Vegas Weekend Update

It really takes a village to pull off the E BUNNY program each year. The private, charitable outreach group has grown in 19 years, from delivering 25 baskets the first year, to over 1,300 Easter baskets in 2008.

Baskets go to kids who need them most. Beyond the neon glitz of the Las Vegas Strip, thousands of children exist under impoverished circumstances... many homeless... in temporary housing, under the most depressing conditions.

"We get requests from various programs and shelters every year," says coordinator and program founder Barbara Kenig. "Our goal is to find groups and organizations that aren't sponsored by large charities or outreach programs; we look for those who otherwise wouldn't have Easter baskets for the kids. We don't accept monetary contributions," Kenig added. "We just ask for Easter Baskets that can be donated directly to the kids."

Since 1990, E BUNNY has delivered thousands of baskets to homeless and underprivileged children thanks to the generosity of retailers, industry, casinos, manufacturers, individuals, (many anonymous), churches and dedicated volunteers.

Businesses across America — the likes of TY Inc., Costco, Sam's Club,& Walmart — have helped through the years. And Las Vegas companies like Veolia Transportation, Payroll Solutions, Station Casinos Outreach Team, Kohls, Nevada State College School of Nursing and Faith Community Lutheran Church collected hundreds of baskets for kids in need last year.

Organizations that received baskets in 2008 included: Las Vegas City Mission, Las Vegas Housing Authority, Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Clark County Social Services, Safe House, Sunrise Children's Hospital, Nevada Social Services and Straight From the Streets. A complete list of all who donated, and those agencies and organizations who received can be found on the E BUNNY web page at: communitylink.reviewjournal.com/lvrj/ebunny

You can make a difference in a child's life by purchasing an Easter basket and donating it to the E BUNNY "One Special Basket for One Special Child" program; then, inspire others in your life to donate an Easter basket too! The cost of a basket typically ranges in price from $7-15 and they can be purchased at any drugstore, supermarket, or retail store like Walmart, K-Mart, Odd & Big Lots, and Target.

Easter/Spring is the season of hope and renewal. No matter what your religious beliefs are, it's a great time to put a smile on the face of a child who really doesn't have a lot to smile about, and be part of a community effort that cares for kids.

For further information on donating an Easter basket, e-mail Barbara Kenig at barbarakenig@aol.com - call 702.498.9808 - or visit the we page: http://communitylink.reviewjournal.com/lvrj/ebunny

M Resort, Spa and Casino Unveils its Food and Beverage Offerings

M Resort Spa Casino has announced its lineup of nine restaurants. Studio B, the resort’s show kitchen buffet, integrates a state-of-the-art restaurant with a live-action cooking studio. At Marinelli’s, guests can enjoy authentic Italian dishes in the stylish restaurant or overlooking the Villaggio Del Sole. Terzetto will combine great charcoal-grilled steak and seafood with an even better social atmosphere. Gracing the summit of the M Resort, Veloce Cibo will combine an extensive menu of appetizers, entrees and sushi. Red Cup Café, a 1920s art-deco inspired 24-hour gathering spot, will be the place for hand-prepared American classics. The Hostile Grape will be known as the cellar and tasting room with an attitude. Baby Cakes, a European-inspired patisserie will offer an impressive assortment of confections including pastries, cakes, and a variety of coffees. Adjacent to the race and sports book, guests can order by the numbers at Vig Deli with an extensive menu that includes hot dogs, burgers and hand-tossed pizza. A casual outdoor dining experience, Piazza Grille will be a sun-soaked Mediterranean-style experience. For more information, please contact Rina Foster, Preferred Public Relations, rina@preferredpublicrelations.com.



Andre’s Restaurant & Lounge at Monte Carlo Re-opens After $2 Million Renovation

Andre’s Restaurant & Lounge at Monte Carlo has re-opened with a new look, new offerings and new chef de cuisine Greg Engelhardt. Considered the first Las Vegas celebrity chef, Andre Rochat has enhanced his AAA Four Diamond restaurant by combining its original old-world charm with a modern twist to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The new layout of Andre’s, designed by Urbane Design Associates, is evident upon arrival. Floor-to-ceiling, clear-glass entrance doors allow a glimpse into the visually open and expanded wine bar. Upstairs, guests will discover three private dining rooms as well as the intimate Cigar Lounge. The menu features traditional French cuisine overseen nightly by Chef Rochat, who gives his personal stamp of approval to each plate before it leaves the kitchen. For more information, please contact Andrea Brown, MGM MIRAGE, abrown@mgmmirage.com.



SUSHISAMBA Introduces SUSHI+SAKE101

SUSHISAMBA, located at the Shoppes level of The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino, offers a unique SUSHI+SAKE101 class that teaches sake and the art of sushi making from Las Vegas' only female master sake sommelier and a master sushi chef. SUSHI+SAKE101 introduces guests to the history and traditions of sushi and sake and offers in-depth instruction about these two worldly traditions from resident experts. Class participants learn what it takes to become a “master sushi chef," while sipping sake alongside a five-course meal that includes sashimi, tempura, edamame and sushi rolls. The class is taught every second Wednesday of the month and is $85 per person. For more information, please call 702-607-0700 or visit www.sushisamba.com.



