Print edition for May 23, 2003

Schluss to display artistic works at Fashion Show: Information:

Columnist Jerry Fink: Jazz great Wilkins carries on brother's legacy: By Jerry Fink; Ernie Wilkins was one of the world's greatest jazz arrangers, composers and orchestrators.

Revitalized Built to Spill brings tour to House of Blues: Spencer Patterson; Doug Martsch doesn't profess to being computer savvy. Far from it, the indie guitar legend lives his life far from the World Wide Web in bucolic Boise, Idaho.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: DJ duo planning to have fun deep into the night: Spencer Patterson; For the DJ tandem known as Deep Dish, environment is everything.

World Series of Poker ends today at Horseshoe: The winner of today's event at Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas will receive $2.5 million.

Corrections: Corrections

Controversy mars inquest history: Ed Koch and Jen Lawson; Thirty-nine-year-old Jon Kenji Fukumoto was the 114th person to be killed by a Clark County law enforcement officer since 1976.

Bill plays role in push by union: CARSON CITY -- A battle between two unions that want to represent more than 8,000 secretaries, bus drivers, janitors and support staff in the Clark County School District has bounced from the courts to the Legislature.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Back to the economy: YOU BETTER hurry up and sign that tax cut, Mr. President. Your numbers are dropping fast.

Local news briefs for May 23, 2003: U.S. Bankrupcy Judge Robert Clive Jones is expected to be nominated to a U.S. District Court judgeship, pending a backround check, according to aides for Sen . John Ensign R-Nev. Ensign spokesman Jack Finn confirmed today that Jones is ex- pected to be a nominee.

Action taken against diploma mills: Jennifer Knight; Want a doctorate in 10 days? It will cost you about $650.

Rebels win, eye school record today: Kyle Ringo; ALBUQUERQUE -- The UNLV baseball team won the American way on Thursday -- through instant gratification. And today it pursues history.

Regulator calls Mirage case a wake-up call: Kevin Rademacher; Nevada casinos have been quietly filing currency transaction reports since 1985.

Porter calls for perchlorate study: The toxic chemical has leaked into the environment at sites nationwide, often from rocket fuel production plants operated by Defense Department contractors.

Revved up and ready: SUNDAY ON TV

As lake level dips, so does quality of water: Four years of drought are threatening the amount of water available to Las Vegans and others who are dependent on Lake Mead. The drought is also threatening the quality of that water.

Editorial: Downtown is ideal for performing arts: This is why we were impressed with this week's City Council decision to set aside five acres of downtown land for the performing arts, provided plans for a center are appropriate. Located within the 61 acres the city purchased from Union Pacific for downtown development, the site would be almost ideal. We say "almost" because five acres seems minimal for the type of center that has been proposed. Thousands of people will need space to congregate during intermissions and, of course, landscaping should match the center's aura and certainly parking should be plentiful.

Obituaries for May 23, 2003: Edwin W. Castle, 86, of Las Vegas died April 29 in Las Vegas. He was born July 13, 1916, in Corvalis, Ore. A resident for 69 years, he was a retired bridge engineer in the construction industry, and a World War II Army and Air Force veteran.

FBI has video showing Mack at Cheetahs: Jace Radke; The list of what was confiscated as part of the FBI's public corruption investigation includes a "videotape of Mike Mack."

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Engagement shows strong framework: What a pretty picture -- two of Las Vegas' art and social stars are getting married.

Niece mourns as police look for clues in slaying: Jen Lawson; Michelle Pendenza has a basket in her Florida home where she began placing sympathy cards sent after her uncle, Anthony Limongello, was killed in Las Vegas.

'Dracula,' other bills refuse to stay dead: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- When the legislative session begins winding down, lawmakers begin looking for vehicles.

Station urged to consider Northern Nevada needs: By Liz Benston; In its last opportunity to meet with Station Casinos Inc. executives before the company opens a major tribal casino near Sacramento June 9, the Nevada Gaming Commission Thursday urged the Las Vegas company to consider the implications of opening a casino along a key artery feeding the already-struggling Reno market.

Nevada leads U.S. in veteran population growth: The ranks of Nevada's veterans are growing faster than those of any other state, but services for veterans here lag other states, a census report says.

