Area Briefing, Oct. 23-29, 2014

PRO BONO SERVICES TO BE OFFERED STATEWIDE

The Nevada Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission and the State Bar of Nevada are calling on Southern Nevada attorneys to participate in the sixth annual Pro Bono Week, planned through Oct. 28.

A series of civil legal clinics, continuing legal education programs and celebrations are underway statewide and are open to the public and legal professionals. A list of events can be found at nvbar.org/content/pro-bono-week-2014.

Sponsored by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Pro Bono & Public Service, the event aims to honor the work of lawyers who provide pro-bono representation throughout the year. It also seeks to highlight opportunities for pro-bono service for low-income individuals who are unable to afford legal assistance.

For more information, call Angela Washington at 702-382-2200, ext. 409, or visit onepromisenevada.org.

NEW MICROCHIP USES GOOGLE SEARCH TO LOCATE OWNERS OF LOST PETS

The Animal Foundation recently began implanting Save This Life pet microchips, aimed at increasing a lost pet’s chances of returning home by providing the finder with an immediate way to reach out to the pet’s owner using Google.

The microchip is scannable and comes with a replaceable metal ID tag for the pet’s collar, inscribed with the words “Google this number to find my family.” Finders can type the number into a Google search box, and the Save This Life website at savethislife.com pulls up that pet’s page and allows the finder to send a confidential message to the owner. The owner then receives a text message and an email with the finder’s contact information.

Pet owners with animals that are already microchipped can register existing microchips with Save This Life for $19.99. The fee includes lifetime registration, a custom ID tag with a Google code and more. Visit savethislife.com for registration.

Adoption fees for all pets at The Animal Foundation’s adoption centers include the Save This Life microchip.

For more information, visit animalfoundation.com.

RANCHO DRIVE AND DECATUR BOULEVARD PROJECT TO CAUSE DELAYS

Work on Rancho Drive and Decatur Boulevard is planned through May to enhance streets, improve medians and sidewalks and install landscaping at the roads’ intersection. Improvements also will include creating extra turn lanes on Decatur Boulevard at the intersection of Rancho Drive.

No major traffic delays are expected during construction, according to the city of Las Vegas, and the majority of work is slated from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Other portions of the project are slated between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. During overnight work hours, roads may be restricted to one lane in each direction until 6 a.m. along Rancho Drive and Decatur Boulevard, the city said.

Las Vegas Paving is the contractor, with oversight from the city. Funding is provided by the city and Clark County fuel revenue index funds.

GRANT FUNDS TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM FOR ANOTHER YEAR

The Department of Urban Housing and Development recently awarded a grant for the Las Vegas Recovery Center’s Dual Success program, funding it for another fiscal year.

Dual Success is a nonprofit, 38-bed residential transitional living program operated by a partnership with Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services. The program was created to serve clients who are dual-diagnosed with severe mental illness and substance use disorder and are chronically homeless.

The program has served 55 clients since its opening. Of those, five have graduated and moved on to permanent housing, employment and long-term recovery. Nineteen clients have completed Phase 1 and were promoted to Phase 2, where they will pursue employment and increased independence.

Thirty-one clients are now active in the program, and they attend 12-step meetings daily and clinical therapy groups two to four times a week. Three clients are employed part-time, and three are enrolled in a professional school or university.

The Las Vegas Recovery Center is at 3371 N. Buffalo Drive. For more information, call 702-515-1374, ext. 339.

NORTH LAS VEGAS FIRE DEPARTMENT SELLS T-SHIRTS FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

The North Las Vegas Fire Department is selling Pink Heals T-shirts and wristbands in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October.

Merchandise is available on a first-come, first-served basis, as sizes and quantities are limited. T-shirts are scheduled to be for sale at the gift shop inside the Cannery, 2121 E. Craig Road. All proceeds will benefit the Pink Heals cancer awareness campaign.

For more information, contact Tammy Bonner at 702-633-1506 at North Las Vegas City Hall or Bev Bolton at 702-633-1066 at the North Las Vegas Fire Department.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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:

— 2-4 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.