The Ramada Express will hold a program in the Pavilion Theater commemorating the Pearl Harbor attack at 1 p.m. on Dec. 7, the anniversary of the attack. The program is free and will feature Pearl Harbor survivor Leo Stewart, who is the President of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Chapter #4 in Arizona.

"A Really Big Shew, America's Favorite Variety Show," will return to the Flamingo on Dec. 25 with an all new line-up of acts. The variety show features music, comedy and specialty acts nightly at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Actor Jerry Hoban, best known for his Ed Sullivan role in the motion picture "Pulp Fiction," portrays the late host in this re-creation of the popular "Ed Sullivan Show" that aired on CBS from 1947-1971. Tickets are $13.95 with a Connection Card and $14.95 without a card, call 800-435-8469.

Now through Dec. 22, "Country Christmas" is the show at the Riverside in the Don's Celebrity Theatre that is featuring a tribute to country legends such as Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill and Kenny Rogers. In addition to performing the artists' top hits, each performer is also doing traditional Christmas music. Tickets are $22.00, call 1-800-227-3849.

Lynn McDaniel is starring as Shania Twain and the legendary Patsy Cline and Wylan Roberts, who has mastered his sound exactly, pays tribute to Vince Gill.

Eric York who plays Garth Brooks was featured on TNN's "This Week In Country Christmas" last year. Garth Brooks himself has heard York's tribute CD and wrote him and encouraging note.

Doc Randolph impersonates "The Gambler" Kenny Rogers. He has spent over 35 years in the music business. As a jingle and demo singer in Music City U.S.A., his voice has been heard as much as any artist topping the charts in country music today.

Once again the "Celebration of Lights" in Victory Plaza at the Ramada Express has transformed the entire property into a holiday light display with thousands of twinkling lights in every window, rooftop, fence rail and tree. The display remains lit through New Year's Day.

In addition, a hidden treasure is The Steakhouse where whimsical elves greet you and surprise you throughout the restaurant that is decorated like Santa's workshop with trees, lights, candles and garland. The holiday atmosphere in this dining room should not be missed.

For the second year, the Edgewater is holding a "Holiday Expo" through Dec. 12. The Event Center is turned into a huge gift bazaar with all manner of merchandise for sale and discounts for One Club members. Doors open at 10 a.m. daily.

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

Property-wide holiday festivities at the Colorado Belle are promoting the holiday spirit and a food and toy drive is taking place through Dec. 18 to benefit the Colorado River Food Bank.

Now through Dec. 11, Santa is on hand to pose in photos being taken outdoors in the Colorado Belle's Center Circle event area on weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Photos are $3 each or free with the donation of two non-perishable food items, two toys or one can of food and one toy. In addition, a couple trusty reindeer are resting up for Christmas Eve in their paddock near Santa's chair.

On Dec. 18, Christmas carolers at the Belle will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the Largest Carol Service, which is currently held by the City of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, with 1,175 carolers singing for 28 minutes. Carolers will begin registering to participate at 10 a.m., enjoy a short live concert by Las Vegas musicians donating their time, and begin singing carols at 1:50 p.m. for 40 minutes. The event will be filmed by a television crew.

For each caroler participating in the event, the Belle will make a cash donation to the Ronald McDonald House Las Vegas. Free hot chocolate, coffee and water will be available to carolers at the event, and each participant 21 and over will receive a certificate worth $5 off the purchase of a meal at any of six Colorado Belle dine-in restaurants.

Even the Poker Room is getting into the spirit with a Food Drive of its own. To participate, poker players merely bring in two cans of food and the normal $5 tournament entry fee is waived at the Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evening tournaments through Dec. 17.

You can sign up now for any of the Colorado Belle's four themed slot tournaments planned for 2005. To register, call the Colorado Belle's One Club at 1-877-480-2747.

The first is the Secret Agent 777 Slot Tournament March 6-8. Total prize money is $71,000 and the entry fee is $500. The Moon Shot Slot Tournament will follow June 26-28. Total prize money is $63,900 and the entry fee is $450. The Survivor VI Slot Tournament is Sept. 18-20. Total prize money is $78,000 and the entry fee is $550. The Boot Camp Slot Tournament will round out the year Nov. 11-13. Total prize money is $49,900.

Prize money for each tournament is based on 150 entrants and is subject to change. Among the standard features of the tournaments are Early Bird cash drawings, cash prizes paid to winners of each round, and large cash prizes for the top five winners. Contestants get two days of tournament action, accommodations for three nights, a welcome cocktail reception, complimentary food and beverages for two, a commemorative gift and an awards dinner.

CONTINUE ON TO...:
>THIS WEEK'S LAS VEGAS NEWS
>LAST WEEK'S LAUGHLIN NEWS
>VEGAS VIEWS FULL ARCHIVES
>Return to "Heard Around Town"
>Return to Las Vegas Leisure Guide