Oscar Goodman on display in the Big Apple

Former Mayor Oscar Goodman continues to make a big impression on Broadway.

A 50-by-30-foot billboard advertising Oscar’s Beef, Booze &Broads steakhouse high above Times Square has been paying off.

“We get groups coming in all the time saying they saw it at Times Square,” said Jonathan Jossel, whose duties as director of Las Vegas properties for Tamares Real Estate include overseeing the Plaza. The prime location on Times Square brings worldwide exposure, Jossel said.

“It’s been great,” Jossel said. “It’s in the center of the most visited area in the U.S., with more 35 million visitors a year.”

The numbers get bigger this month when a crowd estimated at a million jams Times Square for the New Year’s Eve countdown. Then there’s the estimated 1 billion-plus TV viewers who tune in around the world to see the giant ball drop.

The billboard is at 1500 Broadway, also known as the “Good Morning America” building, site of the ABC show. Tamares owns the building.

Goodman could be even bigger on Broadway. He keeps hinting that a Broadway show about him is in the works.

DISCOVER A ‘GEM’

While Britney Spears opens on the Strip on Friday, a downtown jewel makes its much-anticipated debut.

Inspire Theater, at the epicenter of the downtown transformation, offers a 150-seat venue for events ranging from arts and culture to big-name speakers. Friday’s 21-and-over inaugural event will feature writers/storytellers Geoff Carter, Gregory Crosby and Dayvid Figler, as the Three Wise Guys. Joined by special guest Dena Rash Guzman, they will be presenting a mix of true stories, poetry and fiction.

Figler said the theater will be “a real gem for the burgeoning culture scene.” It will “complement the entertainment district with pure entertainment” from “inspiring folks of all stripe.”

Proceeds from the $10 cover/donation will go to Outside Las Vegas Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes outdoor events with the goal of inspiring kids to become future stewards for the valley’s public lands.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Wayne Newton’s former estate, Casa de Shenandoah, apparently has been renamed Sunset Springs Ranch. Motorists have noticed the new name on the wall along South Pecos Road. The horse statues remain intact on the wall, a spy said. Newton, who had owned the iconic compound since 1968, was forced to move after losing a legal battle with partners who planned to create a tourist attraction featuring Newton memorabilia. ...

Las Vegas entertainer Clint Holmes is among the finalists for best male celebrity vocalist in the BroadwayWorld cabaret awards competition. He was nominated for his show “Stop This Train” at the Café Carlyle. “Cast Party” host Jim Caruso, who appeared at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, was nominated for best host/producer for variety show, recurring series or open mic. ...

One of the dining surprises of the year came the other night at Pasta Fresh, 4165 S. Grand Canyon Drive. Chef Wes Choy’s menu is as amazing as his backstory. For more than a year he cycled throughout the United States, working in kitchens for free to learn how to prepare local and regional cuisine. His 2009-10 journey covered 35 states and 10,748 miles. Starting in Buffalo, N.Y., he traveled to Boston, Miami, San Diego, Seattle and back to Buffalo. That’s a lot of granola bars. ...

It was misstated here on Wednesday that Las Vegas salon operator Michael Boychuck was on hand to assist “Housewives of D.C.” cast member Michaele Salahi at her wedding in San Francisco last weekend. One of Boychuck’s stylists made that trip.

SIGHTINGS

Food Channel star Guy Fieri, celebrating with his team at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Saturday. ... Siegfried &Roy, hosting a Christmas party Friday for 120 members of the Boys &Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada’s Downtown Clubhouse. ... Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, dining at Tao Asian Bistro (The Venetian) on Friday. ... Baseball legend Pete Rose, with a group at Carmine’s (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Thursday.

THE PUNCH LINE

“Are you going to see those big ‘Hobbit’ films? They have done a prequel, and they have done a sequel. I believe this one is a NyQuil.” — David Letterman

Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. “Norm Clarke’s Vegas,” airs Thursdays on the “Morning Blend” on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.