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If you’re planning to spend Thanksgiving in Vegas, you’re going to need turkey. That is, mushroom stuffed braised thigh of turkey.

Las Vegas offers visitors a variety of Thanksgiving meals from traditional to extraordinary.

Apple steusel pie at Bouchon

At Charlie Palmer Steak, try the five-course menu with turkey served two ways, sweet potato gratin and foie gras dumplings. If you’re a pumpkin pie fan, you’re in luck at Palmer’s table, served with ice cream drizzled with butterscotch sauce and an eggnog with brandy, you won’t be leaving hungry.

Herb roasted turkey or honey and molasses glazed ham? Oh the choices! Restaurant DJT offers a scrumptious Thanksgiving brunch. The quiet, elegant setting will be a great way to enjoy spending time with friends and family.

Though Strip House is known for their steaks, they are certainly serving up a tasty turkey this Thanksgiving—filled with roasted chestnut and apple stuffing and served with squash puree, haricot vert, and a balsamic-cranberry conserve.

If you’re looking for cranberry vodka instead of cranberry sauce, you might want to dine at the Palms, where a nightclub is only steps away. N9NE Steakhouse offers guests a special multi-course Thanksgiving menu that highlights Dover sole, Florida stone crab, turkey and sausage cornbread stuffing.

For a Thanksgiving fiesta, head to Dos Caminos where dinner items include turkey carnitas, piloncillo-glazed sweet potatoes and caldo gallego, a Spanish style white bean stew.

Wolfgang Puck’s take on Thanksgiving is all about pumpkin. A tender, house-made pumpkin ravioli served with brown butter and black truffles, roasted pumpkin soup and pumpkin bread pudding will all be served at Trattoria del Lupo on Thanksgiving Day.

After all that holiday dining, perhaps you need a nightcap. Though you’re full, you have to try some of Bouchon’s house-made desserts. Apple pie with streusel topping or bourbon pecan torte are just two of the mouth-watering desserts offered at the restaurant. You can have a slice at the French Brasserie-style restaurant, but individual pies and whole pies (serves 6 – 8 people) are available to take home.

From eggnog to apple pie, these are a few of the top picks for a Thanksgiving meal in Las Vegas. Have a safe and happy holiday!

 
Bouchon
at Venetian Las Vegas
Apple pie: $30 (serves 6-8 people)

Charlie Palmer Steak
at The Four Seasons Hotel
Thanksgiving menu: $48 per person

DJT
at Trump International Hotel Las Vegas
Thanksgiving brunch: $50 per person

Dos Caminos
at Palazzo Las Vegas
Thanksgiving menu: prices vary.

N9NE Steakhouse
at Planet Hollywood
Thanksgiving Menu: prices vary.

Strip House
at Planet Hollywood
Thanksgiving Menu: $52 per person

Trattoria del Lupo
at Mandalay Bay
Thanksgiving Menu: prices vary.

*prices exclude tax and gratuity.

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When Wayne Newton first moved to Las Vegas to perform at the Fremont hotel in 1959, he lived with his brother in an old motel called the Monte Carlo. The motel has long since been torn down — “It should have been torn down before we got there,” laughs Newton, while relaxing in his dressing room at the Tropicana before his show “Once Before I Go.”

Interestingly enough, the Monte Carlo Motel was actually located on the land that is now home to CityCenter, the unprecedented 67-acre urban development opening next month on the Las Vegas Strip.

After the Monte Carlo, Newton and his brother rented a small apartment. But the duo was evicted from the property after only six months. Turns out that the future Mr. Las Vegas was providing room and board for an unapproved houseguest. “The landlady found out I had a pet skunk, so we got kicked out,” says Newton. “My parents came up from Phoenix after that to give me a talking to.”

Newton has since moved on from skunks to championship Arabian horses. He keeps several on his 52-acre property on the southeast side of Las Vegas, Casa de Shenendoah. Fifty-two acres! That’s almost as expansive as CityCenter.

Sorry Miss Landlady, but it looks like Newton got the last laugh.

