Print edition for August 8, 2003

Columnist Susan Snyder: Stories swept from the street: But even in nonprofit reports that seek to support people who are homeless, the voices of these anonymous neighbors are lost.

Letter: President Bush's stance on gays lacks compassion: Now we find that President Bush has merely replaced prejudice against racial minorities with prejudice against the gay minority. Fifty years ago it was unlawful in many states for blacks to marry whites. Today Bush proposes federal law prohibiting gay marriage. In 50 years we will be just as ashamed of the prejudice we exhibit today as we are now ashamed of the prejudice we exhibited 50 years ago.

Editorial: It should be 'no school' left behind: Anyone who has taught school for any length of time will say that the two biggest barriers to learning are hunger and fear. The federal government long ago addressed the hunger issue with school breakfast and lunch programs. Now, under President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act, it is addressing the fear factor. States are now required to have criteria in place for defining "dangerous" schools. Where the definition fits, students have the right to transfer to another school.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Mistakes come in all shapes, sizes: In an e-mail she sent Tuesday, McGoldrick said the most recent Ms. Wheelchair Nevada wasn't crowned in 1986, as reported here Aug. 3.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Don't turn a winner into a loser: Guinn's use of some national tobacco settlement dollars for scholarships was applauded by most Nevadans. In his 1999 State of the State address, he said: "It is an idea whose effects transcend party lines, regional differences, and social class. An idea that places at our door, this evening, the chance for all of us to do something truly heroic. To write a great and indelible chapter in the history of our state and in the lives of our children."

Columnist Jon Ralston: Sure sign of Mack: 'For sale': But that's about one company -- albeit a dominant political and economic player. By contrast, Michael Mack, as I first pointed out months ago, continues to use his council seat as a billboard to solicit business for which he has no credentials. He might as well sit down at each council meeting with a simple sign above his nameplate: For sale.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Fur fashion not pretty to Pink: The Grammy-nominated pop star and Las Vegas resident has fired off a letter to Vogue editrix Anna Wintour urging the magazine to stop promoting fur.

Oh, Henry: Spencer Patterson; WEEKEND EDITION: August 10, 2003

Children, seniors connecting through outreach program: Afsha Bawany; WEEKEND EDITION: August 9, 2003

Where I Stand -- Gary Loveman: Taxes must be balanced: FOR MORE than a decade, our state has seen explosive growth unparalleled in our country.

Camp would enrich youth's experience: A mother would like her 11-year-old to go to camp for the first time this year.

Parenting classes take on more significance: Afsha Bawany; WEEKEND EDITION: August 9, 2003

Editorial: Arbitration document not fair to patients: A small number of doctors in Nevada are pressuring patients, before they are treated, to sign away their rights to file a malpractice lawsuit in the event of a bad outcome. Patients who sign agree to live with the decision of an arbitrator instead of taking the case to court. The doctors see this as a way of lowering their medical malpractice insurance premiums, whose huge increases they blame on juries that award settlements way out of proportion to damages.

Letter: Don't ignore the homeless: We live about one hour away from Toronto. It, too, is a great city but does have its share of homeless people. Toronto does not totally handle the problem, but every little bit helps. The city often has food drives for the less fortunate. The city also has warming shelters, with hot food, blankets and donated clothing. In the summer, it has cooling shelters, so that the homeless can escape the heat and humidity and get re-hydrated with cool drinks.

Columnist Erin Neff: Goodman, Guinn should back up their words: Erin Neff; The famed lawyer was such a political neophyte that reporters kept reminding him that the mayor has no say in how the schools operate.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Rackham emphasizes comedy's role in career: Lisa Ferguson; Given the comic-turned-actor's lengthy list of credits, it's inevitable that even casual TV viewers will catch at least one of his guest-starring roles on some of the biggest hit shows in recent memory: "Seinfeld," "Sex and the City," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "NYPD Blue," "Ally McBeal," "JAG," "Melrose Place," "L.A. Law," "Judging Amy," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Married With Children," "Murphy Brown" and "Mad About You," to name more than a few.

Scene Selection -- Geoff Carter: Extras help viewer see Scorsese's 'Gangs' mentality: When a nearly three-hour-long film with a $100 million-dollar budget is attacked for its shortcomings, one can safely infer that more is expected of its creator -- though it's impossible to imagine where Scorsese would have put that extra effort.

Eagles to bid farewell -- again: Spencer Patterson; Nearly a decade after hell froze over, the Eagles have reunited again to start saying farewell to their fans.

