Casino Traveler

Las Vegas Marathon Dec. 2

The Las Vegas Marathon, arguably the fastest growing running event in the country, will be held Dec. 2.  Last year, nearly 16,000 runners started off on Las Vegas Boulevard, some dressed as Elvis, others on their way to their own wedding.

Santa's ready to ruuummble

While we don't encourage parents to bring children to casinos, we also know that it's sometimes unavoidable.  So if you have the kids in tow while in Atlantic City over the holiday season, consider heading to the Tropicana's IMAX theater in the The Quarter, the casino's restaurant-retail mall. 

    A holiday 3-D animated movie, Santa vs. the Snowman, runs Dec. 4 through Dec. 19 with two special showings on Dec. 23 and Dec. 24.  Without giving away too much of the plot, a lonely snowman first finds the North Pole to be a warm refuge but then becomes jealous over Santa's popularity. Comedian Jonathan Winters provides one of the voices.

For show times and prices, click Santa vs. The Snowman.

Rodeo rides into Las Vegas

   The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas have traditionally been a slow time of year for Las Vegas.  But slow is a relative term when it comes to Vegas.  This also happens to be when the  Pro Rodeo Finals -- the Super Bowl of ridin' and ropin' -- rolls into town attracting legions of rodeo followers who settle in for 10 days of cowboy action. The top 15 competitors from seven rodeo disciplines, including saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, bull riding, team roping, bareback riding, tie-down roping and barrel racing, will vie for the coveted gold belt buckle and saddle that goes to the champion, not to mention over $5 million in prize money.

    The rodeo begins tomorrow, Nov. 30, and continues through Dec. 9 at the Thomas and Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Tickets are still available but many are in the so-called Mad Dash category where a seat is not guaranteed.

   Because of the flavor of the event, many casino-hotels tweak their entertainment offerings by bringing in country western favorites, such as Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis and Tanya Tucker.  Plus, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, a massive Cowboy Christmas Gift Show is held through most of the rodeo giving even those who don't attend the rodeo an opportunity to get into the Wild West holiday spirit.

   

Baltimore slots millionaire

   An Ellicott City man, Garry Kulawiak, is certainly giving thanks after winning a $1 million slots tournament at the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort on Saturday, Nov. 25. Kulawiak, 62, was the winner of the Wheel of Fortune $1 million Winner Take All Slot Tournament that was held at both the Hilton and Resorts Atlantic City, according to a casino announcement. The two casinos are sister resorts.

    Kulawiak, who will turn 63 on Dec. 12, said he and wife Lori planned to use some of their winnings to pay off their home and “continue to live a good life.” The prize money will be paid as an annuity.

    The casinos are calling the event the biggest slot tournament in Atlantic City history. Featuring the popular Wheel of Fortune slot machines, the tournament began on Oct. 23 with members of the casinos' slot club participating in daily qualifying slot tournaments. The top 250 scores from each casino advanced to the semifinals held the day after Thanksgiving. The 20 players with the highest scores -- 10 competitors from each casino -- went to the finals at the Hilton where Kulawiak's good fortune prevailed.

Beauty and the Booze

Two Las Vegas institutions ... the topless showgirl revue and the cocktail ... are the subjects of novel Sin Cty attractions. Backstage tours of Jubilee!, a legendary Vegas showgirl production, and a museum dedicated to all things shaken and stirred await the savvy casino traveler.