Progress can be cruel sometimes. A drive by the former O’Sheas casino is proof.

It was her time.

The good news, and there’s lots of good news, is that dramatic progress has been made on the Las Vegas Strip to make way for The Linq, the $550 million development project that will include an entertainment and dining corridor, as well as The High Roller observation wheel. Read more about The Linq.

We’ve got some recent photos of the area around O’Sheas, including Imperial Palace, and while it ain’t pretty, it’s exciting to see how Vegas is transforming itself, yet again.

Remember the O'Sheas parking lot? This was that.

The O’Sheas parking lot was imploded on May 1, and construction crews have made quick work of removing the rubble.

Yep, that's what's left. All 17 pounds of it.

Relax. Sin City knows what it’s doing.

It's like a blank canvas upon which Sin City will paint its Mona Lisa. A Mona Lisa with bars, restaurants, shops and a huge-ass Ferris wheel.

The Imperial Palace is slowly losing its Asian influence, too. The hotel won’t even be called the Imperial Palace much longer. The hotel will soon be renamed The Pulse, after this blog, unless we’re completely making that up.

Never a dull moment in Vegas.

This used to have an Asian symbol on it. We think it meant, "Gambling. It's a hoot." Or something along those lines.

The Rockhouse bar and nightclub, outside Imperial Palace, has had its innards removed. Word has it the Rockhouse will be opening down the road in the Venetian. (We try not to ask too many questions.)

Ah, the good times we almost remember.

Out front, the former home of the Rockhouse is barely recognizable.

Sad face. Sometimes, it helps to keep repeating, "The Linq," "The Linq," "The Linq."

There’s a new building being erected behind Flamingo Las Vegas.

Look at all the "erected" jokes we're not making.

Take heart, Vegas fans. Out of the ashes shall emerge The Linq. And it shall be fancy.

The Linq will even have an Irish-themed bar. Like O'Sheas, but without the unique fragrance, if you get our drift.

You’ll live forever in our memories, O’Sheas.

That freaked us out a little bit. But we're getting past it.

More updates to come! Happier updates. With fewer buildings having their faces eaten off.

Bosomy bombshell Holly Madison, star of reality TV’s “Holly’s World” and the Playboy mansion-based “The Girls Next Door,” has announced she’ll hang up her corset, leaving “Peepshow” at Planet Hollywood at the end of 2012.

Yes, that Holly Madison.

Madison has been the star of “Peepshow” for more than three years in the titular role of Bo Peep. Before Madison took to the “Peepshow” stage, Spice Girl Mel B, soap starlet Kelly Monaco and Aubrey O’Day were featured in the saucy show which co-stars singer Josh Strickland.

One of this blog's first photos of Holly Madison, and still one of our favorites.

The shrewd performer has turned her stint in “Peepshow” into a cottage industry, becoming the face, figure and de facto mayor and spokesperson of Las Vegas.

It's crazy being Holly Madison.

In the official statement about her departure from the show, Madison said, “Performing in ‘Peepshow’ has honestly been a dream come true. I’m so proud to have made a mark in Las Vegas with this amazing show and am looking forward to celebrating ‘Peepshow’ with my fans through the end of the year.”

Or, translated from PR-speak, “I am not currently at liberty to discuss what the holy hell is going on here!” That’s fine. We can wait. Maybe something Holly said in People magazine in 2009, when she was leaving the popular “Girls Next Door” show, is relevant here: “I’m just ready to move on.”

No matter her reason for leaving, this blog will miss Holly Madison, and we’ll follow her anywhere. Besides, we’ve still got until Dec. 30, 2012 to catch her doing that thing she does so well.

We’ve always had a special connection to Holly, specifically, she’s always had a crush on us.

We are not making this up. Probably.

We’re just saying.

Note: By the time Holly Madison has her final curtain call in “Peepshow,” she’ll have performed the show more than 1,000 times.

Reps of “Peepshow” have confirmed the show will continue after Holly Madison’s departure, although no replacement has been named yet.

As if replacing is possible.

Bonus Holly Madison trivia: She was a contestant on the eighth season of “Dancing with the Stars.”

See Holly Madison while you can in Peepshow at Planet Hollywood, and see all our Holly Madison posts over the years, including her many looks and more.

It’s not set to open at Planet Hollywood until preview performances start on June 11, but “Surf, The Musical” is already poised to become the talk of the summer entertainment scene in Las Vegas.

The cast and creative team behind this homage to surf culture and the music of The Beach Boys gave a preview to the media on May 29, 2012. Security, foolishly, allowed this blog in for some photos of select sequences from the show.

