On the Run

WARNING: This first item is for those of you, unlike me, can run more than 100 feet without collapsing, thinking you're having a heart attack. It's the Zappos.com Las Vegas Marathon on Sunday, Dec. 8. Whoa, Lenny, you're saying, why the hell are you telling us about it now? Because nice guy that I am, if you register before March 31 it will only cost you $85 for the full marathon and $75 for the half marathon. On April 1, fees jump to $95 and $85 respectively.

Unlike previous years, the Marathon this year is going to be limited to a small field of only 20,000. Once 20,000 runners are signed up for the full and half marathon combined, registration will be closed. The race will start at 6 a.m. at Mandalay Bay. For more info on the race, registration and how to get involved, check out www.lvmarathon.com.

NOTHING BUT THE BLUES

If you like the blues, as I do, you might want to drop into the House of Blues every Wednesday at 9 p.m. when it hosts Nothing But The Blues, with blues artists playing in an up-close, intimate setting inside the Crossroads Room in the House of Blues Restaurant inside Mandalay Bay. For three hours you can enjoy the sounds of local and out-of-state talent and famous surprise musical guests. Nothing But The Blues is an all-ages event and admission is free. There is a host who will give you a history lesson on a different 'blues god' each week. For more info, contact House of Blues at 702-632-7600.

NEW TRICKS ON THE STRIP

Another magician is coming to town April 1 at the Sahara. His name is Brett Daniels and I hear he's pretty good. It will be an afternoon show that will have a murder/mystery dinner theatre format. Daniels says, "It really is more like a movie than a magic show. The plot deals with a magician's backstage murder in 1912." Sounds interesting and I like the idea of more afternoon shows, especially for anyone who brings their kids with them. It's called "The Brett Daniels Magic Show: Wohscigam," and for those of you who are word-challenged, spell the last word backwards.

EARLY MARCH MADNESS

As we are in the middle of March Madness, you'll be pleased to learn that The Orleans Arena will host the 2009 West Coast Conference Basketball tournament, making it the first casino venue to hold a college conference basketball championship event. The WCC championships will be March 6-9, 2009. The eight teams participating include nationally ranked Gonzaga University, St. Mary's College, University of San Diego, Santa Clara University, Pepperdine University, University of San Francisco, University of Portland and Loyola Marymount University.

The 8,500-seat Orleans Arena has a groundbreaking history with college basketball. In 2006, both the Las Vegas Invitational -- featuring then-No. 1 Florida vs. then-No. 5 Kansas -- and Las Vegas Classic were played there, becoming the first college basketball tournaments hosted in a casino venue with a sports book. Tickets for the 2009 West Coast Conference Basketball Championships will go on sale May 1. For ticket information call 702-284-7777 or visit www.orleansarena.com.

READING WITH MAGIC

Comedian/magician Mac King will host a book signing and free magic show at Barnes & Noble in Summerlin on March 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. King will sign copies of "Mac King's Magic in a Minute" and "The Great Big Ol' Book-O-Magic" for National Reading Month. He will perform tricks from the books. These are great books for kids and for those adults who like to show off at parties. The store is located at 8915 W. Charleston Blvd., just east of Fort Apache Road.

IT'S FOR YOU, BABY

This item is for couples who have just had a baby or those just about to have one. It's the fourth annual Southern Hills Hospital Baby Fair. It all takes place this Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fair will feature educational seminars by medical experts, raffle prizes, maternity fashion shows, baby booths, diaper contests for dads, as well as other fun games, free car seat safety checks and much more.

And listen to this. You can enter to win the grand prize of 3,000 diapers and a complete baby gear set. Your baby will have to have diarrhea for a month to go thru those. You'll also be able to tour labor and delivery suites, interact with the on-hand team of Southern Hills physicians, and purchase immunizations starting at $16 per child with the presentation of records. In addition, Medicaid and Nevada check-up enrollment will be available. The fair is free, but call for reservations (702-233-5300) so you don't get shut out. Southern Hills Hospital is at 9300 W. Sunset Rd (at I-215).

DO YOU KNOW HER?

I'm hoping some of my readers, other than my mom, can help this guy out. John Prather of San Antonio wrote me last week with the following: "Lenny, I lived in Las Vegas the summer of 1961 and worked at the Silver Slipper to earn money for college. There was a beautiful stripper at the Silver Slipper and her name was "Stormy Weather." Before work we would watch the girls practice their routine in the tiny showroom. Do you have any pictures or info on her?"

I told John it was before my time in town, but I would try to find out some info for him, which as of this writing, I have not been able to do.

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 lennylasvegas@gmail.com Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.