Vegas ties abound at Beijing Olympics
The Beijing Olympics open Friday with several Las Vegas connections, from swim star Dara Torres to a gold medal equestrian contender to a Cirque-esque performance choreographed by a former "Zumanity" cast member.
It was erroneously reported here earlier today that Celine Dion will be performing in the opening ceremonies at Beijing.
Torres, whose father, Ed Torres, was a prominent casino operator, is the first American swimmer to qualify for five Olympics and who would be the oldest female swimmer in the history of the Summer Games. She is rumored to be a strong candidate to be the flag bearer for the U.S. delegation when it enters the Olympic stadium.
Jesus Villa, who appeared in "Zumanity" as a stub-horned acrobat, has choreographed a two-minute performance featuring Chinese children on jumping stilts.
Another local tie will be Brentina, a mare co-owned by legendary Las Vegas banker Parry Thomas, who now lives in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Formerly voted Horse of the Year by the U.S. Equestrian Association, Brentina is one of the favorites for the gold medal in dressage. Thomas bought her as a 3-year-old in the biannual German horse auctions.
The equestrian events are being held in Hong Kong.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
A wild rumor that comedy magician Amazing Johnathan had suffered a stroke turned out to be unfounded. The rumor started after the headliner fainted over the weekend from either a diabetic condition or inner ear problem, he told friends. ...
Former Nevada Attorney General George Chanos celebrated his 50th birthday at Tao nightclub at The Venetian, but that was only the half of it. A spy says invitations to the three-day affair included a pool party at his Henderson home, with "bathing suits or sarongs optional." Chanos is acting like a bachelor because he was recently divorced from his wife of more than 20 years, attorney Adriana Escobar, former member of the Nevada Taxi Authority. We checked: No, our club-hopping governor was not partying at Tao with Chanos. ...
Two big grand openings are set for September at The Palazzo. Lavo, a sister operation to Tao Las Vegas, has a Sept. 13 opening extravaganza for the Moroccan-themed, bilevel dining and dance nightspot. The 300-seat restaurant, with a menu borrowing from Spanish, French and Italian cuisine, features a patio overlooking the Strip. Sushi Samba, already open and boasting a fusion menu that blends "fiery Brazilian, zesty Peruvian and fresh Japanese culinary influences," has a Sept. 19-20 grand opening. Co-owner Matt Johnson is hinting that a major Brazilian supermodel will be part of the debut weekend. The Sugarcane lounge at Sushi Samba opens Aug. 15. ...
Ron Futrell will join KXNT-AM, 840, talk-show host Alan Stock at 7 a.m. today to discuss the circumstances surrounding the hit-and-run accident a week ago that led to his dismissal from KTNV-TV, Channel 13. ...
Beginning today, Dan Patrick's syndicated show shifts to morning drive on KSFN-AM, 1140, replacing Opie & Anthony.
SIGHTINGS
A normally super-shy Michael Jackson, shaking hands with patrons at 40-40 Club (Palazzo) on Saturday night after eating in the A-Rod Lounge with his three children. Earlier, Jackson and his family attended Nathan Burton's comedy magic show at the Flamingo Las Vegas. ... Actress Sophia Bush, back at Tao (Venetian) celebrating fashion designer Alisha Levine's bachelorette party for the second night in a row. Dining nearby was producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. and "Smallville" actor Michael Rosenbaum. Lindsay Lohan's former beau and British model Calum Best was spotted at Tao filming his new reality show for MTV UK called "Totally Calum Best: The Best is Yet to Come."
THE PUNCH LINE
"The McCain campaign released an ad that compared Barack Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Today, the Obama campaign released an ad comparing McCain to Zsa Zsa Gabor and Bea Arthur." -- Jay Leno
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
