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Pole Position Raceway Opens In Las Vegas

Las Vegas is all about "cool" things to do and now not far off the Strip at Flamingo Road and Arville is where Pole Position Raceway is located.  Four of us took got to experience the assimilated race course and we can tell you the faux race is very realistic.

Pole Position Raceway was founded in September 2005 in Corona, Calif., by Jason Williams and Ken Faught.  Now there's a facility in Murrieta, Calif., as well as Las Vegas, and the group is working on more indoor karting centers around the country.

Williams began racing motocross in 1984 and raced briefly as a professional in the early '90s.  Faught is the former editor-in-chief of Dirt Rider magazine and is a three-time land speed record holder at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.  He was the co-host of Motorcyclist TV on Speed Channel and Dirt Rider Adventures on OLN.

The new 6,000-square-foot Las Vegas karting center has one track that is approximately 1,100 feet long.  The Formula EK 20 custom electric competition karts can go up to 45 miles an hour on a track that is changed every three months and has some tough turns to keep you fully alert especially with faster racers passing you.  A race can have up to 12 competitors.  At the end of the race, you're given your very detailed Driver Stats. 

The requirements are that all racers need to be a minimum of 48" tall and must be able to safely operate the karts.  You are also required to wear a helmet with eye protection, which is supplied, and closed-toe shoes. 

Adult pricing for a race is $25 and $20 for an annual member.  There are also group racing package prices and membership fee options.  In addition, the facility is available for private parties.  Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 10 am. to 1 a.m.  For information,

call 702-227-RACE (7223)

While you're waiting you turn at a spin, there are approximately 10,000 square feet of public viewing area and more than 25 plasma and LCD TVs throughout the facility to watch the action.  There's also memorabilia throughout featuring some of the top racing memorabilia in the world including a race driven Target Chip Ganassi Indy Car, the bike Mike Metzger jumped the Caesars Palace Fountain with in 2006, race worn suits of NHRA Star Hot Rod Fuller and NASCAR Superstars Kyle Petty, Kurt Busch and Jeff Gordon. Jason Beam, one of the premier motorsports helmet painters in the world, has a portion of his personal collection on display including race worn helmets of NASCAR champions Dale Earnhardt Sr., Tony Stewart and Jimmy Johnson.

Hannah Montana Will Appear At Galaxy Cannery Theatres

Beginning Feb. 1, 2008, Las Vegas' first all-digital movie theater, Galaxy Cannery Theatres will be showing Hannah Montana and Mile Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds, a 3D concert film event. Tickets are $11 at the Galaxy Cannery, located at 2121 E. Craig Road in North Las Vegas.  The filmed version of the sold-out Hannah Montana concert features performances from Cyrus' 54-city tour, captured in state-of-the-art 3D and shown in Galaxy's Real 3D technology.  For more information, call

702-693-9779.

UFC® FIGHT NIGHT™ Will Be Live From The Pearl On Jan. 23

The Ultimate Fighting Championship® brand is the world's leading professional mixed martial arts organization.  The UFC® and Spike TV will return to The Pearl at the Palms on Wednesday, Jan. 23 for the first UFC® Fight Night™ of 2008, featuring a elterweight battle between Mike Swick and Josh Burkman.  Also signed for the show are what should be explosive bouts between middleweights Drew McFedries and Patrick Cote, and lightweights Thiago Tavares and Michihiro Omigawa.  Tickets are $350, $200 and $100, call 702-474-4000.

Springs Preserve Adds New Exhibit to Oriogen Experience

The Springs Preserve, which is a new 180-acre national historic site located three miles from the Strip, is presenting an enlightening look at the landscape of Nevada with its newest art exhibit, Playground of the Gods by internationally acclaimed photographer Nicholas A. Price.  This one-of-a-kind exhibit showcases more than 30 traditionally hand-printed photographs of untouched rock displays that depict faces and scenes portrayed in the rocks, clay and mountainsides of the Valley of Fire.  Playground of the Gods will be located in the Big Springs Gallery of the ORIoGEN Experience building at the Springs Preserve from Jan. 7-April 30, before embarking on a national tour in 2009.  The Springs Preserve Gift Shop will also be the first retail store in Southern Nevada to showcase examples of Price's original fine art photographs, quality prints and posters that capture the natural beauty of Nevada.

The M Resort Partners With Galaxy Theatre

M Resort, Spa and Casino is a $1 billion resort being built on 80 acres of land on

Las Vegas Boulevard South and St. Rose Parkway with completion expected in the spring of 2009.   The new resort has struck a partnership agreement with Galaxy Theatres, the privately-owned, award-winning movie theatre company widely known for its advanced digital technology and customer service philosophy.  The 63,000-square-foot movie entertainment theatre will feature 14 screens and 3,100 seats.  Digital and 3-D movie projection, spacious auditoriums, over-sized movie screens, all-stadium luxury seating, digital sound and premium concession selections, including popcorn with real butter, will be offered at the movie entertainment theatre.  The Cannery in North Las Vegas already has Galaxy Theatres.

QUICK CLIPS

The CatHouse at the Luxor is open and offers something completely new and different.

to the Las Vegas Strip.  In the style of an opulent 19th century Parisian bordello, the 'loungerie' combines performance, dining and nightlife.  CatHouse offers two intimate rooms for dining and nightlife enjoyment and focuses on a high-end, jet-set clientele inspired by the lifestyles of partners Kerry Simon, world-renowned chef, Australian nightlife and music impresario Billy Cross and Mick Doohan, a five-time world Formula One motorcycle racing champion.

