Print edition for March 10, 2000

Tenors of the Time: Who: "The Two Tenors of Arabic Music."

Dexterity makes pianist Ariel a Bellagio treat: Joe Delaney; Ariel, born in Russia, is a classically-trained pianist, a vital presence, handsome, soft-spoken, musically articulate as well as innovative.

District attorney likens Forest Service snub to civil rights effort: Scott Sonner; RENO, Nev. - The district attorney who urged Elko businesses to refuse goods and services to the Forest Service likened the proposed boycott to the efforts of Rosa Parks and Caesar Chavez.

Saturday at Aqueduct: 1st race 6 fur 3YO Fil Mdn: 1 After Gloria (Vergara) 120; 2 Luck 'n Devotion (Montalvo) 115; 3 Karakorum Dancer (Blake) 115; 4 Sweet At the Wire (Lopez) 120; 5 Space Traveler (Arroyo) 115; 6 Home On the Hill (Luzzi) 120; 7 Misty Ghost (Lopez) 120; 8 Apache Drive (Velasquez) 120.

Saturday at Bay Meadows: 1st race 1 mi 3YO Clm: 1 Sparkle Today (Baze) 117; 2 Don Double D (Warren) 117; 3 Sid's Jett (Alvarado) 117; 4 Mr Thunder (Perez) 117; 5 Ancient Relic (Carr) 117; 6 Celestial Eyes (Arriaga) 117.

Thursday's prep results: Clark 4, Foothill 3: David Ward threw a complete game, giving up two earned runs and striking out seven. Jason Diekmann gave the Chargers the lead with a two-run double in the fourth.

Shelf Life -- Shelf Life: Williams and Friedman shoot and score on 'Loose Balls': The flu hit Shelf Life like a ton of germs. Headaches, achiness, a severe case of gunk-lung. My eyes unable to focus, the book I was supposed to review slipped half-read from my clammy fingers ...

Columnist Joe Delaney: Recalling the determination of the 'Polish Prince': Joe Delaney; The year was 1960. ... The place, Atlantic City's famed Steel Pier, the hottest spot on the Boardwalk. ... The original Dukes of Dixieland were the star attraction, and the dance music between shows was provided by an excellent territorial band that played mostly in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The teenage leader had just taken over the band from his father.

Dial File -- Steve Bornfeld: Exclusive: God, Devil tell all!: Screwball comedy demands first-class screwballs.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Miss Tekla - Hustling Puglisi on Van Berg trainee, draws good post, should get the trip. Mejor - Been knocking on graduation door, draws well, hustling bug boy Diaz for owner/trainer Moreno. Value Play -- The Wicked West

Birth announcements for March 10, 2000: March 1: A girl to Donna and John Dockery; a girl to Christina Dolin and Paul Ernst. March 3: A boy to Josephine and Aaron Stanley; a boy to Kimberly and Gregory Monton. March 4: A boy to Kristina and Robert Ramirez III. March 5:

San Diego St-UNLV box score: SAN DIEGO STATE (5-22)

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: President vs. politics: A MINIMUM WAGE with a maximum of aggravation.

Saturday at Santa Anita: 1st race 6-1/2 fur 4YO & up F & M Mdn Clm: 1 The Wicked West (Valenzuela) 120; 2 Tiz a Sin (Black) 120; 3 Miss Tekla (Puglisi) 120; 4 Ms. Lorelie (Valdivia) 122; 5 Sky Companion (Antley) 122; 6 Mejor (Diaz) 115; 7 Can Can Royalty (Pedroza) 122; 8 Ice Cool Miss (Cardenas) 112.

BYU-UNLV Linescore: Stone and Davies; Maruffi, Martin (4), Watts (7) and Betts. W--Stone (4-2). L--Maruffi (2-3). HR--Carson (BYU). T--2:20. A--181.

Sound Check -- Geoff Carter: Rollins' latest full of 'help yourself' platitudes: Henry Rollins once said of Bono: "He could never fool me." Rollins hated the U2 frontman's telegraphed politics, his idealism and his "bubble butt." Most of all, Rollins seemed to hate Bono's too-willingness to be a rock star, to stamp his face on the foreheads of his fans.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Caesars to close Circus Maximus: Kate Maddox; Come Sept. 1 Caesars Palace will no longer have a venue for headliners. The Circus Maximus showroom is scheduled to close and will either be completely overhauled or moved to another location altogether. Caesars will only say that it is not booking acts past the first of September, and that the plans are in the early stages and no final decisions have been made at this point. But insiders are saying that the hotel-casino is in the throes of some major changes.

