Friday, July 22, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Former lineman a pool party hit

Michael Jackson's father has told reporters that his son plans to become a Berliner.

Former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Ross Verba was a big hit at Green Valley Ranch's pool party on Sunday.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound party animal is a player on and off the field. Spies tell me Verba went on a legendary champagne binge after winning a reported half-million dollars at the Palms.

Verba, a free spirit who's been described as a Lyle Alzado-in-training, blew most of it, I'm told, on a "massive champagne buying/spraying spree" at Green Valley Ranch's pool party known as Nirvana.

During the party at his cabana, he recruited seven bikini-clad babes for a "hot body" contest, and rather than picking a single winner, he awarded each of the entries $10,000 for participating.

Sources at the Palms and Green Valley Ranch confirm Verba was on the property.

Verba left the Browns in May under a cloud of controversy, walking away after paying back a $465,000 bonus.

Published reports said police in suburban Strongsville investigated two separate reports of sexual assault in 2004 that are alleged to have occurred at Verba's home last year. He was not accused in either incident.

Jacko to Germany?

Las Vegas resident Joe Jackson, in Berlin today for his 76th birthday, has told German reporters that Michael Jackson plans to become a Berliner.

Joe Jackson's comments came at a news conference in Berlin, where the family patriarch was visiting with several family members. He told reporters he had hopes that Michael would attend his birthday party.

Michael Jackson, who was acquitted of child molestation charges in California last month, made headlines in 2002 when he dangled one of his children from the balcony of a Berlin hotel.

The Scene and Heard

If you missed Chris Farley's "Saturday Night Live" classic turn as a Chippendale, check this out: Jeff Beacher of "Beacher's Madhouse" (Hard Rock Hotel) is appearing with the Chippendales at the 10:30 p.m. show and will host an after-party at the Flirt Lounge. And you thought his cameo as a gay stripper in "It's Vegas, Baby!' was gutsy. ...

On your next trip to the fabled Farmers Market in Los Angeles, don't miss the tomatillo-drenched suizas at Loteria, a tiny Mexican food booth with a well-deserved grande reputation.

May I recommend ...

Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar & Grill" in Harrah's opens to the public at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. On the menu: barbecue pork sandwiches, chicken fried steak with gravy and strawberry shortcake. The decor features red, white and blue accents, spurs embedded in the concrete floor and wall-to-wall guitars. Country and rock bands start playing at 9 p.m. every night on a stage topped with an over-sized belt buckle. For more information: 693-6111.

Sightings

Train lead singer Patrick Monahan and guitarist Jimmy Stafford, attending the 7:30 p.m. performance of "Mystere" (Treasure Island) on Wednesday with family and friends. ... MTV veejay Susie Castillo and crew, lunching at Pinks Hot Dogs at the Zanzibar Cafe (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood).

The Punch Line

"There's some talk about changing California's three strikes and you're out law. You know who really wants it changed? The Dodgers." -- Jay Leno

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