Judy Thorburn and Debbie Hall

Photos by Stephen Thorburn

There was fun food, shopping, fine art, movies, Country Music, a groundbreaking event, and close encounter with a rap star this week for the Media Divas.

First, we had the most wonderful time at PT’s Gold, 10075 S. Eastern (south of St. Rose Parkway). This newest addition to the PT chain is incredible, fun and friendly. The décor includes an outdoor patio under the sky, big bay windows for indoors, and comfortable seating. But the most amazing feature is the lighting. There are literally four settings: morning, daytime, evening and overnights. The lights change gradually to accommodate the time of day without any distractions. It is brighter during the day (for the lunch crowd) and more muted as the day progresses. The music is loud enough you can hear what is playing, BUT it was the conversation that drowned out the music, NOT the other way around. What else we noticed was the air. That’s right. The air filtration system inside PT’s Gold is something every bar, lounge and restaurant should consider as a must for their patrons with allergies to smoke. Bar none (no pun intended) it is refreshing to sit in a venue where the smell of cigarette smoke, or other unpleasant odors is virtually undetectable.

PT's Gold

Servers David, Amber and Manager, Stewart Rowen


Server Aleshia and Director of Marketing, Tracy Harven

The food is a variety of thin crust pizzas, sandwiches, chicken wings, and other favorites. We have to praise our food servers, Mike, David and Tiffany. Everyone is so friendly and will take time to talk to you. This is truly a “neighborhood” bar with style, feeling and class. We also thank the manager, Stewart Rowan and Director of Marketing, Tracy Harven. Stewart sang praises of the owners, who opened up their first PT’s at Stewart and Nellis (which is still in business). These guys know how to do it right. We know this is a place we want to come back to for our enjoyment.

Galaxy Theaters, LLC, is now at the Cannery Casino and Hotel with DPL Cinema Projectors, making all 14 theaters fully digital. Media Diva Judy was reviewing Mission Impossible III (see her Flick Chick column) but Media Diva Debbie got a sneak peak in the theater before it opened to the public May 5. There is stadium seating with high back plush rocker chairs and plenty of cup holders to put sodas. Speaking of sodas, the concession stand offers $1 soda (yes, ONE DOLLAR soda) and popcorn with REAL Butter. Other concession items include ice cream, gourmet coffees, buffalo wings, popcorn shrimp and pizza. Media Diva Debbie is not a film critic, but was treated to “RV” starring Robin Williams and thought it was a funny movie. Media Diva Judy will have more to say about this theater.

The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is presenting an exhibition of nearly 50 masterworks by American photographer Ansel Adams. The Exhibition, Ansel Adams: America, will be presented through May 6, 2007. The framed black and white photography is stunning with depth and almost a three dimensional quality. Along with the exhibition are selections from Adam’s archive including pages from his earliest work (1916), his Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Carter (1980), his cover on Time Magazine (1979), some of his camera pieces, letters from Georgia O’Keefe and other pieces of his life in photography.

Ansel Adams Photographs

Ansel Adams was America’s foremost landscape photographer, environmentalist, author, and teacher. He helped to establish the first academic department to teach photography as well as the first museum department in the world dedicated to photography. Check out this incredible exhibit at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, with tickets priced at $15 per person, $12 for student, Nevada residents and seniors over 65. You can call 702-693-7871 or www.bgfa.biz.

Country music superstar, Reba McEntire kicked off her multi-week engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton on May 3 and we were there to celebrate the opening night of her concert series titled “Key to the Heart”, presented by Whirlpool to benefit Habitat for Humanity, a charity she has worked with on both a personal and professional level. In 2005, Reba announced that she had signed an exclusive contract with the Las Vegas Hilton where she will perform twenty five shows over the summer months before going back to film her successful TV series, “Reba.”

Judy Thorburn, Reba McEntire and Debbie Hall at the Las Vegas Hilton reception inside the LeMontrachet Room


Reba McEntire performs at the Las Vegas Hilton

Before her concert we attended the exclusive party inside the LeMontrachet Room where we were treated to wonderful delights such as huge shrimp, crab legs, sushi, coconut shrimp, beef Wellington and desserts to DIE for. Reba graciously came out and greeted all of us before her big debut.

Then the big moment, where fire (red lights) and ice (blue lights) bathed the stage, the drums were beating, the musicians walked on stage to a fiddler, with Reba appearing in the middle of it all. Wearing a simple, but classy black outfit of dress pants and glittery top, she belted out a collection of hits from her illustrious career that span some thirty years, although its hard to believe she’s been in the business that long since she looks so young, slender and fabulous. Occasionally Reba took time to speak to the audience giving some insight about her life. Her fan club and winners from both country radio stations were seated in an audience section near both sides of the stage, which added that “country flair” feeling.

