27 on MTV. The final 12 episodes of the long-running series will deal with rumors about Kristin Cavallari, the brief return of Lauren Conrad and the ongoing drama that is Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt. The trailer for the final season hints at both marriage trouble and the controversy surrounding Montag’s series of plastic surgeries, which have severely altered her appearance. 

Montag, whose album Superficial has stalled despite early buzz, unveiled her new body – which has not stalled – in Las Vegas on April 10 when she donned a bikini to sit poolside at the Liquid Pool at Aria at CityCenter.

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Entertainment & Exercise Collide in AIDS Walk in Las Vegas on April 25

Entertainment and exercise collide for a good cause at the 20th annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas on April 25.

The event, starring Penn & Teller as grand marshals, gets under way at 8 a.m. at the World Market Center.

The illusionists once again challenge the 8,000 or so walkers to take their “Team Challenge,” vowing to match all donations. Last year, P&T raised more than $120,000, and the entire walk raised about $550,000.

Cher’s director and choreographer, Doriana Sanchez, will perform at this year’s event, as will Peepshow’s Josh Strickland, and DJ Axis.

The walk, AFAN’s largest fundraiser, helps support those infected with HIV and AIDS in Southern Nevada.

Although registration is free, a minimum donation of $35 per person is encouraged. It includes an official AIDS Walk Las Vegas T-shirt. Afanlv.org

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First DJ ‘Throwdown’ in Las Vegas

DJs are firmly entrenched in nearly every entertainment nook and cranny in Las Vegas.  Now they get to show who has the best music blending talent of all in the first ever Las Vegas DJ Awards.

The event is Sunday, April 25 at The Bank nightclub in Las Vegas.  About 40 Djs will duke it out across 12 categories for the title of top turntablist in Sin City, including Best Local Following, Best Female and Sexiest DJ. While there are no cash prizes, winners get trophies and bragging rights for the next 365 or so days.  Doors open at 10:30 p.m., $30 cover, Las Vegas residents free. Vote for your favorites at www.jackcolton.com/lvdjawards

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Shayne Lamas Ties Quick Knot with Nik Richie in Las Vegas

Shayne Lamas, daughter of actor Lorenzo Lamas and recent DUI recepient, is also known for getting picked by Matt Grant in Season 12 of The Bachelor in 2008.  Lamas was proposed to on the show by Grant (photo on right).  Now we learn she has apparently gotten married to someone else that she hasn’t even known for more than a week! 

Lamas, after a brief commitment cementing day or so with TheDirty.com’s Nik Richie, photo on left, the two lovebirds got hitched on April 18 at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

They opted for the Michael Jordan package and the wedding set the couple back more than $500, but it included 36 digital pictures (ready to post to MySpace) and a DVD of the ceremony (perfect for e-Bay, though a DVD of the wedding night would sell better).

Richie confirmed the nuptials on Twitter, saying, “Last night I got married to an amazing person and we are extremely excited to share our lives together.” 

The newlyweds after their wedding boogied down to the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas to celebrate their union as any respectable couple looking to get their new life together off to a good start would: posing for the paparazzi at Wyclef Jean’s afterparty at Vanity.

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Project Dinner Table Launches in Las Vegas

There is no shortage of delicious, multi-course meals or acclaimed chefs to prepare them in Las Vegas, yet now a new dinner series is bringing something different to the table.

Project Dinner Table debuts April 24 and aims to showcase Las Vegas produced ingredients in a unique setting.  The inaugural meal invites discerning, community-minded diners to take one of about 150 seats at the table—yes, the table; there is only one but it’s very long—and enjoy a six-course meal at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Orchard in North Las Vegas.

The menu is prepared by Sensi chef de cuisine Roy Ellamar and includes a salad using Overton-based Quail Hollow Farms greens, grass-fed beef (from Bar 10 in northern Arizona) served with vegetables grown at the Las Vegas Gilcrease Orchard.

Part of the proceeds from the $150-a-plate meal will support Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, and the venue and chef will change with every monthly installment of the series.

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Death of Marie Osmond’s Son Ruled a Suicide

Coroner’s officials say the death of Marie Osmond’s son, 18-year-old Michael Bryan, has been ruled a suicide and that drugs or alcohol didn’t play a role in the teen’s leap from an eight-story balcony in Los Angeles in February. 

Bryan left behind a suicide note, but the coroner’s office wanted toxicology results before ruling on his cause of death.  The findings were released on April 21. 

Bryan was one of five children that Osmond and her ex-husband adopted.  

Osmond and her brother, Donny, took a brief break from their Las Vegas show before returning with a tribute to Bryan in March.

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Thousands of people expected at Laughlin, Nevada motorcycle rally

Thousands of bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts are arriving now in the Colorado River resort town of Laughlin, Nevada and will be there over the next few days for a weekend motorcycle rally. 

The 28th annual Laughlin River Run is one of the largest ride-in motorcycle rallies in the western U.S. 

Attendance last year was 33,600, but in past years crowds have topped 60,000. 

The weekend rally was marred by a fatal biker gang shootout in 2002 when three people were killed and more than a dozen were injured in a brawl between Hell’s Angels and the Monogols at Harrah’s Laughlin.

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Dead Las Vegas Topless Club May Miraculously Get Resuscitated

Christopher Condotti, a trucking company owner from Chicago, has just been approved by the United States Department of Justice to purchase the long defunct Crazy Horse Too topless bar and nightclub in Las Vegas for $10.5 million. 

The extremely popular bar closed in July, 2007 and was once the haunt of porn star Jenna Jameson who used to strip there.   And the nightclub was frequented nightly by many celebrities and politicians.

The bar’s previous owner, ex-felon Rick Rizzolo, is still obligated to pay court ordered debts amounting to more than $17 million dollars including $10 million to beating victim Kirk Henry which must come totally from the sale of the bar. 

However, the pending sale to Condotti (listed under CC Holdings LLC, where Condotti is manager) for less than $17 million leaves Rizzolo responsible for making up the deficit from his personal assets most likely hidden in the Cook Islands, according to court records. 

Because of the club’s close proximity to other adult uses, it was grandfathered in and operated for many years on a Special Use Permit that expired in 2008 following the bar’sclosure by the City of Las Vegas based on it being a public nuisance. 

The current sale is dependent on the Las Vegas City Council granting Condotti a change of zoning and a permanent liquor license according to the ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT, released on April 21.  The sale is contigent upon the club being granted several licenses, including a special-use zoning permit, a liquor license, a tobacco license and a retail sales license.  The deadline for getting those is Nov. 30, 2010. 

Included in the Order of Forfeiture filed in 2008, and the following document filed in U.S. Federal Court on January 29, 2010, Rizzolo agreed to stand personally responsible to pay the difference in the event the Crazy Horse Too does not sell for an amount adequate to pay his court ordered debts. He did so in exchange for a feather light prison sentence.

Based on the current sale, it’s probable that Rick and Lisa Rizzolo’s hidden off shore assets will be seized to pay the deficit in the likely event Kirk Henry or the government prevails at a Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act (UFTA) jury trial tentatively scheduled for September 2010. 

The seizure is expected unless Rick Rizzolo’s attorneys can effectively convince the jury that their client is broke, and that he transferred half his assets to his ex-wife during a legitimate divorce that was finalized one month before he began plea negotiations, and following the filing of Mr. Henry’s personal injury lawsuit.  To see the full ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT, click here.

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Cheap Beer Buzz Comes to Las Vegas

Nothing beats sweltering 110-degree days in Las Vegas and chugging down cold suds.  7-Eleven is banking on it.  The third largest beer retailer is rolling out their store-brand beer at a budget price- but, they say, with a premium taste. 

The Game Day beer launch, happening this month at 7-Eleven stores nationwide, takes advantage of the current economic downturn, hoping a long, cold one is the elixir for sagging beer sales. 

Game Day beer follows the introduction of the Yosemite Road private-label wines in 7-Elevens last year. 

Game Day comes in two varieties. Game Day Light is 3.9 percent alcohol by volume and 110 calories per 12 ounces. Game Day Ice is 5.5 percent alcohol and 155 calories. The price is between $6.99 and $8.99 for a 12-pack, depending on local taxes and distribution costs, and 24-ounce singles are available for between $1.49 and $1.89. 

The beer is being made by the 150-year-old City Brewery in La Crosse, Wis., one of the country’s largest contract brewers.

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Parrothead Revival in Las Vegas

Parrotheads in Las Vegas can breathe a deep sigh of relief- paradise, at long last, is coming!  Jimmy Buffet and his Coral Reefer Band will be serving up a grand buffet with way more then cheeseburgers and margaritas when they take the stage at the MGM Grand Gardens Arena in Las Vegas on Sat., Oct. 23.  

The 63-year-old singer/songwriter is ageless.  On April 24 in Tampa, Florida, Buffet will kick off his “Under the Big Top” tour, which will find the veteran entertainer backing a new live double-album and trekking across over 16 U.S. cities in 2010. 

“Buffet Hotel” was his latest studio release and first since 2006’s “Take the Weather with You,” surfaced late last year.

Tickets for the Las Vegas performance will go on-sale Mon., April 26 through TicketMaster.com  A word to the wise:  Strive to be the first as tickets go quickly.  

Until then, you’ll have to be content to just nibble on sponge cake and watch the sun bake in good ol’ Sin City.

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Marilyn Monroe’s Bust on Las Vegas Casino Auction Block

It may be one of the most famous busts in the world, and Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood Casino & Hotel is offering fans a unique chance to snap up a picture of Marilyn Monroe’s chest as they’ve never seen it before.

A rare X-ray of the iconic film star’s torso will be going up for auction at the casino resort this summer. 

The radiograph was originally taken in November 1954 at the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Florida as the ‘Some Like it Hot’ star underwent surgery for a condition of the womb called endometriosis.  One entrepreneurial young doctor decided to keep the scan as a souvenir, later passing it on to his daughter who decided to put it up for sale at the vintage Hollywood-themed Vegas casino.  So much for patients’ rights…

Other memorabilia owned by the star, who passed away at the age of 36 in 1962, which will go up for auction at Planet Hollywood on June 26 include her therapy couch, a pair of skis bearing the initials “MM,” and a bottle of her Chanel No5 perfume.

Certainly, the film star’s cult following will ensure that there is no shortage of interest when the auction takes place later this summer, and Monroe fans from across the globe are expected to flock to Planet Hollywood to take home, if lucky, a little piece of sexy cinema history.

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Men’s Journal Names Las Vegas on “Best Places to Live” List

Las Vegas now has a spot in Men’s Journal’s “Best Places to Live 2010” list, but, sadly, there’s a pock mark on the distinction:  The honor is largely attributed to the foreclosure crisis that has cost thousands of people their homes. 

“Buy Someone Else’s Dream House,” the headline proclaims before giving a brief description of the city’s housing woes. 

 “The good news?” the magazine reads, “You can get a recently built house in a great area with mountain biking, climbing and a bit of nightlife nearby, for $100 per square foot.” 

It’s true, record foreclosures — Nevada led the nation in March and was high on the foreclosure list for many months — have created a small housing boom, as thousands are taking advantage of low prices and the soon-to-expire federal tax credit.

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Las Vegas Tapped for World Travel and Tourism Summit

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has selected Las Vegas as the host city for its 2011 Global Travel & Tourism Summit, following an endorsement from local tourism organizations. Earlier the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) had voted to invest $1.5 million in the event, which is scheduled for May, 2011.

With heads of industry and government from around the world expected, the Aria Resort & Casino has been selected to host the prestigious event.

WTTC chief executive Jean-Claude Baumgarten told the Associated Press recently the group had selected Las Vegas in part because the city is symbolic of tourism in the United States.

“We cannot choose a better place than Las Vegas,” Mr Baumgarten explained. “The whole economy, all of what we are seeing, all the impacts of travel and tourism on the economy, on jobs, on the future and investment make Las Vegas a better choice.”

Approximately 244,000 people are employed in the leisure and hospitality industry in Las Vegas – more than 30 per cent of Las Vegas’ total work force – according to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

The so-called Sin City is famous for gambling as much as tourism.

This year’s WTTC summit is scheduled to begin in Beijing, China on May 25th.

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Las Vegas Golf Courses Thirst for Players– Offer FREE BEER!

There’s nothing better when you’re in Las Vegas and playing golf on a sweltering summer day on a terrific golf course and popping open a cold, free beer. That’s right….free beer. That’s the latest attraction when you tee it up at OB Sports’ Angel Park Golf Club or The Legacy Golf Club in Las Vegas. 

It’s easy. Just bring in your group of 24 players or more to either Angel Park course—the Mountain or the Palm— or The Legacy between June 11 and Sept. 3 and the beer is on the house.  The cost is as low as $55 per player and includes green fee, cart, practice balls, tournament coordination and—of course—the beer. Click here for details or to sign up. 

The thirst-quenching deal runs Monday through Thursday (Friday, Saturday and Sunday play is available at special pricing) and could be just the ticket for your group or employee outing, charity event or a client outing. 

“We’re putting a big push on for this summer to give our golfers added value,” said David Bogue, General Manager at Angel Park. “We’ll be working with our beer vendors and our partners to come up with specials and to make sure we’re giving the players not only a great place to play golf, but also a great value. It will be anywhere from a couple of beers for each player in a group of 24 to maybe a keg for groups of 40. We just want to make sure the players know we’re here to take care of them.”

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Halfway to Halloween Parties in Las Vegas

Look down the Strip and many will swear Halloween is everyday in Sin City.  Now, though, Las Vegas is hosting a couple of  “Halfway to Halloween Parties,” where people are being encouraged (?) to morph into naughty nurses, sexy vampires, or whatever purient interest happens to suit their demanted fantasy.

And it’s not just for fun and games- the winner of the most seductive costume pockets $5,000.  (That can pay for a whole lot of psychological counseling!)  Besides, the winner is not selected using some fancy schmantzy algorithm, but rather merely  from the most oohs and aahs of onlookers.  So, bring all your rowdy friends and maybe you can pull off the ultimate economy-busting coup.

The event is at Blush nightlcub in Wynn tonight, Tues., April 20, at 9 p.m.; $30 for dudes, free for dudettes.

But if you can’t make it to that event, you’re welcome to join former “Girls Next Door” star Bridget Marquardt -Hugh Hefner’s old fling; now her boyfriend is Nicolas Carpenter – as she hosts “Halfway to Halloween” at Eva Longoria Parker’s luxurious nightclub, Eve, this Sat., April 24.  

 Known for her love of playing dress up, Marquardt will host a sexy and scary costume party for those who don’t want to wait another six months to strut their stuff in costume. 

For those ready to go all out in the springtime spirit of Halloween, Eve will reward the top three costumes with $3,000 in cash prizes.  For VIP bottle service and table reservations please contact reservations@evethenightclub.com or call 702-277-3838. Doors open at 10:30 p.m. 

Sponsored by Nevada’s largest costume retailer, HalloweenMart (HalloweenMart.com), guests will enjoy 10% off their costumes when they use the promotional code “Eve” at the store (on South Decatur Blvd. just south of Russell Road), or on the website. 

Parker’s opulent nightclub Eve is located directly above her celebrated steakhouse, Beso, in Crystals at CityCenter. Eve is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to close. Eve is located at 3720 Las Vegas Boulevard South, at the entrance at The Park across from ARIA. For more information about Eve, visit the website at www.evethenightclub.com or call 702-227-3838.

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Nevada Outlaws Get Free Newspaper Fame- for Weeks!

Who says journalism is dead?  Pshaw! It’s merely focused now on the seedier aspects of life and living, displaying alleged outlaws for all to see! 

Mugshot photo galleries are increasingly popular features on newspaper websites, which are on blitzing crusades for ever more page views and the advertising revenue that accompanies additional eyeballs. 

Big newspaper dailies still hanging around, like New York’s Newsday and the Chicago Tribune, have also quickly caught on to the trend.  Mugshot mania is especially prevalent in Florida, where liberal public-records laws make it easier to obtain these photos. 

 “It’s a huge traffic driver for us,” says Roger Simmons, digital-news manager for the Orlando Sentinel, where mug shots garner about 2.5 million page views a month, 6% of the site’s total. The Palm Beach Post estimates its online police blotter, which streams its own ads, drew half of the site’s 45 million page views. 

And Las Vegas has long been the home of local weekly tabloid magazines that display page after page of photographs taken of partygoers in the nightclubs and casinos, partying themselves into oblivion.  It’s worked like magic for them, drawing in readers and advertisers, so why not a theme on a variation? 

That’s the thought of the new kid on the Nevada block, Max Cannon, another publisher of the bleary-eyed and stupefied mugshots.  He’s the founder of Florida-based SafeCITY Publishing, which for $1 offers readers a non-traditional newspaper, Local Mugshots, a brazen photo compendium of people arrested in Nevada for all sorts of nefarious and not so dastardly alleged crimes, including drugs, gang activity, DUIs, sexual crimes- or maybe just an expired driver’s license, much to the chagrin of many. 

After being published in 25 cities across the U.S. – boasting 208 fugitive apprehensions nationwide since 2007 – Cannon has now focused his crosshairs on Nevada, creating the first West Coast version of the publication that has been around for about eight months.  About 15,000 to 20,000 copies are distributed to 80 locations throughout Clark and Washoe counties in Nevada every two to three weeks.  In Las Vegas, it is available at most 7-Eleven, AM/PM and Fills locations, and the distributor is working on increasing its presence to about 20 more locations. 

Canon,  who started the publication about nine years ago in Tennessee, can’t say for certain why it’s been so popular, but conjectures that it’s the possibility of recognizing someone. “There’s a good likelihood that at some point in time, they’re going to see someone that they’re going to see someone they went to school with or with, as opposed to watching something on America’s Most Wanted,” he says. 

Stephen Bates, a UNLV journalism professor who teaches media law, begs to differ, feeling it is doing more harm than good.  “It seems a little irresponsible to feature people who have been arrested and not been charged with any crime. It’s tarnishing people’s reputations.”

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Las Vegas Open Casting Call for “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” TV Show

Mark McGrath is hosting auditions this Saturday in Las Vegas, seeking seeking contestants to appear on a hit game show. 

On Sat., April 24th an open casting call will be held for the all-new syndicated version of “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” Set to premiere in the Fall, 2010, “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” is a musical game show that tests contestants’ knowledge of song lyrics from different genres, decades and artists.

Mark McGrath, a member of the multi-platinum group, Sugar Ray, will host “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” where he brings ordinary people center stage for a chance to win a fortune – just by knowing the words to the biggest hit songs ever recorded. 

The auditions will be held on Sat., April 24th from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bonkerz Comedy Club, 2411 West Sahara Ave., in Las Vegas.

A photo ID is required as contestants and their guests must be 21 years or older to audition. Casting is seeking contestants that are fun, outgoing and very knowledgeable of popular song lyrics. Also contestants must be willing to sing the songs on the game show. 

Whether your cup of tea is Motown or Country, or anything in between, they’re looking for all types of music fans as the songs are hits, from the 50s to present day Top 40. 

“Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” originally premiered on July 11, 2007, on FOX television and became one of the most popular shows in America, as well as an international phenomenon. 

For an application and further details please log on to http://www.dftl.tv.

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Tony Curtis in Las Vegas Today

Award-winning film icon Tony Curtis,  a Henderson, Nevada resident, returns to the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road in Las Vegas at 2 p.m. this Sunday.  Program events include a special screening of “Some Like It Hot,” the 1959 classic he co-starred in with Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe; a reading; a chat with his wife, Jill; and a Q&A session.

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Kim Kardashian Bares All- Naturally!

Kim Kardashian just loves showing up for red carpets and partying in Las Vegas, especially Jet nightclub in The Mirage– that is unless she’s got a better offer to take it all off! 

If you’ve ever wanted to see Kim Kardashian au natural, you’re in for a treat.  She stripped down totally nude for a photo shoot that is in the May 2010 issue of women’s magazine Harper’s Bazaar. 

The photo is untouched, i.e., there’s no airbrushing involved. It seems this is becoming a Hollywood trend. Jessica Simpson recently did it for Marie Claire and Brittney Spears released both an airbrushed and untouched photo of herself for a Candies ad.  But Kardashian trumps them because she was totally nude.  Who knew celebs wanted us to feel better about ourselves and let us know it’s ok to be au natural? 

The jet-setting Kardashian likes taking it off in other ways, too.  Last week the former Playboy model, 29, was spotted making out with Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, 25, in a top restaurant after she watched him play for Spanish team Real Madrid. Then, after dining, she quickly followed Ronaldo to his mansion and discretely disappeared for a few hours. 

But that was last week. Yesterday, shortly after her long and luxurious Beverly Hills mani/pedi, Kardashian headed to LAX and is en route to Australia- as she excitedly tweeted earlier today: “Australia here we come!!!!”  Who knows what new mischief she’ll be getting into…?

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Lady Antebellum & Miranda Lambert Weekend in Las Vegas

In the fickle music biz, careers many times breeze in and out like the capricious winds. 

