Heard it on the River: Rudi succumbs to social media pressure

12 December 2011

By Rudi Schiffer

Never thought I would succumb to this “social media” stuff sweeping the world and making our lives busier than we want them to be. After deriding it for over a year I have jumped on the bandwagon that is exponentially growing at a horrific rate and I can now bore you on TWITTER@RUDISCHIFFER, FACEBOOK, and even by blogging at GOODTIMESRADIO.BLOGSPOT.COM. It’s simple. When you are on Twitter just type @rudischiffer and you become smarter. Look for me on Facebook type ...goodtime radio, and you are in. On my blog, I will be sharing casino news and such. Also, the 18-year-old show is now part of YAHOO! SPORTS & GAMBLING on 730 A.M. Memphis every Friday night from 6-8 pm and you can also access it at Audiovegas.com where it is also archived. Welcome to my world. We’ll give it a year and see what happens.

Over the years HARRAH’S, now CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, has always been in the forefront of charitable activities in the Mid-South Region, putting their money where the help was needed, year in and year out. Recognizing that, Caesars, which includes Harrah’s, Horseshoe and Roadhouse casinos, was just announced as the PARTNERS in PHILANTHROPY award winners from the Memphis Chapter of Fundraising Professionals. The corporation is really committed to its various communities and those who serve them. R. Scott Barber, regional president, accepted the award on behalf of Caesars and its employees who pay a key role as volunteers on many projects.

It didn’t take long for Choctaw Chief Phyliss Anderson to attract national attention after only being in office for a three months as the first female leader of the Mississippi Band Choctaws headquartered at PEARL RIVER RESORT. Anderson was selected to introduce PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA to her fellow tribal leaders at the 3rd Annual White House Tribal Nations Conference. The conference helps shape the landscape for Indian nations and refines and strengthens the government-to-government relationship. A skilled speaker, Chief Anderson led off her remarks with a Choctaw language greeting. She called her selection an honor and privilege and indeed it was. At the two- casino resort will PHILIP M’s return under that name as a top shelf restaurant in Silver Star. My guess is yes and it will be a restaurant you must visit on your next trip to this beautiful destination resort.

BANG! The mixed martial arts bash up returns to SAM’S TOWN Jan. 7 where it has been a popular attraction before. Get your tickets early at Ticketmaster.com. GALS & PALS still reigns on Thursday nights and the $115,000 Pick The Pros free football contest run through Jan. 15. The $24k Blackjack buy-in tournament will also continue in the New Year on Jan. 20-21.

In my last column I mentioned in the Foundation Group’s item on RESORTS and BALLYS in Tunica that both casinos “have floundered in the competitive market.” Someone from those casinos who has a better insight told me that was not correct and both houses were just fine. I was glad to hear that and sorry if I made an incorrect observation on the situation. Both casinos continue to operate and any changes will be seamless.

NEW YEAR’S EVE is soon on us and what better place to celebrate and leave behind this miserable year than in a casino. GOLD STRIKE invites you to a count down to midnight on the casino floor where you can take a free champagne toast and be treated to party favors. There will also be live music by ALMOST FAMOUS and GABBY JOHNSON. SAM’S TOWN will have live music in ROXY’S and ATRIUM as you walk in the door. There will be live bands, a champagne toast and a balloon drop just as you are kissing your significant other. HOLLYWOOD will offer dining specials at FAIRBANKS from 5-11 pm so you wont miss out on the midnight fun in the SAFARI LOUNGE with a balloon drop and countdown and live music. Lots of money will welcome the New Year at PEARL RIVER RESORT where SILVER STAR has a whopping $200,000 CASH giveaway from a drawing promotion. It starts Friday Dec. 30, and ends Sunday Jan. 1 from 2-6 pm. Guests can win cash prizes ranging from $1,000 o $20,000 until the bank of $200,000 is empty

CAESAR’S ENTERTAINMENT has New Year’s action at its three casinos and at HARRAH’S you can join DJ Ben Cohen and multiple acrobats, aerial artists and fire performers at the Event Center party that includes a free champagne toast at midnight. Sister casino, Horseshoe, is offering “60 Years of Swagger” while on the Stage Bar three bands will accompany Las Vegas style showgirls showing their stuff on the casino floor. Comp party flavors and variety of dining specials will also be available. Across the street the TUNICA ROADHOUSE will ring in 2012 with a little toe tapping zydeco and live music on the River Stage Bar. Fun things likes lots of money will keep the action hot at RESORTS and BALLY’S. You can listen to the MUD PUPPIES on stage at Resorts and then folo the $25,000 countdown from 6 to midnight where 25 winners will go home get $1,000 each in free slot play. The same thing takes place at Bally’s and on the stage there you can listen to DERRICK JOSEPH.

HARLOW’S, the gem outside of Greenville, is shining more facets to make it even more attractive. Ground was broken this past week for a new multipurpose event center and other significant new structures and renovations with new amenities. This is in response to the great flood of Spring 2011. New GM REGGIE FULLWOOD said the planned improvements will enhance Harlow’s regional competitiveness with construction beginning early this coming year. ALL NEW…the buffet area, steakhouse, bus center, pool, spa, fitness center and of course the event center.

THIS ’n THAT…PRICEWATERHOUSECOOP[ER reports that global gaming revenue will rise by 9.2 percent over the next five years until it reaches a total of $182.8 billion in 2015, that’s a lot of losers…. CAESARS is now aggressively seeking new opportunities in Asia that include opening up 25 hotels and resorts in China in the next five years….the owner of my favorite football team, BOB CRAFT of the New England Patriots, is discussing opening a large casino resort near Gillette Stadium with STEVE WYNN… (Courtesy of casinocitytimes.com)

This is our last column and last chance to extend our thanks to ya’ll before the Holidays hit us so we wish you the best for the coming year. May it be better than this one. This column has been existence for nearly 19 years and we’ve enjoyed the ride made possible by our readers and the casinos who support Jackpot. In the last several years we’ve all been through some tough times but they will soon fade and better times are ahead. Keep the faith and don’t split tens.

LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS