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 By
Judy Thorburn
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic
Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer
www.theflickchicks.com
“Once Upon A
Dream” Sponsors Dinner at Maggiano’s Little Italy for 2008 Miss USA
Contestants
Last Wednesday evening, I attended a red carpet and dinner event at
Maggiano’s Little Italy for the fifty one lovely young contestants
competing in the 2008 Miss U.S.A. pageant that will be broadcast live on
NBC from Planet Hollywood on April 11. The event titled “On Top of Cloud
Nine” was sponsored by “Once Upon a Dream”, the motivational clothing
and product line designed for women to induce a sense of pride,
adventure, inspiration and worth. Each of the present state title
holders exemplify what it means to pursue and live their dream, and
since that is what the clothing line is all about, they were all given
shirts that they wore specifically designed for them with themed
messages such as “Go For It”, “Dream Boldly”, “Inspire Others”,
emblazoned across the front.
Andrea Patrick Forte with campaign models Kaitlin and Alexandria White
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn
The company’s founder, Andrea Patrick Forte, herself
a former Miss Pennsylvania who competed in the 1980 Miss U.S.A. pageant,
went on to create and operate the Patrick Talent Agency, and was chosen
by the magazine Supermodels Unlimited to be their advice columnist that
she applicably titled “Dear Andrea.” Her now famous “Words to Live By”
and “Andrea’s Anecdotes” led to the creation of “Once Upon a Dream”
themed products that, besides tank tops and hoodies, includes calendars,
address books, dates and journals and the development of a jewelry and
handbag line.
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn
The evening began with red carpet arrivals that
included Ms. Forte and two of her campaign models, pretty blonde teen
sisters, Kaitlin and Alexandria White; Kim Lawrence, editor of
Supermodels Unlimited; the outgoing 2007 Miss U.S.A. Rachel Smith, who
graces the cover of the magazine’s March/April issue; and, of course,
the 51 beauties, most who were dressed in either skimpy mini skirts and
shorts and all wearing tops that read “Cloud Nine”.
The 51 contestants vying for the title of 2008 Miss
USA
  
  
  
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn
2008 Miss USA Nevada Veronica Grabowski
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn
Once inside the dining room guests were treated to a
scrumptious family style sit down dinner from a menu that included tasty
bread stuffed mushrooms, baked chicken, baked salmon, raviolis filled
with mushrooms and chopped veal, spinach and cheese crepes, asparagus,
mixed vegetables, and for dessert, a chocolate layered cake and vanilla
ice cream to die for.
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
I had the pleasure of chatting with the stunning and
charming Andrea Patrick Forte who told me that she performed a tap dance
number with her teen idol Donny Osmond, during the 1980 Miss U.S.A.
competition. As it turns out, Osmond and his sister Marie, will be
hosting the upcoming 2008 Miss U.S.A. pageant. Andrea had no idea that
years after she danced with Osmond, she would meet Fabian Forte, a teen
idol from the 1960’s, and become his wife. Andrea proclaimed this was
her “Cloud Nine Moment”. Andrea decided it would be appropriate to
choose those words as the title for the evening’s event, because of so
many “Top of Cloud Nine Moments” the young ladies will have during their
experience as Miss U.S.A. contestants.
Andrea stated that her company’s line of products is dedicated to her
late mother Gladys who instilled in her the dream of inspiring others.
As a woman who never gave up in the pursuit of her dream and achieved
success, Andrea serves as a wonderful example and inspiration to all the
young women in the room who are striving to do the same.
During the dinner, Andrea took some time to address the hopeful
contestants with some motivational advice. With heartfelt emotions she
said, “The gift bags you receive here tonight include a journal. Keep a
journal every day of your life and choose to wear shirts that say “Never
give up”, because it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose as long as
you pursue your dreams with passion.”
I am glad I had the opportunity of meeting Andrea and sharing the
evening with both her and the group of lovely young women from across
the country that encompass a diverse range of heights, hair color, and
ethnicities. I am proud to say what they all have in common is not only
beauty and poise but intelligence, and represent the best of what the
U.S.A. has to offer. No matter who takes the crown, one thing is for
sure; they are all winners.
Miss Tennessee Hailey Brown signs an "On Top of Cloud
9" Shirt
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Several of the contestants pose for photos at
Maggiano's Little Italy
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Andrea Patrick Forte with Miss Nevada USA Veronica
Grabowski
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
For more information about “Once Upon A Dream” visit
www.what-is-your-dream.com.
