Book Briefs

Celebrate Earth with ‘B is for Blue Planet’

Someday, you’re going to get a really gi-normous gift. This gift comes with a lot of responsibility, but you can handle it. That’s because this gift is the Earth, and it will be all yours some day. So why not start being a good caretaker by reading “B is for Blue Planet” by Ruth Strother, illustrated by Bob Marstall?

Favorite sons and daughters

Patrick A. Bertussi has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

Tell us about your mother

Do you have the most wonderful mother in town? Tell us what makes your mom great in 200 words or fewer. Photos or drawings are welcome, too, but they cannot be returned. We’ll print excerpts from the top submissions in our May 3 edition. Send submissions by mail to Honoring Mothers: View, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070 or by email to viewcalendars@viewnews.com with Honoring Mothers in the subject line. Please include your ZIP code and contact information. The deadline for submissions is Friday.

Letters to the editor

Coachman’s Inn should be numbered among dog-friendly offerings
I anxiously read the article “Send Rover right over,” which was in the March 22 Downtown View, because I am the owner of three small dogs, which I love to take with me whenever possible. They just hate being left behind when I need to go somewhere or do something and they can’t come along.

Things to do

Digitour 2011, an event featuring a number of YouTube sensations, is scheduled to play at midnight Friday at The Lounge inside The Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road . The event is for people 21 or older. The tour is headlined by Dave Days and Autotune the News.

Dapper man seems superior to spouse, but beware

I have been fantasizing about telling my husband that I no longer love him and want to leave him. I am not involved with anyone and have never been outside of my marriage.

Las Vegas Palms chef Barry Dakake rubs elbows with celebrities

Barry Dakake is the executive chef at N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road. For a decade, the North Las Vegas resident has wooed the tastebuds of celebrities, athletes and locals alike.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to hold open house meetings

There’s a lot happening at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and the Bureau of Land Management team is eager to tell the public all about it has initiated a new avenue for reaching the public — monthly open house meetings, which are scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. the third Thursday of each month in the Visitor Center.

Southwest Las Vegas Borders closure upsetting residents

The once-proud location is a favorite place to hang out, read and gather with friends for southwest Las Vegas resident Phyllis Conkle. It was a self-professed home away from home for the former English teacher, who said she is more than sad that the store is closing by the end of this month — she’s livid.

Nonprofit Adopt a Rescue Pet in dire need of extra funding

Animals on the brink of finding loving, permanent homes are in jeopardy of losing their temporary sanctuary.
Adopt a Rescue Pet, 1500 E. Tropicana Ave., Suite 105, has until May 1 to raise about $40,000 of a $70,000 balloon payment lingering over the mortgage of its 5-acre Amargosa Valley property.

Las Vegas Celtic Gathering and Highland Games to be largest yet

The 2011 Celtic Gathering and Highland Games is in step to be the largest celebration of Scottish heritage since the Las Vegas Celtic Society first cued the music and merriment seven years ago.
The seventh annual festival is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, 9200 Tule Springs Road.

Education Notebook

Neighborhood news

Area briefing

The American Red Cross aims to train 1,000 people in CPR in one day during two free sessions, set for April 23 at the Thomas & Mack Center, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.

Las Vegas drivers abuse handicap parking laws

It happens every day — perfectly capable drivers jumping out of cars they just parked in handicap-only spaces.
Cheryl Trafford is newly transplanted from Washington state. She was aghast at how often she sees it happening in Las Vegas.

Nevada Arts Academy’s in southwest Las Vegas much larger, providing kids room to grow

Musician Jie Bu has a dream — that children across the Las Vegas valley will have the opportunity to pursue their interests in the arts, including music, drama and dance, all under one roof. That’s especially true with the early April opening of the Nevada Arts Academy, 6072 S. Durango Drive.

Man killed by police described as quiet, loner

Abdul Hamlan’s neighbors described him as a friendly but quiet man. The 52-year-old military contractor was shot and killed in the garage of his home by a Las Vegas police officer Tuesday after reportedly pointing a handgun at the officer.