Carmen Electra will host a sexy DVD launch party at Studio 54 on Jan. 4 to celebrate the release of her newest aerobic striptease video, Vegas Strip, which was shot exclusively at Studio 54 in the MGM Grand.  The first 100 guests will receive both "Vegas Strip" and "In the Bedroom" striptease DVDs.  "Vegas Strip" combines body-sculpting dance moves and burlesque sets with sultry stretches and toning exercises to help viewers take off those extra pounds while taking it all off in routines by Electra set to a mix of club-style music.

Rich Little has resumed his six-month gig at the Golden Nugget.  The majority of the couple hundred impressions that the 69-year-old voice master performs are deceased or older, but they're classic characters. 

Veteran producer Paul Stone will bring Variety Live! Direct from the London Palladium to the Suncoast, Jan. 31-Feb. 2.  A former Mystere acrobat, who revolves inside a giant wheel, and the juggler, Kris Kremo, who was in the Stardust's Lido de Paris  show for 11 years are part of the lineup.

The Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is currently featuring its holiday scene with a 42-foot-tall Shasta White Fir, flying reindeer, animated penguins, and a 230-pound chocolate Santa wearing a sugar icing suit.

BODIES…The Exhibition and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition are continuing at the Tropicana through February 2008.  Since opening at the Tropicana Resort & Casino in June 2006, hundreds of thousands of visitors have been entertained, educated and intrigued by these must-see Strip attractions. 

Seasoned comedic stage actor, playwright and star of "Defending the Caveman," Kevin Burke, did his 1,000th performance of Defending the Caveman this month at the Showroom inside the Golden Nugget.  It was also Burke's 227th performance at the Golden Nugget.

Entertainment Tonight's co-anchor Mark Steines, will host the 2008 Miss America pageant on Jan. 27 at Planet Hollywood.

Ethel Merman's Broadway starring Rita McKenzie will be playing a pre-Broadway tour at the Suncoast, Jan. 4-6 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are from $19, call 702-636-7075.

Special events at the South Point's arena in January include the Extreme Monster Truck Nationals 2008, Jan. 11-13, and the CBR World Championship Bull

Riding, Jan. 25-26.

Spiedini's restaurant located in the J.W. Marriott in northwest Las Vegas will hold its January wine dinner on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. and feature Raymond Vineyards.  Cost is $68, call 702-869-8500.

JLLV Hosts Design Legend And Invites Public To Historic Morelli House

The Junior League of Las Vegas (JLLV) will host Vladimir Kagan, the "grandfather of modern furniture design" for a public reception on Jan. 31, 2008, from 4 to 6 p.m. for his book The Complete Kagan signing and open house at the JLLV's downtown historic 1959 Morelli House, 861 Bridger Street.  The general public is invited to attend. There is no charge, but reservations are required by calling the JLLV office at 702-822-6536 by Jan. 25.

Kagan, designer of the Serpentine Sofa, volunteered his services as the lead interior designer for the Junior League of Las Vegas' Mid Century historical preservation project, the Morelli House.  In addition, Kagan donated items such as a Cubist Dining Table and Beech Wood walnut stained barrel chairs covered in an Italian wool fabric.

Kagan will be visiting Las Vegas to kick off the new Design Icon lecture series at January's Las Vegas Market at the World Market Center, where design

legends share their stories and experiences in order to inspire tomorrow's designers. 

Clinton Jackson To Headline Riviera Comedy Club, Jan. 7-13

Clinton Jackson, who was best known as the science teacher, Mezz Crosby, on the Warner Brothers Network sitcom Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher, will headline the Riviera Comedy Club, Jan.7-13.  He will be joined by funny gals Rob Magnotti and Arthur Gaus.  Showtimes are 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., and tickets are $24.99, call 702-794-9433.        

Jackson received his professional training in San Francisco's thriving comedy community and was soon appearing on television specials including A&E's Caroline's Comedy Hour and Comedy on the Road, VH-1's Stand Up Spotlight, Fox's Comic Strip Live, and MTV's Half Hour Comedy Hour and Comikaze.

In 1996, Jackson's career hit a turning point, beginning with an invitation to perform in HBO's prestigious Aspen Comedy Festival.  Following that success,

he landed a guest-starring role on CBS' Cybill, and was then cast as Mezz Crosby.  Jackson appeared on the season finale of CBS' Cybill.

New Year's Eve News

The Rampart Casino will ring in the New Year with a concert by Sonny Charles & The Checkmates.  This show will pay tribute to the late, great Sweet Louie, who passed away this month. The show will be held at Addison's Lounge inside the Rampart Casino on Monday, Dec. 31.  The show begins at 9 p.m.  Admittance is $10 at the door.

At the Riviera, there's a Top of the RIv Dance Party in the Monaco Tower from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with an open bar.  Tickets $99.99; call 702-794-9433.

For the third year in a row RnR Wine will be hosting its New Year's Eve bash at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba on the Strip directly across from the Wynn Resort.  The package includes a four-course dinner and live entertainment with two and a DJ.  Alcohol is extra.  Price is $90, call702-258-1211.

The new Stoney's Rockin' Country with an elevated 2,500-square-foot hardwood dance floor will hold the largest country New Year's Eve 2008 party.  Special guests Western Underground will perform.  This group, the driving, rodeo rock 'n' roll sound behind the legendary Chris LeDoux, has created their own identity, paying special tribute to their longtime friend and mentor.  Tickets are $19.95, call 702-797-9079.  There will be midnight balloon drop, champagne toast and party favors.

Downtown at Hogs & Heifers Saloon on Third Street, there will be live entertainment provided by rockers Southern Stüe.  Doors open at 1 p.m.  There is no cover for the party.