Search Results
Jessica Hutchings oral history interview: transcript
Date
2018-03-21
Archival Collection
Description
Oral history interview with Jessica Hutchings conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 21, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Jessica Hutchings discusses her experience flying to Las Vegas, Nevada on the night of the October 1, 2017 mass shooting. She speaks of her flight's detour to Phoenix, Arizona, and her discovery of the shooting. Hutchings explains how Congregation Ner Tamid, where she is a cantor, contributed to the community healing after the tragedy, including their organization of vigils, a music fundraiser called "Vegas Strong in Song," and discussing the event with teenage Hebrew School students who had questions and concerns about the shooting.
Text
Transcript of interview with Sandra Peña by Lada Mead and Stefani Evans, March 27, 2017
Date
2017-03-27
Archival Collection
Description
Sandra Peña’s story begins in East Los Angeles, where she spent her first fifteen years with her parents (both from Michoacán, Mexico), and her younger sister. The father's managerial position at Master Products allowed the family to live rent-free in a company-owned house behind the main factory, because he collected the rents for the company's two other dwellings. In this interview, Peña recalls the family move to Porterville, in California's Central Valley, her return to Los Angeles at nineteen, and her work with Parson’s Dillingham, a contractor for the Metrolink rail system. She draws the link between the Los Angeles and Las Vegas construction communities by describing her husband's move to Las Vegas to find work; a chance Las Vegas encounter with a friend from Chino, California; her ability to gain employment in Las Vegas at Parson’s, a company that had joint ventured with Parson’s Dillingham, and her move from there to Richardson Construction, a local minority-owned company. As Peña says, "It's kind of all intermingled. Even if you go here and you go there, it's like everybody knows everybody." Throughout, Peña weaves her family story into the narrative as she describes her youth, the birth of her son, the illness and death of her father, and her family's participation in her current employment with Richardson. As she remembers the people, places, and events of her life, Peña speaks to the ways one woman of color built on her interstate construction connections and rose in a male-dominated industry.
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Photographs of Gameworks signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Daytime and nighttime views of the Gameworks' signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3785 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Game Works is located on the underground level of The Showcase Plaza, which is also home to such establishments as M&M World and the Show case theatres. Two small gateway pylons for the Game Works center, stand on other side of staircases that lead to the underground facility. Just east of there a large wall front design hands approximately nine feet above the ground on the structure of the mall.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 4 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: The large wall marquee that reads GAMEWORKS in all capitals, utilizes deep, yellow, steel, channel letters painted black on the exteriors. The slightly arched sign is on the West wall of the building, facing West from the East side of the strip. The interior of the text contains double rows of yellow neon. The cabinet, which the words sit upon, is a black steel cabinet shadowing the individual letters in one cabinet. The backing cabinet itself is illuminated from its interior, with middle section of the width of the cabinet is made of a steel grating. This function allows the blue neon on the inside to cast a blue glowing halo seen from the exterior. Sitting on top of the right hand side of the marquee are two steel boxes manufactured into the shape of a male and female figure dashing to the end of the sign. These figures are made of black steel box like formations while retaining a cartoon-ish silhouette. Their posture suggests motion or running. These figures are constructed in the same fashion as the black cabinet, which the text is supported upon. They too are glowing with the blue interior neon halo. In front of the large wall sign are the two, single sided, gateway pylons. They serve as markers for the stairs that lead the underground facility. They sit on either end of the large channel cut into the sidewalk. One faces South on the South entrance, and one faces North at the North end. The signage is actually a smaller replica of the large building front logo. The same interior lit cabinet supports the same design of yellow channel letters, with the backing "shadow" cabinet. A difference between the larger and smaller cabinets is that the cabinets are surfaced with the grated material. The only difference in the channel letters besides their obvious discrepancy in size, is that single rows of neon comprise the interior of the channel letters. On either side of the sign, two, "space age" themed posts provide support. They are topped with a sculpted cylindrical fashion capital. The bases for which they are attached to the concrete with, are blue in color. The actual shaft of the pole is made of several smaller pipes, with a plastic cylindrical tube in the center. Inside this tube is a string of attached incandescent bulbs running vertically. Below the text, suspended with two rods, is an oval shaped, aluminum cabinet. In the face of the cabinet there are the words "cafe" and "lounge" painted in blue. Over the painted text is blue neon. From both sides of the sign, the blue neon scrawl is visible Separating the two words is a black circle with a red neon rectangular shape in the center. The ends of the cabinet are made small circular cabinets approximately seven inches in diameter.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic; Fiberglass
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: none
Sign environment: The Game Works facility is located directly across the street from the pedestrian "Brooklyn Bridge" element of the New York New York and sit is the shadow of the MGM super pylon. The vibrant yellow of the sign do stand out as distinct among the tremendous and attractive signage of the Showcase plaza. The large channel cut into the sidewalk, along with its large surrounding counterparts, makes the entrance reminiscent of that of a subway. The plaza itself is self-contained and while standing along the front a person is enveloped in the plaza without being distracted by the rest of the strip itself. The large signage looms over a pedestrian while walking by, or shouts at you while sitting along the shrub filled flowerbeds.
Sign - thematic influences: The actual theme of the sign is correspondent to that of the business, which the sign advertises. The property is an interactive gaming facility and lounge. The use of the glow of a monitor or computer screen. The polished aluminum poles supporting the gateways are reminiscent of the futuristic, or "space-age" theming associated with the classic representations of science fiction in movies and television throughout the twentieth century. Such examples of this classic representations may be seen in television programs from the past like "Lost in Space," or even literary descriptions in Orson Well's "War of The Worlds" of Ray Bradbury's "Martian Chronicles" The combination of materials along with the innovative use of lighting also suggests electricity and digital elements which associate with the function of the facility.
