Jarmilla McMillan-Arnold’s father, Dr. James B. McMillan, was the first black dentist in the state of Nevada. Dr. McMillan’s colleagues consisted of Dr. West, the first black medical doctor in the state, and Dr. Ice, the first black surgeon in Nevada. This interview highlights and archives the solid foundation upon which Nevada’s black community was built. Jarmilla recalls early memories of growing up as the daughter of Las Vegas NAACP president Dr. McMillan. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, to a Caucasian and Indian mother who was a professional dancer. Jarmilla’s parents separated when she was very young and as a result she was raised by her paternal grandmother who owned a restaurant in Pontiac, Michigan. Jarmilla describes her grandmother as being well-known and highly regarded in the community where she maintained her business. Jarmilla attended Catholic schools in Detroit, Pontiac, and Las Vegas. Having moved to Las Vegas with her father, Jarmilla’s narrative offers keen insigh

Daytime and nighttime views of the Las Vegas World Souvenirs signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3710 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: property leased from MGM Mirage
Sign details: Located in the same lowrise building which the Las Vegas Helicopter Tours is located. See Las Vegas Helicopter Tours.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5 All of the lighting, surface, and structure seem to be intact, and in good repair. The signage appears fairly new, and less worn.
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: The Las Vegas World Souvenir shop and market, boasts a collection of signage, almost completely crafted out of channel letters. The basic design is an entablature created on the wall above a pedestrian's head. The entablature runs along the south, east, and north faces of the building. The design is essentially channel letter words separated by channel designed stars. On the south wall the sequence reads, "star shape, 'drinks,' star, 'souvenirs,' star then 'market'." The interior of the star shapes are lined along the contours with yellow neon. The all caps lettering has red neon tubing on the interior. The sequence on the east side of the building reads from left to right, " star shape, 'Souvenirs,' star shape, 'Las Vegas World,' star shape, 'drinks,' then another star shape." The words "souvenir" and "drinks" are spelled in the same text and size as the south side, while the phrase "Las Vegas World" is larger fulfilling most of the height of the entablature. The north side of the building is similar to that on the south. This side reads , "Souvenirs, star shape, 'Market,' star shape, 'Film,' and another star shape." On the wall below the pediment closed face channel letters spell two phrases. The black channel letters are faced with red translucent faces. The first phrase reads , "Daily Grand Canyon Flights," in all caps. The second reads "Nightly strip rides in all capitals.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign animation: Chasing
Sign manufacturer: Sign Systems, Inc
Sign - date of installation: 1996
Sign - thematic influences: There is no real present theme evident in the appearance other than the Emblem of the American flag crafted in neon on the front of the building. The incandescent bulb lined raceways and bulb filled channel letters, placed within a pediment hanging above the pedestrians head, posses a theme in a sense. It is a common occurrence to see such a combination of lighting among the strip to designate an establishment so its theme cold be considered to be that of Las Vegas. It's artistic significance can only be linked to such a trait. It is one of the most unique properties considering its function. Yes there are many facilities which offer tours but, this is the only one which provides helicopter tours that the pedestrian may watch take off. It is also one of the only establishments where the American flag is represented on the exterior in neon. It is also one of the only establishments where the incandescent bulb lined raceway is shaped into arrows. An interesting use of the most common adornment of exterior surveyed signage.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic