The bar area at the Revolution lounge inside The Mirage features decor inspired by The Beatles. An interactive table projects handwriting or doodling on the wall. Photo by Ralph Fountain. Justin Timberlake was spotted at Hard Rock and the Mirage. Jon Secada and his wife celebrated their 10th anniversary.

The 10-day countdown to the Miss America finals begins today, with the arrival of 52 hopefuls at the Aladdin.

There's no shortage of colorful characters in this year's group.

Miss Michigan Angela Corsi and Miss Missouri Sarah French admit to some bizarre phobias.

Corsi suffers from maimouphobia, the fear of monkeys. French is afraid of the dark.

Animal lover Miss Wyoming Jenileigh Sawatzke wants to open a veterinary practice and perform on Broadway.

Several love sports and have the scars to prove it.

Miss Utah Katie Millar has broken her nose four times, once in an "intense" football game.

Miss Rhode Island Allison Rogers was the only girl on her high school baseball team, which included her twin brother.

Hockey is Miss New York Bethlene Pancoast's sport. She wants to become the first woman to play in the National Hockey League.

Pennsylvania's rep, Emily Wills, spent a spring break working as a cowgirl in Colorado.

Maryland's Brittany Lietz grew up around a show business family. Her mother and aunt are professional clowns.

Miss Alaska Stephanie Wonchala and Miss North Dakota Annette Olson love a hiking challenge. Wonchala has twice climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower by stairs, and Olson made it to the top of Tanzania's 19,341-foot Mount Kilimanjaro.

And Miss Mississippi Taryn Leigh Foshee has more in her wardrobe than stilettos and strapless gowns. She can drive a bulldozer.

Mayor Oscar Goodman and other dignitaries will greet the contestants in the new lobby at the Aladdin at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to drop by.

All 52 take to the runway between 4:30 and 6 p.m. Saturday in the Great Hall at the Fashion Show mall.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

If you missed the psychedelic era, or can't remember much of it, Revolution lounge at The Mirage delivers The Beatles' message of love and images from those lava lamp days. The new twist: an interactive table that projects your handwriting or doodling on the wall. It's a perfect pre-show warm-up for "Love" or after-show stop. The Abbey Road Bar opens at noon daily. Revolution's hours: 6 p.m. until 4 a.m.

SIGHTINGS

Justin Timberlake, walking through Nobu (Hard Rock Hotel) on Thursday, and gambling in the high-limit salon at The Mirage. ... Beatles pal Donovan, whose hits included "Sunshine Superman" and "Mellow Yellow," performing a Beatles tribute at the VIP opening of Revolution lounge on Thursday. Also at the party: Slash, Perry Ferrell and J.J. Abrams. Pamela Anderson canceled plans to show. ... Jon Secada and his wife, Maritere, celebrating their 10th anniversary at Celine Dion's "A New Day" (Caesars Palace), Fiamma (MGM Grand) and "Zumanity" (New York-New York). ... Members of Sugarcult, partying at Rainbow Bar & Grill on Wednesday. ... Penn Jillette, on NBC's "Today" show Wednesday, from Hollywood's Universal Studios to announce that his NBC game show, "Identity," has been picked up and will begin airing new episodes in March.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Lindsay Lohan checked into rehab today. ... Rumor is that it was so cold this morning, she can see her breath, and it came out as a mojito." -- Jimmy Kimmel

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