Cycling and high heels go together wonderfully in Las Vegas, thanks.

The show’s Tony-nominated director, Kristin Hanggi (“Rock of Ages”), and choreographer RJ Durell, hosted the gathering. They were noticeably giddy at the prospect of sharing snippets of their show after months of intense preparation.

Director Kristin Hanggi and choreographer RJ Durell go way back.

Kristin Hanggi talked about some of her directorial inspiration, “My mom grew up in Redondo Beach, and all of her photo albums have these people in the early ’60s on the beach. They feel like Beach Boys songs, right there, captured. I thought the show could be a love letter to Southern California and all the families there, and not only that, but also to everyone the Beach Boys touched. They brought the beach across the country and around the world, so, ideally, I hope we can bring that beach experience to audiences.”

The digital backdrop is made up of 160 60-inch screens. Yes, we counted them.

The show is still in rehearsals, so the actors weren’t in full costume, although some of the 1960s-inspired costumes (by designer Gregory Gale) made an appearance. Of course we got photos. There were bathing suits involved.

She's a professional dancer. Your abs may vary.

“Surf, The Musical” is a full-scale, Broadway-style production, but unlike many shows in Vegas that start elsewhere and come to town for a residency, this show was created from scratch, specifically to premiere and run in Sin City.

Here are a few seconds of video to help get a sense of the show’s scale, choreography and energy level. Note: During actual performances, the actors and dancers are expected to be in focus. We are a blog, not a videographer.

The show has about 35 Beach Boys songs, many instantly recognizable, but others are lesser-known songs from the iconic group, like “That’s Not Me” from the Pet Sounds album.

Kristin Hanggi says, “We tried to do that on purpose, to give the hits, and then we tried to give, as some people call it, ‘deep cuts.’ So, some of my favorite moments in the show are songs like ‘Be Still’ or ‘I Know There’s An Answer.’ Deeper tracks that will really appeal to the Beach Boy lovers. In addition to all of those great Beach Boys hits we all know and love.”

The block of foam used to shape a surfboard is called a "blank." Hey, we read sometimes.

The genetically-gifted cast includes Marshal Kennedy Carolan (Tanner), Lauren Zakrin (Brooke), Riley Costello (Nelson), Alex Ringler (Rip) and Robert Torti (Paul).

Lauren Zakrin has performed in the stage productions of "Legally Blonde: The Musical" and "Grease," and this is her favorite photo taken by a blogger ever, probably.

The cast also includes a face audiences are sure to recognize, Adrian Zmed (Nick). Zmed (below) is best-known for his stint alongside William Shatner in TV’s “TJ Hooker,” as well as his hosting gig on “Dance Fever” back in the ’80s.

Adrian Zmed, 'nuff said.

The family-friendly show boasts a who’s-who of Broadway’s top backstage talents, including set designer Beowulf Boritt, lighting designer Howell Binkley, music producer Frank Filipetti and music director Ed Hamilton.

Unrelated: This blog did musical theater in high school. Now you know.

“Surf, The Musical” will performs nightly (dark Thursdays) at Planet Hollywood in the “Peepshow” theater. Tickets are $158.40, $114.40, $92.40 and $70.40. Get tickets at Ticketmaster, or from a friend in the cast. Heck, there are 23 people in the show, so you have to know somebody.

Check out more pics in our exclusive, rad (just go with it) photo gallery.

There’s a lot to love about Yolös Mexican Grill at Planet Hollywood, but today, we’re going to share just four. Why four? Because four is the first positive non-Fibonacci number*, of course.

First up, the Margarona! Let’s just say, right now, we’re not making this cocktail up.

Your hometown bar just got schooled, Vegas-style.

Oh, that’s right, it’s a cocktail that looks like it’s knocking back a brew. Only in Vegas, baby.

The Margarona is Yolös’ original margarita served with a Coronita (a 9 oz. bottle), for a blend of lime and Corona in each frosty sip.

Our second thing you’ll fall in love with at Yolös is the High Roller Margarita.

The lovely Nicolette (Nico to her friends) makes the High Roller Margarita an experience.

At $30, it’s a little steep, until you consider it features Patron Gran Platinum Tequila that’ll set you back roughly that amount just for a shot alone. Yeah, it’s the good stuff.

The High Roller Margarita also has Cointreau, lemonade, fresh lime juice and agave nectar.

Our bartender Nico hooked us up with our third thing to fall in love with at Yolös, a cocktail with Three Olives Loopy Vodka, which tastes dangerously similar to Froot Loops cereal, possibly the most tasty thing in the known universe.

Liquid Froot Loops. Best invention ever?

