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Carmon Meswarb interview, April 15, 1976: transcript

Date

1976-04-15

Description

On April 15, 1976, Judy Hammer interviewed Carmon Meswarb (b. February 9, 1932 in Cedar Falls, Iowa) about his life as a musician in Las Vegas, Nevada. Meswarb discusses how he ended up in Las Vegas, the musicians union and his time playing in a relief band. Meswarb also delves into the different entertainment acts of the 1950s and 1960s, the big-name performers, the city’s showgirls and racial segregation in entertainment. Moreover, Matson talks about the changing landscape of the city, residential areas and the changed attitude of the Strip. The interview ends with Meswarb discussing the short stint of Broadway shows on the Las Vegas Strip.

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Rosamond McDougal interview, February 14, 1979: transcript

Date

1979-02-14

Description

On February 14, 1979, Concepcion Fernandez interviewed Rosamond McDougal (born in Texas) about her life as a teacher in Las Vegas. McDougal speaks primarily about her time as a teacher in the Clark County School District, her unique class setup and the district’s changes. Moreover, McDougal speaks about the growing number of students and teachers, the superintendent’s role in bond issues, the courses offered, racial integration in the school district (and the casinos), and the building of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. McDougal gives personal anecdotes about her family, her husband’s job at the Atomic Test Site and her time as an organ player in churches around the city. Lastly, she talks about recreational activities, Helldorado, the casinos and department stores.

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Transcript of interview with Jack Herst by Suzan DiFederico, March 1, 1976

Date

1976-03-01

Archival Collection

Description

On March 1st, 1976, Suzan DiFederico interviewed Jack Herst (born in 1943 in Las Vegas, Nevada) in his home on 3221 La Mirada Street, Las Vegas, Nevada. During the interview, DiFederico does not speak; rather, Herst appears to read and answer questions aloud from “DiFederico’s dossier.” Herst talks about the population growth in Nevada and emphasizes the significant changes Las Vegas has experienced from its origins as a small town. Herst also discusses his personal family history, his Jewish identity and community affiliations, as well as his employment history as a dealer and broker at different casinos.

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Photographs of Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel sign, Las Vegas (Nev.), February 8, 2017

Date

2017-02-08
2017-08-05

Description

The Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel sign sits at 1205 Las Vegas Boulevard South. The chapel has provided themed weddings since 1999. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 1205 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Ron Decar And Jamie Richards
Sign details: The building was constructed in 1950. This location was originally The Thunderbird Lounge. In 1999 it was bought by Ron and Jamie to be the Viva Las Las Vegas Wedding Chapel.
Sign condition: 4- still in good condition, paint is still bright
Sign form: Pylon
Sign-specific description: This sign showcases a pink and white color scheme. The sign has a caricature of Elvis, as well as other caricatures surrounding him. The words Viva Las Vegas are in pink channeled neon letters. This sign also has a video screen marquee. Underneath the video screen is sparkling incandescent light bulbs contained in channeled letters stating "Wedding Chapel". This sign also has a plastic back lit signs that advertises themed weddings and themed rooms.
Sign - type of display: Neon, Incandescent light bulbs, plastic back lit and video screen display
Sign - media: Steel, plastic and media screen.
Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic back lit section and Video Display screen.
Sign animation: Flasher for incandescent light bulbs
Sign environment: This location is on South Las Vegas Blvd. in between Downtown and the Strip. This chapel is next to a Super 8 motel, a couple blocks from the Little White Wedding Chapel, across the street from two Hostels.
Sign manufacturer: Thompson Neon Sign Company and Hyoco Sign Company(the Video board display)
Sign - date of installation: 2000
Sign - date of redesign/move: 2004 video screen added
Sign - thematic influences: This sign showcases Vintage Las Vegas themes with Elvis and his relation to Vegas particularly with the name of the chapel and his caricature on the sign.
Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page, Viva Las Vegas Wedding chapel website http://www.vivalasvegasweddings.com/ , Email correspondence with Blaze Linn(wedding Coordinator)
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-05
Sign keywords: Flashing; Incandescent; Plastic; Backlit; Neon; Pylon; Steel; Video screen; Chasing; Back to back; Paint

Mixed Content

Transcript of interview with Russell Dazzio by Claytee D. White, November 4, 2013

Date

2013-11-04

Description

A special note: This interview was conducted in two parts before students of the UNLV College of Hotel Administration. Mr. Dazzio serves as a member of the college's International Advisory Board. During the interview he shares stories of his path from the son of an early dealer to being twenty-something working at the Stardust with Al Sachs and Frank Rosenthal to being a cofounder of R&R Global Hospitality. It was unlikely that Russ Dazzio's father had any idea of what he was bringing his young family into when he moved to Las Vegas from Pueblo, Colorado and became a dealer in the early 1950s. A few months afterwards, five-year-old Russ and his mother stepped off the Union Pacific train to join him. They walked down Fremont Street, "a tree lined horseshoe sidewalk", to the casino where his father dealt cards. No minors were allowed, so young Russ sipped an ice cold Coke and waited. From that point on, Russ's life became entwined with the growth and evolution of Las Vegas. After graduating from Western High School in 1968, Russ became one of the first students of the Hotel College at UNLV (then Southern Nevada). His studies were interrupted by enlisting in the Army during the Vietnam War, but he returned to his studies. During this interview he recalls his career path from a thirteen-year-old bus boy at the Thunderbird Hotel for $1.25 an hour to a finding himself working closely with Stardust executives Al Sachs and Frank Rosenthal while in his early 20s. He garnered a wealth of experiences in his jump from the Strip to an international chain of successful hotels The interview is sprinkled with humorous stories and sage advice from a successful hotel operator for the ITT Sheraton chain and founding partner of R&R Global Hospitality, a third party management firm (started in 1985). This is a business story filled with the ups and downs caused by two recessions in the 1980s. Today Russ is ever-busy with projects underway. He maintains a close relationship with UNLV's Hotel College, serving on the International Advisory Board and is proud of being an alumnus.

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