Reporter’s Notebook

SINCE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM CHANCELLOR JIM ROGERS WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BLADDER CANCER EARLIER THIS YEAR, the 69-year-old has received cards and gifts from well-wishers hoping he has a speedy recovery from his surgery this week.

One gift he received from a woman caught him off guard, however: a book entitled, "What to Expect in Heaven."

Receiving it, he said, "was a bit of a plus and a minus."

On the one hand, Rogers was pleased the woman thought he would get into heaven.

But on the other hand, "I was a little distressed she thought I would go so soon."

LAWRENCE MOWER

OVERHEARD ON THE SCANNER: "We have a crazy man beating people."

DURING A HEARING FRIDAY ON THE SOUTHERN NEVADA WATER AUTHORITY'S PLANS TO PIPE GROUNDWATER TO LAS VEGAS FROM RURAL LINCOLN COUNTY, a man who showed up to support the pipeline plan was overheard asking a staff member where he might get a drink of water.

When the woman pointed to a pitcher at the front of the room, the man asked, "Is that tap water?"

"I think I have some bottled water in my bag," the woman replied.

"Thanks," the man said with obvious relief.

HENRY BREAN

DURING HIS 11TH STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS AS MAYOR OF HENDERSON, JIM GIBSON MADE NOTE ON THURSDAY of a new public library service that provides "Live Homework Help" to school children over the Internet.

The program has been well received, at least according to an e-mail testimonial Gibson read from a local middle school student.

"I love this," the girl wrote. "Please keep this forever, or at least until I finish seventh grade."

HENRY BREAN

THE LAS VEGAS CONVENTION AND VISITORS AUTHORITY RAISED THE BAR FOR WASHINGTON COCKTAIL PARTIES LAST WEDNESDAY.

Two costumed performers from "Mystere" and a Las Vegas showgirl mingled among the dark suits at Charlie Palmers Steak, which hosts plenty of receptions but few featuring Cirque du Soleil players and women wearing feathers.

Bonnie Mizell, a pianist who plays at the Golden Nugget, and celebrity vocal group Mosaic, from the Flamingo Hilton, also were imported to perform at the open bar event.

The event drew about 300 people from congressional staffs and associations that hold trade shows in Las Vegas, city officials said. Mayor Oscar Goodman and LVCVA President Rossi Ralenkotter delivered a pitch for the city during a break.

The next morning, Capitol Hill staffers were sharing Polaroids of their poses with the performers.

STEVE TETREAULT

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, NEVADANS ARE APPARENTLY VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. On the other hand, they're a bit clueless.

Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax said his office got several dozen calls on Super Tuesday last week from people wanting to know where they were supposed to vote.

Nevada's presidential caucuses, held Jan. 19, were voters' only opportunity to weigh in on the Democratic and Republican nominations.

MOLLY BALL

A HOST OF SOCIAL ILLS HAVE BEEN BLAMED ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, BUT THIS WAS A NEW ONE: If it weren't for them durn illegals, the Southern Nevada Water Authority might not have to build a controversial pipeline to tap groundwater across Eastern Nevada.

So said Lincoln County resident Terry Jones during a public comment session of a state water hearing on Friday.

If there are 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States and each of them uses 50 gallons of water a day, Jones reasoned, "that's 600 million gallons that's being used illegally, if you will."

HENRY BREAN

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

London paper finds great things in Nevada

London's Daily Telegraph recently listed 50 "great things to do in America." Las Vegas and Nevada logged more than their share of entries:

6.Desert drive from Las Vegas to Los Angeles

"To leave the cacophony of Vegas and cruise out into the peace and quiet of the Mojave Desert in a sports car with the top down is pretty much our idea of heaven," the newspaper says.

12.World Rodeo Championships, Las Vegas

16.Big Fight Night, Las Vegas

"Few events create more of a gladiatorial atmosphere than a big fight night in Sin City," the Telegraph says, despite the recent showing from U.K. fighters in recent big bouts.

18.Elton John and the Red Piano, Las Vegas

"There is nothing quite like a Vegas show and Sir Elton's long-running, seemingly endless, gig at Caesars Palace is certainly one to catch through 2008," the newspaper says.

37.Burning Man

"A far cry from our own rain-soaked music festivals, Burning Man attracts 40,000 revelers to the Nevada desert every year," the Telegraph says.