Las Vegas Nevada News Feed

Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel, iconic among poker players for its unmatched legacy in the game, today opens a brand-new poker room to build on its tradition and history as the place that made poker famous. Binion’s new poker room features 10 tables in a contemporary setting designed to make players feel right at home while experiencing excellent service and some of the best deals in the game including a max rake of $3 on all live games, $2 comps per hour of live poker play, tableside food service and special room rates.
 
“There’s a certain prestige associated with Binion’s poker, but the main reason poker players stay loyal to Binion’s is that we’re always moving forward with their wants in mind,” said Glenn Casale, director of casino operations for Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel. “When we were designing the new poker room, every concept was developed based on what our players had asked for—we even got their input on what kind of chairs they would like the most. Today it’s the pleasure of everyone at Binion’s to welcome the players to a new poker room that’s everything they wanted and more.”
 
The new Binion’s poker room combines the nostalgia of the renowned Binion’s heritage with the modern direction of the game. Historic photos are spaced around the room with eleven 42 and 50-inch plasma televisions for player viewing and entertainment. The Binion’s Gallery of Champions and Poker Hall of Fame are located in the upscale concierge area, where available games are presented on electronic boards. The new room is flanked by two full-service bars featuring cocktails and video poker.
 
Binion’s new poker room is yet another step completed in a series of refurbishments to the legendary property. Since the acquisition of Binion’s by TLC Casino Enterprises in March 2008, Binion’s has opened a new race and sports book, introduced the stylish new Benny’s Bullpen Sports Bar & Cigar Lounge and revamped its beloved $1 Million Display. In keeping with Binion’s reputation for some of the most player-friendly gaming around, Binion’s has improved its odds on blackjack and craps, added new table games, reconfigured the casino floor, and is nearing one hundred percent completion to Ticket In Ticket Out technology on all slot and video poker machines. More projects are expected to come online through the end of 2008 and early 2009 including a complete remodeling of all 366 guest rooms.
 
“When all eyes are looking at Las Vegas as one of the most hard-hit targets of today’s economy, Binion’s is proud to say that our progress has stayed on track,” said Tim Lager, general manager. “To strengthen our investment going forward, Binion’s will continue to put our guests and players first by making improvements to every element of the property while preserving our nostalgic brand, such as we did with the new poker room.”
 
Players can find a live game in Binion’s new poker room 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new poker room is located in the Binion’s casino across from the $1 Million Display. Binion’s offers non-stop action and affordable buy-ins for every kind of player. Beginning November 1, players are eligible to qualify for the first Binion’s $50K Monthly Freeroll. To qualify for the $50K freeroll, players must accrue at least 25 hours of live play in the month of November or win one daily No Limit Hold’em tournament and hold a membership to Club Binion’s.
 
About Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel
Binion’s has been making Las Vegas history since 1951 when Texas gambler, Benny Binion, bought the property at 128 Fremont Street. Benny was passionate about giving players excitement, good odds and friendly service, or as he would say – Good Food. Good Whiskey. Good Gamble. Fremont Street has changed dramatically since the days of Benny Binion but his enthusiasm still remains at the historic casino and has been picked up by the current owner, TLC Casino Enterprises, who purchased the property in March 2008. Renovations to the gaming areas, public areas and all 366 hotel rooms are in progress. The property has 80,000 square feet of gaming space with 750 slot and video poker machines, 47 table games and the World Famous Poker Room

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WHAT: Tickets to the 26th annual Adult Video News (AVN) Awards are now on sale for the Saturday, Jan. 10 ceremony at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. The event, scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m., will be co-hosted by two of the hottest stars in the industry, Belladonna and Jenna Haze. Both of these high-profile entertainers have starred in hundreds of films and have received numerous AVN Awards for their performances.

