Keep a lookout for Prince Harry
Sightings of British royalty in Las Vegas are about as rare as a nun in a strip club.
So what are the odds of two showing up within a week or two? Slimmer than Demi Moore's new look, right.
That royal quinella might just happen, especially now that Princess Beatrice of York broke the drought Friday night.
The daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson showed up at Cirque du Soleil's "O" (Bellagio) and knocked down a frozen drink with her boyfriend, David Clark, who had a beer.
She caused a royal stir in April with her choice of headware -- described as a beige pretzel-like creation -- for the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Beatrice's first visit to Las Vegas came as rumors intensified that paparazzi had been tipped that her cousin, Prince Harry, could be showing up soon at Wynn Las Vegas.
His trip could include a rendezvous with his new American girlfriend, San Diego cocktail server Jessica Donaldson.
According to The Sun of London, Prince Harry met Donaldson two weeks ago at the Andaz hotel in San Diego while he was partying with army buddies.
She reportedly joined them after her shift and had lunch with him the next day. Last weekend, she and the prince were spotted at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, north of San Diego, downing tequila shots and kissing.
RUTH'S CHRIS CLOSING
A slumping economy and a two-year court battle has cost a pioneer restaurateur ownership of Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on Paradise Road.
Owner Marcel Taylor informed his staff on Saturday afternoon that he has lost his legal battle with Ruth's Chris parent company and is closing at 2 a.m. Monday.
"Ruth's Chris Hospitality Group wants the territory. That's why they wouldn't work with me," said Taylor, who said he paid more than $12 million in franchise fees over 22 years.
Taylor opened a second Ruth's Chris on Flamingo Road in 1994 but closed it in 2009 a year after the economy crashed. The Paradise location was bouncing back, on track to gross $5 million, he said.
MEDIA UPDATE
Fall is in the air and so are changes in the broadcasting community.
Beasley Broadcast Group on Thursday switched KVGS-FM 107.9 to a new format featuring rock and pop from the 1970s to the present, and calling the station BOB FM. ...
Four newsroom staffers at KLAS-TV, Channel 8 have departed in recent weeks: general assignment reporter/Sunday morning anchor Melissa Duran and reporter Mitch Carr have resigned. Duran resigned after five years to enter training to run a Patty's Closet boutique store. Assignment editor Robert Martinez departed but hasn't indicated what he plans to do next. ...
Tom Ficara, a cable TV syndication pioneer who distributed Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal's TV show nationally in the 1970s, is producing a monthly TV special hosted by Frankie Citro on TV4U.com. The show will begin taping Nov. 6 at the Italian American Club and will feature local acts. DJ Sheila Del Monte will double as the announcer. ...
Charese Fruge is the new program director at CBS-owned KXTE-FM 107.5. That's in addition to her program director duties for KMXB-FM 94.1. Heather Converse starts Monday at KMXB as midday personality and programming coordinator.
SIGHTINGS
Actor Jonathan Lipnicki of "Jerry McGuire" and "Stuart Little" fame, celebrating his 21st birthday shortly after midnight Friday at Surrender (Encore).
THE PUNCH LINE
"KFC has introduced the new Cheesy Bacon Bowl, which is filled with mashed potatoes, cheese, gravy, chicken, and bacon. The bowl sells for $3.99, contains 700 calories, and is now the Republican front-runner for president." -- 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. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
