Stories published March 22, 2002Las Vegas Sun

Sigman finely frames his Las Vegas heritage: When: 1-9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, through May 7.

Playwright Hudson's work is 'Ourstory': When: 8 p.m. today and 3 p.m. Saturday.

Performing arts for March 22, 2002: Plays staged

No quit in Desert Quilters: Kimberley McGee; When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today through Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

Guitarist Gerhard ready to show class in LV: Concert

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Lempert-Schwarz's efforts command attention: After a few years of intense campaigning, Wine Institute of Las Vegas founder Gil Lempert-Schwarz reached his goal. There is now a Commanderie de Bordeaux in Las Vegas.

Acrylic artist Zeilman moves 'into the light': Kimberley McGee; When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday.

Thursday's prep results: BASEBALL

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: 1st Race -- Such Gold - Solis atop Mitchell trainee, draws good spot for sprint opener, good trip produces Such Gold for backers. Mickey's Hot Stuff - Draws outside box on claimer, Garcia sits Abrams trainee, barn is heating up. Value Play -- Jolie Pegase

Blood drives announced: Tuesday: 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Las Vegas City Hall, 441 E. Bonanza Road; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Harrah's, 3475 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

Musical Arts Society delves into Beethoven: Kimberley McGee; When: 3 p.m. Sunday.

Firefighter lives on in Henderson teenager: Angie Wagner; When 5-year-old Chantyl Peterson didn't know the firefighter's name and was too young to really understand, she just called him "Mr. Nice Man."

Letter: Nevada Power was swindled: Nevada Power, instead of wasting time begging for more money from ratepayers, should be going after the power brokers and natural gas suppliers who put a gun to our collective heads and sold us electricity at exorbitant prices.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Protecting our heritage: This land is your land, this land is my land, from California to the New York island: From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters. This land was made for you and me.

Consul says Bush-Fox talks could aid Nevada: By Timothy Pratt; Nevada could benefit from the U.S.-Mexico immigration talks, Las Vegas Mexican Consul Berenice Rendon said.

Rebels play host to two-day invitational: Seton Hall, Tufts University and Western State College (Colo.) make up the four-team field along with the hosting Rebels. Select field events begin today at 2:30 p.m., while the long program of track and field events start at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Rebels' Richardson in slam-dunk contest: This year's event will take place on the campus of Georgia State University at the GSU Sports Arena on Thursday. The sharpshooters and slammers will be showcased in the two-hour ESPN telecast that will be seen on Saturday, March 30 (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. PST).

UNLV salvages split of a doubleheader: The Rebels (17-18) rebounded from a 9-6 loss in the opening game with their best hitting performance of the year, collecting at least two hits in every inning and matching their season-high with 10 runs scored.

Nevada sales up as state economy improves: CARSON CITY -- Taxable sales, one indicator of the economy in Nevada, rebounded in January, rising to $2.3 billion, up .4 percent from a year ago.

Oscar list: Oscar list

North Las Vegas plans a tribute to a first lady: WEEKEND EDITION

BC-NV--Tyson-Lewis,565: AP; It was the third trip to Memphis in the last week by representatives of Tyson and Lewis, signaling that the city had the inside track to host the June 8 fight.

They're golden: Geoff Carter; At least weather systems are visible from space. No matter how far you remove yourself from Hollywood, how detached and clinical your perspective, you can't tell me why "Moulin Rouge" was nominated for Best Picture, yet Baz Luhrmann wasn't nominated for Best Director. Or how that Best Director nod, for David Lynch, ended up being the only nomination "Mulholland Drive" received.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Vasser set to make 'test' run at Fontana: Jimmy Vasser returns this weekend to California Speedway in Fontana, but little will be familiar to the Las Vegas resident who won the Marlboro 500 CART race there in 1998.

Editorial: DNA tests need force of the law: On Monday Scheck advised a legislative panel studying the death penalty to consider a law that would set the standards for post-conviction DNA testing. Under such a law, a convict meeting the law's standards would have the right to avail himself of this technology. It would be especially critical for people imprisoned before the technology was available. Currently, Nevadans behind bars who file requests for DNA testing face an uphill battle and their requests may ultimately be denied, as there is no law laying out a procedure.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Clark baseball on rebound: Spencer Patterson; Once home to one of Southern Nevada's proudest baseball traditions, Clark High School has fallen on hard times in the sport in recent years.

This week in motor sports: Site: Bristol, Tenn.

On Display for March 22, 2002: "Eclectic Abstractions," paintings and drawings by Thaddeus Foster, are on display Monday through May 18 at West Lake Mead Blvd. Call 229-4800.

