‘Extreme Makeover’ homeowners looking to sell house

The Review-Journal is now 13 percent slimmer, but does this column make my butt look fat?

"No," the readers reply. "It makes your head look fat."

With that, let the Boulevard stroll begin.

MAKEOVER HOME: Locals will recall the heartwarming story of the Cerda family, who in May received a new house courtesy of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

Well, now that house is up for sale.

Terri and Chuck Cerda's daughters, Molly and Maggie, suffer from Combined Immune Deficiency Disease, according to published reports. As the story goes, their home on Royal Castle Lane was riddled with black mold that threatened the girls' delicate systems.

The Cerdas' old home was replaced by a handsome new house. But, according to a family press release soliciting donations that was circulated in May, the Cerdas indicated they were having trouble making ends meet and risked losing the house.

According to two real estate Web sites, the 2,076-square-foot house boasts custom hardwood and many other features. It's listed at $600,000, about three times the asking price of homes in the neighborhood.

An attempt to reach the Cerdas Thursday at their home was unsuccessful.

HAIR-RAISING: Friends of Nikki Krieger, the dedicated Clark County social worker who is fighting cancer, tell me their "Save or Shave" fundraiser is catching on. Donors can help decide whether to save or shave the heads of Krieger's four colleagues in the Clark County public defender's office.

Deputy Public Defender Karen Brasier has set up accounts in Krieger's name at Wells Fargo Bank. One to "shave" and one to "save." The accounts are in Deputy Public Defender Kerri Maxey's name with Krieger as the beneficiary.

The clip job is scheduled to take place Nov. 20.

POETS SHOW IT: Downtown's First Friday takes on an 80-proof literary flavor starting at 6 p.m. with the kick off of "The Sin City Sonneteer Spectacle." In addition to the usual gathering of artists, community poets will be present.

Names that caught my eye: Mayor Oscar Goodman and Davyid Figler. In addition to his lawyering gig, Figler is a published writer and poet. Goodman has been spinning yarns his whole adult life. Just ask the jurors he performed for during his decades as a mob lawyer.

One question, your honor: What rhymes with Bombay Sapphire?

NED'S VOLVO: Recent stories about the attempt to rig Harry Reid's automobile to explode back in 1981 have jogged the memories of a couple reliable street sources regarding another incident: the torching of Review-Journal columnist Ned Day's Volvo. Sources pin the job on the late Eddie DeLeo, who bragged about being responsible. DeLeo, who provided muscle for Tony Spilotro, eventually found his way into the state's casino Black Book.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Former R-J reporter Glenn Puit is in Las Vegas signing copies of his latest true crime book, "In Her Prime," about the life and murder of politician Kathy Augustine. ... More changes and new faces on the way at KVBC-TV, Channel 3. ... Ad mavens Marla and Tom Letizia will be honored as "Menschen of the Year" Nov. 21 by Congregation Ner Tamid. Sorry, Tom, but we all know who the star of that family is.

BOULEVARD II: Way out on the Boulevard, an historic marker will be placed in tiny Goodsprings at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The community has existed since the early 1880s and was once the largest town in Clark County.

BOULEVARD III: Don't forget the eighth annual Vegas Valley Book Festival this weekend at the Historic 5th Street School and the Clark County Public Library on Flamingo Road. This year's keynote speakers are novelist E.L. Doctorow and national Poet Laureate Kay Ryan. ... My cancer-fighting daughter, Amelia, will sign copies of "Amelia's Long Journey" at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Flamingo library with proceeds benefiting four children's cancer charities.

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.