Print edition for May 9, 2003

Medical terms clarified for LV zoning regulations: Judy Odierna; Modifications to the way Las Vegas defines drug and alcohol treatment facilities were made to the city's zoning code on Thursday.

2003 Mother of the Year Awards: The honorees were nominated by friends, family members and colleagues, who noted their dedication and giving natures.

Scene Selections -- Geoff Carter: 'Potter' sequel lacks surprises: The best part of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," now available on a two-disc DVD set packed with extras (Warner Home Video, $29.95), is knowing that it's the last time Chris Columbus is going to handle the "Potter" films for a while.

'Miss' match; Foreboding 'Miss Saigon' an odd fit for Las Vegas: When: 8 p.m. Tuesday through May 16; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. May 17-18.

Mature audiences still enjoying 'Folies': "Folies Bergere."

Highlights of March 2003 revenue report on Nevada casinos: AP; -STATEWIDE: $834.7 million win, up 3.4 percent.

First bonds to be issued for parks: CARSON CITY -- Voters last November approved a $200 million proposal for new parks and recreational facilities, and the first bonds will be issued next month.

On display for May 9, 2003: Henderson will host its sixth annual ArtFest from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday along Water Street between Atlantic Avenue and Basic Road, in front of Henderson City Hall and inside the Henderson Convention Center. Admission is free. (888) 278-3378.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway Points: The Strip at LVMS

Columnist Susan Snyder: Kid won't take problem sitting down: Seat up or down?

Blood drives: Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., International Game Technology, 6811 Spencer St.; 1:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m., Derfelt Elementary School, 1900 S. Lisa Lane; 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., International Game Technology, 1085 Palms Airport.

Performing Arts for May 9, 2003: 'Jazz in the Park'

Datebook for May 9, 2003: The Super Summer Theatre celebrates its 28th year of family entertainment with its annual "Woodsy Owl Day" from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. The event is free. 594-7529.

Grammy-winning band faithfully follows musical path: Spencer Patterson; What: "Come Together and Worship" featuring Third Day, Michael W. Smith and Max Lucado.

'Terrorism' letter angers officials: Dan Kulin; A four-page letter titled "Freedom From Terrorism: Micro-Terrorists Blight Boulder City, Nevada," and mailed to city voters in the last week is full of lies and may violate state election laws, Boulder City Attorney Dave Olsen said Thursday.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Time an important element in Vegas shows: Spencer Patterson; Apparently, southern jam band Gov't Mule played for more than five hours Saturday night at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

Letter: It's no wonder critics see U.S. as hypocritical: Is it any wonder that our critics overseas accuse us of hypocrisy?

Columnist Jerry Fink: Sahara's decision adds to revamped Casbar: The Casbar Lounge at the Sahara has undergone a makeover, both physically and philosophically.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: West is fielding requests for his funny magic: Lisa Ferguson; It's probably safe to assume most magicians take their craft seriously. But not Fielding West.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Mom gets the gift she needs: But one item caught my attention:

Partisan disagreement deadlocks progress on education funding: CARSON CITY -- Stumbling blocks keep piling up in the state's financing of public schools as Republicans and Democrats deadlocked Thursday on issues such as teacher pay and a longer school year.

Letter: If only Gore had won the election: The United States would still be prosperous and peaceful, and President Clinton's huge "rainy day" surplus would still be intact instead of squandered on enormous tax cuts (payoffs) to the wealthiest Republican supporters and contributors.

Playoff results, schedules: TUESDAY

Ralph Siraco's selections for Saturday's races at Hollywood Park: Saturday's card

Community briefs for May 9, 2003: The Henderson Police Athletic League will host the Western Regional Junior Olympic Boxing Tournament at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Boys & Girls Club, 401 Drake St., Henderson.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Gordon taking aim at front of Indy field: When Robby Gordon signed on with Andretti Green Racing to drive for injured Dario Franchitti in this month's Indianapolis 500, it didn't look as if there would be enough car/driver combinations to fill the 33-car field.

Panel passes election ethics bill: CARSON CITY -- A Senate panel narrowly approved a bill Thursday to repeal the law that puts the state in the position of being a "truth squad" in deciding whether a political candidate lied about his opponent during an election campaign.