Sign - artistic significance: If not significant for simply combining different elements to create a completely self-contained sign, it fits into the movement in Las Vegas's history , which is geared more toward the family. Not only the space that it occupies, but also the function itself in intended to attract young people if not children into it domain. It is an obvious standout for the vote to make Las Vegas move toward a more family oriented town. Aesthetically the signage is modern innovation on a classic design.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Pylon; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Fiberglass; Paint
Site address: 3785 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: Game Works is located on the underground level of The Showcase Plaza, which is also home to such establishments as M&M World and the Show case theatres. Two small gateway pylons for the Game Works center, stand on other side of staircases that lead to the underground facility. Just east of there a large wall front design hands approximately nine feet above the ground on the structure of the mall.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 4 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: The large wall marquee that reads GAMEWORKS in all capitals, utilizes deep, yellow, steel, channel letters painted black on the exteriors. The slightly arched sign is on the West wall of the building, facing West from the East side of the strip. The interior of the text contains double rows of yellow neon. The cabinet, which the words sit upon, is a black steel cabinet shadowing the individual letters in one cabinet. The backing cabinet itself is illuminated from its interior, with middle section of the width of the cabinet is made of a steel grating. This function allows the blue neon on the inside to cast a blue glowing halo seen from the exterior. Sitting on top of the right hand side of the marquee are two steel boxes manufactured into the shape of a male and female figure dashing to the end of the sign. These figures are made of black steel box like formations while retaining a cartoon-ish silhouette. Their posture suggests motion or running. These figures are constructed in the same fashion as the black cabinet, which the text is supported upon. They too are glowing with the blue interior neon halo. In front of the large wall sign are the two, single sided, gateway pylons. They serve as markers for the stairs that lead the underground facility. They sit on either end of the large channel cut into the sidewalk. One faces South on the South entrance, and one faces North at the North end. The signage is actually a smaller replica of the large building front logo. The same interior lit cabinet supports the same design of yellow channel letters, with the backing "shadow" cabinet. A difference between the larger and smaller cabinets is that the cabinets are surfaced with the grated material. The only difference in the channel letters besides their obvious discrepancy in size, is that single rows of neon comprise the interior of the channel letters. On either side of the sign, two, "space age" themed posts provide support. They are topped with a sculpted cylindrical fashion capital. The bases for which they are attached to the concrete with, are blue in color. The actual shaft of the pole is made of several smaller pipes, with a plastic cylindrical tube in the center. Inside this tube is a string of attached incandescent bulbs running vertically. Below the text, suspended with two rods, is an oval shaped, aluminum cabinet. In the face of the cabinet there are the words "cafe" and "lounge" painted in blue. Over the painted text is blue neon. From both sides of the sign, the blue neon scrawl is visible Separating the two words is a black circle with a red neon rectangular shape in the center. The ends of the cabinet are made small circular cabinets approximately seven inches in diameter.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic; Fiberglass
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: none
Sign environment: The Game Works facility is located directly across the street from the pedestrian "Brooklyn Bridge" element of the New York New York and sit is the shadow of the MGM super pylon. The vibrant yellow of the sign do stand out as distinct among the tremendous and attractive signage of the Showcase plaza. The large channel cut into the sidewalk, along with its large surrounding counterparts, makes the entrance reminiscent of that of a subway. The plaza itself is self-contained and while standing along the front a person is enveloped in the plaza without being distracted by the rest of the strip itself. The large signage looms over a pedestrian while walking by, or shouts at you while sitting along the shrub filled flowerbeds.
Sign - thematic influences: The actual theme of the sign is correspondent to that of the business, which the sign advertises. The property is an interactive gaming facility and lounge. The use of the glow of a monitor or computer screen. The polished aluminum poles supporting the gateways are reminiscent of the futuristic, or "space-age" theming associated with the classic representations of science fiction in movies and television throughout the twentieth century. Such examples of this classic representations may be seen in television programs from the past like "Lost in Space," or even literary descriptions in Orson Well's "War of The Worlds" of Ray Bradbury's "Martian Chronicles" The combination of materials along with the innovative use of lighting also suggests electricity and digital elements which associate with the function of the facility.
