James Frey was born in Eureka, South Dakota, in 1941. His father worked in creamery and his mother was a registered nurse. When James was nine, the family,including his twin sister, relocated in Sioux Falls where his dad was plant manager for a dairy. He joined the YMCA in the fourth grade and ended up working for them until James attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, graduating with a major in sociology and a minor in history. After graduation, he worked for three years at the YMCA in Sioux Falls as program director. He earned his master's degree in sociology at the University of Iowa in two years, and was hired at the YMCA in Whittier, California, where he worked for three years. While working in Whittier, James was offered a fellowship to Washington State University in Pullman. He committed to completing his doctorate in three years, and while still working on his dissertation began sending out applications. He sent one to UNLV and arrived in Las Vegas for an interview in 1974. James was hired as assistant professor of sociology at UNLV, and immediately established a survey center at the university. He also converted his dissertation into a book length manuscript and had it published, followed by other books and articles over the years. He conducted a survey on a very high-profile political race between Sheriff Ralph Lamb and his opponent, John McCarthy, which led to work for the State of Nevada, Yucca Mountain, and other entities. The survey program was eventually named the Cannon Center for Survey Research, after Senator Howard Cannon. In the course of his career, James was tenured, taught in London under a university sponsored program, spent a sabbatical in Washington, D.C., doing research, taught several classes, and served seven years as dean. He has detailed memories of the contributions of several university presidents, including Brock Dixon, Pat Goodall, Robert Maxson, Kenny Guinn, and Carol Harter. Today, Dr. James Frey and his wife of over thirty years, Carol, are both retired. He has made a smooth transition to president of his Rotary Club, Chairman of the Nevada Humanities group, and spectator at UNLV basketball and football games. He and his wife plan to stay in Las Vegas, close to their son and friends and neighbors they know and love.

Information about the The Beat Coffeehouse sign that sits at 520 Fremont St.
Site address: 520 Fremont St
Sign owner: Michael and Jennifer Cornthwaite
Sign details: This location opened in 2009, but closed in 2016. It will reopen as Eureka!, which is a chain of restaurants based in California.
Sign condition: 5- was a relatively new sign and shined brightly
Sign form: Hanging sign
Sign-specific description: This sign was skeletal neon making the letters "the beat" in a bubble letter font. The word 'the' lights up blue and 'beat' is red neon.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign environment: This location is in the Fremont East District on Fremont and 6th Street in the Emergency Arts Center.
Sign - date of redesign/move: Currently this sign is not visible from public view
Sign - thematic influences: This sign showcases a good use of skeletal neon.
Sign - artistic significance: The property's decor is representative of the bohemian, indie, hipster trend of the mid 2000s into the the 2010s.
Survey - research locations: Review Journal article https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/the-beat-coffeehouse-in-downtown-las-vegas-to-close-later-this-year/ , The Beat website http://www.thebeatlv.com/ , Las Vegas Weekly article https://lasvegasweekly.com/intersection/2016/jul/12/losing-the-beat-coffeehouse-detriment-to-downtown/ , Vegas Eater website https://vegas.eater.com/2016/9/26/13051480/the-beat-coffeehouse-closes
Surveyor: Wyatt Currie-Diamond
Survey - date completed: 2017-09-17
Sign keywords: Neon; Hanging