Editorial: City right to keep vision on 61 acres: During this time, the city and Southwest will meet and discuss their differences. Southwest says the city will not leave it alone while the proposal is being developed. It says the city is acting more like a developer, pushing its own agenda which rules out a minor league baseball stadium and emphasizes a performing arts center and medical complex.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Versatile Gary B's life a party-packed show: Gary B's philosophy can be summed up briefly: Life's a party and everyone's invited.

Datebook for March 22, 2002: Prostitute-turned-political-candidate Jessi Winchester will sign copies of her book, "From Bordello to Ballot Box," at 4 p.m. Saturday at B. Dalton Bookseller at Boulevard Mall. Call 735-0008.

Board clears 11 officers in gunfight: Keith Paul; Two Metro Police Use of Force Boards on Thursday determined 11 officers were within department guidelines when they collectively fired 152 shots during a gunfight in November.

Community briefs for March 22, 2002: A youth sportsmanship skate-safe clinic will be 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at Sunny Springs Park, 7620 Golden Talon Ave.

Letter: Learn English or head back south of border: When you qualify for a driver's license, two German instructors watch every movement. You must do it in German or no license.

Track to get 1,000 new slot machines: As many as 1,000 new slot machines would be added under a $15 million expansion plan that includes a 57,000-square-foot addition. The Mardi Gras-themed building will be styled after vintage New Orleans, with brick and wrought iron accents, skylights and sweeping fountains.

Two governors celebrate I-15 widening project: Jace Radke; Nevada has moved to ensure that Southern California tourists can avoid traffic jams while en route to Las Vegas.

Officials say funds needed for TV ad blitz: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- If Nevada lawmakers meet for a special Legislative session to approve more taxpayer money to fight Yucca Mountain, much of the cash likely would be spent on television commercials, officials said.

Firm settles shareholder suit: The settlement covers investors who bought Providian's once high-flying stock between Jan. 21-June 4, 1999.

Mogul's daughter to take over casino empire: The billionaire's sister, Winnie Ho, and another majority shareholder, Henry Fok, were absent from the meeting and opposed the appointment, the newspaper reported.

Lobbyist says Daschle, Ensign spat hurts fight: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The political spat between Nevada's Republican Sen. John Ensign and Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle is a "distraction" to the state's fight against the Yucca Mountain project, Nevada's top Democratic lobbyist said Thursday.

Woman sues singer Dion's husband: The woman sued Angelil, his company Coliseum Corp. and the Imperial Palace last week.

State could tap 'rainy day' fund: Erin Neff; Nevada officials are considering declaring an emergency to shift $10 million from the state's "rainy day" fund to the fight against a proposed nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain.

News briefs for March 22, 2002: A 22-year-old man convicted of shooting his girlfriend during a game of Russian roulette was sentenced to 25 years in prison Thursday.

Political notebook: James' decision prompts flood of new candidates: Erin Neff; State Sen. Mark James' decision last week not to seek re-election is bringing candidates out of the woodwork and is even leading to another change for James.

Tyson-Lewis uncertain: Tyson-Lewis uncertain

Shortfall prompts revamped bus routes: Local commuters will see fewer buses on some Citizen Area Transit routes when changes are instituted this weekend.

Obituaries for March 22, 2002: Eric Christian Chandler, 28, of Las Vegas died Monday in Las Vegas. He was born Dec. 23, 1973, in Oxnard, Calif. A resident for four years, he was an air-conditioning technician and Navy veteran.

Appeals court OKs lawyers' ads: CARSON CITY -- The State Bar of Nevada had the authority to spend $200,000 on an advertising campaign to convince the public that lawyers are not cheats and interested only in profits, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Mock attack tests response: Diana Sahagun; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman says Southern Nevada agencies aren't prepared for a biological attack, but they're getting closer.

Homeless reduction plan approved, but funding could become problem: By Timothy Pratt; A task force on Thursday approved most of a plan to reduce homelessness in Southern Nevada, but fell short when it came to committing specific amounts of money toward addressing the problem.

Board announces disciplinary actions: CARSON CITY -- The state Board of Medical Examiners announced Thursday it has revoked the physician assistant's license of James Harris of Las Vegas, who was found guilty of three counts of rendering aid while under the influence of controlled substances.

Columnist Jeff German: Senators must keep up fight vs. Yucca: Late last week, as Nevada Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign were fine-tuning battle plans behind close doors, the spirit of partisanship reared its ugly head in the shadow of an awesome foe, the mighty nuclear power industry.

Editorial: Anti-dump campaign needs boost: Guinn, who has been consulting with Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign about convening a special session, will have to act quickly since the $6 million that's already been raised for the anti-dump campaign is nearly tapped. The issue is reaching a critical point, with Congress expected to reach a final decision on Yucca Mountain's fate within a few months. Special sessions of the Legislature are extraordinary -- there have only been 17 in the state's 138-year history. But if the threats posed by Yucca Mountain to the safety of our residents and the state's economy aren't important enough, then ...