Sign - artistic significance: If not significant for simply combining different elements to create a completely self-contained sign, it fits into the movement in Las Vegas's history , which is geared more toward the family. Not only the space that it occupies, but also the function itself in intended to attract young people if not children into it domain. It is an obvious standout for the vote to make Las Vegas move toward a more family oriented town. Aesthetically the signage is modern innovation on a classic design.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Pylon; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Fiberglass; Paint
Mixed Content
Photographs of Harley Davidson Cafe signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Daytime and nighttime views of the Harley Davidson Cafe signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3725 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Marc Packer
Sign details: Just north of the Tourist center the Harley Davidson cafe sits on the corner of Harmon and Las Vegas Blvd, facing west, with the corner pointing to the northwest. This properties exterior signage consists of two wall marquee wall signs on the west and north faces of the building, a small hanging sign above the entrance, a tall north/south facing pylon sign on the south end of the concrete courtyard that comprises the front of the property. A giant three-dimensional sculpture of a Harley Davidson motorcycle is integrated into the structure of the building to appear as if it is bursting out of the northwest corner of the building. Above the motorcycle is a marquee cabinet advertising for the cafe.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5 Notes: See description
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: On the west and north faces of the building, "Harley Davidson Cafe" is spelled in a continuous channel design, only being interrupted by the break between the rest of the text and the word "Cafe." This text is supported by a sleek, black, steel cabinet, that mimics the style of font used for the logo. The letters are crafted of red, shallow, steel channel letters, with white neon around the border as well as red neon on the interior. Standing on the South end of the property the pylon sign is reminiscent of old roadside pole signs, for it is mostly pole. The faceted pole is finished in polished stainless steel giving it highly metallic finish. At the top of the sign a sculpted marquee cabinet holds the advertisement for the cafe. The top portion of the cabinet is the Harley Davidson text logo, supported by an inverted triangle shape, with two lengths running along the underside of the text. The design for the letters is the same as that found on the buildings wall signs with white neon outlining the text, with red neon on the interior. The cabinet itself, without the text, is bordered with red neon, illuminating the highly polished surface of the cabinet. Underneath the Harley Davidson text on the outstretched arms the text "Las Vegas" is spelled in small, black, channel letters with white neon on the interior. Inside the inverted triangle shape created by the cabinet, is another inverted red triangle created by an open channel pan. Cutting across the triangle is channel letters, which spell the word "cafe" painted white on the interior. This text is filled with white neon. The pole continues above the cabinet a short distance. Along the length of the pole, "V" shaped channels repeat, forming a sort of directional sign pointing toward the ground. The channels are filled with tubes of red neon. These chase each other downward pointing toward the plaza and a small blurb of text painted at eye level in red paint. The phrase reads "The best BBQ in Las Vegas," in all caps. The text is then overlaid with red neon. The cabinet on the top of the pylon is repeated over the giant replica motorcycle, facing northwest, upon the northwest face of the wall. The neon scheme is the same as the pylon sign but the "cafe text" is filled with incandescent bulbs. Beneath the motorcycle, and directly over the door, a small back-lit version of the northwest wall above head height.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: The incandescent bulbs inside the text reading "Paris" on the balloon oscillate rapidly.
Sign environment: Harmon and Las Vegas Boulevard plays host to the Aladdin, which includes the Blue Note jazz and blues club. The Harley Davidson Cafe's sun drenched patio creates the west facade while it stretches east down Harmon to face the Blue Note. This orientation actually creates an intimate feel to the street, seemingly separated from the strip.
Sign manufacturer: Mikhon Lighting and Sign
Sign designer: Roger Pratt
Sign - date of installation: 1999
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the exterior revolves around the design of the Harley Davidson motorcycle. The slightly italicized Impact text is reminiscent of the text seen on the motorcycles' fuselages. The vertical pylon sign is clearly influenced by roadside, marquee pylon signs, treated in a material also reminiscent of the steel beasts. The exposed metal exterior of the poles can only be associated with the aesthetic so commonly associated with the vehicles.
Sign - artistic significance: Similar to properties that are representative of everyday establishments such as McDonald's and Walgreen's, the Harley Davidson is representative of the themed restaurant, catered to a family environment. It too is an everyday occurrence, of a cafe, dressed with a theme to attract patrons, as well as survive and fit it in the context Las Vegas Blvd Even though the themed restaurant is a popular idea abroad, The Harley Davidson fits in with its partners in the themed cafe industry such as the NASCAR Cafe and Planet Hollywood. Many restaurants among the casinos are themed but, there are only a few that are independently represented with their own signage. The giant replica of the Harley Davidson is also in the tradition of other giant Casino mascots throughout local history. Such mascots could include The Coin King, Mr. O' Lucky, and the original Aladdin sculpture.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Oscillating; Pylon; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Graphics
Site address: 3725 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Marc Packer
Sign details: Just north of the Tourist center the Harley Davidson cafe sits on the corner of Harmon and Las Vegas Blvd, facing west, with the corner pointing to the northwest. This properties exterior signage consists of two wall marquee wall signs on the west and north faces of the building, a small hanging sign above the entrance, a tall north/south facing pylon sign on the south end of the concrete courtyard that comprises the front of the property. A giant three-dimensional sculpture of a Harley Davidson motorcycle is integrated into the structure of the building to appear as if it is bursting out of the northwest corner of the building. Above the motorcycle is a marquee cabinet advertising for the cafe.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5 Notes: See description
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: On the west and north faces of the building, "Harley Davidson Cafe" is spelled in a continuous channel design, only being interrupted by the break between the rest of the text and the word "Cafe." This text is supported by a sleek, black, steel cabinet, that mimics the style of font used for the logo. The letters are crafted of red, shallow, steel channel letters, with white neon around the border as well as red neon on the interior. Standing on the South end of the property the pylon sign is reminiscent of old roadside pole signs, for it is mostly pole. The faceted pole is finished in polished stainless steel giving it highly metallic finish. At the top of the sign a sculpted marquee cabinet holds the advertisement for the cafe. The top portion of the cabinet is the Harley Davidson text logo, supported by an inverted triangle shape, with two lengths running along the underside of the text. The design for the letters is the same as that found on the buildings wall signs with white neon outlining the text, with red neon on the interior. The cabinet itself, without the text, is bordered with red neon, illuminating the highly polished surface of the cabinet. Underneath the Harley Davidson text on the outstretched arms the text "Las Vegas" is spelled in small, black, channel letters with white neon on the interior. Inside the inverted triangle shape created by the cabinet, is another inverted red triangle created by an open channel pan. Cutting across the triangle is channel letters, which spell the word "cafe" painted white on the interior. This text is filled with white neon. The pole continues above the cabinet a short distance. Along the length of the pole, "V" shaped channels repeat, forming a sort of directional sign pointing toward the ground. The channels are filled with tubes of red neon. These chase each other downward pointing toward the plaza and a small blurb of text painted at eye level in red paint. The phrase reads "The best BBQ in Las Vegas," in all caps. The text is then overlaid with red neon. The cabinet on the top of the pylon is repeated over the giant replica motorcycle, facing northwest, upon the northwest face of the wall. The neon scheme is the same as the pylon sign but the "cafe text" is filled with incandescent bulbs. Beneath the motorcycle, and directly over the door, a small back-lit version of the northwest wall above head height.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: The incandescent bulbs inside the text reading "Paris" on the balloon oscillate rapidly.
