Print edition for October 16, 2005

Columnist Hal Rothman: How do we get to Bedford Falls?: Hal Rothman; The surest prediction about the future of Las Vegas is that in 2030 the 70-plus-year-old me will be watching the 95-year-old Rolling Stones on stage at one of the hotels.

Letter: Speaking English shows national pride: My parents worked hard for our home, our food and our education and they did it by working for it ... not from handouts from the government. They were proud to learn English because it was the language of the United States of America ... their new home! Something to think about for those coming here seeking handouts, freebies, welfare, unemployment and medical benefits, etc.

Laws open door for schemes: Before retired Washington banker Gary Capouch sank $175,000 in a Nevada corporation called Par Three Financial Inc., he checked out the company and came away convinced that it looked like a promising investment opportunity.

The 61 acres: What now?: Dan Kulin; Union Park, the working name for the proposed development of Las Vegas' 61 acres downtown, would "reverberate throughout downtown like a giant beautiful fireworks (display) that keeps expanding," Mayor Oscar Goodman says. Among the projects being touted for the land:

Editorial: War's casualties revealed: Gay and Fred Eisenhauer recalled for the Associated Press last week how they traveled to Lambert Airport in St. Louis in May to retrieve the coffin containing the body of their son, Army Pfc. Wyatt Eisenhauer. The casket, draped with an American flag, was tucked away with other cargo in a crate-filled area of the airport, where workers took their breaks and smoked cigarettes nearby. It was a cold, crude atmosphere for an already tragic reunion.

Editorial: Unfinished road turns deadly: Nevada Highway Patrol officials have said speed was a factor when Nixon's car careened over the painted center lines and collided head-on with a pickup truck containing a teenage boy and girl. Those teens were treated at a local hospital and released.

Letter: Still disgusted with Sheehan: Just Google Cindy Sheehan or Michael Moore or Crawford Peace House and read all the anti-American drivel to your heart's content! Sheehan and her comrades are gutting morale by aiding the enemy. A "real dialogue," as Mr. Pia is calling for, would not include phrases such as "liar," "filth-spewer," "war monger" or "biggest terrorist in the world," which are being directed at President Bush from the left.

Columnist Jeff German: Police not giving up on deal: We are in the middle of a monster of a fight -- the cops vs. the county -- that could make losers out of everyone, especially the community.

Letter: Intelligent design should be considered: I also factor in the complexity of the most simple living cell and the intricate workings of the DNA structure. All of these systems tied together give us a life-sustaining planet, more complex and intricate than any human intelligence could conceive.

Editorial: A lasso for big oil: At the time, regular unleaded gasoline was selling in Las Vegas for $2.29 a gallon and the cost for enriched blends was nearing $2.50. With prices having increased 60 cents and more since then, Reid was even more animated during his Wednesday news conference. "How do (consumers) feel when (they) understand that oil companies are making $100 billion in profits?" Reid said. "By any standard, that's obscene."

Columnist Jon Ralston: Reid no stranger to this game: Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid sat next to Vice President Dick Cheney, with White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card nearby. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist was there. The chairman and ranking Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee -- Arlen Specter and Patrick Leahy, respectively -- also attended.

Letter: Why are we selling arms to real enemy?: Wallace J. Henkelman Henderson

Becket's saga a tale of survival: The first glimpse audiences have of Marta Becket is that of the 81-year-old entertainer walking onstage wearing a black dress with a red feather boa. With her face painted, her eyes intense and her dark hair pulled back, her mere presence is theatrical. Immediately, she breaks into song.

Ex-war crimes prosecutor's thoughts on justice: Although he believes no one deserves to be brought to justice more than Saddam Hussein, a world-renowned authority on human rights violations questions whether the trial set to begin this week in Baghdad is the proper venue for trying the ousted Iraqi dictator.

Better times predicted for LV Justice Court: A Clark County-commissioned study of Justice Court completed last month found the court in "chaos."

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: How Bush can salvage his legacy by taking action in the Middle East: Actually, it is only our recent presidents. The young ones. They come into office with brown or almost black hair and within a year or two it is either all white or well on its way. I am thinking about former President William Jefferson Clinton and current President George W. Bush.

Columnist Tom Gorman: Finding a neighbor in the Las Vegas Valley he can really get to know: I only see the fellow across the street when he pulls into his immaculate garage and pulls golf clubs out of his trunk. I'm jealous.

Columnist John Katsilometes: Seeking out the best joke about Las Vegas: "Sir," the man in front of the casino says, "I must ask you for a favor. My wife is upstairs in our hotel room and she is very sick. She has just run out of her medication and I don't know how much time she has left. If I could just have $100 to buy some more medication for her, maybe she can pull through."

Why the Barbary Coast site is so key to the future of Boyd Gaming: By Jeff Simpson; Many have speculated that industry kingpin Harrah's Entertainment would do whatever it takes to acquire the property, which lies smack-dab in the middle of its collection of casinos near the Strip's intersection with Flamingo Road.

Butterflies take to the skies: It's been a good year for painted ladies in Southern Nevada.

Post-Cheech & Chong, Marin is high on art: When: 8 p.m. Oct. 28 (meet the artists).

Utility bills burning up residents' cash: Kevin Rademacher; With assistance from her daughter-in-law, Fermina, she contacted HELP of Southern Nevada, an advocacy group that, among other services, helps weatherize homes of low-income residents.