Halloween Happenings in Sin City

Las Vegas is known nationwide for throwing the most outrageous parties, and Halloween is no exception. As the celebration approaches, here are some upcoming spine-tingling Sin City happenings:

Mandalay Bay
Haunted Reef at Mandalay Bay Thrills and Chills
Shark Reef Aquarium eerily transforms into a Haunted Reef for those who dare to enter the unknown for an all day event on All Hallows Eve from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fearsome predators, including tiger sharks and a rare Komodo dragon with dagger-like teeth, deadly saliva and piercing razor-sharp claws lurk in exhibits, terrorizing spectators. Rattling chains, creaking doors and haunting music replace the normally soothing sounds of the ocean and jungle as visitors walk through Haunted Reef’s dark and spooky tunnels. Costumed children 12 and under receive complimentary access and sugary sweets. Additionally, guests 17 years of age and older donating or pledging to give blood at the United Blood Services booth also receive complimentary entry into Shark Reef Aquarium. Tickets to Shark Reef Aquarium are $16.95 for adults and $10.95 for non-costumed children 5-12 years of age. The booth, set up just for Haunted Reef, opens Saturday, October 30. For more information, call 702-632-4555 or visit mandalaybay.com.

Till Death Do Us Part Wedding Package at Mandalay Bay
For couples who love Halloween and like to have fun with a side of fright, the Till Death Do Us Part package at Mandalay Bay offers the ideal Halloween wedding. Starting at $850, eternally bonded souls can have their ceremony in a themed haunted chapel and afterward enjoy a bone-chilling experience with passes to Fright Dome at Circus Circus. For more information, visit mandalaybay.com.

Luxor
Free Haunted Tours at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Featured on SciFi’s Ghost Hunters, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition has people questioning if lost passengers have returned to the personal items they once carried on board. Listen closely for chilling details to be shared this Halloween by the costumed Titanic experts who have seen and heard it all. Hear about the “Lady in Black” who is often seen on the Grand Staircase, crying for her famous friend Molly Brown in the First Class Gallery or listening to the disturbing ice warnings. See Frederick Fleet, the Titanic’s look-out, watching over the Promenade Deck as he attempts to make up for his unfortunate late sighting of the iceberg. More than just ghost stories, guests can learn about the longest living Titanic survivor who passed away exactly 80 years to the day the Ship struck the iceberg, as well as other mysterious coincidences connected to that fateful night. For some spooky fun, discover if the ghost stories are true with a free haunted tour with paid admission on October 29, 30 and 31 at 8 p.m. Tickets to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition are $28 for adults, $26 for seniors and $21 for children 4-12 years of age. Call 702-262-4400 for more information or visit luxor.com.

Circus Circus
Fright Dome at Circus Circus
It’s time to play a game… Fright Dome takes over The Adventuredome at Circus Circus from October 1-31 from 7 p.m. to Midnight. Ranked among the top five scariest haunted attractions in the United States, Fright Dome offers new haunted houses, freak shows, scare zones and much more to those who dare to enter. Spread throughout five acres, this haunted theme park features dark, fog-filled attractions complete with ghoulish and gore-clad professional actors. Not appropriate for children under 12, Fright Dome includes roaming scare actors, high-powered strobes, multi-colored lasers and eerie sound effects. General admission tickets are $34.95 and the VIP Fast Pass is an additional $15. For more information, call 702-794-3939 or visit frightdome.com.

Easter Seals Southern Nevada
The 5th Annual Trunk or Treat
Put on your frighteningly fun costumes and come out to Easter Seals Southern Nevada’s 5th Annual Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 23 from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy the haunted house, if you dare, trick-or-treating from trunk to trunk, candy, food and much more. Place an entry in the scarecrow decorating contest and showcase your festive side. Admission is $3 per child, with additional donations for food and beverage. All ages are welcome. For more information on the event, including rules, entry fee information and the entry form for the scarecrow contest, call 702-870-7050 or visit eastersealssn.org.

Read about other Nevada haunts here.

Travel Channel starts "War" over Reno region's famous Awful Awful burger

The Travel Channel wants to know where would you rather eat your Awful Awful burger — at the Little Nugget Diner in Reno or John Ascuaga’s Nugget in Sparks? Travel Channel’s hit series, “Food Wars,” wants the loudest and proudest hamburger fans to tell viewers everywhere which Awful Awful burger is better.

“This is huge for the Little Nugget Diner. People come from all over the world to have the Awful Awful in town, and the burger is finally getting the exposure it deserves,” says George Buddy, General Manager of the Little Nugget Diner. “The Awful Awful is really something special. It’s a fantastic deal and the Little Nugget Diner is one of the few places where you know you’re getting exactly what you ordered.”

“We’re obviously thrilled to have the Travel Channel here at John Ascuaga’s Nugget once again. While the main focus will be our signature burger against another, the larger view allows the country to yet again see our area as a fun, quirky and unique destination,” says Michael Traum, Public Relations Manager of John Ascuaga’s Nugget. “One premise of 'Food Wars' is to invite viewers to come to Reno and decide for themselves which burger they like best, and that’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

Below is the filming schedule, open to the public. If you want to be a part of the ultimate face-off, be sure to attend Friday’s shoot.

• Wednesday, June 30th at Rosie’s Café in John Ascuaga’s Nugget from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (1100 Nugget Avenue, Sparks, NV 89431)

• Thursday, July 1st at the Little Nugget Diner from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (233 North Virginia St)

• Friday, July 2nd is the Food Wars Challenge at the Poolside Terrace or Celebrity Showroom (TBD) at John Ascuaga’s Nugget from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Fans of either restaurant interested in being interviewed for the show should contact foodfancasting@gmail.com.

Photo by Charlie Johnston (patrons enjoy an Awful Awful at Little Nugget Diner in Reno).

Las Vegas Rocks Cafe

By Shelley Stepanek

The Neonopolis has awakened again. The space formerly known as Jillian’s has a new tenant and a great new theme after a sleek renovation. The Las Vegas Rocks Cafe, co-owned by TV host Tony Sacca and chef Josette Leblond (known for Josette’s Bistro in Las Vegas), have teamed up with a new concept. Opening in December 2009, the pair has partnered with all their experience in food and entertainment to revitalize the Fremont Street Experience area.

The menu consists of themed foods such as The Siegfried and Roy turkey, ham, Swiss cheese sandwich; the Elvis Delight grilled banana and peanut-butter sandwich; The Ratpack Antipasto; and the Charo Chili. For entrees, The Sammy Steak, a big rib-eye; The Topless Dancer, an open-faced turkey breast; the Cirque Du Sole Filet; and topping off the desert menu, The Glitter Gulch Crème Brule and The Sin City Dessert.

The 20,000-square-foot venue, which has hosted such stars as Terry Fator and Louis Prima, this can hold up to 3,000 people in a standing room concert area.

Sacca has been doing his television show, “Entertainment Las Vegas Style,” for 24 years. He wrote the song “Las Vegas Rocks” four years ago and began marketing his musical clock and a line of souvenirs. He has produced, hosted, and researched Las Vegas history for his TV show and has developed a library of photos and catalogs with more than 500 celebrities and entertainers. With videos running in the restaurant on numerous TV screens, you can immerse yourself in fascinating history as you watch the crowd strolling by on Fremont Street.

Leblond has owned bakeries in Las Vegas and Los Angeles for years, and her Josette’s Bistro has been a mainstay on West Flamingo Road. She has had her own cooking show for the last couple of years.