Paradise and Downtown Neighborhood News

WEDNESDAY DOWNTOWN WALK CELEBRATEs NATIONAL ACTIVE AGING WEEK

Las Vegas residents 50 or older are invited to celebrate national Active Aging Week by participating in the Expand Your Experience Downtown Walk.

The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Neon Museum Boneyard, 810 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Free parking will be available at 749 Veterans Memorial Drive.

Participants will check in and walk up to two miles before ending at the Dula Gymnasium, 441 E. Bonanza Road. The first 50 registered participants will receive a T-shirt. Register at clvbeyondtheneon.com or call 229-6459.

For more information about Active Aging Week, visit icaa.cc/aaw.htm.

NV ENERGY SOLAR ENERGY REBATE PROGRAM TO RUN THROUGH WEDNESDAY

NV Energy's Solar Energy Rebate Program is set to be open for applications through Wednesday.

Customers who submit their application in the two-week period will be part of an application process on Sept. 30 for the available rebates. More rebates will be available in the first half of 2012. Visit nvenergy.com for more information.

Doolittle senior center to host healthy recipes class

Food for Health and Soul is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St.

The event, slated for those 50 or older, is free with a $2 annual membership. Registration at least one week in advance is required. This five-class series is designed to help participants prepare family recipes for better health. Enrollees must commit to attending all five classes.

The event is sponsored by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.

First Friday ownership changes hands

When First Friday resumes Oct. 7 after a summer hiatus, it will do so under new ownership.

The new ownership group, First Friday Las Vegas LLC, includes Zappos.com executives Tony Hsieh, Fred Mossler and Steve Hill, along with downtown developer Andrew Donner and Joey Vanas.

First Friday founder Cindy Funkhouser and Whirlygig Inc. will consult on the event for the next two months to ensure a smooth transition.

TO TAKE OVER WHIPPLE CULTURAL CENTER

The Las Vegas City Council granted approval Sept. 7 for the Las Vegas Shakespeare Theatre Company to move into the Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Upon its early 2012 opening, the company's regional headquarters will be called the Las Vegas Shakespeare Theatre. The 33,000-square-foot facility will house two performance spaces, scene and costume shops, rehearsal space, offices, classrooms, a gift shop and storage.

The company creates about 200 part-time jobs annually for Las Vegas actors and technicians, union and nonunion, according to Dan Decker, the company's artistic director.

For more information, visit lvshakes.org or call 220-5872.

THE LADY SILVIA URBAN LOUNGE OFFICIALLY OPENS downtown

The Lady Silvia, 900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, inside the Soho Lofts, officially opened in early September.

The bar is open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, the bar stays open until 4 a.m.

Plans are being finalized for a grand opening, and owner Sam Cherry said it is slated for late October.

For more information, visit the urban lounge's Facebook page at tinyurl.com/42f8v87.

GOLDEN RAINBOW SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR HOUSING SERVING THOSE WITH HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS nonprofit group Golden Rainbow is seeking tenant applicants for its two-bedroom town home in Sunrise Mountain.

Golden Rainbow has been offering permanent housing for people affected by HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada.

Applicants will be asked to participate in an interview process and drug evaluation.

The two-bedroom home is one of three housing locations owned and operated by Golden Rainbow. The home will be available for occupancy to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested individuals can call Golden Rainbow at 384-2899.

LEARN TO GROW VEGETABLES IN SMALL SPACES DURING october SEMINAR

Residents can learn about gardening in small places with an upcoming seminar with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.

The seminar, which will focus on vegetables, is planned from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Road.

Topics such as types of containers to use, differences in potting mixes, using artificial light, fertilizers, success with seeds and more will be covered. Homeowners and other interested residents are welcome to attend.

Class space is limited, and pre-registration is required. The $20 fee includes class materials.

To register, contact Elaine Fagin at fagine@unce.unr.edu or call 257-5573.