Last year the Nashville trio Lady Antebellum, right, – “Lady A” to their fans – didn’t win the one category they were nominated in last year (for Top Vocal Group), but this year it’s a whole new story. They’re the favored front-runner, with seven nominations for Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

Lady Antebellum’s free performance drew a huge crowd to Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas last night.  Some said the show drew upwards to 20,000 people. If so, that would make it the largest non-New Year’s Eve gathering ever on Glitter Gulch and the biggest in the four-year tradition of ACM-related concerts. 

Nominated for seven awards, the group attended last Wednesday’s “American Idol” show and did a post-show taping of their hit “Need You Now.” Their performance will be part of the “Idol Gives Back” show next week. 

Lady Antebellum announced on Friday that their latest, “American Honey,” was the band’s third consecutive No. 1.  Lady Antebellum’s current single, “Need You Now,” is No. 4 on Billboard’s overall Hot 100 song chart, sandwiched between Train and Lady Gaga. 

Miranda Lambert, right, a six-time nominee for Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards show, though, will prove tough competition.  She heads an ACM-filled lineup of free concerts tonight at the Fremont Street Experience. Lambert performs from 10:45 to midnight on the Third Street stage. Kicking off the evening from 7-7:30 p.m. at the First Street stage will be Joey + Rory, the Top Vocal Duo nominee. Gloriana, the Top New Vocal Group nominee, plays from 7:45-8:25 p.m., also at the First Street stage. The Randy Rogers Band, nominated for Top Vocal Group, performs from 8:40-9:25 p.m. on the Third Street stage. Luke Bryan, winner of the Top New Solo vocalist award, precedes Lambert, from 9:40-10:30 p.m., performing on the First Street stage. 

If you’re lucky enough to catch Lambert and others tonigt performing live in Las Vegas, it’s a good deal.  The ceremonies at the MGM Grand Garden are a pricey ticket if you don’t have friends at a record label, topping out at $450 for something you can watch free at home. (The 5 p.m. festivities air on CBS, live on the East Coast and tape-delayed on Las Vegas KLAS-TV, Channel 8, at 8 p.m.) 

Most of the ACM stars will stick around Monday in Las Vegas for “Brooks & Dunn — The Last Rodeo,” an all-star tribute concert that will be taped at the MGM for a separate CBS show airing next month. Tickets are $108 to $208 for the 7:30 p.m. show in which the likes of Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney and George Strait will salute the venerable duo of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn before they hang it up. 

The ACM Awards ride country music’s ever-growing popularity; what once was a niche genre is getting harder to distinguish from any remaining notions of a separate pop world. 

Last year’s ACM broadcast drew 14.8 million total viewers, a 26 percent gain from the year before. “It’s a happy problem,” says Barry Adelman, a producer and writer for the broadcast. “We’re not trying to fix something that’s dipping, we’re trying to keep something that’s going up, going up even higher.” 

And lest we forget…Garth Brooks isn’t performing at Wynn Las Vegas this weekend. But Steve Wynn did buy him that private jet and the pilot surely knows the route by now. And who would want to leave that guy out of a weekend like this one?

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Pamela Anderson’s Terrible Plight

What’s that saying about all that glitters?   Pamela Anderson (her photo serving food to the needy is on our Las Vegas Backstage Access masthead), who was once a regular celebrity fixture at Las Vegas nightspots and ex-girlfriend to Tommy Lee, has largely vacated the  nightclub scene. Now we may know why… 

News of Pamela Anderson’s ever-worsening financial situation is upstaging news of a possible “Dancing with the Stars” comeback, as details about her tax bill have come to light.   

In one of the most alarming reports yet for the blond bombshell (and that’s saying something), the state of California announced this week that Anderson owes a whopping $493,000 in delinquent income taxes.  

Rumors about Anderson’s financial woes are nothing new. About six months ago, reports surfaced claiming that Anderson owed over $1 million to contractors she’d hired to renovate her Malibu, California home.   

Anderson countered by saying her lawyers were “reviewing the work done” to investigate the possibility of unfair bills, and that while she was indeed the subject of tax liens to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars, she was still ”financially secure.” She even waxed rhapsodic about her temporary digs, a double-wide trailer at the beach.  

Reports have called Anderson’s chipper claims into question, as have a number of unglamorous appearances she’s been making as of late. A few months ago, she made a promotional appearance at a Pennsylvania Rite-Aid to hawk her new fragrance, Malibu. In February, she pitched her products to shoppers at a Southern California Sears. Last week, she attended the “launch” of a milkshake.  

But, for now, she still has “Dancing” to keep her busy. Anderson recently took to her Facebook page to rave about how transformative her stint on the ABC show has been.  

“I feel like I’ve gone from ‘Baywatch’ to this,” she gushed. “The last 15 years have just disappeared (in some respects).”

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Las Vegans Relish Vegan Restuarants

It’s not easy finding really good vegan food hotspots in Las Vegas.  So, here’s seven good ones for your discerning vegan palate:

Rainbow’s End  This market and café is full of natural foods and has a wonderful vegetarian/vegan café. The most popular dish—for more than 30 years—is the Green Goddess pita sandwich ($7.49), which features avocado, cucumber, tomato, grated carrots and beets, onions, Vegenaise and cheese. There are some wickedly tasty desserts, too, including a sinful organic peanut-butter chocolate pie. Café open for breakfast and lunch 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and noon to 5 p.m. Sat.; market open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat. and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun.; 1100 E. Sahara Ave., 702-737-1338.

Go Raw Café  Considered by many the only truly vegan kitchen in Las Vegas,  this restaurant lives up to its name by serving cuisine made of raw ingredients, such as the Gimme the Beet “Cheese” Burger ($10.88, with fries), which consists of beets, carrots, sunflower seeds and parsley served on living bread with handmade ketchup, mustard, mayo, onion, tomato, lettuce, sprouts, avocado and almond cheese. 2910 Lake East Dr., 9 a.m-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., 702-254-5382, and 2381 E. Windmill Lane, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., 702-450-9007.

Red Velvet Café  This Las Vegas vegan hot spot is known for its amazing food, stylish décor and friendly atmosphere. The extensive menu, featuring dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs vegan-style ($10.99), will satisfy the pickiest eater. 7875 W. Sahara Ave., 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 702-360-1972.

Samosa Factory Indian Cuisine  Samosa claims to serve the best vegan and vegetarian food in Las Vegas, and it certainly offers affordable food with great taste. See for yourself, with dishes such the Baigan Bharta, charbroiled eggplant with onions and tomato, or the Veggie Kofta Curry, which includes opo squash, chickpea flour and garlic. All of these dishes are served with basmati rice and cost $11. Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Fri., dinner 5-9 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. and 5-10 p.m. Fri., noon-10 p.m. Sat.; 4604 W. Sahara Ave., 702-804-0293.

Paymon’s Mediterranean Café & Lounge  This is a vegan-friendly place, but you might call ahead to make arrangements for your meal. Try the lentil soup ($2.95 cup, $6.25 bowl) and the rich hummus for lunch. 4147 S. Maryland Parkway, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. (lounge open to 1 a.m.), 702-731-6030; and 8380 W. Sahara Ave., 11 a.m. 1 a.m., 702-731-6030.

Panevino Ristorante & Gourmet Deli  This alluring restaurant is very vegan-friendly. They make a delicious wholewheat penne with vegan sauce ($22), and it even has homemade vegan desserts.  The catch? You will need to call at least 24 hours ahead of time to make arrangements for a vegan meal. That may be a pain, but the great part is being able to dine your way while enjoying the company of your non-vegan friends. 5-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 246 Via Antonio Ave., 702-222-2400. 

Whole Foods Market.  Yes, it’s a supermarket chain, but true vegans know the value of its offerings and convenience. Whole Foods not only offers a vast array of organic produce, but its deli has great variety for vegan meals, including a salad bar—making this an ideal place to get a quick bite and pick up the groceries. Four locations: www.wholefoodsmarket.com

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Tax Day Food Freebies

Restaurants step up to offer deals to make your day less taxing:

McDonald’s: Buy a quarter pounder or Big Mac, and get a second for 1 cent

Subway: Free cookie

Starbucks:  Free coffee with own mug

Taco Del Mar: Free taco with coupon www.tacodelmar.com

Dunkin’ Donuts:  Free donut with java

Jamba Juice:  Buy a drink, get one free Coupon for deal can be found here.

Boston Market:  Buy a meal, get one free

Cinnabon:  Two free cupcakes between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

PF Changs:  All orders 15 percent off

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Sin City Sindy Busts Out All Over

She’s big. She’s busty. She’s Sin City Sindy, and you can now see her at the Stripper Bar opens inside the Miracle Mile Shops in Las Vegas.  The fiberglass and sculpted-foam statue—over 25 feet tall from her ginger locks down to her over-the-knee red platform boots—will preside over the entrance to the bar that has historically served as a meeting spot for the adjacent V Theater’s Stripper 101 classes. 

Now as enhanced as its sexy, towering sentry, the tiny corner Stripper Bar will continue to dole out liquid courage to ladies attending the increasingly popular stripper class, though Sindy’s crotch-cam (which will literally catch you peeking up Sindy’s pleated skirt as you pass between her legs to reach the bar) might very well steal the show. 

About the size of a Manhattan studio apartment, Stripper Bar was nearly leased out to a tenant to attract attention to the otherwise forgettable walk-up frozen-blended cocktail bar. 

“I thought, I’ve got to do something crazy,” David Saxe, the show producer says, “but I never really thought about a bar.” He credits his wife with the idea for Sindy; Saxe crafted Sindy’s undercarriage himself in a warehouse off Boulder Highway. 

Under Stripper Bar’s painted-tin roof, Miracle Mile’s vast crowds can relax on stools and at modern patio tables with stripper-themed cocktails, enjoy food from neighboring La Salsa, watch sporting events on the TV screens, play drinking games (Battleship!), and applaud as the hostesses and bartenders—also Stripper 101’s instructors—take turns on a central stripper pole platform.

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New Entertainment Venue Planned for Las Vegas

The Saxe Theater will be the new name for the 435-seat Las Vegas performance theater venue in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.  The theater was formerly operated by magician Steve Wyrick, who surrendered it to the mall in a December foreclosure. 

Producer David Saxe will manage this new venue and his current V Theater, also located in the Miracle Mile Shops area.  The V runs as many as 17 performances of 10 titles per day. 

The new Saxe Theater is planned to be up and running by June 1.  

Though the production theme is being worked out,  one of the ideas proposed is a show that that documents the history of Las Vegas entertainment industry.

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$67 Million Memorial Day Weekend Party in Las Vegas

Lavish spending and, hopefully, getting a great return on the investment, is the whole idea behind the replacement of the porte cochere at Wynn’s Encore with Encore Beach Resort and Surrender nightclub in Las Vegas, including new outdoor seating for Switch restaurant as well. 

The changes, funded by Wynn Resorts Ltd., all kickoff starting on Memorial Day weekend.

The beach club features a 60,000-square-foot pool with 40-foot tall palm trees and three tiered pools.  Bungalows and cabanas are part of the chic design experience, along with a restaurant and poolside gaming tables.

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Keith Emerson and Greg Lake to Perform in Las Vegas?

Maybe yes, maybe no.  The duo from the classic rock group Emerson, Lake and Palmer has planned their “Unplugged Tour” for the Las Vegas Hilton for April 24.  But, hold on… to date, the group has had a very rocky start and have cancelled their prior U.S. shows due, as they say, to “musical and technical reasons.”  Keep your fingers crossed- and toes!

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Virgin Atlantic Plans to Increase Flight Service between U.K. and Las Vegas

British air carrier Virgin Atlantic has announced on April 7 it will increase its service between Las Vegas and the United Kingdom next year, launching twice-weekly flights from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas and Manchester in England. 

The additional flights, which will start in April 2011 and are planned to operate on Thursdays and Sundays, will give Virgin Atlantic nine direct flights a week between Las Vegas and England.  

Virgin Atlantic has been flying between London’s Gatwick Airport and Las Vegas since June 200 and has carried almost 2 million passengers on the route.

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Cosmopolitan Hotel-Casino Plans December Opening in Las Vegas

The new $3.9 billion Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas hotel-casino will open mid-December with about one-third of its 2,995 total rooms delaying opening until July 2011. 

It’s likely to be the last major new hotel-casino to open on the struggling Las Vegas Strip for at least a few years. 

Cosmopolitan’s CEO John Unwin said the hotel’s amenities include 13 restaurants, a spa, nightclub, 150,000 square feet of meeting and convention space and retail stores.

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Las Vegas Pool Groupies Wanted for YouTube Stardom & Bucks

While Las Vegans and tourists alike are warmly welcomed to celebrate (and brave!) the return of the scorching sun’s rays and sweltering heat, some enterprising people are also taking the opportunity to cash in on the many pool festivities occuring at the thirteen or so casino and resort pools in Las Vegas. 

A new web series on YouTube, “Vegas Summer Crew,”  is inviting everyone to the pool parties.  Poolside festivities will be delivered nationwide online, encouraging everyone not to miss out on one drop of sweat next season. 

The series also is opening doors for some lucky buxom and buff  pool denizens, offering them the chance to become one of the faces of the “Vegas Summer Crew.” The chosen few will act as the series’ hosts, showing up to a total of nine events, consisting of major casinos’ poolside concerts and parties, as well as some red carpet events. Hosts will be interviewing attendees and checking in on the party, all while being filmed and fed back to the web. 

Auditions will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 13 at Cashman Theater (850 Las Vegas Blvd North). The show is seeking people 21 and up who consider themselves fun, outgoing and energetic. It also helps, of course, if you look great scantily clad — hopefuls are asked to show-up in their best bikini or board shorts. 

“What we’re looking for is people with fun, outgoing personalities that feel comfortable going out into a crowd and getting interaction. No on-camera experience [is necessary]; they just have to be fun,” says Tony Marin, a rep for the “Vegas Summer Crew.” 

There also will be an ongoing contest throughout the pool season allowing people all over the country to submit a video of themselves in a swimsuit explaining why they too would make a great face for the “Vegas Summer Crew.”  Eight contestants will be chosen, winning themselves a trip to Las Vegas and a potential guest host spot. 

There’s an added bonus to getting your face out on the World Wide Web: “There will be compensation for whoever we hire,” says Marin. 

Sounds like this summer job sure beats selling lemonade on the corner.

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Paris Hilton Dumps Beau, Parties Crazy in Las Vegas

Paris Hilton usually always goes crazy when she’s in Las Vegas.  Even the recent dumping of her boyfriend, Doug Reinhardt – again – didn’t dampen her spirit one iota.  She danced on tables all night long Saturday and until Sunday morning in Las Vegas. 

Hilton got her party on first at the Wet Republic pool at the MGM Grand during the day on Saturday and then for her grand coup de grace proceeded to Tao at The Venetian, hanging out with her sister Nicky and her sister’s long-term boyfriend, David Katzenberg, and equally controversial tablemates NFL star Reggie Bush and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx. 

As previously reported by Las Vegas Backstage Access, Paris Hilton has had no takers for her proposed new reality television show.

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Brits Sacrifice 800,000 Body Parts due to . . . Computer Glitches!

Some in the U.K. may be OK with donating with their livers, but are rolling over in their graves over the unauthorized donation of their prized hearts! 

The British National Health Service Blood and Transport organization is currently investigating errors in its 14 million-strong donor list that may have led to organs being removed from donors without permission, it said Saturday. 

Going back a decade, computer programming glitches are the suspected culprits.  This means that since 1999, for example, people who wished to donate their lungs or skin may have been incorrectly identified as wanting to donate their corneas or heart. 

The Sunday Telegraph said the glitch affected about 800,000 people, 45 of whom have since died and donated organs. Just under half are thought to have made donations based on the faulty data, the paper said. 

The revelation comes at a very awkward time for the British government, which has been pushing to increase their rate of organ donation, one of the lowest rates in Europe.  To make organ donation easier, U.K officials have gone so far as to float the idea of automatically designating every person as an organ donor unless they or their survivors opt out. 

The computer glitch comes atop a series of gross information technology mishaps in the U.K., raising questions over the government’s ability to properly handle its citizens’ data.  Officials have also misplaced data on 3 million driving test candidates, 600,000 army applicants, and 5,000 prison officers over the past few years.

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Star Wars Beam Down on Las Vegas Sinners

The unique multi-media event featuring live orchestral music of all six of John Williams’ epic Star Wars scores will play two performances at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on May 29 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.. 

The production features a full symphony orchestra and choir, accompanied by specially edited footage from the films displayed on a three-story-tall, HD LED super-screen – one of the largest ever put on tour.  The live music and film elements are synchronized, creating a full multimedia, one-of-kind Star Wars experience. 

“We’ve taken the key themes from the music and cut together all the images that fit with each theme, so you can really get a sense of how the music played into the images,” said George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars Saga

Accompanying the concert is an exclusive exhibit of Star Wars costumes, props, artifacts, production artwork and specially created behind-the-scenes videos from the Lucasfilm Archives. Many of these pieces are leaving Skywalker Ranch for the first time ever. The exhibit features many classic fan favorite artifacts, as well as several new and never-before-seen items, including full costumes for Jedi Masters Kit Fisto and Plo Koon will be on display. 

And, for the first time ever, pages from John Williams’ original hand-written sheet music for Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace will be exhibited for the public. 

Also on display will be various never-before-seen props from the films, including blasters and helmets from Coruscant, Tatooine and other iconic Star Wars locations. 

The Las Vegas performances are part of the return of Star Wars ™: in Concert to North America, a fifty-city leg of the worldwide tour that starts May 13 in Ft. Myers, Florida, and will include dates in the United States and Canada. More than 350,000 Americans attended Star Wars™: In Concert during its three-month inaugural 47-city North American tour last year, which Pollstar rated as the 9th biggest tour of 2009. 

Tickets are priced at $25, $35, $55, $85 and $125, inclusive of tax and fees. Tickets will be available at the Orleans Arena Box Office by calling 702-284-7777 or by visiting www.orleansarena.com.

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Booze & Boobs Las Vegas Recap

With many businesses in the Las Vegas economy having to rapidly reinvent and transform themselves just to stay afloat, Las Vegas Backstage Access thought you’d enjoy a quick staffing operations recap on booze and boob joints in Sin City. 

For Las Vegas adult strip clubs the general rule is that for 18-and-over clubs you can see the barely-legal dancers completely in the buff, but – always a catch – they can’t serve you alcohol. 

Now, if you want to drink alcoholic beverages, you’ll have to hit up a 21-and-over Las Vegas club for a lap dance and a cocktail; the dancers there are of legal drinking age as well. (The rare exception to the rule is the Palomino where—through a supposed deal Frank Sinatra made back in the Mob day—the club has 18-and-over fully nude dancers and serves alcohol.) 

On the other paw, Déjà Vu Showgirls, has just made the switch from completely nekked and dry to 21-and-over, topless, and offering a full bar. And, to celebrate the change in these tough times, Déjà Vu marketing and promotions director Larry Beard says, “We will have free draught beer for a short time to promote the change to alcohol.” 

While there was no official reason for the switch, according to Beard, if you still really want to see dancers completely in the buff, you can still do so at their sister property, Little Darlings.

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American Idol Heading to Las Vegas?

The top nine of “American Idol” just may be going to Las Vegas for Elvis Week! 

At least that’s what the latest rumors say. According to The Wrap, gay glam-rocker Adam Lambert and the season 9 crew may convene at the Aria Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip for Lambert to mentor Idol hopefuls.  Aria happens to house Cirque du Soleil’s new “Viva Elvis” show.

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Atomic Bomb Airman Dies in Las Vegas

Morris R. Jeppson, a weapons specialist who armed the atomic bomb aboard the Enola Gay as it headed for Hiroshima, died at the age of 87. 

Family members said Jeppson died March 30 at a hospital in Las Vegas after being hospitalized for back pain and a severe headache, The Washington Post reported. 

Jeppson, known as “Dick,” was a 23-year-old Army Air Forces second lieutenant when he flew his first and only combat mission aboard the Enola Gay, which dropped the bomb Aug. 6, 1945 on Hiroshima, resulting in 100,000 deaths and injuries and the Japanese surrender and the end of World War II. 

The bomb had to be armed in flight to prevent accidental detonation during the plane’s takeoff. Jeppson, the weapons test officer, armed the bomb’s electrical system, pulling out safety plugs and replacing them with firing plugs. His boss, Navy Capt. William S. Parsons, installed the charge that would be fired into the weapon’s uranium core. 

Jeppson would later recall the flash as the bomb exploded. “No joy at that point,” he told Time magazine in 2005. “But it was a job that was done.” 

After receiving the Silver Star, Jeppson worked as a civilian in electronics and applied radiation. 

Jeppson was born in Logan, Utah, June 23, 1922, and joined the Army Air Forces, hoping to become a pilot. But after he failed the vision test, the military sent him to electronics and radar training programs at Yale, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Jeppson received a bachelor’s degree in physics at the University of California, Berkeley, and worked for the university’s radiation laboratory and at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He then founded two companies — one that built linear accelerators and another that made industrial microwave ovens. 

