Book peeks inside world of Sinatra

Frank Sinatra's Las Vegas days come alive in "Jilly -- Sinatra's Right-Hand Man."

The new book about Jilly Rizzo, Sinatra's longtime friend and confidant, offers a rare glimpse inside Sinatra's inner circle by dozens of insiders, including numerous Las Vegans.

Author Scott Nollen and Rizzo's son, Las Vegas resident William "Willie" Rizzo, who participated in the book project with his brother Joseph, are appearing at the Bootlegger Bistro, 7700 Las Vegas Blvd., at 5 tonight for a book signing and media availability session.

Local vocalists will entertain with Sinatra songs from 5-9 p.m.

Jilly Rizzo, an ex-bootlegger and jazz lover who owned a popular New York City nightspot, officially met Sinatra at the Copacabana sometime after Sinatra saw the big man in action as a bouncer. They hit it off, and Rizzo spent much of the 1960s and 1970s at Sinatra's side, often as his protector.

Rizzo died in an automobile accident in 1992, on his 75th birthday, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He is buried near Sinatra in the Desert Memorial Park in Palm Springs, Calif.

The book is loaded with remembrances, from Sinatra pals Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, who toured with Sinatra, to Sinatra's musical director Vincent Falcone, Sinatra security guard "Uncle Frank" Potenza (Jimmy Kimmel's uncle) and Cleto Escobedo Sr., former head butler at Caesars Palace, now a member of Kimmel's band.

JACKSON BENEFIT

Local entertainers are stepping up for the Michael Jackson benefit tribute Aug. 29.

So far, commitments have come in from "Jersey Boys," "Ultimate Manilow: The Hits," "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular," "Peepshow," "The Lion King" and Human Nature, among others.

Tickets go on sale Saturday for the event, which is being held at The Pearl, the Palms' concert venue on what would have been Jackson's 51st birthday. Ticket prices start at $29. They can be purchased through Ticketmaster and the Palms box office. All of the proceeds are going to the Clark County Public Education Foundation, specifically earmarked for music education programs.

'TODAY' ON THE WAY

Natalie Morales and Amy Robach of NBC's "Today" show will be broadcasting live from Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace on July 30. They'll be joined by Flamingo headliners Donny and Marie Osmond.

According to NBC's news release, Morales and Robach will also become special agents for a day in "Vegas' popular Stiletto Spy School."

"Popular" Stiletto Spy School?

Apparently, it's one of those under-the-radar Vegas attractions. I checked the Web site, and it says you can enroll in "Mission Las Vegas" for $3,650, which includes "spy girl training" for a business group, a birthday bash or a bachelorette looking for "something out of the ordinary."

Enrollees must use their wiles to avoid "enemy agents." Training includes "advanced seduction skills" and learning how to handle all kinds of firearms, from Glock pistols to Uzis and M16s.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Wednesday was a big day for Las Vegas entertainer Nelson Sardelli. While in New York City to see his daughter, Giovanna Sardelli, direct the off-Broadway play "Wildflower," the proud father was browsing in a bookstore when he spotted an old friend on the cover of a new book. He opened up Vic Damone's "Singing Was the Easy Part," and among the acknowledgments was Sardelli's name, along with Lawrence, Steve Wynn and Carroll Shelby. ... Ray Jarvis, a singing sensation with the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana in the 1960s, will be remembered Sunday during Wes Winters' tribute concert at the Clark County Library on Flamingo. The show starts at 2 p.m.

SIGHTINGS

Eva Longoria Parker in Las Vegas on Tuesday, with Bobby Baldwin, CityCenter's president and CEO, and others. She was in town to discuss her restaurant, Beso, which opens at CityCenter in December. ... Stevie Wonder, singing "Happy Birthday" by telephone to Flamingo headliner George Wallace during Tuesday's show. Another highlight: comedy magician Nathan Burton performed a trick that started with a showgirl in a pink bustier walking into a dressing room area on stage. In an instant, Burton "transformed" the showgirl into Donny Osmond, who was wearing the bustier.

THE PUNCH LINE

"We're supposed to go to Mars, but the men refused to stop and ask for directions." -- From David Letterman's "Top Ten Surprises On The NASA Moon Landing Tapes."

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