Southwest and Spring Valley Neighborhood News

LAS VEGAS ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY PLANS STAR PARTY SATURDAY

The Las Vegas Astronomical Society invites the public to a sky-watching party scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, about 15 miles west of Las Vegas on state Route 159.

A laser-guided tour of the night sky is set to begin at 7 p.m. Public parking is adjacent to the Group Use Area. For more information, visit lvastronomy.com.

NONPROFIT ANNOUNCES FOOD DRIVE TO AID HOMELESS YOUTHS

The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing assistance and resources to homeless teenagers in Southern Nevada, announces its sixth annual Plastic Food Drive, through Nov. 20.

The Plastic Food Drive was designed to provide homeless youths with immediate food. NPHY aims to raise $25,000 in food vouchers to help feed the approximately 6,000 homeless youths in Clark County. Fast-food and grocery store gift card vouchers are being collected.

Gift cards may be dropped off Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the William Fry Drop-In Center, located at 4981 Shirley St. in Las Vegas.

For more information, or to register as a participant of the Plastic Food Drive, visit nphy.org/pfd or call 702-383-1332.

LAS VEGAS GREAT SANTA RUN SCHEDULED for dec. 1 at town square

The Las Vegas Great Santa Run is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 1 at Town Square Las Vegas. The 5K run registration costs $40 for adults, $35 for team captains, $25 for children 2 to 12 and $10 for dogs. The registration fee includes a five-piece Santa suit and gifts, and all proceeds benefit Opportunity Village.

Opportunity Village is a nonprofit organization that serves people with significant intellectual disabilities. Registration opens and entertainment begins at 8 a.m.

For more information or to register, visit lasvegassantarun.org or call Crystal Kovacs at 702-880-4038.

FREE BEREAVEMENT SESSIONS OFFERED
FOR TEENS

The Center for Compassionate Care division of the Nathan Adelson Hospice is offering a series of free bereavement support groups for teens 13 to 18 who have experienced a significant loss.

The support group plans to meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Center for Compassionate Care, 4131 Swenson St. The program will explore grief, loss, emotional responses to memories and events surrounding loss, and coping skills.

To register, call 702-796-3167 or Christine Zazzeri at 702-796-3126. For more information, visit nah.org.

FLU VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE
ACROSS THE VALLEY

The Southern Nevada Immunization and Health Coalition and its partners plan to host no-cost flu immunization and health clinics from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the St. Rose Dominican Hospital San Martin Campus' Aljian Conference Center, 8280 W. Warm Springs Road, and noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Clark County Fire Department Station 26, 4030 El Capitan Way.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that everyone 6 months or older receive the flu vaccine each year.

The clinics will provide shots on a first-come, first-served basis. Children older than 6 months, adolescents and adults are eligible for the inoculations.

For more information, visit snicnv.org.

BRANDEIS COMMITTEE SET TO HOLD GENERAL MEETING THURSDAY

The Brandeis National Committee, a charitable, non-sectarian organization that supports Brandeis University, is scheduled to hold its general meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Charlie's Lakeside, 8603 W. Sahara Ave.

The cost is $10 and includes appetizers and one free soft drink, beer or wine.

The guest speaker is set to be Dr. Sondra Cosgrove, who will evaluate what kind of changes residents can expect in the next four years as a result of last week's election.

Make a reservation by mailing a $10 check to Marilyn Shocket, 8837 Cortile Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89134.

For more information, contact Meera Kamegai at meerakamega@cox.net or 702-845-3177.

IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE GALA
TO RECOGNIZE NOBEL PRIZE WINNER WIESEL

The eighth annual In Pursuit of Excellence Gala is planned for 6:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

It will honor Holocaust survivor, Nobel Peace Prize winner and "Night" author Elie Wiesel for his literacy and activism in human rights. Live and silent auctions, a dinner and dancing are planned. Tickets start at $250 per person. To purchase tickets or to make a donation, visit adelsoncampus.org or contact Davida Sims, Adelson Educational Campus director of development, at 702-515-8203.

TURKEY-A-THON PLANNED
BY HELP OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

HELP of Southern Nevada, 1640 E. Flamingo Road, is planning a Turkey-A-Thon Thursday through Saturday to benefit families in need.

Each Thanksgiving, HELP of Southern Nevada provides more than 1,200 families with a turkey for dinner. Donations of frozen turkeys and fixings will be accepted Thursday through Saturday at several specific locations to be announced soon. Those wishing to donate money online can do so at helpsonv.org/get_involved-donate.php with Thanksgiving in the subject line. A family of four can be fed for $35.

