Free holiday party at Hard Rock Hotel

Free drinks and appetizers are being served from 7-9 p.m. to cheer up a community battered by the tough economy.

"So many people are talking about not having holiday parties or anything in the form of a celebration that we thought we’d give back to the local community," said Yale Rowe, senior vice president and general manager of operations.

They’re expecting a couple thousand, he said, adding, "The more the merrier."

NOT-SO-EASY STREET

Cathedral Way, the road that passes through the Guardian Angel Cathedral property, has been renamed Wynn Boulevard, and an attempt to get an explanation turned into a dead end Monday.

I sent an e-mail to Judith Kohl, general counsel for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas, asking for the particulars. She passed the buck to R&R Partners, saying the comment would have to come from them.

Rachel Wilkinson, R&R’s director of communication, tossed the hot potato to Clark County.

Wilkinson, in her e-mailed response — which arrived at 5:40 p.m., well after the county offices closed — suggested I was barking up the wrong tree.

"Roadway and access is determined through the County and not as a result of an agreement between the Diocese and Wynn Resorts," she said.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

All charges have been dropped in the traffic case that cost former KTNV-TV, Channel 13 morning anchor Ron Futrell his job. He was arrested July 25 after a past-midnight accident near Charleston Boulevard. He was charged with five misdemeanors: unsafe lane change, hit and run from a property damage crash, failure to stop and render aid, failure to immediately report an accident and obstruction of a police officer. A week later, Futrell said KTNV fired him for "serious misconduct." Futrell said Tuesday that "while I expected this, I’m pleasantly surprised. Not even a traffic ticket, no fine." …

Former "Baywatch" icon David Hasselhoff will sing the national anthem at Saturday’s BYU-Arizona duel in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl XVII. One of his daughters, Taylor Ann, is a student at the University of Arizona. The Wildcats face BYU at Sam Boyd Stadium. …

Mercedes of the Mark & Mercedes show on KMXB-FM 94.1 gave birth Saturday night to her second child, daughter Brooklyn Madison, who weighed in at 7 pounds, 10 ounces. Mercedes returns from maternity leave Jan. 28. …

Correction: Holly, Bridget and Kendra from "The Girls Next Door" will appear from 1-2 p.m. Saturday at the Playboy Store at the Forum Shops at Caesars. …

Singing legend Paul Anka says a domestic squabble with his wife Nov. 28 was "blown out of proportion." "Yah, she hit me with an ice cube. There isn’t even a scar," said the longtime Las Vegas headliner. "It was no big deal, a non-event," he said. "The cop told me ‘Since O.J. (the O.J. Simpson murder trial) we have to report everything.’ It was a missing persons report, not domestic abuse," said Anka, 67, who has three soldout shows at The Orleans this weekend.

SIGHTINGS

Tiger Woods, still rehabbing his left knee after surgery, spotted Tuesday at his trainer Keith Kleven‘s physical rehab institute. Woods had the surgery after winning the U.S. Open in June with one of his gutsiest performances as a pro. … Groups from Cranfills Gap, Texas, at "Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular" and "Blue Man Group" at The Venetian on Monday. It’s part of an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas, a $2.5 million marketing promotion by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. More than 100 of the town’s 370 resident are taking part. They were to attend "Jersey Boys" on Tuesday. … Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris having lunch with friends Tuesday at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (Forum Shops at Caesars). … Hip-hop stars Busta Rhymes and Kid Cudi, singing their hits at Prive’s Monday party. … Mike Bryan, who won the U.S. Open doubles title with brother Bob, at "Mystere" (Treasure Island) on Monday with girlfriend Lucile, celebrating her birthday. … Carol Linnea Johnson, the lead in "Mamma Mia!" (Mandalay Bay), singing lead with her new band, Hot Club, at Vox Wine Lounge in Henderson on Friday. They were celebrating their debut release.

THE PUNCH LINE

"(Monday) at a press conference in Baghdad, an angry Iraqi threw his shoes at President Bush‘s head. When he saw the shoes, President Bush said, ‘See? I knew you guys had weapons of mass destruction.’" — Conan O’Brien

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