Tuesday, April 30, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
It may have been the first book-signing where the attendees, and not the author, got tired of shaking hands.
The estimated 325 people who waited up to an hour at the Borders Books Music Cafe in Henderson Monday to meet former Vice President Dan Quayle found themselves confronted with a second political figure, Nevada Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren, who is campaigning for governor two years before the election.
Hammargren stood only a few feet away from the table where Quayle signed copies of his new book, "The American Family."
To get to Quayle, book buyers had to pass Hammargren, who also shook hands and signed autographs.
Hammargren, a brain surgeon by profession, reiterated earlier statements that he is running for governor in 1998.
"If the people don't want me," he said, "I'll go back to being a neurosurgeon."
Dump O'Leary
A Clinton surrogate who met last week with two dozen Las Vegas women got an earful about one of President Clinton's most high-profile woman cabinet members, Department of Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary.
"O'Leary is a disgrace," said Clark County Committeewoman Myrna Williams. "She's doing a con job on the state of Nevada."
O'Leary has come under fire from Nevadans who believe the DOE is ignoring scientific flaws, such as earthquake faults, at Yucca Mountain, targeted by Congress to store radioactive waste.
Williams joined other Las Vegas women, including County Commission Chairwomen Yvonne Atkinson Gates, to air views to Kathie Klass, a Clinton appointee to the Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Klass and every other woman appointee, including Attorney General Janet Reno, tour the country on their own time and at their own expense, conducting "At the Table" meetings to receive feedback about women's issues, Klass said.
The meeting was held at the law office of gaming attorney Frank Schreck, whose executive assistant Judy Klein, president of the Clark County Women's Democratic Club, invited Klass.
Wiener to run
Valerie Wiener, a communications executive who served as press secretary for Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., will file Wednesday for the state Senate seat held by Sen. Sue Lowden, R-Las Vegas.
Democrats hope Wiener will benefit from a voter advantage in Senate District 3, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 6,100.
Wiener, 47, is the daughter of Louis Wiener, a well-known lawyer whose long career included service as Las Vegas city attorney. He died earlier this year.
Two other Democrats, Lou Toomin and Juan Manzur, have filed.
Ensign in
Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., will make his candidacy official Monday with an announcement at Big Dog's Cafe & Casino, 6390 W. Sahara Ave.
Ensign's 1st Congressional District covers most of urban Las Vegas. Four Democrats have filed, including state Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas.
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