Print edition for November 19, 2004

Spirit of holiday satisfies hunger: Eric Leake; WEEKEND EDITION

A Mother's Nightmare: Heather Rawlyk and Timothy Pratt; WEEKEND EDITION

Letter: Legislators must directly address property taxes: November 20 - 21, 2004

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Tears for Fears doubles back on reunion tour: Spencer Patterson; "It's very different," Orzabal said. "In the early days we were kids, and our musical relationship stemmed out of our friendship. It's probably the other way around now."

On Display for November 19, 2004: A 16,000-square-foot quilt memorializing the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks will be displayed from today to Sunday at the Tropicana Resort & Casino. Admission is free. 739-2543.

Datebook for November 19, 2004: Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan will host "Holidays on Ice" at 7:30 p.m. today at the floating ice rink at Lake Las Vegas. World-champion skaters will perform on the 40-by-70-foot rink. Admission is free. 565-7400.

Bette On It: Spencer Patterson; WEEKEND EDITION

Editorial: Call it www.waste.com: November 20 - 21, 2004

LV Philharmonic recites 'Memoirs From Vienna': In a tribute to great composers of Vienna, the Las Vegas Philharmonic makes three stops, two in the classical era and one in the late romantic, presenting an evening of Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms.

Columnist Jeff German: 'Royalty' missing in Binion family: WEEKEND EDITION

UNLV play an ode to the outskirts: The drama, set on a farm in a small town on the outskirts of Iowa, is being presented in the Paul Harris Theatre in the Ham Fine Arts Building.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Las Vegas' best restaurants talk turkey: It doesn't matter where you dine as long as you are fortunate enough to be able to share this favorite American holiday with family, friends and neighbors.

'Performing As ...' is faux legendary acts: It's a quirky concept that manages to succeed to a degree in spite of or maybe because of its quirkiness.

Letter: Tax rate must be closely watched: November 20 - 21, 2004

Columnist Jerry Fink: Drama added to Cuban show: "Representatives of the government called 10 parents and said their children were dead," Nicole Durr said Wednesday. "The parents were totally frantic. They called us just before the show Monday night to find out what was going on."

Argu exhibit highlights celebration: Paintings include portraits of Mexican Revolutionary war heroes and will be featured in the lobby of the Nicholas Horn Theater at the Cheyenne Campus.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Be thankful if you've had enough: WEEKEND EDITION

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Library sheds light: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Jon Ralston: Tax issue demands creativity: WEEKEND EDITION

Editorial: Abandoning a core belief: November 20 - 21, 2004

Grant to help raise organ-donor awareness among Hispanics: David Kihara; WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Jerry Fink: Hurricane swirls around a true visionary: But he loves his bar.

Mock 1: In a city where it isn't uncommon for showrooms to seat 1,000, to John Freedson the 250-seat theater at the Westin seems large.

Thursday's Sports Transactions: AP; KANSAS CITY ROYALS-Added RHP Ambiorix Burgos, C Justin Huber, RHP Devon Lowery and 3B Mark Teahen to the 40-man roster.

Top 25 Fared: AP; No. 1 Southern Cal (10-0) did not play. Next: vs. Notre Dame, Saturday, Nov. 27.

Krolicki: Tobacco settlement sale 'proof' available: CARSON CITY -- State Treasurer Brian Krolicki says he has proof that he was right when he told lawmakers that Nevada could have made nearly $200 million more in interest since 2001 if it had sold off its tobacco settlement money.

Legislation would give federal land to Henderson: WASHINGTON -- About 547 acres of federal land south of the Henderson Executive Airport would be transferred to Henderson for business development under legislation introduced Thursday by Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev.

Columnist Jeff German: Can't rush justice center lavishness: County officials have had a tough time getting the general contractor of the $185 million project to fix them so that the move-in process can begin.

Nevada unemployment at lowest rate in 25 years: By Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY -- Unemployment in Nevada during October dropped to 3.6 percent, the lowest rate in the last 25 years.

Man, 81, receives life with parole in slaying: Molly Ball; An 81-year-old man who admitted he killed his 73-year-old girlfriend will serve at least 15 years in prison.

Arrest at Flamingo may have thwarted slaying: Stephen Curran; An armed Kentucky man was arrested Thursday morning in the lobby of the Flamingo on the Strip where he allegedly was about to shoot his estranged wife and her boyfriend, Metro Police said.

