The number 9 lights up the Stardust on Tuesday during the countdown to the resort's implosion. A Loizeaux demolition family heirloom plunger was missing for 40 hours after the resort went down.
A Stardust implosion mystery was solved Wednesday after panic swept through Boyd Gaming's corporate offices.
A ceremonial demolition plunger that set the implosion chain reaction in motion went missing at the scene after a cloud of dust and smoke engulfed the demolition team and Boyd Gaming executives.
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The plunger was a family treasure dating back three generations in the legendary Loizeaux demolition family.
The heirloom was found at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, about 40 hours after the implosion of the 49-year-old Las Vegas icon.
It disappeared shortly after four sixth-graders, all grandchildren of Boyd Gaming chairman and CEO Bill Boyd, simultaneously started the chain reaction by setting off the fireworks.
The fear was that the plunger had been removed for its memorabilia value, said Rob Stillwell, vice president of corporate communications for Boyd Gaming.
It turns out Mary Marshall, director of entertainment production for Boyd Gaming, picked up the plunger as a billowing cloud of dust and smoke was bearing down on the dignitaries, Stillwell said.
NEW BOOK
Molly Sullivan, David deMontmollin and Hiram Todd Norman are launching their book "Las Vegas Little Red Book: A Girl's Guide to the Perfect Vegas Getaway" this weekend.
Sullivan will sign books at a 2 p.m. reading Saturday at The Reading Room at Mandalay Bay. Sullivan, host and associate producer of "Hot On! Las Vegas," a weekly half-hour lifestyle show airing on local ABC affiliate KTNV-TV, Channel 13, is in the cast of E! Entertainment's new hit reality series "Paradise City." The book is a companion piece to "Las Vegas Little Black Book: A Guy's Guide to the Perfect Vegas Weekend," co-authored by deMontmollin and Norman in 2005. THE SCENE AND HEARD
Tao Beach, the latest addition to the local pool scene, will open May 4 in an 18,000-square-foot area at The Venetian. The European-style (topless) beach club will be open from 10 a.m. until sunset, when the area transforms into a nightclub with a floating dance floor. ... UNLV great Larry Johnson will join his college coach, Jerry Tarkanian, at an autograph-signing session at 2 p.m. Friday at The Orleans race and sports book. They are in town for a March Madness promotion hosted by The Orleans. Former Louisville coach Denny Crum and former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson sign at 2 p.m. today, and NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry takes a shift at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Comedy magician Nathan Burton has a new job on NBC's "America's Got Talent." A contestant last year, he's returning for the second season as a special guest and coach. Jerry Springer is taking over for Regis Philbin as host. David Hasselhoff reportedly is negotiating a role as a judge; he currently is starring in "The Producers" at Paris Las Vegas, with his three-month contract up in early April. SIGHTINGS
Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, Dane Cook,Larry the Cable Guy, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Jason Statham among the celebs at ShoWest at Bally's. ... Brittany Snow, who plays Amber Von Tussle in the upcoming big-screen version of "Hairspray," bowling Tuesday at Lucky Strike (Rio). ... At Pure nightclub (Caesars Palace) on Tuesday: producer Michael Bey and actors Peter Green ("Usual Suspects") and Efren Ramirez ("Napoleon Dynamite"). ... TV film crews shooting footage for the new MTV reality show "Taquita and Kaui" with the Chippendales at the Rio and on Fremont Street. The show, which stars two girls from "Making the Band 3," has been filming an episode about the girls and the Chips.
THE PUNCH LINE
"I'm happier than Michael Jackson disguised as a floor lamp at a 'Harry Potter' book signing." -- Larry the Cable Guy, at Wednesday's ShoWest luncheon.
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
