At LV party, Shaq to celebrate career
It's certain to be a Shaqalicious time in Las Vegas on June 25.
Shaquille O'Neal's retirement party is being held at Moon nightclub at the Palms and it figures to be a Diesel-powered night, we hear.
There will be a 10 p.m. red carpet event for O'Neal and entourage.
The 15-time NBA All-Star and four-time NBA champ, who officially announced his retirement Friday , has been a longtime center of attraction in Las Vegas.
He's no stranger to the Palms. He's squeezed his 350-pound frame into DJ booths there and been spotted at more than a few local watering holes around town.
During a 2002 visit, he told me he was planning to buy the Las Vegas home of teammate Brian Shaw, calling it a case of "being a good businessman."
His rationale? Shaq said he usually spends about $200,000 on a trip to Las Vegas, including $10,000 for a private plane to bring in his pals, $50,000 to $60,000 for hotel rooms and another $50,000 to $60,000 gambling.
So having a home here, he figured, would significantly reduce his overhead.
One of my favorite sightings over the years was in 2009:
Shaquille O'Neal, waiting in line to purchase gummy bears Tuesday at the Planet Hollywood lobby gift shop.
He was in town to tape his confrontation with Oscar De La Hoya at the pool at Planet Hollywood Resort, as part of ABC's "Shaq Vs."
Never heard a bad word about the big guy. Even after he was asked to leave Light nightclub (now The Bank) at Bellagio in 2002, for wearing shorts and sneakers.
SOUND BITES, TALL TALES
Yappy Hour continues to pack in a pedigree crowd at Rumor Boutique Hotel, 455 E. Harmon.
While their owners sipped cocktails named Puppy Love and Dashin' Delight and snacked on Yappetizers of mini hot dogs, sliders and macaroni and cheese sticks, more than 100 dogs frolicked in a courtyard featuring the Gossip pool.
Some ravenous chowhounds wolfed down an all-occasion cake made by Sniffany & Company. Ingredients included: whipped cream icing, honey, flour, eggs, cinnamon and margarine.
Of course, we took our Yorkies, Rumor and Scandal. Rumor broke away and ran off with an exotic mixed breed, after passing himself as the hotel owner and close friend of Bark Obama.
Yappy Hour is being held every other Thursday, from 5-8 p.m.
The 150-room hotel by the Siegel Group has become a haven for special events. One family booked it for a bar mitzvah and planned to transform the balconies and courtyard it into Yankee Stadium, before deciding to celebrate the occasion with a trip to Israel.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Pardon the family mention, but we don't often get to brag about state champions, especially when it involves speed. Which is why we're busting our buttons over witnessing the gold medals won by Jaylen Sokoloski in the 100 and 200 meters in the Montana Class C state track competition. A year after not qualifying for state, he gave new meaning to the term "great" nephew: His time of 22.86 seconds in the 200 beat the Class A and B champs.
SIGHTINGS
Actor David Arquette and show business partner Jeff Beacher at Absinthe (Caesars Palace) on Friday. ... Boxing legend Joe Frazier, in a KVVU-TV, Channel 5, dressing room, chatting up Chynna Phillips, Carnie Wilson and Wendy Wilson of the 1990s vocal group Wilson Phillips. ... Michael Cera, best known for his roles as a gawky teen in "Arrested Development" and "Superbad," at N9NE Steakhouse (Palms) on Thursday. ... Rick Harrison of "Pawn Stars," dining at Vintner Grill on Thursday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Due to a typo, everyone in the audience got a brand new 'carp.' " -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Surprises in the Final Oprah Show
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.
