By Sean Whaley, Nevada News Bureau

CARSON CITY – Long-time Republican political operative Sig Rogich disagrees with comments from former Gov. Bob List that Nevada is better off with a Feb. 4 GOP presidential caucus rather than the January date that had been proposed initially.

“Why in the world would you want to step back, and we’re not going to be rewarded for such a thing, all things being equal,” Rogich said in an interview on the Nevada NewsMakers television program this week. “I just don’t think that it makes any sense to be that far back when you have an opportunity to be up in play.”

Rogich was responding to a question from host Sam Shad about List’s remarks in an interview on the show last week when he said Nevada is better off with the Feb. 4 GOP caucus.

List, a Nevada State Republican Party national committeeman, said the primary contest won’t be over before Feb. 4, making Nevada a key battleground for Republican candidates.

Nevada was embroiled in a controversy earlier this year over when to hold its caucus because of Florida’s decision to move up its primary date. Nevada Republican Party officials ultimately agreed to the Feb. 4 date for the “First in the West” GOP caucus.

During the NewsMakers interview, Rogich predicted Romney will win Nevada’s caucus. He won handily here in 2008.

But he also said the Romney campaign has failed to clearly define the former Massachusetts governor.

“And I think that’s their big problem in this campaign,” Rogich said. “He’s articulate, eloquent, certainly a good looking guy, he’s got a great accomplished history of a lot of things. But if you ask the average person what do you think about Mitt Romney and what he stands for, you’d probably get mixed reviews. People just don’t know where to categorize him.”

Rogich, who worked with Newt Gingrich during his time at the White House, said the candidate is on message and has momentum, but he has the ability to “create chaos from order.”

But Rogich predicted Gingrich will win in Iowa, is tightening up the race in New Hampshire and will win in South Carolina.

Rogich also said he still believes President Obama is the favorite to win, if the election were today.

“All things being equal, if you count the electoral map, he may win very narrowly,” Rogich said. “But if he carries some of those states that he is likely to carry, at this juncture today, then I still think he is still a favorite to win.”

By Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Sun

By the end of this week, Nevada is expected to be the first state in the nation to have regulations in place for Internet poker play.

It’s historic. It’s indicative of the state’s leadership role in the gaming industry.

And some say it will be a big step toward bringing new technology companies to the state.

Of course, it would be much more meaningful if online poker play weren’t against the law in the United States. Federal law enforcement officers haven’t been picking on players who participate in online card games. But they have clamped down on banks that handle the financial transactions and operators of poker websites.

Nevada and other states are gearing up to regulate it only if and when federal lawmakers approve legislation removing those barriers.

In the weeks leading up to consideration of the new regulations, Nevada has received lots of attention for its leadership role. A recent Internet gambling conference in Las Vegas referred to Nevada as “the gold standard of gaming regulation.”

But is it?

Since Nevada legalized casino gambling in 1931, 21 states have followed suit, with most of them joining the club between 1989 and 2008. Not only is Nevada the oldest commercial casino jurisdiction in the country — New Jersey, at No. 2, first legalized gaming operations in 1976 — it’s also the largest by far, with 256 casinos and gross gaming revenue of $10.4 billion in the 2010 fiscal year.

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Full moon yurt dinners benefit the Tahoe Cross Country Ski Education Association. The adventure starts with a moonlit ski from the Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area across gentle terrain.

Limited tickets are available at $65 per person. This price includes meal, a beverage, ski or snowshoe equipment and trail pass.

All money raised benefits the Winter Discovery Program at Tahoe Cross Country.

The Jan. 6 and Jan. 7 dinners will be prepared by Chef Doug Baehr of Uncommon Kitchen. The Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 meals will be cooked by Chef Douglas Dale of Wolfdale’s. The skiing-dining adventures are from 6-9pm.

Reservations can be made by calling (530) 583.5475.

During the winter of 1960 athletes from around the world came to Lake Tahoe to participate in the Winter Olympic Games. The biathlon and cross country (XC) events of the V111 Winter Olympics were held in what is now Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. A portion of the marked XC trails takes you on a loop through the heart of the men’s events where you travel with the spirit of the games on the trails of the biathlon and men’s events. This historic venue will come alive with the Olympic spirit as the public is invited to join us for a week of special events celebrating the Olympic Heritage.

Nordic Olympic Trails fundraiser is Jan. 11 from 6-8pm. West Shore Café will be the place to be for a spirited evening of great food, lively music and fun all for a worthy cause: supporting local efforts to maintain the free interpretive Nordic ski trails at Sugar Pine Point State Park.

The evening will feature a meet and greet with past Olympians, live local music, ski and historic Olympic memorabilia from 1960, a silent auction, and surprise special presentations.

H’orderves and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. No host bar. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door and are available at the North Lake Chamber Visitor Center in Tahoe City, Gatekeepers Museum, Granlibakken Resort and West Shore Sports.

For more information, call (530) 583.3074.

