Reporters’ Notebook

LAS VEGAS MAYOR OSCAR GOODMAN and the news media continued to stir the pot Thursday after President Obama slammed bailout-taking bankers for planning a get-together at a Strip resort.

Override of property tax plan veto on agenda

CARSON CITY — Nevada lawmakers start their third week of the 2009 session on Monday, Presidents Day, with a full schedule of hearings and a scheduled Senate vote on whether to override a 2007 veto by Gov. Jim Gibbons.

Top News

President Barack Obama came under fire from politicians and Las Vegas boosters after taking a shot at corporate excess and Sin City.

Power plant put on back burner

Global warming alarmists cheered wildly Monday when NV Energy, the state’s largest electric utility, announced it would postpone the development of a long-planned, $5 billion coal-fired power plant in Ely.

Airborne frogs on the stratospheric ozone layer

The mailbag being nearly full, and your loyal correspondent, thanks to a sinus headache, having been shuffling around this past week like the archetypal Vulcan in the old “Spock’s Brain” Star Trek episode (third season, original series), herewith some recent missives of interest:

Yeah — what he say

Former President Bill Clinton rambled so much last Saturday night in a speech to the Virginia State Democratic Convention that just about anyone could cite his remarks as supportive of their position on this stimulus dispute.

Protecting reporters and talk radio

It’s been an uphill battle for several years now, but another effort is being made by champions of a free press to pass a federal shield law, which would protect journalists from being forced to reveal their sources.

Shall we give Harry the boot?

Dined with two savvy Nevadans recently — one Democrat and one Republican. This husband and wife couple could not be more hooked into the economic, political and social issues facing Las Vegas and the state.

It’s a Nastygram from Bill Raggio

In the high-stakes poker game that is the 2009 Legislature, Republican Bill Raggio has laid down his cards. No raise. No call.

Still on the clock

Into the great pity party for poverty-stricken Clark County schools comes this bit of sobering news: the district has been lavishing overtime pay without limitation.

SAY WHAT?

“I wanted to throw my shoe at the TV. They are trying to make it out that Las Vegas has become this toxic city that you can’t even go to.”

WHERE THE FUN IS

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of an occasional series of stories highlighting performers who played an interesting role in the history of entertainment in Las Vegas.

Blood gushes in hack-and-slash ‘Afro Samurai’

He is Afro Samurai, so named for his sweeping, gorgeous ‘fro swaying in Japanese breeze, like so much tousled cherry blossoms. This samurai aims to avenge the death of his father, beheaded in front of him when he was a boy. He’s got daddy issues.

OUT THERE

HIKES

Outdoor Briefs

WAIT IS OVER

SIGNINGS AND EVENTS

Here is a listing of events designed for book lovers. Information is subject to change or cancellation without notice. Additions or changes to this listing must be submitted at least 10 days in advance of Sunday publication to Bookmark, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125. For more information, call 383-0306.

Finding Ways to Connect — Sparking Young Minds

People today have the misconception that a hero is a scantily clad pop star singing ballads at the MTV Video Music Awards. What most young people fail to see is that the people they are around seven hours of their day are the truest heroes one will ever find.

Blue-collar ‘Eastbound & Down’ riotously funny

Getting a series on the air is hard enough. Trying to make one that defines an era? That’s like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. (Which, coincidentally, is how my cousin Stevie died.)

Las Vegans don’t have to travel far to play in the snow

Despite often balmy days in Las Vegas at this time of year, snow-capped Charleston Peak, rising west of the city, reminds us that winter isn’t finished yet. Every storm front moving clouds across our valley carries the promise of fresh snow in the mountains. Whether the clouds deliver or not, the promise is enough to lure crowds to forested mountain slopes for snow play.

Organic matter can help landscapes

We send a lot of organic matter — kitchen scraps, grass clippings, leaves, branches etc. — to the dump when we really need to compost it to use in our landscapes. Composting simply is decayed organic matter that is in a state beyond recognition. We call it humus. It is the best organic matter to add to our soil.

Travel Briefs

SANTA FE, N.M.

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