Print edition for May 7, 2004

Columnist Susan Snyder: Stop and think about Segway: We probably should buy them for the White House staff and the entire national press corps, then turn them loose at the same time in the Rose Garden.

Henderson ArtFest slated this weekend: Held between Atlantic Avenue and Basic Road, the two-day festival features ceramics, paintings, woodwork, jewelry, metal and mixed-media pieces.

Best 'Friends:' Hundreds flock to sitcom's finale at House of Blues: Kirk Baird; There were laughs. There were cheers. There were even a few tears.

Where I Stand -- Columnist Brian Greenspun: Keep freedom alive: WEEKEND EDITION

Is revenue from new taxes needed?: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Jon Ralston: A chance to stop the madness: WEEKEND EDITION

Zumanity's Arias relates good 'Conversation': There's more to "Zumanity" transvestite host Joey Arias than meets the eye.

Rain audience will be Adams' family: Spencer Patterson; Even though the Canadian-born singer/songwriter/guitarist has two albums worth of new material in the can, he says his show at Rain at the Palms will consist entirely of old favorites.

Letter: CCSD should be audited quarterly: May 8 - 9, 2004

Letter: Fox's coverage is a fair trade-off: May 8 - 9, 2004

Spiritual connection keeps Martino moving: Spencer Patterson; Turns out, it was one of Martino's own albums. Stricken with near-complete amnesia at the time, the jazz guitar great had virtually no memory of his landmark late-1960s and 1970s recording sessions.

Counterprotest planned by community groups: Heather Rawlyk; Local high school students received a crash course in the do's and don'ts of "peaceful counter-protesting" Thursday night at the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada.

NADN says court action could put it out of business: Jace Radke; The way federal prosecutors see it, National Audit Defense Network is a tax-scamming, boiler-room operation that's used bogus businesses, a phony Web site and misleading claims to bilk U.S. taxpayers out of an estimated $324 million over the past four years.

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

Fishing report: Overton Arm offers bass and channel cats: Even though the Boulder Basin at Lake Mead attracts the most fishing activity, this is the time of year that anglers may want to explore the Overton Arm because it has good action for largemouth and striped bass and channel catfish.

CCSN presidential field trimmed to four: A community college presidential search committee narrowed the field to four candidates Thursday after committee members reviewed introductory letters and resumes in closed session for almost three hours.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Kyle demanding more from himself: He is coming off his fifth consecutive top-10 effort and is second in the NASCAR Busch Series standings after nine races, but Kyle Busch said he isn't completely satisfied with how his rookie season is unfolding.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Bodden lives on the edge with controversial humor: Lisa Ferguson; "I hate using that word -- it's a Hollywood word," says Bodden, who headlines Riviera Comedy Club Monday through May 16. In Tinseltown, "What they mean by 'edgy' is to talk about topics that you don't talk about in polite society."

Algiers deal to make way for condo project on Strip: Jennifer Shubinski; The owner of the Algiers Hotel, a Las Vegas landmark for almost 50 years, has agreed to sell the property to a Florida developer who plans to build a 45-story condominium-hotel in its place.

Community briefs for May 7, 2004: First Friday May Funfest will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. today in the area from Colorado and Coolidge avenues and from Main Street to Casino Center Boulevard.

Oil futures reach $40 for first time since 1990: Rising U.S. gasoline demand and limited refining capacity have boosted gasoline and crude oil prices. Global fuel demand is increasing as an upsurge of unrest in Saudi Arabia and Iraq threatens the oil infrastructure.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Audiences feel the heat at Coachella festival: Spencer Patterson; For most, the toughest part about the two-day, five-stage, 85-act extravaganza was deciding whether to see the Rapture or Stereolab, Broken Social Scene or Elefant and Bright Eyes or Dizzee Rascal.

Special session for slots bill considered: Tom Stuckey; ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A plan to let voters decide in November whether to legalize slot machines in Maryland is being considered by legislative leaders, raising the possibility of a special session this summer to debate the contentious issue.

Vols, Rebels might switch for TV: Steve Guiremand; The buzz among UNLV football players in the Lied Athletic Complex weight room this week quite naturally centered on the Rebels' season opener at perennial Top 25 power Tennessee. And the prospect of playing in front of 104,000 orange-clad Volunteers fans in famed Neyland Stadium wasn't the only thing that had the adrenaline pumping.

