Thanks to everyone who reached out to me following the tragic events in Las Vegas. I’m fine physically; as many of you know, I’m teaching in Central America and have not been in Vegas since late July. However, I’m shaken mentally.

My thoughts are with everyone directly affected by this unspeakable tragedy and with my friends who live in an underground flood channel in the area. They often use the sidewalk between Mandalay Bay and the outdoor concert hall, pausing to enjoy a song or two from the far side of the fence. From second-hand sources, I heard they were cleared out of the drain as a precautionary measure. But I haven’t heard if they are all OK.

If you know any of these fine folks and you’ve heard from them, please let me know. I’ll do the same for you.

With love and sympathy from San Salvador …

Got my name in the paper. Special thanks to John Glionna for the wonderful story and Rachel Aston for the revealing video and pics. I’m honored.

Man who shined light on Las Vegas’ tunnel dwellers moving on

Here’s a KNPR interview Paul Vautrinot and I did a week or so ago. It’s an exit interview of sorts with me, and Paul and I discuss the future of Shine a Light.

Out Of The Darkness: Escaping The Las Vegas Tunnels

I found a home for my Beneath the Neon and My Week at the Blue Angel notes and memorabilia: Special Collections at UNLV’s Lied Library. They plan to sort through the boxes—handwritten notes, taped interviews, email correspondence with editors, edited drafts, etc.—and eventually make the contents available to the public. (If you ever want to hear me splashing through a storm drain, babbling to myself in a nervous stutter, you know where to go.)

I was honored to share the stage at the Sunday Assembly with Paul Vautrinot. We had a blast and met some really interesting people—thanks to everyone who came out!—then headed into the tunnels to check on some folks down there. I’m hoping Paul (and others) will help keep Shine a Light going while I’m in Central America. With his experience, knowledge and charisma, I’m confident he could positively impact hundreds of lives in the drains. No pressure, Paul!

My publisher: “We can’t print the second edition of Beneath the Neon until we reduce the stock of the first edition. We need to sell a few more hundred copies.”