Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal

Search Results

Display    Results Per Page
Displaying results 1381 - 1390 of 13818

Charlie Lombardo oral history interview

Identifier
OH-02739
Abstract

Oral history interview with Charlie Lombardo conducted by David G. Schwartz on June 28, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Lombardo discusses working with coin wrapping machines, the 1980 MGM Grand fire, and learning the operational and technical aspects of slot machines. Lombardo also speaks about what he believes makes both good and bad slot managers, slot floors, and new slot machines. He then describes some of the changes in slots and slot management over the years, including both the Megabucks and Pot of Gold slot jackpots.

Archival Collection

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.

Text

Christine Szukala oral history interview: transcript

Date
2021-11-12
Description

Oral history interview with Christine Szukala conducted by Bridgette Foote on November 12, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Christine shares her family history and the story of her Thai mother and American Air Force father who met in Thailand and married before moving to the United States in 1970. She talks about her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada near Nellis Air Force base with her six siblings. Christine discusses her beliefs of how her newly immigrated mother adapted to American life, including altering her recipes to fit her husband's taste and reducing her visits to nearby Buddhist temples.

Text

Jane Heenan oral history interviews

Identifier
OH-02552
Abstract

Oral history interviews with Jane Heenan conducted by Dennis McBride on June 21 and 28, and August 30, 2005 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In the interviews, Heenan begins by clarifying the vocabulary used within the transgender and queer communities for self-identification, comparing these terms with terms used in the medical and psychological fields. They then discusses the distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation. Next, Heenan recalls growing up and in Chicago, Illinois, coming out in the 1990s, and undergoing sex reassignment surgery. Lastly, they talk about arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994, the Las Vegas transgender support and advocacy community, and Las Vegas transgender organizations.

Archival Collection

Russell K. Grater oral history interviews

Identifier
OH-00707
Abstract

Oral history interviews with Russell K. Grater conducted by Dennis McBride on March 15 and 28, 1995 for the Boulder City Library Oral History Project. Grater opens his interview by discussing his upbringing on a farm in Indiana. Grater talks about his career with the National Park Service and how his mother's interest in birds guided his professional interests. He discusses the locations he has worked, including Grand Canyon National Park and Lake Mead Recreation Area. Grater describes his work classifying and studying plants. Lastly, Grater discusses his interactions with the Civilian Conservation Corps at Lake Mead.

Archival Collection

Marion B. Earl oral history interview

Identifier
OH-00507
Abstract

Oral history interview with Marion B. Earl conducted by Perry Kaufman on April 04, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Earl discusses his personal Las Vegas, Nevada history, including his time as Chamber of Commerce president, restaurants he enjoyed on Fremont Street, and land distributors building up Downtown Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Mel Greb oral history interview

Identifier
OH-00726
Abstract

Oral history interview with Mel Greb conducted by an unknown collector on March 11, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Greb discusses his experiences as a boxing fanatic in Las Vegas, Nevada. Greb also describes attending hundreds of boxing matches, including significant championship matches. Greb then explains the requirements to become a successful boxer.

Archival Collection

Transcript of interview with John E. Craddock by Melody Craddock, April 10, 1977

Date
1977-04-10
Description
On April 10, 1977, Melody Craddock interviewed her father, Dr. John E. Craddock (b. 1922 in San Diego, California), at their home about his experiences while living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also present during the interview is Nancy Craddock, Melody’s mother, and George Apfel, Melody’s boyfriend. John, who was a dentist in the Navy, describes how Las Vegas was when he first arrived to the city in 1952. The three also discuss the development of the nearby Twin Lakes and Lorenzi Park, John’s personal experiences in witnessing the effects of the atomic testing, and the family’s experiences during trips to the nearby mines. John also talks about hunting in different parts of the state and finalizes the interview by describing the development of the different local airports.

Text

Transcript of interview with Chic Hecht by Julie Sefman, April 2, 1976

Date
1976-04-02
Description

Interview with Chic Hecht Julie Sefman on April 2, 1976. In this brief interview, Hecht talks about his time in the state senate working to bolster the budget with sales tax and gaming tax, starting a community college and health programs. He also talks about Pop Squires, a newspaper man and advocate for building Hoover Dam, who had a home on the site of Chic Hecht's clothing store on Fremont Street. Hecht also describes his time in the military and his involvement with the Military Intelligence Association.

Text

Juan Saa oral history interview

Identifier
OH-02906
Abstract

Oral history interview with Juan Saa conducted by David G. Schwartz on November 21, 2016 for the Slot Operations Oral History Project. Saa discusses his start in the technical side and his eventual move into an operational role in the casino industry. He talks about his experience as a director, specifically the responsibilities involved, and the type of staff being supervised. Saa then describes what he believes are the biggest changes in the slot industry, specifically with ticket-in, ticket-out (TITO); and slot analysis.

Archival Collection