NASCAR ARRIVES!!

Updated list of NASCAR Driver Appearances!

NASCAR driver appearances in Las Vegas during

NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

• Thursday, Feb. 25

Noon – Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch, Marcos Ambrose, Michael Waltrip, crew chief Pat Tryson at Martin Truex Jr. Foundation’s No-Limit Texas Hold ‘em Poker Tournament at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino. Spectator admission is free; $225 to play.

• 2-4 p.m. – Raybestos Rookie drivers Terry Cook and Kevin Conway (and others TBA) from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will participate in a cooking competition at the ESPN Zone in the New York New York Hotel & Casino.

• 4-6 p.m. – Tony Stewart at Office Depot, 1435 W. Craig Road.

• 4 p.m. – Brad Keselowski at Discount Tire, 6565 E. Lake Mead Blvd.

• 4 p.m. – Dale Earnhardt Foundation Poker Tournament, Stratosphere Hotel & Casino: Kerry Earnhardt, Kenny Wallace, Kirk Shelmerdine, Casey Mears, Matt Crafton, Regan Smith, Aric Almirola, Eric McClure, Todd Bodine, Mike Bliss, Scott Lagasse Jr, Andy Ponstein, Danny Efland and car owner Tommy Baldwin. Spectator tickets are $20.

• 5 p.m. – Sam’s Town Live! inside Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall – 12th annual AutoTrader.com NASCAR Driver Auction. Drivers scheduled to appear include: Greg Biffle, Bobby Labonte, David Ragan and Kyle Petty. Event also includes silent auction, appearance by Home Improvement TV star Mickey Jones and music by Skid Rodeo. Admission is $20.

• 5:30 p.m. – Kasey Kahne at PT’s Pub, Interstate 215 at Decatur Blvd.

• 6 p.m. – Kurt Busch at Pole Position Raceway, 4175 S. Arville.

• 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Kyle Busch at M&M’s World on Las Vegas Blvd.

• 6:30-7:30 p.m. – David Reutimann at NASCAR Café at Sahara Hotel & Casino.

• 8-9 p.m. – Trevor Bayne at NASCAR Café at Sahara Hotel & Casino.

FRIDAY, FEB. 26

• 7-9 p.m. – Bobby Labonte, Terry Cook at the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino.

• 7-7:30 p.m. – Trevor Bayne at The Pub at the Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino.

• 7:30-8 p.m. – Michael McDowell at The Pub at the Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino.

• 8:15-9:15 p.m. – Kurt Busch at Indigo Lounge in Bally’s Hotel & Casino.

SATURDAY, FEB. 27

• 5 p.m. – Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman at Lagasse’s Stadium in the Venetian Hotel & Casino. Stewart will be honored as part of The Venetian and The Palazzo’s Legends of the Sport series. An $89 package is available for purchase which includes premium seating in Lagasse’s Stadium for the Q&A session, meet-and-greet with Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, and autographed photo by both drivers.

• 5:30-6 p.m. – Marcos Ambrose at The Pub at the Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino.

Show cars only:

• Friday, Feb. 26

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Joey Logano’s No. 20 at Home Depot at Lamb Blvd. at E. Charleston.

Tickets for the Feb. 28 Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Feb. 27 Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series event and the fabulous Neon Garage fan experience may be purchased by calling the LVMS ticket office at (702) 644-4444 or online at www.LVMS.com. Follow LVMS on Facebook and Twitter.

A meal fit for a President! Chef Barry Dakake does it again!

Executive Chef Barry S. Dakake of N9NE Steakhouse inside Palms Casino Resort dished up almost one of every item from the menu and delivered the feast to former President Bill Clinton at Caesars Palace where he gave his speech tonight, Feb. 22. The dinner included: Organic Lemon Chicken, Veggies, Sliced Steak, Japanese Organic Tomato Salad, Rigatoni, Creamed Corn, Skinny Fries, Red Velvet Cupcakes and more. Accompanying Dakake was Director of Community and Government Relations for N9NE Group, Jenna Morton.

This is the fourth time Dakake has prepared a meal for former President Clinton. Three years ago, he dined at N9NE Steakhouse and signed Dakake’s famous Shakedown Door and a few baseballs.

Last Thursday, Feb. 18^th, Dakake also cooked for the Democratic National Convention Dinner, hosted at George Maloof’s home, in which President Barack Obama was in attendance.

One of my fave places!

HAPPY HOUR 7 Days a week 4-8pm Reduced-Priced Food & Discounted Drinks HAPPY HOUR 7 Nights a Week from 4-8 Reduced-priced Cocktails & Appetizers! Town Square, Las Vegas, NV

Hostile Grape's Tuesday Turned Social!!

The Hostile Grape New Happy Hour Line-Up –

• Tuesday-Friday 6-8 p.m. Tuesday’s Turned Social Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.

