** Tuesday, March 29 **
BERKLEY TO HOST SOCIAL SECURITY TOWN HALL AT WEST CHARLESTON LIBRARY
With Special Guest Top Budget Democrat Rep. John Spratt
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley*2 will host a town hall forum on Social Security for concerned southern Nevada residents on Tuesday, March 29, from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. in the lecture hall of the West Charleston Library. The event is free and all are welcome to attend.

Berkley will be joined at the forum by U.S. Congressman John Spratt, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee. The pair will discuss the financial risks of the President�s plan to partially privatize Social Security, provide information to participants about how the proposal will impact their retirement, and answer questions from the audience.

"This is an issue that is as important for young workers and new parents as it is for our seniors and those nearing retirement," Berkley said. "Congressman Spratt is the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee and he will lend his expertise from that role to our discussion about the financial impacts of the Bush proposal to partially privatize Social Security."*3

WHO: U.S. Reps. Shelley Berkley and John Spratt
WHAT: Southern Nevada Social Security Forum
WHEN: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 29
WHERE: West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston (near Torrey Pines)

Contact Information Website: http://www.house.gov/berkley/

---------------------------------------
References

*1. PAI is the initial of Public Administration Institution of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI).
*2. About U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (a concise one by the editor of this flier):

U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November, 1998. Shelley represents constituents living in the First Congressional District of Nevada, including residents of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and unincorporated areas in Clark County. The District annually records the largest population increase in the nation. U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley has A Lifetime of Commitment to Nevada.

She has lived in Las Vegas for over four decades. Shelley has a deep sense of commitment to give back to the community that opened the doors of opportunity for her. She also has never forgotten that her family headed west seeking a better life, and found it in Las Vegas. She completed junior high and high school in Las Vegas, then went on to become the first member of her family to attend college when she enrolled in UNLV. Elected Student Body President, 1971-1972, she graduated with honors and a B.A. in Political Science from UNLV in 1972. After earning her law degree at the University of San Diego School of Law in 1976, she returned to Las Vegas to begin her career.

U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley has successfully sought appointments that enable her to meet the needs of Southern Nevada, since she swore in as a Member of Congress on January 6, 1999.

Shelley is a former Vice Chair of the Nevada University and Community College System Board of Regents. Appointed to the Board in 1990 by the Governor, she was then twice elected as a Regent by Las Vegas-area voters. She completed her second term on the Board in 1998. Throughout her tenure, Shelley worked to keep higher education in Nevada affordable and accessible to all qualified students.

This bright lady has devoted her energies to charitable and civic efforts ever since she was a teenager. Her work and ideas have contributed to many of Southern Nevada�s successes.

On February 23, 2004, U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley wrote Dr. and Mrs. Tony Lei that,"Thank you for your generous contribution to my re-election campaign. I greatly appreciate your support. Please know that your help makes a significant difference. I look forward to continuing my service in Congress and shall endeavor to serve in the manner that merits your confidence in me."

Shelley Berkley is born a leader. Shelley is an educated leader. Shelley is a prctical and bright leader since her college life. She received her juris doctorate degree from San Deigo Law School. She was the former Regent of University and Colleges of Nevada. She has been Executive Advisor for Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) since 1996. Her successful leadership both good in work performance and human relations has won all her assistants' and followers' full and sincere respects. In order to celebrate Shelley Berkley's winning as U. S. Congresswoman, elected as a member of the International Relations Committee (IRC) of the Congress, and Dr. Tony Lei as her Senior Advisor; Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) and Chinese American Academic Association of Nevada (CAAAN) established the "Literature and Academic Forum" ("LAF") in 1999. It is brought to you now by Las Vegas Review-Journal's reviewjournal.com through the section of "LAF5" (now continues in "Social & Community") at: http://communitylink.reviewjournal.com/lvrj/wbti.

At the time when Shelley was elected as the Member of IRC, she told Las Vegas Review-Journal that to promote the tourism, trade, and investment with foriegn countries for Nevada and our states is her primary interest. .............

Shelley's popularlity is arising from her effective production for public service and good personal traits by nature and sincerity.

Shelley Berkley is an Adjunct Professor of Administrative Strategies of the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA) of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI).
*2. Berkley, Shelley. 'Congresswoman Shelley Berkley TO HOST SOCIAL SECURITY TOWN HALL AT WEST CHARLESTON LIBRARY' "A e-mail from U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley to Dr. Tony Lei," (March 25, 2005), Washington, D. C.: Office of the Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.
*3. Ibid.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2005 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent
775-684-5670

CARSON CITY � Gov. Kenny Guinn today announced the appointment of Susan L. Gray as Administrator of the Nevada Equal Rights Commission (NERC). Gray is currently Deputy Attorney General representing the commission. Her appointment is effective Monday, March 28.

Gray, 34, a University of Baltimore School of Law graduate (1998) and resident of Henderson, has devoted much of the past five years as the Nevada Equal Rights Commission�s attorney. Gray has extensive experience interpreting equal rights case law, and has worked closely with NERC staff and federal programs that oversee equal rights issues.

She will be responsible for overseeing the Nevada Equal Rights Commission, which handles discrimination complaints relating to race, national origin, color, religion, sex, age, and disability, when the discrimination is linked to housing, public accommodations or employment. The commission also handles discrimination complaints for retaliation for discrimination suits.

�A strong Equal Rights Commission is crucial to protecting the rights of Nevadans, and I selected Susan Gray to lead the commission because I knew she would continue the legacy of success that Lynda Parven created before leaving the agency last month,� Gov. Guinn said.

