Strip Scribbles: Steve Wynn ships $12.8 million vases to Macau resort

Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com

Steve Wynn, wife Andrea Hissom and stepson Nick Hissom attend the Andre Agassi Grand Slam red carpet and benefit gala at Wynn Las Vegas on Oct. 29, 2011.

By Robin Leach (contact)

Monday, Oct. 31, 2011 | 7:03 p.m.

Wynn Macau

Steve Wynn and Edmund Ho Hau Wah.

PR Newswire

Wynn Resorts announced Friday that Steve Wynn purchased these four vases for a total of $12.8 million for his new resort in Macau.

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The four Qing Dynasty vases that Las Vegas hotel tycoon Steve Wynn bought for $12.8 million in July have been safely returned to The People’s Republic of China, and they will be displayed in his Wynn Macau hotel lobby. Steve was joined by Edmund Ho Hau Wah, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, for last week’s unveiling of the Buccleuch Vases, which date to 1796.

“We are returning an extraordinary collection of porcelain vases from the Qing Dynasty to The People’s Republic of China,” Steve said. “This is in continuation of our policy of adding to the cultural enrichment of our community here in Macau. And our commitment to return artistic treasures.

“Citizens may be interested to know that the only other set of four vases matching these are in Buckingham Palace and belong to the Queen of England. The tapestry and the vases together remind us of the rich history of China.”

*Exuberant cheers mixed with emotional tears as legendary illusionists Siegfried & Roy were saluted by political, financial, corporate and civic leaders and residents of German descent at New York City’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel to be inducted into the German American Hall of Fame. Roy left his wheelchair to walk into the gala on Siegfried’s arm and at the mic said, “We are so proud of this honor.”

They are the first living inductees: Others include Albert Einstein, Walter Cronkite, Babe Ruth and President Eisenhower. Also honored: Anne Eisenhower, granddaughter of the president, and Linda Ruth Tosetti, granddaughter of the baseball legend. My longtime friend Rita Crosby from Fox News served as MC.

Wicked Whispers & Racy Rumors

Washington, D.C., lawyers for the FDIC are targeting Las Vegas VIPs for their assets in connection with default bank closures. Prominent names in one deal alone include family members who guaranteed loans on a land-hotel deal near The M Resort that fell apart in the economic downturn. … Porn princesses Bree Olson and Sunny Leone have been chosen as co-hosts of the 29th Annual Sexy as Hell Adult Video Awards on Jan. 21 at the Hard Rock Hotel. … Ex-Fantasy headliner Angelica Bridges performs her Atlantic City 1940s song show at the grand opening of ICandy Lounge Club at the Tropicana over Thanksgiving weekend. Angelica just shot the 1-hour pilot The Housewives of Bel Air. Incidentally, the Trop opens Mandara Spa on Nov. 17 exactly as President Alex Yemenidjian promised the new attractions recently. Next up: The new names and look for its beach and nightclub venues.

*The annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champions Week is returning. The two highlights are the crowning of the 2011 champion at the awards ceremony and then the Victory Lap of the Top 12 drivers on The Strip. I’ll be the official voice for the pre-ceremonies, and Madame Mayor Carolyn Goodman will join me to present keys to the city to the best drivers.

*I was amazed at the world premiere in Montreal of Cirque’s Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour, and now in advance of its near monthlong run starting Dec. 3 at Mandalay Bay, four of the superstar’s greatest hits have been redesigned, reimagined and released today. The “Immortal Megamix” includes “Can You Feel It,” “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough,” “Billie Jean” and “Black or White.”

*Congratulations to Steve Wynn’s Chef Mark LoRusso at Botero in Encore for his selection as 2011 Culinarian of the Year by the Nevada Restaurant Association at the organization’s annual Culinary Excellence Awards. Mark was selected for his exceptional skills in the kitchen, as well as his dedication to the culinary industry. Mark is an active supporter of Couture for a Cause, Meals on Wheels and Three Square.

