More from the Appeal Newsroom

Visitation for Eugene Chaney, Jr., 67, a 35-year resident of Carson City, will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Walton's Chapel of the Valley. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at United Methodist Church in Carson City. A memorial celebration will be 5 p.m. Monday at the Horseshoe Club.

Mr. Chaney died Aug. 13, 2007, in Carson City. He was born July 4, 1940, to Eugene "Babe" Chaney and Grace Daniel Walser Chaney Fuss in Baltimore City, Md.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Before moving to Carson City he lived in Lothian, Md. He was the owner of the Horseshoe Club in Carson City. He was a member of the Elks and United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by daughter, Caroline Chaney in 1994.

Among his survivors are daughters, Kimberly Chaney-Bay, Mary Grace Werner and Jeanette Kelley; sons David and Jeff Chaney; brothers, William and Frank Chaney and 12 grandchildren.

Inurnment will be in Genoa.

Memorial donations may be made to United Methodist Church or Boys and Girls Club of Carson City.

Walton's Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Roop Street between Winnie Lane and Northridge Drive is now open to traffic and will be unrestricted on Friday too.

Workers today removed joints that had been running lengthwise and causing vehicles to sway. It's still rough, however, according to Public Works.

The job to reseal the street and make it smooth is expected to resume sometime next week. Traffic in the location again will either by controlled or diverted when the contract workers return with the right equipment.

A Sparks Tribune columnist and California radio personality was arrested today after police raided his Silver City home and confiscated peyote and marijuana, an official said.

Chandler A. Laughlin, 70, known by his moniker Travis T. Hipp, was booked into the Lyon County Jail on suspicion of felony maintaining a residence for the purpose of using or selling a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of peyote for sale, possession of marijuana, possession of peyote, unlawful use of marijuana, ex-felon in possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He posted a bail in excess of $46,000 and was released.

A Nevada Department of Transportation study determined the most practical way to deal with increased traffic between Carson City and Douglas County is to widen Highway 395.

The state will present its final report on the Highway 395 Corridor Study from 4-7 p.m. today at the Douglas County Cooperative Extension Conference Room, 1329 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville.

While the state examined several alternative routes between the two communities, obstacles will make it impractical or useless to build them before 2030.

Contact: cpeacock@dot.state.nv.us or 888-7124

STARDUST

* *1/2

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Sienna Miller, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Peter O'Toole, Melanie Hill, Ricky Gervais, Jason Flemyng, Rupert Everett, Kate Magowan

Paramount/Rated PG-13/Fantasy/130 min

Sometimes fanciful folderol, other times, simply dull, "Stardust" delivers a plethora of daft characters. Lamia, played by bright-eyed Michelle Pfeiffer, single-handedly saves the film from drooling away the last remnants of its smarts.

Incapable of appearing stupid, Pfeiffer's gears visibly spin in the role of a witch plotting to regain youth for herself and her two decrepit sisters.

This miracle can only be accomplished by consuming the heart of a fallen star " as in a heavenly star (else wise a trip to Hollywood would surely do the trick). Such a commodity is a rare prize, but one happens to be available because a celestial body has recently fallen to earth where it has been transformed into human girl, Yvaine (Claire Danes).

Portrayed with a degree of crankiness reflecting her frustration with human beings, Yvaine wears a royal necklace that will determine Stormhold's future ruler. Stormhold's throne is being contested by the three sons left of an original seven, each keen to assume the mantel of recently deceased monarch (Peter O'Toole).

During the king's hilarious deathbed scene, he proudly recounts killing his own 12 brothers to gain the throne. So, it is with obvious glee that the king encourages his sons to push tardy Prince Secundus (Rupert Everett) off a cliff-top balcony.

Meanwhile, platinum blonde beauty, Yvaine, knocked unconscious by her heavenly fall, is discovered by Tristan (Charlie Cox), a naive, but sweet-natured youth. Tristan's quest to prove his love to Victoria (Sienna Miller), and complete his pledge to bring her a fallen star, is the most benign of the intrigues surrounding Yvaine.

A resident of Stormhold's neighboring, non-magical village, Tristan believes that presenting Yvaine to Victoria will win him her hand in marriage. However, Victoria is a selfish young maiden using Tristan for her own amusement.