He had lived in California before moving to Las Vegas about 20 years ago.

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Academy of Country Music Awards Brings Oodles of Celebs to Las Vegas

Brooks & Dunn, Lady Antebellum, Randy Houser, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire and Montgomery Gentry are just some of the many country music stars planning to participate in the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards In Las Vegas starting on April 18. 

Honoring country music’s top talent and the industry’s hottest emerging talent, to be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 18 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. In addition, the Academy will tape an all-star concert special, ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo at the same location on Monday, April 19, to air at a later date on the CBS Television Network. Both shows are produced for television by Dick Clark Productions.

The list of events includes the ACM Concerts at Fremont Street Experience, the ACM Chairman’s Ride, a special USO performance, All-Star Jam and more. 

Some details are as follows, with timing information to be released later: 

Friday & Saturday, April 16 & 17

ACM Concerts at Fremont Street Experience – For the 4th year in a row, the Academy of Country Music presents concerts at Fremont Street Experience! Featuring headlining performances by Lady Antebellum on Friday and Miranda Lambert on Saturday, these free and open-to-the-public concerts start at 6:30pm on two stages in downtown Las Vegas.  For the 2nd year in a row, winners in each of the newcomer categories Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Group and Top New Vocal Duo will have the chance to perform at Fremont Street Experience during these concerts. 

Saturday, April 17 

ACM Chairman’s Ride – This event has grown from its inception and for the second year will be an invitation-only event for artists and industry VIPs to experience a scenic ride through the gorgeous Nevada landscape. ACM/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award honorees of 2010, Montgomery Gentry, will host the ride for the 6th time this year. The event benefits ACM Lifting Lives. Event details and timing will be made available only to invited, registered participants.

USO Concert in Partnership with ACM Lifting Lives™ – For the first time ever, ACM Lifting Lives (the Academy’s charitable arm) is partnering with the USO to bring a free, private concert to the service men and women of Nellis Air Force Base just outside of Las Vegas, NV. USO tour veterans Montgomery Gentry and Randy Houser are scheduled to perform for the crowd. The event will be open to all military ID holders and media credentialed specifically for this event. 

Sunday, April 18 

45th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS – Hosted by Reba McEntire for a record 12th time and featuring the hottest performances by today’s superstars of country, the Awards will once again take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. 

ACM All-Star Jam – This raucous, no-holds-barred jam features impromptu performances from the artists who participate in the Awards. Past performers have included Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Kelly Clarkson, Sara Evans, Jack Ingram, Jewel, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Montgomery Gentry, James Otto, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, Dwight Yoakam and more. 

Monday, April 19

ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo – Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, the best-selling duo in the history of country music, will receive the Academy’s Milestone Award in recognition of their 20-year, record-breaking career during this tribute concert special. They will be honored for holding the record for the most wins of any artist in the Academy’s history with 26 awards in total, including three Entertainer of the Year awards. They will also be honored for holding the record for most Top Vocal Duo wins, with 15 awards, eight of which are consecutive from 2000-2007. Artists already scheduled to perform at the taping include superstars Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. Details on special elements of the show and more performers that will be added will be announced at a later date. Tickets are still available for this show, which benefits ACM Lifting Lives and will air at a later date on CBS Television Network from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. For information on tickets visit www.Ticketmaster.com

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Decrepit Boxers Holyfield & Botha Prance in Las Vegas Ring Tonight

The “reveal” update:  Last night the 47-year-old Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) knocked out 41-year-old Frans Botha with 2:05 left in the eighth round Saturday night. Holyfield (43-10-2) knocked the defending champion down 31 seconds earlier with a right to the old guy’s chin.

—————

Some professional boxers just refuse to give up- or, perhaps, they can’t afford to.  

American heavyweight boxer Evander Holyfield, left in photo, 47, squares off tonight with almost equally aged foe Francois “White Buffalo” Botha, 41, of South Africa at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.  At stake is the WBF heavyweight championship belt- and best, if you want to watch the fight, to pull out the No-Doz.

Holyfield, the former four-time heavyweight champion, apparently, wants to who wants to prove he stills has the skills to be a world champion, even though he last held a belt nearly 10 years ago and has lost two fights in a row. 

Holyfield has a professional boxing record of 47 wins with four losses, two draws and 27 KOs. 

Botha (47-4-3, 28 KOs), has had a relatively distinguished career as a heavyweight boxer with top contenders, but has fought several world heavyweight champions including Mike Tyson, Shannon Briggs, Axel Schulz, Michael Moorer, Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko. 

Even so, Botha is named the current World Boxing Foundation World Heavyweight Champion. (Although he won the International Boxing Federation World Heavyweight title in the ring the fight was declared a no contest and he was never officially recognized as champion.) 

Probably feeling that long-term boxing is not good for the brain cells, Botha had some smarts and turned entrepreneur for a short time, corning the market on some magical champagne glasses. All you had to do was twist the stem and, voila!, the fluted glass supposedly lit up like Grand Central Station at rush hour. 

Promoters are literally begging the fight sales light up.  By Friday afternoon, only 2,000 tickets had been sold, leaving promoter Crown Boxing, which is paying Holyfield $150,000 plus a pay-per-view percentage, to hope for a large walk-up crowd. Even $25 lower-bowl seats are going unsold. 

Holyfield currently has the odds of minus-360, Botha plus-280

If you’re into comedy and want to save gas money, turn on the fight at 8 p.m. (PT) on pay per view (Cable 502, DirecTV, Dish Network) and shell out $29.95.

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Prive Nightclub in Las Vegas on Life Support, Death Imminent

The Prive and Living Room nightclubs at Planet Hollywood resort in Las Vegas are losing their lease with Planet Hollywood and many are saying the nightclubs will close this weekend. 

The adjacent and jointly operated clubs, which filed for bankruptcy protection in Miami in November, filed a motion on Wednesday to dismiss the bankruptcy case because of the lease issue.

{Las Vegas Backstage Access has written in the past on Prive nightclub and their many woes.}

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Company Kitchen & Pub Morphs into Las Vegas Lounge

Pure Management Group has announced its intention to convert Company Kitchen & Pub House at the Luxor in Las Vegas into Company Lounge, “a casual nightlife venue.” 

This is the second such change for the 11,000 square-foot venue, which opened in November 2007 as Company American Bistro. Originally helmed by Chef Adam Sobel (formerly of Restaurant Guy Savoy, currently executive chef of RM Seafood), the über-chic, ski lodge-inspired venue’s opening celebrity investor lineup included such Hollywood luminaries as Nick Lachey, Nicky Hilton and Wilmer Valderrama. Following Chef Sobel’s March 2008 departure—as well as that of Top Chef’s foam-of-famer Marcel Vigneron—Company briefly shut down to transform into the more approachable, American tapas iteration. 

A PMG representative reports that the Company Lounge schedule has cut back from the resto’s Wednesday through Sunday, 5 p.m.-late, to just “Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.”

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Las Vegas Event Honors Four-Legged Beasts

Today, April 10, grab your favorite four-legged friend and head down to the largest animal event Nevada has to offer.  In its 11th year, Petapalooza takes over Star Nursery Field at Sam Boyd Stadium.  

The daylong pet-friendly concert funds more than 40 animal rescue groups and features acoustic performances by the Barenaked Ladies and Five for Fighting, among others. 

Last year, more than 20,000 attendees and 4,000 leashed dogs—along with a few parrots, potbellied pigs and snakes—took in the event. 

Admission is $7 or $5 with a can of dog food.  Event is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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New Red Rock Canyon Visitors Center Opens in Las Vegas Today

A year in the making, the Red Rock Canyon Visitors Center grand opening will be today, April 10.  

Located 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip on Charleston Boulevard/State Route 159, the new exhibits provide a glimpse of surrounding geology from the death of the supercontinent 250 million to 160 million years ago and of human history going back 10,000 years, including the Old Spanish Trail of the 1800s and Las Vegas today. 

A new amphitheater with seating for 290 gives lecturers a place to talk, actors a stage to perform and provides a place outside to hold weddings. 

Visitors will experience outdoor exhibits that bring replicas of some of the park’s most fragile features to the foreground: things such as American Indian rock art panels, desert tortoises in their natural habitat, and a life-size cougar that lurks atop one of the shade walls. 

It’s all designed so people can touch, feel, see and understand the national conservation area from the perspective of earth, water, fire and air. 

Park volunteers, Bureau of Land Management personnel and elected officials will hold a grand opening for the new visitors center and exhibit area at 11 a.m. before public access to the displays begins at 2 p.m. Among the attendees will be Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who championed the effort behind the $23 million visitors center expansion project and the bill that paid for it through the sale of public lands in Southern Nevada. 

Look-alike Teddy Roosevelt actor Joe Wiegand will be at the grand opening today and again Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The admission fee to the park includes access to the visitors center and its outdoor exhibit area. 

Visited by more than one million people each year, the 195,819 acre Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area adjacent to the visitors center stands in mark contrast to Las Vegas, a city primarily geared to entertainment and gaming.  Red Rock Canyon includes a 13-mile scenic drive, more than 30 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking, picnic areas- and now, a new visitors center.

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Star Trek Memorabilia for Sale in Las Vegas Auction April 10

Fans of “Star Trek,” in its numerous incarnations, who also truly loved “Star Trek: The Experience” at the Las Vegas Hilton,” will surely feel they’ve died and been beamed up this Saturday in Las Vegas.

Popworx, the auction house that specializes in sales of television and movie assets, is holding the Star Trek auction at their warehouse (66 Spectrum Boulevard in Las Vegas) including various props and settings from the former Las Vegas resort hotel attraction. It was built during the era when Las Vegas thought it was going to be a family-friendly destination (what many call “The Bad Years”).

The sale focuses on the larger items from ‘ST:TE,’ including wall panels, furniture from Quark’s Bar, Starfleet costumes, and seats from the Klingon Encounter ride. Also on sale will be transporter room and hallway pieces from the Enterprise D replica that was part of the attraction.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everything is cash and carry (so, rent that huge moving van now), and no credit cards will be accepted.

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Alicia Keys Rescues Unemployed

Alicia Keys is tackling the unemployment epidemic, one fan at a time.  On April 6 the neo-soul singer-songwriter-philanthropist proudly announced she is partnering with the jobs Web site www.Monster.com to launch her Web site IAAS.com (I Am a Super Woman) and have it fully operational with all the bells and whistles in July. 

Keys is specifically looking for a full-time “head blogger,” and she’s taking applications through May 1. 

So, if you’re in Las Vegas this Saturday, April 9, don’t forget to stop by Keys’ Freedom Tour at Mandalay Bay Event Center, with plenty of resumes in hand– she just may snatch yours blowing in the stiff unemployment wind as she’s singing her message-laden songs. 

Failing this, you need to wait until Keyes is in Portugal to start the European leg of her tour.

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Recipe Bandido Steals Away in Las Vegas

Rodd Wilbur isn’t your ordinary chef.  In fact, he’s not a chef at all.  But what he “relishes” – he prefers “cloning” – the secret recipes for popular dishes made by restuarant chains like McDonald’s, Applebee’s and KFC.  Then, to make some scratch, he writes books to show how you too can make the yummy stuff. 

Wilbur started with the Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookie theft, coming up with a recipe that was a variation on the Nestlé Tollhouse classic and tasted remarkably close to Debbie Fields’ moneymaker. Then he moved on to more savory exploits. For his second recipe, he reverse-engineered the Big Mac. That special sauce? It’s basically Thousand Island dressing! 

A former TV news reporter, Wilbur, a Summerlin, Nevada resident, now works full-time cloning recipes for his cookbooks, which are for sale on QVC and have been featured on Oprah and Live with Regis and Kelly. He’s really not a chef or an innovator; he’s a casual-dining cloner, and success means tasting just like the real thing. 

“I want it to be exact,” Wilbur says as he gets to work on recreating a batch of cous cous salad from the Houston’s chain of restaurants. “I don’t want to make it better; I don’t want to make it worse. I don’t want to make it less fat. I don’t want to do anything to it except exactly duplicate it.” 

So far, Wilbur has exactly duplicated enough recipes for nine cookbooks. His 10th, 17 recipes shy of completion, should be out in September. The book will be called Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 3. “Alternate title: The Greatest Cookbook Ever Written,” Wilbur jokes. 

Since publishing his first cookbook in 1993, Wilbur has sold close to 5 million copies of his cookbooks, all of which tackle well-known recipes from fast food or casual dining chains and break them down for cooks to re-create at home. 

His 1,000th recipe — the one most requested by visitors to his website — was Olive Garden’s chicken and gnocchi soup, or as Wilbur describes it, “really good shit.” 

Flipping through the pages of his books is like looking at a greatest-hits menu from chain restaurants: Buffalo Wild Wings’ Caribbean jerk sauce, the Cheesecake Factory’s Bang-Bang Chicken and Shrimp, Chili’s lettuce wraps, KFC’s biscuits. 

And Wilbur has all kinds of tricks for figuring out what goes into the dishes that people crave. Sometimes he asks for a seat at the bar or near the kitchen, so he can watch how desserts or dishes are assembled. Other times he claims to be a strict vegetarian or vegan, so he can find out if a dish contains chicken broth or animal fat. When Oprah Winfrey challenged him to create the Jack Daniel’s grill glaze from TGIFriday’s before appearing on her show, Wilbur faked an allergy so the restaurant would give him a list of the ingredients. 

Wilbur just loves his role of playing recipe investigator, hunting for clues and then putting the recipe pieces together until he’s completed a culinary puzzle that tastes fresh off the line.

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Legal Pot Substitute Sells Like Hotcakes in Las Vegas!

Think what you smell is purely incense?  Think again.  Now, incense has a growing new use– a legal substitute for pot in Las Vegas and elsewhere around the country.

Smoke Depot in Las Vegas currently sells a legal greenish-brown substance called Black Mamba which, for many, creates a highly euphoric feeling similar to marijuana. Collectively known as “Spice,” sister brands include K2, Cloud Nine and Green Buddha. 

All are herbs that, many times, are laced with a variant of THC, the psychoactive substance found in marijuana. Though the canister’s gold-and black wrapper warns: “Not for human consumption,” consumers across the country are smoking Spice like pot and experiencing similar effects. But since it doesn’t contain actual THC, Spice isn’t detectable in drug tests.

Black Mamba has been the preferred brand throughout Las Vegas over the last few months, according to numerous shop owners. They’re so popular that stores like Smoke Dept can’t keep them stocked!  And the skyrocketing sales are primarily attributed to word of mouth advertising due to the nature of the product. 

The products are not cheap. A gram of Black Mamba costs $20 at Smoke Depot and they’ve been selling about 200 grams a week for the past three months.

A number of shops in Las Vegas say they’ve been selling to anyone, including teenagers.

But just because it’s legal doesn’t mean Spice is safe.

In the last two months, a Missouri toxicologist says that he’s seen more than 30 cases of teens with hallucinations, elevated heart rates, vomiting and seizures after using K2.

Las Vegas storeowners say customers are starting to request K2. Spice is still so new that the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services says it hasn’t seen many reports. “It’s on our radar, but there’s not a lot known about it,” spokesman Ben Kieckhefer says.

Users in Las Vegas are experimenting with Black Mamba, K2 and Spice Gold more than any other brands, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police narcotics detective Bruce Gentner, and the results haven’t been pretty. “We just had a case where two young men got really sick,” he says. “They bought it at a local smoke shop here, and within minutes of smoking it, they were transported to the hospital with hallucinations, vomiting and panic attacks.” 

Black Mamba comes from a plant called Damiana, grown regionally. In its natural form, it’s used in tea and liquor and is a known sleeping aid and aphrodisiac.

Although Black Mamba is typically Damiana treated with a THC variant called JWH-018, users can’t be sure what they’re getting, says Gary Boggs, executive assistant of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s office of diversion control.

Though prohibited in most of Europe, the main ingredients in most Spice are not regulated in the United States.

The DEA is going through preliminary steps to determine whether the substances in Spice should be federally controlled. Then it will collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services, a process that could take years.

Kansas recently became the first state to ban the compounds, and two counties in Missouri also have barred the substance. The Missouri Senate will take a second vote to send a bill to the House that would ban it statewide and make possession of Spice a felony. Weber School District in Utah recently banned Spice from school grounds.

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Mum’s the Word for Disappearing Las Vegas Magician Lance Burton

As previously reported by Las Vegas Backstage Access, the Monte Carlo magician has indeed called it quits after headlining and performing about 15,000 Las Vegas shows for the last 14 years.   Lance Burton will close his Monte Carlo run in Las Vegas on Sept. 4. 

Burton reports that the decision to leave was his, though he remains guarded and vague when it comes to providing specific reasons for his departure.  

“About three ago I had a moment of clarity when it just all became clear to me that I’m not on the same page as the hotel,” Burton said, adding, he doesn’t plan to badmouth the hotel where he spent at least a third of his career and has a deep emotional connection. 

Some say that Burton and MGM Mirage officials were at odds over budgeting and cost-cutting issues, but, Burton says, that’s not the primary reason he gave notice.

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Las Vegans Toss Energy Drinks for Blissful Sipping

Do you find it hard to be clearly focused when hyped up on energy and caffeine drinks, all the while our zany world is spinning at Mach 1?  The uncontrollable jitters make it hard to accurately text on your cell phone while clubbing.   And, if nothing else, it’s just plain hard on your ol’ ticker. 

Rejoice!  Ex Drinks has come to the rescue.  Headquartered in Henderson, Nevada, the company now has a relaxing natural fruit drink called Chill. 

“The relaxer drink category is the latest and newest growing category,” says Deborah Behr, managing director of Ex Drinks. “We do have America’s first relaxer beverage. We were the first ones to bring it in the United States. The concept in it is exactly that: to have something to kick back and unwind; put your feet up.” 

Containing chamomile, valerian, lemon balm and vitamins, Chill comes without the artificial flavors, colors and other additives often found in energy drinks. 

You can pick up a can of the refreshing liquid relaxation at Albertson’s in the Las Vegas Valley or visit their Web site at www.exdrinks.com for more information.

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New Daytime Partying Comes to Las Vegas

To many, partying into the wee hours of the morning in Las Vegas is just part of the seductive intrigue.  But, why not opt for a change to your modus operandi and try an opulent brand of new daytime partying? 

The 9 Group, renowned for superb dining, nightlife and lifestyle experiences, presents a provocative and innovative new dayclub affair known as High Society at Nove Italiano in the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, premiering 1 p.m. Sunday, April 11.   

Creating a posh atmosphere filled with life’s little luxuries in the middle of the afternoon, High Society offers partygoers a place to mix and mingle among Las Vegas’ nobility while indulging in high-end libations, decadent brunch and vivacious entertainment.   

Upon entering, Nove Italiano will envelope guests in a complete sensory experience – from sophisticated interior decor, to aromatic food and thirst-quenching beverages, to the incomparable energy created by resident DJs Zen Freeman and Mark Stylz spinning on the turntables.  Atop the Palm’s sky-scraping 51st floor, Nove Italiano’s guests will indulge in some of the city’s most spectacular views, and enjoy ever-changing exuberant entertainment, including roaming live musicians and a live painter offering complimentary tableside guest portraits. 

The brunch menu at High Society combines rich tastes and traditional favorites at various stations including the salad, fresh fruits and fish stations, as well as a build your own frittatas station. Fare also includes warm items on the griddle or hot plate such as Italian sausage and pepper hash, crispy pancetta and chicken apple sausage, a variety of poached eggs served with crab cake, spinach and bearnaise sauce, pancetta, ciabatta, drizzled with a Hollandaise sauce or long cooked greens mixed with a fontina cheese and fonduta. Other warm items include a variety of pizzas and Panini sandwiches. Guests can pair brunch with $99 bottles of champagne and half bottles of spirits. 

High Society will start at 1 p.m. every Sunday at Nove Italiano. The buffet brunch is $30 per person. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend. Admission is free and table reservations are strongly recommended. For more information, VIP tables and bottle reservations, visit www.novelasvegas.com  or call 702-942-6800. 

Nove Italiano is open for dinner Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.  For additional information, please visit www.novelasvegas.com or call 702-942-6800.

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Jennifer Harman Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament in Las Vegas on April 13

The fourth-annual Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament, benefiting the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) no-kill animal shelter, will take place on April 13 at the Venetian poker room in Las Vegas. The tournament will start at 5 p.m., and the event kicks off at 4 p.m. with a red carpet and silent auction. 

The $330 buy-in no-limit hold’em tournament will also feature $100 rebuys for the first three 20-minute levels, and a one-time $100 add-on for double your starting stack. Matt Savage will be the tournament director. 

The grand prize of the tournament is a $10,000 World Series of Poker main-event seat, and a Curtis & Co. watch. The top-10 finishers will be awarded prizes that have a combined total value of $30,000. 

Celebrities who have been confirmed attendance for the event include Cheryl Hines from “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Dennis Haskins from “Saved by the Bell,” actor Lou Diamond Phillips, modern artist Michael Godard, and ESPN commentator Lon McEachern. 

