Sweet
Louie a Friend Indeed
It seems
as if it was just yesterday that I spoke to Marvin “Sweet Louie” Smith. And now
he’s passed on, and his spirit lives on. I met Sweet Louie 17 years ago when he
was entertaining at the Sands Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip with his singing
partner, Sonny Charles.
They
were known as the singing duo called the Checkmates. They were both there for me
regardless of whether it was an
interview for television or a benefit. Both Louie and Sonny
cared about the community, especially kids. I can’t help but remember Sweet
Louie’s last speech to a group of young kids at National Night Out. He poured
his heart out to those kids. He stressed education and working towards a goal,
not the gang lifestyle.
And, oh
yes, there were those times the F.I.O.R.E. Club with Nelson Sardelli, a group of
Italians that meet once a month at Take 1 dinner club in Las
Vegas in the Fremont Street East Entertainment District. Sweet Louie was always
there lending his support for their community events.
Although
Sweet Louie died of a heart attack aboard a premium cruise ship, no one had any
idea that his health was failing him. He was always uplifting and positive about
everything. In fact, the earlier part of this year, when the Tropicana Hotel and
Casino celebrated its 50th Anniversary, both the performing partners interviewed
with me, and we laughed up a storm.
In
1964, the Checkmates made the buzz all over Las Vegas while appearing at the
Pussy Cat a Go Go, located on the site of the present day Wynn Resort.
The
musical group went on to perform at Caesars Palace and other major Las Vegas
Strip hotels. The Checkmates also performed with Frank Sinatra at the Oakland
Coliseum and with Herb Alpert at Madison Square garden in New York. They sang
the National Anthem at the classic boxing event in Africa, the “Thrilla in
Manila.”
The
group’s hits included “Love Is All I Have to Give” and a remake of “Proud Mary.”
In 1969, Phil Spector discovered the group and produced the Top 10 hit song
“Black Pearl.” It was the Checkmates who helped paved the way for other groups
to perform in top lounge showrooms.
The
Checkmates were highly stylized, Sweet Louie in his signature flamboyant
eyewear, and
they were consummate showmen and received numerous honors and local and national
industry awards for their accomplishments. Images and sounds of the duo are
online at
www.TheCheckmates.com.
After
the memorial service on Sat., Dec. 22, entertainer T. Fox announced that Las
Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman proclaims Dec. 22 as Sweet Louie Day.
One of
the highlights of the memorial service was Bill Cosby’s videotaped message on
how loving a man Sweet Louie was.
In
closing, Sweet Louie would say for all of us to keep on the positive side, be
kind to our fellow human beings, and remember him for his music and his love for
people.
NAB Highlights Iconic Author
National
Association of Broadcasters, the premiere event in the world of electronic media
for more than 80
years, will highlight Alvin Toffler as one of the speakers at its April 11-17
conference in Las Vegas.
Toffler
is the iconic author whose book “Future Shock” has sold more than 6 million
copies and accurately forecasts the disruptive influence on global economics by
transformative information and content delivery
technologies,
including the Internet, wireless and other new technologies.
Toffler
wrote that this shift overwhelms people because the rapid pace of technological
and social changes leaves them disconnected and suffering from “shattering
stress and disorientation” — future shocked. Toffler’s other books include “The
Third Wave” and “Revolutions of Wealth.”
This
year’s international NAB show will also feature a content theater, along with
two pavilions dedicated to IPTV and mobile solutions, and a designated commerce
area to facilitate content partnership opportunities.
Mice Studies May Help Autistic Children
Scientists may have a new treatment for autism if the results of animal research
hold up in human trials. A study being done with mice indicates that several
drugs, including one that is poised to enter trials in human patients within a
matter of months, could improve brain
function and
reverse the symptoms of some autistic patients.
So far,
the research indicates that drugs will only be effective for one form of autism
that is caused by a mutation of a gene on the X chromosomes, a condition known
as Fragile X Syndrome.
“I
really hope that we can go beyond Fragile X and see significant improvements in
children with other types of autism,” said Mark Bear, a neuroscientist a the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who led the mice research.
CES Introduces International Free Trade
The
Consumer Electronics Show, which runs in Las Vegas from Jan 7-10, will feature
the
latest
in technology and electronic products. For the first time, CES will also
introduce international free trade, which the organizers say will provide more
American jobs. According to Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of Consumer
Electronics Association and producer of the International CES Show, the
technology industry is a shining star in many world economies.
The
technology industry has had to demonstrate to U.S. policymakers that free open
trade is the key to innovation and world economic progress.