Sign environment: Harmon and Las Vegas Boulevard plays host to the Aladdin, which includes the Blue Note jazz and blues club. The Harley Davidson Cafe's sun drenched patio creates the west facade while it stretches east down Harmon to face the Blue Note. This orientation actually creates an intimate feel to the street, seemingly separated from the strip.
Sign manufacturer: Mikhon Lighting and Sign
Sign designer: Roger Pratt
Sign - date of installation: 1999
Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the exterior revolves around the design of the Harley Davidson motorcycle. The slightly italicized Impact text is reminiscent of the text seen on the motorcycles' fuselages. The vertical pylon sign is clearly influenced by roadside, marquee pylon signs, treated in a material also reminiscent of the steel beasts. The exposed metal exterior of the poles can only be associated with the aesthetic so commonly associated with the vehicles.
Sign - artistic significance: Similar to properties that are representative of everyday establishments such as McDonald's and Walgreen's, the Harley Davidson is representative of the themed restaurant, catered to a family environment. It too is an everyday occurrence, of a cafe, dressed with a theme to attract patrons, as well as survive and fit it in the context Las Vegas Blvd Even though the themed restaurant is a popular idea abroad, The Harley Davidson fits in with its partners in the themed cafe industry such as the NASCAR Cafe and Planet Hollywood. Many restaurants among the casinos are themed but, there are only a few that are independently represented with their own signage. The giant replica of the Harley Davidson is also in the tradition of other giant Casino mascots throughout local history. Such mascots could include The Coin King, Mr. O' Lucky, and the original Aladdin sculpture.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Oscillating; Pylon; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Graphics
Mixed Content
Photographs of Villa Roma Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Daytime views of the Villa Roma Motel sign on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 220 Convention Center Dr
Sign details: Just west of the Somerset is the Villa Roma Motel. The only significant signage is located in the pylon side on the edge of the street. The pylon resides on the north side of Convention Center drive with the property facing east/west.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 4 Lighting 4
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: Just west of the Somerset is the Villa Roma Motel. The pylon resides on the north side of the street with the property facing east/west. The sign consists of a tall white steel pole supporting two double backed cabinets, along with decorative raceways, as well as a logo cabinet. About halfway up the pole, an internally lit, double backed, cabinet cantilevers off of the south side of the pole, facing east/west also. The top of the sign is two horizontal rectangular cabinets, sitting one on top of the other, in close proximity to each other. The cabinets possess aspects of design which add a bit of flavor to plain geometric shape. The faces of the cabinet themselves are concave, bowing in along the length. The maroon surface is also fluted vertically, dividing the surface up into a pattern of vertical rectangles. Along the width of each one of the cabinets, smaller black cabinets run vertically along the edge. These cabinets are adorned with maroon graphically painted scroll work. Channel letters spell the name of the establishment on the two cabinets. The thinner, top cabinet possesses the channel letter text spelling, "Villa Roma," painted white on the interiors. The bottom cabinet's surface contains the text "Motel" in larger all capital channel letter. The interiors of both of both sets of letters are filled with neon. Attached to the bottom of the cabinet, an oval shaped cabinet resides on the north side of the cabinet. It is treated with same maroon color paint ,but the face is adorned with "vacancy" painted on the surface. "No" is spelled in neon as well as being vacancy being overlayed with neon as well. Two pairs of maroon raceways shoot out of the top of either side of the cabinet into the air, then arch inward, meeting at a common point in the center. The spot where each one of the raceway meets, a pseudo oval shaped, internally lit, double backed cabinet professes the logo for the Villa Roma Motel. The logo consists of A capital letter "V" sitting over a Letter "R" in red paint. The raceways also protrudes through the bottom of the cabinet on either side, for a short distance. The edges of the raceways are lined with incandescent bulbs.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: The text letters on the porte-cochere and entrances hold a three step animation: The incandescent bulbs all oscillate rapidly inside the letters, then steady burn on, and finally come to rest in the off position. The sequence then repeats. The main pylon sign carries several different sections which all hold different animation patterns. Inside the middle sculptural piece, the incandescent bulbs, which encrust the star shapes, oscillate in a twinkling fashion. The bulbs which border the outlying portion of the middle section chase each other, with the inner row running downward, and the outer row chasing upward. The double rows of incandescent bulbs that create the outer border, also chase each other in a similar fashion. The outer-most lane, of the double rowed bulbs, animate chasing downward, while the inner is treated with chasing animation, which chases upward. The bulbs, which encrust the bottom of the main marquee oscillate, as well as the bulbs on the widths edge of the main message center. The incandescent bulbs, which fill the text in the main marquee of the pylon, oscillate rapidly while the vertical red bars of neon, animate behind them. They star in the middle and chase out to either side illuminating all of the bars, then chase back to the center leaving them dark. They then start all illuminated, and curtain open to either side, then animates, chasing each other from either side back to the middle again. Once all illuminated, they flash off, on, off, on, then off. The marquee seems to be the one with a set sequence. On the main message board, the golden image of the cowboy animates in three stages, rocking back and forth, as if riding the bull. The letters, which adorn the tower of the building, animate in sequence. The incandescent bulbs in each letter light up individually one at a time from left to right, then once all are illuminated, they each oscillate one at a time, from left to right. They then light up continuously from left to right again one at a time, and then turn off. The letters, which run vertically on the northwest side of the tower, also have the same sequence.
