AccessVegas.com Las Vegas News

See the stunning scenery just out outside Las Vegas as we peek into photos from this wedding at the stunning Valley Of Fire northwest of Las Vegas. Transportation to this beautiful, remote spot was by Maverick Helicopter. To experience a special event (wedding or other celebration at locations such as the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Valley Of Fire or other remote scenic spots, call Maverick at 888-877-2978. Tell them Access Vegas sent you for extra special treatment!

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For the first time in years, the water level at Lake Mead is rising, and not just by a little bit. Just a year ago, Lake Mead hit its lowest water level since 1956. Fast-forward one year and the water level is up nearly 30 feet. Read more…

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The old Stardust Country Club was the home of entertainers, mobsters, the Rat Pack, and big-name PGA tournaments. Now Las Vegas National Golf Club, relive this Las Vegas courses storied history.

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MMA stars Arianny Celeste, Miesha Tate, Natalie Skyy, Frankie ‘The Answer’ Edgar and Tito Ortiz visit Las Vegas Fight Shop inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino for a series of meet and greets Oct. 28 and 29.

On Friday, Oct. 28, Las Vegas Fight Shop welcomes UFC Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste, Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate and MMA ring card girl Natalie Skyy.  From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Celeste, Tate and Skyy will be available to meet fans and sign autographs free of charge.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, current UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar will be available to meet with fans and sign autographs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  A second meet and greet will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. featuring former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz.  Both events with Edgar and Ortiz are free and open to the public.

About Miracle Mile Shops:

Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is a 1.2 mile retail/entertainment complex at the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip featuring 170 specialty stores, 15 restaurants and three live entertainment venues.  The center is home to PBR Rock Bar & Grill, boasting a Strip-side location with excellent food, drinks and bull riding; H&M; Sugar Factory, the sweet shop adored by Hollywood’s hottest celebrities; American clothing line and complete lifestyle brand Original Penguin; GUESS; Urban Outfitters; True Religion Brand Jeans; 15,000-square-foot bar and restaurant Cabo Wabo® Cantina; Las Vegas’ very own Sin City Brewing Co.; Club Tattoo, featuring some of the best tattoo artists and body piercers in the nation; the only House of Hoops by Foot Locker in the city; as well as a multi-million dollar fountain show.  Miracle Mile Shops is owned by David Edelstein and Aby Rosen, in conjunction with leasing and marketing consultant Robert K. Futterman & Associates LLC.

Miracle Mile Shops is open 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and 10 a.m. – midnight Friday – Saturday.  For more information, call (888) 800-8284

Book Now and Save: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

Book Now and Save: UFC 137 – Penn Vs. Diaz on Oct 29

Book Now and Save: UFC – The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale on Dec 3

Book Now and Save: UFC 141 – Alistair Overeem Vs. Brock Lesnar on Dec 30

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Literature, celebrated chefs, fine food, panel discussions, a farmers market and more come together on Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Vegas Valley Book Festival. Renowned chef Rick Moonen will host ”Feasting on Words – The Literature & Food Fair” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. downtown at the Historic Fifth Street School. Moonen, of Rick Moonen’s rm seafood at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino (click link to book) and author of ”Fish Without a Doubt,” is one of the country’s top culinary advocates for sustainable seafood. All events are open to the public, and most are free.

A highlight of the day will be cooking demonstrations from noon to 2 p.m. by nine acclaimed Las Vegas chefs. Cooking on wood-fired grills in Centennial Plaza, participating chefs will offer freshly prepared exquisite tastings. Participating chefs will include Geno Bernardo of NOVE Italiano (Palms Casino Resort), Carlos Buscaglia of Due Forni Pizza & Wine, Carrie Chesto of Craftsteak (MGM Grand Hotel & Casino), Lorin Watada of Bachi Burger, Barry S. Dakake of N9NE Steakhouse (Palms Casino Resort), Sam DeMarco of FIRST Food & Bar (The Shoppes at The Palazzo), Gerry Goumroian of The Great Greek, Robert Solano of Mundo (World Market Center) and Moonen. There will be a $10 entry fee to the chefs’ plaza. Tickets are available at www.vegasvalleybookfestival.org. Proceeds will benefit Three Square™ food bank and the book festival.

