Restaurant ruckus takes new twist
An Israeli citizen accused of trying to take over a CityCenter restaurant and nightclub fronted by Eva Longoria is in hot water with Homeland Security.
Ronen Nachum has been indicted by a federal grand jury on perjury charges, said Don Campbell, who heads Longoria's legal team. Nachum is in a Los Angeles federal correctional center awaiting extradition to Las Vegas.
Nachum and his wife, Mali, an investor in Beso restaurant and its nightclub, Eva, made headlines on May 5, 2010, when they were removed from the venue at CityCenter's Crystals .
According to court documents, Nachum terrorized the staff with threats, and some witnesses testified he claimed he was with the Israeli mafia.
Campbell said a restraining order led to Nachum's troubles with Homeland Security when he testified in court . He had indicated on his visa application that he planned to teach Judaic and rabbinical studies.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Mike Tyson was in New York City on Thursday to tape today's edition of "The Talk" (KTNV-TV, Channel 13). He will be talking about his new one-man show, the Mike Tyson Cares Foundation and the anti-bullying campaign created by R&R Partners. He's at Tabu, the MGM Grand hot spot, at 7 tonight for the launch of the foundation. Tickets at the door are $550, or you can get the $100 special by going to Mike
TysonCares.eventbrite.com by 6 p.m. today. The promotion code is SeatESPN.
Joseph Elevado is returning to Las Vegas to become executive chef of Andrea's, which opens Dec. 28 at Encore. Elevado was executive chef at Nobu at the Hard Rock Hotel before going to the Social House at Treasure Island. He has been executive chef at L'Ermitage Beverly Hills. Andrea's grand opening is Jan. 16. ...
The Las Vegas Great Santa run not only repeated in the World Santa Challenge, with 9,712 Santas overrunning Town Square on Saturday, but recorded almost 2,000 more participants than last year.
SIGHTINGS
NFL great Joe Montana, dropping by the KLUC-FM, 98.5, toy drive headquarters on West Sahara about 7 a.m. Thursday. He arrived at the same time the Blue Man Group and Flamingo headliner Nathan Burton were atop the 40-foot high scaffolding, on air with KLUC deejay Chet Buchanan and the morning team of Lauren and Spence. Also stopping by: Danny Koker of Count's Kustoms, whose staff members donated 35 bikes. Koker was with one of his painters, Lonnie Speer , whose family weathered some tough times a few years ago, thanks to HELP of Southern Nevada. "They've never forgotten," said Koker, adding Speer has "made the biggest turnabout in his life."
Forty wounded warriors and their families, greeted Wednesday by a Salute Our Troops crowd of 1,000 team members from The Venetian and Palazzo. The soldiers and their loved ones will be guests at Faith Hill and Tim McGraw's opening night of "Soul2Soul" tonight at The Venetian. They were welcomed by Miriam and Sheldon Adelson, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Mercedes is developing technology to let you look at Facebook on your car windshield. It's perfect for everyone who wants to get hit by an oncoming 18-wheeler." - Conan O'Brien
Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. His weekly segment, "Norm Clarke's Vegas," airs during the "Morning Blend" on KTNV-TV, Channel 13 every Thursday.