Editorial: Prevent hardships, conserve our water: The state is limited on how much water it can draw from the Colorado River. The longer we can go without tapping into other sources, such as ground water from Lincoln County or diversions from the Virgin River, the better. And there is no guarantee those sources will be allowed, which means future generations might face forced conservation. It's better to conserve voluntarily now than to create hardships for future generations.

Review: 'Sorority Boys' is a barrel of crude: Geoff Carter; Grade: No stars

Columnist Benjamin Grove: Stressing the danger of shipping waste: Benjamin Grove; In the wake of Sept. 11 and with a vote on Yucca Mountain looming in Congress in a few months, Nevada officials say that scenario is among their top arguments against the Yucca project, a federal plan to bury the nation's nuclear waste 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Sport's biggest names in town for women's soccer exhibition: Steve Guiremand; It's a big weekend for college basketball fans with local sports books expected to be packed as the Sweet 16 whittles itself down to the Final Four.

Columnist Joe Delaney: Lightfoot: To The Orleans by way of Canada: Joe Delaney; Gordon Lightfoot, Canadian poet, songwriter and philosopher, is back at The Orleans, tonight through Sunday, painting beautiful true-to-life pictures with words and music ... He joins Paul Anka, Celine Dion, Rich Little and Anne Murray, among others, as one of our northern neighbor's most prolific entertainment exports ... He is on our don't-miss list.

Pedophile priests: A culture of secrecy: Stacy J. Willis; WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Erin Neff: Yucca fight gets partisan, personal: Erin Neff; The signs are as prevalent as the campaign placards already blighting the landscape: political posturing, finger-pointing and laying blame.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Blame yourself, Tom: Before I continue, I would like to thank the folks at the Review-Journal for giving such rave reviews to the new Green Valley Ranch in their Best of Las Vegas section this past week. Now, to the subject at hand.

Greek Isles' 'Le Dinner' whets appetites: Joe Delaney; "Le Dinner Cabaret," the 7 p.m. attraction in the Greek Isles Dinner Theatre, is a very entertaining, innovative, well-paced, audience-involving way of combining a three-course dinner as part of a 21-scene production. Fernando Quevedo, once of the Los Huincas Gauchos, excels as producer, director and man in overall charge.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Stinginess is a true compliment: I'm not sure I'd call my cousin's husband a "comp wizard," but he gets his buck's worth -- even in Las Vegas.

Columnist Sandy Thompson: Group focuses on homeless kids' education: Sandy Thompson; More specifically, the group wants to ensure that an estimated 2,000 local school-age children who are homeless go to -- and stay in -- school. That's not a simple task for children who don't know where they'll be living the next day, week or month.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Yucca fight mired in pettiness: Instead of quietly trying to assemble votes and craft strategies to block the dump in the U.S. Senate this summer, the battle last week disintegrated into a war of news releases and shameless posturing. Instead of trying to answer the seminal question such as how to count to 51 in the Senate, we heard the tiresome refrains:

Review: Predictable 'Blade II' cuts to the gore: Geoff Carter; Blade

Review: 'E.T.' holds its age quite well: Geoff Carter; Grade: ****

Letter: Ralston slam on Mormons full of hate and bigotry: I am LDS and some of my best friends are "Mormon" too, (maybe even Republican). Amazingly, despite his worn-out generalizations, we have these qualities:

Columnist Susan Snyder: Drink is Tony award winner: You want a good squirrel, he's your guy -- as long as you're talking about the cocktail. (If you're after the actual animal, you need help.)

Letter: Those who hate aren't Christians: SONDRA COSGROVE

Tailing Taylor: WEEKEND EDITION

History-rich Ebony Fashion Fair returns: Kimberley McGee; Ebony Fashion Fair

Mickelson fires a 64 to take Players lead: With his ball sitting on packed sand inside a bunker, Mickelson curved an 80-yard shot around a tree, got it to land pin high, then spin hard left. The ball screeched to a halt, seven feet from the hole.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Ashley Force slated to make her debut in Las Vegas: Kenny Bernstein and his son, Brandon, made NHRA history last spring in Las Vegas when they became the first father-son duo to win at an NHRA national event on the same weekend.

Company sells $100 million in bonds: The senior subordinated notes were priced to yield 9.5 percent interest, and become due in 2009. The notes were an add-on to $225 million in senior subordinated notes already outstanding. The notes were offered by Coast Hotels and Casinos Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coast Resorts.

Growth proceeds in Chinatown Plaza area: Jennifer Robison; Three separate projects with Asian themes and retail lineups are in various stages of renovation and building near Chinatown Plaza on Spring Mountain Road in Las Vegas.

Boyd rolling to record earnings as gambling industry rebounds: David Strow; Boyd Gaming Corp. stock traded at a 52-week high this morning, after the Las Vegas-based casino operator announced Thursday it would beat analyst expectations for the second straight quarter.