To embrace our tech savvy, social media mavens, we’re kicking back and throwing our Twitter followers and Facebook Fans a special party every Tuesday night inside Hostile Grape. Follow @mresort on Twitter or find us on Facebook to take advantage of our $1 wine deal, a spectacular assortment of all-you-can-eat appetizers for just $5 and hip happy hour sounds. Twitter users can enter to win special wine giveaways just by following @mresort on Twitter.. Visit theMresort.com

Gotta Love Ladies Drink Free! LV Hilton!

Tuesdays Ladies Night inside Tempo Lounge. Great minds...play alike! Enjoy live entertainment by More and Gendel from 6-10PM and ladies drink FREE inside Tempo Lounge from 6-9PM. In addition, from Noon-6PM, ladies receive up to 50% off spa services at The Spa! /www.lvhilton.com/

Also in town at LAVO & TAO??

Sunday night John Stamos was spotted dining at LAVO inside The Palazzo. The actor and friends enjoyed the Kobe Meatball, which is always as a favorite, along with Filet, Seabass and Tuna Tartare. Their meal was accompanied by wine and Grey Goose and Red Bull cocktails. Over at TAO, rapper and hip hop artist Wale had an array of specialties including Satay of Bass, Lobster Wontons, Orange Chicken and more along with Sake.

See more Celebs and Athletes at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino! Who?

Darren Sharper, member of the New Orleans Saints – 2010 Super Bowl Champions, spotted hanging out with several friends at Vanity nightclub inside the HRH Tower at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Sunday, Feb. 21. The group arrived at 1:45 a.m. and sipped on Grey Goose, Patron and Dom Perignon. Sharper and friends hung out in their booth and were seen wearing Mardi Gras beads and masks. Sharper shook hands with fans and received several shout outs and congratulations for his team’s win by the DJ. They left around 4 a.m. Marcos Curiel, guitarist for rock band P.O.D., was seen arriving with friends to Vanity nightclub at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino around 1:30 a.m. The group kept it low key, drinking Patron Silver and hanging out in their booth the entire evening. Curiel shook hands with fans and finally called it a night at around 2:45 a.m. Also at Vanity nightclub, Jared Fogle, better known as “Subway Jared” or “The Subway Guy.” Fogle and a few friends arrived to the Las Vegas hot spot at 11 p.m. but made it an early night, leaving at 11:30 p.m. Photos credit Scott Berry / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Viva Elvis Premieres in Las Vegas! What to expect and who was there!

Be prepared for Viva Elvis by Cirque Du Soleil! Elvis has always been a part of Las Vegas just as the neon lights, but with this show it is more about Elvis and his songs and the interpretation than an impressionist show. Cirque does put it's stamp on his life by the sheer largeness of the sets and the colorful costumes. There is the gospel aspect of Elvis's music which is touched on, and the Jailhouse Rocks number is a mastery of images and dancing and looks just like the movie set only larger! If you can enjoy the show and remember that this is about Elvis and his music and not Elvis singing on the stage you will understand it. At first I did expect an "Elvis" but this is much more. Songs such as as "Are You Lonesome Tonight," "Blue Suede Shoes," and "Return to Sender," and the iconic "Viva Las Vegas" are performed with symmetry and grace and are very dance oriented. In the show is a number where his love of comic books is explored and all I can say is "BOUNCY," comic book costumed males jumping around on stage Cirque style...interesting. However what I enjoyed the most was the footage of Elvis which is shown on a movie style screen which shows Elvis leaving for the army, Elvis backstage at the then International (now the Las Vegas Hilton) and so many more intimate images of him. Truly Elvis is part of Las Vegas and a part that will never be forgotten and Viva Elvis brings a new way of portraying his impact! By the way the Blue Carpet was amazing and the vast array of stars was intoxicating and had Aria awash in a glow of glamor! Priscilla Presley, Ryan Seacreat, Neil Patrick Harris, Justin Long, Regis and Joy Philbin, Jennie Garth and Peter Facinelli are just a few!

TICKET PRICES

Viva ELVIS ticket prices are $175, $150, $125 and $99.

Please consult the most current show schedule at www.cirquedusoleil.com/vivaelvis.

Beginning February 21, 2010, Viva ELVIS will be performed Friday through Tuesday at 7:00 pm & 9:30 pm. There will be no shows on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

TO RESERVE TICKETS

By phone: 877-253-5847 or 702-531-2031

Online: www.cirquedusoleil.com/vivaelvis

Photo Credit for Ryan Seacrest, Jeff Probst, Garth & Facinelli, Priscilla & Son - Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Soleil Photo Credit for Harris - Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Cirque du Soleil

Tao and Paris Hilton Celebrate her B-Day! Plus many more celebs in the house!

