Print edition for April 4, 2003

Offer spotlights issues facing Riviera Holdings: By Liz Benston; News of an unsolicited bid for the Riviera Las Vegas this week has once again turned the spotlight on a money-losing casino in a prime Strip location.

Marriott in Las Vegas time-share sales pact: The time-share sales unit of lodging giant Marriott International Inc. has developed a sales and marketing alliance with the owner of the Polo Towers time-share units on the Las Vegas Strip and also will jointly develop the previously announced 840-unit Chateau project.

Fashion Show continues expansion: Fashion Show continues expansion

Legislature weighs several DMV hikes to gain revenue: CARSON CITY -- New drivers may soon have to pay for the handbooks that teach them Nevada traffic law, as the state seeks additional money to ease its budget woes.

Small-plane crash kills two: Jen Lawson and Ed Koch; A flight instructor and a student pilot were killed this morning when their small plane crashed and burned in a flight practice area in northwest Las Vegas, nine miles from the North Las Vegas Airport, authorities said.

Community briefs for April 4, 2003: Workshops for the Senior Crime Prevention Awareness Day will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Texas Station.

Sigur Ros is nothing if not unique: Spencer Patterson; A symbol as an album title. Eight nameless tracks. Lyrics in a made-up language. And no liner notes whatsoever.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: New column gives pause for guffaws: Lisa Ferguson; It may be "A New Day ..." in terms of entertainment options on the Strip. Still, it's good to know some things never change, including the top-notch laughs waiting to be had at area comedy clubs.

Letter: Stand and fight to preserve Red Rock: Throughout the history of this country there have been people like these, trying to save this country from some form of destruction. One young child said it all that day: Why should the animals have to die so houses can be built on Red Rock?

Legends Conway, Korman break out the oldies: What: "Together Again."

Columnist Jerry Fink: Song stylist Bugatti a hit at the Ritz: By George, Bugatti can sing.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Charlie Palmer makes a Stirling move: Breaking new ground is nothing new for Chef/entrepreneur Charlie Palmer. Palmer's Aureole in New York and in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay are the recipients of many awards, not only for the food, but for the exceptional wine selection.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time noon

Blood drives: Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunrise Colony, 4445 Monte Sansavino; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lowe's of Henderson, 440 Marks St.; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sprint, 330 S. Valley Blvd.

Performing Arts for April 4, 2003: Jazz

Columnist Susan Snyder: Throwing out a few screwballs: People are screwy.

Columnist Jon Ralston: 'Servants' brazen in their greed: I shall achieve in time --

Summerlin comes alive with 'Sound of Music': Marilyn LaRocque; "The Sound of Music" comes alive at the Summerlin Library Performing Arts Center beginning tonight. The Signature Productions show runs, intermittently, through April 26, with evening and matinee performances. Nancy Andersen Weakley plays Maria, and James Horrocks is Captain Georg Von Trapp.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: So far, year has been a bountiful one for music: Spencer Patterson; We're just three months into the year, and already 2003 has produced some memorable music releases.

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

Lucky' leads a poker barrage: David Kronke; Trouble was, he needed more money. So Cullen, having grown up around Las Vegas (Wayne Newton is his godfather), made what he considered a sound investment: He went to a casino. "In 6 1/2 hours, I was up to $861,000," he recalls. "Did I stop? No. And 4 1/2 hours later, I was down the entire 861 grand."

Scene Selection -- Geoff Carter: 'Focus' a vivid portrayal of addiction: Iremember driving through Los Angeles a few years ago and seeing a billboard that declared, "Real Men Don't Use Porn." Five such men -- a doctor, a policeman, a fireman and the like -- smiled down from the billboard, chaste and pure as driven snow.

Out of tune: Spencer Patterson; In June 1970 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released "Ohio," a protest song about the murder of four students during an anti-war rally at Kent State University.

Letter: Heading off another Hitler: So we sat on our behinds and watched Hitler first take over Germany, then march into the Rheinland, Austria, Hungry and Czechoslovakia. The whole time all Hitler said he wanted was peace. So we and the rest of the world just sat on our hands and did nothing. You can see what that got us.

Letter: Insist legislators pass tax bill: The statistics are there for everyone to see: Nevada is 50th among the states in Medicaid payments, almost as low in welfare payments, well below average in per-pupil expenditures for our schools, and I read recently that we are short some 60 state troopers here in Southern Nevada.

Nevada Ballet Theatre to salute Rodgers: Marilyn LaRocque; Nevada Ballet Theatre will celebrate the centennial of musical theater genius Richard Rodgers with two spectacular dance premieres.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Just a farmer at heart: Sharon's love of the land and its people was obvious the first time we met 12 years ago, and that inner fire continues to burn brightly. I don't believe he knows how to hide his feelings on any subject and he is still a farmer at heart.