This mouth-watering cocktail (with a little grenadine liquor for color) doesn’t actually have an official name, but we’re dubbing it the “Nico,” because, in case you haven’t already guessed, the fourth thing to fall in love with at Yolös is Nicolette. Nico’s not just adorable, she can also “free pour.” Swoon.

Nico's smile just schooled your hometown bartender's smile. Or something.

Learn more about Yolös Mexican Grill at Planet Hollywood, or find them on Facebook.

*Obviously, we have no idea what a “non-Fibonacci number” is, at all. We are a Las Vegas blog, not some kind of math mutant.

The new Nobu Restaurant and Nobu Hotel (a hotel-within-a-hotel, actually) will be unveiled at Caesars Palace later this year, but in the meantime, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa has shared a glimpse into his new 11,200-square-foot restaurant.

This is a "rendering" of Nobu Restaurant at Caesars Palace. "Rendering" is a cooking technique. Coincidence? (Hint: Yes.)

Click here for a larger version of the image.

Chef Matsuhisa has 24 signature restaurants around the world, combining “the best of the east and west in a fun and often whimsical setting,” according to the news release. This blog loves it some whimsy.

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa at a recent Vegas Uncork'd event.

The release lays it all out for us: “Bowed columns of bamboo will line the exterior of the restaurant to resemble the structure of the traditional Japanese ikebana basket used for the art of flower-arranging…colorful, patterned private dining pods and undulating leather-upholstered screens will wrap the dining room while oversized light fixtures, inspired by Japanese tea whisks and vibrant kimonos, complement the atmosphere. A 15-person bar will be the focal point of the lounge and will feature an oversized bowl hand-carved out of a single block of wood. Designed around the Japanese notion of wabi sabi (simplicity and beauty in natural states), a simple yet intimate space will be achieved through the use of authentic and unrefined finishes.”

Unrelated: We think “Wabi Sabi” would make a great band name.

We can’t wait to see what Chef Nobu Matsuhisa has in store for Caesars Palace. More news to come.

Hey, you define “breaking news” your way, and we’ll define it our way.

As mandated by state law, Miss Nevada is always our favorite. So, sue us.

Fifty-one ridiculously-fit Miss USA 2012 contestants have been making a splash around Sin City leading up to their pageant on June 3 at Planet Hollywood. (The contest will be broadcast on NBC.)

Among their stops was a recent visit to the pool at Flamingo Las Vegas. This blog, in its never-ending quest to bring you gratuitous photos of the scantily-clad, dropped in on the contestants during their Flamingo frolic.

Who said we can only have one favorite, anyway?

The day’s list of activities included a game of volleyball, although we’re not entirely sure one activity constitutes a “list.” Yes, it’s arduous being a Miss USA contestant.

Sorry to invalidate your beliefs, atheists.

We learned a lot about being a beauty pageant contestant during our Flamingo visit. Specifically, about “butt glue.” This handy adhesive, rolled on like deodorant, is essential beauty queen equipment, apparently. During a pageant, “butt glue” keeps one’s bathing suit in place. Here’s the stuff in question.

Doesn't everyone look like this while they're hanging out at the pool?

According to our insider sources (pretty much Miss Oregon), “butt glue” got its start among gymnasts, because in competition, a leotard that creeps can result in docked points for the athlete. Who knew?

Please don't hate this blog just because our job is more fun than yours.

During our day at the pool, we also learned Miss USA contestants are friendly, charming, articulate and, for the most part, unaffected by the fact they’re, you know, beauty pageant contestants.

Miss Mississippi, Myverick Garcia, is nothing but trouble. And, yes, Myverick is her real name, inspired by a Louis L'Amour novel.

Our new friends at the pool also helped us dispel a popular myth: Pageant contestants don’t put Vaseline on their teeth as is widely believed. Apparently, it makes one’s teeth look funny.

Every day is like this in Las Vegas, promise.

We also got a crash course in fake eyelashes, gel pads, B-12 and “sticky boobs.” Don’t ask. We are a Las Vegas blog, not a bra engineering expert.

Like you're even reading these photo captions.

Overall, we highly recommend you spend some time at a pool with Miss USA contestants if at all possible. You’ll meet some amazing young women, and have one more thing scratched off your bucket list.

Visit the official Miss USA site for more goodness.

Thanks for playing along, Miss Rhode Island, even though this blog can't locate your state on a map.

Dive into more photos in our exclusive gallery, for which you’ll forever be in this blog’s debt.

Not long ago, we shared the “Dog Casino,” a quirky dog “puzzle” that had as much in common with a real casino as Las Vegas showgirls have in common with buffalo curd. (Hint: Almost nothing in common.)

