Southwest and Spring Valley Neighborhood News

OPEN HOUSE PLANNED TO DISCUSS PARKS OF SOUTHWEST RIDGE AREA

Commission Chair Susan Brager and the Clark County Comprehensive Planning Department have scheduled an open house to share information and solicit public input on plans for future parks and recreational amenities for the Southwest Ridge area from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the multipurpose room at the Robert L. Forbuss Elementary School, 8601 S. Grand Canyon Drive.

The Southwest Ridge area is on the western edge of the Las Vegas Valley. Future development is expected to include three county recreation areas with a combined 1,200 acres in the foothills west of Summerlin and Rhodes Ranch, between Tropicana Avenue and Blue Diamond Road. The open house is part of an outreach effort to encourage the public to participate in the planning of this area. Residents are also encouraged to complete an online survey about the future park and open spaces.

Snacks, drinks and children's activities will be provided. For more information, contact Scott Hagen at 455-2273 or at shagen@clarkcountynv.gov.

MAMMOVAN SCHEDULED TO OFFER LOW-COST BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from Food 4 Less, Nevada Health Center's Mammovan is scheduled to offer low- to no-cost breast cancer screenings at selected Food 4 Less locations. Stops are scheduled from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at 8180 Las Vegas Blvd. South; June 5 and Sept. 4 at 1301 S. Boulder Highway; June 14 at 4001 S. Decatur Blvd.; Aug. 16 at 1955 N. Nellis Blvd.; and Nov. 21 at 2255 Las Vegas Blvd. North. For more information, visit nvhealthcenters.org.

The public may review the proposed fare adjustments at rtcsnv.com.

RED ROCK CANYON PHOTO CONTEST DEADLINE IS THIS WEEKEND

Entries for the 2012 Red Rock Canyon photo contest will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Visitor Center, 1000 Scenic Loop Drive.

All entries need to be 8 inches by 10 inches or 8 inches by 12 inches, and must be framed and matted, with mat size 11 inches by 14 inches.

The entry fee is $10 per piece for adults and $5 per piece for teens 13 to 18. Payment will be accepted by cash, credit card or money order.

Cash prizes include $100 for the first-place winner.

For more information, visit friendsof redrockcanyon.org/photo.php.

INFANT/CHILD CPR CLASSES AVAILABLE

Clark County Aquatics has scheduled a two-day program for parents and/or caregivers who want to become certified in American Red Cross infant/child CPR and basic water safety skills for children younger than 3 from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Saturday and May 12 at the Desert Breeze Aquatic Facility, 8275 W. Spring Mountain Road. The class is free due to a grant by the International Code Council Chapter. Registration is required as space is limited.

The first day is a 45-minute parent-child swim lesson where children will be introduced to basic water skills through games. The second day consists of a four-hour CPR certification class for adults only. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/infantswimsafety.

HOME BUYING HELP TO BE EXPLAINED AT RIVIERA EVENT

Residents are invited to attend the NeighborhoodLIFT program from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Riviera Royale Pavilion, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South, where they can apply for Wells Fargo-funded down payment assistance grants and home buyer support programs.

The city of Las Vegas has been selected by Wells Fargo to be the fourth city to host the NeighborhoodLIFT program. In Las Vegas, this will include a five-year goal of $1 billion in mortgage purchase loans by Wells Fargo and a $9 million investment the bank is making this year for down payment assistance grants and home buyer support programs that help consumers achieve successful, sustainable home ownership.

At the event, prospective home buyers can participate in affordable home tours of residential properties for sale in the city of Las Vegas and apply for down payment assistance grants of up to $15,000 administered by NeighborWorks America affiliate Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada through grants from the Wells Fargo Foundation.

Representatives from Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada and the city of Las Vegas will be on site to help with the processing of applications for grants and other services.

Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit neighborhoodlink.com.

To request an application and volunteer, call 796-3167, visit the Center for Compassionate Care, 4131 Swenson St., or visit nah.org.

