Downtown Neighborhood News

First Friday organizers announce hiatus

The organizers of the First Friday arts open house have canceled the event for August and September. Many of the art galleries downtown plan to remain open the regular 6 to 9 p.m. First Friday hours regardless. The festival is set to return Oct. 7 for its ninth anniversary. For more information, visit firstfriday-lasvegas.org.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULED MOnday
FOR HISTORIC WESTSIDE MASTER PLAN

A community workshop is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the Doolittle Community Center, 1950 N. J St. City officials will unveil the architect's recommendations for a site plan design for the historic school and Variety Early Learning Center sites. The "Las Vegas Grammar School Branch No. 1," as it was originally known, was built in 1923.

Based on the public's recommendation for uses and amenities at an April workshop, the city's architectural consultant, KME Architects, has been working on a master plan to restore the school's significant historic features and rehabilitate the building for reuse as a community gathering place.

For more information on the workshop, visit lasvegasnevada.gov/historicwestsideschool and on Twitter @hwschoollv.

SORORITY TO BECOME FIRST SPONSOR
OF CITY'S HOMELESS DONATION STATION

The local alumnae chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority became the city's first sponsor of a homeless donation station, a retired parking meter used to collect change for programs that benefit the homeless. The parking meter was unveiled at the 48th Farwest Regional Conference at the Mirage.

The red meter is slated for East Fremont Street. The meter program is part of the city's 10-year plan to reduce homelessness. Spare change normally given to panhandlers will be redirected into programs for those at-risk of homelessness and currently homeless in the city of Las Vegas.

For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov or call the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department at 229-2330.

MAYOR GOODMAN AND CITY STAFF HEAD
TO MARYLAND FOR FEMA TRAINING

Mayor Carolyn Goodman was one among 43 city employees who headed to Emmitsburg, Md., and the Federal Emergency Management Training Center on July 11 for a week long training course. They were joined by staff members from other local entities including North Las Vegas, Clark County, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the American Red Cross and the Nevada Department of Public Safety.

The courses and simulations the city staff participated in are designed to prepare for a man-made or natural emergency through the use of the National Incident Management System. The course and travel costs are funded through federal grant money set aside for the training of government and other emergency agencies in response and recovery from a disaster.

The Lied Discovery Children's Museum, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is offering weekly camp programs for children 6 to 12. Sessions are available from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. through Aug. 15.

Camp prices are $155 per week for museum members and $180 per week for nonmembers. For camp schedules, details and registration, visit ldcm.org or call 382-5437.

Capture DOWNTOWN in photography

Professional and amateur photographers older than 21 are invited to participate in Capture Downtown! -- a photography competition sponsored by the city of Las Vegas, the Downtown Las Vegas Alliance, Symphony Park and the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Entry categories include Lifestyle: depicting everyday life/work/play in downtown Las Vegas, Stars: interesting people who live/work downtown, and Icons: to include downtown landmarks, neon signs and historic buildings.

There will be first-, second- and third-place winners in each category. Winners are to be announced in October during the Symphony Park Lecture at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St. A People's Choice Award also will be given, and the entry photos will be hosted on lvrj.com from Sept. 1 through Sept. 22 for voting. Prizes include gift certificates from downtown retailers and hotels, downtown merchandise and more. Entry deadline is Aug. 15. All entries must be submitted digitally to downtownlasvegasalliance.com/captureddowntown.

TRIFECTA cooks up PANCAKE show

Artists Todd VonBastiaans and Bryan McCarthy teamed up for "Todd + Bryan's Pancake Bed (and Breakfast)," an exhibit scheduled to run through July 29 at Trifecta Gallery, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., inside the Arts Factory.

The pancakes in the exhibit are made from photo-optimized recycled fabric, stuffed with what feels like real pancakes. Some are edged with fur. For more information, visit trifectagallery.com or call 366-7001.

'IN AND OUT OF WHACK' EXHIBIT to show
AT CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER

Artists Deborah Karpman and Kimberly Hennessy's exhibit "In and Out of Whack," is scheduled to run through Aug. 13 at the Contemporary Arts Center, inside the Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd. The show's images are created by "fastidiously cutting up old manuals and guidebooks and then carefully arranging the snippets onto the backs of vintage wallpaper." For more information about the exhibit or the center, visit lasvegascac.org.

HISPANIC MUSEUM OF NEVADA SCHEDULED TO HOST DAY CAMP AT COMMUNITY CENTER

The Hispanic Museum of Nevada is scheduled to host the Institute of Culture Day Camp at the East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., through Friday . For more information, visit hispanicmuseumnv.com, call 773-2203 or email hispanicmuseumnv@hotmail.com.

KLEVEN CONTEMPORARY shows works
of Krystal Ramirez

The "Disintegration" exhibit, new works by artist Krystal Ramirez, is scheduled through July 29 at Kleven Contemporary, 520 E. Fremont St., inside the Emergency Arts building. The show focuses on a "simpler reality," one without social media, phones and Internet dating. A closing reception is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. July 29.

heinrich YMCA PARTICIPATING
IN NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

The Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane, is participating in the National School Lunch Program, a federally assisted meal program providing nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to students.

Children 2 to 18 can receive a free lunch at the Heinrich location from
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday through Aug. 26.

For more information, call 877-9622.

CHARLESTON HEIGHTS ARTS CENTER SCHEDULES COMMUNITY EVENTS

Have an evening of international fun learning Armenian, Bulgarian, Israeli, Arabic, Macedonian, Russian, Greek, Turkish, Chinese and Serbian folk dances at Ethnic Express International Folk Dancing, scheduled from
6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Wednesdays at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. There is no need to bring a partner. Admission is $4 per person per week, payable at the door. For more information, call 229-6383.

Register for Summer Youth Dance Camp, which hosts sessions from
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, through July 30. Classes are in ballet technique, modern, lyrical, jazz, contemporary jazz, Pilates and more for two groups: intermediate and intermediate/advanced dancers. For more information, call 229-6383 or visit artslasvegas.org.

Smokey bear exhibit on display
at lied discovery children's museum

"Smokey Bear & Woodsey Owl: Home Sweet Home" is scheduled to be on display through Sept. 25 in the Cultural Gallery at the Lied Discovery Children's Museum, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

The exhibit was developed by the Betty Brinn Children's Museum in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service to spread the messages of wildfire prevention and wildlife conservation.

For more information, visit ldcm.org or call 382-3445.

DOT EXHIBIT AT BRETT WESLEY GALLERY

Local artist Kevin Chupik is scheduled to unveil a series of paintings in his second solo show at the Brett Wesley Gallery, 1112 S. Casino Center Blvd. The exhibit is set to run through July 30 and is free to the public. Chupik uses carefully painted dots and dashes to explore the formal elements of design and the resultant larger images and symbolism of the human female form and exotic plumed birds.

For more information, visit brettwesleygallery.com or call
433-4433. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment.