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NORM CLARKE MORE COLUMNS Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Dr. Miriam Adelson, stand with Michael Jackson at The Venetian. The Adelsons gave Jackson and actor Chris Tucker a tour Monday of the Strip property. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE VENETIAN Toured The Venetian with Michael Jackson, attracted crowd at The Forum Shops at Caesars

Wednesday, August 28, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

COLUMN: Norm!

Bankruptcy forces King of Pop's parents off Las Vegas block

Bankruptcy has forced Michael Jackson's parents, Joe and Katherine, to put their five-bedroom Las Vegas home up for sale.

The now-vacant home in the gated community of Rancho Nevada was purchased in the 1980s, when Michael's solo career took off.

The asking price for the home is a reported $440,000.

According to a WB online report, the parents lost millions in a guitar company deal and for promoting a Michael Jackson concert in South Korea that never materialized.

The Scene and Heard

Gene Ross is out as news director at KLAS-TV, Channel 8. Veteran Bob Stoldal, the main man at the Las Vegas One cable news station, is taking over. ...

Dana Olliges has left the House of Blues as marketing and publicity manager to join PR Plus as a partner with Laura Herlovich. "She was my first employee ever," said Herlovich, who launched her company in 1991.

Thursday birthdays: Robin Leach, 61, and Michael Jackson, 44.

Sightings

Rocker Lenny Kravitz, lounging at Mandalay Beach on Sunday. ... Jackson and Chris Tucker of the "Rush Hour" film series, getting a tour Monday of The Venetian by property owners Sheldon and Miriam Adelson. Jackson was so smitten by The Venetian's art and architecture that he asked the Adelsons for help in lining up the artists and designers so he can re-create The Venetian look at his Neverland estate. ...

Jackson, Tucker and Fred Durst, front man for Limp Bizkit, attracting a huge crowd at The Forum Shops at Caesars on Monday night. A youngster in the crowd outside the Virgin Megastore asked Tucker to do a moonwalking routine. Tucker pointed to Jackson and said, "He's the one you need to ask." Jackson, who overheard the conversation, didn't disappoint. He launched into a freelance dance routine that included the moonwalk. ...

The five "Wild On" finalists and outgoing host Brooke Burke, sharing Smores at N9NE (Palms) after dinner Monday night. The five later modeled swimwear for Burke's new clothing line at a fashion show at Skin, the Palms pool. The winner will be determined this week and announced during the Sept. 3 "Wild On" search finale on E!. ...

Skateboard icon Tony Hawk and Johnny Knoxville of the MTV show "Jackass," dining at Nobu Monday night with Kerry Simon, who is opening his new restaurant at Hard Rock Hotel in mid-October. ...

"The Bold and the Beautiful" star Jennifer Finnigan, celebrating her 23rd birthday Saturday with friends and cast members at the "Thunder from Down Under" show at the Excalibur. ... Eric Paladino of "ER," hosting a bachelor party Saturday at the Hard Rock Hotel. ... Robin Williams, floating along the Lazy River at Wet-n-Wild.

The Punch Line

"Room service? Send up a larger room." -- Comedian Groucho Marx.

Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can reach him at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.