Two women running for mayor didn’t even raise eyebrows

In the 2011 Las Vegas mayor's race, the greatest untold story is the fact the runoff pitted two formidable female candidates vying for the high-profile office.

Cynics who sneer about nothing changing in local politics need look no further. It wasn't so long ago, only 1990, that Jan Jones made Las Vegas history by becoming its first female mayor. That might not sound like such a feat two decades later, but it was a substantial accomplishment for the candidate and the community.

Fast-forward to 2011, and the media barely raised an eyebrow at Carolyn Goodman's defeat of Chris Giunchigliani in a competitive and combative race featuring a pair of accomplished women.

STRUCK OUT: Word is Texas developer Christopher Milam, who was thwarted at the state Legislature in an attempt to pave the way for a stadium development, put up a hefty six-figure deposit to purchase the Las Vegas 51s. Moving the 51s to the new stadium site off the Strip was part of Milam's grand plan.

Meanwhile, I'm wondering how much Milam spent to be represented by Rogich Communications.

WEINER ROAST: Well, that's a relief. For a minute there I thought the tawdry sexting tale of New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-Putzburgh, might not have a Las Vegas connection.

But of course that turned out to be premature speculation. It appears Weiner once worked on his carpal tunnel syndrome with a 40-year-old Bellagio blackjack dealer.

From the general theme of his prolific texts, Weiner wasn't asking her questions about counting cards or basic strategy.

Now the dealer admits she's "humiliated" by participating in the texting tryst.

CIRCUS COUTURE: It's fast becoming one of the hippest and most entertaining charity nights of the year. It's called Circus Couture, and this year's event is set for June 26 at The Joint inside the Hard Rock hotel.

Proceeds will benefit St. Baldrick's Foundation for childhood cancer research and treatment as well as the Children's Specialty Center for Nevada.

Circus Couture is the vision of aerial acrobat Erica Linz of Cirque du Soleil. Linz moonlights as the event's artistic director.

It's not your daddy's cocktail party. This one includes a fashion show, art auction, acrobatic performances and a lot more. There's also an exclusive after-party. For more information: circus-couture.com

YOUR TOWN: The Torino Ranch Foundation once again has come through for the children of the community. In July, the ranch plays host to the Nathan Adelson Hospice's Camp Mariposa. The camp is designed to comfort children grieving from the loss of a loved one.

Each summer Torino Ranch is the site of numerous camps for children touched by a variety of medical maladies and life challenges.

Meanwhile, the Foundation for Positively Kids is set to open a new health care clinic Tuesday at Child Haven.

The clinic will be staffed with a variety of medical professionals and can serve 70 needy kids a day.

The foundation's stated mission is to serve medically fragile children in the Southern Nevada community with nursing and respite care.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Mayor-elect Goodman's name recognition was a big story in the press, but an even bigger story was the fact her campaign spent more than $700,000 on television to make sure the name circulated widely. ... With the notorious Crazy Horse Too topless cabaret up for government auction on July 1, speculation is already building about whether some of the club's former associates will be making proxy bids. Without the dancing girls and a liquor license, it's nothing more than a gaudy warehouse in a homely Industrial Road strip mall.

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.