It just goes to prove that if you have the right mixture of speakers, and a special guest, the masses will turn out. And, to show you what I mean, Nelson Sardelli, who is the founding President of the F.I.O.R.E Club (Fun Italians Organizing Ridiculous Events), booked as his guest speaker this Thursday evening, our former Mayor and his entourage (Oscar Goodman, possibly his wife, the current Mayor, and of course a couple of those wonderful showgirls that follow him everywhere), and he made it a special evening event. Then he came up with another great idea, why not give one of the good guys (Italian guy) an award for what he did to bring the Italian American Club, 2333 E. Sahara Blvd., back to life. So, the one good Italian guy (Nelson) invited another President (all the men are Presidents, even this ridiculous writer), Angelo Cassaro, to be honored with the F.I.O.R.E. Friendship Award (IL PRIMIO AMICIZIA), which Cassaro accepted.
Of course our good natured former Mayor will be talking about his new book, “Being Oscar,” that is sure to be a best seller in Chicago, New York, and in his adopted home town, where certain types will be scanning the contents to see if he or she is mentioned inside its pages. Got to be honest here, I’ve heard the Mayor before, and he is a very interesting speaker—well worth listening too. But I’ll be arriving at 5:00 p.m. (that’s when the doors open) to honor a good friend, who incidentally just happens to have a suite at The Strip (drag strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway), and owns a couple of fine restaurants. And, one other thing about this special evening, the gals are invited, and suggested dress code is “Formal,” or at least appear like you are not looking to hire an attorney. That means I’ll actually not be wearing my beloved Levi’s. Darn!
Oh, yeah, our normal turnout for the monthly meetings average about 50-60 members, who pay an innocent fine of $25.00 for the fabulous buffet and entertainment provided by the Gary Anderson band. As of this writing Sardelli has received a total of 127 reservations, which is outstanding. And, the money pot (we buy as many tickets as we can afford for $1.00, and that is split 50-50 with the club). I actually won $100 one afternoon. With this turnout the 50 percent share should be huge.
Anyway, gang, this event takes place this Thursday, July 11th at the Italian American Club, with the doors swinging open at 5 p.m. Get there early as the tables will get filled fast. See ya there!
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:
Golden Nugget Las Vegas is hosting the $300,000 Great American Cash & Car Giveaway, running now through September 21, 2013. During this time, guests can earn drawing tickets for the grand prize of a new Chevy Corvette, Silverado or Equinox, as well as $175,000, and free slot play prizes. The promotion will award more than 1,200 cash prizes and three guaranteed car winners. Guests can earn tickets by playing their favorite slots, table games, keno, poker or wager in the race & sports book. Entries can also be earned with every hotel stay and every Gordie Brown show ticket purchased. “This is a fun promotion with so many ways to win that both our loyal casino guests and first time visitors will be able to get in on the action,” Amy Chasey, vice president of marketing, said. “Giving our customers their choice of three very different Chevrolet vehicles makes this promotion even more attractive for all.” Weekly drawings will take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 8PM until September 21. At each drawing, 50 winners will be selected to receive $100 in cash as well as a qualifying ticket in the grand prize drawing drum for a chance at winning a brand new car. Winner must be present to receive $100 cash, but if not present will still receive the qualifying grand prize drawing ticket. The grand prize drawing will take place on Saturday, September 21 at 9 p.m., and three lucky winners will take home a brand new Chevy. It is not necessary to be present to win, however, guests who are selected and present will get first choice of the three cars in order drawn.
Celebrated nature photographer, Jeff Mitchum opened the doors to his second Las Vegas fine art gallery at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino last Friday, with more than 500 people in attendance. Mitchum, his family, and Greg Welch, 1994 Ironman World Champion, ceremoniously cut the ribbon and welcomed guests into the glass-enclosed gallery. The entrance to the gallery featured Mitchum’s famed $1.7 million showpiece, “Third Day,” and its accompanying glass sculpture, “Icewall,” by glass sculptor Markian Olynyk. The image is specially framed with a topographical map of Yosemite National Park where the photograph was taken. Other highlights of the evening included the unveiling of two never-before-seen images, “Castaway” and “Koholina.” Like all of his masterpieces, Mitchum envisioned the photographs years before he was able to capture them. “Castaway” was taken during a morning run when everything fell into place to create this breathtaking image; “Koholina,” which means “From Heaven to Earth” in Hawaiian, was shot on the west shore of Oahu in Hawaii, and is one of the few digital photographs on display.
In a journey through an iconic time in music and movie history, Bill Fayne and Friends will perform “The Golden Age of Movies” at the Suncoast Showroom July 20 and 21. “The Golden Age of Movies” will recreate some of the most famous, beloved songs and dances from legendary movies including, “The Wizard of Oz,” “Singing in the Rain,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Easter Parade” and “Silk Stockings.”
The show will feature the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Lerner & Loewe and will remember song and dance favorites spanning 40 years of the movie musical greats, including Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse, Debbie Reynolds, Judy Garland, Lena Horne and Ethel Merman. Joining Fayne in the musical event are George DeMott, Anne Martinez, Tara Palsha, James Allen, Gret Menzies and many more. Showtime each evening will be 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from $15.95, plus tax and convenience fees. Tickets can be purchased at any Boyd Gaming Box Office, by calling 702.636.7075 or visiting www.suncoastcasino.com.
One of Las Vegas’ hottest new comedy venues has moved. Big Al’s Comedy Club – named “Best Bargain Show in Las Vegas” by the staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal – has moved from The Orleans to a larger venue at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino.
[textadmed] At its new home in the Gold Coast Showroom, Big Al’s Comedy Club will have additional seating, and state-of-the-art equipment. Tickets will remain $19.95 (including one drink), but show times are now Wednesdays through Saturdays, 7 p.m. each evening. “In just a couple of years, Big Al’s Comedy Club has grown into one of the most popular comedy destinations in Las Vegas,” Terry Jenkins, Corporate Director of Entertainment for Boyd Gaming, said. “The Gold Coast will provide additional space to accommodate larger audiences, as well as a better experience for guests and performers. And with a location closer to the Strip, we’ll have the opportunity to introduce Big Al’s to an entirely new group of customers.”
Well, gang, that’s it for this week.
I’m outa here and heading for the Italian American Club.