Stories published September 28, 2001Las Vegas Sun

Nasdaq suspends listing requirements until January: NEW YORK -- The Nasdaq Stock Market has temporarily suspended certain trading requirements to help companies remain listed on the exchange and to ease the economic turmoil following this month's terrorist attacks.

Company details cuts: John Marz, senior vice president of marketing at Mandalay, said the company wants to bring the workers back "as quickly as we possibily can, but it will all depend on the level of business, and how quickly that business comes back." While business is down, Marz said the company's top 100 executives have agreed to take pay cuts totaling about $5 million on an annual basis.

Slowdown occurring before attacks: CARSON CITY -- Nevada's unemployment rate inched up to 4.8 percent in August with an estimated 51,400 people out of work, the state reported Thursday.

Venetian's ideas for Internet venture far from traditional: David Strow; When Nevada took the first steps toward legalized Internet gaming, most people envisioned electronic versions of casinos piped over the Internet onto home computers.

Cable company offering casinos free ads: The Las Vegas cable television operator announced Thursday that the offer of 250 free 30-second TV commercials would be made to 34 hotel-casinos. The company said the resorts are not limited to what type of advertising message can be used, but hotels are being encouraged to focus on attracting tourists back to Las Vegas following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the East Coast.

Gaming figures on Forbes' wealthy list: NEW YORK -- Bill Gates is still a multibillionaire, but not quite as wealthy as he was a year ago.

U.S. close to recession: Martin Crutsinger; WASHINGTON -- The U.S. economy managed to eke out a tiny 0.3 percent growth rate in the April-June quarter, dangerously close to a recession even before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

LV dealers unlikely to participate in Daimler plan: DaimlerChrysler AG plans to lift its long-standing restrictions on selling Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep brands under one roof in select markets -- but Las Vegas may not be included.

Judge wants Microsoft case settled, notes terrorism: U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly gave the Justice Department and Microsoft until Nov. 2 to reach a deal. She asked both sides to negotiate "24 hours a day, seven days a week."

Local news briefs for September 28, 2001: One of the 10 people indicted in connection with an Asian prostitution ring has entered a plea agreement.

Aladdin bankruptcy set: David Strow; Executives with the $1.2 billion Aladdin hotel-casino have made the decision to file for bankruptcy and this could occur as early as today, sources familiar with the situation said.

ACLU challenges law against filing of false police complaints: The American Civil Liberties Union and Metro Police oppose a Nevada law that allows police departments to submit misdemeanor charges to district attorneys for prosecution of people who allegedly file false complaints against officers.

Gibbons privy to inside 'intel': Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., a key member of the House Intelligence Committee, was in Reno two weekends ago when officials in Washington called him into another meeting.

Recent Las Vegas-area business-related bankruptcies: Biltmore Vacation Village LLC doing business as Biltmore Vacation Resorts LLC doing business as Dynamic Design Architecture LLC, 3960 E. Patrick Lane, filed Chapter 7, with no listed assets and liabilities.

FBI sorts through tips, no matter how unimportant they seem: Kim Smith; A few days after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, FBI Special Agent Daron W. Borst received a tip.

Boulder City: Council-raise issue is not going away: Jeffrey Libby; A controversy sparked by a proposal to raise salaries for members of the Boulder City Council isn't over.

Clark County survey favors tough tobacco limits: By Emily Richmond; A survey of Clark County residents found overwhelming support for tougher rules on smoking in public places, especially schools, grocery stores and restaurants, health officials said this week.

Obituaries for September 28, 2001: Teri Angione-Tansey, 37, of Las Vegas died Tuesday. She was born Oct. 27, 1963, in Las Vegas. A lifelong resident, she was a bank clerk.

Letter: New York mayor showed courage: In New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and his staff were on the site as soon as possible, not looking at their own safety. All they were interested in was what they could do for the people at the World Trade Center.

Letter: Start bombing if demands not met: The latest attack was committed by gutless, scum-sucking cowards who are rotting in hell. On Sept. 11 how much strength did it take for the hijackers to overpower and stab the stewardesses?