The celeb filled weekend at Tao and LAVO continued on Saturday night. At TAO, Paris Hilton celebrated her 29th birthday. Joined by boyfriend Doug Reinhardt, parents Rick and Kathy and a group of friends, Paris walked the red carpet wearing all white, with a dress by Preen, Christian Louboutin shoes and carrying a purse from her own Paris Hilton Collection line of handbags. She topped her ensemble with Chanel earrings, a gift Doug picked up for her in Paris. She chatted about her new album, new fragrance and upcoming TV projects, and when asked about wedding bells she said, “We’ll see what happens in the future but right now we are so happy to be together and we are really in love.”

The group dined under the watchful eye of TAO’s famed Buddha on a feast of Asian specialties. All gathered around when a tower of cupcakes(a gift from mom Kathy) was brought out to the table and the restaurant joined in singing “Happy Birthday”. After dinner the birthday girl commanded a VIP table in the nightclub and immediately began dancing to the sounds of DJ Vice. The parade of sweets continued with a giant cake in the club from Gimme Some Sugar and Paris got on the microphone, thanking everyone for coming to TAO to celebrate with her. DJ Vice played her single “Stars are Blind,” and her parents even got of the mic, telling the packed crowd how much they love TAO and thanking everyone. Perez Hilton also stopped by the table to wish his namesake a happy birthday and was greeted warmly by the entire family.

Former NBA pro Charles Barkley, who turned 47 on Saturday continued the party he started at TAO on Friday by taking over a VIP table in the nightclub, and former NFL player Jamie Sharper and his brother Darren Sharper of the New Orleans Saints were spotted at another VIP table on the dance floor.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., also had an early celebration for his birthday. The boxer, who turns 33 on February 24th was feted with a dinner by family and friends on the mezzanine level of the restaurant.

Brian Baumgartner from The Office dined at TAO with friends, as did Law and Order’s Chris Noth, aka Mr. Big from Sex and the City. Noth was later spotted in a sky box overlooking the nightclub, while Baumgartner joined the owner’s table on the dance floor.

Comedian Jay Mohr and wife, actress Nikki Cox visited TAO Nightclub before heading to check out the nightclub at LAVO.

Photo Credit: Denise Truscello

National Margarita Day!!! Hussong's offers 1/2 price Margarita's! Muey Caliente!

HUSSONG’S CANTINA OFFERS HALF-PRICE MARGARITAS IN HONOR OF NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY ON FEBRUARY 22ND.

The Home of The Original Margarita Celebrates The Tangy Beverage At the Baja Eatery Located at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place

Hussong’s Cantina Las Vegas celebrates National Margarita Day with specials in honor of the concoction that the original Hussong’s in Ensenada help to make famous.

In October 1941, bartender Don Carlos Orozco created the Margarita for Margarita Henkel, daughter of the German Ambassador to Mexico. The story is on record in the Ensenada Historical Society and verified by Margarita Henkel herself. The Original Margarita was never blended with crushed ice and neither are the drinks at Hussong’s Cantina in Las Vegas. Drinks are served on the rocks, as a shot or shaken cold and served straight up.

On Monday February 22nd, Hussong’s Cantina will be serving up the famed fresh hand squeezed lime Original Margarita for only $5 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and ladies get their first Original Margarita free. Nachos, tacos along with all call beverages and draft beers will be half price to make the fiesta even more of a celebration. Men wearing sombreros or ponchos or with moustaches (real or glued on) will get a free tequila shooter and complimentary shot glass to take home. Everyone should come prepared to sing along with Hussong’s own rock n’ roll mariachis.

Hussong’s Cantina is located at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and is open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. seven days a week. For information or a group reservation please call, 702.553.0123.

Dream come true for Las Vegas native! Ashlie to sing at NASCAR week-end!

Las Vegas’ Ashlie Jones to sing national anthem for Sam’s Town 300

Feb. 27 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Ashlie Jones will get her big break on Saturday, Feb. 27, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Jones, a Las Vegas resident and aspiring singer, won the recent FOX 5 TV Speedway Superstar competition and will sing the national anthem prior to the start of the Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race.

“I am looking forward to just being a part of the NASCAR Weekend experience and am grateful for the opportunity,” said Jones. “This will be the first time I will attend a live race and I am looking forward to performing in front of such a big crowd.”

Jones, a 25-year-old employee at Earth Limos & Buses, has been singing in local performances for several years but will experience her first NASCAR race at LVMS on Feb. 27.

Race sponsor Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall and FOX 5 TV staged an open audition to find a talent to sing the national anthem and chose Jones out of more than 170 contestants.

“I was watching FOX 5 in the morning while getting ready for work and heard about the open auditions,” said Ashlie. “I thought I would give it a go and it paid off. I have been seeking ways to break into the music business and hopefully this will be a great opportunity to do that.”

To purchase tickets for the Feb. 26-28 NASCAR Weekend at LVMS, including the fabulous Neon Garage fan experience, Lucky 7 Preferred Parking and driver introduction passes, please call (800) 644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com. Follow LVMS on Facebook and Twitter.