The Flamingo Laughlin and the Edgewater will welcome the talented Olivia Newton-John to the amphitheater on May 1, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25, $30 and $35 plus tax, call 800-435-8469.

Newton-John's public appeal has proven to be timeless with a career that has spanned over 30 years. In 1973, she released her U.S. debut album entitled, "Let Me Be There." The album contained her first top ten single and resulted in a number of prestigious awards. Newton-John has received several Grammys, Country Music Awards, American Music Awards and People's Choice Awards.

One of her most recognizable endeavors was a co-starring role with John Travolta in "Grease," which catapulted her to stardom. Newton-John continues to tour and record and she recently released an album in 2004 called "Indigo-Women of Song."

WW II veteran George Horvath, who survived four days in a shark-infested sea, will speak at the free American Veterans Program on Tuesday, April 26 at 1 p.m. in the Pavilion Theater at the Ramada Express.

When his number came up for the draft in April 1944, Horvath, 24, married, father of two young sons, chose to join the U.S. Navy. He had no idea of the danger at sea that almost cost him his life. After midnight on July 30, 1945, the crew of the USS Indianapolis were awakened by a series of explosions that sent flames skyward and sank the ship.

Horvath's amazing story of survival is illustrated by an incredible video of images of the sinking ship sliding straight down into the ocean, the escape, the sharks, and stories from sailors that survived the ordeal. Horvath was one of 317 sailors who survived four days in the water and 880 of his shipmates were lost.

WWII veteran of the Battle of the Bulge and author, Andy Gambroni will speak on Thursday, April 28, at 1 p.m.

Gambroni is the author of the book "Odor of War" in which he describes the feelings of a WWII infantry soldier under severe combat conditions. In 1942, at the age of 19, he was drafted to serve in World War II and became an infantryman.

Serving in Company B of the 50th Infantry Battalion of Patton's 6th Armored Division, Gambroni saw a lot of ugly battles, including the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, and three European Battle Stars.

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The festivities will kick off on April 21, with the launch of the River Palms / Hotmatch Custom Cycles commemorative gaming chip, which will be available at the main cashier and any table game in a $5 denomination.

Hotch, a radical and award-winning chopper designer who recently won The Great Biker Build-Off on the Discovery Channel, will be participating in various functions throughout the weekend and will host the finale event, a custom bike giveaway at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. Raffle tickets will be available for $5 starting Thursday and sold at various locations throughout the property.

Motorcycle displays will be located on the property front lawn from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and will include products from HotMatch Custom Cycles, Jesse Rooke Customs, Vegas City Choppers, Central Coast Customs, Lifestyle Cycles and Top Shelf Customs. Bike builders will provide one complimentary drawing ticket for each custom t-shirt purchased from their booths. The builders will host drawings daily from 1 to 5 p.m. in the front lot with prizes including hotel stays, merchandise and more.

Daily entertainment in the front lot will include classic rockers The Shawn Jones Band from 1 to 4 p.m., and the Randy Linder Tribute to Bob Seger and Creedence Clearwater Revival from 6 to 10 p.m.

A beer garden and BBQ will be located on the property's front lot and indoor/outdoor beverage specials will nclude $2.50 - 24 oz. draft beers, $2 well drinks, and $7.95 bucket drinks. The Bermuda Club Bikini Bar will have music and dancers performing from 5 p.m. - 2 a.m. each day.

Another special event will include a poker tournament on April 21 with Matt Hotch and other notable bike builders at 8 p.m. The tournament will include limited seating for the public at a $115 buy in. The Miss Lifestyle Cycles contest with $1,000 in prize money will be hosted in the front lot on April 23.

Check the Colorado Belle's Web site and register in the "Captain's Log" to receive newsletters and special offers-and to win a free stay at the Colorado Belle in the "Cruisin' on the River" promotion. Twenty winners will be selected each month through June 2005 to receive a 3-day, 2-night stay with $100 in restaurant certificates. One winner will be selected to receive a 3-day, 2-night stay in a suite with $200 in restaurant certificates.

Free events will be taking place on stage in the Pioneer's front parking lot, April 21-23. "Chris Lowden's Hell-in--Hand-Basket Carnivale" will include a variety of events. There will be concerts by Warrant on Thursday and Friday at 10 p.m., Beautiful Creatures on Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 6:45 p.m., and Saturday at 8:45 p.m., and the Martin Bothers on Thursday at 6:45 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday at 6:45 p.m. The Ses Carny Freakshow with fire eaters, human pincushion, human blockhead and more will take place all three nights.

The RUFF nine pin no-tap fundraising bowling tournament will take place on May 15 at noon at the Riverside Lanes. Entry fee is $20. There will be a 50/50 drawing. Participants who bring a pet item will receive a "RUFFFle ticket" for separate prizes. To register, call 702-298-2535.

The Cinco de Mayo Festival will take place at the Edgewater, May 2-9. Events will include a "Show 'n' Shine" car show on Saturday, and mariachi bands and other free entertainment in the front parking lot, Kokopelli's Lounge and throughout the casino.

On May 7 at the Avi, the Spring Nationals Monster Trucks event will highlight big name trucks, motorcycle daredevils, melt-down, and quads. Gates open at 6 pm. and the event begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets TBA, call 1-866-463-6284.

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