Adult Video News Awards Tickets

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 10

WHERE: Mandalay Bay Events Center
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89119

Adult Video News Awards Tickets

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

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New York-New York Hotel & Casino is treating its guests and fans of Halloween to the inaugural “Screamers – The Haunted Bridge” now through Sunday, Nov. 2.  The terrifying haunted house, built along the resort’s Brooklyn Bridge, has been created by Creeations Fabrications, the popular design company who has created and fabricated props and sets for more than 10 years for a variety of entertainers and their respective shows, both locally and internationally.  These shows include Siegfried & Roy, Steve Wyrick, Fashionistas and Nathan Burton, among others.

Many of the props from these past and present icons have been included in the haunted enclosure.  Additionally, more than 25 actors have been ornately costumed and specially trained for this event which will include dark mazes and scary talent sure to create horrific sights and sounds throughout the attraction.

Admission to The Haunted Bridge is only $20 per person with a discounted ticket price of $15 for all New York-New York hotel guests.  Guests of all ages are allowed to enter but children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.  Doors open at 6 p.m. and remain open until 2 a.m.  Tickets are available for purchase at the Zumanity box office inside New York-New York or outside at the Haunted Bridge event entrance.  For more information, call (702) 740-6969.

New York-New York Hotel and Casino

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Shark Reef Aquarium inside the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino will eerily transform into a Haunted Reef Friday, October 31 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Costumed children 12 and under will receive complimentary access and sugary sweets. Children in Costume and Blood Donors Receive Free Admission.

Fearsome predators, including tiger sharks and a rare Komodo dragon with dagger-like teeth, deadly saliva and piercing razor-sharp claws, will lurk in exhibits, terrorizing spectators.  Rattling chains, creaking doors and haunting music will replace the normally soothing sounds of the ocean and the jungle.  As visitors walk through Haunted Reef’s dark and spooky tunnels, they will pass ghostly decorations and jack-o-lanterns lining the walls.

Guests 17 years of age and older donating or pledging to give blood at the United Blood Services booth also will receive complimentary entry into Shark Reef Aquarium. The booth, set up just for Haunted Reef, will be open Friday, October 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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As the days draw closer to Halloween,The Adventure Dome, aptly remaned the “Fright Dome” at Circus Circus is open additional evenings. The five-acre attraction, which was ranked for the third consecutive year as one of the top haunted attractions in the nation by AOL, will be open Thursday, Oct. 23 – Sunday, Oct. 26 and then counts down to Halloween next week, operating Wednesday, Oct. 29 – Friday, Oct. 31.

The expanded Halloween hours are Thurs., Oct. 23 – Sun., Oct. 26 and Weds., Oct. 29 – Fri., Oct. 31. 7 p.m. – midnight

Fright Dome inside The Adventuredome is located inside the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino on the famous Las Vegas strip.

Fright Dome opened on Friday, Oct. 3 and has terrified more than 25,000 visitors in the 10 nights it has haunted attendees. This year the event features three new haunted houses – The HEX-MAS Nightmare (complete with falling snow and ‘Helves’), Vampire’s Bloodfeast and HillBilly Hell. Also new to Fright Dome this year are terrifying Scare Zones with monsters and super creatures lurking in the dark around every twist and turn, as well as an off-the-wall stunt show starring the hosts of Discovery Channel Canada’s popular show “Guinea Pig.”

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There was no sign of economic troubles on Friday, Oct. 3 as hundreds of community supporters gathered at Mandalay Bay Beach to support the Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas’s 7th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser. Together with generous sponsors and community supporters, the Epicurean Charitable Foundation raised thousands of dollars for its scholarship program.
 
The program supports Las Vegas area students in their pursuit of a career in the hospitality field. To date, the Epicurean Charitable Foundation has supported 18 students including the six scholarship recipients for this year. The scholarship includes coverage of all academic expenses to any accredited four-year college as well as mentorship and guidance from members of the Foundation.
 
“We are extremely grateful for the support from the community, especially during these times of economic hardships. Without the contributions, we would be unable to fulfill the dreams of talented and deserving students,” said Shawn Ritchie, Epicurean Charitable Foundation president.
 
