As expected, Garth Brooks is about to become the newest resident performer at the Encore Room at The Wynn Hotel/Las Vegas. The first show will be December 11th, the second weekend of the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). He’ll then perform January 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Here are some bullet-points from Tuesday’s News Conference:
Garth will perform solo with only his guitar

He’ll perform 1-show Friday, 2-shows Saturday and 1-show Sunday
He’ll play 15-weeks per year for the next 5-years
One-price tickets: $125
Tickets go on sale quarterly as Garth’s schedule for that quarter is known. First Ticket Sale Date: October 24th.

Becca from the Country Mecca was there! Whisked from Nashville to Vegas by private Garth jet! Here’s some of her pictures!

Becca says the place where they were served dinner was incredible. At one point, a giant frog appeared and sang “I’ve Got Friends in Low Places!”

Becca was MOST PROUD of crab legs fed to them at the Garth dinner!

Here is Garth on stage with Steve Wynn, owner of the hotel and casino where Garth will perform.

This is Garth sitting at the table RIGHT NEXT TO BECCA in Vegas.

Garth’s wife, Trisha Yearwood, was on hand to support her hubby!

And, here it is. The “Garth Jet” that Steve Wynn gave to Garth to use during the five year contract. After the deal is over, the jet belongs to Garth.

Here is information from this morning’s Community Breakfast at the Cracker Barrel.

- Crowley’s Ridge Cruisers Car Show and Swap Meet includes a Poker Run on Friday night October 16. The show is on Saturday, October 17 at the Northeast Arkansas District Fairgrounds. It’s a FREE car show. Cars coming from all over the Mid-South.

- Ridgefield Christian School Fall Festival. Silent Auction. Booths, Inflatables, Games, Food, Bake Sale, Basketball Jamboree, Saturday Oct. 17 9am-2pm. (Friday, Oct 16 Concert featuring Nolan Gilmore) 3824 Casey Springs Road (off Wood Springs).

- Jonesboro Jaycees Haunted House opening this weekend at the fairgrounds. “Speed Pass” available ($20) jump ahead of everyone and go to the front of the line. Pumpkin Patch available for those “too scared” to go through the haunted house. Oct. 16-17, 21-24, 28-31. 7PM Nightly. $10 Adults, $5 Kids.

- HMG is participating in Passionately Pink for the Cure with a “Wear Pink” day at all of the clinics on Thursday, October 29. The effort is to call attention to breast cancer prevention and education. 931-3627 call Deaundra Waddell to find out more. www.hmg.md

- Delta Symphony Orchestra Gala this Saturday night, October 17 at the Atikins Celebration Hall in Paragould. Dinner and Dancing. Call 761-2747 or Liberty Bank Linwood Drive in Paragould. Tickets are $50.

- Foundation of Arts presents “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” October 17, 18 and 19 at The Forum Downtown Jonesboro. 7PM Saturday and Monday, 2PM on Sunday.  www.jonesborofoa.com 935-2726

- Cornerstone Methodist Church Annual Country Fair and Auction $7 BBQ Dinner. Butts also available. This Saturday, October 17. Call 761-4243 for information.

Our “almost impossible trivia question” this morning was: What is the largest mammal in Arkansas? The answer was the elk living in Northwest Arkansas along the Buffalo River.

My friend Tim Rand, of Tim Rand Photography, was there recently, and had a chance to photograph the elk from right along the road. He shared some of this photos with us today.

Special thanks to Tim Rand.  www.trand.com