Poll: 75 percent support Bryan's proposal to protect desert: Scott Sonner; RENO, Nev. - Backers of Sen. Richard Bryan's proposal to protect the Black Rock Desert released a poll Friday showing three-fourths of the registered voters in Nevada support the idea.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Petree hopes changes don't 'crap out': Andy Petree had been out of Las Vegas for two days, but the NASCAR Winston Cup Series owner/crew chief felt like he still was gambling when NASCAR announced rules changes affecting the Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

The Movie Guys: 'Mission to Mars' tackles sci-fi, reality: Grades: Jeff D, Dave B.

Lawmakers told med school stays put: But there are "more opportunities for growth" in southern Nevada, where the population is underserved by physicians, he added.

Washoe sheriff new chief of DMV: CARSON CITY -- The trouble-plagued state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety is getting a new boss: Washoe County Sheriff Richard Kirkland.

Stalker in fair condition after attack in prison: Kim Smith; A Las Vegas man convicted five years ago in a stalking case and who was due to be released from prison Thursday is in fair condition at University Medical Center after being attacked.

Three LV Penney stores remain open: The three Las Vegas stores employ a total of 750 people. "The Las Vegas stores are kept because they are meeting our criteria on financial and strategic standards," said Stephanie Brown, a J.C. Penney spokeswoman.

Superintendent search firm's future in doubt: Terry Webster; Disgusted by a deadline missed after weeks of planning and other antics, some Clark County School Board members are thinking of firing the superintendent search firm.

Nevada's rapid population growth shows no sign of slowing: Rapid population, a virtual mantra for Nevada and Clark County over the last two decades, continues, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday.

Bankruptcies: Barclay Apartments Ltd. (Vancouver, British Columbia), 520 S. Fourth St., Second Floor, filed for Chapter 11. Assets and liabilities were not reported.

Letter: Keep up fight on gun control: While Greenspun would like me to agree that mandatory safety locks and background checks at gun shows (which are conducted by licensed dealers) are a good thing and in no way inhibit my right to keep and bear arms, I would remind him to look no further than the People's Republic of California as a role model for gun control.

Tournament notebook: Minton isn't confident he'll be back at Air Force: Steve Addy; It smacked of charity this week when Air Force's Reggie Minton was named Mountain West co-coach of the year with only a 4-10 conference record.

Film aficionado doles out 'Alternative Oscars': Max Jacobson; The 72nd Annual Academy Awards are almost here. Most of us will be watching eagerly, making our own picks.

Mesquite hotel-casino closes, will be liquidated: David Strow; In a hearing before the Nevada Gaming Control Board today, receiver Randy Black Sr. said the Mesquite Star's hotel was closed this morning, four days after the property's casino was closed. Virtually all of the property's assets will begin to be removed on Monday.

LV construction company acquired by Atlanta firm: Craig Johnson, Beers' group vice-president, said the acquisition was not a cash purchase but rather involved Beers' "assumption of O'Neil's liability (in Nevada)." He declined to offer further details of the transaction.

Institutional investor liquidates stake: In a Thursday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Boston-based investment fund Capital Growth Management indicated it now holds no shares in Mirage Resorts.

Rebels nearly beached: Steve Addy; For a team supposedly primping for an NCAA Tournament bid, the Rebels looked remarkably like an NIT wallflower Thursday night.

High cost of health care hurting Nevadans: When Thelma Harris was told that her husband had just called a family friend and was making absolutely no sense, she left work and went home immediately.

Siller critical of linking slots, McDonald's restaurants: David Strow; What appeared to be a routine slot machine application turned into a legal debate Thursday, as a member of the Nevada Gaming Control Board questioned a decision to allow slot machines in a Las Vegas convenience store with a McDonald's restaurant.

Senator: State facing crisis in care: A key member of a legislative subcommittee studying long-term care in Nevada said the state could go bankrupt within a decade unless a solution is found to the high cost.