Editorial: Play overcomes hate: To get a sense of where the Westboro Baptist Church is coming from, it helps to visit its Web site, godhatesfags.com. The following passage is typical of the comments found on the group's Web site: " 'GOD HATES FAGS' -- though elliptical -- is a profound theological statement, which the world needs to hear more than it needs oxygen, water and bread." The Westboro Baptist Church not only extends its hatred toward gays, but also toward Jews, Catholics and Protestants, according to the Anti-Defamation League. In short, the Westboro Baptist Church hates any organized religion that doesn't adhere to its ...

ACLU comes to aid of lawmakers: CARSON CITY -- Secretary of State Dean Heller is wrong in trying to ban state and university employees from serving in the Legislature, the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada said today.

Rebels' Moore moving to position among elite: Adam Candee; Thieving knee-high rough snatched hope and the smothering humidity coaxed sweat from Ryan Moore as he searched for his ball at No. 17 during last June's NCAA championships on Oklahoma State's brutal Karsten Creek course.

Datebook for May 7, 2004: The City of Las Vegas' Arts District will host "First Friday" events today. Call 384-0092 or go online at www.whirlygiglasvegas.org for more information.

Las Vegas faces tough road ahead in Sac-town: Nick Christensen; As the Las Vegas 51s head to Sacramento for a four-game series, they prepare to face a team that didn't just win the Pacific Coast League in 2003 -- they prepare to face a team that dominated it.

UNLV women in second at regional: After one day, the Rebels' women's golf coach is exactly right. UNLV sat in second place, 11 strokes behind the Blue Devils, as it prepared for a scheduled 10:20 a.m. PDT tee time today in Howey-In-The-Hiils, Fla.

Hike set for historic St. Thomas Town site: Call it the "aha" of discovery, an archeological thrill or a grim picture of Southern Nevada's water resource.To some it's another stop -- albeit unique -- on Nevada's ghost-town circuit.

Air Vegas unit files for bankruptcy: A subsidiary of Air Vegas Airlines -- a Grand Canyon air tour operator that has operated in Southern Nevada since 1971 -- has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

On Display for May 7, 2004: The Las Vegas Art Museum hosts "Asian Art NOW," an exhibit of emerging and established Asian artists from more than 14 countries, until June 20 at 9600 W. Sahara Ave. Admission is $5 adults, $3 seniors, $2 students, free for children under 12. 360-8000.

BLM opposes change in UNLV land deal: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- The Bureau of Land Management does not support a Senate bill that would allow the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to collect money from land sales or leases in its research park.

Nevada's House members condemn abuses: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- All three of Nevada's House members voted in favor of a resolution "deploring" the recently discovered abuse of Iraqi prisoners.

News briefs for May 7, 2004: A man accused of robbing a downtown jewelry store and slaying a mother and her daughter pleaded not guilty to murder with use of a deadly weapon on Thursday.

Letter carriers to collect food Saturday: Heather Rawlyk; The National Association of Letter Carriers is asking Las Vegas Valley residents to stock their mailboxes with nonperishables for the annual Help Stamp Out Hunger food drive Saturday.

Father sentenced in death of 18-month-old: By Matt Pordum; A Henderson father was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison for his role in the death of his 18-month-old daughter and for neglecting his four other children.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Cafe turns triple play on Fridays, Saturdays: The elegant restaurant at 4760 W. Sahara Ave. (at Decatur Boulevard) is finally beginning to realize its vision.

Letter: Bush's flip-flops more prevalent than Kerry's: The White House suppressed the memo about al-Qaida from a month before the atrocity of 9-11, and then released it. It refused to release statistics on how often the constitutionally questionable Patriot Act had been used, and then released them. It withheld information on the mistreatment of Iraqi detainees even from Congress, and then, after the international press published it, released the information.

Las Vegas Philharmonic soars to romantic conclusion Saturday: Five years later, the Las Vegas Philharmonic closes its fifth season Saturday with "Russian Romantics," a concert featuring Ukranian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa and is dedicated to Andrew Tompkins, a founder of the Philharmonic, who died in March.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Prehistoric sturgeon a modern challenge: Barb Henderson; CLARKSTON, Wash. -- A spectacular stretch of the Snake River waters flow between the towns of Clarkston, Wash., and Lewiston, Idaho -- named for historic explorers Lewis and Clark.

Sandoval asked to probe petition complaint: CARSON CITY -- Secretary of State Dean Heller Thursday asked Attorney General Brian Sandoval to investigate complaints that those circulating a referendum to repeal the $833 million tax plan were harassed by government workers.

