Friday, Oct. 11, 2002 | 3:16 a.m.
London has several pubs on Fleet Street.
New York has Elaine's.
Most every big city has its own hangout for scribes.
But where does the media elite of Las Vegas gather?
Apparently at the offices of Allergy and Asthma Associates on Lake Mead Boulevard.
Saturday morning the office was clogged, and I do mean clogged, with the likes of KLAS Channel 8 anchor Paula Francis, the TV station's talented online editor Caroline Blakely, Lund & Manasse Advertising public relations directorStephanie Bethel, KNUU 970-AM (K-NEWS) executive producer Denise Mara Meyer and Review-Journal entertainment writer Mike Weatherford.
It was 51 years ago this week that Hugh McElhenny recorded a feat that will probably never be surpassed: He returned a punt 100 yards for a touchdown against USC while playing for Washington.
"I remember it well," McElhenny, a Las Vegas resident and veteran NFL running back, told VegasBeat.
" Frank Gifford punted it. It was a stupid, stupid football play. We were down 21-0 in the fourth quarter and I figured what the hell did we have to lose. So I took it and ran."
He broke several tackles and finally encountered Gifford in the open field.
"He was the last guy that had a shot at me -- and he missed."
McElhenney, nicknamed "The King," was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981, and remains fast on his feet -- especially in the buffet line at the weekly UNLV football luncheons.
"I am a big John Robinson fan. Go UNLV!" He also spends time rooting for grandsons Kyle Hemenway, 12, and Keith Hemenway, 11, in their winter baseball league.
"After all, those are the two main reasons I moved to Las Vegas."
It is unlikely Michael Jackson will be there, but one never knows with him.
Studio 54, the club inside MGM Grand, is having a "Nightmare on 54th Street" promotion throughout Halloween week.
They're featuring a live action and sinister, techno version of Jackson's groundbreaking "Thriller" video, as well as an Oct. 31 costume contest with cash prizes.
And, they're looking for "barely clad fetish fairies, fire eaters and vampy, gothic vixens." I'll be there.
The National Republican Congressional Committee seems to have money to spend, but is apparently wasting it -- 14 cents bulk rate at a time -- when it comes to Las Vegas.
Several registered Democrats who do not live in the 3rd Congressional District have told VegasBeat they received mailings from 320 First St. S.E. in the nation's capital (Republican Central), asking, "Who has a record we can be proud of?"
The flier is a promotional piece for Republican candidate Jon Porter. It features a collection of newspaper clips detailing various "ethical lapses" committed by opponent Dario Herrera.
It is not that unusual for one party to target voters of another party. But if they live elsewhere and can't vote for the candidate ... Well, it is their 14 cents.
Darren Romeo can start sleeping later.
The magic man's big budget afternoon show at the Mirage, "Siegfried & Roy present Darren Romeo" closed Saturday. This week, he starts pre-production for a new nighttime gig, slated to open in early 2003.
"This experience (of the failed matinee) has taught us all exactly what we need to give the public an unbelievable nighttime experience," Romeo said. "I am so lucky to have the support of both the MGM Mirage family and, of course, Siegfried & Roy."
archive
