Las Vegas Weekly

Notable Nevadans share New Year’s resolutions for 2011

Holly Madison’s Holly Jolly Toy Drive at El Segundo Sol in Fashion Show on Dec. 18, 2010.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com

Peepshow star Holly Madison

From red carpet appearances to restaurant openings to the Peepshow stage at Planet Hollywood, Madison seems to be everywhere you turn these days, so her resolution is a no-brainer.

“To get more sleep,” she said.

Nove Italiano Executive Chef Geno Bernardo

Bernardo’s New Year’s resolution is to lead a healthier lifestyle and to carry it over into Nove’s kitchen.

“For the restaurant, I’d like to incorporate some new dishes into the menu to accommodate our vegan and vegetarian guests. For the cooking classes I host at Nove Italiano, I am going to be more health-conscious when creating the menus,” Bernardo said. “I’d love to be able to give cooking enthusiasts alternative ways to serve their dishes and make them healthier for themselves and their guests when cooking from home.”

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Buyi Zama portrays Rafiki in The Lion King.

Buyi Zama, Rafiki in The Lion King

Zama plans to continue her healthy lifestyle through 2011 and conquer a childhood fear.

“I have lost over 40 pounds in the past year and I want to keep that up,” Zama said. “Additionally, I want to learn to ride a bike. I fell off a bike while trying to learn to ride when I was little and never got back on. Now that I’m a smaller size and I live in a place where the weather is nice, I think it’s time to get back on a bike and try again!”

Gov. Jim Gibbons

Gov. Jim Gibbons has no resolutions or goals that he cares to share. He will be celebrating the new year privately.

Photo: Darrin Bush/Las Vegas New Bureau

Louie Anderson hosts a sneak peek of the Louie Anderson Theater inside Palace Station on July 28, 2010.

Comedian Louie Anderson

“My resolution is to move more than I sit, read more than I watch, laugh more than I cry and love more than I do anything else,” he said.

Metro Police Sheriff Douglas Gillespie

As the man in charge of the largest police force in the state, Gillespie has three top priorities for the new year: fighting crime, balancing a budget and keeping officers safe.

"My goal is that we continue to see a reduction in crime, that we're able to continue to deal with the economic downturn as we have in a positive way," he said, "and my goal with that is to not lay any employees off."

On a personal note — with much encouragement from his wife — Gillespie said he is committed to making 2011 a year of more balance in his life.

"There's a lot of things that could very easily keep me busy every hour I'm awake," he said. "It's important I find time for me and my family."

Photo: Emma Cohan Photography

Mayor Oscar Goodman with the dancers of MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris at the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.

The dancers of Crazy Horse at MGM Grand

The resolutions of the Crazy Horse dancers range from practical to daring. Mika Do plans to hit the gym three times a week, Eva Kalashnikov wants to become a superstar and Narra Melcoum hopes to learn to speak Russian and Spanish. Bagira Bada Boum wants to skydive while Alexa Phocea wants to travel across the United States as much as she can. Vicky Vendome just wants to live life to the fullest.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com

Nathan Burton at Vegas Player Television and magazine's launch at Pure in Caesars Palace on Dec. 2, 2010.

Comedian and magician Nathan Burton

Burton is all about making his show at the Flamingo better during the new year.

"My New Year’s resolution is to keep improving my show by adding new illusions and segments. I love adding new stuff to the show so the audience can come back and see the show again and experience something new,” he said.

Matt Seeber, executive chef of Craftsteak Steak House at MGM Grand

Seeber said he plans to hit the gym more often in 2011, but not just for physical reasons.

“Exercise keeps my temper even and the creative food juices flowing. Of course, exercise also helps to keep the waist trim as my 42-year-old metabolism continues to slow down,” he said.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com

Matt Goss at Vegas Player Television and magazine's launch at Pure in Caesars Palace on Dec. 2, 2010.

Caesars Palace headliner Matt Goss

Goss vowed to reveal his true identity during 2011 — he’s really Batman.

But jokes aside, Goss said he hopes to continue his budding success in Las Vegas.

"I want to continue to sing all around the world and represent this wonderful city, lovely Las Vegas,” he said.

Shawn McClain, owner and executive chef of Sage at Aria

McClain has spent the past year opening and operating his first Las Vegas restaurant. He’s hoping next year is just as successful.

“2010 was such a great freshman year for Sage. As with many things, the second year will prove to be equally as important and challenging,” he said. “We really hope to build on the growing economy as well as strengthening our relationships with local farmers, as well as the greater Las Vegas community.”

Anthony Crivello, the Phantom in Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular

Photo: Joan Marcus

Anthony Crivello as "The Phantom."

Crivello said he isn’t making any resolutions for 2011 because he is still working on 2010’s, but does have some goals for the next year.

“My dream for 2011 is to fly to Sicily for a vacation and to Porticello and Palermo, where my grandparents were from,” he said.

Kristen Hertzenberg, Christine in Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular

Hertzenberg said she hopes to work out more consistently through the new year.

Photo: Isaac Brekken

Phantom -- the Las Vegas Spectacular cast members Andrew Ragone and Kristen Hertzenberg.

“Other than that, if 2011 is as good as 2010 was, I'll be happy!" she said.

Andrew Ragone, who plays Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny in Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular

Ragone’s hope for 2011 is one for the city of Las Vegas.

“My hopes and wishes for 2011 are that Las Vegas has a quick recovery into the new year. It's been such a tough and trying time for the city and I am just optimistic and hopeful as we enter the year that things will rebound quickly,” he said.

Travis Cloer, Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys

Cloer plans to head back to yoga class to work off all of the holiday goodies and stay in touch with his friends abroad.

Photo: Jacob Kepler

Rick Faugno.

Rick Faugno, Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys

Faugno has a slew of hopes and resolutions for 2011.

“I hope 2011 brings stability to our economy and faith in our leaders. I resolve to give something back to the community which has embraced me,” he said. “I also resolve to make every day a newlywed day with my beautiful wife. My wife thinks I could improve on my organizational skills for 2011, although I think I get by alright.”

Jeff Leibow, Nick Massi in Jersey Boys

Leibow said his goal for 2011 is to raise awareness for neurofibromatosis, a disease that has hit close to home.

“My daughter was diagnosed with this little-known but incredibly common neurological disorder, so this one is very close to me,” he said.

John Schenk, executive chef at Strip House

Schnek’s resolutions are to walk his dogs at least four times a week, get to bed at 1 a.m. , pay off his credit cards and commit to a workout plan that yields six-pack abs by November. In between all of that, he hopes to take a real vacation.

Photo: Scott Roeben

Frank Marino, pictured here at Imperial Palace on Sept. 30, 2010, is The Strip's longest-running headliner.

Celebrity impersonator Frank Marino

Marino’s New Year’s resolutions are both personal and professional, but his first is to actually keep them.

“My second being to stop myself from complaining when I’m having a bad day and realize how good my life is with great friends, family and co-workers. Thirdly, with all this positive energy around me, continue to make my show Divas Las Vegas the biggest and best drag spectacular in the world,” he said.

Comedian Vinnie Favorito

Favorito’s resolutions: start drinking, start smoking and diet.

Stars of Human Nature at Imperial Palace

Phil Burton plans to make over his backyard and Toby Allen promises to take his dogs out to Red Rock more often. Brothers Andrew and Michael Tierney plan to Skype with family members back in Australia and be thankful for all they have.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com

Jabbawockeez's Grand and VIP Opening Party at Monte Carlo on Oct. 22, 2010.

The Jabbawockeez dance troupe

The Jabbawockeez resolve to spend more time with the kids of the Las Vegas community and be more involved with different charities.