Print edition for February 1, 2007

John Katsilometes on a report that puts the elbow-through-the-Picasso episode to the test: By John Katsilometes; Now someone has put that contention to the test. On Monday, Michael J. Lewis, author and art writer for the online publication Commentary Magazine, wrote: "An elbow thrust, however fierce or well-aimed, is not likely to puncture a linen canvas," explaining that paintings are not stretched very tightly and typically have a little bit of "give." Lewis asked a friend of his who is a painter to see if he could pierce a taut canvas with his elbow. Lewis writes: "Working with heavy cotton duck canvas (a weaker fabric than the Belgian linen that Picasso likely used), he was only ...

FLASHPOINT for Feb 01, 2007: Sen. Harry Reid's office is being so helpful to the media by sending out "suggested cutlines" for photos. One of Reid with the county manager had: "U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada and Clark County Manager Virginia Valentine discuss a variety of issues facing Nevada during a meeting in Washington, D.C." One of Reid and the delegation: "U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada meets with members of the Nevada congressional delegation to discuss the latest developments with Yucca Mountain, including a strategy to end the nuclear waste dump." Are they joking? Try this: "County official kisses senator's ring." And: "Delegation ...

Ron Kantowski calls on universities to follow UNLV's lead in bringing NCAA football coaching's diversity up to speed: By Ron Kantowski; Hopefully, their kids will find it strange that that was a big deal in 2007. Because if it's still a big deal in 2026, we as a society will have more problems than Lindsay Lohan.

Editorial: Some empowering advice: Despite the overwhelming evidence that all-day kindergarten is crucial, Gibbons wants to keep it a pilot project for at-risk schools, saying the state should "measure how effective it is." He calls that a "fiscally responsible approach."

Easy ride might become rough for budget: Both sides, however, soon may be lacing up the boxing gloves.

Editorial: Tainted vote demands action: When the vote was taken, Atkinson Gates was among four commissioners - a majority on the seven-member board - who voted yes to award the contract to the Nevada Heart and Vascular Center.

For LV visitors, monorail is a train to nowhere: To board the Las Vegas Monorail from the northwest entrance of Harrah's for a ride to the Flamingo, you need to walk 551 paces. That's just 38 fewer steps than if you walked the 589 paces on the sidewalk from Harrah's to the Flamingo - and you wouldn't have to wait for the ride or pay a $5 fare.

Editorial: Unconscionable actions: The eight pages, which were released this week, paint a damning picture of child welfare workers here, showing how they failed to remove children from dangerous situations, did not follow up on cases for months and, in some cases, couldn't do the jobs they were assigned.

Letter: Bush rocked relatively stable boat in Iraq: Joyce Segal; And we knew how to keep Saddam in line. There were sanctions, no-fly zones and U.N. inspectors making sure Saddam had no active WMD programs. We had him contained and controlled.

Dems shoot down Ensign's tax break: WASHINGTON - In the heat of the minimum wage debate continuing on Capitol Hill, Nevada Sen. John Ensign proposed an amendment to give tax breaks to families who shoulder more responsibility for their health insurance.

HAVING A BALL: The governor's is a classic though, and he wears it well, and he and first lady Dawn look good on stage, and even though Dawn seems a little agitated in the bright lights, she keeps smiling and tries to find his hand with her own. She does it without knowing, subtly, authentically.

Incompetence may be main reason for UMC's woes: By Marshall Allen, Tony Cook; Incompetence may be the primary reason that Clark County commissioners will reexamine a controversial cardiology contract at University Medical Center.

Letter: Officials just shuffle the homeless around: Richard E. Law; Modern society provides expensive "shelters," which turn away a few applicants through lack of space or facilities, but massive homelessness continues. Could it be that what today's homeless really want is simply a space for a simple shelter as "home?" They seem to believe that food, water and creature comforts will be found somewhere, somehow.

Letter: Just a whole lot of guesswork going on: Dan Pursley; The Bears fans can quote statistics, explain trends, and, based on past events, can give you numerous reasons why the Bears will win. The Colts fans can quote statistics, explain trends, and, based on past events, can give you numerous reasons why the Colts will win.