Take it from an eyewitness, seeing an individual wandering through the AVN convention dressed and looking very much like Jesus probably is about as disturbing as it sounds, regardless of religion.

One industry operator was looking especially dapper over the busy AVN weekend. Light Nightclub’s director of operations Liam Dwyer was spotted sporting an especially sharp, silk purple tie while maintaining the ever-strict service standards at the high-rolling Bellagio nightclub. As it turns out, the gift actually was a gift from Marklen Kennedy, vice president of customer development for the Light Group.

We guess Ice Nightclub owner Greg Neely wasn’t kidding when he told us he had big plans for the NBA All-Star weekend even though the club hasn’t been open for months – although you certainly wouldn’t know that by reading the press release plugging “The Club Ice All-Star Weekend.” It appears as though the club will be the site of celebrity-related parties hosted by Allen Iverson and LeBron James, among others.

Anyone else hear the rumor that Steve Wynn already has plans for a second Macau casino resort that would be created in partnership with, and based around, the luxury sports car producer Ferrari?

Speaking of Wynn, his fairway-side eatery, the Country Club, is quickly establishing itself as a serious power lunch spot. We stopped by one day last week and saw three of Vegas’ nightlife movers and shakers all catching lunch at separate tables. In the dining room, OPM Nightclub’s owner and top dawg Mike Goodwin held court; a few tables away was PURE Management Group’s talented director of operations Greg “J”; while on the patio, Tryst Nightclub general manager Kyle Madden was spotted breaking bread with the sales team from DeLuca Liquor & Wine.

The former Miss Nevada Katie Rees, who was stripped of her title after scandalous pictures of her appeared last year, probably is receiving five times the amount of press she would have had she kept her title. On Monday, Jan. 29, Rees will be crowned Miss JET Las Vegas at JET Nightclub in a special “crowning” party entitled “Hail to the Queen.”

The most beautiful girls in the planet will be gathering at 4:30 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 19, in the Main Lobby at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino for the 2007 Miss America contestant’s arrival ceremony, where the public is invited to greet them on their first day in Las Vegas. This year, the pageant will be broadcast on Jan 29 live from the Theatre of Performing Arts. Check out www.missamerica.org for more information.

The rock ‘n’ roll chef Kerry Simon broke away from his normally reserved self to pitch kitchen wares on the Home Shopping Network while promoting both of his eateries: SIMON kitchen + bar (Hard Rock Hotel) and his L.A. eatery SIMON LA (Sofitel Hotel). We almost bought the eight-piece cutlery set and knife block, but got hungry watching the chef and hit the Hard Rock for a California Pizza instead. Check out the Iron Chef America champ’s gear by clicking here **http://www.hsn.com/cnt/sf/

A former waiter of the posh NYC eatery Jean Georges in the Trump International Hotel and Tower has filed a discrimination lawsuit stating that he was continually harassed because of his sexual orientation. The lawsuit filed Friday by Joseph Bassani names several employees of the restaurant in the lawsuit, but not namesake culinary mogul Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The lawsuit also mentions that Bassani was given a bad reference after nearly two years with the outlet, although a company spokesperson noted that Bassani left on “good terms with us.”

Although few condo projects have actually come to fruition in Las Vegas, MGM Mirage says that it already has received 1,200 offers of interest for condo units inside the up-coming CityCenter project, which are expected to sell for anywhere between $500,000 and $12 million.

We wanted to send out a special thank you to local wine guru Henry “Hank” Vasquez, who hosted his annual “Celebration of Life” party over the weekend. Vasquez, who hosts the party at his Henderson home, uses the occasion to bring together friends and family from around the country, who open phenomenal bottles of wine and enjoy life for what it is.

The legendary citizens group, the Guardian Angels, have begun regular patrols along Fremont Street. While the volunteers are not armed, they are trained in martial arts and aid police in making citizens’ arrests.

Rumors persist that MGM Mirage is in talks to build a series of non-gaming resorts throughout Abu Dhabi in a partnership with a government-owned development company.

