Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003 | 10:43 a.m.
Perhaps it is a good thing that Leonardo DiCaprio has made it clear he will not be attending a Several Sources Foundation benefit in Las Vegas next weekend.
When actor Daniel Baldwin didn't see DiCaprio at the group's April golf tournament in Las Vegas after the organization flew DiCaprio to town, Baldwin publicly threatened to beat up Di- Caprio when he thought DiCaprio had skipped out of the event.
But it turned out that DiCaprio had made good on his commitment -- making his appearance out of Baldwin's eyeshot -- and Baldwin's comments caused a tremendous publicity backlash.
"It was a misunderstanding that we are happy to have put behind us," event producer Jonathan Scott told VegasBeat on Wednesday. Scott said that DiCaprio is off filming the Howard Hughes biopic, "The Aviator," in Canada and was unable to attend the Nov. 15 benefit for the organization.
Scott added that DiCaprio has sent a "generous check" in support of the New Jersey-based group, which builds shelters for teenage mothers.
"A lot of teenagers who come to Las Vegas quickly get into, or are already in, trouble," Scott said.
"My heart goes out when I hear stories about young girls abandoning their babies in Dumpsters," Foundation founder Kathy DiFiore said. "With the support of the Las Vegas entertainment community we intend to provide a supporting and loving place for these girls to go."
Among the local names committed to attend or perform at the "Night of One Thousand Stars" soiree at Chameleon Studios are Clint Holmes, Robin Leach, Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, Chef Kerry Simon, Sandy Hackett, Susan Anton and Charlie Palmer Group exec Richard Femenella.
Some of the big names who participated in the April event and are expected back include Baldwin, Jackee Harry, Kevin Sorbo, Ron Harper, George Lopez and Kevin Dillon.
Generation next
Elvis Presley's 14-year-old granddaughter, Riley Keough, was just signed to a modeling contract.
Keough is the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and her first husband, musician Danny Keough.
She'll remain in school in Los Angeles; her new agency, IMG, is based in New York.
Old, new
Lots of familiar television faces at the opening party Tuesday night for Seablue, celeb restaurateur Michael Mina's (Nob Hill, Aqua) new MGM Grand seafood emporium.
Most endearing scene was veteran entertainment reporter Leach passing along words of wisdom to Vegas' newest entertainment reporter, the WB's Guy Farris, who appears on the KVWB Channel 12 News at 10 and Gold 33's (KFBT Channel 33) 7 p.m. broadcast.
Mina and general manager Patric Yumul also welcomed KLAS Channel 8 anchors Casey Smith and Lisa Johnson, KVBC Channel 3's Dana Wagner, Kim Capozzo and Ben Correa, Greenspun Media Group prez Michael Carr, hotel boss Gamal Aziz and the inimitable Monti Rock III.
Old news
The telephone scam involving Lance Burton tickets that was in the news this week was old news to VegasBeat readers.
We first reported on the scam in this space on July 16. At the time Burton spokesman Wayne Bernath was quoted as saying he thought a time share outfit that had bought blocks of tickets was to blame.
Investigating authorities now say they have no idea who is behind the computer-generated phone calls.
Fun forecast
Any chance you get to see KLAS Channel 8 weatherman Mark Pfister where he has an opportunity to speak extemporaneously, take it. The guy really ought to be a stand-up comedian. Well, he is, in the guise of a broadcaster.
So don't miss him as guest emcee for the Imperial Palace's celebrity impersonator karaoke contest at the hotel next Thursday.
Pfister will preside over contestants from around the nation as they vie for a cash prize and an audition for "Legends in Concert," the long-running IP show.
Judges for the contest include producer Jeff Victor and Las Vegas entertainer and famed Elton John impersonator Steve Sorrentino.
The 7 p.m. event is free.
Worth it?
Is hero astronaut and former senator John Glenn equal to comely "Today" show newscaster Ann Curry and gamblin' man Bill Bennett?
What about Bill O'Reilly pricing out at former U.N. Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick plus former Pakastini Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto?
A local talent and booking agent lining up personalities for some Vegas convention appearances recently shared a price list with us from the Harry Walker Agency, a national speakers bureau.
A talk from Glenn will cost $100,000; Curry and Bennett are $50,000 each. An hour of O'Reilly's time costs $80,000; Kirkpatrick and Bhutto are $40,000 each.
Others offered: former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres ($50,000 -- plus first-class tickets for 2 from Israel), Queen Noor ($60,000) and Henry Kissinger ($70,000).
VegasBits
In store: Separately, Dennis Rodman, Julius Erving, Anna Kournikova and "American Idol" Kelly Clarkson were spotted shopping at Dolce & Gabbana (Forum Shops at Caesars) this week ...
Zoom: Racing icon Mario Andretti raced (on foot!) through the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian on Tuesday evening. But he did stop at the high-end clothing store Pal Zileri for a couple of new suits ...
Roar: Vegas entertainer and theater party promoter Torrey Russell is heading East today for a final "Lion King" audition. If it all goes well for him, Russell could be in the Broadway production of the Disney smash before the end of the month ...
Goal: Three members of the Las Vegas Wranglers pro hockey team -- forwards Greg Day, Kevin O'Flaherty and Justin Kelly -- will be making an appearance from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at the Henderson hot-rod shop Above the Rest 816 ...
Art start: "A Century of Painting: From Renoir to Rothko" opens Friday at Guggenheim Hermitage Museum at The Venetian ...
Tick tock: Actor Dennis Quaid spent nearly 30 minutes browsing at the Newport Clock Gallery (Forum Shops) the other day ..
Call me: VegasBeat is back for its weekly radio call-in bit with "Las Vegas Today" host Jerry Gordon on KNUU 970 AM (K-NEWS) today at 4 p.m. Call the studio line at (702) 735-6397 and we'll dish. It is also available online at Knews970.com. Also, we're back with Tom Kelly on LITE FM, KMZQ 100.5-FM at 7:30 a.m. on Friday.
From Sun wires
Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks is expecting twins.
Maguire, 34, who plays fiddle and mandolin in the group, posted the news on the Dixie Chicks' website.
She said she and her husband, Gareth, have been trying to conceive for 2 1/2 years. The Maguires were married Aug. 10, 2001.
Wine and Cleese tasting: John Cleese is ready to start wining.
The "Monty Python" star has agreed to host a Food Network special aimed at "debunking the myths and fussiness that make wine intimidating to the average person," according to an announcement Wednesday by the cable channel. The hourlong program, to be filmed on the actor's Santa Barbara, Calif., ranch, is set to be broadcast in Fall 2004.
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