by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

Well, gang, the Great American Off-Road Race has come and gone and now awaits next year's event. Just in case you're not familiar with the event, its proper name is the Del Webb Mint 400 Desert Rally (more famously known as The Mint 400). The return of the race, promoted by Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts (S.N.O.R.E.) last weekend, in my opinion was a huge success.

When this writer created the race in 1968, it attracted 101 cars and motorcycles. The return (after an absence of nearly 20 years) of the race saw 216 vehicles (no motorcycles) actually take the starting flag. The publicity and procedures generated by the nearly all volunteer staff, headed up by President Don Wall, in all areas went fairly smooth, considering it was a new experience for everyone.

It was my honor to be asked to help start the race at 7 a.m. last Saturday. I waved the green flag for the first three classes, before turning it back to the official start / finish line guy.

Mel Larson (who took over as race director in 1969 to 1973, after this writer was promoted to the old Thunderbird Hotel) joined me to walk the downtown technical inspection line Thursday evening. It was neat meeting the sons and even grandsons (they were entered in the race) of the men who raced in the original Mint 400 back in the good ol' days. It was especially nice spending some time with the legendary Walker Evans (he was not racing this time). K.J. Howe, who replaced Larson and guided the race into even more glory years, was entered in the race and actually drove 150 miles (a lap and a half) in a very restricted vintage buggy, finishing in third place. I am extremely jealous of K.J. and, if I'm still around next year, I plan on getting approval from my heart doctor to race a lap too! Congrats K.J., you looked good out there!

I talked to Wall the other day about the future plans for the race. "We're going to hold the downtown technical inspection in the same area, but for just one day (instead of two), and will actually parade the vehicles down the Strip to Mandalay Bay (like in the old days when the vehicles paraded to the old Las Vegas speedway)," Wall explained. "We have also received tremendous response from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), who controls the land, and also Las Vegas Events has indicated very strong interest in participating in 2009 and beyond, which will just make the Mint 400 that much more important globally."

Congratulations to everyone at S.N.O.R.E for bringing back the Great American Race and doing a marvelous job for off-road racing, the City of Las Vegas and the State of Nevada. It was a job well done!

For the past 19 years, a major event has been held to raise funds for the Joe Williams Music Scholarship Fund and a lot of local kids are enjoying their music today because of it. Mr. Williams, who passed away in 1999, was one of the all-time greats in the music world. He was a long-time resident of Las Vegas where he performed over the years. The event this year almost didn't happen as a venue could not be found. But, thanks to Michael Gaughan and his South Point Hotel / Casino, it will take place this Sunday (April 6) beginning at 2 p.m. Headlining the event this year is a great friend of the late Mr. Williams, a marvelous singer and impressionist, Bob Anderson. Anderson, a former resident of our village, now works out of Branson, Mo. these days. Cork Proctor will host the afternoon show introducing all the guest entertainers such as blues singer Marlena Shaw and comedian Pete Barbutti to name just a few. It's for a worthy cause. Tickets are priced at $40.00.

Went to the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel to see, for the first time, Terry Fator, who has become a hot commodity (an overnight sensation) after 32 years in show biz. Why it has taken a television show like "America's Got Talent," which Fator won in 2007 (along with $1 million dollars), to be discovered is beyond me. This guy is fabulous, fantastic, magnificent, (all the adjectives) as a ventriloquist, singer, comedian and celebrity impressionist. I've seen a lot of entertainers over my 47 years in our little village, and a number of ventriloquists, but none have ever combined all of the various talents and did it to perfection like Terry. This is a show I would love to have my grandkids see and should you readers want to see a wonderfully clean entertainer, then visit with Terry Fator the next time he's at the Hilton (which will be at least once a month during 2008). You'll definitely be glad you did!

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: Just a reminder that the Las Vegas Tenors will present a new show titled "Broadway in Song," this Sunday (April 6) at the Hilton Hotel, with show time set for 6 p.m... Took in the Grand Opening of Susan's Chocolate Wonders, 9340 W. Flamingo Road, the other afternoon and discovered an entirely new way to send chocolate candy to a friend, loved one or even an enemy. The owner of the new store is able to take any photo you may have and actually make a card-like replica of the photo in chocolate. It's totally amazing and, gang, you can't tell it's chocolate. More than 200 local business professionals stopped by to say hello. Psychic Nancy Barr was on hand to give special readings to those who wanted to know what was in THEIR future. Stop by and see for yourself... Gordie Brown has opened at the "V" Theatre in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood with one show Monday through Saturday at 10 p.m. Brown, without question, is one of the premier impressionists in the business today and has the energy of a teenager on stage. He performs more than 50 voices and many times he even physically resembles who he is doing at the moment. Check it out... The Ninth Annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals are just around the corner (next weekend) and the participants are eager to be in Las Vegas (this is one of their very favorite stops). Tickets are still available by calling (702) 644-4444... Dennis Bono will be entertaining, along with some of his fellow entertainers, at the Bootlegger Bistro this Sunday from 8:30 until? His wife, Lorraine Hunt-Bono will be there as will Anthony Rais, the "Master Puppeteer." I have watched Rais and he is terrific! I strongly urge reservations for this as the room fills quickly beginning with dinner at 7:30 p.m... "Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly" weekend kicks off at the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, Thursday (April 10) through Sunday and will feature more than 450 pre-1963 cars, with participants decked out in vintage and rockabilly attire, etc. It's a "GAS!" Another tribute / benefit show is right now being planned for Sunday, April 20th at The Orleans to honor another great entertainer, Norman Kaye of the world famous Mary Kaye Trio. Kaye is in need of some assistance and the gang is going to help. Incidentally, Show Biz Society (formerly known as the CAST) sent a check for $500 - which pays for four days at the rehab facility. Tickets will be priced at $20.00. More info next week.

Well, gang, that's about it for this week.

I'm outa here!

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