Columnist John Katsilometes: The nostalgic effort to save La Concha’s famous lobby

Friday, Dec. 2, 2005 | 7:18 a.m.

Fabulous Las Vegas runs Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach John Katsilometes at kats@lasvegassun.com or at (702) 259-2327 or (702) 812-9812.

In introducing Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman on Wednesday night, Richard Bryan, the former Nevada governor and U.S. senator, said he was summoned by Goodman because the mayor did not want to be upstaged.

"He needed to be introduced by someone who needs a charisma transplant," Bryan said with a smile. That was about the last comment the one-time politician and current private attorney was able to utter, as Goodman grabbed the microphone and said, "Richard holds a microphone -- I hold a microphone and a martini glass!"

The man's a natural.

Soon, Bryan had slipped away, but Goodman stayed for the duration. The occasion was noble enough: A fabulous reception at Ermengildo Zegna at the Forum Shops at Caesars to help raise money and public awareness (but mostly, money) for the restoration and relocation of the multiarched, Paul Revere Williams-designed La Concha Motel lobby.

The plan is to disassemble the lobby into six easy pieces, transport it to the Neon Museum (which will be located about a mile north of Fremont Street on Las Vegas Boulevard North) and reassemble the structure so it can serve as the museum's visitors' and information center. The project must be finished by late January to make room for a high-rise development.

The total amount needed to move La Concha is $600,000, and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has pledged a matching grant of $300,000. Wednesday's event was geared to help raise the $300,000 to be matched, and $65,000 was raised (including a single check for $60,000 written by Las Vegas developer Jim Rhodes. A total of $235,000 is still needed; call 387-6366 for information.

Goodman, who has made preservation of Las Vegas history something of a crusade, said La Concha carries a special sort of nostalgia.

"It's where I took all of my best mobster clients," he said, grinning and gripping that half-full martini glass.

NoteMart

Back from several days off, aside from one Paul McCartney concert ...

Paved Rhodes: Rhodes, the founder of Rhodes Homes and developer of Rhodes Ranch Golf Club, said he does not actually play golf. "I have played three or four times in my life, and the last time I played was 20 years ago," he said. "I can see myself picking up the game and becoming obsessed, playing four hours a day. I don't have that kind of time." Or, probably, a desire to take divots out of his own property ...

A boot time: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Southern Nevada Chapter is hosting its Ultimate Breakaway Weekend, which includes a free soccer exhibition match at noon Saturday featuring members of the U.S. men's and women's national teams at UNLV's Peter Johann Memorial Field.

Those listed as participants include Jeff Agoos, Chris Albright, Marcelo Balboa, Danny Califf, Nick Garcia, Diego Gutierrez, John Harkes, Chris Klein, Tony Meoloa, Pablo Mastroeni, Clint Mathis, Joe-Max Moore, Earnie Stewart , Zach Thornton, Taylor Twellman, Josh Wolff, Eric Wynalda, Kylie Biven, Danielle Fotopoulos, Kristen Luckenbill and Cat Reddick. Call 436-4220 or 870-3024 for ticket info ...

Dream weavers: A launch party for "Las Vegas Dreams: Where Anything Is Possible" was held Wednesday night at the Stirling Club at Turnberry Place. The book by Jim Bickford chronicles the journeys of many Las Vegas success stories. My favorite: Jim Rogers has donated $2 of every $3 he has ever made to education, a total of about $200 million ...