MAMMOVAN SCHEDULED TO OFFER
LOW-COST BREAST CANCER SCREENING

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from Food 4 Less, Nevada Health Center's Mammovan is scheduled to offer its last low- to no-cost breast cancer screening from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 21 at 2255 Las Vegas Blvd. North. For more information, visit nvhealthcenters.org.

WRITE A LETTER TO SANTA, HELP A CHARITY

Residents throughout the Las Vegas Valley can write a letter to Santa Claus and drop it off to the Santa letterbox at any valley Macy's store to benefit Make-A-Wish of Southern Nevada. For each stamped letter received, Macy's will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million. Letters can be delivered through Dec. 24.

INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE TO DONATE PROCEEDS TO CANCER FOUNDATION

The Range 702, 4699 S. Dean Martin Drive, has announced that it will donate 10 percent of its retail proceeds generated during November and December to Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada. This will be based on sales from the facility's clothing and gift items. The Range 702 celebrated its grand opening by pledging 20 percent of proceeds during October to the nonprofit group.

For more information about the group, visit candlelightersnv.org.

The business' hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, call 702-485-3232.

CALIBER COLLISION COLLECTING
FOR THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

Autobody shop Caliber Collision's three-week Thanksgiving food drive to benefit Three Square food bank ends Friday. The company is challenging employees and the public to double the food items that were donated during its summer Rhythm Restoration Food Drive that collected 22,000 food items. To donate nonperishable food items such as proteins, dry goods, baby food or cash donations, bring them to 2628 E. Lone Mountain Road.

For more information, call 702-368-9119.

BARKING DOGS GROOMING BOUTIQUE OFFERING FREE MONTHLY CONSULTATIONS

Barking Dogs Self-Wash & Grooming, 9325 S. Cimarron Road, No. 145, has announced a monthly Meeting of the Minds event, set for every Sunday, in which attendees can consult with experts in nutrition, behavioral training and holistic treatments for their pets. For more information, call 702-247-9274.

WINDER FARMS' TURKEY DRIVE TO BENEFIT THREE SQUARE

Winder Farms plans to conduct a turkey drive to benefit Three Square food bank through Dec. 31.

Winder Farms asks customers to donate by clicking on Donate a Turkey to the Food Bank, then Add to Next Delivery during their regular online shopping at winderfarms.com. The cost of the turkey will be added to the customer's next bill, and Winder Farms will deliver the turkey to Three Square.

WALKER FURNITURE SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS PROGRAM

Walker Furniture is accepting nomination letters on behalf of Clark County individuals and families for its 19th annual Home for the Holidays program, which supplies free furniture to families who have faced financial difficulty.

CEO Larry Alterwitz is expanding the program to assist 28 families. HELP of Southern Nevada will identify which nominated families display the most genuine need for new furnishings.

Past recipients have included: single-parent households facing financial difficulty; families with children suffering from physical or mental disorders; families that have lost their homes and belongings to fires; and families that have been affected by illness, domestic violence or sexual abuse.

Letters can be mailed or hand-delivered to Larry Alterwitz, CEO Walker Furniture, 301 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89106; faxed to 702-384-7772; or emailed to cnelson@walkerfurniture.com. Letters can also be submitted at walkerfurniture.com by clicking on the "Home for the Holidays" icon. The letters must be received by Dec. 7. Recipients are expected to be announced Dec. 19.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD SERVICES SEEKS SITES FOR BLOOD DRIVES

The American Red Cross Blood Services is the predominant supplier of blood products for Southern Nevada and has increased staffing to increase the number of blood drives in Las Vegas.

The Red Cross invites community-minded businesses, churches, schools and other organizations to host blood drives in locations across the city.

To meet the demand for blood products in the Las Vegas hospitals it serves, the Red Cross needs to schedule two or more blood drives every business day. It is estimated that in the coming year, about 48,000 Las Vegas patients will need a red blood cell transfusion in a hospital the Red Cross serves.

Las Vegas residents interested in sponsoring a blood drive or donating blood should call 702-522-4000.

SOUTHERN NEVADA HEALTH DISTRICT no longer offering tuberculosis testing

As of Nov. 1, the Southern Nevada Health District no longer provides tuberculosis testing for health card applications. TB tests are required for all health card applications except food handlers and health club attendants. Applicants must still present their TB test results to the health district when they apply for their health card. Alternative testing resources can be found at snhd.info.

Volunteers needed to transport patients to cancer treatments

Every day, thousands of Las Vegas cancer patients need a ride to their cancer treatment but don't have a means to get there. The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery program provides transportation to and from treatment for people unable to drive themselves. The program has 50 drivers enrolled, and the current need demands at least 100 to meet all the requests.

