By Judy Thorburn This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
Director of Communications - Nevada Film Alliance
http://www.theflickchicks.com
Planet Hollywood Welcomes 2012 Miss Universe Contestants
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino rolled out the red carpet on Thursday evening, Dec. 7 for 89 of the world’s most beautiful women during the official Las Vegas welcome event for the 2012 MISS Universe® Competition.
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Regional President, David Hoenemeyer and Miss Universe Organization President, Paula Shugart were on hand to welcome the contestants and officially launch the start of the MISS UNIVERSE® competition with a fashion show featuring this year’s stunning contestants in fabulous evening gowns.
Miss Universe 2012 contestants
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Some of the Miss Universe 2012 contestants
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Some of the Miss Universe 2012 contestants on the runway
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Regional President, David Hoenemeyer and comedian/writer Nick Teplitz
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Miss Universe Organization President, Paula Shugart
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Miss Universe 2011, Leila Lopes and Nick Teplitz
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
The ceremony, co-hosted by comedian/writer Nick Teplitz and reigning Miss Universe Leila Lopes, kicked-off nearly three weeks of action-packed events and festivities for the contestants who will reside in Las Vegas until the pageant is telecast live at 8 p.m. (ET) on NBC Wednesday, Dec. 19 from PH Live at Planet Hollywood.
In reponse to the question, "What is the secret of winning Miss Universe?", the very lovely and poised 2011 crown holder, Leila Lopes said, "There is no secret. Just enjoy the opportunity to be here (in Las Vegas). Have fun, be happy, eat healthy and impress the judges. Be smart in (answering) the final question."
Somehere within the 89 contestants will be the next Miss Universe, whose life will surely change forever when she wins over the judges and ulimately walks away with the coveted title.
Score! The Ultimate Sports Fan Attraction Opens at Luxor Hotel and Casino
Sports fanatics will be thrilled to know that the ultimate sports fan attraction has opened inside the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Aptly named SCORE!, the 10,000-sq.-ft. interactive sports fan exhibit held its official grand opening VIP event on Tuesday evening, Dec. 4.
Red carpet arrivals at the VIP event included former boxing champions Mike Tyson, Leon Spinks, Richie Sandoval, Mike Weaver, Hall of Famer Marcus Allen, former gridiron football quarterback Warren Moon, legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg, Nascar driver Taylor “The Bomber” Barton, Ms. Knockout “Yolanda Ezell, James “Quick” Tillis, Boxing Ilustrated Novice Middleweight Champ Maricela Cornejo, MMA star Frank Mir, former Major League pitcher, Jerry Reuss, Fantasy Girls, Thunder from Down Under, comedy magician Murray SawChuck and his wife Chloe (one of the dancers in Fantasy) and stage assistant, Doug “Lefty” Leferovich.
Marcus Allen
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Leon Spinks
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Frank Mir
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
James Tillis, Maricela Cornejo and Mike Weaver
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Former Bantamweight Champion of the World - Richie Sandoval
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
NASCAR driver Taylor "The Bomber" Barton
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Ms. Knockout, Yolanda Ezell
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Doug "Lefty" Leferovich, Murray Sawchuck and his lovely wife/stage assistant/Fantasy dancer, Chloe Louise
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Patrick Seiben
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
ICandy performers
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Fantasy Dancers
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Featuring historically significant memorabilia from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame®, Pro Football Hall of Fame®, Hockey Hall of Fame, Boxing Hall of Fame, U.S. Soccer Federation and more, along with cutting-edge interactive sports experiences, SCORE! is much more than an ordinary exhibit.
Interactive Hockey
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
On display at the permanent exhibit are items dating to the early 20th century and include such notable hardware as the 1999 Women’s World Cup trophy, the 1981 Heisman Trophy awarded to legendary USC tailback Marcus Allen, championship rings, World Series trophies, Jim Brown’s 1957 MVP trophy and the largest and most diverse collection of game-worn jerseys anywhere in the world. The unparalleled collection comes from various professional sports’ Halls of Fame and private collectors, including the late attorney Jock Smith.
