No one believed it would happen, but the formerly dilapidated Gold Spike casino downtown has a whole new look. Cleaned up and featuring a new bar and restaurant, TVs throughout, and a pit area that brings live gaming back with two blackjack games and a roulette table, the Gold Spike is now downright respectable. And the improvements are ongoing. A new pizzeria is about to open and work has begun on renovations in the 110-room hotel.

CLASSIC CLOSES: After 23-plus years on the Strip, the Riviera's La Cage female-impersonator show closed suddenly, the victim of falling attendance and the poor economy. Emcee and Las Vegas cult icon Frank Marino intends to seek out a headliner gig elsewhere on the Strip.

JOINT REPLACEMENT: Another entertainment staple closed last week, but this one's coming back. The Joint, Hard Rock's rock 'n' roll venue that's hosted some of the world's most famous artists, closed after a performance by Motley Crue. The Joint will be expanded, renovated and reopened in April with an inaugural concert by Paul McCartney.

NEW CAT: It's a boy. A leopard cub named Java, who was actually born back in November, is the latest inhabitant of Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage. Java made his public debut last week. Visiting hours at the Garden are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-12.

Q: What is the "Ono"?

A: The club XS at the just-opened Encore features a drink that blends Dom Perignon Enotheque Champagne and Louis XIII de Remy Martin Black Pearl cognac and comes with a choice of a men's or women's jewelry piece. It's called the Ono, possibly describing what you say when you get the $10,000 tab.

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