Letter: Arguments of pro-war folks are ignorant: Further, unlike the grass-roots anti-war movement of which I belong, the pro-war people can't even organize a rally without a corporate puppet master such as Clear Channel telling them where to meet and how hard to wave the flag.

Datebook for April 4, 2003: Las Vegas Arts District will showcase local artists, unique shops and street entertainment from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. the first Friday of each month at Main Street and Charleston Boulevard. Admission is free. 678-6278.

Editorial: Image not everything for mayor: Not everyone shares that opinion. Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association and the industry's chief lobbyist, said Goodman's poor judgment has made his work in Washington more difficult. "People in D.C. believe the Mafia is still involved in the industry," Fahrenkopf told Sun reporter Judy Odierna. "It makes my job harder when people believe old stereotypes."

Editorial: First fund essential services: Sheriff Bill Young made his No. 1 priority clear when he took office in January. He wants to combat crime by keeping the growth of Metro Police proportional to the population growth within its jurisdiction. He said Metro answered 3.5 million calls last year and is projected to answer 3.8 million calls this year. "We need two police officers for every 1,000 people," Young told the Sun's Editorial Board in February. "We're now at 1.7 and trending downward." He said the department was at least 300 officers short.

Columnist Benjamin Grove: Aid designed to get airlines off the ground: Benjamin Grove; President Bush had sent his $74.7 billion war request to lawmakers, imploring them not to attach a bunch of expensive amendments. But the House and Senate promptly tacked on more than $3 billion in airline aid.

Columnist Erin Neff: Governor should have donned tax lobbyist's hat: Erin Neff; Rarely has a hyped piece of legislation suffered such an anti-climactic death as the governor's call for short-term taxes did last week.

Should county recorder's office be eliminated?: Thom Reilly is the Clark County manager, appointed by the Clark County Commission.

Editorial: Proposed law could prevent loss of life: Nothing can diminish the tragedy of the fire at the Aero-Tech model rocket factory in October 2001, which killed one employee and injured another while devastating five surrounding businesses. But there is no doubt that some positive changes have resulted from the fire. Clark County firefighters, who were criticized for their tactics in fighting the fire which was fed by hazardous materials, have had more training for these kinds of blazes, as have fire investigators. Also, firefighters and county staff have improved the way they inspect businesses with hazardous materials on the premises.

McMahon of the hour: WEEKEND EDITION: April 6, 2003

Colombians search for safe haven: By Timothy Pratt; WEEKEND EDITION: April 5, 2003

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Food, faces fill fund-raiser: One of the year's most eagerly anticipated, best-attended and celebrity-filled Las Vegas events is the May 7 Alzheimer's benefit at the Postrio restaurant inside The Venetian.

Columnist Jeff German: AG ducks chance to drill big oil: He has done the feel-good things you would expect the state's top law enforcement officer to do when facing complaints from angry consumers demanding to know why Nevada's prices are third highest in the country.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Figuring out prices a real gas: Or at least, any perceptions we have about them being the result of price-gouging are more imagined than real.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Thoughts on horrors of war as Israeli countryside speeds by: "Are you a pensioner?"

Four more Windsor Park homes being razed today: Dan Kulin; Four more homes in North Las Vegas' sinking Windsor Park neighborhood will be torn down today and Saturday as part of the years-long effort to clear that development.

Timeshare developer in deal with Polo Tower owners: Under the agreement announced on Thursday, Marriott Vacation Club International, Orlando, Fla., will sell the remaining inventory of the Polo Towers, which will remain under the ownership of Diamond Resorts International, Las Vegas. Marriott Vacation Club also will develop the Chateau, a $300 million, four-tower, 33-story complex that will become a Marriott-branded property.

Senate OKs bill to give state more powers of quarantine: CARSON CITY -- A bill approved by the Senate on Thursday gives broad authority to health officials to quarantine thousands of people in certain situations, such as a terrorist biological attack.

West top vote-getter on All-America team: Jim O'Connell; David West knows how to get the most, whether it's points on the court or votes off of it.

Regulators consider anti-monopoly rules: The draft has changed a few times. A previous version had called for companies to own no more than 15 percent statewide or 50 percent of a local market.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: King's latest book project is to die for: Not veteran Vegas comic Bernie Allen. He said he was thrilled that anybody knew he was still alive to ask.

Columnist Jeff German: This RJC problem tops 'em all: But that's the only thing of beauty atop the county's "project from hell," which is 20 months behind schedule and millions of dollars in the red.

Foothill's Diez defeats Gators: Adam Candee; Green Valley's Ryan Tabor brought out the radar guns, but strong arm of Foothill's Adam Diez dominated Thursday.

Boulder City pioneer Nelson dies: Nelson, 90, was an avid trumpet player who often performed in Boulder City's park and with his band, Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro said.