Ignorant of her nefarious pursuers, Yvaine bitterly complains about the long walk to Tristan's village, all the while dispensing advice on romance. Because stars are fascinated with human love, Yvaine can Victoria is unworthy of Tristan, but Yvaine is unable to make Tristan see the light.

The three parallel stories: Lamia's attempts to restore her beauty by harvesting Yvaine's heart, the race to recover the necklace by the princes whose murdered, quibbling brothers are now ghosts shadowing their competition, and Tristan's determination to bring Yvaine back to his village, take some unexpected turns.

Much needed humor arises from three of the smaller characters. Robert De Niro stuffs himself into a cancan-dancer's corset as cross-dressing, Captain Shakespeare, Ricky Gervais appears as shady, not-too-bright Ferdy the Fence, and Melanie Hill contributes atmosphere and a sense of menace as gypsy spell caster, Ditchwater Sal.

Beset Lamia, whose beauty is temporarily restored by the last gasp of a long ago fallen star, becomes increasingly, and comically decrepit with each magic bit she performs. Liver spots appear on formerly smooth skin that grows hideously wrinkled, while bald patches invade her once glorious tresses.

The princes (dead ones excepted), Captain Shakespeare and Tristan, are all sad sacks reflecting a shocking decline in what passes for fairytale manhood. Initially displaying some sense, Yvaine eventually falls for Tristan, though he's barely one notch above a boy-toy.

"Stardust," a fairytale aspiring to an adult audience, deserves dashing heroes at least as bright as its villains. Alas, we laugh with O'Toole's king and Pfeiffer's witch, but can only laugh at everyone else.

"By Lisa Miller/Nevada Appeal News Service

The Carson City Board of Supervisors intends to move forward with a plan to provide the new owner of the old Wal-Mart building $2 million to offset costs to improve the building.

The owner, Robert Rothe, is pursuing Burlington Coat Factory to occupy 70,000 square feet of the 120,000 square foot space.

Rothe received a letter of intent to occupy part of the building from Burlington last month and the two parties are involved in lease negotiations.

Supervisors will decide whether to finalize the agreement, still being discussed between the city and Rothe, possibly as soon as their next meeting scheduled on Sept. 6.

The whistling and whirring coming from Heybourne Road this weekend means the return of the annual Antique Tractor Show to Douglas County.

The tractor show, held on Bill and Doreen Ramsden's property north of Stephanie Way, is in its 12th year and will feature a swap meet this year.

Event coordinator Wendel Newman of the Northern Nevada Antique Power Club said the swap meeting will allow people to buy and sell all sorts of antique machinery.

"People can bring old farm machinery or antique tractors, or any kind of thing," he said. "They can rent a space and hopefully sell their items or if someone is looking for a tractor or an old piece of machinery they'll be able to purchase it there."

A raffle featuring a restored 1944 John Deere, Model M, will be raffled off at the event on Saturday afternoon.

"That's always a big draw," Newman said.

There will also be a tractor pull and displays of old tractors and working machinery. T-shirts, caps, buttons and calendars will be on sale.

"They're all things related to the antique way of living in the Valley and Western Nevada," Newman said.

A shuttle service will be available to pick up people who've parked along Heybourne.

"We try to make it as convenient as possible for all ages," he said.

Admission to the tractor show is $5 for adults. Children younger than 12 are free.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

How to get there from Carson City

Take Highway 395 South to Stephanie Way

Turn left on Stephanie Way

Turn left on Heybourne Road

MADISON, Wis. " A would-be thief came up empty-handed after trying to rob a nun who had taken a vow of poverty.

The man broke into the 61-year-old Catholic nun's home shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday, police said. When she told him she had no money, he forced her to drive him around in her car for almost an hour in search of money.

The two did not stop at a bank or cash machine because the Sinsinawa Dominican sister continued to tell the man she did not have any money or access to any.

As they drove, the robber apologized "to the victim and wonders if he's going to be forgiven by her and the Catholic Church," police spokesman Joel DeSpain said.

Eventually, the man gave up and had the nun drop him off on Madison's south side. She then drove to the Catholic school where she works and called police.

