Oscar Baylin Goodman (1939- ) is the former mayor of the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, serving 12 years until 2011, when he swore in his wife of over 50 years, Carolyn Goodman. Oscar Goodman is the official ambassador of Las Vegas, and the chairman of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) Host Committee. He is also known as one of the best criminal defense attorneys in the United States, and spent 35 years defending alleged Mob figures such as Meyer Lansky, Frank Rosenthal, and Anthony Spilotro. Goodman is the primary visionary and a member of the board of directors of The Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas, which opened in 2012. Goodman was born June 26, 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned his undergraduate degree from Haverford College in 1961 and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1964. That same year he moved to Las Vegas and in 1965 he was admitted to the Nevada State Bar. He served as Clark County?s chief deputy public defender from 1966 to 1967. Goodman was elected as mayor of Las Vegas for the first time in 1999. During his three terms (the legal limit), he contributed to the economic and cultural development of the downtown area by supporting projects such as the arts district and Union Park, a high-rise residential and business project he helped to secure 61 acres of land for. He helped to begin what he called the ?Manhattanization? of downtown, which included the construction of taller buildings for better use of the area?s prime real estate. In this interview, Goodman discusses the role of Judaism in his life, from childhood to adulthood to parenting his own four children. He touches on his involvement with Temple Beth Sholom, including serving as its president, as well as in local development projects like the Lou Ruvo Cleveland Clinic Brain Health Center, Smith Center for the Performing Arts, and Mob Museum. In addition, Goodman discusses the impact of Jewish residents on the city and its development, and mentions leaders in the gaming industry, legal profession and in politics.
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Irwin Kishner (1933 ? 2017) was a noted real estate developer, attorney and longtime community leader. In this oral history interview conducted in 2013, he briefly shares his childhood growing up Jewish in Brighton Beach area of Brooklyn, New York. He often speaks of himself in the third person, as he brings to life his roots, his family?s move to Miami where he graduated from high school and the tale of his relocation to Las Vegas to work with his uncles Herman and Maury Kishner. He describes his entrance to Las Vegas as that of a bon vivant. And truly, Irwin, fell in love with the city from the moment he arrived in 1960. Irwin was a graduate of University of Florida (1954) and University of Miami Law School (1958). Both his daughters, Sharon and Joanna, were born in Las Vegas and he reminisces about becoming a Jewish bachelor father to them. In June 2013, shortly before this interview, Irwin celebrated his 80th birthday. He was a proud father, grandfather and energetic businessman who left an indelible mark on everyone he knew. As a developer, he was known for the Somerset Apartments, Somerset House Motel, Somerset Gardens apartment complex, and the Somerset Shopping Center. He enjoyed reflecting on the many community organizations he dedicated himself to, from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to Opportunity Village to the original Las Vegas Rotary Club to the Community Concert Association?and that?s just to mention a few.
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Summary of the damage from a flood in the Moapa Valley on March 3-5, 1938
Transcribed Notes: Transcribed from handwritten text on pg. 3: "West of the Flood Channel and on west side of Highway except for a few acres west of Highway and East of Channel in Logandale above point where Highway bridge crosses Channel. # 10 acres early vegetables were silted over lightly making them unfit for shipment. About 5-10 acres will need re-leveling. One of the most important aspects of the entire experience, that of the supervisory personnel getting this lesson which could not be learned without just such an object lesson."
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Gordon Bettles and two others inspecting the rye in preparation for cutting it on the T & T Ranch in the Amargosa Valley.
Transcribed Notes: Transcribed from photo sleeve: "Inscription on the back of the original photo, written by Billie Bettles in the 1980s reads: this [picture] was made the day they were cutting rye, 1949. House and outbuildings were constructed by Gordon Bettles on the T & T Ranchk, Amargosa Valley, NV, about 1949. The house pictured on the right was moved to this location from Death Valley Junction, California, by the Bettles. A field of rye is pictured in the foreground. The man on the right is Gordon Bettles and the 2 men on the left are unidentified, though the man on the far left may be M. P. 'Gless' Glessner."
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Photographic postcard showing the Las Vegas Club, Main and Fremont at night. Printed text on back of postcard: "Located in the very heart of downtown Las Vegas, the LAS VEGAS CLUB combines traditional friendliness with superbly comfortable accommodations. Your stay in Las Vegas will be more memorable when you make the LAS VEGAS CLUB your headquarters for fun and relaxation. Main & Fremont, Downtown Casino Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. Kolor View Press, Los Angeles, Ca., 90064, 213-272-8615."
Site Name: Las Vegas Club
Address: 18 East Fremont Street
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