Harrah’s Unveils Las Vegas “Street” Plans

 

July 15, 2009

Harrah’s Entertainment has announced Project Link, a collection of low-rise restaurants, bars, and retail shops that will stretch between the Flamingo and O’Sheas casinos at center Strip. Company officials characterize Project Link as an entertainment district, with a pedestrian corridor that will extend a block from the Strip back to the Las Vegas Monorail, where a giant Ferris wheel will rise 600 feet high. Neither the cost nor a timetable for Project Link has been announced, though it’s contingent on financing, and analysts speculate that given today’s credit crunch and Harrah’s $20 billion in existing debt, it could be at least “a couple of years” before ground is broken on this one. 

 

Cabo Wabo: A branch of Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina will open soon at Planet Hollywood. The two-level 15,000-square-foot nightclub and restaurant will fill the location previously occupied by Trader Vic’s and boasts one of the Strip’s best outside eating and drinking locations.

 

New Peeps: Also at Planet Hollywood, the next lead in the revolving-door cast of its production Peepshow has been announced. Aubrey O’Day will join the cast in September. O’Day replaces Shoshana Bean, who replaced Mel B earlier this year. She’ll co-start with Holly Madison, who replaced Kelly Monaco (unless, of course, Madison is replaced before then).

 

CSI Coming: “CSI: The Experience,” an interactive touring exhibit based on the popular CBS television series, will take up residence at the MGM Grand this summer. The attraction gives guests the opportunity to play the role of a crime-scene investigator with the help of two state-of-the-art crime labs. Prices have not been announced.

 

Question: Has a woman ever made the World Series of Poker main event’s final table?

Answer: Yes, but only once. Barbara Enright made the final nine and finished fifth in 1995. Annie Duke (of “Celebrity Apprentice” fame), Barbara Samuelson, and Susie Isaacs came close, all finishing 10^th. And this year’s best showing by a lady was the 27^th-place finish of Spaniard Leo Margets.