Old-timers bid fond farewell to an oldie

Escorted by security, an elderly couple in wheelchairs returned to the Sahara this weekend to pay their respects to a dying icon.

"They appeared to be in their 90s," said Tony Smith, one of just two front desk receptionists on duty Saturday. "They came for a last viewing."

One thing that has stood out, Smith said, has been the number of people who have come in on medical walkers to take a slow goodbye.

Some had married or honeymooned at the Sahara, which opened in 1952 as Nevada's tallest skyscraper (at 14 stories) and hit the heights in the late '50s when Louie Prima, Keely Smith and Sam Butera and The Witnesses ignited the lounge era in the Casbar.

Smith, a former basketball star at UNLV, marked his 20th anniversary at the Sahara in somber fashion in March.

He's been among the skeletal staff that witnessed the final throes of the legendary property. Room rates that slipped as low as $25 are up to $89 for the last nights.

The most-asked questions, Smith said, include "Is the Beatles suite available," "Will it be imploded" and "What are you going to do after it closes."

As we talked, a young woman stopped near Smith to snap a photo of the oversized Elvis photograph behind the reception desk.

This isn't Smith's first casino exit. He lost his job 20-some years ago when The New Frontier changed ownership in the early '90s.

"This was more devastating because, being an ex-Rebel, I knew pretty much everyone on the property," Smith said. "I met a lot of friends here and a lot of great guests."

Smith, who turns 55 next month, was a celebrity at the Sahara. As a sophomore he helped the Rebels reach their first Final Four in 1977 in Atlanta.

A year later, against No. 1 Kentucky, the eventual NCAA champion, Smith scored 21 of his 29 points in the first half before the Wildcats ran away with it.

It wasn't easy to watch the Sahara's last days, Smith said. Out of 1,200 rooms, only 163 were sold going into Saturday night, he said.

"People are taking everything -- room keys, ashtrays, memo pads, gaming chips, anything with the logo," Smith said. "We've been using generic room keys for months."

The Sahara's biggest crowd in years is expected for tonight's nostalgic sendoff. The doors close at 2 p.m. Monday.

See ya there, to lift a glass to a legend. Share your favorite Sahara celebrity stories with me via norm@reviewjournal.com.

BIG NIGHT AT TRYST

A 16 percent gratuity rarely raises eyebrows in Las Vegas, the exception being when a high roller is involved.

That was the case, apparently, on May 5 at Tryst nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas when a reveler bought 29 bottles of Champagne, including five bottles at $25,000 each, 16 bottles of Dom Perignon at $850 each, some vodka, 31 bottles of Fiji water, and two Bud Lights at $10 each.

The last charge on the tab was a regular can of Red Bull at $9.

The bill came to $189,375.98. The tip: $29,581.20.

After an image of the receipt showed up on the Internet, comments on the website suggested it was photoshopped.

A Wynn insider said it's not the first colossal receipt at Tryst, and a free-spending Brit a year ago added a $30,000 tip, on top of the automatic 20 percent gratuity, for a total tab of $182,000 at Haze nightclub at Aria in CityCenter.

A big spender named Don Johnson, not the actor, has reportedly spent almost $2 million locally on megachampagne parties.

SIGHTINGS

Jennifer Love Hewitt, in the crowd at Terry Fator's show (Mirage) on Friday. ... Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, at "Donny & Marie" (Flamingo) on Friday. He wrote "You Can Do Anything" on the Osmonds' new album, which was released May 3. ... "Twilight" actress Nikki Reed, celebrating her 23rd birthday at Gallery Nightclub (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Friday. She was with her boyfriend, former "American Idol" contestant Paul McDonald. Earlier they attended "Viva Elvis" (Aria) with friends.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Can't afford Streisand tickets." -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Pet Peeves of the World's Wealthiest Man

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.