Parven accepted a promotion to deputy administrator of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation�s (DETR) Employment Security Division. Birgit Baker, director of the department, said Gray has a solid working knowledge of the department and NERC. �That, coupled with her previous experience as a lawyer representing both employers and employees, gives her a well-rounded perspective of the NERC�s client base,� Baker said.

Added Gray: �I am looking forward to the challenge and am anxious to begin working with NERC staff, commission members, and Nevadans who utilize our services. I have worked closely with most NERC staff and respect the work that they and former administrator Lynda Parven have done to evolve the agency into an efficient and fair evaluator of complaints.� Gray, as Administrator of the Nevada Equal Rights Commission, has an unclassified state position with an annual salary of $72,140 (employee-employer paid retirement).

Office of the Governor
101 North Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Fax: 775-684-7198
Media contact:
Karren Rhodes
DETR Public Information Officer Phone: 775-684-4660

NEWS RELEASE FOR APRIL 13TH:

Seniors United meeting for April will be held Noo, Wednesday the 13th
at the Clark County Flamingo Library 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Robert
Nelson Courtland from the Senior Law Project will discuss programs
which
are available to Seniors for assistance in Legal Matters.

All seniors are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.
Information- 641-8283

NEWS RELEASE FOR MAY 11TH:

Rita Mier, Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Office
will be the speaker at the noon May 11th meeting of Seniors United, at
the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road.

Seniors United is a non-partisan group open to all who are interested
in
the political structure of our state and country. Refreshments will
be
served. Information 641-8283

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley*2

Invites You to join Her for A Veterans Town Hall Meeting to Discuss President Bush's Proposed Cuts to the Veterans Budget

Thursday, March 31, 2005
10:00AM
Clark County Library Theater
1410 East Flamingo Road

For More Information Please Call: 702-220-9823

Please visit my website for information about Nevada Congressional District 1 and sign up for my internet updates and newsletter.
www.house.gov/berkley*3

----------------------------------------
References

*1. Berkley, Shelley. 'Congresswoman Shelley Berkley Invites You to join Her for A....,' "A post card from U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley to Dr. Tony Lei," (March 21, 2005), Las Vegas, Nevada: LV Office of Shelley Berkley.
*2. Moss, Cheryl; and Chang, Tiffany. 'U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley held a speech conference in Las Vegas,' "A search of U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley on Google.com," (March 22, 2005), U. S. A.: Google.com.
*3. Berkley. Ibid.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2005 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent
775-684-5670

CARSON CITY � Gov. Kenny Guinn today issued the following reaction to the U.S. Department of Energy revealing the U.S. Geological Survey may have falsified documents related to the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project in Nevada:

�I am both disappointed and outraged by this development, but hardly surprised,� Gov. Guinn said. �All along, the State of Nevada has felt it is our duty to hold the federal government accountable on the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump because we would be storing the deadliest substance known to man.�

According to DOE, the data in question involved computer modeling for water infiltration and climate.

�DOE�s revelation is critical because water is the mechanism that could corrode the storage containers at Yucca Mountain and carry radioactive waste into the environment,� Gov. Guinn said. �This is the heart of the matter as to whether the storage of nuclear waste could be determined to be safe just 90 miles from Nevada�s largest city, Las Vegas.�

Gov. Guinn supports Secretary of Energy Sam Bodman�s call for a full investigation by DOE�s Office of Inspector General.

�This is yet another example as to why Nevada�s Agency for Nuclear Projects has closely monitored the Yucca Mountain project since its inception,� Gov. Guinn said. �This comes on the heels of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington ruling the EPA radiation protection standard was deficient.�

Office of the Governor MEDIA CONTACT:
101 North Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Fax: 775-684-7198
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bob Loux
Director, Agency for Nuclear Projects
775-687-3744

ASIAN AMERICAN REPUBLICAN COALITON OF NEVADA
Clark County Chapter

EXECUTIVE MEETING AGENDA

DATE March 12, 2005 @ 1:00 pm
LOCATION 6767 W. Tropicana Avenue, Suite 217; LV NV 89103

AGENDA
I. Call to order
II. Review Minutes of previous meeting for approval (Exec. Meeting 2-27-05)
Report of Special Committees: Event Planning Committee - Induction Ball
A. Induction Ball April 24, 2005: La Chateaux @ 5:30 pm to Midnight
1) Invitations
a) special letter invitations to politicians/dignitaries (drafted by Mr. Gene Gamboa)
b) mail out invitations: Elena Brady, Mrs. Tess Smith?
c) Ms. Jasmine Guo: $200 for 500 tickets
2) Invites
a) Gibbons (Elena Brady)
b) Joe Hecht, Lorraine Hunt (Gene Gamboa)
c) Ensign (Dr. Frances Ridgley)
d) etc.
3) menu
4) chair/table covers
5) miscellaneous
III. Induction Ball Event Schedule (tentative)
A. Pledge
B. National Anthem
C. Speaker
D. Induction
E. Dance
F. Dinner
G. Silent Auction
VI. Fundraising
A. donation, contribution
1) Silent Auction:
a) Vivian Kern: basket
b) Jasmine Guo: pins
c) Julie Hereford: patriotic pins
d) Travis Lu

V. Unfinished Business and General Orders
A. Coalition ID
B. state registration
VI. New Business
VII. Adjournment

**************************************************************************
Contacts
Jas Brooks 702-493-3330
President AARCN � Clark Co.
Co- Chair NAARC � VN American
Edgar Guo 702-303-8237 Vice President AARCN � Clark Co.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 7, 2005 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent
775-684-5670

CARSON CITY � Gov. Kenny Guinn will give remarks during the dedication ceremony for the Sarah Winnemucca statue on Wednesday, March 9, at 4 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. The statue of 19th-century Native American educator and activist Sarah Winnemucca will be unveiled in the U.S. Capitol�s National Statuary Hall, becoming the second statue from Nevada so honored.