Wayne Newton in 1963. Photo courtesy the Las Vegas News Bureau.

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CityCenter opens to the public next month, bringing a 67-acre urban metropolis and one of the world’s largest green developments to the Las Vegas Strip. The property includes Aria, a 61-story, 4004-room gaming resort; the non-gaming Mandarin Oriental, Vdara Hotel & Spa and Veer Towers; and Crystals, a 50,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district. The Harmon boutique hotel will open in 2010. Here’s photos and video to provide an inside look at the outside of CityCenter:

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CityCenter opens to the public next month, bringing a 67-acre urban metropolis and one of the world’s largest green developments to the Las Vegas Strip. The property includes Aria, a 61-story, 4004-room gaming resort; the non-gaming Mandarin Oriental, Vdara Hotel & Spa and Veer Towers; and Crystals, a 50,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district. The Harmon boutique hotel will open in 2010. Here’s photos and video to provide an inside look at the outside of CityCenter:

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This week in Vegas is all about grabbing dinner and seeing a show.

From Cher and David Copperfield to a wine festival and Thanksgiving cooking classes, it’s all happening this weekend in Vegas.

Nightlife

In Vegas, the party goes all night long

Head to Cathouse for a freebie night, featuring fashionable giveaways, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and champagne for ladies until midnight. Cathouse at the Luxor, with it’s French bordello vibe and food from rock ‘n’ roll chef Kerry Simon, makes this place a rockin’ hot spot. Oh, and the women in lingerie help too.

Cathouse

Head to Hawaiian Tropic Zone at Planet Hollywood for the MMA Ring Girl Search. The event takes place on Thursday, Nov. 19. The grand prize is $500 and a ring girl contract for the MMA.

Wine & dine

Wine lovers are popping their corks this weekend

If you’re a wine lover, head to Paris Las Vegas for the Beaujolais Nouveau event.

With festivities throughout the Nov. 19 – 22 weekend, guests will be able to taste the first grapes of the season. Samples of the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau and souvenir glasses will be available in the Paris lobby from Nov. 19 – 21 from noon – 6 p.m.

Then enjoy wines in restaurants like Mon Ami Gabi, Les Artistes Steakhouse and the Sterling Brunch at Bally’s.

On Nov. 19, join the Wine 101: Passport to Wine and get a glimpse of the different regions of French wine. Tickets for this event start at $35.

Enjoy a Rock ‘n’ Roll wine night at Risqué Nightclub Nov. 20 with live music and you guessed it, more wine.

Tickets start at $35 in advance or $40 at the door.

On Nov. 22, take part in a Beaujolais Nouveau-themed brunch at Mon Ami Gabi and the Sterling Brunch at Bally’s.

If you mention the Beaujolais Nouveau event, you receive a bottle of 2009 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau and two souvenir glasses.

Cooking class a holiday treat at the Palms

Nove Italiano inside the Palms Casino Resort is hosting a holiday cooking class.

Executive Chef Geno Bernardo will show a small group of guests how to create some of his great-grandmother’s favorite dishes like stuffed artichokes, boneless stuffed turkey breast and pumpkin cheesecake.

The class is offered at $110 per person from noon – 3 p.m. on Nov. 21.

Come and dine in style in a Las Vegas restaurant

If you’re hungry for a little seafood, head to El Cortez’s Flame Steakhouse for succulent stone crabs. The Friday and Saturday night special includes fresh stone crabs for only $28 per pound from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Little Buddha at the Palms offers guests a new prix fixe menu for only $45. Choose from dishes like miso soup, lettuce wraps, potstickers, Jidori chicken and Kobe beef short ribs. An optional wine pairing is an additional $20. The offer is good for dinner on Nov. 19.

Society Café Encore offers guests a new “Triple B” menu full of scrumptious burgers, barbecue and beer options like the Piggy Back Burger, Kobe burger with crispy rock shrimp, BBQ filet sliders and a selection of beers like Blue Moon and Fat Tire Amber Ale for $7. These options are available starting at 5 p.m. every day.