An outdoor stage, hosted by Nevada Public Radio’s ”Desert Companion” staff, will provide music and readings during the event. The Nevada Repertory Theater will present ”Lunch Specials,” a dance program based on one of Chef Moonen’s special recipes. The Gilcrease Orchard and Van Dyke Farms will offer a regional farmers market. A beer and wine garden will offer beverages for sale. The Junior League will provide a ”kids in the kitchen” bookmaking project for youth. Several food vendors, including Day Break Café, Sin City Kettle Corn and Curbside Café, will offer refreshments for sale. Authors will be available to sign books, and new and used books will be available for purchase through several vendors.
Several panel discussions and workshops are scheduled:

11 a.m. – ”Eating Locally in the Desert” – Moonen welcomes everyone at the opening session in the auditorium for a conversation with Amanda Burden, Gina Gavan, Carolyn Niethammer and moderator Joanne O’Hare about sourcing, preparing and sharing seasonal local foods.

12:15 p.m. – ”Blogging for Food Lovers” – Dianne Jacob leads a workshop in Room 170 for those who want to get started in food writing and blogging.

12:15 p.m. – ”Feed Me Bubbe: Recipes & Wisdom from America’s Favorite Online Grandmother” – Avrom Honig shares kosher recipes and more in Room 140.

2 p.m. – ”Eating Tomorrow: What’s New for 2012” – Andrew Kiraly moderates the book festival’s closing conversation in the auditorium with food critic John Curtas, Moonen and other local chefs forecasting future eating and cooking trends in Las Vegas.

The 10th annual Vegas Valley Book Festival will take place Nov. 3-6, with most programs scheduled at the Historic Fifth Street School. The largest literary event in Las Vegas, the book festival will bring together more than 100 authors for panel discussions, readings, book signings, workshops, poetry readings, spoken word performances, exhibitions and other special programs. Most events are free and open to the public. In addition to the popular ”Feasting on Words: The Literature and Food Fair,” the four-day festival will offer the Children’s Book Festival, Comic Book Festival, contests and awards.

Limited free parking will be available at the Lloyd D. George federal courthouse parking lot at 333 Las Vegas Blvd. South and on the street at metered spaces (no charge on Sunday). Paid parking will be available in the nearby city garage ($3 entry on Third Street between Clark and Lewis), at the Bank of America building garage ($5 entry on Third Street between Bridger and Lewis) and at other city garages downtown. No parking will be available at the Historic Fifth Street School. For more downtown parking locations and information, go online to www.lasvegasnevada.gov/parking.

The Vegas Valley Book Festival is produced by the city of Las Vegas; Las Vegas-Clark County Library District; UNLV’s Black Mountain Institute; American Institute of Graphic Arts, Las Vegas chapter; Las Vegas Review-Journal; and Nevada Humanities, a festival founder. A schedule of events and a roster of featured authors is posted online at www.vegasvalleybookfestival.org.

For more information about the Vegas Valley Book Festival, please call (702) 229-5431 or go online to www.artslasvegas.org.

Book Now and Save: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

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The culmination of the 2011 Epicurean Epicenter series at Bellagio (click link to book) will feature the world class wines of Araujo Estate and distinctive cuisine of two-time James Beard Award-winning Chef Julian Serrano of Picasso. On Saturday, November 5 at 6:30 p.m., guests will delight in the culinary creations of Chef Serrano as he prepares a four-course meal at Tuscany Kitchen featuring dishes with his signature French and Spanish influences.  Dinner begins with an amuse bouche, followed by a Lobster Tournado with caramelized carrots, mint lobster oil and fried tarragon leaves.  The second course features Cotelette of Petaluma Quail with green lentils and cranberry mustard and the third course will be a Roasted Lamb Loin with a symphony of vegetables and au jus.  The meal concludes with an assortment of fine cheeses.

