Ruth Flemming and the Truth Project interview with Pete Allman

Pete Allman interviews Ruth Flemming of The Truth Project, at the NBA Allstar Weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona

Michael Jackson Fans Speak Out, with Pete Allman

Following the death of the King of Pop, Pete Allman interviews Michael Jackson’s fans outside the Jackson family’s estate

Fond Memories and Farewells

Special Tribute Update: After posting this memorial Tribute to many of this summer’s celebrity passings, a longtime close acquaintance and friend to many writers suddenly passed.

Marleen Marino, publisher and founder of VegasCommunityOnline passed just recently. So, I celebrate her work and support for me and others on VCO. I never thought her name would bein this story, which she also posted on VCO on my Celebrity Scene News column. She will be missed. –Pete Allman

This has been a summer of celebrity losses like none I can remember. It has been sad, heartbreaking and shocking to see so many familiar faces and voices leave us. Many of those who have passed on had roots in Las Vegas. Some of them performed here, lived here, regularly visited here or even have family members here, but no doubt that all of them are survived by countless fans in Las Vegas.

The shocking death of Michael Jackson was worldwide news, and that fan loyalty will continue for a long time; perhaps, it will never die. In Las Vegas, there are many friends and family members who loved Michael, among them, Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson family dynasty and someone I’ve known a long time and spent time with over the years.

I wish Joe and the family well. I was around for some of the memorial events. Sad, truly sad. Who would have ever though Michael’s phenomenal talent would be gone so suddenly?

And there were many other celebrities who were added to the list of our beloved favorites who have passed on recently and were mourned by many in Las Vegas. Among them were:

–Farrah Fawcett

–Walter Cronkite

–Gale Storm

–Karl Malden

–David Carradine

–Ed McMahon

–Steve McNair

–Koko Taylor

–Fred Travalena

–Billy Mays

and Gidget, the star Chihuahua

In the stunning news coverage of Michael’s passing, several of the other deaths could not receive as much airtime and print space as they otherwise would have, so I want to remember them for their accomplishments. They each brought a special talent to the celebrity scene.

The iconic, brave, well-tressed actress Farrah Fawcett of “Charlie’s Angels,” veteran funny girl Gale Storm of “My Little Margie” and other screen productions, and the super-solid newsman Walter Cronkite, were familiar to nearly all of us who spent time watching television during the last century. I can’t say with certainty that the journalist spent any significant time in our city, but he undoubtedly reported on the events at the very foundation of Old Vegas all the way through its explosive growth.

All of the stars and celebs mentioned before are known for being in the traditional star-making industries, but what is notable about Billy Mays’ inclusion on that list is that he was not a singer, dancer, film star, news anchor, sports figure or any of the other ‘usual’ celebrities.

Mays, who delighted countless people with his sales ability, only recently became a TV screen celebrity in the reality TV show tradition as co-star of the insightful show focused on the professional “pitch men” selling products around the clock on infomercials and at public events. But that TV show was not what made him famous: it was his distinctive voice and charisma and sense of pitch-perfect timing. He was the ultimate pitch man! He will be missed.

One of my associates, Alex Ayzin, is a California-based business broker who met Billy Mays and became friends after they encountered each other several times at tradeshows and seminars. I was to meet Mays in person, and I am saddened by his passing. I’m sure that there will be others in the profession who will do amazingly well, but I wonder if any of them will become as huge in the ranks of celebrities as Mays did.

In the field of covering stars and famous people, it is both amazing and touching to see how many lives are deeply influenced because of the spirit and style of those who gained the status of “celebrity.” They gave us much, and we remember them fondly—even down to the smallest, the four-legged “Taco Bell star,” Gidget.

So in closing, keep your visions positive, keep positive people around you, and know that God is there for you.

Pete Allman is a Las Vegas-based commentator, broadcast personality and celebrity interviewer. He also produces inspirational messages for television and other media. Contact him at peteonthescene@yahoo.com or (702)265-9099. Visit www.CelebrityScene.com.

