Columnist Kate Maddox: Berkley scores points in soaring F-16

Kate Maddox

Friday, Dec. 17, 1999 | 9:38 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, only in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach her at kmaddox@vegas.com. To subscribe to the Sun, call 383-0400.

It takes a lot to rattle Congresswoman Shelley Berkley -- traveling at supersonic speed in an F-16 barely even fazes her.

Berkley was a guest of the Air Force recently when she went for a "ride along" aboard the lightning-fast jet with Captain Steve "Pickle" Vlasik. The congresswoman and a champion bull rider -- not identified by Berkley's spokeswoman -- took part in an unofficial stomach endurance test. The crew at Nellis Air Force Base was taking bets to see which of the two rookies, who rode in separate jets, would get ill first.

After three hours of training, a flight physical and equipment fitting, Berkley and the cowboy took their places in the planes. And for 48 mind-blowing minutes, it was clear that Berkley definitely felt the need for speed.

Captain Vlasik made sure her ride had all of the trimmings: lots of loops and rolls, a speedy vertical ascent and almost four G's of pure power.

Berkley said of the ride, "After childbirth, this was the most exhilarating experience of my life, and it gave me a deeper respect for what our pilots do every day."

The bull rider wasn't as enthusiastic. He didn't hang in there as long as the congresswoman -- and he didn't feel as good afterward.

Berkley boasted at the end of the challenge: "Never bet against a Berkley!"

Look for Elvis on the Las Vegas Strip tonight. Steve Connolly, who plays the King in the "Love Him Tender" show at Bally's, will first attempt to be bought by a stranger at Caesars Palace, then he'll be performing at the Flamingo.

For the "bought by a stranger" Connolly will be one of the single men auctioned off for a date at a benefit for Toys for Tots at Caesars Palace. Some lucky lady will get the chance to be wined and dined by Elvis and contribute to an important holiday cause.

Following his "sale", Connolly will proceed to the Flamingo hotel for a special Christmas performance with Lezlie Anders, Buddy Greco and the Buddy Greco Orchestra. Catch the show live on KJUL-104.3 FM at 8 p.m.

Blackjack Confidential magazine has named its Blackjack Player of the Century. The late card shark Ken Uston racked up an estimated $5 million playing 21 in the 1970s and 1980s. The former investment wizard -- Uston was once a vice president of the Pacific Stock Exchange -- left life in the corporate fast lane to devote himself to terrorizing casinos and mastering the game.

Others making Blackjack Confidential's list of all-century stars: the late Benny Binion, William Harrah, the casino executive who passed away in 1978, and gaming revolutionary Steve Wynn, Chairman of Mirage Resorts.

Hawaiian singer Don Ho is in town this week for performances at the Orleans Showroom, but fans will have the opportunity to meet him in person at Planet Hollywood on Saturday.

Ho will be there to donate one of his famous Hawaiian tropical print shirts to the restaurant's celebrity memorabilia collection. Show up to shake the hand of Mr. Tiny Bubbles himself at 12:30 p.m. at Planet Hollywood in the Forum Shops at Caesars.

Some of the stars of the Brian Boitano Holiday skating spectacular turned out yesterday to unveil a new 1980s figure skating stamp. Olympic gold medal winners Kristi Yamaguchi and Oksana Baiul helped Boitano reveal the new stamp, which is part of a series honoring that great decade -- the 1980s.

The skating stars are in town for Saturday night's ice show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. The show will also feature John Tesh -- accompanying on the piano ... not skating.