Ruvo center street to be Robin Leach Way
Rwasa passionate, aggressive supporter of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. He was instrumental in the very first fundraising dinner at Spago at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in 1992, which became the annual Keep Memory Alive Power of Love gala.
He also donated the fees for his many voice-overs on TV commercials to the center, an incalculable amount of money that likely ran into the millions.
It is fitting, then, that the street that runs past the Ruvo center in Symphony Park in downtown Las Vegas is being renamed Robin Leach Way. The newly named roadway is the stretch of Clark Avenue that runs east-west in front of the entrance, continuing to the south end of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman will host a formal unveiling of Robin Leach Way at 4 p.m. March 15, the night before the annual Power of Love Gala at MGM Grand Garden. Leach had served as the emcee and so-called Voice of God at the annual KMA Power of Love events, and used his own celebrity to enlist the A-plus talent to the event. The event has raised tens of millions of dollars for research and treatment of brain diseases and disorders.
Discussion of naming a street surfaced soon among Leach’s family and friends soon after Leach’s death at age 76 due to complications from a stroke on Aug. 24. The “where” and “when” were the only questions, with Goodman and Larry Ruvo agreeing that the Cleveland Clinic medical fortress should be the place.
“It is truly an honor for the city to recognize the unique talent and remarkable warmth of Robin Leach by dedicating a street in his name adjacent to the Ruvo Center for Brain Health, to which he gave so much of himself over the years,” Goodman said in a text message Thursday. “Of course, we wish that he were still with us instead.”
In a phone conversation, Ruvo said, “We can thank Mayor Goodman for fast-tracking this. Only in Nevada can something like this happen.”
Ruvo recalled Leach’s tenacity in supporting the center, even informally around town.
“He was always wearing his Lou Ruvo Cleveland Clinic hat,” Ruvo said. “He had several. He had a watch, too. Every time he had a chance, he supported the center.”
In December 2015, Ruvo arranged for a bench in the Keep Memory Alive Event Center to be named for Leach, who had also donated a new MRI machine to the center. The piece was surely the price of a luxury vehicle. Classically, when asked how much it cost, Leach grinned and said, “Don’t ask.”
Gaga to perform at Grammys
Lady Gaga is expected to perform “Shallow” on Sunday’s Grammy Awards telecast. It won’t be a duet, though.
The Park Theater headliner has been added to the lengthy list of performers at Sunday’s show, set to air live at 5 p.m. on CBS. Alicia Keys is the host.
A six-time Grammy winner, Gaga is nominated for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best Pop Duo/group Performance and Best Song Written For Visual Media for “Shallow” from “A Star is Born.” But her duet partner in the film, Bradley Cooper, will not perform during the telecast from Staples Center in L.A. He’s scheduled to be in London representing the movie at the BAFTA Awards, Britain’s version of the Oscars.
Apart from their scene in the film, Gaga and Cooper have performed the song once, during his unbilled appearance Jan. 26 at Park Theater.
Gaga is also nominated for the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Joanne.” Those added this week to the list of performers include On The Record headliner Mark Ronson, Chloe X Halle, Dua Lipa, St. Vincent and Travis Scott. Previously announced artists include pop legend and Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas headliner Diana Ross, upcoming Kaos at the Palms headliner Cardi B, J Balvin, Camila Cabello, Brandi Carlile, Dan+shay, H.E.R., Little Big Town,
Post Malone, Ricky Martin, Shawn Mendes, Janelle Monae, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Dolly Parton, Katy Perry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Arturo Sandoval and Young Thug.
P&T launch AFAN offices
Penn & Teller cut the ceremonial ribbon at the new AFAN (Aid for AIDS of Nevada) offices this week at 1830 E. Sahara Ave., Suite 210. The facility’s new lobby was dedicated to P&T, who will again host the AFAN AIDS Walk at Town Square on April 7 (registration is now open at afanlv.org). P&T’S longtime manager and publicist, Glenn Alai, is the new AFAN president.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His Podkats podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/ podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal. com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @Johnnykats1 on Instagram. As of 9 p.m. Thursday:
1. Las Vegas Valley lawyer Bob Massi has died
Bob Massi, a lion-haired Las Vegas Valley lawyer and television personality, has died. 2. Limo driver fired after chat with Raiders owner Mark Davis
Dan Holmgren recently had a chance meeting with Mark Davis, the Raiders’ accessible and amiable owner. The brief conversation would cost Holmgren his job. 3. Nevada’s largest casinos report $1.2B loss in fiscal 2018
Despite seeing record revenue, Nevada’s largest casinos lost $1.2 billion during the fiscal year that ended June 30, bringing to an end a two-year streak of posted profits.
4. Suspect in deadly southwest Las Vegas shooting still on loose
Three men got in an argument that ended in a shooting Wednesday night at a southwest valley apartment complex, leaving one man dead and another injured, police said.
5. Nevada’s middle class shrinking, says Las Vegas business group
A shrinking middle class poses a threat to Nevada’s economic growth, according to Jonas Peterson, CEO of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. As of 9 p.m. Thursday:
1. LVGEA says Nevada needs to grow its middle class
In 2000, Nevada’s middle class made up 57 percent of the population. In 2016, it was 52 percent.
2. Developer Jim Rhodes lists his mansion for
$30 million
Jim Rhodes, a developer, has listed his mansion in the Spanish Hills community for $30 million.
3. Whiskey in Wilderness 2
Notable Las Vegas chefs, bartenders host outdoor cookout in January 2018.