Berkley displays a political veteran’s wit at grand opening

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, D-Caesars Palace -- two shows nightly, dark on Monday -- is one of the funniest public speakers we have. That counts for something in my book.

At Monday's grand opening ceremony of the sparkling Centennial Hills Transit Center and Park & Ride with its handsome ACE buses, Berkley wore uncharacteristically casual clothing as she addressed the crowd.

"Forgive my appearance," Berkley said. "Later this evening is the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. This is the only thing I'm doing today because I have matzo ball soup bubbling over in my kitchen, and I've got brisket burning in my oven. And I just couldn't imagine this taking place without me."

Later she confided, "Serving for many years, I would come to these ribbon-cuttings and groundbreakings and take an extraordinary amount of credit for something I had very little to do with. But I have to say that I have finally been here long enough that I have projects that I actually started, participated in, and I'm here to see them come to fruition."

Now that's comedic candor.

BASEBALL LEGEND: For a fellow who has been behind the microphone at the ballpark for as long as legendary announcer Vin Scully has, Wednesday night's exhibition between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds had to be pretty forgettable.

The crowd of 11,896 watched a carnival of Dodger incompetence exacerbated by the strong winds. Just two errors in the box score masked an evening littered with misplayed fly balls and bobbled grounders.

Undaunted, Scully strung nine innings of pearls -- another complete game -- and complimented Las Vegas fans for their devotion on such a blustery night. When he paused in pre-game to meet my daughter, Amelia, he made the Smith family album.

Scully is recovering from a recent fall in which he suffered a head injury. He laughed it off, reminding us his thick Irish skull was darned near indestructible.

Word once again circulates that Scully is considering retiring. It's inevitable, but something most fans can't imagine.

MIRACLE LEAGUE: Consider this one a legend in the making. Opening Day for the Miracle League, which gives children with disabilities a chance to play baseball, is set for 8:50 a.m. April 10 at 101 S. Rancho Drive. Former Pirates All-Star Bill Madlock will be there, but "Mad Dog" knows the real stars are the kids.

EASTER CRACKUP: The intrepid souls at Three Square Food Bank continue to gather the goods on behalf of needy local families, and this week they're especially, ahem, "eggscited" by the donation of 129,000 eggs from the Hickman Family Farms of Arizona.

I hear it would have been an even 130,000, but the driver hit a bump crossing Hoover Dam.

ON THE BOULEVARD: First Friday continues to expand and reinvent itself as it transforms downtown into a place for art and culture. Now Mundo at 495 S. Grand Central Parkway is joining the scene with Passport: A Journey Through Culture and Cuisine, which combines art, fashion, jewelry and music with the restaurant's eclectic Mexican menu. First Friday is kicking it up a notch.

BOULEVARD II: The hair-snipping staff of Total Image Beauty Salon recently devoted an entire day's earnings to Family Promise, the organization that networks with local faith-based groups to find help for families.

Despite what you read about man's inhumanity to man, you would be surprised how many small businesses and nearly anonymous organizations are helping their neighbors through hard times.

BOULEVARD III: Mayor Oscar Goodman admits he shied away from throwing out the first pitch at Wednesday night's exhibition game for a reason: "After all the mean things you've written about my pitching, the pressure was too great."

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.