�Sarah Winnemucca was one of the truly great figures in the history of Nevada,� Gov. Guinn said. �She was a believer in the brotherhood of mankind, and lived her life so that she could always help others, whether they were Native Americans or settlers from outside of the state. This honor could not go to a more deserving historical figure.�

Joining Gov. Guinn as speakers for the ceremony will be Nevada Congressional delegation members Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. John Ensign and Rep. Jim Gibbons. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) will also deliver remarks.

Nevada First Lady Dema Guinn, who served as Honorary Chairperson for the Statue Selection Committee and whose work with the Nevada Women�s History Project helped raise funding, will help unveil the statue.

Office of the Governor
101 North Carson Street
Fax: 775-684-7198
Grant Sawyer State Office Building
555 East Washington, Suite 5100 Las Vegas, NV 89101
Fax: 702-486-2505

TRIP OF THE WEEK: Grapevine Canyon offers beautiful flowers and interesting history

Beautiful Grapevine Canyon, a few miles from Laughlin, offers an interesting side trip into history. This verdant canyon boasts one of the finest displays of ancient American Indian rock art found in our area. Displays of wildflowers make the spot particularly rewarding this year, following an unusually wet late fall and winter.

Grapevine Canyon lies within the boundaries of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. To reach it, follow U.S. 95 south to the turnoff toward Laughlin onto Highway 163. This busy highway follows a pass through the dramatically fissured Newberry mountains on its way toward the Colorado River.

About 13 miles from the junction, watch for a turnoff onto the road to Christmas Tree Pass. Turn north there and drive nearly two miles to a spur road leading to a parking area near Grapevine Canyon. A quarter-mile walk on a level trail takes you to the canyon's entrance.

Fine displays of many kinds of wildflowers appear along the roadsides in this area this year. Look for several kinds of yellow and orange poppies, yellow primroses, orange mallow, blue lupine and purple fiddle-necked phacelia among the most prominent. The stroll along the trail provides opportunities to discover even more kinds of flowers such as pale pink dune primroses and lavender sand verbena. A field guide specific to our area helps you identify many of the flowers along the way. Take pictures, but please don't pick any of the flowers.

Walkers should keep children close and pets leashed, for this is the time of year when rattlesnakes leave their winter dens to enjoy the spring sunshine. If you see or hear a snake, leave it alone. When climbing rocks, watch where you place your hands and feet.

Great boulders and cliffs stand sentinel at the mouth of Grapevine Canyon. Rock art covers every available rock face where people of prehistory incised figures and symbols into the stone. Time and erosion have dimmed some panels, but much of the original array survives.

Visitors wonder at the history and meaning of the symbols. We know the Newberry Mountains play an important role in the mythology of the native people along the Colorado River, particularly Spirit Mountain, the 5,600-foot peak north of Grapevine Canyon. The canyon itself would have held importance to early people as its spring and little stream provided life-giving water in this dry land, fostering many kinds of plants and luring a wide variety of birds and animals.

Some of the symbols depict wildlife such as desert bighorn sheep. Others relate to humans. Less easy to understand, enigmatic geometric shapes and dots denote things beyond our present knowledge. Estimates place the petroglyphs at between 200 and 800 years of age. Please respect these remnants of ancient cultures. Do not touch or mark the petroglyphs, as this leads to their degradation and eventual loss.

In a year like this, the water spills out of the mouth of Grapevine Canyon to disappear in the sandy wash. Visitors who explore the wild, lovely canyon itself follow the course of the stream toward its origin at the foot of the mountains. The way is not easy, for the water creates little pools and waterfalls. It polishes the boulders to a slick sheen providing little footing. It encourages rampant growth of many plants, including tangles of wild grapevine for which the canyon is named.

As the days grow longer and hotter, the water in the canyon invites wading and splashing. Be sure to carry plenty of drinking water when you hike in Grapevine Canyon. Do not rely on the natural water sources as they may carry bacteria and contaminants from other visitors, both human and animal.

Ancient visitors to the canyon probably came for ceremonies, hunting, food-gathering and tending small plots of corn, beans or squash near the stream. They stayed a few days in rock shelters before returning to their villages near the river. Visitors today enjoy the secluded quiet of this hidden spot much as those earlier visitors, for Grapevine Canyon remains largely unchanged.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's Trip of the Week column appears Sundays.

ASIAN AMERICAN REPUBLICAN COALITION OF NEVADA
Clark County Chapter

GENERAL MEETING

DATE: March 6, 2005
LOCATION: Chang's Restaurant 702-362-3663
4670 S. Decatur; LV NV 89103
$20 per person
TIME: 3:00 p.m.

