September '08 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 9-13-08

	Former TV boss remembers Palin With Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in Reno today, making her first solo campaign appearance without John McCain, meet the man who helped make her a TV star. John Hernandez, a San Diego horse racing consultant with Las Vegas ties, was sports director at KTUU-TV in Anchorage, Alaska, from 1984 to 1988. In late 1987, Hernandez was summoned to the TV station's front desk to interview a job applicant. Her name was Sarah Heath and "she was fresh out of the University of Idaho. She was 24 years old, very outgoing, very eager," he said. Hernandez hired her as an unpaid sports intern and taught her how to put together a sportscast, from writing to editing video. "Typically in commercial TV, an intern is very rarely presented an opportunity to get airtime," he said in a telephone interview. But her big chance came a couple of months after being hired when Hernandez' weekend anchor asked for the day off on the day of the 1988 Super Bowl. "I didn't want to work it; I had plans," Hernandez said. "So I called her. She jumped at the opportunity. That was her debut. She was a little nervous and stiff, but it was a decent show." The Web site link is HERE A couple of weeks later, Hernandez attended the Calgary Winter Olympics and upon his return, he found himself out of a job because of "some newsroom politics." Hernandez told Deadspin.com that he was ousted by a managing editor who suspected that Hernandez was grooming Palin to become the regular sports anchor. Not true, Hernandez told Deadspin. She was only intended as a weekend fill-in. And besides, he added, the point became moot when she eloped with Todd Palin in August of '88. Palin, a former runner-up as Miss Alaska, became a small town mayor and businesswoman before being elected Alaska's governor in 2006. Hernandez had worked for Richard Eng, when the latter was PR director at Santa Anita racetrack before becoming turf editor and handicapper for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and for Ralph Siraco, then director of Hollywood Park's radio and television department. Siraco created, produced and has hosted Raceday Las Vegas for more than a decade. The Scene And Heard It's a marriage made in hard body heaven. James Wilcox, a member of the Las Vegas Chippendales troupe, is marrying Susan Wilcox, a Hell's Belle's dealer at the Hard Rock Hotel. They're getting married today at the Hard Rock pool and having their reception at Madame Tussauds. They met in Washington, D.C., about 2 ½ years ago when he was a physical trainer. When he was offered a job in Las Vegas with the Chippendales, he took her last name as his stage name. She officially becomes Susan Wusterbarth today. He is KVVU-TV, Channel 5's health and fitness director. ... Carlos Guia, former executive chef and partner at Louis's Las Vegas and Louis's Fish Camp, has joined SW Steakhouse at Wynn as chef d'cuisine. He made the move two weeks ago. "I wanted to get into a bigger organization and spread my wings a little more and change cuisines," said Guia, who was executive chef at Commander's Palace (Aladdin) for seven years. His replacement is Sean Kahlenberg, Guia's executive sous chef at Commander's Palace and at Louis's Las Vegas and Louis's Fish Camp. Sightings O.J. Simpson, having drinks Thursday with a group of friends at Rosemary's Restaurant, 8125 W Sahara Ave. A diner who was at the restaurant said the joke in his group was, "should we count the steak knives before we leave?". ... Cancer survivor Fran Drescher of "The Nanny," telling a standing-room-only crowd at the Nevada Cancer Institute: "I got famous, I got cancer, and I lived to talk about it, so I'm talking." She was promoting cancer awareness and her book "Cancer Schmancer."... At Tryst (Wynn) and Blush (Wynn) on Thursday: Actor Chris Tucker, celebrating his birthday belatedly with friends. Tucker turned 36 on Aug. 31. Also at Tryst: Jermaine O'Neal (Toronto Raptors), Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons), Al Harrington (Golden State Warriors) and Tyrron Lue (Milwaukee Bucks). ... Ashley Spencer, one of the finalists of last year's "Grease, You're the One that I Want!" reality show on NBC, visiting the cast backstage at "Jersey Boys" (Palazzo) on Thursday. ... Mayor Oscar Goodman, meeting with a film crew from the campy gay superhero film "Surge Of Power: Revenge of the Sequel." The mayor has a cameo, along with his personal Elvis, Jesse Garon, and entertainer Frank Marino. The mayor's line: "Thanks for saving Las Vegas, Surge. I'm the happiest mayor in the universe." ... Verne "Mini-Me" Troyer and a friend at "Stomp Out Loud" (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Friday.

