Pia Zadora improving after golf cart accident
Singer Pia Zadora’s condition was improving Saturday after a scary “touch and go” situation in the first 24 hours, according to her husband Michael Jeffries.
The 61-year-old Broadway star suffered the injuries after falling out of a golf cart as it rounded a corner Thursday night, Jeffries said. Her 17-year-old son, Jordan, was driving, he said.
A Saturday CT scan indicated reduced swelling of the brain and no more bleeding, he said.
“This was touch and go all night Thursday and until late Friday,” he said. “That’s the truth of it.”
Three ankle bones were fractured and her right jaw has a hairline fracture under the ear, he added.
Doctors at University Medical Center estimated Zadora’s recovery will take about eight months.
The accident took place near the clubhouse at The Ridges in Summerlin after a short drive from their home, Jeffries said.
BAR’S RICE JOKE SUSPENDED
A Las Vegas bar with a history of posting inflammatory messages on its marquee has removed one that made light of the Ray Rice domestic abuse controversy.
The message on the Blind Tiger sign on South Pecos Road read: “Ray Rice new bouncer on ladies night at BT.”
It appeared shortly after Rice was cut by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday and suspended indefinitely by the NFL for knocking out his then-fiance Janay Palmer at the end of their Valentine’s Day outing at an Atlantic City casino.
A new message was on the marquee Saturday, promoting a “white trash” party.
The Blind Tiger came under heavy criticism in February after a post-Super Bowl sign that read: “Broncos couldnt beat the sick kids at St Judes.”
St. Jude centers specialize in treating children with cancer, leukemia and other life-threatening diseases and conditions.
After the firestorm, a new message went up on the Blind Tiger marquee: “We fired the sign guy.”
Later, the Blind Tiger offered two apologies on social media.
“In no way was it meant to be disrespectful to St. Judes or the children they take care of. The sign was taken down immediately. Once again our sincere apologies.”
The second apology said, “All right people. It was an ill advised sign. I’ve spent all day apologizing for it and I didn’t even put the damn sign up.
“No. I do not have a child who is suffering from cancer. I have lost multiple family members to this disease. It’s ugly. Give it a break. This wasn’t about the kids it was about how sucky the broncos were. Give it a rest.”
Among the 90 comments posted under the Ray Rice sign article that appeared on the ReviewJournal.com website Wednesday:
“What happened to Freedom of Speech??? Or is it only certain groups can say what they want or certain people. Blind Tiger keep up the good work!!!!”
That prompted this response: “Freedom of speech? Tell me again after I spit on your Mother’s grave or laugh and joke as your daughter is being scraped off the road. What a classless scumbag the owner must be. His toilet should be avoided at all costs. I understand marketing and exposure, but this is outrageously disgusting.”
I stopped in the Blind Tiger on Wednesday to talk to the owners. They were not there and did not respond to a request for an interview.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Katherine “Lee” Lardner, general manager of TAP Sports Bar at the MGM Grand, has a name that fits perfectly with the sports-themed eatery. Her husband, Chris Lardner, is a second cousin of the legendary sports columnist Ring Lardner. A huge sports fan, she had a heart-stopping moment in April when baseball Hall of Famer George Brett came in while in town for his son’s 21st birthday.
SIGHTINGS
Celebrities at the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Marcos Maidana fight on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena included: Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Warren Buffett, actors Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Don Cheadle, Alex Pettyfer, the former Ron Artest now known as “The Panda’s Friend,” Kevin Hart, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears’ manager Larry Rudolph, show producer Jeff Beacher and members of the Miami Heat. … It was sports guys night at Crush (MGM Grand) on Friday: Jim Gray (Showtime, Fox and Westwood One radio network), Steve Levy (ESPN) and Las Vegas-based JT The Brick (Fox Sports talk-show host). The latter will be in London later this month for the Oakland Raiders-Miami Dolphins game and then on to Scotland for the Ryder Cup. … Dining at Sushi Samba (Palazzo) on Friday: former heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis and local entertainment producer Adam Steck. … Rising entertainment stars Tommy Ward and Shimshi, performing at the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health on Friday. Founder Larry Ruvo marked the anniversary with a private dinner for all employees, doctors, caregivers and volunteers. Ward’s crooning ability caught the attention of Quincy Jones, who recently signed a management deal with the Las Vegas Academy graduate. Shimshi, who has been featured at Wynn Las Vegas, has performed on “America’s Got Talent.”
THE PUNCH LINE