AGENDA:

1. Pledge
2. Prayer
3. Review Minutes of previous meeting for approval
4. Report of Officers

A. President Report

(1) Recognition of the newly elect NAARC officers:
Chairman: Dr. Calota
1st Vice Chair: Grace Shu
2nd Vice Chair: Elena Brady
Secretary: Dolly DeLeon
Treasurer: Dr. Truong Tran

(2) NAARC Appointees

Co-chair Chinese Americans Committee: Charles Wang (NY)
Co-chair Filipino Americans Committee: Paul Blanco
Co-chair Korean Americans Committee: Dr. Sonny Lee (NJ)
Co-chair VN Americans Committee: Dr. Jas Brooks (NV)
Executive Director: Dr. Leo Pandac (CA)
Communications Director: Rudy Asercion (CA)
White House Liason: Jun Policarpio (NY)
Political Director: Augustus Alzona (MD)

(3) Nevada Republican Party of Clark County

Chair Health care Committee: Dr. Jas Brooks
Chair Asian Committee: Dr. Jas Brooks
Chair Art Awareness Committee: Edgar Guo

(4) Education Grant

(5) Non Profit Organization 501 (c) (3)
- AARCN
- Education Committee

B. Vice President Report

SPEAKER: Atty. Pete Rinato

BREAK: 10 minutes

DINNER
Soup
Beef with Broccoli
Pork Cutlet in Black Pepper Sauce with Onion
Fish sauteed with Broccoli & Snow Pea in White Wine Sauce
Crispy Chicken
Sauteed Lettuce with Preserved Soy Bean Sauce
Szechuan Tofu
Egg Foo-yong Chow Chou Style
Napa Cabbage with Dried Shrimp & Vermicelli
Wine is included

5. Report of Special Committees: Event Planning Committee - Induction Ball

6. Membership
- AARCN, AARCN of Clark County, NAARC

7. Unfinished Business and General Orders
- Secretary

8. New Business
- Formation of various committees/leadership teams
- Fundraising

9. Adjournment

Contact:

Jas Brooks 702-493-3330
President AARCN of Clark County
Co- Chair NAARC VN American

Edgar Guo 702-303-8237
Vice President AARCN of Clark County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 22, 2005 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent
775-684-5670

CARSON CITY � Gov. Kenny Guinn today announced the appointment of David Brady to the Douglas County Commission. Brady replaces longtime Douglas County commissioner Jacques Etchegoyhen, who resigned earlier this month.

�David Brady has broad-based experience in a number of important areas that I feel will serve him well as a member of the Douglas County Commission,� Gov. Guinn said. �As a former school board member and president of that board, David knows how to deal with complex issues that affect the lives of all the residents of Douglas County. He will make an outstanding county commissioner for the people of Douglas County.�

Brady, 49, has been managing principal at Brady & Associates in Minden since May 1998. His extensive background in financial planning in the state dates back 20 years. Brady�s community service has included Douglas County School Board Trustees, 1995-2004, and Douglas County Parks & Recreation Board of Commissioners, 1998-2004. He has also served as a reserve deputy sheriff with Douglas County since 1999.

�I welcome the opportunity to continue to serve this community,� Brady said. �I am grateful to Gov. Guinn for the appointment.�

Brady, of Minden, received his master�s of public administration from the University of Southern California in 1981 and his bachelor of science degree in public affairs from the University of Southern California in 1977.

Brady is married and has five children.

Office of the Governor
101 North Carson Street
Fax: 775-684-7198
Grant Sawyer State Office Building
555 East Washington, Suite 5100 Las Vegas, NV 89101
Fax: 702-486-2505

> How to Identify a Stroke
>
> I wish I knew this several years ago when a friend was having a stroke at a clubhouse function and I didn't recognize it; just that something was wrong and did get a resident doctor in the hall and made other people aware, but unfortunately her husband listened to her and didn't get her to the hospital for a couple hours. Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

*Ask the individual to smile.
*Ask him or her to raise both arms.
*Ask the person to speak a simple sentence.

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February.
Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2005 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent
775-684-5670

CARSON CITY � Gov. Kenny Guinn today announced the appointment of 27 Nevadans to various state boards and commissions.

�I am very grateful to the many Nevadans who have volunteered their time, energy and talent to help this great state,� Gov. Guinn said. �The people of Nevada should be very appreciative of the hard work that these Nevadans contribute to our state.�

Gov. Guinn made the following appointments:

Round Mountain Town Board: Lisa Schwarz, Round Mountain
Board of Trustees of the Fund for Hospital Care for Indigent Persons: Myrna Williams, Clark Co.; Leroy Goodman, Lyon Co.; David Humke, Washoe Co.; Mike Nannini, Elko; Gwen Washburn, Churchill Co.
Commission on Aging: Larry Curley, Fallon
National and Community Service Commission: Janet Wright, Reno; Janice Ayres, Carson City; Richard Becker, Las Vegas; Robyn Clayton, Las Vegas; Joseph Cobery, Fallon; Gina Polovina Las Vegas.
Juvenile Justice Commission: Dan Prince, Henderson
Oriental Medicine Board: Dr. Huiwen Zhang, Las Vegas and Dr. Victor Klausner, Las Vegas.
Advisory Council on Education Relating to the Holocaust: Sanford Akselrad, Las Vegas; Bruno Borenstein, Las Vegas; Martha Gould, Reno; Robin Greenspun, Henderson; Duane Lawrence, Las Vegas; Judy Mack, Las Vegas; Terry Mannion, Las Vegas; Vernon Mattson, Las Vegas; Doug Unger, Reno; Leonard Weinberg, Reno; Edythe Yarchever, Las Vegas.

