STRIP SCRIBBLES
*The first live UFC telecast on Spike cable TV from the Pearl at the Palms attracted Jamie Foxx in George Maloof’s skybox, Mandy Moore, Paul Pierce and members of Everlast at ringside with Usher attending his first-ever, front-row Octagon and in the locker room post-fight congratulating his pal Anderson Silva on the first round 61-second KO.
In the sky box next door, Sacramento Kings players including Patrick Ewing, Jr., Spencer Hawes and Kevin Martin.
*Casino owner Michael Gaughan doesn’t seem fazed by the doom and gloom economic picture. His new $100 million tower at his South Point casino opened yesterday (MON), following final inspections by fire and health inspectors over the weekend. The 25-storey, 830-room hotel tower positions the property as the largest locals hotel in Vegas at 2,163 rooms. In addition, the new tower adds 10,000 square feet of convention space for a total of 190,000 square feet, as well as new executive offices. MGM’s CityCenter isn’t troubled by the dismal Wall Street forecasts either! The lion just roared and unveiled the first retail and restaurants going into its Crystals entertainment district under construction at the very center of the Strip. The first retailing and dining establishments that will have locations inside the 500,000-square-foot retail, entertainment and dining zone will include Louis Vuitton, de Grisogono watches, Ermenegildo Zegna, H. Stern, Marni, Mikimoto, Roberto Coin, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., and Tourbillon. Dining establishments include, not one, but two new dining concepts from star chef Wolfgang Puck, and the Japanese themed Katana from Innovative Dining Group. Wolf will debut Pods a new casual “dine light” concept that’s balanced around the central staircase overlooking the entire property along with a Mediterranean cuisine themed French brasserie designed restaurant.
*Actress Whitney Port took a break from filming Season 4 of her hit The Hills TV series to host at Privé nightclub in the Planet Hollywood Resort. After dinner at the resort’s Strip House steak restaurant she arrived with an entourage of 25, but none of her fellow cast mates was part of her group.
She drank Yellow Label Veuve Clicquot Champagne and Vodka shots, danced on the back of the couches, but wisely called it a night at 2:30 a.m.! Next night she joined forces with Kim Kardashian for the weekly “Smashtime” party at the Hard Rock’s Body English nightclub.
*For the second consecutive year former Vegas TV anchor Cher Calvin has been nominated for an Emmy award, the most prestigious distinction for top USA TV programs. Last year she won for “Best Newscast” for the First Early Edition KTLA Morning News in Los Angeles. I helped Cher join the Fox TV station here as the morning show co-anchor and now she’s scoring top ratings in LA. Her KTLA News special Access Asia won her the prestigious Golden Mike Award from the Radio & Television News Association. Her early days were in the Philippines where she hosted the talk show Points of View and became a newscaster on News Central Primetime, which won her a Golden Dove award before moving to America. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” said Cher that her morning program would win again.
*Tuesday nights have become celebrity hot at the new Vox restaurant with its late night happy hour “Love Sexy” that showcases live R&B music. Clint Holmes took the stage and performed an impromptu 30-minute set. Other local performers hanging out at Vox have included Wayne Brady, Gordie Brown and Louie Anderson.
*The success of the first Pussycat Dolls Lounge here in Vegas at the Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace has prompted founder and choreographer Robin Antin to open a second next month!
It will be in West Hollywood and at the weekend she hosted auditions to put together the flirty and fierce feline team of torn-stockinged temptresses who will perform classic burlesque with an updated twist three nights a week.
*Please mark in your diary Saturday, Oct. 18 on your schedules to attend the March of Dimes Signature Chefs of Las Vegas charity event at The Venetian. My friend, chef Tom Moloney from Aquaknox there will play host to the finest chefs in the city and The Venetian and Palazzo’s celebrity chef roster serving up extravagant cuisine and signature dishes. It’s all to raise funds to save babies in the March of Dimes program so don’t miss the gourmet feast!
*Star Surveillance: On the final day of the NBA Summer League Presented by EA Sports, some of basketball’s most talented players checked out their Beijing Olympic teammates including Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), Deron Williams (Utah Jazz), Michael Beasley (Miami Heat) and Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets). … My neighbors Bob and Lovee Arum invited their longtime friend, Bette Midler to join other friends Steve Lawrence and Edye Gorme at Joe’s StoneCrab in The Forum Shops at Caesars. … Rock singer Avril Lavigne and Britney Spear’s cousin, Alli Sims coupled up for an afternoon in the luxury bungalows of MGM’s Wet Republic dayclub party. They stuck to water but did dance to the DJs music in a private dipping pool after eating Mongolian chicken strips and Kobe Beef sliders. … Actor Jason Priestley hit the Shady Grove Lounge inside Silverton Casino Lodge known for its 12 plasma TVs for every sports game imaginable and where guests settle scores over games of pool. … Spotted partying at Victor Drai’s Tryst nightclub in the Wynn were Latin American singing star and multi-Grammy award-winner Alejandro Fernandez, NBA stars LeBron James, Corey Maggette and Brad Miller while Kansas City Chiefs star Larry Johnson did two back to back visits at Drai’s After Hours at Center Strip with Death Row Records founder Suge Knight one night.
Our local hometown hero, Boston Celtic Paul Pierce, NBA Championship Finals MVP, partied with Kelenna Azubuike of the Golden State Warriors in the VIP section at Jet nightclub in The Mirage where the star players enjoyed champagne and Grey Goose vodka.