Sign environment: The Villa Roma's area is interesting in itself. Convention Center Drive runs east west between the Strip and paradise road, and is home to a unique mix of signage and structures of close but not identical functions. It plays home to the Greek Isles, a bank building, dry cleaners, the Royal Casino, a giant parking lot for the Las Vegas Hilton, as well as the dying Silver Saddle. It stands as a reminder of a roadside motel that is still present, within the heart of an evolving Strip.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic
Site address: 220 Convention Center Dr
Sign details: Just west of the Somerset is the Villa Roma Motel. The only significant signage is located in the pylon side on the edge of the street. The pylon resides on the north side of Convention Center drive with the property facing east/west.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 4 Lighting 4
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: Just west of the Somerset is the Villa Roma Motel. The pylon resides on the north side of the street with the property facing east/west. The sign consists of a tall white steel pole supporting two double backed cabinets, along with decorative raceways, as well as a logo cabinet. About halfway up the pole, an internally lit, double backed, cabinet cantilevers off of the south side of the pole, facing east/west also. The top of the sign is two horizontal rectangular cabinets, sitting one on top of the other, in close proximity to each other. The cabinets possess aspects of design which add a bit of flavor to plain geometric shape. The faces of the cabinet themselves are concave, bowing in along the length. The maroon surface is also fluted vertically, dividing the surface up into a pattern of vertical rectangles. Along the width of each one of the cabinets, smaller black cabinets run vertically along the edge. These cabinets are adorned with maroon graphically painted scroll work. Channel letters spell the name of the establishment on the two cabinets. The thinner, top cabinet possesses the channel letter text spelling, "Villa Roma," painted white on the interiors. The bottom cabinet's surface contains the text "Motel" in larger all capital channel letter. The interiors of both of both sets of letters are filled with neon. Attached to the bottom of the cabinet, an oval shaped cabinet resides on the north side of the cabinet. It is treated with same maroon color paint ,but the face is adorned with "vacancy" painted on the surface. "No" is spelled in neon as well as being vacancy being overlayed with neon as well. Two pairs of maroon raceways shoot out of the top of either side of the cabinet into the air, then arch inward, meeting at a common point in the center. The spot where each one of the raceway meets, a pseudo oval shaped, internally lit, double backed cabinet professes the logo for the Villa Roma Motel. The logo consists of A capital letter "V" sitting over a Letter "R" in red paint. The raceways also protrudes through the bottom of the cabinet on either side, for a short distance. The edges of the raceways are lined with incandescent bulbs.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: The text letters on the porte-cochere and entrances hold a three step animation: The incandescent bulbs all oscillate rapidly inside the letters, then steady burn on, and finally come to rest in the off position. The sequence then repeats. The main pylon sign carries several different sections which all hold different animation patterns. Inside the middle sculptural piece, the incandescent bulbs, which encrust the star shapes, oscillate in a twinkling fashion. The bulbs which border the outlying portion of the middle section chase each other, with the inner row running downward, and the outer row chasing upward. The double rows of incandescent bulbs that create the outer border, also chase each other in a similar fashion. The outer-most lane, of the double rowed bulbs, animate chasing downward, while the inner is treated with chasing animation, which chases upward. The bulbs, which encrust the bottom of the main marquee oscillate, as well as the bulbs on the widths edge of the main message center. The incandescent bulbs, which fill the text in the main marquee of the pylon, oscillate rapidly while the vertical red bars of neon, animate behind them. They star in the middle and chase out to either side illuminating all of the bars, then chase back to the center leaving them dark. They then start all illuminated, and curtain open to either side, then animates, chasing each other from either side back to the middle again. Once all illuminated, they flash off, on, off, on, then off. The marquee seems to be the one with a set sequence. On the main message board, the golden image of the cowboy animates in three stages, rocking back and forth, as if riding the bull. The letters, which adorn the tower of the building, animate in sequence. The incandescent bulbs in each letter light up individually one at a time from left to right, then once all are illuminated, they each oscillate one at a time, from left to right. They then light up continuously from left to right again one at a time, and then turn off. The letters, which run vertically on the northwest side of the tower, also have the same sequence.
Sign environment: The Villa Roma's area is interesting in itself. Convention Center Drive runs east west between the Strip and paradise road, and is home to a unique mix of signage and structures of close but not identical functions. It plays home to the Greek Isles, a bank building, dry cleaners, the Royal Casino, a giant parking lot for the Las Vegas Hilton, as well as the dying Silver Saddle. It stands as a reminder of a roadside motel that is still present, within the heart of an evolving Strip.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic
Mixed Content
Photographs of Walgreens signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002
Date
2002
Archival Collection
Description
Daytime views of the Walgreens signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3765 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 3 Lighting 5
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: The Walgreens lot is shared with the Fat Burger establishment, and a strip mall of assorted shops. The lot is located on the east side of the strip, just north of the Showcase Mall. On the west elevation of the building the Walgreen's cursive, logo script spells out the word "Walgreen's". The same sign design is repeated on the north face of the building also. The two signs are crafted out of channel letter, with blue and red neon in the interior of the channel. In small black channel letters, a bit further below the logos, there are three separate sets of much smaller channel letters. These spell the phrases "Pharmacy," "24HRS," and "1 Hour Photo." These are also lined on the interior with red and blue neon. Above the entrance to the building, a wall sign crafted of neon in the shape of the "mortar and pestle" is perched above the customers head as they enter the building from the NW. The entire structure of the image of the Walgreen's mortar and pestle, as well as the outline of the exterior stars, is constructed of one giant pan channel. The body of the pestle is made of a series of blue neon tubing which starts in the center of the pan in a square shape and creates a concentric pattern, filling the pan. Small white neon stars float to the top of the sign and into the body of the sign. Below that image, on the same elevated plane, the Walgreen's script logo is written in channel letters with white neon. Below that script is written independently in neon reading "The Pharmacy that America Trusts." Facing north /south, the street-side, pylon sign for the Walgreen's establishment is a multi-use pylon. The sign boasts advertisements for several other businesses, however the Walgreen's advertisement is the most visible and dominant