The River Palms will end the year in laughter with the Unknown Comic performing Dec. 27-Jan. 1. He'll do 9 p.m. shows Saturday-Tuesday and Thursday, and 7 and 10 p.m. shows on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Cost is $24.99 general admission and $34.99 VIP seating, call 800-835-7904.

The Unknown Comic is the stage name for Canadian-American actor and stand-up comic Murray Langston, best known for his comic performances on "The Gong Show," usually appearing with a paper bag over his head.

Langston began his career in 1970 when he appeared on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," doing impressions of a fork, a tube of toothpaste and a grandfather clock. Later, at the suggestion of Redd Foxx, he teamed with comedian Freeman King, and after appearing on several episodes of "The Midnight Special," they were spotted by producers and soon became regular performers on "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour" and made more than 100 appearances.

Langston also invested in a nightclub restaurant called SHOW-BIZ, but the club closed within two years, taking his savings. Strapped for cash, he accepted an offer to appear on "The Gong Show." However, he was reportedly embarrassed about appearing on the show, so he put a bag over his head, memorized a few old jokes, and became "The Unknown Comic." The character was a hit, and soon developed a cult following, appearing on more than 150 "Gong Show" episodes.

He most recently reappeared as The Unknown Comic in the film "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" and is reportedly writing a book.

"The Nutcracker" presented by the Anaheim Ballet will be performed at Don's Celebrity Theatre at the Riverside, Dec. 20-23. Tickets are $25 and there will be matinees on Sunday and Tuesday along with 7 p.m. shows each day, call 800-227-3849, ext 616.

The show is "A Journey to Candyland" and a perfect way for families to celebrate the holiday season. For holiday cheer, nothing beats the spectacle of towering Christmas trees, waltzing flowers, battling toy soldiers and menacing mice. The Nutcracker story remains a source of inspiration for audiences of all ages and interests. The enduring theme remains unchanged, good overcomes evil, but Anaheim Ballet's staging of the family classic is constantly updated.

Chubby (Ernest Evans) Checker, best known for popularizing The Twist, will headline at the Tropicana Express in the Pavilion Showroom, Dec. 29 and 30. Tickets for his 8 p.m. shows are $39, $49 and $55, call 800-243-6846.

In 2008, Checker's "The Twist" was named the biggest chart hit of all time by Billboard magazine. Billboard looked at all singles that made the charts between 1958 and 2008.

Checker had a No. 1 single on Billboard's dance chart in July 2008 with "Knock Down the Walls." He also owns his own restaurant and continues to perform on a regular basis.

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On Feb. 7-8, 2009, Laughlin will offer a weekend getaway for just the ladies filled with social gatherings and special events. It will be Budget Travel's Girlfriend Getaways. The ladies will be living it up, learning how to host their own wine event or home spa party, taking a yoga class, creating a virtual scrapbook or enjoying a cocktail party alongside the Colorado River. There will be raffles and gift bags and special presentations by Budget Travel editors. For information, go to VisitLaughlin.com/getaway.

At the Preferred Outlets of Laughlin, visitors can enjoy more than 60 merchants plus an indoor food court and market. The fully enclosed two-story center features a distinctive Art Deco design throughout, while merchants offer prices 20-50 percent below retail average on a variety of top-name products. The outlet is open daily and located in the heart of the casino district. Mall Hours are Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Wheelchairs and strollers are available for rental at the Information Booth.

Every resort in Laughlin offers shopping temptations. At the Colorado Belle, the "D" Deck Gift shop has resort wear, logo items, toys and sundries. The Gifts on Tap shop has Boiler Room items, gifts and cigars. For more cigar and cigarette shopping and smoking accessories, try the Smoke Stack Shop. The Dockside Market has newspapers, magazines, postcards, film and sundries.

A one-of-a-kind shop exists at the Riverside with hundreds of watches and timepieces all under $20 being sold at The Watch Man. Famous brand fragrances are sold at The Perfume Shoppe and pre-owned jewelry at The Estate Jewelry Liquidation Center. Casual apparel, accessories and lingerie are sold at Hot Stuff and cigarettes at the Smoke Shop.

At the Edgewater, the Main Gift Shop has collectables, apparel, and logo items. At Petroglyphs, you can shop for Southwestern items and Native American jewelry. Desert Souvenirs has children's apparel, toys, and NASCAR collectables. Crystal, porcelain dolls, figurines and collectables are available at The Boutique.

The Golden Nugget Gift Emporium has Harley Davidson merchandise, ladies and children's apparel, giftware, logo items.

At Harrah's, there is upscale apparel and accessories at The Boutique. Sundries, logo items, giftware, toys, jewelry and apparel are available at The Gift Shop.

At the Pioneer, great items are for sale at the Cowboy Store and you can browse through a large selection of western wear and jewelry, plus one of a kind items by the local artisans.

The River Palms has The Beach Shop with fresh flowers, apparel, gift and logo items. Jewelry can be found for sale at the Treasure Chest.

At the Tropicana Express, there are a variety of stores. The Gift and Smoke Shoppe has souvenirs, logo apparel. The Company Store is the one stop shop for all of your sundries and magazines. You can find upscale apparel, accessories and Indian jewelry at The Boutique and the WOW! Store has gift and clothing items all under $25.

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