STATE OF THE CITY |
Nepotism Is an Ugly Word. Can't We Just Call It Love? He arrived at the Washington, D.C., Conference of Mayors as arguably the most shameless mayor in the nation. But just in case there was any doubt, Oscar lured movers and shakers to a meet-the-Mayor-of-Sin-City party and then, in a classic Vegas bait-and-switch, used the event to endorse his son's business. His son's and Councilman Michael Mack's business. His son's and Michael Mack's campaign software business. This little bit of disrespect for his office comes shortly after he passed along the dough from his gin endorsement to his wife's school—some $50,000—instead of donating it to efforts to help the homeless. That's our mayor. He's so loveable, so brash, so thoroughly outside of the ethics statute meant to ensure fair play: "A public officer or employee shall not use his position in government to secure or grant unwarranted privileges, preferences, exemptions or advantages for … any person to whom he has a commitment in a private capacity to the interests of that person … who is related to him by blood, adoption or marriage …" |
When Wesley Clark's Campaign Needed a Quick Infusion of Boxing Metaphors, Al Bernstein Heeded the Call
"As a lifelong Democrat," says boxing announcer and Las Vegan Al Bernstein, "I've been deeply troubled by the direction President Bush is taking our country. We need a candidate who is in fighting trim, smart enough to lead and tough enough to take the low blows sure to come from Karl Rove. General Clark is that candidate."
Proving he can hold his own in a cliche slugfest, Clark responded, "I'm delighted to have Al's support. The election this fall will be a battle like the 'Thrilla in Manilla,' and I am glad that Al is in my corner."
It's too soon to tell if Bernstein's endorsement will galvanize mass support for Clark's White House bid.
Best Local Band Name of the Week Dealing with Synonyms for Motion and So Much More
Vibe Friction
Soupstock: For that Broth-erly Love You've Been Craving
Self-described "soupster" Cameron Grant is grabbing the nearest bouillabaisse and heading to Desert National Wildlife Refuge for a festival of camping, drinking, fun and soup this Saturday. You can come, too as long as you bring soup. (For directions go to http://www.alpha66.com/soupstock2004/Directions_to_Campsite_X.htm)
Why soup?
"We are the collective soup that makes up humanity."
What's the most popular?
"Chicken noodle or vegetable."
Least popular?
"Cat. Unless it's Cream of Persian."
What's your favorite?
"Gumbo. My wife's gumbo is like sex-on-a-stick, you want to climb in the pot and swim in the stuff."
Lessons on Being Noncommittal, or How a Local Pizza Parlor Milked the Super Bowl
Metro Pizza's sign on Tropicana: Go Panthriots.
Rebirth of Rouge
It was like one of those Moulin Rouge pictures had come to life. On a makeshift stage, a trio of young-looking boys deejayed oldies, while people of different races pow-wowed under a large white tent in the casino's parking lot—drinking, eating and ogling showgirls in the same spot where, eight months ago, firefighters doused arson flames that devoured the historic property.
Last Thursday's party to celebrate plans for a $200 million renovation of the long-shuttered site—"It's like putting the Texas Station in the heart of the westside," one person observed—was the best party the place has seen in years, almost like old times. Moulin Rouge Development Corp. CEO Dale Scott says it will kick-start a Rouge era in a Downtown afflicted by recent closures of similarly venerable institutions (Binion's Horseshoe, the Castaways).
"This is a wake-up call for the city and West Las Vegas … the casino is going to be the economic engine that's going to drive commercial growth and employment in the area," says Scott, noting that entertainment will be the Rouge's calling card, as it was in 1955. "We've made a pledge to the community and expect the community to pledge its full support in return."
Live From CNN's Cheetah's Bureau?
TV's Extra! is opening a bureau in the Hard Rock, proving that we really are the center of the newsmaking universe. As if there were any doubt.
Best Reason to Give Up on Humankind and Join a Monastery Where People Eat Nothing But Grass and Pebbles and Pray for Our Collective Soul
M&M's, Ethel M, Dove Bar, Snickers and Milky Way are, according to the Nevada State AFL-CIO and Global Exchange, "the fruits of child labor." Kill us now. The groups are organizing a protest of chocolate child exploiters on the Strip February 13 at 5 p.m., starting in front of the MGM.
If Ignorance of Migratory Bird Patterns is the Disease, Three Days of Carefully Scanning Your Back Yard is the Cure
February 13-16 is the Great Back Yard Bird Count, a nationwide effort by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology to create a vast snapshot of where birds are and how many of them are there. Eager participants note the kinds and numbers of birds they see during the three-day event, then log their findings at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. The site also encourages people to be more bird-friendly in their daily lives, in itself more than enough reason to log on, and is filled with new and amazing facts, such as this one: Yes, Cornell really does have a Laboratory of Ornithology.