Print edition for July 20, 2001

Editorial: Don't mess with urgent care centers: Gates also says she's worried about the viability of the county's Quick Cares, especially if too many are opened in rapid succession. In light of the county's incredible population explosion -- and the fact that Quick Cares typically are busy throughout the day -- that concern doesn't seem to be meshing with reality.

Famed writer talks to students, teachers: By Timothy Pratt; Twenty-four years ago during a writers' workshop at Iowa University, Mexican-American writer Sandra Cisneros listened to others talk about the huge houses of their childhoods and the stories and poems that came out of them.

Where I Stand--Brian Greenspun: A nose for non-news: "THE NEWS business isn't always polite."

Community news briefs for July 20, 2001: The Pioneer Day Parade and Old-Fashioned Games will begin 9 a.m. Saturday from the Estes McDoniel Elementary School parking lot on Fox Ridge Drive. The public is invited to this free event. For more information, call 933-7777.

Letter: Nevada slams teachers again: Three percent would in no way, shape or form provide much relief from the ever increasing utility bills and the general cost of living. Now there isn't enough money for even that small amount. Did the other state workers who were to receive their bonus recently have their bonus reduced? Why doesn't the state of Nevada lower the new teacher-signing bonus. Most of the teachers who will receive the signing bonus will not stay in Nevada. They will go back "home" within three years after getting their foot in the educational door in Nevada and picking up a nice little ...

Falun Gong persecuted for practicing: Stacy J. Willis; Two years ago Chinese police pushed a 59-year-old woman into a van, drove her to jail and kept her there for 24 days. She had confessed to being a practitioner of Falun Gong -- a spiritual philosophy banned by the Communist government.

Letter: An offer to lead deplorable DMV: The resulting "line rage" could carry over into the home and cause spousal abuse and dog kicking on the part of those made to stand in those lines for hour after hour. Next, I promise to continue to frustrate and anger and annoy the workers at the DMV by making their jobs as irritating as possible in dealing not only with the irate public, but also by extending hours and increasing work loads and also sending out petty orders about equipment that does not work.

Letter: With tax cut, Bush damages nation's future: Today we are faced with a new category of sinful behavior in high places called greed. It doesn't make as juicy reading in the scandal sheets, but of the two forms of sinners, I sympathize more with those who fall from grace when young fame-and-fortune-seeking sugarplums rub up against them than with the ones who damage their country and their fellow countrymen with their greed. Bush and his buddies just pushed through a tax cut that will haunt us forever, just so they could pay off their rich supporters for financing their elections.

Don't make kids speak Spanish: If you wish to learn Spanish, go to Mexico and live with a Latino family -- that is your right as an American. Do I want to greet my Spanish-speaking neighbors with "hola" or "buenos dias" -- no! There's nothing wrong with a simple American "hello."

Homeless seek help from above: Stacy J. Willis; Enough sob stories.

Teacher, student to participate in Alaska expedition: Rebecca Malone; Contact For more information on the JASON Project, call Joyce Woodhouse at 799-6560, or log onto www.jasonproject.org

Girls want chance to go to summer camp: "They are very active in Scouting and are eager to learn new things," the mother says.

Letter: Will Navy pay my power bill?: By the way, how do we sign up for the Navy to pay our utilities?

Lending patients a helping paw: Erica Johnson; LAS VEGAS SUN

Columnist Sandy Thompson: Teen crusades for changes in custody laws: Sandy Thompson; CLAYTON GILES believes that children of separation and divorce must have a voice in court decisions affecting them.

LV Photography Center puts its winners on display: Erica Johnson; The Las Vegas Photography Center is celebrating the winners of its first membership competition. Their photography is on display as a group exhibit at the center, 3626 N. Rancho Drive. There is no charge for admission.

Columnist Kate Maddox: ESPN guests are good sports: Kate Maddox; ESPNZone was launched at New York-New York Thursday night. Sports stars, celebrities, hangers-on and VIPs tried out the theme restaurant's second-floor video games (the simulated boxing was a hands-down fave) and reclined Strip-side in the Zone's multi-TV screening room.

Taxpayers to foot part of legal bills in Brown, Mack suits: Diana Sahagun; City taxpayers will pay a portion of the legal bills to fight accusations lodged against Las Vegas Councilmen Michael Mack and Larry Brown.