Letter: Las Vegans can help each other right now: For some it continues as they sleep. The blow left us all feeling helpless to aid our fellow Americans. We opened our hearts and our pocketbooks for the victims in New York. We fell to our knees and prayed to end our fears of the worst and to give us strength to endure the days to come.

Editorial: Reassuring unnerved travelers: Most of the president's short- and long-term proposals are sound. Bush is urging governors to temporarily call up National Guard units to help protect U.S. airports; he wants to spend $500 million to retrofit planes with new security measures, including the fortification of cockpit doors to deny access from the cabin, and he is in favor of expanding the use of armed federal air marshals aboard commercial planes.

Editorial: Tourism industry could use advocate: Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., says she will introduce legislation next week to re-establish the agency. The tourism industry is facing a crisis as people fear venturing far from home, even for business trips. Boxer says it is her belief that a tourism agency would not only lure international travelers, but it also would boost domestic tourism.

Culture festival aims to strike unanimous chord: The Mexico Vivo Dance Company and other local Latin dance groups will perform Saturday at the County Government Center in an effort to raise awareness for peace and unity in Las Vegas communities, as well as raise funds for local nonprofit organizations.

Theatre company goes from dream to reality: The curtain will rise on a play and a dream tonight at UNLV's Judy Bayley Theatre.

Speaking Frankie: Kirk Baird; For nearly 50 years Philadelphia-born Frankie Avalon has been a household name.

Philadelphia Orchestra kicks off Vanda Series: The Philadelphia Orchestra performed during the first season of UNLV's Performing Arts Center's prestigious Charles Vanda Master Series in 1976.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Piano bar is a Golden treasure at historic Gate: The historic Golden Gate sits with quiet dignity at the western end of Fremont Street.

Datebook: Mark Doty, author of six books of poetry, will read from his books at 7:30 p.m. today at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Call 733-7810.

'Zoolander' 3D: Dumb day dawning: Geoff Carter; Not whimsical enough to be whimsy, not satirical enough to be satire and not profane enough to be funny, "Zoolander" is a misfire that may prove successful: I overheard members of the preview audience commending the slight comedy's complete lack of substance. "That was just what I needed," a teenage girl said. "It was so stupid, it took my mind right off my troubles."

Fair is a celebration of recovery: Kimberley McGee; There will be a fair Saturday at Sammy Davis Jr. Center Festival Plaza at Lorenzi Park. There will be music, food and games.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: New York restaurants keep workers well fed: Joining together to help those in need is a longtime tradition with the hospitality industry. In addition to the thousands of volunteers assisting at ground zero of the World Trade Center tragedy, some of New York's finest chefs and restaurants have taken on a task of heroic proportions, to provide a steady stream of hot meals to the work crews.

Columnist Susan Snyder: A pedestrian request for your kids: The photograph offered a tragic portrait of what humans are capable of inflicting on each other.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Hermitage plans still in flight: Kate Maddox; Despite recent grumblings surrounding the opening of the Hermitage museum at Venetian, hotel officials are stating that everything will be in place for the Oct. 7 premiere.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Lucas talking up a storm during his Rio run: Joe Delaney; Ronn Lucas, "the man who can make anything talk," combines elements of stand-up comedy, improvisation, audience interaction and contemporary ventriloquism, usually with hilarious results, 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays in the Rio's Copacabana Showroom ... Lucas is in through Oct. 7; we predict a return for an extended run.

Society of Seven wows crowds at Las Vegas Hilton: Joe Delaney; Society of Seven, once called the Fabulous Echoes, have starred at the Oahu (Hawaii) Outrigger Hotel for the past 32 years.

Bellagio postpones fall art exhibition: Kimberley McGee; The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art's fall exhibition has been postponed indefinitely due in part to the recent events in New York and Washington.

Grand Slam: The terrorist attacks that killed thousands of people in New York and scores more in Washington deeply wounded America. Almost every event that has taken place in the United States since the horrific occurrences of Sept. 11 has been overshadowed by the tragedy seen by millions of people on national television.

Community news briefs for September 28, 2001: Experts in Israeli-American military relations will speak 11:45 a.m. Oct. 26 at a luncheon at the Monet Ballroom of the Bellagio.

