Print edition for June 18, 2004

'Whiskey' an overlooked treasure: Spencer Patterson; Late, great rock critic Lester Bangs once wrote that the Mekons were "better than the Beatles."

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Golub still struggles with memories of 'Dodo': Lisa Ferguson; The elder Golub was the alcoholic father of eight children who pulled no punches -- but was known to throw a few -- while raising his kids and struggling to make ends meet in the working-class suburb of Sharon, Pa. The language he used was tough; and his liquor-induced antics were legendary.

Shriners' pledge to aid children hasn't faltered: Caitlin Hudgins; WEEKEND EDITION

All-star cast heads 'Ribbon' benefit: "We had a reduction with education, knowledge and awareness," said Carol Hunter, president of Golden Rainbow, a non-profit agency that helps victims of AIDS. "But what appears to be happening is that people are letting their guard down.

Busy Body: Ever-youthful (with help) Rivers always on the move: Today the comedian and plastic surgery devotee is beginning to look more like Britney Spears than a 71-year-old legend in the entertainment world.

Kids find satisfaction in creating gifts for father: Lynn Doan; WEEKEND EDITION

Four Tops, Temptations battling the clock at Stardust: The new generation of singers can take lessons from two of the most popular groups from the '60s - the Temptations and the Four Tops, who will share a bill at the Stardust through Saturday.

Datebook for June 18, 2004: Ruby Ann Boxcar, TV personality and best-selling author of five cookbooks, will host a free barbecue demonstration at noon Saturday at Creative Cooking School, 7385 W. Sahara Ave.

With show, Stardust set to fire up Cubans: Cuba is preparing to invade Las Vegas.

Generous boy would like to attend camp: June 19 - 20, 2004

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Coverage of Killers is alive with variety: Spencer Patterson; In fact, you could say "Hot Fuss" -- the debut disc released by the Killers on Tuesday -- is the most anticipated album to come out of Las Vegas since Slaughter's 1992 sophomore effort, "Wild Life."

Bush in Reno ignores Yucca; touts tax cut and security: But he didn't mention Yucca Mountain.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Venerable King raises voice to defend Hunt, Bono: The legendary lounge performer (and for 28 years the opening act for Jimmy Durante) happened to catch the debut of the new reality show "The Casino," which airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on Fox (KVVU Channel 5).

Father's more than a big baby in 'Mystere': "I always thought it was something really cool," Dube-Dupuis said of her father's acting career.

'Dreams' on tap for UNLV theater program: The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Senior Adult Theater program presents "Summer Dreams, Winter Wishes," a series of 10-minute plays and monologues, Wednesday through Sunday at UNLV's Paul Harris Theatre.

State Republicans warm up crowd for Bush: Secretary of State Dean Heller criticized Kerry, the expected Democratic nominee, for changing his positions. "Depending on the time of day, John Kerry changes his position more often than a Nevada prostitute," Heller said.

Impressionist Acosta returns: In his own voice, impressionist Bill Acosta talked about his entertainment career.

On Display for June 18, 2004: Watercolors, acrylics, oils and pastels by Patrick Lynch, Jim Garner and Barbara Sindelir are on display until July 3 at Art From the Heart Gallery, 4020 N. Tenaya Way. Admission is free. 656-8250.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Wolfgang Puck provides an appetizing return: Guests mingled and munched their way through a sampling of just about every food on the menu. A display of oysters Rockefeller covered one end of the bar; chilled jumbo shrimp were another enticement. A selection of pizzas were passed along with skirt steak skewers and a spicy harissa dipping sauce.

Performing Arts for June 18, 2004: Danilo Perez

Columnist Susan Snyder: Our valley needs more coverage: Henderson residents on Tuesday reported spotting a small mountain lion at about dusk Tuesday. The cat was sitting atop a block wall behind a shopping center on Eastern Avenue at Pebble Road. It was dusk. Wildlife officers and police believe it may have trotted into the urban area via a nearby wash.

CineVegas to end run at the Palms: For ticket information, go to: www.cinevegas.com or call 992-7979.

Winget retires from law enforcement: Jace Radke; Richard Winget, U.S. marshal for Nevada, will end more than 30 years in Southern Nevada law enforcement when he retires in July.

Garfield slots OK'd despite concerns: CARSON CITY -- Garfield, the comic strip cat that has been appearing in newspapers for 26 years, may soon be a symbol on slot machines in Nevada casinos.

Lawmakers: Millennium Scholars need preparation: Lawmakers said Thursday it is high time the Board of Regents ensure that recipients of state scholarships are adequately prepared for college by requiring them to pass more challenging classes in high school.