Weir Here: Spencer Patterson; For more than 30 years Bob Weir spent his nights collaborating with fellow Grateful Dead singer and guitarist Jerry Garcia.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Mother can eat like a queen in Las Vegas Sunday: In addition to gifts, celebrate Mother by taking her out for a special meal Sunday.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 10:20 a.m.

Townsend, Conklin duel over competing telemarketing bills: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- The battle to win consumers hearts continued Thursday as a Senate panel replaced a Democratic telemarketing registry bill with a Republican's version.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Powell's lunch is a leftover: VegasBeat got a somewhat frantic call Friday morning from Peggy Cifrino, the deputy chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Court briefs for May 9, 2003: A grand jury has indicted a Las Vegas man who prosecutors say had drugs in his system when he caused a collision that killed an elderly woman.

Gladiators try to secure their playoff future: Adam Candee; Gone are fanciful thoughts of a first-round playoff bye and a favorable road to ArenaBowl XVII.

Man who led police on chase is missing: Jace Radke; A 29-year-old man who drove through a security checkpoint at Hoover Dam last week and then led police on a 60-mile chase through Arizona is missing. David Hamer was released last week on a personal recognizance bond by U.S. Magistrate Robert Johnston and was ordered to a local halfway house, but Hamer instead left town and is now a fugitive.

Columnist Tony Renna: Making Indy field would be a dream come true: Tony Renna; INDIANAPOLIS -- Being at Indy has been a goal for a long, long time.

Parts distributor buys National inventory, to develop LV shop: Jet X Aerospace, Elk Grove Village, Ill., is developing an inventory of all types of aircraft parts and is establishing supply center locations at McCarran and at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Deputy commissioner at state FID retires: Scott Walshaw, division commissioner, said Evans had been with the department for about six years.

Regents' invocation draws strong response: Jennifer Knight; A roomful of higher education officials bowed their heads in prayer Thursday and pushed the boundaries of the First Amendment.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: The object of contempt: There were two stories this week -- one involving the federal government and its disdain for Nevada and the other dealing with Nevadans and their disdain for one another -- that point out a growing danger that threatens one of the last great states in this union and one to which most of us have become very much attached.

Top-seeded Bulldogs continue to roll: Adam Candee; The talk around Centennial's baseball field Thursday afternoon centered on how the host team appears to have adopted the attitude of the aggressor in the Sunset Region playoffs.

GV shows it's for real, dumps Coronado in semis: Adam Candee; The swagger is developing and the game is coming right along to back it up for the Green Valley softball team.

Centennial stays perfect: In the Sunrise Region, Northeast top seed Chaparral dismissed Green Valley (SE-2) 25-21, 25-23, 25-20. The Cowboys will take on Southeast top seed Silverado at 5 p.m. today, as the Skyhawks handled Las Vegas (NE-2), 25-14, 25-20, 16-25, 25-18.

Rookie Renna tops 230 mph in Indy practice: Renna turned in his fastest lap of the month at 230.309 mph in the Cure Autism Now/HomeMed Dallara/Toyota, the eighth-fastest driver among 24 drivers who were preparing for the 87th Indianapolis 500.

Guilty plea made after charge of killing fetus is dropped: Erica D. Johnson; A Las Vegas man charged with stabbing his girlfriend in the stomach and killing her unborn child pleaded guilty to lesser charges on Thursday in a case his attorney says could have changed Nevada law. Jesus Sosa Villagomez, 35, pleaded guilty to a single count of attempted murder in the October 2002 attack that wounded Flora Solorio and killed the baby she was carrying.

Gay Pride week celebration features parade, festival: By Timothy Pratt; Dennis McBride, born and raised in the Las Vegas Valley and, at 48, "older than most of the buildings here," remembers the 1980s, when bars where he and other gay men went were raided routinely by the police.

Rhodes: Mine purchase began in 2001: Developer Jim Rhodes, whose plan to build homes at a gypsum mine near Red Rock Canyon has ignited a political firestorm, said Thursday he was in the process of buying the property for two years before closing the deal in March.

