Home sale price sets area record

Audrey Walton, widow of Wal-Mart co-founder Bud Walton, has closed escrow on the most expensive home ever sold in the Las Vegas area, Vegas Confidential has learned.

The sprawling home at MacDonald Highlands sold for $17.5 million, according to a local real estate source. Another $1.5 million in furniture was added to sweeten the deal.

That sales price would top the reported $14.5 million paid about a year ago for the 22,000-square-foot mansion at the estate of former strip club king Michael Galardi.

She purchased it from Mark Wattles, founder and chief executive of Hollywood Entertainment Corp., a giant in the video, DVD and video game world.

Meanwhile, the asking price for Steve and Elaine Wynn's former home at Shadow Creek golf course has been reduced from $28 million in August 2006 to $22 million.

TAKING THE HEAT

Good sport (and sportsman) that he is, Don Logan, president and general manager of the Las Vegas 51s, is taking one for the team tonight.

He's being roasted at the Hard Rock Hotel, with proceeds benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

He's got some big hitters going after him: Steve Schirripa of "The Sopranos," Pacific Coast League president Branch Rickey, City Councilman Larry Brown, and R-J columnist John L. Smith.

Look for special guest former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda to get a couple swings in.

Logan is looking forward to being part of Las Vegas' first-time hosting of the baseball winter meetings in December 2008.

What does it say that the NBA brings the All-Star Game here one year and Major League Baseball comes in the next?

"There's not the gaming issue with baseball that's there with the others," Logan said. "They understand there's more to the town than the movie 'Casino' might portray."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Matthew Hurley has been named executive chef of CUT, the new Wolfgang Puck steakhouse at Palazzo. When it opens in December, it will be Puck's sixth fine dining restaurant in Las Vegas. Hurley started his 12-year career with the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group as a prep cook at Spago in the Forum Shops at Caesars, training under David Robins, managing partner, operations and corporate chef in Las Vegas. Hurley has been corporate catering chef for the Las Vegas-based private dining and catering arm of Puck's company ...

Spotted at Thursday's world premiere of "Resident Evil: Extinction" at Planet Hollywood Resort was Scott J. Messinger, a top marketing executive at The Venetian. Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl confirmed the rumors: Messinger is joining Planet Hollywood Resort's management team ...

Los Tigres Del Norte, known as The Beatles of Mexico, will be presented with a star Nov. 7 outside Mandalay Bay by the Las Vegas Walk of Stars committee ...

Luxor headliner Carrot Top is on the "Regis & Kelly" show today (KTNV, Channel 13, 9 a.m.)

SIGHTINGS

George Eads and Gary Dourdan, stars of the hit show "CSI: Crime Screen Investigation," partying at Jet (Mirage) until 3:30 a.m. Tuesday after a long day of filming episodes around town.

Prominent music producer Scott Storch and Jeff Beacher, in a big group at Jet (Mirage) on Monday night.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Thought kidnapping would really round out my resume." - From David Letterman's Top Ten O.J. Excuses.

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