Website allows teens to discuss drugs' dangers: Kimberley McGee; Prom. First kiss. Driver's license. First car.

Threat of war speeds up wedding: By Timothy Pratt; Army Pfc. Victor Flores of Las Vegas sometimes drives up Franklin Mountain from Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and looks across the river his father crossed on an inner tube when he came to this country.

U.S. may still be forming attack plan: R.W. Apple Jr; WASHINGTON -- Two weeks after the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the question of the hour here is this: Does the Bush administration have a well-defined plan of action in what it calls the war on terrorism, or is it groping its way toward a plan?

Editorial: Renewing our faith in government: Overall Bush has made the right moves in having government aggressively tackle this crisis -- internationally, domestically and militarily. Bush wants $17 billion more for national defense and he and Congress already have passed a $40 billion spending bill to help rebuild New York and the Pentagon. In addition, the president agreed to a $15 billion bailout for the airline industry, which has laid off more than 100,000 employees because business has fallen off so sharply after the terrorist attacks. Just last week Bush outlined a significant increase in the federal government's oversight of air travel security, including the temporary ...

Letter: Pray, whether or not you believe: This is one of those rare historic moments when even those who are against prayers, especially in schools, should forget their opposition, even temporarily, for the good of our country that is now undergoing an agonizing period of healing and recovery.

Letter: We must put aside our fears: Now is the time for all good leaders to come to the aid of their country. If the people are to "live normally," elected officials must take the risks they ask of us. Open Reagan National Airport. Be seen in public. The only risk taker has been the much-hated Bill Clinton, who announced he would fly on several different airliners next week.

Letter: Civil liberties trampled upon: The point is moot as he has in custody naturalized citizens without bond on the suspicion that they may have links to Osama bin Laden.

Letter: Attack put end to innocence: I never used to think about airplanes deliberately being crashed into skyscrapers, except in movies by Willis, Schwarzenegger and Stallone.

Letter: Patriotism now in vogue: Having said this, I am also incensed by the well-meaning, but also "phony" show of "patriotism" by the Americans who wear this "patriotism" on their shirtsleeves.

Letter: Some give while others take: I was particularly taken by the expression of caring by the employees at my favorite Einstein's Bagels. Last week as I was paying my bill I noticed that the tip jar had been pasted over with the American Red Cross emblem. When I asked about it, I was informed that the employees had volunteered to contribute their tips to help those harmed in the terrorist attack.

Letter: Parking ban has no merit: To follow this to its logical conclusion, we should eliminate parking in any parking structure (i.e., casinos, shopping malls, sporting arenas, etc.). As flights resume, picking up arriving passengers is going to be a nightmare; you will have to drive around trying to find them. I think this will have its own negative effect on people getting back on airplanes.

Letter: Proud to fly American flag: Before we signed our name on the dotted line I asked the Realtor if we would be allowed to fly our American flag, and bluntly told him "no deal" if we couldn't. I really wanted to believe no such rule existed. Fortunately our flag flies proudly every day. In some association tracts they do not.

Letter: Don't put guns in pilots' hands: Pilots need a bulletproof security door and it needs to remain closed during flight. No flight attendants going in and out. No pilots going in and out. Pilots need their own mini-kitchen and bathroom facilities all behind that security door.

Letter: Being politically correct won't make us normal: But returning to normal will be that much harder if we have to worry about being politically correct. For example, if disc jockeys won't play classics like "American Pie" for fear of being insensitive, and if the Secretary of Defense has to change the name of our military operation to one that's less offensive, and if Bill Maher can't say anything politically incorrect without losing his sponsors, and if citizens can't wear ribbons, wave flags of wear buttons saying they're proud to be an American because they might make someone feel uncomfortable, then we're not going to return to normalcy ...

Letter: Don't neglect domestic issues: However, this war has taken all of the focus away from the Republican agenda and domestic policy. Many of us are concerned with drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, using Yucca Mountain as the dumping ground for America's nuclear waste, gun control, renewable energy, i.e., solar and wind farms, Social Security, Medicare, and prescription drugs for seniors. I'd like to see more emphasis go back to domestic issues.