Letter: Proposed school cuts are slanted: Yes, we are in tight times and the school district monies need to be very accountable, but how does our central office administration explain a more top-heavy expensive district than several years ago when it was reorganized with a plan tailored and implemented by our district power brokers to streamline and create a more efficient district. A plan, we were told, that would provide more dollars of our school budget directly impacting our children.

Editorial: A looming crisis for children: Today the Las Vegas Sun begins a series of articles documenting conditions in Nevada that are leading to "The Perfect Storm" for children. The term, coined by a meteorologist, referred to the October 1991 storm that battered the East Coast from New England to North Carolina. All the conditions necessary for a storm of epic proportions combined simultaneously and its intensity caught that region unaware. The term is now used in describing other crises, whose individual conditions leading up to them stimulated insufficient attention -- until the day they combined and the full extent of the crisis revealed itself.

Columnist Jeff German: Station in Culinary Union's cross hairs: Union organizers quietly have been reaching out to workers at the company's 11 neighborhood casinos for months now.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Rhodes saga is classic film noir: Little is what it seems in the story of developer Jim Rhodes' plan to erect thousands of homes not far from the Red Rock Conservation Area. In this "Blue Velvet" of a world, there are no white picket fences (at least not yet) and there is a lot of slithering beneath the surface.

Columnist Benjamin Grove: Nevada delegation's fingerprints on several bills: Benjamin Grove; Lost in the shuffle of roughly 3,500 bills introduced in Congress this year -- that's about 70 per legislative working day so far -- is legislation that rarely draws media attention, ranging in topic from wood preservatives to prison porn. Here are a few bills you may have missed that were introduced by Nevada lawmakers.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: The voices of reason: Where are our mothers' voices?

Columnist Erin Neff: Taxes rest with posturing lawmakers in back room: Erin Neff; A dozen key lawmakers are meeting behind closed doors to build consensus on a budget and taxes while some of the same legislators are openly taking stands they privately eschew.

Editorial: A case of how spin contrasts with truth: Listening to the hue and cry from the White House, one would believe that the Democrats are mercilessly pummeling President Bush's judicial nominees. The president and Republicans are fuming that the system for confirming presidential nominees is broken and that democracy itself depends on instituting immediate reforms.

Letter: Rhodes project would be boon to area, tax base: I am very familiar with the Red Rock area and this mountain the mine is on. The development proposal is a great way to enhance this property and it will not do any of the things the people against it are saying. This property is completely hidden by the mountains behind it and the developer proposes to construct a tunnel from Tropicana Avenue. This is a great idea. I do not believe that the difference in view from a few viewpoints in the Red Rock area are enough to stop a property owner from legally making good use of his ...

Children left behind: Editor's note: Numerous national studies have found that Nevada ranks poorly in virtually every critical area regarding children. The state legislative session will end June 2, and all indications are that lawmakers will have done little to improve those rankings.

John still loves game of baseball: Nick Christensen; Eleven years after he first put on a major-league uniform, Tommy John wasn't ready to leave the game.

Boating accidents down in '02, but fatalities rise: Boating accidents were down sharply despite an increase in boating fatalities in the state last year, according to a report compiled by the Nevada Division of Wildlife.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Volunteers gather to build water source for bighorn sheep: Barb Henderson; Sixty-one volunteers from the Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn and other outdoors organizations were on hand recently to assist the Nevada Division of Wildlife in providing an accessible water source for our state animal -- the desert bighorn sheep.

Political notebook: The Dirty Dozen huddle to talk about budget, taxes: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- A core group of 12 lawmakers representing both the budget and taxation committees has begun meeting to try to bring the right and left hands of the legislative process together.

51s snapshot: A 6-foot-3 left-hander from Southhampton, N.Y., Gulin has been helped by magnificent run support, as the 51s have generated 33 runs the last four time's he's stepped on the hill.

Editorial: Don't water down bill on poaching: In Nevada the ratio is likely far worse because there are far fewer game wardens. Nationally, the state average is one game warden for every 750 square miles. Nevada has only 34 game wardens to patrol 110,000 square miles, meaning that our ratio is one game warden for every 3,235 square miles. And it gets worse. Nevada's game wardens also teach boating safety, effectively reducing the number or wardens available for field work to the equivalent of 19.