Toxic sludge plan faces obstacles: A hazardous-waste company wants to treat and bury toxic sludge contaminated with mercury at a site about 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas, but state officials said the plan faces major hurdles.

Residents uneasy about tainted water: AMARGOSA VALLEY -- Residents here said early reports of radiation in their water 25 times greater than the safe drinking water limit sent shock waves through the farming community that hosts the state's largest dairy.

Cuban exile leader, Don King among Reid donors: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., took $5,000 last year from a Miami company founded by the late Jorge Mas Canosa, the powerful leader of the America's Cuban exiles and an anti-Castro crusader who rose to prominence making hefty donations to politicians.

Veterans home behind schedule: Construction is running about a month behind on the $19.4 million veterans home in Boulder City, but the skilled nursing facility should be ready to open by late summer or early fall, the chief of the state's Veterans Services Commission said.

Nevada gold mining company to liquidate its assets: Henderson-based Alta Gold Co. is asking a judge to convert its bankruptcy to a Chapter 7 liquidation filing.

Investigation into crash continues; victims ID'd: Jace Radke; The driver of the van that crashed Wednesday in Jean killing eight passengers and injuring five told investigators the last thing he remembered was hearing people screaming as the van rolled over into a steep median.

BYU's Lyday has big day vs. Lobos: Victoria Sun; One of the best things Brigham Young coach Steve Cleveland has done in his three years as coach of the Cougars happened off the court.

'Partners for Pets' takes walk in park: A nonprofit organization that helps find homes for animals is offering another adoption opportunity.

MWC honors Rebels' tennis player Pavicevic: MWC honors Rebels' tennis player Pavicevic

Five LV contractors lose licenses: A company spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Card counter prevails in suit against LV resort: The court overturned the ruling of District Judge Jack Lehman, who ruled Richard Chen should not get the money because he committed fraud.

Metro gives free face-lift to concealing shrubbery: Jace Radke; For 45 years Toni Crawford has lived in the neighborhood near Bonanza Road and Eastern Avenue in a small house surrounded by a small forest of trees and bushes.

Two states continue search for missing pilot: The three-seat Piper Supercruiser was piloted by a man from Chino who had been in town for last weekend's NASCAR race, where he flew advertising banners over the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Civil Air Patrol spokesman Charles McCarty said.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Utah less imposing than usual: Dean Juipe; Shortcomings is a word that doesn't normally apply to the Utah men's basketball team, particularly in recent years.

LV man receives 2 life terms: Kim Smith; A 19-year-old Las Vegas man convicted of killing a friend's father four years ago will be spending at least the next 40 years in prison.

Elementary's poor conditions documented by parents' group: Terry Webster; A group of upset parents voicing health and safety concerns about a Henderson elementary school Thursday presented the Clark County School Board with a thick packet of documented complaints.

DA plans 'leaner' Binion strategy: Prosecutors plan to streamline their case against Ted Binion's accused killers, making for a much shorter trial than anticipated.

Wyoming on a roll since losing to UNLV last month: Steve Guiremand; To hear Wyoming head coach Steve McClain tell it, the UNLV Rebels may actually have done his team a favor by handing it an 87-60 whipping back on Feb. 12 at the Thomas & Mack.

Walker guilty in death of woman: Kim Smith; The second of two cousins accused of shooting a 17-year-old girl to death in October 1997 was convicted by a Clark County jury Thursday after 90 minutes of deliberation.

Downtown LV casino to be sold to slot-leasing outfit: David Strow; The owner of the Four Queens hotel-casino said Thursday it agreed to sell the landmark property in downtown Las Vegas to a small financial company for $30 million.

Second trial ends as first one did: Manley convicted: Kim Smith; For the second time in three years a Las Vegas man has been convicted of first-degree murder and robbery in the death of a local elementary school teacher.

Crime family underboss pleads guilty to racketeering: Milano admitted developing a fraudulent diamond scheme in the winter of 1996 with mob associate Herbert Blitzstein, who was killed a short time later.

Third Vegas teen killed in as many weeks: The boy's name has not been released.

UNLV plans new softball stadium, ladies golf team: Victoria Sun; UNLV women's softball coach Shan McDonald glowed as she stood before the crowd gathered at the Si Redd Room in the Thomas & Mack Center.

