Gingrich finds even Adelson’s checking account has its limits

Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich lost his biggest financial supporter this week when casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson decided to close his big checkbook and move on.

On Monday at the TribeFest convention at The Venetian, Adelson said Gingrich "appears as though he's at the end his line" after failing to collect enough delegates to seriously contend for the Republican nomination. The comments were recorded by JewishJournal.com and have sent ripples through the GOP primary.

Adelson and wife Miriam are responsible for pumping $16.5 million into the Gingrich super PAC, Winning Our Future, according to published reports. But Gingrich wasn't winning enough in the present to keep Adelson's faith.

The billionaire now appears to be throwing in with front-runner Mitt Romney. Not that he's excited about it. In the interview Adelson observed, "He's not the bold decision-maker like Newt Gingrich is."

What about Rick Santorum?

Adelson doesn't support Santorum, in part, because the candidate is too socially conservative. Adelson said he knows Santorum and likes him, "but I've got to tell you something: I don't want him to run my country."

MIRACLE LEAGUE: The Las Vegas Miracle League's opening day ceremony didn't make the ESPN highlight reel, but maybe it should have.

Under a gray Saturday morning sky that dared not rain on the gathering of special ballplayers down at Engelstad Family Park on Rancho Drive, the third Miracle League season began before a capacity crowd. The league provides opportunities to play baseball for locals with physical and mental challenges on a specially designed field.

Each player takes the field with a buddy, and the rules are designed to let everyone participate and score. There's "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" after the first inning and the "Chicken Dance," too.

The league is underwritten by the Engelstad Family Foundation and is the result of the combined efforts of local attorney Tim McGarry and the dedicated souls at First Christian Church.

Singer Kevin Chalfant, in his Chicago White Sox jersey, added an excellent rendition of "God Bless America." He hadn't been aware of the Miracle League's existence but came away impressed.

"I'm really glad I came," Chalfant said. "It's humbling."

With help from City Councilman Ricki Barlow, the field is scheduled to have lights installed.

And if the scoreboard shows that every game ends in a tie, no one seems to mind.

CRAZY CASE: The seemingly never-ending legal affairs of former Crazy Horse Too topless cabaret owner Rick Rizzolo continue with his latest attorney, Dominic Gentile, asking the court for permission to bow out as counsel.

Rizzolo, who of late has been getting his mail from behind bars after violating his parole, continues to fight attempts to collect more than $10 million in a litigation related to the beating of Kansas tourist Kirk Henry.

Rizzolo was slapped with a nine-month sentence last July by U.S. District Judge Philip Pro for a parole violation that included deceiving his federal parole officer. The judge tightened the conditions of Rizzolo's parole and has ordered the return from an offshore bank account of millions of dollars the ousted topless lord was attempting to conceal.

CULINARY-STATION: No one has yet compared it to a UFC grudge match, but the friction between Culinary Local 226 and Station Casinos promises to increase in the coming months.

Following its successful rally last week outside the Red Rock Resort casino, the union can't afford to relax. It has upcoming negotiations at other resorts to consider, too.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Longtime local attorney Neal Galatz now hangs his shingle at the Gordon Silver law firm, where they're grateful to have his experience in medical malpractice issues. ... Barney Vinson, author of the best-selling "Behind the Tables" books, has just published a comedic novel titled "The Big Spin." ... Local true-crime specialist Cathy Scott's latest book is "The Millionaire's Wife."

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? Email comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 702-383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.