Brittney’s compelling tale of survival moves veteran broadcast journalist

Veteran ABC correspondent Juju Chang has covered many compelling stories in her career, but it's safe to say she's rarely been as moved by a subject as she has by the incredible journey of Brittney Bergeron Himel.

The heart-wrenching story of Brittney, who survived a knife attack that killed her younger sister only to languish several years in Family Court limbo before finally being adopted, is featured at 10 p.m. Friday on the "20/20" news magazine with Chang reporting.

"My sense is that it started out as a survivor's story, and we were really moved by how far she had come as a para-athlete," Chang says. "Yet, as you meet her it struck me that she seems so normal, if that's the right word. She doesn't act as if she's an extraordinary person who has done an extraordinary thing. She's not only survived, but she has thrived."

It's also the story of the true evil wrought by methamphetamine use. Somehow, Brittney survived it all and today is the happy, well-adjusted adopted daughter of Judy and Bill Himel.

As locals know, it's a story with a happy ending. (Disclosure: I was interviewed for this story.)

F STREET MEETING: When residents of West Las Vegas made the short walk to City Hall to meet with Mayor Oscar Goodman and the City Council to protest the closure of F Street, a number of important historical, legal, and fairness issues were raised.

The mayor and council wisely kept quiet for the most part and let the neighbors vent.

Some were eloquent, others angry, a few sarcastic. But there was only one Beatrice Turner, the longtime local activist and council thorn with a, shall we say, uniquely entertaining style.

"This day, am I proud of my community? I am proud of my community today," she began to resounding applause. Then she reminded all gathered of her morning prayer. "My prayer was, 'Lord, I just want to see my community rise up and say, 'Enough is enough.' And today they say enough is enough. Not all of them came, some had to work, but they did come."

She reserved pointed criticism for Goodman, Councilman Ricki Barlow, and City Attorney Brad Jerbic for failing to communicate with the community about the closure, which is gaining steam as an issue and threatens to reverberate nationally.

In scolding the mayor, she paraphrased a biblical passage that says, "Everything you touch will crumble until you do right."

She added, "When the good Lord calls me home, and it might be tonight, because I'm sure proud of my community for coming here today. When they scatter my ashes in your front yard, that foundation that your house sits on will shake, rattle and roll."

Then she turned toward Jerbic, with whom she has had previous run-ins.

"I told you when you deal with me you're going into a lion's cage with pork chop drawers on," Turner said.

The place erupted in laughter.

For the record, Jerbic had no comeback to Turner's rebuke. But no one could blame him. In fact, he appeared stunned.

The neighbors' attorney, Matthew Callister, will head to District Court later this month to argue the merits of their lawsuit.

CARMEN'S HIGH ROLLER: Controversial Las Vegas high roller "Omar" Siddiqui made no secret of his close friendship with actress and celebrity Carmen Electra, an informed Las Vegas source tells me.

The Fry's Electronics vice president of marketing is accused of defrauding company vendors out of $65 million he used to fund his gambling forays on the Strip and elsewhere.

Siddiqui wasn't above boasting about his link to Electra. He left the definite impression the two were very close, the source recalls.

These days, Electra is featured in People giving marriage advice and in a striptease in Playboy.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Ready your noggins to be shaved. (Or at least prepare your donations for a worthy cause.) The annual St. Baldrick's hair-raising fundraiser for childhood cancer research and treatment is set for March 7 at McMullan's Irish Pub and elsewhere. I will once again be taking it all off. If you think I look strange now, wait until you see the bald version. ... Kyle Canyon residents are gearing for a 6 p.m. Tuesday meeting with school district officials to attempt to save Lundy Elementary from closure.

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/