New Joint at Hard Rock Hotel Provides the Ultimate Rock ‘N’ Roll Experience

The Joint, an all-new, $60 million concert facility at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, will open this April. Inheriting its name from the legendary original Hard Rock venue, the new Joint was designed by the renowned Montreal-based architectural design firm Scéno Plus with a capacity to hold 4,000 people. Offering seven premiere VIP hospitality suites and an innovative sound and lighting system, the new Joint will double in size while keeping the same atmosphere as the original venue. The new Joint features 700 balcony seats, WiFi access, four dressing rooms, a green room, 36 flat screens throughout the venues and much more. For more information, please contact Cherryl Kaopua, Kirvin Doak Communications, ckaopua@kirvindoak.com.



ND’s Fuego to Open at Rio

ND’s Fuego – The Evolution of Nightlife debuts a multi-faceted club experience beginning Feb. 12 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. The Latin-themed nightclub provides a total sensory experience with state-of-the-art technology and integrated performances by talented dancers and singers backed by live music. Interludes with surreal characters, elaborate costumes, high-tech digital imaging and guest performances from world-renowned DJs make ND’s Fuego a premier nightlife destination. The venue will accommodate up to 1,000 guests and will feature some of the biggest names in the music industry. For more information, please contact Deanna Pettit, Harrah’s Entertainment, dpettit@harrahs.com.



John Huntington Set to Open High-End Tattoo Lounge inside the Palms

Premier nightclub promoter John Huntington will open his new tattoo lounge, Huntington Ink, this spring inside the Palms Casino Resort. The co-producer and star of A&E’s hit reality show “Inked” returns to the Palms with a high-end, Asian inspired tattoo lounge that will replace Hart & Huntington. Reflecting Huntington’s love for the Asian culture and his martial arts background in Jujitsu and Muy Thai, the newly designed lounge will feature previous work on an interactive wall of touch screen units. Huntington will also incorporate a tattoo stage and state-of-the-art sound system for guest DJs and the nightclub guru’s friends. For more information, please contact Larry Fink, Palms, larry.fink@palms.com.



The Palazzo Unveils Enchanting Entertainment Experience

The Palazzo has introduced The Living Garden, a unique entertainment experience combining the beauty of nature, classical music and graceful choreography. Featuring three statue-like female performers adorned with elaborate make-up and costumes, the entertainment experience begins with a procession to the base of the cascading waterfall inside The Palazzo, where the elegant transformation from statue to living fountain evolves. They then proceed to the second floor and enter The Shoppes at The Palazzo, where they are greeted by two living vine characters. These stunning, mysterious female vines stand over nine feet tall, as they interact with shoppers and guests, posing for photos, teasing the crowd and moving with acrobatic grace and flexibility. For more information, please contact Amy Carlson, The Venetian/Palazzo, amy.carlson@venetian.com.



Rita Rudner Extends as Harrah’s Las Vegas Headliner Until 2012

Rita Rudner, the accomplished comedienne, screenwriter, best-selling author and actress, has announced that she will extend her stay as headliner at Harrah’s Las Vegas until January 2012. Rudner has enjoyed a successful run at Harrah’s since October 2006, prior to which, she had a six-year headlining engagement on the Las Vegas Strip, performing more than 2,000 shows before almost a million people. For more information, please contact Jamie Nielsen, Harrah’s Las Vegas, jnielsen@harrahs.com.



The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas Awarded Four Stars

The Venetian and its sister-property The Palazzo Las Vegas, which are both owned and operated by affiliates of Las Vegas Sands Corp., have been honored with the prestigious Mobil Four-Star Awards. This is the first year The Palazzo has been rated and it joins the list of overall 2009 recipients as one of its newest additions. For the fourth consecutive year, The Venetian tops the list as the largest property on the highly-regarded list of 137 hotels in North America. For more information, please contact Amy Carlson, The Venetian and The Palazzo, amy.carlson@venetian.com.



SkyLofts and Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand Receive Mobil Five-Star Honors

Mobil Travel Guide has announced its highest accolade, Mobil Five-Stars, to first-time recipient SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand and three-time winner Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand. With only 44 Mobil Five-Star hotel winners for 2009, this rating distinguishes SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand as one of the top hotels in the United States and Canada. Joël Robuchon is one of only 20 Mobil Five-Star restaurant winners in 2009. Mobil Travel Guide’s ratings process is based on more than 750 standardized criteria for hotels, more than 250 for restaurants, and more recently, 450 different criteria for spas, making it the most rigorous and comprehensive in the industry. For more information, please contact Sandy Zanella, MGM MIRAGE, zanellas@mgmmirage.com.

Also see Olio at http://drforgot.com