Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Columnist Jerry Fink: Stars turn out at Rocker’s to contribute to fund

Local entertainer Tommy Rocker opened the doors to his club, Tommy Rocker's Cantina and Grill on South Industrial Road.

Magicians Lance Burton and Fielding West were in top form.

Comedian George Wallace couldn't have been funnier. Clint Holmes, Frankie Scinta and Johnny Butler (an original member of the Coasters) displayed their usual brilliance.

Members of the UNLV Jazz Ensemble played their hearts out.

But when the party ended in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, none of it was enough.

Organizers of a benefit to raise $100,000 for the 14-year-old son of slain Nellis Cab driver Pairoj "Paul" Chitprasart fell far short of their goal.

When the David's Fund event began at 10 p.m. Tuesday, about $46,000 had been raised since the death of the cabbie, a native of Thailand.

Only $9,000 more was raised by the super efforts of those involved, bringing the total to approximately $55,000.

Greg Bambic, a driver for 12 years, and Craig Harris, a driver for 25 years and editor of the cab magazine Trip Sheet, have spent months trying to raise money for David and his mother, Kay Uttamong.

The event at Tommy Rocker's was their last valiant effort to get the public to dig into their pockets.

Alas, the pockets weren't deep enough.

Bambic and Harris were extremely grateful to all of those who did donate to the fund, among them Danny Gans ($10,000), an anonymous donor ($10,000), the Orleans ($5,000) and Burton ($1,500).

High-rollers in Vegas usually take limousines, not cabs. Maybe they would have been more interested if the victim had been driving a limo.

The 51-year-old Chitprasart was doused with a flammable liquid and set on fire Aug. 21 by a passenger who was trying to rob him. Chitprasart died three days later.

James Scholl, 33, was arrested a couple of days later and charged with murder in connection with the attack.

Chitprasart had been driving cabs for five years, first with Union and then Nellis. He edited a bimonthly newspaper, Thai Las Vegas News, reporting on local Thai issues and events and translating local, national and international news into Thai.

Chitprasart wrote about cabbie issues in the paper. He was a strong supporter of equipping cabs with surveillance cameras, believing they would save lives.

It was Chitprasart's death that finally convinced the Taxi Cab Authority to require cabs be outfitted with surveillance equipment, which will be done in the months ahead.

One of those who attended the fundraising event had several reasons for being there.

"Whatever I can do to help, in any capacity, I will do," Shellee Renee said.

Renee is a corporate communications major at UNLV and works part-time at R&R Partners, a public relations firm.

She has a special interest in cabs. From 1991 to 1996 she was a member of the "Crazy Girls" cast at the Riviera. She was one of those posing for the "No ifs, ands or ..." ad that appears on the back of countless cabs in the valley.

Renee is working on getting the production to donate posters, which can be sold to raise a few more dollars for the fund.

Coincidentally, Renee is also working on a research paper dealing with the issue of public privacy.

"Mr. Chitprasart was one of the leading advocates for cameras in cabs," Renee said. "It's ironic that he would die while the issue is being debated by the Taxi Cab Authority."

But cameras and microphones raise complex issues.

"Our motto in Las Vegas is what happens in Las Vegas stays here," Renee said. "The question now is, with surveillance in the cabs, does what happens in Vegas really stay in Vegas? Who owns the rights to the sound and the pictures? And how does it fit in with our right to privacy?

"Actually, almost anything you do now is on camera anyway -- they're everywhere, in convenience stores, at intersections, in casinos," Renee said. "So what difference does it make if they are in cabs?"

She says her research isn't coming up with any answers to the privacy issue.

"Privacy at what price? The price of a human life?" Renee said.

For those who would like to donate to the David Fund, send checks to Nevada State Bank, 3480 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, Nev., 89102. Make the checks out to David's Fund and include account No. 28096501.

Lounging around

Carrow's Lounge, 169 E. Tropicana Ave., in conjunction with RCM Productions, will hold open-mike nights beginning around 8:30 p.m. Nov. 18-20 and Nov. 26-27. The production company is looking for singers and comedians for a new show and comedy club. Host performers for the showcases include vocalists Mark Giovi and Michael Cagle and comedian Kathleen Dunbar. For more information call 736-3936 or 566-4940.

The blues, country and rockabilly sounds of The RipTones and Paul Galaxy & The Galactix come together for the "Rockabilly Rat Rod Reunion" at The Club inside the Cannery starting at 7 p.m. Nov. 19-20. Admission is free.

Alexis Park resort has new owners and a new entertainment policy -- it's going to have entertainment, which it had precious little of before. From 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays the Three Seven Five Supper Club Lounge will feature guest musicians and DJs.

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