Diversity, thy name is John O'Hurley. The man who would be King Arthur in the Wynn Las Vegas production of Spamalot has already achieved pop culture immortality more than once, after almost winning the first Dancing With the Stars competition, and for his classic portrayal of J. Peterman on Seinfeld.

On Thur., April 19 at 7PM, O'Hurley waltzes into the Clark County Library Theater and into the hearts of dog lovers everywhere when he drops in to discuss his book, It's Okay to Miss the Bed On the First Jump. O'Hurley, an avid dog lover since childhood, shares lessons learned from his life with canine companions such as "Never Miss a Nap;" "When One Person Stops Petting You, Move On;" and "You're Only as Big as You Think You Are."

A book signing and reception will follow the talk. Books will be available for purchase at the door.

Urban sombrero dress is optional.

What happens when the Berenstain Bears play Las Vegas? Two things: the sports books put them up as a seven point favorite against the Detroit Lions, and I have the assignment to write about it. Robin Leach gets the Pussycat Dolls and I get the Berenstain Bears. Somebody call my agent.

Acutally, as someone who proudly still watches Scooby-Doo and Underdog cartoons, I guess I'm the right person after all to cover this adaptation of a popular series of children's books that debuted back in 1962. "Berenstain Bears On Stage!" combines five of the most popular stories (The Messy Room, The Double Dare, New Baby, Get Stage Fright and The Truth) into a new stage musical.

For 'Star Trek' fans, one of the best things about living in or visiting Las Vegas is the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. Every couple of months I spend part of an afternoon there, looking over the memorabilia in the shops, playing with the food replicators, having a Class M Pizza at Quark's, and hanging out with fellow Trekkers, and the occasional Klingon, Borg and Ferengi who are there to pose for photos and plot the Federation's demise.

And for guys, no visit is complete without setting off the talking urinals in the men's room.

Many years ago, Desi Arnaz, Jr. escaped from Hollywood's fast lane to the quiet, Mayberry-esque community of Boulder City. With his wife, Amy, he operates the Boulder City Ballet Company and the Historic Boulder Theatre.

On March 3 at 7PM, Desi will be joined by sister Lucie for Legacy of Laughter, a celebration of comedy and fond remembrance of its most famous woman, Lucille Ball. The guest roster also includes actor Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings, The Goonies), and Christina Carroll, the daughter of I Love Lucy writer Bob Carroll, Jr.

Legacy of Laughter begins at 7PM at the Boulder Theater. Tickets are $20. For more information, call 702-293-1161.

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Visitors can get up close and personal with movie stars, singers and athletes at Madame Tussauds, and now the famed wax museum has unveiled its first wax figure inspired by a demon spawned in Hades. Nope- not Kevin Federline. It's Johnny Blaze, as played by Nicolas Cage in the new film adaptation of 'Ghost Rider.'

Cage's wax figure is outfitted in the black leather riding suit that appears in the film, and stands next to the original Hell Cycle custom chopper. As with all Madame Tussauds interactive attractions, visitors can be photographed with the Cage figure and the Hell Cycle.

Cage has been chasing a comic book movie for years now. He auditioned for Superman and was linked to John Constantine before Keanu Reeves, and would probably have worn fishnets if a good Black Canary script surfaced. Finally, the Oscar-winner and comic collector achieved his fantasy, and one can only hope Ghost Rider will prove a better adaptation of a Marvel hero than Elektra and The Incredible Hulk. The movie opens on Friday, Feb. 16.

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It will be an all-star super turnout of movie, TV, music and sports stars when they hoop it up on the court and in the stands for McDonald's All-Star NBA Celebrity game on Friday night as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities in Vegas. The matchup between teams representing the East and the West have just been announced:

EAST TEAM
David Arquette ("In Case of Emergency")
Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile)
Nelly (Grammy Award-winning hip hop artist)
Kevin Frazier (host of "Entertainment Tonight")
Donald Faison ("Scrubs")
Taye Diggs (Rent, Chicago)
Bobby Flay ("Throwdown with Bobby Flay")
Carrot Top (comedian)
Katie Smith (WNBA's Detroit Shock)
Coach: Tim Legler, ESPN analyst
Asst. Coach – James Pickens Jr. ("Grey's Anatomy")

WEST TEAM
Jamie Foxx (Ray, Dreamgirls)
James Denton ("Desperate Housewives")
Reggie Bush (NFL's New Orleans Saints)
Bow Wow (Roll Bounce)
Jamie Kennedy ("Jamie Kennedy Experiment")
Tony Potts (co-anchor of "Access Hollywood")
Nick Cannon (Bobby)
Jonathan Silverman ("In Case of Emergency")
Tamika Catchings (WNBA's Indiana Fever)
Coach: Greg Anthony, ESPN
Asst. Coach – Wayne Newton ("Grey's Anatomy")

The game will be broadcast live on ESPN on Friday, Feb. 16 at 4PM PT from the All-Star Jam Session Center Court at Mandaslay Bay resort convention center.

