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El Cortez Hosts Holiday Gift Drive Benefitting Ronald McDonald House – $10 free play with new gift donations worth $5 or more

El Cortez Hotel & Casino is spreading holiday spirit this year by hosting a gift drive in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Greater Las Vegas from Monday, Nov. 28 through Friday, Dec. 16.

”We had a great response during our holiday gift drive for Ronald McDonald House last year, and we wanted to show our support for them once again during this holiday season,” said El Cortez General Manager Mike Nolan. ”The charitable organizations throughout Las Vegas are so important to our community, and everyone at El Cortez really jumps at the chance to help one of those organizations.”

Donations will be accepted at El Cortez’s casino cage from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily during the gift drive, and all guests who donate a new, unopened gift valued at $5 or more will receive $10 in free play. Free play can only be redeemed once and will only be given to those who provide a receipt showing a value of greater than $5 when donating their new, unopened gift.

Those interested in donating can visit http://www.rmhlv.com/img/HolidayWishList.pdf to view the RMHC holiday wish list.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas

Believing that every child deserves a safe and supportive place to grow, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Greater Las Vegas creates and supports programs that directly improve the health, education and well-being of children in our community. RMHC of Greater Las Vegas fulfill their mission by providing a home-away-from-home at the Ronald McDonald House for families who travel to Las Vegas to receive critical medical treatment for their children, and manage programs that service the immediate needs of children and families in our community.

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Transforming into a magical winter wonderland, Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens (click link to book) unveils its spectacular holiday display, rich in tradition and filled with picture-perfect botanical creations, on Dec 2. In the center of it all, a magnificent holiday tree will stand tall sending gazes soaring while musical sounds and seasonal colors evoke the holiday spirit.

The majestic centerpiece of the winter exhibit, a stately 42-foot Shasta White Fir, will be decorated with more than 1,700 gold and silver holiday ornaments and ablaze in more than 13,500 twinkling white lights. Beneath the holiday tree, floating ornaments will bobble along a lazy river, which will be enclosed by thousands of bright-red poinsettias. Overhead, 24 over-sized gold and silver bells will hang gracefully from the Conservatory’s all-glass ceiling.

”The winter display at Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is our most popular display of the year, exhibiting the spirit and traditions of the holiday season,” said Randy Morton, President and COO of Bellagio. ”Each day more than 22,000 visitors visit the Conservatory to enjoy this spectacular setting and commemorate a special time of year.”

New to the display this year, a group of five animated penguins will ice skate on a patch of arctic terrain among a life-like family of 34 adult and baby penguins. An animated penguin will examine the construction blueprints for an igloo ”in progress” while another will be hard at work as it moves blocks of faux ice between its flippers.

In the north garden, a scene of family bonding will play out with a trio of topiary polar bears adorned with ”fur” coats made of more than 35,000 hand-applied white carnations. A whimsical five-car toy train, equipped with a live webcam, will whirl on its tracks in the midst of three illuminated white trees.

Upon entering the Conservatory, a brick-lined path will be surrounded by pink and red poinsettias, inviting guests to stroll underneath eight streams of dancing water and two pergolas adorned with sparkling white lights. In the Giardini corner, a floral greeting card made of more than 3,000 carnations, will bestow well wishes for the holiday season.

Inquisitive guests strolling through the Conservatory are invited to visit with Bellagio horticulturists designated as ”Mr. and Mrs. Green Thumb” from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. daily to receive holiday decorating tips along with additional information about the exhibit.

On view through Jan. 2, 2012, the winter exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

High-resolution images of the 2010 display are available upon request. Images of the 2011 display will be available Dec. 7.

Winter Exhibit Fast Facts:
Display dates: Dec. 2, 2011 – Jan. 2, 2012
Total flowers on display for duration of the exhibit: 43,000
Total types of flowers on display: 14
Total plants and shrubs on display for duration of the exhibit: 350

Holiday Tree:
Origin Mount Shasta, Calif.
Height 42 feet
Lights  Approx. 13,500
Ornaments  Over 1,800
Penguins: 34, of which nine are animated

Polar bears:

Covered with hand-applied white carnations
Father bear: 18,000 flowers
Mother bear: 12,000 flowers
Baby bear: 5,000 flowers

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens’ 2012 Calendar:
Chinese New Year: Year of the Dragon Exhibit: January 9 – March 3
Spring Celebration: March 11 – May 13
Summer Garden Party: May 21 – September 8
Autumn Display: September 16 – November 24
Winter Display: December 2 – January 5, 2013

Book Now and Save: Bellagio Hotel

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To celebrate the arrival of ”Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour” (click link to book) by Cirque du Soleil, Wolfgang Puck’s Lupo will offer a new preand post-theatre menu, in addition to its a la carte menu. Available all evening on show nights, guests will have a choice between a three-course menu for $55 per person and a four-course menu for $75 per person (not including beverage, tax and gratuity). Executive Chef Eduardo Perez has created seasonal new dishes such as Wild Mushroom Risotto with Black Truffle Butter Sauce; Baked Wild Striped Bass with Tomato Eggplant Fonduta and Basil Pesto; and Milanese of Natural Veal with Heirloom Tomatoes and Arugula.