Guests at the event sampled world-class cuisine by renowned Las Vegas chefs and restaurants along with a collection of wines and spirits. UNLV Men’s Basketball Head Coach Lon Kruger was honored with the 2008 Imperium Award for Leadership for his philanthropic endeavors and commitment to the Las Vegas community. Special guest songstress Sara Bareilles performed numerous hits including her chart-topping single “Love Song” in the alfresco beach setting and a silent auction featured a variety of gifts, travel opportunities and private cooking lessons.
 
Photos from the event including group shots of the 2008 scholarship recipients, Head Coach Lon Kruger and Epicurean Charitable Foundation community supporters are available upon request.

About the Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas
Founded in May 2001, the Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas is comprised of more than 40 top food and beverage executives who are dedicated to making a difference in the hospitality industry and the community through support of the local education system and hospitality and culinary related organizations, charities and associations. The Foundation’s primary charitable endeavor is the establishment of annual scholarship awards for local students seeking careers in the hospitality industry. The Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas can be reached 702-932-5098 or by visiting www.ECFLV.org.

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The first permanent ice lounge in the United States has opened at Mandalay Place, adjacent to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

The 2,000 sq. ft. Minus 5 Experience welcomed its very first patrons with an “Elvis sighting,” an unveiling of a life-sized ice Elvis, complete with signature pompadour, glasses, side-burns, and guitar.  On a day when the temperature topped 90 degrees in Las Vegas, the inside of the newly opened Minus 5 ice lounge pushed the mercury to a frigid 23 degrees Fahrenheit, or, true to its name “minus 5″ Celsius.

Owned and operated by the Minus 5 Group, a New Zealand-based company that has “ice-cool” attractions with six other Minus 5 ice lounges currently in operation in three countries around the globe, the new Ice Lounge, located in Mandalay Place adjacent to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino is certain to be one of the new “must experience” attractions in Las Vegas.

“Las Vegas is the perfect city to launch Minus 5 in the United States – it creates a great juxtaposition of a frigid, winter wonderland in the hot arid desert,” said Craig Ling, president and founder of Minus 5.  “We are excited to introduce what is a truly unique experience to an American audience and we believe Las Vegas is the ideal destination.”  Since opening in 2002, the Minus 5 locations in Australia and New Zealand have become one of the most visited man-made attractions in their respective cities.

Guests are invited to come in from the Las Vegas heat and don Minus 5-issued parkas and booties over their t-shirts and flip-flops.  Then the arctic adventure begins, as patrons enter the ethereal blue and white world of the shimmering Minus 5 ice lounge.  An icy wonderland of intricately hand-crafted ice sculptures and architecture, guests are promptly served an ice glass filled with exotic vodka-based cocktails (“mocktails” are also available for non-drinkers).  Then, guests can relax on ice couches and enjoy what is literally the coolest lounge on the planet where the temperature is a constant -5 degrees Celsius or 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Our focus at Minus 5 is the art of ice,” said founder and president, Craig Ling.  “We have our own ice carvers who change the lounge and sculptures every six-to-eight weeks.  This also provides us with the ability to tailor-make sculptures for any function or event.  With the ability to create anything from a company logo to an actual-sized replica automobile that you can sit in, the possibilities for the Minus 5 ice experience are only limited by your imagination.”

After enjoying the wonders of the sub-freezing environment, visitors can make their way to the Minus 5 Lodge, a warm, rustic pub adjacent to the Minus 5 Experience that is themed after great arctic explorers.  The Minus 5 Lodge features ironwood beams, river stones, leather seats and an open-hearth to create an earthy, natural environment and a welcoming ambience that also features artifacts from famed explorers and ski huts of old.  Group function catering is available with a sumptuous menu by celebrated chef Rick Moonen of rm seafood restaurant at Mandalay Place.  The Minus 5 Lodge is a superb environment where guests can warm up in style and reflect on their Minus 5 encounter – the perfect end to an entirely unique experience.

