On Oct. 28, Creedence Clearwater Revisited will headline at the Flamingo Outdoor Amphitheater at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 and $35; call 800-435-8469.

Stu Cook and Doug "Cosmo" Clifford may not have intended it, but their band Creedence Clearwater Revisited has taken on a startling life of its own. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame rhythm section (bass and drums respectively) from the legendary group Creedence Clearwater Revival launched the Creedence Clearwater Revisited project in 1995 to once again perform live Creedence Clearwater Revival hits. Though the pair initially only planned to play private parties, Creedence Clearwater Revisited now performs up to 100 shows a year and has released the album "Recollection."

The Smothers Brothers will headline at the Riverside, Nov. 7-12. Tickets are $26 and $32, call 702-298-2535 ext 616 or 1-800-227-3849, ext 616.

The Smothers Brothers' first professional appearance was at The Purple Onion in San Francisco in 1958 and their first national television appearance was on the Jack Paar show on Jan. 28, 1961. Over four decades, the duo has had their own primetime comedy series, made guest appearances on numerous television programs, done countless engagements as headliners, had a hot-selling video, made 12 top-selling albums, and performed with some symphony orchestras.

On the personal side, both Tom and Dick pursue other interests. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, Dick enjoys cycling, yoga and cooking. Tom's pastime passion is golf and he participates in pro-am tournaments. He's also known for his skill with a yo-yo, which is featured in the act, and he enjoys tending to his vineyard and award-winning winery, Remick Ridge.

Tom and Dick were born in New York City, graduated from Redondo Union High School, and attended San Jose State University. Tom was a gymnast and Dick was on the track team.

Pat O'Brien, who puts on free performances in the Caboose Lounge at Ramada Express Tuesday-Saturday from 4:30-8:30 p.m., not only belts out Irish favorites, he does impressions, voices and all types of music... country, blues, rock 'n' roll, etc. O'Brien splits his time between Ireland and five months out of the year in Laughlin, which he had done for the past five years. His fall run will continue through Dec. 2.

O'Brien's distinctive musical style is developed hand-in-hand with technology. His guitar is hooked up to a computer.

"It's called a midi system," O'Brien explains. "I have been using it for 20 years. I can play notes on my guitar and it comes out sounding like the keys of a piano, or a saxophone, or accordion. I can also pre-program instrumental sequences and my own voice and then play along with them. The possibilities are endless."

Born in Ireland, O'Brien studied music in Manchester, England, and performed in "Jesus Christ Superstar." Over the years, he's been a member of a soul and blues band, a 23-piece big band, and a horn- and jazz-infused rock band.

His solo performing began accidentally in Newfoundland when a fire burned all the band's instruments. O'Brien bought a guitar and started performing in coffee bars. It's now been more than 30 years.

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Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort has club specials at the Lightning Strikes dance club located on the second floor of the Riverside's South Tower. The Lightning Strikes dancers and shadow shows are performing nightly from 10 p.m. till the party stops Thursday through Saturday.

Other offerings include: a Tea Dance on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m.; karaoke with Earthbound, Sunday-Wednesday from 8 p.m. - midnight; country music and line dancing, Thursday-Saturday from 6-9 p.m.; and Latino night on Thursday at 9 p.m. with Margarita and Tequila specials all night.

The Riverside's Losers' Lounge has specials and live bands performing nightly. Before the live band starts at 8 or 9 p.m., there is football on Sunday with Coors specials and Monday with Miller deals. Wednesday is Girls Night Out from 8 p.m.-midnight with ladies receiving their first drink free and Sexy Shots being $2 each. Thursday is the Famous Wet T-Shirt Contest starting at 10 p.m. There is no charge to watch or enter the contest.

The Range Steakhouse in Harrah's recently unveiled its new dinner menu for the fall season featuring distinctively prepared appetizers, entrees and desserts. Many elements are different including five new appetizers, two new dishes for pasta lovers, new poultry and seafood dishes, and new tempting desserts.

The Range Steakhouse features the 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. For reservations, call 702-298-6832.

The 450-room Avi Resort is going upscale. Late last spring, the Avi revealed its all-new lagoon pool with landscaped rocks and cascading waterfalls, tiki bar, hot tub and separate kids pool. Next the Avi opened a sleek parking garage with a modern center-ramp design, outfitted with murals and Mojave Indian Tribal patterns on the walls.

The resort's newest statement was the unveiling earlier this month of a new $32 million casino expansion project complete with a new 11,000-square-foot Banquet and Convention Center. The casino space was doubled with 310 new machines added. There's also a new lounge, a new Race and Sports Book with eight wagering kiosks, and a new poker room. In a month, the Avi will open the new Feathers Restaurant adjacent to the lounge.

The new Banquet and Convention Center includes a lobby and a business center that are connected to the huge main room. It's the largest facility of its type in the area accommodating 900 for a sit-down dinner or between 1,200 and 1,500 for concerts. And each room-or the entire big room-is connected to a brand new kitchen that has been built expressly for the center. Details like alcoves in the high ceilings and large wrought iron lighting fixtures give the room distinction.

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