WHERE: Lupo Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino Las Vegas

WHEN: December 3, 2011 – December 27, 2011 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Mixed Lettuce Salad / Candied Walnuts / Gorgonzola Dolce / Lemon-Mustard Vinaigrette Or Winter Vegetable Minestrone / Parmesan Crostini / Basil Pesto
Or
Grilled Bruschetta / White Bean Puree / Tomatoes / Mortadella / Parsley Picatta of Natural Chicken Breast / Sautéed Escarole / White Wine / Capers
Or
Grilled Scottish Salmon / Garlic Spinach / Tuscan Potatoes / Salsa Verde
Or Spaghetti and Meatballs / Tomato Sauce / Basil / Parmesan Apple Crostada / Almond Cream / Caramel Sauce / Vanilla Gelato Or Traditional Tiramisú / Espresso Lady Fingers / Mascarpone Cream
$55.00 per person Chef: Eduardo Perez

Mixed Lettuce Salad / Candied Walnuts / Gorgonzola Dolce / Lemon-Mustard Vinaigrette
Or
Tuscan White Bean and Farro Soup / Garlic / Rosemary / Tomatoes / Ricotta Crostini
Or
Crispy Fried Calamari / Grilled Zucchini / Gremolata Aioli / Paprika Wild Mushroom Risotto / Parmesan / Black Truffle Butter Sauce
Or
Four Cheese Ravioli / Tomato Sauce / Basil / Tuscan Olive Oil Picatta of Natural Chicken Breast / Sautéed Escarole / White Wine / Capers
Or
Baked Wild Striped Bass / Tomato Eggplant Fonduta / Escarole / Pine Nuts / Basil Pesto
Or
Milanese of Natural Veal / Heirloom Tomatoes / Arugula / Lemon / Shaved Parmesan Apple Crostada / Almond Cream / Caramel Sauce / Vanilla Gelato Or Traditional Tiramisú / Espresso Lady Fingers / Mascarpone Cream
$75.00 per person Chef: Eduardo Perez

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Wolfgang Puck’s Lupo

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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (click link to book) gets in the holiday spirit and invites guests to celebrate the season with limited-time menus at the entertainment destination’s popular restaurants – 35 Steaks + Martinis, Johnny Smalls, Pink Taco, LTO Pizza & More and Mr. Lucky’s Cafe.  Special food offerings are available on Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24 and Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25. Santa’s Helper Martini photo credit Erik Kabik/Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino sweetens the season with a little sugar and spice by offering the Santa’s Helper Martini as well as the Drunken Elf on Tuesday, Dec. 13 through Christmas, Sunday, Dec. 25.  Santa’s Helper Martini combines Absolut Vanilla Vodka, white chocolate Godiva liquor, Kahlua and Crème de Menthe and is garnished with a dollop of whip cream, candy cane, cinnamon stick and a dash of cocoa powder.  The Drunken Elf features Absolut Vanilla Vodka, Crème de Menthe, Sambuca, muddled mint leaves and vanilla syrup and is topped with fresh mint sprig and gumdrops.  Both available at restaurants property-wide, guests can sip on Santa and his helpers’ favorite pick-me-up adult beverages, which keeps them cheerful during the holiday hustle and bustle.

35 Steaks + Martinis, traditional steakhouse with a Hard Rock edge, features seasonal favorites including Pork Belly (garnished with sweet carrot perdue, rum raisins and eggnog Buerre Blanc), Red Kuri Squash Soup (gingerbread crisp and clove crème fraiche) and Deep Dish Sweet Potato Pecan Pie.  Regular dinner menu will be offered in addition to limited-time menu.  Dinner will be served from 5 to 10 p.m.

Johnny Smalls features unique tapas fun for sharing.  Specials include Lamb Lollipops with Port wine reduction, Sweet Potato Tots with maple marshmallow dip, Turkey Dinner Sliders with cranberry mayo and Crispy Brie Lollipops with cranberry orange marmalade.  Items may be purchased a la carte or as part of the All-You-Can-Eat Special.  Dinner will be served from 5 to 10 p.m.

