Kentucky-based Columbia Sussex Corp. has finally come out on top of the two-month long bidding war for control of Aztar Corp. They are spending $2.75 billion to take over the Ramada Express, two smaller casinos in Missouri and Indiana, the 1,800-room Tropicana and its prize 34 acres in Las Vegas and the resort in Atlantic City. They hope to close the deal by the end of November.

Harrah's will host its Annual Employee Talent Show on Wednesday, June 7, at 7 p.m. in the Fiesta Showroom. Talented Harrah's Laughlin employees will showcase their skills through a wide range of musical, dance and comedic abilities. Judges will choose the top three winners with first place being awarded $300, second place $200 and third place $100. An award of $50 is given to the "crowd favorite."

Admittance to the Harrah's Laughlin talent show is free and is open to the public.

The Beach Boys will bring their happy tunes and upbeat show to the Flamingo Outdoor Amphitheater next Saturday, June 3 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $35 and $40; call 1-800-435-8469.

Their classic songs epitomize the spirit of the California lifestyle and have made The Beach Boys an American icon to a worldwide audience. The Beach Boys' first hit "Surfin'" in 1961 launched a string of chart-topping songs that span nearly 40 years. The group was inducted into The Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and honored at the 2001 Grammyr Awards when they received The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy.

The Ramada Express is hosting "Country Music USA," live in concert in the Pavilion Theater. The show is a one-of-a-kind tribute to some of the greatest names in country music like Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Patsy Cline, Shania Twain, and Brooks & Dunn. Concert dates continue through June 1. Tickets are $19; call 800-243-6846. New Distinguished Players Club Members who earn 50 points will receive two free tickets to the show.

Lynn McDaniel with her uncanny vocal impressions of Shania Twain and Patsy Cline has the stage presence of both legendary performers. Eric York performs as Garth Brooks and also as Kix Brooks of the world- famous country duo "Brooks and Dunn." Ronnie Lee as Ronnie Dunn bears an incredible resemblance to the real performer. Rob Eisler impresses with his tribute to Vince Gill.

"Country Music USA" is produced by artist, musician and producer Gary Wayne Bridges, a 24-year entertainment veteran, who has done it all from being the voice of Elvis and having a record deal, to producing many successful musical production shows,

Fireworks for the 16th annual "Rockets Over the River" will be above the Colorado River and take place just after dark on July 1 and again on July 4. The free display for public viewing along the entire Laughlin River Walk will be choreographed to patriotic music.

The Avi resort has displays by Zambelli fireworks happening tonight and again on July 2 and Sept. 3 over the Avi Beach.

Tomorrow at the Riverside, the Prime Rib Room restaurant will resume its summer hours, which will be 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

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The Avi's new Lagoon Pool, which is large enough to accommodate parties of 800 people, will offer non-guest ages 21 and older free pool parties with a DJ on Sundays from 2 to 9 p.m., June 4 through Aug. 27. Pool food and beverages will be available.

The Lagoon Pool boasts two natural-stone waterfalls, tropical foliage and palm trees.

The new Tiki Bar features appetizers, select menu choices, margaritas and exotic specialty drinks, and in-water lounge chairs.

On May 23, the Regency Casino celebrated its 2nd Anniversary under the ownership of Southern California businessman Chris Crawford. An ongoing promotion in the casino's Tropical Cow Restaurant is a monthly drawing for two complimentary prime rib (12 oz.) dinners. People can enter by dining in the restaurant and filling out a comment card.

Fishing in the Colorado River yields striped bass trout, largemouth bass, crappie and flathead. An easy fishing option is joining a guided tour like Captain Doyle's FunFishing where all the necessary equipment, licenses and stamps are supplied for the day. Doyle is an Arizona- and U.S. Coast Guard-licensed guide. For information, call 866-284-3262.

Golden Nugget's 'Wheels and Fortune Car and Cash Giveaway' drawings are being held every Friday between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. through June 23. Five winners are selected each Friday and each one receives $500.

On Saturday, June 24, six names will be drawn between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. for a total of $1,000. Five winners will receive $100 each and one person will get $500. The final drawing for a new Chrysler 300 or a $20,000 cash alternate prize will follow at 9 p.m.

Entries for the drawings where the winners must be present can be earned at the rate of five entries with every 100 points earned on a 24 Karat Club card at slot and video games.Table games players can earn one drawing ticket with every suited blackjack.

The Edgewater offers Texas Hold 'em games in an all-new poker room with four tables. Free poker lesions are daily at 2 p.m. Check out the "Sunday Ultimate Poker Challenge" and promotions like "Aces Cracked Wins A Rack" and "Poker Room Pingo."

The Flamingo has a poker room called "Flush On The River" because it is located in the casino with views of the Riverwalk. This casino offers monthly "$5,000 Free Roll Tournaments," the next on is June 22, and daily "Texas Hold 'em Tournaments." Promotions include "Dinner Hour Aces Cracked" and "Late Night Aces Cracked."

The Riverside has a large poker room and offers "$1,000 Weekly Free Roll Poker Tournaments" and "$5,000 Quarterly Free Roll Poker Tournaments."

The River Palms features "Daily Texas Hold 'em Tournaments" at 10 a.m., "Friday No Limit Texas Hold 'em Tournaments" at 6:30 p.m., and "Sunday No Limit Texas Hold 'em Tournament" at 6:30 p.m. On Saturdays, the "Sit-N-Go Tournaments" begin at noon and continue through the night.

Poker action has been expanded at Harrah's with six tables and higher limit games.

The Colorado Belle also has a large poker room outfitted with multiple screens and offers a mini-buffet daily to players.

More poker rooms exist at the Ramada Express, Rivers Palms, Pioneer and Avi resorts.

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