See Dianne R.
Davis' exclusive video interview with Andrea Patrick Forte and 2007 Miss
USA Rachel Smith in this week's "Views of Vegas" column.
Other
recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas includes:
On Saturday, March 15, seven students at the famed Le Cordon Bleu
College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas competed in The Odyssey Foundation’s
Mystery Basket Competition. Provided with only a basket of ingredients
the students were instructed to create a two-course meal with an
appetizer and entrée or entrée and dessert. These cooking students
stepped up to the proverbial plate to beat the clock and please the
palates of their discerning judges.
Judges for the competition included floor judge Rick Moonen of RM
Seafood (Mandalay Place), Larry Vigil (Executive Buffet Chef – Bellagio),
Dan Conception (Executive Chef – Siena), and Craig Taylor (Executive
Chef – Treasure Island Las Vegas). Students were scored on kitchen
skills, sanitation, and use of required ingredients, plate presentation
and taste.
At the end of the 2 hour competition, the final bell only saw three
students finishing on time. Brandon Rosario was named the winner of the
competition and Erica Brown finished as a proud runner-up.
While each of the seven competing students earned a $1,000 scholarship
towards their student loan at Le Cordon Bleu Las Vegas, both Brandon and
Erica will now move on to the final stage of the Overachiever Award
competition where they will compete in a variety of tasks ranging from a
cook-off to testing on the various components of the scholarship
process. The final Winner earns an additional $8,000 from The Odyssey
Foundation and the Runner-Up takes home an additional $1,500. The awards
will be presented at the annual Odyssey Las Vegas Masters Dinner to be
held on November 7, 2008.
Beginning April 4 through April 30 David Saxe is offering all Las Vegas
locals who are employed in housing industry FREE tickets to all his
shows. Present your business card showing you are member of the housing
industry (e.g., home construction, home sales, mortgages, refinancing,
etc.) at the V Theatre and the Sahara Box offices and receive one FREE
ticket to any one of the shows produced by David Saxe Productions. These
shows include V- The Variety Show, Gordie Brown, Toxic Audio, Gregory
Popovich’s Comedy Pet theatre located inside the Miracle Mile Shops at
Planet Hollywood; and Trent Carlini: The Dream King, and the Fab Four
Mania at the Sahara Hotel. Producer David Saxe says, “With the housing
market and economy ailing, we would like to offer a special deal to
those impacted the most. In tough times, it’s important that people can
go to shows and be entertained. We appreciate the efforts of the people
in this industry to help us make it through this slump.”
On Wednesday April 9 Le Golosita, an Italian trattorria, will celebrate
its grand opening at 9500 S. Eastern Ave. just south of the 21, by
partnering with I’m A Kid Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted
to supporting children with medically related hair loss. On that day Le
Golosita will match 100 percent of the proceeds from the sales of their
gourmet pizzas to benefit I’m a Kid Foundation. The restaurant offers a
wide selection of mouthwatering pizza favorites such as Margherita,
Sicilian-Style, Al Gorgonzola Bianca o Rossa, Napoletana and more,
available for dine-in or take-out. Le Golosita’s kitchen and bar are
open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 11
p.m. Friday and Saturday. The bakery is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
“We hope the public will join us in contributing to a worthwhile cause
and come out to celebrate our grand opening,” said Restaurateur and
Owner Dave Williamson. For more information, visit
www.legolositarestaurant.com.
On Thursday, April 17 at 8 p.m., the Fremont Street Experience in
downtown Las Vegas will premiere the first of three new Viva Vision
shows. “A Tribute to Queen” will be the first in a series of shows
featuring 3D sound and is the first Viva Vision show to be dedicated
entirely to one artist. Set to two of the greatest rock anthems of all
time, Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions,” the show is
a dazzling musical showcase accompanied by stunning graphics on the
1,500 foot Viva Vision screen.
In celebration of “A Tribute to Queen,” the tribute band Queen Nation
will be performing on the 3rd Street Stage at the Fremont Street
Experience for a six-night engagement, 8-11 p.m. from April 17-22. Each
show is free and open to the public.
