Print edition for September 17, 2004

Columnist Susan Snyder: Mother does the write thing: WEEKEND EDITION

Art auction and wine event benefits Sun Camp Fund: Heather Rawlyk; WEEKEND EDITION

LV builders playing the name game: Beth Slovic; WEEKEND EDITION

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: 'X' set to stun once again: WEEKEND EDITION

The Tony Life: Kirk Baird; WEEKEND EDITION

Letter: Holding elective office should not be a birthright: September 18 - 19, 2004

Letter: Iraqis growing more resentful: September 18 - 19, 2004

Datebook for September 17, 2004: The Las Vegas Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held from Saturday to Sunday at the Durango Hills Community Center, at the intersection of Gowan Road and Durango Street. Admission is free, but donations are accepted for balloon rides. Proceeds benefit Deaf Kids Kamp. 247-6905.

Community briefs for September 17, 2004: Clark County Parks and Community Services' Senior Advocate Program will sponsor a Senior Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Cambridge Recreation Center, 3930 Cambridge St.

Columnist Jon Ralston: No scratch in mayor's Teflon: WEEKEND EDITION

Columnist Susan Snyder: With kids, Maloof packs clout: Cindy Alamshaw, assistant principal of Jydstrup Elementary School, said that when she discovered 300 of the pupils in her at-risk school couldn't afford a backpack to carry their books, she asked the Palms and its owner George Maloof for help.

Columnist Jeff German: County closer to getting RJC's keys: WEEKEND EDITION

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Mixing prayer, politics: WEEKEND EDITION

Performing Arts for September 17, 2004: Ricardo Griego

Editorial: Investigate land deal: September 18 - 19, 2004

On Display for September 17, 2004: California artist Nila Oakes displays her landscape paintings in "All Who Wander: Reflections from Journeys Past," from today to Nov. 14 at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. Admission is free. 229-4674.

Columnist Jerry Fink: Guitarist Griego clawing his way to the top: When Ricardo Griego is on a large stage, he moves around like a restless cat, pacing from one end to the other, all the while his nimble fingers flying over his guitar strings, playing flamenco, Latin and classical music.

Metro Police officer fired over Taser incident: Stephen Curran; A Metro Police officer at the center of an investigation into the improper use of a Taser was fired last week after an investigation determined he lied, the department said.

SoCal hotel workers' union sues Starwood: Alex Veiga; LOS ANGELES -- A union representing Southern California hotel workers sued the Starwood Hotels chain Thursday, claiming workers at two of its hotels were denied meal and rest breaks and are now entitled to back pay.

Security training device causes pipe bomb scare: Heather Rawlyk and Mary Manning; Metro Police called the Las Vegas Fire and Rescue bomb squad to a rental car agency Thursday at 5:15 p.m. after an employee discovered what looked like a pipe bomb inside a returned car.

With 'WhatFunLifeWas,' Bedhead made its case: Spencer Patterson; From Creedence Clearwater Revival to Van Halen to Oasis, sibling combos have for decades been a rock 'n' roll tradition.

Brenner makes change at LV Hilton: For one, it was sold. Earlier this summer Colony Capital LLC, headed by Thomas Barrack Jr., bought the Hilton from Caesars Entertainment Inc. for $280 million.

Casino workers rally on Atlantic City Boardwalk: John Curran; ATLANTIC CITY -- Waving signs that read "No Contract, No Peace" and "Contract Now," an estimated 5,000 casino-hotel workers Thursday marched along the Boardwalk and onto the beach in a boisterous show of union solidarity.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Newcomer Lynch already feeling at home at LVMS: Scott Lynch had been a Las Vegas resident for only a couple of months when he watched Brendan Gaughan feed off a the energy of a partisan crowd and win last year's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Jury rejects Wolff's rape defense: By Matt Pordum; A Clark County jury Thursday rejected a man's claim that he killed another in response to being raped and found him guilty of first-degree murder and robbery with use of a deadly weapon.

Guardsmen have varied reactions to Kerry speech: Molly Ball; When Democratic nominee John Kerry told the National Guard Association that he would expand the military's active-duty forces, taking a load off the Guard's shoulders, Capt. John Ferguson, whose Iowa unit is headed for Iraq in the next few months, cringed.

Vets group holds quiet protest: Mary Manning and Jace Radke; A quiet protest of presidential candidate John Kerry by the Nevada Veterans for Bush brought 25 people to the Leatherneck Club Thursday afternoon to back the president for reasons of national security.

AG's office argues against lawsuit over ballot question: CARSON CITY -- The attorney general's office said Thursday opponents of a proposed law to shield doctors more in malpractice suits are launching "one last futile attempt" to keep the voters from deciding the issue in November.

