Heard it on the River

The company has a new office in Memphis, has hired some top-level executives and now comes word that MYRIAD ENTERTAINMENT will be closing on 500 acres of land behind the levee in northwest Tunica County about four miles from Interstate 69. Our efforts to reach Myriad have been unrewarding but the company has issued a press release that a deal is supposed to go down in August between Myriad and the JACK DAY PERRY SR. family on the acreage south of Hollywood Casino at Perry and Indian Mound Roads. NICHOLAS LOPARDO, chairman of Myriad's Board of Directors, says the company can now focus on development of the site which, when finished, will cost around $1.62 billion.

Our sources say that the company is seeking more investors for the whole deal that is supposed to include two casinos with hotels, a 400,000 square foot convention center, a golf course (not covered), health club and spa, leisure real estate, gardens, a water park and an observatory. All of this, of course, would give the County a world-class destination resort and the gaming industry here a huge boost as growth is at a standstill and the new attraction, if it comes to fruition, would be booster shot for all. In other earth moving news, we heard that ground has been broken for two golf courses at the RIVERBEND CROSSING residential, commercial, retail and entertainment development that will swallow up a giant chunk of dirt on Highway 61 just north of Grand's land and where I-69 dumps onto 61. More housing, shopping and schools are needed for the area and Riverbed holds the answer to that problem. One would expect that such projects will bring more development to Tunica County and southern Desoto County. Let's hope so.

ALEX WEST is a big lug of a guy with non-stop chatter and ear-to-ear smiles that aptly reflect his enthusiasm for his job as a dealer at GRAND CASINO. Playing on a table manned by him is an experience and crowd stopper as he is constantly working the audience with tips, talk, jokes and such and it keeps them laughing and stopping in the aisles by his game to see what this man is all about. He makes playing fun, even when you're losing, and is so consistently affable; I just had to award him my much coveted ATTABOY AWARD. More good guys and gals come from GOLD STRIKE CASINO where a team of employees worked the phones at the annual WKNO Action Auction helping to raise money to keep this great station on the air. It also didn't hurt the auction's goal when president of the casino, HOLLY GAGNON, presented a $5,000 sponsor's check to help the cause.

We heard a whisper that the FITZ might soon be holding a big money blackjack tournament. Makes sense since ADOLPH LEPRE came to work there. The Big Bear certainly knows how to run a great tournament, having been involved with dozens of them over his years in Tunica. Being an avid tournament player myself, this one needs to be tracked down and maybe we might more info from the source to tout this competition.

In the meatime, The Fitz his holding a $25,000 slot tournament May 11-12. If you rush over there you might be able to still get in. There will also be a $10,000 craps tournament on May 30.

Also from Gold Strike, something different. TV star BOB EUBANKS' game show spectacular will be there with daily and weekly winners leading up a final event on June 16. You might be a lucky winner and get to see bob in person for a live game show. T.G. SHEPPARD continues to bring in great young talent to the Millennium Theatre at Gold Strike and on the agenda this month is YES NO MAYBE through May 19 and MEAN GREEN MUCH MACHINE from May 22 to June 9. For ticket info and show times call 888-245-7529.

Some notable moves we've heard about…TOM DASHIELL, a former top exec at Fitsgeralds, and GM of Lighthouse Casino, has joined HARLOW'S CASINO RESORT that is being constructed in Greenville. He will be assistant general manager working with DOMENIC MEZZETTA, GM. Also joining the administrative staff there is SHEILA GREEN. Harlow's is scheduled to open sometime in October and will feature an art deco theme. JOHN BRANSTON has been appointed to the position of casino administrator at THE FITZ. We've known John for a long time and he certainly knows his way around a casino floor and will be a good addition. GENE SCHNELL, a well-schooled hospitality executive, is the new manager at HOLLYWOOD'S FAIRBANKS STEAKHOUSE. A former Green Beret, he brings five-star experience to the tables. Wife, SUSANNE SCHNELL, also joins DON SALLY'S F&B team as Buffet Supervisor

COTTONWOODS at Grand Casino has a mid-week special in May and you can get a cart with GPS, practice time and a round for only $49.00 Sunday afternoon through Thursday. If you noticed some stumps on the course and was wondering why, well, the course is getting back to its beginnings as a links course. Call 662-357-6079 for tee times.

Down Philadelphia way, the fabled DANCING RABBIT GOLF CLUB is a hot attraction with its scenic Oaks and Azalea courses. There are improvements in the works to make them even more beautiful, if that is possible. With GEYSER FALLS WATERPARK soon to open its rivers, pools and waterslides, PEARL RIVER RESORT has positioned itself as a hot summer attraction. It is a good times to visit this total resort as beginning May 14, 19 ocean cruises will given away with nightly drawings through May 28. Call 866-44PEARL for more info on all of the above. Another attraction for your appetite is SMOKEY JOE'S at SAM'S TOWN where MARC SILVERBERG has concocted a new menu that features a new item; a bucketful of snow crab clusters, shrimp, oysters, catfish, carne asada, chicken tenders, fried corn and a side dish of the eatery's signature beans. I haven't tried it as yet but when I saw the full page ad in this issue of Jackpot, I put it on my "to do" list. Joe's is closed Wednesday and Thursdays. Call 800-456-0711 for dinner.

Grand's $2,500 MAY-HEM Saturday blackjack tournament is underway for the month of May. It's only a $25 buy-in and fun with registration from 10 to noon at the casino cashier. First prize is also grand, $1,000.

The MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE is a very hot little car and during May you have a shot at wining one at HOLLYWOOD CASINO. Drawings every Saturday night with entries from card swipes and rated table and slot play. Hollywood has a new Players Club Card program that also encompasses a new Premiere level card with a lot of perks. The SUNDAY SPECTACULAR weekly blackjack tournament continue in May and you can win $1,000 in cash for first place. Sign up by 6 p.m.

ASK THE GURU
Q: If a blackjack player knows there are 52 cards in a deck, why would he want to count them? Duh, Yazoo City, Ms.

A: Because they can't have hand calculators on the table, Duh.

Ask the Guru ... Email your humorous, weird, bizarre or even straight gaming-related questions to the Guru at goodtimesradio.com. If we deem it interesting for our discriminating readers, you will win a pair of comps to the GREAT BUFFET at SAM'S TOWN.

LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER!