Neighborhood news

Blackbird Studios, 1551 S. Commerce St., is scheduled to host JAPAN’D-AID, a Japanese relief silent auction and live painting event, from 4 to 10 p.m. April 30.

Attendees can bid on work and buy from their favorite local artists. A wine reception and tea tasting are planned during the silent auction. Proceeds will go to help earthquake victims in Japan.

For more information, visit facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=135899283149980.

Helldorado parade applications available through Monday

Applications are available for the Helldorado Parade. There is no fee to enter, and the city will accept the first 120 entries through Monday. The May 12-15 event marks the 106th anniversary of the founding of Las Vegas.

Entries will be judged on appearance, theme and creativity. The winner will be notified after the parade. For more information, call 229-6672 or visit elkshelldorado.com.

Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition and Costume Exhibition set for April 29

The 2011 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition and Costume Exhibition is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 29 at Las Vegas Academy, 315 S. Seventh St., in room 101.

Pianist Wes Winters is scheduled perform at the kickoff event from
12:45 to 2 p.m. For more information, email klmabel@interact.ccsd.net. Be sure to bring a photo identification for admission to the school.

To submit artwork, artists can email louanne@castandcrewreunion.com or call 630-5399 for consideration. The artwork of the top 20 artists is set to be displayed at showgirllegacy.com.

Home design store reopens
after substation explosion

Urban Ranch General Store, 6985 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 105, reopened its doors April 4 after last year’s Main Street substation explosion damaged the business. The store specializes in hand-selected, artful and sustainable details for homes and boutique hospitality projects, such as cabinet hardware and lighting. The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Dance events scheduled
at Charleston heights arts center

Ethnic Express international folk dancing is scheduled from 6:30 to
8:45 p.m. on Wednesdays at Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. Admission is $4 per person per week. Pay at the door. There is no need to bring a partner. For more information, call 229-6383.

Scottish country dancing is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. on Fridays at the center. Admission is $5 for the general public and $4 for members of the Southern Nevada Old Time Contra Dancers. Wear comfortable clothes and soft shoes.

Earth day green living expo
scheduled Saturday

The Las Vegas Green Living Family Expo is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Tonopah Community Garden, 711 N. Tonopah Drive. There will be information and resources available about green living, children’s activities and entertainment.

For more information, call Mitzi Reed at 547-4075.

Recycle your flip-flops and pens

Through Saturday, shoppers can donate pens, markers or mechanical pencils to any Office Depot and receive a coupon toward Sanford products. The used writing instruments will be sent to TerraCycle, an upcycling and recycling group, which will recycle them into new office products such as trash cans and desk organizers.

Through May 21, Old Navy shoppers can deposit their used flip-flops in collection bins found in any Old Navy store. TerraCycle will recycle the flip-flops into playgrounds which will be donated to communities nationwide.

For more information visit terracycle.net.

Nevada Cancer Institute offers smoking cessation courses

The Nevada Cancer Institute is offering A Smoke-Free Life, a free six-week tobacco cessation course for companies looking to reduce health care costs.

The program will be offered through March 2012.

A Smoke-Free Life addresses the challenges of ending tobacco use. A certified tobacco treatment specialist will help employees quit successfully by creating a quit plan, providing information on nicotine replacement therapy and helping participants develop the coping skills to stay smoke-free.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, killing approximately 1,200 people every day, which is more than alcohol, AIDS, motor vehicle crashes, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined. Each year, Nevada spends $565 million in health care costs that are directly related to smoking. Only 22 percent of Nevadans currently smoke, according to Dr. John Ruckdeschel, director and CEO of Nevada Cancer Institute.

Companies interested in offering the course can call 822-5299 or email jquade@nvcancer.org.