If you just have to have access to a vault 24/7, there’s good news

Credit Elliot Shaikin's tenacity. At least for now, his 24/7 Private Vaults facility is back in business following a robbery of an estimated two dozen lock boxes.

The confidential vault business at 3110 E. Sunset Road was hit April 14 by three masked men, who according to police restrained an employee and easily bypassed on-site security. No arrests have yet been made in the robbery, an employee tells me.

But the good news for locals who can't live without 24/7 access to a private vault is, Shaikin's place is again accepting customers. Working hours have been shortened to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which makes me wonder whether using a bank might be easier, but to each his own.

"Yes, I did have a break in the chain of command," Shaikin says. "I fixed the problem, and the police will take care of the rest of the problem."

Due to the anonymous nature of the vault's business model, police have asked those who had their lock boxes robbed to come forward with information about what's missing.

No, seriously. They really want customers to cooperate.

"I try to do the best I can," Shaikin, 85, said recently. "Most of my customers are coming back now. I treat them with respect. You treat them with courtesy, and they take care of you. I had one bad incident in 12 years."

While Shaikin assures the public his security problem has been corrected, some must still wonder whether the three masked robbers were actually armed. Metro officials have declined comment.

RUSSIAN JUDGES: U.S. District Judge Lloyd George recently played the gracious host to members of the Russian judiciary. The visiting judges observed the local court systems, took in a newspaper editorial board and still made time to go shopping and see the Strip. As for the differences in the legal systems, Judge George offered, "I wish I could say we've improved as much as they have."

TOW JOBS: Tuesday's Clark County Commission hearing on proposed changes to the onerous Metro police towing and storage policy brought out a large contingent of lobbyists and lawyers. For my money, the best spokesman for the towing bosses was 10-year wrecker driver Sammy Toles, who passionately explained the importance of his job to his family.

Now there's a real lobbyist. And I'll bet he worked cheap.

FASHIONABLE GIVING: Diana Bennett played the gracious hostess at her Dragon Ridge home this week for a gathering of friends and fans of American fashion designer Zac Posen. Here's the best part: The event raised more than $528,000 for Three Square Food Bank, where Bennett serves on the board.

HER HONOR: Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman has officially arrived. She has a plaque next to her husband's on the wall of the Goodman Booth at the Omelet House at 2160 W. Charleston Blvd. For breakfasting locals, that's more impressive than a star on the Walk of Fame.

BIRTHDAY BOY: Sports betting legend Lem Banker turns 85 today. He's still making daily wagers and has decided he likes Dullahan in Saturday's Kentucky Derby. Against substantial odds, he gives underdog Miguel Cotto a reasonable chance to upset Floyd Mayweather Jr. Frankly, I think Dullahan has a better chance to beat Mayweather, but I defer to the expert.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Allan Kelly owned many local dispensaries, but for me he'll always be remembered as the proprietor of the Trap House, a venerable drinking-class bar lost years ago to freeway expansion. The Trap welcomed construction workers, casino dealers, coppers and even newspaper people. Here's a toast to Kelly, who made many friends and lived to 81. ... The Boulevard salutes the brave young life of dedicated Little League ballplayer Jaxon Piro, who last week lost his battle against brain cancer. He was 11. A spaghetti dinner fundraiser in his honor is set to start at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Trails Park Snack Bar, 9550 Trails Center Drive, followed by an 8:30 p.m. candlelight vigil at Mesa Park, 5401 Mesa Park Drive.

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