Heard it on the River

ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL is a big deal to many in this area, not to mention the rest of the world, and if you want to help out and have a heck of time while doing so, buy some tickets for the ST. JUDE RED CARPET BASH on Nov. 8. Aswinging crowd of younger folks makes this a place to be and for $100 in advance, your tickets gets you a buffet that is somewhat incredible, courtesy of the food and beverage staff, comp beer and wine, dancing to the sounds of MANHATTAN DANCE ORCHESTRA and a chance to bid for some great items at the silent auction. Call ASHLEY CUBBINS at 901-373-5051 or check it out at www.redcarpetbash.com. Hollywood has made a considerable long-time commitment to the cancer research hospital and is involved in a host of activities but the Red Carpet Bash alone has raised over $70,000 since 2001. When you find out that the hospital's daily operating costs are a staggering $834,108, you realize a lot of support is needed.

SAM'S TOWN monthly fight night on Saturday, Oct. 25 will feature a heavyweight explosion and a return of the lovable featherweight TONYA HARDING. She's baaack. An up and coming boxer, heavyweight CHARLES SUFFORD out of Vegas, will take on relentless GILBERT MARTINEZ of Sacramento. Several other heavyweights are on the card, including Tunica's own RAY LUNSFORD. The HORSESHOE CASINO pit person has a good local following and is 16-3. Fight night is usually sold out with doors open at 7 p.m. in the RIVER PALACE and matches beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are a nominal $15 reserved and $20 ringside reserved and can be had at 800-456-0711.

Coming up on Nov. 7-9 is GOLD STRIKE'S second $100,000 blackjack tournament. First place prize money is $50,000. Enter at 1-888-24K-PLAY. Also, next February, is the casino's second craps tournament with $25,000 first place guaranteed. Speaking of big money events for you poker room denizens, think about Jan. 6-29 when the JACK BINION WORLD POKER OPEN is presented by HORSESHOE and GOLD STRIKE. A million bucks is guaranteed for first place in the $10,000 championship event. Call 1-800-303-7463 for a schedule and more info or 662-357-5500, ext. 5760.

Congratulations to HORSESHOE, which sponsored the MEMPHIS FAMILY SHELTER annual golf scramble, and sponsor party, including a silent auction. More than $90,000 was raised and will go to putting homeless mothers and children in a safe and caring environment with assistance to help them achieve independent living.

It's hunting time in the South and something new has been added to the area hunting scene as the WILLOWS sporting clays and hunting center is now offering quail hunts to the public on the wetlands and forest behind GRAND CASINO. The season is underway and the package includes a pro guide, pointers, field transportation and more. There's more to it so call Manager MIKE MIZE at 662-357-3118.

The SENIORS NATIONAL POKER CHAMPIONSHIP just concluded a very successful 10 day run at GRAND CASINO and will be back next year, according to Poker Room Manager DALE CARDEN. Got to play against fellow members of the fourth estate but also against some of the top pro players in the country in the Media event that kicked off the tournament. You can guess how many media guys made it to the final table. I'm happy to say that a local player won it after three hours of play. LARRY ETTER of Olive Branch donated the $1,500 prize to the seniors charity for kids with special needs, PLAY TO WIN, in Las Vegas. I was happy just to holler "ALL IN" twice. It worked once, the second time it bounced me off the table. Carden and his poker room crew did a great job in planning and implementing the tournament.

Want to make your casino career a little more meaningful? Join the growing ranks of the local Tunica chapter of the CASINO MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, a national non-profit professional trade association with an emphasis on education and training. They have some great seminars and speakers coming up. If you want a competitive professional edge, call NANCYDARCYat 662-357-1255. The CMA has thriving chapters in Vegas and Detroit and one is needed here. There's more info at www.CMAweb.org.

Stopped by REPLAYS sports bar on a recent Thursday night at GRAND CASINO where a lot of noise was emanating from. Wanted to watch the Red Sox/Yankee game on one of the ubiquitous TV screens in the room but the karaoke singers were so good I missed most of the game. I thought JOHNNY CASH had just been reincarnated in the body of one gent who I swear had a voice that made you think ol' Jawn was right there on the stage.

Time for a little public service work: SUNNY MEADOWS SAFE HAVEN for pets is the only non-kill shelter in the Memphis area at 4066 New Getwell. This great organization will pick and treat abused and neglected pets and takes all calls. It operates under fiscal crisis cloud all of the time so some help is needed to continue this much needed humanitarian effort. A lot of us have pets and understand. Cough up a few bucks and c all ANNETTE TOWNSEND, kennel director at 901-363-7233 and check it out at www.sunnymeadows.org.

They also have open adoption every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

The WEB MARKETING ASSOCIATION (WMA) has presented a "Standard of Excellence" award to the TUNICA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU (TCVB) for its web site. The Tunica web site – www.tuni-camiss.com – was recognized from among more than 1,000 sites from 19 countries entered in 80 categories during this year's competition. It's a great site. Check it out. Congrats to the folks at the TCVB for earning recognition for a job well done.

FROM THE QUOTABLE GAMBLER, The Lyons Press CAPTAIN LOUIS RENAULT: "I am shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on here."

EMIL: "Your winnings, sir."

CAPT. RENAULT: "Oh, thank you very much." Casablanca (1942)

LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER.