January '09 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 01-17-09

Joaquin Phoenix sports new look

Two-time Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix, who shocked the entertainment world 2½ months ago with the announcement that he's leaving Hollywood to pursue a music career, is in town and sporting a dramatic new scruffy look.

Even with a full beard, sunglasses, long hair in a bun and yarn-knit cap, he was recognized, with photographers in hot pursuit as he walked through The Palazzo on Friday.

"He looked very unkempt," said an eyewitness. "He looked like he just got out of bed."

He was in Las Vegas for a musical appearance at Lavo, the new restaurant/nightclub at The Palazzo.

He was with his brother-in-law, Casey Affleck.

Phoenix, 34, was at the height of his acting career, with Oscar nominations in 2000 for "Gladiator" and in 2005 for his portrayal of Johnny Cash in "Walk the Line."

He announced his retirement from acting Oct. 27 at a benefit for Paul Newman's Association of Hole in the Wall Camps.

According to reports, he has been working on a record with British band The Charlatans.

It's the second time he decided to abandon acting. He quit after witnessing his actor brother, River Phoenix's death Oct. 31, 1993 from a drug overdose outside Johnny Depp's Viper Room in Hollywood.

The Scene And Heard

Now all those recent sightings of Usher, Maroon 5's Adam Levine and music master Pharrell make more sense. They have been collaborating on Usher's new CD at the Palms recording studio. The word got out when photos of the trio appeared on a Maroon 5 blog.

Aprons will be, er, hot couture tonight when the 52 Miss America contestants gather at Buca di Beppa, 412 E. Flamingo, for a cooking demonstration with the executive chefs. Friday they were flipping out, not from pageant pressure, but for a good cause. They took turns flipping pancakes at the International House of Pancakes at Planet Hollywood Resort, a benefit for the Children's Miracle Network....

The Las Vegas Hilton is opening its main headliner theater -- where Elvis launched his comeback -- to the public on Tuesday for a special viewing of the inauguration of present President-elect Barack Obama. It will be shown on an 18-foot-by-32 foot HDTV with state-of-the-art theater sound. Doors open at 8 a.m.

Minxx strip club, site of the 2007 shooting incident that accelerated the unraveling of Adam "Pacman" Jones' NFL career, is for sale.

The owners are asking $12.5 million for the property, which closed shortly after the altercation.

Jones, then with the Tennessee Titans, was implicated in the shootings that occurred in the early hours after the NBA All-Star Game. Left paralyzed in the shooting was Tom Urbanski, a member of the club's security team.

Jones was forced to sit out the 2007 by the NFL because of his reputation for trouble. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys for the 2008 season but was released earlier this month.

The Minxx owners "are developers and have no interest (or experience) in running the a club," said realtor Fred Marik, who is handling the property.

Sunday 01-18-09

Pageant hopefuls get taken for ride

The 52 Miss America contestants went down the wrong road on their first Saturday night in Sin City.

Instead of being taken on a short hop from their host hotel, Planet Hollywood Resort, to Buca di Beppo restaurant on Flamingo Road, they wound up in Summerlin.

The three buses carrying the beauty queens went to the wrong Buca di Beppo location.

"We got to see a lot of lights," said Miss Washington, D.C., Kate Marie Grinold.

Back in September, while filming a Miss America reality show in Los Angeles, "We got lost on our way back from the zoo to the Queen Mary," said Miss Nevada Julianna Erdesz.

"We were lost for 90 minutes. Miss Oklahoma and I were on our iPhones giving directions to the bus driver on the GPS (Global Positioning System)."

No cell phones were allowed on the buses Saturday, Erdesz said.

Why the phone ban?

"They didn't want any distractions."

GLUSMAN CHARGES DROPPED

The Orange County district attorney's office has decided not to press charges against prominent Las Vegas restaurateur Freddie Glusman.

A former cocktail server at Glusman's Ritz restaurant in Newport Beach, Calif., filed assault charges against Glusman after a July altercation at his home that left both with a missing tooth.

Jennifer Kenney, 30, told police Glusman invited her to a party at his home, after she had a disagreement with her boyfriend. No one showed up, she said, and a fight broke out when Glusman asked for a sexual favor.

Glusman's attorney, Joseph P. Smith, said Glusman, 70 at the time, "was trying to be a gentleman and finally said, 'You've got to leave.'"

Smith said Kenney kicked Glusman in the face four or five times, knocking out a tooth with a stiletto heel.

"He was the victim, not the perpetrator," Smith said.

Rebecca Olivieri of Orange County's Special Prosecution Unit told the Orange County Register charges were dropped, because "we couldn't prove an assault occurred beyond a reasonable doubt."

Kenney reportedly is considering a civil lawsuit against Glusman, who also owns Piero's Italian Cuisine in Las Vegas.

The Scene And Heard

Yesteryear teen idol Bobby Rydell, who starred in "Bye Bye Birdie" opposite Ann-Margret, was married Saturday in a private room at the Bootlegger Bistro. Rydell, 67, married the former Linda Hoffman. They were married by Charlotte Richards of A Little White Chapel. Richards also officiated at the weddings of Frank Sinatra, Britney Spears and Bruce Willis. Rydell had four Top 10 songs in 1960 alone, including "Wild One" (No. 2) and "Volare" (No. 4). ...

We hear Ron Futrell, former sports and news anchor at KTNV-TV, Channel 13, has settled his wrongful termination lawsuit. He was fired after a summer traffic incident that eventually resulted in no charges filed.

Sightings

Actor-turned-musician Joaquin Phoenix, performing three hip hop/rap songs at Lavo (Palazzo) on Friday. Earlier, he ran into the Miss America delegation near The Palazzo waterfall and playfully engaged them. He flirted, tried on their tiaras and sashes and sang to them. ... Phil Hughes of the New York Yankees and Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox, in separate parties at LAX nightclub (Luxor) on Friday. Also in the VIP area: Miss Ethiopia Kidan Tesfahun.


Monday 01-19-09

Green the theme for reigning queen Miss America Kirsten Haglund will be going green in a sea of red, white and blue at the presidential inauguration Tuesday. She'll be making a statement when she sings the national anthem at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, a gathering in the National Building Museum that will include President Barack Obama. She is wearing a green silk Stephen Yearick-designed gown to show her support "for respecting our environment," Haglund said in a telephone interview Sunday. "Go green." Her reign down to hours, she is leaving Las Vegas today to represent Miss America in the inaugural parade and two balls. She will ride on a USO float with wounded service members and attend the Heroes Red, White and Blue Ball, which honors the aforementioned. She said she dedicated a lot of her time in their company over the past year. The former Miss Michigan, who was 19 when she won the crown last year at Planet Hollywood Resort, returns Wednesday to attend Saturday's finals, which are being aired on TLC. PUPPY LOVE It was Bette Midler's night as Nevada Ballet Theatre's Woman of the Year honoree, but "America Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe was the man of the hour Saturday. Lythgoe won a spirited auction, paying $10,000 for a pint-sized puppy that he ended up giving to his date, local entertainment reporter and dog lover Alicia Jacobs. Midler, who arrived in the Caesars Palace ballroom shortly after her show, told the attendees that for what they paid, "for a few thousand more you could have bought a seat in the Senate." She thanked the ballet company and added, "Any woman dancing with her top on in Las Vegas is considered high art." Jacob, who owns three dachshunds and has Donny Osmond's "Puppy Love" as her ring tone, said that she had been "bugging" Lythgoe to get a dog and that "I assumed it was for him." She burst into tears when she received the reddish Cavalier King Charles spaniel, all of 7 weeks old and so small it fit in her hand. Jacobs, the newly named pet reporter at KVBC-TV, Channel 3, said she's thinking of having a name-the-puppy contest. The Scene And Heard What a difference a year makes: A year ago on Jan. 17, Sen. Barack Obama surprised his wife, Michelle, with a necklace during dinner on her 44th birthday at an unidentified Las Vegas restaurant. (OK folks, you proved you can keep a secret. Now spill the beans.) It was two days before the Nevada caucuses. Saturday, they celebrated the 45th birthday of the first lady-in-waiting by retracing Abraham Lincoln's historic inauguration route, a 137-mile train ride from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. ... Planet Hollywood Resort and Miracle Mile Shops are coordinating their video walls to create an entire block of video coverage of the inauguration Tuesday. The broadcast will start at 8 a.m. Sightings Film star and funnyman Eddie Murphy, celebrating the birthday of his new girlfriend, January, on Saturday at The Bank after flying in with friends. Murphy, who is rumored to be playing the Riddler in the next "Batman" movie, ordered White Star champagne but drank Coca-Cola. ... Tennis legends Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, sampling most of the menu Saturday at Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar in the Bellagio hotel-casino before heading off to Caramel Bar & Lounge, also at the Bellagio. ... Penn Jillette, dining with Lisa "Queen of Mean" Lampanelli at the Palms' Nove Italiano restaurant. Lampanelli appeared in Jillette's comedy documentary, "The Aristocrats."

Tuesday 01-20-09

Norm took the day off

Wednesday 01-21-09

Obamas may have two pretty visitors

The occupants at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue may be getting a visit.

Miss District of Columbia Kate Marie Grinold and Miss Illinois Katie Lorenz were two minutes into an interview with this reporter when they realized they had bonded: They were going to miss the presidential inauguration, and it was a disappointment of a lifetime.

“I live six blocks from the U.S. Capitol," Grinold said.

"I live two blocks from Grant Park," said Lorenz, referring to the scene of Barack Obama's Election Night victory rally in Chicago.

"You need to come to D.C.," Grinold said, "and we're going to go knocking on the White House door."

In Las Vegas for the Miss America finals Saturday (TLC) at Planet Hollywood Resort, both said they would love to work with the Obama administration.

Grinold has already gone through the sign-up process through the Internet.

Lorenz campaigned for Obama, going door to door and working the phone banks.

Another Miss America candidate, Miss Minnesota Angela McDermott, already has had a big moment in the national spotlight. In September, she sang the national anthem on the opening night of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

Two nights later, another one-time aspiring Miss America hopeful became an overnight political sensation. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who was first runner-up in the 1984 Miss Alaska pageant and winner of the Miss Congeniality award, became John McCain's running mate.

McDermott told reporters that she appreciated Palin as someone who "sticks to her guns." She hadn't decided, at that time, for whom she was going to vote, but acknowledged she had voted for Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry in 2004.

The Scene And Heard

A Valley High School student will become the 1,000th recipient of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada today at the Hard Rock Hotel. Organizers are identifying her as Diana, a 15-year-old whose heart condition requires her to have a pacemaker. She's being granted the wish of being a rock star for a day. After arriving in a limo, she will walk the red carpet, flanked by bodyguards and a publicist, at Wasted Space, where she will greet her "fans," a gathering of friends. Earlier she will do radio interviews and get a hair and makeup makeover. ...

Look for the Las Vegas Hilton to sign a long-term deal with Monster Circus, a late-night show that will feature rock stars from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s accompanied by a freaky circus atmosphere. A December appearance featured Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, Rudy Sarzo, who performed with Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake and Dio, and Tony Montana of Great White.