Marcus Allen exhibit
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Football Jerseys
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Soccer Exhibit
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Basketball Jerseys including President Barack Obama's high school jersey
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
To officially commemorate the momentous occasion, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony and a proclamation presented from Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman's office declaring December 4, 2012 as “Score Day”.
Ribbon cutting ceremony
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Opportunity Village Keeps "World Santa Challenge" Title in Las Vegas with 9,712 Great Santa Run Participants
For the eighth annual Las Vegas Great Santa Run, 9,712 Santas flooded the streets of Town Square Saturday morning in support of Opportunity Village, winning Las Vegas the “World Santa Challenge” title for the second year in a row.
“We are thrilled by this year’s turnout, as this was our biggest Great Santa Run yet,” Linda Smith, Associate Executive Director of Opportunity Village. “Our wonderful Opportunity Village clients are the reasons why we run, so it was incredible to have thousands of people come out to support them.”
With nearly 2,000 more participants than last year, a swarm of Santas met at Town Square, Las Vegas to enjoy pre-race festivities from some of the best entertainers on The Strip. The masked men of Jabbawockeez performed jaw-dropping holiday dance moves while Lorena Peril and the girls from FANTASY at Luxor delighted the crowd with a rendition of “All I Want for Christmas is You.”
Santas on the starting line
Photo courtesy of Opportunity Village
Jabbawokeez perform
Photo courtesy of Opportunity Village
Parachuting Santa
Photo courtesy of Opportunity Village
Grand Marshal Terry Fator welcomed the runners along with Mayor Carolyn Goodman and the Chippendales. Guests looked up to the sky to find parachuting Santas coming in for a landing, followed by Jeff Leibow of JERSEY BOYS at Paris Las Vegas singing the National Anthem to commence the 5K run, which was followed soon after by the one-mile Kris Kringle Jingle walk.
Jason Feinberg, Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Chippendale dancers
Photo courtesy of Opportunity Village
After crossing the finish line, participants were greeted in the parking lot by some of Las Vegas’ favorite food trucks including Lola D’s, Fat Daddy’s Ice Cream & Treats, Great BAO, Chi Town Hustler and Sauced, as well as a performance from the cast of Legwarmers: The Musical – a new, 80s-themed show at Planet Hollywood. At the awards ceremony, The Venetian won for largest team with more than 750 members and Circle K Convenience Stores, a sponsor of the event, beat out the competition with most money raised.
With a significant lead, Las Vegas once again defeated its toughest “World Santa Challenge” competition from Liverpool. The “World Santa Challenge” was created by Santa Fun Run events in the United Kingdom to introduce an element of playful competition between Santa Runs across the globe.
The Las Vegas Great Santa Run® serves as the largest annual fundraiser benefitting Opportunity Village, with thousands of participants flooding the streets for a 5K run and one-mile walk each year.
Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens Transforms into a Glistening Winter Wonderland
This holiday season through January 5, 2013 Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is showcasing a winter display rich in nostalgia and tradition that dazzles the senses and captivates the imagination.
Standing as the the stunning centerpiece of this exhibit is a stately 45-foot tall Shasta Fir, the largest holiday tree ever displayed at Bellagio. The majestic tree is decorated with more than 2,500 assorted ornaments and glows with 10,000 white energy-saving LED lights. Silver and gold bells hand overhead while four grand toy soldiers revolve around the outskirts of the holiday tree.
Photos courtesy of Bellagio Hotel and Casino
New to the display this year and created by Bellagio’s renowned pastry chefs is a charming chocolate village, where no detail has been overlooked the LED lights shimmering through their shutters. Nearby, a seven-foot-tall, custom-sculpted rocking horse stands in the midst of the village. Whirling throughout the display are two motorized toy trains equipped with live cameras where guests can view what the train sees on its travels on four nearby television monitors.