Blood drives scheduled: Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Pound for pound, 'STOMP' is hard to beat: I was searching for the right words to describe "STOMP" as I watched the avant-garde production at the Aladdin Theatre earlier this week.

Community briefs for August 8, 2003: As part of the Mad Science workshops, the Henderson Parks and Recreation Department will host "Mad Science to the Max," a workshop from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Silver Springs Recreation Center, 1951 Silver Springs Parkway, for children ages 5-12.

RTC goes to the MAX to handle passengers: Clark County motorists will soon see a big, new vehicle on the region's crowded urban streets, the first of its kind in the nation.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Fanny's Bistro helps diners take a load off: It was hot, I was hungry and Fanny's at 80 N. Pecos Road (at Wigwam Parkway) in Henderson was on my way back to the office. And there was parking space right in front.

Play Station: Boston's return, new club Live boost local music scene: Spencer Patterson; LeDuc wasn't there to prep for a show. Live isn't scheduled to open to the public until 7:30 tonight, and Clockwise isn't yet on the club's upcoming calendar.

On Display for August 8, 2003: Watercolor paintings of Western landscapes and rock art by Utah artist William L. Rowe are featured in the "Blue Mesa" exhibit at the Lost City Museum in Overton during the month of August. Admission is $2. 397-2193.

Performing Arts for August 8, 2003: Free concert

The Kinks hit their creative stride with 'Something Else': Spencer Patterson; To most rock 'n' roll listeners, the Kinks are one of two bands.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Vegas is 'a couple of years' behind the times: Spencer Patterson; The following night the quartet performed at Las Vegas' Huntridge Theatre, in front of about 200 locals.

51s snapshot: He went on a .357 tear (10-for-28) to raise his season batting average to .200, a stretch in which he knocked in runs in seven of his eight games, including multiple runs in three consecutive appearances.

Case calls attention to LV activist's church: Erin Neff; It began as a reason to get a Henderson student out of phys ed and into physics.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Scorpion sting intrigues writer to dig for facts: Barb Henderson; We share the outdoors (and indoors) with a variety of creepy crawling creatures that bite and sting. During our adventurous journeys, it is possible to encounter spiders and scorpions lurking about.

Yucca official denies pressure on whistleblowers: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON--The Energy Department did not intimidate Yucca Mountain project whistleblowers from testifying at a May hearing, project director Margaret Chu wrote in a letter sent to the Senate last month.

1985 case cited in debate over doctors' contracts: CARSON CITY -- Lawyers disagree over whether agreements some Southern Nevada doctors are asking patients to sign before they receive treatment can be enforced.

Court approves Castaways loan: The additional funding from Vestin Mortgage comes a few weeks after the lender agreed to forward an additional $2 million to the Castaways, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Leach has suite time in 'Penthouse': Robin Leach and the best of Vegas entertainment took over a palatial penthouse suite at the Las Vegas Hilton on Thursday night to tape segments for Leach's upcoming show, "Penthouse Vegas."

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

Fishing Report: Anglers find success in Salt Bay: Fair to good success for striped and largemouth bass has been found during the past week in the Overton Arm at Lake Mead while the action has been difficult for those anglers who have been fishing in the Boulder Basin.

Letter: Bush is nothing more than a bully: He attempts to belittle those he fears will unmask him and reveal his incompetence and illegitimacy and smugly smirks at members of the press corp and treats them rudely and with disrespect. This is a man who himself must subconsciously recognize that he is incompetent and has resorted to using his power to bully more intelligent people into submission.

GV Little Leaguers earn (pin) stripes: Adam Candee; SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Given infinite guesses to select from among the charming sights that enliven Al Houghton Stadium, your odds of picking out the main attraction are about equal to a juicy hot dog's chance of survival at the Little League West Region tournament.

Intent on bank tax is clarified: CARSON CITY -- Assemblyman John Marvel, R-Battle Mountain, who cast the swing vote in approving the state's $863 million tax plan, said Thursday the 2 percent payroll tax on financial institutions does not apply to businesses that give credit such as casinos and car dealers.

Palo Verde powers past Centennial in semifinals: Nick Christensen; Second-seeded Palo Verde continued its domination of the Nevada State American Legion baseball tournament Thursday, with a 3-2 win against sixth-seeded Centennial at UNLV's Wilson Stadium.

Columnist Jeff German: Cassidy may testify in Binion case: Now the former Binion defense investigator may have a chance to tell all under oath to a county grand jury.