SALON PLANS FASHION AND SERVICES EVENT TO BENEFIT HELPING HANDS

Tease Boutique Salon, 9540 W. Flamingo Road, Suite 160, in partnership with Luxury magazine, has scheduled An Evening of Fashion, Pampering and Purpose from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at the salon. The event is set to benefit nonprofit Helping Hands Surgical Care.

Tickets start at $40, and packages are available.

To purchase a ticket, visit helping handssurgicalcare.com/pampering.

DEFENDING FREEDOM MEMORIAL DEDICATION SET FOR SATURDAY

The seventh annual Defending Freedom Memorial rededication ceremony is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, 1000 Scenic Loop Drive. The ceremony will add names to the memorial, which honors soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors.

The ceremony is open to the public and is sponsored by Phil Randazzo and the Nevada Benefits Foundation. Entrance to the park is free for this event, but notify the park ranger that you are there for the memorial.

For more information, visit defendingfreedom.org, call 258-1995 or email phil@nevadabenefits.com.

ANNUAL LANDSCAPE CONTEST TAKING APPLICATIONS THROUGH MONDAY

Applications for the Southern Nevada Water Authority's 14th annual Landscape Awards competition are being taken through Monday.

The awards honor residential and professional water-efficient landscapes that are both attractive and functional in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Laughlin and unincorporated Clark County. Winners will be announced at a special breakfast ceremony in June.

Applications for the free contest, along with award criteria, categories and other information, are available at snwa.com or by calling 258-2417.

CITY SET TO CELEBRATE ARBOR DAY WITH TREE PLANTING

Mayor Pro Tem Stavros Anthony, a first- and second-grade class from Eileen Conners Elementary School and city of Las Vegas staff members are scheduled to plant a shoestring acacia tree at 10 a.m. May 9 in Majestic Park, 3997 N. Hualapai Way, in honor of Arbor Day, April 27. Anthony will present a proclamation from Mayor Carolyn Goodman and the City Council. The children also will bury a time capsule with the tree. The tree will be planted near the Hualapai/Alexander Road entrance.

Laura Eisenberg, a community forester with the Nevada Division of Forestry, is set to present the city with a Tree City USA flag, marking the 20th year Las Vegas has earned this recognition from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

The city of Las Vegas has an ongoing program to plant trees. The city established a tree ordinance in 1950. Free brochures regarding tree selection, tree planting and tree care are available to download at lasvegasnevada.gov/publications/brochures.htm.

PROFESSIONAL COACH SET TO GIVE PRESENTATIONS AT LIBRARIES

Betty Mahalik, a professional coach and founder of Dynamic Solutions Coaching & Training, is set to give a presentation, "The Case for Emotional Intelligence: New Tools for Getting the Most from Yourself & Others in Life and Business," in partnership with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District at 5 p.m. May 9 at the Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive, and at 6:30 p.m. May 15 at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. The presentations are free to the public. Targeted to professionals, business owners and organizational leaders, the hourlong presentatons are designed to focus on the relatively new field of social and emotional intelligence, combining lecture as well as some brief interactive activities. For more information, call 658-4425.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS SET TO CELEBRATE BOUTIQUE'S GRAND OPENING

Dress for Success Southern Nevada, an affiliate of the international nonprofit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women, is set to celebrate the grand opening of its women's boutique, career development office and donation warehouse with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and cocktail reception with Mayor Carolyn Goodman and County Commissioner Susan Brager at 5:30 p.m. May 10 at the boutique, 3400 W. Desert Inn Road, Suite 25. For more information, visit dressforsuccess.org/southernnevada.

EVENT TO BENEFIT JUNVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Hope Gala É The Art of the Cure is planned for 6 p.m. May 11 at Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

The Robert Marlon Studio has become an active participant in the Nevada Chapter of JDRF and will auction an original piece of art titled "Making Waves." The piece was created under the artist's direction with JDFR youth ambassadors assisting in applying layers of paint to the piece, which is a mixed-media original on canvas.

