Nordie
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Look at all of that empty land, and how much things have changed in the Las Vegas Valley. Even the hospital I was born in 1984 no longer exists...
“A lot of holes in the desert, and a lot of problems are buried in those holes. But you gotta do it right. I mean, you gotta have the hole already dug before you show up with a package in the trunk. Otherwise, you're talking about a half-hour to forty-five minutes worth of digging. And who knows who's gonna come along in that time? Pretty soon, you gotta dig a few more holes. You could be there all fuckin' night.”
definitely one of my favorites!
Most every iconic hotel then was imploded once "all that empty land" was built out.Look at all of that empty land, and how much things have changed in the Las Vegas Valley. Even the hospital I was born in 1984 no longer exists...
My sister's Dad was a shot caller at the Peppermill in Reno back in the 80's, he was found in a hole in the desert. I have some crazy first hand storiesIt's funny, but it's actually true. My brother lives near Losee and Washburn in North Las Vegas. Anyhow one day we were talking on Ham radio and he says, dang by my house there's cops everywhere at this construction site. Next day the news talks about that they dug up a dead body while digging some footings. A little while later they had did their dating or whatever and the body had been there since the 70's. I'll have to see if I can find the article.
When casinos used to do additions they would show up during concrete pours and dump old chips into the footings while they were pouring concrete.
The old trash company here also had ties with the casinos, I always wondered what ended up at the old landfill on Sunrise Mountain. I worked up there for about a year, but they never dug anything up, well except a black bag that was full of old Playboys and a lot of asbestos.
Interesting times for sure.
Most every iconic hotel then was imploded once "all that empty land" was built out.
They call it progress.
Had family friends that lived west of I15, latter 70s, early 80s that felt like it was out in no mans land...brand new development with nothing else within view except the strip.
My dad was an in house carpenter at the Golden Nugget, and my grandpa was an in house carpenter at the Riviera. We used to visit both of them often at work, never pulled on a one arm bandit though. In fact when my dad had a slow day at work one time of many I am sure, he came home with a beautifully made oak paddle, routered off nice and even had the paint shop varnish that paddle. Sum bitch hurt...That brings back memories. My great grandmother and uncles lived in Vegas, and we would go there a couple of times a year. My Dad would bring us kids in a side door at the Nugget or Four Queens to take a pull at a slot machine, which lasted about 45 seconds before the goons showed up and gave us the boot.
Nordie, if you want to go down memory lane watch some of these
Growing up in Vegas, I know we have talked about it before. I just miss "how it was". Were you born in Womans Hospital?
In the movie Casino. I know a ton of people in it. I used to eat at Tower of Pizza, Tony Spilatros restaurant. My friends Dad was first Metro cop to respond to Tony Romas Ribs for Lefty Rosenthals car bombing. I could go on and on. Love that movie!
Yeah I was born in the Woman's Hospital on Sahara, as was my brother. I'll have to watch all of the commercials lol, as long as the GMF Motors Commercial is on there, "If I can finance you, I can finance everyone". I remember you were an East Side kid too, and we just missed each other going to the same high school. Yeah old Vegas was fucking awesome. No one locked their doors even. I remember my parents opening car doors in parking lots because they left their lights on just to shut them off, most of the time they keys were in the ignition. That was the Smiths on Stewart and Nellis. Where I remember that. My Aunt retired from that Smiths, she probably rang you and your parents up.
Hell yes, third commercial is Fred at GMF! LOL.......Yea that Smiths was our main store. My mom retired from the Kmart on Nellis and Bonanza from the Jewelery section and then went out to be a Cashier at Sams Town for the Food and Beverage Dept. She then finally "really retried" from the Dillards at Boulevard mall! LOL....
Did you Skateboard when you were younger? We probably ran into each other at Owens ditch! LOL
Nordie, if you want to go down memory lane watch some of these
Growing up in Vegas, I know we have talked about it before. I just miss "how it was". Were you born in Womans Hospital?
In the movie Casino. I know a ton of people in it. I used to eat at Tower of Pizza, Tony Spilatros restaurant. My friends Dad was first Metro cop to respond to Tony Romas Ribs for Lefty Rosenthals car bombing. I could go on and on. Love that movie!
Had a customer that was in the demolition business out there. He's probably passed by now, wasn't young and spry 20 years ago. He and his wife would buy any car at auction they thought was "cute"...neat older couple.
We got to talking about how long he'd been in business there, and powers that truly controlled things "back then". A fairly prominent "businessman" had given him some advice when he was younger man. "Buy dirt".
Well, he did. As of 2005 or so, he still had some vacant lots, but they were all off the strip. He told me he'd leased the good ones already. I was very confused. I thought only Natives and such "leased" land. Well, he proceeded to explain that several of the casinos had signed 99 year leases
He and his kin were set for a good deal of time. Then I really understood how a construction guy could build what he had.
Was a super nice guy to boot!
Yes, very nice people!Had to be Art and Sherri Goldstrum? Super nice people. They opens there private car and memorabilia collection every year and do a fund raiser.
I moved to Vegas in December of 1982 I was 11 years old. The place was awesome then, not so much now!Look at all of that empty land, and how much things have changed in the Las Vegas Valley. Even the hospital I was born in 1984 no longer exists...
