Print edition for November 1, 2002

Columnist Jon Ralston: Democrats to feel post-election hangover: The Republicans have all the money, all the anointed candidates and all the ethics (if the ads are to be believed). So all the Democrats are likely to be left with come Wednesday morning is a shopping bag full of trinkets, with nearly all the valuable jewels (a constitutional office sweep, a new congressional district, the state Senate) in Republican hands.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Building an art network is an art: But Toni Sgariata figured the future of the local arts community was more important than hawking another mask or vial of spirit gum. She was one of about 40 people who showed up for a public workshop by the Nevada Arts Council Wednesday.

Letter: Cubans, but not Haitians, let in: Well, in a classic case of political brotherhood, George W. wants his brother Jeb to be re-elected governor there. So diplomatically, even though we are pals with Communist China and Vietnam, poor Cuba will not be recognized. Not only that, but also to appease the Cuban-Americans in Florida, and to get their vote for Jeb, we will now accept any Cubans who wash ashore. Blood is thicker than national interest.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Sound advice: Tune in to Rita: You too, Abigail Van Buren.

Wyoming goes for rarity: two MWC wins in a row: AP; Saturday's game in Las Vegas between Wyoming (2-6, 1-2 Mountain West Conference) and UNLV (3-5, 1 (2)- may provide an answer. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. Mountain, 4 p.m. Pacific.

Tom Foolery: WEEKEND EDITION: Nov. 3, 2002

Revisiting Tule Springs' 'Big Dig': By Mary Manning; Big dig

Columnist Jeff German: It's tough to take Goodman seriously: Hundreds of Las Vegans were partying with Mayor Oscar Goodman under the brightly lit canopy of the Fremont Street Experience -- all in honor of the mayor's $100,000 contract with Bombay Sapphire Gin.

Marriage initiative has divided clergy: WEEKEND EDITION: Nov. 3, 2002

Water authority not allowed to fight back: WEEKEND EDITION: Nov. 3, 2002

Tax hike would aid road improvements: WEEKEND EDITION: Nov. 3, 2002

'Status quo' seen for Legislature: Erin Neff; WEEKEND EDITION: Nov. 3, 2002

Columnist Erin Neff: Nevada campaign finance reporting system is arcane: Erin Neff; It pays for campaigns, pays for the ads and mailers that persuade voters, becomes a sign of a candidate's viability and even helps candidates raise more money.

Columnist Benjamin Grove: In Congress, three heads are better than two: Benjamin Grove; But you shrug. You're thinking, "So what? Nevada has three. California has 53!"

Editorial: There's a lot riding on Tuesday turnout: A good voter turnout is always important, but it's especially so this election because of all the ballot questions and races that will mean so much for Southern Nevada's quality of life. The outcome of the legislative races, along with two competitive congressional races in Southern Nevada, will bear heavily on such issues as education, health care, transportation and the environment. Voters in Congressional Districts 1 and 3 also will have an opportunity to decide whether President Bush, who broke his promise to Nevada on Yucca Mountain, will have more support or whether there will be strong checks and balances ...

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: North vs. South nonsense: "This caught my attention but it wasn't until a short time later that I saw the entire ad, which opens with Raggio telling northern voters that Clark County Democrats want to take tax dollars from Washoe County and it will mean higher taxes for them.

Letter: Question 2 is gay bashing: The Nevada statutes are already clear -- marriage is between a man and a woman. Prostitution, gambling, booze, smoking and divorce -- Nevada leads the country in these freedom-of-lifestyle issues. However, Question 2 draws the line and makes it clear that Nevada will not tolerate gays, even when other states have stood up for equal rights for this discriminated minority.

SEC sues over promotions by Las Vegas firm: Grace Leong; The Securities and Exchange Commission sued two former Las Vegas men in U.S. District Court for Nevada on Thursday, alleging they violated federal securities laws by issuing false public statements about a publicly traded but defunct Las Vegas entertainment development company called Greater Northwest Research & Development Co.

Judges to drop lawsuit demanding higher wages: Jeffrey Libby; Henderson Municipal Court Judge John Provost said today that he and Municipal Court Judge Ken Proctor are dropping a lawsuit that demanded wage increases from the city of Henderson.

Cost of Le Reve subject to debate: So just exactly how much will the Le Reve project cost?

Inversion expected to break soon: A weather condition, common for this time of year, is trapping cooler air in Las Vegas, causing a hazy smog to linger over the valley, the National Weather Service said.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: With Mothers' blessing, a column is launched: Spencer Patterson; If you happened to be making photocopies one night last week at the Kinko's on Maryland Parkway, you probably couldn't help but notice some strange sights and sounds emanating from the building next door.

