GRAY MATTERS

A New York lawyer has filed a lawsuit in protest of the state's restrictions on gambling. In New York, gambling is illegal except if run by the state or Native Americans, something that attorney Carl Person finds unfair and an impediment to his dream of establishing "hundreds" of gambling dens offering poker, bingo, slots and other games. To offer further incentive to the New York Supreme Court to agree with his position, Person posits that the price of gas would fall by as much as $1 per gallon if folks on the East Coast stopped driving hundreds of miles to Atlantic City and instead were able to pop down to the corner to one of his bingo halls. Person also believes, according to his suit, that his parlors will be hubs of neighborly social interaction (perhaps Person has witnessed how talkative folks at slot and video-poker machines are), using "low-cost gambling as the draw instead of alcohol, Wi-Fi, coffee or drugs."

Here at the Weekly, we didn't realize drugs were such a strong draw for folks to get together to "socialize with neighbors" in the Empire State that they could be lumped in with other evils such as espresso and wireless Internet connections.

As Hurricane Rita bears down on the Florida Keys and eyes parts of already ravaged Louisiana, the local theater community is showing more shared cooperation than ever, coming together for What a Relief, a one-night benefit on Saturday at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. Promising performers, singers, dancers, comedians, raffles and refreshments, the event requires a minimum $10 cash donation—which can be made at the gate that night, as well as at donation booths—with proceeds benefitting the Red Cross to aid Hurricane Katrina victims. The gates open at 5:30 p.m., with a Green Show (roaming performers and activities) at 6 and the main show at 7. Call 403-7294 for information.

Local resident and global star Phyllis McGuire, of the famed McGuire Sisters, gets her due September 29 when she becomes the third honoree inducted into UNLV's Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame. (Director George Sidney was posthumously honored as the inaugural inductee, followed by the very-much-alive-and-kickin' Tony Curtis last year.)

McGuire professionally teamed with sisters Christine and Dorothy in 1952 for a career that produced numerous hits, including "Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight," "Sincerely," "Picnic," "Something's Gotta Give," "He," "May You Always," "Just for Old Times Sake" and the mega-popular "Sugartime." She later branched out into a solo career and helped launch UNLV's Celebrity Speaker Series.

Tickets to the 6:30 p.m. ceremony at the Artemus Ham Concert Hall are $25 for general admission, $10 for seniors and free to UNLV students with ID. Call 895-2787 for more information.

Vegas is about to become the romance products capital of the world, as Passion Products— "North America's largest sensual products direct seller"—announced it will open its international headquarters here in October. Yay! You know the concept: Tupperware parties with less Tupperware and more sex toys.

In the news release, however, this phrasing gave us an unpleasant pause: Consultants (local women) purchase romance products from Passion Parties ... Later, they resell the items to women at the entertaining in-home parties ..."

From Reno's Channel 4, NBC:

"If you run into a woman in a Las Vegas supermarket who has a real nice smile, it might make you want to smile back. Could be she's one of this year's finalists in this, the Mrs. America contest. Twenty-three-year-old Mrs. Nevada Ann Truman-Hall of Las Vegas was fourth runner-up."

"A plan to count the number of homeless youth in the Las Vegas area on October 5th is being postponed.

"No new date has been set by the groups organizing the effort ...

"The project is a cooperative effort by the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Saint Jude's Ranch for Children, Girls and Boys Town, West-Care Incorporated and the research firm Strategic Solutions.

"Organizers are promising new survey and training dates soon.

"Volunteers can still register by calling 835- 1279."—Associated Press

"Not sure who does the Gray Matters section, but it sounded like they were seriously printing that Pat Robertson/Ellen thing as if it really happened (Sept. 15 edition]. This was an online joke parading as news ..."

We're not sure who does Gray Matters either, but this is indeed what we ran, and deep in our hearts, we still don't believe it's entirely UNtrue, because we are incapable of imagining anything being too far outside the realm of reason for Pat to say:

"By choosing an avowed lesbian for this national event [the Emmys], these Hollywood elites have clearly invited God's wrath ... Is it any surprise that the Almighty chose to strike at Miss Degeneres' hometown (New Orleans)?"

However, we didn't mean to upset our other sharpest reader, who righteously writes, "I Love Weekly magazine ... but I found that remark extremely offensive, not only for Ellen, but for all the people who died and their families in this tragedy.I was so disappointed when I saw that letter published. Even when I praise our freedom of speech; I also believe in RESPECT."

And so, when we figure out who does Gray Matters, they're fired.