Municipal incumbents win the money wars: Dan Kulin; Incumbents seeking re-election in North Las Vegas and Henderson are raising and spending far more campaign money than their opponents in all but one municipal race, according to candidate reports filed this week.

Obituaries for April 4, 2003: Gertrude E. Baker, 73, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in Las Vegas. She was born Sept. 9, 1929, in Chicago. A resident for 39 years, she was a former employee at the Clark County Election Board, a volunteer at Valley Hospital and a former member of the Civil Air Patrol.

UNLV's Chong receives Mountain West award: Just one day after being honored as the school's top female student-athlete, Chong Thursday was named the Mountain West Conference women's tennis player of the week for the second time this season.

Suspect indicted in chatroom seduction case: Erica D. Johnson; The latest push from local authorities to crack down on so-called Internet predators came Wednesday, when a grand jury indicted a Henderson man on charges of using his computer to lure a 14-year-old girl into having sex.

Land deal worked into war bill: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev., negotiated to insert language aimed at settling a 12-year-old Henderson land dispute into the $80 billion war budget bill.

Sega sells some assets to Vegas company: Terms weren't disclosed.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Buzzards over red zone: The Thursday edition of the International Herald Tribune, a New York Times publication, carried an article written by Joseph Fitchett. The writer tells readers of a planned meeting being canceled last weekend. It was called by Medef, which is an organization of major French industrialists, but after discussions with the French government, its leader, Ernst-Antoine Seilliere, canceled the meeting. The purpose of the gathering was "on how to seize opportunities in Iraqi reconstruction."

Recorder to start answering phone: The Clark County Recorder's Office should start answering the phone again Monday after nearly a month of complaints from the public and other county offices, officials said.

After debate, Ensign pulls bill: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- A spirited Senate debate fizzled Thursday when Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., withdrew his controversial amendment to block French and German companies from enjoying postwar profits from rebuilding Iraq.

Columnist Dean Juipe: Two-faced Howland simply bad for athletics: Dean Juipe; It was three years ago, yet I still remember the exact words I used in writing about Matt Doherty jumping from Notre Dame to North Carolina as head basketball coach.

Columnist Larry Dixon: Crew chief, setup keys to winning: Larry Dixon; I was fortunate enough to win both races at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last year and it was at this racetrack last fall where I clinched my first NHRA Powerade championship.

Some candidates facing fines for late report filings: Judy Odierna; Several candidates running for Las Vegas municipal elections this year may have to pay late charges for not getting campaign reports in on time.

Columnist Ron Kantowksi: Gondrezick has watched Final Four evolve into big-time event: Ron Kantowksi; If he knew that just making it to the Final Four would become such a big deal, Glen Gondrezick said he might have done something different during his One Shining Moment in Atlanta in 1977.

Las Vegas Area Fishing Report: Largemouth bass are hot catches in Lake Mead: Creel census clerks reported that boaters fishing Lake Mead near Overton Beach in the Muddy and Virgin River areas were successful landing a few largemouth bass that ranged from 2-3 pounds.

News briefs for April 4, 2003: A Chicago man has been convicted by a federal jury of transporting a 16-year-old girl and an adult woman to Las Vegas for prostitution.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: LVMS test leaves Marnell feeling good: George Marnell didn't accomplish everything he wanted during a two-day test session last week at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway but he said he feels he is closer to being competitive than he has all season.

Lights to shine until troops return: Gov. Kenny Guinn is expected to announce today that the residential community will be lit by the same company that produced the World Trade Center "Tribute to Light" in New York City.

Ethics claim against Goodman dismissed: Cy Ryan and Judy Odierna; The state Ethics Commission on Thursday dismissed a complaint against Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman because the commission's investigation found no "credible evidence" that Goodman had a conflict of interest in a vote related to a strip club.

Computer says 1991 Rebels team best in UNLV's history: Anybody who saw all four of UNLV's Final Four teams would probably agree that the 1977 team was the most fun to watch.

Texas comptroller favors video-lottery machines: Connie Mabin; AUSTIN, Texas -- Allowing video-lottery gambling at Texas racetracks to help pay for public education was among 42 money-raising and saving recommendations revealed Thursday by Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Trap, skeet, sporting clays shooting rise in popularity: Barb Henderson; Trapshooting was originated as a substitute for the bird hunter. It allowed the wing shooter the opportunity to maintain marksmanship skills sharp between the bird hunting seasons.

It's halfway point and no new taxes yet: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Legislature reached its halfway point Thursday, having made little progress on its primary issue: taxes.

51s open PCL season by defeating Salt Lake: Las Vegas' Bubba Crosby was also 3-for-4, with an RBI triple in the seventh inning, and Eric Riggs had two RBIs, including a run-scoring double in the fifth.

