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!