The College of Southern Nevada Henderson campus continues its Spring
2008 Cultural Series with events that take place in the C building, room
133. A ‘Theatre Reading” will be presented on Friday, April 18, at 7:30
p.m. Then, on Friday, April 25th, at 7:30 pm., Calypso comes to
Henderson with a performance by CSN's own student steel drum ensemble,
who has been acclaimed by some of the world's greatest steel drum
artists. Admission to each event is free, and the public is cordially
invited to attend. There will be a reception following the events. For
more information about this or other cultural events at CSN's Henderson
campus, please call 651-3000.
The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, will host the Second Annual Jennifer
Harman Charity Poker Tournament on Friday, April 18. The no-limit Texas
hold’em poker tournament will take place inside The Venetian Poker Room
beginning at 3pm. All proceeds of the tournament and live and silent
auctions will benefit the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals (SPCA) no-kill animal shelter. The recommended donation to
participate in the tournament is $300+30. There will be optional $200
re-donations for additional tournament chips throughout three 20-minute
rounds, and a $200 last chance add-on. The first place prize is a
$10,000 seat into the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event. The
tournament is open to the public. Please visit
www.nevadaspca.org to reserve
your poker tournament seat today, or call Lisa Wheeler at (702)
327-7250.
After more than 30 years in Las Vegas, the International Food & Folklife
Festival moves to Henderson. The event, which celebrates diverse
cultures found in Southern Nevada, joins the celebrations of the annual
Henderson Heritage Parade & Festival on Saturday, April 19. The festival
will be held in the Henderson Events Plaza, located at 200 S. Water
Street, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. All events are free and open to the
public.
Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the native customs and
cuisine from more than 20 countries from around the world, including
Ireland, Mexico, Germany, Romania, Japan and the Philippines. In
addition festival goers can enjoy craft demonstrations featuring
Ukrainian embroidery and egg decorating, Japanese origami, Chinese
calligraphy, Columbian jewelry and East Indian Henna.
Several cultural music and dance groups dressed in traditional, colorful
costumes will perform on two stages throughout the day. Performances
include Korean, German, Native American and Venezuelan dancers as well
as blue grass bands. For more information about the International Food &
Folklife Festival or Henderson Heritage Parade & Festival, call (702)
267-2171 or visit
www.HendersonLive.com.
On Sunday, April 20th at 3 pm, The Las Vegas Wind Quintet will perform a
free concert at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 South Brush
Street. Guest pianist Barbara Riske joins Dave Hawley, clarinet; Sherrie
Parker, flute; Mika Brunson, oboe and English horn; Sam Pisciotta,
bassoon, and Doug Beasley on horn to perform classical compositions by
Bach, Sobeck and Debussy. For more information call (702) 229-6383.
On Sunday, April 20 at 2 p.m., Nevada Jazz Orchestra performs its annual
Latin Connection Concert at the Winchester Cultural Theater, 3130 S.
McCleod Drive. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for students
and seniors and $10 for Jazz Society members. Those interested in the
concert can call the Winchester Cultural Center at 702-455-7340. For
more information, please visit
www.accessclarkcounty.com.
The Academy of Country Music announced that country music superstars
Randy Owen and Sugarland will perform at Fremont Street Experience in
downtown Las Vegas. On Friday, May 16 at 10:30 p.m. PST, Randy Owen will
hit the stage on Fremont Street performing songs from his debut solo
album One on One. Then on Saturday, May 17 at 10:30 p.m., Sugarland will
take the stage, following the Academy of Country Music 5th Annual
Charity Motorcycle Ride and Jam. Both performances will be preceded by
special guest performers, to be announced in May. The two-day party will
feature free, open-to-the-public musical performances and plenty of fun.
The concerts are part of the week’s festivities leading up to the 43rd
Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, which will be broadcast LIVE
from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, May 18, 2008 at
8:00 p.m. on CBS. For more information visit
www.vegasexperience.com
Celebrity
Sightings:
Last Tuesday evening, April 1, Teller of Penn & Teller was seen dining
at Wolfgang Puck's CUT inside The Palazzo last night.
The same night, The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was filled
with excitement as a private event was held for MTV Mobile. Headliners
including the pop modern duo, Chester French, the fashionista known for
her coquettish rapping, Teyana Taylor and American hip-hop icon, Busta
Rhymes.
Friday evening, April 4, actress Amanda Bynes was spotted dining with
her boyfriend at Sushi Roku inside The Forum Shops at Caesars.
I’ll be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las
Vegas.
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