*Kudos to Katie Eklund, a Centennial High School student, on being named Miss Las Vegas Teen USA. Katie competes in the Miss Nevada Teen USA Pageant in January at Planet Hollywood.

*Congratulations to Las Vegas pal Barry Greenstein, “The Robin Hood of Poker,” and Linda Johnson, “The First Lady of Poker,” who on Nov. 8 will be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame as the 41st and 42nd members. Linda becomes just the second female to be bestowed the honor, joining Barbara Enright, who was inducted in 2007. Barry has helped Vegas DeLuxe with WSOP Final Table coverage via Twitter -- and will again with this month’s November Nine.

*Nearly 750 riders raised $13,000 at the Second Annual World Broom Races to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure cancer fundraiser at Flightlinez downtown. Strip show aerialists even dressed as witches for the charity stunts.

*The successful video series Famous Food at Serendipity 3 in Caesars Palace with Chef Michael Wolf has premiered its third video teaching viewers how to create the restaurant’s signature orchard salad. As in the earlier two videos spilling the restaurant’s menu secrets, this tutorial is full of chef tricks and tips. You can find the instructions for the earlier High Heel Pump and heirloom tomato salad at YouTube.com/CaesarsPalace.

*No need for 3D glasses! Blue Man Group at the Venetian has created six, original 3- and 4-minute shorts for the Nintendo America 3DS and video systems without the need for special glasses. The debut videos, “Upgrade Your Life!” “Dance Like the Stars!” and “Foley Part I,” are available with “Foley Part II,” “Blue Man Group Sports” and “The Remote” to be distributed over the next several weeks.

Star Surveillance

Rapper Twista kicked off Halloween festivities with a performance at LAX in the Luxor, taking the stage with B Hype and performing his hits “Slow Jamz,” “Overnight Celebrity” and “Wetter.” … MMA brothers Nick and Nate Diaz dined at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago the night before their UFC 137 fights at Mandalay Bay Events Center. … Two local heroes, Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte and hair care king J.P. DeJoria, were recently interviewed by Barbara Walters on ABC in a special featuring billionaires who give away their fortunes to charity to prove that government should let entrepreneurs flourish without intervention. … After supermodel Heidi Klum hosted her annual Halloween party at Tao in the Venetian on Saturday night with her favorite DJ ?uestLove, they hopped on a jet to do the same thing tonight at its sister Dream Penthouse club in Manhattan.

Tonight’s Tips

Even after five nights of hell-oween, partying downtown really goes into overdrive tonight. For the second year, the Las Vegas Halloween Parade is back with a 7 p.m. parade and costume contest and after-parties at Gold Diggers at Golden Nugget, the Zappos.com official street party at El Cortez and the Dancetronauts at Gold Spike, while the Zombie Pub Crawl starts at the Plaza, and OktoberFrightFest Fest wraps with Alice & Ozzie Frightmare on the First Street stage, Frank & The Steins on the Third Street stage and Vampire Rising on the Main Street stage.

On The Strip, the big must-see, must-hang Halloween ball is Golden Rainbow’s 45th Annual Beaux Arts Ball at Studio 54 in MGM Grand. Cast members of Cirque’s Zumanity and Viva Elvis join Disney’s The Lion King and Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas for the fun and philanthropy. … Lil Jon is behind the wheels of steel at Surrender in Encore. … 2011 America’s Best DJ winner Kaskade is at Marquee at the Cosmopolitan. … Grammy winner DJ Afrojack spins at his House of Horror at XS in Encore. … And Ludacris hosts at Haze in Aria and awards $10,000 to costume contest winners.

Tomorrow’s Teases

The boutique Kardashian Khaos has its soft opening at the Mirage without the reality TV family, among them Kim Kardashian, who has split from NBA player Kris Humphries after just 72 days of marriage. Plus, our Halloween party coverage continues with Ice-T and Coco, Angel Porrino, Scott Disick, Paul Oakenfold and Gretchen Rossi.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.