Timing is everything. Just ask Women Standing Tall, the organization sponsoring the 1st Annual Celebrity Family Bowl-a-thon, taking place February 15 at 6PM, at Jillian's on Fremont Street

There's always a few stars in Vegas, so they were bound to draw a respectable turnout, but by scheduling the event close to the NBA All-Star Game, the celebrity roster also includes such hoops stars as Gary Payton, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Alonzo Mourning. Other participating celebrities include E-40, Bow Wow and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.. By participating you can not only show of your bowling skills, but you'll help benefit the Lifelong AIDS Alliance and the Justin Timberlake Foundation.

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Nothing says family fun like forensic science, at least according to the one Las Vegas library.

If Vegas hasn't fully explored the marketing opportunities of its connection to CSI, it's probably because there's no easy way to link tourism to dismembered corpses, at least not since the old-school Vegas days when guys named Lefty ran the town.

But the West Las Vegas Library has invited kids ages 5-11 to join their Forensic Science Club. On February 5 at 4PM, pint-sized Grissoms and Willowses will learn how to use science to extract evidence, interpret clues and solve mysteries. Registration is suggested, the event is free, and participants need not bring their own cadavers.

Always wanted to audition for Simon Cowell of 'American Idol' but afraid of what he might say about your singing?

Now in Vegas, you can get about as close to the experience as you're ever going to be save waiting in line for days to actually audition, strapping on a contestant number and risking face-to-face humiliation.

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas at The Venetian launched the new 'American Idol' Interactive Wax Attraction featuring Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest to coincide with the premiere of the sixth season of 'American Idol' on FOX.

Using karaoke technology, guests can perform for the paraffin twins of Simon and Ryan. Humiliation can't be totally ruled out as Simon will give an "honest" critique and roll his glass eyes in his signature move.

We're dusting off 'When 2 Become 1' and practicing immediately.

Click here for more details from the press release.

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Masters of Illusion, Siegfried & Roy made real magic when they fulfilled a 1-year promise to lead the 2nd Great Santa Run challenge for the Opportunity Village fundraiser today. It'll be several days before Vegas knows if its turnout of almost 5,000 Santa's beats the current Guinness World Record held by the Beatles hometown of Liverpool, England. The temperatures nudged just over 60-degrees under clear blue sunny skies!

Not only did Roy walk the full mile course, but for the last quarter-of-a-mile he threw away his walking cane and did it all under his own power. Siegfried told me: "What I am seeing is a miracle. This is real magic." Mayor Oscar Goodman added: "This is another miracle of the Christmas season."

Click here for our previous Luxe Life story on how the doctors told Roy he might never walk or talk again after he was dragged off the stage of their theater at the Mirage 3 years ago on the eve of his birthday. Click here for our Luxe Life coverage of the recent Walk of Fame star given to the two Masters of Magic.

It all began on the main stage of Fremont Street downtown with dancers from Andre Agassi's elementary school helping warm up the Santa's as they signed up. Then they divided up into two groups, one for the 1-mile walks and the others for the 5K run.

I was honored to countdown the start of both races with sirens sounding to get the challenge underway. It's real touch-and-go between Vegas and the Merseyside city. Earlier this week the Mayor of Liverpool claimed 5000 Santa's and Guinness officials are now double-checking, qualifying and disqualifying certain entrant counts. When Vegas run officials handed out the 4,500 number there was excited cheering, with dozens of other waiting runners having to officially register after the 1-mile and 5K races. Guinness officials will then verify all and report with the verdict within the next week.

Vegas certainly now holds the record for the largest Santa gathering anywhere in America!

Said Mayor Goodman: "I think our turnout is great! It's a real challenge. The Mayor of Liverpool said they would kick our butt. I said "NO WAY" Las Vegas will have over 4,500 people here." Then he added with a joke: "I've made contingency plans anyway. If it's a hair length's difference I'll release 300 people from the jail. Seriously though, it looks like we will break the world record."

