If you still have “The Celebrity Apprentice” sitting on your Tivo, don’t read this blog post.

Spoiler: Rio Las Vegas headliner Penn Jillette was robbed! The taller half of “Penn & Teller” was fired from the popular reality show based largely upon the reaction to a slogan he proposed for a new Donald Trump cologne: “You earned it.” The slogan, which was approved by Project Manager Clay Aiken, was deemed “too pompous.”

Oh, please! “Too pompous” for Donald Trump?

Penn handled his firing with aplomb. This blog, less so.

Penn Jillette got the boot before former Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza, the most called-into-the-Boardroom contestant in the show’s history? Are they trying to make this blog’s head explode? Before Arsenio Hall? Teresa Giudice? Seriously? Penn Jillette is a creativity machine. (Need more proof? Go here.) You’re going to fire someone for brainstorming?

See a post-boot interview with Jillette on The Wendy Williams Show.

Just when this blog was ready to get all ranty up in here, we heard the Caesars Foundation, the charitable arm of Caesars Entertainment, has donated $250,000 (what Jillette would’ve won if he’d prevailed in “The Celebrity Apprentice”) to Jillette’s charity of choice on the show, Opportunity Village. This kind of calmed us down. For a minute, anyway.

It's hard to rant when you're smiling about good news.

Opportunity Village serves people with intellectual disabilities, and we’re a big fan. The donation from the Caesars Foundation will be used to support the programs of Opportunity Village, like vocational training and recreational services.

Jillette’s appearance on the show had already resulted in a $40,000 donation to the nonprofit.

So, all’s well that ends well. But, for the record, that don’t make it right, “The Donald.” In fact, this blog is no longer going to watch “The Celebrity Apprentice.” Until next week, anyway.

Rio Las Vegas headliner Penn Jillette has already made a big splash during his stint on “The Celebrity Apprentice,” including raising $40,000 for a Las Vegas charity, Opportunity Village.

Being in the Boardroom can be serious business, even for funny guys.

In a recent episode, Penn took on the role of Project Manager, and guided the men’s team, Unanimous, to victory in a task requiring them to put on a show at Medieval Times. Kind of right up Penn’s alley.

Penn shows off his juggling skills with the assistance of teammate Arsenio Hall.

In the Boardroom, things got a little tense, but the usually outspoken Penn is playing to win, weighing his comments carefully, and steering clear of conflict with his respectful tone and masterful way with words.

Great casting means another great season of "Celebrity Apprentice."

Ultimately, the guys won, resulting in a significant amount of cash being raised for Opportunity Village, a nonprofit that serves the needs of those with intellectual disabilities.

Penn stopped into the organization’s office in Las Vegas to drop off the donation.

Sweet!

During his visit, Penn notes, “It was here that the scarves for Elvis were made.” We did not know that!

This blog’s a big fan of Opportunity Village, and visited to see its work assembling Couture Pops for Sugar Factory at Paris Las Vegas, as well as the support the organization provides by putting together courtesy packets (sugar, cream, stirrers) for Caesars Entertainment hotels in Las Vegas. Take a look.

Nice going, Penn!

Penn is definitely the one to beat on this season of “Celebrity Apprentice.” And if you don’t watch the show, you’re forgiven. We’re understanding like that.

Harrah’s Las Vegas headliner Mac King is even nicer than people say.

Vegas reporter Dayna Roselli caught up with Mac King for a profile where he talks about his show, as well as his children’s literacy efforts.

Watch the news segment here.

Somebody needs to replace their water filter.

This blog has actually witnessed Mac King being a nice guy in person, as he emceed a one-million-books-donated celebration event for Las Vegas nonprofit, Spread the Word Nevada. Learn more.

Mac King's show is on fire at Harrah's. As is Mac King.

King’s comedy-magic show happens at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at Harrah’s. Get details.

While we enjoy a juicy Vegas scandal, we’ll just have to make due with Mac King being a nice guy for the moment. Hey, nobody’s perfect.

This blog is all about supporting public radio, but we’re even more all about saving some bucks on Vegas stuff! In the case of this particular discovery, we get to do both.

Nevada Public Radio is hosting an online auction, through Feb. 18, 2012, and there are a ton of Vegas offerings up for grabs, many of which are likely to go for much less than their face value.

