Friday, October 03, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
JOHN L. SMITH: Death of Gold Sheet publisher leaves sports bettors with long odds to fill void
Gold Sheet publisher Mort Olshan brought class and reliable information to the sports betting racket. It is a poorer place now that he has left it.
Olshan died earlier this week after a brutal struggle with cancer. He was 77.
The Los Angeles-based Olshan had an enormous impact on sports betting and handicapping through the daily publication of the Gold Sheet, a diminutive but fact-jammed newsletter with odds and information on the day's games.
He founded the Gold Sheet in 1957 and also was the author of three books on sports wagering.
His best friends in Las Vegas, gambler Lem Banker and radio talk-show host Larry Grossman, recently attempted to secure Olshan a proclamation from the city of Las Vegas.
Upon hearing of the publisher's worsening condition, Mayor Oscar Goodman, himself a daily sports bettor, immediately agreed to laud Olshan's role in the business. But Olshan's decline was so rapid he was unable to travel from Southern California.
He was buried Thursday in Riverside.
BOYZ TALK I: Word is attorney Rob Murdoch is preparing a lawsuit for one of the victims of the much-hyped 311 Boyz attacks. If those 311 bullies thought they had trouble coming from the authorities in their criminal cases, wait until their parents get the bill from the civil side.
BOYZ TALK II: Criminal defense attorney Lew Wolfbrandt, who represents Adam Henry in the 311 Boyz beating investigation, thinks events associated with the reputed gang members wouldn't have captured nearly as much media attention without the availability of a graphic videotape.
"Without it, it's just another high school party that got too big, and alcohol got mixed in it," Wolfbrandt contends. "Tempers flared, and you got a fight. And then the fight got a little carried out of hand."
HELLO, DOLLY: A film based on the life of poker legend Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson is the first subject Las Vegas-based Insomnia Entertainment will tackle, company President Trent Othick says.
Las Vegas and Hollywood long have shared a glitzy kinship, and now new Golden Nugget owners Tom Breitling and Tim Poster along with Station Casinos President Lorenzo Fertitta have teamed up with up-and-coming industry executive Othick to create Insomnia.
It's no coincidence that Othick & Co. have chosen a poker hall-of-famer right out of the chute.
"As far as poker goes," Othick says, "it's absolutely becoming huge in the media now and especially in Hollywood. We think Doyle Brunson is the cream of the crop of those stories."
Shooting is set to start late next spring.
CHICKEN MAN: This is for the birds.
After the recent fire at Sonia's Cafe, home of some of the best roasted chicken in the state, I solicited alternative poultry palaces and was inundated with ideas.
I thank you. My chicken fix thanks you. I'll include as many locations as space allows and acknowledge that Church's and Popeye's received several votes.
A few for starters, in no particular order: The Rotisserie at 2267 N. Rampart Blvd.; the Red Apple Grill at 3051 N. Rainbow Blvd.; Frank & Fina's Cocina at 5550 W. Charleston Blvd.; Chuy's Mesquite Broiler at 4460 S. Durango Drive; Show Me the Chicken at 710 E. Flamingo Road; Chicken Quick at 3516 Wynn Road; the Hilltop Supper Club at 3500 N. Rancho Road, and the Smith's market at the corner of Tropicana and Jones.
Oddest suggestion: The Chevron station in Indian Springs received three votes, two more than the Chicken Ranch garnered.
ON THE BOULEVARD: Attorney General Brian Sandoval was in Washington on Thursday to meet with President Bush as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. ... Word is the "Banker" just lost a bundle at the Bellagio poker room. That means millions. ... Gaming Control Board senior agent Joe Callo has retired after 18 years chasing cheats and bad guys. Before that, Callo spent 20 years with the Poughkeepsie, N.Y., police. Callo will start part time in Metro's firearms unit. ... Dapper Nick Tanno celebrates birthday No. 69 this week. ... Joe D. and his Rosalie, who met at Pimlico and honeymooned at Belmont, celebrate 50 years in the harness this week.
Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.
