LAS VEGAS CONNECTION BY BART TORRES

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Ideas
Valentine’s Day, the most romantic day of the year is just a week away and if you want to impress your significant other the opportunities are endless in Las Vegas. All of the restaurants inside Caesars Palace are preparing special dinners. At the top of the list is the award winning Restaurant Guy Savoy where the Valentine’s Prestige is priced at an impressive $340 per person. Other selections include the Valentine’s Elegance at $250 per person. Valid throughout the month of February is a dinner/show package at Luxor Hotel and Casino. The resort has teamed up with  Tacos & Tequila (T&T) and Rice & Company and the sexy adult-review FANTASY giving guests a full night of entertainment with a prixe fixe menu at either restaurant, two tickets to the show and a 2012 Ultimate FANTASY calendar. The “Get a Heart on” package going for $140 includes dinner for two at T&T. Dine at Rice & Company for $160. Show guests must be 18 and older. A decadent four-course gourmet dinner ($75) will be served at Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas from 1 p.m. to midnight. Comme Ca at the Cosmopolitan will be preparing an exquisite dinner for $99 per person with an optional wine pairing for an additional $50 per person. For reservations, call (877) 893-2001. The Barrymore, a fairly new venue inside the Royal Resort is fast becoming a favorite in town with locals and visitors. Their Valentine’s Day three-course prixe fixe menu is an affordable $50 per person, with a wine pairing available for an extra charge. Call (702) 407-5303. For some pampering, massages are always a welcome Valentine’s Day present. At Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars, enjoy a relaxing Twin Souls experience totaling 100 minutes for $520 per couple. Paris Spa by Mandera rolls out the red carpet with their 120 minute massage priced at $445 per couple. Pastries will be served! Planet Hollywood’s Spa by Mandara will also provide the same service at the same price. For more information and appointments call (702) 785-5772. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino have created the “Lovers’ Package” at Reliquary Water Sanctuary & Spa, a 50-minute signature Ancient Cane Ritual for two. Priced at $275 per couple, the treatment concludes with a champagne toast for two. One of the hot night spots on the Strip, PBR Rock Bar & Grill inside Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops will dish up hearty American food, two-for-one mechanical bull rides and two-for-one glasses of champagne for the perfect Valentine’s date night. Cabo Wabo Cantina, also at PH, will be hosting a special lover’s edition of “Star Search Karaoke” on February 14 from 9 p.m. to midnight. $2 draft beers and happy hour prices on select appetizers will be available. Caesars Entertainment is offering some good value on Valentine’s Day for guests taking in one of the hot new shows on the Strip ABSINTHE playing a Caesars Palace. A savings of $20 per person off the admission for the 7 and 9:30 p.m. show when you mention code ABS20 at the box office. February 10-14, at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, single ladies booking any spa treatment can save 50 percent for a seat at the sexy Chippendales show. The show offer is valid on the same day as the treatment. For information and tickets, call (702) 777-7776.  

Las Vegas Welcomes USA Sevens Rugby Tournament
Footballs over and now it’s time to get into another rough and tumble game, Rugby. Two venues in town will be holding welcoming ceremonies for members and officials of the USA Sevens Rugby Tournament which will be played February 10-12 at Sam Boyd Stadium. On Wednesday, February 8 at 11 a.m., Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will hold a pep rally for the USA Eagles who will participate in the tournament. Featured will be a performance by the USA Sevens cheerleaders, an appearance by the team and remarks from head coach Al Caravelli as well as Miracle Mile Shops President and General Manager Russ Joyner. The event is free to attend and all will be given American flags. PBR Rock Bar & Grill also at PH will be the official headquarters for the tournament. Rugby fans attending the tournaments will receive a 10 percent discount when they present their ticket stubs following the competition. The tournament will be televised on wall-to-wall 105 HD TVs.

“$5 Million Car-A-Day Giveaway” Promotion at Station Casinos
Station Casinos are where you want to be for the chance to win a new set of wheels during their “$5 Million Car-A-Day Giveaway” promotion that gets underway February 10 and continues through February 29. All ten Station and Fiesta properties are involved and each one will give one car per day and a total of $400,000 in cash during the promotion which just happens to be the largest giveaway in the Station’s history. Drawings will be held daily at 8:15 p.m. in each casino. In addition to the nightly car winner, four $500 cash winners will be selected. Upon completion of the giveaway, there will be a total of 1,000 wins guaranteed. Winners do not have to be present to claim the prizes, but they must be claimed within 24 hours of the drawing. All hopefuls must be Boarding Pass members. Entries are valid all month long and must be activated by swiping rewards cards daily by 8 p.m. Club members will get one entry for every 50 points earned. Additional entries can be earned through table play, live poker, bingo and select race and sports book bets. Boarding Pass members will also be awarded 10 free entries daily when swiping their cards at any kiosk.

Lenny Kravitz’ Concert at MGM Brings in Big Line Up of Guest Stars
On Sunday, February 19, rock icon Lenny Kravitz headlines at MGM Grand Garden Arena as part of his Black and White American tour. Joining the legendary entertainer will be an A-list of heavy weights including Lil John, Cee Lo Green, Kid Cudi and Slash. Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert are on sale for $75, $99 and $125 (plus tax and fees) by calling (800) 745-3000, at any MGM Grand box office, Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations, select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino. Tickets are limited to eight per person.  