Shows

Cher returns to Vegas for show at Colosseum

If you “Believe” in Cher, now is your chance to see her as she takes over the Colosseum at Caesars Palace Nov. 21 and 22.

Complete with Bob Mackie’s over-the-top costume creations, dance moves by Doriana Sanchez and some of her greatest hits, Cher takes guests through more than four decades of chart topping hits like “Half Breed,” “I Got You Babe” and “If I Could Turn Back Time.”

Cher performs nightly at 7:30 p.m. and tickets start at $117.

From magic to comedy to psychics, Vegas has it all

Let David Copperfield impress you with his incredible magic. Copperfield performs nightly at the MGM Grand, Nov. 19 – 22. Tickets start at $79 and show times are 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. with an extra show at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Lewis Black’s sense of comedic timing is impeccable. His witty jokes and appearances on such shows at “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central have made Black a staple in the comedic world. Black will make you laugh Nov. 20 – 21 at 10 p.m. Tickets start at $80.90 at the Terry Fator Theatre in the Mirage.

Let the smooth sounds of Motown take you away as the Four Tops roll into the Orleans Showroom Nov. 20 – 22. The Four Tops have had such hits as “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),” and “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” Tickets start at $44 and show time is 8 p.m.

Gary Spivey is a world-renowned psychic that will be reading minds Nov. 20 at the Night Owl Showroom in Hooters Hotel & Casino. Spivey, whose nickname “The Modern Day Nostradamus,” answers guests’ questions regarding a variety of topics and brings points of clarity to even the toughest skeptic. Spivey tickets start at $39.99 and show time is at 7 p.m.

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If there’s one thing you need to see during the holiday season, you have to check out Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Gardens.

Yesterday, Ethel M held its 16th annual holiday cactus lighting. The countdown to the light display literally felt like New Year’s Eve. The moment all of the lights came on, everyone (including myself) cheered.

Featuring more than a half million lights and different pathways among the garden, it’s easy to get lost in the enchantment. In addition to the bright, vivid lights, there are holiday props scattered throughout the garden. A couple of my personal favorites included the gingerbread woman and “moving” reindeer, both covered in lights.

And if this isn’t convincing enough, you can sample free chocolates at the chocolate factory next door. You can also purchase this year’s holiday chocolates in fun, festive-looking boxes. Chocolate treats this year include eggnog, pecan pie, pumpkin pie and white chocolate peppermint bark.

 The holiday lights display is available through Jan. 1, 2010, from sundown to 10 p.m. nightly. Don’t forget to bring your camera.

Cactus trees and Christmas lights never looked so beautiful.

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Autumn has come to Las Vegas and there has never been a better time to visit. You still have time to do holiday shopping and there are plenty of things to do this weekend.

From dueling pianos to dinner (way) above the Las Vegas Strip, it’s all happening this weekend in Vegas.

Bars & dining

Bellagio's conservatory

Weekend of dueling pianos, prix fixe meals

Opening just in time for fall, Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar at Town Square will surely attract locals and Vegas visitors alike. The rock ‘n’ roll piano bar will keep you entertained and satiated, pouring plenty of libations nightly. The bar opens Nov. 13. Hours will be Tuesday – Saturday, 4 p.m. – 3 a.m. and the entertainment starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday and 8 p.m. Friday & Saturday.

Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace is offering an autumn-inspired prix fixe lunch menu for $19. The three-course menu contains tempting delights like asparagus salad, seared sea bass and a signature Payard pastry. The special is available in the main dining room.

Nove Italiano’s new tasting menu arrives just in time for fall. At $45, the four-course prix fixe menu includes choice of antipasti, pasta, main course and dessert. Sit high above Las Vegas at the Palms with gorgeous views of the Las Vegas Strip and take advantage of this tasting menu, served for dinner, Fridays and Saturdays until 7:30 p.m.

Shows

‘Supernatural Santana’ and sensational Sedaka

Travel through the ages with “Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits” and enjoy some of Santana’s biggest hits as he performs live at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel. Rock out to songs like “Into the Night,” “Corazon Espinado” and “Smooth.” Tickets start at $60.50 and show times are at 8 p.m.

