Las Vegas Media Group: March Madness at the Las Vegas Media Group Luncheon

No madness, really - I just wanted to say that!

What a great meeting we had on March 18th, just like every month! We had some brand new faces that are planning on coming to future meetings, and we had visits with some friends we haven’t seen in a while.

Frank Valeri, Joe Thomson, Felix Silla, and Mike Schaefer

Laura Fritz, a native Nevadan, came to talk about the history of how the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Cleveland Clinic came to downtown Las Vegas.

Her talk shared the personal story of its beginnings and how it has become a world-renowned medical research center. The 20 minute video of her talk will be on the Las Vegas Media Group You Tube channel (give it until 3/19 for it to be accessible) at http://youtu.be/93nI3NbPxeA

Our group was so impressed by the talk and Laura with us that she has invited us to the Center for a tour and lunch. So, MARK YOU CALENDARS. Our May lunch meeting on May 20th will be held at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. More details to follow, but this will be one event that RSVPs will be a must.

Joe Thomson got up to tell us about an effort to stop the Searchlight Wind Project, where land near Spirit Mountain in Searchlight will be covered with huge windmills. For more information and to find out how you can add your voice to this effort, contact Joe at thomsoj2@unlv.nevada.edu

Rollie Gibbs brought in a photo of the monument that has been created and will be placed in front of the Old Las Vegas High School. To find out more about the project and the alumni association, go to their website at LVHSAA. Rollie also asked us to attend the coronation of the next Helldorado Rodeo Queen at the Elks Lodge at 4100 West Charleston. The event takes place on April 6 at 7:00 pm. For more information, call Rollie at 702 873-7838.

Lisa Gioia-Acres invited the group to attend the book signing and panel to discuss her book, Showgirls of Las Vegas at the Nevada State Museum on April 6 from 4-6 pm. Lisa will be joined by former showgirls highlighted in the book, Frank Mitrani who shared his photographs, and current showgirls in costume.

In the photo of the four guys above, Felix Silla might be familiar to some of you (or not!). Felix played the character Cousin It in the television show, The Addams Family. Felix came to our meeting as a guest of his friend, Mike Schaefer. We have asked Felix to come and share his story with us in April. He's pretty busy right now and said he would let us know if April fits into his schedule.

Here are some more photos from the lunch meeting.

Guest Laura Fritz chats with member Mike Pinjuv