Help dance the bills away during the Children's Museum fund-raiser Sunday

The bathrooms alone are worth seeing, says the director of the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada.

He's not talking about the bathrooms at the museum, but those at the Moonlite Grille Ultra Lounge/NV 50, where a semi-formal fund-raiser for the children's museum called "Swing Thing" is scheduled from 7-10 p.m. Sunday.

"I'm assuming the women's room looks as good as the men's room," joked Ken Beaton Thursday afternoon. "This is what you see on the home and garden channel. Whomever did the re-modeling, did a fantastic job on the design."

About 50 tickets have been sold for the event, leaving room for 150 more people to attend. The $35 ticket price includes a glass of wine, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and swing music by the Tune Toppers. The quartet plays a little bit of rock and a little bit of pop, but focuses primarily on swing music.

"The Tune Toppers are a little band with a big-band sound," Beaton said. "These are people who went through the Big Band era."

Twenty dollars of each ticket goes into the general fund of the Children's Museum, which has struggled recently with utility bills.

"Unfortunately, we're not like the gas company that can extend its rising expenses to the consumer," Beaton said. "I'm trying to hold the price of admission and the price of our memberships the same. I'm fighting tooth and nail to keep our fees the same and still be responsible and pay the bills."

While he struggles to keep things constant, the Moonlite Grille, formerly called Sugars some three years ago, has changed drastically from $1 million in renovations, Beaton said. Dennis Hof, who owns a nearby brothel, purchased Sugars from its former owner.

"It was mentioned sometime after Dennis bought (Sugars), he wanted to have a fund-raiser for the Children's Museum," Beaton said. "I've met Dennis. He's a very community-conscious person."

Beaton needs to let the Moonlite know some time Saturday the number of people attending the fund-raiser. However, tickets can still be purchased at the restaurant door by those who want to help out.

"I'm looking forward to having a fun time, dancing with my wife, and enjoying the food at NV/50," Beaton said. "I've been out there, and I saw the place and it's absolutely gorgeous."

- Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.

'Swing Thing'

What: Fund-raiser for the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada

When: 7-10 p.m. Sunday

Where: Moonlite Grille Ultra Lounge NV/50, 10051 Highway 50 E.,

Mound House

Cost: $35

Ticket information: 884-2226