October 27, 2015
Tuesday
What a fun experience my first book signing was two days
ago. It was held in the gangster atmosphere of the Mob Museum in Las Vegas. My
signing was part of a PBS' fundraising event that featured a special crime
mystery who-done-it show production. I am appreciative to PBS for promoting 30 Illegal Years To The Strip because
PBS is the TV network that is most concerned with historical authenticity.
Go Miss Marple. A photo of
this featured character in the Masterpiece
Mysteries series highlighted the PBS publicity release about my upcoming
book signing that the station sent out to its supporters. This brought in many
old-time Las Vegans, who kept me occupied at my table throughout the show and
long afterwards talking about the early years of Las Vegas that we all
remember. One retired businessman brought up our first meeting in 1967, when I
was just beginning my historical research. Quite an experience reminiscing with
someone about an encounter a half-century ago. I was glad to contribute to this
community effort and to donate my book-sale royalties to this important
network.
By the way, I am a big fan of PBS' Lawrence Welk show because its extraordinary musicians perform the big-band versions of the hits of my youth, including that era's favorite songs from cultures around the world.
Here I am greeting the supporters of PBS, as they entered and left the Mob Museum's event room. I am sitting under a large photo of Ben Siegel's girlfriend, Virginia Hill, with a display of my books and flyers in front of me.
