More birthday wishes, this time to our favorite love-him or hate-him PR guru Rob Tencer, who operates out of his Los Angeles office. Tencer currently has several projects in the works, including a new book about “Dating your way to fame.”

Tickets go on sale next week for the highly-anticipated fight between “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya and local practitioner of the sweet science “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather Jr., which is set to take place on Saturday, May 5, at the MGM Grand’s Grand Garden Arena. While steep price tags are attached to the tickets, it’s not often you get to see a six-division world champion (de La Hoya) lay it on the line against an undefeated, four-division champ (Mayweather). Tickets range from $150-$2,000, with purchasing restrictions. It is expected that the fight will break the Nevada record for gate revenue, which would exceed the $18 million brought in from1999’s Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis fight.

It’s somewhat ironic that Canada’s biggest rock band is an absolute unknown on this side of the border. That said, if you want to check out a great show, circle Wednesday, March 21, on your calendar, as that’s the night The Tragically Hip will be performing at the House of Blues (Mandalay Bay). Think Dave Matthews Band meets Ben Harper meets Bob and Doug McKenzie; now you got it.

Speaking of unknown Canadian rock bands, keep your eyes on rock group Red Eye, who have just inked a 19-show deal to open for funky rockers G Love and Special Sauce during their upcoming East Coast tour. The virtually unknown band has performed only a handful of shows together, but nevertheless was picked to open at every stop on the tour. It will be interesting to see if they’re still around for the Special Sauce’s springtime West Coast tour, which traditionally includes a stop in Las Vegas.

Last week, we announced the promotion of longtime Light Group VIP Host Dave Roberts, who was promoted to Senior VIP host at JET nightclub. We wanted to give the slick-suited Roberts a chance to voice his optimism and enthusiasm about his new gig. "I am thrilled to be taking over the reigns as Senior VIP host at JET,” Roberts told the Eye. “It is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting nightclubs on The Strip. This is an incredible opportunity!”

Motocross rider Mike Metzger, who made history by jumping 125 feet over the Caesars Palace fountains, is hospitalized after breaking a bone in his lower vertebrae attempting a similar jump, this time with a back flip.

With the NFL playoffs underway, it seems a fitting time for Dan Marino’s Fine Foods and Spirits (Hooter’s Hotel and Casino) to receive some recognition. First, the less-formal steakhouse received a 3-Diamond rating from AAA. Next, it was named one of Las Vegas’ Top 10 Restaurants from a popular online publication that declared Dan Marino’s is one of the “most affordable, most enjoyable and most satisfying restaurants on or near the Las Vegas Strip.” 

An Associated Press report says that Donald Trump is mulling over the idea of bringing his hit reality television series “The Apprentice” to shoot a full season in Las Vegas. The Donald also confirmed that NBC Senior Vice President Craig Plestis currently is looking at Las Vegas, Miami and Chicago as possible sites for upcoming seasons. The current season is being shot in Los Angeles.

Although the landmark La Concha Motel may have met the demolition ball a few years ago, the signature lobby will live on as piece of Vegas history. Last month, the historic concrete shells were moved in eight separate pieces to the Neon Museum’s “Bone Yard” downtown. When it opened in 1961, the La Concha was futuristic hotspot and a favorite of visiting celebrities, but its existence at its original Strip location became threatened by a new development.

From now until March 3, the Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is celebrating the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Boar. The centerpiece is an animated, 7-foot tall swine that playfully snorts and wiggles its nose and ears as visitors pass. Guests also can enjoy the tranquil koi ponds and the amazing 18-foot-tall Chinese God of Wealth.

According to Las Vegas Review-Journal insert the Las Vegas Sun, when the MGM Mirage’s CityCenter project is completed, it will employ more than 12,000 people, giving the gaming goliath a local employee base of 60,000 workers. That doesn’t include the 8,000-person construction crew making history 24 hours a day, seven days a week …

The San Francisco Chronicle sent staff writer Spud Hilton to Las Vegas to check out The Strip’s swankiest high-roller suites, and he came back raving about Hugh Hefner’s Sky Villa at The Palms Resort which retails for $40,000 per night), the Verona Sky Villa at the Las Vegas Hilton ($17,500) and the ultra-posh MGM Grand Skylofts (varies with amount of bedrooms). He also found time to stop by PMG’s Social House restaurant and toured the remainder of the Palms’ Fantasy Suites.

Don H. Barden is the first and only African-American to own a casino in Las Vegas and from Feb. 22 – 25 Barden will host his annual anniversary celebration to commemorate five years of successful ownership of the Fitzgerald’s Casino Hotel. Among several festivities, this year the legendary songwriting and performing duo Ashford and Simpson will headline the anniversary concert with chart-topping hits such as “Solid” and “Don’t Cost You Nothing.” Fitzgerald’s Casino Hotel is located in downtown Las Vegas on Fremont Street. For detail regarding the celebration, call (800) 274-5825 or visit Fitzgerald's website.

