Vegas deal maker Jack Wishna dies
Jack Wishna, an influential Las Vegas deal maker with a client list that included Michael Jackson, Donald Trump and Wayne Newton, was found dead at his home on Tuesday.
Wishna's death was first reported on Twitter by local entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs. Another source said a death had occurred at Wishna's residence.
Wishna was instrumental in arranging Jackson's 2006 move from self-exile in Ireland to Las Vegas, where the pop icon hoped to launch a comeback.
He was an intermediary during the process that led Trump to build his first tower in Las Vegas in 2008. In 1999, Wishna engineered Newton's return to Las Vegas as a headliner.
Among the deals Wishna said he pursued for Jackson included a marriage with Cirque du Soleil, a la Cirque's collaboration with The Beatles' music.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Bryan Forgione, the new executive chef at Society Café Encore, will hear a lot of talk about his heavenly food.
Not only was his father, chef Larry Forgione, crowned "the Godfather of American Cuisine" 20 years ago by food critic John Mariani, but there's a saint in the family tree.
Bryan Forgione's great-great-great uncle is Francesco Forgione, who was known as Padre Pio until 2002, when he was canonized by Pope John Paul II.
He is revered among many Catholics and a controversial figure to others.
At the age of 15, he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars and took the name of Friar Pio, in honor of Pope St. Pius V, the patron saint of Pietrelcina, his hometown. He was ordained as a priest in 1910.
In 1918, he became famous for an occurrence of stigmata, or wounds in locations that corresponded to those suffered by Jesus Christ during the crucifixion.
The marks continued until the end of his life in 1968.
FREDERICKS MEMORIAL
A 10 a.m. public memorial service will be held Dec. 8 for former Channel 3 weatherman John Fredericks at Canyon Ridge Christian Church.
Fredericks died Friday at Nathan Adelson Hospice. He was 57.
The church is located at 6200 West Lone Mountain Road. Seating starts at 9:30 a.m.
Organizers of the service are asking that favorite memories of Fredericks be emailed to johnfredericksmemorial@ gmail.com. A Facebook page titled "In Memory of John Fredericks" has been created.
Those who wish to make a donation to cover the expenses of the memorial can do so at Nevada State Bank, account no. 0588016311.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Southern Wines & Spirits has been awarded the distribution rights for Jay-Z's new cognac, D'usse. It will be rolled out locally at major Strip hotels in time for the New Year's celebrations. Jay-Z and his wife, Beyonce, are staying in Las Vegas over New Year's. She is performing at a private event at one of Steve Wynn's properties.
SIGHTINGS
Human Nature, the Australian Motown group, wrapped up its 3½-year run at Imperial Palace on Sunday. Their next home in Las Vegas is expected to be announced soon. ... Seth Gold of truTV's "Hardcore Pawn," meeting fans at Max Pawn on Saturday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"18th Annual Borough Park Running of the Rabbis." - From David Letterman's Top Ten Upcoming Events That Probably Should be Canceled.
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. His weekly segment, "Norm Clarke's Vegas," airs during the "Morning Blend" on KTNV-TV, Channel 13 every Thursday.
