Though the news from Las Vegas has been gloomy over the past couple of months, there are some key bright spots on the horizon. In addition to this weekend's opening of the Eastside Cannery, two more resorts — Aliante Station and Encore — will open (on schedule) before the end of the year. In addition, M Resort is ahead of schedule and on budget to open its billion-dollar first phase in March, the Hard Rock is in the midst of an ongoing $760 million expansion, and the new billion-dollar tower at Caesars is about to be topped off. Meanwhile, Strip mega-projects on the north, Fountainebleau, and the south, CityCenter, continue to rise according to plan.

EDGY MAGIC: Here's a little magic show that packs a big punch. "Magic on the Edge" combines masks, mime, clever choreography and the lightning-fast hands of star Jeff McBride for an exciting hour of entertaining illusions. It takes place in the Sound Trax lounge at Palace Station, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays; tickets are $49.

HALF OFF: A new half-price ticket outlet has been gaining steam. All Access Tickets has upped it presence sufficiently to challenge the big boy on the block, Tix4Tonight. Tickets for 30 or so shows are 50 percent off with a $4 service charge. Outlets are found at Tuscany, Circus Circus, South Point and the Fashion Show Mall.

NO JUICE: On Thursday, from 5 to 7 p.m., you can bet football in the sports books at Fiesta Rancho and Fiesta Henderson without having to lay the bookie's vigorish. So, rather than bet $11 to win $10, you bet $10 to win $10. It's a special promotion that applies only to straight bets on sides (picking the winning team against the pointspread).

Q. Are there any late-late shows in Vegas that start after midnight?

A. The latest start time for a Las Vegas show is 11 p.m. Three shows start this late on weekends: "Comedy After Hours" (Fitzgeralds), Fantasy (Luxor), and Thunder from Down Under (Excalibur).

For information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons and deals, see www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.