Read more about the Dog Casino. Read more about buffalo curd.

Yes, it's called the "Dog Casino." Just go with it.

The Dog Casino involves removing a plastic bone from a game board, which then unlocks a small drawer containing a treat.

We originally suspected no dog (other than a Border Collie, because they can do algebra) would ever actually master this process, as evidenced by the sad face on this blog’s family dog, Bonnie, below.

We've all had days like this at the casino.

But here’s the thing. After a few sessions, our test dog Bonnie started to hit the Dog Casino treat jackpot on a regular basis. We even have video proof.

Lesson #1: Never underestimate the marketing value of calling something a “casino.” (Hey, we bought one.)

Lesson #2: Never doubt the ingenuity of a dog when it comes to treats.

Think you know your Vegas casino table game jargon? We did, too, until we heard about the blackjack “plug.”

When you’re playing blackjack from a “shoe” (the device that holds multiple decks of cards), two “cut cards” are used. One of these plastic cut cards is inserted toward the end of the shoe, so the dealer knows when it’s time to reshuffle, and the other is placed at the back of the shoe, so the last card in the shoe can’t be seen.

The group of cards between these cut cards is called the “plug.”

Thanks to Flamingo Las Vegas blackjack dealer, Rowena, and her manicurist, for this lovely photo.

When it’s time to reshuffle the cards, the plug (at least at Flamingo Las Vegas, it varies by casino) is divided into three sections before being mixed back in with the rest of the cards.

So, now you know what a “plug” is. Which will serve you well in life. Assuming you want to work in the field of “Utterly Useless Gambling Trivia.” And who doesn’t?

Sin City’s newest chef, Gordon Ramsay, suffered minor injuries and was hospitalized for a brief time resulting from his participation in a charity soccer event in the U.K. for UNICEF on May 27, 2012.

The “Hell’s Kitchen” star, and creator of the new Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas, had a collision with a former pro soccer player, Teddy Sheringham, during a celebrity match.

See how this blog isn't calling Teddy Sheringham a donkey? We're mature like that.

Chef Ramsay, a frequent user of Twitter, posted this message a short time after the incident, “Thx 4 all the messages. Out of hospital after receiving amazing care from medics at ground & hospital. Bit sore but fine.”

Here’s hoping this blog’s favorite celebrity chef has a quick recovery. The event, by the way, raised more than $6.4 million for UNICEF.

The 2012 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has kicked off its 43rd installment at Rio Las Vegas.

The longest-running and richest poker event in the world features 58 events spanning 50 days, through July 16, 2012.

This year’s World Series of Poker even has a fancy new Main Event winner’s bracelet.

Nobody does bling like Sin City, baby.

Learn more, and possibly far too much, about the redesigned WSOP bracelet.

The new Main Event bracelet features rubies and black diamonds, as well as more than 160 grams of 14 karat gold, which would be truly impressive if anyone in America knew what a “gram” was.

Let’s watch a video about the new bracelet, shall we? Because what visit to this blog would be complete without a video about jewelry-making?

Last year’s WSOP drew more than 75,000 participants, at least 26 of whom didn’t wear either sunglasses, a hoodie or earbuds at some point during the tournament.

Read our stunningly inept coverage of last year’s World Series of Poker Final Table thingy.

Pius Heinz, a 22-year-old college student, won the 2011 WSOP and $8.7 million. That's a lot of pizza and kegs.

Get all the latest tournament news on the World Series of Poker Web site, on Facebook or Twitter.

This Las Vegas blog loves it some neon! Today’s sign lives in downtown Las Vegas, on Fremont Street, as part of a free outdoor gallery overseen by The Neon Museum.

An anagram for "Red Barn" is "brander," which proudly ranks as this blog's dumbest, most useless, trivia ever.

A little history of the sign: “The Red Barn began its existence in the late 1950s as an antique store at 1317 Tropicana Avenue. In the early 1960s, new owners converted it into a bar that became popular due to its proximity to the new university on Maryland Parkway. By the end of the decade, the bar had become a favorite entertainment spot for Las Vegas’ emerging gay community. The Red Barn closed in 1988 and owner Claude Howard donated its classic cocktail glass sign to the Allied Arts Council.”

The sign was installed in its current location on November 15, 2000.

Learn more about how neon signs are made. Take a gander at this video we did of our visit to a neon sign store. (Make sure to view it at HD quality.)

There, you accidentally learned something on the Internet. We’ll try not to let it happen again.

Just try to find a city that does frosty beverages better than Las Vegas. Go ahead, we’ll wait.

Thought so!

