For decades Joyce Elise Straus opened her home, the "House of Straus," to area youth seeking art experiences. That effort included the opening of the School of Creative Thinking in 1976. Her varied artwork is widely collected in the Southern Nevada community. Straus was married for 56 years to Dr. Neil B. Straus. Her son David Straus and his wife Heidi continue the tradition.
Between 1973 and his death in 1993, Jim Joyce managed campaigns for some 300 candidates, and lost only about 10 percent of them. Having helped elect so many legislators, it is not surprising he was the most effective lobbyist ever seen in the state Capitol. Victorious politicians and fallen rivals thought him a genius. He was certainly imaginative. Which brings us to those garbage cans.