Search Results
Transcript of interview with Todd Jones by Claytee White, January 7, 2010
Date
Archival Collection
Description
In 1991, Todd Jones arrived in Las Vegas to become a professor of philosophy at University of Nevada Las Vegas. He immediately liked the John S. Park neighborhood, where he had friends—members of a poetry group and other professors. He was attracted to the vintage esthetics and the feel of streets lined with large trees. It was a contrast with the explosion of homes being built in the city during the 1990s. Todd knew if ever bought a house, it would be there. In 2000 he did. He describes his impressions of the neighborhood's history as an old Mormon area. He also classifies the residents as being members of what her describes as three or four very distinct populations: "urban professionals, old Mormons, professors and lots of immigrants from Mexico. Todd talks about the neighborhood website that once existed and his impression of the political leanings of residents. At one point he worked as a Democrat precinct captain.
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Transcript of interview with Willie Jones, James Jones, and Jamet Jones by Robbin Mc Laurin, March 5, 1980
Date
Archival Collection
Description
On March 5, 1980, collector Robbin McLaurin interviews three members of the Jones family, Willie, James, and Jamet Jones (born 1923, 1920, and 1961, respectively) in the Jones home. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born in Forest, Mississippi, and relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, for employment related purposes. This interview covers Las Vegas, past and present.
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Transcript of interview with Marie Jordan by Danny Budak, March 20, 1978
Date
Archival Collection
Description
On March 20, 1978, collector Danny Budak interviewed the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) bookstore buyer, Marie Jordan (born June 26th, 1940 in Arizona) in the UNLV library. This interview offers Marie Jordan’s personal perspective of life in Nevada, being a local resident for twenty years. Marie also discusses family life and changes that she has witnessed in the Valley.
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Transcript of interview with Marie Jordan by Edward Gentry, February 27, 1981
Date
Archival Collection
Description
On February 27, 1981, Edward Gentry interviewed Marie Jordan in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two discuss social differences between Arizona and Las Vegas, particularly in the ways schools were segregated in Las Vegas. Jordan also discusses the “Whites Only” policy on the Strip and Downtown. The interview concludes with Jordan sharing her views on the importance of helping others.
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Transcript of interview with Madeline Kadin by Kathy Mandel, March 8, 1975
Date
Archival Collection
Description
On March 8, 1975, Kathy Mandel interviewed housewife Madeline Kadin (born in New York) in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also present for the interview is Madeline’s husband, who is referred to as “Mr. Kadin.” The three discuss differences between early Las Vegas and the present. The Kadins also explain the history of Helldorado and how it has changed over the years.
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Transcript of interview with Yorgo Kagafas by Claytee White, January 14, 2010
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Yorgo Kagafas is a self-described "urban guy." He became an Urban Planner for the City of Las Vegas in 1999. A farm boy from Ohio, he was educated at The Ohio State University, served in the US Navy and earned a M.A. in Environmental Planning from Arizona State University. He came to Las Vegas with a successful grassroots experience from living in a historic Phoenix neighborhood. His unique background complemented his new job which was to implement the Neighborhood Planning Process, a proactive system for Las Vegas communities to express their neighborhood desires prior to a developer coming in with their own agenda. In this interview he explains the criteria that must be met in this process. By coincidence, Yorgo moved into the John S. Park Neighborhood. He was attracted to its central location, intact residential neighborhood, and homes with character at affordable prices. While walking his dog one day, he met neighborhood leader, Bob Bellis, and became aware of neighborhood activism that could use his expertise. Yorgo points out that the good-old-boy mentality that still existed in Las Vegas was a potential obstacle. However he, Bob, and others were able to rally the homeowners and became a textbook example of how the Neighborhood Planning Process should work. He helped them identify their main issues: 1) Mary Dutton Park rehabilitation; 2) code enforcement of property maintenance; 3) attaining historic designation; 4) halting commercial encroachment. That was the first battle, according to Yorgo. With that done, they could next devise and implement a plan, which he describes. The process officially began March 14 2000. In June 2001, the Las Vegas City Council approved the final document.
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Transcript of interview with Daniel Kaminski by Brian Corcoran, March 14, 1978
Date
Archival Collection
Description
On March 14, 1978, Brian Corcoran interviewed Twenty-One dealer Daniel Kaminski (born November 17th, 1947 in New Jersey) about his life in Southern Nevada. The two discuss Kaminski’s occupational history and gambling practices amongst tourists. They then go in depth on the rise of gambling establishments across the United States and the impacts it may have on Las Vegas. The interview concludes with a discussion on the role of dealers in casinos.
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Patrick P. Keenan interview, February 28, 1977: transcript
Date
Archival Collection
Description
On February 28th, 1977, collector Clyde C. Caldwell interviewed Patrick P. Keenan (born January 24th, 1905 in New York) at his house in Henderson, Nevada. Mr. Keenan discusses Las Vegas and Henderson in the 1950s. He also speaks about working on the Strip and the changes he has seen in Las Vegas over time.
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Transcript of interview with Ray Keith by David Alexander, March 3, 1980
Date
Archival Collection
Description
On March 3, 1980, David Alexander interviewed community volunteer, Ray Keith (born October 1st, 1911 in Montgomery, Alabama) in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada about her life and memories of Southern Nevada. The two discuss how Keith first arrived in Las Vegas and the addresses that she has lived at. The interview concludes with Keith explaining how she helped to charter the “Home of the Good Shepherd” housing facilities with local Las Vegas women in the sixties.
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Transcript of interview with Dolly Kelepecz by Claytee D. White, April 29, 2009
Date
Archival Collection
Description
Dolly Kelepecz loves dance. Her entire life has been filled with the joy of movement. In this interview, Dolly begins with her life growing up in Covina, California and traveling with the Los Angeles Ballet Society as a young dancer. Eventually her career opportunities would have her traverse the globe as a dancer and as a circus entertainer. Her Las Vegas roots took hold in the mid-1970s when she was hired as a dancer in the Bluebells at a 19-year-old. She provides details of being a Las Vegas showgirl, crossing paths with Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, working with Fluff LeCoque, and becoming a dancer in Stardust's Lido show. Today Dolly is an instructor at UNLV, an important part of her legacy is working with young people. She also explains how she was integral in bringing Pilates to the valley, which continues to be a thriving studio here.
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