Pretty good weekly column just though I would share.
Ben Affleck played in a high-stakes poker tournament
Kevin Kelley lunching with Bill Walton
Steve Wynn taps Frank Tucker
Gladys Knight performs for celebs
Ben Affleck got some poker advice from old pro Bob Stupak, but he didn't listen.
They were playing in a $1.6 million no-limit hold-em tournament at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles last week when Affleck was dealt a pair of aces and Stupak a pair of fours. Stupak caught another four on the flop.
When Affleck bet $1,000, Stupak went all-in. As Affleck pondered, Stupak, the creator of the Stratosphere, encouraged the film star not to call so he would stay alive in the tournament, which cost $5,000 to enter. Affleck stuck with his aces and was knocked out by Stupak's three fours.
Touchy subject
Former baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth would have made a hard-hitting governor of California.
I can vouch for that.
Back in my sportswriting days while covering Denver's pursuit of a Major League Baseball franchise, I quoted San Diego Padres President Ballard Smith as saying that "baseball might have a problem" with billionaire Denver oilman Marvin Davis as a prospective owner.
When Smith wouldn't elaborate, I raised the subject a few days later to Ueberroth during a news conference at a baseball owners meeting in Hollywood, Fla. He brushed it aside in a clipped tone. I tried again, away from the glare of TV cameras.
It must have been an exceedingly touchy subject, because Ueberroth's response was, literally, a slap in the face. Minutes later, he sent his chief aide over to apologize.
Ueberroth dropped out of the gubernatorial recall race Tuesday.
The Scene and Heard
Steve Wynn has tapped Frank Tucker, general manager at the Mandalay Bay nightclub rumjungle since it opened 4 1/2 years ago, as the director of nightclub operations for Wynn Resorts. Tucker, who was assistant director of development of training for China Grill management, will oversee Wynn Las Vegas' three nighttime venues. ...
There are rumblings galore that the Las Vegas Hilton is on the verge of being sold to former Hilton exec Stephen Bollenbach and Conrad International.
May I recommend ...
The grand opening party of Art de Vignettes gallery at the Fashion Show mall from 5:30 to 9 tonight.
Sightings
Bill Walton, having lunch with Hard Rock President and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Kelley and local businessman Robert Frey at the Pink Taco to discuss a Young Presidents Organization basketball camp in Las Vegas. ... ABC-TV's Brent Musburger, leaving a 50-cent tip on a $10 check at The Starting Gate at the Bellagio. A few minutes later, he changed his mind and took the change with him. ... At Gladys Knight's show Tuesday at the Flamingo: Richard Roundtree, the original Shaft; LaMonte McLemore, founder and leader of the 5th Dimension; Harry Elston, co-founder of Friends of Distinction; and Little Anthony.
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
Ben Affleck played in a high-stakes poker tournament
Kevin Kelley lunching with Bill Walton
Steve Wynn taps Frank Tucker
Gladys Knight performs for celebs
Ben Affleck got some poker advice from old pro Bob Stupak, but he didn't listen.
They were playing in a $1.6 million no-limit hold-em tournament at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles last week when Affleck was dealt a pair of aces and Stupak a pair of fours. Stupak caught another four on the flop.
When Affleck bet $1,000, Stupak went all-in. As Affleck pondered, Stupak, the creator of the Stratosphere, encouraged the film star not to call so he would stay alive in the tournament, which cost $5,000 to enter. Affleck stuck with his aces and was knocked out by Stupak's three fours.
Touchy subject
Former baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth would have made a hard-hitting governor of California.
I can vouch for that.
Back in my sportswriting days while covering Denver's pursuit of a Major League Baseball franchise, I quoted San Diego Padres President Ballard Smith as saying that "baseball might have a problem" with billionaire Denver oilman Marvin Davis as a prospective owner.
When Smith wouldn't elaborate, I raised the subject a few days later to Ueberroth during a news conference at a baseball owners meeting in Hollywood, Fla. He brushed it aside in a clipped tone. I tried again, away from the glare of TV cameras.
It must have been an exceedingly touchy subject, because Ueberroth's response was, literally, a slap in the face. Minutes later, he sent his chief aide over to apologize.
Ueberroth dropped out of the gubernatorial recall race Tuesday.
The Scene and Heard
Steve Wynn has tapped Frank Tucker, general manager at the Mandalay Bay nightclub rumjungle since it opened 4 1/2 years ago, as the director of nightclub operations for Wynn Resorts. Tucker, who was assistant director of development of training for China Grill management, will oversee Wynn Las Vegas' three nighttime venues. ...
There are rumblings galore that the Las Vegas Hilton is on the verge of being sold to former Hilton exec Stephen Bollenbach and Conrad International.
May I recommend ...
The grand opening party of Art de Vignettes gallery at the Fashion Show mall from 5:30 to 9 tonight.
Sightings
Bill Walton, having lunch with Hard Rock President and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Kelley and local businessman Robert Frey at the Pink Taco to discuss a Young Presidents Organization basketball camp in Las Vegas. ... ABC-TV's Brent Musburger, leaving a 50-cent tip on a $10 check at The Starting Gate at the Bellagio. A few minutes later, he changed his mind and took the change with him. ... At Gladys Knight's show Tuesday at the Flamingo: Richard Roundtree, the original Shaft; LaMonte McLemore, founder and leader of the 5th Dimension; Harry Elston, co-founder of Friends of Distinction; and Little Anthony.
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
