Tiger’s jam puts sponsors on spot
The 13th edition of Tiger Jam might be in, well, a bit of a jam. An annual fixture at Mandalay Bay since 1998, the biggest fundraiser for the Tiger Woods Foundation is sponsored by AT&T, one of Woods' biggest sponsors.
Woods' growing sex scandal has raised questions about whether some of his main sponsors might sever ties. According to business news reports, AT&T, American Express and Tag Heuer were among the sponsors who were noticeably absent in showing immediate support after the scandal erupted.
The golf star's foundation is dedicated to empowering young people to reach their maximum potential.
AT&T formerly sponsored Olympic swimming medalist Michael Phelps.
Asked to comment on the event's status, MGM Mirage reps did not respond by deadline Saturday.
GAGA OVER LADY GAGA
An ad campaign tying in Lady Gaga's monster hit "Poker Face" with the Palms casino resort will be launched Monday on TV and the Internet.
Palms owner George Maloof said the exclusive agreement with Lady Gaga "is a special and unique opportunity to connect the Palms brand with one of the most respected and talented artists of our time."
Maloof characterized the commercial as "the style of the Palms meets Lady Gaga. She represents the essence of the Palms."
"Poker Face," described as a suggestive "love-as-a-card game" theme, has been nominated for three Grammy awards, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Dance Recording.
The Palms' Fantasy suites, Playboy Club, Simon at Palms Place and Rain Nightclub will be featured in the ad.
Lady Gaga will perform two sold-out shows at the Palms' Pearl Concert Theater Dec. 17 and 18.
TREE-MENDOUS HONOR
Las Vegas is not only represented on the White House Christmas tree, but 10 of the ornaments were created by the Wynn Design and Development team.
The White House sent the recycled red plastic balls to Elaine Wynn, who turned the task over to Roger Thomas, executive vice president for Wynn design. Sixty community groups across the nation were invited to participate.
The White House sent the decoupage materials and asked that the theme on each ornament have something to do with a U.S. landmark.
Wynn staffers featured Hoover Dam, the Liberace Museum, the Grand Canyon, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, Red Rock Canyon, the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, the Disney Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, Alaska's Mount McKinley, the Hawaiian pipeline and the Saratoga (N.Y.) Race Track in New York.
PARTY OF THE YEAR
A blizzard of artificial snow was among the highlights of Friday's grand opening of the Mandarin Oriental hotel, the latest opening at CityCenter.
The snowstorm was part of a winter scene featuring a live snow geisha dancer on a balcony outside the third-floor ballroom moments before virtuoso violinist Vanessa-Mae, a Thai-Chinese sensation from the United Kingdom, enthralled the black-tie crowd of 500 VIPs.
About 400 bottles of Dom Pérignon champagne were served, along with lobster and foie gras appetizers from the kitchens of Twist chef Pierre Gagnaire and Mandarin Oriental executive chef Jason Weaver.
The Chocolate Room included 4,000 handmade chocolate truffles, and next door the Whiskey Lounge featured the best scotch and cognac.
SIGHTINGS
Country star Kenny Chesney surprised Sammy Hagar at Friday's grand opening of Hagar's Cabo Wabo Cantina in the Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood Resort. ... Gov. Jim Gibbons, in the audience at the Brooks & Dunn show Friday at the Hilton.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Ozzy (Osborne) is 61 today. But he doesn't look a day over a thousand." -- Craig Ferguson
Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