Las Vegas’s New Urban Metropolis

CityCenter is an unprecedented urban metropolis opening in December 2009 on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World. CityCenter will feature ARIA, a 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort; luxury non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental and Vdara Hotel & Spa; Veer Towers, the development’s only strictly residential buildings; and Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district. Vdara, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers will include approximately 2,400 residences total. Additionally, The Harmon, a 400-room luxury boutique hotel, is slated to open at CityCenter in late 2010. CityCenter also will feature a resident Cirque du Soleil production celebrating the timeless musical legacy of Elvis Presley; and an unparalleled Fine Art Collection with works by acclaimed artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, among others. CityCenter is a design collaboration between MGM MIRAGE and eight internationally acclaimed architectural firms including Pelli Clarke Pelli, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Helmut Jahn, RV Architecture LLC led by Rafael Viñoly, Foster + Partners*, Studio Daniel Libeskind*, David Rockwell and Rockwell Group, and Gensler. At the forefront of sustainability, CityCenter will be one of the world’s largest green developments. ARIA and Vdara are the first Las Vegas hotels to achieve LEED® Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Crystals also has received LEED® Gold certification, making it the world’s largest retail district to receive this level of recognition. CityCenter’s remaining venues are poised to receive a combination of LEED Gold and Silver ratings. For more information about CityCenter, please visit www.citycenter.com.

No. 6-Ranked Powell-Mesquita Headlines ‘World’s Greatest Ever Boxing Show’ Saturday, Dec. 12, at Paris

Sons of World Champions Hearns, Jackson, Pryor and McCall

Plus Undefeated Las Vegan Bogere Featured

Part of ‘The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer’ Three-Day Gala
Dec. 11-13 at the Paris Las Vegas

A unique internationally televised, seven-bout, professional boxing card matching a United States team against an international squad—“The U.S. vs. The World”—and featuring team scoring plus sons of four former world champions will be held Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Paris Las Vegas hotel and casino as part of the gala “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” promotion that weekend at the Paris.

The “World’s Greatest Ever Boxing Show” features the International Boxing Federation’s No. 6-rated junior middleweight, Sechew Powell, against hard-hitting Antonio Mesquita in the 10-round main event.

Sons of former world champions who will be boxing Dec. 12 include super welterweights Ronald Hearns and John Jackson, super middleweight Aaron Pryor Jr., heavyweight Elijah McCall.

In addition to McCall, a second undefeated Las Vegan also will be on the card, lightweight Sharif Bogere.
Tickets for the U.S. vs. The World fight card Dec. 12 start at $40.
Other prices include $65 for Gold, $80 for VIP, $100 for Platinum and $150 for Super VIP.

Tickets for the fight card plus the hospitality package, including an after-card party, are available at $150 for Gold, $250 for VIP, $400 for Platinum and $500 for Super VIP.

Tickets for “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” dinner, awards ceremony and entertainment Sunday, Dec. 13, are available at $250 for Gold, $450 for VIP, $800 for Platinum and $1000 for Super VIP.

Tickets for the fight card Dec. 12 and the dinner, awards ceremony and entertainment Dec. 13 are available through the Paris box office at 702-946-4567 and 888-727-4758, MMG Marketing & Consulting in Las Vegas at 702-617-9730 and online at wgeb@marketingbymmg.com The Paris box office is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to midnight and the Paris box office telephone line is available daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Doors to the Ballroom area open at 7 p.m. with the first fight at 8.

“The World’s Greatest Ever Boxing Card,” presented by Greatest Ever Enterprises and promoted by Seminole Warriors Boxing, is part of a three-day boxing spectacular Dec. 11-13 at The Paris, climaxing with “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” awards dinner and entertainment Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Paris.

“We’re excited to present a show featuring not only sons of four former world champions, but past Olympians and other stars who all seem destined for greatness in pro boxing,” said Chris Heverin, president of Greatest Ever Enterprises. “The debate on ‘The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer’ has been fierce to date, and we fully expect the competition in the ring to be equally exciting.

“We currently have a 10-part TV series in production that will air worldwide,” said Heverin. “This show will play a significant part in it, and many of the legends being honored will be in attendance.”

Ronald Hearns is the son of Thomas Hearns, a welterweight, super welterweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight world champion during the 1980s and 1990s; John Jackson is the son of Julian Jackson, a super welterweight and middleweight world champion during the 1980s and 1990s; Aaron Pryor Jr. is the son of Aaron Pryor Sr., a super lightweight world champion during the 1980s; and Elijah McCall is the son of Oliver McCall, a heavyweight world champion during the 1990s.

Pryor Sr. and Jeff Fenech of Australia are captains for the U.S. and World teams, respectively. Both have been nominated for “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” in their weight division, Pryor as a welterweight and Fenech as a featherweight.

