Anthony Marnell III, who is partnering with Sher Gaming, is buying the Edgewater and Colorado Belle from MGM Mirage for $200 million. The side-by-side resorts sit on 57 acres fronting about 300 yards of the Colorado River. Together, the two properties have 2,535 hotel rooms and 138,000 square feet of casino space with 2,224 slot machines and 72 gaming tables.

Marnell recently told gaming regulators that he and his partners plan to spend about $22 million initially to upgrade the slot machines and feature coinless slots. He even said the Edgewater may be rebranded.

The Colorado Belle and Edgewater were acquired by MGM Mirage when the casino giant bought the Mandalay Resort Group in April 2005 for $7.9 billion.

Poker enthusiasts have the chance to earn $50,000 or more playing Texas Hold 'em at any one of six participating Harrah's properties during the new Mega Beat Jackpot live poker promotion. The poker rooms at the five Harrah's properties in Las Vegas and Harrah's Laughlin have introduced the mammoth jackpot promotion that makes designated losing hands a winner.

The new Mega Beat Jackpot starts at $50,000 and increases daily the more the game is played without a winner. The initial qualifying hand to win the Mega Beat Jackpot is when four 10s or higher is beaten by a higher four-of-a-kind or better. Each week the Mega Beat Jackpot isn't won, the qualifying hand will drop numerically until the Mega Beat Jackpot is won. Once the jackpot is claimed, the prize will reset at $50,000 and the qualifying hand will return to four 10s.

To add to the excitement, when a Mega Beat Jackpot is hit, all active players engaged in an eligible Texas Hold 'em game at any one of the participating casinos will win a share of the Mega Beat Jackpot. Official rules and regulations about the Mega Beat Jackpot promotion are available in the poker room of each participating casino.

The Ramada Express will be is serving up BBQ and Bluegrass from May 19 - 21. The BBQ dinner will be in Victory Plaza and feature backyard favorites such as BBQ pulled pork, fried chicken, cornbread, and apple cobbler. Accompanying the meal will be live bluegrass music performed by Blade Runners and Cliff Wagner & the Old No. 7. The dinner and show are $8.99, call 1-888-888-8695.

The Miss Hawaiian Tropic Laughlin contest was held at the Colorado Belle during the 25th Annual Laughlin River Run motorcycle rally. Held in the property's Center Circle outdoor event area, the contest drew a field of 14 beautiful young competitors and hundreds of onlookers.

Misty Vogt, 21, of Great Falls, Mont., a 5' 11" blonde college student and bank employee, won the contest. Miss Vogt's personality also earned her the title "Biker's Choice," the favorite of guests at a two-hour autograph session, the pageant's top prize of $1,200 cash and $200 in dining and shopping certificates. Miss Vogt will go on to compete for the title "Miss Nevada" at the Nevada State Finals in the fall.

Runners up were: Chantal McKenzie, Amanda Corey, Bridget Jordan, and Cynthia Hasson.

The "Great American Race" will make a stop at the Colorado Belle's Center Circle Event Area on July 12. The 25th anniversary of the national auto cross-country race will visit the Colorado Belle and put vintage cars on display and plan other events as well.

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There will be fireworks taking place in the sky above the casinos on June 30 and July 4. "Rockets Over The River" is the annual July 4 weekend fireworks displays that are choreographed to music broadcast all along the Riverwalk. The shows start at approximately 9 p.m. and are free to watch.

The Avi will feature their free annual Memorial Day Weekend fireworks display by the Zambelli's on May 27 just after dusk.

"The Folies Bergere" from Las Vegas will visit the Ramada Express on June 8 and 9.

The Gourmet Room at the Riverside has switched to summer hours. The lounge opens at 5 p.m. and serves an appetizer menu. The restaurant is open at 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and until 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday.

The Riverside is doing their male revue every Wednesday.

Last month, the Range Steakhouse in Harrah's unveiled its new dinner menu for the summer season featuring five new appetizers, two new dishes for pasta lovers, new savory lamb, poultry, and seafood dishes and new desserts such as strawberry Tiramisu.

The Range Steakhouse is highlighted by a hallmark majestic view of the Colorado River and surrounding Black Mountains, quaint tables for two, comfortable booths and a separate dining room accommodating small private gatherings of up to 30 guests. The restaurant opens daily at 5 p.m., call 702-298-6832.

Harrah's will complete its spring concert series on an upbeat note with KC & The Sunshine Band performing at 8 p.m. on May 20 in the Rio Vista Outdoor Amphitheater.

A popular '70s party group, KC and the group is known for their pulsating funk sound with dance hits such as "That's The Way (I Like It)," "Get Down Tonight," and "Shake Your Booty." Tickets start at $25, call 702-298-8510.

Born Harry Wayne Casey in Hialeah, Fla., Casey formed the band in 1973. That year produced KC & the Sunshine Band's first single, "Blow Your Whistle," which made the R&B top 15. In 1974, Casey and partner, Rick Finch, co-wrote the R&B classic, "Rock The Boat," for George McCrae. This followed with the Grammy award-winning song hit, "Where Is The Love," in 1975 written for Betty Wright. That same year, the band's self-titled second album went triple platinum and contained party hits and Casey was honored with the American Music Awards' "Best R&B Artist of the Year." In 1978, the Grammy's crowned him winner of the "Best Album of the Year" and "Best Producer of the Year" for his work on the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack.

In 1983, Casey formed his own company and released solo hit, "Give It Up," and he took a self-imposed retirement from 1985 to 1991. The year 1999 produced a music compilation entitled, "The Best of KC & The Sunshine Band," which quickly rose to gold status. The band followed with a special double CD commemorative, "The 25th Anniversary Collection," the same year. In 2006, KC headlined KC's Boogie Blast tour with artists Gloria Gaynor, Sister Sledge and Tavares. KC is the only artist, along with the Beatles, to enjoy four No. 1 hits in one year.

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