Kenny reportedly notified of being probe target: Former County Commissioner Erin Kenny apparently was notified that she is a target of the FBI's ongoing political corruption investigation linked to strip clubs.

Survey: Teachers considering business boycotts: By Emily Richmond; Fewer than half of Clark County School District teachers who took part in a recent survey said they were willing to strike in order to protest the education funding crisis in Nevada, officials from the teachers' union said Thursday.

Former North Las Vegas Municipal Judge Fisher dies: Herman Fisher knew the highest of life's highs as a Las Vegas High School football and track star and as a local attorney and judge.

There's an Emerald in that Pot O' Gold: By Liz Benston; With some help from the Henderson Redevelopment Agency, a run-down casino in the city's downtown core is undergoing a $2 million makeover and is set to reopen today as the Emerald Island Casino.

Governance issues analyzed: New laws regulating corporate governance of public companies should result in more qualified people serving on boards of directors, panelists at a gaming forum concluded Thursday.

Death penalty studied in women's killings: Erica D. Johnson; Prosecutors will know in about a week whether they will seek the death penalty against the aspiring R&B singer charged in the triple shooting that left two women dead.

Gaming panel shelves ATM slots: By Liz Benston; The Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday blocked a plan to equip slot machines with debit card devices, saying the issue required further study and raised concerns about whether giving people direct access to their checking accounts through gambling machines could create a new class of problem gamblers.

Columnist Tony Renna: Car coming along as race day nears: Tony Renna; People think that because I don't show a lot of emotion, I'm not appreciative of the opportunity to race in the Indianapolis 500, and that's just not true. I try not to let the mental side of the 500 get to me.

Trading of firm's stock halted: The company plans to make an announcement about its trading expectations prior to the opening of normal market trading in Australia Monday. Its shares are then expected to resume trading.

Bryan: Gaming no salvation for states' money problems: Kevin Rademacher; Former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan had a warning Thursday for the dozens of states looking to gaming as an answer to their mounting financial problems.

Boeing in $17 billion pact for military planes: At the end of the six-year lease, the Air Force will buy the planes for $4 billion, said Dicks, a Democrat from Washington state who is on the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and was briefed by Pentagon officials.

UNLV's Oh stands 25th at NCAA championship: After three rounds, Oh is 14-over after carding rounds of 78 and 76 earlier in the week.

Doctors get chance to fight rate hikes: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn Thursday signed a bill to change insurance laws to help alleviate the state's medical malpractice crisis and to permit doctors to fight companies that want rate increases.

Feds move in to close Indian casino: Todd Dvorak; TAMA, Iowa -- Federal officials moved in early today to close the Meskwaki tribe's lucrative casino, one day after a special election was held in an attempt to resolve a leadership dispute.

Allergy sufferers endure one of worst springs ever: By Timothy Pratt; Cecilia Celis and three of her four children are among the thousands of area residents who don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. Or if there's pollen in the air. Or if the temperature goes up or down.

Lower DUI limit clears major hurdle: CARSON CITY -- On the seventh try, a measure to reduce Nevada's blood-alcohol-content to 0.08, cleared its biggest hurdle this morning: the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

Beers appears to be a little fuzzy on math, religion: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Assemblyman Bob Beers is bragging he spent five hours crafting a response he offered to an Associated Press reporter this week about his no vote on removing the math portion of the proficiency exam.

Letter: Our neglect of education is ingrained: For years the casino industry has defined the standard of education, much like other industry establishes it in other parts of the country. However, historically, we did not need a high school diploma to deal cards, and probably still don't. The standard is a little different in Midland, Mich., for example, where the national headquarters for DOW Chemical is located. Midland has the highest per capita Ph.D.s in the country and it shows in their local educational standards.

Blue Man Group offers indescribably great time: By Jerry Fink; You leave Luxor Theater after attending a performance of Blue Man Group and wonder what the heck you just saw.

Editorial: Leadership required on state taxes: Some Republicans, and Democrats too, are scared to increase taxes that break the $1 billion barrier, believing that somehow voters will retaliate by turning them out of office. Why, they're even frightened to go above $900 million, preferring to stay well below that amount, lest someone round off the figure and refer to it as "nearly" $1 billion.