Pink Taco, specializing in traditional Mexican cuisine with a California twist, offers its regular menu as well as Christmas dishes.  Menu highlights include Caldo de Res (slow cooked beef with potatoes, carrots, corn, celery and rice and served in a broth and tortillas on the side), Seafood Relleno (Poblano pepper stuffed with a seafood blend and topped with a spicy cream sauce, alongside black bean rice) and Open Faced Tamale (filled with chili and cheese and topped with choice of chicken, beef, pork or shrimp).  Pink Taco will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

LTO Pizza & More offers traditional favorites such as Butternut Squash Soup (rich and creamy roasted winter squash with gingerbread croutons), Panzanella (Tuscan bread salad with plum tomatoes, shaved red onion, olive oil and basil) and Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli (house made cheese and pumpkin ravioli finished in a chestnut, browned butter and sage sauce).  LTO will serve specialty items, in addition to regular dinner menu, from 5 to 10 p.m.

Mr. Lucky’s Café, featuring diner favorites ‘round the clock, offers exclusive Christmas cuisine, such as Holiday Mixed Greens (complemented by candied walnuts, Asian pear, bleu cheese and tossed in blackberry vinaigrette), Oven Roasted Turkey Dinner (accompanied by candied yams, Yukon mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread stuffing and cranberry sauce) and Honey Mustard Glazed Ham (served with cornbread stuffing and house made cranberry sauce).  Mr. Lucky’s Café is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and specialty menu will be available 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Book Now and Save: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

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This Christmas, Mr. Grinch leaves his perch on Mount Crumpit to look for mischief at Bellagio’s (click link to book) Jean Philippe Pâtisserie. More than a month in the making, the infamous Dr. Seuss character was brought to life using 50 pounds of chocolate and 112 pounds of fondant. The impressive six-foot tall green sculpture towers over guests and can be seen tip-toeing across the patisserie 24 hours a day.

The Bellagio pastry team also created 15 festive delicacies made especially for the holiday season.  Playful chocolate designs include Santa Claus involved in a variety of activities such as skiing, building a sandcastle, rollerblading, relaxing at the beach and posing with his sleigh.

Other delectable chocolate sweets include an interactive Christmas puzzle with edible pieces plus a scenic Christmas postcard and colorful Christmas ornaments. Each holiday treat is made with the finest European milk chocolate and accented with dark and white chocolate.

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

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Jean Philippe Pâtisserie

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Heating up December is Amber, FANTASY’s ”Showgirl of the Month.” (click link to book) The sexy, adult revue at Luxor Hotel and Casino recognizes one of its stars each month in conjunction with its 2011 calendar.

This gorgeous, red-headed Dallas native grew up idolizing the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders before becoming one herself. In addition to dancing, Amber loves to travel and discover new adventures. She traveled north to Alaska to climb a glacier, south to Bora Bora to swim with sharks and has flown across the globe to skydive in New Zealand.

When this daring beauty isn’t in search of her latest adventure or performing in FANTASY, she is hanging out with friends at her favorite Las Vegas hot spot Savile Row at Luxor. Amber dreams of one day heading to the Big Apple for a shot at performing on Broadway.

Celebrating 12 successful years on The Strip, FANTASY has shaped itself into one of Las Vegas’ leading topless shows. Dynamic lead singer Lorena Peril adds an exciting and unforgettable element with her amazing powerhouse vocals as she takes center-stage alongside a talented cast of beautiful dancers. Great for singles and couples alike, the sexy production showcases 15 high-energy numbers set to a variety of today’s top music genres. While the gorgeous dancers lure guests into their wildest fantasies, comic relief Sean E. Cooper keeps audiences on their toes with his spot-on impressions of some of pop culture’s most recognizable personalities.

FANTASY (www.fantasyluxor.com) performs nightly at 10:30 p.m. in the Atrium Showroom at Luxor Hotel and Casino. Tickets start at $39, plus taxes and handling fees.  Guests must be 18 years of age or older. Tickets can be purchased at the Luxor box office, online at http://www.Luxor.com or by calling (800) 557-7428

Book Now and Save: FANTASY

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He’s making a list, and checking it twice and McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon at Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino (click link to book) is going to find out who is naughty or nice. Sunday, Dec. 4, the rowdy Irish hot spot will celebrate Santa’s List Day with drink specials for patrons from each side of Mr. Claus’ list.

