HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS...

December 2007/January 2008

The holidays can be overwhelming, so check out these possibilities to relax and enjoy December:

• The “Holiday Extravaganza

- AMusical Journey” at the Tropicana is an energetic celebration of the season. The entertaining one-hour show features three skilled singers, ten energetic dancers and a quartet of talented musicians. Shimmering curtains and giant gift packages adorn the stage, as if the entire area was under the Christmas tree.

The program includes the most popular Christmas songs, but many are performed with a twist. Some, like “Silent Night” are sung in classic style, but others, including “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” have been rearranged as disco versions. What would a revue be without an aerialist? It was certainly unique to hear “Ave Maria” as the female aerialist swung from a sheer sheet.

The attractive line-up of eight female and two male dancers did justice to the beautiful costumes. My favorite dance number was the white top hat and tails, plus cane Rockettes-style choreography for “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree.” These young ladies kicked up a storm in their chorus line. Aclose second was the “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” routine, featuring costumes complete with antlers.

The show runs through December 22nd; tickets are $25. Show times vary, so check with www. ticketmaster. com, the Tropicana box office or calling 800-736-1420.

• The three Trump properties

- Marina, Plaza and Taj Mahal - Are giving all Trump One cardholders holiday cash. Playing at any slot or table game from November 25th to December 16th will earn cardholders Holiday Cash, which may be redeemed at any Trump casino at any time between December 17th and 24th.

There is no limit; Comp Dollars will not be deducted from a player’s additional cash. An extra promotion on select days will reward a cardholder with three times the total Holiday Cash. Players will be thrilled to have full use of their Comp Dollars when they want to redeem them for fine, high-end merchandise from the new Trump One Rewards Catalog. Products include the latest electronics from brands such as Apple, Sony and many more. Other products include housewares and ultra luxurious trips and getaways.

Customers can visit Trump Exchange at each Trump Resort, redeem their Comp Dollars, and immediately take their catalog merchandise home.

• Giving is great, but so is receiving. When you purchase a gift certificate from the Palm Restaurant at the Quarter in the Tropicana, you will receive your own Personal Complimentary Palm Certificate valued at 10 percent of the total for the purchased certificates. The reward certificates are valid for both food and beverages at any Palm from January 1st, 2008 through December 31st, 2008.

If cooking is your thing, you may want to buy a Palm Restaurant Cookbook for $29.95. The 208-page hardcover book includes both stories and recipes from the renowned American steakhouse.

• Even if you cook, you don’t need to bake. If baking isn’t your thing, you can fool your guests with a variety of beautiful cakes and pastries from the Entenmann’s outlet in Northfield. Just open the box, place one of dozens of varieties of sweet treats on a decorative dish, and voila… you can pass the dessert off as your own.

I visited the shop and found numerous goodies.

Whether your pleasure is cookies, cakes, pastries, or cupcakes, the price is right and they are fresh. There are also some sugar-free selections.

Following the holidays, when you may want to control your sweet tooth, the Entenmann’s store also sells a large variety of both Thomas’s and Arnold’s breads and rolls at half price. The shelf life is shorter, but buying in bulk and freezing will ensure their freshness for months.

GOING BACK TO CAMPUS

Speaking of shows, I recently attended my first event at the Stockton College Performing Arts Center (PAC). What a great venue. It is not that big, and the seating is mostly above the stage. However, everything is close enough for great views, and the seats are extremely comfortable.

Stockton’s PAC has a full schedule of interesting concerts, lectures and theatrical performances over the next several months. Check out the college’s website at www. stockton. edu/ pac, or call the school at 609-652-9000 for details. Parking is free, and the lot is a short walk from the facility.

Happy holidays. Have a great new year.