Area Briefing, Oct. 16-22, 2014

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT SCHEDULED OCT. 23 AT UNLV

The 21st annual Take Back the Night event is scheduled from 3 to 9 p.m. Oct. 23 at Valerie Pida Plaza at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.

The event is intended to honor survivors of domestic, sexual, dating and gender-based violence.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/takeunlv or call 702-895-2787.

BLOG OFFERS TIPS ON INTERNET SECURITY

Residents interested in online security can visit a new blog launched by CenturyLink in honor of National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October.

The blog is at centurylink.com/securityblog and provides tips for avoiding common Internet pitfalls, including phishing scams and identity theft. Tips also cover shopping online, protecting confidential information and avoiding spam.

K-9 TRIALS SCHEDULED OCT. 19 AT ORLEANS ARENA

The Metropolitan Police Department plans its annual K-9 trials at 9 a.m. Oct. 19 at the Orleans Arena, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave.

Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Proceeds will benefit the Friends for the Las Vegas Police Department K-9s, a nonprofit working to improve the performance of the K-9 unit and maintain a high quality of life for the active and retired police service dogs.

For more information, visit lvmpdk9.com.

OPEN HOUSE SET AT CLARK COUNTY FIRE STATION 34

An open house is planned from noon-3 p.m. Dec. 13 at Clark County Fire Station 34, 8675 W. Oquendo Road.

The event will be held in conjunction with the department’s annual holiday toy drive.

For more information, visit clarkcountynv.gov/depts/fire/pages/default.aspx.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXPO PLANNED IN HENDERSON

The Emergency Preparedness Committee at Sun City MacDonald Ranch, 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, is set to host a free emergency preparedness exposition from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 8.

A variety of presentations and demonstrations are scheduled to be conducted by emergency services experts. Twenty-five vendors will offer informational brochures, and emergency vehicles will be on display. Door prizes also are planned.

For more information, visit scmronline.com or call 702-270-7000.

FREE CAR SEAT CHECKS SCHEDULED

Free car seat checks are scheduled to be offered from 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 18 at The District at Green Valley Ranch, 2240 Village Walk Drive.

The event is sponsored by Safe Kids Clark County and Sunrise Children’s Hospital.

For more information, visit safekidsclarkcounty.org or sunrisechildrenshospital.com.

NEW FLASHERS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

Enhancements were recently completed on Martin Luther King Boulevard at three intersections to enhance pedestrian safety, city of Las Vegas officials announced.

The Balzar Avenue intersection received upgraded crosswalks, and City Councilman Ricki Y. Barlow activated a pedestrian signal Oct. 2 at the site. The measures are aimed at supplementing pedestrian flashers that operate only during school hours.

The Hassell Avenue intersection was upgraded from a regular crosswalk with signs to one with flashers.

The Bartlett Avenue intersection received a pedestrian flasher to supplement the ones that operate only during school hours.

The new flashers are solar-powered and can be activated by pedestrians by pressing a button, making them operational on an as-needed basis.

The cost for the enhancements was $96,000, allocated through the city’s Pedestrian Safety Improvement Program. The improvements were designed and constructed by public works employees.

PROGRAM CALLS SENIORS DAILY TO CHECK ON THEIR WELL-BEING

The Foundation Assisting Seniors recently launched a program aimed at ensuring the safety of seniors who live alone.

The HowRU Program contacts clients daily at a designated time to check on their well-being. If there is no answer, the client’s emergency contacts are notified. The primary objective of the program is to eliminate unreported deaths in the senior community.

Those who are interested in participating in the program must meet with a HowRU representative and fill out a form. Clients must pay a one-time $35 setup fee and a $5 monthly fee.

The Foundation Assisting Seniors is a Henderson-based nonprofit that aims to assist the senior community in times of illness, recovery, confinement at home, coping with loss of a loved one and other challenges. The group also provides assistance with everyday tasks, such as household maintenance and transportation.

For more information, visit foundationassistingseniors.org or call 702-858-5760.

