About the time most people are slowingdown preparing to enjoy their Golden Years,the two Jims, Emerson and Lash, shifted intooverdrive providing the sweat, endurance andbankroll to reopen the iconic Madison Avenue Bar and Grill sports barthat for over 30 years was a hidden treasure for locals and visitors.That was a pandemic ago. Then Las Vegas shut down.Realizing that with all the money invested and no opening date onthe horizon, one of the Jims, the one pegged as the entertainment guru,Jimmy Emerson, reacted as expected.”Oh God, what have I done?”The other Jim,Jim Lash with the12Madison’s ReemergesBy: Sam Wagmeister / People & PlacesJimmy Emerson (L) and Jim LashApril 2021casino marketingbackgroundthought otherwise,“We were too far init to let it go.”Emerson andLash rolled up theirsleeves and wentto work. As the citybegins crawling outof the Covid hole, their hard work has begun to pay off.Coronavirus-restricted crowds began a word of mouth campaign thathas attracted diners, drinkers, revelers and sports fans to the saloon’sglitter. On April 19th, they’ll host the Miss Gay Sin City America pageant.Rebranded as Jimmy’s @ Madisons in the historic off-Strip centerthat’s home to ethnic-branded diners and Bagelmania, the Broadwaythemed venue features bar-top slots, 24-hour kitchen, TV’s tuned tosports and live entertainment Tuesday through Saturday with a SundayDrag brunch.“On show nights, we’re just packed,” said Emerson, explaining thenearly immediate need to expand the sparkling showroom. Jimmy’shas also become a go-to destination for bachelorette parties.Emerson, a Texas native, brought his mother’s recipes and flamboyanton-stage personas, Tammy Spraynet and Roxie Starr, to Vegas in 1984,christening the venue’s cabaret as a tribute to Starr. Among his Vegasperformance credits are stints with FlamBOYant Follies, Bottom’s Upand touring with Frank Marino in LaCage, including producing hisown shows and reviews.Lash and Emerson’s friendship began when they performed togetherin LaCage.As Las Vegas re-establishes itself as the entertainment capital,Emerson’s vision is to provide a home for singers, stand-up comics andjazz bands.Emerson’s at Madisons. 855 East Twain Av. Las Vegas. (702)463-4499.Sam Wagmeister is The Vegas Voice Nightlife Editor. He loves tohear from our readers. Please feel free to contact him via email:LasVegasHomeTeam@Gmail.com.RVing!By: Dianne Hahn / Back in the DaysOn vacation, but we’ve stopped to have theRV repaired. The steps don’t fold down. Wehave to leap out the door.I don’t do leaping anymore. Hubby repels outbackwards. There was a time I would leap into his arms, but I’ve gaineda few pounds.Now I use a stepstool attached to bungee cords to exit the RV. I lowerthe stepstool with the bungee cords and step down.We’re going out to dinner tonight. Hubby was ready before me anddecided to wait in the car. I think he thinks I go faster if I know he’swaiting.It doesn’t work thatway anymore. At this ageit takes me longer to getready and that’s that.I gave my hairanother tweak, addedsome blush to mycheeks, and voila, readyas I’ll ever be.I lowered the stepstool,hung on to the railings,and backed out.Gingerly inched myfoot around until my toes found the stepstool. I gave it a little shove tocenter it. My bad - it collapsed!I muttered a curse and tried to pull myself back up. My musclesquivered and I sank farther down - still no terra firma!Soon my left knee was hovering just under my chin. My right legwas dangling, and my back and arms were stretched out of proportion.“Help!”Donnie had the stereo blaring in the car. He couldn’t see me, couldn’thear me. The dogs got up though, wagged their tails and watched mecuriously.Should I let go and fall backwards, or just let my body break intopieces?The problem solved itself. My knee hit my chin and slammed mymouth shut. I bit my lip, groaned, and sank further down.The good news: my toes finally touched the ground! I limped to thecar.Hubby smiled. “That wasn’t long,” he said. “I’m starving! How’sabout catfish? There’s a place down the road.”“Great. Oh, by the way, I might need a knee replacement soon.” Iwiggled my jaw. “Don’t think it’s broken.”“Huh?” “Never mind…”P.S. The catfish was delicious!A former schoolteacher, Dianne also writes for children. Presentlyshe has six kid’s books available on Amazon.com. You can alsosee her on SCA-TV.
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