Sunday 9-14-08

Michael Jackson living near school

Michael Jackson's decision to live near a Las Vegas elementary school has upset some parents.

The former King of Pop, who moved back to Las Vegas late last year with his three children, is living on Palomino Lane, down the street from Wasden Elementary School.

A concerned mother sent several e-mails last week, saying, "Of all the residences he could have purchased ... why one across from an elementary school? I understand he was never convicted of anything ... and can live wherever he wants. ..."

I'm told Wasden's principal has a view of Jackson's home from her office.

He may not be staying long. According to the buzz in the real estate community, he's in escrow involving another property.

Jackson moved into the neighborhood recently after staying in a Palms suite for several months.

Word got out about his Palomino Lane residence, and Jackson's fans have been gathering at the entrance. British fans serenaded him on his birthday, Aug. 29, and his security detail sent pizzas to the group.

WORKING A DEAL

Boxing rivals Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr., had the air crackling with electricity Friday while seated a table apart at N9NE Steakhouse (Palms).

Palms owner George Maloof played promoter, going back and forth between the two. "I said, 'Why don't you guys work out a deal right here?'"

Mayweather was emphatic, said Maloof, that he'd come out of retirement if he can beat Manny Pacquiao in December. THE OTHER VERSION

A process server's version of how he tracked down Las Vegas food and beverage blogger Michael Politz differs from Politz's account.

"His story is absolutely false," said Michael Yepko of Vegas Legal Support Services.

Politz, who was accused of libel and was sued last month by Privé Las Vegas nightclub at Planet Hollywood, said in an e-mail to me that he agreed to meet Yepko on Tuesday outside Lavo, the new nightclub at Palazzo, where Politz was hosting a party.

Yepko said Politz didn't return numerous calls made to him over a 13-day period or respond to visits to his office.

Yepko said he had been tipped that Politz would be at Lavo and, after spotting someone who resembled him outside the club, called Politz's cell phone number from 15 feet away and served him when he answered the phone.

Politz said, "You got me. I know who you are," according to Yepko, a licensed process server and private eye.

Politz has posted critical items about Privé on TheVegasEye.com, an Internet newsletter he operates.

Sightings

Chantelle Berry and Christina Moore of the new "90210," co-hosting at Jet (Mirage) on Friday. Partying with them was Ken Davitian, best known for his role in the film, "Borat." Word is he'll be joining the cast of 90210. Also there: Prinz, keyboardist from the Black Eyed Peas, celebrating his birthday. ... NFL Hall of Famer Franco Harris, having brunch Saturday at Vinter Grill. Fran Drescher of "The Nanny" is hosting a fundraiser today at Vinter to benefit her Cancer Schmancer fund and other cancer charities. ... At "O" (Bellagio) on Friday: actor-comedian Chris Tucker, Amber Heard of "Pineapple Express" and Alexis Bledel of "Gilmore Girls" and "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."