Columnist Barb Henderson: 'Step Outside' an invitation for novices to join the fun: Barb Henderson; Attention, hunters, anglers and shooting sport enthusiasts: Saturday, Sept. 25, might be a great day for you to "Step Outside."

Arraignment hearing set: By Matt Pordum; A 23-year-old man arrested Monday in connection with the slayings of his mother, sister and infant nephew at their southwest Las Vegas condominium will have to wait five more days for prosecutors to file a criminal complaint.

Developer files ethics complaint against Maxfield: A developer with a long history of conflict with Clark County has filed a complaint with the Nevada Ethics Commission alleging that county commission Chairman Chip Maxfield improperly voted on issues affecting the developer's company.

Nevada Chamber Symphony celebrates 20th anniversary: What: Nevada Chamber Symphony.

Hurricane Javier could bring rain into Southern Nevada: As most of the nation tracked hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and now Jeanne toward the United States, Hurricane Javier has been largely ignored.

Obituaries for September 17, 2004: Samuel Lee Andrews, 72, of Henderson died Wednesday in Henderson. An aircraft company administrator, he was born March 19, 1932, in Kansas.

Letter: Cheney's remark was out of line: And never in the eight years of the Clinton presidency was the country put on a terrorist alert when the administration's negatives began to climb.

Gans still on patrol in Las Vegas: By Jerry Fink; Danny Gans is a gifted impressionist who has been sharing his gift with fans in Las Vegas since premiering at the Stratosphere in May 1996.

Letter: Remember also victims of 9/11: I think some proper perspective could be used if you also showed the pictures of all of those lives from 9/11 that were lost and that led to where we are today.

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: 'Family Ties' bound Price to television career: Lisa Ferguson; This is not one of those stories.

Editorial: Looking for voter fraud: These are some serious concerns, so a little background is needed to put this in context. Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax has said an unusually large number of people have registered to vote multiple times. Lomax has speculated that this might be the result of paid workers trying to fraudulently sign up as many people as possible in order to boost the money they receive from the political groups that have hired them -- something that clearly is illegal. But this doesn't necessarily mean that these new voters will end up trying to cast ballots several times -- ...

Editorial: A promise made ...: Last month, a dancer was convicted of soliciting prostitution while performing at Treasurers. After the woman was charged, Fiorentino tried the old "I was an idiot" defense, claiming that he had no idea what he was saying when he made the promise. When that didn't work, he tried painting the Davari brothers as near-saints, saying they've really worked hard lately to run clean clubs here and elsewhere. On Wednesday he claimed that the City Council is singling out Treasures, applying more pressure to it than other strip clubs. To its credit, the City Council didn't buy any of it, even ...

UNLV scientist humbled by national awards: One of UNLV's youngest professors earned one of the U.S. government's top honors last week for her work studying the seismic structure of the Las Vegas Valley.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: Flay shows flair for Southwest with Mesa Grill: For some months Chef Bobby has been commuting between his Bolo and Mesa Grill restaurants in New York and Mesa Grill at Caesars.

Columnist Spencer Patterson: Walkmen not running toward mainstream fame: Spencer Patterson; "They're making obscene amounts of bread right now," Hamilton Leithauser, vocalist and guitarist for the Walkmen, said. "But they're still really cool guys. I really like the way that they handle themselves."

Letter: Social Security, Medicare vital campaign issues: What if the elderly in American families didn't have the benefits of Social Security and Medicare? Are most younger people able to pay for the living expenses, medical bills and prescribed medications of their parents and older relatives? If their parents and grandparents had no Social Security, would most younger people be able to help them to pay for their homes and food? Would younger families be able to make a place for their parents and elderly relatives in their own homes?

Letter: To disagree is a patriotic duty: I especially appreciate your Sept. 12 editorial headlined, "Republican scare tactics beyond pale." I found Vice President Dick Cheney's recent remarks -- that a vote for the Democrats would be a vote for more terrorist attacks -- particularly offensive and inappropriate. As an American, I have the right to disagree with the current Republican regime without my patriotism being questioned and without a smear being leveled against me that I am inviting terrorism.

Letter: War no reason to retain incumbent: So it's not right for the Bush administration to say there must be no change while the war on terrorism is being fought. Bush has no secret formula for preventing terrorist attacks. Should they win the election, Kerry and Edwards would have the same access to intelligence and investigative agencies.

Letter: Attack on Kerry is attack on all: Of course, to accomplish this, it took five of the most conservative jurists in the history of this country to concoct the only Supreme Court decision in its history to be held to its facts (meaning it can never be used as legal precedent).

Cheney appeals to mining, health care industries: RENO -- Vice President Dick Cheney said Thursday he was stunned when he heard Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry had asserted support for the troops in Iraq.

To Die Four: Spencer Patterson; During some rare downtime in his band's tour schedule, Killers vocalist Brandon Flowers took in a movie at the Cinedome 12 movie theater on Boulder Highway.

