Bottom 10 stories sad but truly offbeat
The end of the world was wildly overrated, but maybe we should have known better.
Those Mayans failed to predict their own demise. Why did anyone believe they'd accurately handicapped our own?
We're about to start another new year without the slightest scent of doom in the air. Unless, of course, you count a record federal deficit, half a world at war and Brad Pitt pitching Chanel No. 5 perfume as signs of trouble.
If there's one thing that's inevitable, it's my Bottom 10 stories of the year. The 23rd annual list of the year's most embarrassing local moments reminds us that most folks don't actually die from public mortification - it only seems that way.
No. 10: HOTEL HELL. The good news is, you've just won a free weekend at a Strip resort. The bad news?
You'll be staying at the Harmon Hotel, the CityCenter eyesore so large it's observable from space. Contractors and casino bosses continue to feud over the fate of the botched high-rise.
But at least it actually exists. It's not as if it's a Las Vegas arena project.
No. 9: ARENA MAGIC. Move over David Copperfield and Criss Angel. There's a new illusionist in Las Vegas, and his name is Chris Milam.
Right before our eyes Milam manages to make his dream of a 17,500-seat sports arena appear and then disappear.
Speaking of empty seats ...
No. 8: FUMBLIN' REBELS. Bobby Hauck's UNLV football team once again reminds us why we don't need to rush plans for a new stadium. His three-year record: 6-32.
Of course, one sports page personality had a worse year than Hauck.
No. 7: FLOYD'S SUMMER VACATION. Boxing champ Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. can beat anyone, but he squats in the pokey after beating an ex-girlfriend.
In December, Mayweather watches a monumental payday hit the canvas along with Manny Pacquiao.
No. 6: THE SCAREDY CAT. Billionaire casino titan Steve Wynn usually is called a visionary cat. Who knew he was really a scaredy cat? Wynn said President Barack Obama's policies make him afraid to invest in America.
Proving he is graced with every gift but the gift of irony, days after Obama's re-election published reports confirmed Wynn was considering building a casino in the far-off land of ... Everett, Mass.
No. 5: THE STUMP BLOWER. Cowboy County Commissioner Tom Collins loses a wrestling match with Jack Daniel's and gets into a shouting match with a recalcitrant tree, then shoots the stubborn stump.
Did I mention Collins also easily won re-election?
No. 4: SHELDON'S BANKROLL. Money talks in politics, and in 2012 casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson's checkbook made the most noise.
Depending on your source, the Republican moneybags was responsible for funding the causes of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and many other candidates with more than $100 million.
Hey, at least no one has accused him of violating federal campaign finance laws
No. 3: HANDCUFFING HARVEY. In June, high-flying legislative lobbyist and well-connected political parts man Harvey Whittemore was indicted on federal campaign finance charges for essentially doing what he has always done - collecting contributions for politicians and parlaying the influence for personal gain.
Who does he think he is, a Las Vegas constable?
No. 2: THE EVICTION NOTICE. While many locals don't know what Las Vegas Constable John Bonaventura does for a living, they are surprised to learn he has deputized local attorneys in an effort to pay for their legal services. The office is a shambles.
Unless he decides to evict himself, the constable may need a lawyer on the payroll in 2013.
No. 1: THE FAMILY GUY. For two decades Judge Steven Jones was the big man at Family Court. Now he faces the prospect of spending time in the Big House after being indicted in connection with what investigators say was a $3 million investment scheme.
His world didn't go up in flames in 2012, just his career and reputation.
John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Email him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 702-383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith. Follow him on Twitter @jlnevadasmith.
2012 in Las Vegas
