Chris Giunchigliani already has downtown credibility
Las Vegas mayoral candidate Chris Giunchigliani can stake her own claim to assisting downtown redevelopment.
While Giunchigliani and opponent Carolyn Goodman both have promised to do great things to help continue the revival of the downtown corridor, back in 2003 Assemblywoman Giunchigliani played a key role in pushing through legislation that enabled the Smith Center for the Performing Arts to benefit from a tax on rental cars. The bill passed after midnight in the second special session.
"It was the first time that we saw something that wouldn't impact residents," recalled Giunchigliani, who credited Keith Bowman and Bob Forbuss with spearheading the idea. "It wasn't a tax increase, and it guaranteed the revenue stream that they needed to then go to the (Don Reynolds) Foundation to show that they had the commitment from us."
Meanwhile, energetic candidate Goodman continues to win endorsements. This week she received the coveted embrace of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, an enormous favorite with the local Filipino community and fight fans generally. It's one endorsement that translates into votes.
CHILD FOCUS: There's still time to purchase tickets for Saturday's Mother's Day Tea to benefit the efforts of Child Focus, which assists foster children in the community with everything from summer camps to college scholarships.
The event starts at 11 a.m. at the Springs Preserve and features a luncheon, live entertainment, a silent auction, and the knowledge that you have helped an incredibly worthy cause that helps Southern Nevada's foster children. For ticket information: 436-1624.
OSAMA SHIRT: Finally, Jim Brasich gets to wear his
T-shirt with justified pride. The retired casino dealer has worn and shared his "The Eagle Has Laden" T-shirt with many emergency first responders in recent years.
Trouble was, of course, that the Eagle didn't have Osama bin Laden. All that changed with the recent demise of the al-Qaida terrorist network kingpin.
Brasich was so happy he made a YouTube video featuring the shirt. (Type in "Eagle has Laden.")
"I was so elated and excited that I had to express my joy in the form of that video," he says.
BROTHERS BROWN: If you haven't had a chance to do so, now is an appropriate time to pick up a copy of Las Vegas emergency room physician Michael Everett Brown's heart-filled book, "What Brothers Do." It recounts Brown's emotional sojourn at ground zero following Sept. 11 and his attempt to help find his brother, legendary Fire Department of New York firefighter Capt. Patrick "Paddy" Brown, who died in the World Trade Center tower collapses.
It's written with a brother's love and a clear eye for the tough world of firefighting and the painful truth of the tragedy of 9/11.
ON THE BOULEVARD: An interview with Carolyn and Oscar Goodman will be part of the Showtime/CBS Pacquiao-Shane Mosley fight coverage. Tonight on Showtime, Saturday on CBS. The match is set for Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden. (In case you are wondering on whom to wager, heavy favorite Pacquiao is a favorite for good reasons.)
BOULEVARD II: Councilman Steve Ross is a confident guy. Name another local politician who would sponsor a family movie night featuring a flick called "Despicable Me." In a column note, I incorrectly reported a recent Democracy Alliance meeting was held in San Francisco. It took place in Laguna, Calif.
BOULEVARD III: Don't forget First Friday at the Downtown Arts District. Stephens Media's multitalented F. Andrew Taylor's show "Variety" kicks off today at City of the World Gallery, 1229 Casino Center Blvd. South. Country music fans are boot-scootin' to the Bobby Kingston Band weekends at the Saddle n' Spurs at 2333 N. Jones. ... The late old-school host Robert "Bubbles" Ubriaco was so much a part of the atmosphere at Rao's that you will find his ashes there.
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.