Valentine’s Day packages for “Toni Braxton: Revealed” are now on sale for a limited time. Each extravagant package includes two premium tickets to her show on Wednesday, Feb. 14, the unique opportunity to meet Braxton following her performance, an autographed photo, chocolate and champagne, and a limited-edition watch and bracelet by Giantto. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (702) 733-3333.

Comedian George Wallace is known on the Strip as the “Best 10 p.m. Show” when he performs for a packed showroom of thousands of laughing fans every night. Wallace wants to thank locals who have supported him during his successful three-year run at the Flamingo and offer them tickets to see the show for only $10 per ticket. This special promotion will run from Jan. 15 – Feb. 14. Visit www.FlamingoLasVegas.com for more info.

This Wednesday, Jan. 17, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas is hosting a free public cooking demonstration. The event will begin at 1 p.m. inside the college and will feature Le Cordon Bleu Paris Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute Chef Ludovic Chesnay, whose 20 years of experience in the baking and pastry industry is sure to teach guests a thing or two.

Legendary rockers Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band are bringing their “Face The Promise Tour” to the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 3. Tickets to this show will go on sale Saturday, Jan. 20, at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations or online at www.mgmgrand.com.

Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza is teaming up with Children’s Miracle Network to kick off its annual Valentine’s fundraiser featuring their one-of-a-kind heart-shaped pizza. From Jan. 29 until Feb. 14, Boston’s will sell special paper hearts for a $1 donation. Then, beginning on Feb. 9, Boston’s will also sell the heart-shaped pizzas and donate $1 per pizza sold to St. Rose Dominican Hospital. To participate in this year’s fundraiser, visit 9755 W. Flamingo Rd. or call (702) 871-1099.

Las Vegas’ Christy Clayton has brought a new expression to the changing face of country music with her fresh sound that satisfies true country fans. Friday night, Miss Clayton kicked off her Breakin’ the Rules Tour in Las Vegas with a CD release party at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill inside Harrah’s. While Clayton’s debut CD, “Devil’s Paradise” hit stores last week, she is the first artist to be signed by upstart Las Vegas record label Desert Funk Records, which is led by music veteran Greg Stricklin.

TheVegasEye was invited to one of the coolest birthday parties EVER in Vegas. Celebrity impresario Tommy Lipnick celebrated his birthday bash Saturday night at Body English, with celebrities from each end of the spectrum in attendance. Lipnick's guests included Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, Nicky Hilton, David Katzenberg, Danny Masterson, Jeffrey Beacher and members of the bands Incubus, KoRn, System of a Down, Linkin Park, the Strokes, and Panic at the Disco. One guest was over heard saying, "This party is cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs!"

Finally, we want to send an Eye birthday wish to our favorite Tao cocktail waitress, Rafaella Passuello. We hope we are there for your celebration!

There’s no better way to kick-off CES than this spotting: Microsoft czar Bill Gates seen enjoying the nightlife at Light Nightclub on Sunday night. We’re somewhat conflicted, though. The computer nerd in us hopes he left with a bevy of blondes, but the Microsoft Office user in us wishes he caught a virus – and we’re not talking about the infamous Blaster worm!

The ink’s not even dry on this one, but on Saturday, Jan. 13, Moon nightclub will be hosting the birthday party for MTV star Big Black of “Rob & Big” fame. The stars just signed on for a second season of the cult-hit show.

There are LOTS of rumors coming out of the MGM Mirage offices these days, especially those involving the CityCenter project. One of the coolest has the project including a large, outdoor, farmers market-type concept.

Are you ready for the next few months, Las Vegas? CES, AVN, Super Bowl, ASD, MAGIC, All-Star Weekend, NAPTE, Nightclub & Bar, Spring Break and March Madness, just to name a few, are all within the next 70 days. Wow!

Don't forget to tell them "Eye" sent you.
Quick Bites ©The Vegas Eye and reprinted with permission.