Harvey Allen grew up poor in Philadelphia. After taking singing lessons at the Artie Singer Vocal School, he got jobs singing in night clubs up and down the east coast. He also took acting classes in New York and performed at the Copa Club. In the 1950s, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and auditioned for Jack Entratter at the Sands Hotel and Casino where he performed with numerous entertainers including Lena Home, Louis Armstrong, Tallulah Bankhead and Robert Merrill.
Ida Bowser was born in Tallulah, Louisiana, and in 1955 at the age of 10 she was brought to Las Vegas, Nevada to join her mother and other family members. The family originally lived on Washington and H Streets, and later moved to Madison Avenue. Ida and her brothers and sisters attended Madison Elementary School right down the block.
HENRY SHEPHERD MOVED FROM A LIFE OF SHARECROPPING ON A PLANTATION IN TALLULAH, LOUISIANA, WHERE THE PRIMARY CROPS WERE PEANUTS AND CORN. HE FOUND THE WORK IN LAS VEGAS REFRESHINGLY DIFFERENT AND LESS TAXING. HE WORKED AS A BARTENDER AT THE SANDS HOTEL, “THE PLACE TO BE.” HENRY WAS ABLE TO SEND HIS DAUGHTER TO COLLEGE. DURING THE PERIOD OF THIS 2014 INTERVIEW, SHE WAS WORKING ON HER DOCTORATE. THIS ONE GENERATIONAL ADVANCEMENT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CULINARY WORKERS UNION LOCAL 226. HIS VERY FIRST COCKTAIL PREPARED FOR A CUSTOMER WAS QUITE MEMORABLE. AFTER TRAINING WITH FREDDIE SALATTO, FREDDIE SAID, “HEY, WE WANT YOU TO WAIT ON THAT BLACK LADY,” I’M LIKE, “WHO IS SHE?” HE SAID, “LENA HORNE.” “I MIXED A MARTINI FOR HER.” THE CULINARY UNION GAVE HIM FLEXIBILITY. LEAVING THE SANDS, HENRY WENT TO THE LANDMARK, AND THEN CIRCUS CIRCUS. THE LUXOR WAS HIS FINAL STOP IN A CAREER THAT SPANNED OVER THREE DECADES. THIS FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT TO FIND BETTER AND BETTER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, WAS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE CULINARY UNION SERVICED ALL THOSE LOCATIONS. LIFE IS GOOD.
Part of an interview with Senator Joe Neal by Claytee White on February 7, 2006. Neal discusses his early work in the Nevada Legislature, including his support for restoring rights to felons and his opposition to capital punishment.