Oscar entertains Kiki’s arena query

A prospective investors group led by former Denver Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe has met with Mayor Oscar Goodman to express interest in building a downtown arena.

"He's heading up a group of very wealthy investors, and he wants to build downtown," Goodman said Friday.

Vandeweghe and Goodman met in the mayor's office on Monday.

"At first we were getting millionaires. Now we're getting billionaires," Goodman said.

The mayor was interviewed during a break in Donald Trump's topping-off ceremony at the developer's $600 million residential tower near the New Frontier.

The arena won't be going on the 61-acre downtown site, Goodman said.

"It's been taken," he said, referring to several projects already in the works.

There are more than a half-dozen downtown sites still in the running, Goodman said. Two being explored are 12 acres at the old City Hall building that would be tied into another 12 acres nearby, and Cashman Field.

TRUMP SHOPPING SHOW

Trump said he's in talks to take "The Apprentice" to another network.

He said NBC has indicated it wants to renew the former No. 1 hit show.

Trump was angered this month when NBC left "The Apprentice" off the fall lineup.

He said he's deciding "whether to do something with a certain other network."

During an interview Friday, Trump said the planned construction of a $5 billion spinoff of the Plaza Hotel of New York near his Trump International Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas validates his selection of the site.

"This is the hot block in Las Vegas. This is the hottest corner in the world right now," Trump said.

"It's the Fifth Avenue of Las Vegas," said Jack Wishna, the Las Vegas deal-maker who brought Trump together with New Frontier owner Phil Ruffin. Earlier this month, Ruffin sold the New Frontier and accompanying land for $1.2 billion.

Trump indicated he might have other plans for Las Vegas. "I'm looking at other things," he said.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Celine Dion marked her 650th performance of "A New Day..." (Caesars Palace) on Friday night. Since opening on March 25, 2003, her show has attracted more than 2.5 million spectators. Dion has 75 shows left before her Dec. 15 finale. The tally of 2.5 million is what Elvis drew over 837 sold-out shows at The International (now the Las Vegas Hilton) from July 31, 1969, to Dec. 12, 1976. ...

Jeff Beacher's "Madhouse" opens a new season tonight at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel with 4-foot-2 mini-Britney Terra Jole and a spoof of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Beacher has lined up a group of little people to participate in the oh-so-politically-incorrect Midget Unprofessional Fighting Federation.

SIGHTINGS

Cole and Dylan Sprouse of Disney's "Suite Life of Zack & Cody," dining Friday with their friends, Emily Gans, daughter of Mirage headliner Danny Gans, and Jenny Orlando, Tony Orlando's daughter, at Stack (The Mirage) before visiting Danny backstage before his show. ... At N9ne Steakhouse (Palms): Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine and UFC star Chuck Liddell, in different parties. ... Actor James Vanderbeek of "Dawson's Creek" fame, at Moon nightclub (The Palms) after the "Steel City" premiere party.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Congratulations to Jordin Sparks. She's the new 'American Idol.' The moment was spoiled when Paula Abdul tripped over her." -- David Letterman.

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