Reporters’ notebook

Former Hollywood Madam Heidi Fleiss has opened a dog grooming business in the valley, but she's no groomer.

She freely admits that she's still learning how to work the clippers.

"I did one woman's dog, and she got pissed," Fleiss said. "Her dog looked like it just had cancer treatment, but she got two free groomings, and she's happy."

HENRY BREAN

On a camping trip to a remote part of Lincoln County last week, the Review-Journal's Henderson reporter and his family took a detour to check out a speck on the map called Barclay.

It turned out to be a pretty collection of green pastures and quaint houses surrounding a lovingly restored schoolhouse and church. The community sits right on the main rail line between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, but it's 30 miles from the nearest paved road and there can't be more than 50 people living there.

So who did the reporter happen to bump into in Barclay? Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen, of course.

It was the most coincidental of coincidences, a chance meeting that never would have happened if any number of a million variables had not fallen perfectly into place.

In other words, Hafen and other elected officials needn't worry; the Review-Journal isn't stalking you.

Or maybe that's just what we want you to think.

HENRY BREAN

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman presented magicians Penn and Teller with a key to the city last week, but it came with a warning.

"The last time I had a celebrity in here to give a key to the city, they got indicted the next day," Goodman said.

He was referring to the child molestation case against Michael Jackson. The photo of them together is still wrapped in plastic and has never been displayed, the mayor said.

"Have you done anything wrong lately?" he asked the magicians.

"Not that I know of," said Penn Jillette, the publicly loquacious half of the duo. "Not that they know of, more importantly."

ALAN CHOATE