"We're in desperate need of volunteers," said Debra Armstrong, Quality of Life manager in Las Vegas. "It's the perfect opportunity for students, members of retirement communities or anyone with just a few hours a week to step forward. We can raise all the money in the world, but if these patients can't get to their treatment, we're not meeting their needs."

Volunteer drivers must have a valid Nevada driver's license, a safe, reliable vehicle, proof of automobile insurance, a safe driving history and be in good health. The commitment is about four hours a week however it works with volunteers' schedules.

For more information, call Armstrong at 702-891-9023.

DIVORCE INFORMATION GROUP PLANS MONTHLY MEETINGS

Second Saturdays Las Vegas is offering workshops from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Women's Group Empowerment Center, 6445 S. Tenaya Way, Suite 120. The next meeting is set for 8 a.m. Dec. 8. The workshops offer information to women seeking or going through a divorce.

Following the business model of wife.org, the originator of the Second Saturday Divorce Workshops program, Second Saturdays Las Vegas has created a monthly seminar featuring financial advisers, divorce attorneys, family therapists and mediators to guide women through the next steps of divorce.

Professionals presenting information include: the divorce process and legal fees; protecting yourself legally and financially; child custody and child and alimony support; information about dealing with a hostile spouse; helping your family cope with the stress of divorce and rebuilding self-esteem; preparing for divorce; dividing property and the tax consequences of divorce; and avoiding divorce court and the benefits of the collaborative law process.

For more information about Second Saturdays Las Vegas and upcoming workshops, visit secondsaturdayslv.com.

JEWISH GENEALOGY SOCIETY TO HOST SPEAKER AT SAHARA WEST LIBRARY

The Jewish Genealogy Society of Southern Nevada plans to host its monthly meeting at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. Speaker Ron Arons is scheduled to present Finding Living People.

Meetings are free and open to the public. The group meets at 1 p.m. the third Sunday of each month.

For more information, call Earle Malkin at 702-528-4334 or visit jgssn.org.

SENIORS ASKED TO SIGN UP
FOR L'DOR V'DOR HANUKKAH PARTY

The L'Dor V'Dor Hanukkah party is planned from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Dec. 4 at Temple Beth Sholom, 10700 Havenwood Lane.

Homebound and facility-bound seniors throughout the city are invited. This event carries forward the L'Dor V'Dor tradition into its 12th year and provides a free, catered dinner to seniors. Individual seniors attend from their own homes. Groups of seniors attend from more than 20 living facilities around the Las Vegas Valley. More than 200 seniors are expected.

Guests are picked up by buses from the residential facilities; individual rides are provided for those who are unable to get to there on their own. L'Dor V'Dor provides both forms of transportation at no cost.

Entertainment will be by students from the Sandra and Stanley Mallin Early Childhood Center, doing their Hanukkah program. After the entertainment, Gustav Mauler, chef and owner of Spiedini Ristorante, will cater the luncheon with traditional latkes. There will be birthday cakes to celebrate the century mark for guests who are about to turn 100.

There is no cost to seniors, but reservations are required by Nov. 27. To participate, contact Elaine Jacobs at 702-228-0247.

HEALTH DISTRICT OFFERS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

The Southern Nevada Health District offers environmental health services at its new main facility, 330 S. Valley View Blvd., near the Meadows Mall and Springs Preserve. Services already offered at the new facility include flu shots, adult and childhood vaccines, travel vaccines and newborn screenings.

Client-accessed environmental programs offered out of the Valley View facility include plan review services for pools, food establishments, body art establishments, child care facilities, schools and special events. Previously these services were offered out of the health district's Henderson and Spring Valley public health centers.

For more information, visit snhd.info or call 702-759-4636.

HELP OF SOUTHERN NEVADA SEEKS
HOLIDAY VOLUNTEERS

HELP of Southern Nevada is calling for volunteers to assist with a number of programs this holiday season. Assistance is accepted from individuals who can donate any amount of time.

Areas where volunteers are needed include: assisting clients with their applications for holiday programs at HELP's main campus, 1640 E. Flamingo Road; assisting in receiving donated Thanksgiving turkeys at various locations (turkeys will be given to more than 1,200 families); and assisting in receiving holiday gifts for selected clients in the Adopt-A-Family program.

To volunteer, contact Joan Lima at jlima@helpsonv.org or 702-369-4357.

AARP TAX-AIDE SEEKING VOLUNTEER HELP

AARP Tax-Aide NV, which prepares free personal income tax returns for residents in the lower- to middle-income brackets, is seeking unpaid volunteers to prepare taxes, greet clients and program computers in early 2013. Training is scheduled for Jan. 7-11 on the west side of the Las Vegas Valley and Jan. 21-25 on the east side. For more information or to volunteer, email taxesbarb@cox.net or jerrytaxes@cox.net.