Branson to rappel off Palms tower

Sir Richard Branson has another adventure up his sleeve, this time in Las Vegas.

The British thrill-seeker, who founded Virgin Airlines, loves a challenge, from dangerous transoceanic hot-air balloon races to sitting in a swimming pool in the middle of a hurricane.

Today he plans to rappel 40-some floors off the Palms Fantasy Tower to celebrate his inaugural Virgin America flight from San Francisco to Las Vegas.

Comedy magicians Penn & Teller will emcee the stunt, starting at 6 p.m.

GOOD TO GO

The day of the dead-serious funeral director is giving way to a bolder, upbeat breed. You can't spell funeral without f-u-n.

If you need proof of how much the burial business has lightened up, check out the 126th annual convention of the National Funeral Directors Association at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Borrowing a concept from their firefighting brethren, a group of funeral directors came up with fundraising calendars of hunky, shirtless young men in a most unlikely setting: at a cemetery, lowering a casket.

See for yourself at www.menofmortuaries.com.

A former Denver radio deejay, Jo Myers, was among convention goers Tuesday. She loaded her car with copies of her new book, "Good to Go: The ABC's of Death and Dying," and drove to Las Vegas to pitch her product (www.goodtogothe book.com).

Her chapter titles reflect the humor resonating through the industry of the dearly departed: Chapter B is "Bones of Contention," which has to do with family issues that inevitably arise. Chapter V deals with surviving pets, hence the title: "It Takes a Veterinarian and a Village."

Cremated remains, she told me, are now known as "cremains."

Maybe it's only a happy coincidence, but one of the receptions this week was at the Palms' ghostbar. Discussion, no doubt, included what happens in the hereafter, stays in the hereafter.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

David Hasselhoff has been hospitalized after an alcoholic relapse, according to the National Enquirer. Hasselhoff, who left "The Producers" at Paris Las Vegas in May after a relapse, has been shooting "Anaconda 3" in Romania. He was a no-show Saturday at the Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children charity event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. ...

Rebekah Raun and Benjamin Hale, cast members of "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular," got engaged in Utah over the weekend. They met during "Phantom" rehearsals in April 2006, began dating soon after, and plan to marry in Las Vegas in January 2008. Raun is a ballerina in the show, and Hale is a "Raoul" understudy and ensemble cast member. ...

Mark Philippoussis' tennis revival is taking priority over romance. After selecting Amanda Salinas in NBC's "Age of Love" reality show in August, Philippoussis has apparently put the relationship on hold. Now 10 pounds lighter from training, Philippoussis, a Las Vegas resident, told me he's concentrating on his comeback. ...

Kid Rock continues to slide deep into the gutter with his slams of ex-wife Pamela Anderson. During Rock's appearance Monday on the "Late Show With David Letterman," Letterman mentioned that Anderson had remarried over the weekend. "I wish somebody would have given me the advice that I'd like to give her husband," Rock said. "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?" When the audience groaned, Rock responded, "C'mon, lighten up," adding, "I wish them much happiness."

SIGHTINGS

"Hercules" actor Kevin Sorbo, dining at Wolfgang Puck's Postrio (Venetian) on Sunday and again for lunch on Monday. ... David Desrosiers, vocalist and bassist for the French Canadian pop-punk band Simple Plan, at "Love" (Mirage) on Monday with his girlfriend.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Border agents have now been issued air guns that shoot pepper balls at people coming across the Mexican border. ... Isn't that like firing meatballs at an Italian guy?" -- Jay Leno

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