Professional poker players in attendance will include Marco Traniello, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, Eli Elezra, Hoyt Corkins, Andy Bloch, Chau Gian, David Chesnoff, Lacey Jones, Jeff Madsen, Todd Brunson, Erica Schoenberg, David Greay, David Singer and Lee Watkinson. 

The three previous champions of this event: David “HEYIMDRO” Rowan (2009), Seth Dupree (2008), and Kirk Morrison (2007).

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Three-Day (!) Wine-O Festival Kicks Off in Las Vegas

The 36th annual UNLVino wine tasting extravaganza in Las Vegas  is back, starting on April 8, for an incredible three days of non-stop Champagne, sake and wine tasting action, and also to drum up some much appreciated funds for UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration’s Food and Beverage Management Department. 

To kick it off, UNLVino presents Bubble-Licious, a celebration of all things sparkling at Caesars’ brand new Garden of the Gods pool complex. 

Here are the three locations and times: 

Bubble-Licious: Thurs., April 8, The Garden of the Gods, Caesars Palace, 7-10 p.m. 

Sake Fever: Friday, April 9, Palms Pool & Bungalows, The Palms, 7-10 p.m. 

UNLVino Grand Tasting: Saturday, April 10, Bally’s Ballroom, 2-6 p.m. 

Tickets are available here.

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$100,000 “Battle of the Beauties” Contest Starts in Las Vegas

If the wind and rain stops, the temperature in Las Vegas will soar, which primarily means two major can’t-miss thangs: It’s time to hit the pool and it’s time for SpyOn Vegas’ Hot 100 Contest—which also takes place at a pool.

The annual hotties competition seeks out the most beautiful women Las Vegas has to offer and rewards them for their god- (or surgeon-) given good looks with cold, hard cash. It’s the third year for the Hot 100 and, like the chests of many of the competitors, it is bigger and better than ever.

The so-called “Battle of the Beauties” is set to give out a whopping $100,000 in prizes this year—despite Las Vegas’ choking economy – that’s double the amount that was doled out last year—to the top 20 finalists. First place is awarded $35,000, second gets $20,000 and third fetches $10,000, while finalists four through 20 collect between $6,000 and $1,000.

Registration is open on: www.SpyOnVegas.com The competition gets under way April 30 at Wet Republic. Twelve weeks of events, Friday afternoon pool parties and online voting will follow, culminating with the crowning of “hottest female in Las Vegas” on July 23.

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Tiger Woods Adds Another Porn Star; Mistress Moves to Las Vegas

With this week marking Tiger Woods return to professional golf, more high-profile names with Las Vegas nightclub connections have surfaced in his ongoing infidelity scandal. 

Los Angeles nightlife impresario and Peter Morton’s right hand man supplying celebrities to the now defunct Body English nightclub at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel, Brent Bolthouse is mentioned in the May issue of Vanity Fair, which features “The Temptation of Tiger Woods,” one of the most comprehensive accounts to date on the golf star’s double life. 

Porn star Holly Sampson, right, told Vanity Fair that Bolthouse got her involved in a May 2009 bachelor party Woods was throwing for an associate. 

Meanwhile, Rachel Uchitel, the former Las Vegas Tao VIP host who has been referred to as Tiger’s Mistress No. 1, recently told FoxNews.com that she has moved to Las Vegas to be with her dogs and family, adding she gets less media scrutiny in Las Vegas than she did while living in New York City.

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Las Vegas Magician Lance Burton Prepares to Disappear

Monte Carlo headliner magician Lance Burton will be mysteriously and suddenly packing his magical Las Vegas suitcases and announcing his departure this week.  

Lance Burton is ending his current six-year contract at the Monte Carlo at the end of this summer — five years earlier than planned. 

Burton had headlined at the Monte Carlo casino resort for 13 years before renewing the deal last year that would have taken him to 2015.

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$5,000-a-spin Slot Machines in Las Vegas

High rollers are not just hanging around at the card tables in Las Vegas anymore. 

Aria in the new CityCenter complex in Las Vegas boasts $5,000 denomination slot machines with a max bet of 1 credit per spin. 

Dig deep and just maybe you too can have a thrill!

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NAB Show Comes to Las Vegas

The NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Show, the world’s largest electronic media show, conference and expo for film professionals who create, manage and distribute entertainment across all platforms, takes place April 10 – 15, 2010 in Las Vegas (exhibits open April 12). 

This week it was announced that Stan Lee, the iconic co-creator of Spider-Man, X-Men and The Incredible Hulk, will appear at this year’s event.  

“A key theme of this year’s NAB Show is transmedia: developing, integrating and monetizing content for multiplatform distribution,” said Chris Brown, executive vice president, conventions & business operations for NAB Show. “Stan Lee has epitomized the concept of transmedia with his amazing creations, which have been turned into smash hit feature films, television series and innovative digital content.” 

Stan Lee is the Founder of POW! Entertainment and has served as its Chairman and Chief Creative Officer since inception. But he is best known as the man whose super heroes propelled Marvel to its preeminent position in the comic book industry. 

Lee’s co-creations include Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men, The Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Daredevil, Silver Surfer and Dr. Strange. Now the Chairman Emeritus of Marvel Media, Lee creates new intellectual property for POW!, which has been in operation since 2001.

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Wayne Newton Lands New Reality TV Show

Long dubbed “Mr. Las Vegas,” veteran entertainer Wayne Newton has landed his first reality TV show, which will focus on the women who run his life, both on and off stage. 

The iconic singer who has performed for over 40 years and in over 30,000 solo shows in Las Vegas will front the new show on American cable channel WeTV.   Release timing is being worked out.

Tentatively titled, “Wayne’s World,” the show will feature his wife and attorney Kathleen McCrone, her sister Trisha McCrone and Newton’s publicist and his 7-year-old daughter, Lauren.  Even his mother-in-law, Marilyn, will make an appearance – she runs the star’s merchandise empire. 

The announcement of the show comes after a super bad start to 2010 for Newton – his wife filed court papers in February in a bid to keep her assets separate from those of her financially-troubled husband, and his adopted daughter, Erin, suffered liver, kidney and respiratory failure and fell into a coma after giving birth to the star’s grandchild. 

The health crisis forced Newton to pull out of a series of lucrative engagements, so he could be close to his sick daughter, who is now on the road to recovery. 

Las Vegas police descended upon his Sin City ranch, while he was at his daughter’s bedside at the end of February, to try to collect court judgments relating to a bank loan Newton reportedly reneged on. 

Newton has blamed years of bad money management by his team of advisors for his financial troubles. 

He also has been accused of failing to pay storage fees to keep his private jet in a hanger at the Oakland County International Airport in Michigan.

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Bernard Hopkins Expected to Trounce Roy Jones Jr. in Las Vegas on Saturday

Bernard Hopkins, 45, is a minus-500 betting favorite at MGM Mirage’s sports books going into Saturday’s fight with Roy Jones Jr., 41, who is going in at plus-350 odds at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. 

It’s a glorious boxing rematch 17 years in the making.  For Jones, 54-6, losing five of his past 10 fights dating to 2004, it’s more about proving to people he’s not washed up in the fight game.  

Jones beat Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs) by unanimous decision in a 1993 middleweight bout. 

But for Hopkins, apparently, it’s just another day at work.  After the fight he plans to be sitting in the Mandalay Bay audience with his 10-year-old daughter to watch the “Lion King.” 

Today’s weigh-in is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Mandalay Bay and is open to the public. 

Tickets for the fight are priced from $100 to $750.

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Jay-Z, Beyonce, Champagne & Dining Mix to Revive Slumping Las Vegas

Las Vegas is definitely showing signs of perking up and bouncing back if popping champagne corks and dining on haute cuisine is any indication. 

What city needs Big Brother and trillion-dollar bailouts when you’re lucky enough just to have Jay-Z and wife, Beyonce, grace your presence?

Jay-Z and Beyonce battled preganancy rumors like true rock stars last weekend — by hitting up Las Vegas with gusto. After Jigga rocked out at the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms alongside Young Jeezy and Trey Songz, he joined B at the hotel’s Mint High Roller gaming lounge around 4 a.m. 

Music mogul Jay-Z was also celebrity host and a big part of the crowd draw at Tao nightclub last Saturday night with Beyoncé. 

A colossal 3.9-gallon bottle of Ace of Spades champagne is now for sale at the Tao nightclub in the Venetian for $100,000, thanks to the big price boost that comes with Jay-Z’s autograph on the bottle Saturday. 

The bottle, known as a Nebuchadnezzar in the bottle family – only two in the world -holds five times the amount of bubbly that comes in a double magnum, but is only half of the king of champagne bottles, the 30-liter Melchizedek. 

Jay-Z featured the champagne in his 2006 video “Show Me What You Got” after Cristal boss Frédéric Rouzaud made some disparaging remarks about the music mogul’s fondness for Cristal. Jay-Z led a boycott of Cristal and switched his allegiance. 

The mega-club Tao, which opened in September, 2005, announced it had a monster night that didn’t include champagne imbibing last Saturday– a record 1,400 dinner covers on the restaurant side and more than 7,000 people going through the nightclub, another record. 

Then, further down the Strip at CityCenter, the Light Group nightclub Haze at Aria was the scene of an epic champagne-buying spree last Saturday night. A photo of the high roller’s receipt for $182,000-plus turned up on an Aria casino host’s Twitter site. 

According to the casino host, the big spender ordered super-sized bottles: one each of Cristal, Moet Chandon, Dom Perignon and an unidentified brand of vodka. 

He left a $30,000 tip on top of the automatic 20 percent gratuity. 

The man made the purchase after asking for an entire section of the nightclub. Told he would have to “buy big” for that to happen, he ordered the four bottles, which appear much larger than magnums.  A magnum holds two bottles, a Jeroboam four bottles and a Methuselah eight bottles.

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Huge Pin-Up Girl Contest in Las Vegas Today

www.PinUpGirlClothing.com is having a pin-up contest with $2500 in cash and prizes at Blush Boutique Nightclub this evening.  The event will run from 10 p.m. to midnight, hosted by Vegas pin-up babe Ms. Redd.

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Need a Hot Single Lady in Las Vegas Tonight?

Dudes, if you need a very hot single Sin City lady, tonight’s bachelorette auction may just be your cup of tea. 

The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) on Friday, April 2 will be having their 3rd Annual Smokin’ Hot Bachelorette Auction at the Ghostbar at the Palms, 4321 West Flamingo Road, 55th floor, in Las Vegas.

The event is hosted by none other than the special smoking hot Holly Madison, star of hit reality show Holly’s World on E! and star of Planet Hollywood’s Peepshow.  Among the beauties up on the auction block: Playboy Playmate Laura Croft, Miss Nevada Christina Keegan, Collette Wieland from KVBC-TV, Channel 3, Stephanie Jay from KVVU-TV, Channel 5, and Ashlee DeMartino from KTNV-TV, Channel 13. 

April 3 UPDATE:  The winner was Collette Wieland from KVBC-TV, Channel 3, raking in the highest bid- $2,000!

Event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  The $50 cover charge includes tequila shots, wine and appetizers. For more information, please contact Angela Harlan at 702-372-7907 or aharlan@nphy.org

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Donald Trump is Hiring in Las Vegas Today

Good news, Los Wages, Donald Trump is hiring today!  (And, no, it’s not an April Fools’ joke, although you may later be labeled a butt- or worse!) 

You may be hired, and then in a blink of the eye, you may be fired equally swiftly on national television.  But so what?  A job is a job, even if it’s temporary, right? 

The Donald’s staff is having an open casting call today in Las Vegas, auditioning potential contestants for the next season of The Apprentice

Producers are particularly seeking candidates who have been affected by the recession, like business professionals recently laid off, college grads who cannot find a job or people working a job they are overqualified for because it is the only option for survival. 

If this sounds like it has you written all over it and you think you can handle The Donald’s demands (or if you do not have anything better to do because, well, you’re unemployed), head over to the Trump International Hotel today, where wristbands will be distributed at 8 a.m. and interviews begin at 9 a.m. 

If you cannot make it down to Trump’s tower Thursday, you can apply by e-mailing ginacasting@yahoo.com .  Please include a recent photo, an updated resume and a personal and professional biography detailing how the recession has affected your life.

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Sinners: Worship & Swim in God’s New Garden in Las Vegas

God has a new garden in Sin City?   Yep.  Scantily clad – or wearing nothing at all – Las Vegas sun gods and goddesses have a a whole new worship retreat at Caesars Palace. 

Caesars Palace has just opened its newly refurbished pool area.   Coined “The Garden of the Gods,” the complex has been completely and extravagantly redesigned by Allard & Conversano into three levels of aquatic wonder featuring eight unique and lavish pools inspired by the Roman Gods that encircle a five-acre pool complex. 

The area includes a swim-up blackjack pool, a European style pool, a family friendly pool, and even a guests-only, butler-served pool area. 

Each pool is named for a god or goddess and has its own special bells and whistles. The Fortuna pool, for example, features an 18-foot waterfall and a swim-up blackjack table. The twin Bacchus pools have butler-staffed cabanas which are, alas, for invited VIPs only. For maximum sun exposure, get over to Apollo — it’s strategically positioned to get your tan on.  And, unlike many of the other adult-oriented pools, Garden of the Gods also caters families with its Temple pool designated for young swimmers. 

At one of the pools, chocolate will be available not just as a snack or dessert but in the form of a 30-foot chocolate waterfall (good for dunking strawberries — sold by the bucket) that cascades into a 3-acre pool filled with the stuff only Willy Wonka could dream of. 

The Sokolati pool (greek for “chocolate”) is new to the Las Vegas scene and is the first swimming pool comprised entirely of chocolate. Depending on the season, you may find Sokolati filled with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or caramel.

There pools are nestled among 44 new luxury cabanas, each stocked with plush furniture, flat screen TVs and wireless Internet. 

Caesars Palace has also added a whirlpool retreat area and garden wedding venue to provide a total pool experience. 

The pool complex is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.. 

Check it out- you may just feel like you died and got a heavenly reprieve.

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Burlesque Queen Dita Von Teese’s New Las Vegas Tease: Going Topless!

Burlesque Queen Dita Von Teese has always teased about taking it off, but not really doing it- and that’s proved, for many, the charm of her act.  But tonight at her Las Vegas premeire opening she has a brand new trick up her bare sleeve, taking her act up a notch or two: going topless!

The petite porcelain powerhouse, fashion icon, author and entrepreneur, who once dated Marilyn Manson – and once even danced for dollars at the topless gentlemen’s club Crazy Horse Club here in Sin City – is reportedly really excited about her premiere tonight in Crazy Horse Paris at the MGM Grand. 

Providing the audience her first totally topless unveiling, Von Teese will  perform three sexy, saucy and sassy new numbers on the cabaret stage there for a limited run through April 7. 

Dita was the first guest star in the history of the famous French cabaret, and she will feature new performance numbers that she developed especially for her sold-out performances in the French capital last year. 

She will debut “Lazy,” a routine that features her and the magnificent Crazy Horse dancers. Her “Le Bain Noir” will be a new take on her famous bathtub show that she first performed here in 2007. Dita also promises a new “Teese’ing’ version of the iconic Crazy Horse number “Teasing.”

Showtime is 8 p.m.

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Magician David Copperfield gets day in court

UPDATE:  April 20, 2010 –  Lacey Carroll, David Copperfield’s accuser, has dropped her lawsuit.  Reasons not provided.

A 2011 trial date has been set in the lawsuit against magician David Copperfield, a frequent MGM Grand entertainer in Las Vegas, and throughout the world as well.

A federal judge has set a May 2011 trial date for a civil lawsuit filed by a model who claims she was raped by celebrity magician David Copperfield on his private Caribbean island in 2007. 

U.S. District Judge John Coughenour lifted a stay that has held up the lawsuit pending the outcome of a two-year federal criminal investigation, which ended in January without charges being filed. 

Coughenour also rejected a motion by the lawyers for Lacey Carroll, the 23-year-old 2010 Miss Washington runner-up, seeking a court order to prevent the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office from returning evidence gathered in the criminal case to Copperfield. They argued that the material was relevant to the lawsuit and worried that Copperfield, one of the wealthiest entertainers in the world, would remove the material to his island or destroy it. 

The judge said there was no evidence that would happen, and pointed out that Carroll’s attorneys can still obtain the material through the normal discovery process. Coughenour said Copperfield knows that Carroll wants to review the evidence — some of it seized in FBI searches of his Las Vegas warehouse and MGM Grand Hotel theater in 2007 — and is obliged to preserve it.

Coughenour also noted that nothing is stopping Carroll from subpoenaing the evidence from the prosecutor, although that move could be challenged either by Copperfield or the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

The lawsuit was filed last July, just before the expiration of a two-year statute of limitations. 

Carroll had claimed that she met Copperfield at a performance in the Tri-Cities area and that the 53-year-old entertainer invited her to his $50 million private island, where she claims he raped her. 

The case took a twist when Carroll was charged in January with prostitution and lying to police. She is accused of trying to solicit a 31-year-old Bellevue businessman for $2,000 for sex, after going with him to a hotel room. 

When he refused, according to a police investigation, Carroll told staff at the hotel that the man had assaulted her. Carroll and the man each called police. 

She later refused to cooperate with the investigation, telling detectives she was worried that the Bellevue incident might affect her lawsuit and the Copperfield investigation. 

Carroll has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

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Las Vegas Chefs Battle for Best Chef of the Year honors at James Beard Awards

Three Las Vegas chefs are battling for the coveted title of Best Chef of the Year Southwest in the 2010 James Beard Awards, and several other Strip chefs are represented in the Oscars of the food industry, as well. 

The finalists were announced last week in New Orleans, and the winners will be announced May 3 at New York’s Lincoln Center. 

The three Best Chefs of the Southwest finalists are the off-Strip Saipan Chutima from Lotus of Siam, Claude Le Tohic from Joël Robuchon at MGM and Rick Moonen from RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay. 

Michael Mina from MGM, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio and Aria is recognized twice in the prestigious awards: His RN74 in San Francisco is nominated for Best New Restaurant, and his self-named restaurant, also in the City by the Bay, is nominated for Outstanding Service, competing against Robuchon’s restaurant at MGM Grand.

Robuchon’s MGM pastry chef Kamel Guechuda is up for the Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year. 

Chef Tom Colicchio, well known to foodies here for his Craft at MGM and as host of Bravo’s Top Chef, is nominated as Outstanding Chef of the Year for his original Craft in Manhattan. 

Two other New York chefs with outposts in Las Vegas will also battle in the Outstanding Restaurant Award category: Mario Batali, who has restaurants at The Venetian and Palazzo, has been nominated for his Babbo in New York City and Daniel Boulud from the Wynn for his Daniel in Manhattan. 

Timothy Hollingsworth, former Venetian chef for Thomas Keller Brasserie and now at Thomas’ French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., has been nominated for Rising Star Chef of the Year. 

In other Las Vegas chef news, Todd English from Bellagio and Aria was nominated for Best TV Special for Food Trip With Todd English, as was The Venetian and Palazzo’s Emeril Lagasse who will go head-to-head with English in the TV category for Emeril’s Culinary Adventures: Napa

And architect and designer David Rockwell, who has masterminded numerous Las Vegas restaurants, Crystals at MGM’s CityCenter and the show Peepshow at Planet Hollywood, will be inducted into the Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America.

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Many Living in Las Vegas Want to Leave

A new survey released by the University of Las Vegas (UNLV) reveals that 40 percent of the residents living in Las Vegas would rather leave if the opportunity presents itself. 

The $62,000 survey revealed an especially irksome city resident trait:  People not usually talking to their neighbors.

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Tiger Woods Ex-Mistress, Porn Star Ready to Really Spill the Beans?

Tiger’s return to golf  in the Masters Tournament on April 8 will not similarly mark his return to relationship graces.  

Joslyn James, the jilted ex-mistress to Woods and ex-porn star/model, has been of late releasing a torrent of nasty Tiger Woods text messages dating from last October.    Having a three-year affair with Woods, she has told ESPN affiliate KWWN 1100 last Friday that she even put her porn career on hold for the golf star!

“He wanted me to quit porn … and I stopped.” James said.  She reportedly met him at a Las Vegas nightclub and had sex with him that night.  She has refused to identify the club. 

But she has confirmed she would be soon releasing a torrent of even racier sexting messages. 

And Tiger’s troubles don’t end there.   Far from it.

Tiger Woods’ wife, the Swedish beauty Elin Nordegren is apparently on the warpath, again, and this time she may have Tiger’s head. She is reportedly consulting again with divorce lawyers over his decision to return to golf. 

Elin, 30, is said to be “furious” at Tiger’s comeback, because he is spending up to 16 hours a day practicing and not working on rebuilding their relationship, according to the UK’s Daily Mirror.

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Lots of Las Vegas Casinos for Sale

If so, maybe now’s your time– IF you have the scratch!  

With Las Vegas continuing to face a stiff economic recession – primarily based on a sharply declining gambling economy where fewer players are wagering less money and staggering, near nation-leading unemployment – it’s significantly reduced a majority of Las Vegas-based company revenues and their ability to refinance their debt.   