Saturday scheduling excludes Jewish veterans from parade: The Jewish War Veterans say they have in effect been booted out of this year's Veterans Day Parade because organizers scheduled the event for Nov. 9, a Saturday, which is their Sabbath.

K. Wynn: Design will raise the bar: By Liz Benston; Wynn Resorts Ltd.'s upcoming Le Reve will not be another Bellagio -- a casino resort that single-handedly raised the bar for megaresorts in Las Vegas, Steve Wynn's brother, Kenneth, told a crowd of developers, planners and other land use experts gathered at The Venetian hotel-casino in Las Vegas Thursday.

Miller to push no vote on power initiative: Television advertisements will begin airing today that feature former Gov. Bob Miller and his opposition to a ballot question that asks Clark County voters whether they want a nonprofit public agency to provide electricity to Southern Nevadans.

18-month-old girl drowns in condo complex fountain: Jen Lawson; An 18-month-old girl drowned in a fountain at a Las Vegas condominium complex Thursday, and her parents are being investigated for possible neglect.

Columnist Jeff German: How many votes can money buy?: That's because Shustek, the chief executive officer of Vestin Mortgage and a variety of related companies, not only has poured many tens of thousands of dollars into Hunt's campaign, but he also has been running his own "independent" campaign to elect the Democratic candidate.

Macau on track in January: A day after breaking ground on his Le Reve resort, Steve Wynn today disclosed plans to break ground on a casino in the Chinese island city of Macau in January.

PUC approves Southwest Gas rate decrease: PUC approves Southwest Gas rate decrease

Strip giant in condo talks: By Liz Benston; MGM MIRAGE is in talks with luxury timeshare developer Turnberry Associates about building a "condominium hotel" complex on land near the MGM Grand.

Panel pushes events tax: A task force studying ways to strengthen Nevada's tax base and reduce projected state budget deficits recommended a 6.5 percent entertainment tax on both spectator and participatory activities.

2006 governor's race takes shape: Erin Neff; Although most eyes are focused on Tuesday's elections, three prominent Democrats are already well on their way to squaring off in the 2006 governor's race.

Wynn officially starts Le Reve construction: Fifteen years ago, Las Vegas casino entrepreneur Steve Wynn changed local history by breaking ground on The Mirage -- a hotel that naysayers said would be a money loser. It turned out to be one of Las Vegas' biggest successes, defining a decade of booming growth for Southern Nevada.

Guinn: Budget 'is going to be tough': CARSON CITY --The preliminary estimates by the Economic Forum of Nevada's future tax collections is sending shudders through the administration of Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Nordstrom opens for business: The Seattle company is one of about 80 new retailers, including Bloomingdale's Home, opening shops in the mall's west expansion over the next two months. The Rouse Co. is spending $1 billion to add 1 million square feet to the mall. The expansion will add a total of eight department-store anchors when Lord & Taylor joins the lineup next fall.

Voters to fill three School Board seats: By Emily Richmond; When voters go to the polls Tuesday, they'll have a chance to decide who will fill three seats on the Clark County School Board, a seven-member panel responsible for a $1.2 billion annual budget, 254,000 students and 24,000 employees.

Man enters no contest in case of DUI wreck that killed son: Kim Smith; One day after opening statements in his drunken driving trial, a 27-year-old Las Vegas man pleaded the equivalent of no contest to a DUI charge.

Turning the tide: Numbers for violent crimes down from last year: Jen Lawson; Violent crime increased last year in Las Vegas, according to statistics released this week by the FBI.

Court rules Miranda not needed for sexual evaluation: CARSON CITY -- A person convicted of a sex crime is not entitled to a Miranda warning prior to undergoing a psychosexual evaluation to determine if he is a good candidate for probation, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Letter: Marriage is focus of our society: We have never used hurtful language or resorted to name-calling. Not so for Jon Ralston. In over three and a half years he has not been able to glean one derogatory word from the coalition, so he resorted to attributing bigoted and hateful words to a straw man.

Obituaries for Nov. 1, 2002: Lilliam Carrasquillo, 37, of Las Vegas died Thursday in Las Vegas. An office clerk, she was born Jan. 14, 1965, in Las Vegas.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: LV dignitaries benefit in the long run: The diverse group will do its best to represent our city in Sunday's 33rd annual New York City Marathon.

