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Unknown Speaker 0:00 This is a k u and v studios original program. Unknown Speaker 0:03 The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 Jazz and more the University of Nevada Las Vegas or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education Unknown Speaker 0:22 you're listening to there's no aging in Vegas a one stop shop for all things positive aging in the Vegas valley in any place within ears reach. This show features topics relevant to adults 50 And over, that help them live their lives to the fullest. listeners will meet a variety of residents who've taken the reigns of aging, and are willing to share their tips and tools for creating a positive mindset and lifestyle. Or starting now. Unknown Speaker 0:58 Hey, everybody, welcome to there's no aging in Vegas. And you know why? Because we're too busy living and loving life. I am so happy. This is the third episode. The last episode with Dr. Whitfield, president of UNLV was awesome. It was really nice to have somebody in the studio who kind of matched me on he's way more degrees than I'll ever have. But just match me on my knowledge of aging and the different things that go along with that. So that was really, really cool. And I want to say something really quick because it just dawned on me that music you just heard that you were all bobbing your heads to my son wrote that. He has a college degree in music. And finally I got something back. I got a song I'm so happy. But anyway, my son's name is Oliver. Thank you all of her sounds fantastic. Now, I got some emails after the last show couple of shows. And I thought that I would just kind of bring them to your attention. No hate here. I'm transparent. But I actually got asked my age and I'm pretty open about it. It's definitely on my social media and things. But I am 69 and i will be 70 in a few months. So there's that. I also got asked, let me do my fan here. I also got asked, or I was told more or less that I was kind of shiny, probably because it was so hot in here. And that I might get a makeup artist to like read NBC or something to come over and do my makeup. But in the words of Lizzo I will say if I'm shiny, everybody's gonna shine. So I'm just gonna keep on shining. I don't wear makeup I never have in my whole life. And I'm not gonna start now. And then everybody asked, Where do you teach? Because I mentioned that I teach it all right here you know v. And more information on that is certainly available at Pat Landecker agency.com. So there you go. There was more, but I limited it to so I could make it through the show without hurt feelings or anything like that. Anyway, every show we have a five minute segment with AARP. And today is no exception. And we have a fabulous guest with us today. Her name is Janice, Alpine, and she's going to share a program that she's been a part of for a long time with AARP call center maniacs. Hey, Janice. Hey, Unknown Speaker 3:47 Pat, thanks a lot for having me today. Unknown Speaker 3:51 Well, you're welcome. I'm glad that you could make and I know we had to kind of work around a few things. But I'm certainly glad that you're here. Now tell me a little bit about you. How long have you been volunteering for AARP? Unknown Speaker 4:04 Well, I retired 18 years ago, and I've been volunteering with AARP and various areas since then, ever since then, and the latest is the Cinna maniacs group, and we're 10 years old next month. Unknown Speaker 4:24 Wow. Well, that's fantastic. And this group was formed. I know that movies and things like that go well with ageing, you know, the nostalgia of them and the way they make us feel and different things like that. How did this get started? The sentiment is cinema maniacs group. Unknown Speaker 4:44 Well, wherever I've worked in the past, everyone knows I'm a real movie buff and I we used to go to the film every weekend even when we lived overseas. And one time when I was volunteering One of the members, one of the staff members asked if I would be interested in leading a movie group for our members. And of course, I jumped at the idea. And that was probably December 2013. And it took a while to get us organized. But starting on April, the first 2014, we had our first meeting. And it's a movie group where we would discuss films, I just want to tell you one quick thing. This is our mission statement. And it will tell you more of what we're doing here to offer our members a diversity of thought provoking films intended to stimulate discourse and learning. And that's just what we tried to do. Unknown Speaker 5:43 Wow, that's fantastic. And so how many people are in this group? Unknown Speaker 5:50 We have a mailing list of, of active members have about 50. And we can have anywhere from 18 to 25 at a meeting. But just to give you an idea, at our last meeting, in February, we had seven new members. Well, Unknown Speaker 6:10 that's fantastic. So it's kind of still being discovered, probably as you put these events on. And I know that one of the major events you do is around the Oscars. Unfortunately, this show won't air until after the Oscars have aired. But you actually sit and you watch movies, and then you figure out which one might win the Oscar. Unknown Speaker 6:36 That's about right. We see the films. Individually, we go on our own, we don't go as a group. But I select five films, and show the trailers at every meeting. And then the group votes on which three films they wish to see these movies