The gala is set to feature a cocktail reception, a dinner, silent and live auctions, and live entertainment featuring Clint Holmes. Auction packages include exclusive vacation packages, jewelry, dining experiences, art, fashion and sports memorabilia.

Table prices range from $3,500 to $25,000, with individual tickets priced $350 each. For more information, visit jdrflv.org or call 732-4795.

MOMS ROCK EVENT SET TO BENEFIT CHILD FOCUS

Moms Rock, the ninth annual Mother's Day Tea and Brunch benefiting Child Focus at St. Jude's Ranch for Children, is planned from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 12 at Southern Highlands Spa Clubhouse, 1 Robert Trent Jones Lane.

This year's event will feature live entertainment, a hat parade, special activities for young "princesses and pirates," a silent auction and raffle, and a special drawing for a mother/daughter diamond pendant designed for the event by MJ Christensen Jewelers.

Since 1999, Child Focus has been devoted to the mission of preserving sibling bonds while children are in foster care. For more information, visit Moms Rock on Facebook or follow @momsrock2012 on Twitter.

STAMP OUT HUNGER FOOD DRIVE SET FOR MAY 12

The Help Stamp Out Hunger food drive is planned for May 12. To participate, leave a bag of nonperishable food items at your mailbox that day for your letter carrier.

Another option is to visit your local Albertsons Sav-on Pharmacy between Wednesday and May 12 to purchase a pre-packaged bag of nonperishable food.

Shoppers can also donate $1, $5 or $10 at the register. A "stamp" will be hung in honor of each donation. Donation "stamps" supporting the food drive can also be found at any Goodwill of Southern Nevada retail store Wednesday through May 12.

Last year's effort raised nearly 200 tons of food that was distributed to more than 20 local food pantries to help those in our community who struggle with hunger.

For more information, visit sngoodwill.org or contact Glenn Norton at glenn@nalc2502.com.

GIRLS DAY PLANNED AT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

Girls Day, a fundraising event of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, is planned for 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 19 at the Lied Memorial Boys & Girls Club, 2850 S. Lindell Road.

The event matches women from the business community with girls from single-parent, disadvantaged homes for a day of fun, games, food and prizes. Girls Day is free to club members - funds are raised by individuals and corporate sponsors.

Donations are $50. For more information, call Debbie Smith at 253-2804.

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA SUPPORT GROUP SET TO MEET

A meeting of the Las Vegas Valley Trigeminal Neuralgia support group is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. May 19 at Spring Valley Hospital, 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd. The group should meet in the third floor waiting room before going to the third floor rehabilitation day room for the actual meeting. The group shares experiences for those suffering with TN pain. For more information, contact Bill Starr, support group leader, at 263-7716.

COUNTY FINE ARTS CONTEST RESULTS TO BE RELEASED SOON

Entries are no longer being accepted for the Clark County 12th annual Celebrating Life! fine arts competition, sponsored by the Las Vegas Arts Commission and the city of Las Vegas. Fine art media categories are: drawing and pastel; mixed media (2-D); painting (oil or acrylic); sculpture and ceramics (3-D); watercolor and gouache; and photography/digital photography.

A public reception and awards ceremony is slated from 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 25 at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. The exhibition is scheduled to be displayed there May 25 through July 11. The reception and exhibition admission are free. Award-winning pieces will be on display at the City Hall Chamber Gallery July 26 through Sept. 6. For more information, call 229-1012 or 229-4631.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2012 HELLDORADO DAYS PARADE

Applications are being accepted for participation in the 2012 Helldorado Days parade. The parade is scheduled for 5 p.m. May 19. There is no fee to be part of the parade. Applications can be found on the city's website, lasvegasnevada.gov, and should be sent to the city of Las Vegas, attention Esther Carter, 495 S. Main St., Las Vegas, NV 89101, no later than Monday. The first 120 applications will be accepted.

The Helldorado rodeo is planned for May 17-20 at the downtown rodeo grounds, east of the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Stewart Avenue. Tickets and all event information can be found at elkshelldorado.com.

