Hard to believe that it's December already and Christmas (can I still say that word?) is just around the corner. In Las Vegas this means more traffic and more crowds at malls, but fewer shows, as some take this opportunity for well-deserved breaks. I mention this in case you're going to be here over the holiday season, with plans to see a particular show or entertainer, and find out when you get here that they aren't performing. Also, don't think, as in years past, that Christmas in Las Vegas is the quietest time of the year here. Since we've become a destination of megaresorts with great restaurants, wonderful shopping and spectacular attractions, not to mention our entertainment and gambling, this time of year isn't much different crowd-wise as any other time.
Okay, now that I've given you sufficient warning, let's see what's happening in town. If you're an Elvis fan or anyone who likes Hollywood memorabilia, this item will give you hot flashes. On Dec. 14 and 15, Elvis Presley's diamond and platinum wedding band from his Las Vegas nuptials to Priscilla will be among more than $2 million worth of exclusive TV and movie memorabilia to be auctioned off.
There will also be jewelry worn by Marilyn Monroe in "Some Like It Hot," Charlton Heston's costume from "Ben Hur," Mike Myers's blue velvet jacket worn in "Austin Powers," a variety of John Wayne and Lone Ranger costumes, Keanu Reeves' head bust from "The Matrix" and a whole lot more.
Elvis Presley's wedding band is decorated with eight baguette-cut diamonds within a border of 16 fill-cut diamonds, and has an expected sale price of $100,000 to $150,000. Elvis unveiled the ring at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas on Monday, May 1, 1967, the day he wed Priscilla in a ceremony that celebrated one of the most famous marriages of the 20th century. If you want to get a sneak preview of some of the items, they will be on display on the mezzanine level of the Aladdin thru Dec. 10.
BRAXTON STAYING AT FLAMINGO
Here's some good news. The Flamingo Las Vegas has extended Toni Braxton's run at the resort thru August 2007. She opened this past August and I am pleased to say that I was about the only columnist who raved about the show on opening night. Everybody jumped on the bandwagon later when they saw she was packing the house. She's got a great voice and a personality to go along with it, not to mention she's very sexy. I hope we will see her performing on the Strip for a very long time. We need entertainers of this caliber to offset all the fine production shows we now have.
CHASE BLAHS WITH HOLIDAY SPA
This one's for all you ladies who like, and deserve, to be pampered. The Four Seasons is offering what they call the Holidays Spa Package. Okay, we all know they've got one of the best spas in town -- in fact, in the country -- but how would you like to leave your car at home and not have to worry about the hassle of getting there, especially if you live in Summerlin, North Las Vegas or Green Valley or are staying at another hotel?
The resort will now have you picked up by a chauffeured town car that will take you to the spa where you'll be greeted by a receptionist who will offer you a beverage of hot cinnamon, hot chocolate, or hot apple cider. Once you indulge in whatever treatment you're having, you're given a custom tin of holiday treats and chauffeured home. The Spa at Four Seasons is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and treatments are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. To reserve the Holiday Spa Package call (702) 632-5000 or visit the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas Web site at www.fourseasons.com/lasvegas. Sounds like a great way to take a break during the hectic holiday period.
GROUPS PLAY SANTA WITH TOY DRIVES
The Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation will host its 4th annual Fill the Fire Truck Toy Drive. Foundation volunteers will collect toys at designated Wal-Mart locations on Dec. 9-10 and 16-17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Toy donations also can be dropped off at any of the fire stations across the valley. The toys will be donated to low-income families through local community service programs.
The 2005 Fill the Fire Truck Toy Drive provided toys for 5,000 children throughout Southern Nevada. For 2006, Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation has a goal of collecting toys for 5,500 children. Here are the Wal-Mart locations that are participating in the drive: 8060 W. Tropical Parkway (at Centennial Parkway and Highway 95); 1807 W. Craig Road (at Martin Luther King Drive); 5200 S. Fort Apache (at Tropicana Avenue); 2310 East Serene Ave. (at Eastern Avenue).
And downtown, the Hogs & Heifers Saloon will have its second annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run on Sunday, Dec. 17, to benefit Sunrise Children's Hospital and the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. The ride is limited to 125 people. Registration and breakfast begins at 8 a.m. that day at Hogs & Heifers. The motorcycle run starts at 10:30 a.m., heading to Sunrise Children's Hospital where they will have a party for the kids, including gift giving and a special visit from Santa. After the visit, participants will head back for a post-run party at Hogs & Heifers at 1:30 p.m.
Last year, the Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run raised $5,000, plus enough toys for every child to receive multiple gifts. If you want to donate toys or money, you can drop them off at the Hogs & Heifers Saloon, 201 N. Third St. For more information on the ride, call (702) 676-1457, ext. 14. Both of the these events are for worthy causes and I urge you to take part. Should be a lot of fun.
Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com and tune into Lenny's Las Vegas at 7 p.m. every Friday on KLAV 1230AM.
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.
