John Katsilometes tastes a slice of Americana at the Clark County Fair and Rodeo in Logandale

By John Katsilometes

Friday, April 13, 2007 | 7:13 a.m.

Logandale

I was walking along a gravel path Thursday afternoon when a small man approached and asked if I would like a massage. I told him no. Then he grabbed my shoulder and asked again.

Before I could consider my next illegal but justifiable course of action, I noticed the guy was manning a qigong massage booth and I remembered that I was attending the Clark County Fair and Rodeo, where such behavior is tolerated and expected. The county fair is celebrating its 20th year in Logandale, which you can find by taking Interstate 15 north to State Route 169 and heading east for a few miles.

Until Thursday I had never been to the Clark County Fair, and I have been missing out on a genuine slice of Americana. Aside from the massage pushers, who charge $12 for their services, some highlights if you are considering the hourlong trek, and even if you are not:

NoteMart

Over the past couple of days, the commotion at the Galleria Bar at Caesars Palace was sparked by "Sopranos" kingpin James Gandolfini, who has been in town shooting scenes for the series' final season. In one scene his character, the extroverted Tony Soprano, suffered a heart attack. In another he tried his luck at a roulette wheel (play it on black?). Between scenes Gandolfini ordered double vodkas and bounced on his toes, behaving like a fighter waiting for the opening bell ...

No badge, no badgering: Former Clark County Sheriff Bill Young doesn't miss the publicity in working in public service. After consenting to a few interviews soon after he took over as corporate vice president of security for Station Casinos on March 12, Young is declining interview requests today ...

For the sixth consecutive year Penn & Teller are serving as grand marshals of the Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) AIDS Walk, to begin at 8 a.m. Sunday at World Market Center. The duo are also offering to match all money raised for the event. The benefit actually launches tonight, with "Fashion Fling: Magic & Mystery," an event billed as "a night of stylish socializing" (which is maybe why my invitation has been misplaced) from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Beauty Bar at Fremont East . Globe Salon is producing the party, which is to feature models strutting in fashions from designer Betsey Johnson, the Vegas vintage retailer the Attic, and the new Arts District boutique Epic Shoos. Admission is $25, which is tax-deductible ...

Booking alert: Performing May 25 at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel is Dread Zeppelin. This veteran tribute outfit formed in 1989 and is famous for performing covers of Led Zeppelin songs to a reggae beat. The vocalist is an Elvis impersonator who goes by Tortelvis, and former Zep vocalist Robert Plant has given the Dreads his endorsement . Tickets to the Vegas show are $20 and go on sale Saturday ...

I think I know her: A colleague reports the vanity plate DRAMAQN on a purple PT Cruiser.