I used to sit on the front steps of the Tropicana and watch the trains. No sidewalks.
Now:
I think Steve Wynn got his start buying dirt.
If I recall it was a critical piece of obscure at the moment land where a casino would eventually have to expand to.
He saw it coming and along with junk bond king Milken the rest is history.
We rarely venture deeper into town than Southpoint.
Sams Town RV park has security issues so we quit them too.
That era was some of the best of times for Vegas. Corporations had begun to take over Hughes, Del Webb etc. The Mob was still there and actually kept the town very safe. Ladies could walk to their cars at night without a worry. Top names entertainers were constantly appearing on The Strip. Dinner shows were $20, late shows with cocktails were $15. Every big show room had a full orchestra. The sounds were amazing. Did you ever hear Elvis’ opening number, LIVE at The International? Nothing around like that now. You weren’t paying $100 to watch a bunch of guys run around the stage painted blue. Golf was abundant and inexpensive. Different time, same place. Well, sort of.
Maloofs brother in law was Dr Nasiff the Dr ya see on the botched TV show.My school buddy Gavin Maloof and his brothers hit Las Vegas at the perfect time. They spent about $20 million building the Fiesta, and sold it six years later for $185 million. The Palms was hot for years, and now the boys are worth a few billion.
The project manager for the Palms was another friend, and flew to Vegas from Albuquerque every week. I was building a data center on Clark and 3rd Street at the time, and we would get together for dinner or whatever.
One night Johnny picked me up and we went to Ruth's Chris for dinner. He was dating a showgirl, and when she showed up at dinner I was trying hard not to stare at her. She was incredibly hot.
After the meal she was trying to get Johnny to go home with her. He didn't want to, he had been up at 5 AM to catch his flight to Vegas. She pouted, turned to me, and said "If I was your girlfriend, would you go home with me?"
I thought about half a second, and said "I'd come back from the dead to go home with you."
I've said it before on here, my grandma said actually how well this town was run when the mob was here. It was a very safe city. The mob ties are still here, but not like what is used to be. It is corporate America, and because of the Rona so many off the strip casinos (the ones the locals use) are still boarded up. Even the Palms is still closed, when years ago that was the #1 place to actually see a celebrity. @rrrr was right the Maloof brothers knocked it out of the park with The Palms. They also made a fortune.
I am lucky enough to know the traditions of old Vegas, I've lived it. My great grandfather actually homesteaded property right near the Boulevard Mall. He had a small ranch with a pond, now that area is homes, condos, apartments, and businesses.
It's not just Vegas, but corporate is taking over all of us, it's not what it used to be and it never will be again. Just like Vegas you're no longer a name, you're just a number.
I know I've hinted about the whole FBI thing, but yes I have a family member in the famed Black Book. It was interesting times for all of us when that went down, pre corporate casinos. Maybe someday I will talk about it.
someday? Is the person still alive? Is that what you are waiting for?? Haha
Sorry to hear that. Cancer sucks. My mom just got diagnosed 3 weeks ago with liver cancer....a 6mm mass on it..that’s why I went to Vegas when I did ..before she start chemo next week.Actually not even a laughing matter he is on his death bed from cancer. We don't really get along, but he is still my uncle, and I was pretty bummed when I found out about a month ago.
Fu*k cancerSorry to hear that. Cancer sucks. My mom just got diagnosed 3 weeks ago with liver cancer....a 6mm mass on it..that’s why I went to Vegas when I did ..before she start chemo next week.
Amen to that.Fu*k cancer
I miss the $1 blackjack..when you are pounding beers and talking with other bettors you can have a great time without watching your wallet. Could play 3-4 hours on 40$....dropping $25 a hand is too crazy for me.
And on break from losing the car collection was cool too!I used to play at the Imperial Palace on their $3 blackjack tables. The Impy was a throwback, even into the 2000s. The Fremont Street casinos got my business for the same reason. I considered a $100-$200 loss the cost of entertainment, but most of the time I held losses to a few bucks. Occasionally a hot shoe would bring a $500 night. Good fun for notta lotta money.
And on break from losing the car collection was cool too!
Some interesting rumors with the car collection guys...aside from the owner, that's more popular culture. The museum supposedly had some ties with some SoCal people, and oddly some Florida people...import export business.And on break from losing the car collection was cool too!
Maloofs brother in law was Dr Nasiff the Dr ya see on the botched TV show.
He did my nose job so I could fit my melon back into a helmet and my head not weathervane in strong winds.
In the 90's my buddies and I liked to go to Bob Stupak's Vegas World. Loved the plexiglass box with a million in cash inside. Bob had his name on everything. Every chip, even all over on the carpet. He was eccentric.
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How long were the workers at the Frontier on strike for? As a kid we always stayed at the Monaco Motel not far from the Riviera. Even stayed there while dating my wife and remember having her duck down in the car so I’d only have to pay for 1 guest.
How long were the workers at the Frontier on strike for? As a kid we always stayed at the Monaco Motel not far from the Riviera. Even stayed there while dating my wife and remember having her duck down in the car so I’d only have to pay for 1 guest.