Powell, a 30-year-old southpaw from Brooklyn, N.Y., has a record of 25-2 with 15 knockouts while the 37-year-old Mesquita, from Brazil, has a mark of 35-1 with 27 knockouts.

Ronald Hearns, a 30-year-old from Southfield, Mich., has a record of 22-1 with 17 knockouts and, like his father, is tall for his weight division at 6-foot-3-inches.

He’s fighting 29-year-old Victor Hugo Correa of Mexico, who has a record of 11-4 with six knockouts, in an eight-round bout.

The 20-year-old John Jackson of the Virgin Islands has a record of 4-0 with four knockouts and is considered one of the brightest 154-pound prospects in the world.

He’s fighting 26-year-old Jesus Vallejo of Spokane, Wash., who has a record of 3-1 with three knockouts, in a six-round bout.

Aaron Pryor Jr., a 31-year-old from Cincinnati, has a record of 12-2 with nine knockouts and, unlike his father, is tall for his weight division at 6-foot-4-inches.

He’s fighting 29-year-old Jason Douglas of Canada, who has a record of 7-1 with three knockouts, in an eight-round bout.

The 21-year-old Elijah McCall has a record 4-0-1 with four knockouts.

He’s fighting 29-year-old Ruben Rivera of Puerto Rico, who has a record of 2-2 with one knockout, in a six-round bout.

The 21-year-old Bogere, originally from Uganda, has a record of 12-0 with seven knockouts and is regarded as one of the best 135-pound prospects in the sport.

He’s fighting 30-year-old Adam Hernandez of El Paso, Texas, who has a record of 14-7 with five knockouts, in an eight-round bout.

In a rare match-up of undefeated prospects Luis Franco, a member of the Cuban 2004 Athens Olympic team and now 2-0 with two knockouts as a professional, meets Efrain Esquivias, the 2006 National Golden Gloves champion from Carson, Calif., and now 6-0 with four knockouts as a pro, in a six-round featherweight bout.

On-line voting at www.GreatestEver.com allows boxing fans from around the world to select the greatest boxer in each of the original eight weight classes as well as the all-time pound-for-pound “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer.”

The complete list of events Dec. 11-13 at the Paris include:

Friday, Dec. 11–Welcome reception and official weigh-in for a boxing card the next day.

Saturday, Dec. 12–A professional boxing card featuring the U.S. vs. The World. An exclusive after-card party follows the bouts.

Sunday, Dec. 13—“The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” black-tie awards dinner, in which the “Greatest Ever” boxers in the eight weight divisions as well as the one selected “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” will be revealed. Internationally renown entertainment will be featured at the dinner. A second exclusive party follows the awards dinner and show.

Complete packages for all events Dec. 11 through Dec. 13 also are available at: Super VIP, Platinum, VIP and Gold. The Super VIP, Platinum and VIP packages have a number of premiums in addition to those in the Gold, which includes welcome function, weigh-in, “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” poker tournament, exclusive memorabilia, access to “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer”-dedicated gaming areas and VIP bar, legends signings, general seating for the fight card as well as for the awards dinner and show. Regional agents can provide additional premiums for individual packages. Information on these packages is available at greatestever.com

Tony Tarantino Is On the Move By Pete Allman

It looks as though the Tarantino’s are keeping Hollywood busy. Quentin Tarantino with his latest hit Inglourious Basterds and Tony Tarantino with ‘ Tra Gli Ulivi’ [Between the Olive Trees’] to be filmed in Italy in February 2010.Quentin Tarantino in November received The Kirk Douglas Lifetime Achievement

Award from Kirk Douglas at the Santa Barbara Film Festival dinner. Tony Tarantino received the ”Comune Di Napoli” [Commune of Naples] and named Italy’s Ambassador of Naples to the United States. Tony who was conducting workshops at Rome’s Cinecitta [Italy’s largest film studio] is working with Ennio Pontes on Between the Olive Trees. But Tony Tarantino is quick to admit that directing and producing is no gravy train.” You’ve got to be quick witted in this business and never underestimate anything”.

Tony is one busy man, but he is also no stranger to Las Vegas! While visiting Vegas he was at the grand opening of The Golden Nugget Rush Tower. He and the CEO of The Golden Nugget (Tilman Fertitta) had discussed the possibilities of filming at the hotel and its surrounding areas. Tarantino has also shook hands with Mayor Oscar Goodman. And speaking of Oscar Goodman…Tarantino would love for him to be in his next film,” New Horizons”, which he hopes to film in Las Vegas! Hopefully, Vegas will be fortunate enough to have Mr. Tarantino grace her sparkling city of lights with his presence.

