by JO2 Jake Joy
The Waterline

Local airlines have seen a sharp drop in their Washington, D.C.-to-Las Vegas roundtrip bookings as of late, and eerily similar reports have surfaced in which normally busy regional Keno centers have almost completely dried of business.

Is there some sinister conspiracy afoot, or have Washingtonians simply developed a distaste for gambling?

"Word on the street is, my man," said Rufus Garfield Jr., a local DoD employee and self-described poker aficionado, "that there's a real high class event going down soon where all the high-rollers are gonna be throwin' down some serious green."

Serious green, huh? After some smooth talking and a little bit of strong arming, the investigative team at "The Waterline" discovered exactly what Garfield was talking about.

According to our sources, the USO of Metropolitan Washington will stage the 2005 "Stars and Stripes, Diamonds and Clubs" USO Benefit Casino Night at the swanky Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, Va., May 12 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The event is open to all high-rolling members of the public who are ready for a night of glitz and glamour at the roulette table but can't fit a trip up to Atlantic City into their schedule. Plus, all the proceeds go toward the many services the USO provides to the men and women in uniform and their supportive families, and who doesn't want to help them out a little?

Local high-rollers will be treated to an open gourmet buffet and open bar for the entirety of the night, and can take part in raffles and silent auctions with prizes including trips to exotic getaways like Iceland, New Orleans and Las Vegas.

Players can spend the evening hitting all the tables for a little blackjack, craps and roulette action and get chummy with the celebrity participants of the Texas Hold'em tournament.

Among the celebs to grace the red carpet will be the lovely Miss America 2005 Diedre Downs; Daniel Rodriguez, America's beloved tenor, the Liberty Belles and WWE superstars Chris Nowinski and Ron Simmons (Farrooq).

To register, go online at www.usometrodc.org or sign up at the event. There is no deadline. The final auctions for items will take place at 10 p.m.

This is a black tie event, so military members should remember to wear their dress uniforms.

Costs for the event are as follows: Individual admission is $350 and includes a $50,000 starting bank. Couples admission is $600 and includes a $100,000 starting bank. The High Roller Package admits 10 people, including VIP reception and a $600,000 starting bank.

All proceeds from the event will go to support USO of Metropolitan Washington programs and services, including emergency housing and food assistance, family outreach centers and celebrity visits for wounded troops at the local Walter Reed and Bethesda military medical centers.

credit: The Waterline

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