“This year’s winter display at Bellagio’s Conservatory is truly magnificent,” said Randy Morton, president and COO of Bellagio. “Our horticulture and pastry teams have outdone themselves with remarkable creativity and visitors from around the world will marvel at what has been created for this magical holiday experience.”
In the North Garden, a waddle of 11 faux baby penguins frolic in the snow and skate around an arctic ice pond. Next to the penguin pond stands an embellished gazebo where vibraphone and marimba performers fill the Conservatory with the sounds of the season from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. nightly.
Greeting guests in the South Garden is a family of topiary polar bears made of more than 35,000 hand-applied white carnations. Papa bear stands tall smiling at those who pass by as momma bear watches over her cub floating on a swiveling block of ice.
New to the exhibit this year, carolers will stroll the Conservatory performing holiday classics from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. December 17 until December 25.
Admission to the Bellagio’s Conservatory is FREE and open to the public seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
During the evening hours of Sunday, Dec. 2, 22 couples said ‘I do” for the first time while 65 couples renewed their love for each other on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York during the Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon’s RUN THRU WEDDING CEREMONY. Couples were wed by Running Reverend Jaime Firzlaff during the three-minute ceremony before continuing on with the race. One couple renewing their vows celebrated their 50th anniversary and shined as a beacon of hope for newlywed couples.
Las Vegas Hotel & Casino has added COMEDY AFTER DARK to its entertainment offerings in the Shimmer Cabaret. The stand up comedy show spotlights rotating local and national comedians but will feature the razor-sharp humor of host Anthony Padilla. General admission tickets are $49.90. Show times are 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday evenings. Guests must be age 21 or older.
The staff of XS and Tryst Nightclubs gathered on Wednesday, Dec 5 for their annual donation to KLUC Morning Zoo’s toy drive, breaking the event’s previous record set by the clubs last year, with a total of more than $172,000 in toys this year. The staff raises money all year long, collecting a portion of their tips and personal contributions to make the donation possible.
This year the team’s contribution marked a total contribution record of more than a half million dollars in toys given over the past seven years to the children of Southern Nevada. In honor of this feat, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman proclaimed today “XS and Tryst Day” to honor their dedication and involvement.
More than 100 employees gathered at Wal-Mart at 10 am, taking over the toy department and stuffing their carts with everything in sight, from soccer balls to Barbie’s, Transformers to skateboards. This year’s efforts added up to more than 10,000 toys and 192 bikes. The donation filled four semi-trucks which flowed into the event like a parade behind more than 50 cars, 20 motorcycles and 10 police cars and a fire engine escort. The final receipt stretched out past 150 feet and was raised from Morning Host and Toy Drive Organizer Chet Buchanan’s scaffolding to show the full effect.
This is the nightclubs’ seventh year donating to the drive which assists HELP of Southern Nevada, a 501-C3 organization started in 1970 with the mission “to assist individual and families to become self sufficient through direct services, training and referral.” Last year’s donation of $171,000 in toys was the previous single donation record to the event, which is one of the largest and longest running single location toy drives in the world.
The toy drive, in its 14th year, is organized by Chet Buchanan, host of 98.5 KLUC’s Chet Buchanan & The Morning Zoo, where he lives atop a 30-foot high scaffolding 24 hours a day for 12 straight days raising awareness to the Las Vegas valley about the less fortunate kids & families in our community.
Mayor's proclamation
Photo credit: Danny Mahoney/XS Nightclub
Photo credit: Danny Mahoney/XS Nightclub
Photo credit: Danny Mahoney/XS Nightclub
The receipt!
Photo credit: Danny Mahoney/XS Nightclub
Superstar SHANIA TWAIN began a two-year residency on December 1 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with her new show titled Shania: Still The One.
In support of the Hard Rock International’s 2012 global IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER campaign to combat childhood hunger and poverty around the world, comedian CARROT TOP, The Friends and Family of TONY 'N TINA'S WEDDING Dinner Theatre, and rockstar artist MICHAEL GODARD joined in by wearing the signature limited-edition bracelet which features the powerful message “IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER”. Donate at your local cafe or on line and receive the Imagine Bracelet. $1 feeds a child for one day, $5 feeds a child for one week, and $10 helps start a family food garden.
