Columnist John Katsilometes: What might have been behind Jim Rogers’ ‘Lincoln’ comment

Monday, Oct. 31, 2005 | 8:09 a.m.

Fabulous Las Vegas runs Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach John Katsilometes at kats@lasvegassun.com or at (702) 259-2327 or (702) 812-9812.

In introducing former President Bill Clinton at the Nevada Development Authority dinner at Bellagio, Chancellor Jim Rogers drew one of the event's biggest laughs.

But not on purpose.

During his glowing introduction of the night's keynote speaker, Rogers misspoke and referred to Clinton as "President Lincoln."

We have a theory: It's not about Abraham; it's about cars. Rogers once told me that he is on the phone "every night. Not most nights -- every night" tracking down rare cars for his Sunbelt Auto Collection Museum on Gragson Avenue, a couple of blocks south of the KVBC Channel 3 Studios near the corner of Bruce Street and Washington Avenue.

The collection is rife with classic American-made automobiles; Rogers is famous for his fascination with such cars. It's merely a theory -- and, granted, one that would be more plausible if Rogers had referred to Clinton as "President Buick Skylark."

NoteMart

Rodman redux: Las Vegas frequenter Dennis Rodman signed copies of his latest autobiography "I Should Be Dead By Now" on Saturday at the Palms. A cynic would say this is big news if it is 1997 -- when Rodman's last autobiography, "Bad As I Wanna Be," was released. Rodman lives a lot of life, yes, but two autobiographies in eight years? ...

Chip in: The Riviera unveils its new Halloween-themed casino chip today. Just 500 of the $5 chips are being made available. The chips feature three scary characters on one side and the phrase "Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun."

At the Riv, which designs are used for commemorative chips are determined by the hotel's "chip exec," Barb Wolfe. For a preview go to www.rivierahotel.com. ...

Gouda news: The eminent Mark Jonathan Davis -- aka Richard Cheese -- is up for a Grammy Award. Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine's "Aperitif For Destruction" has been nominated for Best Comedy Album. Lounge Against the Machine, whose Vegas history dates to the now-defunct Venus lounge at the Venetian, has carved out a cult following by putting a swingin' lounge-band spin on rock standards (including Guns 'N Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" and the Killers' "Somebody Told Me").

Sadly, Cheese's latest tour is said to be its last and is fittingly titled, "Let It Brie" ...

More cheese and other ingredients: Master Chef Gustav Mahler is hosting the fourth "Cooking With Gustav" presentation on Nov. 8 at Sazio at the Orleans. The event begins at 6 p.m. and is a benefit for the Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow (FIT). Organizers say Mahler will take "the mystery and anxiety out of preparing the 'dreaded' turkey dinner." Tickets are $50; call 948-9500 ...

An open request ... to the woman driving the Saturn VUE on South Jones Boulevard on Saturday afternoon with vanity plates reading MSPINKY and a plate frame that said, "Real Grannies Play Senior Softball." I could not quite grab your attention (at least while obeying the rules of the road), so what's your story? ...