are from the theater, or are streaming on Netflix. And then we have a an Oscar ballot contest every year. Unknown Speaker 7:06 And so you guys pick and then somebody wins it, whoever got the most winners or pick the winner. That's exactly it. Yes. Well, that sounds like a lot of fun. I mean, you know, every time I do something with AARP, I learned something new that AARP does. I mean, I went to a conference in Atlanta a couple of years ago, an aging conference and AARP was so present in so many ways. I mean, what they're involved in, one of the things that really surprised me was how deep they are in the Native American aging experience in the Native American gay experience and the Native American. I mean, it was just endless. And that's just one little faction. So it doesn't surprise me that we have a sin of maniacs now. Are we the only one here in Nevada? As Unknown Speaker 7:58 far as I am aware, we are the only ones in Nevada, and we are the only ones in all the states in America. I don't know what it is. We've talked about it enough. But I guess folks are just busy doing other things of which we hit headlines, so to speak, God, fraud and caretake Oh, my Unknown Speaker 8:21 goodness, it's really endless. I've had two other people on that have talked about things and, and I was just kind of surprised. I mean, they did a cubits crew or something and went around and gave roses and candy and things out at different senior facilities, which I think is fantastic. But I'm looking here what you gave me and just really briefly, so you have these screen bytes. What is that? Unknown Speaker 8:49 Screen bytes is a segment that I lead. And we talk about upcoming films. And you know, they haven't even gone into production half the time. So I do research constantly on what's coming out. This year doesn't seem to be a really exciting year because of the strike last year, but I'm looking forward to what's coming up is wicked, wicked with Ariana Grande production in the UK. And that will be broken up into two films. And it's with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo and it will come out I believe in November this year and next year will come out in December it's going to be a fantastic musical. Unknown Speaker 9:41 Well Janice you are like movie phone. We could just call you and get all the scoop broken down. I think that's fantastic. And it's a really a best kept secret. I mean, because I think if more people and hopefully now more people will know about Sena Maniacs and get Get involved. You know, so many people that are sitting at home think you know, there's nothing to do. And then here you guys are out there doing these amazing things. But Cynthia, I really want to thank you for sharing the AARP five minutes segment with all of us. And I look forward to meeting you. I'm sure I'll meet you somewhere out there in the AARP world. And, again, just thank you for taking time to call in and share your knowledge with us. Unknown Speaker 10:29 Once again, thank you so much for letting us share our knowledge. You have a great day. Okay, cool. Thank Unknown Speaker 10:35 you, Janice. And anybody who's interested in that, you know, please, that information is available at AARP, in v.org, so you can get involved in and trust me, there's more, you're gonna be shocked at all the things that AARP has out there. We're just not really aware of those things. So, again, thank you, Janice. And now, I guess that we will get into the meat of this show with my guest. I didn't put him on the spot. Sometimes I bring in people on yakking about something else. And they're like, Wait, I didn't know you're gonna ask me that. But we didn't do that today with Mike. My guest, Mike. Danny, Danny, Danny. Okay, Italia No, goes up. But anyway, I was so excited to have you here because I love the Neon Museum. And that's where you do your thing. Tell me what do you do at the Neon Museum? Oh, Pat, Unknown Speaker 11:36 I'm pleased to be here. Thank you very much for having me on the show. So at the Neon Museum, I'm the Director of Communications and Marketing. So I'm handling all of the all of the public relations sides of things. And making sure the executive director is is getting out in the media and discussing what the museum is up to. And then, obviously doing the marketing and getting that side of our story out. So folks come to visit us Unknown Speaker 11:57 well, I know you kick the doors open up the circuit. And that was pretty awesome. And so did you. Why did you leave there? Did you not just get tired or there was nothing else for you to create or no more vision what happened? Unknown Speaker 12:13 I'll tell you what, step back. I mean, I spent technically 60 years in the casino industry. I was born into the into casinos. My My family has a small casino in Northern Nevada. And that's where we grew up. And you were born in a casino was born in there. Yeah, you know, steps away from there. But a small town in Yerington Nevada is where it is. And, you know, we were part of a family business. And we learned all of the things that it takes to run a casino from, from operations from from cleaning and maintenance and janitorial and bartending and cooking. I mean, we ran the whole gamut and also learned, you know, how to deal and how to market and wow, working in a family business made me a great marketer, I because I understood that what it takes to work for a family and take that, you know, beyond where I was in that World War Unknown Speaker 13:07 Two, I guess