Commission approves $25,000 fine: The settlement resulted from a three-count complaint by the Nevada Gaming Control Board against the Olympic Garden that could have resulted in a fine of up to $100,000. Allegations made in the complaint included lack of free access for gamblers, acts of solicitation for prostitution by club dancers, and pornographic pictures on the Olympic Garden website.

Police tell homeless to move by Sunday: Keith Paul; Metro Police today began informing homeless people camped on a downtown sidewalk they will have to clear out by Sunday, but the ACLU is seeking a federal court injunction to thwart the effort.

$60 million settlement reached: The Federal Trade Commission announced Thursday that First Alliance Mortgage Corp. agreed to repay nearly 18,000 of its customers in 18 states and the District of Columbia.

Up to 64,000 Nevadans are problem gamblers: David Strow and Cy Ryan; A study issued today, the first in-depth of its kind in Nevada, estimates there are 41,000 to 64,000 "probable pathological gamblers" in Nevada, or up to 6.4 percent of the state's population -- a percentage in line with previous estimates for the Las Vegas area.

Doctors, lawyers discuss medical crisis: Erin Neff; The "tail" wagged the dog of the medical malpractice crisis Thursday during the first meeting of a legislative panel studying skyrocketing costs that are forcing doctors to leave the state.

Nevada taxable sales on increase: CARSON CITY -- Taxable sales, one indicator of the economy in Nevada, rebounded in January, rising to $2.3 billion, up .4 percent from a year ago.

Hearings set on risks of shipping waste: Young reportedly is concerned about whether the nation's highly radioactive waste could safely be transported by truck and train through 43 states to Yucca Mountain. If Congress and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ultimately approve the nuclear waste repository 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, the site could become a permanent burial ground for 77,000 tons of waste by the end of the decade.

Water rates may be raised: Efforts to spur conservation might lead to higher prices for some water users in the Las Vegas Valley, a leading water agency official said Thursday.

Campaign to include TV ad blitz: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- If Nevada lawmakers meet for a special Legislative session to approve more taxpayer money to fight Yucca Mountain, much of the cash likely would be spent on television commercials, officials said.

Six charged in shooting death of NLV woman: Keith Paul; Nearly seven months after prosecutors dropped charges in a gang-related shooting that killed a woman mourning her sister's death, North Las Vegas Police charged six suspects again.

Vegas casino, brewery to close: Kurt Weisner, chief executive officer of the company, said the brewery, a supplier to the other five Big Dog's properties, would continue to operate until it is relocated to one of its other locations, the Draft House Barn & Casino on Rancho Drive north of Craig Road. Weisner has no timetable for moving the brewery.

Venetian reveals option to back out of Macau: Though listed as a partner in a consortium called Galaxy Casino, Adelson's company only has an option to acquire a large stake in the company, Las Vegas Sands Inc. President Bill Weidner told the Journal. Weidner said Las Vegas Sands is unlikely to exercise the option without getting prior approval from Nevada regulators, the paper said.

Utility: Plan lessens burden of hike: Nevada Power Co. was expected to announce today what it believes is a more palatable way to recoup $922 million it spent on energy used last year.

Taxi drivers: Diversion proposal may be ineffective: Las Vegas cab drivers are split over the potential effectiveness of a planned crackdown by the Nevada Taxicab Authority on illegal passenger diversions.

Nevada gold production slips 5 percent: CARSON CITY -- Gold production fell 5 percent to 8.125 million ounces valued at $2.2 billion, but Nevada remained the nation's top gold mining state in 2001.

CCSN full-time enrollment doubles in one year: Jennifer Knight; Amanda Cobbs, 19, wants to stretch her Millennium Scholarship a bit further.

School of Medicine grads get assignments: Jennifer Knight; Elizabeth Raskin could hardly contain her excitement when her cell phone rang in the crowded room at the University of Nevada School of Medicine Patient Care Center.

Moulin Rouge plans weekly yard sales: Over the years when major hotels had excess furniture or unused rolls of carpet to give away, many turned to the Moulin Rouge, which would accept the fixtures whether they could be used or not.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Kent is only latest player caught in fib: Dean Juipe; Traditionally, baseball conjures up a wholesome image.

Letter: Lottery could succeed here: You are against a Nevada state lottery because it has failed to do as advertised in other states, has been mismanaged, and otherwise should be deemed a failure elsewhere. So what!

Review: Made-over 'Zoolander' redeems itself on DVD: Geoff Carter; "Zoolander" is every bit as stupid on DVD (Paramount DVD, $29.99) as it was in theaters late last year. Ben Stiller's turn as fluff-brained male supermodel Derek Zoolander is just as trying, its humor just as crass and the movie's child-labor subplot is just as ill-advised.