SKI RESORT ADDS MONITORED AREA FOR SNOW TUBING

The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort, 6725 Lee Canyon Road, recently designated a monitored area for snow tubing to help customers steer clear of hazards.

The area is scheduled to be open weekends and holiday periods through the winter season, when resort operating hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The tubing area also will be available for private parties and groups on nonholiday weekdays. Those events can be scheduled by emailing info@lvssr.com.

Snow-tubing sessions are 90 minutes. Tickets range from $13.99 to $15.99 and can be purchased at skilasvegas.com.

For more information, call 702-385-2754.

GATHERING TO HONOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE

The 21st annual Take Back the Night is scheduled for 3 to 9 p.m. Oct. 23 at Valerie Pida Plaza at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.

The free event is meant to honor survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and provide an opportunity to celebrate their recovery.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/unlvtakebackthenight or call UNLV’s Jean Nidetch Women’s Center at 702-895-4475.

FREE MONTHLY SAFETY FORUMS LAUNCHED AT MOB MUSEUM

The Mob Museum, 300 E. Stewart Ave., plans free community safety forums monthly from 1-2 p.m. Saturdays.

The museum is partnering with the Metropolitan Police Department for the series. This year’s remaining forums are scheduled for 1-2 p.m. Oct. 18, which will address identity theft protection; Nov. 15, focusing on Internet crimes against children; and Dec. 20, covering auto theft.

Forums planned in 2015 are: Jan. 17, vice/human trafficking; Feb. 21, elder exploitation; March 21, homeless liaison presentation; April 18, narcotics; May 16, robbery; June 20, traffic awareness; July 18, gang awareness; Aug. 15, district attorney court procedures; Sept. 19, K-9 operations; Oct. 17, missing persons; Nov. 21, Metro volunteer program; and Dec. 19, emergency preparedness.

For more information, call 702-229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org.

SAFE NEST LUNCHEON TO HONOR SUPPORTERS, SPOTLIGHT SURVIVORS

Safe Nest plans its 31st annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 17 at the Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Road.

The event is scheduled to feature testimonials from survivors and honor major financial donors and loyal volunteers. A silent auction also is planned.

The nonprofit also is slated to debut its Shelter Virtual Tour, which enables viewers to see the facility and learn about the work done at the site.

Admission to the event is $50. For more information, visit safenest.org or call 702-877-0133, ext. 238 or 242.

RAPE CRISIS CENTER PLANS SIGNS OF HOPE DINNER

The Rape Crisis Center is planning its Signs of Hope fundraising dinner for 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Road.

The event will commemorate the nonprofit’s 40th anniversary serving victims of sexual assault in Southern Nevada.

The evening’s scheduled keynote speaker is Elizabeth Smart, a kidnapping victim who was taken from her home in 2002 when she was 14. She spent nine months in captivity enduring physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Smart is set to share a message of inspiration and hope that reclaiming life after sexual assault is possible.

Tables of 10 for the event cost $1,800, and individual tickets are $200. Call 702-385-2153 to purchase tickets.

For more information, visit rcclv.org.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS TEAM UP FOR RECRUITMENT DRIVE

Five valley governments recently launched an interagency recruitment drive for firefighters, and several informational outreach events are planned for those interested in applying.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and the Henderson, North Las Vegas, Clark County and Boulder City fire departments are partnering on the regional effort, pooling resources to save taxpayer money and make recruitment more efficient.

Applications will be accepted only online at snvfirerecruitment.com from Oct. 27 to Nov. 26.

The outreach events are planned for:

— 2:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the West Flamingo Senior Center, 6255 W. Flamingo Road.

— 2-4 p.m. Oct 29 at the Sunset Park office conference room, 2601 E. Sunset Road.

— 2-4 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Mountain Crest Community Center, 4701 N. Durango Drive.

— 2-4 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Robert E. “Bob” Price Recreation Center, 2050 Bonnie Lane.

Topics at the sessions will include recruitment dates, the application process, employment requirements, the testing process, test-taking tips and available positions.