During the winter of 1960 athletes from around the world came to Lake Tahoe to participate in the Winter Olympic Games. The biathlon and cross country (XC) events of the V111 Winter Olympics were held in what is now Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. A portion of the marked XC trails takes you on a loop through the heart of the men’s events where you travel with the spirit of the games on the trails of the biathlon and men’s events. This historic venue will come alive with the Olympic spirit as the public is invited to join us for a week of special events celebrating the Olympic Heritage.

Olympic Heritage Celebration Opening Ceremonies is Jan. 8 from 2:30-3:30pm.

Join past Olympians and local dignitaries as we commemorate the official start of the Olympic Heritage Celebration events with the lighting of an Olympic caldron. The ceremony will take place in front of a quarter scale replica of the Tower of Nations that stood at the entrance of Squaw Valley to welcome visitors to the 1960 Winter Olympic Games.

This free event will be near the campground entrance of Sugar Pine Point State Park.

Hot cider and cookies will be provided.

During the winter of 1960 athletes from around the world came to Lake Tahoe to participate in the Winter Olympic Games. The biathlon and cross country (XC) events of the V111 Winter Olympics were held in what is now Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. A portion of the marked XC trails takes you on a loop through the heart of the men’s events where you travel with the spirit of the games on the trails of the biathlon and men’s events. This historic venue will come alive with the Olympic spirit as the public is invited to join us for a week of special events celebrating the Olympic Heritage.

On Jan. 8 and Jan. 15 from noon-2pm Dave Antonucci, author of “A Snowballs Chance: The Story of the 1960 Winter Olympics”, will lead Nordic skiers on a interpretive tour of the Olympic ski trails located at Sugar Pine Point State Park.

This intermediate level 10-kilometer tour will take you to Olympic Meadows, the site of the biathlon range with stops along the way where you will learn of about Tahoe’s fascinating snow heritage.

This event is free and parking is $8.

Wear layered clothing, bring water, energy snack and be prepared for changing weather conditions.

During the winter of 1960 athletes from around the world came to Lake Tahoe to participate in the Winter Olympic Games. The biathlon and cross country (XC) events of the V111 Winter Olympics were held in what is now Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. A portion of the marked XC trails takes you on a loop through the heart of the men’s events where you travel with the spirit of the games on the trails of the biathlon and men’s events. This historic venue will come alive with the Olympic spirit as the public is invited to join us for a week of special events celebrating the Olympic Heritage.

Jan. 7 at 6:30pm California State Park rangers will be leading Full Moon snowshoe hikes along Tahoe’s magical West Shore at Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park throughout the winter months.

Tours begin on the lake side of the park (Day Use Area) and explore the natural and cultural history around the Hellman-Ehrman estate.

For those new to snowshoeing, there will be a beginner’s clinic at 6:30pm.

The first group starts promptly at 7pm with other groups, as needed, starting in 10 minute intervals. The hikes last approximately 1½ hours and costs $20 for adults and $5 for children under 12. The cost includes event parking and snowshoe rentals, if needed.

All proceeds from the tours go to the Sierra State Parks Foundation.

Space is limited and reservations are required through our State Park partner, West Shore Sports at (530) 525.9920. Wear warm, layered clothing, waterproof shoes and bring a flashlight.

During the winter of 1960 athletes from around the world came to Lake Tahoe to participate in the Winter Olympic Games. The biathlon and cross country (XC) events of the V111 Winter Olympics were held in what is now Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. A portion of the marked XC trails takes you on a loop through the heart of the men’s events where you travel with the spirit of the games on the trails of the biathlon and men’s events. This historic venue will come alive with the Olympic spirit as the public is invited to join us for a week of special events celebrating the Olympic Heritage.

Jan. 7 at 11am the Olympic Snow Trails open.

The 13K blue, red and green ski trail systems located at Sugar Pine Point State Park will be professionally groomed for the duration of our Olympic Heritage Celebration week thanks to the generous donation of grooming equipment from Kasshohrer All Terrain Vehicles. The marked trail system will open to cross country skiers today and be maintained though Jan. 15. There are trails available for all skill levels and the surrounding scenery is breathtaking. A series of interpretive signage will guide you though the historic Olympic trails contained in the park. Free trail maps are available at the park entrance station and there is no fee for trail use.

Parking fees $8.

Snowshoe Cocktail Race at the Beacon Restaurant on the South Shore are billed as: You’ve never had this much fun on the snow!

Race around the course with snowshoes and a cocktail on a tray and don’t spill a drop. Or just come cheer.

Races starts at 7pm on Jan. 21, Feb. 18 and March 10.

Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the Dec. 16, 2011, Los Angeles Times.

The White House said this week that President Obama will sign a controversial $662-billion defense authorization that permits indefinite detention without trial for some terrorism suspects and broadens the authorization for the use of force against people and groups “associated” with Al Qaeda anywhere in the world. It’s the wrong choice.

The bill, which passed the House Wednesday and the Senate Thursday, is being advertised as a compromise with the administration, and indeed it includes provisions designed to avoid a veto. But several are vague or confusing. For example, although it requires that foreign suspected Al Qaeda terrorists be placed in military custody, it seems to allow FBI agents to interrogate them. On Wednesday, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III said that the compromise left “uncertainty as to who has the role and who’s going to do what.”

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