Hilton owner plans changes: CARSON CITY -- The new owners of the Las Vegas Hilton say it "desperately needs nourishment" to improve its performance.

Community briefs for June 18, 2004: Mayor Oscar Goodman will kick off a membership drive and celebration from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Cashman Center Theater, for the the first members of the 5-15 Club, an organization for Las Vegas residents born on May 15, Las Vegas' birthday.

May unemployment drops to lowest rate in nearly four years: CARSON CITY -- Unemployment in May in Nevada fell to 4.1 percent, its lowest rate in nearly four years, another sign of the revived economy in the state.

Not-guilty plea made in bus stop death: By Matt Pordum; The man charged with crashing his truck into a Las Vegas bus stop on May 3, killing a 4-year-old boy and hospitalizing the child's mother pleaded not guilty Thursday.

Neal wants equal play on campaign signs in NLV: Neal, who is running for the Clark County Commission, said nothing had happened to his campaign signs. However, he went before the council because Linda Howard had some of her signs removed from a vacant lot at Cheyenne Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard. Howard, a university system regent, is running for the Senate seat now held by Neal.

NLV might bring back balloon festival: The City Council on Wednesday voted 4-0 to endorse Rose's "Work Plan," which lays out goals and proposed new programs for 2004-2005 fiscal year.

Nutrition new key for snacks at school: By Emily Richmond; High-fat snacks, candy and carbonated beverages will no longer be sold to students at Clark County School District campuses, School Board members decided Thursday.

Traffic safety conference ends with strategic plan: Molly Ball; As a traffic engineer, Chuck Reider has always known that the curbs of a roundabout are low enough for a fire truck to drive over as it wails through traffic.

California sues Enron for alleged energy price manipulation: Alex Veiga; SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- The state of California sued Enron Corp. and several subsidiaries Thursday for allegedly manipulating market prices during the state's 2000-01 energy crisis and costing Californians billions of dollars.

Letter: Republicans need stern training: Our family can sympathize, as our little Scottish cairn terrier, too, was also a study in misbehavior. He was totally out of control, greedy, selfish and attempting to viciously attack any dog who was not an elite purebred such as himself. We finally correctly determined that the problem was that he was simply a conservative Republican canine!

Two honored by mothers group: By speaking at community organizations, the two women plan to promote the importance of motherhood, childhood literacy and the protection of children from pornography.

Boyd-Gaughan merger approved: Sun Staff; CARSON CITY -- After heaping lavish praise on their two two families, the Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday approved Boyd Gaming Corp.'s application to buy Michael Gaughan's Coast Casinos' hotel-casino company in Clark County.

Gaming briefs for June 18, 2004: One thing about MGM MIRAGE won't be changing in its pending merger with fellow casino-resort giant Mandalay Resort Group. The combined entity will still be known as MGM MIRAGE and won't adopt the Mandalay brand as part of its corporate name, MGM MIRAGE spokesman Alan Feldman said.

Columnist Jeff German: Ward 2 decision not easy: As a Ward 2 resident, I can see now why the City Council handed this one off to the voters.

Hiker dies in attempt at scaling rock face: A 30-year-old man fell to his death Thursday night during a hike at the Red Rock National Conservation Area, Metro Police said.

Editorial: Clarify sex assault law: Ebeling had been convicted of two counts of indecent exposure arising from an incident in a Reno hotel room where he exposed himself to two young boys. But the Supreme Court ruled that it didn't matter how many children witnessed the indecent exposure, asserting it was wrong to charge him with two counts of indecent exposure since it only involved one act. That means only one of the convictions involving the hotel incident will stand. Additionally, Ebeling had been convicted of sexual assault and lewdness relating to an attack on a boy in a shower. But the Supreme Court threw ...

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

Wynn investor licensed after lecture by board: CARSON CITY -- Steve Wynn, who is building a megaresort on the Las Vegas Strip, says he and others are in the process of developing a "radical" new slot machine.

Chancellor says Remington still fired: Demoted community college officials will stay demoted, university system leaders said Thursday, despite a judge's order that voided the Board of Regents' November decision.

Consultants say state college plays vital role: Though it is consistently a popular target for budget cutters, the state college in Henderson plays an important and necessary role in higher education in Nevada, a trio of consultants told a Legislative committee Thursday.

Editorial: A promise made is a promise kept: Based on this promise, the council allowed Treasures to open last fall with a temporary license. During a review of the license in March, Metro Police informed the council that prostitution charges were pending against four dancers for acts committed at Treasures. The council agreed to extend the license for three months, because the prostitution cases had not yet been decided in court.