Since the age of 13, Neil Sedaka has been wowing us with his catchy songs like “Stupid Cupid,” “Calendar Girl” and “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.” Now, Sedaka is bringing his show to Las Vegas at the Orleans. Enjoy this accomplished artist Nov. 12 – 15. Tickets start at $44 and show times are at 8 p.m.

No shortage of comedy acts in town

This weekend, funny lady Lily Tomlin will be at the Hollywood Theatre in the MGM Grand. The Emmy, Tony and Grammy award winning artist will be entertaining fans at 8 p.m., Nov. 10 – 13 and 15 – 18, with the show starting at 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 14.

Playboy Comedy hosts special guest Paul Gilmartin. The comedian is best known for his work on “Dinner and a Movie” on TBS. The show takes place Nov. 13 at 10:30 p.m. and Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39.99.

Controversial comic Andrew Dice Clay heats things up over at the Riviera Nov. 12 – 15. Showtime is 10:30 p.m. Tickets start at $76.99.

“Saturday Night Live” alum Norm MacDonald brings his stand-up routine to House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and up.

You might not recognize comedian Frank Caliendo, but you’ll probably recognize his impressions of more than 120 celebrities. John Madden, Donald Trump and Dr. Phil are just a few of the funny man’s spot-on personalities that he channels in his show at the Monte Carlo. Tickets start at $59 and show times are 9:30 p.m. Monday – Tuesday and Friday – Saturday.

Sports

Manny ‘Pac Man’ Pacquiano vs. Miguel Cotto

Boxing Writers Association of America’s Fighter of the Year Manny “PacMan” Pacquiano takes on three-time world champion Miguel Cotto Saturday, Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Doors open at 3 p.m. and tickets start at $150.

Attractions

Fun from gardens to bumper cars

Stop in the Bellagio’s conservatory to see nearly 14,000 square feet of autumn-themed horticulture. Open 24 hours a day, there are plenty of photo opportunities for guests.

Enjoy a gourmet meal while harnessed into a sky car that seats 22 people and five staffers in the center at Dinner in the Sky, served on Friday and Saturday nights. Hours vary. Tickets start at $169.

Enjoy the “Polar Express 4-D” with action packed adventure as a young boy races to the North Pole, complete with faux snow. Hours are Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. and 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 at the Excalibur’s Fantasy Faire level.

If you feel the need for speed, head over to Pole Position, just a short drive off the Las Vegas Strip at 4175 Arville St. Be the first to cross the finish line in an 18-horsepower racing cart at up to 45 miles per hour at the indoor racing track. Pole Position is open Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. – midnight. Tickets for 2 adult races start at $55 per person.

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Vegas is home to many unique careers

By Aleza Freeman (contact Aleza)
Vegas.com

Vegas is a conglomeration of unique and exciting experiences, and a slew of unique jobs naturally goes along with the territory. Showgirls, Elvis impersonators, lounge singers. It’s all commonplace here.

But there’s also a lot of unique Vegas jobs you’ve probably never heard of. For instance, when’s the last time a mermaid gave you her business card or an anime character served your martini? Here’s just a sampling of some of our city’s unique employment opportunities.

The Little Mermaid

Your eyes aren’t fooling you if you happen to see a mermaid floating through the aquarium at the Silverton Casino Lodge. (See more photos of the mermaids)

Mermaid Rosalie Raymond does a backflip to entertain guests at the Silverton aquarium.

Throughout the afternoons and evenings, women dressed as mermaids join the 4,000 tropical fish, including three species of stingrays and three species of sharks, in the 117,000-gallon, curved acrylic tank, for a 15–minute show.

“We try to look natural,” said mermaid Heather Carrasco, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist for the U.S. synchronized swimming team. “Though with goggles and a nose clip,” she added, “I don’t know how natural we look.”

Apparently, they look natural enough. Hotel guests, especially the kids, are amazed and entertained by the mermaids’ appearance in the aquarium. The mermaids can see out of the glass and into the casino perfectly, and oftentimes they see kids with signs and drawings for the mermaids, and even “Little Mermaid” dolls.

