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Transcript of interview with Steven and Wendy Hart by Barbara Tabach, October 23, 2014
Steven Hart was born on April 7, 1946, and moved to Las Vegas as a one-year-old with his parents Nat and Sylvia Hart. After graduating from Las Vegas High School, Steven Hart went through an apprenticeship program to become a journeyman carpenter as his father wanted him to learn all phases of the hotel, restaurant, gaming, and business. Including hot to build and design them. He then enlisted in the United States Navy and joined its construction battalion during the Vietnam War. Upon his return to Las Vegas, Steven followed in his father?s footsteps working in the casino industry. Nat Hart was one of the city?s original celebrity chefs and corporate vice president of food and beverage for Caesars World. Well-known for his restaurants at Caesars Palace and the Desert Inn, and for his popular gourmet cooking school. During his long career as a successful gaming executive, Steven worked at several properties, including the International Hotel as food and beverage controller. He was the vice president of food and beverage for the Del Web Corporation. The assistant corporate food and beverage director at the Argent Corporation as well as the Casino Credit executive and Junket Representative for Caesars World. He worked as executive casino host at Bills Gamblin Hall and Hotel in addition to working as the hotel gaming consultant with Hart Gaming LLC. Steve?s wife and dad also owned Kazuku Yakitori, Ichi Ban Japanese steak house, Ringside Bar and Grill and the World Boxing Hall of Champions Museum. In 1985, Steven married Texas-born Wendy Stark Hart, who is also present during this oral history interview. Wendy Hart also pursued a career as an executive in the food and beverage industry. Together, Steven and Wendy Hat reflect at length about Nat Hart?s successful career, particularly as longtime corporate vice president of food and beverage for Caesars World Inc., and opening many of the company's restaurants at Caesars Palace locally and in Atlantic City. Steve and his dad also put in many restaurants for many of the Las Vegas Strip hotels. They discuss both Nat?s relationships with infamous industry figures, like Frank Rosenthal and Hy Goldbaum, and Nat?s dining endeavors with other industry leaders such as like Kirk Kerkorian and Stu and Cliff Pearman. They also highlight the innovation and creativity that Nat brought to his work. Steven also talks about his own career path, from working small jobs at the hotels while in high school, to his military service and developing construction skills, to learning various aspects of the gaming industry management. He reminisces about his childhood in Las Vegas and involvement with Jewish community, including being the first bar mitzvah at Temple Beth Sholom and later serving as president of Jewish War Veterans, Post 711.
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Audio clip from interview with Bernie and Barbara Kaufman by Barbara Tabach, October 27, 2014
Part of an interview with Bernie (Bernard) and Barbara Kaufman on October 27, 2014. In this clip, the Kaufmans reflect upon their decision to move to Las Vegas.
Sound
Emily Persaud-Zamora oral history interview
Oral history interview with Emily Persaud-Zamora conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on January 17, 2023 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Persaud-Zamora remembers growing up in Queens, New York and being exposed to numerous cultures and ethnicities. Though her parents separated when she was two, Persaud-Zamora maintained a steady relationship with both. Her mother was originally from Brazil and worked as a chef, primarily for private homes. Her father was an immigrant from Guyana, with roots in India, and did catering for large events and eventually moved to Georgia. Growing up she recalls being between two worlds, never feeling quite Brazilian enough or Asian enough, but still being connected to her Hindu roots in various ways. When she was fifteen, Persaud-Zamora and her mother moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she continued high school and describes the cultural differences between the two places she had lived. After high school, she received a degree in political science and ended up working in public policy. Her current position at Silver State Voices involves work with many different organizations across Nevada to advocate for progressive issues and underrepresented communities. Throughout the interview, Persaud-Zamora touches on a number of other issues, including her religion, traditions, and family.
Archival Collection
Transcript of interview with Stanley Weiner by Kyle Wolff, March 12, 1978
Interview with Stanley Weiner by Kyle Wolff on March 12, 1978. In this interview, Weiner begins by talking about his father's employment, and then his own series of jobs, including as a department manager at Sears. He discusses living in different parts of town, population growth, educational opportunities, transportation, and recreation. The interviewer asks specific questions about sports, hotels, unions, and the weather.
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Clip 2 from interview with Doris, Gerald and Marcy Welt, November 30, 2014
Part of an interview with Doris, Jerry and Marcy Welt on November 30, 2014. In this clip, the Welts talk about Las Vegas in the early 1970s, the opening of Boulevard Mall, and the community of Jewish families who all knew one another.