In this interview, Suzie discusses growing up in Las Vegas, with a strong community of friends, particularly within Temple Beth Sholom. She also talks about her real estate career, both in residential and commercial properties, highlighting some of the successes and challenges. She describes her working relationship with Milton Schwartz, as well her time working with the Greenspuns while selling advertising at the Las Vegas Sun.
Suzie Chenin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in August of 1949. The next year, her parents, Joseph and Irene Chenin, moved the family to Las Vegas. Her father, a dentist, was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, becoming the first Jewish dentist in the state ? and only the thirtieth overall. After graduating from Las Vegas High School, Suzie attended Arizona State University. However, she quit school and moved to Los Angeles where she got a job with a large real estate developer. This was her first foray into the industry. A few years later, back in Las Vegas, Suzie got her real estate license, eventually starting her own brokerage firm, Chenin and Associates.
Kerin Rodgers was born in 1936. She recounts her family history and stories of her youth growing up in Boston, MA, and shares how the family relocated to Seattle, WA in the mid-1940s. She talks about her enjoyment of theatrical arts and politics, and about being a resourceful divorced, single-mom and entrepreneur. In 1958 she opened a retail fashion store and modeling agency with a friend in Santa Monica, CA. Kerin had a knack for fashion and interior design that would assist her then and into the future. She also shares the story of arriving in Las Vegas as part of retail job with The Broadway stores in 1966—a two-week stint that seemed to have no ending. Her transition into Las Vegas included remarriage, a 1974 Keno win that enabled her to put down money on a home ( a house built by Paul Huffey) in the John S. Park neighborhood, and making close friends in the community. Her interview is sprinkled with tales of activities and personalities from the neighborhood's past and present. Kerin was involved with the Focus Youth House, speaks about First Fridays and art, as well as gives a perspective of police, criminal behaviors and changes in the neighborhood over the years. She hosted a local television show and enjoyed being a community activist.
Narrator affiliation: Health Physicist, Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company (REECo), Public Health Service (USPHS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Interviewed by Rodrigo Vazquez, Monserrath Hernández, and Barbara Tabach. Sylvia Alvarado talks about growing up in North Las Vegas and her Catholic upbringing in a Mexican household. Her studies in Journalism & Media Studies led her to her career as a radio host on English and Spanish-speaking programs. She also talks about speaking "pocha" Spanish and the Latinx influence in radio programming.
Information about the Poker Palace sign that sits at 2757 N Las Vegas Blvd. Site address: 2757 N Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: Marvin and Laura Coleman Sign details: This location opened 1974 with a castle theme. This location is also claimed as a locals casino. In 2015 their main pylon roadside sign caught on fire, but it was recently replaced. Sign condition: 4- the signs that were not in the fire are still in relatively good condition Sign form: Two pylons and architectural sign Sign-specific description: The building itself has many different neon signs on it mostly red neon. Also the buildings architecture matches the palace theme. There are two pylon signs the first one states "Poker Palace Bingo" in channeled neon letters, then below is a reader board. The second pylon is just north a little of the first one, this is the one that caught on fire in 2015. After the fire the beam bases of the sign remained. This sign has "Poker Palace Casino" in red channeled letters. Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent Sign - media: Steel and plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Reader board Sign animation: Flasher for incandescent light bulbs. Sign environment: This is located in North Las Vegas in a residential area and by a few other small businesses. Sign - date of installation: Late 2015/ early 2016 for new pylon sign, others look to be older Sign - date of redesign/move: 2015 pylon sign went up in flames and was destroyed, then replaced Sign - thematic influences: The building looks like a palace which goes with their names and theme. Also their signs showcases similar shapes to the building. Survey - research locations: Poker Palace website http://pokerpalace.net/History.html , Images of sign , Review Journal article https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/nlv-casino-marquee-fire-sends-up-plume-visible-for-miles/ Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond Survey - date completed: 2017-08-23 Sign keywords: Architectural; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Flashing; Reader board; Pylon; Fascia