Tony and Tina's Wedding cast wearing IMAGINE THERE"S NO HUNGER BRACELET
Photo credit: Gabe Ginsberg
Restaurants and chefs with roots in both New York City and Las Vegas have inspired A UNIQUE FOOD AND WINE EVENT TO BENEFIT VICTIMS OF HURRICANE SANDY will take place Sunday, December 9 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York Hotel & Casino.
Sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, the culinary extravaganza will welcome celebrity chefs Scott Conant from Scarpetta and D.O.C.G Enoteca at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Francois Payard from Payard Patisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace, as well as cuisine from 22 of the city’s top restaurants; six bars featuring specialty cocktails, craft beers and wines; and appearances and entertainment from local personalities. 100 percent of the event’s proceeds will go towards the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. In addition to several surprises adding to the excitement, all attendees will receive a commemorative chip reading, "When the 'chips' were down, Las Vegas stepped up to help those who were dealt a bad hand by Hurricane Sandy, 12-9-12." Tickets are $100 and can be purchased online at RedCrossLasVegas.org, NewYorkNewYork.com/Sandy or by calling the New York-New York box office at 866-606-7111. Guests must be 21 or over to attend.
An underwater SANTA CLAUS will be appearing at the Silverton Casino Hotel's 117,000 gallon aquarium on Saturdays and Sundays in December right up until Christmas, offering guests and families a chance to get creative with their yearly Christmas photos and have some fun. Watch Santa and his elves interact with the kids and not to mention the 4,000 tropical fish, sharks and stingrays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9, Saturday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 22 and Sunday, Dec. 23.
Santa is one very busy, jolly fellow. Throughout the month of December, children can share their last-minute wishes with Santa Claus in the shipwreck exhibit at Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef Aquarium. With each paid admission, children 12 and under will receive a complimentary candy cane and a photograph with Santa to remember this unique holiday experience. Jolly St. Nick will be joined by a very large and toothy holiday helper – Santa Jaws. Throughout the day, Santa Jaws will happily “swim” by to join the kiddies for a photo. Shark Reef Aquarium admission is $18 for adults and $12 for children; kids four and under are free. Discounts are available for Nevada residents with valid I.D. Event is included for all Annual Pass holders. This Santa event is scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.and Saturday, Dec. 22 through Monday, Dec. 24 from.10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Country superstar, LEANN RIMES will perform a three-night concert series at Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, formerly Las Vegas Hilton December 13 through December 15, 2012. Tickets for LeAnn Rimes are priced $49-$70, plus tax and service charge. Shows start at 10 p.m.; doors open at 9 p.m. A special $59 room rate and late check-out is available for show ticket holders.
The Suncoast Showroom has added two shows to its December calendar – a high-energy TRIBUTE TO SIR ELTON JOHN & BILLY JOEL on December 8, and the soulful sounds of the holidays with the Las Vegas 10 Tenors on December 17. Showtime for each show is 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the Tribute to Sir Elton John & Billy Joel are available from $9.95 and tickets for the Las Vegas 10 Tenors are available from $15.95, plus tax and convenience fees for each ticket.
Vegas’ newest headlining show, THE PHAT PACK will donate a portion of their ticket proceeds to EASTER SEALS NEVADA, the nonprofit that serves more than 7,000 Nevadans living with disabilities every year beginning November 29-January 29. Following the show at The Plaza Hotel & Casino, guests are encouraged to write “Easter Seals” on the back of their ticket stub and leave it in the donation box at THE PHAT PACK Merchandise Table. $10 from every full price VIP ticket of $44.95 go toward Easter Seals Nevada. $5 from every general admission ticket of $34.95 go toward Easter Seals Nevada.
