Print edition for October 25, 2007

Billions in savings vs. parents in protest: By Emily Richmond; The big reason for going to year-round schools is cost. There are savings in yearly operating costs per student:

Sometimes unfortunate quotes can stick to a politician...: By Jon Ralston; Sometimes unfortunate quotes can stick to a politician - Bush 41 and "Read my lips: No new taxes" or Bill Clinton's "It depends on what the definition of 'is' is." It may not be in that league, but rising Democratic star Ruben Kihuen had one in Wednesday's Reno Gazette-Journal that made me wince. When asked whom he would endorse for president, the assemblyman said, "When I make a decision, they will be here in person to accept my endorsement." That is, he will summon the person. Or that person will happen to be here. Or he already has made up ...

D.C. party lets politicos, online poker players scratch backs: By Lisa Mascaro; WASHINGTON - In their suits and ties and with little plastic name tags dangling from their necks, the men who gathered in a room with heavy drapes and a makeshift bar could have passed for software salesmen.

Xania’s Hot Spots: Xania Woodman; Blush: Official Vegoose pre-party with DJ Soulman of the Phunk Junkeez and DJ Jack Lafleur. Revolution: This Is Not New York welcomes celebrity DJ Paul Sevigny (NYC) with DJ Marcos Udagawa. Tabu: Soundbar with Miguel Migs and birthday boy Keith Evan. Tao: The 2-year anniversary of Worship Thursday; DJ Five. Triq: Hip-hop, old school, reggae and more plus an art show featuring the works of J. Medema.

Shoes, kindness go a long way: By Emily Richmond; Jim McCluney, a casino shift manager for MGM Mirage, has never aspired to be a shoe salesman.

After uproar, college paper takes a break: By Charlotte Hsu; The College of Southern Nevada's newspaper is not publishing for the first time in a decade.

Editorial: Poor security planning: New passport measures at U.S. borders, mandated by antiterrorism legislation that Congress passed in 2004, require Americans to show passports or other photo identification proving citizenship when returning to the United States at the Canada and Mexico land border crossings. U.S. residents used to be able to return to this country from adjacent nations by showing a driver's license or birth certificate.

Editorial: Building the arts: World-class cities have a thriving arts community, and having a performing arts center is crucial as part of building a genuine community in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Valley has seen dramatic growth in the arts community during the past several years, and the Smith Center should exponentially add to the area's vitality.

Letter: Lasers too dangerous in minors' hands: As an example of how this lack of discipline can yield destructive results, last weekend I was driving with my family when a group of joy-riding youths (who apparently had nothing better to do) in a luxury vehicle driving in the opposite direction tried to shine a green laser pointer into my eye.

LOOKING IN ON: MOTOR SPORTS: If you spend enough time in the pits at the National Hot Rod Association's national event this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, you're bound to hear more than a few drivers talk about the pressure of the new "Countdown to the Championship" playoff format to determine the world champions in the four professional categories.

Letter: Make casinos and developers pay up: It sounds as if Ms. Kelley doesn't understand how this game is played. Who does she think will end up paying a "gross receipts tax"? Certainly not the greedy corporations. All fees and taxes get passed on to us.

Progress or history?: By Charlotte Hsu; A squat white box of a building facing Maryland Parkway, UNLV's Maude Frazier Hall seems nothing special. Outside, the paint peels. Inside, the ceiling, or something above the ceiling, rattles when the ventilation system turns on. Students wait in line to register for classes and request transcripts.

Even at half strength, George Jones shows why he's a legend: Jerry Fink; George "No - Show" Jones made it to Texas Station on Friday night, but his voice wasn't all there.

Editorial: Stopping foreclosures: Countrywide Financial said 82,000 homeowners will be eligible for the plan, which would drop the interest rate for homeowners who are in peril of losing their homes because of skyrocketing interest rates.

Ron Kantowski on what an NHL franchise, if one ever comes to Las Vegas, could mean to the Wranglers and to hockey fans: By Ron Kantowski; One is very successful in the standings, moderately successful at the turnstiles and offers fast-paced sports entertainment at a somewhat affordable price.

Letter: Small businesses should be willing to help: As a small-business owner in Las Vegas - I own a company that provides specialty services for trade shows - I take issue with the knee-jerk response to the current financial crisis in the state.