Wednesday, July 20, 2011

August Meeting

Our August meeting will take place at The Wedding Room at 3601 West Sahara on the southeast corner of Valley View on Monday, August 15, 2011.

 

The speaker for this month is Mr. Bob Deiro, long-time Las Vegas businessman and former pilot for none other than Howard Hughes. Mr. Deiro has some great stories he's going to share with the group. This is sure to be another one of those meetings where we hear some great Las Vegas history right from "the horse's mouth" as they say.

 

Meeting begins at 11:30 am. RSVP's are required.

 

For more details and to RSVP, send an email to lasvegasmediagroup@gmail.com

 

July Meeting Recap

Wow.  What a turnout for the meeting today at the Railroad Pass Casino. We had 48 in attendance!  Thanks to all of you that made the trek all the way out to the edge of Boulder City for this lunch meeting.  I’m sure each one of you will say that it was well worth the long drive.                                                                                                                                                            Thanks go to Curt Thompson, Pat Malloy, and the entire staff of the Conductor’s Room who provided us with an amazing lunch of salad, steak sandwich and strawberry shortcake.  Curt was our speaker, giving us a brief history of the casino (opened in 1931 and celebrating its 80th birthday on August 1st), a few great stories about his early Las Vegas life, and gave us a tour of both the Heritage Museum and the vault containing a safe put in place in 1931 and not opened for at least two decades.  No one can recall if the safe is empty or not, and for the time being, Curt and his team want to keep the mystery alive. There were so many new faces today, as well as many folks who don’t get a chance to visit us too often.  I bounced around to take as many pictures as I could. 

 
Rex Bell

 

I had six copies of the DVD containing the late Rex Bell’s talk back in March.  They are $1.00 each so if you wish to have one, just let me know and I’ll get one to you at the next meeting.  And for all of you who might be interested in attending, Mr. Bell’s service takes place this Saturday (July 23rd) at the South Point from noon-3 pm.  Thanks so much to Cork Proctor for the fantastic job he is doing on booking speakers for us.  It is through his great contacts that we have so many great ones.  Make sure you let Cork know how much you appreciate his efforts.  We have some surprises for you in the near future, so stay tuned!

 

New Name

 

As you know, we’ve been talking about giving our group a new, updated name.  We aren’t just a group of “Old Timers” who worked as journalists and photographers any more.  We are growing so much and include in our ranks entertainers, hobby and professional historians, life-long Nevada residents, and members both young and not-so-young – we are quite an eclectic group whose main goal is to keep our state history alive and remembered.  Curt Thompson offered a great name for our group for your consideration – I think it needs a little more attached to it, but maybe I’m wrong.  He thought of The Founders, because, as he explained, this group of people really did “found” Las Vegas through their media and entertainment efforts, and now with our monthly meetings we continue the legacy of recalling the history.  Why not weigh in on the name and tell us what you think? 

 

Jane Ann Morrison Column

 

Look for a mention of our group in Jane Ann Morrison’s column this Thursday!  Thanks, Jane Ann, for coming to our meeting. 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

 

Thursday, July 7, 2011

July Meeting

Next month we’re going on a field trip!  The July meeting will be held at the historic Railroad Pass Casino, which is the oldest existing hotel in the country.  There will be a 20-30 min. presentation on the history of the Railroad Pass Casino, followed by a tour of the Heritage Room Museum.  The 80th anniversary of the Railroad Pass Casino will be Aug. 1.  Everybody in attendance to the luncheon will receive a special commemorative gift to mark the occasion.  Should be a fun and fascinating meeting; hope to see you all there.  RSVP’s are required, email Lisa at gioiaacres1988@gmail.com.

The address to the Casino is 2800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson NV, 89002.  Lunch will take place in the Conductor’s Room

 

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

June Meeting

Next meeting is on June 20th at 11:30 AM.

The location is The Wedding Room at 3601 West Sahara on the southeast corner of Valley View.  If you know where the Gallery of History is (was?) located and/or The Cellar, then you know where it is; Mariana’s Grocery Store on one side and Kaplan College on the other.

There is a handicap entrance through the alley between the college and The Wedding Room.  The phone number for any questions or directions is 362-6712.

There is a speaker that is sure to please everyone.  Lunch is $15.00 and the food is said to be great!  R.S.V.P.s required.  Contact Lisa at 702 245-9206 or email gioiaacres1988@gmail.com

 

Ghost Hunters Share Their Experiences

Do you believe in ghosts?  Maybe after today’s Media Group luncheon you do now.  We had a great presentation today.  Jim Marsh knows of three guys that look for paranormal activity – you know, the presence of those that have passed from this earth – and they came to share some of their experiences with our group.  John Cushman, John Pilosi, and Justin Cimock showed video of the abandoned Belmont courthouse, the Goldfield Hotel, and the living quarters of Howard Hughes.  It was fascinating and intriguing and we really had a great time contemplating their evidence.  Here are some pictures of their equipment and video footage.

It was another record breaker as we had 43 people in attendance.  That will teach me to call in the head count low at 30-35!  Remember, when you RSVP you are guaranteed a meal!

We had some great give-a-ways; thanks to Carey Burke and Milt Bozanic.  Remember, too, if you have anything you can donate, it is always appreciated.

Okay, that’s it for now.  Next month Cork says our speaker is Norm Johnson who will share his stories about the Mint 400 Road Race and other great stuff.  Mark your calendars for our next meeting: June 20.

Now, enjoy two more pictures I took today.  I couldn’t resist – Thalia and Helen look so great and try and guess who’s shoes these are!

Monday, March 21, 2011

April Meeting Information

Monday, April 18, 2011, 11:30 AM

Guest speaker is Las Vegas Review Journal columnist, Jane Ann Morrison.

R.S.V.P.s required.  Contact Lisa at 702 245-9206 or email gioiaacres@earthlink.net

Meeting Recap for March 21, 2011

Another excellent lunch meeting!  We had a full crowd; 43 people came to hear Mr. Rex “Tony” Bell, Jr.  Rex shared
memories of his mom and dad, Hollywood movie actors Rex Bell and Clara Bow, as well as his experiences as the Clark County District Attorney.  Members of our group had lots of great questions to ask and some of the answers by Rex were really enlightening.  Soon you will be able to hear parts of the presentation on the website.

Rex was able to reconnect with several grammar school chums: John Ullom, Gretchen Payne, and Rollie Gibbs. It was really great to see such long-standing friends get together and reminisce.  Who says Las Vegas is a transitory town?

We paid special tribute to the memory of Dick Taylor, the most recent member of our group to leave us.  Rich asked for a moment of silence to remember Dick.

A few members, Bo Boisvert and Frank Valeri, brought in photos from their working days.  What an AMAZING collection they both have.  Neither one would let me take the pictures home to scan, but they promised me they’d make some copies.  Thalia Dondero also shared with me some photo copies of the Helldorado Rodeo from around the 1950s.

I’m hoping the rest of our group will bring in their old photos.  I will scan and return them, I promise.  I just think it’s important to save them.

Speaking of Hellorado Days, three of our members are very involved in the organization and the event, which will take place during the months of April and May.  Rollie Gibbs is once again serving on the Board and Jim Marsh and Thalia Dondero are serving as judges.

Our next meeting is Monday, April 18th.  Our speaker is Jane Ann Morrison, columnist
for the Review Journal.  Hope to see all of you then.  In the meantime, Happy Spring!