on the face. The architecture of the sign is mostly a giant, stucco covered vertical rectangle with a simple crown cornice molding on the top edge of the structure. The other establishments mentioned on the sign are as read from the top of the sign to the bottom: Alan Albert's Lobster House, Club Utopia, Fatburger, and a small back-lit plastic sign for ice cream and t-shirts. At the bottom of the sign, channel letters spell the phrase parking in rear, with an arrow of the same concept pointing east toward the rear of the property. The pylon is two sided, with almost the entire top of the sign belonging to Walgreen's, and sculpted almost completely out of neon. Red, horizontal neon tubes form a field of light for the neon mortar and pestle, as seen above the entrance. The red field is also home to the cursive, Walgreen's logo script, and the phrase "Open 24 hours." The mortar and pestle are a pan channel including the stars floating out of the top incorporated into its design. Crafted in blue, with white neon for the stars, the mortar handle portion sticking out of the top of the pestle animates to appear as if it is stirring, while the stars turn on and off, representing the concoction being stirred in the body of the image. The Walgreen's script is made of channel letters filled with white neon. The bottom line of the sign that reads "Open 24 Hours," is in all caps, and channel letters with white neon on the interior. They animate in sequence one word at a time from left to right. Along the vertical edge width of the sign, the words "The Plaza" are spelled in red neon.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: The text, which resides on the southern wall and reads "Casino," is filled with incandescent bulbs that all illuminate at the same time, and oscillate. They then shut off at the same time, and then repeat. The raceways of incandescent bulbs chase each other while the neon, which surrounds the back lit, plastic, screens on this wall flash on then off. The bottom two raceways sandwiching the reflective panel chase from left to right, while the remainder of the raceways surrounding the signs, run right to left. The incandescent bulbs on the pylon chase each other gracefully up the length of the pylon. The animation is patterned so as to appear as if a section of several bulbs are pulsing its way up the towers, hugging the edge of the bulbous tops. The raceways continue around the east face of the building. The umbrellas in the plaza behind the pylon, also are animated with incandescent bulbs chasing each other downward along the raceways.
Sign manufacturer: Mikhon lighting and sign
Sign - date of installation: 1997
Sign - thematic influences: The thematic influence of the Walgreens pylon is based on the logo for the establishment, incorporated into the architectural design of a modern commercial signage. The objects represented in the logo's are based on historical peripheral tools used in the pharmaceutical trade. The mortar and pestle were instruments used by chemists and doctors to grind and pulverize chemical to me mixed together. Since Walgreen's is a pharmacy and purveyor of commonly used goods, the mortar and pestle are appropriate symbols of the property's function.
Sign - artistic significance: Walgreen's fits into a niche of locations on the Las Vegas Strip that are establishments that can be found anywhere in the United States.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Flashing; Fascia; Neon; Steel; Paint
Site address: 3765 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 3 Lighting 5
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: The Walgreens lot is shared with the Fat Burger establishment, and a strip mall of assorted shops. The lot is located on the east side of the strip, just north of the Showcase Mall. On the west elevation of the building the Walgreen's cursive, logo script spells out the word "Walgreen's". The same sign design is repeated on the north face of the building also. The two signs are crafted out of channel letter, with blue and red neon in the interior of the channel. In small black channel letters, a bit further below the logos, there are three separate sets of much smaller channel letters. These spell the phrases "Pharmacy," "24HRS," and "1 Hour Photo." These are also lined on the interior with red and blue neon. Above the entrance to the building, a wall sign crafted of neon in the shape of the "mortar and pestle" is perched above the customers head as they enter the building from the NW. The entire structure of the image of the Walgreen's mortar and pestle, as well as the outline of the exterior stars, is constructed of one giant pan channel. The body of the pestle is made of a series of blue neon tubing which starts in the center of the pan in a square shape and creates a concentric pattern, filling the pan. Small white neon stars float to the top of the sign and into the body of the sign. Below that image, on the same elevated plane, the Walgreen's script logo is written in channel letters with white neon. Below that script is written independently in neon reading "The Pharmacy that America Trusts." Facing north /south, the street-side, pylon sign for the Walgreen's establishment is a multi-use pylon. The sign boasts advertisements for several other businesses, however the Walgreen's advertisement is the most visible and dominant on the face. The architecture of the sign is mostly a giant, stucco covered vertical rectangle with a simple crown cornice molding on the top edge of the structure. The other establishments mentioned on the sign are as read from the top of the sign to the bottom: Alan Albert's Lobster House, Club Utopia, Fatburger, and a small back-lit plastic sign for ice cream and t-shirts. At the bottom of the sign, channel letters spell the phrase parking in rear, with an arrow of the same concept pointing east toward the rear of the property. The pylon is two sided, with almost the entire top of the sign belonging to Walgreen's, and sculpted almost completely out of neon. Red, horizontal neon tubes form a field of light for the neon mortar and pestle, as seen above the entrance. The red field is also home to the cursive, Walgreen's logo script, and the phrase "Open 24 hours." The mortar and pestle are a pan channel including the stars floating out of the top incorporated into its design. Crafted in blue, with white neon for the stars, the mortar handle portion sticking out of the top of the pestle animates to appear as if it is stirring, while the stars turn on and off, representing the concoction being stirred in the body of the image. The Walgreen's script is made of channel letters filled with white neon. The bottom line of the sign that reads "Open 24 Hours," is in all caps, and channel letters with white neon on the interior. They animate in sequence one word at a time from left to right. Along the vertical edge width of the sign, the words "The Plaza" are spelled in red neon.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: The text, which resides on the southern wall and reads "Casino," is filled with incandescent bulbs that all illuminate at the same time, and oscillate. They then shut off at the same time, and then repeat. The raceways of incandescent bulbs chase each other while the neon, which surrounds the back lit, plastic, screens on this wall flash on then off. The bottom two raceways sandwiching the reflective panel chase from left to right, while the remainder of the raceways surrounding the signs, run right to left. The incandescent bulbs on the pylon chase each other gracefully up the length of the pylon. The animation is patterned so as to appear as if a section of several bulbs are pulsing its way up the towers, hugging the edge of the bulbous tops. The raceways continue around the east face of the building. The umbrellas in the plaza behind the pylon, also are animated with incandescent bulbs chasing each other downward along the raceways.