Constable challenger says more time needed: Jeffrey Libby; The Democratic challenger for constable of Henderson Township, John Cahill, wants to know how incumbent Republican Earl Mitchell can work the day shift as a full-time cop and also manage the constable's office.

Goodman meets with developers over downtown site: Dan Kulin; In the week since he said he wanted to take over efforts to find a developer for 61 acres of prime downtown real estate, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said he has met with at least eight prospective developers for the property.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Politics, pot and power: Nolan isn't the first Republican or Democratic candidate to claim they can't control the advertisements run by the state and national parties. This issue has surfaced several times during recent years and appears to be getting out of control.

Outside group touts Q9 with $1.275 million: CARSON CITY -- A Washington-based organization has poured $1.275 million into the campaign to support legalization of marijuana in Nevada, far outspending the opponents of the election ballot question.

Scene Selection -- Geoff Carter: 'Insomnia': This year's sleeper hit: One of the best films of 2002 may be close to escaping your notice. Christopher Nolan's "Insomnia" grossed just over $66 million at the box office last summer -- a healthy sum, but less than half the gross of "Scooby-Doo."

Saturday's horse racing entries: OAK TREE MEETING

Editorial: SEC chairman, quite frankly, is the pits: In yet another fiasco it was disclosed this week that Pitt failed to tell other SEC commissioners -- before they voted on Webster -- that Webster previously headed the auditing committee of a company that was facing fraud accusations. To withhold such vital information is unconscionable. Pitt's continuing presence at the SEC is a terrible signal to send to investors who want transparency in a corporation's books. It also sends the wrong signal to the accounting industry about just how deep the federal government's commitment will be in providing tougher oversight. Pitt is trying to buy himself some time by ...

Navigating LV an Urban Challenge: Erica D. Johnson; Pop quiz: This establishment shares its name with a talking simian from a "Planet of the Apes" flick.

LV's Agassi reaches quarterfinals in Paris: LV's Agassi reaches quarterfinals in Paris

Editorial: Jurors' Bill of Rights goes too far: It's vital that citizens continue to see this big picture and respond willingly and not with dread when they get their summonses. To that end, the Nevada Supreme Court a year ago formed the Jury Improvement Commission. Chaired by Justices Bob Rose and Deborah Agosti, the commission's 15 members conducted public hearings around the state and Thursday released a list of recommendations. The Legislature, the Eighth Judicial District, and the Supreme Court will review the recommendations appropriate to their jurisdictions and many will likely be implemented.

Unemployment rate edges up on job cuts; spending down: October's 5.7 percent jobless rate was up slightly from 5.6 percent in September, and businesses cut 5,000 jobs. It was the second month in a row of payroll cuts, the Labor Department reported today. Cuts came largely in manufacturing, construction and temporary employment services. Those job losses were largely offset by gains in the service sector.

Animal activists protest circus: Dan Kulin; When the circus comes to town this weekend it will be greeted by protesters upset over the circus's use of animals.

Mayor's staff to examine medical malpractice crisis: Dan Kulin; Unhappy with the flight of doctors from Nevada, and saying the state Legislature's attempt to fix the medical malpractice crisis has not worked, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has city staff trying to find a solution.

Tapia, Barrera warned about antics in the ring: Dean Juipe; For all the peacefulness and tranquility that has preceded his Saturday fight with Marco Antonio Barrera, Johnny Tapia has been known to find himself in the middle of trouble.

Editorial: Utility tries to play us for fools: Citizens Against 14, the group seeking to defeat the advisory ballot question on public power, touts itself as a broad-based coalition of utilities and other businesses. But last week's campaign finance reports demonstrated just what a deceitful misnomer Citizens Against 14 is -- which shouldn't be too shocking in light of the group's intentional campaign to mislead the public on the ramifications of the ballot question. The reports showed that Citizens Against 14 is a shell organization financed almost solely by Nevada Power, the monopoly that provides electricity for Southern Nevadans. As of Oct. 24, Nevada Power had funneled $1.6 ...

UNLV thoughts return to 2000: Steve Guiremand; NEXT UP

Las Vegas Area Fishing Report: NEVADA DIVISION OF WILDLIFE

Rock veteran Petty saves the best for 'Last': Spencer Patterson; Veteran rocker Tom Petty is disgusted with the state of FM radio, and he's not afraid to let everyone know exactly how he feels.

Casino construction under way: Later additions to the Prairie Wind Casino will include restaurants, a convention center, bowling alley and movie theater.

Letter: Question 2 opponents are spreading hate: It is a very simple and straightforward initiative: to protect the sanctity of marriage, between one man and one woman, as currently defined by the state of Nevada. Ralston and others have turned the initiative into a "hate" issue instead of what the initiative is all about.

