Sunday, August 07, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Condolences come from far and wide

Jason Giambi reportedly buying condos with brother. Morgan Fairchild spotted having dinner at Spago. Paula Abdul celebrates birthday at "Mystere."

A Marine staff sergeant in Kandahar, Afghanistan, took time out from his duty to send his condolences.

David Feldner of Milford, Ohio, requested an address so he could send diapers.

Sammy Cruise, a deejay at KWNR-FM, 95.5, offered to play Toby Keith's "American Soldier."

The e-mails, more than 500 of them, have poured in from across the country and oceans since Thursday's article here about my godson, U.S. Marine Cpl. David Kreuter of Cincinnati. David was among the 14 Marines who died Wednesday near Haditha, Iraq, when their amphibious vehicle was blown up.

Local entertainers called and wrote, volunteering to perform at a benefit for Christian Kreuter, David's 7-week-old son. Words of comfort came from Metro and military people, many of whom relived their own hell of losing a family member in a war.

I am planning to print out all the e-mails and take them to David's family this week. I am certain they will mean as much to Christian some day as they mean to all of us.

Many asked how they could contribute to Christian's future. That address: Christian Kreuter Educational Foundation, 2765 Mahoning Court, Cincinnati, Ohio 45233.

The Scene and Heard

Brandon Flowers, lead singer of the Killers, married longtime girlfriend Tana Munblowsky on Tuesday in Hawaii, with the rest of the band present. She's a retail manager in Las Vegas. ...

Jason Giambi, on one of the hottest home run streaks of his career, and his brother Jeremy are reportedly purchasing condos connected to the Hard Rock Hotel's $1 billion expansion project. ...

Look for local negotiations to reheat after Friday's massive turnout at New York's Bryant Park to see Jessica Simpson perform "These Boots Are Made For Walkin' " on ABC's "Good Morning America" summer concert series. She was promoting her new film, "The Dukes of Hazzard," in which she plays Daisy Duke.

Sightings

O.J. Simpson, showing up uninvited in the Palms "Real World" suite on Friday during the birthday bash for "Extra" celebrity reporter Jon Kelley. A camera team was shadowing Simpson, suggesting a reality show is in the works. ... Jermaine O'Neal of the Indiana Pacers, having his bachelor party at Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) on Friday night. ... Actor Billy Zane of "Titanic," at Little Buddha on Friday with friends in town for Saturday's "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo" premiere at the Palms. ... The NBA's Kenyon Martin, Gary Payton and Marcus Banks, surrounded by ice buckets of Cristal champagne at OPM (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Friday, while putting in early reservations to hold their 2007 NBA All-Star Game after-party at the club. ... David Spade, dining at Simon Kitchen & Bar (Hard Rock Hotel) on Friday. ... "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul, celebrating her 43rd birthday belatedly with friends at the 10:30 p.m. performance of "Mystere" (Treasure Island) on Friday night. ... Morgan Fairchild, having dinner with friends at Wolfgang Puck's Spago (Forum Shops). ... ESPN radio host Colin Cowherd, former KVBC-TV, Channel 3 sports anchor, comparing the 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas to "our very own Mardi Gras" during dinner at the Pasta Shop. ... Vin Diesel at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on Flamingo Road. ... Rapper David Banner, at OPM.

The Punch Line

"I think there's a difference between ditsy and dumb. Dumb is just not knowing. Ditsy is having the courage to ask!" -- Jessica Simpson

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.