Sign manufacturer: Mikhon lighting and sign
Sign - date of installation: 1997
Sign - thematic influences: The thematic influence of the Walgreens pylon is based on the logo for the establishment, incorporated into the architectural design of a modern commercial signage. The objects represented in the logo's are based on historical peripheral tools used in the pharmaceutical trade. The mortar and pestle were instruments used by chemists and doctors to grind and pulverize chemical to me mixed together. Since Walgreen's is a pharmacy and purveyor of commonly used goods, the mortar and pestle are appropriate symbols of the property's function.
Sign - artistic significance: Walgreen's fits into a niche of locations on the Las Vegas Strip that are establishments that can be found anywhere in the United States.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Flashing; Fascia; Neon; Steel; Paint
Mixed Content
Photographs of Safari Motel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), April 18, 2017
Date
2017-04-18
2017-09-01
Archival Collection
Description
The Safari Motel sits at 2001 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 2001 Fremont St
Sign owner: Harold and Wendy Property Trust, Yeh Wendy Linh, Trs.
Sign details: The current building was constructed in 1956 (Assessor; RoadsideArch, n.d.), although several commentators state that the motel opened in 1954 (Glionna, 2017; VintageVegas, 2017). In its early years the motel was registered with the Automobile Club of America, which vouched for its quality (Glionna).
Sign condition: The condition is 3, fair. The reader board and cabinets are intact. The plastic panels on the east side of the reader board are buckling. The paint on the reader board is fading. The paint on the "MOTEL" letters is peeling slightly. The paint on the "SAFARI" letters and background is peeling moderately. Ten to fifteen percent of the light bulbs on the "MOTEL" cabinet are missing. Almost all of the light bulbs on the reader board cabinet are gone. The neon tubes on the lower third of the sign have shifted position. The neon tubes on the upper two thirds of the sign appear to be in good condition. The neon which spells out "MOTEL" appears to be intact, except for the broken letter "L" on the east side of the sign. Between the reader board and the letter" L" of "MOTEL" is an oblong metal cabinet which is missing all of its former neon.
Sign form: Pylon sign
Sign-specific description: The lower metal pylon is painted black. It supports a black metal framed reader board which is cantilevered toward the street. A rectangular blue metal pole aligned with the center of the pylon rises out of the reader board. To the street side of the pole is a vertical arrangement of three open panels of yellow skeleton neon, the tubes set in a diamond pattern. On the street side of the neon panels is a blue metal cabinet. "MOTEL" runs vertically down the cabinet in white cartoon style sans serif letters which are outlined in white skeleton neon. A row of yellow incandescent light bulbs runs down the street side of the cabinet. Between the reader board and the letter "L" of "MOTEL" is an oblong blue metal cabinet. The top of the blue metal cabinet intersects an irregular oblong shaped black metal cabinet. The black cabinet tops the neon panels and the rectangular pole. Rustic African safari style letters spell out "SAFARI" horizontally across the black cabinet in blue paint and white skeleton neon
Sign - type of display: Neon, LED and Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel and Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: LED screen
Sign environment: This location is on East Fremont neighboring many other motels though many of them are currently closed.
Sign - date of installation: Possibly 1960's (Garofalo, 2011; VintageVegas, 2017)
Sign - date of redesign/move: The current sign shows only minor variations from the version displayed on a 1969 postcard (Garofalo, 2011). The pylon previously featured "VACANCY" spelled out in red or pink skeleton neon. AAA and what appears to be another automobile club badge are painted below "VACANCY". The pole and "MOTEL" cabinet were painted red. The oblong cabinet between the reader board and the "MOTEL" cabinet was painted navy blue with "AAA" letters painted in white. A postcard which might come from a slightly later date (the auto club badges on the pylon have been replaced with a sign that states, "AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED HERE" shows the full neon and incandescent display at night (David, 2010). A photograph from 2011 shows the sign looking almost exactly as it is today (Garofalo, 2011).
Sign - thematic influences: The sign conveys African Safari adventure themes. Also the older advertisements on the sign are remnant of the motor courts and automobile clubs.
Survey - research locations: Clark County Assessor, Parcel No. 139-35-802-002. Retrieved from http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assessor/Pages/PropertyRecords.aspx?H=redrock&P=assrrealprop/pcl.aspx David, Heather. (2010 September 5). Safari Motel Las Vegas. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/14696209@N02/4962785104/ Garofalo, M. (2011 November 1). Still standing-Safari Motel. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageroadtrip/6305057788/in/photostream/ Glionna, J. M. (2017 April 23). Motel, once a haven, now a crime-ridden jungle in downtown Las Vegas. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/motel-once-a-haven-now-a-crime-ridden-jungle-in-downtown-las-vegas/ RoadsideArchitecture. (n.d.). Safari Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadarch.com/sca/extension3.html Rodgers, L. T. (2016 December 14). No vacancy: The last motels on Fremont Street. Retrieved from http://dtlv.com/2016/12/14/no-vacancy-last-motels-fremont-street/ VintageVegas. (2017 April 23). Safari Motel. Retrieved from http://vintagelasvegas.com/post/159911346449/safari-motel-2001-fremont-st-opened-1954
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-01
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Pole sign; Reader board
Site address: 2001 Fremont St
Sign owner: Harold and Wendy Property Trust, Yeh Wendy Linh, Trs.
