Angelina Jolie was in town, here’s what happened
Angelina Jolie was back at the Strip’s Bonanza souvenir shop on Saturday, stocking up on gag gifts.
Her purchases indicated she’s planning some mischief.
Among the gifts she bought were a half-dozen “freeloader forks” that telescope out to an extra two feet in length.
The Oscar-winning actress was accompanied by her 6-year-old twins, Vivienne and Knox, who were seen leaving the store with light sabers.
Fans were instructed not to take photos as security formed a perimeter around Jolie, who was wearing large sunglasses and casual clothes. She showed up in midafternoon.
The haul of toys and gifts included an air gun, a vuvuzela (famously used by South African soccer fans), T-shirts and a pillow that transforms into a plush dinosaur.
In March, the actress purchased a “Swearing Finger” that makes an obscene gesture amid a torrent of cussing.
In recent years, Jolie and her kids left the store with a 100-ounce beer drinking cup and swearing fake parrot on what was Brad Pitt’s birthday week. Pitt accompanied them to the store in April 2013.
GIADA, FLAY SIGHTINGS
Food Network stars Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay had dinner together last weekend, a few days before she announced the split with her husband, according to People magazine.
The report said the dinner took place in Miami Beach at Cecconi’s, in the private Soho Beach House. They had earlier worked at a local event.
De Laurentiis announced the separation on Tuesday, after her husband of 11 years, Todd Thompson, filed for divorce.
Flay and De Laurentiis are longtime friends.
De Laurentiis, who opened Giada at The Cromwell in June, stated in the announcement that she and Thompson have been separated since July.
Flay, 50, has been married to actress Stephanie March since 2005. Flay opened Mesa Grill in Caesars Palace in 2004.
PRIVATE VIEWING
The High Roller observatory wheel at The Linq came up with a special deal for the New Year’s Eve fireworks show to make sure everyone went home happy.
A limited number of cabins — 12 in all — were sold on a group basis for $2,500 each. The reduced number of cabins, and a stop at the top, allowed the riders optimal viewing.
Each pod holds 40 passengers and had a bar.
The High Roller, the world’s tallest observatory wheel at 550 feet, opened in March.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
The Cal Neva casino, a Lake Tahoe icon formerly owned by Frank Sinatra, will reopen Dec. 12, on what would be the singing legend’s 100th birthday. Between its opening in 1926 and closing in 2013, it was best known for being owned by Sinatra from 1960 to 1963. Eleven-year-old Frances Gumm performed there with her sisters in 1935, months before she was signed by MGM and changed her name to Judy Garland.
SIGHTINGS
Aaron Paul, who starred as Jesse Pinkman in the hit TV series “Breaking Bad,” having suckling pig and dirty martinis at Bazaar Meat (SLS) on Friday with his wife, Lauren Parsekian. … Rap artist Drake, dining at Lavo (Palazzo) with 20 friends on Friday. … William Lucking of “Sons of Anarchy,” going table to table introducing himself at Casa Di Amore on Tropicana on Thursday night. … At Surrender (Encore at Wynn) on New Year’s Eve: Nicole Murphy, ex-wife of Eddie Murphy and former girlfriend of Michael Strahan, Liz Bonds (ex-wife of Barry Bonds), partying with Nicole Smith, wife of Lil Jon, the evening’s guest DJ. … Shangela of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” backstage at Blue Man Group (Monte Carlo) after Tuesday’s show.
THE PUNCH LINE
“The new CIA torture report is 6 million pages long. It’s almost as long as a George Clooney pre-nup.” — David Letterman
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more at normclarke.com. Follow @Norm_Clarke on Twitter.
