Judy Thorburn and Debbie Hall

Well, a huge THANK YOU to J.W. Marriott and their PR team of Hartzler Public Relations with Susan Hartzler (who looks so much like Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman) and Lisa Roughley (who was recently promoted to Vice President) for hosting the “Chick Writers’ Event” in one of their luxury suites with gorgeous outdoor patio . The Media Divas, as well as other “Chick Writers” spent an evening where we were each treated like a queen. For starters there was an open bar, and then our palates enjoyed an array of delicacies from a menu that included trout mousse wrapped in smoke salmon, smoked fennel ratatouille and boursin cheese, grilled tandoori shrimp, phyllo wrapped duck with bing cherry demi glace, and more. Desserts described as “edible cocktails”, consisted of scrumptious white chocolate sambuca shooters, passion colada spoons, pomegranate cosmopolitan parfaits, non alcoholic edible cocktails and assorted petits fours. A very special thanks goes out for preparing special, delicious plates of steamed salmon over a bed of rice and julienne vegetables for Media Diva Judy and fellow chick writer Bobbie Katz. Consideration of their vegetarian diet was greatly appreciated. There were incredible door prizes of lunches, dinners, goodie baskets filled to the brim with pampering products and the grand prize of a two day, one night stay in one of J.W. Marriott’s luxury suites (which is where the event was held). We were treated to massages and manicures from the staff of the J.W. Marriott award-winning 40,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Aquae Sulis Spa and Salon. J.W. Marriott has won numerous awards for outstanding lodging, dining, event planning, and other aspects in the resort industry. To top it all, we all left with a great little gift bag that contained a bottle of Mango Moisturizer from Aquae Sulis Spa Collection. Thank you again for making us feel so special, inside and out!

Well, Media Diva Judy got to cover Lush Puppy (see her Vegas Happenings Column) while I (Debbie Hall) was at the 2006 Alaska Symphony of Seafood held at the Hyatt Regency on Thursday, January 19. Sponsored by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, there were 19 entries of various seafood dishes that we got to sample. The participants were ask to vote for their favorite selection and the winner received airfare and booth space at the Boston Seafood Show as well as the right to use the label of Symphony Winner 2006 on their packaging. We were also treated to Alaskan wine and a dessert tray that include Black Forest Cake and other goodies. The winner was Smoked Cajun King Salmon created by Yukon King Seafoods. Congratulations on such a wonderful event and all the participants.

On Tuesday, The Media Divas were invited to Wayne Allen Root palatial home in Anthem for the premiere of his television series, “King of Vegas,” shown locally on Spike TV (Cox Cable 29) at 10 pm and repeated throughout the week. Judy couldn’t make it, but Debbie had it covered. The premise of the program, filmed at Bally’s, is a competition between ten gamblers and will feature a ten-week national gambling competition to crown the greatest gambler in the world and award a winner takes all prize of $1,000,000! Wayne and his wife Debbie are the most gracious host and hostess. The food was wonderful. Many thanks to Bruce Merrin for thinking of us. Catch the show on Spike and let’s support Wayne who deserves this success.

The Media Divas attended the fashion show held at the Fashion Show Mall on Sunday, January 15, which showcased the contestants of the Miss America pageant. The staging was spectacular, the sound the incredible and those girls are skinny!!!! Later, the contestants appeared at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian to continue their whirlwind media blitz before the big event on Saturday, January 21 at the Aladdin Theater for the Performing Arts.

Media Diva Judy was at a movie screening (she’s also The Flick Chick movie critic) but Debbie received VIP Treatment at Tao nightclub along with guests, Billhere, publisher of one of the largest visitors e-zine; his girlfriend Carla; Adam Hathcock and Brook Roberts, Miss Oregon 2004 and on-air talent who has relocated to Las Vegas from Oregon while filming her television pilot. We were seated at our private table with the champagne flowing and a perfect view of the lingerie fashion show (the guys REALLY enjoyed that). The music was hot, the people hotter and what a great time we had. Thanks to Rachel and everyone at Tao. I know The Media Divas will be partying there frequently.

Until later, remember, we make the news divalicious and divalelectable.