Comedian Carrot Top, the St. Patrick's Day parade's grand marshal, is the first headlining celebrity in the parade's history, says Bob Feeney, festival director. And the parade has its first corporate sponsor, Coldwell Banker Wardley.

The festival, which includes a carnival, runs from 4 p.m. to midnight today, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in downtown Henderson.

More from The Las Vegas Review Journal here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Mar-16-Fri-2007/weekly/13079887.html

Something about the guy keeps us on his side. His long slide to show-business punch line was more public and embarrassing than the gradual obscurity of other "Saturday Night Live" alumni. We wouldn't rush out to see a nightclub act by Robin Duke or Tim Kazurinsky. But Piscopo? We're there — or at least willing to give him one more chance to make it right.

He must have engendered enough good will in those early-'80s sketches with Eddie Murphy, or doing that classic Frank Sinatra bit, that he still hasn't exhausted his line of pop-culture credit.

More of the review here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Mar-16-Fri-2007/weekly/13025243.html

Imagine a new resort on the Strip where the front desk is staffed by giraffes, the bed linens are spun from virgin unicorn manes and every room is graciously stocked with seriously ill boys who love intergenerational naps. Yes, once again, rumors of Michael Jackson's imminent Las Vegas resurrection are afloat, and this time they're grander than ever. A Jackson 5 reunion and 250 local concert dates over the next three years are just the first course. There are also promises of a hotel, a casino, a museum and, most improbably, a stadium, where, one imagines, scantily clad prepubescent cancer victims will pillow-fight crippled llamas for the right to take on Jackson himself in rambunctious (but soft and caring) battle.

2. Shrimp Cocktail - Golden Gate - 11 am-3 am - 99
The Golden Gate Casino downtown has been serving its cold-water Bay-shrimp cocktail since 1959. It’s been 99¢ for the past 15 years. It comes in a tulip cocktail glass with lemon, crackers, and a tangy homemade sauce. It’s served at the Deli in the back of the casino.

3. Mac King - Harrah's - Tues.-Sat. - $7.99-$21.95
The Mac King Comedy Magic afternoon show at Harrah’s is the best-value entertainment option in town. Collect a voucher from the coupon booth in the Carnaval Court outside, readily available around show time, then go up to the third floor showroom. You’ll pay a total of $18.76 for two, which includes a drink. You get 70 minutes of laughs, tricks, and even a shock or two along the way. This is a must-see entry on any Las Vegas itinerary.

4. Prime Rib Dinner - California - 5-11 pm daily - $6.99
The $6.99 prime rib special at the California downtown starts with a full salad bar, continues with a big cooked-to-order piece of prime beef, plus potato and veggie, and finishes up with a little cherries jubilee for dessert. The same meal would cost at least triple in any other city in the country.

5. Beer - Casino Royale - Daily - $1
We’ve replaced the $1.25 beers at Slots A Fun with $1 Michelobs at the center-Strip Casino Royale. This is a 24/7 deal and the bar staff is ultra pleasant about doling ’em out (it’s not uncommon to encounter a staff that’s resentful of this type of deal). You can also get two flavors of frozen margaritas for a buck apiece. Bottom line, though: Beers for $1 are better than beers for $1.25.

6. Buffet - Mirage - Daily - $12.50-$22.50
This is a gourmet buffet that’s high on quality and low, comparatively, on price. It has an unusual noodle station, where a half-dozen selections of dim sum are served up fresh (good shrimp siu mai); you can also get Asian noodle soup. The raw bar features cold Dungeness crab, small-to-medium peeled shrimp, lox, and one of the best buffet ceviches in town. There are also several Middle Eastern dishes at the salad station, along with Italian, Chinese, rotisserie, carving, and dessert stations.

7. Sign-Up Promotion - Stratosphere - 24 hours - coin-in
Stratosphere shows up again this month as the #7 deal in the Top Ten, with its solid gambling-based new-member players club sign-up promotion. Play quarter slots or video poker for a few hours and get a value-escalating (and cumulative) assortment of goodies, including $100 in bounce-back cash.

8. Breakfast Special - Station Casinos (All) - 24 hours - $1.99
As part of a company-wide campaign, the locals giant Station Casinos with more than a dozen properties in Las Vegas is now offering a $1.99 bacon-and eggs breakfast 24 hours a day. It’s a great meal at a rock-bottom price, and you can order it everywhere from the Wildfire to Green Valley Ranch, from Fiesta Henderson to Red Rock. You can also get a good $2.99 burger and fries.

9. Hot Dog - South Point - 11 am-5 pm - 75¢
South Point is now the only place in town to get the Coasts style 75¢ hot dog, plus extras, from the cart in the sports book. It’s a schlep to get down to South Point, but Top Ten’s about deals, and this dog is a deal for real).