Petition team claims CCSN breaking law: An attorney for a group trying to gather signatures for two ballot initiatives said he plans today to take another tale of harassment to the judge who extended time to gather petitions and clarified the rights of the gatherers.

Fishing report: Striped bass making waves in Lake Mead: Boaters are still having fair success for striped bass in Lake Mead's Boulder Basin and Overton Arm while shore anglers have had no luck during the past week, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Slain dog's owner: Fine not enough: Rosemary Sketchley-Deets has been waiting for justice for six months.

Reilly to stick with Clark County: A big pay raise and the chance to run one of the country's biggest county governments wasn't enough to persuade Thom Reilly to leave his post as Clark County manager.

Guest columnist Kurt Busch: Life in celebrity fast lane a blast: Although we're just a little over a third of the way through the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season, the hype, mainstream appeal and larger-than-life presence that NASCAR has been generating continues to amaze me.

LV City Council candidates not through with mailers: Sito Negron; The nearly half million-dollar battle for a $40,000-a-year job representing Las Vegas City Council Ward 2 is almost over, with a flurry of mailers, radio and newspaper ads, and door-knocking that will continue today, the first day of early voting, and end Tuesday, election day.

Galardi friend Guymon quits DA's office: Guymon's last day with the Clark County district attorney's office was today, and he was scheduled to join the Clark County public defender's office July 1. Neither Guymon nor District Attorney David Roger could not be reached for comment this morning.

News briefs for June 18, 2004: A Las Vegas man who considers himself the nation's leading authority on income taxes is liable for more than $2 million in unpaid taxes, according to an order granting summary judgment to the U.S. government in a civil suit against Irwin Schiff.

Two consultants fired: The Houston-based oil services conglomerate announced today it is "terminating all relationships" with consultant A. Jack Stanley, who retired in December 2003 as chairman of subsidiary KBR, formerly known as Kellogg, Brown & Root. The company also said another consultant and former employee of M.W. Kellogg, Ltd., a joint venture in which KBR has a 55 percent interest, has been fired. The individual was not identified.

School Board candidate raps Garcia's new Explorer: By Emily Richmond; A Clark County School Board candidate took aim at Superintendent Carlos Garcia's new SUV Thursday, calling the purchase of a new Ford Explorer using district funds "a total waste."

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Victory lane is the goal for Park's new crew chief: Charlie Wilson, who guided Scott Lynch to the NASCAR Winston West championship last season, has been named crew chief of the Las Vegas-based Orleans Racing Dodge truck in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Guides disagree on talent at UNLV: Steve Guiremand; Fall camp is still almost two months away for John Robinson's UNLV football squad. And depending on what college football magazine you read or believe, it could be a successful year for the Rebels ... or a disastrous one.

New breed of firefighter takes flight: Stephen Curran; At 53 years old Doug Hodges is part of a new breed of firefighter involved in dangerous efforts to protect the public from wildfires.

Las Vegas beats up on Portland: Nick Christensen; As part of last year's Las Vegas 51s team that started out smoking hot and cooled toward the end of the season, Las Vegas infielder Eric Riggs knows that anything can happen.

Four schools OK'd for uniform policy: By Emily Richmond; The Clark County School Board approved Thursday adding four Henderson elementary schools to a pilot study requiring students to wear uniforms.

Voting rights 'blessing' for ex-felons: By Timothy Pratt; The number of former felons using a 2003 law to restore their right to vote has skyrocketed in recent months, private and public officials working to help promote the law said.

Mets trade for Astros' Hidalgo: Hoping to help their sagging offense, the New York Mets acquired right fielder Richard Hidalgo from the Houston Astros on Thursday for right-handers David Weathers and Jeremy Griffiths.

Search continues for Rhodes school site: Representatives of the developer of Rhodes Ranch and various government agencies on Thursday got closer to agreeing on a site for a new elementary school, but a final decision is still at least three weeks away.

Clark acquitted in woman's death: Matt Pordum and Christina Littlefield; A jury this morning found a 24-year-old North Las Vegas man not-guilty of killing a mother of six and wounding an 8-year-old girl in an August 2001 drive-by shooting

Jury deliberates in fatal drive-by: By Matt Pordum; A jury this morning resumed deliberations about whether a 24-year-old North Las Vegas man killed a mother of six and wounded an 8-year-old girl in an August 2001 drive-by shooting

State to renew program that helps low-income families cut utility bills: Caitlin Hudgins; Summers can be tough on low-income families. Those with incomes of about $800 a month can find themselves spending half of that on power bills, according to a group that helps them get some relief.