Ticket proceeds benefit Easter Seals’ work to help more than 7,000 Nevadans with disabilities become self-sufficient through direct services, education and community partnerships.
As is its tradition, the ANNUAL GINGER HOUSE DISPLAY will be a vital part of the RAILROAD PASS HOLIDAY CELEBRATION, beginning on Dec. 10, and running through Dec. 26th. This year the chefs of Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino will create their favorite scene, with the elaborate creations on display in the casino lobby for everyone to see. Each of the Chefs will be designing and building Gingerbread creations for display, and an interdepartmental contest at Railroad Pass.“We wanted to display the artistic talents of our chefs to our loyal customers, while making the holiday display available free, 24 hours a day, to the public in our hotel lobby here at the Railroad Pass,” Curt Thompson, Director of Operations, said.
Gingerbread display
THE LAS VEGAS CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION, INCLUDING JEROME “JUNKYARD DOG” WILLIAMS, GARY PAYTON, STACY AUGMON, KEITH STARR, MIKE BROWN, DOUG LEE, LARRY JOHNSON, JAMES "HOLLYWOOD" ROBINSON AND SPENCER HAYWOOD, among others, are partnering together with the JYD PROJECT, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA AND WHITNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S VILLAGE OF HOPE to fight childhood obesity. The legends will assist the children of Whitney Elementary School with an hour-long basketball clinic and Q&A session on health and wellness on Wednesday, Dec. 19, beginning at 4 p.m. at the John C. Kish Boys & Girls Club in Henderson, NV.
THE POKER ROOM AT TREASURE ISLAND recently relocated to the north end of the casino floor near the Race and Sports book in the space formerly occupied by Canter’s Deli. LITTLE RICHIE’S CHICAGO STYLE BEEF & DOGS will open next to the poker room on Tuesday, December 11, at approximately 3 p.m. and will be open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight. providing counter service for sandwiches and hot dogs.
Celebrity Sightings:
Saturday night, Dec.1...
NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin was spotted at Marquee taking in the sounds of Cedric Gervais from a VIP table in the main room.
Jamie Spears, father of pop superstar Britney Spears was spotting dining at Meatball Spot at Town Square.
Sunday, Dec. 2, blonde bombshell Holly Madison dined with boyfriend Pasquale Rotella and "Peepshow" star Josh Strickland at Meatball Spot at Town Square Las Vegas.
Monday night, Dec. 3, NFL pro Justin Bethel, cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals, was spotted at Marquee Monday. He was joined by teammate and friends at a table in the main room where they took in the sounds of DJ 3LAU.
Tuesday night, Dec 4, Reigning Miss Universe, Leila Lopes of Angola, gathered with young pageant hopefuls at COLOR a Salon by Michael Boychuck located inside Caesars Palace. The beautiful pageant contestants attended a hair styling and coloring workshop with world renowned stylist, Laurent Dufourg, and celebrity hair colorist, Michael Boychuck. The event was hosted by Shanna Moakler, executive director of the Miss Nevada USA pageant.
Along with the lovely Miss Universe, reigning Miss Nevada USA Jade Kelsall and Miss Nevada Teen USA Katie Eklund were in attendance to receive styling and coloring tips from the best in the beauty industry.
Jade Kelsall, Leila Lopes and Katie Eklund at COLOR Salon
Leila Lopez of Angola at COLOR Salon
Michael Boychuck, Laurent D. with pageant contestants at COLOR Salon
Shanna Moakler and Michael Boychuck at COLOR Salon
Friday night, Dec. 7...
Claire Sinclair, Playboy’s 2011 Playmate of the Year, and TJ Lavin, BMX pro, both came in for dinner at Meatball Spot in Town Square.In town for the Mike Tyson Cares gala, Sinclair was thrilled to sample the celebrated fare by her superstar chef friend, Carla Pellegrino.
Lavin chose Meatball Spot to celebrate his birthday. The motocross athlete was accompanied by his fiancée and family,
Chef Carla Pellegrino and Claire Sinclair dine at Meatball Spot