Letter: Reaction mixed in Europe: Trains, buses, cars and bicyclists came to a complete stop to pay respect to those who lost their lives because of religious zealotry.

Columnist Mike O'Callaghan: Now we must teach the religious fanatics about us: I've had a gut full of columns and editorials telling me the United States doesn't understand the terrorists who killed 6,000 innocent people in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. What's there to understand? Their goals have been made known, and it's clear that freedoms we enjoy are getting in the way of fanatical Muslim fundamentalists planning to dominate the world as they see it.

Columnist Maureen Dowd: Self-absorbed boomers stock up on gas masks: Maureen Dowd; WASHINGTON -- It was always a delusional vanity, this fixation boomers had about controlling their environment. They thought they could make life safe and healthy and fend off death and aging.

Columnist Jeff German: It's hard to feel patriotic with no job: THE GOOD NEWS is that tourism is back on the rise in Las Vegas in the wake of this month's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

Columnist Jon Ralston: New realities can't be ignored: RARELY HAS a cliche become embedded so quickly -- and proved so wrong, at least here in Nevada.

Columnist Thomas Friedman: It's time to make the bad guys afraid: Thomas Friedman; The day after the World Trade Center bombings an Egyptian TV show called and asked me to explain the impact on Americans. I scanned my brain for an analogy and finally said: Imagine how Egyptians would feel if three suicide bombers rammed airplanes into the Pyramids, with thousands of people inside. The World Trade towers were our Pyramids, built with glass and steel rather than stones, but Pyramids to American enterprise and free markets, and someone has destroyed them.

Columnist William Safire: Shaking off the gloom, doom of Sept. 11: William Safire; WASHINGTON -- Legend has it that when Lord Cornwallis formally surrendered to Gen. Washington at Yorktown, ending the Revolutionary War, the red-coated band played "The World Turned Upside Down."

Columnist Susan Snyder: What is normal going to be like?: How long should I wear it? Until Oct. 11? Forever? Until things get back to normal?

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Many questions arise: It has been almost three weeks since thousands of Americans and our guests were murdered in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. Since then we have waited for some word that the United States, the world's only superpower, was doing something about those murdering thugs who committed the "acts that changed America."

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Going undefeated not an easy task: Spencer Patterson; All games 7 p.m.

Aladdin resort filing for bankruptcy today: David Strow; Executives with the $1.2 billion Aladdin hotel-casino have made the decision to file for bankruptcy and the filing was scheduled for today, sources familiar with the situation said.

Natural gas, gasoline prices heading down: WASHINGTON -- Gasoline prices have dropped a nickel or more a gallon. The price of natural gas, once sky-high, is now so low producers are canceling orders for drilling rigs. And crude oil prices have taken a nosedive.

FBI: Five suspected hijackers stayed in Vegas: FBI agents have confirmed that five of the suspected hijackers responsible for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington stayed in Las Vegas this summer.

This week's races: NASCAR WINSTON CUP

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: New track evens odds for Busch: KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Kurt Busch believes he has an edge going into Sunday's inaugural NASCAR Winston Cup race at Kansas Speedway.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Struggling Notre Dame might not stand a prayer: Steve Guiremand; The nightmare continues at Notre Dame.

Entertainment firms studying Internet gaming: Kevin Ferguson; There's no question that entertainment and media companies see lucrative opportunities in the Internet gambling industry and are exploring ways to tap into the growing market.

Analyst: Window closing for LV firms in e-gaming: Kevin Ferguson; The window of opportunity for Las Vegas casino operators to enter and dominate the Internet gambling industry will be closed within 12 months, predicts one analyst.

Yucca lump-sum funding criticized by lawmakers: Benjamin Grove and Mary Manning; The Department of Energy for the first time has asked Congress to consider paying for the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain in one lump sum rather than doling out smaller annual budgets, according to an agency report.

Center to help newly unemployed: Adrienne Packer; About 10,000 residents who lost their jobs as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will soon be able to visit a one-stop service center to inquire about unemployment benefits and seek help with medical costs and utility bills.

Many interested in marijuana program: CARSON CITY -- The state has received a steady -- and heavier than expected -- stream of requests to enroll in Nevada's medical marijuana program in the program's first three days of signups.

