Ford Country celebrates 20-year anniversary with car show, barbecue

Ford Country will celebrate its 20-year anniversary with a car show and barbecue from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Guests can enter to win tickets to Garth Brooks’ concert at the T-Mobile Arena, take photos with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, make crafts with Busy Bee Art Studio and enjoy complimentary Southern favorites from Big B’s Texas BBQ and ice cream treats from the Good Humor ice cream truck.

The United Blood Services Bloodmobile will be on site to accept blood donations. All blood donors will receive a pair of tickets to a select House of Blues concert.

Ford Country is in the Valley Automall, 280 N. Gibson Road in Henderson.

Findlay Kia’S Sarah Wilbur honored by Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Findlay Kia Finance Director Sarah Wilbur was named the 2016 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year at a gala May 20 at the JW Marriott spa.

Wilbur, a Sonoma, California, native and a nine-year Findlay Automotive Group employee, Wilbur raised more than $100,000 for the society during the 10-week campaign. She was in the 2014 event after raising more than $50,000

Wilbur, involved with LLS since 2011, said she has been inspired to support this cause after witnessing how many people the group helps.

The latest campaign by Wilbur, a 10-year Las Vegas resident, included a long list of sponsors that jumped aboard to help battle leukemia and lymphoma, highlighted by presenting sponsors Findlay Honda Henderson and Findlay Cadillac. Platinum sponsors included Liberty Mutual Insurance and Manheim Auto Auction.

Gold sponsors were Findlay Kia and The Bar Las Vegas.

For every $50,000 collected, Wilbur receives a research grant. Her first grant will be for early detection in pediatric patients and will honor Carson Arreola, a local 6-year-old boy who died two days before the gala after being diagnosed with leukemia.

Wilbur said the battle to defeat cancer continues with the annual Light the Night walk Nov. 5 in downtown Las Vegas.

Findlay Kia is part of Findlay Automotive Group that was founded more than 50 years ago by the late Pete Findlay, whose son, Cliff, now spearheads 28 automobile dealerships in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon and Idaho.

The dealership is at 5325 W. Sahara Ave. Call 702-252-8900 or visit www.findlaykia.com for further information.

Visiting www.lls.org for information on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Southern Nevada.

Paws for the Cause yields dog adoptions at Friendly Ford

Several abandoned dogs were adopted during the four-hour Paws for the Cause pet adoption Saturday at Friendly Ford.

The event drew animal lovers and car buyers.

Paws for the Cause was again patronized by local businesses that provided services. Pet-related businesses participating included MPK9’s Gregory Conner, who provided a dog training demonstration on site; On the Spot Mobile Dog Grooming, which gave away complimentary cleanings for adopted dogs; and PetSmart at 9775 W. Charleston Blvd., which donated a $50 gift certificate.

Other participating businesses included and Kelly and The Strays, an acoustic band that performs throughout Southern Nevada; free pet identification microchipping administered by Warm Springs Animal Hospital compliments of Friendly Ford.

Among the many who adopted dogs was Nicholas Psillakis, a former Los Angeles resident who adopted Squirt, a mixed terrier.

“Just look at him,” Psillakis said of his pet, which had been living at the Animal Foundation for about two weeks. “He’s so mellow.”

Psillakis also won the $50 gift certificate from PetSmart.

The Animal Foundation adoption department, at 655 N. Mohave Road, is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Visit www.friendlyfordlv.com or call 702-870-7221 for further information on Friendly Ford.

Findlay’s VW dealerships sponsor Jazz in the Park

The Jazz in the Park Series at the Clark County Government Center is sponsored by Findlay North Volkswagen in the northwest valley and Findlay Volkswagen Henderson in the Valley Automall.

The concert series, in its 27th year, is free and draws a near-capacity crowd each Saturday night to 500 S. Grand Central Parkway in downtown Las Vegas. With picnics, blankets and low-backed chairs, fans enjoy the series in what is the perfect setting.

Doug Fleming, the general manager of both Findlay Volkswagen stores, said becoming involved in the series was a natural for the events held in the Clark County Amphitheatre from May 6-June 4.

“Partnering with Clark County to bring free live music is an honor,” Fleming said. “Findlay Automotive has always taken pride in being community-oriented and this is right up our alley. I have many friends that frequently attend these events and they love it.

Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani praised the Jazz in the Park.

“Jazz in the Park is a cultural institution in this town, a free event where we can bring some of the biggest names in jazz here,” she said in a Facebook post. “It’s a great opportunity to enjoy great music in our beautiful amphitheater. Just bring a blanket, some chairs and something to eat and drink and enjoy the music and the company of your neighbors and follow jazz enthusiasts.”

Clark County Parks and Recreation Program Supervisor Brian Saliba said the series was started by long-time Las Vegas historian/philanthropist Dorothy Wright, who worked in the Parks and Recreation Department until retiring in 2010.

“The festival has grown in popularity over the years,” said Saliba, who moved to Las Vegas from Los Angeles in 1987. “It sure serves a niche in the community and also serves the valley at-large.”

Saliba said the sponsorship is vital. “If it weren’t for community sponsorship, events like this would not be possible,” said Saliba. “Doug and I have been working together at various Findlay dealerships since the early 2000s.”

Findlay Volkswagen Henderson is at 983 Auto Show Drive in the Valley Automall. Further information can be found by calling the dealership at 702-558-6600 or by visiting www.findlayvw.com.

Findlay North Volkswagen in the northwest valley is situated at 7500 W. Azure Drive in the northwest valley. Call 702-982-4800 or visit findlaynorthvw.com for information.

Foothill High senior wins 2016 Chevrolet Spark from Findlay

Graduating Foothill High School senior Chloe Cooks’ radiant smile told the whole story, capping the 10th annual Drive for Excellence awards ceremony May 31 at Wet ‘n’ Wild in southwest Las Vegas.

Cooks, who will study psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the fall, won the grand prize of a 2016 Chevrolet Spark compliments of Findlay Chevrolet.

“This sure saves me a lot of money, that’s for sure,” said Cooks, who was among the 617 students who were eligible to win the Spark.

Cooks, a 10-yearSouthern Nevada resident who moved here from Southern California, had no transportation of her own, and had been driving her mother’s car.

The event marked the third year that Findlay Chevrolet has participated in the Drive for Excellence, and you can rest assured that dealership General Manager Jamaal McCoy is involved in the Clark County School District for the long haul.

“I love this program,” McCoy said. “It honors the best of the best students in the district and it has grown into one of those must-see events for not only the students, but school administrators and school district personnel.’’

To qualify for the Drive for Excellence program, students must have a weighted 3.7 grade point average along with no unexcused absences. Four scholarships were awarded along with an assortment of prizes for about $8,000 not including the Spark..

Findlay Chevrolet is at 6800 S. Torrey Pines Drive. Call 702-982-4000 or visit www.findlaychevy.com for further information.