Antitrust decision due today: U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who heard 32 days of testimony on proposals for additional restrictions, was scheduled to issue opinions in the case this afternoon.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Thompson honored by Christmas in April program: For some years now I have attended the annual Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April fund-raisers at Four Seasons. Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April is a nationwide home repair and rehabilitation organization dedicated to helping low-income elderly or disabled homeowners live in a "safe and healthy environment."

On Display for Nov. 1, 2002: Photos of Holocaust victims before they were imprisoned, through Nov. 17 at Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. (229-6383); and the Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North. (229-6211).

Datebook for Nov. 1, 2002: The Las Vegas Chapter of the Association of Fund-raising Professionals will host an awards luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Bally's Las Vegas as part of its 11th annual Southern Nevada Philanthropy Day Celebration. Tickets are $50. 895-2913 or 651-7308.

State OKs appointments of gaming regulators: Linda Kassekert, 44, a former lobbyist for the New Jersey Education Association, was confirmed Thursday along with Thomas Auriemma, who was formally named director of the Division of Gaming Enforcement. Both nominations were approved without opposition.

As a backup, Maddox makes Steelers a Super Bowl lock: Sorry, Brett Favre.

Tens of millions spent on Arizona initiatives: Michelle Rushlo; PHOENIX -- Indian gambling, touted by supporters as an avenue to prosperity in some of Arizona's poorest places, has become a rich battleground for advocates trying to shape its future here.

Aladdin's SOS call answered by hilarious Society of Seven: Society of Seven, a group whose Las Vegas roots reach back 38 years, recently inaugurated CenterStage, a new cabaret-sized showroom at Aladdin.

Community briefs for Nov. 1, 2002: The county Family Court and Services Center is holding an adoption fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the County Government Center, 500 Grand Central Parkway.

Performing Arts for Nov. 1, 2002: Song

Columnist Barb Henderson: Fish-stocking program to get under way in local waters: Barb Henderson; The Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW) is scheduled to begin stocking rainbow trout in the urban ponds and Lake Mead this month.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Broze is no hack when it comes to his music: Semper Fidelis.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Hall of Fame oversteps its bounds: Dean Juipe; Notes today, starting with the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Urban legends visit Las Vegas: For 228 people heading to Las Vegas this weekend for a $50,000 urban treasure hunt, the toughest part of the contest could be just getting around.

AG sues to block satellite TV merger: CARSON CITY -- The state Bureau of Consumer Protection has joined with 22 other states and the U.S. Department of Justice in filing an anti-trust lawsuit to block the merger between the only two nationwide direct satellite television providers.

Political notebook: Early voting expected to draw half the electorate: Erin Neff; When early voting ends tonight, roughly half of Clark County voters will likely have cast ballots for Tuesday's election.

Letter: Passing initiative will aid homeless: For the cost of an annual burger and fries on a $100,000 home or business, it is estimated that $4 million will be raised for homeless services and low-income housing.

News briefs for Nov. 1, 2002: Westcare, a Las Vegas-based addiction and mental health treatment center, has received a $350,000 federal grant to help young club-goers keep off drugs.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Three too many at top of BCS: Steve Guiremand; Those all in favor of a college football playoff system should spend the rest of the season rooting for Notre Dame.

Columnist Adam Candee: 4A title game returning to Sam Boyd: Adam Candee; TODAY'S GAMES

Pair of golf courses set to open in LV valley: A blind tee shot followed by a blind approach shot on the 12th hole will lead those fortunate enough to play The Falls Golf Club to a rewarding, and stunning, view of the Las Vegas Valley.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Vasser won't say farewell to Fontana: FONTANA, Calif. -- In all likelihood, Sunday's CART race at California Speedway won't be Jimmy Vasser's final race on the 2-mile oval in his native Southern California.

Swimming upstream: Spencer Patterson; When it comes to well-known musicians, 2 1/2-hour interviews aren't just rare. They simply do not happen.

Blood drives: Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Budget Rent-A-Car, 5188 S. Paradise Road.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Santa Anita: Saturday's card

Reputation repair seen as key issue in regents' race: Jennifer Knight; Dealing with the budget crunch is job No. 1 for state Board of Regents candidates, but cleaning up the board's embarrassing antics runs a close second, candidates said.

Guinn: Budget 'is going to be tough' after panel estimates on tax collection: CARSON CITY -- The preliminary estimates by the Economic Forum of Nevada's future tax collections is sending shudders through the administration of Gov. Kenny Guinn.