10. Spamalot - Wynn Las Vegas - March 8-29 - $36.75
Spamalot is about to open as this issue goes to press. It’s priced to sell, with tickets starting at $49. But between March 8 and 29, the preview period, all tickets are discounted by 25% for everyone (not just locals). So you can take in a major Broadway production, at Wynn Las Vegas no less, for under $39 with tax. You won’t see another entertainment deal like this one for a long long time.
http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/topten.cfm

But watching a video tie-in to the Plaza's "Shag With a Twist" on the canopy of the Fremont Street Experience? That's a first, especially such a big product placement for such a small show.

Last week marked the debut of the new Viva Vision film, which took place in tandem with a Plaza fundraiser for the Neon Museum. It was the first time Shag (Josh Agle) got to see the animated film that Fremont Street Experience animators made from his production drawings and storyboards.

Some of us can only guess. But from sideline observation, we could argue it comes at the expense of having fun.

in the transition from "X" to its current incarnation as "X Burlesque," the Flamingo's topless show became a little like some of the beautiful people you see in a trendy nightclub: perfect hair, perfect style, and looking a little lost or bored.

More from The Las Vegas Review Journal here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Mar-02-Fri-2007/weekly/12850723.html

More from The Las Vegas Review Journal here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Mar-02-Fri-2007/weekly/12863534.html

From Mrs. Cole Porter's Aquamarine and Ruby Belt Necklace set with 23 rubies on a platinum mounting, valued at $1,275,000, to Joan Crawford's amethyst and gold ring, that sells for $58,000. This one-of-a-kind display features the finest creations from American jewelers.

Linda Porter's necklace was designed by Paul Flato, whose clients consisted of Ginger Rogers, Joan Crawford, Charlie Chaplin and Orson Welles. Mrs. Porter later gave the necklace to Fred Astaire's daugther, Adele.

Joan Crawford, who loved jewelry, especially large rings, bought the above-mentioned ring from New York jeweler-designer Raymond C. Yard. It is a step-cut amethyst of approximately 75 carats with an exceptional deep violet hue and the stone is mounted in gold with delicate scroll supports. You'll love this one ladies, so if your husband/partner gets lucky at the craps table, quickly take him over to Fred Leighton's.

As an aside, Raymond C. Yard got his big break from John D. Rockefeller. Yard was Rockefeller's jewelry salesman at Marcus when the multi-millionaire told him that if he decided to start his own business, he (Rockefeller) would buy jewelry from him and tell all his friends. Yard opened his New York City store in 1922, making crisp and clean-lined Art Deco jewelry and Rockefeller kept his word.

I was fortunate enough to be given the grand tour by Carolyn Hagopian, manager of Fred Leighton's at the Bellagio, who spoke knowledgeably of each piece, giving me some of the fascinating history behind the jewelry.

Whether your interests lie in diamonds, gold, or other precious gems, or if you prefer rings to necklaces or brooches to earrings, you will find it all at the American Beauty display.

A few of my favorites were the Kwan Yang Goddess of Heaven Brooch of Green Tourmaline and Gems; an Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire and 18K Pink Gold Necklace (circa 1940s); Schlumberger Blue Enamel Bangle in 18K Yellow Gold from Tiffany & Co., worn by Jackie Kennedy; Black Enamel and 18K Gold Tiger Earrings from jeweler/designer David Webb, a favorite of Elizabeth Taylor's.

The display will be on exhibit (all items for sale), through April 3. If you want to see how talented and creative our own American jewelry designers were and are, you won't want to miss this. After that, if you're in New York, drop by Fred Leighton's at 773 Madison Ave.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/eNewsletters/eNeon/only/leightonjewels.html

When the Lady Luck closed Feb. 12, 2006, its owners said renovations would be complete within nine to 12 months.

On Nov. 1, Andrew Donner of Downtown Resorts told the Nevada Gaming Control Board the project would be delayed a year but pledged to reveal plans for the project, "in the next 30 days."

But city officials in Las Vegas, which has an exclusive negotiating agreement with Donner and Downtown Resorts for a 5.5-acre property just north of the Lady Luck, say the renovation is on hold because the financing fell through.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Feb-08-Thu-2007/business/12455391.html

Okay, now that I've bored you with that bit of trivia, let's see what's happening around town. I'm happy to hear that one of my favorite shows is back at the Gold Coast through April 1. I'm talking about "Forever Plaid," a show that played to a full house for years at the Flamingo Las Vegas before leaving for a few years and returning to the Gold Coast about two years ago. Unfortunately, it will be leaving again following their April 1 performance unless they can find a gig at another hotel.

If you've not seen it, the show is a story about an endearing harmony group whose dreams of musical glory ended suddenly one fateful night en route to their professional debut in 1964. The group was slammed broadside by a school bus of Catholic teens on their way to see the Beatles make their television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. These nerdy crooners with angelic voices have been dead for more that 40 years when they miraculously return to Earth on the Las Vegas stage to perform the show they never got to do in life.

