September '08 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 9-06-08

	Gulbis to swing into 'Apprentice' Donald Trump let the cat out of the bag this week: golfer Natalie Gulbis of Lake Las Vegas is heading for his NBC show "The Apprentice." Trump made the comment at the U.S. Open recently. Gulbis, who had her best season in 2007 with five Top 10 finishes, said in an e-mail Friday that all questions on the subject have to go through NBC. She is currently ranked 53rd with $266,237 in winnings. The Scene And Heard After a nine-month medical leave of absence, Don Brewer returned to the cast of "Mamma Mia!" at Mandalay Bay this week. Originally cast in January 2008 as Harry Bright, one of the three ex-boyfriends summoned to a Greek isle for a wedding with a twist, Brewer moved to Las Vegas from New York with his family for the role. After a month of performances an unexpected illness forced him to take leave. His return was celebrated this week as fellow cast members welcomed him back. ... The first sentence was somehow dropped in today's item about The Mirage's upcoming announcement of the revamped volcano. The invite-only press conference will be Wednesday at the "Love" theater. ... More on the New York City Friars Club testimonial dinner (not roast, which was misstated here) Tuesday for longtime Las Vegas entertainer Tony Orlando: Music greats Ben E. King sang "Stand By Me," Neil Sedaka performed "Laughter in the Rain" and the "Hungry Years," Jay Black sang his classic "Cara Mia Mine" and Jay Siegel of the Tokens performed "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Music mogul Don Kirshner, who signed Orlando at age 16, read a letter from Jerry Lewis. Lucie Arnaz sang a medley of her father's Latin hits while Toni Wine, who wrote hits such as "Candida" and "Groovy Kind of Love," played keyboards, with Tony's band, the Lefty Brothers. Attendees included Frankie Valli, wife Frannie and his mother Ruth Schroeder of Las Vegas, whose last name was misspelled here. Larry Brown, the songwriter who co-wrote "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" and "Knock Three Times," sang "Yellow Ribbon" with Orlando, who took it to No. 1 in 1973 with his group Dawn. Sightings Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps, getting an ovation when the pool crowd at the Palms' Ditch Friday recognized him. He was presented a key to the Playboy Club, where he posed with Bunnies at the Playboy Club in the Palms' Fantasy Tower late Thursday. Phelps and his friends have been playing hoops in the Palms' Hardwood Suite and staying in one of the two-story sky villas, which feature an outdoor terrace with a cantilevered hot tub with a glass end wall. ... Billy Bob Thornton with longtime girlfriend, Connie Angland, son, Willie, and their daughter, Bella, meeting cast and crew backstage after attending "Love" (Mirage) Thursday. ... At Rao's (Caesars Palace) on Thursday: Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond and Flamingo President Don Marrandino, playing bocce to determine who picked up the check. Marrandino lost and paid the bill.

Sunday 9-07-08

Lawsuits spring up in local club scene

Lawsuits are flying in the superheated local nightclub industry.

Poetry nightclub at the Forum Shops at Caesars has been joined by Wolfgang Puck's Chinois restaurant in alleging racial profiling by Caesars Palace and the owners of the Forum shops.

Privé Vegas nightclub at Planet Hollywood Resort has filed a complaint in U.S. District Court accusing Michael Politz, who operates a food and beverage Web site called TheVegasEye.com, of libel.

According to the complaint on Poetry's behalf, Caesars Palace and the Simon Property Group, the Forum Shops owners, "engaged in an ongoing and concerted campaign of harassment and misconduct against plaintiffs."

The lawsuit alleges that one of the alleged motives was to break the lease with Chinois so Poetry would have to vacate. Michael Goodwin's Albuquerque-based company subleased the 10,000-square-foot space on Chinois' second floor and opened it in 2004 as OPM, a club that catered predominantly to African-American clientele.

OPM's customers were forced to use "a back service hallway (and one point, an outside back alley) for entrance," the suit said, which is "inconsistent with, and damaging to, OPM's image and insulting to OPM's customers."

Chinois received a number of letters contending that Chinois was in breach of lease on several grounds, the lawsuit said.

An e-mail seeking comment was sent to Caesars Palace. No response was received by deadline.

The Poetry lawsuit is pending in United States District Court.