Caught up in the financial maelstrom are Station Casinos owners, and brothers, Frank Fertitta III and Lorenzo Fertitta.  Station, which mainly runs casinos targeted toward residents of the Las Vegas area and has been struggling with managing debt ever since it finished going private in November 2007,  are now embarked on a quick mission to sell their 14 casinos in Las Vegas while keeping a minority 46 percent stake in four others. 

Their plan was disclosed last Thursday in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing by the Las Vegas-based casino operator calls for mortgage lenders holding debt to become the new majority owners of the Red Rock Casino Resort Spa, Palace Station, Boulder Station and Sunset Station. Station Casinos Inc. said the outstanding debt secured by the four casinos was $1.8 billion. 

Palace Station and Red Rock are the company’s two largest properties, with more than 1,800 hotel rooms combined. 

Station said the reorganization plan was filed with a federal bankruptcy court in Reno, Nev., where the privately held company’s case was originally filed last July. 

Under the new proposed plan, the Fertitta brothers will pay $85.6 million in cash for a 50 percent stake in the four casinos, and then sell a 4 percent share to Colony Capital LLC. 

The Fertittas would continue to manage the properties under a long-term deal, according to the plan. 

The casinos to be sold include Santa Fe Station, Texas Station, Fiesta casinos in two Las Vegas suburbs, and 50 percent stakes in Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa Casino and Aliante Station, among other properties. Seven of the properties do not have hotel rooms. 

The company said it hopes a judge will approve its plan by this summer so the casino operator can emerge from bankruptcy before the end of the year. 

Marc Falcone, chief financial officer for Fertitta Gaming, said the Fertittas would also try to buy the assets to be sold. 

As would be expected, rivals backed with significant financial resources are entering the Las Vegas casino feeding frenzy, aggressively pursuing the acquisition of the diminished valued assets.

One such rival, Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming Corporation, reiterated its interest in buying all of Station’s casinos.

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First U.S. Legal Male Prostitute Hangs Up His Spurs

The first legal male prostitute in the U.S. has left a Nevada brothel.  Why? Fewer than 10 customers after a two-month stint! 

Brothel owner Jim Davis  of the Shady Lady Ranch, a brothel 150 miles northwest of Las Vegas, said a new replacement stud has been hired, but the original 25-year-old “prostitude,” who worked simply under the name “Markus,” could be back. 

Bobbi Davis, who co-owns the brothel with her husband and runs it as its madam, said the departure of Markus was a mutual decision. 

Markus is still listed under the name “Markus Destin” by adult talent agency OC Modeling. 

Davis said the brothel would keep employing men to have sex with women, including its latest hire, a Las Vegas man in his mid-30s who works under the name “Y. Not,” who has had about 10 customers since Markus has left.

The focus of the business, however, will remain on women prostitutes serving men, Davis said. 

The Shady Lady Ranch created a huge stir in Nevada’s brothel industry when it successfully won state and county approval to hire a male sex worker.

After hiring Markus, the Davises cut him off from speaking with reporters after his first two interviews, in which he compared himself with Rosa Parks and Mahatma Gandhi. 

Markus was the subject of a first-person story by the New York Post after a female reporter hired him but she said they did not have sex.

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Rocker Vince Neil is Higher than a Kite- Legally!

The aging but still high-energy rocker Vince Neil, apparently believes that if you don’t reinvent yourself you’ll die- or at least slowly wither away.  He’s once again onward and ever upward, this time in a unique way:  he’s launching his own mini air force! 

Neil, a Las Vegas resident, is helping people fulfill their dreams of having the opportunity to travel like a rock star.  The Motley Crue frontman is in the midst of launching Vince Neil Aviation to be headquartered in the private terminal at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. 

The first three planes in his new fleet are a Hawker 700, a Lear 35 and a Gulfstream. 

“The planes are now all finished, they are all tricked out exactly how you think a rocker’s tour plane would be, complete with painted flames on the fuselage and the zebra-striped interior furnishings!” Vince laughed. 

“The Hawker holds eight people and makes the trip to New York from Las Vegas nonstop. The Lear 35 holds seven and goes nonstop to Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Aspen and into Mexico and Canada, but cross country to the East Coast requires one fuel stop,” says Neil. 

“I even took the third plane — the Gulfstream — hopping through South America on my most recent solo tour there, and we stopped in Aruba on the way home to Vegas for a four-day-weekend vacation. I’ve booked it myself next week for concerts in Mexico,” says Neil. 

Neil says that he’d started his new airline company to primarily complement his other entrepreneurial enterprises that include his imported tequila, his Dr. Feelgood’s chain of rock bars and his Vince Neil Ink tattoo shops. 

Shortly, his new Web site VinceNeilAviation.net will be up and running with rates and all the other information on his charters. 

The rocker loves all his toys — a black 2008 Lamborghini, a 1932 Ford hot rod and his special Count Kustom chopper — that’s when he’s not working at his Tattoo Shop at The Rio or the Dr. Feelgood’s Bar & Grill on West Sahara in Las Vegas. 

Neil also will release his new solo single “Tattoos & Tequila” on April 6, and his new CD Tattoos & Tequila follows in May.  Check out an advance download sample, the video and his screensaver at VinceNeil.net.

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Real Beer Floats – and more – in Las Vegas

Forget the root-beer– I mean, after all, when in Las Vegas party you should be partying with the big boys – or gals – right-o?  And that includes your beer! 

Combine your beer with dollops of real ice cream at the Yard House in Las Vegas ( Town Square, 6593 Las Vegas Blvd South) for a mere $7. 

Not an ice cream junkie?  Then take a play out of Yard House director of beverage Kip Snider’s playbook who likes to add Lindemans Framboise or Young Double Chocolate stout.

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Pinnacle Entertainment in Las Vegas Announces New CEO/President

Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment has named Anthony M. Sanfilippo president and chief executive officer of the casino company. 

The 51-year-old Sanfilippo succeeds John Giovenco, who has served as Pinnacle’s interim CEO since November 2009. Giovenco will continue to serve on Pinnacle’s board. 

Sanfilippo is a former president, chief executive and board member of Multimedia Games Inc. 

Pinnacle also announced that Richard Goeglein has been appointed to the position of non-executive chairman. 

Sanfilippo’s appointment is effective immediately. He also has been appointed to Pinnacle’s board of directors. 

Sanfilippo has managed and developed gaming operations in Louisiana, Missouri, Indiana and Nevada. 

Sanfilippo is buying 125,000 shares of Pinnacle common stock from the company.

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Las Vegas Loses Celebrity Chef Restaurant Charlie

Las Vegas is once again losing one of its celebrity chef restaurants. Charlie Trotter has closed his two-year-old Restaurant Charlie in the Palazzo in Las Vegas. 

Trotter, who is a Chicago institution, won his first Michelin star at his seafood-centered Las Vegas restaurant. The sushi bar inside the restaurant, Bar Charlie, was selected as one of the nation’s best sushi spots by Bon Appetit last year. 

Alas, the finances just weren’t working out for the Las Vegas restaurant that gave a valiant performance.

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944 Media Quits Las Vegas, Packs Bags for Los Angeles

The Scottsdale-based publisher of monthly fashion and entertainment magazines in nine major U.S. markets is moving its headquarters to Los Angeles, supposedly to be closer to a larger pool of creative talent, according to the company’s chief executive. 

944 Media LLC hopes to complete their move by the end of April. 

Chief executive Marc Lotenberg said many staff members will be offered a chance to relocate to Los Angeles, while others will be laid off. He said the company employs about 100 people, but wouldn’t say how many could be affected by the pending move. 

Lotenberg founded 944 magazine in 2001 after graduating from Arizona State University with a business degree in supply chain management. 

Lotenberg opened similar publications in Las Vegas, San Diego, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, Orange County and San Francisco. 

Last year, 944 Media acquired Six Degrees magazines in Las Vegas, Miami, Detroit and Atlanta. Six Degrees publications in Las Vegas and Miami were merged with 944 publications in those cities and the company launched new 944 magazines in Detroit and Atlanta, Lotenberg said. 

The company also publishes an annual commemorative sports lifestyle magazine called Game.

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Lawyer TV Show Pilot Based in Las Vegas

Another Las Vegas-based TV pilot is in the works. Loosely based on the Las Vegas law firm Cristalli & Saggese, the series plans to feature Jim Belushi cast as a character based on Michael V. Cristalli and Jerry O’Connell as one based on Marc A. Saggese. Both are on board, Cristalli said. The characters’ names will not be the same as the lawyers.’ 

It’s the culmination of a four-year project that began with a relationship between Cristalli and Saggese and brothers Joe and Harry Gantz, the producers and developers of the HBO documentary series “Taxicab Confessions.” 

“We shot a docu-drama several years ago about the law office” says Cristalli, and it was sold to CBS as a drama. 

The TV pilot’s director, Davis Guggenheim, directed Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” and the writing team of Niels Mueller and Kevin Kennedy collaborated on “The Assassination of Richard Nixon,” which starred Sean Penn. 

Cristalli and Saggese represented Sandy Murphy in her October 2004 retrial in the Ted Binion murder case that ended in an acquittal of murder, but she was convicted of lesser charges of burglary and grand larceny.

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Entire Town Turns Out to Cheer “Pawn Stars”

The 3,0004-resident Wisconsin town of Lac du Flambeau likes, no apparently really loves, Rick Harrison, son Corey and Corey’s few-screw-loose pal, Chumlee.   

During a six-hour visit last Saturday at the Lake of the Torches Resort in the town, a whopping 3,000 screaming fans showed up at the casino to meet-and- greet the prime reality TV stars of the hugely popular History Channel cable hit, which is filmed in Las Vegas.

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Stealthy Server Hands Wayne Newton Legal Papers in Las Vegas

Mr. Las Vegas is good, but apparently doesn’t have the skill set to be as sly as a fox.  On Saturday, Newton, who has avoided several process serving attempts in the past, including a convoy of moving vans showing up at his home to claim property to pay alleged debts {previously reported by Las Vegas Backstage Access}, this time was not lucky.  

The legal serving company, reportedly, came up with a novel way to get their foot in the door during Newton’s show at the Tropicana. The process server paid $149.99 for the VIP package to gain entrance to a meet-and-greet session.  He just patiently waited in line to schmooze with Newton, finally greeting him with the words, “Mr. Newton, Las Vegas love you.”  With 20 or so applauding, the process server said, “You are served!” and handed Newton the legal documents, then raced out of the casino, with security guards in hot purist.  They raced through the halls but didn’t catch him. 

Today, Newton’s publicist, Trish McCrone – like any good publicist – is disavowing the incident occurred, merely saying Newton never saw the legal writ or has any idea what it is, saying she thought it just something to autograph. 

The serving company was carry out the clandestine mission on behalf of O. Burton Smith, whose wide-ranging empire of NASCAR tracks includes the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.    Smith contends that Newton is delinquent on a $3.35 million loan and, not receiving payment, then filed suit Feb. 9 in Clark County District Court against Newton, his wife, Kathleen McCrone Newton, their company, Desert Eagle LLC and Newton’s Living Trust. 

Smith seeks immediate foreclosure on the Newton’s 38-acre Casa de Shenandoah ranch in Las Vegas, which the Newtons had put up as a guarantee, alone with their Fokker F28 MK 1000 private jet. 

While unsavory situations on many fronts continue to haunt Newton, he may also soon lose his Las Vegas gig at the Tropicana.   

Jack Wishna, who handled the Tropicana contract for Newton, has confirmed the show, “Once Before I Go,” ends April 24, barring any extension by Alex Yemenidjian, chairman of the Tropicana and godfather of Newton’s daughter, Lauren, who turns eight next month. 

Yemenidjian has previously announced he has plans for a new Tropicana showroom.

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Jerry Seinfeld to Guest Co-host Thursday’s ‘Live! with Regis and Kelly’

You don’t see much of  frequent Las Vegas entertainer Jerry Seinfeld on his own new NBC show, “The Marriage Ref,” which he lets someone else host.

But the 55-year-old comedian and former red-hot sitcom star will be on view for a full-hour this Thursday on “Live! with Regis and Kelly.” 

The syndicated weekday talk show says Seinfeld is making his first appearance as a guest co-host, alongside Kelly Ripa.

 Scheduled guests include Donald Trump, also a business owner and lover of Las Vegas.

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“Crocodarium” Planned for Las Vegas

Yesterday, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, speaking at the Las Vegas Perspective annual business event at the Four Seasons, vowed he will lure Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin’s family to Las Vegas, building what Goodman called a “crocodarium.” 

Goodman said the Irwin family is currently in active talks with Las Vegas to re-fashion the Cashman Center and Cashman Field Complex, home to many trade shows and the Las Vegas 51s minor league baseball team, turning it into a huge, full-fledged zoo emphasizing Australian animals. 

Goodman added that the Cashman Center could relocate to newer convention facilities, such as the new 30,000-square-foot MEET venue, which opened last week in downtown Las Vegas at Fourth Street and Bridger Avenue. {Previously reported by Las Vegas Backstage Access.}  

Las Vegas, Goodman added, would also relocate the 51s minor league baseball facility, which sorely needs an upgrade. 

Ex-mob lawyer Goodman, apparently loving all things not just scaly, but furry with four legs as well, is also currently working with the Las Vegas Zoo officials, helping them to bring a new baboon exhibit, among others, that will soon open and much other needed facelifts to the otherwise droopy facility, thanks, in part, to ongoing aid from the San Diego Zoo.

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Las Vegas Gamblers Fold ‘Em

Las Vegas visitors reportedly wagered less in 2009 than in previous years- more than $50 less. 

A Las Vegas Visitor Profile released by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority found the average gambler budgeted about $481 per trip last year. That compares with almost $532 in 2008, more than $555 in 2007 and nearly $652 in 2006. 

Gambling was just the tip of the economic iceberg:  lodging, dining, shows and shopping were also casualties.  The study found hotel spending per night was down 25% in 2009, to about $76; the average cost of a tour package was down 14%, to about $640; and the total spent on restaurants was down 8%, to about $250. Spending on shopping was down 16%, to about $102. Visitors spent an average of about $40 on shows, down 23%.

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Chillin’ with Las Vegas Dinosaurs

Tomorrow, 200-million-year-old knock-off dinosaurs will be roaring and grazing in Las Vegas.    Amazingly, they won’t be looking for tasty prey by lounging in Las Vegas nightclubs.  

Internationally renowned designers have worked with scientists to create 15 life-size dinosaurs and present them in a live stadium show, Walking with Dinosaurs.  The show follows the dinosaurs’ domination of life on earth, including showcasing the supreme terror of the ancient terrain, Tyrannosaurus Rex, fighting for survival and supremacy.  

Viewers watch the curious beasts walk and hear their roars in the show comprised of two acts, 40 minutes each, blending technology, natural history, art, and music.

 And, parents, there is no gore or actual violence, so take your kids, especially appropriate if they’re 6-to-12-year-olds.  Home schoolers can use it as a science/natural history lesson. Though there is plenty of tension – heightened by appropriate music that is often quite lovely – the dinosaurs have apparently been sedated, or at least had their fill of humans because they don’t lunge at anyone. The nightmare factor is pretty low. 

The show is at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, March 24 – 28. Tickets range in price from $27 to $70 each. Tickets: 739-FANS (3267) or 1-866-388-FANS (3267).

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Mob Money Flows in Las Vegas

Recession?  Las Vegas, apparently, is in the money when it comes to anything related to the M-O-B!  

Yep, we didn’t want to let this one get swept under the rug or becoming the cause for another concrete casting. (Sorry, a bad mob-ism.) 

The Nevada Commission for Cultural Affairs in mid-March awarded a $220,000 grant to the new Mob Museum planned for Las Vegas. 

The commission allocated $3 million to 23 projects that week, with the Las Vegas Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement by far getting the biggest single award. 

State Historic Preservation Officer Ron James says there is an additional $97,000 in reserve that was allocated to the project. 

The museum is set to open 2011. It has already received – are you sitting down? -$3 million from Nevada over the years.  

We guess it doesn’t hurt the project if the current Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar Goodman, is a strong proponent and also a prior mob lawyer. 

Don’t fret about the sifting off of your hard-earned money for a mob edifice:  Officials from the Mob Museum have reportedly told the commission this is the last time they’ll ask for money from the state.  Yeah, right.

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Off-Road Desert Racing comes to the Las Vegas Valley

Hundreds of racers are now busy preparing and testing their off-road race vehicles for the return of the 2010 SNORE/General Tire Mint 400, set to take place just 25 minutes North of Las Vegas on March 27, starting at 7 a.m.  

The Mint 400 is one of the top racing titles to win in off-road racing. 

The race course this year features the infamous Rock Garden, a treacherous section of course run over shale rock beds and small boulders, with ditches and “gotcha’s” strewn throughout. The last time the course ran through the Rock Garden was 23 years ago. 

The SNORE/General Tire Mint 400 will be at the Moapa Indian reservation at the Moapa Travel Plaza, Exit 75 (Valley of Fire Rd.) off of Interstate 15. Three special spectator areas have been set-up alongside the course in high-speed, action-packed areas for fans to view the race. The Moapa tribe will have shuttles running to these areas. There will be numerous food, beer and merchandise vendors set up at the Moapa Travel Plaza.
 
Over 250 entries are expected to enter the SNORE/General Tire Mint 400. 

 The race festivities start Wednesday, March 24 at 5 p.m. with a kick-off party at Hussong’s Cantina inside Mandalay Bay. Thursday March 25th , fans, racers and the Media are invited to be a part of the FanFest Meet & Greet on Fremont Street East (between Las Vegas Blvd and 8th St.) from 6 to 8 p.m. to meet the drivers, get their autographs, take pictures, and pick up some swag from the teams. At 8:30 p.m. on Thurs., March 25, General Tire will crown the 2010 Mint 400 Queen on the 1st Street Stage, located on Fremont Street and 1st Street, under the Fremont Street Experience. Friday, March 26 starting at 9 am and lasting throughout the day until 5:30 p.m., every race car entered in the race will parade down Fremont Street for Technical and Contingency inspection. The parade of race vehicles starts on 1st Street & Fremont Street, heads East under the Fremont Street Experience, crosses Las Vegas Blvd., and ends at 8th Street and Fremont. Saturday, March 27 at 7  a.m., race officials will drop the green flag once again for the start of the historic 25th Running of the 2010 SNORE General Tire Mint 400 off-road race. 

The historic race was started by Norm Johnson, former public relations director for the Del Webb Hotel, and was resurrected by the SNORE (Southern Nevada Off Road Enthusiasts) racing organization just three years ago. 

The 2010 SNORE/General Tire Mint 400 will be televised on the Versus network and set to air May 5, 2010.

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David Hasseloff Cheered (!!!) in Las Vegas

David Hasseloff, “The Hoff,” acclaimed singer and television demigod of such 80s TV hits as “Baywatch,” Knight Rider,” and “America’s Got Talent,” who turns 58 in July, attends his namesake’s Knight Rider Festival with other actors and producers of the series, riding up in a K.I.T.T. car to the cheers of thousands of his fans at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas on March 18, 2010.  (Prior article on March 19 by Las Vegas Backstage Access.)

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Michael Jackson’s Furniture Planned for Las Vegas Auction

The Gloved One is among a very select group of artists who posthumously remain major wage earners. Nine months after his death, Sony Music Entertainment is paying the the estate of Michael Jackson between $200 and $250 million to release 10 recordings over the next seven years- reportedly the largest ever paid for such a deal. 

Adding to his estate’s wealth, 22 items of furniture that were hand-picked for Michael Jackson’s home in Kent, London,  accompanying  his “This is It”  concert series, are going up for auction in Las Vegas, as well as his iconic jeweled gloves. 

Some of the items on the auction block include a nine-seat gilt sofa in carved solid wood with red velvet cushions, a 17th century writing desk inlaid with mother-of-pearl, a pair of sunglasses, a military jacket that he wore when he married wife Debbie Rowe in 1996, and Jackson’s white Swarovski Crystal Glove, estimated to go for at least $30,000. 

The auction is at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas starting on June 25, and lasts three days, and will also feature other items for sale from other iconic figures in the music industry.  Some of the proceeds will go to benefit MusiCares charity and Joshua’s Heart, both charities.

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Willing to Trade Buttery Popcorn for a Granola Bar at the Movies?

The head of Sony Pictures said earlier this week that movie theaters should offer healthier snacks to help fight obesity and give audiences a broader range of food choices.

With the movie industry achieving record revenues last year, despite a record recession, Michael Lynton, chairman and chief executive officer for Sony, told theater owners at their annual ShoWest convention this week in Las Vegas that a survey by the studio at 26 theaters nationwide found that two-thirds of movie-goers said they would be likely to buy healthy concessions if available. 

The survey found that 60 percent of parents thought that healthier concessions would enhance the moviegoing experience and that 42 percent of parents would buy concessions at theaters more often if healthier choices were offered, Lynton said. 