Restrain yourself from making jokes about cold feet, but Minus 5 will certainly be the only Las Vegas venue to perform “ice wedding” ceremonies.  With stained “ice” windows and pews, beautiful ice sculptures and ice candelabra, the Minus 5 ice-chapel creates an unparalleled setting for a romantic wedding ceremony.  Brides are outfitted with an elegant white satin fur-trimmed cape to keep warm, and all ceremonies are organized in conjunction with the wedding professionals from the Mandalay Bay wedding department.

Inside the shimmering ice lounge, the proprietary climate control engineering allows the Minus 5 Experience to maintain its frigid environment using a monitored amount of power.  In addition, the operators import ice from Canada, ensuring the ice is the clearest and purest available, and use pure New Zealand artesian water for the ice glasses which are imported in their frozen form to ensure that an ice lounge in the Mojave Desert maintains a responsible environmental footprint and does not encumber the limited Las Vegas water supply.  Minus 5 also supports environmental conservation programs, and their international “Adopt a Penguin” program will soon be offered to U.S. patrons.

The Las Vegas location will be the first of many U.S.-based Minus 5 ice lounges, with other locations currently in the development stage in New York, Miami, Hawaii, and Los Angeles.  Reservations, group, corporate and wedding arrangements can be made by calling 702.632.7714.

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ROKtober 31st will be a scream at ROK Vegas™ inside New York-New York when sultry starlet Carmen Electra hosts ROK’s inaugural Halloween bash in costume. The spook-tacular night will also feature a special “treat” when Electra’s fiancé, guitarist and DJ Rob Patterson (formerly of Korn) performs and spins a special set. The new Rok Vegas nightclub is located inside the New York-New York Hotel & Casino. Call (702) 740-6ROK (6765) for more details.

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Las Vegas Comedy Magician Tony Douglas of the Riviera Hotel and Casino ”Crazy Girls” show pretends to impale Anthony Everson through his neck but Everson just laughs it off.  The magic trick was at an after party for the first annual Zoo-A-Pa-Looza Bowl-A-Thon on Saturday, Oct. 18 held at the Strike Zone in Sunset Station. The event was to raise funds for the Las Vegas Zoo which encompasses The Children’s Zoo which educates children and the public about endangered species and habitat and how to protect them.

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Here’s a list of the upcoming Halloween 2008 celebrations:

944 Magazine Hosts “The Year of the Vampire” TAOLLOWEEN
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Doors open at 10 p.m.
Sink your teeth into 944 Magazine’s “The Year of the Vampire” TAOLLOWEEN party. DJ Five will get everyone’s blood pumping on the dance floor until the sun comes up.
                       
The public is encouraged to attend. Cover charge is $10 for ladies and $20 for gentlemen. All locals are free with ID.
 

Adult Film Star Tera Patrick Hosts TAO’s Annual TAOLLOWEEN Celebration
Friday, October 31, 2008
Doors open at 10 p.m.
Adult film star and lingerie designer Tera Patrick will vamp up the hottest nightspot on the Strip as the mistress of ceremonies at TAO’s annual TAOLLOWEEN party for the third year in a row.  Along with hosting duties, Patrick will spin a special DJ set. DJ Reach and DJ Hideo will also be on-hand to rock all the ghouls and goblins that attend.     
                       
The public is encouraged to attend, and regular cover charges for TAO Nightclub apply: local ladies are always free, out-of-state ladies are $20 and all gentlemen are $30.
 

Second Annual Insanity Ball and Costume Contest
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Doors open at 9:30 p.m.
Las Vegas showman Jeff Beacher and his Madhouse Crew will host TAO Las Vegas’ annual Insanity Ball and costume contest. Sounds by DJ Vice.
                      
The public is encouraged to attend, and regular cover charges for TAO Nightclub apply: local ladies are always free, out-of-state ladies are $20 and all gentlemen are $30.
 
For guest list information, bottle service and table reservations, please contact the TAO Nightclub office at (702) 388-8588.

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