That’s not to say that all kids are fooled. Carrasco said she can read lips and often has the following conversation:

Kid: “Are you real?”

Mermaid: “Yeah!”

Kid: “Then why do you have a zipper?”

Most the mermaids at the Silverton have competitive swimming backgrounds. They spend about 15 minutes in the 78 degree water, which they enter from above via a specially constructed swing on a pulley system. Underneath their nude colored wet suit with requisite shell-bra and multi-colored mermaid tail, they wear a second wet suit to keep them warm and a 15-pound weight belt to help them stay near the bottom of the tank. While they swim between hookah ports with long tubes in order to get air, an ability to hold their breath for long periods of time is important.

Once in the water, mermaids interact with hotel guests by playing games like patty cake against the glass, blowing kisses and doing spins and backflips. They also interact with the fish, some of which are friendlier than others.

“They’re like our pets,” said Carrasco. “We can touch them, we can pet them. Some of them have quite the personality. They [aquarium staff] tell us not to get attached, but of course we do. It’s hard not to.”

Misty man

Tao Beach, the private pool area inside Tao nightclub, is currently closed for the season. But during the summer months, the pool club is filled with energy, music and best of all, hot bodies.

As a Tao Beach mister, it’s Frank DiGennero’s job to cool them off.

All he needs to do his job right are his orange Tao Beach board shorts, a white Tao Beach hat and a big smile. Well, that and a heavy custom-built water pack.

Throughout the day, DiGennero sprays pool goers with water that is lightly pressurized into a fine, refreshing mist. “My job in itself is out of the ordinary,” says DiGennero, who describes his typical day at work as “wet and wild craziness” and adds that he is hit on by so many women, “I lose count.”

Lobster lady

As the lobster tank specialist for Wynn and Encore hotels, it’s Yasmin Tajik’s job to keep the large volume of live seafood that comes into the hotels alive and healthy until it’s time to be killed, cooked and served in the restaurants.

Photo by Alex Karvounis

It’s a job Tajik describes as sort of bittersweet.

However, this animal lover is also a self-professed sushi lover.

“It doesn’t bother me to eat what I see in my tanks,” said Tajik. “I take more of a scientific approach to it and I don’t get emotionally attached. We go through so much it’s hard to get attached to anything.”

Tajik, a marine biologist with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in business administration, works in a warehouse beneath Wynn and Encore, where she maintains several tanks, including a large three-tiered tank for Main lobsters and several smaller specialty tanks. She is entirely responsible for all the live seafood that comes to the hotel, some from as far away as Australia, Africa and Italy. The volume of products is enormous — 4,000 to 5,000 Maine lobsters a month (just for the restaurants) — not to mention, spiny lobsters, slipper lobsters, Mediterranean blue lobsters, langostines, king crab, prawn and geoduck.

“I do everything A to Z on the tanks,” said Tajik. “We want to make sure we’re only putting the healthiest stuff in. I maintain everything — water chemistry, temperature, salt, pH balance, ammonia level every day — and do regular maintenance on the tank and pumps, changing the filters. Each species has different holding requirements, different salt levels, different water temperatures, things like that. In the end it’s being able to provide the highest quality product to our end consumer, our guests who are staying here and eating.”

Tajik formerly worked with marine mammals, including dolphins and whales, in San Diego and Hawaii, and first came to Las Vegas to work at the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. From there she moved onto the lobster tanks at the Bellagio and was eventually recruited by Wynn.

“I really enjoy working with the chefs,” said Tajik. “It’s its amazing what they can do — To be able to provide here in the desert of Las Vegas what you only would be able to get in a coastal town in Italy is a really amazing thing.”

Anime-niacs

In the United States, dressing up as an anime character is a hobby. In Japan it’s a way of life. For Heidi Haldeman, it’s a combination of the two.

Heidi Haldeman, center, is a bartender at the Dragon Noodle Co.’s Cosplay Lounge.

