Pam Anderson Replaces Carmen Electra
MGM Drops Money South Of Strip
Posted: 8:52 am PDT May 1, 2007
Illusionist Hans Klok has nothing to complain about. His big Vegas show was about to open when celebrity guest Carmen Electra dropped out -- only to be replaced by Pamela Anderson.There are worse things that could happen.Electra's departure came after various local media reports of tension behind the scenes between her and just about everyone else. The word "meltdown" was bandied about. I would never use such a term without actually being a witness to it, but that doesn't stop me from repeating it.Anderson will take Electra's place as the show's celebrity guest and muse, but the change in plans has resulted in a change of opening date. The show was originally supposed to open at Planet Hollywood in early May, but now previews will run in late May, with the official opening in early June.
A week after announcing it is spending more than $500 million to snap up some north Strip land, MGM Mirage has now announced it will be moving south -- way south -- to invest in the upcoming M Resort.That property, already in the early stages of development, is an 80-acre master-planned commercial venture that will include a 400-room hotel and 100,000-square-foot casino. It will be constructed at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway, just off Interstate 15 at the southern end of the Vegas valley.MGM Mirage's involvement will be primarily a financial one, to the tune of about $160 million of the $700 million cost of the first phase of the project. If that money isn't paid back within 18 months of it being issued, MGM Mirage has the option to claim a 50 percent stake in the hotel-casino.M Resort Resort is scheduled to begin construction in May and could be complete in mid-2009.
Magician Nathan Burton will encase himself in a gigantic M-shaped ice sculpture for 24 hours in front of Miracle Mile Shops' north Las Vegas Boulevard entrance at Planet Hollywood on May 21 beginning at 10 a.m.It's a publicity stunt, of course, to promote not only his show but the official rebranding of the mall from Desert Passage to the Miracle Mile Shops, which is due to happen around the same time.Even though temperatures in May average 90 degrees, Burton will have to withstand freezing cold inside the ice. The frozen letter is so massive -- weighing 9 tons with 10-inch-thick walls -- it can last up to three days in 100-degree weather. Burton will not be able to escape until several Miracle Mile owners break open the ice to set him free at 10 a.m. on May 22.But Burton won't be lonely. He will be joined by 96 showgirls rotating in and out of the ice to keep him company. Visitors cruising the Strip will be able to touch and inspect the "M."
The very popular North Las Vegas hotel-casino The Cannery is making its official move to the south with the groundbreaking ceremonies this week of the Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel.It will be built on the site of the former Nevada Palace casino at the corner of Boulder Highway and Harmon Avenue, just down the road a bit from Sam's Town and Boulder Station.The new addition to the Cannery Casino Resorts family is planned to have 65,000 square feet of casino space and will house 2,000 slot machines, 26 table games, a 400-seat bingo hall, a live keno lounge, a poker room and a race and sports book.In addition to the casino, the hotel will have various amenities for guests, including 307 hotel rooms, seven restaurants, three bars, an upscale live entertainment lounge, a resort spa, Jacuzzi tubs, a half-acre pool area with cabanas and 20,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space to service a variety of meeting and convention needs.It is due to open in late 2008.The Full Story In Next Week's ColumnNext week: The latest from Las Vegas.Plus, don't forget to send your questions about Las Vegas. I've got room for more, so send them in today!Find the hotel that's right for you with Vegas4Visitors.com's reviews!And check out the new Moon Handbooks Las Vegas.
A week after announcing it is spending more than $500 million to snap up some north Strip land, MGM Mirage has now announced it will be moving south -- way south -- to invest in the upcoming M Resort.That property, already in the early stages of development, is an 80-acre master-planned commercial venture that will include a 400-room hotel and 100,000-square-foot casino. It will be constructed at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway, just off Interstate 15 at the southern end of the Vegas valley.MGM Mirage's involvement will be primarily a financial one, to the tune of about $160 million of the $700 million cost of the first phase of the project. If that money isn't paid back within 18 months of it being issued, MGM Mirage has the option to claim a 50 percent stake in the hotel-casino.M Resort Resort is scheduled to begin construction in May and could be complete in mid-2009.
Magician Nathan Burton will encase himself in a gigantic M-shaped ice sculpture for 24 hours in front of Miracle Mile Shops' north Las Vegas Boulevard entrance at Planet Hollywood on May 21 beginning at 10 a.m.It's a publicity stunt, of course, to promote not only his show but the official rebranding of the mall from Desert Passage to the Miracle Mile Shops, which is due to happen around the same time.Even though temperatures in May average 90 degrees, Burton will have to withstand freezing cold inside the ice. The frozen letter is so massive -- weighing 9 tons with 10-inch-thick walls -- it can last up to three days in 100-degree weather. Burton will not be able to escape until several Miracle Mile owners break open the ice to set him free at 10 a.m. on May 22.But Burton won't be lonely. He will be joined by 96 showgirls rotating in and out of the ice to keep him company. Visitors cruising the Strip will be able to touch and inspect the "M."
The very popular North Las Vegas hotel-casino The Cannery is making its official move to the south with the groundbreaking ceremonies this week of the Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel.It will be built on the site of the former Nevada Palace casino at the corner of Boulder Highway and Harmon Avenue, just down the road a bit from Sam's Town and Boulder Station.The new addition to the Cannery Casino Resorts family is planned to have 65,000 square feet of casino space and will house 2,000 slot machines, 26 table games, a 400-seat bingo hall, a live keno lounge, a poker room and a race and sports book.In addition to the casino, the hotel will have various amenities for guests, including 307 hotel rooms, seven restaurants, three bars, an upscale live entertainment lounge, a resort spa, Jacuzzi tubs, a half-acre pool area with cabanas and 20,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space to service a variety of meeting and convention needs.It is due to open in late 2008.The Full Story In Next Week's ColumnNext week: The latest from Las Vegas.Plus, don't forget to send your questions about Las Vegas. I've got room for more, so send them in today!Find the hotel that's right for you with Vegas4Visitors.com's reviews!And check out the new Moon Handbooks Las Vegas.
Rick Garman is the head writer for Vegas4Visitors
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