Okay, so it's a little out of the ordinary, to hold a pajama party for adults, but considering the party is the creation of the Short Branch owner, Kathy Bragg, it doesn't seem odd at all.

Bragg purchased the Short Branch Saloon in Crystal in 2000, and as one of her "events" to bring in business, she decided to hold a pajama party in celebration of her own birthday. It was a success and is a yearly event. This year she turns 60.

"I'm out here in the middle of nowhere," Bragg said. "If I didn't come up with promotions for my place, my business would never have been as successful as it is." The Short Branch is off the beaten path of North Highway 160, and the only other business in the tiny community is a brothel owned by Joe Richards.

When asked why she chose a pajama party Bragg said. "I was raised in a family of four girls and my parents were very protective of us. We weren't allowed to have sleepovers and we weren't allowed to go to them either. I always wanted to have a pajama party and now I can."

It is not a rowdy event, just a group of folks getting together for Bragg's free food, which consists of whatever she feels like cooking, good company and a few drinks. This time of year, Bragg always has a huge beverage warmer full of her Scandinavian style "Grog" for her guests. Hers, she said, is different than the European drink, but potent nonetheless. It is a combination of red wine, Grand Mariner, brandy, spiced rum, orange vodka and who knows what else. "It'll certainly warm you up," Bragg said with a smile.

The party is a daytime event but lasts until whenever. The Bloody Mary kickoff starts at 10 a.m., and if guests want to bring self-contained RVs and spend the night, Bragg has a few spots open. Her six rooms have already been reserved.

Bragg needs to ask for reservations so she'll know how much food to prepare. She said, "People from Pahrump are the world's worst about not making reservations. I need to know how much food to prepare."

The same holds true for her New Year's Eve prime rib dinner. Bragg offers the best deal anywhere on a place to celebrate New Year's. The prime rib with her secret recipe camp beans, salad and toasted garlic bread is only $10 per person. The New Year's dinner starts at 5 p.m. and she's serious about reservations. Bragg has enough of everything to feed 60 people, but is not planning on cooking what she doesn't need.

Plans for either event may be made by calling 775-372-1717 Thursday through Tuesday. The Short Branch is closed Wednesday and Thursday.

The birthday party starts at 10 a.m., Jan. 5. Don't forget the "jammies".