Asians lead minority shift into suburbs: Most times when Las Vegas Realtor Bong Kim advises fellow Korean-Americans about where to buy a home, the first place he mentions is Spring Valley.

Recycling event to help promote literacy: Angela Soo; Residents can help promote adult literacy by recycling their outdated Sprint phone books Saturday.

Letter: Study is typical of Big Tobacco: This type of study and the resulting response is typical of big business' attitude toward its responsibility to people. The only thing that counts in today's society is the bottom line. Tradeoff studies are routinely performed where on one scale is placed the cost of safety or safety improvements and on the other the cost of injuries and lawsuits. This is just another example of corporate thinking and the bottom line, corporate greed.

Local student completes D.C. leadership course: Stephanie Ricardo attended a program at American University focusing on international diplomacy. The National Student Leadership Conference, which began programs for youth in 1989, arranged the curriculum. Ricardo graduated No. 3 in her class from Mountain View Christian Schools, which is at 3900 E. Bonanza Road between Pecos Road and Lamb Boulevard.

Where I Stand -- Classic Hank: C-SPAN interview had an international flavor: China revisited.

Letter: Drivers thumb nose at laws: The worst road rage and worst drivers I've encountered are those who live in the Summerlin area. I don't know if it is because they think they're more affluent, and thus not subject to the laws of the road, or if they all come from California where this behavior is the norm. They tailgate, go at least 10 to 20 mph over the speed limit, and have the nerve to yell and use gestures toward the drivers that are obeying the laws of the road.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Showmen Kluger, Trenier are hits of the 80s: Two veteran Las Vegas lounge showmen celebrated birthdays last week -- Claude Trenier turned 82 and Irv Kluger 80.

Columnist Susan Snyder: An ode to our friends: The losers: Every weekend, they come by the thousands.

Editorial: This idea belongs in the ashtray: So there is, after all, a silver lining to a product that not only is addictive, but also frequently causes cancer, emphysema and a host of other diseases that create unbearable and intense suffering. Isn't that lovely?

Anka's Aweigh: Steve Bornfeld; His name is Paul Anka. He's a legendary singer-songwriter. But you knew that. And if you didn't know that, well, that's why God created websites.

Recruiting road trip rewarding for coach: Steve Addy; After two years in retirement, new Rebels basketball coach Charlie Spoonhour grew reacquainted with the recruiting grind last week, criss-crossing the U.S. to examine prospects for 2002 and beyond.

County OKs razing of DI: Wynn expected to unveil plans for new resort in October keynote address: David Strow; Nearly one year after shutting down the Desert Inn, Steve Wynn has received county approval to begin the process of demolishing the 50-year-old resort to make way for his latest creation.

Charity pool: Stars play amateurs to raise funds for worthy causes during convention: Tony Groff, a truck company owner from Lancaster, Pa., long dreamed of playing Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee, one of the world's top billiards players.

American Legion Baseball standings: (Through July 16)

$22 million recovered in scam: Keith Paul; More than $22 million has been recovered in a scam that has collected hundreds, if not thousands, of victims, Metro Police said.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: New deal takes heat off LV's Carpentier: Less than a year ago, it appeared as if Patrick Carpentier would lose his ride with the Player's/Forsythe CART team.

North's lone legionnaires prepare for state tourney: Spencer Patterson; To most outsiders, it might seem like a no-brainer, a chance to cut down on travel and play against the rest of Northern Nevada's top baseball programs.

Zoning rule restricts escort, outcall services: Clark County commissioners have partially closed the door on business offices for escort bureaus and outcall entertainers, which, officials say, are magnets for crime.

Nevada sees increase in hate crimes: Keith Paul; Hate crimes in the state rose for the third consecutive year in 2000 and, with four incidents investigated by Metro Police last month, there are no signs that indicate the trend is reversing.

1,000 teachers drop union memberships: Terry Webster; About 1,000 teachers have dropped their memberships with the Clark County Education Association this year.

Masaoka hopes 'pen will write his ticket to L.A.: Victoria Sun; Las Vegas reliever Jim Dougherty surrendered five runs and the lead in the ninth inning, giving the Oklahoma Red Hawks an 8-4 victory Thursday at Cashman Field. Desperate for pitchers, 51s manager Rick Sofield gave reliever Bobby Bevel a spot start in the game, followed by Onan Masaoka, then the usually solid Dougherty, who pitched two innings and took the loss.