The Privé lawsuit contends Politz has "originated, written, and/posted false and damaging content on (his Web site) regarding individuals and/or entities doing business in the local entertainment industry who refused to give cash amounts or grant favors to (him)."

According to the lawsuit, Politz contacted Justin Levine, a Privé managing partner, earlier this year and "requested cash to be on his 'good side.'"

Politz, reached by e-mail late last week, said he has not been served with papers as yet and he is "not sure" what is behind the charges.

"It appears that it upsets them that I show positive support regarding my advertisers," he wrote.

In July he posted "factually false and damaging content titled: 'Prive ship is sinking,' adorned with the Prive trademark," the lawsuit said.

Last month Politz posted an anonymous letter allegedly written by former Privé employees who claimed Privé was involved in racial profiling. He agreed to remove the letter after Privé's attorneys contacted him but declined, he said, to include a retraction and an apology.

The Scene And Heard

The Court House Bar & Grill, located across from the Regional Justice Center, is featuring an O.J. special: Orange chicken, white rice, two onion rings and a shot of orange juice for $8. "The onion rings look like handcuffs," said restaurant owner Chip Lightman, longtime manager of Mirage headliner Danny Gans. O.J. Simpson's trial on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping starts Monday at the Regional Justice Center. ...

Some news came out of the roast of Mayor Oscar Goodman on Saturday at the Plaza: Frank Sinatra's celebrity star will go on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars late this year or early in January, according to Ed Swindle, director of the Walk of Stars. Others will include: show producer Dick Feeney, entertainer Jose Jose, singing legend Engelbert Humperdinck and longtime choreographer and dancer Vassili Sulich. One of the biggest laughs came after U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., read a proclamation to Goodman. He looked it over, called it "a coveted piece of crap" and tore it in half.

Sightings

Olympic swimming icon Michael Phelps, taking poker lessons from Todd Brunson during his weekend visit to Las Vegas. ... Actress Rachel Bilson, celebrating at the bachelorette party of her best friend Jill Stonerock on Friday at The Bank (Bellagio). ... Drew Carey and Bobby Slayton, hanging with Billy Bob Thornton on Friday at Wasted Space lounge (Hard Rock Hotel), where Thornton hosted an after-party following his show at The Joint with his band, The Boxmasters,


Monday 9-08-08

Michelin to debut '09 guide at Wynn The Michelin Guide has chosen Las Vegas for the Oct. 22 debut of its 2009 U.S. edition, with Wynn Las Vegas hosting the star-studded gathering. A number of top honorees in the guide and culinary personalities will be present for the invitation only red-carpet cocktail reception at the Wynn. Jean-Luc Naret, worldwide director of the guides, will host the event, which will include star presentations to the top restaurants in the United States in such cities as New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Last November, Michelin selected the Wynn as the site to announce the star winners for Las Vegas and Los Angeles, first-time additions to the prominent guide. However, the accidental posting of the ratings on Michelin's Web site took some luster off the event, which may have influenced Michelin's decision to return to Las Vegas with an even more prestigious event. Three Wynn restaurants scored Michelin stars in the 2008 guide: Alex Stratta's Alex was one of three Las Vegas eateries with two stars, along with Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace and Julian Serrano's Picasso at Bellagio. Joel Robuchon at the MGM Grand was the only three-star recipient in Las Vegas or Los Angeles. Wynn's Daniel Boulud Brasserie and Richard Chen's Wing Lei were one-star winners. Wynn Las Vegas also was awarded Five Red Pavilions, Michelin's highest rating for resorts "The fact that Michelin decided to have the awards ceremony here is particularly delicious," said Steve Wynn, who developed Wynn Las Vegas. Naret said Wynn Las Vegas was selected because it "offers a variety of spectacular event spaces" and Las Vegas "continues to attract top international culinary talent, and even more exciting than those already established are the new, young chefs these big names bring in." CIRQUE DU O.J. Two of the most famous courtroom reporters of their time are covering what might rank as the biggest trial in Las Vegas history. Vanity Fair's Dominick Dunne is in failing health but plans to be on hand to chronicle O.J. Simpson's most serious brush with the law since his 1995 trial, when he was accused of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. Simpson's trial on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping begins today at the Regional Justice Center. Joining Dunne, who turns 83 next month, will be Linda Deutsch, special correspondent for The Associated Press and the news agency's lead courtroom reporter since she covered Charles Manson's trial in 1970 in Los Angeles. Deutsch, who covered Simpson's eight-month trial in 1995, has booked a suite on the Strip for six weeks. Dunne was famously on the receiving end of a Frank Sinatra "hit" in the mid-1960s. While dining at The Daisy, an upscale Los Angeles restaurant favored by celebrities, Dunne was tapped on the shoulder by the restaurant's captain. "I'm sorry, Mr. Dunne," apologized the man, "but Mr. Sinatra made me do this." With that, Dunne was punched in the face. Sinatra, who was seated nearby with his daughters Tina and Nancy and fiancée Mia Farrow, had paid the captain $50 to send Dunne a message. Sightings Simpson, watching the San Diego Chargers-Carolina Panthers game Sunday with a group of friends including former Buffalo Bills teammate Sherman White at John Cutter, the newly opened bar and grill in Summerlin at the Las Vegas Beltway and Charleston Boulevard. ... Backstage chatting with Cher after Saturday's show: country star Tanya Tucker and Diane Warren, who wrote Cher's classic "If I Could Turn Back Time." ... Former NBA standout Steve Kerr, teaching Olympic swim star Michael Phelps how to shoot in the Hardwood Suite at the Palms' Fantasy Tower. His weekend at the Palms included a spray tan at Sunset Tan at Palms Place and dinner with a party of 44 at Nove Italiano in the Fantasy Tower. ... Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., singing Motown hits and dancing to disco at Cafe Martorano (Rio) on Saturday night with a party of 25 people celebrating a friend's birthday. ... Billy Morrison, former bass player for The Cult and current band member of Camp Freddy, performed a DJ set at Wasted Space inside the Hard Rock Hotel on Saturday.