Royster still shaken by player's death: By Rob Miech; Jerry Royster nearly spent four recent days at Cashman Field without fielding an inquiry about Mike Sharperson.

Obituaries for May 9, 2003: Dale Edward Allen, 46, of Las Vegas died Saturday in a local hospital. He was born Nov. 25, 1956, in Michigan. A resident for 17 years, he was a plumber.

Firefighter makes cancer legislation personal: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- While North Las Vegas firefighter Bill Harnedy may be losing his battle with cancer, he is now expected to win approval for a bill that would give fellow firefighters a clearer law linking cancer to their job.

Las Vegas Area Fishing Report: Anglers landing bass, catfish at Overton Arm: Anglers who have been trying their luck in the Overton Arm at Lake Mead have been having fair results for striped bass and channel catfish by fishing around Fish Island toward the Virgin Bowl and north of Overton Beach.

Editorial: Children's health is the loser: It's a shame that the Assembly Judiciary Committee didn't amend the Senate's bill and recommend legislation that would protect children from harmful secondhand smoke in public places. The full Assembly has yet to vote on the legislation, but it is all but certain that it will follow the Judiciary Committee's recommendation, guaranteeing that the final bill won't come close to what the people want.

Biggest issue is pay: It's easy to measure the impact of the foreign players on NCAA tennis. All you need to do is look at the rosters and the rankings.

CCSN wins series opener vs. Southern Idaho: The Coyotes are ranked ninth in the nation by the NJCAA and can advance to the district championship next week in Coolidge, Ariz., by winning today's 7 p.m. game or, if necessary, a 1 p.m. rubber match Saturday.

Controversy not foreign to college tennis: Copyright 2003 Las Vegas Sun

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Douglas tourney is a celebrity club: Well, I do have a tip if you want to get some face time with, alphabetically, Marc Anthony, Jim Belushi, Jimmy Buffett, Jackie Chan, George Clooney, Jamie Lee Curtis, David Duchovny, Clint Eastwood, Andy Garcia, Elton John, Tea Leoni, Heather Locklear, Matthew McConaughey, Dennis Miller, Mike Myers, Dennis Quaid, Ray Romano, Kurt Russell, Sylvester Stallone, Justin Timberlake and Mark Wahlberg.

Budget cuts, layoffs could slow Yucca Mountain study: Two separate events Thursday -- a possible budget cut and announcement of potential layoffs -- could slow down efforts to build a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

Mine blast startles northwest residents: By Emily Richmond; An unexpected boom in northwest Clark County startled some residents this morning, and officials plan to investigate whether the sound was tied to a scheduled gypsum mine blast near Blue Diamond.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Wrestlers welcome on Las Vegas mat: If you're going out to the U.S. National Wrestling Championships at the Las Vegas Convention Center this weekend, don't make the same mistake I did and take a right turn upon entering the north exhibit hall.

Battle rages over 'do not call' telemarketing bill: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- The battle to win consumers hearts continued Thursday as a Senate panel replaced a Democratic telemarketing registry bill with a Republican's version.

Las Vegas non-profit files class action against lender: David Olshan, managing attorney for the Nevada Fair Housing Center, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit agency, said Fairbanks Capital intentionally mishandled the mortgage of Las Vegas-resident Manuel Serrano, forcing the loan into default and assessing penalties and fees.

Good news, bad news on Nevada casino win: CARSON CITY -- Despite the war in Iraq, Nevada's casinos industry continued to win more money from unlucky gamblers in March compared to March 2002.

School employees to lose cell phones: By Emily Richmond; In a move that's as much about saving face as money, Clark County School District officials plan to hang up hundreds of cellular phones provided to administrators.

IGT a sleeping giant in 'Net gaming: By Liz Benston; Even before major casino companies announced plans to operate Internet gambling sites abroad, the industry's largest supplier, International Game Technology, had exited the business by pulling its stake in a Sydney-based content provider to Web casinos.

Heritage College sold to N.Y. firm: Heritage College, Southwest Education's sole operation, will retain its name under Kaplan's management.