LAX Launches
$100,000 Search Contest
LAX
Nightclub inside the Luxor Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip will soon be crowning
its first-ever Miss LAX. Organizers say that $100,000 worth of cash and prizes
are being awarded to help find the hottest swimwear models in the country. The
contest will be held at 10 p.m. every Wednesday from Jan 9 until the finals on
March 26. The winner gets a $50,000 grand prize in addition to a guest
appearance on the Hit A&E program “Criss Angel Mind Freak.”
Michael Politz Goes to Reality TV
Michael
Politz, known for his weekly TheVegasEye.com online newsletter and his
restaurant publications, has begun taping a new reality show for Mark Cuban’s
HDNet. “Pure Confessions,” as it appropriately titled, interviews groups of club
goers who confess their bizarre experiences in Las Vegas nightclubs.
Politz
was in good company when he taped the show at LAX recently. While he was
upstairs in a VIP suite, Criss Angel was holding his birthday party throwing
$100 bills to the audience as a holiday gesture.
Angel
was joined by Billy Gibbons and Rusty Hill of the blues rock group ZZ Top,
actress-singer Raven-Symone and rapper Lil’ Jon. Floyd Mayweather was also at
the club with producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay.
Kids Talent
Network Expanding
Hurrah
for the Kids Talent Network. The company represents Randall Bentley, star of the
NBC mega-hit TV show “Heroes.” Bentley is using her newfound fame to help
others. She recently participated in the Epilepsy Walk in Los Angeles.
In
addition, the newest addition to the Kids Talent Network scouting staff is Miss
Nevada USA 2006, Lauren Scyphers.
“Bringing Lauren to Kids Talent Network reinforces our position as the leader in
finding the best young talent throughout the country. We’re excited to have her
as part of our team,” KTN founder Alex Simon said in his posted comments on
www.kidstalent.net.
Kids
Talent Network may be right for your kid. They are located at 911 North Buffalo
Drive, Ste 201 in Summerlin.
Silverton’s Twin Creeks a Delight
Twin
Creeks Restaurant, located inside Silverton Hotel and Casino, has an all new
contemporary look. Twin Creek provides various styles of dining comfort — plush
sofas, booths and high-back chair seating.
The
ambiance of the eatery is one with lush lighting and rich colors surrounding the
main dining area. The back area’s visual attraction is the aqua wall — a
multicolored rock wall with a lighting display behind it creating an assorted
ray of mood colors.
Included
in the new renovation is the appointment of executive chef Matthew Elba, one of
the youngest chefs in the business today. Chef Elba, 25, is dedicated to
providing a unique cuisine that will delight tastebuds of a cross section of
people. Chef Elba attended Scottsdale Culinary Institute and worked under Chef
Mark Hopper, Chef Du Cuisine at the Venetian Hotel’s Bouchon.
Chef
Elba said he likes the freedom of being able to change or add things to the menu
at Twin Creeks. But what truly excites him is learning new things and creating
new dishes. Among his favorite dishes are the New York Strip Steak, Smoked Duck
Parcel and Monk Fish.
My
guests for the evening were music video producer Anthony Griffin and a friend.
Beginning with the appetizers, our array of dishes included Seafood Trilogy
consisting of prawns, Maine lobster, scallops, Brie with assorted breads and
Maple Crusted Salmon with Golden Beets.
Our
waiter, David, and the manager Matthew Pellerito recommended the main course. We
had New York Strip Steak served with over 20 seasonings, and another terrific
dish, Seafood Gnocchi, which was refreshing and quite filling.
In
addition to the fine food, Twin Creeks has an extensive contemporary wine and
beverage selection, which includes Kubler Absinthe — a drink banned in the U.S.
since 1910, but it was recently legalized by the government. Master Mixologist
John DuPont has the whole story of that interesting libation.
As in
any good restaurant, there should be a top-flight pastry chef, and Twin Creeks
has Sabrina Shin. She trained in Texas and worked at the Craft Steakhouse at the
MGM Grand. Our dessert selections included Honey Poached Pineapple, Bourbon
Bread Pudding with Vanilla Gelato, and Caramel Mousse Chocolate Sorbet.
Twin
Creeks rates a 10! For a contemporary evening of dining with world-class
service, try Twin Creeks or contact them for information at 702-263-7777.
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My book of poetry
entitled "Messages" was inspired by my dear friends C.J. Cansler along
with Victoria Boone and Beryl Warren.
The group of poems
along with some beautiful photographs are to inspire the reader.
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