Masterful display

Las Vegas has changed a lot over the past 10 years as the town introduced upscale shopping, fine dining and elegant facilities, so we are getting away from that "tacky" image people and the outside press loved to label us.

Nowhere does our new look dispel that image more than at Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Presenting the seasons, as well as Christmas and the Chinese New Year, it boggles the mind with its incredibly beautiful and creative displays and the new fall presentation is another masterpiece. Powered by a slow-flowing stream, the centerpiece of this charming display is a towering, 35-foot-tall cider mill set amidst a stand of regal white birch trees.

Only a few steps away, you'll find a harvest of more than 1,000 Red Delicious and Granny Smith apples, which I'm sure for a lot of you will bring back fond memories of hot cider and homemade pies. As always, the display has a surprise and this year is no exception. Resting atop a bed of pumpkins a 10-foot-tall Ent, a mythical talking tree, sits amongst the colorful gourds and welcomes guests with a sweet smile, gentle eyes and wild botanical hair made of moss and bittersweet root. This picturesque exhibit is on display through Nov. 24, so put it on your "must-see" list and make sure you bring your camera.

EYECANDY -- EYE-POPPING

As a guy who barely knows how to turn on my computer, despite having used one for 20 years, imagine how lost I am when I hear things like interactive touch tables, revolutionary sound stations and a dance floor with an ever-changing landscape. But that's just what our newest cocktail lounge features -- eyecandy (and no, the "e" is not supposed to be capped and yes, it is one word) located in the center of Mandalay Bay's casino floor.

Réalisations.net, a pioneer in touch-controlled technology, has created interactive touch tables exclusively for eyecandy. What this means is that guests can control their nightlife experience all from the comfort of their booth. Using interactive, multi-touch tables, you can create visuals and messaging as well as project images onto screens above the dance floor. This lets you create and control the visual and audio environment so that you become part of the sensory experience, where each night has a unique vibe.

If that's not hi-tech enough for you, eyecandy also offers three sound stations adjacent to the dance floor. These sound stations will allow you to tap into your inner DJ using your iPod. Which means you can bring your personal music mix to play from the sound station, allowing the DJ to integrate your playlist into the lounge's repertoire at anytime.

There's more, even though they've lost me already. According to the people at eyecandy, dancers will become living artwork as playful patterns and animations are projected onto their bodies, and their steps activate an ever-changing landscape of graphic imagery beneath their feet and on large screens surrounding the dance floor, filling every corner with an array of vibrant color. If you're into all this and let's face it, most 20- and 30-somethings are, the eyecandy bar is open 11 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily; the interactive eyecandy sound lounge is open 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. No cover charge. Non-smoking. Enjoy, and if you can explain it to me in simple terms, let me know.

IN THE (TROPIC) ZONE

Hawaiian Tropic Zone, which will be opening in late December at Planet Hollywood, is holding a series of casting calls looking for stunningly beautiful women to fill the positions of table concierges, bartenders, hostesses and promotional models. Auditions will be Monday through Friday, Oct. 22-26, and again Oct. 29-Nov. 2 at Planet Hollywood in Sapphire Ballrooms 5 and 6 on the Mezzanine Level. Times are: Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.; and Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

American fashion icon Nicole Miller has designed exclusive fucshia bikinis and floral sarongs for those chosen to be one of Hawaiian Tropic Zone's sexy table concierges. The girls, all of whom will be highly trained in assisting guests' with all their dining needs, will participate in a nightly beauty pageant on Hawaiian Tropic Zone's iconic catwalk stage.

BUNNIES CELEBRATE

Speaking of beautiful women, Playboy Bunnies who work at the Playboy Club in the Palms, have taken it all off (except for the Bunny ears and bowties) for the November issue of Playboy magazine, which is now on newsstands and at www.playboydigital.com. The reason for going au naturelle was the celebration of the Club's first anniversary. The 8-page nude pictorial was shot throughout The Palms' new Fantasy Tower at spots that include the Playboy Club, Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, Erotic Suite, Kingpin Suite and Moon Nightclub.

Bunny Lindsey Roeper, featured on the issue's cover, says working at the Playboy Club is nothing short of empowering. "It is extremely gratifying to work alongside such beautiful and intelligent women and to be the representative for such a legendary brand at the only Playboy Club open anywhere in the world." The anniversary celebrations kicked off on Sunday, Oct. 14, but continue with a party at the Playboy Club on Sunday, Oct. 21, hosted by Playboy Comedy's Cort McCown and a bevy of Playboy Playmates. Might be a good time to drop by.

JOBS APLENTY

Silverton Casino is also looking for people to staff its newly renovated and redesigned Twin Creeks restaurant. If you're looking for a job, you can apply at the casino on Monday, October 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also log on to www.silvertoncasino.com and click on employment to apply online. They're looking for Specialty Hosts (modeling/cocktail experience a plus); Lounge Hosts (modeling/bartending experience a plus); Mixologist; Specialty Food Servers; Bus Persons; Food Runners; Master Cooks; Expediter; Cooks; Sous Chef and a Pastry Chef. Good luck.

HAUNTING TIME

Halloween will soon be upon us and there are several places I guarantee your kids will love, one being the Adventuredome at Circus Circus, which has already turned into Fright Dome. This year, not even the sky is safe within the five-acre park, ranked 4th Scariest Haunted Attraction in the country by AOL in 2006. Fright Dome features the new Drop Demons, the visual spectacle Lizardman, five haunted houses, multiple extreme scare zones and 25 rides and attractions. Pitch black and fog-filled, Fright Dome will set a chilling scene with high-powered strobes, lasers and sound effects throughout the five acres of horror.

Joining in on the Halloween fun for the sixth year is Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. This fully accredited aquarium transforms itself Oct. 27 into Haunted Reef. Rattling chains, creaking doors and hauntingly spooky music will replace the normal sounds of the ocean and the jungle. Children 12 and under, in costume, will receive complimentary access and candy! Not to leave Count Dracula out in the cold, Haunted Reef also hosts Nevada's United Blood Services. Each adult who donates blood will receive complimentary entrance into Shark Reef Aquarium. So a double win here. The kids get to have some scary fun and you get to donate some much-needed blood.

'ZUMANITY' OFFER

I'll wrap up with this bargain news. "Zumanity" at New York-New York, which is one of Cirque du Soleil's great shows, is offering locals half price on its $99 tickets through Nov. 21. That's a great buy and you'll love the show.

Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com. If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylasvegas@gmail.com Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.