Obituaries for May 7, 2004: Forrest Aldabbagh, 19, of Las Vegas died Monday. He was born Feb. 11, 1985, in Phoenix. A resident for eight years, he was a night club manager.

Diets reduce doughnut demand: Profit from continuing operations is expected to be 93 cents to 95 cents a share this year, or about 10 percent lower than forecast, and 16 cents in the quarter ended May 2, the Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based company said in a statement. The company also is divesting its Montana Mills unit and closing nine stores.

Group's first album is pure Rapture: Spencer Patterson; Ubiquitous as they have become, year-end best-of music rankings are dicey propositions, to say the least.

Companies add jobs as unemployment rate falls to 5.6 percent: Leigh Strope; WASHINGTON -- Employers added 288,000 jobs to their payrolls in April as the nation's unemployment rate fell to 5.6 percent, reinforcing hopes for a sustained turnaround in the jobs market that had lagged for so long.

Looking ahead isn't part of these fighters' plans: Dean Juipe; It's impossible to look past or dismiss a two-belt world champion, yet Juan Manuel Marquez can be forgiven if he feels slighted even as his fight with Manny Pacquiao is at hand.

Letter: Positive article about war needed: Please, let's have more articles such as this. Let the people in the U.S. know all the good things our people are doing in Iraq and other countries as well.

Murder charge filed in bar fight: Serah Kemahu was initially arrested for felony battery with substantial bodily harm but a murder charge was added after the victim died, according to a Metro Police report.

Gaming briefs for May 7, 2004: Wynn Resorts Ltd. of Las Vegas will attempt to raise $268.1 million to help fund construction of a casino in Macau and for other purposes with the offering of 7 million shares of common stock, the company announced today.

Performing Arts for May 7, 2004: 'Concert in the Park'

Sports briefs for May 7, 2004: The first-place UNLV baseball team (28-17, 15-5 MWC) will look to stay atop the Mountain West Conference standings, as it plays host to third-place San Diego State this weekend.

Collins raises strip club issue as he files for office: The pledge to keep an incumbent Clark County commissioner's indictment on corruption charges out of the coming campaign is looking a little ragged.

Sandoval rejects request to run against Reid: CARSON CITY -- Attorney General Brian Sandoval says thanks, but no thanks, to the effort to draft him to run for the U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Harry Reid.

Editorial: Yucca fight can be won: The sentiment that carried the night in Caliente, of course, is not consistent with how most Nevadans feel about Yucca Mountain. Overwhelmingly, Nevadans understand the danger a nuclear waste dump represents and support the state's fight against it. Many people in the Caliente area, including the city's mayor, however, are more focused on new local jobs than on any danger associated with radioactive contamination. The new rail line, serviced by a new depot, would receive spent nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste from around the country and carry the deadly cargo the rest of the way to Yucca Mountain. This ...

Rebels remain positive despite injuries, losses: Nick Christensen; Three-fourths of the way through the regular season, things were looking up for the UNLV softball team.

Another twentysomething seeks Goldwater's seat: Kirsten Searer and Cy Ryan; People who filed for office in Clark County on Thursday. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk. Filing runs through May 14:

Gladiators put Soul on the line in Philly: Adam Candee; Las Vegas Gladiators (5-7) at Philadelphia Soul (5-7)

Unbridled vitality sweeps up crowd at 42nd Street at Aladdin Theatre: What: "42nd Street."

Letter: Administration fails the military: Here's some of that help:

Columnist Muriel Stevens: That special mother deserves a special meal: Breakfast at Bouchon: Chef Thomas Keller's recently opened Bouchon bistro in the Venezia Tower at The Venetian is now offering breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. daily.

Woman found alive in desert: Dehydrated, clothes torn and with a few scratches, a woman who got lost looking for a missing dog was rescued shortly before 10 a.m. today after being lost in the wilderness of Red Rock Canyon since Sunday.

Ethics panel's counsel rejects mayor's motion: CARSON CITY -- The attorney for the state Ethics Commission has recommended against dismissing a complaint against Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, accused of using his official position to promote a business in which his son has an interest.

Death of man who struggled with cop is ruled homicide: Jen Lawson; The coroner's office has determined that a 26-year-old man who died about 19 1/2 hours after a struggle with a Metro Police officer and numerous security guards was a homicide victim.

Feds say Perkins in violation of law: Dan Kulin; The U.S. Office of Special Counsel believes that Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins is breaking the federal law that prohibits public officials from running for partisan posts, according to a memo given Wednesday to Henderson City Council members.

