‘The Nutcracker’

It's that time of year again -- frantic shopping, Christmas parties, hot toddies, colored lights and, of course, "The Nutcracker!" This famous fairytale has been a Las Vegas tradition for more than 20 years, and this year the Nevada Ballet Theatre brings Clara, Fritz and all of their friends to life at UNLV's Judy Bayley Theatre, December 14-27.

The performances will feature the students of the theatre's new Youth Company, part of its affiliated school, the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre. The classic roles of Clara and Fritz as well as party-scene children, mice and soldiers, will be danced by these talented students. This year's "Nutcracker" will include some exciting surprises -- from a special guest at the party on opening night to a mad scheme from the maniacal Mouse King. To add to the excitement, audiences will witness a sleigh that takes flight ... and snow falling from the sky.

There will be a total of 17 performances over the 13 days and times vary, so call 702-895-ARTS for more info and tickets, which begin at $39. If you've never seen the production, you're in for a treat and your kids will love it.

NEW STAKES AT CAESARS

Now for all you table game players with more money than I have, Caesars Palace has raised the ceilings of its table games betting limit to the highest in the city. Blackjack players who previously could bet up to three hands at $10,000 a hand can now bet one hand at $50,000 or three hands at $25,000 per hand.

Dice players who were limited to $5,000 on line bets, can now place $50,000 on any line bet. (Pass, Don't Pass, Come, Don't Come). Place bet limits are $25,000 and $30,000, up from $5,000 and $6,000. "Hard Way" bettors are allowed to wager $10,000 on any 'Hard Way." Roulette players who were limited to $500 "Any Way" wagers (single numbers, splits, quads, etc.) can go for a high limit of $3,000 " Any Way."

These new wagering limits are available in high-limit gaming areas and in the dice pit and do not affect popular lower table game limits posted in areas such as the Pussycat Dolls gaming pit and elsewhere throughout the resort. I'm still looking for a $1 table.

STUDIO 54 FESTIVITIES

Studio 54 inside the MGM Grand is making a big bid to lock up the New Year's Eve partyers. Beginning Friday, Dec. 28, through Monday, Dec. 31, the club will ring in 2008 with the hottest New Year's soirees on the Strip, including performances by hip-hop legend KRS-One and the ultimate after-party with Ultimate Fighting Champion Chuck Liddell.

The 10th annual New Year's Eve Gala will include an open bar from 9 to 11 p.m. and complimentary champagne from 9 p.m. to midnight. Here's the lineup in case you want to get in on the action.
• Dec. 28: KRS-One will kick-off New Year's weekend at Studio 54 with a live performance. Cover: $30 for men/ $20 for women. A concierge pass (including entrance and a line pass) can be purchased at the concierge desk by the front entrance of MGM Grand for $40.
• Dec. 29: Chuck Liddell hosts UFC 79 Official After-Fight Party. Cover: $40 for men, $30 for women; concierge pass $50.
• Dec. 31: 10th Annual New Year's Eve Gala. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $200 or at the door for $250. Guests who've purchased tickets in advance will be welcomed through a designated entrance so they will not have to wait in line.

MIRAGE UNDER THE SEA

If you thought the aquarium in The Mirage's lobby was impressive before, wait until you see the new one. After a two-month transformation, the aquarium has added hundreds of new sea creatures to the exhibit that provides a rare glimpse into the aquatic wonders of our planet. Nearly 1,000 marine life forms now comprise a thriving undersea community within the 20,000-gallon display. Sharks, stingrays and porcupine fish now can be seen swimming side-by-side with eels, sea bass and puffer fish behind four-inch-thick acrylic walls.

The 53-by-8-foot display also features brighter artificial corals and the aquarium's filtration and life support systems were replaced with technology that improves visibility and monitoring. The Mirage Lobby Aquarium is located directly behind the front desk. Well worth a look.

HARRAH'S GREEN LIGHT

Well, the $17.1 billion buyout of Harrah's Entertainment has been given the green light from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. In case you're interested, a couple of private equity companies -- TPG Capital and Apollo Management -- are the buyers and includes all of Harrah's properties throughout the U.S. And if you're worried how it will affect the running of the casinos, Gary Loveman, Harrah's chairman and CEO, says, "As we've told our employees, this is a change in ownership but not a change in direction." We'll see. I've never seen a buyout that didn't bring change -- sometimes good, other times not.

At the hearing, no mention was made of the problems and public relations disaster that Harrah's has had to contend with this past month when it was discovered that many of the renovated rooms at two its Las Vegas hotels were improperly permitted and inspected. This disclosure forced the company to close some 700 rooms at the Rio and Harrah's. Harrah's, however, has not tried to "spin" the situation and has taken steps to fix the problem.

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.