Oral history interview with Benilda Long Somes conducted by Vincent Long on November 29, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Benilda discusses her life in Magalang, Philippines and her immigration to Saipan, part of the Northern Mariana Islands, as a young woman. She talks about meeting her partner, airman Robert Long, the birth of their son, and Robert's untimely death in an air crash less than a year later. Benilda shares how she and her child immigrated to the United States to be with family and their move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2009.
George was raised in Mattapan, a suburb of Boston, by his mother and father. George had four siblings and was the second youngest. George shares fond memories of growing up and playing softball and tennis in the neighborhood park with his numerous friends. George could listen to a song on the radio and play it on the piano by ear when he was as young as four years old. George had several jobs to earn money growing up, including working in a record store and as a busboy. Eventually George and his brother joined a trio with Steve Harrington and performed in clubs. In 1958, George joined his brother and Paulette Richards in Las Vegas where they had a contract to play at El Rancho Hotel & Casino where they played until it was destroyed by fire. Following the fire, George and his brother parted ways and each did their own thing. In the 1960s, George began playing with the band at Caesars Palace. George used his background in accounting to do some bookkeeping and payroll for some of the ban
The Stateside Lounge sign sits at 931 North Las Vegas Boulevard. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 931 N Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: Laura and Doris Atchinson Sign details: This bar opened up in 1996. They aim to be a place for people to have a cold drink and great food. It is a very popular hangout stop for baseball fans since it is within walking distance to Cashman Field. They are also known for their karaoke nights. Sign condition: 4, the sign is still in pretty good condition. It just looks worn from weather and time. Sign form: Roadside pole with a message center Sign-specific description: This pole sign sits along Las Vegas Boulevard and is extremely visible for motorist and pedestrians. A black rectangular pole supports the two portions that make up this sign. The top portion is a wide rectangular shape and both sides of the sign have the same design on them. Each side has a red background with the word "Stateside" in white script open cabinet letters along the top of it. Under this is a plastic backlit sign in the shape of the state of Nevada. The words "JUST ONE MORE" in bold red text are in the in the middle of the Nevada sign as well as an illustration of a foamy glass of beer. Under this is the word "Lounge" in white script open cabinet letters. Surrounding the outside of this sign is a line of incandescent light bulbs that chase. Under this sign is a fairly large backlit message board. Sign - type of display: Neon, backlit, incandescent Sign - media: Steel and Plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint Sign animation: Chasing Notes: incandescent light bulbs Sign environment: This bar sits very close to Cashman Field and is just north of the Cultural Corridor. It is down the street from the Las Vegas Library, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, and the Neon Museum. It is also just down the road from Fremont Street. Sign - thematic influences: Since the bar is called "Stateside Lounge," featuring the state of Nevada emphasizes the theme of the bar. Also, the illustration of the beer and the "Just One More" on the sign articulate that the property is a bar. Sign - artistic significance: This sign is fairly minimal, but has a few striking details that make it unique compared to other bars throughout the city. Featuring the shape of the state of Nevada lets people know that this sign is a nod to the bar's home state. Also, the "Just One More" text in the center of the Nevada shape as well as the illustration of the beer make the property seem very welcoming and like somewhere you wound wants to spend time at. Survey - research locations: Assessor's website Survey - research notes: There is no specific date of any redesign; however, in earlier photographs the sign was originally blue with a red pole instead of being red with a black pole. Survey - other remarks: https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/sports-columns/ron- kantowski/51s-fans- dont-feel- likealiens-at- stateside-lounge/ https://www.yelp.com/biz/stateside-lounge- las-vegas Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro Survey - date completed: 2017-09-10 Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint; Chasing; Roadside; Pole sign
The Cupid's Wedding Chapel sits at the north east corner of East Hoover Avenue at 827 South Las Vegas Boulevard. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 827 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: Bellevue Holdings Sign details: The original construction of this building was in 1950. This chapel is known for their weddings with Elvis Presley, James Brown and Johnny Cash impersonators. Sign condition: 5- The sign is in very good condition with bright colored graphics with little/no fading Sign form: Pylon Sign-specific description: This sign has a white steel beam as its base. The shape of their sign is a red heart with a white arrow going through it. The red heart portion of the sign has a red steel sign box within this is a back lit red plastic sign with white font on it. Surrounding this sign is exterior skeletal neon that illuminates red at night time. The font on their sign states "Cupid's Wedding Chapel" with the word Cupid in a bubble cursive font and the "Wedding Chapel" portion in a white block font. Surrounding these letters are white hearts as well as an image of Cupid shooting a love arrow. The white arrow that shoots through the heart sign showcases flashing incandescent light bulbs. Sign - type of display: Neon, incandescent and plastic backlit sign Sign - media: Steel and plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic backlit sign Sign animation: Flasher for incandescent light bulbs Sign environment: This location is a few blocks south of Fremont Street on Las Vegas Blvd. This chapel has other wedding chapels near it as well as the city courthouse and a few antique shops. Sign - date of installation: This sign has been up since at least 2007. Sign - thematic influences: The heart and arrow is symbolic to depict love and Cupid specifically, which helps showcase the theme and name of this location. Sign - artistic significance: Chapels perpetuate Las Vegas as the Marriage capital of the world as well as maintaining their Neon Signs really pays tribute to Las Vegas' vintage culture. Survey - research locations: Cupid's Chapel website http://www.cupidswedding.com/, Asessor's Page, Top 20 chapels in Vegas website https://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/top-20- vegas-wedding- chapels-1018.html , history channel website http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of- valentines- day/pictures/valentines-day/cupids- wedding-chapel- in-las- vegas Survey - research notes: The Cupid's Wedding Chapel sign was showcased on History. Com discussing Valentine's Day Weddings, and they gave the number that there were 2.2 million marriages in the U.S. in 2007 and 126,354 took place in Nevada. http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of- valentines- day/pictures/valentines-day/cupids- wedding-chapel- in-las- vegas Survey - other remarks: They were ranked 5 on the top 20 chapels to get married at here in Vegas. https://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/top-20- vegas-wedding- chapels-1018.html Surveyor: Emily Fellmer Survey - date completed: 2017-09-09 Sign keywords: Steel; Plastic; Backlit; Incandescent; Flashing; Neon; Pole sign