Drought far from over: Despite record-setting rainfall and snows across the Rocky Mountains, the drought threatening regional water supplies in the Colorado River is a long, long way from over.

School District revises dress policy: By Emily Richmond; A new dress code regulation approved by the Clark County School Board Thursday would let individual campuses create stricter policies after demonstrating parental support.

Karmazin hire adds $1 billion in market value: Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. shares jumped as much as 18 percent today after the company hired Karmazin, the former president of Viacom Inc., as chief executive officer. The increase swelled the 10-year-old company's market value to $7 billion from $6 billion.

Owner of three Las Vegas Valley hospitals announces dividend: The Nashville, Tenn.-based company's board of directors announced that it had approved a 13-cent per share dividend to all shareholders of record as of Feb. 1. The dividend will be paid on March 1.

Restroom issue a growing concern: By Timothy Pratt; For the second time in as many years, homeless people's use of the downtown streets as a toilet has become a problem, drawing to it thousands of dollars in taxpayer money and finger-pointing all around.

Lawmakers oppose new laptops, citing abuse: CARSON CITY -- As they look at a proposed budget of $78 million for the coming two years of legislative operations, two veteran Republican senators are balking at the proposal to spend an about $140,000 on new laptops for lawmakers and some of their staff members, saying there's widespread misuse of the current laptops.

SUVs growing on Nevada drivers: Sports utility vehicle registrations jumped 42 percent in Nevada between 1997 and 2002, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday.

Experiment to give Lake Mead boost: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- A federal water release experiment to learn more about the Colorado River's ecosystem will give Lake Mead a 2 1/2 foot boost by next week.

Supreme Court rules against investor in county land sale: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a real estate investor in Las Vegas should not be allowed to take advantage of a mistake by Clark County.

Sports briefs for November 19, 2004: Tiger Woods shot a 3-under-par 67 today to stay three strokes ahead of his nearest challenger after the second round of the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament on the Japanese Golf Tour in Miyazaki.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: His impact on UNLV was unmistakable: And so this is it. One more meaningless football game to cap a career that was built upon so many meaningful ones.

Education summit planned Saturday: These topics were spotlighted earlier this fall in a series of public meetings held throughout the Clark County School District. As part of an ongoing initiative, the School Board is collecting community input to help determine the district's priorities.

Palo Verde has sights squarely on a title: Nick Christensen; It was business as usual Thursday in Summerlin as the Palo Verde football team prepared for tonight's Sunset Region championship game against Cheyenne.

Five-way tie is possible: This would happen if:

Letter: U.S. spends too much on defense: Why is this? Why should we be spending ourselves into oblivion when there is no military threat to us?

Saturday'a matchup: UNLV (2-8, 1-5) at San Diego State (3-7, 1-5): WHEN SAN DIEGO STATE HAS THE BALL San Diego State run offense vs. UNLV run defense No team in the conference suffered a bigger loss to injury this year than the Aztecs when 2003 conference freshman of the year Lynell Hamilton decided he would have to redshirt because of lingering pain in his broken ankle suffered last Nov. 1 against UNLV. Hamilton rushed for 1,087 yards in just 10 games as a true freshman and was a franchise player. If Hamilton's injury wasn't bad enough, the Aztecs have had a cluster of injuries on what could have been the league's ...

State reaches land claim settlement with Cayugas: "After being landless for 200 years, and in litigation for 25 years, the Cayuga Nation is delighted that our long banishment from our ancestral lands appears to be ending," Cayuga Nation Representative Clint Halftown said.

Editorial: Land deal is no deal: For almost a year, the city has been buying parcels east of City Hall, across Las Vegas Boulevard. Plans seemed solid for the city to build a six-story office building there, to ease the overcrowding at City Hall and to save money now being spent to lease office space. The city had spent $4.3 million to acquire some of the parcels it needed for the expansion and was talking of spending about $40 million to construct the new building, with work beginning in June.

Editorial: Hubris strikes again: It was fascinating, then, to read this week that House Republicans gutted this 1993 rule, changing it so that someone in a leadership position isn't automatically removed from his post upon indictment. Not so coincidentally, supporters of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, are worried because a Texas district attorney has indicted three associates of DeLay in a political corruption probe, and the concern among Republicans is that he could be next. DeLay said the rule change was necessary protection for leaders against district attorneys who might be "political hacks" with partisan agendas. The prosecutor in Texas is a Democrat, ...

Holiday gift-card sales expected to rise: Gift-card sales will rise this holiday season with 74 percent of U.S. shoppers buying at least one, a survey found, as retailers appeal to higher-income customers with special packaging and redemption values of as much as $1,000.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Busch's pharmacy plans took a back seat quickly when racetracks called: HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Kurt Busch, born and raised in Las Vegas, said he isn't expecting a ticker-tape parade down the Strip if he were to win the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series championship Sunday.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Bears should realize there is no safety when they have the ball: Sal DeFilippo; Chicago Bears first-year coach Lovie Smith made a rookie mistake in Sunday's 19-17 win at Tennessee.

Loews executive urges corporate cooperation: Kevin Rademacher; Jonathan Tisch, chief executive of Loews Hotels, told a convention of bankers in Las Vegas this morning that collaboration could be just as lucrative as competition.

Reflecting on Robinson: Steve Guiremand; Ronnie Lott

Lawyer pleads not guilty on charge of forging: Jace Radke; A suspended local attorney and son of a prominent Las Vegas developer pleaded not guilty in federal court this morning to charges that he forged the signature of a federal judge.

Barber strikes back after TV reports Suncoast stay: By Emily Richmond; Clark County School Board member Shirley Barber went on the offensive Thursday, suggesting one of her elected colleagues or even Superintendent Carlos Garcia had provided a television news reporter with information for an unflattering story.

Greenspan says U.S. can't be 'complacent' on deficits: Craig Torres; Foreign investors will reach a limit in their desire to finance America's current account deficit and eventually diversify into other currencies or demand higher U.S. interest rates, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said today. The dollar extended declines against the euro and yen.

Saturday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

Chairman Baker to retire: G. Thomas Baker, who became the chairman of International Game Technology just over a year ago with the retirement of Charles Mathewson in October, submitted his resignation to the board of directors at a special meeting Thursday.

Tribe leader blasts governor: Melanie Benjamin, the band's chief executive, levied several criticisms at the governor, including his decision to appear in election ads for House Republican candidates that called for Indian tribes to make revenue payments to the state.

Community briefs for November 19, 2004: Opportunity Village, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd., will hold its 13th annual Magical Forest Wednesday through Dec. 30 with more lights, displays and trees.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Remember Robinson: So many great days: Steve Guiremand; Here's to you, John Robinson.

Columnist Barb Henderson: Hunters can join fight against hunger: Barb Henderson; Thanksgiving. A special time of year to give thanks, an opportunity to gather with family and friends and a time for sharing with individuals who perhaps are less fortunate.

Blood drives: Nov. 27: 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Galleria at Sunset, 1300 Sunset Road, Henderson; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Trader Joe's, 2716 N. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson; 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1811 Pueblo Vista Way.

Ralph Siraco's Hollywood Park selections: 1st Race -- REAL PARANOIDE -- Training at Santa Anita, draws good rail post for route opener, Douglas atop Carava trainee here. THE BORG QUEEN -- Desormeaux on Dolan trainee, draws good box for two-turn claimer, Queen for a day here? Value Play -- MAESTRIA

Spending bill includes $577 million for Yucca: Suzanne Struglinski; WASHINGTON -- Congressional leaders, scrambling to finalize a massive spending bill, agreed on a Yucca Mountain budget after a long night of meetings, ending much political wrangling and behind-the-scenes negotiations.

Help arrives, but Wranglers fizzle late again: Nick Christensen; With the offensive side of the Las Vegas Wranglers roster raked by early-season injuries, Wranglers coach and general manager Glen Gulutzan saw an offer he couldn't refuse.

Educators inducted into Hall of Fame: Community leaders, district staff and educators make up the selection committee for the awards, established in 1987.

At UNLV, night of opera is an affordable event: Under the direction of Assistant Professor of Music, Christine Seitz, UNLV Opera Theatre will feature two programs, fully staged with piano, that highlight scenes from some of the most notable operas.

News briefs for November 19, 2004: A Metro Police officer on Thursday shot and killed a pit bull that attacked two Las Vegas residents in a northwest neighborhood, police said.

Obituaries for November 19, 2004: Marjorie A. Burkes, 53, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospital. She was born June 12, 1951, in Newellton, La. A resident for 50 years, she was a homemaker.