As a bartender at the Dragon Noodle Co.’s Cosplay Lounge at the Monte Carlo hotel, Haldeman’s uniform is that of an anime character. Anime is the term for Japanese animation, a popular art form throughout the world. “Cosplay is short for costume play,” explained Haldeman. “It’s dressing up as the characters from anime.”

A real life anime fan for many years, this is a dream job for Haldeman, who sews all her own costumes and attends anime conventions all over the United States. “It brought my hobby into the job choice that I like,” she said. “I actually wear my own costume at the bar.”

Cafes with employees dressed as anime characters are commonplace in Japan, but the Cosplay Lounge is a first for Las Vegas. The lounge is decorated with a Japanese flair, including posters depicting anime characters and anime books.

And since the female characters from anime are typically short-skirted and voluptuous, it’s a perfect fit for Las Vegas. “Everybody wants to be something different when they come to town. They want to see fun stuff ,” said Haldeman. “Even people who don’t go in to our restaurant, when they walk by, you see them smiling.”

Haldeman serves up specialty Asian-inspired cocktails such as the Mango Dragon, while dressed as Rukia Kuckiki from the popular Japanese anime series, Bleach. “I like her character a lot because she’s very strong willed,” said Haldeman. “Most of the characters I dress up as are very strong willed. Kind of that syndrome of, I don’t need a man.”

Haldeman knows her hobby can be perceived as a bit geeky, but it’s a quality she has learned to embrace. “Usually keep that side of me hidden away, you don’t really notice it,” she explained. “But now it’s at work, so everyone’s going to know I’m a nerd.”

Row, row, row your boat

With several professionally choreographed musical routines and rushing water that soars as high as 460 feet from a total of 1,214 water-emitting devices, the $40-million, 8.5-acre Bellagio Fountains is the most ambitious water feature ever created by WET Design. The free show in front of the Bellagio has been celebrated in countless films, television shows, photographs and articles on Las Vegas.

Front feature engineers float aboard a barge on the Bellagio Fountains.

Behind the scenes, a staff of 30 front feature engineers work seven days a week, 365 days a year to clean and maintain the fountains and make emergency repairs on fountain components in between shows. Inside their shop, they work with several different types of shooters, compressors, purification equipment and a fog system so intense that it’s been said it could literally blanket Las Vegas Boulevard and turn Paris (the hotel across the street) into London, in less than five minutes.

“We’re up to about 56,000 shows, and we’ve never missed a show due to a mechanical failure,” said Gene Bowling, front feature manager. “The only thing we ever cancel shows for are special events or weather.”

While the shows are pre-programmed and computer operated, Bowling said it is the engineers that actually make the magic happen.

“Without the crew that I have this show would not run,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if its 110 degrees or 30 degrees, these guys are out there making sure this show is in perfect condition.”

Everyone on the diverse crew is dive certified and has a background in a field such as industrial maintenance, electronics, pneumatics, show lighting or hydraulics.

“There’s not a school or class you can go to learn how to work on the fountains at Bellagio,” said Bowling.

During their daily maintenance, from about 5 a.m. to about 1 p.m., some of the crew can be seen floating around on the water on either a maintenance or a cleaning barge. The water in the fountain fluctuates between 80 degrees and the upper 30s, so those who venture out onto the water wear different types of wet or dry suits depending upon the season.

“We maintain the lake just like you would a swimming pool,” said Bowling.

When on the job, engineers are joined by several feathered friends who call the Bellagio Fountains their home.

“We have a whole family of ducks that live here,” said Bowling. “They come in and they spend time in our shop, swim on the lake — they’ve actually become aware of the show. When we start a show the nozzle shields come up and they’ll swim away from the structure because they know it’s about to start.”

Have no fear, the Sign Patrol is here

At the Young Electric Sign Company, it takes two service technicians to change a light bulb – one to operate a boom truck that reaches upwards of 160 feet, and the other to brave the heights and screw it in.

On the other hand, it only takes one light bulb to change a man.

Just ask Robert Atkinson, a YESCO service technician. Atkinson has been hooked on servicing signs since the first time he rode in the basket on the end of the truck’s crane. Service technicians ride in cranes as well as scale down the sides of buildings using a type of rope ladder and harness designed for rock climbing.