Sightings

Bette Midler's husband, Martin von Haselberg, celebrating his 60th birthday at lunch Tuesday at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (Forum Shops at Caesars). Midler and von Haselberg, a German-born commodities trader and performance artist, met in 1982 but sparks didn't fly until two years later when they were reintroduced and began club-hopping. Eight weeks later, they drove to Las Vegas and got married Dec. 16, 1984, at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel, with a part-time Elvis impersonator officiating. ... Joining Zowie Bowie on stage at Green Valley Ranch on Sunday for their Rat Pack-inspired show: Clint Holmes, Kelly Clinton, Frankie Scinta and Elvis tribute artist Trent Carlini, the winner of ABC's "The Next Best Thing." ... Eddie Murphy and his new girlfriend, January, among a party of seven at the 9:30 p.m. performance of "Love" (The Mirage) on Sunday. It was Murphy's sixth visit to "Love."

Thursday 01-22-09

Pageant couldn't be finer for N.C.

North Carolina fans are pulling for the ultimate dream finish in the Miss America finals on Saturday.

A win by Miss North Carolina Amanda Watson or Miss Pennsylvania Kendria Perry, or vice versa, would mean a 1-2 finish for North Carolina, since both reigned as Miss Garner, a suburb of Raleigh.

Perry, Miss Garner 2007, crowned Watson Miss Garner 2008. Both are from Raleigh.

"Can you imagine the parade?" mused The News & Observer in Charlotte.

It would beat some stratospheric odds in the city of wild wagers, in more than one way.

North Carolina hasn't produced a Miss America since 1962, when Maria Fletcher was crowned.

Defying the odds, it's the second year in a row that North Carolina had two Miss America contestants.

Last year, both Miss North Carolina Jessica Jacobs and Miss Virginia Hannah Kiefer were from the same hometown -- High Point, N.C.

They attended the same dance school and were involved in other activities together.

Their connection gets even crazier. Minutes before the finals last year, Jacobs' father, who is a doctor, was credited with saving the life of Kiefer's mother, who had a heart attack.

Kiefer, unaware of her mother's condition, finished third runner-up, and Jacobs was fourth runner-up.

Kiefer and Jacobs will reunite at the pageant this weekend.

The Scene And Heard

Candi Cazau, the director of publicity for the Orleans and Suncoast showrooms, was let go Wednesday. ...

Ventriloquist Terry Fator, who begins his resident headlining gig at The Mirage on Feb. 14, has a book signing today from 2-3 p.m at The Mirage Shop. A winner of NBC's "America's Got Talent," Fator has written an autobiography titled "Who's the Dummy Now?" ...

Free tickets to Saturday's finals of the Miss America pageant are available at the Web site www.ShowTickets4Locals.com....

The biggest Oscar night party in Las Vegas will be at Rain Nightclub at the Palms on Feb. 22. Sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation, Oscar Night ?America is the only Oscar? party in Las Vegas to be sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The party begins at 4 p.m. with guests walking the red carpet. Dinner is served during the telecast, which begins at 5:30 p.m. To register for an invitation: go to: www.secondbestoscarparty.com or call 702-987-3177. ...

A reunion of 2008 Miss America contestants will be held Friday at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone inside Miracle Mile Shops, with an 11 p.m. red carpet.

Sightings

Retired motocross star Carey Hart, presenting Make-A-Wish honoree Diana of Valley High School with a mounted and framed guitar from rock star Pink during an onstage celebration Wednesday at Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Pink had smashed the guitar during a concert. Diana, who has a heart condition that requires her to rely on a pacemaker, was granted the wish of being a rock star for a day and all that goes with it: a limo, hair and makeup makeover, paparazzi, security, the red-carpet treatment as well as performing a rock set in front of her "fans," a crowd of about 200 friends and family. Included in her set was Pink's "So What." Pink and Hart are no longer married but remain close friends. ... Self-proclaimed D-lister Kathy Griffin, dining at Fix (Bellagio) on Tuesday. ... Caesars Palace headliner Bette Midler, at a VIP table at XS nightclub (Encore) on Monday. Also there: Reality TV stars Ryan Starr ("American Idol," "Surreal Life") and Beau Beasley ("Big Brother"), rapper Too Short and poker star David Williams. ... Snoop Dogg, kicking off Prive's new industry night. Also there: hip-hop artist Warren G and Too Short. ... At ESPN Zone (New York-New York) on Sunday, watching the NFL playoffs: San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson and 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Patrick Willis of the 49ers. ... Musician Vinnie Paul, co-founder of the heavy metal band Pantera, celebrating at the Vegas Passport's fifth anniversary party at Playboy Club and Moon Nightclub (Palms) on Tuesday.