Bucks, meet saved.

The Las Vegas hotels in the Caesars Entertainment family even have their own section on the auction site, with offerings like Celine Dion and Rod Stewart tickets (both appearing at Caesars Palace), as well as tickets to “Absinthe” (also at Caesars) and Mac King at Harrah’s Las Vegas.

There are also a slew of show tickets being auctioned for the V Theater inside The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, including deals on “Stripper 101″ classes at the V Theater, and we’re not just saying that so we can post a photo of “Sin City Sindy,” the 31-foot-tall pole dancer who resides adjacent to the V Theater at Stripper Bar. Probably.

This blog does not necessarily condone giant strippers.

There are hundreds of items up for bid, and you might just snag a sweet Vegas deal if you’re cunning or adroit or wily or another word we sagaciously copied and pasted from an online thesaurus.

Check out the online auction to benefit Nevada Public Radio.

Singer Celine Dion, Caesars Entertainment, AEG Live (the company that produces Celine’s show at Caesars Palace) and Children’s Hospital Boston teamed up for “Play Without Pain: Children’s Sickle Cell Benefit” on Jan. 15, 2012.

The event raised more than $1 million to support sickle cell disease research efforts.

Thanks to Denise Truscello for the pics.

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S. The disease mainly affects those of African descent, but the disease also strikes individuals of Hispanic, Mediterranean and Caribbean heritage.

Treatment of the disease is very costly, running about $1.1 billion a year in the U.S. alone.

Celine, onstage at Caesars Palace.

“As a parent, I’ve been touched by the stories that were shared with me about the impact sickle cell anemia has on millions of children around the world,” said Dion at the charity event. “We know that doctors with Children’s Hospital Boston are very close to discovering life-saving treatments for these children, and I wanted to help. No child should have to live a life filled with pain and, hopefully, tonight’s benefit show moves us one step closer to ending their suffering.”

Learn more about Celine Dion and her show at Caesars Palace.

The Rio hotel’s own Penn Jillette will be among the contestants on the newest installment of TV’s “Celebrity Apprentice.”

Eighteen celebrities, several of whom don’t even require quotation marks around “celebrity,” will compete to raise money for their favorite charities.

It's prudent to anticipate trouble.

Aside from Las Vegas headliner Penn, whom this blog is obligated to root for (see: “Las Vegas headliner”), other contestants include: singer Clay Aiken, comedian Adam Carolla, actress Tia Carrere, singer Dee Snider, actor George Takei and model Cheryl Tiegs.

Another Las Vegas connection? “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant Aubrey O’Day was once a headliner in Peepshow at Planet Hollywood, the show that currently features the much-lower-maintenance, Holly Madison.

“Celebrity Apprentice” premieres Feb. 12, 2012 on NBC. Find out more at the official site.

Check out the comedy and magic of Penn & Teller show at Rio Las Vegas, one of this blog’s all-time favorite Vegas shows.

Penn & Teller, the troublesome duo that headlines at Rio Vegas, are hosting a “13 Bloody Days of Christmas” blood drive in conjunction with United Blood Services, Dec. 17-31, 2011.

This is the 11th year Penn and Teller have offered two free tickets to their show for anyone who donates blood during the blood drive.

There may also be cookies involved. Aren’t there always cookies?

We assume those will be sterilized before any blood is drawn.

The effort is a great reminder of the need for blood donations during the holiday season.

United Blood Services offices are located at 6930 West Charleston, and 601 Whitney Ranch Drive, here in Las Vegas. Find United Blood Services on Twitter, and learn more about mirthful miscreants, Penn & Teller.

There’s so much Vegas news, this blog’s head is about to explode. Here, then, in this latest installment of “Sin City Quickies,” we clumsily unload all the news we don’t have the time or energy to write more about due to the fact we live in Las Vegas and the holiday craps tables elves are whispering our name. Or something.

* Human lightning rod Charlie Sheen dined at Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace on Dec. 7. The actor, his manager and some friends then went to Serendipity 3. A few nights before, George Lucas was also seen at Serendipity 3.

It could happen.

* Here’s something new at the Caesars Palace valet, from our friends at VegasChatter.com.

* The V Theater, at The Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood, has announced a three-year contract extension with comedic hypnotist, Marc Savard. We’ve heard it’s a fun show. See more.

