Pyramid Schemes

I don’t know, it seems every time I turn around either a new megaresort is rising on the Strip, an old hotel-casino is being torn down or drastic changes are being made to existing properties. Just look at the past year. Two of our landmark casinos — the Stardust and Frontier (excuse me, New Frontier) — are gone, to be replaced by multi-billion-dollar resorts with new names, none of them reflecting Las Vegas.

Then we had the Aladdin, which in the end proved it couldn’t distance itself from what seemed like a curse over the years, and finally was sold and renamed Planet Hollywood. Treasure Island decided the name wasn’t hip enough, so changed it to TI, though almost everyone still calls it Treasure Island.

And now, we’re told the people (MGM Mirage to be exact), who own the Luxor, don’t like the Egyptian theme. So here’s what’s going on and what will be happening at the property over the next little while, at a cost, I might add, of $300 million, almost as much as the $375 million it took to build the joint.

Much of the ancient Egyptian theme will be removed while adding trendy lounges, restaurants and an ultra-hip nightclub. The focus will be on transforming Luxor’s atrium level from the family-friendly arcade to more adult-themed amenities, such as additional restaurants, lounges and entertainment venues.

The 2,500 hotel rooms in the Luxor pyramid will be remodeled. Many of the older amenities, such as Nefertiti’s Bar and the Isis and Sacred Sea restaurants, are already history and the Egyptian hieroglyphics on the casino’s indoor walls and other symbols are slowly being eliminated.

The first amenity, the Aurora Lounge near the hotel lobby, opened in the spring to replace Nefertiti’s. Other venues, such as the LAX Nightclub, will open Labor Day. The club, an off-shoot of the trendy Los Angeles nightspot of the same name, will have celebrity investors, including singer Christina Aguilera. Two other bars and lounges will open later in the fall adjacent to LAX: Noir and Flight.

A bar called Liquidity (cute, huh?) located in the center of the casino, will open in the fall, as will CatHouse, a restaurant and European-style lounge, located in the upstairs area above the casino replacing Isis and Sacred Sea. Celebrity chef Kerry Simon, who operates Simon Kitchen and Bar at the Hard Rock, will serve as executive chef.

There are more changes coming, but I’m running out of space. Be assured the Luxor, except for its pyramid shape, will have a completely different look and feel. Thank God that focus groups voted against changing the Luxor’s name or turning the pyramid into some huge phallic symbol. David Schwartz, director of UNLV’s Center for Gaming Research, said "It’s the way the city is going. It’s much less about these cartoonish-themed properties and more about attracting a younger, hip audience." That may be so, David, but cartoons have been around a lot longer than any nightclub I know.

ROLL FOR A COOL MILLION

Hey, how about this? Eight lucky people (radio winners selected from various national radio stations) will be flying to Las Vegas to meet comedian Rodney Carrington and participate in a chance to win a million bucks. In conjunction with Capitol Records and MGM Grand, each contestant will have two chances to roll five special dice at a designated craps table. The contestant that rolls all five specialty marked dice face-up, revealing the name of Carrington’s newly released CD, "Rodney Carrington King of the Mountains," will become a millionaire. It all takes place on the casino floor at the MGM Grand this Friday, July 27, 2:30-3 p.m. if you want to watch.

PICASSO VIEWS PICASSOS

If you’re an art lover, this should interest you. Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, grandson of artist Pablo Picasso, will tour the unique exhibit of more than 30 Picasso ceramics he loaned to Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. During his visit, Ruiz-Picasso will receive honors from Mayor Oscar Goodman and government representatives for his contribution to the city’s cultural maturity. It all takes place this Friday at 11 a.m. in the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. Tickets for "In the Master’s Hands: Picasso’s Ceramics, Treasures from the Estate of Pablo Picasso" are $17, $14 for Nevada residents and seniors 65 and older, and $12 for students.

PENNY CARNIVAL

Hey, we may be called Sin City, but there’s still stuff going on for the whole family. On Wednesday, Aug. 1, the Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services is sponsoring the Penny Carnival at Mirabelli Community Center from 2 to 4 p.m. Carnival games and activities will be offered inside the air-conditioned, modern center as well as outdoors. Mirabelli Community Center is located at 6200 Hargrove Ave., near the intersection of Jones Boulevard and U.S. 95.

You’ll be able to test your skills to win prizes at the dunk tank, fishing pond, cake walk, treasure dig, plank walk and many other games. Refreshments and snacks will be available for sale and proceeds from the event will fund scholarships for local children to participate in activities at the center. Here’s the best part. Admission is free and games will be priced from 5 cents to 25 cents each. Call (702) 229-6359 for more information and directions.

Mirabelli Community Center regularly offers low-cost after-school youth activities; craft, cooking, dance, gymnastics, fitness, martial arts, science, pre-school and English classes; a variety of sports for all ages; chess, cards and games; special events; and holiday, summer and track break camps for school-age youth. The center is well known for its Mirabelli Magic gymnastics teams and fun family events. Hats off to them. We need a lot more of this type of involvement in our community and communities across the country.

NEVER TOO LATE TO WIN

I close with this to show you that, yes, you can win in Las Vegas, despite your 1,000 consecutive losses visiting our fair city. A former waitress who moved to Las Vegas in 1946 from Brisbane, Australia, won a $10,762,067 Megabucks jackpot at the Fremont downtown. "I love playing slot machines, especially Megabucks," said the anonymous 82-year-old woman. "I remember playing Megabucks when it first came out here back in 1987. So I feel I was owed this jackpot and I’m really happy that I never stopped playing."

She had originally come to the casino to pick up a promotional four-pack coffee drink that was being given to VIP customers. The woman said her last big jackpot was $12,500 at the Stardust 20 years ago. "I feel I’m blessed," she said. "Earlier in the afternoon, I was at another casino and won $400 on a keno machine. But the Fremont is my favorite and I came over here to get my gift.

"I had already played about $600 (so much for leaving anything for her kids, if she has any) on this one machine when I started talking to it and told the machine that I was getting very frustrated (don’cha just love these people who talk to the machines). I took out another $100 and on the very next pull, it hit. I saw the Megabucks symbols fall into place and thought I won $10,000." The woman said her winnings will go to her church and family, and then she is going to take a vacation. "I’m the youngest of 11 children and I have one remaining brother and two sisters still living in Brisbane," she said. "I haven’t been there in 20 years and I’m going as soon as I can." No mention of a contribution to the Lenny’s Early Retirement Fund.

Good luck and I’ll see you on the Strip. And don’t forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com.

If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@cox.net. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.