Office of the Governor
101 North Carson Street
Fax: 775-684-7198
Grant Sawyer State Office Building
555 East Washington, Suite 5100 Las Vegas, NV 89101
Fax: 702-486-2505

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 14, 2005 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent
775-684-5670

CARSON CITY � Gov. Kenny Guinn has issued the following statement regarding the death of Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard Perez Jr., 19, of Las Vegas, who was killed last week near Ramadi, Iraq, in a vehicle accident:

�Dema and I offer our heartfelt condolences to Richard�s family and friends,� Gov. Guinn said. �Richard had a bright and promising future, and he made an important decision to become a reservist in the Marines following his graduation from Coronado High School. It was a decision that has helped make the world a much safer place. All Nevadans owe him a great debt of gratitude for his sacrifice. His is a sacrifice that will not soon be forgotten.�

Office of the Governor
101 North Carson Street
Fax: 775-684-7198
Grant Sawyer State Office Building
555 East Washington, Suite 5100 Las Vegas, NV 89101
Fax: 702-486-2505

Your guide to Valentine's Day in Las Vegas

Teatro has singles and room to mingle.
Photo by John Locher.

"The Fashionistas" could shake things up.
Photo by JANE KALINOWSKY/REVIEW-JOURNAL

The Eiffel Tower Restaurant overlooks the Strip.
Photo by Ralph Fountain.

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire hit their peak in "Swing Time."

Todd Goldman's "Ex-Boyfriend" is on display at The Venetian.

Just as love knows no bounds or sense of fair play, there's really no single right way to observe Valentine's Day.

Especially in Las Vegas.

It also depends on who you are: your age, marital status and what you want out of the holiday.

Hence, an eclectic guide to a romantic-or- whatever-you-want-to-call-it weekend, from where to find a date to where to go when love has gone.

IF YOU NEED A VALENTINE

If you're not in a relationship and you are interested in making, as some people call it, a "love connection," then you're in the right town. If you smell clean, and you stay out past midnight, it's hard not to hook up in this city.

The question is, "where?" The answer depends on what kind of singles you want to meet.

If you want to meet so-called "down to earth" people, you can try PT's Pubs and other suburban locales. If you want to meet people chugging beer by the fistful in a brightly lighted hall, the Hofbr�uhaus is calling your name. And if you're looking for glitzy people who spend a long time getting ready to go out, you can go to a variety of singles hang-outs on and around the Strip.

Mix, atop The Hotel at Mandalay Bay, is big enough to be a nightclub, but it's not. Women love this place. It's got brown leather bench seats inside. It's romantically dark. And a patio with a tall view of the Strip has plenty of seats. (After midnight, seats are the most coveted things in this town, bar none. They keep women in high heels from leaving clubs for comfier pastures.)

Another singles place with buzz and seats is Teatro at the MGM, and yet it's rarely overcrowded. It's a small lounge with a dance floor and bar chairs where, if the men can't find "love," they can at least look up at the thongs being worn by the tiny burlesque dancer in front of them.

The bonus of going to MGM these nights is that it has three of the biggest meeting spots in town -- Teatro; the lounge Tabu, where women dance on tables; and the second floor of Studio 54, where locals and VIPs shake it on several dance floors to good music, next to scads of plush seats.

If you wait till Valentine's Day itself, starting at 8:30 p.m., Teatro is having its female servers dress down into even lustier outfits to hand out roses to women, plus give away free champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.

DOUG ELFMAN

IF YOU NEED A CHANGE OF PACE

Most Las Vegas shows can throw cold water on a romantic night out. Valentine's Day may not be the best night to drag your lady to "Aussie Angels," or your guy to "An Evening at La Cage."

But it's a sign of the city's new diversity that two shows could inspire couples to lust and romance, and rarely be linked in the same thought.

"The Fashionistas" at Krave nightclub is quite the kinky affair. The dance show tells the tawdry tale -- yes, it has something of a plot, though no dialogue -- of an aspiring young woman enraptured by a famous male fashion designer whom she sets out to seduce with a custom DVD valentine.

Except her female boss gets to the guy first for a little desk-top hey-hey. This same boss also seems quite fond of our young heroine, the secret brains behind the business.

Sound like a Lifetime cable movie? Then you'd be ignoring the dudes in the executioner's hoods and patent leather codpieces.

"Forever Plaid," on the other hand, is an almost purely sincere celebration of a more innocent time, the late-'50s era when four-part harmony groups delivered their impeccably voiced yearnings -- "I don't want your arms around me, no not much..." -- sung by the type of ageless young men you once took home to meet your mama.

Now that these predictable choices are on the table, here's a modest proposal: Switch them.

That's right. "Plaid" is the obvious pick for the long-married, or at least those who recall those "Moments to Remember" from the first time they aired on AM radio. Maybe its time for them to spice things up with the writhing young hardbodies and lusty world view of "The Fashionistas."

But if techno music and muscles bulging through black leather describe just another night on the Strip, then maybe you should get your club-jaded honey over to the Gold Coast to snuggle up and discover why "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing."

MIKE WEATHERFORD

IF YOUR RELATIONSHIP IS SECURE

For couples who'd rather cuddle up on the couch than paint the town red, home video provides endless inspiration.

After all, Hollywood history teems with legendary romantic teams who took their on-screen roles to heart -- and off-screen.

Think of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, who steamed up 1944's "To Have and Have Not" -- and shared star billing until Bogey's 1957 death.

Or Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn -- an all-star couple from 1942's "Woman of the Year" to 1967's "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"

Or think of Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, whose on-screen passion in 1991's "Bugsy" ended Beatty's three-decade reign as Hollywood's most notorious bachelor. Or Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, who rode 1988's "Bull Durham" to nonmarital bliss.

Of course, some Hollywood couples work better on-screen than off. Arguably, Hepburn's best on-screen partner wasn't Tracy at all, but Cary Grant (in 1938's "Bringing Up Baby" and "Holiday"). And Grant's best on-screen foil might have been Rosalind Russell (in 1940's "His Girl Friday") or Irene Dunne (in 1937's "The Awful Truth").