Arena League playoffs: All Times PDT

Sexual assault suspect not charged in standoff: Erica D. Johnson; A Henderson man accused of raping his former girlfriend should be tried on charges of sexual assault but won't face charges in connection with a six-hour police standoff, a Henderson justice of the peace ruled on Thursday.

51s snapshot: "They've been asking me, but I don't know," said Logan, a Nevada native. "There was a time, a few years back ... but, honestly, I haven't given it any serious thought for a long time."

Columnist Dean Juipe: Sorenstam reaches out to fans, and they accept her: Dean Juipe; Bubbling with a radiance she didn't display just a month earlier in Las Vegas and scarcely straying from the fairway, Annika Sorenstam made a case for women's golf and secured a future of riches and admiration for herself in a single day.

Trades, moves just a part of the 'dog' days: The revolving-door nature of Triple-A baseball demands fast and flawless transactions between the Dodgers and 51s, or between Double-A Jacksonville, Fla., and Las Vegas.

Deployed airmen face sacrifices: Jace Radke; When Senior Airman Ray Campbell leaves for Iraqi next week he knows he'll miss his 11-month-old daughter's first birthday.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Center site takes the spotlight: The stage is set.

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

Bill would increase veterans' burial benefits: Funeral expense benefits would increase from $300 to $670 for families of veterans who are buried in private cemeteries, according to the bill. Veterans who are buried in state cemeteries already receive a free burial plot in many cases, so the money would go to the state as a reimbursement to help the state manage and operate the cemeteries.

Death penalty bill amended: CARSON CITY -- The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday amended one of the remaining death penalty reform measures to address concerns of prosecutors.

Coroner's inquest: Officer justified in fatal shooting: Jen Lawson; A Clark County coroner's inquest jury ruled unanimously Thursday that a Metro Police officer was justified in shooting an intoxicated man who allegedly tried to hit him with a golf club last month.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 1:20 p.m.

'Divas' still have home in Vegas: What: "VH1's Divas Duets."

Letter: GOP comparable to ancient Rome: These days we can see the Republican version, with huge tax cuts being the bread. And while the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were justified, and our military performed superbly, Republicans are using them as their circus to distract us from their failed domestic policies.

Las Vegas Area Fishing Report: Hemenway Harbor has striper success stories: NEVADA DIVISION OF WILDLIFE

Columnist Barb Henderson: Sporting clays offer challenge to good friend: Barb Henderson; "When are we going again, Barb?"

Gladiators open playoffs with turmoil, questions: Adam Candee; To understand the mercurial season of the Las Vegas Gladiators, examine the 24-hour period beginning with Sunday's home victory against Buffalo.

Officials: Expect holiday delays: Whether travelers in Southern Nevada come by car, plane or boat this Memorial Day weekend, they can expect delays at Hoover Dam, McCarran International Airport and at Lake Mead.

Cirque du Cowboy: Spencer Patterson; Cirque du Soleil and country music. About as likely a pair as a ski jacket and a Southern Nevada summer.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Excitement outweighs nerves for Kyle Busch: There wasn't a hint of nervousness in Kyle Busch's voice as he prepared to make his NASCAR Busch Series debut in Saturday's Carquest Auto Parts 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

CCSN likes chances at title: There wasn't much talk during the Community College of Southern Nevada baseball team's bus ride to the NJCAA World Series in Colorado on Thursday.

Datebook for May 23, 2003: Second grade students will host the third annual "Young Author's Day" from 9:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Wednesday at Edna F. Hinman Elementary School, 450 Merlayne Drive. Students will read excerpts from their books. 799-8990.

MGM MIRAGE may build new LV, AC casino: Adam Goldman; MGM MIRAGE wants to build a hotel-casino in Las Vegas or Atlantic City by the end of the decade, the company's chief financial officer and president said Thursday.

Democrats urge 'little guy' tax plan: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Democrats unveiled a $971 million tax plan Thursday, putting pressure on big business and gaming to pick up the slack for the "little guy."

Columnist Jeff German: Seminar attendees thrown some curves: Speakers were quoting Henry David Thoreau, talking about the national economy and describing a variety of borrowing options at a commercial real estate seminar in Las Vegas this week.

