‘Business as Usual’

After a knee-jerk reaction to the February raid, one of the most publicized since the mob years, a number of clubs are back to aggressively soliciting tips, insiders confirm.

Whether the tip reporting has been abused is at the core of the IRS investigation.

“It’s still business as usual at the big clubs,” said a source who has worked at several of the megaclubs.

Pressured by Caesars Palace and its parent company Harrah’s, Pure Management Group “cleaned house” and adopted new procedures, according to a former Pure employee. Among those dismissed were a number of employees who profited most from the multi-layered shakedowns.

Some clubs backed off and “greed will make people do crazy things,” said one of the sources.

The IRS has given no indication when it will come forward with the conclusions.

FIRST GLANCE BREAKDOWN:

My most embarrassing exit strategy involving a celebrity — no ifs, ands or butts:

It was the early 1980s, and I had just arrived for a pre-show interview in San Diego with hitmaker Gary Puckett.

He greeted me, said he needed a couple more minutes to get ready for the show and pointed to a black leather couch with pillowy cushions.

As I plopped down, I heard a ripping sound, something Elvis no doubt experienced in his seam-busting days.

Every stitch on the backside of my gray corduroys had popped.

I had planned to stay for his show. But now I had no backup plan. I looked at the stairs — his dressing room was in a basement — and thought about bailing out of the interview. A panicky voice inside me said, “Just get out of here. Call him later. Say you got sick.”

Before I had a chance to employ Plan B, Puckett came out the door at approximately the same time as sweat beads started breaking out on my forehead.

I have no memory of the interview. My entire thought process had to do with getting out of this jam without coming off as a complete yahoo.

When the interview ended, I stood up and gave him a thank-you handshake and inwardly prayed that he would turn away and go back to his dressing room.

No such luck.

He knew I was staying for the show, so I can’t imagine what he was thinking when I started backing toward the stairs, offering more thank yous and quick waves and nervous head bobs.

He surely knew something was amiss, but was too polite to ask.

By that time, I was slowly backing up the stairs, almost out of his view, wishing I had fessed up, instead of subjecting him to this awkward retreat.

For years now, I’ve seen Puckett’s Vegas appearances listed in Neon and thought about seeing the show I had missed.

Next time, I’ll do it, with the right disguise.

Five off-Strip hot spots:

Zowie Bowie are packing ’em in with their Friday and Saturday shows at the Rocks Lounge at Red Rock Resort. Doors open at 9 p.m. for the 11 p.m. show, which features Top 40 hits. On Thursdays, they move over to Santa Fe Station for Ladies Night, their Vintage Vegas Show, backed by a 13-piece big band. Doors open at 9 p.m.

The hottest happy hour might be the Blue Martini in Town Square, which revs up at 4 p.m. weekdays with a band and heavy local traffic.

You know a restaurant has taken off when its clientele includes star chefs and food and beverage executives bringing in friends. That’s what happened to Vintner Grill, 10100 W. Charleston Blvd.

Rosemary’s Restaurant, 8125 W. Sahara Ave., has been a popular destination since James Beard-honored chefs Michael and Wendy Jordan opened it in 1999.

Adam Carmer’s Adam’s Ribs, 4700 S. Maryland Parkway, is the new kid on the barbecue block. Carmer, a former food and beverage exec who practices what he preaches as a professor at UNLV, recently opened his second Adam’s Ribs across from UNLV. It’s next to his Freakin’ Frog beer emporium.

The best yesteryear bar experience in these parts:

Head for Goodsprings, where the Pioneer Saloon is celebrating its 95th anniversary Saturday. In 1942, Clark Gable spent three days in the Pioneer Saloon waiting for word about the airplane crash that claimed his wife, Hollywood icon Carole Lombard, 33, on Mount Potosi. She was returning to California from a war bond rally. A devastated Gable joined the Army Air Forces and flew five combat missions as a gunner on a B-17 bomber.

To find Goodsprings, take Interstate 15 south to Exit 12, hang a right (west) and drive seven miles. For more information, call 874-9362.

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. His new book, “Vegas Confidential: Sin-sational Celebrity Tales,” comes out in November.