Heard it on the River

When will the shifting sands in Tunica settle back? Maybe after the sale of BALLY'S and HARRAH'S to COLONY CAPITAL gets its final approval which is expected shortly. But then again, any stability may be short term as Colony, a private equity company, buys and sells hotels and casinos with frequency once a strong profit can be realized. I hope they retain Bally's long-running Ultimate Blackjack tournament, which has been a winner for the casino for many years and an event, well liked and strongly supported by players. The tournament, by the way, is set for Sept. 24-26 with $150,000 on the line, not to mention a $60,000 guaranteed top prize. For $500 you can enter by calling 1-800-38-BALLY, ext. 1511.

The new HOLLYWOOD CASINO CAST MEMBER CLINIC is now open and is an on-site operation that benefits employees and their dependents at no-charge. It is staffed with medical professionals, including a Nurse Practitioner and has the capabilities on-site to diagnose and treat a host of problems. Lab services are also provided and there is access to a physician. Several Tunica casinos now provide similar services, which is a great employee benefit. The Hollywood program is contracted to MED ANALYSIS from Biloxi.

The PORTER LEATH CHILDREN'S CENTER got a big boost by a two day music party that was sponsored by GRAND CASINO and TERMINEX at the Grand Event Center. The event featured blues and rock & roll legend STEVE CROPPER and a several celebrities and musicians. An auction was also held. HARRAH'S employees answered the bell with 89 units of blood from 134 volunteers being donated to LifeBlood's recent campaign. The casino said it topped all Tunica casinos in the effort.

Next month the quail season opens at GRAND WILLOWS, which is a world-class sporting clay, and hunting center nestled on 350 acres behind the casino. MIKE MIZE is back on the scene and manages the fine facility. Last year, the first year for quail hunting, Grand stocked it with 10,000 birds and shooting over expert guides and well-trained bird dogs was exciting and excellent. The facility is open Wednesday through Sunday and for more information on hunts, sporting clays, trap or skeet, call 1-662-357-3154

You can also go hunting at ISLE OF CAPRI in Lula for more than Jackpots this Fall. JERRY MORGAN, the sportsman guide there, says the area around the casino and across the Mississippi River in Arkansas provides fine hunting for a varied bag. Take your pick…duck, dove, squirrel, wild boar and white tail deer for "Isle Select" guests. Groups are also welcome. The casino also has available a 21-foot Triton for fishing on local lakes and the river. Have to think about that wild boar tho; those things have big tusks. Think of that fierce razorback you see on Arkansas logos and you might have second thoughts. Hunting dogs are also available. Give Jerry a call at 800-789-5825.

SAM'S TOWN is sponsoring the MDA 7th ANNUAL SOUTHERN HOPE RIDE to help "Jerry's Kids" on Oct. 8 and 9. It gets rolling on Friday, the 8th, with registration at a cool party at ROBILIO'S SIDE CAR CAFÉ on Whitten Rd. in Bartlett from 6-9 pm. The bikes hit the road next day and head out from Side Car and BUMPUS HARLEY DAVIDSON for Sam's Town for more festivities. All proceeds go to the Mid-South Chapter of MDA.

A HANDY GUY. How about this slight of hand…An Austin, Minnesota man was busted on twenty-eight felony charges for slot machine skimming in Deadwood, SD. The cops said he was putting his hand in the payout chutes of slot machines at 16 casinos. He was grabbing tokens when video surveillance cameras took more than token notice of his "handy-craft." Sayonara.

Have a gaming problem or know somebody who has? GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS is a program based on the same 12-step principles as Alcoholics Anonymous and membership is open to anyone who wants to stop gambling completely. It has proven effective because it undercuts denial, projection and rationalization, identifies the serious implications of gaming, demands honesty and responsibility, gives affection, personal concern and support; develops substitutes for the void left by the cessation of gambling; and, is nonjudgmental. No fees are charged to join and you can do so by calling GA at 213-386-8789 or go to www.gamblersanonymous.org. For meeting info in Mississippi phone 601-981-0878 or visit www.msgambler.org.

THIS 'N THAT…
FOOTBALL FRENZY NCAA and NFL picks are now on weekly at GOLDSTRIKE with great cash prizes. Get your card at the sports booth in the poker room on the second floor…. Free poker lessons by DALE CARDEN at ISLE OF CAPRI in Lula Monday-Friday. Call 800-789-5825…Two lunch buffets for a $1 comp at HARRAH'S…HOLLYWOOD'S Poker Room now featuring a weekly $1,000 Added Hold 'Em tournament each Tuesday at 7 pm…Three Card Poker Tournaments on Thursday nights at SAM'S TOWN all of October, and well as weekly blackjack tournaments on Sundays…PEARL RIVER RESORT is offering 4x Points thru the end of the month at its beautiful GOLDEN MOON and SILVER STAR casinos in Choctaw, MS, just outside of Philadelphia on Highway 16 West. And it's a great time of year for golf, check out TUNICA NATIONAL, RIVERBEND, COTTONWOODS and DANCING RABBIT.

FROM THE QUOTABLE GAMBLER, Lyons Press
"I don't care what Gallup or Harris says, tell me what Jimmy the Greek says."
JIM BERRY Cartoon

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