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
time 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 continues 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!
