REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

NORTH LAS Vegans who live in Mayor Mike Montandon's neighborhood might want to shield their eyes when venturing outside in the early morning hours.

While discussing a proposed residential recycling pilot program at Wednesday's special City Council meeting, Montandon revealed that he frequently fails to get his trash out in time for Republic Services' morning pickups.

"I've seen you out there in your bathrobe trying to get it out" in time, Councilwoman Shari Buck said.

"I don't have a bathrobe," the mayor deadpanned.

Bob Coyle, president of Republic Services, wrapped up the discussion by saying, "That may be more information than we need."

LYNNETTE CURTIS

OVERHEARD ON THE SCANNER: "That's right. Urban dictionary has opened his eyes."

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH, and the Las Vegas City Council took time out last week to pat itself on the back.

The city, after all, has won accolades for its use of public art as a downtown redevelopment tool, and Mayor Oscar Goodman took home the Public Leadership in the Arts award earlier this year at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Miami.

"We're becoming a very sophisticated and cultural city," Goodman beamed on Wednesday.

Then Goodman told a story about how he accepted the award in Miami accompanied by a couple of showgirls.

Goodman introduced them as members of the City Council.

ALAN CHOATE

IF YOUR KIDS LIKE FIRE TRUCKS, all city of Las Vegas fire stations will be hosting open houses from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

And they've got a fellow fan in city government: Councilman Steve Ross apparently goes crazy for fire engine red.

"He likes to climb on the fire trucks," said Las Vegas Fire Chief Greg Gannon, during a joint announcement with Ross. "We have no bigger kid who visits us than Councilman Ross."

ALAN CHOATE

OVERHEARD ON THE SCANNER: "I got a young man here who's screamin' I ran over him."

ONCE A FRONT-RUNNER FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney now must watch and cheer as someone else carries the ball for his team, sort of like another formerly high-flying Boston-based juggernaut.

Speaking to reporters in Boulder City on Thursday, Romney was asked whether he thinks the NFL's New England Patriots can have a winning season without injured quarterback Tom Brady, who is out for the season.

"I think John McCain has better prospects than that," Romney said, laughing. "That's where I'm focusing my prognostications right now. I wish we had Brady back."

MOLLY BALL

OVERHEARD ON THE SCANNER: "They're throwing trampoline springs at her."