Monday, May 5, 2003 | 10:46 a.m.
Rarely is VegasBeat speechless, or starstruck.
But c'mon, seeing Muhammad Ali and winning a lunch with Colin Powell are enough for even the most cynical gossip columnist to sit up and take notice.
Toss in Nancy Reagan, Francis Ford Coppola, Vin Diesel, Heidi Klum, Angie Dickinson, Anthony Hopkins -- and, since this is Vegas, Robin Leach -- and all the ingredients are there for what is without a doubt going to be the most phantasmagorical event of the year on the Las Vegas charity circuit.
The occasion is the '60s-themed "One Cool Night" Alzheimer's benefit Wednesday night at Postrio -- and extending into The Venetian's Piazza San Marco. Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson is allowing folding tables to be set up in the public square.
Oh yes, Matt Damon, whose grandmother was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, might also attend. But if he is too busy filming, he's told organizers that he'll send a surrogate -- Ben Affleck.
The event started as a small dinner party six years ago, after Larry Ruvo's father, Lou Ruvo, died from the disease. The Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada boss decided to start a drive to bring a state-of-the-art care facility to Las Vegas.
It has evolved into an event that costs $15,000 a table, if you could even get a ticket.
"We want to keep it small and sort of special," one of the key organizers, Donna Baldwin, told VegasBeat. "The fact that it has grown the way it has is really a testament to Larry Ruvo and the other organizers, Kenny Epstein and Maddie Graves and Bobby" -- her husband, Mirage Resorts President Bobby Baldwin.
"And, of course, the generosity of everyone who participates."
Last year the event raised more than $2 million.
Added Ruvo: "It is not only about raising money, but raising the awareness. When my father was first diagnosed, there was not one place in Las Vegas that could diagnose or treat him."
Leach said that when he hosted the live auction last year, "It was like a religious revival meeting, with 'Hallelujahs!' being screamed out as we kept reaching various financial thresholds."
This year promises to be more of the same, with such auction items as lunch with Secretary of State Powell expected to be on the program.
Leach first got involved when he participated in one of Princess Yasmin Aga Khan's big Alzheimer's benefits named for her mother, Rita Hayworth, who died of the disease.
Besides the Powell prize, 10 other auction packages are available, ranging from spending a day with Ali (who will attend Wednesday) to Siegfried & Roy hosting a birthday party for your child and 20 friends, where the illusionists will entertain with their animals.
Host Chef Wolfgang Puck invites other celebrity chefs to cook with him; this year it is Alain Ducasse.
It is now expected that Reagan will appear on a videotaped message; these days she rarely leaves the side of her Alzheimer's-stricken husband, former President Ronald Reagan.
Curses
A local television anchor loudly and clearly unleashed an expletive on the air Thursday afternoon. On live television, incidents like that occur from time to time.
But what makes this so noteworthy is that the curse wasn't uttered live. It was recorded during the taping of a promotional spot.
The gaffe came from KTNV Channel 13 morning news anchor Christine Chang, and the spot aired at least once Thursday afternoon.
Spaced out
For the second time in two weeks, Mandalay Bay ran out of parking spaces for a major event.
Late vehicular arrivals for the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Yory Boy Campas mismatch Saturday night were turned away, and told to park at Luxor next door.
Same thing happened at the Tiger Woods benefit in late April.
Critical eye
Full-page ads announcing new blocks of Celine tickets going on sale appeared in some major East Coast newspapers Sunday.
One of the positive Celine blurbs in the ad came from the Sun's own Jerry Fink. Also featured in the ad were positive words from Time, The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune.
Holmes' hit
It was 30 years ago today that one of Vegas' favorite entertainers, Clint Holmes, released what would become his highest-charting single, "Playground in My Mind."
It peaked at No. 2 in June 1973. It was a notch below Paul McCartney's "My Love" and ahead of Elton John's "Daniel."
The song is still popular; it's part of the "Old School" soundtrack, the movie starring Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn.
"It was my original career plan to have a hit every 30 years," Holmes joked to VegasBeat Sunday.
VegasBits
Meat eaters: Rosie Perez, Jennifer Tilly and "Malibu's Most Wanted" star Jamie Kennedy devoured steak sandwiches at the Stirling Club Saturday night after the opening of the CMX Sports and Entertainment sound stage opening party ...
Star crowd: All-Star Stephon Marbury was offering his thoughts on the NBA playoffs at ghostbar Saturday night. His Phoenix Suns were eliminated Thursday. Marbury told listeners Sandra Bullock, Mario Lopez, Jeremy Shockey, "The Young and the Restless" star Joshua Morrow and ghostbar VIP host Marko Greisen that he likes the Lakers to re-re-re-repeat ...
Hey, hey: My, my. Neil Young lights up The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel July 26. Tix go on sale Saturday ...
Polo (Grounds) players: Two stars of the 1954 World Series champion New York Giants were at the Stardust Race and Sports Book for the Kentucky Derby: Hall of Famer Monte Irvin and Henderson resident Dusty Rhodes ...
Party time: "Dark Angel" star Jessica Alba, who turned 22 April 28, celebrated at Tabu (MGM Grand) Friday night with her fiance, Michael Weatherly of "JAG," and '80s supermodel Carol Alt ...
Labeled: Simon Kitchen and Bar (Hard Rock) Chef Josh Thomsen is featured on the label of Jones' Fruit Punch Soda. The specialty Jones brand is a favorite of the X-treme sport set ...
Early riser: Vince Neil promises not to party tonight. He has a live 7 a.m. broadcast on KVVU Channel 5 Tuesday from his Seven Hills home with Robin Leach. Might be worth watching just to see if the fabled Motley Crue rocker actually gets up ...
Hot, hot, hot: Latin music sensation Rick Arroyo plays throughout the day today -- Cinco de Mayo -- at the Border Grill inside Mandalay Bay. Go sip a special $5 Montecristo Rum mojito and listen to some spectacular sounds.
From Sun wires
Buddy Jewell, a man who's no stranger to the way Music City works, secured a record deal Saturday night by winning the "Nashville Star" talent competition.
Jewell, 41, who's been singing demos for songwriters for a decade in Nashville, beat out 10 other finalists in the USA Network series.
Jewell, a native of Osceola, Ark., earned a Sony Music recording contract. Country artist Clint Black will produce Jewell's debut CD.
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