The Las Vegas Hilton will have a fireworks display just after dark.

Summerlin's 9th Annual Star Spangled Spectacular
When: July 4 -- gates open at 4:30 p.m., concert 8:00 p.m.
Fireworks will folllow the concert.
Where: Hills Park in Summerlin
Prices: Adults are $25 in advance; Kids ages 6-12 are $20. Prices go up at the gate.
More Info: 895-ARTS

The Las Vegas Philharmonic,

under Music Director David Itkin, opens its ninth season with the "Star Spangled Spectacular." With Associate Conductor Richard McGee, Itkin will lead patriotic tunes and marches in this family-style Independence Day event. The finale, starting with the "1812 Overture," will display a full fireworks show by legendary pyrotechnics company, Zambelli Internationale.

Visit the Las Vegas Philharmonic onlineara

59th Annual Boulder City Damboree
When: July 4
Where: Boulder City
Schedule: Pancake Breakfast - Bicentennial Park - 7am
Parade - Nevada Way - 9am
Damboree Ceremonies and Midway Booths - Broadbent Park- 11am
Fireworks Festivities - Veteran's Memorial Park - 6pm
Visit the Boulder Dam Damboree online

Henderson Fourth of July Fireworks & Celebration
When: July 4, 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Water Street at the Events Plaza
How Much: FREE
More Info: 702-267-2171

All of Henderson will be celebrating this prestigious holiday in the Water Street District at the Henderson Events Plaza and beyond. There will be music for everyone with Jazz on the Events Plaza stage, The Henderson Symphony Orchestra at the Justice Court park stage and Randy Anderson on the Convention Center front lawn stage featuring "line dancing in the street" by Birdie Bridges on Atlantic Avenue.

There are plenty of things for the kids. Dinner will be easy with food vendors and all those great snacks and sodas too. The fireworks will begin at 9p.m. with front row seating on the Events Plaza.

Water Street,
The Henderson Events Plaza and Amphitheatre
Justice Park
The Henderson Convention Center Lawn
200 South Water Street

Freedom Fest 2007 - 4th of July Celebration
When: July 4, 4 to 9 p.m.
Where: Freedom Park at Nellis AFB. 
Food, entertainment, Kidz Zone & fire works. 
FREE event to all DoD ID card holders.

Las Vegas 51's and Fireworks
When: June 30 and July 3, after the game
Where: Cashman Field 
Admission: $13 (for the two days) 
More info: 702-798-7825

O u t  o f  T o w n  ::::  F  I  R  E  W  O  R  K  S

Laughlin's Annual Rockets Over the River
When: July 4, the festivities begin just after dusk
Where: Laughlin
How Much: FREE to the public along the Laughlin River walk
More Info: 800-227-5245 or 702-298-2214
Enjoy one of the most spectaular fireworks display in the West choreographed to fabulous patriotic music simulcast on various local radio stations.

Please note that the County's Red, White & Boom has been cancelled and is being replaced by Red, White & Splash -- smaller community events at the following county pools:

This is off the path of our usual postings I know, but almost a year ago my husband and I attended the wedding of Doug Henry and Beth Devine.  I have known Beth since our days at Garside Jr. High back in the late 1960s.

They live in Reno. 

Reno propane truck driver, Doug Henry is missing. He was last seen at the Chevron station at the corner of 4th and Keystone. He used his credit card there at 6:50am on 5/21/07. He has not been seen since. He was driving a ’95 Saturn 2-door car with Nevada plates 106-TFC. Mr. Henry is 54 years old, 6 foot tall with green eyes and a gray moustache and beard. He has a shaved (bald) head.

Sometime around June 10th, the authorities found Doug’s car in a remote wilderness recreation area nearby. The VIN# plate and tags had been removed. Police were puzzled that the car was very clean with nothing in the glove box or the trunk. According to his wife Beth, Doug kept a messy car. 

The police are now treating this case as a crime.  They are not sure if it is a kidnapping, a robbery, a murder or a suicide.  The car is being combed over by Reno CSI members.  It could take up to three weeks for any results to be known.  One of the investigating detectives says it is the strangest case he has had in 15 years. 

Doug Henry was last seen wearing a tan “Dickies” workshirt and cammo shorts. If anyone has seen this man, please contact the Reno, NV police department at (775)-334-2677.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Beth and the family.

The following excerpt is from a flyer that has been going around locally in the Reno/Tahoe area:

From Beth Devine, Doug's wife:

This past Monday (5/21/07), my husband Doug Henry disappeared. What I mean by disappeared is that we got up Monday morning, we both got dressed for work, had coffee together, talked about our upcoming day, made our lunches and went to work. The last thing he said was "I will see you tonight" and I gave him a kiss. What happened after that, I'm not sure. I do know he stopped at the Chevron station on 4th & Keystone at 6:50 am (he used a credit card) and that he never made it to work. I am asking each and everyone one I know to PLEASE first pray for my husband’s safety, then if you would please email this flyer to everyone on your email list If they live in the Reno-Sparks-Carson City-Washoe county-Northern Nevada-Northern California areas.

It's been announced that MTR Gaming Group, which took over Binion’s in 2004 from Harrah's Entertainment who kept the name Horseshoe, is selling the 55-year-old downtown casino to TLC Casino Enterprises for $32 million in cash. TLC also owns the Four Queens downtown. The deal has to close by the end of the year (though TLC can request a six-month extension).  It needs the approval of the Gaming Regulators and the City of Las Vegas.

I think Benny is spinning in his grave.  How about you? 

For more on the history of Binions and the Horseshoe click here 

Chaz Higgs, the husband of the late State Controller, Kathy Augustine, is on trial for her murder. He slashed his wrists earlier today in a second suicide attempt.  He was hospitalized and the trial was suspended until Wednesday.  Higgs attempt at suicide came just hours before he was to undergo cross examination by the Prosecutors in the Augustine murder trial.  Higgs' attorney, David Houston, has predicted a mistrial will be declared.

Late this afternoon in another bizarre twist to this already bizarre case, Charles Higg, on trial for the murder of his wife,  Kathy Augustine, has asked that the trial resume on Thursday morning.  Higgs was released earlier in the afternoon from the Reno Hospital that he was rushed to after slitting his wrists.

Higgs was re-arrested and taken to jail where he is on suicide watch. 

For those who follow Hotel Auctions and might want to own a piece of history:

Great American Auctions has announced the following auction dates:

Nevada Landing which closed after 18 years, items from the hotel/casino will be auctioned off on

July 17th at 11:00 am

The New Frontier Hotel, which closed after 65 years, items from the hotel/casino will be auctioned off on:

July 31st at 10:00 am

For more details click on the link:  http://www.greatamerican.com/Services/auctions.aspx