VegasBeat — Timothy McDarrah: Armeni benefits from capital idea

Friday, Feb. 14, 2003 | 3:19 a.m.

Remember the name Laura Armeni .

The Bishop Gorman High School senior was just tapped to attend the prestigious National Youth Leadership Forum on Law in Washington, D.C.

You know those pictures of a youthful Bill Clinton shaking hands with President John F. Kennedy?

Well, in 20 years we'll probably be seeing photos of Armeni and some of the dignitaries she'll be meeting during her March sojourn to the nation's capital.

"I am very excited, quite honored and I know that this is going to be a tremendous opportunity to meet some very important people, and to learn a lot of new things," Armeni, 17, told VegasBeat last week.

The program selects students from around the nation who have demonstrated "outstanding academic achievement and an interest in law and justice."

On the schedule are meetings with Supreme Court justices, a mock trial, visits to some D.C.-area law schools and sights ranging from the Smithsonian Institute to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. And, if circumstances allow, a photo and handshake with President George W. Bush.

I don't care if you swear at Robin Leach, or swear by Robin Leach.

Just vote for Robin Leach.

Leach's ABC survivor-reality show "I'm a Celebrity -- Get Me Out Of Here!" debuts Wednesday night. He and nine other famous names were dropped in the Australian Outback early today.

The last person standing after the 15 consecutive prime time broadcasts gets $500,000 for charity. Leach has designated the Lou Ruvo Alzheimer's Care Facility in Las Vegas as the recipient of $250,000 of his largesse (Meals on Wheels in New York City would get the other half).

Starting Wednesday dial the toll-free number (866) 411-4086 to cast your vote for Leach -- and a very worthy Las Vegas health care facility.

Bark? No, Buzz.

The second man to walk on the moon, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, will speak to the Western States Veterinary Conference at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Tuesday.

At the private event he'll also get an award from Iams and the Skeeter Foundation for his efforts to launch a national progam to help more pet owners "overcome economic hurdles and gain access to the most advanced veterinary care and technology."

Christopher Walken, who was just named ShoWest's 2003 Supporting Actor of the Year, will be accepting his plaque at the closing awards ceremony at ShoWest's Las Vegas convention March 6.

The annual event usually draws many of Hollywood's biggest names.

At least one of 17 Las Vegas bartenders are poised for something bigger and better.

The barkeeps, representing a variety of Las Vegas bars, clubs and restaurants, face off against each other in a talent show at the Monte Carlo's Lance Burton Theatre on Feb. 24.

The winner gets $5,000 or the equivalent in singing, dancing or acting lessons. Tickets to see the competition, sponsored by Red Bull, are free.

Trend alert: Another cops-in-a-Vegas-casino show is being planned.

Daytime Emmy winner Josh Duhamel ("All My Children") has been signed as one of the two leads in a still untitled NBC series.

He'll play the No. 2 guy on a surveillance team at a Las Vegas casino.

Last week it was reported that 20th Century Fox has a show called "VegasDick" in pre-production. It is about a former con man who switches sides, and becomes a house detective for a casino.

Light's Marklen Kennedy reports that Jennifer Aniston was at the Bellagio nightclub last Sunday night -- sans Brad Pitt.

Kennedy said Aniston was there with two girlfriends, puffed on several Merits, danced a bit, and headed out.

Aniston was back in Hawaii on Monday morning on the set of director John Hamburg's untitled romantic comedy that she is filming with Ben Stiller for Universal.

Kennedy knows a little about the entertainment world. He was in the movie "Heaven or Vegas" with Yasmine Bleeth and has shot episodes of "Melrose Place" and "The West Wing."