Monday 9-15-08

Editor's daughter sees Ike's wrath After some anxious hours, longtime Las Vegas society editor Elizabeth Foyt has learned her daughter, Alicia Foyt Cahill, rode out Hurricane Ike in a hotel on Galveston Island in Texas. Cahill, Galveston's public information officer, weathered the storm with other emergency response team members and city officials in the historic San Luis Hotel on Seawall Boulevard. Cahill and her husband, Chris, are expecting the worst, her mother said. The Cahills live on the west end of the island, which remains restricted to emergency and relief workers. She has been handling all the media relations for the storm and destruction coverage and appeared on MSNBC on Saturday. She graduated from Chapparal High School in 1996 and attended Texas A&M at the Galveston campus, where she was student body president before graduating in 2000. BIG NIGHT Betty Engelstad had another jaw-dropping announcement on Saturday at Jim and Joan Hammer's annual cancer benefit. The Engelstad Foundation was donating $20 million to the Nevada Cancer Institute, the widow of Imperial Palace owner Ralph Engelstad told attendees of the Hammers' fifth Summer's End Beach Party, which benefited the institute. The hefty donation explained why a number of principals at the event were wearing sports jerseys emblazoned with No. 35, the Engelstad Foundation's two-year donation total is $35 million. Paris Hilton made a surprise appearance onstage to thank everyone for their generosity. WHAT ARE THE ODDS? Small World Department: So I'm in New York, well, the New Jersey Meadowlands, on Sunday for Brett Favre's home crowd debut for the Jets' game against the New England Patriots. Some friends came up with seventh-row seats on the 40-yard line on the Patriots' side. Late in the first half, I noticed No. 75 of the Patriots and recognized the name "Woolfork" on the jersey. I shared a story with my friends. In March 2004, I received a tip that a "big NFL player" was getting married at the Little White Chapel, where Britney Spears had been hitched a few months earlier. I showed up just before the ceremony started and was asked to be a member of the wedding party. The two young kids getting married were Vince Woolfork, a behemoth defensive lineman out of the University of Miami, and his bride, Bianca. I had no sooner finished retelling my only-in-Vegas story Sunday when one of my friends nudged me and pointed to a young woman two seats to my right. She was wearing a jersey with No. 75 on it, with "Wifey" on the back. Hundreds of red and clear Swarovski crystals were stitched into the jersey letters and numbering. Well, you guessed the rest of the story: It was Bianca, whose husband went on to become the Patriots' No. 1 draft pick. She filled me in on the backstory of our first meeting. "I almost missed the wedding. I was up $40,000 at roulette at the Hard Rock and didn't want to leave. If it wasn't for NFL Films filming it (the wedding), I wouldn't have left." My New York sports-fix weekend continues tonight with one of the last games at Yankee Stadium. With my track record for bumping into old friends, stay tuned. The Scene And Heard O.J. Simpson is spending a lot of time in Summerlin. He was hanging out at T-Bones Chophouse at Red Rock Resort on Saturday at the restaurant's poolside patio. A year ago, he was arrested after an incident at Palace Station that led to charges of armed robbery and kidnapping. A week ago Sunday, he showed at John Cutter, a bar and grill on West Charleston Boulevard, to watch some NFL games. His trial starts today. Sightings British boxing star Ricky Hatton, in the Crown and Anchor pub Saturday for breakfast and to watch the live feed of his hometown soccer team, Manchester City. It was a short breakfast. He was feeling bloody awful and left. ... At the grand opening of LAVO Restaurant and Nightclub at The Palazzo on Saturday: Shannen Doherty, Bar Rafaeli, Paris Hilton and Benji Madden, Nicky Hilton and David Katzenberg, Angie Harmon and Jason Sehorn, Stacy Keibler, Jack Osbourne, Olympian Amanda Beard, Amber Heard, Ashley Scott, Enrique Iglesias, Kevin Federline, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Connolly, Slash, Scarlett Johansson's fiancé Ryan Reynolds and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, who hopped in the DJ booth.

Tuesday 9-16-08

Norm took the day off

Wednesday 9-17-08

Britney Spears' tour ready or not

The rumor has gone global: According to the reports, Britney Spears will kick off her 2009 tour with a New Year's Eve appearance at the Palms.

No one's confirming or denying it at the Palms, but here's my theory:

It's not going to happen.

She might show up in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve, but not to launch her tour.

What I think will happen is her manager, Larry Rudolph, who has built her comeback around baby steps, will make certain her confidence is unshakeable before the tour launch is announced.

To do that, Spears has got to get comfortable with the media again; and my hunch is the timetable involves getting her out there soon for sit-downs and cover stories to promote her new album, "Circus," which comes out on Dec. 2, her 27th birthday.

The first single, "Womanizer," is coming out on Monday.

Given her fragile state earlier this year, and with so much at stake, the last thing Rudolph has in mind is to rush her back.

Spears' walking away from the MTV Video Music Awards as a triple winner was the starting point of Rudolph's grand plan. She's been on her best behavior, another big step.

I say the launch will be closer to February.

AGASSI ANNOUNCES

Andre Agassi has announced the first batch of entertainers for his Grand Slam for Children on Oct. 11 at Wynn Las Vegas.

They include Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow, local favorites The Killers and David Spade.

It's the first appearance at the event for The Killers and Spade. The Killers' third album, "Day and Age," comes out in November.