The music is great and will bring back lot of memories and their spoof of the Ed Sullivan show will have you rolling in the aisles. Put this on your must-see list. Tickets are only $39.95, and for $44.95 you get dinner thrown in. A great deal.
reviewjournal.com — Lenny's Las Vegas

Okay, don't say I never told you something that can put a bit of sizzle in your love life. The other day I got the following info from the MGM Grand and it's well worth passing on, particularly as we are now in "love" month. According to Buddhist teachings, the meaning of a red Lotus is love and compassion. This month, couples will be invited to re-ignite, rejuvenate and replenish their passions through MGM Grand Spa's exclusive Red Lotus Love Ritual.

Here's what they tell me. The newest in a line of signature treatments, this intoxicating service will feature native ingredients of Tibet, long-revered for their abilities to invigorate the heart and soul. During this exotic 100-minute journey, couples will enjoy pure relaxation, side by side, in a private spa suite. Designed to bring out a renewed youth, the Red Lotus Love Ritual will begin with a private steam session, fragranced with Tibetan Cedar Oil.

Next, guests will receive a gentle skin exfoliation with Himalayan Pink Sea Salt before they are enveloped in moisturizing body wraps. Female patrons will enjoy a luxurious wrap enriched with the healing properties of lotus flowers and Goji berries (no, I don't know what Goji berries are and I'm afraid if I took part in this, I'd end up eating them), valued for their abilities to improve immune functions, circulation and promote relaxation, while male guests will enjoy a masculine wrap featuring the benefits of Himalayan Cedar, known for its anti-inflammatory qualities (now this I could use for my arthritic shoulder).

A chocolate and Goji berry hand and foot mask will follow before an indulgent foot massage for her and an intoxicating scalp massage for him. Finally, a firm massage featuring lotus oil infused with the berries of Seabuckthorn plants, a Himalayan shrub prized for its antioxidant qualities, will melt away the last remaining remnants of stress. A delicious snack of chocolate-covered Goji berries will complete this decadent experience. Guests also will receive special take-home gifts of Tibetan Cedar soap for him and Red Lotus soap for her.

Sounds great and I'm sure is, but it don't come cheap. The Red Lotus Love Ritual is $590 for couples, or you can go it alone for $290. It may seem a bit pricey, but you're in love, aren't you, plus a happy partner is a giving partner. Need I say more? The spa is open to hotel guests seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Non-guests are invited to use the spa Monday through Thursday. For more information or to book a treatment, call (702) 891-3077 or visit www.mgmgrand.com.
reviewjournal.com — Lenny's Las Vegas

The comedian's comic persona is almost as identifiable as her distinctive voice and upscale stage attire, all of which combined to make her a Las Vegas mainstay since 2000.

"Oh, guys, you're going to learn so much about women tonight," she proclaims in her current home at Harrah's Las Vegas. Rudner became the master tenant of the 530-seat showroom last fall, after leaving a New York-New York venue that was about 100 seats smaller.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Feb-09-Fri-2007/weekly/12416336.html

Cosmopolitan country singer Keith Urban headlines the Mandalay Bay Events Center on June 9. Tickets are $60, $75 and $90 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Mandalay Bay box office, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Ticketmaster outlets.

But Eric Idle figures his musical stands a bit outside the whole debate of whether Broadway can work on the Strip.

"We're sort of the anti-Broadway show. We mock Broadway, we laugh at it," he says.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Mar-09-Fri-2007/weekly/12913674.html

Both Petty and Earnhardt, Jr. attended the ceremony and participated in the unveiling of their life-sized wax figures. Following the weekend action, the wax figures were moved to the SPEED attraction at Madame Tussauds at The Venetian Hotel on the Strip to join those of seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt and four-time champ Jeff Gordon. The SPEED attraction at Madame Tussauds here in Las Vegas is dedicated to auto racing. It opened Aug. 23, 2005, with the life-sized figure of Dale Earnhardt. Gordon joined Earnhardt in March 2006.
reviewjournal.com — Lenny's Las Vegas

After lunch, on her way to the theater, she stopped to play Megabucks. "I've been playing Megabucks for years," she said. "I come here all the time [to The Orleans], especially on Sunday after church (probably prays to God to let her win). So today, I put in $20 and after several pulls, I saw the first Megabucks symbol fall into place, then the second and then the third. It was all in slow motion, watching them drop down one at a time. But I knew right away I had won. I just didn't know how much." Aaargh! Somebody kill me now.
reviewjournal.com — Lenny's Las Vegas

The Las Vegas-based chanteuse was No. 9 on the list with an estimated "bottom line," as the magazine phrases it, of $69.9 million for 2006. Streisand was No. 11 with $67.2 million. But her tour visited 20 cities, including a November stop at the MGM Grand, where tickets topped out at $1,000. Dion does about 160 performances of "A New Day" each year at Caesars Palace.

More from The Las Vegas Review Journal here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Mar-15-Thu-2007/living/13128489.html