Oral history interview with Ava Carino conducted by Isabelle Rice on November 20, 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Carino recalls their experience as a Filipino American growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. They discuss working in the gaming industry, past traumatic experiences, and their family's immigration story. Please note the following disclaimer: This interview contains language or content that some may find offensive or triggering. Please contact special.collections@unlv.edu for further information.
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Oral history interview with Mildred Bardy conducted by Deborah Grant on March 11, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview Bardy discusses the famous celebrities who would come to purchase clothing at the specialty clothing department store where she worked, as well as the costumes that were made there for the Helldorado Parade. Bardy also discuss some of the changes in Las Vegas over time, particularly the changes in fashion styles.
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Oral history interview with Paul A. Beach conducted by William Gekakis on February 17, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview, Beach discusses housing, physical boundaries of the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, the airport, church, and transportation. Beach also discusses tourist recreation, the economy, Nellis Air Force Base, the Las Vegas Strip, industries, presidential visits, the Korean War, atomic tests, and the educational system.
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Oral history interview with Chris Bianchi conducted by David Schwartz on April 14, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Bianchi discusses his career as a pit boss and his overall career in gaming. Bianchi then discusses the procedures that a pit master must follow, and how strictly these procedures were enforced. Lastly, Bianchi discusses how to motivate players, the positive aspects of being a card dealer, including different competitions that he worked.
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Oral history interview with Elliott Schecter conducted by David Schwartz on May 27, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Schecter discusses his career as a card dealer at various casinos, including Seminole Hollywood, Downstream Casino Resort, Snoqualmie Casino, Reno Hilton, and the Palms in Las Vegas. Schecter also discusses card dealing in cruise ships, including Discovery cruises, the Palm Beach Princess, and the Palm Beach Kennel Club.
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Oral history interview with Linda Hartley conducted by Pauline Marchese on March 10, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview, the two discuss Hartley’s personal history, such as schools that she had attended and her recollection of local recreational activities. The two go on to talk about changes in crime, the environment, and briefly discuss a variety of issues at the time, including: segregated schools, prostitution, and effects of the Nevada Test Site.
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Oral history interview with Louise Kirkwood conducted by Richard Probst on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Kirkwood discusses her life in Southern Nevada and her experience with navigating Las Vegas, Nevada as streets and buildings, home values, and living expenses changed over time. Kirkwood also discusses the energy crisis of the 1970s and the resulting gasoline rationing; the growth of the Strip, and pollution caused by atomic testing.
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Oral history interview with Gene Leavitt conducted by his son, Monte Leavitt, on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Mr. Leavitt talks about his career as a truck and bus driver. He also talks about the life in Southern Nevada, the soldiers stationed here, and gambling. Leavitt also briefly discusses doing drilling work on the Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
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Oral history interview with Rena Lees conducted by Bill Young on March 19, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Lees talks about her experience living in Las Vegas, Nevada from the 1930s to 1950s. She specifically talks about growing up in Las Vegas and the mob's influence throughout the city. She also discusses her family and her career working at Sunrise Hospital.
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Oral history interview with George Bogdanovich conducted by Gretchen Schroeder on September 08, 2009 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Bogdanovich discusses his parents immigrating from Europe to the United States and how they met. He describes the mining process for gypsum in Blue Diamond, Nevada, including transporting the mineral. Bogdanovich recalls the living conditions in Blue Diamond and how residents got their water and electricity.
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