Cyrus lifts spirits of kids in hospital

Miley Cyrus made a surprise visit to the children's cancer ward at Sunrise Hospital that left her young fans "more excited than Christmas."

Cyrus, the 15-year-old star of Disney's runaway hit "Hannah Montana" TV show, stunned a room full of kids when she arrived in their play area about 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

"They were really surprised," said Monique Matthews, whose daughter, 12-year-old Tamera, had her picture taken with the entertainment phenom and got to attend Sunday's concert, the last of three at the MGM Grand Garden.

Cyrus spent 90 minutes visiting with stricken children, signing autographs, posing for photographs and chatting.

"She lifted spirits. It's so nice to see famous people help the kids," Matthews said.

"She's really sweet," said Tamera Matthews, who needed a boost after eight months in the ward. "Some kids were too sick so she went to see them."

Cyrus' visit made a difficult weekend more bearable for Tamera's mother.

"I found out Saturday that she has relapsed," said Matthews, who also learned that same day that Tamera had been invited to the concert. Tamera wasn't told about her setback until Monday.

"I didn't want to say anything until afterward," said the mother of three.

When Tamera heard the prognosis from her mother, "she told me, 'At least I got to meet Hannah Montana.' "

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Sashay over to Trader Vic's (Planet Hollywood Resort) tonight for a meet-and-greet with 20 former Miss Americas. Open to the public, the event runs from 5-7:30 p.m. ...

"The Sopranos Last Supper" abruptly ends a two-year run tonight at the Empire Ballroom to move to the Riviera. The interactive dinner theater will open Jan. 31 at the Riv, and Steve Schirripa of the real "Sopranos" will be joining the cast on media night, Feb. 12th. ...

Sylvester Stallone, in town for Thursday's world premiere of his final "Rambo" film, still loves a brawl. He's ordered tickets to Wednesday's welterweight UFC tilt between Mike Swick and Josh Burkman. Tickets are still available. ...

Hometown NASCAR hero Kurt Busch will be appearing in Golden Gaming's "My PT's" ad on Super Bowl Sunday. Back in August, moments after winning the Pennsylvania 500, he gave a shout-out to the local tavern chain. He nicknamed his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge the "PT Cruiser" in honor of his crew chief Pat Tryson. ...

The Las Vegas Gladiators might have done quarterback Shaun King, a disaster in the Arena Football League last season, a favor by cutting him loose after a 1-5 start. He has been doing a solid job as a football analyst on ESPN's "Cold Pizza." He predicted during Monday's show that the Giants will upset the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

SIGHTINGS

Actor Billy Crystal, attending Sunday's performance of Cirque du Soleil's "Love" with wife Janice and friends at The Mirage. ... Mike Tyson, drinking Red Bull on his fourth visit to Pure (Caesars Palace) in a week on Sunday. ... Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue, buying vitamins at Whole Foods in Henderson on Sunday. ... Lenny Kravitz, having a late-night dinner Sunday at Ago restaurant (Hard Rock Hotel) after his performance at The Pearl inside the Palms. Kravitz was later spotted at Body English nightclub (Hard Rock Hotel). Also dining at Ago: Actor Wilmer Valderrama and rap legend Doug E. Fresh. ... John Mayer, checking out Body English nightclub (Hard Rock Hotel) on Sunday. Also at Body English: Valderrama, Doug E. Fresh, Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter, rapper Too Short and actor Mehcad Brooks. ... Veteran director Paul Mazursky, at the Summerlin Library Saturday night, after a screening of his documentary "Yippee: A Journey to Jewish Joy," at the Las Vegas Jewish Film Festival. It was Mazursky's first trip to Las Vegas in decades. He spent time here several decades ago during the production of "Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice" (1969), "Blume in Love" (1973) and "Harry and Tonto" (1974), for which Art Carney won a best actor Oscar.