“I don’t mean close the window for popcorn, soda and candy. Audiences love them and should always be able to buy them at your theaters,” Lynton said in the keynote address as the four-day movie convention opened. 

“I can almost imagine the Romans eating popcorn and drinking Coke at the Coliseum 2,000 years ago. Or the Greeks munching on Sno-Caps at the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens,” said Lynton. 

But “by bringing healthier snacks into your concession stands, you would be helping our country meet an urgent public health need,” Lynton said. 

According to Lynton, healthier food selections suggested by those surveyed include fruit cups, vegetables with dip, yogurt, granola bars, baked chips and unbuttered, air-popped popcorn. 

Lynton said the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, launched by former President Bill Clinton and the American Heart Association to fight childhood obesity, has offered to help advise theaters on healthier concession items.

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David Hasseloff Making a Comeback?

Could the aging former “Baywatch,” “Knight Rider,” and “America’s Got Talent,” television demigod be trying to reclaim his former glory? 

Trashing those late night sordid drinking and hamburger affairs, “The Hoff,” appears for now, to be sloshing onward and upward. 

His namesake Knight Rider Festival will be hosted in Las Vegas this weekend.   And, different than the first festival last year, this one will be graced by his presence. Hasselhoff plans to be at the festival on Fremont Street Experience on the First Street Stage tonight at 5 p.m., ushered in by Elvis impersonator Paul Casey, who created the Las Vegas event, dressed up as The Lone Ranger and riding up the street on a white horse signifying,  Casey says, the original “Knight Rider” television show’s intent of being a modern-day version of the “The Lone Ranger.” 

Following Casey and his white knight horse will be a parade of 20 K.I.T.T. cars from the series.  The first one will be driven by Jack Gill, the main stunt driver for the series. 

Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as “The Most Watched TV Star in the World,” Hasselhoff, who has been on television for more than 30 years, will be joined in the Las Vegas event by television show creator Glen Larson and actors Ann Turkel and Justin Bruening. 

Allegedly, there will also be a drive-through wedding chapel with K.I.T.T. serving as best man. 

Then it’s off to London for Hasseloff, where the WWE is having him guest host WWE Monday Night RAW on April 12. 

And while that’s going on, the fun-loving-in-excess actor, who has also morphed into an internationally renowned singer receiving incredible kudos for his singing skills, especially in Europe, will be on a concert tour in Europe. 

Hasselhoff is also on the road of making other endeavors a success too. 

The folks at Abercrombie & Fitch hope are banking on the brand and image appeal of The Hoff to change their fortunes in the United States.   So far, the traveling salvation show is working- his image is increasing sales revenue by 5 percent, while many of their industry competitors are down by 5 percent. 

A&E also sees the shining rebounding light of Hasseloff, hiring him for a 10-epsisode deal for a new reality show with his two daughters. The docu-series, currently unnamed, slotted to air later this year, will take a behind-the-scenes look into the life of  The Hoff focusing on his multiple entertainment and business endeavors, as well as his most important role as a single dad trying to help his teenage daughters’ break into the recording industry. 

The Knight Rider Festival is March 19-20, all day, free.  Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegaswww.knightriderfestival.com

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Farrah Fawcett Planned to Reunite with ex-hubby Lee Majors on Stage in Las Vegas

According to Lee Majors’ manager Denny Bond,  the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ star – who lost her battle with cancer last June – had been in secret talks about joining Lee on stage in a Las Vegas production ‘Love Letters.’ 

The pair – who separated after six years of marriage in 1979 and had been estranged for two decades – would have played two ex-lovers who spend their entire lifetime trying to get back together. 

“We had many discussions with Lee and Farrah and we had planned on a Las Vegas opening and doing a Los Angeles charity performance for her soon to be established cancer foundation as the kick-off,” said Bond. 

The show would have been produced and directed by Craig Nevius, the controversial filmmaker who is currently being sued by Farrah’s estate over claims he leaked confidential information about the actress to the media. 

The filmmaker confirmed he was going to be involved with the play, and says Farrah was very “excited” about the possible reunion. 

“‘Love Letters’ was the perfect stage play for the two of them. Lee would have played a conservative, no-nonsense politician who had been in love with his childhood sweethear for decades.  Farrah would have played his childhood sweetheart who grew up to be an eccentric, free-spirited artist. Farrah had a lot of ideas. She was excited about the whole thing. So was Lee,” said Nevius. 

Although the pair never got the opportunity to work together again, Lee was in contact again with Farrah just before her death.

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Boulder City Constable is Bad to the Bone

An arsenal of more than 80 firearms, two dozen badges and drug paraphernalia were seized by police and federal agents searching property owned and rented by Boulder City’s (Nevada) chief constable. 

Larry Markotay was arrested on drunken driving charges Feb. 22 and charged with burglary last week. In the latter case, police accused the 42-year-old of stealing guns that belonged to his ex-girlfriend. 

After the second arrest, police officers, along with agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms searched Markotay’s home, office and storage units. 

The DEA said it received credible information that Markotay had obtained excessive amounts of prescription drugs. It’s unknown what type of drug paraphernalia was seized during the search.

Authorities did release descriptions of the 85 guns confiscated. Among them were 35 rifles and six shotguns. At least two of the rifles were fully automatic. One of the guns had its serial number “obliterated,” according to police. 

ATF agents got involved in the investigation because, police said, the quantity and type of guns seized “appear to exceed the operational requirements of the Boulder City Township Constable’s office.”  You think? 

The job of chief constable, an elected position in Clark County, permits Markotay to carry a firearm. But records of his gun purchases are either missing or non-existent, police said. 

Also found during the search were badges from various agencies, including a Boulder City police captain’s badge. Authorities did not say how the badges could have been obtained. 

After his initial drunken driving arrest, detectives questioned Markotay’s ex-girlfriend, who said he bought several guns for her during their relationship. 

She also said he gave her a deputy constable badge, although she never took any sort of training or certification course that would be necessary for the position. 

Markotay remains in custody. 

A registered Republican, he is wrapping up his current four-year term as constable and faces re-election in the fall.

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Girl-on-Girl St. Patrick’s Day Kiss-Off in Las Vegas

What a better way to celebrate the Day of Green then to watch or participate in a good old fashioned “Kiss Me I’m Irish” contest.  Only this time try a girl-on-girl lip-locking affair  in – where else? – Sin City. 

Hosted by Gooch and with a performance by 51 Fifty, the slobbery kiss-off contest is something you don’t want to miss at the Wasted Space Rock Club in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  And if you say “Gooch” at the door you’ll get in free. 

Since it’s also the Las Vegas local industry night, you’ll get to watch all the people get crazy who serve you and watch as you get your crazy on.

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Brothels Get Raw Deal in Nevada

Even sex is struggling in our economy- and especially in fickle Nevada.  A federal appeals court last week upheld a Nevada law that bars legal brothels that operate in some of the state’s rural areas from advertising by newspaper, leaflets and billboards in Las Vegas, Reno and other places where prostitution is illegal. 

Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto hailed the ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel in San Francisco, while a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada promised to appeal. 

The laws had been challenged by the ACLU, a Nye County brothel called the Shady Lady Ranch and two newspapers: the High Desert Advocate and Las Vegas City Life. 

Prostitution is illegal in Clark and Washoe counties — which include Las Vegas and Reno — and three other Nevada counties. Ten Nevada counties authorize prostitution by local ordinance. 

The 9th Circuit panel reversed a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge James Mahan in Nevada that two 1979 state laws prohibiting brothel advertising in counties where prostitution is illegal were overly broad and unconstitutional.

The laws also prohibit brothel advertising in theaters and on streets and public highways. 

Nevada still seeks to confine the sale of sex acts through licensing and advertising restrictions, the judges said. 

ACLU attorney Allen Lichtenstein said he didn’t immediately know whether he’d seek a hearing before the full 9th Circuit or would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case.

“The key issue is freedom of speech,” he said. 

“It’s a violation of the First Amendment for the state to restrict advertising by a legal industry, and it’s wrong for a court to make exceptions because the state doesn’t want to have it advertised that legalized prostitution exists,” Lichtenstein said. 

Masto called free speech “perhaps our most cherished right.” But Nevada has had restrictions on brothel advertising for 40 years, and the state should have the right to have reasonable limitations, she said. 

The case is Coyote Publishing v. Miller, No. 07-16633.

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Magician Tiff goes Terribly Wrong in Las Vegas

Magicians are a fraternal bunch, and The Amazing Johnathan got a big laugh at a December gathering to honor Lance Burton’s manager, Peter Reveen.

The dark-witted comic strolled out with stage blood on his face, and a made-up black eye: “I’m sorry, Scarlett — I swear I’ll never criticize your dove pull ever again.” 

A big laugh erupted, for the tribute came only days after news that 21-year-old Rachel Jessee, left, known onstage as Scarlett — Princess of Magic, had been arrested for misdemeanor battery. She later pleaded no contest to assaulting her then 67-year-old manager and offstage partner, John Lewis. 

Lewis was sitting next to Jessee at the Reveen tribute, and he was perhaps the only person not laughing. 

“It was like it was a big joke. I don’t find it a joke,” he said. “I was still suffering from a horrible black eye at that point. I let it roll off me, but my face (was) still sore. I wanted to put some makeup on my eye before I went to this, and Rachel said, ‘No, no, I want people to see how you look.’ ” 

Lewis’ attempt to make a Las Vegas star of Scarlett is a cautionary tale of a show business dream that consumed, Lewis claims, nearly a million dollars of he and his wife’s retirement savings and personal effects. 

It is also a sad story of domestic violence and — if Lewis had his choice in the legal system — elder abuse. 

A week ago, Lewis and wife Carolyn filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Jessee, whom Lewis was dating, in Clark County District Court. The lawsuit claims repeated physical abuse and financial improprieties in converting Carolyn Lewis’ assets without her consent. 

In an interview before the lawsuit was filed, Jessee denied any physical abuse beyond the November fight. 

But she now contends Lewis pesters her new manager with e-mails and text messages alleging drug and alcohol abuse, which she calls “crazy.” 

“I’m definitely not a drug addict,” Jessee says. “I did drink heavier than I should have when I was in the relationship because I was not comfortable, and it was kind of a way to cope. I wasn’t an alcoholic but I’d have a few drinks every night.” 

Lewis says there were several escalating attacks. One time she pummeled his rib cage. Another time she hit him in the face and broke a tooth. 

“It’s hard to believe that when you see her onstage, but she would just, like, turn into ‘The Exorcist,’ ” he says.”She’s got a terrible violent temper that just explodes. It’s hard to explain, because she looks small. But she’s extremely strong when she gets mad.”

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Amy Winehouse’s Plans to Remarry Former Jailbird Husband Blake Fielder-Civil in Las Vegas Faces Immigration Trouble

Amy Winehouse’s plans to remarry former jailbird husband Blake Fielder-Civil in Las Vegas are at risk of running into trouble with American immigration authorities.

U.S. Embassy officials in London may grill the British singer’s ex to reach a decision on his U.S. entry following his 2008 conviction for grievous bodily harm, which landed him a jail sentence.

Immigration sources claimed it is “highly unlikely” that Blake would be given a go ahead. “Anyone convicted of a serious violent offence will be given short shrift when it comes to trying to enter the States,” the Daily Star quoted a source as saying.

“It does not matter about his plans for getting married in Las Vegas. U.S. immigration chiefs are extremely scrupulous when it comes to serious misdemeanours,” the source added.

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Grand opening tonight for MEET Las Vegas brings celebrities, politicians to celebrate the city’s newest events center

Today, March 16, at 4:30 p.m. will be the ribbon cutting and blue carpet grand opening of MEET Las Vegas. It’s the city’s newest venue for corporate events, trade shows, weddings and more. Over 800 of Las Vegas’ most influential, talented and exciting members of the community are expected to attend.  The public is invited to attend. 

Many of Las Vegas’ public figures and celebrities will join the grand opening festivities including Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Rita Rudner, Holly Madison, Carrot Top, Criss Angel, Anthony Cools, Wayne Newton, Zowie Bowie, the cast of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding Las Vegas, Kerry Simon, Alicia Jacobs as well as Las Vegas corporate executives and community leaders.  A silent art auction to benefit Opportunity Village will be on the third floor of the venue.

MEET, offering unlimited options with its customizable digital design environment and flexible rigging infrastructure, is a 30,000 square foot three-story venue and outdoor pavilion located at 233 South 4th Street at Bridger Street in downtown Las Vegas. 

Accommodating up to 2,000 people, the first two floors are a blank canvas, providing expedient move-in and tear downs because the rigging and technology infrastructure are fixed elements. With color changing exterior and interior lighting, MEET Las Vegas provides “Customized Branding”. The third floor provides executive concierge services for VIP retreats and meetings as well as two state-of-the-art, computer equipped classrooms. 

The Bridger and 4th Street lobbies offer one of the most versatile exhibition and event spaces in Vegas. There is color-changing lighting capability for fully branded events. State of the art wall and ceiling rigging capabilities, with floor connection points, work in unison provides optimum versatility for events, product shows and exhibitions. The tension and weight load rigging points provide dynamic options without laborious and expensive temporary infrastructure installs. There are audio-visual TeleData tieline connectivity plates every 10 feet.

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St. Patrick’s Day Overflows in Las Vegas

Las Vegas celebrates most holidays with room rate specials and bonus points on players cards.  But St. Patrick’s goes beyond neon, music and fabulous food. 

Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo at Planet Hollywood will be serving up Chocolate Irish Mochas and “Greena colada’s” along with $5 pints of green draft or Guinness.  Wear a kilt and find out what other specials there are beside green tortillas burritos and quesadillas. 

Another Planet Hollywood locale, Blondies Sports Bar and Grill, is offering a one of a kind event – the Glow Green party.  Wear white – and be sure it’s something you don’t mind getting marked.  You’ll have to fork over $20 for cover, but you’ll enjoy all you can drink draft.  Once you’ve tossed back a few, you can put your drunk drawing skills to work when the black lights go on and the highlighters come out. 

If it’s a true Irish moment you’re really wanting to have, stop by Fado’s Irish Pub on Eastern starting at 8 a.m. with Kegs and Eggs followed by music by Finnegan’s Wake at noon.  The party goes on with more musical groups and, of course, a wonderful selection of Guinness, Harp and fine Irish whiskey. 

But for some of us, one day to celebrate St. Patty’s just isn’t enough.  Not nearly.  So why not join the four-day block party at O’Sheas on the Strip?  There promises to be beer pong with Peepshow starlet Holly Madison, music by DJ Irish and later by the Sin City Sinners and $1 Irish Car Bombs and $4 Guinness on tap.    The party goes on until midnight March 20 with Blarney rock-bottom drink specials and events every day.

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Las Vegas Sweeps Nightclub & Bar Awards

The Oscar’s are reserved for the Hollywood film elite. But the nightclub and bar industry has their own brand of national awards annually in Las Vegas. 

This year, Steve Wynn’s XS nightclub at the Encore in Las Vegas was the big winner that swept all seven nightclub categories at last week’s 2010 Nightclub & Bar Awards at the industry convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center. 

XS won Mega-Club of the Year and New Club of the Year honors.  Tao, at the Venetian, won Nightclub of the Year. 

Much-decorated DJ Paul Oakenfold, who joined Rain nightclub at the Palms Hotel & Casino last year, won Resident DJ of the Year honors. The Palms also won Single Promotion of the Year for Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas also took home the Ongoing Promotion of the Year. 

Finally, Blush Boutique Lounge, located inside Wynn Las Vegas, gave Wynn properties three awards including the prestigious win for Lounge of the Year.

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Artery-Clogging ‘Retro’ Bacon Sizzles Everywhere in Las Vegas

If you think bacon is merely a breakfast food in Las Vegas, think again.  The traditional artery-clogging breakfast compliment to eggs is being transformed into an anytime food. 

In Las Vegas, you can find milk and dark chocolate bacon bars, bacon chocolate-chip pancake mix, bacon-caramel toffee, a BLT made with a pound of bacon (the NASCAR Cafe) and, to wash it all down, a bacon martini (at the notorious watch-where-you-walk Double Down Saloon). 

But all this is just a starting appetizer for the popular piggy food… 

For example, at Retro Bakery at 7785 N. Durango Drive, bacon isn’t nutty, it’s maple-y — in the form of a maple-bacon cupcake. Owner Kari Haskell said the bacon craze inspired her to create the cupcake about a year ago; it has been on Retro’s daily menu for about six months. 

“I always had a blueberry-pancake cupcake,” she said. “I knew if I could take out the blueberry and add the bacon, I’d get a totally different sweet/salty experience. Think pancakes and bacon.” 

The cupcake is one of her top five sellers, Haskell said. “It’s either totally loved or totally hated,” she said. “It usually takes me giving one away to make people believers. And then they come back and buy six.” 

The Cupcakery, which has stores at 9680 S. Eastern Ave. and 7175 W. Lake Mead Blvd. in Las Vegas, has a cupcake called Trip to Graceland, made with chunky peanut-butter cake with banana-cream frosting, rolled in bacon and drizzled with honey. 

At Vosges Haut-Chocolat at the Forum Shops at Caesars, store manager Hayley Evans said some people have credited company owner Katrina Markoff with starting the craze with her milk-chocolate bar studded with bacon bits. The company has since added a dark-chocolate version, bacon mini-bars, bacon-caramel toffee and bacon-chocolate-chip pancake mix, plus a bacon truffle that’s available as part of a chocolate truffle collection. 

“They’re the top-selling products of our whole entire company” and also sold through retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Whole Foods Market, Evans said of the bacon products. “Every week they’re the top sellers.” 

The store also expects, in April, a new bacon-caramel-toffee ice cream and a bacon-caramel-toffee cookie, Evans said. 

All of which would be music to the ears of members of the Bacon Club at Advanced Technologies Academy. Yes, Bacon Club, which started in November last year with 104 members, according to Mike MacDougall, one of the founding members. 

“It was actually our history teacher who inspired it,” said club President Chad Palmer. Palmer and his friends wanted to start a club, but needed a focus. As they sat in history class one day, teacher Robert Henderson said, “out of nowhere, ‘Thank God for the man who invented bacon,’ ” Palmer remembers. And a club was born. 

“I think it’s cool, actually, that a food item can become so popular,” Palmer said. “There’s so many different things people can do with bacon.” 

At meetings, Palmer talks about bacon, and they hand out bacon and bacon-related foods, maybe get a coupon for a free Baconator from Wendy’s. 

Go online and the celebration of all things bacon really explodes in popularity. Several Web sites devoted to bacon (including www.BaconToday.com  and www.BaconUnwrapped.com ) and things that can be done with it, such as the Bacon Explosion, a woven mat of bacon strips enclosing a log of Italian sausage with a core of crumbled bacon (at www.bbqaddicts.com , which has both the free recipe and pre-made Explosions for sale), or Bacon Cups (at www.NotMartha.org ), which the creator says are ideal for filling with lettuce and tomato for a sort of breadless BLT.

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Mystery Surrounds Issues Behind Key Hard Rock Executive’s Suicide in Las Vegas

Randy Kwasniewski, the President and COO of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas was found dead in his home last Tuesday.  He died of a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, the Clark County coroner’s office said Wednesday. 

Kwasniewski’s body was found at his residence in Summerlin, Nevada. Metropolitan Police were called to the home Tuesday morning. 

Kwasniewski was married with two children, family friend and attorney David Chesnoff said. 

Kwasniewski, 56, had been in his current position as president and chief operating officer at the Hard Rock Hotel since New York-based boutique hotel operator Morgans Hotel Group bought the resort in February 2007. 

Kwasniewski had been overseeing a $750 million expansion at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas that recently added two hotel towers, casino space and a larger concert hall to the property. 

Kwasniewski’s death comes amid mounting issues and speculation of an imminent management shakeup is in the works for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.  

A source who talked with Kwasniewski last said he appeared stressed out, fatigued and lost a lot of weight.  

Prior to his death there was much talk that Hard Rock management has been on thin ice since the property has been dealing with a very challenging transition since Morgans Hotel Group bought it from Peter Morton for $770 million fours years ago. 

Morgans owns 14 percent of the hotel-casino and operates the off-Strip property. DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, an affiliate of Credit Suisse, owns the remaining shares.

Morgans Chief Executive Officer Fred Kleisner will oversee operations at the Hard Rock Hotel for the time being, the company said.  

Kleisner became interim CEO in September 2007 upon the resignation of Ed Scheetz. 

Scheetz resigned his position after a 23-year-old woman was mysteriously found dead of a drug overdose inside a Turnberry Towers condominium in Las Vegas leased by Scheetz and Morgans. 

Though Scheetz was never charged with a crime in connection to the death, a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the woman’s family in 2009 was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount of money.

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Passage of Travel Promotion Act aims to spur growth into Las Vegas from international visitors

Las Vegas tourism officials believe the federal Travel Promotion Act legislation that was signed into law last week will lead to a marked growth in international visitors, one of the gaming industry’s few positive market segments in the challenging economic climate. 