Friday 01-23-09

Green Valley band enjoyed cool trip

For 110 members of Green Valley High School's marching band, it doesn't get any better than this:

"Turning that corner (onto Pennsylvania Avenue) and seeing all the TV camera lights and the president's reviewing box ... ," recalled band director Diane Koutsulis.

With that, she struck up the band and played "Viva Las Vegas" three times in a row, "because we wanted him to absolutely know where we were from," Koutsulis said.

"Do you think it ("Viva Las Vegas") was a good pick?" she said, tongue firmly in cheek.

The experience is "something the students will never forget."

Gator pride was on full display. Over 1,000 marching bands were considered, and only 48 were in the parade that featured 13,000 people and ended just past the White House.

It was no walk in the park, both grueling and freezing.

"The parade was held up a bit because of Senator Kennedy's problem," said Koutsulis, referring to Ted Kennedy's medical emergency after he suffered a seizure at an inauguration luncheon in the Capitol.

The band spent about an hour in a warming tent and three hours in "brutal cold," she said. "We were wearing lots of layers, but the band members had to run around in circles to keep the blood flowing to their feet.

"It was really harsh. Kids were dropping out in other bands and crying from the cold. We were hoping our kids would just hold on. We got stronger as we went on."

'NEVER SAW IT COMING'

Miss America Kirsten Haglund has met a special guy -- from a reality show, no less -- and he broke the rules to meet her. But it's not as bad as it sounds.

Miss America organizers probably might not approve, but she couldn't be happier.

Her mystery man will join her when her reign ends Saturday with the crowning of Miss America 2009 at Planet Hollywood Resort.

Haglund, 20, revealed the details for the first time Thursday. It happened in September, when she was in Long Beach, Calif., on Miss America business.

"He worked on the reality show," said Haglund, referring to "Miss America: Countdown to the Crown," the four-part reality series currently airing on TLC.

"He's a camera guy," said Haglund, who's not ready to go public with his name. "He picked me up from the airport. Production is not supposed to talk to talent."

He made a big impression on the way to the Queen Mary, home for the 52 contestants during three weeks of taping. They continued to see each other while he drove her to other events. They hit it off and she was smitten.

"I never saw it coming," said the former Miss Michigan.

He had an interesting Miss America connection.

"He's originally from Oklahoma and grew up in the same subdivision as Jennifer Berry," the former Miss Oklahoma who won Miss America three years ago when the pageant moved to Las Vegas.

The Scene And Heard

Supermodel Heidi Klum will be shooting a segment of "Germany's Next Top Model" from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Fashion Show mall.

Sightings

Harry Connick Jr. and his wife, Jill, having lunch at Encore's Society Cafe. Connick is featured entertainer at Encore's opening gala/birthday bash for Steve Wynn, who turns 67 on Tuesday. ... Kathy Griffin, making a surprise cameo in Bette Midler's show Wednesday while filming next season's footage of her hit Bravo unscripted show "My Life on the D-List."

May I recommend

On the gala opening weekend of Encore, try the restaurant lineup of Botero (chimichurri steak and Dungeness crab agnolotti), Sinatra (Check out Frank Sinatra's Oscar and Grammy, the butternut squash with vanilla and amaretto and the chocolate hazelnut mousse formed in the shape Ol' Blue Eyes' fedora ), Society Café (hip appetizers and one of the most imaginative menus in town), Switch (the walls go up and down every 20 minutes to reveal a new decor), and Wazuzu (sushi and pan-Asian).

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