Reba McEntire performs at the Las Vegas Hilton

In choosing her songs Reba said, “I am a huge fan of story songs written about the writer’s grandparents and the lucky bunch that spend their life with their soul mates.” With that as lead in she proceeded to sing the tender song “Love is a Hard Road” which, as a tribute to endless love, tells of a man dealing with his wife suffering from Alzheimer’s that brought tears to everyone in the audience. Reba stressed how important family is to her and recalled growing up on an Oklahoma ranch with her two sisters Alice and Susie, before singing “My Sisters, My Friend“. “If you have a sister, you will know why this song means so much to me,” she said, then dedicated the song to her sisters with larger than life photographs of them shown on a. background screen. Other songs included “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, the upbeat “Love Revival”, “Why Haven’t I Heard From You” and the title song “I’m A Survivor” from her hit TV series, before she closed the show with her most famous hit, “Fancy.” Reba spoke of motherhood, love, loss and the struggle to become famous, and there is a song in her repertoire that addresses each of these subjects that are close to her heart. It is all Reba on the stage with a few breakaway moments that showcase those on guitar, saxophone and electric violin (or fiddle) who are part of her talented ten piece backup band.

The multi award winning country artist will perform at the Hilton Theatre Wednesdays through Sundays (over nonconsecutive weeks) at 9PM (Sundays, 8PM). Tickets priced at $138 (plus tax and service charge) can be purchased at the box office, by visiting www.lvhilton.com. or by calling (702) 732-5755.

Just when you think it can’t get any better at the Palms, George Maloof ups the ante with Palms Place. Located on the thirty acres that comprise the Palms Casino Resort, Palms Place is another, latest phase to the resort, a 49-story high-rise Condominium Hotel and Spa with fully furnished studios, one and two bedroom suites and unbelievable penthouses. Even though construction has been going on for the past five months, the “Official” Groundbreaking took place on the afternoon of May 5th with owner George Maloof and Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald in attendance and speaking on behalf of the property.

George Maloof at the Podium - Photo by Lindsay Hebberd


George Maloof and Business partner sign the steel beam at Palms Place - Photo by Lindsay Hebberd


George Maloof with Commissioner Lynette Boggs-McDonald - Photo by Lindsay Hebberd

Commissioner Boggs McDonald, who has had the opportunity to work closely with Maloof said she considers herself the “number one Palms’ girl,” and praised Maloof for his vision and hip swagger. Boggs-MacDonald referred to the newest phase, “Palms Place” as a “dynamic, exciting project”. She spoke about the Mirage opening 16 years ago as the first Mega resort. But, since then there has been a “paradigm shift into what has become known as the “Manhattanization” of Las Vegas, with many exciting condominium/resort projects coming off the ground. “ But”, she was quick to emphasize, “this (Palms Place) will be the hippest, world class second to none. Congratulations for this wonderful addition to Clark County.”

George Maloof and brothers Gavin and Joe with Commissioner Lynette Boggs-McDonald

Maloof’s brothers, Joe and Gavin, were present and he said he appreciated their support and the closeness of his family. “Both brothers”, Maloof went on to say, “have purchased penthouses in Palms Place. We are all committed to the project.” Maloof told the audience that “Palms Place has sold out at an incredible pace, even with six price increases. It is a unique tower that will not be duplicated. I truly believe that Palms Place will be a new icon for Las Vegas, as a home to the affluent group of purchasers”, and then made reference to one of the celebrities that purchased a unit now going through a divorce. “Who know who will get this,” he joked.

Palms Place will have a private entrance, valet parking, coffee shop, meeting space and each unit will have all of the amenities one can imagine. “Fully loaded” is how Maloof put it, “nothing like it in Las Vegas”. Maloof also spoke of the other changes by the Palms including a 2,500 square foot concert theater, new nightclub, the Playboy Club, and new restaurants to continue the growth and re-invention of the Palms Resort. The Palms Place is scheduled to be completed in December 2007 with escrow closings to be completed immediately afterwards.

Last but not least, the Media Divas prove that you never know whom you will bump into when you are out and about. That’s especially true when we visit the aforementioned Palms Resort, the hippest, hottest hangout for all the celebrities who come to town. That place is a magnet for the biggest stars. That said, Judy and Debbie were waiting to be seated at the Palms buffet when right behind us was rap artist/music industry mogul Master P, who crossed over into the mainstream and was noticed for his appearance as one of the contestants on the last Dancing With the Stars, TV reality competition series. Only the Media Divas seemed to recognize the big and tall rap star who was in line at the cashier with all the regular folks. We introduced ourselves, chatted briefly, and as you can see were able to get a photo with him before he made his way to the food stations. Who knows what other celebrity might happen to cross our path next. If it happens in Vegas, we will surely let you know about it right here.

Divas Debbie and Judy with Hip Hop Star "Master P"

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