Tropicana targeted in Culinary Union protest: The company's failure to make that promise is stalling contract negotiations with the Tropicana, union representative Chris Bohner said. The Culinary Union's contract with the property expired at the end of May 2002.

National parks may get relief under Western air pollution plan: AP; Air pollution from power plants and factories often travels hundreds of miles, settling in as an unsightly cloud over pristine national parks.

Editorial: Our picks on races, bond issue: Today the Las Vegas Sun offers its endorsements and thoughts on races in the municipal elections and on the library district's bond issue.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Dance team shows how to get busy: Susan Snyder's column appears Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at snyder@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4082.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Show us the indictments: Jon Ralston hosts the news discussion program Face to Face on Las Vegas ONE and publishes the Ralston Report. He can be reached at (702) 870-7997 or at ralston@vegas.com.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Casino MonteLago a breath of nostalgic air: The grand-opening celebration of Casino MonteLago at Lake Las Vegas on May 8 was a reminder of the days when Las Vegas casinos were small and friendly and you didn't need a cell phone to find your companion if you ended up in different areas.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: The day for remembering our dead: Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

Scene selection -- Geoff Carter: '20,000 Leagues' gets new life on DVD: When I was 10 years old I didn't think humans could get any cooler than Captain Nemo. He had a crew of loyal men ready to fight and die at his command, he had a submarine that's still ahead of its time, and, most importantly, he had a thick black beard and a cultured European accent.

UNLV 12, New Mexico 5: AP; UNLV sent 11 batters to the plate in the first inning, scoring six times.

Columnist Ben Grove: State on short list for nation's mercury storage: Ben Grove; Benjamin Grove covers Washington, D.C., for the Sun. He can be reached at grove@lasvegassun.com or (202) 662-7245.

Preserving the nation's past: To hear the passion with which Bruce Montgomery talks about the Civil War, one would think he was there.

Interns learn world of politics: Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- The political world has jumped out of textbooks and into private caucus meetings for six University of Nevada, Las Vegas students and graduates interning in the middle of the 2003 Legislature's action.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Production has all the trappings: VegasBeat appears Sunday through Friday in the Las Vegas Sun. Timothy McDarrah can be reached at tim@lasvegassun.com or at (702) 259-4096.

Key issues remain unresolved: Erin Neff and Liz Benston; WEEKEND EDITION May 25, 2003

Iraq war exhibit to be dedicated: The dedication of the Operation Iraqi Freedom permanent exhibit at the Gobel-Lowden Veterans Center and Museum will highlight a weekend of solemn remembrances for Memorial Day.

Gans a'blazin': WEEKEND EDITION May 25, 2003

Community briefs for May 23, 2003: The organization, Share Our Strength, will present its 11th annual Tastes of the Nation from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Columnist Jeff German: Security funding should go to Vegas: Jeff German's column appears Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays in the Sun. Reach him at german@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4067.

On Display for May 23, 2003: Sculptor Curtis Fairman and painter Jack Hallberg will display their work today through June 31 in Dust, a contemporary art gallery, 109 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 101. 880-3878.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: L.A.'s Caponera is a good sport about funny business: Lisa Ferguson; You can take the guy out of the Windy City, but you can't take the Windy City out of the guy. Case in point: John Caponera.

Nevada legislators ranked by lobbyist spending: AP; SENATE

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Big Brother is here: Brian Greenspun is editor of the Las Vegas Sun.

Ban on beef too little, too late: Too little, because U.S. authorities test 20,000 animals for "mad cow" disease each year -- that's only 0.05 percent of the cattle slaughtered, and Canadians do even less. Europeans test that many animals every day. Moreover, most cattle are slaughtered before the age of four, before "mad cow" disease symptoms develop. The afflicted Canadian cow was 8 years old.

Performing Arts for May 23, 2003: Benefit concert

Bush fighting for oil, money and dad's honor: It is so like Republicans to blame everything they can on the Democrats. As for President Bush attacking Iraq, the only thing he had in mind was that Saddam almost "killed his Daddy" during the Gulf War. Bush was going to get Saddam and bin Laden no matter where or how, and they both are still going strong.