* Singer Sinead O’Connor was married at a drive-through chapel in Las Vegas on Dec. 8, 2011. Yes, we define the word “news” very loosely here on the Pulse of Vegas blog. Get more details.

* CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO (National Association of Theatre Owners), is coming to Caesars Palace, Apr. 23-26, 2012. The group has announced its 2012 “Pioneer of the Year” award recipient will be Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.

Jeffrey Katzenberg appeared on "The Apprentice." He has also produced some movies.

* Caesars Entertainment, the company that operates-slash-tolerates this Las Vegas blog, is the only gaming company to receive a perfect “Corporate Equality Index Rating” from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Translation: That rocks. Read more.

* Motley Crue has announced a residency at the Hard Rock starting in Feb. 2012. Get the details.

* The pirate-themed “Sirens of TI” show is on a break through Dec. 25. You’ll be able to once again get your buckle swashed when the free show resumes on Dec. 26, 2011.

* Wondering where those death-defying skaters formerly in the Caesars Palace show, “Absinthe,” went? The Skating Aratas are currently appearing in “V The Ultimate Variety Show,” inside The Miracle Mile Shops. Long story.

Whee.

* Speaking of “Absinthe,” here’s an amusing Weekly Seven magazine interview with two colorful characters from the show at Caesars.

The duo in question.

* Soul food on the Vegas Strip? You bet.

* It’s been reported a Beach Boys Good Vibrations restaurant will be opening at Bally’s Las Vegas, but a reliable source says it’s not happening. Sorry, Beach Boys fans!

* Penn & Teller, at Rio Las Vegas, have a magical chemistry. This article even says so.

* PH Towers Westgate (see this blog’s awesome photo below), the timeshare resort next to Planet Hollywood, has a new owner.

Somebody's going to put an eye out.

* There were dinosaurs in Las Vegas. Of course there were.

* Legends in Concert at Harrah’s Las Vegas, is offering holiday-themed performances through Dec. 25. The celebrity impersonator show includes look-and-sing-alikes like Toby Keith, Elvis, Carrie Underwood, Donna Summer and Michael Jackson.

* Sadly, the IndyCar Series will not return to Las Vegas Motor Speedway next season. Learn more.

* The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at Bellagio recently unveiled its always-anticipated holiday display (see below). It remains a great, free thing to do in Las Vegas.

This Las Vegas blog loves it some free things to do.

* A new shopping mall is coming to McCarran Airport in 2013. Read more.

* Caesars Palace headliner Celine Dion will host the “Play Without Pain: Childrens Sickle Cell Benefit” on Jan. 15, 2012. Here’s more about this great event.

* Here’s a great list of 10 books set in Las Vegas.

* A ton of great shows are up for 2011 BroadwayWorld Las Vegas Awards. Vote, and have your say about who wins these coveted awards.

* Two of this blog’s favorite things recently got together: Teller and Daniel Tosh. See the video.

* Here’s an interesting story about why casinos want you off your cell phone.

That’s all the news we could think of for now. Time for lunch and possibly a massage. Especially that last thing. Hey, it’s Las Vegas.

The world’s largest nighttime running event, the Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, will be held Dec. 4, 2011.

A full marathon starts at 4:00 p.m. at the Mandalay Bay, and a half marathon begins at 5:30 p.m.

The event will result in a healthy number of street closures along the famed Las Vegas Strip, of course. The bulk of the closures and detours will happen between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Dec. 4. Get more specifics about the road closures.

Told you it would be clustery.

Although this blog does not do anything that even remotely resembles running, it’s going to be an amazing sight when thousands of people lope down the blinky Las Vegas Strip at night.

Here’s a video from Vegas-based Zappos.com, the main sponsor of the event.

Representatives say the Las Vegas marathon is sold out, with 44,000 entrants set to take part. The event will benefit the Chrohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.

Find out more about the Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon at the official site.

In what’s become a popular Vegas tradition, the “Las Vegas Great Santa Run” will happen on Dec. 3, 2011 (10:00 a.m.) at Town Square at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip.

The event is a “5k fun run,” although this blog is not entirely sure why anyone would want to put “fun” and “run” so close together. It sounds an awful lot like exercise.

We're gonna need to put out more cookies.

