Vegas Popular

I don't know about you, but I can't turn on the TV without finding at least one documentary on Las Vegas; most of them being about the security measures casinos have in place to catch criminals.

I guess greedy people do not watch these shows, because if they did, they wouldn't continue to do stupid things like, let's see... use counterfeit money in casinos!

That's exactly what happened at Caesars Palace, where a counterfeit ring targeting the casino was recently busted. The short story is that two people put $60,000 worth of fake money in slot machines at Caesars and every cent of it was traced back to them.

The best part about the story is that, not only did these two idiots use counterfeit money, they signed up for a players card to receive hotel comps! Talk about a new level of greed.

It's obvious that Las Vegas is the perfect city for an adventure, so it's not surprising that it was named the #1 Adventure Town in the September issue of National Geographic Adventure magazine.

What is surprising is that it's not the sexy shows, fine dining and non-stop gambling that helped Vegas make the list. Instead, Vegas is lauded for its abundance of places for hiking, biking and rock climbing found just outside the city limits. It's nice that not everyone forgets that we have six national parks, two national recreation areas, 13 state parks, and millions of acres of national forests within a three-hour radius of the bright lights.

If you were a criminal defense attorney serving as a pro tem judge in Las Vegas, or anywhere for that matter, do you think you would have the time, or even the desire, to have a MySpace page? And if you did have a MySpace page, do you think it would be wise to list "breaking my foot off in a prosecutor's ass" as one of your interests?

You probably answered no to at least one of the previous questions, but Jonathan MacArthur (seen left, in his trying-hard-to-be-artsy, half-face photo from MySpace) allegedly answered yes to both and now he is out of a job.

The 34-year-old criminal defense attorney in North Las Vegas was fired recently, after his MySpace page was found by Clark County District Attorney David Roger. After finding the page, Roger faxed a copy to court administrator Terri March, informing her that he would file a motion to recuse MacArthur from his role as substitute judge if the court didn't cut him first. Before you know it, MacArthur was unsurprisingly fired.

In addition to his "foot-in-the-ass" comment, MacArthur's MySpace page also, according to the Associated Press story, laid out his attitude towards prosecutors using a certain graphic phrase that he claimed was common "among blacks, people who associate with blacks or in a sports context."

Using the, "people who know me..." defense, MacArthur said his comments were obviously just overstated for the effect. Even better, MacArthur said he is still planning to run for a job with the new judicial department that opens in North Las Vegas in 2009. Maybe this whole Internet thing will be over with by then.

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Not to make light of the situation, but while members of the Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union are deciding whether to strike or not, they may want to look to the youth for tips on negotiating tactics.

If it weren't for those meddling kids, the menu at William V. Wright Elementary School may still include reheated frozen green beans. But, after a protest not at all akin to the Boston Tea Party or Tiananmen Square, students (not pictured) have gotten them banished. At least for now.

Yes, a class of second graders went bonkers recently and started a letter-writing campaign voicing their disdain for the sub-par green beans being served by the sweet, hair-net wearing ladies in the cafeteria. In an effort to keep the peace, the food service department of the Clark County School District quickly dispatched staff to the school to find out what alternatives the pint-sized Che Guevara's preferred.

The negotiation table was a salad bar of cooked, frozen and canned vegetables. The protesters liked corn and carrots, but not peas, which begs the question, "Why is everyone hatin' on green veggies at William Wright?"

District supervisor Sue Hoggan said that district dietitians would "tweak" the menu, based on the surveys filled out by students. However, in an "in-your-face," "I am the decider" move, she went on to say that the green beans would still occasionally be served.

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What happens when the Berenstain Bears play Las Vegas? Two things: the sports books put them up as a seven point favorite against the Detroit Lions, and I have the assignment to write about it. Robin Leach gets the Pussycat Dolls and I get the Berenstain Bears. Somebody call my agent.

Acutally, as someone who proudly still watches Scooby-Doo and Underdog cartoons, I guess I'm the right person after all to cover this adaptation of a popular series of children's books that debuted back in 1962. "Berenstain Bears On Stage!" combines five of the most popular stories (The Messy Room, The Double Dare, New Baby, Get Stage Fright and The Truth) into a new stage musical.

Last year, the Winchester Theater presented 'Food and Film,' a film festival featuring movies about the preparation and/or enjoyment of a great meal. The festival, which included such films as Babette's Feast, proved successful enough to inspire a sequel. 'Food and Films II begins on March 8 and continues every Thursday at 7PM through April 26. Admission is just $3 for each film.

This year's lineup:

Mostly Martha: The life of a German chef is altered when her sister dies, leaving an 8-year-old daughter behind.

What's Cooking?: Mercedes Ruehl stars in a story about how four different ethnic families celebrate Thanksgiving.

Eat Drink Man Woman: A modern classic from writer/director Ang Lee. Senior Master Chef Chu lives with his three unmarried daughters in a large house in Taipei. The story revolves around elaborate Sunday dinners and the love lives of the family members.

The Scent of Green Papaya: A 1993 Anh Hung Tran film centers on a little girl's life growing up as a servant. As a young woman she is sent to the home of a pianist and his wife, where she learns to read and finds love.

Tortilla Soup: Hector Elizondo, Paul Rodriguez and Raquel Welch star in this tale of a retired Mexican-American chef who also shares his home with his three single daughters.

Feast at Midnight: Sometimes described as the 'Dead Poet's Society' for food lovers, this 1995 British film focuses on a new student at a British public school who forms a secret society based on the love of food and midnight feasts with other school misfits and outcasts.

Simply Irresistible: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sean Patrick Flanery star in a romantic comedy about a clumsy chef who inherits her mother's fledgling restaurant.

