Las Vegas Weekly

March 19, 2009 · 12:52 PM

Strip Scribbles: Penn & Teller film AIDS Walk PSAs and vow to match pledges

By Robin Leach

Penn & Teller with the crew of their AIDS Walk PSA.

Photo: CDI Studios

Headliner magicians Penn & Teller will host their seventh consecutive challenge during the 19th Annual AIDS Walk on April 19. The Rio stars who have entered their own Penn & Teller team of walkers also have generously promised to match this year’s pledges to Aid for AIDS of Nevada, or AFAN.

Penn & Teller filmed public service announcements at the CDI Studios here to encourage the community to join them as they serve as grand marshals. Last year, their challenge raised more than $100,000, and Penn & Teller are hoping this year will have the biggest turnout yet.

AFAN was founded in 1984, so this year marks the 25th anniversary of its support and advocacy for adults and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. More than 3,000 men, women and kids are affected here in Southern Nevada.

After the successful video shoot, the maniacal magicians posed for photos with their crew. Last year, the walk included more than 7,000 people and raised more than $500,000. To join the Penn & Teller challenge, log on to www.afanlv.org, click on the AIDS Walk link and go to Penn & Teller’s link “Join Our Team.”

*Earlier this week, I told you all about the new Peep Show at Planet Hollywood co-starring Mel B (click HERE for her sexy lingerie photo gallery). I meant to also tell you that Mel has her own charity auction Web site selling Spice Girls merchandise with the proceeds going to Meals on Wheels and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. The link is www.melaniebrown.com. Mel has moved here for the run of the sexy adult burlesque, which co-stars Kelly Monaco. Mel’s site has everything from bags to belts to buckles and even Spice Girls T-shirts worn at special concert appearances. It’s time for you to spice up your life!

*The second Sin City Brewing outpost in Vegas opens today, and all four custom brews on tap will be served up in a full-bar experience at the Flamingo. The four beers are Sin City Amber, Sin City Light, Sin City Stout and Sin City Weisse. The beers are all produced here in Vegas by beer brewer baron Richard Johnson. A 20-year-plus professional, Richard produces the beers in small batches using traditional methods and premium raw materials to satisfy regular consumers and microbrew fans alike. They conform to the 1516 German beer purity law that marks the difference between Sin City and the corporate breweries.

Located near the Flamingo’s guest entrance and valet parking area, Sin City Brewing will feature multiple plasma screen televisions, etched red metal surfaces, vibrant Sin City Brewing merchandise and an outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas adjacent to the resort’s 15-acre pool and wildlife complex. Says Flamingo President Don Marrandino: “The killer view from the patio, with the four ice cold beers, is the perfect place to gaze on one of the most incredible pools in the city.”

Star surveillance

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine hosted a dinner party of 10 at Nove Italiano in the Palms. He was so impressed with the menu specialties including spaghetti, calamari and shrimp francaise that after the meal, he went into the kitchen to thank chef Geno Bernardo and autographed Geno’s kitchen door. … Over at Palms Place, chef Kerry Simon played host at the pajama brunch to rocker Slash. … Nine members of the N9NE Group at the Palms had their heads shaved to raise funds for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to fight childhood cancer. They were cheered on by N9NE head honcho Michael Morton and his wife, Jenna, director of community relations. … Former Oakland Raiders quarterback James Plunkett wore his Super Bowl ring to dinner at N9NE Steakhouse, where he ordered filet mignon, mushrooms and skinny fries. … Retired Denver Broncos legend John Elway dined with friends at Fix in the Bellagio and ordered yellowtail sashimi, Kobe beef sliders, spicy wings, lobster mashed potatoes and very adult fried mac ’n’ cheese topped with St. Pauly’s Girl.

*Veteran Mini Cooper driver and performance driving instructor Phil Wicks has opened his driving academy at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch on the outskirts of Vegas near Pahrump. The permanent campus of Minis opens March 27.

*Another important advance date: Seven wineries featuring 28 wines will welcome visitors to the Palazzo’s inaugural Stroll Swirl Shop wine walk March 26. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Three Square Las Vegas food bank that serves more than 200 agencies. Cuisine from Dos Caminos and Woo will be served with the wineries toasting to prevent hunger. Tickets are $40, and the Palazzo plans similar wine walks every quarter. Go to www.threesquare.org and www.palazzolasvegas.com for more information.

*A warm welcome to wine pioneer Eddie Osterland, who is the guest speaker at today’s Las Vegas Hospitality Association lunch. There are only 94 Master Sommeliers in America, and Eddie was the very first one! He trained in France in 1975, where he won his wine diploma. Eddie will lecture at Smith & Wollensky restaurant and explain how he went from psychology major to wine wizard!

*Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic Roger Ebert will be honored at ShoWest 2009 with a special Career Achievement in Film Journalism Award. The movie industry convention will be held March 30-April 2 at Bally’s and Paris. My longtime pal Roger will be honored at an April 2 luncheon. “With over 40 years devoted to providing movie-going audiences with reviews and incredible insight into the film world, Roger Ebert has been a standout critic respected by audiences, peers and movie industry insiders alike,” noted Mitch Neuhauser, ShoWest’s co-chairman. “If it weren’t for Roger, who has always had the foresight to champion the cause of relatively unknown and budding filmmakers and talent, the world of motion pictures as we know it today wouldn’t be as rich, diverse and enriching as it is.”

Roger began his career as a film critic in 1967. In 1976, he teamed with Gene Siskel to host the weekly TV show Siskel & Ebert at the Movies, known for their thumbs up and thumbs down reviews, until Gene’s death in 1999. Richard Roeper took over, and At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper was on the air until 2007. Some 5,000 movie industry delegates from 50 countries will be attending ShoWest.

Incidentally, movie industry analyst Paul Dergarabedian, who will be at ShoWest, is predicting that the box office could hit the $10 billion mark this year for the first time!

Tonight’s tips

The insanity of the Monster Circus gets underway -- and not at the big top but at the Hilton. Dee Snider of Twisted Sister is the guest rocker for the high-octane wild circus, which also features former rockers from Whitesnake, KISS, Motley Crue, Cinderella and Great White. Decadence and debauchery are just two of the carnival sideshow attractions. … Blue October brings its Approaching Normal Tour to the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay to promote its new album release next Tuesday. … Watch out! To launch the newest collection of Angular Momentum watches, one lucky lady and one jovial gentleman will each receive a watch at Blush in the Wynn.

Tomorrow’s teases

Tabloid headlines have trumpeted for years an alleged super feud between actress Joan Collins and her sister, bestselling author Jackie Collins. I’ve known, though, that they’ve been best of friends throughout their long, incredible careers -- and I hosted a dinner for them at Koi in Planet Hollywood after they saw the Cher show. Vegas DeLuxe has all the exclusive juicy details, plus the exclusive photos to prove it! … And just what sexy outfit did pop princess Katy Perry wear to the blackjack table when she filmed her new music video at the Palms? We’ve got the plunging photo proof of that, too. … Plus Dancing With the Stars last-minute replacement Holly Madison returns to Vegas to continue rehearsals with partner Dmitry Chaplin and get some expert advice from a surprising Strip star!

Share This