Hollywood couples come and go, but when it comes to "la belle, la perfectly swell romance," two names remain inscribed in the stars.

Off-screen, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers weren't the closest co-stars, but from 1933's "Flying Down to Rio" to 1949's "The Barkleys of Broadway," they embody not only moonlight-and-roses romance but mutual trust, matchless teamwork, exquisite harmony and the indescribable delight of finding a soul mate who can match you step for step as you dance through life together.

As Astaire sings in "Swing Time," their 1936 peak, "Someday, when I'm awfully low, when the world is cold, I will get a glow just thinking of you -- and the way you look tonight."

Here's looking at you, kids ... and Happy Valentine's Day.

CAROL CLING

IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO IMPRESS

We have Las Vegas' latest reinvention of itself to thank for the cheek-by-jowl romantic restaurants you can choose from today. Had "family-friendly" not been supplanted by a return to the Sin City of yore, we might find ourselves limited to linoleum-lined barns serving up steam-table buffet, with the likes of Barney patting heads and signing photographs. A Chuck E. Cheese on the Strip? Could've happened. And about as romantic as losing at craps.

Instead, we have an ever-rolling wave of top-shelf restaurants working to outdo each other and themselves, and that's a great thing for romantics. There is, after all, something inherently sexy about sharing fine food and exploring its layers and nuances with the one you love. Slurp a few raw oysters together and you're a pair for life.

Still, some restaurants are more romantic than others. For cozy, there's Andre's French Restaurant (401 S. Sixth St.), the booths at Nobhill at the MGM Grand (3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South), the private curtained booths at Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay (3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South) or, for the ultimate sharing experience, The Melting Pot (8704 W. Charleston Blvd.).

Music can go a long way to set the mood, as at Jazzed Cafe and Vinoteca (8615 S. Sahara Ave.), The Bootlegger Bistro (7700 Las Vegas Blvd. South) or Stefano's at the Golden Nugget (129 Fremont St.), whose waiters serenade their guests.

But there's something about the bright lights of the big city that get the romantic wheels turning, and in the past few years, we've added plenty of restaurants offering views. For up-close-and-personal, there's Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas (3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South) and Lutece at The Venetian (3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South). For above-it-all, it's hard to beat Alize at the Palms (4321 W. Flamingo Road) or Mix atop The Hotel at Mandalay Bay (3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South). For a little distance, there's Panevino (246 Via Antonio Ave.) and Ventano (191 S. Arroyo Grande Blvd.) and Trumpets (2450 Hampton Road) in Henderson.

But the top choice for romantic restaurant must go to The Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas. There's something about the room itself that fosters an air of romance, and if you're lucky (or are willing to wait for the right table), you may have a view of the lights of the Strip or the Bellagio fountains sweeping and swaying many floors below.

If that doesn't do it for you, we can't help you.

HEIDI KNAPP RINELLA AND IF YOU'VE JUST STOPPED CARING

Valentine's Day. So what. Big deal.

Maybe you're feeling like that song by the J. Geils Band: "You love her, but she loves him/ And he loves somebody else/ You just can't win/ And so it goes till the day you die/ This thing they call love/ It's gonna make you cry."

Yep, "Love Stinks."

Never fear, there's an antidote -- artist Todd Goldman's "Anti-Valentine's Day" exhibit at the Entertainment Galleries in the Grand Canal Shops at The Venetian.

Goldman, who will be at the gallery to commiserate with you Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m., creates childlike paintings and lithographs with tag lines such as "Boys Are Stupid. Throw Rocks at Them," and "Smoking Kills, But at Least You Look Cool."

Influenced by pop artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, Roy Lichtenstein and "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Goldman has a line of T-shirts, watches and underwear featuring his images, and will release a second book of his work in March.

KEN WHITE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 31, 2005 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent
775-684-5670

CARSON CITY � Gov. Kenny Guinn has released the following statement concerning the passing of Sparks Mayor Tony Armstrong, who died Saturday, Jan. 29 following complications from December surgery:

�Dema and I lost a friend on Saturday, Tony Armstrong, the Mayor of Sparks. Our condolences go out to his family, and the countless people he touched as mayor. Tony was the perfect mayor of his hometown, a truly nice guy who cared passionately about the future of Sparks.�

Office of the Governor
101 North Carson Street
Fax: 775-684-7198
Grant Sawyer State Office Building
555 East Washington, Suite 5100 Las Vegas, NV 89101
Fax: 702-486-2505

Analysts get preview tour of Wynn Las Vegas
By HOWARD STUTZ
GAMING WIRE

Appearances are not all they seem.

And gaming analysts, offered a behind-the-scenes preview this week of the $2.5 billion Wynn Las Vegas, said that despite a significant amount of construction remaining to be completed in the next 90 days, the 2,700-room resort will be ready when guests begin arriving April 28.

The track record of Wynn Resorts Ltd. Chairman Steve Wynn, whose previous teams opened The Mirage (1989), Treasure Island (1993) and Bellagio (1998) on time, helped alleviate concerns about many areas of the property that are still far from finished.

According to analysts, construction crews, beginning this week, will operate on 20-hour workday schedules in order to complete many of the public areas, such as the main atrium, restaurants, walkways and retail offerings.

"Management assured us that the property would open on time," said Goldman Sachs analyst Steven Kent. "In fact, management said that this property is ahead of where Bellagio was at this point prior to its opening. Our past experience with casino openings suggests the final product only really gets pulled together a few weeks before opening, so for now we are truly not concerned about meeting the opening date."