More names will be announced later; and Agassi, along with musical director David Foster, always have some special guests.

The event, which benefits underserved children, is being held at the Wynn after more than a decade at the MGM Grand Garden.

The Scene And Heard

Woo hoo, it's Vegas, baby! A woman whom onlookers described as close to 60 shed her clothes and dashed through the Wynn late Friday night. A big crowd was right behind, cheering her on. Sounds like someone lost a bar bet.

Sightings

Boxer Fernando Vargas, shown the door at Zuri Bar in the MGM Grand after getting unruly Saturday. He was in town for the Juan Manuel Marquez-Joel Casamayor fight. ... Placido Domingo, dining at Strip House before heading for Privé late Monday after his concert at Planet Hollywood Resort. Also at Privé: Rudolph, with a lady friend, and rapper Lil Jon, in to watch hip-hop artist/producer Ryan Leslie perform. ... Jamie Foxx and Lil Jon, working the crowd while alternating on the mic Monday at LAVO (Palazzo). ... Wade Robson and a group of his friends at CatHouse on Monday, celebrating winning a second Emmy for his choreography on the hit show, "So You Think You Can Dance."

Thursday 9-18-08

KLAS-TV makes a round of layoffs

KLAS-TV, Channel 8 laid off 17 staffers, including three on-air personalities, and transferred four others Wednesday in what management termed a belt-tightening "reorganization" due to the recession.

In a memo released to the staff, KLAS general manager Emily Neilson said the moves were necessary because of the economic downturn and "a significant recovery is not expected for at least a few years."

Neilson's memo, which was obtained by the Review-Journal, characterized the layoffs as "a gut-wrenching experience for all of us." Her e-mail was sent at 9:35 a.m. Wednesday. A number of those laid off were contacted Tuesday night and others on Wednesday.

The station, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Landmark Media Enterprises, has been up for sale for months. The layoffs had "absolutely zero" to do with that, said Neilson, or with the collapse of Wall Street giant Lehman Brothers, which was announced on Monday. Lehman Brothers was brokering the KLAS sale.

In a telephone interview, Neilson called it "a tough decision but every business in Las Vegas is facing similar decisions. We wanted to be proactive as we go through this and be a leader coming out of it."

Layoffs hit every department.

Among those departing: noon and 4:30 p.m. anchor Charlotte Evans; weekend anchor Colleen May; reporter Ky Plaskon, and executive producer Randy Michaels. Another executive producer, Natalie Cullen, accepted a transfer to another position.

Also leaving is meteorologist Gina Cancelliere, who recently announced that she was going to be a stay-at-home mom. She is staying on through the November ratings period.

The Scene And Heard

A DVD release party at Wynn Las Vegas on Saturday will feature the Vivienne Westwood wedding gown worn by Sarah Jessica Parker in her role as Carrie Bradshaw in "Sex and The City: The Movie." The party, open to the public, is from 6-9 p.m. at Outfit on the Wynn Esplanade. Also on display: the Judith Leiber purse from the movie and "something blue" Manolo Blahniks "Mr. Big" used to propose to Carrie. ... The restaurant lineup at City Center, the $9.2 billion Strip project by MGM Mirage, will be announced today for ARIA, the resort casino. Las Vegas newcomers Masayoshi Takayama of Masa in New York City and Chicago star chef Shawn McClain will join a group already well known in the MGM Mirage family: Sirio Maccioni, Michael Mina, Julian Serrano, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, The Light Group and Jean-Philippe Maury. Le Cirque's Maccioni will go to the name Sirio. Other names and their operator: America Fish (Mina), Julian Serrano (Serrano), Takayama (Bar Masa and Shaboo), Jean Georges Steakhouse (Vongerichten), Sage (McClain). Light Group's yet-unnamed restaurant will feature dim sum and Maury's JP Patisserie will boast the world's largest chocolate fountain.

