Las Vegas Weekly

September 28, 2010 · 3:01 PM

Strip Scribbles: Goodman joins Las Vegas Locos in ceremony Friday

By Don Chareunsy

Mayor Oscar Goodman and his charcoal portrait at Hussong's Cantina in Mandalay Bay on June 28, 2010.

Photo: Bryan Steffy

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

Mayor Oscar Goodman is joining the UFL’s Las Vegas Locomotives as a tight end with a ceremonial contract signing on the 3rd Street Stage at 4 p.m. Friday at Fremont Street Experience. To commemorate the occasion, Goodman will be presented with a Locos jersey as coach Jim Fassel, teammates and cheerleaders welcome him to the football team.

“I want to thank the Locos for giving me a chance. I don’t know if I’ll be much help on the field, but I can definitely teach them how to make a good martini for the concession stand,” Goodman joked in a statement. “I did play some high school and college football, but that was so long ago that I think we were wearing leather helmets.”

“I’ve always admired the mayor, and I’m grateful for the partnership with the city. I just hope he passes his physical,” Fassel said. “If he passes his physical, he can be a valuable asset to our team.” After the ceremonial contract signing, Fassel and players will sign autographs and pose for photographs with fans. Last year, Fassel led the Locos to the inaugural 2009 UFL Championships title.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Sheryl Crow.

*Singer Sheryl Crow’s postponed Sept. 11 concert at The Joint in Hard Rock Hotel has been rescheduled to Nov. 14. The original date was canceled due to illness, and Sept. 11 show tickets are valid for Nov. 14. Fans should hold on to their concert tickets, or refunds can be requested at the point of purchase.

Photo: Harrah's

Gary Loveman, far right, shown presenting a $2 million donation check raised by Harrah's employees to help with the Hurricane Katrina recovery operation. Joining Loveman are Caesars Palace headliners Elton John, Celine Dion and Jerry Seinfeld.

*Global Gaming Expo (G2E) announced yesterday that G2E’s 2010 conference program at the Las Vegas Convention Center will feature an exclusive keynote address by Gary Loveman, president, CEO and chairman of Harrah’s Entertainment. One of the industry's most innovative leaders, Loveman will share his insights on why addressing misinformation about gaming needs to be one of the industry’s top priorities. Loveman’s address, The Stockholm Syndrome: Why Addressing the Misinformation That Plagues Gaming Is Our Top Priority, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 17.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

The grand opening of Matsuri at the Imperial Palace.

*Matsuri is celebrating its first anniversary at Imperial Palace and has signed an additional one-year contract. Matsuri (Japanese for festival) is an action-packed, nonverbal production that showcases athleticism through a series of variety acts. The 70-minute show features 18 Japanese athletes and entertainers performing stunts including “Human Jump Rope,” “Judo Tango,” “Lion Dance” and “Foot Drums.” The acts incorporate music, strength, acrobatics, beauty and Japanese culture under the direction of Ushio Higuchi. Matsuri performs Saturdays through Wednesdays at 4 p.m. and Fridays at 8. The show is offering a locals special at $20, plus fees, to those with Nevada ID.

Star surveillance

Rob Dyrdek hosted the Official Street League After Party at Vanity in the Hard Rock Hotel, presenting winner Shane O’Neil with cash and a bottle of champagne. Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Austin “Chumlee” Russell from The History Channel’s Pawn Stars partied with the Street League, and they made it rain $1 bills. Comedian Jim Gaffigan stopped by after his standup comedy at The Mirage and invited the entire Vanity staff to his next show. Comedy magician Nathan Burton was there after his show at the Flamingo, and actor Taye Diggs was at a nearby VIP booth.

Photo: Brenton Ho/Powers Imagery

Taye Diggs at Tao Beach in The Venetian.

Singer Ashanti was spotted dining at Tao in The Venetian. Clad in all black, she was joined by a small group for the late night meal. Holly’s World star Laura Croft took in the rays at Tao Beach and chatted about her recent trip to Florida with BFF Holly Madison.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

The cast of Fantasy at Flair for the Cure at Rock & Rita's in the Circus Circus on Aug. 18, 2010.

Tonight’s tips

It’s the 11th anniversary celebration of Fantasy at the Luxor with new headline singer Lorena Peril and the launch of their 2011 swimsuit calendar. Comedy actor Greg Travis is at The Improv at Harrah’s with Jackie Kashian and Jonathan Bell through Sunday. The Delta Brothers perform at Mario Barth’s King Ink in The Mirage for Rockabilly Night as the tattoo artists work away to the music of DJ Gallo Negro. And a sneak preview of Wicked, which opens the debut 2010 season of the new Smith Center for the Performing Arts, is at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Cast members will perform, and producers will make a presentation about the untold story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival.

Photo: Adam Larkey/ABC TV

Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower on ABC's Dancing With the Stars on Sept. 27, 2010.

Tomorrow’s teases

It’s the Week 2 celebrity elimination on Dancing With the Stars, and we’ll have the overnight photos right from the dance floor, plus photo galleries from the Fantasy 11th anniversary celebration and gorgeous Playboy Miss October model Claire Sinclair as she prepares for her starring debut at MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris. And rocker Brett Michaels talks candidly about the new heart operation he faces now that he’s strong enough after his recent near-death experience on the operating table.

Mr. Vegas DeLuxe Robin Leach contributed to this report.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

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