SENIOR IDOL TALENT SHOWCASE SET FOR JUNE 14

The city of Las Vegas Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department invites residents to join them as they present some of the most talented and entertaining seniors in the Las Vegas Valley in the 2012 Senior Idol Talent Showcase, set for 3 p.m. June 14 at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St.

Seniors will perform in the following categories: individual or group; vocals; dance; musical instruments; comedy; or master of ceremonies.

Anyone interested in auditioning can call 229-6454 to receive an audition packet. Packets must be turned in no later than Friday. Tickets go on sale Monday at all city of Las Vegas senior centers. For more information, call 229-6454.

BARKING DOGS ANNOUNCES DONATIONS TO LOCAL SHELTERS, RESCUES

Barking Dogs pet grooming and boutique, 9325 S. Cimarron Road, Suite 145, has announced its "Karma Konnection" fundraiser to benefit local shelters and rescues. Each month, a different shelter or rescue is chosen by the salon to receive donations of cash, toys, food, etc. For each donation members of the public make, they will receive $2 off any product or service at Barking Dogs. For more information, visit barkingdogslv.com.

TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION NEEDS INPUT FROM RESIDENTS

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is continuing to hold community outreach events and public hearings until May 17 to discuss the transit fare adjustments proposed by the Fare Working Group to address fiscal challenges. A 60-day public comment period is in effect to obtain community input about the fare recommendations before any decisions are made. The recommendations include modifications to transit fares for the residential market, resort corridor and ADA Paratransit service.

The public is encouraged to attend upcoming public outreach sessions to learn more about the fare proposals: 4 to 6 p.m. today at Albertsons, 4850 W. Craig Road; 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Albertsons, 2575 S. Maryland Parkway; and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 9 at the Centennial Hills Transit Center, 7313 Grand Montecito Parkway.

In addition, the transportation commission plans to host two public hearings on the proposals: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Bonneville Transit Center, 101 E. Bonneville Ave.; and 3 to 5 p.m. May 12 at the Bonneville Transit Center.

GRIEF CAMP COMING JULY 20-22 TO LOVELL CANYON

Camp Mariposa, a grief camp, is scheduled for July 20-22 at Camp Potosi in Lovell Canyon outside the Las Vegas Valley.

The camp is accepting applications from children 7 to 12 who have lost a loved one.

It is partially funded through grants from Cox Communications and Speedway Children's Charities. There is no cost to families of accepted campers. A $25 refundable deposit is requested with the application in order to reserve a space. Reservations should be received by June 22.

4-H CAMP PLANNED AT LAKE TAHOE

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Southern Area's 4-H camp is planned for July 29-Aug. 4 at the Nevada State 4-H Camp at Lake Tahoe. Registration is open to campers 9 to 15 until the camp is full.

The cost is $350 and includes transportation, meals and activities. To sign up, contact Mary Regan at 257-5524 or reganm@unce.unr.edu.

GRANT WILL HELP STOCK FOOD PANTRY

Helping Hands of Vegas Valley has received a $10,000 grant from health care provider CareMore. The grant will help fund HHOVV's low-income qualified food pantry, which serves an average of 355 clients monthly.

Helping Hands of Vegas Valley is a nonprofit organization that provides assistive services to senior citizens in Southern Nevada, allowing them to maintain their dignity and independence while improving daily living.

For more information, visit hhovv.org.

SHOES BEING COLLECTED FOR TORNADO VICTIMS

Desert Birkenstock and Soles4Souls are working to provide victims of tornado-ravaged areas with something many lost: shoes. Bring gently worn shoes to Birkenstock stores, and they will be delivered to the local Soles4Souls warehouse near McCarran International Airport.

There are two Desert Birkenstock/Soles4Souls drop-off locations: in northwest Las Vegas at 2192 N. Rainbow Blvd., and in Henderson at 594 N. Stephanie St.

For more information about donating, call Desert Birkenstock at 454-0114.