Timing of library bond questioned: Proponents of a $50.6 million library bond issue on next month's general election ballot say the time is right to add four new branches to the Las Vegas-Clark County district. Local library checkouts are up by nearly two-thirds and existing facilities are bearing the burden of that growth.

Jewelry kiosk owner's murder baffles police: Jen Lawson; The last time Metro Police can account for jewelry koisk owner Anthony Limongello's whereabouts was Sunday night, when he drove past the guard at his gated Rhodes Ranch community in his 2002 black Lincoln Navigator.

News briefs for May 9, 2003: Although McCarran International Airport recorded only a 38 mph wind gust on Thursday, other areas of Southern Nevada felt a stronger sting of a late, cold storm that moved east Thursday night.

Station offered best deal for San Francisco-area casino: By Liz Benston; When an Indian tribe near San Francisco decided this year to build a casino, it bypassed suitors at some of the nation's largest casino companies to select Station Casinos Inc. for the job.

Columnist Jeff German: RJC may finally be in good hands: But you would be wrong.

Nuke waste argument focuses on Baltimore tunnel fire: Benjamin Grove and Mary Manning; WASHINGTON -- The Baltimore train tunnel fire burned at peak temperatures up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit during its first three hours, a fire expert who studied the blaze said Thursday. That's higher than the average 1,475-degree temperature rating nuclear waste shipping containers need to withstand for 30 minutes, required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Summit View gets funds to reopen: CARSON CITY -- Summit View, the youth prison in North Las Vegas that has been mothballed since March 2002, appears set to be reopened.

Regulatory environment worries CEO of SW Gas: Kevin Rademacher; Minutes before addressing Southwest Gas Corp.'s annual shareholders meeting Thursday, the company's top executive expressed concern over the state Public Utilities Commission's pending decision on Nevada Power Co.'s $195 million rate case.

Flag flap: Residents, homeowners association argue over how Old Glory is displayed: Judy Odierna; Jack Irvin's patriotism has him at odds with his homeowners association in the Lynbrook community of Las Vegas.

UNLV's Oh leads field at NCAA West regional: Oh shattered the school's best single-round score by three strokes, a mark shared by herself and teammate Elena Kurokawa. The Rebels' ace carded six birdies and just a single bogey.

Big residence club planned for Las Vegas Boulevard South: South Las Vegas LLC, a joint venture formed by Investment Equity, Las Vegas, and Southern California-based GreenPark Cos. and Zenith Development Corp. Inc., announced Thursday that a company it would not identify is planning a 4,000-unit residence club development as part of the SouthPointe masterplanned commercial development at Las Vegas Boulevard South and Silverado Ranch Boulevard.

Columnist Dean Juipe: NCAA plays game, but ignores rules: Dean Juipe; Tim Cass was among the first to offer comment.

Rhodes appeals ruling on Red Rock project review: Developer Jim Rhodes has appealed a decision by the Clark County Development Services Department that he must go through a potentially lengthy major project review process for his proposed community near Red Rock Canyon.

Rebels falls to BYU in MWC tournament: The Rebels (20-38) play a loser's bracket game today.

UNLV athletes honored: The nominees for the UNLV Olympic Sportsman of the Year award were announced. They are swimming and diving's Jonathan Hugo and golf's Ryan Moore.

No drugs found in Rainbow rampage suspect: After he was arrested, Carlos Burgarin of Las Vegas allegedly told Metro Police that he was on PCP and that Jesus had told him he needed to go to Zion National Park in Utah.

Suspect in fatal jewelry heist jailed: Vu Nguyen is alleged to have been one of two men who took $1.72 million in watches from Chong Hing Jewelers at the Chinatown Plaza on Sept. 16, 1999.

Gambling expansion package advances: The Illinois House's gambling committee voted 8-2 Thursday for one of three proposals sponsored by Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie -- a package Lang says could wipe out about half of the state's anticipated $5 billion deficit next year.

Key lawmaker suggests legalization of casinos: House Speaker John Perzel, R-Philadelphia, said a state plan for slot machines expected to be considered next week by lawmakers does not go far enough.

Discounts planned at 70 Vegas hotels: "Operation Welcome Home: Vegas Salutes the Military" is being called the first destination-wide effort to thank armed forces.