Thank God Las Vegas finally came to its drinking, gambling, and whoring senses and gave up on trying to change its zeitgeist slogan "What happens here, stays here." Out with the family-friendly, wussy slogan the tourism bureau tried to fly with -- "Take a Break" -- and in with the tried and true trampy Vegas. Other forgettable slogans the city tried to pass off as legit siren calls to the city included the utterly boring "Vegas right now" and the kooky-but-still-lame "Crazy times call for crazy fun."

Forbes trotted out a "Most Toxic" survey, and proudly crowned Atlanta the Queen of Dirty, with Detroit coming in as runner up (can they ever be the best at anything?), and Houston, Chicago, and Philly rounding out the top five. And by "toxic" they don't mean backstabbing and trash talking, so unfortunately they're not referencing NeNe, Kim, Lisa, Kandi, or Sheree. Instead, the survey focuses on air quality and the amount of toxic chemicals released into the water and air in the metro areas. Atlanta takes the top spot because of its dirty immediate neighbors -- Forbes is quick to point the finger at Sandy Springs (holla Sheree!) and Marietta.

British Airways is launching a direct route from London to Las Vegas, and they're sure excited about it. So excited, in fact, that they're busy planning a big welcome-to-Vegas party for next Thursday. And if you go by the press photos, said party will also include Vegas-style showgirls in burlesque costumes getting sucked into jet turbines.

True Blood wrapped its second season, The Vampire Diaries debuted, and we've got the release of second installment of the Twilight series, New Moon, coming in November. You can always check out the fangbanger cruise set to tour Alaska and parts of Seattle early 2010. But if you can't wait that long (and who can), pop in some fangs and dress up like a (slutty) vampire for Veuve Clicquot Yelloween at the Venetian's Tao and Lavo nightclubs on October 31.

You know who's long overdue for a Get Out of Jail Free card? No, not Courtney Love, you jokesters! Mariah Carey, naturally. Even if in the past, she had the gall to chalk up the failure of Glitter to September 11 and not the screenplay itself, the stormy weather here in New York on this solemn day lets us know that it's time to forgive Mariah her trespasses against decency, people with ears, and basically anyone who has now come to associate Mean Girls with this tune. Until her next highly-publicized stumble, anyway. So how exactly will Mariah be spending this particular 9/11?

● Hard Rock Cafe (Strip: Central) - Cheeseball cafe opens state-of-the-art flagship on the Strip.
● The Pub (Strip: Central) - Burgers, brews, beer pong and boobs make for a Brohemian Paradise on the strip.

The travel industry loves it a gimmick, and here comes 9/9/09, just in time for chronological-numerological huckstering. Granted, it's not quite as auspicious as 7/7/07 was, or not as magical as 8/8/08, but 9/9/09 is what we got this year, and there are deals to be had. The gaming industry loves a number trifecta: Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel is offering $99 room rates, $99 spa treatments, and a chance to win $999 in bonus slot dollars. Over in Vegas the Hilton is offering a $99 wedding special including ceremony and photo, plus a witness, gratis!

Apparently plaid is big with Kings of Leon fans ... specifically those residing in or near Las Vegas. At a recent show in Sin City, a writer for the Las Vegas Sun observed that KOL fans not only "love to drink." They "love to dress in plaid," as well. And they're not the only ones.

As vice president of operations and new business development of Craft Restaurant Group, Katie Grieco works shoulder-to-shoulder with famed chef and Bravo's most recognizable Top Chef personality, Tom Colicchio. Overseeing the Craft, Craftbar, Craftsteak and 'wichcraft locations nationwide (New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Las Vegas) Grieco often has her hands full. She gets the job done one restaurant at a time.

Paul Oakenfold could make anyone shake their booty. The world-class DJ and producer has been at it for almost 20 years, and he isn’t stopping anytime soon. In fact, he’s busier and busier. This month, he released Perfecto Vegas -- which includes a double CD of 21 exclusive tracks -- to commemorate the success of his residency at The Palms casino in Las Vegas. Perfecto Vegas is just one aspect of his recent body of work. Over the past year, he scored British film The Heavy, worked in the studio on Jerry Bruckheimer’s new film G-Force, and he’s on this “little” ride with that woman they call “M.” Take a guess who? That would be Madonna -- Oakenfold is currently DJing on her “Sticky & Sweet” global tour. Madonna also asked him to produce her latest single, “Celebration,” slated to come out August 3. Fortunately, I was able to catch up with Oakenfold in Oslo, Norway -- one of his tour stops with Madge -- and have a quick chat.