Tuesday 9-09-08

Norm took the day off

Wednesday 9-10-08

Celebrity trials her speciality

A voice from the past was on the telephone, offering a hot entertainment tip.

It was two years ago this week and a former colleague I hadn't had contact with in 20-some years was raving about a talented teenage girl who had just stunned the crowd at the Bootlegger Bistro's karaoke night.

"She was so good I had goose bumps."

On the telephone was Linda Deutsch, the Associated Press' premier court reporter.

Over dinner at Lotus of Siam the other night, we reminisced about her Bootlegger discovery, when Deutsch put me on the trail of young Sarah Todora, the Louisiana transplant. Within months Todora wound up as a headliner in the Sahara's legendary Casbah Lounge and living rent-free in a $1 million luxury condo, thanks to the generosity of a retired businessman.

Deutsch wanted an update on "the girl" and was saddened to hear about the teen sensation's struggles, which included a meth addiction a year ago that at least temporarily derailed a promising career.

Deutsch is in Las Vegas to cover O.J. Simpson's trial on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping.

Simpson has kept in touch with her in the past. Not this time. There have been no calls.

"I think he's scared," she said, referring to the possibility that a conviction could put Simpson behind bars for many years.

Her career as a high-profile court reporter was something of an accident.

She was working in the Los Angeles AP bureau in 1967 in hopes of becoming an entertainment reporter. It was in her blood. At age 12 she was the president of one of the first Elvis Presley fan clubs.

"I was the backup reporter on the Sirhan Sirhan trial," she said. By the time the Charles Manson trial started a couple years later, she was the lead reporter.

Name a major celebrity trial and Deutsch has covered it.

Her reputation was built on fairness. Michael Jackson called her after he was exonerated in 2005 on all charges in the sexual molestation trial in Santa Maria, Calif., near his Neverland Ranch.

Occasionally, there's lighter moments. One of them came during Jackson's 2005 sex abuse trial in Santa Maria, Calif., after some loopy testimony by the accuser's mother, Janet Arvizo.

During a break, Deutsch was approached by Fox News entertainment columnist Roger Friedman, who offered, "I'll bet you didn't think you'd be covering extraterrestials."

The Scene And Heard

Dominick Dunne update: I hear the best-selling novelist and Vanity Fair celebrity columnist is planning to arrive for opening statements in Simpson's trial. ...