Fishing report: Boulder Basin boaters finding bass: The old Las Vegas Wash Arm toward the 33 Hole continues to produce most of the fish. A variety of methods are being used to catch stripers including drifting with anchovies, trolling, casting top water lures and jigging.

Cross-country aid mission starts for former LV family: David Kihara; While most people will be spending this Thanksgiving with friends or family, Sheri Wilcox and her husband will likely spend it with total strangers.

S&P raises ratings for Wynn Resorts: S&P also assigned a B+ rating to the company's proposed $1.1 billion senior secured credit facility for Wynn Las Vegas LLC and the proposed $1.1 billion first mortgage notes due 2014 to be issued by Wynn Las Vegas LLC and its Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp. subsidiary.

Nearly 30 years later, 'Songs' still a wonder: Spencer Patterson; The 1970s were an incredibly fertile period for Motown star Stevie Wonder.

Columnist Nick Christensen: Moapa will dim another star: Nick Christensen; Nevada's most accurate passer comes to Las Vegas this week as the Truckee Wolverines (9-1) play Moapa Valley (11-1) for the 3A championship Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Lawyer appears on charge of forging judge's name: Jace Radke; A suspended local attorney and son of a prominent Las Vegas developer was scheduled to be arraigned in federal court this morning on charges that he forged the signature of a federal judge.

Water Authority makes deal on rural test wells: The Southern Nevada Water Authority board approved an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Moapa Valley Water District and developer Coyote Springs Investment that allows the Water Authority to build wells and pipelines on rural areas north of Las Vegas.

Finish line: Nextel Cup standings with one race remaining

Parcells can't mask his frustrations: Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells arrived at his office Thursday in Irving, Texas, to find a handful of voice messages from friends, former players and fellow coaches.

Letter: An emphasis on morality is not a return to the past: How is it that whenever Americans seek to revert to biblical principles and just morality, they are accused of wanting to return to the dark ages or primitivism?

Banks look to lower-income consumers as potential market: Kevin Rademacher; There's good reason for banks to cater to customers that were once, at best, ignored or even cast aside.

Mandalay officials could get $75 million: By Liz Benston; Mandalay Resort Group officials are expected to receive cash payments of more than $75.5 million upon the company's historic acquisition by MGM Mirage, recent financial statements show.

Correction: * Because of an error by the Sun, a story in Wednesday's Metro section incorrectly reported Dr. Pamela Falk4s involvement in the case involving the Cuban performers who this week asked the government for asylum. For three years she petitioned the government to get the performers visas. The Sun regrets the error.

Man, 81, receives life with parole: Molly Ball; An 81-year-old man who admitted he killed his 73-year-old girlfriend will serve at least 15 years in prison.

NLV officer faces inquest: Antonio Corona-Mendoza's wife called police the night of Oct. 12 and said he was shooting a gun inside the house and wouldn't stop, police said.

Defense: Power of Binion family influenced case: By Matt Pordum; In his closing arguments Rick Tabish's attorney said the prosecution's case against his client and Sandy Murphy for the alleged murder of Ted Binion amounted to nothing more than "pure speculation" and was only being pursued because of the power of the Binion family.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Live from New York, Brennan recalls 'SNL' stint: Lisa Ferguson; Four years ago the comedian helped write tongue-in-cheek bits about the 2000 race for the White House, which were featured on the NBC late-night series' "Weekend Update" segments.

Bill would give U.S. land to Henderson: WASHINGTON -- About 547 acres of federal land south of the Henderson Executive Airport would be transferred to the city for business development under legislation introduced Thursday by Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev.

Performing Arts for November 19, 2004: 'Supernatural'

DA strikes back at Esmeralda County sheriff: CARSON CITY -- Esmeralda County District Attorney William Schaeffer said Thursday that some of the allegations brought against him by Sheriff Kenneth N. Elgan are "blatantly and patently false."

Robinson takes last steps in a career of achievement: Steve Guiremand; While playing football at the University of Oregon in the late 1950s, John Robinson decided he would like to take a turn at coaching one day.

School Board closing down Team Academy: By Emily Richmond; In a unanimous vote Thursday, the Clark County School Board ordered a struggling charter school to shut its doors.

Porter, Berkley join forces against DUI: WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., helped launch a pre-holiday drunken driving education campaign Thursday.

Gaming regulators nix wireless cash machines: Nevada gaming regulators on Thursday blocked an effort to allow gamblers to take cash out of their bank accounts while gambling on the casino floor.

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