Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Columnist John Katsilometes: Catching up with new KLAS anchor Denise Valdez, who starts work Monday afternoon

Fabulous Las Vegas runs Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach John Katsilometes at [email protected] or at (702) 259-2327 or (702) 812-9812.

On Friday morning while talking on a cell phone during a drive from L.A. to Las Vegas, new KLAS Channel 8 anchor Denise Valdez was asked if she speaks Spanish. "Enough to get by," she said with a chuckle. "Tex-Mex, they call it."

On Monday, Valdez completes the move from KNBC in L.A. to KLAS. She steps into the spot once occupied by Polly Gonzalez, who was killed in a traffic accident in March. Valdez co-anchors the noon newscast with Gary Waddell and the 4:30 p.m. with Dave Courvoisier.

Valdez said she expects the memory of Gonzalez to be alive in the KLAS newsroom. "I'm not here to replace her. No one can replace what she meant to everyone," Valdez said.

Experienced in covering issues affecting Latino communities and culture, Valdez describes her cultural mix as "part Hispanic, part French." Her mother is Hispanic; Valdez's full legal name incorporates her mother's maiden name (Valdez) and given last name (which she does not want divulged for publication, but is French).

Valdez says she has embraced her Latino heritage since the beginning of her career in Palm Springs, Calif.

"I'm eager to get started," she said. "I hope people take some time to watch me, learn my credentials and judge for themselves the quality of my work."

NoteMart

Fare territory: Wynn Las Vegas owner Steve Wynn has offered Las Vegas cab drivers a free room, dinner, show tickets (to either "Avenue Q" or "Le Reve") and passes to the new nightclub Tryst on either Feb. 6 or Feb. 7 (the traditionally slow days immediately following the Super Bowl). The vouchers are being issued on a first-come, first-served basis ...

Curls gone wild: Anyone who has seen photos of Luxor headliner Carrot Top (real name: Scott Thompson) over the years has noticed his increasingly bulky upper body. Friends who work out at Gold's Gym on Flamingo and Sandhill roads have also noticed the copper-maned comic's relatively thin legs. One noted, "I've never seen him do anything but arm curls." ...

First Friday update: Along with the "Rocky Horror Picture Show"-themed wedding at the corner of Colorado Avenue and Casino Center Boulevard, First Friday (which is Friday of this week) is offering "I Love First Friday" T-shirts designed by Las Vegas artist Jerry Misko.

The first 500 First Friday attendees who stop by the First Friday information table at the corner of Casino Center and Colorado receive a free Misko-ized shirt. And couples interested in taking part in the "Rocky" wedding ceremony, staged by Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to submit in 150 words or less an explanation as to why they want to be married or renew their vows. Submit entries to www.whirlygig.com or fax them to 676-1162 ...

Bucky strike: The Court TV reality show "Las Vegas Law," centering on the professional and personal life of prominent Las Vegas attorney James "Bucky" Buchanan premieres at 10 p.m. Tuesday. Buchanan and his wife, Gianna Buchanan (also featured in the show) are hosting a VIP viewing party that night at (fittingly) the Courthouse Grill on South Third Street ...

Oh, stop him!: Noted collector Dr. Lonnie Hammargren has announced the purchase of the Boardwalk hotel-casino's Ferris wheel, Surf Buffet sign, custom-built gazebo from the hotel's wedding chapel, and the 15-foot-tall lighthouse (signed by Boardwalk employees). All of this stuff will be added to Hammargren's ode-to-Vegas backyard theme park at his home on Ridgecrest Drive, near Flamingo and Sandhill. Hammargren is said to be eyeing the Stardust sign; he'll have to compete with the Neon Museum for that one.

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