The event is billed as being for the casual runner/walker. Registration for the event includes a five-piece Santa suit.  Money raised at the event goes to Opportunity Village, a nonprofit that serves those with intellectual disabilities.

Here’s a handy video promoting the event.

Special bonus: Those participating in the fundraising event will also be part of an attempt to break the world record for “Largest Gathering of Santas.”

The Las Vegas Great Santa Run averages about 10,000 Santas each year. The event also features live entertainment, a zipline, an appearance by 500 members of the Army National Guard and a number of other fun diversions we did not have time to research.

This is the actual Santa.

Cost to register is $35, or $45 on the day of the event.

Find out more about the event on the official site, and you can register here.

So, how do you know when the holiday season officially begins in Las Vegas? You can’t use holiday decorations going up at shopping malls as a guide, because that seems to happen in August lately.

The answer: On Nov. 15, Vegas-based Ethel M Chocolates held its annual cactus garden lighting ceremony, and honestly, we’re thinking this should be the official start to the holiday season.

It's weird and beautiful, just like Las Vegas.

This blog has lived in Las Vegas quite a while, and we’ve never been to the cactus gardens at Ethel M Chocolates. Not sure why, other than to say the photos we’ve seen don’t really do the cactus plants strewn with festive lights justice. (Ours don’t either, but we are a blog, not an Ansel Adams.)

Here’s some video that also doesn’t do the must-see attraction at Ethel M justice.

Several Strip stars came out to the lighting ceremony, including the event’s host, comedian and Flamingo headliner George Wallace.

George Wallace gets the crowd into a non-religion-specific holiday mood.

Also on-hand were Human Nature (below), the Australian singers who perform at the Imperial Palace, as well as hosts of the Bally’s Las Vegas show, Name That Tune Live, Chris Phillips and Marley Taylor.

Some members of Human Nature made the cactus lighting event a family affair.

The three-acre Botanical Cactus Garden is truly something you have to see to believe. This blog is not known for its holiday spirit, but we are now ready to deck some halls and play some reindeer games.

North Pole, you just got schooled by Vegas.

It’s estimated more than half a million colorful lights are used in the Ethel M display. Yes, we counted them. We’re thorough like that.

The Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden is free and open to the public. And did we mention how free it is? The gardens will be lit through Jan. 1. And, in addition, it’s free.

It ain't neon, but we love it, anyway.

Bonus: Guests can also take a peek at the floor of the candy-making factory, again, free of charge. There’s not a whole lot to it, but it’s an interesting peek into the inner workings of a candy factory, without all those creepy Oompa-Loompas.

Here’s more about the Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden. It should be noted Ethel M has stores throughout the Strip, including at Flamingo Las Vegas. Fewer cactuses, but lots of tasty treats, nonetheless.

Enjoy our spectacularly inadequate photo gallery of the Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden, if you would. At least it’s calorie-free.

Typically, this blog likes to hold off on news about the holidays as long as possible, but we’ve heard such great things about the cactus lighting at Ethel M’s, we have to talk about it.

On Nov. 15, the Las Vegas-based Ethel M Chocolates will hold its annual cactus lighting event.

Yes, it's weird, but Vegas is in the middle of a desert.

The 18th Annual Cactus Lighting event will be hosted by Flamingo comedian George Wallace (below), and will feature holiday performances by Imperial Palace headliners Human Nature and the hosts of Name That Tune Live at Bally’s, Chris Phillips and Marley Taylor (also known for their popular Vegas lounge act, Zowie Bowie).

George Wallace works clean, so bring the whole family.

Tickets to the lighting ceremony are required, and are available to those who bring a new, unwrapped toy to the popular chocolate factory (now, through Nov. 15). Toy donors will receive a four-pack of tickets good for the Nov. 15 event that runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The toys will be donated to charities in Las Vegas.

Feeling it yet?

The three-acre Botanical Cactus Garden will be lit up with more than half-a-million holiday lights.

The event will also have the usual mix of photos with Santa, performances by local choirs, chocolate samples, raffles and other holiday diversions.

Sparkly!

The Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden will be open from Nov. 16 through Jan. 1, 2012 and is free to the public. The chocolate factory tour is also a fun thing to do while in Las Vegas. Visit the official site.

On Oct. 22, 2011, the nonprofit Positively Kids Foundation will host its annual Duck Derby at Town Square, on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip.