Actress Fran Drescher is doing a reading from her book, "Cancer Schmancer" today at the Nevada Cancer Institute, revisiting her struggles with uterine cancer. Information: (702) 822-5217....

Spirited bidding broke out Monday over spirits during a live auction at the Associated Press Managing Editors annual conference. Up for bid was a bottle of appropriately named Old Editor's Reserve bourbon. The winner, with a bid of $300, was Kathy Best, managing editor for the Seattle Times' online department. Auctioneer Christian Kolberg, former marketing director of the Review-Journal, has seen a long list of unique items up for auction. At the Super Bowl last year, Kolberg auctioned off a tour of Jay Leno's garage, which featured his classic car collection. Best said she plans to share the high-octane hooch with friends as Christmas cheer.

Sightings

Donny and Marie Osmond, putting on a show Monday in the Flamingo showroom for 750 Flamingo and Harrah's employees. At one point, Donny asked whether the housekeeper who was in charge of his room was in the audience. Osmond said he wanted to apologize for the mess. The two siblings opened their six-month engagement on Tuesday. ... Beyonce's sister Solange Knowles, celebrating the release of her new album, "Sol-Angel and The Hadley Street Dreams," at Prive Las Vegas (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Monday evening. Earlier she dined at Sushi Roku with friend Lupe Fiasco. ... Las Vegas entertainment legends Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, dining Tuesday at the Coachman Restaurant at Eastern and Desert Inn. ... Steve and Elaine Wynn, ordering Monday while checking out LAVO, the Tao Group's new restaurant at The Palazzo.

Thursday 9-11-08

Strip club deal was oh so close

The question has been heating up for more than a decade: Will strip clubs eventually end up inside Las Vegas gaming palaces?

Executives for the Houston-based adult entertainment giant Rick's Cabaret, the new owners of Scores, swear they had a deal in 2000, with a 2001 opening at Caesars Palace.

Arthur M. Goldberg, who turned Park Place Entertainment into a casino empire, was the force behind making it happen, said Eric Langan, president and chief executive officer of Rick's Cabaret International, Inc., the largest publicly traded gentlemen's club operator in the world.

"It was going to be a joint venture on the 19th floor in the old health club and spa," said Langan during an interview Wednesday. "We even had a private entrance."

As we spoke, Langan's longtime marketing executive, John Gray, made a call to headquarters in Houston to get the date on the letter of approval from Caesars Palace's front office.

"It was dated Aug. 31, 2000," said Gray, who was involved in the negotiations.

Goldberg died Oct. 19, 2000, at age 58 from complications from bone marrow failure.

At that time, Goldberg headed Park Place, which operated more than two dozen casinos, including Caesars Palace, Bally's, Paris Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Hilton.

"After Arthur's death, Park Place nixed it," Langan said.

"We estimated we would have generated $36 million in sales the first year just from Park Place-referred customers," Langan added.

Eight years after the near-miss, Scores is the first foray into the Las Vegas market for Rick's Cabaret, which closed its deal with DI Food & Beverage last week. Rick's took over Scores on Friday.

Under terms of the agreement, Scores managing partner Dennis DeGori, who ran Club Paradise for years, cannot be part of a strip club within a 25-mile radius of Las Vegas for two years.

The biggest issue that's keeping strip clubs out of local casinos, Langan said, is the lap dance. "They don't mind topless," he said. The concern is having resorts associated with the "perception of prostitution," he said.

The Scene And Heard

Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn have keg-tapping honors Saturday for the opening of Oktoberfest at the Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas. They'll take the stage at 7 p.m. ...

Correction: Fran Drescher's book-reading appearance at the Nevada Cancer Institute is 11 a.m. Friday. She will be doing a reading of her book "Cancer Schmancer." Information: 822-5217

Sightings

During Nathan Burton's show Wednesday at the Flamingo, he asked an audience member to choose a box of cereal. The lady picked Rice Krispies. Burton then produced a box of Rice Krispies from a locked box hanging from the ceiling. "You do not get Rice Krispies at Donny & Marie," Burton told the crowd. With that, a voice yelled out from the balcony, "Yes you do!" It was Donny Osmond. ... Food and beverage blogger Michael Politz, being served by a process server Tuesday at the Palazzo on his way to his event at LAVO, the new nightclub. Politz said he agreed to meet the process server after the latter had left a card at Politz's office the day before. Politz is being sued and accused of libel by Prive nightclub at Planet Hollywood Resort for a series of postings on his Web site, TheVegasEye.com. ... Illusionist David Copperfield, dining Tuesday at Social House lounge in Treasure Island. ... Jeff Beacher, producer of "Beacher's Madhouse," spotted in a promo commercial that aired during MTV's Video Music Awards on Sunday. Beacher was shown grilling some candidates for the reality show "Paris Hilton's My New BFF" The scenes were shot at Tao and The Mirage.