marketing for a small business or family business, you got to be good at marketing, because you have the concept, all of that stuff yourself. It's not like, you know, you have something to tap into that's happening externally, you know, and I would imagine that was pretty tough to figure out now were all the people in your family a part of the marketing team, or did that just kind of fall on you? No, Unknown Speaker 13:28 I mean, we were all part of that team. I was young when I left the business. I have three older brothers and two of them took over the business from a my father. So I was about 24 When I left that world and went went out it went to Reno and went back to college and studied journalism and public relations. But But I continued on in the casino marketing world because it was part of the part of me and what I enjoyed most Yeah, Unknown Speaker 13:54 well, you know, I'm, that's the reason I mentioned circuit is because that's where I first saw you, even before I knew Rob, I saw your picture and something you had on the, you know, fancy or maybe robbed and I'm not sure somebody had on a beautiful brocade jacket is probably wrong, Unknown Speaker 14:09 ya know, as it was actually me. But it's generally Yeah, Unknown Speaker 14:14 I mean, and I just thought wow, look at this guy. And then when I read who you were and everything and then with the advent of circa and just all the bling and bang behind it, and it was just so new and different. And and owning that, that that corner and I'm just curious, like when you realize that you were going to be marketing circa I mean, were you nervous? I mean, because, you know, the first resort downtown resort in ages. I mean, how, how did you? I was Unknown Speaker 14:44 actually very excited by by the prospect of being to bring something to live in Las Vegas to bring something that major, you know, really to the part of the city that that continues to grow and expand and blow things up and it really came down to To working very closely with the owners of circa they're very genuinely great men. Yeah. And their family, and they gave us a lot of leeway to be able to bring that property to life. Unknown Speaker 15:14 Well, you certainly did bring it to life. I can tell you that. It Unknown Speaker 15:18 was it was a it was a really an effort by everybody. Yeah, I'm not gonna take all the credit I, there was a lot of people that were behind that from from every continent. Yeah, Unknown Speaker 15:26 no, I have no doubt about that. It's just that you were in all the pictures. No, I know that. But okay. So then, you know, you end up with the Neon Museum, which who doesn't love the Neon Museum. I mean, the boneyard the home of the past of Las Vegas is living over at the Neon Museum. What took you there? I mean, you know, it is a bit different yet still all the bling in those times in the lights, but it's very different from that corporate. Unknown Speaker 15:54 I had made a conscious effort to retire after circa I figured that was kind of the pinnacle of my career at this property. It was very successful. And so I stepped back. And that lasted about two months before. Before I would I just, this isn't working out for me. I don't know what to do with myself. I didn't I love the garden. I don't have that big a plot of land. So a colleague called and said, Hey, there's an opportunity as the new museum, would you like to meet introduce you to Aaron Berger, who was the executive director, so I said, Okay, sure. went and visited with Aaron and talk to him and kind of get a sense of, of him coming from outside of Las Vegas and bringing a fresh perspective on, on preservation, and historical stories. We were trying to tell stories and catalog the stories of Las Vegas, that was really exciting for me, and I thought You thought okay, I can make a difference here. I could do something different. Especially since I really love the history of Las Vegas. Yeah. Unknown Speaker 16:55 So it mean, it sounds like and I know, just from the conversations we have, that something that fulfills you is way more important to you and has way more value than money. You know, I mean, that's just something I realized. And so I can see why the new Neon Museum would draw your attention. Plus, it's a new challenge. And I think you like challenges Unknown Speaker 17:18 I do. I love challenges, I'd love to be challenged in what we're doing. And being able to to bring these stories to light. I mean, we use light instead of life. But because of the the neon and the argon and all the gases that we use, but it was very exciting to have this challenge behind me. And in front of me as well. Yeah, we look at things that that we preserve things that we bring back to life and getting folks to be really engaged with us on on wanting to restore signs or preserve signs or, or tell their stories even. Yeah, I Unknown Speaker 17:50 think that the storytelling part is what's most important. When I first even thought twice about the Neon Museum was a class I was involved in on creativity and aging. And I thought it was so important because in my studies in the things the programs I do I deal a lot in creativity and aging makes a big difference as you age to delve back into your life and see those moments when you were creative. What were you doing are those things you can bring to the present that will help you in your aging experience. And that's why so many seniors love the Neon Museum. What's your take on that? What do you personally think the Neon