Araujo Estate owners Bart and Daphne Araujo will join Bellagio Director of Wine and Master Sommelier Jason Smith to discuss the wines showcased throughout the evening.  Araujo Estate, one of the top Napa Valley wineries, is known for classic, yet contemporary Cabernet Sauvignon made from grapes grown at their iconic Eisele Vineyard.  The wines chosen to complement the evening’s menu are the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, the 2008 Altagrácia, a side by side pairing of the 1996 and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2005 Syrah, served from magnum.

Tickets are priced at $325 per person all-inclusive and are available for purchase by calling Bellagio Concierge at 866-906-7171.

WHEN: SATURDAY, November 5, 6:30 p.m.

ADMISSION: $325 per person all-inclusive

WHERE: Tuscany Kitchen
Bellagio Resort & Casino, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Las Vegas, NV  89109

Book Now and Save: Bellagio Hotel & Casino

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Picasso Restaurant

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Walk through the storied gates of Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, then view his personal book collection in a study filled with his actual furniture.

Peek inside the interior of the 1999 Rolls-Royce Seraph limousine Michael designed himself with 24-karat gold embellishments, then check out the 10-foot-tall statue created for the HIStory tour. Get the feel of Michael’s music videos by wandering through the spaceship set used in ”Scream,” sit in the actual throne from the Egyptian-themed set of ”Remember the Time,” then stand before the hostile tank from the live concert performance of ”Earth Song.”

Never has there been an artist like Michael Jackson and never has there been a more intimate and personal glimpse into the career and life of the King of Pop than what will be assembled during the first-ever Estate-authorized Michael Jackson Fan Fest. Scheduled for December 3-14 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, the event coincides with the kick off of the extended Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour (click link to book) stop in Las Vegas during December. The Michael Jackson Fan Fest will only be in Las Vegas and will not travel to any other tour stop.

”We are thrilled to offer Michael’s fans an opportunity to experience his life and career up close through the Fan Fest while they also enjoy Cirque du Soleil’s spectacular tribute to his creativity as an artist in  Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour,” said the Executors of the Michael Jackson Estate, John Branca and John McClain.

”Michael Jackson Fan Fest will add an unparalleled addition to Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour’s extended three-week run at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino,” says Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil. ”Fan Fest gives fans the opportunity to experience Michael Jackson as a man, iconic performer and immortalized legend.”

Michael Jackson Fan Fest is designed to transport guests on a journey through Michael Jackson’s life, beginning with his rise to stardom through his pop super stardom and beyond as he is immortalized through fan art, photos and Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour. Throughout the experience, fans will have access to rare memorabilia and have the opportunity to take their own photos in recreated sets of the historic music videos and to play the Michael Jackson The Experience video game with other fans.

A wide variety of other personal items will be on display from both his career and Neverland Ranch. Featured career memorabilia will include costumes, the Fantasy glove collection from the 1980s, award statues, tickets, the famed rocket plane from the ”Leave Me Alone” video, a castle displayed in the living room of Neverland and others. For a photo gallery of featured items please click here: http://www.michaeljacksonfanfest.com/#. ( Hi-Res Photos Available Upon Request.)

Each session of Michael Jackson Fan Fest will last for four hours and will allow visitors time enjoy without overlapping each performance of THE IMMORTAL World Tour shows December 3-14 in Mandalay Bay’s Bayside Exhibit Halls. Fan Fest will be open from 12-4pm and 5-9pm on December 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and from 2-6pm on December 6, 7, 13, and 14. Tickets for Fan Fest can be purchased in conjunction with Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour or individually. Fan Fest ticket prices start at $35 plus applicable fees for general admission; $75 for VIP tickets. VIP tickets include priority entrance into the event and all activities within the event, a commemorative lanyard and access to the VIP-only lounge. For more information or to purchase tickets, guests can visit: www.michaeljacksonfanfest.com or www.cirquedusoleil.com/lasvegas.

Book Now and Save: Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour

Book Now and Save: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

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The Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower is proud to announce the signing of singer and songwriter Frankie Moreno as its new headline act in Stratosphere Theater beginning Wednesday, November 9, 2011.  Moreno’s ten-piece band will perform three nights a week.

