Donations cover Fredericks funeral

A grass-roots effort successfully produced the $4,000 needed for the burial and memorial services for longtime Channel 3 weatherman John Fredericks.

About $3,000 was raised at the eleventh hour.

"Some white knights came in at the last moment with some really generous donations," said Kendall Tenney, a former colleague of Fredericks at KVBC-TV, Channel 3 (now KSNV).

Fredericks, who spent 12 years at KVBC, died Nov. 23, four days after entering Nathan Adelson Hospice. He was diagnosed with cirrhosis in June.

His memorial service, with pastor Robin Joyce presiding, is being held at 10 a.m. today at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road.

Lifelong friend John Tutora will deliver the eulogy. Other speakers will include Tucson, Ariz., morning anchor John Overall, a former anchor at Channel 3 and KVVU-TV, Channel 5; Casey Smith, morning anchor at KTNV-TV, Channel 13; and Tenney.

The ashes of Fredericks, 57, will be placed next to his longtime on-air companion, Jordan, a golden lab who died in 2007. Jordan's replacement, L.J., has been adopted.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The first time was the charm for Sean Dearing and Gia Crimi, winners of the Luxury Las Vegas Model Search on Thursday at the Fashion Show mall. It was the first modeling competition for both. Dearing, a local bartender, was encouraged to enter by his girlfriend. Crimi, who works at New York-New York, has her mother to thank for signing her up, and filling her in later.

SIGHTINGS

Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf and son Jaden, with Jaden's youth baseball team for 11-year-olds, Las Vegas Venom, making a $10,000 donation to Chet Buchanan and the KLUC toy drive on Friday night. ... Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, with friends at Wolfgang Puck's Spago (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Friday. He was in the news Friday for registering The Spotted Pig name for a new London restaurant. That's the same name of a popular New York City eatery co-owned by Mario Batali. Chef/author Anthony Bourdain was among several chefs who torched Ramsay for taking steps to trademark the name. "Shameful pathetic," Bourdain tweeted. ... "American Idol" finalist Haley Reinhart, skating at The Cosmopolitan's ice rink on Friday. Later, the season 10 second runner-up performed at the hotel's Chandelier lounge. ... Miss Universe contestants, making their annual appearance at Buca di Beppo on East Flamingo on Thursday. ... Two groups of wounded warriors, taking VIP tours Friday at Gold + Silver Pawn, home of the "Pawn Stars." They were among the injured troops flown into Las Vegas for an all-expenses paid holiday vacation at casino mogul Sheldon Adelson's Venetian and Palazzo hotels.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Tough news for Yankee fans. Alex Rodriguez will have to undergo hip surgery and could end up missing half the season. And even worse news: He could be back in time for the playoffs." - Jay Leno.

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. His weekly segment, "Norm Clarke's Vegas," airs during the "Morning Blend" on KTNV-TV, Channel 13 every Thursday.