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CityCenter’s Aria springs some leaks

Mother Nature sort of rained on CityCenter's parade last week.

Barely a month old, the pristine $8.5 billion project sprang some leaks during a week of record rainfall that surpassed last year's total of 1.59 inches.

Large trash cans were spotted under leaks in the lobby at Aria, the 61-story centerpiece that houses 4,000 rooms and the casino.

The lobby leak was plugged after about 15 minutes, a source said.

BROOKS SALUTES A LEGEND

Garth Brooks fans were treated to a yesteryear flashback Friday at Wynn Las Vegas.

Brooks made sure it was a special night for country Hall of Famer Roy Clark and his wife, Barbara. The Wynn headliner led the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to Clark's wife.

Brooks performed last May on Clark's behalf at the Hall of Fame induction, singing Clark's lone No. 1 single "Come Live With Me."

Clark, who turns 77 in April, made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage at age 17 when he was opening for Hank Williams. His popularity soared when he co-hosted "Hee Haw" with Buck Owens, starting in 1969 when Clark again hit the Top 10 with his classic "Yesterday When I Was Young."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh, who hand-picked Las Vegan Gina Carano to star in his new film, "The Knockout," has surrounded her with a strong cast. On board for the spy flick: Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, and Channing Tatum. She leaves Tuesday for Ireland to start principal photography. ...

Kissy Simmons, who stars as Nala in "The Lion King" (Mandalay Bay), will be a guest singer with Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns in their new home at the Tropicana.

SIGHTINGS

Cincinnati Bengals passer-receiver combo Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco, with their wives at Julian Serrano Restaurant (Aria at CityCenter) on Friday. ... Actress Kathy Najimy, surprising her husband, Dan Finnerty, of The Dan Band, with a weekend stay at The Palazzo for his 40th birthday. Guests at a kickoff cocktail party Friday at Lagasse's Stadium included Ricki Lake, Camryn Manheim, Adam Carolla, Helen Hunt, Cheri Oteri and Nia Vardalos. Suzanne The Duchess, The Venetian's opera singer, serenaded Finnerty with "Happy Birthday" in Italian Opera. The party moved to Tao Asian Bistro, where they were joined by Meg Ryan. Many of them joined Finnerty and Najimy at Dos Caminos for brunch Saturday. ... Miss America contestants, taking the traditional ride at The Venetian on Friday. ... A cub in Cougartown: Tropicana headliner Dirk Arthur had his hands full with cougars -- the two-legged kind, women over age 40 who are on the prowl for younger men -- and a real cub Friday. With the Tropicana serving as host site of the Las Vegas Cougar Convention, it figured that a pack of cougars would show up to see his cat-centric "Xtreme Magic" show. Word has it the cougars tried to adopt Saber, a 2-month-old white tiger cub being groomed for Arthur's "Xtreme Magic" show. ... Orel Hershiser, Jason Giambi and Lauren Conrad, playing in a poker tournament at Bellagio on Friday. ... Avril Lavigne, having the words "Abbey Dawn" tattooed on her left bicep during a visit last week at Mario Barth's Starlight Tattoo at Mandalay Bay. She got the nickname from her father when she was a child. She launched her Abbey Dawn clothing line in 2008. ... Oakland Raiders quarterback Brad Gradkowski, with friends at Moon Nightclub (Palms) on Friday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The entire cast of 'Jersey Shore' is now famous, and they may do a second season of the show. The governor of New Jersey has asked for an emergency lift of Jagermeister and spray tan." -- Craig Ferguson

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.

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