Today, we’ve got three colorful cocktails from VooDoo Beach at Rio Las Vegas sure to prove, once and for all, when it comes to libations, Las Vegas is a master libator! Or something.

First up is the Sunburned Tea. It has Red Stag Honey Tea, Cruzan Orange rum, pineapple and cranberry juice.

Optional: Twist of OMG.

Our second colorful cocktail of the day is The Voo.

The Voo features a mixture of Cruzan Coconut Rum, Cruzan 151 Rum, melon liqueur, orange and pineapple juice.

Give it a try. What are ya, yellow?

And our last entry in this tempting trifecta of “I can’t feel my face” specialty cocktails, the Green Iguana.

This tasty concoction (below) boasts Cruzan Light Rum, Blue Curacao and pineapple juice.

Never have we cared less about the fact this Green Iguana might not actually be green.

Of course, one of the secret ingredients in all these drinks was our jovial bartender, Stephen. He works his flair magic at Cruzan Island Bar (hence all the Cruzan in everything) at VooDoo Beach at Rio, mere feet from The Voo, the European-style (topless) sunbathing area we’re not entirely sure we knew existed until Stephen told us about it.

Stephen, delivering some happy.

Try these poolside thirst-quenchers the next time you’re at Rio Vegas, and tell Stephen you’re a friend of this Las Vegas blog. He might make you a drink, anyway.

No, literally.

Yes, this is a legitimate news story.

Miss USA Alyssa Campanella and 51 Miss USA hopefuls have been living it up in Las Vegas, including at the Flamingo pool (above), as the Miss USA pageant on June 3 nears.

The reigning Miss USA will hand over her crown to the new Miss USA at Planet Hollywood. The ceremony will be aired on NBC.

Campanella co-hosted (with Jerry Springer, currently hosting The Price is Right Live at Bally’s) a welcome event at Planet Hollywood on May 23.

The things this blog endures for you.

Campanella donated her hand prints (not this blog’s first choice of body parts, but they’ll do in a pinch) for Planet Hollywood’s Wall of Fame. See below.

Miss USA Alyssa Campanella makes quite an impression.

See more photos of attractive women. If you’re into that kind of thing.

Oh, and we have about 1,200 more photos of Miss USA contestants in bathing suits we’re willing to share, if you ask nicely.

The “Queen of Soul” herself, Aretha Franklin, is coming to Caesars Palace on July 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Rolling Stone magazine put the iconic singer at the top of their “100 Greatest Singers of All Time,” and she’s been entertaining audiences for decades. In 2005, she was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which, we should add, are going for a fortune on eBay right now.

You better think, THINK, about getting your Aretha tickets before they're gone.

Get your tickets to Aretha Franklin at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Did you know there’s another way to hear Aretha Franklin in Las Vegas, at another “Palace”? And these shows are completely free!

One of the best singers we’ve heard on the Las Vegas Strip is Tamara, an Aretha Franklin impersonator who performs at Imperial Palace as a “dealertainer.” Tamara and her fellow dealertainers sing for guests between dealing rounds of blackjack. Or maybe it’s the other way around.

Think Tamara lip-syncs? Definitely not, and show a little respect!

No matter which Aretha you prefer, music remains the soul of Las Vegas entertainment.

Well, that and strippers. But mostly music!

World-champion juggler Jeff Civillico will hit the stage at Imperial Palace for a new show, starting May 26, 2012.

Civillico’s comedy-fueled show includes physical humor, stunts and juggling with audience interaction. At least that’s what the news release says. The show hasn’t opened yet, and this blog is incapable of seeing into the future. It is also not especially capable of verifying which world championship Jeff Civillico won. We are not a juggling investigative journalist. Go to his show and ask him.

There's no way we would just borrow this photo from Jeff Civillico's Web site without permission. Probably.

See how we didn’t feel compelled to make a comment about Jeff Civillico giving us the finger in that photo? It’s called maturity.

Vegas visitors may recognize Jeff Civillico from his frequent appearances in Nathan Burton’s show at Flamingo Las Vegas, as well as a stint at the Planet Hollywood Restaurant inside The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.

Civillico will perform his family-friendly show in the Imperial Palace Showroom each day at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 or $40, depending upon how close you’d like to be to the sharp objects he’s juggling. While exploring Civillico’s site, we found a voucher good for free tickets. Might want to grab it while you can.

This energetic performer is already on this blog’s good side, because he created Win-Win Entertainment, a non-profit which pairs performers with charity organizations in need of entertainment. Learn more.

Find out more about Jeff Civillico at his official site, where at least one of the photos is going to look very, very familiar.