New Nevada airport security guards to begin training: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn says he hopes that training can start Monday for 45 new security guards who will be stationed at airports in Las Vegas, Reno and Elko.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Rebels try to salvage the season: Dean Juipe; If the UNLV football team were a comedy troupe, it would be the Not Ready For Prime Time Players.

Sewer construction to disrupt Rancho: The two left turn onramp lanes to travel west on 95 from Rancho will narrow to one lane. There will also be other periodic lane shifts and closures on Rancho as construction continues on the $10 million sewer installation project.

Muslim leaders plan educational sessions: Stacy J. Willis; Khalid Khan is holding a T-shirt printed with an American flag -- a shirt made in Pakistan and silk-screened in his Las Vegas textile business by a female employee who wears a hijab, or Muslim head scarf.

Heavyweight Barrett says his time is coming: Dean Juipe; Every viable heavyweight contender sees Hasim Rahman and has hope.

IRS to help those with tax trouble: The number is (866) 562-5227. Spanish speaking officials will be on duty 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. English-speaking officials will be available 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Rebels: 'A team in crisis': Steve Guiremand; UNLV head football coach John Robinson says his 0-3 team is in "a crisis" heading into Saturday afternoon's Mountain West Conference opener with 20th-ranked BYU (3-0) at Sam Boyd Stadium.

LV could have been targeted, expert says: Diana Sahagun; A leading expert on terrorism told a national audience Wednesday that Las Vegas could have been the target of a suicide mission similar to the attacks at the World Trade Center.

Recent moves by Herrera seen by some as politically motivated: Adrienne Packer; Whether through a proposal to bail out the casino industry or a plan help its laid-off workers, Clark County Commission chairman Dario Herrera has moved into the local spotlight in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

Police looking into fatal crash: The accident happened at about 12:15 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Flamingo Road and Torrey Pines Drive. A 2001 Ford Ranger was traveling eastbound on Flamingo and entered the intersection of Torrey Pines on a red light, colliding with a 1996 Chevrolet car, police said.

Guinn announces state belt-tightening: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn said he plans to delay spending on certain construction projects and new equipment for state agencies in an effort to keep Nevada's budget out of the red.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Bengals, Chargers unlikely battle of unbeatens: Sal DeFilippo; Before the season began, anyone looking ahead to this weekend could have envisioned a few matchups as potential intraconference battles of unbeaten teams -- matchups that could have an effect on playoff seedings.

School District gets low rate on $325 million bond sale: Terry Webster; Despite concerns over the stability of the national economy, the Clark County School District sold $325 million in general obligation building bonds Thursday at an interest rate of 4.81 percent, well below what it had budgeted.

BLM sets minimum bids on sales near Mesquite: CARSON CITY -- The Bureau of Land Management Thursday set the minimum bid prices for the auction of three parcels near Mesquite that could accommodate thousands of new residents.

Tennis: UNLV women host invitational tourney: Joining UNLV will be players from Louisiana State, Minnesota and Oklahoma State. Featured first-round matches today include 41st-ranked Lady Rebel Paulina Janus taking on Amy Thomas of Minnesota. Also, 100th-ranked Lady Rebel Agnieszka Abram will face off against Tami Botts of LSU.

Task force sees Las Vegas as nation's new USO: Las Vegas should position itself in the role of the USO to weary Americans needing a break from the nation's war on terrorism, a newly created task force of Nevada tourism experts says.

Support shifting to locals who lost their jobs: Ed Koch and Jace Radke; While entertainers such as Siegfried and Roy and others are aware that families of victims of terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington still need support, they also realize that the plight facing Las Vegans and the local economy is no illusion.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: A new life perspective: IT IS STILL about perspective. It is also about people.

Aladdin bankruptcy filing the biggest in memory: David Strow; The resort, which remains operating, listed assets of $698 million and liabilities of $593 million. A hearing was set for Friday afternoon in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Las Vegas so lawyers for the bankrupt property could propose operational plans for the immediate future.

Las Vegas Sun

Print edition for September 28, 2001

Today's frontpage

The Sun

RSS Feeds