Segal vs Halvorson

The video of Canadian Steve taking down Nevada Steve in hockey at their de-bunk party. Brief glimpse of "Lefty" Brett Grant showing off his skills with a hockey stick.

Meeting of 05/17/2011 - Visit from the Interact Club of West Tech

It was a delightful meeting. We received the enthusiastic and energetic members of the Interact Club of West Tech. They gave a very well organized and designed presentation on their activities, and then told us about their personal and professional projects as well as their motivation to join this service organization. It is gratifying to meet these caring young people who want to help build better communities. Each Interactor received a pin from a member of our club. We all thank them for their work, the authorities of West Tech for their support and Ted Baker and Jerry Kops for their guidance and dedication to this project.
Slideshow and link to pictures below.

Corazón Superbuild in Tecate, Mexico

 A dedicated group of Rotarians from our Club and their spouses went to Tecate, Mexico over the weekend to work in a Corazón Superbuild project in Tecate, Mexico. The Pierces, the Novotnys, the Coxs and the Lotts (I hope I'm not leaving anybody out) were there. Some commented that it was only the ladies who worked, though this couldn't be confirmed. In the following picture, Robyn's shirt looks much dirtier than Tom's, which may taken as an evidence of the previous statement.

More pictures following the link below:

Meeting of 05/10/2011- Speaker: Randy Walker

Our speaker this week was Randy Walker, Director of Aviation of McCarran Airport. A great informative presentation on the past, present and future of the second largest-volume airport in the world and its intricate importance to our city and its economy.
President Bill Pierce honored our men and women in uniform and reminded us of the sacrifice of those who serve this country risking their lives in distant lands to keep the freedom we enjoy at home.

Follow the link below for meeting pictures

2011-05-10-Meeting

 A far better text yet to come from Tom Lott

Red Rock Cleanup – May 7, 2011

A beautiful day of service and friendship: members of the Rotary Club of Las Vegas West along with volunteer students and teachers from the West Prep Interact Club cleaned-up the Willow-Creek Area of the Red Rock State Park. Great grilling was again by Ken Cox. See some pictures following the link

2011-05-07-Red Rock Cleanup

Meeting of 04/26/2011 - John L. Smith, Las Vegas Review Journal columnist

The speaker was John L. Smith, columnist for the Review-Journal. John is highly respected and well known and read. He described the difference between a reporter and a communist, which si primarily one who reports events based on facts and one who writes topical opinions. He has plenty of those.

Recognizing a graying Rotarian audience he talked until Pres. Bill stood up, thus avoiding any questions. Brett, where were ya? He loves writing in Las Vegas because it is a circus that never leaves town. Several of his opinions follow.

2011-05-03-Meeting

Mining is making too much money with the rise in gold prices and is grandfathered into a low tax position, thus not helping to pay for education. Internet poker will be legalized because Senator Reid will push it because the casino bosses, who presumably fund Reid's elections, want it now. They too are making too much money without paying enough taxes. Internet poker, that is. John does not seem to like any enterprise that is successful without paying more taxes. He did not mention increasing taxes on gaming or taxes on small businesses. No reason to lose even more friends than he already has.

He made an excellent point about cutting funds for education by cutting the school day or year. It's an absurd solution. Also unmentioned was Nevada tax strategy which ignores property taxes that are so low they have no effect toward funding schools as in almost every state in the union. 

John was raised in Las Vegas and writes an excellent column whether one agrees with his opinions or not. He is also an avid supporter of childhood cancer, and promotes many worthwhile community projects.

I was late but arrived in time to hear Ted and Duncan complaining about the food. Ashley is home but not improving. Duncan's daughter was in the crowd at the White House chanting USA! Pretty hard to top Duncan's happy fines. There was a visitor from Germany who described his district and club. Next week is Randy Walker, Director of Aviation for Clark County, which promises to be interesting.

Tom Lott

Meeting of 04/26/2011 - Visit of Mayor Oscar Goodman

Today Mayor Oscar Goodman spoke to the best crowd we've had lately - 23 members and 8 guests, including our friends Bernie and Jennifer Hunt. In past surveys Mayor Goodman is our all-time favorite speaker, and he did not disappoint. I've sat with him before, and recently heard him speak at another luncheon, so I'll add tidbits from those occasions. The Mayor does not eat lunch. In his career as a litigator he was always preparing to go to court which resulted in a nervous stomach. So he learned to do without the mid-day meal. He was previously asked his position on legalized prostitution, to which he declared his opposition based on his constituents belief it is immoral and because of the slave trade which has resulted. But he considers it an American right to have the debate, which he supports.

He described his movie career and the permit process. Previously he mentioned that he cannot memorize lines, so the directors hated working with him. Maybe that's the reason for so many cutting room floors. This must be a learning defect of some sort because he is as sharp and quick witted as ever. The stories of his successes downtown are legendary. When I moved here 17 years ago previous mayors were trying to so the same things; Oscar Goodman is elected and presto, most of it got accomplished. Well, maybe 12 years isn't presto, but Brett Grant, slightly right-of-center Republican, complimented a liberal democrat as the best we've had, and he got a standing ovation. Are these Rotarians? Such passion!

He expressed an opinion on Neonopolis, its owner and the problems. Arson and getting whacked were solutions mentioned.

Jerry Kops and Mike Link asked two great questions. Jerry asked about his mob past and we got a terrific story about his client, Jimmy Chagra, and the murder trail in San Antonio where the sitting judge was murdered. When the cabbie picked him up to leave, he asked the future mayor if he was here for the Chagra trial, and then described how Chagra should be strung up and, well, tortured for what he had done to the the good judge. Then the cabbie asked Oscar which side he was on...Oscar replied "the FBI."

Mike then asked Oscar to join our club on July 7, when he leaves office. The Mayor did not say no! Who is going to follow up? We should have to buy tickets to sit with him each week; can you imagine? His Honor is interviewing with the Convention Authority among others for his post political career. Canyon Gate is home to the top LVCVA people, maybe we got a shot.

Apr 26, 2011 -- Oscar Goodman visits

Next week we have John L. Smith, popular Review Journal columnist. What a line up lately, don't miss it!

Tom Lott