News briefs for September 17, 2004: Two more Clark County residents became ill as a result of West Nile viral infections over the past week, raising Southern Nevada's total number of reported cases to 20, the Clark County Health District reported this morning.

Court voids two of three convictions in traffic case: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday reversed two of the three convictions of a Las Vegas man found guilty of leaving the scene of a traffic accident in which three people were killed.

DeStefano to challenge being kicked off ballot: Ousted Board of Regents candidate Mark DeStefano filed a notice of appeal in District Court Thursday saying that he plans to challenge a judge's decision to kick him off the ballot.

New Yucca oversight limits decried: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- The Energy Department is unfairly trying to restrict Nevada's ability to monitor the department's Yucca Mountain project, the state's five members of Congress said.

Football statistics: INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

Utah senators seek protection from Nevada nuke testing: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Utah's senators have introduced a bill to protect the state's "downwinders" if nuclear weapons are tested again at the Nevada Test Site.

Court tightens guidelines for psychological exams of kids: CARSON CITY -- In what the dissenting opinion called a dramatic change in the law, the Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday tightened the guidelines for psychological examinations of children who are alleged victims of sexual assaults.

Thursday's College Football Scores: AP; SOUTH

Legal experts analyze suit over land sale: Sito Negron; The legal premise upon which Ross Goodman and Louis Palazzo are suing an 85-year-old woman to force her to sell her property places a heavy burden on the pair, a few local land use lawyers agreed.

Another possible fatal punch probed: Jen Lawson; The death Tuesday of a 36-year-old Henderson man has been ruled a homicide and his neighbor is being investigated for throwing a punch that authorities said contributed to the death.

Lentino case raises mental health issues: By Timothy Pratt; Four days after Las Vegas resident Richard Lentino was arrested in connection with the slayings of three family members, it remains unclear if the system failed to detect danger from his alleged mental illness, or even if he had contact with the system -- due to conflicting statements and federal privacy laws.

School crime rate drops overall: By Emily Richmond; Clark County School District's police officers issued 635 criminal citations during the 2003-04 academic year, a drop of 34 percent from the prior year, a new report shows.

Top 25 Schedule: AP; No. 2 Oklahoma vs. Oregon, 3:30 p.m.

Kerry continues attack on Bush's foreign policy: Kirsten Searer; President Bush is living in a "fantasy world of spin" while ignoring the deteriorating situation in Iraq and around the world, Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry said Thursday.

Gambling tournament taped for TV: Gambling tournament taped for TV

Big money on Hopkins; small bets on De La Hoya: The sports book at the MGM Grand will likely take several individual $100,000 bets on this weekend's fight -- and those six-figure wagers will be on favored Bernard Hopkins, not the underdog Oscar De La Hoya.

Columnist Nick Christensen: Top passing games set to run into each other: Nick Christensen; Quarterbacks don't often steal the spotlight in high school football. Keeping the ball on the ground is usually the ticket to winning games.

Columnist Steve Guiremand: Chow's return to BYU a reminder for Cougars about what used to be: Steve Guiremand; Norm Chow returns to LaVell Edwards Stadium Saturday night to coach for the first time since he got the word he was going to be passed over as Edwards' successor despite promises made by some administrators to the contrary.

Preps: Schedule: 2A-1A Football All times 7 p.m.: The Meadows at Needles, Calvary Chapel at Beatty, Laughlin at Indian Springs, Carlin at Pahranagat Valley. Boys' Soccer All times 4:30 p.m. unless noted: Liberty at Basic, Green Valley at Coronado, Vo-Tech at Foothill, Silverado at Del Sol, Eldorado at Canyon Springs 5 p.m., Chaparral at Las Vegas, Valley at Desert Pines, Durango at Western, Bonanza at Sierra Vista, Spring Valley at Clark, Mojave at Cimarron-Memorial, Palo Verde at Cheyenne, Shadow Ridge at Centennial, Bishop Gorman at Rancho.

Sports briefs for September 17, 2004: Football fans chased from their homes by Hurricane Ivan are invited to attend No. 8 Florida State's home opener against Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday free of charge.

Saturday's matchup: Air Force (1-1) at UNLV (0-2): Steve Guiremand; WHEN AIR FORCE HAS THE BALL Air Force run offense vs. UNLV run defense The Falcons perennially challenge for the NCAA rushing lead with their well-executed option attack. This year doesn't figure to be any different even though true freshman Shaun Carney takes over at quarterback for Chance Harridge. Air Force is averaging 267.5 yards per game on the ground and has lost just one fumble in 105 rushing attempts. Senior halfback Darnell Stephens, who rushed for 63 yards on 14 carries against the Rebels a year ago, returns in the backfield as do a pair of bulldozer-like fullbacks in ...

