FAO Schwarz closes at Forum Shops

Another victim of the bad economy: FAO Schwarz has closed.

A fixture of Caesars Palace Forum Shops for more than 12 years, the 3-level, 55,000-square-foot toy store shut down at the end of last month.

The 48-foot wooden horse is currently still standing guard, but will eventually be removed.

Sixty employees have been offered positions at local Toys 'R' Us (FAO Schwarz's parent owner) or Babies 'R' Us stores.

Free Grand Slam breakfast at Denny’s, today only

This morning, stop by Denny's for a free Grand Slam breakfast.

Denny's advertised the free meal during the Super Bowl, but what you may not know is that 1,000 people will be given rainchecks at each location for long lines. 1,500 coupon books will also be given away.

The Grand Slam is 2 each of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and sausage.

The offer is only good today from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nearby Denny's restaurants:

3771 Las Vegas Blvd. South
3411 Las Vegas Blvd. South
3001 Las Vegas Blvd. South
1826 Las Vegas Blvd. South

5045 W Trop
5318 North Boulder Hwy.
310 N Nellis Blvd.
2545 Farnington Ave.
9320 South Eastern Ave., Henderson

Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas to close

On May 2, the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas will close.

A member of the Five Star Alliance and considered one of the finest hotels in the world, the Ritz-Carlton in Henderson will be shutting down because of a lack of funding by Village Hospitality (Deutsche Bank).

They will also be laying off 400 employees but will try to relocate them to other Marriott properties (which runs the Ritz-Carlton chain).

Lake Las Vegas has been in bankruptcy since July 2008 after the developer defaulted on a loan of $540 million. The Ritz-Carlton, which received the prestigious AAA Five-Diamond award, also filed for bankruptcy.

Fergie shoe giveaway tonight at Moon

Got plans tonight? Like Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas? Like shoes?

Pop by the Moon Nightclub (at The Palms) tonight at 11 p.m., and you'll participate in a Fergie Footwear Giveaway.

It won't be her exact shoes, but the next closest thing -- shoes from her personal line of footwear. This ranges from dress shoes to casual to sandals.

Just in time to dance the night away with a terrific view of the Las Vegas Strip.

Visit Fergie Shoes for a sampling of what could be available.

Fine art at CityCenter, China photo exhibit to open tomorrow

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Nestled throughout CityCenter is one of the world's largest corporate art collection -- and it's all being shown for free.

Already on display to the public are works by artists including Jenny Holzer, Maya Lin, Richard Long, Henry Moore, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Nancy Rubins, Frank Stella, and more.

Beginning tomorrow through Feb. 22, an 80-panel, 4-part photo exhibit will launch displaying 30 years of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China.

The exhibit has toured through China, New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles before coming to Las Vegas.

Las Vegas First Runner-up in Teen Pregnancies

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

According to a report published this month by the Guttmacher Institute, teen pregnancies in Las Vegas are increasing after more than 16 years of decline. The numbers just in awards Las Vegas with the number two spot for for pregnant teens.

Blame for this unwanted honor is being placed on the lack of contraceptive information that would educate teens about choices for recreational sex. Apparently the policy of preaching abstinence just isn't getting through (abstinence hasn't worked very well with the reefer crowd, either).

Considering how much Las Vegas likes to be first at most everything (see the home foreclosure post below) check back a little later to see if SinCity takes over this number one spot, too.

Las Vegas ranked highest foreclosure rate for 2009

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

It isn't much of a surprise, but at five times the national average, Las Vegas had the highest foreclosures of any city in the country for 2009.

That amounts to 1 out of 8 homeowners.

Number two was Cape Coral in Florida, with the next three being California cities Merced, Riverside, and Stockton.

The lowest foreclosure rate was in Burlington, Vermont.

Man faces up to 20 years for trying to open plane door mid-flight

Word to the wise: if you happen to find yourself on a plane, don't attempt to open the door in the middle of a flight.

Gregory Thomas Burns tried just that while flying from Washington, D.C. to Las Vegas last week.

Claiming he was drunk on beer and tranquilizers, Burns was observed trying to open the door but was prevented by passengers.

He was arrested on a federal offense of interfering with a flight crew. He could get up to 20 years in prison along with a $250,000 fine.

His alleged action caused the flight to land in Denver to make sure Burns wasn't a terrorist.

Mayor Oscar Goodman not to pursue governor run

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Mayor Oscar Goodman has decided not to run for governor after all.

Goodman would be a cinch to be re-elected as mayor of Las Vegas, but he's already served three terms, the maximum allowed.

Goodman will end his term in 2011.

Much speculation was made of what the 70-year-old would do, and even he thought he may run for governor, preparing in advance by switching to non-partisan.

Ultimately, he decided time would be better spent with his family.

Pennsylvania casinos pass Atlantic City for revenue

If we were to ask you what are the two top casino markets in the country, you'd say Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

But now for the first time, Atlantic City has been edged out by Pennsylvania and their slot barns (just racing and slots, no table games).

This was writing on the wall for AC, whose customer base is primarily in surrounding areas of the New Jersey gambling boardwalk. And with the tribal casinos in Connecticut (Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods) also stealing revenue from AC, unless they do something to change, Pennsylvania could stay solidly in the number 2 slot.

Players visiting Pennsylvania's nine casinos wagered $2.12 billion ($189 million lost) in December 2009. Players in Atlantic City's 11 casinos wagered $2.03 billion ($179 million lost).

Las Vegas's revenue is approximately 4 times Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania recently opened two new casinos (now even with Atlantic City) and will soon have table games installed.