Kerry’s Gourmet Burgers Kicks off Burger and Shake of the Month at Harrah’s
Sink your teeth into a delicious burger and wash it down with a milkshake at KGB: Kerry’s Gourmet Burgers at Harrah’s Las Vegas. The popular restaurant has kicked off their monthly burger and shake special combo. The burger of the month for February is a tandoori chicken creation and the shake is made with spicy mango chili. Burgers with a side of fires are $14 and shakes are $6. Make it a combo for $18. KGB is open from 11 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

So Long to Golden Gate’s World Famous Shrimp Cocktail
Talk about inflation!  Downtown’s Golden Gate will no longer be serving their famous $1.99 shrimp cocktail. In fact, they have closed the entire deli to make room for expansions. In the meantime you can still order the shrimp cocktail at their Dupar’s restaurant, but the price has gone up a buck and is now $2.99. Rumor has it that the sauce has been kicked up a notch and is spicier.

MAGIC Conference Attendees in for Discounts at PBR Rock Bar & Grill and Rockhouse Bar & Grill
A couple of nightspots in town are offering discounts to attendees of the MAGIC Conference Spring Show from Monday, February 13-Wednesday, February 15. Flash your MAGIC badge at PBR Rock Bar & Grill for a 10 percent dining discount and drink specials. Rockhouse Bar & Nightclub is inviting convention goers showing their badges a free entry before midnight during the fashion event.  

El Cortez Hosts Vegas StrEATs Festival
Downtown’s El Cortez will be hosting the monthly Vegas StrEATs food-truck, arts and music festival on the Jackie Gaughan Parkway from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. this Friday, February 11. This monthly event is co-sponsored by Sliden’ Thru and Insert Coin(s) VideoLounge Gamebar. Along with food from the trucks and purchases from vendors, drink specials are also available. There is plenty of parking, some free, at the location.

Harlem Globetrotters Heading to Orleans Arena
A night of entertainment is coming to Orleans Arena on Wednesday, February 15 with the return of the frolicking Harlem Globetrotters. This is just one stop of their 2012 World Tour that will feature outstanding players including Paul “Tin” Sturgess, who at 7 feet, 8 inches is the tallest basketball pro around today. The teams shortest Globetrotter at 5 feet, 2 inches is Jonte “Too Tall” Hall. Also on the court will be the team’s first female player in nearly 20 years Fatima “TNT” Maddox. Tickets for the 7 p.m. exhibition are $22.  

 Silverton Casino Hotel Stupid Cupid Singles Mixer Includes Speed Dating Session
Get ready to meet your possible soul mate at Silverton Casino Hotel where they are holding a Valentine’s Day inspired Stupid Cupid singles mixer on Saturday, February 11.  The doors open at 7 p.m. and the speed dating round starts at 8 p.m. Any one participating will receive a free cocktail. Admission for the evening’s fun is $5 with a Silverton Rewards Club Card and $10 without the card.

Oscar Fever at Palms Casino Resort
February 26 is the biggest night in Los Angeles with the 84th Academy Awards being telecast live from Hollywood. As in the past, the Palms has been officially sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to host Oscar Night Las Vegas with free and paid events. A free “Red Carpet Ready” fashion show scheduled for February 24 and 26 gets the star-studded weekend off to a good start with hourly fashion shows from noon to 6 p.m. at the Strips Fashion Show Mall. There are several viewing parties for all the festivities planned for the live show at Brenden Theatres in the Palms from $50 to $500 followed by the After Party at the Playboy Club at 9 p.m. This year, actress Shirley Jones will be honored in the Palms Fantasy Suites on Saturday, February 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. with the Gold Heart Award by Variety, The Children’s Charity of Southern Nevada at Oscar Night. To book one of the packages, log on to oscarnightlasvegas2012.charityhappenings.com. For additional information, visit www.ONALV.org.     

Local Man Wins a Home in Station Casino’s $2 Million Great Giveaway Football Contest
Talk about a man’s home being his castle! Ernie Carey, a 77-year-old Las Vegas local will be moving into his new $225,000 digs courtesy of Station Casinos. He entered the properties $2 Million Great Giveaway Football Contest and picked most of the right teams during the NFL season. Seven times a week during the 17 week contest he picked all but one and for his correct picks he was awarded the brand new home.  

Mirage’s Onda Ristorante & Wine Lounge Launches 2012 Discover Italy Series
Each second Thursday of the month through June 12, Onda Ristorante & Wine Lounge at Mirage will take guests on a journey of Italy’s gourmet cuisine during their Discover Italy Series. A delicious three-course prix fixe menu showcasing a new region each month is offered at $55. An unlimited premium wine pairing can be added for an additional $14. Special items from the menu will be also be available a la carte. For reservations, call (866) 339-4566.  

Mohammed Ali’s Celebrates 70th Birthday at MGM Grand
If you have an extra $1,500 to spread around town then you could be joining the star-studded list of celebrities who will be on hand to wish Mohammad Ali a happy birthday on February 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The acclaimed boxing champ will be celebrating his 70th birthday, a tribute event hosted by the 16th annual Keep Memory Alive Power of Love Benefit for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Expected to attend are Sugar Ray Leonard, Ken Norton, Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, Roberto Duran and Leon Spinks. The televised ABC show will be aired on February 25. For ticket information, call (702) 263-9797.

Check with resorts for all current offers published. Hotels have all rights and may cancel or modify at anytime. On your drive up to Vegas tune your radio to The Highway FM 98 & 99 for my up-to-date Las Vegas reports. GOOD LUCK!