Museum might mean to somebody older. Unknown Speaker 18:36 They brings back a lot of memories, I think, is really in the forefront you you can visit the museum and give your own tour and understand that I I may have been part of the Riviera or I may have been part of the Stardust. And here's the sign. And here's a story I can tell. But I think it elicits a lot of memories from the people that visit and especially seniors as they age, but they can think back on those stories. You know what they were doing in 1960 or 1970 or 80, whatever. However, we identify a senior now, right? But there's those stories that come back to you and you go oh my goodness, I remember that. And maybe you had a favorite pet or a family member who were was part of what you were doing at that time. So it's great for you to relive those memories there. Unknown Speaker 19:20 The best thing about the Neon Museum is it's in perpetuity. I mean, it will always have a new sign for that generation that might be visiting because you know, I don't know if you guys are gonna expand but this boneyard, you're just getting filled up with bones. And so I think that's the thing about it. And plus, like you said, storytelling to be able to take your grandchildren out there and say, I was, you know, a waitress in that place. Oh, I was a dealer in that place. I mean, it just offers a way for you to open it the communications between the generations as well. A little trip through there. Like I you know, and you know, he's so thrilled that you acknowledge that's the hara sign Ron Garrett. He Wow. Oh, wow, that's so cool. I told him about it. And so you know, just right there, you have a person who actually took the sign from the Sahara and took it to the Boneyard. And I just think that those kinds of stories and things like that, that bring back memories, and especially in our generation in my age group, where many of these people have worked in those places. So I think it's fantastic. But, you know, overall, I mean, your, your mass, your age 6363 People were looking at 60 and 63. Happy at 63. You know, I think the thing about it is, people have to own aging, stop running from aging, and embrace it. It's such a better experience. And you and I were talking about embracing aging and lifestyle and things like that, and you've really created an amazing life for yourself. Like you said, you're gonna retire. But then you saw something sparkly over there. And you said, Oh, let me go try that out. But I was reading that you met. Tell me about this garden. This is an award winning garden at Unknown Speaker 21:10 your house. Well, not not necessarily award winning. But I worked with a local local horticulture group to to build an oasis for myself a desert oasis. Because I'd love to garden. I didn't want anything that was going to take a home. Is it at your house? Is that my house? Yeah, I just want a little small lot and a little, a little subdivision and Oh, my goodness, I probably have 60 or 70 different varieties of plants. And I continue to add more as, as the days go by, I always find another plant that he wanted, I could stuff another plant here. And I'm always having to look for that pathway. So I can make sure I can get behind the cactus or the yaka to or something to do that work. But but it's been very, very exciting for me. So Unknown Speaker 21:55 do people like to come in? I mean, do you allow people to come and tour it Unknown Speaker 21:58 I just my neighbors, my neighbors come by once in a while. Yeah, and take a look. And I give them some plants. And as we propagate, but I'm always looking for that next exciting new plant from the Mojave Desert, although I've been branching out a little bit to other deserts. And because I'm running out of I think I've gotten quite a few Mojave natives in there. Unknown Speaker 22:18 Not too dry and on, but I just find it interesting. So with these various plants, are you documenting them? Like do you have their name? I mean, what is it about them that makes them so unique? Unknown Speaker 22:33 I do I have I keep I keep a complete binder of every species that I have in the yard and understand when when they bloom and, and what their needs are and how much water they're going to need. And when what I can do to prune them and you know, do hard prune or don't touch them or how temperamental they're going to be. I'm a big advocate of adding seeds to my yard. So there's many reputable seed collectors that are are licensed to gather seeds and soil, collect seeds and throw them in the yard and hope they grow. Oh, wow. Just because that would be the natural life cycle, they would blow into somebody's area and they would grow or not. So I see some growth. Four or five years later, something else will pop up that I planted I go okay that it's it's doing its thing that sounds Unknown Speaker 23:20 Yeah, absolutely. Well, I can't wait to see it personally. I mean, when you use that word Oasis, you know, I'm expecting to see an oasis is like that. Not that I'm sure I've been no one in a way. But I want to see what So okay, so I know we were talking about, you know, retiring, which is something I think we share that you and I may never really do. Just because, you know, I see that sparkly thing. And there I go like, Oh, I could do that. You know, and that's a real challenge for me, but you do have some plans. I mean, you and your husband, Rob, you plan on retiring in Italy. That Unknown Speaker 24:05 is the Pat we are we are working towards retirement in