Deutsche Bank analyst Marc Falcone agreed that Wynn Las Vegas would be ready for its initial customers.

"While we acknowledge there is still a lot of work to do before the facility is ready, we remain comfortable that it will open on time as required under the company's lending agreements," Falcone said, adding the company has $200 million built in for construction contingencies.

Samanta Stewart, who oversees investor relations for Wynn Resorts, said the project is on schedule for a hotel-casino of its magnitude three months outside of opening.

"We're comfortable everything is on time and on budget," she said.

The tour, conducted by Wynn Resorts Chief Operating Officer Marc Schorr, gave analysts an initial look at Wynn Las Vegas, the first new megaresort to open on the Strip since the Aladdin in 2000. The property is expected to include 111,000 square feet of casino space, 18 restaurants, 200,000 square feet of convention space, and retail attractions.

The 18-hole golf course, redesigned from its previous layout as the Desert Inn, has been completed. Kent said a round of golf will cost $500.

Analysts said the design of the resort, in which much of the property's special features will be hidden from the public behind a man-made mountain heavily decorated with trees, gives the property a boutique atmosphere.

For example, the primary restaurants are along the edge of a man-made lake facing the mountain, which will feature a light and entertainment show every 20 minutes.

"Throughout the tour management pointed out small lessons that it learned from its past experiences, and how it wanted to improve on them," Kent said. "Perhaps one of the biggest lessons was to make customers pay to see the extraordinary attractions rather than getting to see them for free from the street or in their cars. The property has walls surrounding most of the excitement, so visitors will have to enter the hotel, go to a restaurant or bar and pay to see what's going on."

Falcone said he expects a strong public reaction to Wynn Las Vegas, which is designed to maximize guest comfort and convenience and also to minimize operating costs.

"The design and layout of the property is differentiated from existing Strip properties, including the rooms and suites, layout of the casino, the quality of restaurants and entertainment venues, and the flow of the property," Falcone said. "It is evident that management measured every detail in the planning process and we believe the layout will facilitate cost synergies."

Analysts said guests are expected to pay an average of $271 a night for a 600-square-foot standard hotel room, which is higher than previous estimates. Other rooms will have an increased rate, including $400 a night for one of the 45 junior suites, that measure 900 square feet, and $750 a night for the 1,800-square-foot Salon Suites.

In addition, Wynn Las Vegas will offer 18 fairway villas at $2,000 a night.

Bear Stearns analyst Joe Greff said the property has already sold out several dates, even though bookings began just a few weeks ago.

"Based on an apples-to-apples comparison of standard rooms, Wynn's rates would be very competitive and substantially below current luxury Strip offerings," Greff said. "We expect the number of sold-out nights will rise as the public awareness of the opening spreads."

It is our pleasure to post the profile of Justice A. William Maupin as in the following:

By the time Justice A. William Maupin was appointed to the District Court bench in Clark County in 1993, his legal career had already spanned 22 years in both the public and private sectors. While he handled murder cases as a public defender, he eventually focused on major civil litigation as a partner in the law firm of Thorndal, Backus, Maupin and Armstrong. Justice Maupin was retained as a district judge by popular election in 1994 and elected to the Supreme Court in 1996 and 2002. His term ends in January 2009.

A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and University of Arizona Law School, Justice Maupin dedicated much of his professional life to improving the justice system. He was chairman of the Nevada Supreme Court committee on Alternate Dispute Resolution from 1992 to 1996, and is considered to have been a driving force behind the judicial system's successful arbitration program. He served four years on the board of governors of the State Bar of Nevada and was chairman of a Supreme Court study committee to review judicial elections. In1986-1987, he served as president of the Defense Trial Lawyer's of Nevada and on the boards of directors of Nevada Legal Services and Clark County Legal Services.

In 1997, Justice Maupin was honored with the Roger D. Foley Professionalism Award and was named in Who's Who in America.*2

An event and dinner party was held at the Steak House of Binion's Horseshoe Club, Las Vegas on October 10, 2002. The Party was held by Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) to celebrate Justice William Maupin's being appointed as its Fellow of the Public Administration Institution (PAI) and as its Honorary Chairman of the Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC).*3

---------------------------------------
References

*1. PAI is the initial of Public Administration Institution of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI).
*2. Supreme Court of Nevada. 'Justice Profiles,' "A search about Justice Bill Maupin from Google.com," (January 27, 2005), U. S. A.: Google.com.
*3. Moss, Cheryl; Walsh, Jessie; and Chang, Tiffany. "Chief Justice Bill Maupin names Dr. Tony Lei as a 'Son of Nevada'", 'Special Column of "Nevada Exeaminer"', (November 22, 2002), Las Vegas, Nevada: Nevada Examiner.

September 16, 2003

Mrs. Supatra Chemprachum
President
Thai Cultural Art Association of Las Vegas

Dear Supatra,

At this tenth year of our efforts to the diversification and enrichment for mutual cooperation of cultural and social services between American and Asian communities, it is really a significant milestone of our pioneering endeavor.

We are impressed by the spirit of many and all of high-ranking officers who encouraged us to work to increase the living standard of all our residents and visitors of Nevada. "Please know that I irrevocably stand by my personal commitment to diversity issues in this state and that my sense of patriotism and faith in America stems from its embrace of that diversity," Bill Maupin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, wrote at the time when he accepted as the Honorary Co-Chairman of the Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission of WBTI on September 13, 2002.

"The fascinating Thai culture has addd much beauty and diversity to our community," said Kenny Guinn at his "Greeting from the Governor" on September 17, 2002.

