No, we are not a Public Relations firm. The name is sort-of a misnomer. As our "About Us" section indicates, this organization began over a decade ago when retired members of the Las Vegas media: journalists, photographers, television news people met monthly to reconnect and recall their days on the front lines documenting Las Vegas history as it happened. There are two people that are responsible for the makeup of the eclectic group that attends our monthly meetings today. Frank Mitrani, former Las Vegas Sun photographer and co-founder of the Las Vegas Media Group, also known as the Old Timer's Club, never excluded anyone from attending a meeting or joining the group. Don Payne, retired Las Vegas News Bureau chief and original member said to Frank, "If the organization becomes an official one, with by-laws and rules, then don't count me in."
Frank took Don's ultimatum to heart and the group has never become a formal one, and that, I think, is the key to its long-term success and the fact that today we have over 140 members. Since the first meeting in January of 1999 the group has never missed meeting on the third Monday of every month - that is over 12 years of monthly meetings!
I came on board because I met Frank and the group back around 2002. I expressed an interest in attending a meeting where I might learn the history of my adopted town. Frank put my name on his email invitation and I've been on it ever since. In fact, once you attend a meeting or ask to be on the email list, you are automatically a member!
A few of us have attempted to change the name. For one, the group, while made up of lots of "old timers" is not exclusive to those who are retired and "up there in years." Nor is it made up now of only members of the media. In fact our membership includes hobby and professional historians, entertainers from the old days and those that are still working, a Federal court judge, Las Vegas High School alumni’s, local businessmen and women, university and college staff and faculty, authors, and many, many more.
A few of us more progressive-thinking members (you know, the Upstarts) tried to convince the group to change their name; we offered suggestions we felt more appropriately identified our group, but those "old timers" said, "If it ain't broke..............", well, you know the rest. So, it's the Las Vegas Media (or Old Timers) Group for us.
We invite ANYONE who cares about preserving Nevada, particularly Las Vegas history, as well as those willing to share their own stories with us, to join. Remember, you are not asked to pay a fee (your only obligation is to buy your own lunch!) nor asked to abide by any rules (except those that are common courtesy like no talking during a speaker's presentation and ALWAYS RSVP to the luncheons).
If you join us, I promise you will be in the presence of Las Vegas movers and shakers past and present; you would be amazed by who you might sit next to. You will leave with stories about our town from those that witnessed history unfolding and you will be amazed.
Want to contact us? You can email lasvegasmediagroup@gmail.com or call Lisa Gioia-Acres at 702 245-9206. Frank Mitrani has moved out of town and doesn't make it to our meetings too often. But, Frank will always be our fearless leader and he is always interested in hearing from friends old and new. You can contact Frank at 435 644-3467 or at frammit@xpressweb.com.
Hope to see you soon!
Lisa Gioia-Acres
Unofficial historian of the group and the one who sends out meeting reminders and recaps!
