Event to promote skate park charity

Tony Hawk says don't worry about his body: "I haven't had as many injuries as people assume. I broke my elbow, rib, pelvis, I've had a bunch of concussions, and I don't really have much skin left on my shins. But that's about it, really."

Oh, and he's had "too many whiplashes in my lifetime." So he's seeing a neck specialist.

"On a daily basis, I have this neck-cracking thing I'm working on," he says and chuckles.

But Hawk shouldn't have brain problems from head injuries (as football players often do) partly because he doesn't rush back into action after bonking his noggin, he says.

Hawk recovered from this summer's cracked pelvis injury. He says it wasn't as crazy as his last pelvic break.

On Saturday, Hawk will return to the Wynn for his Stand Up For Skateparks charity event. He, Shaun White and other athletes will perform on Hawk's personal ramp. Z-Trip will perform. He gives Review-Journal readers some news: Legendary band X is on the bill suddenly. And Chuck Liddell and Elaine Wynn will be there. (For more, see TonyHawkFoundation.org.)

Hawk is typically busy. He's got a new video game, "Tony Hawk: Shred" and a new book, "How Did I Get Here?"

He's in part of the new "Jackass" movie. He's been friends with the "Jackass" guys forever, since they were just writing articles and doing stunts for a skateboarding magazine.

"I really enjoy those guys and their company. They're not trying to be outwardly crazy (merely) because people expect that."

Hawk is almost an honorary Las Vegan. He's involved with multiple skate parks. He hosts the Stand Up event. Years ago, he began Boom Boom Huck Jam in Vegas.

On Sunday, officials break ground at Freedom Park to improve its skate park, thanks to billionaire Ron Burkle, plus the Tony Hawk Foundation's $80,000 gift.

Why does Hawk do so much here?

"It's a blast to visit. It's fun. I love (coming here) with my kids. I love (coming here) without my kids. Also, it's relatively close for me, being from San Diego. Really, it's like adult Disneyland. It's awesome."

His kids are making their own tracks. His 17-year-old son is a skater with his own sponsors and tours. His middle son plays guitar. His 9-year-old is "just kind of crazy" and "has the kind of energy I have," he says and laughs.

Hawk, 42, says his own internal engine is "restlessness."

"I probably would have been diagnosed as hyperactive, had my parents actually gone that distance.

"But I'm glad they didn't, because they might have given me some sort of medication that would have slowed me down."

SIGHTINGS

David Arquette showed up at Sugar Factory this weekend when it hosted the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. Before that, he and Courteney Cox went trick-or-treating with daughter Coco. Cox told TV Week in Australia they're not getting divorced: "This is a separation." ... November Playboy cover and Eldorado High grad Arianny Celeste hung with Angela Simmons at Hard Rock for Halloween. ... Nickelback's Chad Kroger went to club Surrender on Halloween, with rockers from Buck Cherry, Hinder and Three Days Grace. ... Sofia Milos of "CSI" saw Jabbawockeez on Saturday at Monte Carlo. ... Team Edward fans: The Robert Pattinson wax figure pops into Madame Tussauds Wednesday-Nov. 30.

SAY WHAT?

"Nope, nope, nope. Nothing political. Nothing about elections. I just want to figure out Vegas, and let the politicians figure out the political stuff. I love America!" -- Heidi Montag after I asked whether she has last-minute words for voters.

Doug Elfman's column appears Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. E-mail him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.