A bronze sculpture dedication ceremony honoring Laughlin town founder, Don Laughlin, will take place on Friday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. on the corner of HWY 163 and Casino Drive at the Laughlin entrance sign under the palm trees.

The 24-hour Flamingo Diner is remodeled with a changed look reflecting a modern décor with warm earth tones. A newly added "To Go" counter seats up to 13 people for casual and convenient dining.

In addition, there are five new daily specials: Build Your Own Omelet served weekdays from 7 to 10 a.m.; The daily Mid-day Special from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; The Prime Rib & Shrimp Special; the daily Meatloaf Special from 1 to 9 p.m.; and the Mid-night Special served from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., Friday through Wednesday.

It will be a Country Christmas at the Riverside from Dec. 1 -15, with performers paying tribute to country legends, such as Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn and Tim McGraw, plus other special guests. In addition, each performer will showcase traditional Christmas music.

Veteran performer Jamie Lee will star as Shania Twain. She has been touring extensively as the headliner performer in the hit show "Twain's Twin."

Eric York will play both Garth Brooks and Kix Brooks. He was featured on TNN's "This Week In Country Christmas." Garth Brooks heard York's tribute CD backstage at the Grand Ole Opry and offered praise.

Tim McGraw is portrayed by Peter Phillips, who has been working with Canada's tribute "Legends of Life." Phillips has been assisting McGraw at the start of his shows acting as the star's "decoy." In April, Phillips won the Tim McGraw look-a-like contest given by Detroit's Young Country Rodeo based in Southfield, Michigan.

Ron Roof will play Ronnie Dunn. Roof served in the United States Air Force and during his tour of duty to England formed a pop rock band called What About John. He realized after winning first place in the British National Singing Championship at the Hippodrome that his interest in singing was becoming more than just a hobby. After returning to the States and while working as a dealer in Laughlin, Roof gained popularity by placing first in nearly every local talent show.

Celebrate New Year's Eve at the Colorado Belle with a special room package, offering two-night stays in newly remodeled rooms at a very reasonable price-buy the first night, get the second night FREE! Stay Tuesday- Wednesday, Dec, 30-31, or Wednesday-Thursday, Dec, 31-Jan. 1, to receive this offer. You need to book this special package before Dec. 1 and must be 21 years of age or older. This promotional offer is subject to availability.

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The New Year's party starts early with performances by Colorado Belle's strolling Dixieland band, the Riverboat Ramblers, each evening from 5 to 10 p.m. from Dec. 26 - 30. On Dec. 31, the Ramblers will perform from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., ringing in the New Year in true New Orleans fashion. On the casino level, Rockin' Jimmy D will play favorite tunes from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Grand Staircase Stage, Dec. 30-31. All entertainment is FREE.

Throughout the casino, guests will enjoy a fabulous free party with hats, tiaras, noisemakers, champagne and balloon drops.

In addition, a limited edition $5 gaming chip reading "New Years 2004" on both sides will be available on live table games and at the Casino Cage. Paulson, the Las Vegas-based manufacturer, will produce just 1,000 chips. Two- or four-chip velvet display cases will be available for purchase from the Casino Cage for $5. Individual protective acrylic chip cases will be free.

The late night club Baja Blue After Dark is closed for the season and scheduled to reopen next Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend 2004. Baja Blue After Dark operates Friday and Saturday, from 11 p.m. until closing.

Last month, Harrah's Laughlin launched the new Harrah's Home Makeover Giveaway featuring Katie Brown, "the meat and potatoes" Martha Stewart of domesticity. This promotion continues through Nov. 30 offering guests an opportunity to enter daily 5 p.m. drawings for cash and prizes as well as an invitation to return for the Dec. 14 Grand Prize drawing.

Eligible winners from participating Harrah's, Rio, Showboat and Harveys properties will have a chance to win one of three prizes: a $50,000, $35,000, and $15,000 home makeovers. Grand Prize winners will also receive a design consultation from Katie Brown. In addition, Harrah's Laughlin's eligible entrants will have an opportunity to win a 2004 Nissan 350Z Roadster in the final property drawing on Dec. 14 (following the simulcast Grand Prize drawing). Additional information is available at the resort's Total Rewards Center.

The Ramada Express continues to proudly present its free weekly Thanks for the Memories Speaker Program with remarkable people telling meaningful patriotic stories.

Scheduled this Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 1 p.m. is Charles M. Province, founder of the General George S. Patton, Jr. Historical Society and the author of a number of books, many on the subject of General Patton and his Third Army. Provence was stationed at Patton Barracks in Germany at the time when the Berlin Wall was built and the Cold War had sub-zero temperatures and since that time has accumulated a collection of Patton memorabilia second only to that of the Patton family.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, at 1 p.m., Tom Crow will speak. Crow enlisted in the Navy in 1953 and began training as an aviation structural mechanic. For the next 21 years, he was an aircraft mechanic, switching periodically between types of aircraft, platforms and environments. In 1979, Crow was selected Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, the top enlisted person in the Navy with the rank of E-10.

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