Print edition for December 22, 2006

Neon treasures, not trash: By Kristen Peterson; Disregard for Las Vegas' architectural past has broken many historians' hearts. Neon scraps disappear on the roadside of yesteryear, and the Neon Museum is out of breath hustling to grab the remaining relics.

Editorial: Child welfare a priority: Many of the children become wards of the county because their parents are afflicted with drug addictions and cannot responsibly attend to their parental responsibilities.

Editorial: Drowning in poor judgment: The corps' proposals for long- and short-term hurricane mitigation projects likely won't be finalized until the end of 2007, when they are to be presented to Congress. According to a story Thursday by The New York Times, the short-term plan generally calls for making repairs to the existing Gulf Coast seawalls and shoreline, while the long-term plan that the corps is considering would include a massive network of seawalls, barriers, offshore breakwaters, dune reconstruction on barrier islands and levees or gates to close off inlets during storms.

Letter: Words of wisdom for the holidays: "We have enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another."

Editorial: Clarify the smoking ban: The result represented a victory for people concerned about their own health and the health of their families as they buy groceries, dine in restaurants, shop in malls or go about their business in many other public buildings.

Letter: Eisenhower's warning was well founded: Think of the positive changes if $500 billion were spent year after year on peaceful domestic programs after paying off the national deficit. Tax dollars could provide free medical and dental tuition to qualified future nurses and doctors, free tuition for qualified future teachers, free medical and dental care for all citizens. Homelessness could be eliminated.

Feds to fire employee who shared information with environmentalists: The federal Bureau of Reclamation is preparing to fire an employee who provided environmentalists with information on a planned, Nevada-funded project to build a huge reservoir to capture Colorado River water near the Mexican border.

This is the week for locals to grab great deals: Click here for a printable graphic.

Letter: Smoking ban should be for new businesses: There is absolutely no authority in the U.S. Constitution that allows any state or any state Supreme Court to violate the "ex post facto" phrase. The only legal way to apply this new law as constitutionally valid would be to apply it to new businesses whose owners have not already applied for the necessary licenses.

LOOKING IN ON: LAS VEGAS SCENE: Helping our troops overseas is no laughing matter to comedian Bruce "Big John" Mickelson, one of the stars of "Viva Las Vegas!"

Letter: Criticism of CCSN on diversity issue unfair: Both white and African-American administrators and faculty have come and gone, in some cases denied tenure. Among notable African-Americans who served the college well was Paul Meacham, one of the more popular CCSN presidents. To suggest, as professor Lonnie Wright does, that racism is common and getting worse is untrue and irresponsible. Ethnic composition statistics provided by the Sun's story further support the evenhandedness of college policies.

Council could reconsider club deal: Concerned over allegations they may have been duped into agreeing to a deal that conceals the true ownership of a popular topless club, Las Vegas City Council members said Thursday that the charges could prompt them to reconsider their decision.

'We Are Marshall' memorable: Playing at Century Cinedome 12 Henderson, Century Orleans 18, Century Sam's Town, Century 16 Santa Fe Station, Century 16 South Point, Galaxy Cannery, Galaxy Neonopolis, Las Vegas Drive-In, Regal Cinemas Colonnade 14, Regal Cinemas Red Rock 16, Regal Cinemas Sunset Station, Regal Cinemas Texas Station 18, Regal Cinemas Village Square 18, UA Rainbow Promenade 10, UA Showcase 8

Smoking ban ruled legal but enforcement given to Health District: Liz Benston and Marshall Allen; Click here for a printable graphic.

Joyous strokes for holidays: Adorned with bright seasonal ribbons, the youths swam in unison to "Jingle Bell Rock," "Santa Baby," "Joy to the World" and holiday favorites.

LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION: The former Community College of Southern Nevada diversity director who is alleging college officials kept her from doing her job is now modifying her equal opportunity complaint to include Chancellor Jim Rogers.

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