Tony Tarantino and Miss Nevada USA 2010 Julianna Erdesz at the Golden Nugget Rush Tower Grand Opening on Nov. 23, 2009.

Tarantino was born in Queens, New York on July 4th to Dominic Tarantino, a successful film actor in the silent film era. Tony grew up in Queens, New York in a tough neigborhood. Nothing was handed to him. He had to work for what he wanted. Later on, when his family moved to California he attended the Pasadena Playhouse and honored his craft as an actor, later becoming a director and producer.

Tarantino’s credits include: Blood Money, Holy Hollywood, All the Rage, and Family Tree, among a host of others. His true love however is directing and producing films. ”Prism”- Tarantino’s newest film project- is a blending of fact and fiction into a journey of intrigue, love, betrayal and tragedy. It
is a present day police thriller set on the Arizona- Mexican border. “Death Keeps Coming”, another film set in the 1880’s, is a western with a super
natural twist .It will star Martin Kove [formerly of Karate Kid]. Tarantino’s next film, “The Keeper”, is a true story of Richard Trudge, born into slavery in 1842, who rises to national heroism during a time of racial prejudice and discrimination in America. These are the films set to go into production late 2010.
Each Tarantino is of his own mindset. In a time where movies are in more demand, Quentin Tarantino and Tony Tarantino will continue to be part of that history.

Terry Fator – A Man of His Own Virtue By Pete Allman

Although Terry Fator captured the hearts (and funny bones) of America when he was selected as the top act on season two of America’s Got Talent, he’s remained humble and kind to everyone he meets.

His sold out shows at The Mirage, which have brought the gift of laughter to thousands, have set a new trend in entertainment for Las Vegas – a city that has long been considered the live entertainment capital of the world. Fator performs new impressions, new celebrity voices and has a wonderful array of puppets each night in the Terry Fator Theatre.

Fator was bitten by the entertainment bug when he was no bigger than his puppets, right around the age of 10.

Terry refers to those early years: “When I was little I would go to church with my parents and see a ventriloquist perform. I found it so fascinating that I went to the library to pick up a book and learn about it. From that moment I was hooked and always visualized myself as a ventriloquist.”

Fator says he found he had the ability to impersonate singers by practicing ventriloquism while driving his car.
“One of the reasons I learned how to sing as a ventriloquist was because I like singing in the car,” Fator says. “I’d see other people singing in the car, and they looked goofy, so I’d do it without moving my lips.”

Fator worked on his craft to perfect his delivery and also added a little touch of comedy to his routine, making him one of the most dynamic entertainers in his field. An expert in mimicking celebrity voices, he brings to life his puppet co-stars, including the adorable Emma Taylor and the newest member of his puppet family, Vikki the Cougar. His show also includes performances by musical stars Cher, Justin Timberlake, Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley and The Pussycat Dolls.

So, how does Terry Fator keep his life on an even keel with being the hottest show on the Las Vegas Strip?

“It goes back to my parents,” he says, “and the values they instilled in me. They taught me that hard work pays off and that belief in yourself and dedication to what you envision are necessary to achieve your goals.”

Recently, Terry attended the Iraq Star Fundraiser at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California. Fator paid tribute to American troops and co-hosted with Dr. Phil McGraw, who led the night away with a silent auction for all those in attendance.
Terry is the kind of individual who exemplifies character. He displays that during each one of his shows, being sure to give a special shout out to all US service men and women stationed at home or overseas.

What’s more heartwarming is Terry’s profound respect for the handicapped and the elderly. After every show, he invites them to the front of the meet-and-greet line and signs their autographs first and doesn’t quit until he’s shaken hands with everyone. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see him sign autographs for nearly an hour.

Terry Fator performs center stage with a live seventeen-piece band nightly at 7:30pm in the Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage (dark Sunday and Monday). There’s nothing quite like Terry Fator & His Cast of Thousands. It’s the next generation of entertainment.

Pete Allman is a Las Vegas-based commentator, broadcast personality and celebrity interviewer. He also produces inspirational messages for television and other media. Contact him at peteonthescene@yahoo.com or (702)265-9099. Visit www.CelebrityScene.com