Organized crime expert Ed Becker, who co-authored "All American Mafioso: The Johnny Rosselli Story" and appeared in numerous Las Vegas documentaries, died recently after a lengthy illness. He was 85.

Becker's research contributed substantially to "The Green Felt Jungle" by Ed Reid and Ovid Demaris and Reid's "The Grim Reapers," Becker's wife, Barbara, recalled. Both books were best-selling organized crime exposes.

Becker was born in San Francisco and started his career by placing entertainment reviews and column items in Bay Area newspapers.

After arriving in Las Vegas in the early 1950s, he worked as entertainment director and publicity specialist for Gus Greenbaum at the Riviera.

When Greenbaum and his wife, Bess, were murdered in December 1958 outside Phoenix, Becker investigated the grisly mob hits for Reader's Digest.

In 1991, Becker teamed with investigative journalist Charles Rappleye to publish the Rosselli biography, which remains in print.

Known for his remarkable memory and vast knowledge of mob and Las Vegas history, Becker was a fount of information for journalists and documentary filmmakers. He played a prominent part in the award-winning British documentary "Mob Law: The Oscar Goodman Story."

Services have been scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 23 at Christ the King Catholic Church at 4925 S. Torrey Pines Drive.

TY COBB'S HIT: It was touted as the shot heard 'round the Legislature by news wags and conservative GOP activists, but Republican Assemblyman Ty Cobb's slap at new Speaker Barbara Buckley promises to go down as a bunt in the political box score.

Cobb told reporters it wasn't personal, that he was only acting like a Republican when he cast the lone vote against Buckley's historical ascension as the state's first woman Assembly speaker. Conservative thumper Chuck Muth cast Cobb in a grand light and blasted Assembly Republicans who failed to stand with him.

Talk about a slow news week in Carson City.

Traditionally, freshmen legislators who tick off the leadership wind up eating lunch by themselves, but Cobb will always be able to share his sandwich with Muth.

CRAZY HORSE FEEDING: Former Crazy Horse Too topless bar shift manager Joseph Melfi was sentenced to 10 months this week in connection with a tax conviction and failed to impress U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson with a plea for probation.

Melfi claimed he was the sole caretaker for several horses, including the legendary Seabiscuit's granddaughter, and an injured wolf, a courthouse source reports.

LEGENDARY LIONEL: Wednesday's column on local attorney Sam Lionel reminded former R-J sportswriter Mike Henle of the time the lawyer represented Jerry Tarkanian in a case against the NCAA.

"He was razor-sharp, and the NCAA attorneys never really stood a chance against him," Henle recalled.

POGO'S HORNS: Local jazz buffs know Pogo's Tavern as a great hole-in-the-wall for music on Friday night. Lately, the diminutive bar on Decatur Boulevard has been overrun by horn players. Last week, nine trumpet and reed players joined Dick Fazio's regular band.

"The horn players in town are finding that this is a place they can come, leave their egos at the door, play their music, and get a great response from the audience," Fazio says. "That's all that these guys want."

ON THE BOULEVARD: Gambler Herb "Speedy" Newman, in a tough way medically these days, continues to prove Runyon wrong. Runyon, of course, is known to have said, "Life is 6-to-5 against." ... Word is failed sheriff's candidate Jerry Airola is considering dumping a pile of cash in an attempt to keep Metro cop Laura Bisch from being competitive in the Ward 1 City Council race against popular incumbent Lois Tarkanian. Could Airola's scorn backfire?

BOULEVARD II: You still have time to register for Saturday's fourth annual Walk with the Heart of a Child at the Fashion Show mall. Proceeds benefit the Children's Heart Foundation, which supports Camp Mend-a-Heart, a summer camp for afflicted kids. The walk begins at 7:15 a.m., and you can register on the spot. ... Speaking of good causes, Lilliam Hickey is being honored for a lifetime of kindness by the Boy Scouts. ... The Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada found the right person when it hired former Sun reporter Launce Rake as its new writer and analyst.

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.