William’s bowling prowess prevailed

Princess Diana's orange bowling ball and her red-and-gray bowling shoes are still proudly on display in a tiny Colorado community.

So is the scorecard that shows 13-year-old Prince William won family honors, edging his 8-year-old brother, Harry, 81-76. Their mother's 61 was good enough to best their two bodyguards.

They had walked in unannounced on July 13, 1995.

I made a telephone call on Friday, hours after the royal wedding, to get an update on the story I uncovered a day after Diana died in Paris in August 1997.

I had driven from Denver to Aspen that day to gather stories about the royal family's visit. One of the tips: Diana went with her sons to the nearby mountain community of El Jebel to bowl at El Jebowl.

I asked El Jebowl owner Glen Harris whether he had saved Diana's ball. He pulled it off the rack, then showed me the shoes he had stored for safekeeping.

Everything's in a display case now, El Jebowl manager Woody Tapper told me Friday.

Every so often someone "asks if it's true Princess Di was here. Everybody gets a kick out of it," Tapper said, adding that people often ask whether the items are for sale.

A Denver tipster told me another story from that visit.

While changing planes in Denver en route to Aspen, William made it clear he was hoping to meet Denver royalty. He asked his airline protocol hostess: "Did John Elway come?"

The Denver Broncos, who had played an exhibition game in London's Wembley Stadium in 1987, had apparently made inroads with some young fans.

presidential wager

Former casino security chief Stu Michaels has a framed "absolute proof" on his wall that he made a sports bet for a U.S. president. He's convinced it might be a Las Vegas first.

It's one of many secrets he spilled in his new book, "You Can't Make This Up: Cops, Crooks and Celebrities From Brooklyn to Las Vegas."

He was giving President George H.W. Bush a tour of The Mirage in 1993. They stopped in the sports book. The president liked the odds on Notre Dame and asked Michaels, "How do I make a bet?"

"He gave me $100 to bet on Notre Dame against Florida State," Michaels said. Bush gave the betting slip to Michaels. When he won $190, "I sent him a check. I got it framed on my wall," Michaels said.

It's one of dozens of celebrity encounters the former NYPD detective shares from his 18 years in upper-level security at The Mirage, Palms and Luxor, starting in 1990.

He's signing the book from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Las Vegas Cigar Co., 2510 E. Sunset Road. Full disclosure: The book was published by Stephens Press, which is owned by Stephens Media LLC, owner of the Review-Journal.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

A memorial for radio legend Ted Quillen is at 11 a.m. today at Red Rock Resort. He was a top deejay in Los Angeles before moving to Las Vegas. He is a 2005 inductee of the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He died April 20 at age 81.

We hear Justice of the Peace Stephen L. George is presiding at today's noon wedding of Steve Wynn and Andrea Hissom. George is the son of U.S. District Judge Lloyd D. George, namesake of the federal courthouse building.

SIGHTINGS

At Wynn and Hissom's white party, which was moved inside on Friday because of the wind: Steven Spielberg, Garth Brooks, Michael Milken, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Sylvester Stallone, Clint Eastwood, Donald and Melania Trump, Jim and Carol Jimmerson, and Phil Ruffin. ... Actor Bruce Willis, having lunch at Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina at Aria (CityCenter) on Friday. ... New UNLV men's basketball coach Dave Rice, dining with auto dealer Cliff Findlay at Pasta Shop Ristorante & Art Gallery on Wednesday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Just looked at the celebrity guests who attended the royal wedding. No Charlie Sheen?" -- Venetian headliner Rita Rudner

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.