“There’s nothing like it,” said Atkinson, a brawny but friendly man whose hands were blackened by grease. “It’s scary the first time, but once you get your legs it’s a ball. It’s kind of like being Spiderman.”

YESCO has designed, produced and maintained a majority of the brightly-lit, iconic signs that line the Las Vegas Strip, downtown and beyond for a good portion of the company’s 80-plus years, from historical relics like Vegas Vic, Silver Slipper, Stardust and Golden Nugget to modern marvels like Mandalay Bay, Rio, Palms and Wynn Las Vegas.

Innovative neon, fluorescent, LED and iridescent signs hang from the rooftops of 50-story-high mega-resorts and run up and down the sides of those same buildings. Enormous marquees distinguish the properties from the street. Signs also fill the insides, marking everything from slot machines to restrooms.

Members of the YESCO Sign Patrol spend their evenings scouring the city for burned-out bulbs and other sign-related damages. The team then reports back to the service department with their findings, typically something like an outage or a broken panel.

“Every once in awhile someone shoots at the signs or throws beer bottles at them,” said Charlie Rundquist, service department foreman. “It’s a party town, so you know.”

Like your friendly, neighborhood mailman, the service technicians show up rain or shine to make the repairs.

Over the years, things have gotten safer for the technicians. Historically, most of the signs have been built with pegs or other access points to allow technicians to climb on them.

But until more recent years, they didn’t even use ropes or harnesses to climb on those pegs, no matter how high the building. “They were just rappelling,” said Mike Richards, interior service manager for YESCO, “like crazy monkeys.”

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November in Vegas is the perfect time of year to enjoy the cooler weather as well as a few things that make the Las Vegas Strip sizzle. Whether it’s a balloon ride floating above the Strip, or a poker competition that’s heating up, it’s all happening this weekend in Vegas.

Shows

Laugh out loud in Las Vegas with Clay, Spade

The “Diceman” can make you laugh with his dirty humor and raunchy comedic act. Andrew Dice Clay will be at the Riviera Nov. 7 – 8 at 10:30 p.m. Tickets start at $54.99.

David Spade will be at The Venetian Showroom on Nov. 6 – 8. Many remember Spade from his work on “Saturday Night Live.” He also starred in the movies “Black Sheep” and “Tommy Boy.” Spade tickets start at $85.75 and show times are 9 p.m.

Concerts span Latin, Motown, country music

Start practicing your salsa moves and let the Tenth Annual Latin Grammy Awards move you to the hot Latino beat! The Latin Grammys will take place at Mandalay Bay Nov. 5.

You can dance, you can jive and have the time of your life at Abbacadabra. The ABBA tribute band will perform 20 of ABBA’s greatest hits including “S.O.S.,” “Dancing Queen” and “Take a Chance on Me.” Abbacadabra dances into the Hilton Theater Nov. 7 – 8. Tickets start at $26.85 and show times are 8 p.m.

If you like music, listen to the sultry sounds of Motown with “Human Nature – The Ultimate Celebration of Motown Sound presented by Smokey Robinson.” Toby Allen, Phil Burton, Andrew Tierney and Michael Tierney perform harmonious arrangements of Motown favorites like “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Baby I Need Your Loving” and “My Girl.” The show takes place Nov. 7 – 8 at the Imperial Theater inside Imperial Palace. Tickets start at $59.52 and show times are 7:30 p.m.

Listen to Kelly Clarkson belt out her hits as she brings her “All I Ever Wanted” tour to The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on Nov. 6. Clarkson, with special guest Parachute will perform at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50.

Country diva LeAnn Rimes will entertain fans at Treasure Island Nov. 5 – 6. Show time is 9 p.m. and tickets start at $80.90.

Head over to the recently opened Hard Rock Cafe on the Las Vegas Strip for great food, rockstar memorabilia and a night with the band Everclear. With hit songs like “Father of Mine” and “Everything to Everyone,” Everclear will take the stage Nov. 8 on the top floor of the Hard Rock. Doors open at 9 p.m. and tickets start at $20. Must be 21 or older.