Parents may buy Warren-Walker Schools: Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the Clark County Assessor's office values the land and building at nearly $7 million.

Gabelli wins some, loses some at SW Gas meeting: Kevin Rademacher; Aside from the tense moments following the collapse of company Chairman Thomas Hartley, it was business as usual Thursday at Southwest Gas Corp.'s annual shareholders meeting.

Columnist Jeff German: Guinn gives 'Mr. Nuke' a reward: But the Republican governor slipped up this week when he appointed Ace Robison, a leading Yucca Mountain advocate -- or "Mr. Nuke," as the Nevada opposition forces call him -- to a plum position on the Colorado River Commission.

Child hit by car to have brain surgery: A North Las Vegas third-grader who was hit by a speeding car Wednesday was scheduled to undergo brain surgery this morning and remains in critical condition at the University Medical Center, police said.

Kerry plan worries Nevada educators: Kirsten Searer; Kerry outlined a "bargain" with America's teachers and schools: More money for salary and programs such as class size reduction in exchange for tougher teacher certification tests and a system that would make it easier to boot bad teachers.

Mom may not be charged in case: Stephen Curran; Metro Police are recommending no charges be filed against a Las Vegas woman whose car was repossessed with her 7-month-old child inside.

Man arrested after incident at bank: Fabio Alvarez walked into the grocery store, 5975 W. Tropicana Ave., at 3:10 p.m. and headed straight to the Wells Fargo Bank, Officer Jose Montoya, spokesman for Metro Police, said.

Kansas group says Vegas trip mostly about visit to Stern show: The primary purpose for a Las Vegas visit planned next week by a Kansas-based church is not to protest a high school production of a gay-themed play but rather to appear as guests on shock-jock Howard Stern's radio show, the church said Thursday.

Talks continue as SBC strike prospect looms: SAN ANTONIO -- SBC Communications and a union representing 100,000 workers resumed talks Thursday in hopes of reaching a new contract at the nation's second-largest local phone company before tonight's strike deadline.

Court voids $1.5 million judgment against bank: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday wiped out a $1.5 million punitive damages judgment against Bank of America in a suit involving a former employee.

Efforts to kill smell don't sweeten school: By Emily Richmond; A group of teachers and students at Advanced Technologies Academy say despite a year-old lawsuit and complaints about a persistent smell at the school that has made them sick, the stench is still there.

Mississippi governor vows not to raise casino taxes: Lynda Edwards; BILOXI, Miss. -- Gov. Haley Barbour said he doesn't want gambling in Mississippi to expand beyond the counties where it is already legal -- primarily the Gulf Coast and along the Mississippi River.

Letter: Regents should be punished harshly: CARSON CITY -- Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said Thursday that new evidence shows the university board of regents violated Nevada's open-meeting law several times before it held an illegal closed-door session on alleged problems at the Community College of Southern Nevada.

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Stern warning: Howard on approach: "It's Vegas, man, it's like anything goes," Stern show regular and comedian Artie Lange told Las Vegas Sun pop culture expert Kirk Baird this week. "Las Vegas is definitely a good match for Howard Stern.

Local National Guard familiar with Iraqi prison: Jace Radke; The instant Nevada Army Guard Spc. Michael Roe saw the first pictures of the torture and mistreatment of prisoners by American soldiers in Iraq he knew exactly where the photos were taken.

VA chief to announce new hospital in LV: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi was to announce today the approval of a new hospital, outpatient clinic and nursing home for veterans in Southern Nevada today.

EOB refuses to downsize its board: By Timothy Pratt; Behind closed doors Thursday, the directors of the Economic Opportunity Board, the Las Vegas Valley's largest nonprofit agency, decided to accept all but one of the recommendations contained in a federally funded investigation.

Parents of boy left in van haven't seen report: By Timothy Pratt; The parents of a 3-year-old boy left asleep in a Head Start van still have not received an investigative report detailing what happened, more than two weeks after the incident.

Petition leader arrested: CARSON CITY -- Janine Hansen, a leader in the petition drive to repeal the $833 million tax package, was arrested Thursday night with her son while gathering signatures at the municipal bus station in Reno.

Bush choosing to go around Yucca Mountain issue: Paul P. Craig; Paul P. Craig, a contributor to Writers on the Range (a news service covering issues affecting the West), was a member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review from 1996 until January 2004. Craig also is professor of engineering emeritus at the University of California at Davis.