Columnist Kate Maddox: Springfield gets birthday surprise

Kate Maddox

Friday, Aug. 24, 2001 | 4:49 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column also appears Tuesdays and Fridays in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach her at 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Rick Springfield had an extra birthday surprise on Thursday night. After being serenaded and toasted by hundreds of his fans, the "EFX Alive" star held a quiet celebration with his wife, Barbara, kids and close friends at NOBHILL.

But Springfield wasn't the only celebrity who dined at the new MGM Grand/Michael Mina eatery that night. Bill Clinton stole some of his spotlight.

The former president, daughter Chelsea Clinton, former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, former Nevada Gov. Bob Miller (on crutches following hip-replacement surgery) and other friends were already there, enjoying specials from Chef Mina's menu. For the record, Clinton sampled the garlic soup, an oyster-egg-caviar dish and sirloin steak with NOBHILL's signature whipped potatoes. No dieter, he.

(Mina deserves credit for getting through the pressure-cooker evening without a visible anxiety attack -- in addition to Clinton's entourage and Springfield's party of 15, NOBHILL was also being reviewed by a fickle and respected San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic.)

Clinton and Chelsea met Springfield and his brood and wished him a happy birthday.

If the disappearing promotional posters are any indication, Coyote Ugly at New York-New York should be a big hit.

On Wednesday owners of the new bar, set to open in October, put up 5,000 posters around town, calling for bartender tryouts. But now only a few hundred are left -- sticky-fingered Las Vegas locals have been stealing the sexy announcements.

The posters feature a drawing of a cowboy-hat-and-cut-offs-wearing buxom blonde proclaiming "We Want You: We're Looking For A Few Good Coyotes!" The bombshell also informs applicants that "Coyote Ugly misbehavior" is encouraged.

Concerned that readers are taking the missive literally, organizers have ordered 20,000 more copies.

Say the words Agassi-Graf-wedding and every tabloid reporter in Germany starts salivating -- and booking flights to Vegas.

Should Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf indeed tie the knot on Sept. 15, as reported by German mag Gala, one insider says more than 250 members of European paparazzi will descend on the Strip. "They all want to be the first to get shots of Graf pregnant and in her wedding dress ... which could be worth thousands of dollars," the source said. "(Graf) is who they care about. (Agassi's) secondary to the story." Speculation is already rampant that this year's Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children event -- featuring Don Henley, Elton John, Tim McGraw, Dennis Miller, Ray Romano and Brian McKnight -- will be a much bigger media circus than in past years. The Grand Slam is scheduled for Sept. 29 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Glen Meek reportedly inked a deal this week to join KVBC Channel 3. Last month Meek was let go from KTNV Channel 13, after failing to reach a favorable contract extension with the station.

Meek is scheduled to join the ranks as a producer at KVBC in three weeks and will continue at that post until his non-compete agreement expires at the end of the year. In January the veteran reporter will return to the air as part of KVBC's investigative team. Meek is currently working at KVVU Channel 5.

Close friends of Steve Wynn are whispering about when the megadeveloper will disclose plans for the discreet boutique hotel he is reportedly planning to build on the soon-to-be-former site of the Desert Inn. The smaller, more luxurious spot will supposedly be in addition to the resort/casino project unveiled last week. Sources say Wynn has long wanted to incorporate a classy, upscale, non-gaming hotel into his new venture, possibly in a partnership with a noted fashion house. One Wynn friend says the place will have "about 400 rooms" and "resemble the Four Seasons format."