3 schools likely to make 'dangerous' list: By Emily Richmond; Three Clark County schools could soon be labeled as dangerous schools, a designation that under federal law would allow students at those schools to demand transfers to safer campuses.

UNLV may pay $200K to secure a new AD: Steve Guiremand; Why would someone earning $180,000 a year as athletic director at East Carolina like Mike Hamrick be interested in becoming the new athletic director at UNLV?

Gaming briefs for August 8, 2003: The growth of cashless wagering systems has prompted the state Gaming Control Board to make some organizational changes to provide closer supervision.

Former cabbie sought in robbery, carjacking: Jen Lawson; Authorities were searching this morning for a former cabdriver wanted in connection with four armed robberies, including a carjacking of a taxicab and a robbery of a passenger.

Group hopes for more advances in addiction programs: By Liz Benston; Strip casinos used table tents, posters, brochures, buttons, stickers and ribbons to remind gamblers about "Keeping it Fun."

'Water cops' on fountain watch: Mary Manning, Malia Spencer and Afsha Bawany; The metallic children playing in a fountain statue on Green Valley Parkway and Sunset Road may not be spraying each other with their hose in the near future now that new water restrictions have gone into effect. And real children frolicking in the fountain at Town Center on Sunset Road a block away may also be a thing of the past.

Consumer advocate files suit against state PUC: CARSON CITY -- State Consumer Advocate Tim Hay believes Nevada Power Co. is collecting at least $106 million too much from its customers in Clark County.

Berkley calls for analysis of Yucca safety: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., is trying to slow down the Energy Department's plans to store nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain by requiring security reviews and response plans.

Book of poems may put faces on homeless: By Timothy Pratt; The poet William Carlos Williams wrote, "It is difficult to get the news from poems, yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there."

Repeat DUI offender sentenced: Erica D. Johnson; Alice Sheldon should have been celebrating her 36th wedding anniversary Monday with her husband, Russell. Instead she was preparing a statement to read to the man who killed him.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Del Mar: 1st Race -- DOLLAR SIGNS -- Solis scales co-owner Headley trainee, draws good post in small starter allowance field, backers hoping for Dollar Signs payoff. ROCK COD JOHNNY -- Draws middle box for sprint opener, P. Val atop Glatt trainee, Rock Cod catch at the beach? Value Play -- DAMAR WAYNE

Las Vegas' Kingsland to attempt run in Bristol truck event: Casey Kingsland may not have qualified for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race last Friday at Indianapolis Raceway Park, but he obviously made an impression on series officials.

Letter: Global warming may destroy Western forests: It has been known for a hundred years that logging increases the fire hazard. Logging debris -- limbs, tops, and defective logs -- increases the amount of fuel on the ground. Fire hazard is determined primarily by the amount of fuel on the ground. The Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 will increase, not decrease, the severity of forest fires.

Obituaries for August 8, 2003: Lori Dawn Barnson, 47, of North Las Vegas died Wednesday in a local care center. She was born July 21, 1956, in Nevada. A lifelong resident, she owned and operated a decorating service.

Chu: Allegations against DOE 'unfounded': Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The Energy Department did not intimidate Yucca Mountain project whistleblowers from testifying at a May hearing, project director Margaret Chu wrote in a letter sent to the Senate earlier this month.

LV men charged in fraud case: Jace Radke; Five people, including two Las Vegas attorneys and a former New York lawyer linked to a high-profile FBI secrets-for-sale scandal, have been indicted in connection with a multimillion dollar stock securities scheme.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Said getting tired of 'hired gun' label: By virtue of his winning the pole for the NASCAR Winston Cup race at Infineon Raceway in June, road-course specialist Boris Said earned a spot in next year's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway.

Business briefs: RICHFIELD, Minn. -- Best Buy Co. Inc. on Thursday raised its earnings estimate for the second quarter and fiscal 2004, citing strong sales and cost controls, sending the consumer electronics retailer's shares up 14 percent.

Ex-51 Crosby endures whirlwind week: The Crosby Chronicles

Sierra Pacific results hurt by PUC rulings: Kevin Rademacher; Regulatory disallowances associated with the Western energy crisis once again dragged down the earnings of Sierra Pacific Resources.

Guinn names LV doctor to medical panel: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today named Dr. Javaid Anwar of Las Vegas to the state Board of Medical Examiners.

