Blog ID’d wrong Nevada governor

A blog called VoteGibbonsOut on Thursday reported that Gov. Jim Gibbons and his estranged wife, Dawn, were seen at the Bucket of Blood Saloon in Virginia City about two weeks ago.

We found the blog site’s mascot adorable: a cartoon figure in the shape of Nevada, complete with an eye patch.

However, a quick telephone call to the Bucket of Blood revealed that someone got his wires crossed: Yes, a governor and first lady were there, according to a BOB bartender, but it was former Gov. Kenny Guinn and first lady Dema.

My spies, on the other hand, tell me Gibbons and the first lady haven’t seen each other in six months.

They have a hearing coming up in early September.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Following up on the dismissal Monday of KTNV-TV, Channel 13, reporter Jeff Gradney after a sex ad appeared in craigslist.com: Talk-show callers are noting the original ad was apparently changed from Gradney and his girlfriend seeking a "cool guy to play with" to a preference for a female. … Former KTNV sports and morning anchor Ron Futrell, who was let go after a hit-and-run accident last month, filled in on the news breaks a week ago at KXNT-AM 840 and did such a good job that he will be filling in all next week for afternoon drive news, according to program director Jack Landreth. … As great jobs go, Chris Hammond’s is right up there. He’s founder and president of Rock ‘n Roll Wine LLC, a wine event marketing company. Plus, he makes his own vino. But his father, Tom Hammond, has him beat six ways to Sunday. As the lead announcer for NBC’s track and field coverage at the Beijing Olympic Games, he’s called the double-gold performance of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who broke world records in the 100 and 200 meters. The senior Hammond also is NBC’s voice of Notre Dame football and the network’s host of the Kentucky Derby. … The 22nd Black and White Party, the main fundraiser for Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN), is Saturday at the Palms pool, starting at 8 p.m. For more information: www.AFANLV.org or call 382-2326.

MAY I RECOMMEND…

Six Las Vegas-area movie theaters are among 400 around the country participating in the third season of "The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD." Soprano Renee Fleming stars in fully staged performances of scenes from Verdi’s "La Traviata" (Act II), Massenet’s "Manon" (Act III) and the final scene from Richard Strauss’ "Capriccio." Tickets go on sale today for the series, which begins with a Sept. 22 opening night gala.

For more information: www.FathomEvents.com.

SIGHTINGS

Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce, hiding behind sunglasses and a big hat while playing blackjack at $500 a hand in the high roller salon at Wynn Las Vegas on Tuesday and Wednesday. … At LAX (Luxor) on Wednesday: British boxing champion Ricky Hatton, having champagne with show producer Jeff Beacher. Also in the house: Antoine Walker of the Memphis Grizzlies, with friends.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Seniors day at the nude beach." — From David Letterman‘s "Top Ten Surfer Pet Peeves."

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