In honor of this pre-holiday celebration, McFadden’s is offering drink specials to correspond with partygoer’s behavior from the past year. Disobedient patrons who check in under the naughty list will receive $20 bottomless beers throughout the evening. Guests who claim to be on the nice list will enjoy $4 well drinks from 10 p.m. until close. Plus, all guests, both naughty and nice, will receive $5 bombs.

Sin City’s rowdiest party bar has hosted such celebrities as Steve-O, Vanilla Ice, a handful of Playboy Playmates and a variety of adult entertainers. McFadden’s presents nightly specials including: Laid Back Mondays, Ultimate Karaoke Tuesdays, Wayback Wednesdays, Beerfest Thursdays, The Party Open Bar Saturdays and Sin Sundays. McFadden’s gorgeous Lucky Charms and jovial Ministers of Hospitality ensure everyone has fun, whether they’re there to watch the game, throw back a few drinks, play beer pong, or simply enjoy a bite to eat. Best known for its beers and libations, McFadden’s offers a full bar featuring dozens of favorite draught beers, 90-ounce fishbowl cocktails and frozen drinks.

McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon is open from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. until 4 a.m. on Saturday 11 a.m. until 4 a.m. and 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 702.270.6200

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McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon

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MonteLago (click link to book) Christmas Village at Lake Las Vegas kicks-off a big Holiday Celebration this weekend with a free specialty holiday cocktail tasting for adults along with Carolers, Santa, Ice Skating and a Fireworks show.

On Friday, December 2nd, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm, the restaurants of MonteLago Christmas Village will provide free tastings of their very special holiday cocktails that have been custom-created just for the ”Spirits of Christmas” Cocktail Walk.

Adults can pick-up a free tasting guide and voting score card at Casino MonteLago. One lucky taster will also win a super stay-cation at beautiful Lake Las Vegas. Cocktail Walk revelers must be 21 to participate.

On Saturday, December 3rd, its fun for the whole family starting with Santa taking children’s Christmas wishes from 12 noon to 2:30 pm.

Sin City Opera strolling carolers will sing Christmas favorites from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and ice skating on MonteLago Christmas Village’s beautiful floating ice rink will be available all weekend.

The day concludes with a spectacular free ”Holiday Fireworks Extravaganza” at 9:00 pm.

”The Village at Lake Las Vegas has been transformed into The MonteLago Christmas Village,” states Casino MonteLago CEO, Jon Berkley, ”with colorful lights, beautiful holiday décor and wonderful entertainment. We are proud to welcome our guests to this free, one of a kind holiday experience.”

This weekend’s schedule overview:

Friday, December 2nd
5:00 – 9:00 pm ”Spirits of Christmas” Walk / Free Specialty Holiday Cocktail Tasting

Saturday, December 3rd
12:00 – 2:30 pm – Santa greets the Kids
1:00 – 4:00 pm – Sin City Opera Strolling Carolers
9:00 pm – Free Holiday Fireworks Spectacular

Book Now and Save: MonteLago at Lake Las Vegas

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WHAT: On Saturday, Dec. 3, The Venetian (click link to book) invites guests to join Wolfgang Puck’s Las Vegas Director of Pastry Kenny Magana for a complimentary event as he performs a live cooking demonstration from 2 to 3 p.m. in front of Postrio Bar & Grill inside St. Mark’s Square. Guests will have a chance to learn how to make candy canes and flavored marshmallows during the first-ever Winter in Venice.

Now through Jan. 8, The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas are introducing Winter in Venice, the first true celebration of the winter season on the Las Vegas Strip. With 49 days of holiday festivities throughout both resorts, Winter in Venice will be the ultimate destination for an unforgettable holiday experience.

WHERE: The Venetian Las Vegas
Postrio Bar & Grill in St. Mark’s Square
3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Postrio Bar & Grill

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Madame Tussauds Las Vegas (click link to book) offers Las Vegas locals $12.50 adult general admission tickets (half-price) Nov. 24, 2011 through Feb. 29, 2012.  To receive the discount, locals must purchase two or more adult general admission tickets online at www.madametussauds.com/lasvegas.  A valid Nevada I.D. is required to pick up the tickets at will call.  Discount applies to regularly priced adult general admission tickets and can not be combined with any other offer.

About Madame Tussauds Las Vegas:

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas offers guests the unique opportunity to ”interact” with incredibly life-like iconic figures from the celebrity worlds of film, TV, music, sports and politics.  Only at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas can you ”grab hold” of your favorite stars, with our many interactive experiences.  With more than 100 wax figures, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas allows you to take pictures, touch and get up close and personal in a themed setting.  Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is located on the Las Vegas Strip at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino.  The attraction is open 365 days a year from 10AM.  For attraction hours and pricing, please call (702) 862-7800

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