Wines, who had emceed X Burlesque at the Flamingo since last year, was found dead of natural causes at her home early Monday, Cardella said.

Often referred to as "the female Don Rickles" for her roasting style, Wines and her family had lived here since 1993, when she arrived for a comedy gig with the "Crazy Girls" at the Riviera.

A regular at Chicago's legendary Pump Room, her career "started steamrolling when she was 30," said Cardella, who works for N9NE Group as a nightclub door host. His mother worked for Chicago restaurateur Arnie Morton, whose son, Michael, is co-owner of N9NE Group.

"She was 'the next big thing,'" said Cardella, 28, "but because she had us (her three children), that was her main focus. She didn't want to do the Hollywood parties or whatever it took. We were her priority."

One of Wines' biggest breaks came when she landed a 1983 Showtime special on the Queen Mary in front of an all-celebrity audience. They took a royal ribbing.

Funeral arrangements are pending. Wines will be buried in Chicago.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Actress Mischa Barton's role as co-host of Saturday's grand opening of CatHouse at Luxor is up in the air after her arrest Thursday on DUI charges. Barton, 21, who starred in "The O.C.," was pulled over about 3 a.m. while driving in West Hollywood. She was briefly jailed on suspicion of drunken driving, marijuana possession and driving without a license, Los Angeles police said. She joins Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan as Hollywood stars who were booked as Las Vegas celebrity hosts but encountered drug and alcohol issues. ...

Former UFC champ Tito Ortiz and girlfriend Jenna Jameson are co-hosting the official preview party for NBC's reality show "Celebrity Apprentice" at Tao Las Vegas tonight. Ortiz, a Las Vegas resident, is among the celebrity cast in Donald Trump's latest talent search. The winner will be crowned "Best Business Brain." It's open to the public. Red carpet action begins at 11 p.m. ...

Sunday's opening of 40/40, the nightclub and sports bar being built at Palazzo by music mogul Jay-Z, will be going down to the wire. A media tour guided by Jay-Z was scheduled for today but was called off late Thursday when a county building permit was not approved.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

Best viewing areas for the New Year's Eve fireworks show: Bellagio Strip-front patios at Osteria del Circo, Jasmine, Olives, Picasso and Prime Steakhouse; Diablo's Cantina (Monte Carlo); Eiffel Tower (Paris Las Vegas); Foundation Room and Mix (Mandalay Bay); Moon nightclub, ghostbar and Nove Italiano (Palms); Pure nightclub terrace (Caesars Palace); Social House patio (Treasure Island); Trader Vic's patio and balconies at Koi restaurant and Privé nightclub (Planet Hollywood Resort); and Voodoo Lounge (Rio).

SIGHTINGS

At N9NE Steakhouse on Wednesday: Former UFC champ Chuck Liddell, with a big party, and KISS member Paul Stanley, drinking water with his son. ... At LAX (Luxor) on Wednesday: poker player Phil Ivey and mixed martial arts fighter Dan Henderson. ... The UFC's Georges St. Pierre, catching lunch at ESPN Zone (New York-New York) on Wednesday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"If you wish to sue Mr. Letterman, I can give you the 800 number." -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Things Our Receptionists Say Every Day

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.