Oral history interview with Chris Lee conducted by Cecelia Winchell and Stefani Evans on December 14, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Judge Chris Lee reflects on the lives of his parents, their occupations and experiences during the Korean War, and his family's decision to immigrate from Incheon, South Korea to Las Vegas. He recalls memories from his childhood visiting family in Korea, Korean traditions and food, his educational pursuits, and the livelihood of his parents after immigrating. Chris also shares details of his employment history as Deputy District Attorney for the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, as Deputy Secretary of State for Southern Nevada, as the first Asian American elected to the Clark County Justice Court bench, and presently as Judge in Department 1 of the North Las Vegas Municipal Court.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Arboretum Project Records are comprised of documents, brochures, and photographs dating from 1976 to 2012 documenting both the creation and operations of the Arboretum at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The collection includes photographs of planning the Arboretum, the opening ceremony, and aerial photos of the UNLV campus. The brochures include guides to the Arboretum, lists of types of plants grown, and information on the Xeric Garden.
The Klai Juba Wald Architectural Records (2000-2020) are comprised primarily of digital architectural renderings for projects completed by Las Vegas, Nevada architecture and interior design firm Klai Juba Wald Architecture + Interiors. The collection is comprised of renderings for the firm's projects conducted mainly around Las Vegas, but also includes projects around the United States such as the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida and Rivers Casino in Illinois. Also included are master plans and presentation slides for projects like the Choctaw Casino in Oklahoma and Live! Casino & Hotel in Maryland. Master plans for projects in Las Vegas include the LINQ, Silverton Casino Hotel, and Hard Rock Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Edwin "Tony" Wuehle conducted by David Schwartz on December 21, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Wuehle discusses his early life in Hettinger, North Dakota and his career as an educator. He recalls his first experiences playing poker, participating in home poker games while living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and using a pseudonym as a player. Wuehle then talks about writing a book, founding the Gamblers Book Club Press in Las Vegas, Nevada, and writing for religious publications. Later, Wuehle explains the tension between participating in religion and playing poker. He describes Las Vegas poker rooms during the 1960s and 1970s and shares his thoughts on online poker. Lastly, Wuehle discusses why casinos use prop players and his efforts to organize a poker tournament to raise funds for Bay de Noc Community College in Michigan.
The Las Vegas Jazz Society Records (approximately 1975-2003) are comprised of organizational records including meeting agendas, minutes, and membership statistics of the Las Vegas Jazz Society (LVJS). Included in the collection are issues of the LVJS's newsletter Jazz Notes, promotional materials, blank membership applications, correspondence, information on other regional jazz societies, and photographic prints depicting various events and festivals. A portion of this collection documents LVJS's involvement in saving the KUNV 91.5 FM radio station.
The Hal Rothman Faculty Papers (approximately 1930-2006) are comprised primarily of research, teaching, and professional papers of Hal Rothman, professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The papers include Rothman's research notes, manuscript drafts, conference articles, lecture notes, audiovisual material for his book LBJ's Texas White House, newspaper clippings, and book draft. Material in this collection represents Rothman's time as a UNLV professor and as a graduate student at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas.
Oral history interview with Phillip L. Cook conducted by Richard Strahan on March 3, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Cook first talks about his parents' move to Nevada and discusses how the school system has changed over time. He then describes the first businesses that opened up in the Downtown and Strip areas of Las Vegas, Nevada before discussing prostitution, Block 16, and recreational activities available to youth. Cook also talks about the first television sets and telephone systems made available, and he moves on to talk about the prices of things such as movies and haircuts when he was younger. The interview then moves to discussions on the Old Ranch, racial discrimination, school integration, the crime rate, and the school system in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Jose Leonardo Martinez conducted by Barbara Tabach and Nathalie Martinez on August 19 and 29, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Session 1: Jose discusses his childhood and what it was like growing up during the Salvadoran Civil War. He recounts the dangers he's faced and how he made his way to the United States after traveling through Guatemala and Mexico. Subjects discussed include: Salvadoran Civil War; Ciudad Arce, El Salvador; Guatemala; Mexico; Los Angeles, California. Session 2: Jose continues his discussion of growing up in El Salvador and the violence he witnessed in the country's army during the 1980s. He also talks about his personal life after moving to the United States and his experiences navigating gang culture in Los Angeles, California. Jose recounts his previous jobs, his schooling, how he met his wife, and his family's move to Las Vegas. Subjects discussed include: El Salvador army; gang violence.
During this oral history, Rabbi Yocheved Mintz weaves the journey of her life before and during her move to Las Vegas. She recalls thinking the "whole world was Jewish" growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, and discusses finding a community in Las Vegas, and becoming a rabbi in 2004.
Yocheved (nee Porath) Mintz is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, where she grew up surrounded by Jewish tradition and teachings. Her grandfather was Rabbi Israel Porath and inspiration to become the family?s first female rabbi. She was ordained in May 2004. The next year she became the second spiritual leader of Valley Outreach Synagogue, now known as P?nai Tikvah. She soon was known as a tireless and inspirational rabbi for the entire Jewish community of Las Vegas. After eleven years, on June 17-18, 2016, Rabbi Mintz?s life and dedication to being Jewish were celebrated. She transitioned to be Rabbi Emerita/Senior Educator. Before moving from Chicago to Las Vegas in 1999 she was abundantly busy with raising four sons she had with her husband the late Dr. Alan Mintz (1938-2007). However, she also managed to pursue her education, become an interior designer, and co-found with her friend Etty Dolgin, a Jewish education consulting firm called Kesher Team. Yet there was a lingering goal to become a rabbi. Throughout her life, Yocheved eagerly studied various approaches to living a Jewish life. So once she had settled into Las Vegas, she began her commute to Los Angeles to study at the Academy for Jewish Religion, a trans-denominational seminary. She interned at Temple Beth Sholom and has been involved in Jewish education locally and nationally. She has served as the first president of the Las Vegas Board of Rabbis and on the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada.