Double cheeseburger, hold the Kangol. (Photos by Denise Truscello)

Flamingo headliner George Wallace crushed out the first ceremonial Smashburger (7541 W. Lake Mead Blvd.) yesterday as Mayor Oscar Goodman proclaimed it, in absentia, Smashburger Day. Of course he did. The official Vegas 365 is starting to look like the Vatican calendar. It’s only a matter of time before St. Madison’s Day. Also there for the opening was Chumlee from Pawn Stars. The joint officially opened to the public today, and they’re bringing in Later Days to play on the patio at 10:30 Saturday morning.

By Jason Scavone

New Kangol hats don’t technically count as toys, but the donation is welcome. (Photo by Scott Harrison | Retna)

Well, we suppose it’s inevitable. Some people just can’t accept the True Meaning of Christmas is drinking spiced liquor, string absurd amounts of lights and buying us an Intellivision, and insist on making it all about giving. Too many Peanuts specials if you ask us. But anyway, George Wallace is jumping on this “hand off stuff to the needy” bandwagon by holding a toy drive. Bring two new, unwrapped toys to the show at the Flamingo Dec. 1 through Dec. 12 between 6 and 10 p.m., and you can score a free ticket you can use until Dec. 16. Donations benefit HELP of Southern Nevada.

Magician Mac King is spreading his holiday cheer with Spread the Word Nevada Kids to Kids with a magic show and storybook reading at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Henderson Barnes & Noble. When is someone going to stand up to this crass anti-commercialism and remind us all what the season is really about?

By Jason Scavone

‘Seriously, George. You’d give Ryan Zimmerman better protection than Nick Johnson.’

It’s not an Olympic year and there aren’t any really big baseball games until the All-Star break, so sportscaster Bob Costas had the chance to slip away this week, hitting up Postrio at The Venetian last night and then checking out George Wallace at the Flamingo. We hear he was close to convincing Wallace he could be the starting first baseman for the Nationals. At the very least, he’s probably already better than the grounds crew.

By Jason Scavone

(Photos courtesy the Flamingo)

Comedian George Wallace often has special guests stop by his 10 p.m. show at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino showroom. But Thursday night saw one particularly famous face not only in the audience but also on stage: Jerry Seinfeld.

That’s right. Seinfeld, who is appearing across the street at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace this weekend, enjoyed Wallace’s opening act — a surprisingly invigorating a capella group called Mosaic — from a booth near the center of the showroom with three pals before joining the “I be thinkin’” comedian on stage.

Seinfeld gave Wallace — who was restricted to a chair all night due to damage he suffered to his left Achilles tendon performing at the Bellagio — about 15 minutes off as the audience was unexpectedly treated to jokes from the former king of prime time television. As Seinfeld noted, “I’m playing at the Colosseum tomorrow — tickets are $150. That’s good for you, but bad for me.” Click for more words and pictures »

By Pj Perez