Friday 9-12-08

Area eateries are juiced about O.J.

O.J. Simpson's notoriety has helped juice the bottom line of several local restaurants.

A surprise appearance by the former NFL star has been good for business and has patrons buzzing, according to Tony Ramieh, director of operations at the Summerlin bar and grill John Cutter, 11770 W. Charleston, west of the 215.

The eatery was only eight days old when Simpson showed up last Sunday to watch football with five friends on the eve of his trial.

The next day, the first two customers through the door showed up, said Ramieh, "because they read it in the paper."

The restaurant is the latest addition to Adam Corrigan's Suburban Restaurant and Gaming Group, which includes Sedona, Kennedy and Al's Garage. He named it after his youngest son, said Ramieh.

Meanwhile, business is booming at the Courthouse Bar & Grill, which has been serving a different O.J. Special all week, and plans to continue the orange-themed entrees through the end of the trial.

"We did it for fun and it's just exploded," said owner Chip Lightman. His restaurant is across from the Regional Justice Center, site of Simpson's trial on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping.

"It's been picked up everywhere," said Lightman. After first appearing in this column, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper mentioned the special during a broadcast and TV camera crews have been swarming the downtown dining spot.

"Our business has been huge. We've been at full capacity at lunch," said Lightman.

Among Thursday's patrons was a man who identified himself as O.J.'s driver. "He said O.J. may come in Friday to have lunch with a party of 15," said Lightman, longtime manager of Strip headliner Danny Gans.

Today's orange-themed special?

Skewers of grilled shrimp and pineapple on wild rice with a blood orange sauce -- an orange sauce on the side -- and orange sherbet for dessert.

"So many people are calling suggested specials that it's hysterical," he said. Chef Justin Mata "is cracking up."

When the opening statements begin next week, the restaurant staff will be wearing T-shirts that say "Free O.J.," he said. "We'll give a free orange juice with every lunch."

BROWN BACK AT NUGGET

Impressionist Gordie Brown has signed a two-year deal that will put him in the Golden Nugget's new 680-seat showroom.

It's a return to the Nugget for Brown, who was billed as "Downtown" Gordie Brown when he headlined there in 2004 and 2005.

Brown is currently opening for Celine Dion on her North American tour.

Brown will open at the Nugget on Feb. 3, just days after Dion's tour ends Jan. 30.

The Nugget opted not to renew its contract for the one-man comic play "Defending the Caveman."

Sightings

Holly Madison, rumored to be splitting from Hugh Hefner, joined Sara Underwood, Playboy Playmate of the Year 2008, at CatHouse (Luxor) and LAX on Wednesday. Also there was former UFC champ Chuck Liddell and his fiance. ... Michael Jackson and his three children, dining at Benihana at the Las Vegas Hilton on Wednesday. Hilton executive chef Toy Tomme personally cooked for Jackson and his children. ... Former Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson, whose effort to help the Afghan Mujahedeen defeat the Soviet Union was portrayed in the film "Charlie Wilson's War," spotted on his way into Bellagio on Wednesday. ... Former Backstreet Boys member A.J. Mclean, hanging out at Wasted Space inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. ... Former *NSYNC member Lance Bass, currently a member of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars," dining with friends at LAVO (Palazzo) on Wednesday. ... Headliner Amazing Johnathan, being serenaded on his 50th birthday by the drag queens from Lucky Cheng's on Tuesday at the Harmon Theater. Confetti cannons and black roses showered down on him at the end of his show. He's celebrating a new, one-year deal with the Harmon Theater. Among the celebrants: Carrot Top and friends. Attendees left with cupcakes from the Cupcakery decorated with Johnathan's likeness.

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