Key local law enforcement agency endorsements are flowing to District Attorney David Roger in his re-election campaign.

The late entry of respected local attorney Frank Cremen into the race has made the Republican primary interesting, but that doesn't appear to be slowing the support of Roger by the Police Protective Association, which represents Metro officers, the Police Protective Association Civilian Employees, and Las Vegas Police Managers and Supervisors Association. Roger also picked up a recent endorsement from the International Association of Firefighters Local 1908.

Roger, a career prosecutor, is highlighting the singular focus of his experience against Cremen, a former prosecutor who is now a successful defense attorney.

But when it comes to endorsements, don't expect Cremen to be shut out.

GONE FISHIN': GOP gubernatorial front-runner Jim Gibbons is taking more heat for failing to firm up dates for political debates against primary opponents Lorraine Hunt and Bob Beers.

Beers and Hunt, who are scrambling to remain competitive with the U.S. House member in several polls, both have begun to buzz him on the subject.

While remaining just out of reach might well be how front-runners remain front-runners, Gibbons should come out and set solid debate dates. Sooner or later someone will start calling him chicken.

Of course, if the strategy works, they'll also be calling him governor.

CLEAN UP: Like so many Southern Nevada residents, Mike Henle takes pride in his neighborhood and is infuriated by graffiti taggers who paint and mark up anything that doesn't move. Henle says he's found an effective tool to wipe away permanent marker scribblings from the walls and street signs near his home.

He uses heavy-duty Easy-Off oven cleaner.

"I carry a can of the stuff in my car with a rag," says Henle, a longtime local writer and advertising and publicity man.

"Give it about 10 seconds (it works for entry ways, street signs and light poles) and you can literally see it lift as the Easy-Off goes to work. I heard about it from one of my neighbors, and now our mailman is even going to get some to clean off the boxes that have been tagged."

For the record, Henle doesn't represent the folks at Easy-Off. Yet.

TRUMP'S TRIP: Casino-condo mogul and new daddy Donald Trump is due in Las Vegas on Saturday to bask in the smashing sales at Trump International Hotel & Tower. Then he will take wife Melania and baby Barron to Los Angeles, where he'll film the sixth season of "The Apprentice."

And surely no one in the Trump organization will gloat that The Donald is completing his project while ex-wife Ivana Trump failed to see her high-rise dream materialize.

ADVENTURE WRITER: Pahrump might seem a strange place to find an expert on travel to Germany and Austria, but you'll find one there in a fellow named Brett Harriman, who has just published a 584-page travel guide to those countries that includes GPS coordinates and an adventure novel, "Quest for the Bavarian Cross," interwoven with the nonfiction text. The novel approach could catch on throughout the travel book business.

PAIUTE CELEBRATION: Southern Nevada has an underrated American Indian tradition. The 18th annual Snow Mountain Powwow celebrates the incredible heritage of the Las Vegas Paiutes. The powwow starts today at the Las Vegas Paiute Snow Mountain Indian Reservation with traditional dances and bird singing exhibitions. It continues through Sunday.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Now that the Crazy Horse Too case has been signed and sealed, expect delivery at U.S. District Court soon. I never before have heard both sides of a major criminal case expressing such relief at avoiding trial. ... Singer Maggi Albisani really knows how to work a room while delivering an endless string of standards. You can catch her most nights at Romy's Café & Teddy's Bistro on West Sahara Avenue. ... Professional poker star Dan Harrington is releasing yet another well-done how-to guide from Huntington Press, this one titled "Harrington on Hold 'Em Volume III: The Workbook." ... How long will we wait before someone on the Strip puts together an "American Idol" reunion concert in a showroom? I'd bet tourists would pack the house to gawk at the best and worst performers from the wildly popular television show.

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.