Riviera hotel to host weekend tournament: The 20 seeded players on Saturday begin play in the main tournament, with a 32-player single-elimination format. The semifinals and finals will be held on Monday.

Former exec sues American Premiere: Lively, who said he owns 25 percent of American Premiere Homes, sued the company and its sales and marketing firm, American Premiere Realty, in Clark County District Court. Also named are American Premiere Realty's treasurer, Hagai Rapaport, its vice president, Ronen Rahaman, and sales and marketing manager Jill Hansen and Real Estate Source.

News briefs for July 20, 2001: A 55-year-old man was found shot to death Thursday morning in the 3200 block of Seneca Drive near Desert Inn Road.

Contractor given more time to finish vets nursing home: CARSON CITY -- Significant progress has been made in cleaning up the construction problems at the state veterans nursing home in Boulder City and the contractor will be given more time to make corrections.

Reid points to train fire danger: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- While soot-covered firefighters tried to contain a hazardous materials freight train fire in a Baltimore tunnel on Thursday, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the accident is another example of the potential dangers of transporting high-level nuclear waste.

New voting machines sought: CARSON CITY -- The increasing population in Clark County is going to require the purchase of more voting machines and Registrar Larry Lomax likes a new model that is lighter and more sophisticated.

Amador blamed in Rudin appeal: Kim Smith; Defense attorney Michael Amador still maintains he did an adequate job representing Margaret Rudin, despite scathing criticisms in her motion for a new trial that he was unprepared and more interested in media deals.

Goodman negotiates with Idaho developer for arena: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is pushing hard for a downtown arena he hopes will attract thousands of tourists who will stop at nearby shops and casinos on their way to a concert or hockey game.

The Strip at LVMS point standings: PRO

Quick Care expansion opposed: By Emily Richmond; Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates wants a moratorium on University Medical Center's plans to build additional Quick Cares, the public hospital's highly profitable drop-in offices located throughout Southern Nevada.

Askew takes 10th at North Amateur: Askew, who stayed in the top 10 throughout the four-round tournament, finished seven strokes behind former Indiana University player Steven Wheatcroft, who won the event with a 10- under par 278.

The Bullring at LVMS point standings: NASCAR LATE MODELS

Building of power facility near Red Rock stalled: A hydroelectric plant proposed for the mountains near the Red Rock National Conservation Area is on indefinite hold, a staffer with Sen. Harry Reid's office said Thursday.

Nevada sales up 6.1 percent: CARSON CITY -- Spurred by strong car sales, general business in Nevada posted a 6.1 percent gain in May, the highest percentage increase since August of last year.

Longtime Las Vegas gaming executive Lewis dies at 70: Services for longtime Las Vegas gaming executive Leo Lewis, who casino owners and the state hired when gambling operations were in trouble, will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Palm Mortuary, 7400 W. Cheyenne Ave.

Cooling-off period called on library: The state Public Works Board has endorsed a cooling-off period in the litigation over the Lied Library at UNLV, which was hit with cost overruns and delays.

A walk down memory lane for Grove, players: For tenor saxophonist Carl Grove, life has been the same ol' big-band song and dance for nearly 50 years.

$100,000 awarded in cybersquatting case: The resort filed a lawsuit to stop Allen Computers, Downey, Calif., and its owner, Mark Denhammer from infringing its Bellagio trademark and violating the Anti-Cybersquatting and Consumer Protection Act.

Company's stock upgrades: Curtis raised IGT to "strong buy" from "buy." He gave the stock a 12-month price target of $75, a 40 percent premium over current levels.

Home Depot's LV launch attracts do-it-yourselfers: Kevin Ferguson; Ten months after adding an e-commerce feature to its website, Home Depot may not be racking up super cybersales, but some local customers -- from do-it-yourselfers to construction contractors -- say the site is helpful for comparing prices.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: On magical night, Goulet enjoys his just desserts: It was a night right out of Old Las Vegas: the opening of the Robert Goulet show, "A Man and His Music," on Saturday at the Showroom at the Venetian, followed by dinner at Zeffirino, hosted by the star and his wife, Vera, who also is an integral part of his professional life.

Columnist Kate Maddox: 'De la Guarda' de la gone-a: Kate Maddox; The financial troubles plaguing the Rio are going to have an impact on entertainment at the property.

