Wilbur and Toni Clark at home for the holidays

Join us on Thursday, Dec. 4th for

"Untold Stories":

"Mad Men Holidays:  Celebrating the holidays in Mid-Century Modern Las Vegas

On December 4th, our monthly series, Untold Stories at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve  will look back at the way Las Vegans celebrated the holidays in Post-War Las Vegas.  From fun decorations outside and in, Holiday parades, Holiday programs at school, aluminum trees with color wheels and lavishly flocked trees all accompanied by the prayer to Santa  to please bring snow along with lots of presents.

Joining us in our look at the spirit of holidays past will be native born Las Vegans:

Mary Joy Alderman, Pam Hartley, Gretchen Stamos and tentatively, a surprise guest (who will offer a little history about the way the holidays were celebrated before the war.)

It should be alot of fun and the Las Vegas Springs Preserve will have its Festival of Lights ablaze as well as its Farmer Markets and Wolfgang Puck's restaurant will be open before the Roundtable begins, so stop by early if you're so inclined.

Thursday, Dec. 4th

Untold Stories

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

7:00 pm

Admission is $12 for non-members, $10 for members, $6.50 children 5-17

Reservations requested

(702) 822-7786

We hope to see you there!

December's "Untold Stories" will look back at the way we used to celebrate the holidays with a focus on

Join us on Thursday, November 6th for:

"Untold Stories: A Look Back at the MGM Grand Fire"

It was the deadlist hotel fire in Nevada history and the second deadlist in American history.  We will look back at the events that caused the fire, the heroism and cooperation that helped saved thousands of lives and the legacy of the fire.

Panelists include:

Las Vegas Sun reporter, Mary Manning

KLAS-Channel 8 anchor, Gary Waddell

MGM employee Jose Alvarez

MGM baker, Don Feldman

and tentatively, Clark County Fire Chief, Steve Smith.

This should be a tremendous evening of history and stories so please join us at:

The Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

7:00 pm

Admission is $12

From the beginning of Las Vegas, Mt. Charleston has played an important role in the history of the town.  Located (now) only 40 minutes away, Mt. Charleston has been a get-away for families hoping to escape the heat of the summer before air-conditioning was invented, has played host to Summer Camps for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, provided wood and timber for many a building in young Las  Vegas and a winter wonderland for those of us who want to enjoy the snow but not live in the snow.  In addition, for almost 50 years people have lived on the mountain.

This Thursday evening, Oct. 2nd, we will explore the history, the romance and the beauty of the mountain as part of our "Untold Stories" series at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve.

Joining us will be:

Richard Taylor, long time resident of Mt. Charleston and its local historian

Thalia Dondero, long time resident of both Mt. Charleston and Las Vegas as well as past president of the Girl Scouts of America when they had a lodge and summer camp on the mountain.

Don Payne, long time resident of Las Vegas and former manager of the Las Vegas News Bureau.

Join us Thursday, Oct. 2nd

7:00 pm

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

and learn more about this natural wonder and its relationship with Las Vegas.

Admission is $12

The Nevada State Museum , Las Vegas and Friends of Classic Las Vegas will host an evening reception and panel discussion with noted entertainer Betty Bunch and several of her Friends from the Golden Age of Las Vegas entertainment in the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s.

Bunch came to Las Vegas in 1956 to dance in the opening line for Donald O’Connor, and later performed at such venues as the El Rancho Vegas, the Dunes, and the Rivera. Betty also headlined the original production of the popular afternoon show, Bottoms Up. Betty and her fellow entertainers promise an evening filled with intimate tales of Las Vegas show business and personalities, as well as many “stories behind the stories.”

The Entertainers of Classic Las Vegas Panel will include:

Betty Bunch, long-time dancer on the Las Vegas Strip

Louis Prima, Jr will talk about his father and the Prima legacy

and Special  Guests (check back throughout the week as we add more names!)

Wednesday, Sept. 17th

Nevada State Museum

700 Twin Lakes Dr

Lorenzi Park

6:00 - 7:00 pm Reception

7:00 - 8:30 pm Discussion

Admission $3