Then the Merry Mayor of Mirth added: "This 1 mile walk by Roy is one of the most awesome occasions in Vegas history. They are iconic. Nobody can ever detract from their greatness and the fact that they've come back this far when people had written poor Roy off is a miracle and this is the season of miracles isn't it."

Siegfried commented: "Roy really wanted to do this for an entire year. Last year he just couldn't attend the st one so he made a promise to do it this year for the 2nd one, and he kept the promise. I forgot all about it to be honest but a week ago he said it was time. I actually tried to discourage him because this is not an easy task. But he insisted he'd promised and it was his goal to do it -- and he did it. Now it's a real miracle for me the entire year, the three years has been a miracle. You know I am an illusionist. Magic has been my entire life -- but with this now I feel and see real magic everyday."

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Volunteers are seriously needed early Saturday morning for the Great Santa Run. Las Vegas has to beat the city of Liverpool England in order to exceed their current world record that is in the Guinness Book of Records. And as we post this on Vegas Pop, I regret to inform you we are 1,000 Santas less than Liverpool fielded 12-months ago. We cannot possibly be humiliated with a loss!! Here are the facts, and just the facts ma'am:

Opportunity Village presents THE SECOND ANNUAL LAS VEGAS GREAT SANTA RUN

WHAT: Opportunity Village attempts to break the world record for the Largest Santa Gathering with The Las Vegas Great Santa Run and Kris Kringle Jingle at 10 a.m. on Dec. 9, 2006, at the Fremont Street Experience.

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006 10 a.m.

WHO: Opportunity Village spokesperson, Linda Smith (Chief Development Officer), Head Santa and Honorary Chairman, Mayor Oscar Goodman, Honorary Celebrity Race Chairman, Robin Leach -- yes yours truly, up and at 'em early for the weekend challenge!

WHERE: Fremont Street Experience, Downtown.

DETAILS: 7:30 a.m. -- Check-in begins; 9:15 a.m. -- Announcements from Mayor Oscar Goodman and Robin Leach; 9:30 a.m. -- Morning stretch lead by Curves; 10:00 a.m. -- 5K Las Vegas Great Santa Run begins; 10:10 a.m. -- 1 mile Kris Kringle Jingle begins.

So, please turn out by the hundreds. Bring everybody on your block. Bring all your AOL buddies. Bring the family and the next-door neighbors. If you're straggling home late from the nightclubs, come wakeup with us. If you're on your way to work, get in late because you'll have the perfect excuse if you run the Santa race first. We definitely need your help so we win one for the record books!!!

The Las Vegas Great Santa Run serves as the official warm-up event for the 2nd Annual Las Vegas Marathon being held Sunday morning 6AM, ( Dec 10) with over 15,000 registered runners from around the world. The Santa Run is also a fundraising effort to benefit Opportunity Village the most beloved charity serving intellectually challenged children and adults here -- and is an official charity of the New Las Vegas Marathon.

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If you have tomorrow morning off, in town on holiday or just want to support a good cause, go to Reflection Bay Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas Resort for the The Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge.

What's the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge you ask? Stars from the PGA, Champions and LPGA tours go to the links for a $1-million purse. The challenge benefits the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Scott Verplank and Ryder Cup teammates Zach Johnson and Stewart Cink represent the PGA. The Champions Tour team consists of Jay Haas, Tom Kite and Craig Stadler and the LPGA consists of Christie Kerr, Julie Inkster and local fave Natalie Gulbis.

The groups consist of one member of each tour. Here are the tee times:
- Johnson, Haas and Gulbis tee off at 8:30AM
- Verplank, Stadler and Inkster at 8:40AM
- Cink, Kite and Kerr tee off at 8:50AM

Admission is open to the public and gates open at 7AM. The event will be taped for television broadcast around Christmas.

After proclaiming "We can do that" during a televised gingerbread house competition on the Rachel Ray Network, er, Food Network, now we can put our recipes where our mouths are. Lake Las Vegas Resort is hosting the inaugural Gingerbread House Competition.

There are categories and prizes for kids, casual cooks and professional chefs so if you you don't have a job at Jean-Philippe's, not to worry. You still have a chance. Winners in the youth and casual categories have identical cash prizes with the adult category also including hotel, dinner and spa packages. The professional chef category top prize is $7,500.

Houses must be out at the resort by Dec. 1 with judging taking place on Dec. 2. Important to note that your entry form, must be in by Nov. 27.