Friday, March 04, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Goodman remarks have media buzzing

Mayor Oscar Goodman makes headlines. Architect Frank Gehry needs to think cool. Gabriella Versace sings in loud, proud "Erocktica" show at Rio.

If Mayor Oscar Goodman's intent has been to become America's most visible mayor, it's working.

His comments Monday to fourth-graders that drinking is one of his hobbies were making national headlines on Thursday, and that was before his testy nonapology at a news conference.

• "Vegas mayor tells kids of his love of gin" -- Kansas City Star.

• "What Happens in Vegas -- Is Often an Embarrassment" -- Wizbang.com.

The story was all over national television, as well.

Hizzoner doesn't seem to be shaken or stirred, but this was not a hiccup. This was the mother of all gaffes.

Sizzle city

Downtown Las Vegas soon could be hot, hot, hot.

No one disputes that the Frank Gehry-designed Alzheimer's research center could become the city's most spectacular piece of architecture.

But the famed architect might be dealing with a boiling controversy: Sunlight reflected off steel panels in the Gehry-designed Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles has created a roasting effect on the streets below.

According to the Los Angeles Times, temperatures of 140 degrees Fahrenheit have been recorded in the streets. That's hot enough to melt plastic and cause serious sunburn to pedestrians, according to a study commissioned by Los Angeles County.

Since Los Angeles is usually 30 degrees cooler in the summer than Las Vegas, it means Gehry might have some modification challenges.

The Scene and Heard

NBC is in town filming a big-name 64-player field competing in this weekend's $1.5 million National Heads-Up Poker Championships at the Golden Nugget. It will air Sundays in May.

May I recommend ...

Check out Liberace's 1954 red, white and blue Rolls-Royce on display in the Riviera's casino. The resort celebrates its 50th anniversary April 22. When the nine-story property opened on April 20, 1955, it was the Strip's first high-rise.

Sightings

Sharon Stone, an Oscar nominee for the 1995 film "Casino," taking in the 8 p.m. performance of "La Femme" (MGM Grand) Wednesday night. ... Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil, a Las Vegas resident, ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. The band played Madison Square Garden on Friday. They perform at the Hard Rock Hotel on March 20. ... 'N Sync's Lance Bass and former Guns 'n' Roses drummer Steven Adler, in the audience at Wednesday's VIP opener of "Erocktica," the Rio show that marries a rock band with topless dance troupe featuring the singing of Gabriella Versace. It's loud, proud and probably will get a visit from the skin regulators for some sex scenes that go too far. "This ain't no `Cirque we are so gay' show," announced one of the members of the show's band, U.S.U.K. ... Corey Feldman at Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce (Mandalay Bay).

The Punch Line

"Russia has agreed to help Iran build a nuclear reactor. Yeah, because when you think well-built nuclear reactor, you think Russia." -- David Letterman

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