Local Obama parties on tap

Fans of President-elect Barack Obama who can't make it to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration can celebrate at home in Nevada.

Multiple hometown events are planned to coincide with Tuesday's swearing-in of the new commander-in-chief. The best bet for those looking for a parallel to D.C.'s inaugural galas looks to be the Las Vegas Black Historical Society's "Obama Inaugural Ball," taking place Tuesday evening at the Plaza Hotel.

The event, which is to feature "cocktails, conversation and an exhibit of Las Vegas' Historical First Black Pioneers," as well as live entertainment, begins at 6 p.m. It is the fourth annual fundraiser for the historical society, but, obviously, the first to coincide with a presidential inauguration.

Ticket prices start at $44 per person and go all the way up to $5,000 for a VIP table. They can be purchased at the door or in advance at the Plaza box office or online at www.lasvegasobamaball.com.

The Clark County Democratic Party also is hosting an inauguration celebration Tuesday at 6 p.m. It's at the Porchlight Grille, located at 8416 W. Desert Inn Road, and tickets are $25 per person. "Inaugural attire" -- cocktail wear -- is called for.

Yet another celebration is being hosted by MoveOn.org. It's a free celebration hosted by the Independent Entertainer's Association.

The location is given only as "East Flamingo near the Las Vegas Strip"; the full address is sent to your e-mail address when you RSVP online at http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=90559&id=.

The Nevada State Democratic Party also is hosting inaugural events. While the Reno party is an evening event, at the Grand Sierra Resort, the Las Vegas event takes place in the morning, when Obama's actual inauguration will occur.

The 8:30 a.m. inauguration watching party, again at the Porchlight Grille, comes with a free continental breakfast. The party is asking for e-mail replies to rsvp@nvdems.com.

But perhaps you want to watch Obama's inauguration in the theater where Barry Manilow now performs and Elvis once did. You're in luck: The Las Vegas Hilton is welcoming the public to the 1,635-seat Hilton Theater for free viewing of the ceremony, with doors opening at 8 a.m.

According to the hotel, located at 3000 Paradise Road, it's the first time a presidential inauguration has been shown in the storied theater.

Still need more of a party? On Wednesday, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is hosting its own celebration, including a blackjack pit peopled with red-white-and-blue-clad dealers and dancers, discount red/blue cocktails, Obamaritas, Obamatinis and a drink called the Lame Duck Special.

"White House Wednesday" at the Hard Rock is scheduled for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

LUCKY NUMBER

It wasn't wise to get your hopes up to receive inaugural tickets through your member of Congress. F. Peter Gaskins Jr. of North Las Vegas knew that, so he didn't.

Like many of his colleagues, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., received thousands of requests and decided to distribute the tickets he had left for constituents (after he doled many out to his friends) through a lottery. On Jan. 9, Reid personally drew the first seven names out of a cowboy hat in a video that's posted on his Senate Web site.

According to his staff, Reid gave away one or two tickets to more than 500 people.

One of the lucky winners was Gaskins, a 39-year-old business owner.

"I was about to give up," Gaskins said in an interview last week. "Then I got a call that came up on Caller ID as 'U.S. Capitol.' I thought, why would they be calling me?"

Gaskins had sent an e-mail to Reid's office asking for a ticket "the day after the election." Not a huge political junkie, Gaskins, a Democrat, just wanted to be a part of history.

Since moving to Nevada from Boston, Gaskins, a married father of three, has started an office supply company, Las Vegas Toner. He went to see Barack and Michelle Obama on some of their visits to Las Vegas, and his wife volunteered for the campaign. The two of them will both be going to Washington, where they are fortunate to have friends to stay with in the area.

Gaskins said he found it inspiring to be in Obama's presence during the campaign. "It was incredible, the whole energy you get, the crowd, the positive vibe," he said. He has hopes that Obama can turn things around for the country, though he believes it will take time.

During the election, Gaskins was struck by how active the Obama campaign was at the grass-roots level.

"I must have had five or six different people and groups come to my house pushing for Obama," he said. "I didn't get a single one for McCain."

FIRST TIME

Nevada's newest member of Congress, Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., delivered her first speech on the floor of the House of Representatives last week.

In the brief speech, Titus noted the effects of the economic crisis on the Henderson-centric 3rd Congressional District, including foreclosures and unemployment. "But despite these challenges, we remain greatly optimistic," she said.

Titus noted that the Green Valley High School band, from her district, would be marching in this week's inaugural parade, and expressed hope that the new president could bring about a brighter future.

"Working together in the spirit of bipartisanship, we can bring change to our community that restores our economic security and once again fulfills the potential that made our nation great," she said.

Contact reporter Molly Ball at mball @reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919.