Las Vegas Weekly

March 2, 2009 · 11:59 AM

Strip Scribbles: Will the Queen of England visit her new M Resort?

By Robin Leach

M Resort's VIP/media opening.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Of all the amusing stories that could be told about hotel openings, this one has to take the cake -- and a good cup of tea! It turns out that in a weird six degrees of separation, the Queen of England is now one of the owners of the new M Resort that opened last night.

One of my Wall Street banking sources reliably told me that the Bank of Scotland was an equity investor of about $250 million in the gorgeous Anthony Marnell III project. Unfortunately, as international financiers know, the bank suffered serious economic difficulties in the global money meltdown in recent months and, because the Queen is a shareholder, it was bailed out and taken over by the British government (read taxpayers).

Thus the Vegas investment funds are now the property of the Queen and her royal citizens, and they will be repaid when the obligations come due!

Meantime, if the Queen jumps a direct Virgin Air flight from London’s Gatwick Airport to McCarran, she can roll down I-15 to check out her holdings -- maybe even do a meet and greet autograph appearance to help promote the regal and royal spa resort!

*Members of our beloved Maloof family who live here in Vegas and oversee operations of the Palms and the Sacramento Kings, among other business investments, were not clients of disgraced New York broker Bernie Madoff. I ran into Gavin Maloof at the Siegfried & Roy Keep Memory Alive event at the Bellagio, and he told me the family categorically denies all the false reports that they and the Kings had lost substantial savings with the fallen Ponzi scheme architect. “Not one word of truth to it,” said Gavin emphatically.

Wicked whispers & racy rumors

Did major investment discussions between MGM’s executives on behalf of the sprawling CityCenter project come to a halt over the weekend with a major overseas bank with a large presence on Wall Street? … The New York investment bankers who carefully and constantly watch over our gaming scene are predicting that as many as five Strip hotel projects will be “mothballed” in the next 60 days until the global monetary mess is straightened out. … They also are candidly discussing the beginning of partial closings at other large “big-block” hotels, whereby rooms on upper floors will be shut and reservations only sold for ground upwards!

*One prediction that Kurt Busch has made will definitely come true. Following the success of his first Kurt Busch Foundation Sprint for the Kids charity at Pole Position Raceway opposite the Palms, he says it will now become an annual event before each Vegas Speedway NASCAR meet with the star drivers.

Star surveillance

Gorgeous Angie Harmon, husband Jason Sehorn and their new baby girl checked into a penthouse suite at the Palazzo -- and then they watched the first of the NASCAR races downstairs in the Sports Book Bar and Grill munching on barbecue sandwiches. …. At the grand opening of Dixie’s Dam Bar at Hooters Casino Hotel, John Huntington of Hart & Huntington tattoo hung out at the rock 'n' roll bar, then went back to his car, grabbed his DJ equipment and played an unexpected DJ set. The crowd went crazy and formed a breakdance circle with members of Super Crew, Season 2 winners of MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, and comedian Bobby Slayton. … Sex and the City actress Kristin Davis dined at Stack Restaurant & Bar in The Mirage with friends and was joined by Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell .The group enjoyed an assortment of the restaurant’s “greatest hits” including hot rocks, lobster tacos and miso cod lettuce cups complemented by passion fruit mojitos. Later Perry hit the neighboring Jet and won a tour of the club. Before settling into a VIP table, he spent time examining the stage area. … San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis enjoyed dinner at N9NE Steakhouse inside The Palms with his entourage. They took espresso shots and shared appetizers, including rock shrimp and spice-crusted big tuna. They also indulged in signature s’mores, apple tart and chocolate cake for dessert. … Upstairs at The Playboy Club, rapper Too Short was spotted with a group of five, and after drinks they went back down to Rain to check out DJ Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto.

Tonight’s tip

The 32nd World Magic Seminar with awards from Siegfried & Roy and Lance Burton for up-and-coming magicians gets underway at The Orleans with close-up card trickery and prestidigitation performances by our resident cliques of conjurors. … Kid Sister hosts the hip-hop party at Prive in Planet Hollywood. … The 11th annual Legends of Bartending contest is at LAX in the Luxor, with the masters of mixology showcasing their incredible skills.

Tomorrow’s tease

Scary Spice Mel B and her Peep Show co-star Kelly Monaco have arrived in town to begin rehearsals for the adult burlesque fairytale show at Planet Hollywood. … Designer David Rockwell, who just completed the Academy Awards, reveals his secrets for Peep Show’s revolutionary design. … Britney Spears has found a new magician after learning tricks from Criss Angel, and Meghan Beck is the winner of the Miss February Playboy Club title.

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