Oh, like you're not going to adopt one.

This is the tenth year of the family-friendly event, where about 10,000 rubber ducks are floated and “adopted” to benefit this organization that assists “medically fragile” children and their families. Once adopted, the ducks may reveal prizes including a two-year car lease or tickets on Southwest Airlines.

Ten thousand: That's a lot.

The Duck Derby is part of Make a Difference Day (always the fourth Saturday of Oct.). The free gathering, that runs from noon until 4:00 p.m., will also feature musical performances, games and activities for all ages. Visit the official Positively Kids site.

Yes, Las Vegas has a heart, even if that’s not always the first organ that comes to mind when you think of Sin City.

“Crush, A Celebration of Wine,” a series of grape-inspired events hosted by Paris Las Vegas, returns for its second year with tastings, wine seminars and special restaurant menus for wine lovers. “Crush” events run throughout October, a month traditionally associated with grape harvests around the world.

Wine trivia: "Sommelier" is really hard to spell.

Bonus wine trivia: It takes about 2.5 pounds of grapes to make a bottle of wine.

This year, “Crush” and Paris Las Vegas have partnered with Southern Wine & Sprits of Nevada to supply both wine and the expertise of their Master Sommeliers to benefit non-profits Nevada Public Radio and Keep Memory Alive. Proceeds from many of the “Crush” events benefit these community organizations.

Event highlights include a kick-off tasting in the Paris lobby on Oct. 7, 2011 (6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.), a series of wine seminars given by Master Sommeliers, a French cooking class at Mon Ami Gabi inside Paris, and special menus at Les Artistes Steakhouse (motto: “Les is more!”) and Le Provencal (motto: “The Pulse of Vegas blog takes awesome photos!”), also at Paris.

The practice of stomping grapes is known as "treading" in wine circles.

Go here for a complete list of schedule “Crush” events at Paris Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Restaurant Week is finally here, and to mark the beginning of the food-filled, Vegas-wide charity effort, KGB: Kerry’s Gourmet Burgers inside Harrah’s Las Vegas hosted a soiree to raise funds for Three Square food bank.

Las Vegas Restaurant Week runs through Sep. 11, 2011, with about a hundred restaurants in Sin City taking part. Each restaurant offers special three-course menus, with proceeds going to Three Square.

Brian Burton, President and CEO of Three Square visits chef Kerry Simon in the KGB: Kerry's Gourmet Burgers kitchen at Harrah's.

See all the special Las Vegas Restaurant Week menus on the official Las Vegas Restaurant Week site. And read more about Brian Burton and Three Square.

Celebrity chef Kerry Simon was on-hand at the Aug. 30 gathering, in case you missed the giant photo above (stop skimming!) to oversee the festivities at his namesake restaurant.

KGB's Iron Chef Sliders are famous. Even the ones currently residing in our belly.

Guests at the Three Square benefit event were treated to miniature versions of KGB’s popular menu items.

The event at KGB raised close to $3,700 for Three Square, which equates to 10,974 meals for those less fortunate.

We don't have to know what Tuna Tartar is to take a wonderful photo of it.

The KGB sampler menu included Iron Chef Sliders, Summer Salad Parfait, Tuna Tartar, Waffle Fry Nacho Canapes (at least three words of which this blog knows how to pronounce), Popcorn Shrimp Boats, Strawberry Shortcake Satays, cotton candy and Ice Cream Sliders.

Yes, Ice Cream Sliders. Just go with it.

Our favorite goodie of the evening? Definitely the Froot Loops cupcakes (below). Not that we had more than half a dozen. Hey, we paid our way in, so, technically, we ate them for Three Square. We’re charitable like that.

Our new favorite cupcake, topped with Froot Loops.

On a related note, Rao’s Italian restaurant at Caesars Palace hosts a similar fundraising event, “Bubbles, Burgers and Bocce,” on Sep. 1 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25. The event will feature a bocce ball tournament in Rao’s back patio. Find out more on the Facebooks.

Get all the Las Vegas Restaurant Week scoop, and take advantage of great prices and mouthwatering food, all for a good cause.

Here's a completely biased list of some restaurants participating in Las Vegas Restaurant Week.

Enjoy a completely gratuitous photo gallery, mainly intended to show off what a spectacular photographer we are. Actual results may vary.