Lots of news from our town, including the The Comedy Festival that just ended this weekend. More stars in town than you can see in Hollywood and great fun. Looks like we'll do it all again next year.
Several other big events coming up that you will be able to attend. The 2005 Billboard Music Awards returns to the MGM Grand Garden Arena for its ninth year and will air live Tuesday, Dec. 6, 8-10 p.m. on FOX, so your friends might even see you on TV. Tickets are $175, $90 and $50, and you can get them by calling Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000, or go to www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Tom Petty is scheduled to receive the Century Award, Billboard's highest accolade for creative achievement, and as always, most of the nominated performers will be on hand to receive their awards. Always a big night here.
The biggest names in music will also return to the Aladdin for the 2005 Radio Music Awards on Monday, Dec. 19. The show will be broadcast in a live two-hour telecast (9-11 p.m. EST on NBC). Tickets for this gig are a little pricier than the Billboard Music Awards, with a tag of $350, $250, $175, $150 and $65. You can also order them the same way, but instead of going to the MGM Grand web site, go to www.aladdincasino.com.
This year's show will include a special salute to country music, featuring a performance by Keith Urban, who is also a nominee, as well as performances by Kenny Chesney, hip-hop heavyweight Fat Joe, Sugarland, Michael Bublé, Ricky Martin and Ashley Simpson. Should be an exciting night.
THERE SHE IS
Las Vegas has scored another coup with the announcement that the 2006 Miss America Pageant is coming here. After I don't know how many years in Atlantic City, the event now moves to the Aladdin, which, by the way, will become Planet Hollywood in December of next year. The folks at Planet Hollywood have taken over, but I'm told they won't change the name until then.
JINGLE BELL RUN
Christmas isn't far off and if this doesn't get you in the mood, nothing will. The City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department is hosting its third annual Jingle Bell Family Fun Run, 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. The all-ages event takes place at the Silver Springs Recreation Center, 1951 Silver Springs Parkway.
Here's the part I love. Every runner, or walker, will be given jingle bells for their shoes as they set out on a 3-mile run or walk that begins and ends at the center. And who will be there to greet you when you finish -- Santa of course, who will host a continental breakfast. It doesn't cost anything to enter, but you're asked to bring an unwrapped gift for a child, which will be donated to Toys For Tots. Registration is required by Dec. 1 and can be made at any recreation center or online at www.cityofhenderson.com/parks (activity number 1821121). For additional information, call 267-5727.
KNOW WHEN TO HOLD'EM
Good news for all you poker fans. JC Targon, manager of the Riviera's new poker room, tells me that the resort will have No-limit Hold'em poker tournaments, every Sunday through Friday at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. The tournaments will be limited to 50 players and it will cost you $55 to enter. The poker room is located near the Sports Book area where Texas Hold 'Em, 2 & 4 Hold 'Em, 4 & 8 Hold 'Em, No Limit Hold 'Em and Seven Card Stud are featured. For more info, call the Riv's poker room at (702) 794-9620.
RED ROCK HIRING
Looking for a job in a casino? Station Casinos is planning on hiring 2,600 people for its new Red Rock Resort that is planned to open in late March. The resort expects more than 100,000 job applications. The casino, located in Summerlin, will open its employment center next week to begin the interviewing for the 30 departments in the resort.
THIS PRUNE'S FOR YOU
And how about this? Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas will host German folk artist Barbara Petite between noon and 2:30 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 11 as she creates and demonstrates the art of making traditional Bavarian prune figurines. You heard me right -- prune figurines. And guess what? You'll be able to purchase or create your own figurine.
Now to show off a bit, I'll tell you that Zwetschgenmanderl (prune figurine) is crafted from a small, aromatic Zwetschge -- Bavarian for plum. Each figurine stands approximately 10 inches and the body is created from dried plums, its arms and legs are made from prunes threaded over wire, while the head is a painted walnut and its shoes are peanuts or walnut halves. The figurines are dressed as farmers, musicians, chimney sweeps or other traditional Bavarians.
The Zwetschgenmanderl have a special meaning: "You will never be without gold and happiness with a prune figurine in your home." Not only that, if you're constipated and don't want to run out to the drug store, just eat a few of the figurines. The tradition dates back to ancient Germanic times and the figurines can be found in holiday markets throughout Bavaria.
On that note, I will wrap this column up by wishing all of you and your families a very, very Happy Thanksgiving. Despite all that's going on in the world, we have much to be thankful for as Americans and living in the greatest country on earth.
Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com
If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@cox.net. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.
