Columnist Joe Delaney: Reflecting on more than three decades of Sun bylines

Thirty-two years with the Las Vegas Sun and it all started with a guest column in the late Hank Greenspun's "Where I Stand" column, where I reviewed Ann-Margret's 1967 debut at the Riviera Hotel. ... At one point in the 1970s, I was writing five Sun columns a week, plus doing 10 hours a week of talk radio and five hours live on KTNV Channel 13.

Dean at that time, Jerry Vallen, invited me to teach a pilot course on hotel entertainment for UNLV's Hotel College in 1973. ... This lasted 26 years and resulted in an entertainment and events management program, taught by former students of mine, adding teaching twice a week to the above list.

With all of the above, during the 1970s and 1980s, I managed to put together and direct Nites of Stars for St. Jude's Ranch for Children, Easter Seals Telethons, Helen J. Stewart School's annual Starlite Parties, plus special events for Variety Club, locally.

Vacation coming up

Vacation and working on my wife Roberta's list of things to do starts after Friday's column. ... Looking forward to year 33, and especially to the coming of the new millennium in Las Vegas. ... Occasionally I dig up previous columns as a reminder of the phenomenon that Las Vegas has become; an incredible story, still unfolding.

Sometimes I feel that my contribution as a columnist these past three decades-plus is also what I haven't written. ... I've tried to be fair, objective, positive rather than negative. ... Some things are better left unsaid; stories that needn't be told a first time.

I am grateful to the Greenspun family for these first 32 years; to my family for its support and tolerance, and especially to the Sun readers, the best, the heart of this city. ... I shall miss you all these next five weeks or so; I certainly hope enough of you will miss me as well.

Star-policy rundown

It's Johnny Mathis, Friday and Saturday (Bally's); Huey Lewis & The News (Caesars Palace); Ray Romano, Friday and Saturday (Desert Inn); Patsy Cline tribute (Gold Coast); Clint Holmes (Golden Nugget); Toto, the Reunion Tour (LV Hilton); Penn & Teller (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Eddy Arnold (Orleans); and Danny Gans (Rio) plus Lebanese superstar Farouz, Saturday (MGM Grand Garden Arena).

Stars in production shows: Chita Rivera, Ben Vereen, Stephanie Pope, Marcia Lewis and Ernie Sabella in "Chicago" (Mandalay Bay), and Tommy Tune starring in "EFX" (MGM Grand Theatre).

The Volunteer Jam featuring the Charlie Daniels Band, the Marshall Tucker Band, and Molly Hatchett Thursday, and Seal on Friday are House of Blues attractions while The Joint at Hard Rock hotel goes with The Cranberries on Saturday. ... Check the Sun's Showguide page for complete listings on Fridays.

Action out of town

Las Vegan Norma Miller's "Swinging at the Savoy" will be performed in New York City's famed Apollo Theatre at 4 and 7 p.m. on Saturday. ... It is billed as an all-star tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Williams with special guest stars Gregory Hines, Debbie Allen, Bob Anderson, Ruth Brown, Savion Glover, Jon Hendricks, Barbara McNair, Harold Nicholas and Doris Troy.

Proceeds will go to the Apollo Foundation Fund. ... Miller's Swing Dancers will be featured and another Las Vegan, Harry Seybold, is listed as producer. ... If you're in New York this weekend, catch it.

Up in Reno, Las Vegan Breck Wall has a follow-up hit to "Aireus," which had a successful two-year run at the Reno Hilton. ... "Night Beat" is the new Wall and Patrick Maes production, garnering rave reviews. ... Wayne Newton plays the Sparks Nugget today and Saturday.

Local events

Radio station KJUL 104.3-FM will air a special one-hour tribute to Frank Sinatra, commemorating the one-year anniversary of his death at 10 a.m., 6 and 10 p.m. Sunday. ... The late Liberace would have been 80 on Sunday. ... The Liberace Museum and Liberace Fan Club will host a dinner and a tour of Liberace's mansion, with entertainment by Liberace scholars and Play-A-Like winners. ... Call 798-5595 for details.

Support community activities, especially jazz, wherever and whenever you can. ... Give to the Sun Summer Camp Fund, this is so important. ... Be nice -- to everyone. ... See you Friday.

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