Print edition for February 15, 2006

His music will be missed: Venerable Las Vegas conductor Jack Eglash knew what it took to make musical stars shine even brighter in Las Vegas.

Jazzed over New Orleans: By Liz Benston; Harrah's Entertainment isn't waiting for the federal government to rebuild New Orleans' damaged levee system before it reopens its casino near the city's historic French Quarter on Friday - the day before the start of a scaled-down Mardi Gras celebration.

Editorial: Jon Ralston on what's in store for university presidents dealing with the chancellor: By Jon Ralston; And no wonder. Running a media empire, overseeing a university system, firing presidents and bending a Board of Regents to your will must take its toll. The guy can multitask, but even he must get fatigued, especially with the near-universal opprobrium coming his way.

Editorial: Bailing out Head Start: According to a story in Tuesday's Las Vegas Sun, a Colorado agency will temporarily manage the $12.6 million program that operates 15 Head Start centers across the valley.

Editorial: 'Grease' and The Word: According to The New York Times, three residents offended by Fulton High School's performance of the musical "Grease" sent letters to the school superintendent complaining that scenes of drinking, smoking and couples kissing promoted the wrong youthful behaviors.

Letter: We must step up our opposition to Yucca: The federal government, like some uneducated Nevadans, seems to think that since we hosted the Nevada Test Site from 1951 to 1992 and since that ground is polluted, we should readily accept a Yucca Mountain nuclear dump, with all its scientific deficiencies.

Letter: Funeral wrongly used as platform for politics: In the current times, as the Islamic radicals seek to turn their anger against Israel, Denmark, the United States and any number of nations that do not endorse their beliefs, we must stand united! Instead of speaking out against our president, we must look for ways to support him and his efforts to protect us against tyranny. In using any event, of any nonpolitical type, as a platform to preach dissent is not only wrong but is also detrimental to America.

Jeff Haney describes the eye-popping cash flow as well-heeled poker pros take on Texas businessman Andy Beal at Wynn Las Vegas: By Jeff Haney; But that was the case this week at the Wynn Las Vegas poker room, where Texas businessman Andy Beal is facing off against a consortium of poker pros, most from Las Vegas, in a series of head-to-head matches for stakes that rival the largest in the history of gambling.

Letter: Art exhibit a proud moment for Vegas: The first work that the editorial refers to, "Massacre of the Innocents," certainly caused quite a sensation when it was sold at auction several years ago. As it is in a private collection and not in the collection of the State Hermitage Museum (partner with the Guggenheim in this museum), it is very unlikely that I would have the great pleasure of showing it in Las Vegas.

Letter: Don't deny our religious roots: Yet, Nadia Romeo in her Feb. 10 letter again denies America's Christian foundation. By her arguments she disowns the statement in our Declaration of Independence, "all men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights." Does she also deny the Constitution, Article VII, "in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty-seven"?

Editorial: Fly like an eagle: According to the San Francisco Chronicle, nesting pairs of the nation's avian emblem have grown nationally from 417 reported in 1963 to 7,066. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publishes its formal recommendation Thursday and will make its final decision after the public comment period ends May 17.

1-5 does not a season make: "I still like our team," he said. "I think we have a team that will be very consistent. I know the wins and losses don't necessarily show consistency right now."

Tom Gorman logs on to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Web site in search of a new identity, and in the process finds himself: By Tom Gorman; They call it the "Be Anyone" campaign and they say this is our most sophisticated tourism campaign yet.

State says Chowning owes $7,800 bill: But the seven-term Democrat says the state is all wet, calling the charge "ludicrous" and "not true."

Gambling, no strings attached: It soon may be possible in Nevada to place bets not just on casino floors, but while lounging at poolside, having lunch or strolling through resorts' shopping arcades.

Squeezing tomorrow's water from today's technology: Ever wonder what a 21st century rain dance looks like? Nevada water officials are about to find out.

Cox connects as Henderson delays cable decision: Three months after the Henderson City Council postponed a Nov. 15 vote to award a cable franchise to Las Vegas-based Kelley Technologies for Tuscany Village, the matter remains under review by city staff and hasn't been placed on a future agenda, according to Mark Backus, Henderson's franchise officer.

David vs. Goliath: Different outcome: CARSON CITY - What do you call a whistleblower who loses his claim against a gaming giant? In James McAndrews' case: ski instructor.