Sun State Rankings: Dropped from standings : No. 7 Elko, No. 9 Hug. Compiled by the Las Vegas Sun and the Sparks Tribune

Salary cap violation costs Broncos fine, third-round choice: The Denver Broncos lost their third-round pick in next year's NFL draft and will pay a fine of $950,000 to settle an alleged case of salary-cap circumvention.

Columnist Sal DeFilippo: There's a name for what ails NFL kicking: Sal DeFilippo; I used to wonder why quarterbacks routinely sign contracts worth tens of millions, but kickers often barely exceed the league minimum.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: Put up a fight or just put up with a fight?: There was more bad news for the UNLV football team this week. But much to the chagrin of Rebels fans who have been e-mailing and calling about the quarterback situation, it had nothing to do with Kurt Nantkes being cleared to play against Air Force Saturday night (although he won't start).

Girl, 15, wounded in home invasion: The shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. at the gated, guarded Spring Pointe townhouse complex in the 3700 block of Shirebrook Drive, near North Pecos Road and Las Vegas Boulevard North.

Air Force QB takes off: Steve Guiremand; Saturday's UNLV-Air Force game, the first Mountain West Conference game of the season, will be the 10th meeting between the schools. Air Force leads the series, 6-3.

Steichen will start: Steve Guiremand; UNLV coach John Robinson on Thursday named sophomore Shane Steichen as his starting quarterback for Saturday night's Mountain West Conference opener against Air Force at Sam Boyd Stadium.

A match of heart and hype: As he's wont to do, Floyd Mayweather Sr. mistook a major prefight news conference earlier this week for a "Def Poetry Jam" audition.

Casino companies phasing in last pieces of 'Code of Conduct': By Liz Benston; Starting this month, many major Las Vegas casinos as well as their sister properties nationwide will post brochures for customers that would have been unthinkable in the early days of legalized gambling, when secrecy and shady business practices were the norm.

Fishing report: Striped bass still the Lake Mead catch in Overton Arm area: Boaters have been concentrating their efforts approximately 200 yards off Special Events Beach where they have been taking stripers, including some weighing 4-5 pounds, in deep water. Even though the fishing has been more difficult for shore anglers, some stripers are being caught around Hemenway Harbor.

Preps: Football standings: SUNSET REGION Northwest Division

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: Voiceless Dion leaves questions unanswered: "Her throat is sore. She is sick -- something that has been going around," show producer Concerts West exec Kris Lingle told VegasBeat in a phone call just before the curtain was supposed to go up. "A few shows may be canceled."

Bank stops payments on NLV Housing Authority project: By Timothy Pratt; The bank financing a North Las Vegas Housing Authority project of 123 low-cost homes has stopped payments since April, causing the authority to seek other backers, Don England, executive director, said.

Casinos reopening after Ivan's passing: Caesars Entertainment Inc.'s three properties sustained minor wind damage and some downed trees, while officials with Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. said they had minor damage to landscaping and signage at their property.

Business briefs for September 17, 2004: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn on Thursday reappointed Reno resident Don Soderberg to another four-year term as chairman of the state Public Utilities Commission that regulates such industries as electric, natural gas, water and communications.

Air travelers to face new security rules: Travelers at McCarran International Airport greeted news of plans for tighter security screenings at airports beginning next week with shrugs of compliance this morning.

Gaming briefs for September 17, 2004: ST. PAUL -- Officials of the 9,000-member Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe said Thursday they would join two other northern Minnesota tribes in trying to establish a Twin Cities-area casino.

LV man guilty of securities fraud: He is facing up to 20 years in prison and $5 million in fines for the securities charges and another $500,000 on the tax charges.

Nevada jobless rate drops to lowest point in four years: CARSON CITY -- Unemployment in August in Nevada dropped to 4 percent, the lowest rate in four years, and 8,000 new jobs were added during the month.

Gasoline price hike bucks post-holiday weekend trend: The pocketbooks of motorists usually find some relief in September, as gasoline prices routinely decline after Labor Day weekend, the end of summer traveling, AAA Nevada officials said.

Columnist Jeff German: Courtroom drama set to unfold: Next month's retrial of Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish on charges of killing Ted Binion should have its share of emerging stars.

Taxicab trips decline in August: The number of monthly taxicab trips in Clark County fell in August compared with a year ago, the first monthly decline since March 2003.

Water authority again seeks lawsuit dismissal: The SNWA was encouraged by an order from Judge Robert C. Jones that last week affirmed his indication in a July hearing that he would throw out the authority's motion to dismiss the utility's lawsuit. That order, released last week, acknowledges arguments made by the SNWA and leaves open the door for a new filing.

Loss of liquor strips customers from club: Dan Kulin; Treasures strip club opened without alcohol as expected at 6 p.m. Thursday, and for at least the first couple of hours the multimillion-dollar club was also without customers and dancers.