Police arrested the 41-year-old man later Tuesday on a probation violation and tentative charges of kidnapping, burglary, battery and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has not yet been charged.

"It was a very traumatic experience for sister, and we're grateful she is just fine and we're grateful that the person has been apprehended," said Monsignor Thomas Baxter, pastor at St. Joseph Catholic Church, where the nun is director of religious education.

Today is Thursday, Aug. 16, the 228th day of 2007. There are 137 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Aug. 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tenn., at age 42.

On this date:

In 1777, American forces won the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington.

In 1812, Detroit fell to British and Indian forces in the War of 1812.

In 1858, a telegraphed message from Britain's Queen Victoria to President James Buchanan was transmitted over the recently laid trans-Atlantic cable.

In 1948, baseball legend Babe Ruth died in New York at age 53.

In 1954, Sports Illustrated was first published by Time Inc.

In 1956, Adlai E. Stevenson was nominated for president at the Democratic national convention in Chicago.

In 1960, Britain ceded control of the crown colony of Cyprus.

In 1987, 156 people were killed when Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed while trying to take off from Detroit.

In 1987, thousands of people worldwide began a two-day celebration of the "harmonic convergence," which heralded what believers called the start of a new, purer age of humankind.

In 2000, delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles formally nominated Al Gore for president.

Today's Birthdays:

Actor Fess Parker is 83. Actress Ann Blyth is 79. Actor Robert Culp is 77. Sportscaster Frank Gifford is 77. Singer Eydie Gorme is 76. Actress Julie Newmar is 74. Actor John Standing is 73. Actor Gary Clarke is 71. Actress Anita Gillette is 71. Actress Carole Shelley is 68. Country singer Billy Joe Shaver is 68. Movie director Bruce Beresford is 67. Rhythm-and-blues singer Robert "Squirrel" Lester (The Chi-Lites) is 65. Actor Bob Balaban is 62. Ballerina Suzanne Farrell is 62. Actress Lesley Ann Warren is 61. Rock singer-musician Joey Spampinato (NRBQ) is 57. Actor Reginald VelJohnson is 55. TV personality Kathie Lee Gifford is 54. Rhythm-and-blues singer J.T. Taylor is 54. Movie director James Cameron is 53. Actor Jeff Perry is 52. Rock musician Tim Farriss (INXS) is 50. Singer Madonna is 49. Actress Angela Bassett is 49. Actress Laura Innes is 48. Actor Timothy Hutton is 47. Actor Steve Carell is 44. Actor Donovan Leitch is 39. Country singer Emily Robison (The Dixie Chicks) is 35. Actor George Stults is 32. Singer Vanessa Carlton is 27. Actor Shawn Pyfrom is 21.

Thought for Today:

"If you're strong enough, there are no precedents."

" F. Scott Fitzgerald,

American author (1896-1940)

oanie's Creekside Deli & Catering, 1795 E. College Parkway #100, will have it's grand opening next Thursday at 5 p.m.

The event will be hosted by the Carson City Chamber of Commerce. Co-owner Lou Lane said he hopes to get the land blessed by a member of the Washoe Tribe because it might have been tribal land at one time.

According to the chamber, the deli has great salads, wraps and daily specials.

For more information, call 841-3354.

Road work " Drivers who travel along the northern portion of Roop Street should leave a little early today as workers control vehicle traffic from Winnie Lane to Northridge Drive.

The controls will be in effect from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and the same area could be either under controls or closed all together on Friday, according to the city.

What ultimately happens Friday "depends on how much work gets done," said John Benzing, the city's construction manager.

Today's weather " Sunny with some clouds with highs in the low to mid-90s. Breezy in the afternoon with south winds at 10 mph increasing to southwest 15-20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph in the afternoon.

Overnight, breezy and clear with lows around 60. Southwest winds 15-25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

Benefit event " An Evening with Ellen Hopkins. Hopkins, author of "Crank," and first lady Dawn Gibbons and Judge John Tatro speak at a fundraiser for the Community Counseling Center, 6:30 p.m. at the Governor's Mansion, 606 N. Mountain St. Tickets $125 per person, includes dinner. Call 882-3945.