UNLV outruns Wyoming: Tim Dahlberg; LAS VEGAS - UNLV ran like the Runnin' Rebels of old against Wyoming. Now, the Rebels hope one more good show will put them in the NCAA tournament.

Date book: Seventeen magazine will host "Seventeen Live for Target Style Day," featuring make-overs and fashion and style tips, at noon Saturday at Target, 8750 W. Charleston Blvd. For more information, check Seventeen's website at seventeen.com.

Fire started in kids' apartment: Keith Paul; The fire that killed four people Tuesday, including three small children, started in the children's apartment, but the cause was still unknown, Clark County Fire Department officials said this morning.

Letter: Beware concerns of speedway: I am old enough to remember a pristine Riverside, Calif., before the advent of its speedway.

BYU baseball team rolls over UNLV: The Cougars (10-10, 1-0 MWC) broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth with five runs off UNLV starter Joe Maruffi, only three of which were earned. Two errors by shortstop Zach Strong proved costly as the Rebels (6-16, 0-1 MWC) would never recover.

Another teen killed in drive-by shooting: Jace Radke; Metro Police Homicide Lt. Wayne Petersen shook his head Thursday night as he found himself at the scene of yet another shooting that left a Las Vegas teenager dead.

Penney stores to close in Winnemucca, Fallon, stay open in Ely: "As long as that continues, we're more than happy to be the local Penney's store," he said.

Letter: Social Security is unfair to federal workers: Due to the offset, a federal retiree who is also a widow has her widow benefits totally wiped out; a widow who has never been employed, receives her total benefit. Also, Social Security retirees who also receive a private sector pension do not have the dual entitlement rule applied to their private pensions like federal retirees do.

News briefs: Defense attorneys in the Zane Floyd murder case have until April 18 to submit some sort of psychiatric report about their client to prosecutors.

Casinos try again with 'coinless' slots: David Strow; After a lot of talk, the gaming industry is finally about to find out whether casino customers are really ready for coinless slot machines.

Mayor won't be defending Murphy: Erin Neff; The offer wasn't too good to refuse.

Letters: Writers sound off on Las Vegas NASCAR race: By Ron Kantowski; Last Sunday morning I awoke very early and had the Winston Cup race at Las Vegas on my mind, so I signed onto the Internet for the first time and called up the Las Vegas Sun site for the racing news there. I was blown out of my chair with all the excellent race-week coverage on your site. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

City gets some cookies; Girl Scouts a new home: Erin Neff; The giddiness filled a City Hall conference room Thursday even before the sugar-induced happiness of a mouth full of peanut butter patties.

News show premieres Monday: DayONE Las Vegas, featuring Emmy award-winning journalist Nancy Byrne as anchor, will be a live, interactive show with up-to-the-minute weather and news on Cox Communications Channels 1 and 39.

Obituaries for March 10, 2000: Alfred Charles Avery, 52, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. He was born Sept. 1, 1947, in Beaumont, Texas. A resident for six years, he was a marketing consultant, an Air Force veteran, a member of the Foster Care Association of Nevada and the Lions Club.

Silver Bandits stuff Stuff: The Silver Bandits now travel to St. Louis for games with the Swarm on Friday and Sunday. Sunday's game will be televised on the IBL TV Network and seen locally on Cox Cable Metro 48 and KPVM-TV 41 in Pahrump.

Editorial: Advocate's tenacity made for low rates: Even though he was vigorous in opposing utility rate hike requests he thought were too high, Schmidt couldn't be tagged as just a bureaucrat looking to keep the status quo. For instance, Schmidt didn't resist deregulation, acknowledging the value of letting consumers have a choice. What Schmidt did advocate, however, was a deregulated environment that meant all consumers -- including residential -- would have a choice, not just the big companies that energy retailers obviously would covet.

Editorial: Keeping pace with our growth: These concerns are the driving force behind legislation in Congress that would allow our airport -- and our economy -- to continue to expand. On Thursday the House passed a bill that could allow a new airport to be built about 30 miles south of Las Vegas. A coalition of environmental groups initially had opposed the legislation, which will transfer 6,500 acres of environmentally sensitive, federally owned land in the Ivanpah Valley to Clark County. But Nevada's House members, Republican Jim Gibbons and Democrat Shelley Berkley, were able to address some of these concerns to aid the bill's passage.