Columnist Kate Maddox: Hotels, salons heavy with handouts

Kate Maddox

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2001 | 8:34 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Seems like everyone in town is trying to raise money for the victims of last week's terrorist attacks, despite the nagging worry of local layoffs and financial cutbacks.

A number of hotels, including five Boyd Gaming properties, paid for the rooms of guests stranded in the wake of McCarran International Airport's closing. Rob Stillwell, vice president of corporate communications for Boyd Gaming, said that meals and rooms were comped for those who couldn't get out of town, but added there were a number of opportunists attempting to get on the freebie bandwagon.

"Unfortunately, we did have a few people coming up with some creative reasons to take advantage of our hospitality," Stillwell said. "As of the weekend, most of our guests were able to get back on flights out of Las Vegas."

Local celebrity stylists also gave to the cause. Michael Boychuck of the Canyon Ranch Salon at the Venetian said the salon would donate 10 percent of last week's profits to the families of victims of the New York disaster. William Whatley of the William Whatley International Salon also donated 10 percent of last week's take to the Red Cross.

Those rumored vows Madonna reportedly made never to return to Las Vegas following her lackluster concerts at the MGM Grand over Labor Day weekend are apparently hard truth.

Her manager told a friend that the singer was completely disappointed by the Vegas crowds, to the point that she "couldn't wait to get done with the shows," according to the pal. "She'll never go back there," relayed the insider. "You could see the difference in her attitude when she got back to Los Angeles." A delighted Material Girl was so happy with the audience in L.A. on Saturday night that she even brought hubby Guy Ritchie onstage just so he could feel the love.

Las Vegas' newest resident DJ, Matt Goias, has Robin Leach to thank for helping him avoid Tuesday's New York tragedy. "I was supposed to go back to the city, but then I was asked to DJ at Robin Leach's birthday party on Monday night at V Bar," said Goias, whose Manhattan apartment building is less than three blocks from Ground Zero. Goias spins at Venetian's V Bar on Monday nights, but it's "mostly just for fun." His real gig includes managing the careers of several popular DJs, in addition to doing promotional work for a number of high-profile clients including Nike, Lacoste and Vogue.

Although he divides his time between New York and Las Vegas, he's in no hurry to return to the Big Apple. "They still aren't letting people back into my building," he says, "So as long as no one's getting in, I'm happy to stick around here."

Rest easy. That wasn't a public busting of a boyfriend you were reading in the paper Monday morning. Lots of people around town were giggling about an e-mail-style advertisement displayed prominently in the newspaper which was sent to "Phil" from "Janet," and read as though unlucky Phil was spotted dining on swordfish at Cili with another woman. Janet wasn't happy.

Not to worry, Phil -- or anyone else for that matter. The e-mail ads are part of a new campaign for the Wolfgang Puck eatery at Bali Hai Golf Club. I guess the thought is readers would want to check out the place where Phil ate his last meal.

Still no word on when KVBC Channel 3 anchor Jim Snyder will head back home to Las Vegas. Whenever he does decide to return, Snyder, who upon hearing of the terrorist bombings jumped in a news truck with a cameraman and hit the road for New York, is looking at another lengthy trip. "They will drive back and get some reaction from the heartland along the way," KVBC News Director Jamie Ioos said.