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It's shocking that a place with 400 all-you-can-eat buffets would top a list of America's fattest cities. Las Vegas rises to the apex of Men's Fitness magazine's ignoble annual list, edging out San Antonio and Miami.

The magazine ranked Albuquerque, New Mexico as the fittest city nationwide, followed by Seattle and Colorado Springs.

Men's Fitness didn't actually ride to the top of the Stratosphere Tower and count all the obese people waddling down the Strip. They reached their conclusions by measuring data that includes how much city residents exercise, how healthy they eat, how much they use gym memberships, how many times they hit the fast food drive-thru, and how much time they spend sitting in traffic. We probably won it on that last one alone.

The magazine says that seven out of 10 Las Vegas residents are so sedentary that doctors suggest they're putting their health at risk. There was more in the article, but I couldn't read it after my chili dog leaked all over the pages.

I Headed out to the Silverton awhile back for an early dinner at Seasons, a terrific buffet. But after braving the south Strip traffic and the perennial construction on Blue Diamond Rd., I arrived to discover that Seasons was closed for a private party.

Such happenings are a common occurrence in a money-talks town. Travel here often enough and you'll inevitably find a favorite restaurant has been commandeered for the night by the Georgia Peach Growers Association or some such outfit. However, it's a rarity this far off the main resort corridors, so it was with some surprise that I was politely directed to one of the Silverton's other dining opportunities.

As I wandered across the hunting lodge-style casino, I gazed down the rows of slot machines for a glimpse of Paula Abdul. No, I don't look for the former Laker Girl everywhere I go, but this was a legit celebrity-sighting opportunity, as the shortest, cutest and some would say wackiest 'American Idol' judge, has been hired by the Silverton as a consultant on their entertainment offerings. Alas, no Paula, so I settled for dinner at the Sundance Grill, also known as the coffee shop.

Hotel coffee shops are Las Vegas staples, and what's most unique about them is how un-unique they are. The names change and the decor might pick up on the theme of the resort in which they reside, but every coffee shop has the same breakfast items served all day, the same waitresses that seem to have wandered in from an episode of 'Alice,' the same late night specials, and that spinning metal display of cheesecakes and coconut-cream pies under glass.

No real surprises at the Silverton's entry, but no disappointments either. I could predict most of the entrees before opening the menu; hot open-face roast turkey, French dip, burgers, etc. I opted for the French dip, which was served hot and fast, with the kind of French fries I like (for me, the thinner, the better). It wasn't why I went to the Silverton, but it was tasty and priced fairly enough to merit a return visit.

And next time I'll save room for some pie.

Chinois Thanksgiving Menu

CHEF TERENCE FONG and WOLFGANG PUCK

Appetizers
Blue Fin Tuna (Toro)
Sashimi 21. Nigiri 17. Negi Toro Roll 13

Tataki Toro
Serrano Chili, Daikon Salad, Garlic Ponzu 28

Curry Five Spiced Kabocha "Japanese Pumpkin" Soup
Dungeness Blue Crab and Chives 8

Entrees
Wok Fried Black Tiger Prawns
Asian Blackbean Sauce, Fried Green Beans over Lo Mien Noodles 33

Pan Seared Wagyu "Miyazaki" Kobe Beef
Roasted Garlic Puree, Fried Green Beans and Spicy Hoisin Barbeque Sauce 90

Dessert
Spiced and Sweet Bread Pudding
Macadamia Nuts, White Chocolate Chips, Caramel Sauce and Coconut Ice Cream 8


Open Daily in the Forum Shops at Caesars
Lunch: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., seven days-a-week
Dinner: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday – Thursday 5 p.m. – 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday Reservations (702) 737-9700 or 1-877-4-WOLFGANG

Vegas-based comic, J.Son Dinant stopped by the AOL.com booth at The Comedy Festival with his The New Funny Crew. You can check out photos of J.Son in the bathtub with Mr. & Mrs. George Lopez.

After proclaiming "We can do that" during a televised gingerbread house competition on the Rachel Ray Network, er, Food Network, now we can put our recipes where our mouths are. Lake Las Vegas Resort is hosting the inaugural Gingerbread House Competition.

There are categories and prizes for kids, casual cooks and professional chefs so if you you don't have a job at Jean-Philippe's, not to worry. You still have a chance. Winners in the youth and casual categories have identical cash prizes with the adult category also including hotel, dinner and spa packages. The professional chef category top prize is $7,500.

Houses must be out at the resort by Dec. 1 with judging taking place on Dec. 2. Important to note that your entry form, must be in by Nov. 27.

Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck is celebrating Vegas locals with a "Compliments of the Chef" program giving priority reservations and preferred seating at any his Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group's five restaurants: Spago, Chinois, Trattoria del Lupo, Postrio and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill.

Locals are also in line for a complimentary dessert.

So to summarize, good tables, less wait and free sugar. Yum.

Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman (here with Robin Leach at Art & Innocence Gala) and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell have placed a wager on this weekend's intrastate football game, Nevada vs. UNLV. No money will exchange hands, just the embarrassment of having to wear the other side's colors.

Rumours that Mayor Goodman leaned over and started whispering lyrics from Ice-T's "Colors" are unsubstantiated:

You don't know me, fool.
You disown me, cool.
I don't need your assistance, social persistence.
Any problem I got, I just put my fist in.

• Click here for the real story in Las Vegas Sun.
• Click here for official Ice-T site.
• Click here for UNLV Tickets.

POST-GAME UPDATE: Unfortunately for Mayor Goodman & Co., the Rebels were not very rebelicious and were "Haynesworthed" by Nevada.