Sightings

It's been a week of Baseball Hall of Famers at N9NE Steakhouse (Palms). Tuesday it was former Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench, with friends. Sunday, former San Francisco Giants slugger Orlando Cepeda was in. Bench brought a new putter and photo of him with former teammate Tom Seaver for chef Barry Dakake. ... Rap and R&B singer/songwriter Ne-Yo, making a surprise appearance at Pure (Caesars Palace) early Wednesday. The Grammy winner, who grew up here, sang several of his hits. ... Clint Holmes, performing at a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada, in Henderson at the Findlay Cadillac/Saab main showroom

Friday 9-19-08

No takers for O.J. pal Riccio

There's always the sandwich board.

O.J. Simpson associate Tom Riccio may have run smack into a bear market in his bid to profit from his notoriety

Riccio, the auction house dealer who acknowledged in court Thursday that he set up the incident that could send the NFL Hall of Fame running back to prison, had hoped to make a small fortune in sponsorship deals during his Las Vegas court appearance.

His plan was to charge hefty fees for everything from placing an ad on the limo he took to the courthouse (for $7,500) to having dinner at a sponsor's restaurant (for $5,000).

Instead, Riccio hasn't accepted any sponsorships, and he wore a suit to court Thursday instead of an advertisement.

"We got some great offers, but he wanted to keep some credibility," said Riccio associate Jon Fondy, a Las Vegas advertising and marketing executive who was assisting in the project.

They decided to go another direction, Fondy said.

Negotiations with interested parties will take place after Riccio is through testifying.

No restaurants bit on the offer, Fondy acknowledged. But he's convinced that the big deal is out there.

After putting an offer on eBay and announcing it on a show with Geraldo Rivera, "we got 27,855 hits in the first 24 hours. As of last Friday, we had 186,000 hits on the BustedVegas.com site," said Fondy, director of marketing for XY7.com.

Most of the interest came from gaming sites and "some obscure companies," he said. "The most unique offer was an e-mail from a person who wanted to know if Tom would wear 'Jesus Christ is God.'"

Riccio may do a national tour, Fondy said, and wear golf shirts or hats during the national interviews and charge sponsors to put their logos behind him on a background banner.

HALL OF FAME HONOREES

The late Robert Goulet was among the 2008 group inducted into the Nevada/Artist Hall of Fame on Thursday at UNLV's Artemus Ham Concert Hall.

He was joined by entertainer Clint Holmes, architect-developer Tony Marnell, choreographer and Nevada Dance Theatre co-founder Vassili Sulich and the rock group The Killers.

Goulet, a Broadway star and longtime Las Vegas headliner, died in October of pulmonary fibrosis.

All four members of The Killers attended the ceremony: Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci Jr.

The Scene And Heard

The cast of HBO's hit show "Entourage," rap artist Mickey Avalon, supermodel/actress Rachel Hunter, actor Simon Rex and entertainer Rita Rudner will be on SushiSamba's orange carpet for tonight's grand opening of the Palazzo hotspot.

MAY I RECOMMEND

The lineup was announced Thursday for "Justin Timberlake and Friends, a Special Evening Benefiting the Shriners Hospitals for Children" at the Planet Hollywood Resort on Oct. 17. Joining Timberlake on stage will be 50 Cent, Boyz II Men, Esmée Denters, The Jonas Brothers, Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Leona Lewis, Rihanna and Will.i.am. It will be the musical component to the Shriners' PGA Tour event at TPC Summerlin. Tickets can be bought at the Planet Hollywood Resort box offices, all Ticketmaster outlets, at www. Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 474-4000.

Sightings

O.J., signing the backs of waitress T-shirts at the entrance of the Courthouse Bar & Grill on Thursday. The messages on the orange T-shirts: "I Got Juiced at the Courthouse Bar & Grill" and "Free OJ," the latter a reference to a free orange juice with a lunch order. "He said he's coming in for lunch (today)," said owner Chip Lightman. ... The cast and crew of "Mystere" (Treasure Island), celebrating their 7,000th show anniversary with a racing party at Pole Position Raceway on Wednesday night into Thursday morning. ... Country artist and former songwriter of the year Phil Vassar, backstage after the Donny & Marie show (Flamingo) Thursday. ... The 87th Air Force squadron from Texas, in town for practice maneuvers at Nellis Air Force Base, hooting it up Thursday at Carrot Top's show (Luxor). ... At Lavo (Palazzo) on Thursday: Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri along with her dancers, dining in the private dining room. At another table: Tony Bennett.

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