Italy, somewhere in the Tuscany region, where my family came from my grandfather, and his sister and his brother migrated in around 1990 1920 to the Northern Nevada area. And they one of him their brothers remained behind. So there's still a branch of the family that lives there. And we've been reconnecting with him over over the years and getting to know that part of the family, that side of the family and how they're living there. But I think for me, it's more about returning to those roots and understanding what was driving my grandfather and his sister and brother to move. What what happened in 1919. I mean, we all know what happened and what was going on. But But how did that impact their family? How did it impact the brother Dominic dumped Amanda who stayed behind And how did they? How did they all interact and react to that changing time, I want to know more about that. And, and really get to really connected into those areas where that family was, Unknown Speaker 25:12 and being able to go back there and immerse yourself in the culture that you grew up in. And, you know, I that's I'm just very jealous about it. But I mean, what a way to retire and to fulfill. I mean, I guess you'll go out there and you'll do some kind of an Italian garden or something, you go find tomatoes Unknown Speaker 25:33 and torpedo onions. That's exactly what I'll be growing. So Unknown Speaker 25:37 you're already got it already. How Unknown Speaker 25:39 did I play it? Oh, my Unknown Speaker 25:41 goodness. That is so funny. Well, you know, I want to ask you, and I want to ask every guest this, how do you see the next five years, I know you want to retire, but again, with you, being just so well. And I'm hopefully not going out on a limb but so loved here, and your talent being so necessary here as we grow and shift. What do you see the next five years doing for you? Well, Unknown Speaker 26:11 I, my intention is to stick around with the Neon Museum as we as we grow the product and the offering and bring more science to light. And I think that's exciting for me. Just there's something about the history of Las Vegas that drives me to want to do this. I mean, even that was part of in the casino world, it was part of the history. But I think this is a different side of history. This is the side that that no one seems to think we save, because, right Las Vegas blows things up, and then we move on. But that's not what we're doing. We're we're out there talking to the people that the Tropicana talking to the people at the Mirage, and trying to get those artifacts in the ephemera and the stories that really have been part of Las Vegas, and to catalogue those. So that in itself is something that I want to continue to do. As we make plans. I mean, it's not that easy. Just to say I'm going to retire to Italy and go there are hoops and things you have to jump through to get to that point, but you Unknown Speaker 27:08 made it sound so easy. Oh, I'm going to Tuscany to it's Unknown Speaker 27:12 not it's not as difficult. But it can there. There are some challenges there. They're casual. Yeah, their government is I will say Casull. I mean, that's a that's a broad brush term, but but it takes some time to get things done. Unknown Speaker 27:30 Yeah. Well tell me what's going to happen at the Neon Museum that we all cannot miss. Unknown Speaker 27:38 Jeez, well, we are, we have just removed pieces of the flamingo sign that are in the collection. So we had three very big pile a piece of a pylon sign and two plumes that were all from separate signs. And we have three donors actually, who committed to restoring that site. So it's moved from the museum about a month ago, to Hartlaub or signs where it's being restored. And we're going to re eliminate that in May. Unknown Speaker 28:09 So So donors underwrite the refurbishing or whatever Unknown Speaker 28:15 they do. Yeah, okay, or a 501, C three, okay. So we rely on being on donors and folks that want to sponsor a sign or bring a sign back to life for whatever reason, that is, some are anonymous, and some are public. And that's what we rely on. So we are currently at 25, fully re illuminated signs within the space and we hope to have you know, 50 or so soon, I mean, as soon as relative term but, but it takes a while but there's lots of pieces that that need love and attention and we're working towards that. What Unknown Speaker 28:48 a fun job that is a fun show out and how to find those pieces. And, and, you know, Mike, it's just been such a joy. I came out of nowhere. I said, Hey, come be on my show. And you were just so gracious and willing to come. Unknown Speaker 29:02 I'm glad I could do the show. This year career there's a lot of pause. I we're aging, we are aging, not gracefully, but we're aging and it's a positive experience. I always I don't like that term, Aging Gracefully. Because I don't know what that is. We're just waiting for aging but I'm doing it in a way that I want to do it. Well Unknown Speaker 29:19 like I always say aging is living for those of you who are out there kicking and screaming and avoiding it. Guess what the alternative is aging is living so let's get to living out there. I want to thank you Mike for coming and sharing this time with me. There's more information available about me and what I do at Pet Landecker agency.com It's been a pleasure again, and I will see all of you on the next there's no aging in Vegas. We're I'm just teaching when I'm preaching baby okay, Transcribed by https://otter.ai