Dining

Food and drinks, the perfect combination

Beijing Noodle No. 9 is offering nine tastings for $19.99. In honor of their lucky number, guests can enjoy nine small dishes including Imperial seafood soup dumpling, noodles with pork and green tea ice cream.

Stock up on sweets at the Sugar Factory. Located in the Mirage, this candy store satisfies your high-end sweet cravings with various chocolates and candies. While there, grab a crystal-coated couture lollipop from Kim Kardashian or The Pussycat Dolls.

If you think you have what it takes to stuff 300 meatballs in your mouth in five minutes, than consider entering the Martorano’s Masters Meatball-Eating Championship. If you’re not quite ready to eat that many, then leave it to the professional eaters like Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, who is ranked No. 1 in the Major League of Eaters. The competition will take place Nov. 8 at noon at Café Martorano. Admission is free.

This Saturday, it gets a little Southern, y’all. On Nov. 7, enjoy the sounds of the Dirty South with DJ Reza opening at Rain Nightclub. The show is part of an ongoing series, Paul Oakenfold Presents: Perfecto Vegas, featuring underground talent, great audio and visual components to each performance.

Fall is the perfect time of year to experience the cooler desert air. There’s no better way to do so than 51 stories up at the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio hotel. The nightclub features both indoor space and an outdoor patio complete with DJ booth, bottle service, comfortable seating and dance floor. Don’t forget to take a few pictures of the amazing view of the Las Vegas Strip.

Attractions

Poker tournament heats up at the Rio hotel

From 6,494 players to just nine finalists, the 40th Annual World Series of Poker wraps up with players battling for their share of $27 million. On Nov. 7, the “November Nine” will narrow down to the final two players. Then on Nov. 10, playing will resume and the winner will be rewarded with the champion’s bracelet and $8.5 million pot. The championship will be held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

Why stay grounded? Go up in a balloon

Up, up and away! Float over the Las Vegas Strip in the world’s largest land-tethered helium balloon ride. The Cloud Nine Balloon Experience offers 25 – 30 guests a sky-high view of Las Vegas. The 11-story high balloon takes off daily from the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, across from Mandalay Bay. Tickets for adults start at $22.50 per person.

Sports

Ride ‘em cowboy: PBR rides into Vegas

America’s original extreme sport, bull riding, stomps into town for the The Professional Bull Riders World Finals. The event features a 150-pound cowboy on the back of a hulking, snorting temperamental 2,000-pound bull. The goal: Stay on for eight seconds. Oh, and just to make it interesting, one of the cowboy’s hands is strapped to the bull’s massive backside. Catch all of the action at the Thomas & Mack Center Nov. 5 – 8. Prices start at $38.05 for a one-day ticket.

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His spirit, that is!

Actually, I could almost believe it. When I was trying to take a picture of Elvis’ Bible with a rose left behind by a museum visitor, the flower wouldn’t cooperate.

“Elvis, we know you’re in here!” Jimmy Velvet, his friend and owner of The King’s Ransom Museum, joked.

I may only know a handful of Elvis songs, but after checking out this museum, I know for a fact Elvis was a man of many tastes. What other performer can you think of who recorded Grammy-winning gospel albums, had a ninth-degree black belt in karate, owned tons of bling and law enforcement equipment and made all of the ladies swoon?

That must be why they call him The King.

Not only will you see Elvis’ stage costumes and jewelry, you’ll also get an up-close  look  at the documents from the doctor who delivered him as well as pictures from his teen years. I laughed out loud when I saw the showcase even had a spot for his Mylanta and lip balm.

With so many different things to look at, these pictures alone aren’t enough. But hopefully, the photos will encourage you to visit The King’s Ransom Museum and see what it’s all about. I guarantee you’ll walk out of the museum singing an Elvis tune. (And in case you were wondering, I walked out singing snippets from “Heartbreak Hotel.”)

The  museum is open daily from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. It is scheduled to stay at Imperial Palace until April of 2010.

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