Gouldsmith got taste of series with Tulane: Some facts about the College World Series:

Station, chamber helping workers with home-buying: Jennifer Shubinski; Station Casinos Inc., in a joint effort with housing finance giant Fannie Mae, is rolling out a program to help its workers buy homes in an effort by Station to attract and retain employees.

Bush official touts accomplishments: Kevin Rademacher; U.S. Treasury Secretary John W. Snow stopped in Las Vegas this morning to tout the nation's economic recovery and highlight job creation. It was the perfect place to deliver that message, he indicated.

Obituaries for June 18, 2004: Diane M. Clarizia-West, 58, of Las Vegas died Monday in a local hospital. She was born Dec. 26, 1945, in Massachusetts. A resident for two years, she was a homemaker.

Letter: Religion should not be imposed through pledge: The words "under God" in the government-established Pledge of Allegiance is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. The practice of reciting the pledge in public schools specifically targets children, inculcating them with a monotheistic message not held by millions of Americans.

Sheriff laments release of suspect on bail: Clark County Sheriff Bill Young today expressed frustration that bail wasn't set higher for a North Las Vegas man wanted on charges of killing a retired Air Force major this month.

Blood drives: Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hyatt Regency, 101 Monte Lago Blvd., Henderson; 7 a.m. to noon, Valley Hospital, 620 Shadow Lane.

Bail increased for teacher in sex case: By Matt Pordum; A substitute teacher at Grant Sawyer Middle School accused of having sex with two female students had his bail increased to $60,000 from $5,000 in Clark County Justice Court on Thursday.

Sports briefs for June 18, 2004: Hours after she was accused of grandstanding by the international doping chief, Marion Jones stepped up her public relations offensive by releasing results of a lie detector test her lawyer said proves she never took performance-enhancing drugs.

Registration gap narrows: Kirsten Searer; Another 9,500 Nevadans registered to vote in May, and Democrats are now just 10,131 voters behind Republicans statewide.

Clyde 'The Glide' receives 17 years: By Timothy Pratt; Former Harlem Globetrotters player Clyde "the Glide" Austin was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison Thursday for stealing $16 million from people around the nation.

Former DA investigator sentenced in bribe case: By Matt Pordum; As he sentenced a former district attorney's office investigator to two to five years in prison for offering to fix court warrants for a woman in exchange for sex, District Judge Donald Mosley on Thursday said it was a "sad day for the criminal justice system."

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: CineVegas gets an assist from Pistons: Other than some long-shot gamblers, there was possibly no one in Las Vegas happier that the Pistons had dethroned the Los Angeles Lakers in just five games than CineVegas Film Festival President and founder Robin Greenspun.

Limousine allocation system plan advances: The TSA, which regulates the operation of limousines in the state, voted Tuesday to move forward to establish a system to limit the number of operating limos, similar to the allocation system in place for taxi cabs in Clark County.

Tax break for Nevadans clears hurdle: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Nevadans could get a new tax break if a provision in a large tax bill approved by the House Thursday becomes law.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Tag day finally arrives for state's big-game hunters: Barb Henderson; Nevada big-game hunters will flock to their mailboxes, computers and to Nevada Department of Wildlife offices in Elko, Ely, Fallon, Henderson, Las Vegas, Reno and Winnemucca today to find out if they were successful in the Nevada computerized draw system. It was back in the mid-1970s when the NDOW adopted a big-game drawing system.

Bush makes stop in Reno: Kirsten Searer; A host of top Republicans are visiting Nevada, including President Bush and two Cabinet members today and Vice President Dick Cheney on Monday.

House rejects lifting of cap on screeners: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The House voted this morning to continue to limit the number of Transportation Security Administration employees to 45,000.

Mom hoping teen's death leaves impression on others: Heather Rawlyk; Fourteen-year-old Dusty Steen died because he hadn't been wearing a helmet while riding a motorized skateboard, authorities said. Nevertheless, several teens and children rode to his memorial Thursday night without the protective gear on their heads.

Falling lake level could cost hundreds of millions of dollars: The dropping level of Lake Mead could require an investment of at least "several hundred million dollars" to keep water coming up the hill from the lake to Las Vegas, water officials said Thursday.

Lawsuit against Enron could bolster Nevada case: Kevin Rademacher; While the state of Nevada has not -- as California did on Thursday -- filed a formal lawsuit against Enron Corp., there is no shortage of legal wrangling between the bankrupt energy marketer and Nevada agencies and companies.

Aloha to offer Honolulu flights: The Honolulu-based airline will discontinue flights between Las Vegas and Burbank and Oakland, Calif., to add the Honolulu service. The Burbank and Oakland flights were part of Aloha's one-stop service to the Hawaiian Islands to and from Las Vegas.