The ‘happiest mayor in the universe’ celebrates another year

By Allison Duck

Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009 | 2:48 a.m.

At the celebration of his 70th birthday, the “world’s happiest mayor” proclaimed he was now the “happiest mayor in the universe!”

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman closed the book on another decade and looked forward to the next one with a VIP pre-party at Gold Diggers at the Golden Nugget.

Before heading out to the Fremont Street Experience for a blowout bash with his extended Las Vegas family, Goodman partied at the Golden Nugget’s lounge.

Few people can bring out judges, the sheriff, Gordie Brown, Cirque du Soleil performers and Zowie Bowie to the same venue.

If anyone is worth such a showing from the who’s who of Las Vegas’ elite, it’s Goodman. With the obligatory Bombay Sapphire martini in hand and showgirls on either side, Goodman entered his party to a continuous loop of 50 Cent’s “Go shorty, it’s your Birthday” line from “In Da Club.”

He spent well over an hour with his closest friends and Vegas VIPs before heading out to the First Street Stage to be entertained by Wayne Brady, Zowie Bowie, Nathan Burton, the ROK girls from New York New York and the Fantasy Girls from Luxor.

Those who couldn’t stop by for a personal birthday handshake made use of technology to extend their best wishes to the mayor.

Sen. Harry Reid, Chef Emeril Lagasse, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graff all recorded personal messages for the mayor, along with executives from the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. This charity, along with Three Square and Opportunity Village, will benefit from the proceeds from donations made at the party in honor of Goodman’s birthday.

The skilled bartenders at Gold Diggers kept the mayor and his guests happy with tasty libations in honor of the special night. The Good-Man Martini (the official martini of Las Vegas) was on the top of the mayor’s list.

It consisted of “two parts chilled Bombay Sapphire Gin, one part chilled Bombay Sapphire Gin, a quick glance over at the dry vermouth and two stuffed blue cheese olives — preferably on the side, so as not to take up too much space in the glass.”

The Good-Man sounds like the recipe for a bad hangover.

Also on the menu at Gold Diggers were “The Birthday Boy,” a gin margarita, and the “To Honor His Honor,” featuring a splash of pomegranate juice and Chrome Italian Soda with Bombay Sapphire.

Partygoers used these delicious drinks to wash down beef wellington, orange chicken and various types of bruschetta.

The passed appetizers gave way to a fabulous birthday cake fashioned into a giant bottle of the Mayor’s favorite gin. Next to the massive Bombay bottle dessert were smaller cakes sporting the logos of Goodman’s favorite charities.

After thanking the crowd for their attendance and support of his fundraising endeavors, Goodman took a moment to reflect on the year to come. He said he hoped this would be “the end of a recession and the beginning of a great year for Las Vegas.”

Let’s hope the mayor’s birthday wish comes true.