Attention is being turned toward the rapidly rising $375 million 20,000-seat arena behind the New York-New York hotel. With less than a year to go till its April opening, the structure’s frame has been completed, and work is now being concentrated on the interior. Negotiations for naming rights and opening events are also in motion.

The arena, which is now easily visible from I-15, is only part of the multipronged project on the south Strip that includes the just-announced 5,000-seat live-entertainment venue at Monte Carlo and a 5.5-acre outside plaza called The Park. It’s also expected that the Monte Carlo will get a new name that better ties in with the new features.

Terrible’s: The former Gold Strike in Jean, 15 miles south of Las Vegas, has changed its name to Terrible’s Road House. The biggest change so far (even the signs haven’t been switched out yet) is the opening of a Denny’s that replaces the buffet.

Herringbone coming: A new restaurant called Herringbone has been announced for Aria. Herringbone is a seafood-specialty restaurant out of San Diego that will feature a daily “oyster hour” when it opens later this year.

Football contest: Station Casinos’ long-running “Great Giveaway” has been replaced by the “Gridiron Glory” football contest. The new contest has an adjusted format and pay schedule, but the biggest change is that it’s now free to enter, which makes it a fun free roll that can be played anytime you’re in Las Vegas throughout the NFL season.

Question: With the closing of the Riviera, are any other casinos in Las Vegas dealing $1 blackjack?

Answer: The Lucky Club is dealing $1 blackjack seven days a week. But given that the casino is patronized almost exclusively by locals from its rougher-than-most North Las Vegas neighborhood, the Thursdays-only dollar-blackjack promotion at Binion’s will be a better and more convenient choice for most.

For more information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons and good deals, go to www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.