Echo frontman says band is ahead of its time: Kirk Baird; To really appreciate the sugary/psychedelic musical sensibilities of Echo & the Bunnymen, it's almost necessary to take a bit of a music lesson.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Negligence is not for us to judge: I really was going to let this topic pass.

Datebook: As part of its "A World of Cinema" film series, Nevadans Organized to Better Address Diversity presents "Even Dwarfs Started Out Small," directed by Werner Herzog, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Admission is free. Call 734-6806.

Burglar gets 7 1/2 years in home invasion case: Kim Smith; Mike Springer's 8-year-old may be sleeping a little easier tonight.

Review: City real star of 'Bride of the Wind': Max Jacobson; What magic allure would be necessary for one woman to make four of the most creative minds in Central Europe fall head-over-heels in love with her?

Humperdinck offers solid show at Broadway Theatre: Joe Delaney; Engelbert Humperdinck is intent on having a good time this week in New York-New York's Broadway Theatre, and a just-short-of-being-full house had a good time with him at the show caught. His loyal fan club was on hand down front, as always, and it gathered at the edge of the stage at the finale.

Prosecutors to seek life without parole for West: Kim Smith; A long-lost uncle of Brookey West's is expected to take the stand next week as prosecutors begin their quest to obtain a no-parole life term for the convicted murderer.

Offspring continues to grow through turmoil: Randy Matin; Headlines have shrunk, the big guns have cooled their fire and the teams of lawyers have packed their cases for another day's battle. Yes, the war between the multiplatinum Offspring and the Sony Corp. has come to settlement. Instead of making the entirety of the band's latest album, "Conspiracy Of One," available to all as a free download on the Web, all parties have agreed that the single "Original Prankster" is enough. Surf on over to offspring.com to get yours.

Where I Stand--Brian Greenspun: Save those pennies: POOR OLD Ben Franklin. He's the guy who has told us through the centuries that a penny saved is a penny earned.

Editorial: Government honors its pledge -- finally: There are about 68 Nevadans who are due money totaling $3.5 million. People have died during the past year awaiting the payments, so it's critical that President Bush signs the compensation into law as soon as it is sent to him.

Obituaries for July 20, 2001: Sidney Benjamin "Skip" Affleck, 69, of Las Vegas died Wednesday in Las Vegas. He was born Aug. 29, 1931, in Ely. A lifelong resident of Nevada, he owned and operated Affleck & Conti Insurance Co. until his retirement in 1999. He was a Korean War Air Force veteran.

Attorney sues for legal fees: Nikolas Mastrangelo, who said Brugnara's company, Brugnara Properties IV LLC, retained him in October and agreed to pay him $250 an hour, filed suit in Clark County District Court on Wednesday.

Columnist Dean Juipe: New trend bans parents from cheering: Dean Juipe; Secondhand, it sounded exactly like the type of anecdotal evidence I needed to round out a column on the trappings of parents who are overly involved in their kids' games.

Legislature character 'Ambassador Merlin' found dead in Carson City: CARSON CITY -- "Ambassador Merlin," one of those colorful characters who attach themselves to the Nevada Legislature, has been found dead near Mound House, about 10 miles east of Carson City.

State to seek aid to study algae: Nevada water officials plan to ask the federal government for help to study the largest green algae bloom in Lake Mead's 66-year history.

PCL box: Oklahoma-Las Vegas: E -- Dransfeldt, Demetral, Masaoka. LOB--Oklahoma 8, Las Vegas 10. 2B-- Porter, Pena, Berrios, Prieto 2, Johnson, Stankiewicz, Cotton. HR -- Monroe 2. SH -- Johnson, Stankiewicz. SF -- Dransfeldt. SB -- Demetral, Cotton.

Letter: Nonprofit HMOs would provide affordable care: Doctors and nurses should be paid very well, but why should stockholders and CEOs be able to suck so much money out of something that everyone must have? I don't know anything about the Clinton health care plan because big business spent millions of dollars on campaign contributions, and Harry and Louise TV ads, to see that it didn't pass.

Panel delays vote after N.O. casino layoffs: Alan Sayre; NEW ORLEANS -- A day after Harrah's New Orleans Casino, the recipient of a major tax break from the state four months ago, fired 148 employees, the city decided Wednesday to delay considering a $5 million annual reduction in lease payments.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 2 p.m.

