Humorist, story-teller Carl Hurley will be center stage in Don's Celebrity Theatre at the Riverside Resort, Jan. 9-14. Tickets are $20 for the 7 p.m. shows, call 1-800-227-3849.

Hurley was born in 1941 in a two-room cabin built by his father on a three-acre hillside farm in the Appalachian mountains of Laurel County, Ky. He came from a family of "talkers," and he spent endless hours listening to aunts, uncles and cousins swapping yarns and richly embellished stories. Little did he realize that a career in education would eventually lead to a career in public speaking and entertainment, and garner him the title of "America's Funniest Professor."

For eight years he was a professor at Eastern Kentucky University and coordinator of secondary education programs. Hurley's speaking career began, quite by accident, in 1971, when he decided to "liven up" an otherwise boring school conference by telling a few jokes and stories when it came time to give his report. A man at the conference invited the young professor to speak for his company and hundreds of other invitations followed. In 1982, he resigned his professorship to "wing it" in the world of professional speaking and entertainment.

Today, Hurley's appearances range from standup country comedy to convention speaking, from university lectureships and teacher in-service days, to seminars and workshops for business and industry.

Comedian John Pinette will make people laugh at the Aquarius Resort on Feb. 24. Tickets for his 7 p.m. show are $19.95 and $24.95.

Pinette has been entertaining audiences worldwide in a variety of ways for more than 15 years. He was named Stand-Up Comedian of the Year by the American Comedy Awards in 1999 and has received a Gemini Award nomination for his superb televised performance at The Montreal Comedy Festival in 2000.

When Pinette learned that he could actually earn a living making people laugh, he left behind his life as an accountant and began his comedy career. It wasn't long before he got his big break when he was asked to tour with Frank Sinatra. Since then, he became a regular guest on "The Tonight Show" and "The View."

Pinette has also enjoyed a long acting career in both television and film. "Duets," starring Gwenyth Paltrow, "Dear God" starring Greg Kinnear, and "Junior," starring Arnold Schwarzeneger are just a few of his film credits. He was a series regular on the hit show "Parker Lewis Can't Lose," and starred as the car-jack victim in the final episode of "Seinfeld."

Pinette's first comedy CD, "Show Me The Buffet," was a big success, and his follow-up CD/DVD, "I Say 'Nay Nay'," came out in the Spring 2004.

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The 6th Annual Cloud's Jamboree Rock, Gem and Mineral Show is taking place at the Avi through Feb. 1 and at the Riverside Resort from Jan. 12-21. More than 250 vendors are selling all manner of rocks, gems, minerals, jewelry and collectibles near the RV park at the Avi and will set up in a large tent in the South Parking Lot at the Riverside. Vendors have come from Indonesia, Brazil, Munich, Japan and all across the Untied States. There's no charge to browse the vendor areas.

Cloud's Jamboree actually began a generation ago in Quartzite, Ariz., and moved to Laughlin after the highway looped through the show grounds. Cloud's Jamboree is open at the Avi from 10 am. to 4 p.m. and will be open until 6 p.m. at the Riverside.

The Gift and Craft Show being held at the Riverside from Jan. 22-28 will also run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to showcasing faceted stones, uncut gems and rocks, there will be salt lamps, candles, paintings, woodwork and antiques. The diversity of vendors will include Buckskin Traders specializing in products directly from Navajo, Zuni and Hopi jewelry artists. They've been apart of Jamboree for more than 20 years.

Winter Break, a town-wide festival celebrating living life to the fullest, is continuing through Jan. 11. The event geared for active adults is a week-long happening offering activities and entertainment for baby boomers and seniors.

Some events coming up at the Ramada Express include a Welcome Happy Hour in the Caboose Lounge at 4 p.m. on Jan. 8; a AAA Travel Destinations Near and Far session in the Coronado Room from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 9 and again at 5 p.m.; an Improve Your Memory class presented by Humana in the Coronado Room at 1 p.m. on Jan. 9; a Wine Tasting Class at 3 p.m. in the Coronado Room on Jan. 9; and Winter Breakettes Chorus Line in on Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. in Victory Plaza.

Other events being held at the Colorado Belle include an art class by artist Mark Vranesh at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 8, 9 and 10 and a Red Hot Social Function at 3 p.m. on Jan. 8.

The River Palms will host Royal Flush Welcome Festivities presented by Humana from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Grand Caribbean Ballroom on Jan. 8; the Red Hot and Purple Vendors Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 9; a slot tournament from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 9; Speed Dating at 6 p.m. on Jan. 9; and a Senior Prom featuring the John Hoxon's Big Band on Jan. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the ballroom.

At the Aquarius on Jan. 9 at 9:30 a.m., there will be Winter Break's Got Talent in Pavilion B and at 1 p.m. will be Encore! Live Entertainment in the Aquarius Pavilion Ballroom. Some other fun events will include on Jan. 10: Winter Break Rock 'n Bowl Tournament at 12:30 p.m. with a $10 entry fee at the Riverside's Bowling Alley; at 1:30 p.m. a Variety Show with entertainers over 50 years young performing at Pavilion B at the Aquarius; and at 6 p.m. Country Dancing at Lightening Strikes in the Riverside.

For the brave, there will be a Polar Bear Dip on Jan. 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Colorado River. The plunge will take place at Harrah's private beach. Also at Harrah's at 10 a.m. on Jan. 9, there will be a financial planning seminar called "How Your Savings Can Outlive You" in the Diamond Lounge.

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