Former NBA star Dennis Rodman says his 2003 motorcycle wreck outside a Las Vegas strip club came during a drinking binge.
The incident killed his NBA comeback (a $10,000-a-game deal with the Denver Nuggets) and left him with 70 stitches, Rodman said in his new book, "I Should Be Dead by Now."
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Rodman lost control of a borrowed bike about 9 a.m. and hit a parking lot light pole at Treasures.
As he was being transported to University Medical Center, a cop followed "toting my DUI (driving under the influence)." While at the hospital, Rodman said he convinced police that he had not been drinking.
Rodman was in Las Vegas over the weekend for a book signing at the Palms and to host a Halloween party at Tao, the nightclub at The Venetian.
THE BILL TOUR
Barry Dakake, executive chef at the Palms' N9NE Steakhouse, was giving high fives after President Clinton's tour of the kitchen late Saturday.
Dakake came away with two mementos: the addition of Clinton's autograph to the celebrity signature collection on the door to Dakake's office and a souvenir Secret Service badge.
Clinton's visit to the restaurant wasn't without a heart-stopping moment.
A server dropped a tray of food, spilling chicken and mashed potatoes between Clinton and Phil Maloof, brother of Palms owner George Maloof.
As the visibly shaken server cleaned up, Clinton leaned over to George Maloof and said, "Please don't fire him."
THE SCENE AND HEARD
The feather boas hit the fan Friday, and there are rumblings that tonight could be Frank Marino's last night with "An Evening at La Cage" at the Riviera. He and producer Norbert Aleman are on the verge of splitsville. ...
Emeril Lagasse's star chefs' fundraiser for kids affected by Hurricane Katrina raised $1.5 million at The Venetian on Saturday. A New Orleans businessman paid the most -- $150,000 -- to appear on Emeril's Food Network show. Bidding on Andre Agassi's private tennis clinic with Steffi Graf stalled at $100,000 until Lagasse jump-started it. He offered to cook steaks and mix margaritas. Larry Ruvo, Southern Wines' Vicar of Liquor, won it with a bid of $140,000. The chef lineup included: Daniel Boulud, Charlie Trotter, Michael Mina, Mario Batali, Nobu Matsuhisa, Julian Serrano, Bradley Ogden and Sam Choy. ...
Hot spots and cool stuff: New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi is among the judges at tonight's Halloween costume contest for sexiest and tiniest outfits at rumjungle (Mandalay Bay). ... The Hofbrauhaus, which turns 2 in January, wraps up its best month and a sizzling Oktoberfest today.
SIGHTINGS
Dave Matthews and Jimmy Buffett, showing up about 1 am. Sunday for Robert Randolph's late-starting show at The Joint (Hard Rock Hotel). ... At Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) on Saturday for Christina Aguilera's bachelorette party: Wilmer Valderrama, Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips. ... Spotted among the Clinton party: Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Hollywood producer Steve Bing, billionaires Ron Burkle and eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson and Motley Crue's Vince Neil, who was dressed in a blue Rusty Wallace NASCAR uniform. ... At Light (Bellagio) on Saturday: current cast members of "The Apprentice" Alla Wartenberg, Jennifer Wallen, Clayton Lee and Felicia Mason. They also made stops at Body English (Hard Rock) and the Chippendales. Also at Light: hotelier Ian Schrager and Jackson. ... Alex Stratta, saluted at a birthday party by the team of chefs at Wynn Las Vegas during a gathering at Daniel Boulud Brasserie (Wynn) on Saturday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"You can tell it's fall -- earlier today I saw a Jets receiver drop a pumpkin." -- David Letterman
