Two individuals who played an important part in the development of Southern Nevada are Howard Hughes and Elvis Presley. The influence of Hughes on the Southwest and in particular Las Vegas continues even today. Elvis, on the other hand, was an entertainment fixture on the Strip.

Highly respected writer Geoff Schumacher, who once called Pahrump home, took on the formidable task of researching the life of the reclusive Hughes. In taking on the task of dispelling myths and hearsay, Schumacher was dealing with one of the most famous and enigmatic Americans of the 20th century. Hughes is just as huge in death as he was in life.

He packed theaters with his blockbuster movies, thrilled the world with his aviation exploits and was linked with almost every major film beauty of the 1930s and '40s. Hughes transformed his father's small fortune into a vast business empire, becoming one of the world's first billionaires. But for all his celebrated achievements, Hughes' later years in Las Vegas -- when drug addiction, bizarre behavior, and a casino buying spree dominated his days -- continue to fascinate the public.

Schumacher, a veteran journalist and author of "Sun, Sin & Suburbia: An Essential History of Modern Las Vegas," delves into the Las Vegas years of Howard Hughes in this engrossing portrait of a man whose impact on the city is still being felt today. This is a must read for not only the curious but for those who have a real interest in the development of a dusty, dirty western town into the megalopolis known as Sin City.

Schumacher is not only an author, a columnist, and a speaker but also a newspaper executive in Vegas. For 10 years he was a reporter, editorial writer and city editor for the Las Vegas Sun. He was the editor of Las Vegas CityLife for three years and founded the Las Vegas Mercury, which ceased publishing after a four-year run.

Today he is the director of community publications for Stephens Media Group, overseeing editorial operations of numerous weekly newspapers and special sections. He continues to write a weekly public affairs column for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The Madison, Wis., native grew up in Southern Nevada, mostly in Pahrump, and earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from UNR. He is married with two teenage daughters and calls northwest Vegas home.

The Midwest spawned another "celebrity" when Heart Lanier Shapre was born in Dayton, Ohio, and grew up in South Whitley, Ind. The former stewardess (30 years of service including stints in management), who has served in public relations positions in radio and television is also a featured actress in film and the theater.

She is a published lyricist, a screenplay writer and a singer.

Shapre had the privilege of writing tributes to Bob Hope, Liberace and Liberace's manager, Seymour Heller, and his assistants Betty and Robin. She maintains membership with the Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the Las Vegas Songwriter's Association and the National Thespian Society.

With all that said, Shapre was invited to write what she has labeled "the spiritual and insightful youth and heartrending life story of Elvis Aaaron Presley" to be shared with those who want to know him, and this is what inspired her book, "Why Elvis Left the Building."

According to Heart, "This book is not about the Elvis you know on stage and screen. It is the truth about his childhood, youth and life. No gossip, no dirt, only facts."

Shapre emphasizes that despite being an addict, Elvis kept his religious respect and maintained the ways that he was taught at church.

Through her writings, the reader will learn to understand Elvis' need of drugs and what "exactly and surprisingly" happened at the end of his physical life.

Interested readers can meet and talk to these two amazing individuals Saturday, March 29, at the Pahrump Community Library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.