Congratulations and best wishes for a successful performance and event.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tony T. Lei
President

From: Judge Betsy Kolkoski [kolkoski@cox.net]
Sat, 22 Jan 2005 09:07:47 -0800

Thank you for the invitation. Dick and I would be honored to attend (the event and dinner party at the Emperor's Garden Restaurant on February 4, 2005). Attached is the first press release we sent to the media and numerous law firms.

Thanks again,

Betsy

-----------------------------------------
In 1993 Judge Kolkoski was appointed by then-Governor Bob Miller to serve as the Nevada�s Elder Rights Attorney with the Division for Aging Services. In 1997 Governor Kenny Guinn reappointed her to this position.

As Nevada�s Elder Rights Attorney, Judge Kolkoski focused on the mistreatment of Nevada�s elders. She drafted and took the lead to form consensus for passage Nevada�s Elder Abuse Statute. With a coalition of senior advocates, she formed the Nevada Elder Abuse Prevention Council. Judge Kolkoski also created and edited the Elder Abuse Quarterly published by the Senior Spectrum Newspaper.

Judge Kolkoski was instrumental in the production of a trilogy of elder abuse training videos produced for law enforcement. She coauthored the script and was the Executive in Charge of Production of the first video �Rx for Abuse� hosted by Shirley Jones and Marty Ingels. �Rx for Abuse� won a national award. The other two videos were �Help is on the Way� hosted by Robert Conrad and �It Takes a Little Time Sometimes� hosted by Carol Lawrence.

Previously Judge Kolkoski served as a hearing officer for the Nevada Taxicab Authority, the Nevada and Colorado Departments of Education and the Aurora, Colorado Public Schools. She also practiced law in the private sector as a small business attorney and represented children with disabilities.

Judge Kolkoski has been an attorney and/or judge for over thirty-three years. She earned a Juris Doctor degree in 1971 from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Waterloo Lutheran University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada in 1968.

Judge Kolkoski and her husband Richard have been married for 31 years. They have two children Kevin and Claire. Richard is a civilian attorney at Nellis AFB, Kevin is an Infantryman with the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army and Claire teaches English in Kumamoto City, Japan.

Born and raised in Hamilton, Ohio, Judge Kolkoski comes from a mid-western family. She is the youngest of three children and the only daughter. Judge Kolkoski is the only member of her family to obtain a college degree. Becoming a lawyer and then a judge was the fulfillment of her mother�s ambition for her.

Judge Kolkoski was awarded the 2000 Jackie Gaughan Humanitarian Award and July 4, 2000 was proclaimed �A Day in Honor of Elizabeth B. Kolkoski for her hard work and dedication to the State of Nevada� by Governor Guinn.

Over the years Judge Kolkoski has volunteered countless hours to assist the public schools, seniors, victims of violence and the homeless.

Here is the second letter:

January 4, 2005

To Whom It May Concern:

I watched in horror these past several days like so many other
Nevadans,
Americans and friends in the international community the results of
great
devastation from the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean
countries. My
heartfelt concern goes out to those families experiencing loss during
this
recent disaster in Southeast Asia including Thailand amongst others.

I called Dr. Tony Lei on January 4, 2005, and was inspired that through Washington Business and Technology Institute
(WBTI)
our concern for the Thai people could be shared through the local
Chinese
newspaper.

That paper is the "Las Vegas Chinese Daily News." It publishes on
Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday every week in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the only
Chinese
newspaper that publishes three times a week here in Las Vegas at the
present
time. Helen Hsueh is the President and publisher of this paper. She is
also
my friend.

Again, let me express my deeply felt sorrow for the people in affected
countries in Southeast Asia; you are in our prayers and relief efforts.

Most Sincerely,

Valerie E Weber
Nevada Assemblywoman/Minority Whip

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6, 2005 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent
775-684-5670

Gov. Guinn announces $300 million registration rebate

CARSON CITY � Gov. Kenny Guinn today announced a $300 million vehicle registration rebate to the citizens of Nevada after reviewing Nevada�s revenues, expenditures and making sure that the state�s priorities received full consideration.

�The State has a surplus of about $300 million and I am proud to announce that in our plan, 80 percent of Nevadans who registered a vehicle in calendar year 2004 with the Department of Motor Vehicles will receive a full rebate,� Gov. Guinn said. �After working with my administration and cabinet members for the past six months, I have decided that the fairest way to rebate this money is based on a vehicle registration fee that our citizens pay.�

Gov. Guinn said the $300 million registration rebate will not impact school districts, city or county governments. He will address the state�s rainy day fund, education-funding priorities and rising property tax rates during the State of the State address to the Nevada Legislature on January 24 at 6 p.m.

Nevadans who have registered their cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, and recreational vehicles through the DMV can expect a refund check not to exceed $300 for each registration, upon approval of the 2005 Legislature.

Gov. Guinn said the surplus is the result of unprecedented sales and gaming tax activity that greatly exceeded the projections of the Economic Forum during the past year.

�I�m proud of the action that the legislature took during the last session and I believe we can all take credit for protecting our investment and the resulting economy that today is roaring,� Gov. Guinn said. �My administration has worked hard to fund our state�s priorities with reasonable allocations while being fair to the taxpayer.�

After studying several tax-rebate options, Gov. Guinn said the tax registration fees at the DMV is the most practical and fairest way to refund the surplus. The Governor also gave consideration to a sales-tax holiday.

Office of the Governor Grant Sawyer State Office Building
101 North Carson Street 555 East Washington, Suite 5100
Carson City, NV 89701 Las Vegas, NV 89101
Fax: 775-684-7198 Fax: 702-486-2505