Sign details: The current building was constructed in 1956 (Assessor; RoadsideArch, n.d.), although several commentators state that the motel opened in 1954 (Glionna, 2017; VintageVegas, 2017). In its early years the motel was registered with the Automobile Club of America, which vouched for its quality (Glionna).
Sign condition: The condition is 3, fair. The reader board and cabinets are intact. The plastic panels on the east side of the reader board are buckling. The paint on the reader board is fading. The paint on the "MOTEL" letters is peeling slightly. The paint on the "SAFARI" letters and background is peeling moderately. Ten to fifteen percent of the light bulbs on the "MOTEL" cabinet are missing. Almost all of the light bulbs on the reader board cabinet are gone. The neon tubes on the lower third of the sign have shifted position. The neon tubes on the upper two thirds of the sign appear to be in good condition. The neon which spells out "MOTEL" appears to be intact, except for the broken letter "L" on the east side of the sign. Between the reader board and the letter" L" of "MOTEL" is an oblong metal cabinet which is missing all of its former neon.
Sign form: Pylon sign
Sign-specific description: The lower metal pylon is painted black. It supports a black metal framed reader board which is cantilevered toward the street. A rectangular blue metal pole aligned with the center of the pylon rises out of the reader board. To the street side of the pole is a vertical arrangement of three open panels of yellow skeleton neon, the tubes set in a diamond pattern. On the street side of the neon panels is a blue metal cabinet. "MOTEL" runs vertically down the cabinet in white cartoon style sans serif letters which are outlined in white skeleton neon. A row of yellow incandescent light bulbs runs down the street side of the cabinet. Between the reader board and the letter "L" of "MOTEL" is an oblong blue metal cabinet. The top of the blue metal cabinet intersects an irregular oblong shaped black metal cabinet. The black cabinet tops the neon panels and the rectangular pole. Rustic African safari style letters spell out "SAFARI" horizontally across the black cabinet in blue paint and white skeleton neon
Sign - type of display: Neon, LED and Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel and Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: LED screen
Sign environment: This location is on East Fremont neighboring many other motels though many of them are currently closed.
Sign - date of installation: Possibly 1960's (Garofalo, 2011; VintageVegas, 2017)
Sign - date of redesign/move: The current sign shows only minor variations from the version displayed on a 1969 postcard (Garofalo, 2011). The pylon previously featured "VACANCY" spelled out in red or pink skeleton neon. AAA and what appears to be another automobile club badge are painted below "VACANCY". The pole and "MOTEL" cabinet were painted red. The oblong cabinet between the reader board and the "MOTEL" cabinet was painted navy blue with "AAA" letters painted in white. A postcard which might come from a slightly later date (the auto club badges on the pylon have been replaced with a sign that states, "AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED HERE" shows the full neon and incandescent display at night (David, 2010). A photograph from 2011 shows the sign looking almost exactly as it is today (Garofalo, 2011).
Sign - thematic influences: The sign conveys African Safari adventure themes. Also the older advertisements on the sign are remnant of the motor courts and automobile clubs.
Survey - research locations: Clark County Assessor, Parcel No. 139-35-802-002. Retrieved from http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assessor/Pages/PropertyRecords.aspx?H=redrock&P=assrrealprop/pcl.aspx David, Heather. (2010 September 5). Safari Motel Las Vegas. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/14696209@N02/4962785104/ Garofalo, M. (2011 November 1). Still standing-Safari Motel. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageroadtrip/6305057788/in/photostream/ Glionna, J. M. (2017 April 23). Motel, once a haven, now a crime-ridden jungle in downtown Las Vegas. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/motel-once-a-haven-now-a-crime-ridden-jungle-in-downtown-las-vegas/ RoadsideArchitecture. (n.d.). Safari Motel. Retrieved from http://www.roadarch.com/sca/extension3.html Rodgers, L. T. (2016 December 14). No vacancy: The last motels on Fremont Street. Retrieved from http://dtlv.com/2016/12/14/no-vacancy-last-motels-fremont-street/ VintageVegas. (2017 April 23). Safari Motel. Retrieved from http://vintagelasvegas.com/post/159911346449/safari-motel-2001-fremont-st-opened-1954
Surveyor: Mitchell Cohen
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-01
Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Pole sign; Reader board
Mixed Content
Stardust Resort and Casino Records
Identifier
MS-00515
Abstract
The Stardust Resort and Casino Records (1950-2006) contain materials of the Stardust Resort and Casino, which operated in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1958 to 2006. The collection contains materials on events hosted by the Stardust, the resort and casino's corporate history, interior and exterior building design, and performers. The collection also includes photographs, negatives, and slides that document the history of the resort and casino. Newspaper and magazine clippings, advertisement and marketing materials related to the Stardust's venues, shows, entertainers, and events are also present in the collection. The collection also contains a significant amount of audiovisual material, including VHS tapes, audio cassettes, optical discs, film reels, and cassette tapes containing footage and audio recordings of Stardust show promotions, news broadcasting clips, interviews, and commercials featuring the Stardust.
Archival Collection
Robin Greenspun oral history interview: transcript
Date
2017-02-09
Archival Collection
Description
Oral history interview with Robin Greenspun conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 09, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Greenspun discusses her family background and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She talks about her early interest in the arts, working in television productions, and becoming a film director.
Text
