Marquee tributes urged for Goulet

Las Vegas resorts are being urged to pay tribute to the late Robert Goulet with marquee memorial messages on Friday, the day of his funeral.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority sent e-mails to the properties on Monday.

Only a handful of personalities, from Presidents John F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan, and members of the Rat Pack have been honored with dimmed lights or marquee tributes.

A star of Broadway, film, TV and a Las Vegas headliner, Goulet, 73, died Oct. 30 in Los Angeles a couple of weeks after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.

His funeral will be at the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer, 55 E. Reno Ave., at 1 p.m.

The LVCVA, with a $279.5 million budget in 2008 to promote Las Vegas through advertising, sales and special events, invited businesses to post the messages from noon to 12:15 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

"This will give photojournalists a chance to shoot the marquees on their way to the funeral service, and then again in the evening hours to take full advantage of the lighted effect."

Suggested messaging included: "Las Vegas remembers Robert Goulet, 1933-2007, a great star of the entertainment world."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

With the Vegas Grand Prix officially gone after one year, it looks as if the Mint 400 Great American Desert Race is being revived after a 20-year absence. Word is the race is set for March 28 at a site south of Las Vegas ... Mentalist Gerry McCambridge, who headlines at Hooters hotel and casino, has drawn tough duty during Wednesday's episode of NBC's new series, "Phenomenon" (KVBC-TV, Channel 3, 8 p.m.). McCambridge will be performing with Hugh Hefner's three girlfriends from the "Girls Next Door"...

Former "American Idol" runnerup Clay Aiken tapes his Christmas skating special for NBC tonight at The Orleans. He'll get some professional tips this afternoon from Sasha Cohen, the 2002 Olympic figure skating silver medalist. The show, which starts at 7:30 p.m. tonight, airs Christmas Day. Ticket information: 888-234-2334 or 702-284-7777.

Former Bellagio and Wynn Las Vegas executive Elizabeth Blau was honored Saturday by the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality for her work in the Las Vegas hospitality industry. Blau was a judge on an "Iron Chef America" episode last month. ...

Shintaro is indeed closing at Bellagio, to make room for a Light Group Japanese concept, but Tom Cruise's favorite restaurant at Bellagio was Jasmine, where he dined, on separate occasions, with Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz.

SIGHTINGS

Former President Bill Clinton was spotted dining Sunday with tennis legends/married couple Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf at StripSteak restaurant inside Mandalay Bay. ... The cast of "What Happens In Vegas," holding its wrap party on Saturday at Planet Hollywood Resort. Joining director Tom Vaughan were cast members Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, with wife/actress Demi Moore, actress Lake Bell, actor Rob Corrdry and the entire Las Vegas crew. Filming finished on Monday at Planet Hollywood ... Musician John Tesh and wife Connie Sellecca attending Penn & Teller's performance Saturday at the Rio ... Actor Chris Tucker and music mogul Quincy Jones, stopping by Caramel Lounge Sunday inside the Bellagio. Also at Caramel: former hip-hop/rap star Chris Reed, who went by Kid in the popular group Kid 'n Play ... The cast of "Stomp Out Loud" from Planet Hollywood Resort, performing Sunday at the Professional Bull Riders World Finals inside UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center ... Boxing champ Floyd Mayweather Jr., spotted with his grandmother at Popeye's Chicken at Bonanza and Rancho over the weekend ... Danny Masterson, with girlfriend Bijou Phillips, attending Sunday's 10 p.m. performance of Cirque du Soliel's "Love" with separate parties at The Mirage ... At LAX nightclub Saturday inside the Luxor: Music star Usher, Quincy Jones, Chris Tucker, singer/music producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, music producer Benny Medina, legendary deejay Grandmaster Flash, illusionist Criss Angel, actor Eric McCormick, singer Jon B, legendary rapper Doug E. Fresh, actors Danny Masterson and Chris Masterson, actresses Laura Prepon and Bijou Phillips, Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, former NBA star Gary Payton, actress Leah Remini, poker star David Williams, rapper Too Short and actor Michael Pena.

THE PUNCH LINE

"I don't know why this is public record, but the figures are pretty amazing. (Britney Spears) makes $737,000 a month. She spends almost 16,000 of those dollars on clothes, and keep in mind, that's without spending a dime on underwear." -- Jimmy Kimmel

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