Longtime blood drive organizer Sligar dies at 63: When friends teased Judith Sligar for being Las Vegas' most beloved vampire, she would laugh and accept it as a compliment.

Unemployment rate steady: Job losses were widespread last month, with few hiring gains, the Labor Department reported today.

Editorial: Opening up libraries at schools is too risky: The plan has merit, but there are serious questions about it. For starters, the Clark County School District estimates the plan's cost to be $5 million a year. At a time of budget constraints, opening up school libraries for everyone isn't a priority when art and music programs are in jeopardy of being cut. There also could be serious problems if adults check out books that students need to complete class assignments. Then there is the issue of public safety. Schools currently are closed campuses, but if they're open for everyone, we'll have to worry about predators taking advantage of ...

Former ambassador recalls life in Iraq before Saddam: Kenton Keith remembers Iraq before Saddam Hussein, before the 1968 coup that brought the Baath Party to power, when a young Saddam was the shadow of the party's then-general.

Squadron members honored for work in Afghanistan: Jace Radke; Lt. Gen. William T. Hobbins left the members of the 820th Red Horse Civil Engineering Squadron with a reminder Thursday after honoring them for their efforts in Afghanistan last year during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Rebels trio advance to 2nd round: Dean Juipe; Sometimes winning three out of seven fights isn't all that bad.

Schumacher driving for millions: NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals schedule

Two plead guilty in fatal shooting: Luis Antonio Cueto-Reyes and Carlos Olgen entered guilty pleas in connection with the Nov. 26 shooting that left David Zapato Martinez dead.

Ark. House rejects legislation allowing video poker machines: Kelly Wiese; LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A bill to expand electronic wagering in Arkansas failed Thursday, one day after clearing a House committee.

Nightclub bouncer faces trial in beating case: Justice of the Peace Douglas Smith ordered Gaylen Kanoa's case to be bound over to District Court during his preliminary hearing in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Political notebook: Tiffany tries to drive home motor pool point: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Sen. Sandra Tiffany insists her fishing expedition into the state motor pool is important and that those who suggest she has ulterior motives in casting the privatization line are just floating a red herring.

Luca passes on Reds, pays dividends for UNLV: In an August whirlwind, Matt Luca went from attending Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas -- if a deal with the Cincinnati Reds didn't materialize -- to packing up his black Ford F150 and leaving Galveston for Las Vegas.

Group helps veterans cope with war coverage: For more information on mental health assistance or to join the support group, contact the VA clinic at 636-4060 or the Veterans Center at 388-6368.

Practice makes perfect for Gladiators: Adam Candee; Basketball teams do not practice on blacktop and baseball teams do not practice in dirt lots.

Two people believed aboard small plane in fatal crash: Two people were believed to have been on board and apparently were killed, said Tim Szymanski, spokesman for the fire department.

National Raelian meeting in Las Vegas draws about 50: By Timothy Pratt; In December millions of people around the world heard and read about the Raelians when a member of the religious movement that believes aliens created human beings claimed a human had been cloned.

Letter: Smoking gun not found in Iraq: Incidentally, the front page of Wednesday's Las Vegas Sun informs us that the U.S. military team charged with hunting for Iraqi weapons of mass destruction has still not found the smoking gun it has been seeking.

Prep Schedule: TODAY

HealthSouth fraud now estimated at $2.5 billion: Jay Reeves; BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Embattled rehabilitation hospital operator HealthSouth Corp. faked some $2.5 billion in earnings, or almost twice as much as previously alleged, according to new government claims.

Sandoval asks NRC to ensure fairness of any Yucca hearings: Nevada's attorney general asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Thursday to impose special procedures to ensure a fair and credible hearing on a construction license for a Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository.

PCL box: Attendance--4,722. Time--2:38. Umpires: HP--Knight; 1B--Winters; 3B--Coffland.

Group asks AG to probe Guinn budget: Burdish's group, Nevadans for Tax Restraint, wrote a letter to Attorney General Brian Sandoval on Wednesday asking him to examine issues surrounding Guinn's budget, since the governor's budget is not subject to review by the attorney general.

LVCVA plans for post-war challenge: By Richard N. Velotta; The end of the war with Iraq will be a good opportunity for Las Vegas to respond to pent-up tourism demand, but it will also usher in a new series of challenges for the resort destination, a Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority executive said Thursday.

Aristocrat stock rises on firing of CEO, CFO: SYDNEY, Australia -- Shares of Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. surged as much as 11 percent today after the world's second-largest maker of slot machines fired Chief Executive Des Randall and Chief Financial Officer Lionel Jeyaraj as part of a review of U.S. businesses that contributed to a profit slide.

Assemblyman's wife to receive $49,900 in deal with CCSN: Jennifer Knight; The university system has quietly settled a discrimination lawsuit filed by the wife of Assemblyman Wendell Williams, D-North Las Vegas, her lawyer said Thursday.