Born in Santa Cruz, California, Moreno’s career trajectory started upward at the age of 11 when the classically trained pianist landed a spot next to Ed McMahon on ”Star Search”. That upward path has continued for the singer/musician. Moreno is currently working on his own album with Sony Masterworks, an opportunity that arose after Moreno collaborated on the ”Eleanor Rigby” track with world-renowned violinist Joshua Bell on his best selling debut album, At Home With Friends, that reached #1 on the Billboard Charts in two categories.

”It’s always been a dream of mine to headline a Las Vegas showroom and I can’t wait for opening night,” said Moreno.  ”Our show is a bit of a throwback to the kinds of performances that made Vegas showrooms famous, but we keep a modern vibe.”

Moreno is a favorite among music-lovers, as well as fellow entertainers and celebrities who are often spotted at his performances in Las Vegas and abroad.   His unique style and sophisticated swagger have garnered the music industry’s attention, whether on tour with Billy Currington who was co-headlining with Sugarland, or joining multi-platinum artists Air Supply on their world tour.

”Frankie is a rising star and everyone who sees him is blown away by his talent,” said Paul Hobson, Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower General Manager.  ”With all the great changes and renovations we’ve made, this is the next step for us in elevating our guests’ experience.”

Moreno and his band will perform three nights a week in the Stratosphere Theater.  His Wednesday night show will begin at 11pm, while his show on Friday and Saturday nights will begin at 8pm.   Tickets are $29.99, plus tax.  Las Vegas locals and Stratosphere hotel guests can see the show for only $19.99, plus tax.   For ticket information, please call 800-99-TOWER (800-998-6937). The show is for adults 21 and older.

BITE Las Vegas will move to 9pm on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 10pm on Friday and Saturday (dark Tuesday).

Book Now and Save: Frankie Moreno (information only, no tickets on sale yet as of October 25th)

Book Now and Save: Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower

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Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace (click link to book) acquired a 1.16-pounds white truffle from Urbani Truffles. This enormous truffle was picked by a 15 year-old-boy, Luigi, who was in training with his father, Francesco. The truffle was found by Luigi’s dog Coco, a hound dog mix breed. It was found in the morning on Monday, Oct. 17 next to a hazel tree in Piedmont, Italy. The cost of the truffle was between $5,000 and $7,000 and is estimated to be able to make 100 white truffle risotto dishes. Photo Credit: Scott Roeben

Restaurant Guy Savoy is located on the second floor of the Augustus tower in Caesars Palace and is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The seasonal menu is ever evolving, allowing guests to taste new creations from one of seven distinct menus including the decadent 11-course Prestige menu. The Bites and Bubbles menu is a consistent crowd-pleaser for guests in the lounge. Classic dishes like artichoke and black truffle soup or more playful creations like potato and black truffle chips make those who have been lucky enough to experience the original location feel as though they are right back in Paris.  For more information or reservations, please visit www.caesarspalace.com or call 702.731.SAVOY.

Book Now and Save: Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino

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Restaurant Guy Savoy restaurant

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The supremely talented pastry staff at Jean Philippe Pâtisserie at Bellagio (click link to book) has unveiled a chocolate masterpiece just in time for Halloween. A chocolate witch soars high above the pastry shop on her broom while holding a pumpkin and keeping a close eye on passersby.

The chefs began designing and constructing the witch in June, utilizing nearly 60 pounds of chocolate and 30 pounds of fondant to help her take flight. The pastry team also created 11 different sweet treats, sure to please any ghost or goblin.

These not-so-spooky chocolates include a chocolate ghost, large and small chocolate witches, chocolate pumpkin, chocolate cat in a hat and an assortment of chocolate lollipops. Also available are large and small chocolate pumpkin boxes, large and small Halloween lantern boxes and a Halloween chocolate skull, each filled with cookies, chocolates and candy giving trick-or-treaters a surprise inside the delicious container. These goodies are all made of the finest European dark, milk and white chocolate.

Those interested in taking home Jean Philippe Pâtisserie’s Halloween creations can find them at Bellagio and ARIA as well as online at www.jpchocolates.com. Jean Philippe Pâtisserie offers French delicacies including crepes, pastries, chocolate and gelato in addition to a wide variety of retail selections and custom cakes.

Book Now and Save: Bellagio Hotel & Casino

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Jean Philippe Pâtisserie Bakery

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