The "Gingerbread Men and Candy Cane" theme tree from last year's Ramada Express Christmas Tree Silent Auction to benefit WestCare was a big hit among auction-goers. This year's batch of decorated trees are now on display for bidding between Sunday, Dec. 3 and noon on Monday, Dec. 11 in the Hotel Front Registration Area. Twelve beautifully decorated trees are entered in the 5th annual event.

The 7 1/2-foot artificial trees each have a theme and include lights, ornaments, tree toppers, and tree skirt. The themes this year are: sweet treat; cartoon Christmas; Santa and reindeer; Merry Moosemas; silver and blue; pearls and lace; winter wonderland; toy land; old-fashioned traditional Christmas; sleigh bells; bears, hearts and kisses; and trains. Bids can be placed at the Distinguished Players Club Booth and start at $75 per tree.

Teams of Colorado Belle employees have been "Decking the Boat" this December with original holiday decorations created for Christmas trees. Fifteen 7 1/2-foot Christmas trees have been placed in strategic locations in the casino and on "D" Deck, the property's restaurant level. The property provided the trees for each team, reimbursed each team up to $100 for their decoration expenses, and posted cash prizes on Dec. 1.

Now One Club members can vote for their favorite trees. The "One Club Members' Choice" award, which is $50 in dining/shopping certificates for each member of the team, will be announced on Dec. 18. The trees will remain up throughout the Christmas season in the casino as part of this year's holiday d‚cor.

The Colorado Belle has launched the new Reindeer Games giant board game. Each day from Dec. 1-12, two people have a chance to win up to $2,000 playing the board game at 2 and 6 p.m. drawings.

Then, Dec. 14-25, $10,000 in cash and prizes will be up for grabs when the Colorado Belle rolls out the Reindeer Games Prize Patrol. To participate, players earn reindeer antlers by earning 10 points and wearing them while playing their favorite games. The Prize Patrol will cruise the gaming areas at least six times each day, randomly selecting players to win their share of the cash and prizes. Details for both events are posted at the One Club booth.

Harrah's has popped the top on the new Pepsi Prize Machine promotion running through Jan. 16, 2007. Harrah's guests may enter daily 5 p.m. qualifying drawings for a chance to win cash and prizes. Eligible promotion participants will also have an opportunity to return for a chance to win $10,000 on Feb. 11.

Entries may be earned in a variety of ways from redeeming any promotional coupon from Harrah's and signing up for a new Total Rewards card to registering a current valid e-mail address at the Total Rewards Center and purchasing a meal or show ticket.

Five daily drawing winners will be selected by a random drawing. The five potential winners, in the order identified, will push a button on the Pepsi Prize Machine. A 20 oz. Pepsi will be dispensed with the prize item identified on the base of the bottle. There are five possible prizes: a Pepsi tote bag, blanket, rolling cooler, watch, and $100 cash.

Each daily drawing winner will also receive 1,000 Bonus Reward Credits to be added to winner's Total Rewards account within 24 hours and an invitation to return for the Pepsi Prize Machine final drawing on Feb. 11. The Pepsi Prize Machine final drawing invitation includes three complimentary nights from Feb. 9 - 11; 50 entries for the grand prize drawing; and one entry into the Daily Drawing final drawing. Only daily drawing winners are eligible for the Daily Drawing final drawing on Feb. 11.

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

Preferred Outlets and the Bullhead City Animal Control department will hold "Paws and Claus" on Monday, Dec. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. At the event, pooches can have their picture taken with jolly Ol' Saint Nick.

The Riverside Lanes at the Riverside will host the West Coast Senior Pro-Am Tour on Dec. 15 and 16. This is a time for men and women amateurs to bowl with the best senior bowlers on the West Coast.

There will be two programs: the Seniors Pro-Am on Friday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m.; and the Regular Pro-Am on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. The entry fee is $32 with check in time one hour prior to the start of each tournament. There will be three games on no-tap bowling and players' scores with their handicap will be added to the score of their pro bowler partner.

The Riverside will have a special gift for each bowler and there will be prize money for winners. For information, call 1-888-5900-2195.

The Ramada Express is hosting "Country Music USA Live In Concert" for another festive season of Christmas Shows. The seasonal concerts in the American Heroes Pavilion Theater feature holiday music of country greats Garth Brooks, Hank Williams, Shania Twain, and Brooks & Dunn.

Concert dates are Dec. 3-4, 6-7, 10-13, and 17-21. Tickets for the 8 p.m. shows are $19; call 800-243-6846. New Distinguished Players Club Members who earn 50 points will receive two free tickets.

The celebrity tribute show, "Country Music USA Live In Concert," is transforming the Pavilion Theater into a winter wonderland - bringing snow and a log cabin to Laughlin.

Jason Petty is performing as the legendary Hank Williams. Eric York does double duty impersonating both Garth Brooks and Kix Brooks of the country duo Brooks & Dunn. Ronnie Lee as Ronnie Dunn bears an incredible likeness to the real performer. Lynn McDaniel wows audiences with her uncanny vocal impression of Shania Twain.

Just 20 miles south of Laughlin is the fun little mining town of Oatman, Ariz. Visitors enjoy the trip back in time to the Old West. On weekends, there are cowboy gunfights and showdowns in the middle of the town. Wild burros roam the streets of this town that has a main street lined with shops selling antiques, handmade items and souvenirs. There's dining at several restaurants including the Route 66 Deli and Olive Oatman Restaurant. Oatman's most famous visitors were Clark Gable and Carol Lombard who stayed there in the hotel briefly during their well-publicized "elopement" in the 1930s.

CONTINUE ON TO...:
>THIS WEEK'S LAS VEGAS NEWS
>LAST WEEK'S LAUGHLIN NEWS
>VEGAS VIEWS FULL ARCHIVES
>Return to "Heard Around Town"
>Return to Las Vegas Leisure Guide