William Dean Whitaker was born in 1925 and raised in a suburb of Los Angeles, California. Dean, as he is known, talks briefly about his parents and his brothers, for his youth quickly ended when he joined the Air Force and became an aviation cadet once he had turned 18 years old. The year was 1943 and World War II was raging. He became a member of the 398 th Bomb Group and flew twenty missions before being captured by the Germans. In this oral history, Dean talks with vivid recollection of the day he was captured and details of being a POW in Germany. Among his anecdotes are those of his mother's unwavering belief that he would return home, the humanity of a German soldier, and of meeting Gen. George Patton. Included are photos and excerpts from his personal history of his life during the war. Dean and his wife Lucille moved to Las Vegas in 1990.
Oral history interview with Rodel Fuentes conducted by Tracy Fuentes on December 4, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Rodel Fuentes tells stories of his upbringing in Manila, Philippines, where he was raised in a shared family home amongst his parents, siblings, aunts, and uncles. He talks about his parents' immigration to the United States and how he later joined them in Los Angeles, California where he met and married his wife. Rodel Fuentes shares the couple's decision to move to Las Vegas, Nevada, his work at Dunn Edwards paint company, and how he became a licensed general contractor and real estate agent where he now owns his own company. Rodel Fuentes discusses his thoughts on Las Vegas' diversity, affordability, restaurants, and Asian community. He also talks about experiencing anti-Asian hate, worsened by misconceptions and discrimination that came from the COVID-19 pandemic.
LaVerne Ligon discusses auditioning for the show Hallelujah Hollywood at the new MGM. She auditioned for Bob Mackie and Donn Arden, who wanted her to be topless in the show. She refused. Three weeks later, Donn Arden called her and said that she had changed his mind and he really wanted her in the show and she didn't have to go topless. In fact the entire line of Black dancers that he was putting together for the show did not have to go topless.
From the Dennis McBride Photograph Collection (PH-00263) -- LGBTQ+ events and organizations in Las Vegas, Nevada -- Digital images file. Notes from the donor, Dennis McBride: Ruben Kihuen was later elected to the U. S. House of Representatives from Nevada's District 4. Accused of sexual misconduct he did not seek re-election in 2018. Individuals identified by the donor, Dennis McBride: Heidi Swank [Nevada State Assemblywoman, District 16, Democrat]; Ruben Kihuen [Nevada State Assemblyman, District 10, Democrat]; James Healey [Nevada State Assemblyman, District 35, Democrat (gay)]; unidentified Club Metro owner; Mother Loosey Lust Bea Lady [aka Tracy Skinner (Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence)]; unidentified man; Tony Clark; unidentified Sin Sity Sister
Local news segment on Consumer Electronic Show, and the "home of the future" being built in the Stardust parking lot in preparation for CES. NextGen Home spokesperson Paul Trudeau speaks on how energy efficient this self-powering home is; video shows construction crews assemblying the home with the Stardust hotel tower in the back. The NextGen Home representative answers questions about the construction of the home, the interior features, and how these amenities are available to anyone building a home in Las Vegas. He references it being a "smart home" with electronics to set features to turn on/off automatically. Second segment shows interior features of the home, including ways to save space, safety cameras, automatic blinds, and much more. Third segment has an interview with Microsoft representative explaining all the wireless smart display features, and having high speed internet access in the home. Additional segments have more interior and exterior views of the home, as well as reporters presenting from the CES showroom floor. Original media VHS, color, aspect ratio 4 x 3, frame size 720 x 486. From the Stardust Resort and Casino Records (MS-00515) -- Photographs and audiovisual material -- Digitized audiovisual material file.