Reporters’ Notebook

One of the loudest cheers at Friday's presidential town hall meeting at Green Valley High School came when President Barack Obama gave a shout out to principal Jeff Horn.

"Obviously not exam time yet," the president said after the roar had died down. "Standing O."

HENRY BREAN

Overheard on the scanner: "Do I have to explain what 'No Parking' and "No Waiting' mean, sir?"

Tim Wakefield, field office manager for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, shouldn't be confused with the Boston Red Sox pitcher by the same name.

Nevertheless, he threw a knuckleball of a comment at a citizens advisory panel that decided Thursday to increase fees at the scenic park when he suggested that some who are daring enough to sneak in will be let off the hook.

"We don't want to be seen as the big, bad federal government and that we're going out looking for somebody who didn't pay their three bucks," he said.

KEITH ROGERS

Before an Oscar Goodman press conference Friday, reporters from the Fox 5 and Channel 8 news teams were comparing the lengths of their microphones. Fox 5's was longer.

"But," protested the Channel 8 reporter, "mine's in HD!"

ALAN CHOATE

A rousing performance from a youthful mariachi band followed U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's characteristically quiet speech during Thursday's "Latino Summit" at UNLV.

Reid paused for a moment on his way out of the conference room to listen and clap along.

Later, as reporters hovered comically close in an attempt to catch his softly spoken words, the senator mentioned how much he enjoys mariachi music. "I created that, you know," a couple of reporters heard him joke. Or maybe he didn't. Who can hear him?

LYNNETTE CURTIS