Under the legislation, signed into law by President Barack Obama, a program will be created that will allow the United States to advertise the country as a destination for international travelers. It creates a public-private partnership for travel promotion that is partly funded by a $10 fee paid by international travelers. 

The idea for the Travel Promotion Act originated from the 1995 White House Conference on Tourism. It was revived after the economic downturn saw the United States lose some 68 million international visitors, which accounted for losses of $509 million in consumer spending, $32 million in tax revenue and 441,000 jobs, according to a study done by Oxford Economics. 

The same study found the act could potentially draw 1.6 million new international visitors to the United States, which would generate $4 billion in new spending.

Las Vegas tourism officials hope to capture some of those visitors and market separately to potential international visitors as well. 

The convention authority estimated the act would increase international visitation to 20 percent of Las Vegas’ total market share. In addition, while Oxford believes the act will be responsible for creating 40,000 tourism jobs nationally, the convention authority estimated an increase in international visitation could create another 12,000 jobs in Southern Nevada.

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Red Carpet Opening for “Matt Goss Live” From Caesars Palace in Las Vegas this Friday, March 12

Produced by Robin Antin, the red carpet grand opening of Matt Goss Live from Caesars Palace will be on Friday, March 12 across from Nero’s restaurant, located adjacent to The Gossy Room in Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South in Las Vegas.  Action starts at 8:30 p.m. 

Backed by a nine-piece band and sexy female dancers known as The Dirty Virgins, Goss’ new production blends original music from his “Gossy” album with classic covers influenced by the Rat Pack. 

Red carpet attendees scheduled to appear  include Matt Goss, Robin Antin, multi-platinum recording artists Mel B, Natasha Bedingfield and Leona Lewis. Additional appearances also planned by reality star Laura Croft, comedian Rita Rudner and Imperial Palace headliner and Joan Rivers impersonator Frank Marino. (Celebrities are subject to change.) 

Shows are Fridays and Saturdays starting at 10 p.m. A limited number of public seats are still available for opening weekend. Tickets are $40 (inclusive of entertainment tax) and are available at the Colosseum Box Office at Caesars Palace, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, or online at www.TicketMaster.com, keyword: Matt Goss.

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Need a Friend? Rent one!

Dating services and like-minded web sites are virtually everywhere you look in our society.  But that’s not what we’re talking about.  Now, people that simply would like a new friend have a way to reach out and snag one – or many – using a relatively new online tool. 

The web site, RentAFriend.com , concept’s brilliance stems from the pressures of our modern society that is based on the declining importance of community, a plethora of social web sites, loneliness, long work weeks, anxiety, and, lest we forget, the drama of our Great Recession. 

There are currently about 108,000 friends for rent on RentAFriend, site founder Scott Rosenbaum says. And it costs nothing to list yourself for hire. 

It costs $24.95 a month, however, to shop for friends. There are currently 1,200 paying members, Rosenbaum says. The site is five months old. 

Members simply post their online profile with photos, a descriptio, and a list of activities their available for, picked from a master list during registration that includes: Wine tasting, skydiving, hanging out, clubbing, video games, phone calls, visiting psychics, e-mail pen pal, balloon rides, working out, gambling and prom dates, among other diversions. 

Hourly rates are negotiable. Payments can be made in advance over PayPal. And, so you don’t get the wrong idea,  it’s for friendship only—it’s not a dating site, or an escort site, Rosenbaum says. In fact, physical contact is strictly prohibited during outings. Friends you pay, but can’t touch. 

This idea may just be our take on the modern day reincarnation of Thomas Edison.  As a whole, we’re a lonely lot. One in four people said they had no close friends in a 2004 survey. Everybody else said they had about two. And that’s down one. In 1985, people reported having three close friends or confidants on average. So in 20 years, we collectively lost a friend, and gained a billion Facebook pals.  That’s progress? 

Loneliness, research now suggests, contaminates social networks like a cold. A study published by University of Chicago psychologist John Cacioppo last year showed that loneliness spreads through three degrees of separation. So, if you have a lonely friend, you’re 40-60 percent more likely to feel lonely. If you have a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend who’s lonely, you’re still as much as 24 percent more likely to feel lonely. 

So maybe Las Vegas has infected itself. The only reason everybody doesn’t feel utterly alone, Cacioppo says, is that we push lonely people to the sidelines—an emotional quarantine. When social groups are mapped, the lonely people are clustered at the outskirts, alone together. 

We’ve evolved to be this way. Loneliness is an alarm signal, no different than hunger, Cacioppo says. The feeling exists as a reminder to join the group—there’s safety in numbers, and the gene pool evaporates without people to fill it. So why is loneliness so punishing? Because rejoining a group is delicate. When shunned primates try to rush back into their packs, Cacioppo notes, they’re often attacked or killed. The group doesn’t want your infection. 

So the onus is entirely in the lonely person—heal your own wounds, or simply wither away, sooner or later. 

Rental friends are big hit in Japan. That’s where RentAFriend founder Rosenbaum got the idea. In the past decade, the number of Japanese companies offering professional surrogates—boyfriends, wives, parents—has apparently doubled. 

In Japan, however, the booming rental-friend market has been attributed to culture and economy: The jobless are hiring fake bosses to appear employed, divorced mothers are booking pseudo dads to attend their kids’ baseball games, and in one well-publicized case, a man was hired to attend a wedding and deliver a passionate toast about the bride and groom. 

We don’t have this degree of high-stakes social pressures in America, so RentAFriend can’t ride on the shame market. Instead, Rosenbaum emphasizes activity partners. People can use the site to hire workout buddies, he says, for less than it costs to have a professional trainer. People can hire someone for dance classes, or pay locals to show them around a new town. 

RentAFriend is Rosenbaum’s full-time job now. He profits from the monthly fees, and has an affiliate program as well—get somebody to start a paying account on RentAFriend, and Rosenbaum will cut you a commission.

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Lots of Sagging Hooters Up for Sale

The popular hot wings (served, of course, with a side of scrumptious waitress eye-candy) restaurant and bar chain is having financial troubles galore and is aggressively looking for prospective buyers.

And that’s not the half of it:  In February, a Las Vegas man confessed to a kidnapping in the Hooters parking lot and later trying to burn the body, according to a Las Vegas Metro police report. The report said the victim, Prisma Contreras, had gotten off work early at the Mad Onion restaurant at the Hooters Hotel and Casino and was abducted from the parking lot in her jeep. 

Police said suspect Richard Freeman Jr. confessed to the murder and that he and suspect Gregory Lee Hover were trying to find a prostitute when they spotted Contreras and used a gun to kidnap her. The report said Hover sexually assaulted the victim and tried to strangle her with twine. But when that didn’t work, he stabbed her repeatedly and then cut her throat, police said. The pair then tried to burn the body and the jeep in the desert near Boulder City, but was unsuccessful. Both suspects have been charged with murder. 

Adding insult to the gorey death, their sales have continued to sag due to the recession and in the past usually NOTHING was sagging at good old Hooters.  Now, analysts say the huge chain is actively shopping around and trying to sell the conglomerate for at least $250 million. 

Likewise, the Hooters Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas isn’t doing at all well either, to which the Hooters restaurant chain receives a royalty fee for the use of the name.    In fact, the New York Post recently claimed the Hooters Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas is the primary culprit to blame for the company’s financial woes. According to the newspaper, the Las Vegas businesss was recently in default on $144.5 million in long-term debt. 

This isn’t the first time Hooters has faced financial troubles. Hooters Air, their passenger airline, was only flying high for about three years, from 2003 to mid 2006, before going belly up.  

Las Vegas Backstage Access has learned from inside sources the chain will shutter its doors by the end of March and very soon someone will snap up the Hooters chain before it further goes tits up — after all, it’s an American institution.

Hooters of America, Inc. is the Atlanta-based operator and franchiser of over 450 Hooters restaurant and bar locations in 43 states in the United States and more than two dozen countries. The restaurant chain, which trades on female sex appeal, owns 122 units.

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Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts in Las Vegas Leases Their Art

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston caused a tizzy of grand proportions six years ago when it leased 21 of its Monets to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art for an undisclosed price. The art world shrieked with fists of rage while Boston museum director Malcolm Rogers asserted that partnering with a for-profit has its perks: extra money in the public coffers and promotional benefits. 

Five years later the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego leased 17 contemporary works to the Bellagio gallery, giving Las Vegas a look at works by Ellsworth Kelly, Frank Stella, Sol Lewitt, Andy Warhol and others. 

Call it a financial boost for public institutions or an ethical slap in the face. Either way, Las Vegas, one of few cities in the United States without a public art institution, is reaping museum-quality works. 

Now in a one-two punch both institutions are shipping off their works to the Bellagio gallery for Figuratively Speaking: A Survey of the Human Form opening May 1. 

The work spans from the 19th century to present day. Artists include Pierre-August Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney, Judith Shea and Yoshitomo Nara. Word has it that there will also be a Cindy Sherman coming in from the San Diego museum. 

Additionally, the MGM MIRAGE in Las Vegas is throwing in pieces from its own collection, including works by Renoir, Picasso, Edgar Degas and Fernand Leger.

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Titanic Discover to be honored in Las Vegas, Reno in April

Robert Ballard, the world renowned oceanographer who discovered the Titanic and other famous lost ships, is this year’s recipient of the Desert Research Institute’s Nevada Medal. 

Ballard will receive the award and give presentations at two Nevada dinners open to the public, April 20 in Reno and April 22 in Las Vegas. The annual award includes a medallion minted from Nevada silver and a $20,000 lecture honorarium sponsored by AT&T. 

Best known for finding the Titanic, Ballard also discovered other legendary lost ships, including the German battleship Bismarck, John F. Kennedy’s PT-109 and the USS Yorktown, the aircraft carrier that sank in the Battle of Midway during World War II. 

Proceeds from the award dinners go to the DRI Foundation, which supports the research institute. 

Established by DRI in 1988, the Nevada Medal acknowledges outstanding achievement in science and engineering.

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Las Vegas Movie Premier of “She’s Out of My League” Deals with Sex

The long-awaited movie premiere of “She’s Out of My League” will be held Wed., March 10, at Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, with a 6:30 p.m. red carpet that’s open to the public.

As it gets close to its release date, the movie keeps teasing audiences by releasing a new steamy snippet which shares a racy sequence. This age-restricted clip gives a preview to the movie’s star, Jay Baruchel, who admits that he has not experienced sex for quite some time, before he is going to make love with her on-screen girlfriend, Alice Eve.

In the film, Baruchel portrays Kirk, an airport security agent who is forced to believe that he is not woman’s favorite type of a boyfriend. When he gets what he never dreamed before – dating smart, sexy, charming young woman called Molly (played by Eve) – their relationship is threatened by his own insecurities and the advice from family and friends.

Beside the two lead actors, “She’s Out of My League” is supported by Krysten Ritter, who plays Patty, Mike Vogel, who stars as Jack, and Geoff Stults, who portrays Cam. Directed by Jim Field Smith, this romantic comedy is set to be unleashed in the U.S. on March 12.

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Dan Akryod Joins Many Celebrities Predicting End of World Soon; Las Vegas Key Hub

Many celebrities are saying that 2012 could be the end of the world as we know it. 

Stars who have publicly said 2012 will be “The End” include Woody Harrelson, Lil’ Wayne, Joe Rogan, Montel Williams and Shirley MacLaine.  

Now, Dan Aykroyd can be added to that illustrious list. 

Pop-renaissance man Akroyd, 57, who his autographing bottles of his Crystal Head Vodka at a Las Vegas Albertsons (4 p.m. Tuesday, 10250 W. Charleston Blvd.) and giving Wednesday’s keynote address at the Nightclub & Bar Convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center, says he thinks “the UFO phenomenon is going to figure greatly” in a 2012 “revelation,” when “the end of the world will come.” 

“It won’t be the end of the world physically as we know it, as depicted in the movie. But it will be the end of consciousness and the end of perception as we know it,” says Akroyd. 

Aykroyd, a lifetime benefactor of MUFON.com, has visited the Nevada town of Rachel on Extraterrestrial Highway and marveled at “real photographs” there of sightings. 

“These aren’t hoaxes or fakes,” he said. “Dozens of Army officers, police, sheriffs, emergency workers — people who are outside all day, all night, all the time — are consistently coming forward to report events.” 

UFO phenomena could be elements in a 2012 realignment, perhaps as mass revelations or mass sightings, he said. 

“Mass telepathic content has already occurred throughout North America on many occasions, the last notable one being in 1994 in (Quebec), where there was an incident that involved about 2,000 people being called to their back porches to look up into the sky and witness an event with a craft at the same time. That was a telepathic event where they were all contacted.” 

“As Shirley MacLaine puts it: The light is going to go out in the next few years, 2012, and a new perception will come on. 

“Whether that has to do with the dominance of dark matter in the universe — or some triumph/domination of good and evil — the light we know now, whether that’s a good light or a bad light, is going to change. 

“There’s going to be a phase-wave shift in everything, and that’s very exciting. I don’t think it’s destructive. I think it’s going to be very constructive.” 

“I think we should open our minds and start being better human beings to each other, and accept that this may be the way of life. We’ve got to be more compassionate, more loving, more positive thinking.” 

A worst-case predicted scenario is that “the good light” will go out and we will experience “the bad light.” If that happens, people who practice on behalf of the good light will be even more pressed to “fight” against “whatever darkness is coming,” he said. 

How does Nevada fit into all this?  Hugely. Akryod responded by unfurling an incredibly deep knowledge of Las Vegas and Nevada and reflected on the UFO culture of Rachel; the state’s military; Nevada’s “beautiful topography”; ex-mob lawyer and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman’s adeptness at handling issues; the strength of “first families” and entrepreneurs in Nevada, such as the Maloofs; the positive ways Vegas embraces performance artists; our liberal attitudes toward leisure; UNLV’s educational culture; and the big brains of math doctorates who work for multidynamic hotels. 

Many of those strengths mean Las Vegas could take in refugees in 2012, he said. “There’s no city on Earth that handles more people more efficiently.  If you had to create an exodus of 100,000 people, where they had to flee from their native land, they could be put up in Las Vegas with no problem.”

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Neon Reverb Music Festival Amps Up in Las Vegas March 10-14

The Neon Reverb music festival is taking place on Fremont Street stages in Las Vegas from March 10 through 14.   It’s a huge affair and offers a talented array of musicians to satisfy virtually any music taste. 

And thanks to a growing number of corporate sponsors and name indie bands, with any luck, this edition should prove to be a resounding success. 

The outdoor stages will be graced with the likes of The Ruby Suns, The So So Glos, Spindrift, Rainbow Arabia Soe & The Skyrider Band, Bo-Peep, Aerodrone, Kid Theodore, Wild Yacks, Imagine Dragons, Black Camaro, and tons more to numerous to list.  For a full list of bands, please go to www.NeonReverb.com 

This Neon Reverb installment will look a bit different from its three predecessors. While Downtown — the Beauty Bar, Bunkhouse, Aruba, Gypsy Den, Las Vegas Country Saloon — will once again serve as the fest’s hub, plans could call for an enhanced all-ages component at North Las Vegas’ Area 702 Skatepark. 

Hip-hop should also command a larger presence among the bill’s 100-ish acts, thanks to partnerships with Vegas collective Macro-Fi and local rapper HighDro (the latter runs a weekly hip-hop showcase at Boomers, another Neon Reverb stronghold). And Yayo Taco, Dino’s and the 540-capacity showroom inside the Greek Isles Hotel all serve as first-time venues. 

Also, expect this Las Vegas music festival to feature more international flavor than ever before. Working with online promotional entity Sonicbids, Neon Reverb’s booking team has secured confirmations from a number of overseas acts, such as New Zealand Sub Pop-pers Ruby Suns, Japan’s Bo-Peep and Ireland’s Autumn Owls. Other out-of-towners already on board: LA’s The Delta Mirror, Colorado’s Indigenous Peoples, Idaho’s Finn Riggins and Reverb returnees Leopold and His Fiction, and Mere Mortals. And, of course, the fest will boast its usual slew of Las Vegas favorites over its three nights.

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Lights go off on Las Vegas Strip for Earth Hour

Officials from World Wildlife Fund will join Clark County, Nevada Commissioner Larry Brown, City of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Las Vegas showgirls and the World Wildlife panda will convene at the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign to officially kick off the Las Vegas Valley’s participation in Earth Hour—a global event calling for action on climate change – on Tues., March 9 at 11 a.m. 

Named a prime showcase city for Earth Hour 2010, Las Vegas will stand in solidarity with cities throughout the world to raise awareness about climate change by getting people to do something quite simple—turn off their lights for one hour on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. PST. 

At the press conference in front of the sign, County and City leaders will put the call out to businesses and residents throughout the Valley to join the Strip and off-Strip properties, organizations and government agencies who have agreed to participate in this exciting project.               

Parking is available at The Little Church of the West – 4617 Las Vegas Boulevard South. Beginning at 10:15 a.m., a shuttle will transport attendees to and from the site. Television news trucks will have access to bus/taxi zones on site.

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Tiger Woods’ Mistress Kalika Moquin Starts Back to Work in Las Vegas

The job status of alleged Tiger Woods mistress Kalika Moquin is no longer a mystery. Moquin sent an e-mail last Thursday announcing she would be resuming her position as director of marketing and events for Bare pool lounge at The Mirage in Las Vegas.  She will continue to handle marketing for Light Group’s Sunday night events at The Bank nightclub at Bellagio.

The e-mail made no mention of the Woods scandal.

 Bare opens March 15.

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Tea Party Nation will hold next convention in Las Vegas in July

The Tea Party Nation will hold next convention July 15-17 in Las Vegas. 

Spokeswoman Sherry Phillips, who confirmed the dates, said the group is currently taking hotel bids and would make a formal announcement once the details are set. 

The first Tea Party Nation convention was held in Nashville, Tenn., earlier this month and was fraught with controversy, with numerous sponsors and speakers — including Republican Reps. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee — dropping out because of the for-profit nature of the event. 

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, was the only major political figure to eventually speak, reportedly receiving $100,000 for her appearance.

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“The Shadow Box” in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 7

The Las Vegas Little Theatre is presenting the Tony and Pulitzer prize winning play “The Shadow Box” through Sunday, March 7.   Michael Cristofer’s play, which debuted in 1975, tells the story of three people living on a hospital campus who are going through the often dehumanizing act of dieing.  

Brian, one of the characters, says “most of us spend our entire lives trying to forget we’re going to die’’.  However through Cristofer’s treatment of the living and the terminally ill, the audience is invited to do just that, remember we’re going to die.  And instead of moral conclusions and tragic endings, The Shadow Box encourages the audience to explore the gray morality and varying emotions surrounding death. 

The topic may seem too somber for a Sunday night out, yet we ask you to consider that for 30 years, critics have recognized this work for its insight and humor in dealing with what remains a highly controversial subject.  

Tickets may be purchased at www.lvlt.org or call 702-362-7996.

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Conan O’Brien to Star in Las Vegas Revue on May 1?

The recently deposed “Tonight Show” host Conan O’Brien has apparently lined up his first Las Vegas headliner gig. 

O’Brien, who took over Jay Leno’s spot last June only to lose it to him in January, has apparently a May 1 engagement at The Pearl, the Palms’ concert venue. 

But he’s reportedly still bound to his NBC contract, which paid him $45 million to walk away. His exit agreement with NBC reportedly prohibits him from any form of TV until September, when he is allowed to launch his own show. According to reports that surfaced after his departure from NBC, where he was a late-night host since 1993, he’s not even allowed to give interviews. 

But as a way to get around that, keep his name out there and interact with his fans, his people have been talking about some sort of national tour for the past few weeks. 

According to rumblings, he’s poised to use his new Twitter account, possibly to circumvent the contract language. 

Look for his announcement any day that his national tour will include a stop in Las Vegas. It will be called a revue because it will be a mix of music and comedy.

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Top 10 Best Steak Joints in Las Vegas

Have you ever had a porterhouse aged for 260 days?  If you’re willing to put up the platinum to cover the costs, the Carnevino at the Palazzo in Las Vegas is willing to serve up the meal and in addition to the steak you’ll have Iron Chef Mario Batali’s pasta and access to one of the greatest Italian wine lists on the West Coast. 

Or maybe you’re more in the mood for skirt steak from Top Chef Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak at the MGM Grand served with vegetables from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market.  

But all the best places in town don’t come with a celebrity chef and television spotlight.  Nero’s at Caesars, formerly the Spanish Steps, offers Black Angus beef from Creekstone Farms and executive chef Eric Damidot prepares what could be the perfect Bearnaise sauce. 

Here are the top 10 steak joints in Las Vegas: 

1.  MOLTO MARIO’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE  The best steak in town? The answer is simple. If you’re a connoisseur of aged beef, order one of the 6-to-8-month-old, dry-aged beauties from Molto Mario’s Italian steakhouse in The Palazzo. At the Palazzo Las Vegas, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-789-4141. 

