Fernley plant puts Potter in the mail
July 21, 2007 - 9:00 pm
Harry Potter mania has a mysterious connection in Nevada.
A National Public Radio segment earlier this week mentioned Amazon.com's "secret location in Nevada" where the company was warehousing mountains of the new book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the seventh and final volume of J.K. Rowling's monster best-seller.
Many copies of the first printing of 12 million in the U.S. alone were reported as being stored at the Amazon.com plant in Fernley, near Reno. The facility employs 900 of Fernley's 8,000-plus residents.
Harry Potter fans are in an uproar that someone, not necessarily a Fernley plant worker, leaked the book to a Web site that posted what appears to be every page of the 784-page book.
The book went on sale at midnight Friday.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Las Vegas ranks ninth among the top fashion cities of 2007, according to a global survey. It marks the first time Las Vegas has been ranked in the annual survey by Global Language Monitor, which documents, analyzes and tracks trends in language the world over, with a particular emphasis on Global English. The top 10, in order: New York, Rome, Paris, London, Milan, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Las Vegas and Singapore. The survey organizers said the strong move indicates Las Vegas is "emerging as a vibrant fashion center."...
Corporate headhunter Mark Wayman and his wife, Susan, missed the big moment. They had to stay in Las Vegas on Thursday and watch on TV as Princess Susan M, a 2-year-old filly named after Susan, won the fourth race at 8-1 odds. The Waymans co-own the horse with Californian Sean Gerson. That gives their racing team, headed by trainer Peter Miller, five wins this year, with Kentucky Derby hopeful Big Mahogany on deck at Del Mar.
SIGHTINGS
At Tryst (Wynn) on Thursday: NBA standouts Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Jason Kidd, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Kirk Hinrich and Chris Bosh. Also there: "Transformer" director Michael Bay. ... NBA great Bill Walton, at the late showing of "Love" (The Mirage) on Thursday night. ... Detroit Pistons veteran Chris Webber, dining Thursday at Tao Asian Bistro with friends before heading upstairs to Tao nightclub inside The Venetian. Webber is in town for his second Bada Bling Celebrity Weekend, which raises money to benefit The Chris Webber Foundation, whose main objective is to increase literacy among disadvantaged youths. He was scheduled to make an appearance with 140 third-grade students from Rex Bell Elementary School. Also spotted at Tao nightclub: movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer. ... At Body English nightclub (Hard Rock Hotel) on Wednesday: Tuan Lam, celebrating his runner-up finish in this year's World Series of Poker's main event, which earned him $4.8 million.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Britney Spears and her mother got into a slap fight. It got so bad, the baby pulled over and stopped the car." -- David Letterman.
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
NORM CLARKEMORE COLUMNS