The Maloof Family is teaming up with former James Bond veteran Pierce Brosnan to produce a poker movie entitled the Big Biazarro. From all accounts the film will feature Brosnan as a cagey veteran tutoring a youngster breaking into the business. Okay, so a The Color of Money based around the poker felt? We can dig it. It will be the second feature film for the family after backing, ‘Project Greenlight’ horror flick Feast.

Due to the overwhelming public response, BODIES … The Exhibition and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition will be extending their runs in Las Vegas through Memorial Day weekend. Since the debut of both exhibitions, more than half a million visitors have been entertained, educated and intrigued by these must-see Strip attractions. For more info or to reserve tickets, call (702) 739-2411.

We found a funny article coming out of the Jacksonville Daily. Author Jim Mullen defends Las Vegas to local Floridians stuck on Sin City stereotypes. Check out an excerpt below – and great work, Jim!

“Isn’t Las Vegas tacky?” my friends ask. Compared to what? Cleveland? Like that long strip of highway in our town that's one burger/taco/chicken chain after another, coupled with a big box store and a strip mall every few miles is ever so classy? Compared to the Hamptons or Beverly Hills, I suppose Las Vegas is tacky. Compared to most cities, it is vastly better. It’s time to let some hang-ups go, folks. Yeah, but what about Wayne Newton? The old people on oxygen tanks at the slot machines? All the wedding chapels and Elvis imitators? Fine by me. They keep out the snobs.

People keep asking us about Trevi, the new restaurant opening next week at the Forum Shops. Well here’s what we know: Trevi is opening in the shadow of Bertolini’s on the 29th of this month and is named after the infamous Trevi fountain in Rome. It would seem as though the restaurant is shaping up to be pretty similar to Bertolini’s, with a new look, added bar area and seemingly upgraded menu comprising the bulk of the changes. Proving our theory is the fact that Bertolini’s former general manager Nick Catanella is serving in the same position for Trevi. “Our menu includes some of the long-time favorites from Bertolini’s, as well as many new mouthwatering items,” noted Catanella.

How do you celebrate your restaurant’s anniversary? By feeding UFC stars, of course. At least that’s what the folks at Kaizen Fusion Roll and Sushi did over the weekend when Brian “Mandingo” Gassaway and Shoney Carter stopped by for refueling.

Café Be-Ba-Reeba is hosting a special Paella Cooking Class on Saturday, Jan. 29, to help Spanish food fans learn how to make the perfect paella. Included in the class is a hosted lunch where participants will dine with Chef Raul, all for $35 per person. For more information or to make a reservation, please call (702) 258.1211.

Iron Chef and Mesa Grill maestro Bobby Flay is going to be doing more than cooking during the NBA All-Star Game, having signed on to play in the Ronald McDonald House celebrity basketball game that weekend. We sent a spy to the top-secret practice facility who reported that Flay plays a mean No. 2 guard who can handle the rock and is a force on defense. 

Speaking of the hard court … This past Friday, members of the NBA family worked alongside students on renovations at the Mable Hoggard Elementary School in North Las Vegas. Since 2001, the NBA has dedicated a place where families can live, learn or play in each host city during NBA All-Star. This year, NBA Cares is creating a Learn & Play Center at the school, which will be unveiled on Feb.17.

Preferred Public Relations & Marketing, an award-winning, fast-growing Las Vegas-based national PR firm, is currently seeking energetic, passionate and dedicated account executives with strong leadership capabilities to represent clients in both its Business/Gaming & Real Estate and Arts & Entertainment/Food & Beverage account divisions. The agency has several positions available for qualified PR professionals to represent a wide variety of clients in a fun, dynamic environment.  All interested applicants please send cover letter and resume here.

SCORES Las Vegas has a super party in the works for the Super Bowl. While more details will come next week, look for a free 25-foot buffet to accompany the club’s 27 plasma televisions, over 200 entertainers working the party and an amazing list of prizes. Stay tuned next week for more information …

Desert racer BJ Baldwin, son of MGM Mirage honcho and former World Series of Poker champ Bobby Baldwin, pulled off a come-from-behind victory in Laughlin this weekend at the 13th annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge. It is Baldwin’s second career SCORE race win and the first of the new year.

The always-charming Marc Jay dropped us a line to let us know about a new high-end hair salon that’s rocking quaffs in Summerlin. The Kelly Cardenas Salon first debuted in December and has been serving the posh and the beautiful people of Las Vegas ever since. “We hope to elevate the self-esteem of each client, improve the education and lifestyle of the employees, and raise the standard of how the public views the hair industry in its entirety, creating a new generation of style.” Kelly Cardenas Salon is located at 6015 S. Fort Apache Rd., Suite 160. For more info or appointments, please call (702) 454-7993.

We’re hearing rumors that Mike Fuller and his N9NE team have a new promotion up their collective sleeves that will get dropped in the very near future. Entitled Clash,spies tell us it will be a music-driven event “kind of like Rok Box,” referring to the long-defunct Tabú Ultra-Lounge promotion created by Davila brothers Ray and Randy, “but more advanced musically.”

Don't forget to tell them "Eye" sent you.