2.  CUT is all about variety in a lineup of carnivorous delights. For a price, it will put before you three cuts of the best steaks in the world: A-5 true Kobe (Wagyu) beef from the Kagashima Prefecture in Japan; prime, hormone-free, corn-fed sirloin from Nebraska; and 35-day dry-aged beef from Illinois. Those steaks are presented in raw form first, perfectly trimmed, and ready to tempt you off that low-cholesterol diet you’ve been struggling with. At the Palazzo Las Vegas, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-607-6300. 

3.  CRAFTSTEAK The trouble with ranking Craftsteak in any steakhouse competition is you could eat here forever and never think about ordering a piece of beef. The vegetables (many trucked in from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market) are some of the most pristine anywhere, and chef Matt Seeber has a fine way with fish as well — making this a steakhouse even vegetarians can love. At the MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-891-7318. 

4.  DELMONICO Along with Prime in the Bellagio, Emeril Lagasse’s bastion of beef in the Venetian was among the first of our great meat emporiums. As with Carnevino, all of this top-shelf beef (and Cajun specialties like killer crab cakes and N’Awlins gumbo) are available at lunch. Sometimes the Bam Man can go overboard with his caloric creations, but there’s no denying the perfection of his dry-aged rib eye, matched with one of super-sommelier Kevin Vogt’s wines from the Wine Spectator Grand Award list. Caesar salad lovers should note this one is made tableside (the way it should be), and is one of the best versions around. At the Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-414-3737. 

5.  STRIPSTEAK  If butter basting is your thing, then Michael Mina has got the cut for you. The conceit here is to sous-vide (vacuum poach) the meat at a low temperature before finishing the cuts over a wood-burning grill. This results in a rib eye or porterhouse that is as tender as these cuts can get.  At Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-632-7414. 

6.  PRIME The guy whose name is on the door — Jean-Georges Vongerichten — comes to Vegas about as often as I go to a monster truck rally, but this place has bred some serious talent over the years — including molecular wizard Wylie Dufresne and Kerry Simon. Rob Moore (now at Jean-Georges Steakhouse in Aria) has supervised the stoves over the past five years and even with his departure, you can be assured this place will rarely miss a beat. It may be the most expensive steakhouse in town, but it is also the most beautiful, and the six-peppercorn-encrusted strip steak (and the short ribs and the veal chop), along with outstanding side dishes, keeps Prime in the pantheon of perfection. At Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-693-7223. 

7.  NERO’S  Once called the Spanish Steps, a steakhouse has been located on this corner of the sprawling Caesars casino as long as we can remember. Now called Nero’s, it serves some of the best dry-aged steaks in town. The Black Angus beef comes from Creekstone Farms — one of the top purveyors of hormone and antibiotic-free beef in the country — and are better by far than the steaks in better-known places. The New York strip competes with the best in town, but we love the chateaubriand, served with a nice vegetable assortment and a perfect Béarnaise sauce that is so good, you know there’s a Frenchman — in this case corporate executive chef Eric Damidot — behind things in the kitchen. At Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-731-7731. 

8. SW STEAKHOUSE The room has never been one of our favorites — huge, open and with all the charm of a bus station inside the Wynn — but there’s no denying the succulence of the steaks, or of chef David Walzog’s tasty sides. That big open space and stupid, intrusive Lake of Dreams light show does nothing to deter the crowds though, which show up every night for dinner. Before coming to Las Vegas, Walzog made his name at Strip House in New York, where he perfected his potatoes rosti, signature creamed spinach, truffled creamed corn and lots of other things to make your heart beat faster. At Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-248-3463. 

9. N9NE Military-jet afterburner decibel levels and wall-to-wall poseurs do nothing to deter the throngs who pack this place nightly in hopes of spotting an Ashton here or a Gaga there. The food is secondary to the scene, but doesn’t have to be. The Kobe burger is top drawer, and the kitchen is justifiably proud of the crab-stuffed ‘shrooms, fried rock shrimp, colossal lump crab cake and braised beef ravioli with melted root vegetables. We also love the super-charred steaks (grilled at 1,200 degrees) and could spend all night sitting at the bar watching hotties do their celebrity-spotting in between bites of our sirloin. At the Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, 702-942-7777. 

10.  THE STEAKHOUSE AT CIRCUS CIRCUS  Another forerunner of our plethora of prime rates a wave for longevity (24 years), dry-aging its beef on premises, and for cooking the steaks just right over super-hot mesquite charcoal. Its biggest drawback is that you have to walk through the seedy, low-rent, no-tell-motel smells of the Circus Circus to get to it. Once inside, all of that will be forgotten as you tuck into a superior steak, in clubby, masculine surroundings, for 10 bucks less than the same piece of meat costs in swankier digs. At Circus Circus, 2880 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-794-3767.

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Poker Pros & Celebrities Compete in Las Vegas on Saturday

Sat., March 6, starting at 10 a.m., celebrities and poker pros will mingle at Caesars Palace to play poker for NBC’s Heads-Up Poker Championship.  Slated to play are Don Cheadle, Orel Hershiser, Jennifer Tilly, Annie Duke, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chen, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu.  

You’re welcome to get out of bed early and try to see the spectacle on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Las Vegas Entertainers Come to Aid of Singer/Musical Conductor Bill Fayne

Members of the Las Vegas entertainment community are once again stepping up again to help one of their own. An all-star lineup will be donating their time this Saturday for a fundraiser at the Suncoast for singer/musical conductor Bill Fayne, who is recovering from major throat surgery for cancer. 

“The great news now is that he is on a course to full recovery,” said entertainer Clint Holmes, co-host of the afternoon show with his wife, Kelly Clinton-Holmes. Fayne has been Holmes’ longtime conductor and arranger. 

Fayne, who has lost 50 pounds from his  surgery and diabetes complications, and Clint Holmes have been friends since their college days. 

Taking the stage will be Terry Fator, Frankie Scinta, Lance Burton, Louie Anderson, Robin Leach, Sandy Hackett & the Rat Pack Show, the ladies from “Menopause,” Elvis Presley tribute artist Paul Casey, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute artists “Oh What a Night” and Human Nature. 

The lineup of entertainers include Domenick Allen, Leigh Zimmerman, Cayleigh Capaldi, Rick Faugno, Lena Prima, 5th Avenue, Voci Vegas, the Las Vegas Tenors, Tony Sacca, Jerry Lopez, Jeff Neiman and Vincent Falcone. 

The event begins at 2 p.m. this Sat., March 6 at the Suncoast. Tickets are $45, $35 and $25 and are available at the Suncoast box office and other Boyd Gaming properties.

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Donny and Marie Osmond Announce Return to their Las Vegas show

Donny and Marie Osmond are scheduled to return on March 9 to their Las Vegas show following the death of Marie’s 18-year-old son, Michael Blosil. 

The sibling musical duo will return next Tuesday to the Flamingo Hotel & Casino and add five extra show dates for “Donny & Marie” from April 13 through17. 

As previously reported by Las Vegas Backstage Access, Blosil, who had battled depression, committed suicide in Los Angeles last week.

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Academy Awards Parties Start Tonight in Las Vegas

The Academy Awards are approaching with warp speed.  This year’s event – 82nd Annual Academy Awards – will be held on Sunday March 7, 2010. 

Leading up to the awards, in Las Vegas the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino and American Superstars will host their 19th Annual Reel Awards tonight, Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Theater of the Stars Showroom. With a unique red carpet, filled with faux celebrities, The Reel Awards honors the world’s best tribute artists and impersonators. 

The Reel Awards, a high-energy variety show produced by International Celebrity Images, will include comedy, singing, dancing and impersonations by some of the industry’s top tribute artists. 16 Reel Awards will be presented to winners in various categories based on their achievements throughout the year. Emcee impersonators of Dame Edna and Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will offer sidesplitting comedy and parodies. In addition to performances from tribute artists portraying Marilyn Monroe, Julio Iglesias, LL Cool J, Whitney Houston, Selena, Bette Midler, and the Blues Brothers. 

Additionally, the winner of the Vegas Tribute Idol competition, held during the Celebrity Impersonator Convention March 2 & 3, will be announced. Donny Moore, will be one of the “idol” judges, selecting one performer to be introduced Friday, March 5th with the cast of American Superstars. 

Reel Awards show tickets cost $50, taxes and service charges included. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.thereelawards.com or call (760)318-0460.  The Stratosphere Hotel & Casino is located at 2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South. For more information, call 702-380-7777 or toll free at 1-800-99-TOWER (998-6937) or visit www.StratosphereHotel.com

Times are tough, so how about hosting an Oscar viewing party at your home?  Private Oscar viewing parties are quite en vogue and can be just as swank as the actual Academy Awards themselves.  

On the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences web site, you can find everything you need to host your own Academy Award viewing party including downloadable Oscar ballots, party play-along games, recipes, cocktails ideas and much more at http://www.oscars.org/partykit 

But, if you rather want to be out and mingle among the masses, you might want to check out Avello that will host the Wynn Las Vegas’ first-ever Academy Awards viewing party on Sunday.  

Or, if you prefer, Oscar Night America is rolling out their red carpet for a huge Academy Awards party at 4 p.m. on Sunday in the Millan Ballroom at The M Resort  & Spa. This Las Vegas event is one of 50 parties officially sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that will be held across the country on Oscar Night, benefiting Variety – the Children’s Charity of Southern Nevada. Tickets are now on sale at the Variety office, 3401 Sirius Ave., Suite 1, Las Vegas, or online at www.varietysn.org, or by calling 702-383-8466. 

If you know of other Oscar parties in Las Vegas, please drop Las Vegas Backstage Access a comment note and we’ll post.

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Asian Festival & Tradeshow in Las Vegas on March 5

This huge Asian cultural event takes place in Las Vegas on Friday, March 5, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., to promote and celebrate the rich Asia Pacific Culture through entertainment and activities including a fashion show, Asian talent showcase, cultural performances, and live concerts by local and international talents, community recognition awards, and more. 

Hungry?  Eighteen food vendors will be on hand representing the authentic cuisine of the Asia Pacific will be serving mouth watering dishes to the crowd. 

AFT is an event that gives manufacturers, distributors and retailers a chance to meet and network with the consumers and attendees to promote and sell their products and services. 

The event is in Las Vegas at Town Square, 6605 Las Vegas Boulevard South.

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First Tiger Woods’ Mistress Rachel Uchitel Moves to Las Vegas to Restart Career

Rachel Uchitel, the VIP hostess with the mostest, whose alleged affair with golfing icon Tiger Woods was the flashpoint of the recent epic scandal, has apparently moved to Las Vegas to restart her career. 

Uchitel has moved into a Turnberry Place tower in Las Vegas where she purchased a ground-floor unit for $820,000 in 2006. 

Recent reports have Uchitel, who worked the velvet ropes for clubs in Las Vegas, New York and Southhampton, N.Y., getting involved now in the entertainment television field. She reportedly has been offered a job as a nightlife reporter with “Extra,” the nationally syndicated entertainment television show. 

Sources at Turnberry Place say she has leased her 1,556-square-foot luxury condo and is renting a nearby unit. Uchitel recently pulled her ground-floor unit at Turnberry Place off the market. Vegas Confidential reported in December that she had listed the property at $1.35 million. 

Uchitel formerly worked at Tao nightclub in Las Vegas but had a falling out well before she was linked to Woods. 

Uchitel was the first of about 20 or so mistresses to surface in the Woods scandal that broke during Thanksgiving weekend.

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Go Extreme in Las Vegas!

It’s once again time for the Extreme Thing in Las Vegas. 

Tickets are on sale for the Clark County Parks and Recreation Departments 15th annual Extreme Thing Sports and Music Festival, Saturday March 27 at Desert Breeze Park in Las Vegas.  

This is the first year the event will have three stages:  The Verizon Wireless Stage will feature Sum 41; the AP (Alternative Press) Stage will showcase Call the Cops and I Fight Dragons in addition to Story of the Year and The Cab; and the XPOZ Local Band Stage will feature loca Las Vegas acts.  Which local acts is still a question as Las Vegas bands are competing in the XPOZ Battle of the Fans.  For more information on Battle of The Fans checkout www.smokefreescene.com 

In addition to great music, Ricardo Laguna will once again present his pro-BMX dirt jump competition.  Professional wrestler Adrenaline Unleashed brings professional wrestling to the outdoors. And the roller derby tournament and skate competition is sure to be a fine flying feature. 

Sponsors of the 2010 event include Las Vegas City Life, Red Bull and X107.5FM.  

Tickets can be purchased for $17 general admission or #45 for the combo package at www.extremething.com  by phone at 702-454-4000 and at participating Smith’s Grocery stores.  Tickets will be $20 on the day of the event.

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Homicides on Display in Las Vegas

An exhibit covering a century of ultra high-profile homicides and crime cases in Los Angeles opens today, Wed., March 3, at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.  

The first-time display is part of the training for 800 detectives that are learning all the in’s and out’s of proper crimesmanship at the California Homicide Investigators Association 2010 Conference put on by the Los Angeles Police Department. 

The provactive items include evidence, photos and video from the murder trials of Charles Manson and O.J. Simpson (“if the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit”) as well as steamy evidence associated with the death of Bobby Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Black Dahlia slaying and more. 

Daring attendees can even get their own crime mug shots. 

The exhibit will be open to the public today and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Barry Manilow Spreads Lotsa Love in New Las Vegas Digs

Barry Manilow believes that a good love song never goes out of style.  He believes it so much that he has now released an album dedicated to the idea.  “The Greatest Love Songs of All Time”, released January 2010, contains 15 classic love songs including “Fools Rush In” and “How Deep Is the Ocean.”  And the 63-year-old singer will be bringing these songs and more to his two-year run at the Paris Las Vegas hotel-casino starting Friday, March 5. 

“I’m actually going to focus on the fact that we are in the most romantic world called Paris,” a gushing Manilow said. “Since I sing such romantic songs, I thought that would be a really good place to do something like this.” 

Manilow hopes his new Las Vegas show will receive the same response as his prior Hilton show.  The Las Vegas Hilton performances were primarily collections of his greatest hits. However, fans need not worry, he plans to incorporate those long-time favorites into his new Paris show as well. 

Tickets start at $95 and can be purchased at parislasvegas.com; 800-745-3000.

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Get Drunk in Las Vegas for a Great Cause

The struggling Lake Las Vegas community is arguably on life support, but that isn’t stopping them from launching an event for a good cause.

The Village Lake Las Vegas and Buckbean Brewing Co. are joining forces to present the Brews Best Village Beer Fest to raise funds for New Vista Community from 2 to 8 p.m. on March 13.

The festival will showcase a gadzooks numbers of breweries – mostly from Las Vegas – including Buckbean, Boulder Dam Brewing, Barley’s Brewing, Gordon Biersch Las Vegas, Backyard Brew Pub, Stone Brewing Co., Tenaya Creek, Sonoran Brewing Co., Nevada Beverage and Del Norte Brewing Co. 

Breweries will be set up along the waterfront’s cobblestone streets of The Village Lake Las Vegas.   Guests will be able to taste beers while being serenaded by live musicians- that means NO DJS!

Worried about driving home drunk or having a hangover after the festival?  No problem.  A special Brews Best Beer Fest package will be available with an overnight stay at MonteLago Village Resort or Vacation Villas. 

For more information, please call 888-600-2688 or visit www.montelagovillage.com, or for Vacation Villas, please call 702-568-1174 or visit www.lakelasvegasrentals.com

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Osmond’s Las Vegas Show on Hiatus after Suicide of Marie’s Son

The suicide death of Marie Osmond’s teenage son is forcing the singer to put her Las Vegas act with brother Donny on hold for an indefinite time.

The duo’s show at the Flamingo Hotel Showroom was canceled Saturday night and People.com cites a rep who says it’s not yet known how long the hiatus will remain in effect.

Los Angeles police say Marie’s 18-year-old son, Michael Blosil, leapt to his death last Friday night from the downtown apartment building where he lived.

In a statement, Marie Osmond said she and her family were “devastated and in deep shock.”

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Celebrity Shenanigans in Las Vegas

Lindsay Lohan is apparently back to her vintage shenanigan ways again, this time heading to Milan for fashion week when she had previously committed to hosting a club night Saturday at Las Vegas hotspot Pure nightclub.

The thrill-a-minute ditzy Lohan abruptly canceled her appearance at the club on the day of Saturday’s planned event, with no explanation to anyone, and was later spotted and photographed in Milan. 

Though Lohan may have stealthily skipped out from her Las nightclub engagement, still Sin City got a double dose of star-power on Saturday night when Mariah Carey and Ciara appeared at Haze Nightclub. Mariah was presented with a huge tiered cake after wrapping her Angels Advocate  tour at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, while Ciara hosted the evening at the ARIA Hotel & Casino hotspot at CityCenter, singing along to her hits “Goodies” and “Oh.”

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Kim Kardashian Stylin’ & Marketing Non-Stop in Las Vegas

Kim Kardashian looked her very buxom best at the launch of her very first fragrance at the Tao nightclub in the Venetian in Las Vegas on Sat., Feb 27. 

Kardashian wore a form-fitting, low-cut beige-and-black number with matching black heels. She paired it up with hair worn down and neutral colors on the face.

While we think it’s an odd choice of colors to wear to an evening event, we’ll let it slide, seeing as she’s usually on the money! Let’s hope her new fragrance is too.

Kardashian showed up at the party escorted by her mother, Kris, and celebrity publicists Simon Huck and Jonathan Chaven. 

It’s been a very busy week for K-ster, who previously tweeted Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek, plugged her fragrance on the sets of QVC shopping channel and met up with beau Reggie Bush at the salon.

Proving she has all the right stuff, she appeared chipper early next morning, Sunday, when she popped out of bed with the chickens to attend the NASCAR opening cermemonies at the Shelby American race in Las Vegas, rooting her namesake’s car on. 

Her touted fragrance, named simply Kim Kardashian, is a provacative, heady mix of tuberose, gardenia, and jasmine and is packaged in a circular black bottle. It is available exclusively at Sephora retail stores and QVC.

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Jimmie Johnson Wins NASCAR Shelby American in Las Vegas

Four-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, driving the No. 48 Lowes car, cheered on by an almost sell out crowd, won his second-straight race Sunday, as he took the checker flag in the 2010 Shelby American from Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com gave Johnson 9/2 odds to win the Shelby American, meaning a bet of $100 on Johnson paid out $450. 

A late pass of teammate Jeff Gordon led to Johnson’s victory, as he led just 18 laps in the race while Gordon led 219. 

Kevin Harvick finished second as he also slipped past Gordon late while Gordon finished third, Mark Martin took fourth and Matt Kenseth was fifth. 

Kyle Busch, the pole sitter, came in 15th place and led one lap. 

Johnson moves up to fifth in the standings while Harvick maintains his spot in first place, 47 points ahead of Clint Bowyer.

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College in Nevada Offers First Dining Card

The College of Southern Nevada has launched its first Dine About Card to raise much needed funds for student scholarships and educational programs.

The $20 card is sponsored by Metro PCS and provides cardholders with exclusive monthly dining offers and discounts at a host of Las Vegas restaurants, ranging from fast food to primo gourmet dining. 

A sampling of participating restaurants include Hash House A Go Go, Pizza Hut, Panda Express, Sonic, Ricardo’s, La Scala Ristorante and Jamm’s.  A full list of restaurants is included with the card at the time of purchase.

The dining card is good through Dec. 31 and includes offers such as free appetizers, free desserts, two-for-one entrees or special pricing on specific menu items.

The card can be purchased at www.csnfoundation.net or by calling 702-651-5947.

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Celebrate National Pig Day in Las Vegas

The ‘lil deceased oinkers are finally having their long overdue special day in Las Vegas.   To celebrate, you’re invited to attend any of Famous Dave’s locations in Las Vegas and enjoy all the delightful squeals of National Pig Day on Monday, March 1.  For showing your concern, you’ll receive a free lunch-size pork sandwich for anyone who comes in wearing pink.

Each location will also will be holding a contest where the general manager will pick the best pig costume from 5 to 6 p.m., and the winner will receive a $100 Famous Dave’s gift card for having to go through the dress indignities.

Locations in the Las Vegas Valley are 1951 N. Rainbow Blvd. (702-646-5631), 4390 Blue Diamond Road (702-633-7427), 9695 W. Flamingo Road (702-871-5631), and 2630 E. Craig Road in North Las Vegas (702-399-8000).

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Battle of the Bands Seeks Talent in Las Vegas

Smokin’ Hot Aces in Las Vegas will host an as-yet untitled battle of the bands beginning March 7.   

This is not your run-of-the-mill band contest.  The winner receives $10,000 in cash and prizes, the opportunity to open for a Universal act during Memorial Day weekend performance at the Venetian’s new rock bar, and exposure to major record labels. 

Judging the event will be Las Vegas musicians, Strip performers and celebrities to later be announced. 

Band performances will be spaced two-per-night (9 and 10 p.m.) every Sunday from March 7 through Memorial Day. 

Judges scores will be combined with online and in-person ballot voting to determine the competition’s four finalists. 

If you think you’re smokin’ hot enough, please contact Steve Slaughter at steve@thirtythreegroup.com

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