Deal might be made in case of child in car: Erica D. Johnson; One of the first Las Vegas parents to face a child endangerment charge for leaving his 2-year-old son in the car alone while he ran into a local Starbucks is considering negotiating his case with prosecutors.

News briefs for August 8, 2003: About 75 city of Las Vegas officials, including Mayor Oscar Goodman, will attend a major disaster preparedness drill led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Emmitsburg, Md., next week.

Political notebook: Still no answer on sexual harassment investigation: Erin Neff; During the Legislature's regular session two interns complained that Assemblyman Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas, had sexually harassed them.

Mayor disputes report on homeless: Ed Koch and Timothy Pratt; Jermaine Green, a 22-year-old who now works as a housekeeping supervisor for a Strip hotel, says that in his sojourn through homelessness he did not find Las Vegas to be the nation's "meanest city."

Columnist Dean Juipe: Preseason bets require special rules: Dean Juipe; There are guidelines for betting NFL preseason games, as any experienced gambler knows.

Mack abstension leaves questions: When Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack discloses potential conflicts of interest he usually goes into some detail as to why he feels he should abstain.

Station stocks soar to record high: Executives and directors exercised options for about $29 per share, options worth from $5 to $12 each when acquired, according to recent financial statements filed with securities regulators.

Salvation Army will accept donations of goods in top condition: Malia Spencer; Salvation Army officials announced they will begin taking limited goods donations beginning Monday, after a fire devastated the group's storage warehouse earlier this week.

Priest may face resentencing: Ed Koch and Erica D. Johnson; Missouri is rejecting Nevada's request to supervise the probation of a Henderson priest who abused five teens, and that could send the controversial case back to District Judge Donald Mosley for resentencing.

Editorial: Air cargo loophole needs to be closed: The response to these potential threats is good, but the Bush administration still refuses to deal with one of the biggest airline security loopholes. The administration continues to oppose legislation passed in the House that would require cargo to be screened before it's loaded onto commercial flights. Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., who has pushed for the requirement, notes that 22 percent of all cargo is shipped on passenger planes. This lack of screening is a glaring lapse in security that was pointed out shortly after 9-11, but the administration won't address it because of the costs. (Each screening machine can ...

Letter: Pope's priorities are misplaced: With all respect and admiration for the pope, I believe he should clean up the mess and purge the church of the sexually abusive priests before instructing politicians to ban same-sex marriages, which hurt no one -- in contrast with the war on Iraq.

Business briefs for August 8, 2003: LOS ANGELES -- The biggest animated film of all time buoyed revenue and earnings at Pixar Animation Studios in the second quarter.

Luxor files lawsuit over lighting system: By Liz Benston; On New Year's Eve 1997, the Luxor resort in Las Vegas wowed the Strip with a $1 million exterior lighting system designed to add glitter to a 30-story black pyramid that otherwise faded away into the darkness.

Diesel spill closes U.S. 95: The driver of a double-tanker trujck discovered fuel leaking from the second tanker about noon, Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Angie Wolff said.

Analysts: Legislation could delay Wynn Macau project: Gaming analysts say legislation outlining gaming tax policy in Macau may be delayed from next week until fall, which could push back the groundbreaking and opening of Steve Wynn's casino there.

Grandparents continue fight for child's schooling: Will Oremus; Mikki and Ray Cassidy say they made a promise years ago to their granddaughter Missy that they would always take care of her. They've been fighting to keep that promise ever since.

Where I Stand -- Bill Young: Security is paramount: SINCE SEPT. 11 we've all heard about homeland security, the phrase that has come to symbolize protecting our borders and our citizens. Much has also been said about homeland security funding. In fact, as the sheriff of Clark County, I've done a lot of the talking. And for good reason: I want the people who live and work here to know that as head of the largest enforcement agency in Southern Nevada, I want to make sure we are getting our fair share of money that ultimately will be used to protect the citizenry in the event of a terrorist ...

Kohl's developing three LV stores: Kohl's developing three LV stores

Editorial: New agency is off to a good start: Approved just this past December, the redevelopment agency has gotten off to a good start by selecting areas that are truly going downhill. Redevelopment has become a pejorative term in many areas because it frequently has focused on improving the lot of already-thriving developers and corporations, often through misuse of eminent domain. We support the county's entree into the redevelopment arena and hope it remains committed to the simple objective of reversing blight and stopping its spread.

Tagoai hopes to make best of classroom mixup: Steve Guiremand; Willie Tagoai believes there's one word that can sum up why he's battling for the starting free safety job at UNLV.