Tribes weighing casino initiative: Tom Zoellner; PHOENIX -- Arizona's Indian casino quandary is increasingly likely to be settled in one of two places: the Legislature or the ballot box.

'California Impact' driving up Las Vegas home values: Kevin Ferguson; An influx of Californians moving to Southern Nevada to escape a Golden State recession, an energy crisis and a higher cost of living is driving up the values of homes in the Las Vegas Valley, a local real estate expert said.

Letter: Bush catering to criminals: Why should this country embrace people who are criminals because they decided they had the right to come here illegally while other countries' citizens don't stand a chance of crossing our borders, legally or not! If Bush really thinks that by making these people voters he can guarantee his place as president, he'd better look again. People are prone to vote in someone to their own country's advantage. What right does he have to make such a huge decision without input from the people? Of course, we are not a government "of the people, for the people" anyhow, and haven't ...

Berosini ordered to pay: A federal magistrate in Las Vegas has ordered entertainer Bobby Berosini to pay an animal rights group for expenses it incurred while trying to force the orangutan trainer to pay a judgment against him.

Fugitive in cigar scam arrested in Henderson: CARSON CITY -- A man, who twice failed to appear for sentencing after pleading guilty to a cigar investment scam in Las Vegas, has been arrested a third time, the Secretary of State's Office said Thursday. Investigators found Peter Cobo at a bookstore in Henderson Wednesday night, and he was picked up on failure to appear for sentencing and bad check charges.

There's No Imitation: The luxurious white Cadillac Escalade stopped at the intersection of Blue Diamond Road and an access road across from Silverton.

Holocaust lesson lifelong mission for Las Vegan: When Edythe Katz Yarchever was in the seventh grade at Thomas Edison Junior High School in Boston, her teacher ordered her to stand up in class and explain to everyone why she took an unscheduled day off from school.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Penn & Teller settle in for longer run at Rio: Joe Delaney; Penn & Teller are settling into the Rio's Samba Theatre for longer and longer periods ... This engagement continues through Aug. 19 ... Just as Siegfried & Roy, Lance Burton and David Copperfield differ in presentation from each other as practitioners of magic and the illusionary arts, a Penn & Teller performance is another entertainment experience entirely.

Editorial: When less definitely is better: Nevadans should be excused then if they don't share the same sense of alarm that the DOE and some members of Congress have expressed regarding the Senate's smaller funding for the project, which would be $275 million annually instead of the $445 million sought by the DOE. For instance, the DOE claimed that a significantly smaller budget would mean that a repository's 2010 target date to open could not be met. The DOE also said huge staffing cuts would occur, including money for federal staff oversight and independent technical reviews. Sen. Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska, who is one of the dump's ...

'Warning' -- Don't call Green Day a sellout: Kirk Baird; It's difficult to think of being called a "snot-nosed punk," in the grand tradition of ex-Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten, as a compliment.

Judge refuses to block deal: "The court is convinced that, after a vigorous proxy fight, the shareholders of Wachovia can make an uncoerced, fully informed decision about whether or not they wish to approve the merger with First Union," North Carolina Business Court Judge Ben Tennille wrote.

LV Valley facing more challenges to protect its water: In its 10-year history the Southern Nevada Water Authority has secured a safer water supply, but the Las Vegas Valley faces greater challenges to protect its resources from contaminants, General Manager Pat Mulroy said.

Photographer fascinated by American experience: Since 1997 Beth Yarnelle Edwards has been probing people's personal spaces, looking for clues about their lives and for the meaning of American society.

This week's races: New England 300

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- Accell - Draws good post for 7-panel opener, Berrio aboard Avila trainee, adds blinkers for this. Hazel Louise - Enriquez atop West trainee, productive team draws good outer post, either Hazel or Louise will do. Value Play -- Superget

Anka mulls Vegas show: Steve Bornfeld; The Wayner crooning "Red Roses for a Blue Lady" wearing blue face paint? Nah.

Letter: GOP masters of mudslinging: To have two children who seek alcohol is not a happy event for any family, but the comment by Ari Fleischer, who declared that was "a family matter and it is not an issue the White House is going to get into," strikes me that the Republican Party operates on a disgusting two-way attitude.