North Las Vegas Neighborhood News

COUNCILMAN PLANS COMMUNITY MEETING

North Las Vegas City Councilman Robert L. Eliason is planning a community meeting at 6 p.m. today at Lincoln Elementary School, 3010 Berg St. This free event is open to all ages.

The event will include an opportunity for residents to meet the councilman and an update on Ward 4 activities and the city's strategic plan for future development and economic recovery.

For more information, call 633-1007.

COMMUNITY MEETING PLANNED AT ALIANTE LIBRARY

The North Las Vegas Alliance of Homeowner Associations and Concerned Citizens is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. today at the Aliante Library, 2400 Deer Springs Way.

The guest speaker is scheduled to be Ken Richardson of the ombudsman office. All local candidates for elected office are invited to attend and speak briefly.

For more information, call Richard Cherchio at 325-6708.

GOODFELLAS FUNDRAISER TO HELP TEEN WITH SEIZURES

A fundraiser is planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Goodfellas Bar & Restaurant, 2801 N. Tenaya Way. Enjoy entertainment from Las Treal while helping the Christopher Farnsworth Foundation for brain injury awareness.

Farnsworth began having seizures at age 16 that are possibly linked to concussions sustained from sports.

For more information, visit christopherfarnsworthfoundation.org.

MASTER GARDENERS PROGRAM OFFERING FREE CLASSES

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners program, 4600 Horse Drive, is offering a series of free classes at Acacia Park, 50 Casa del Fuego, in conjunction with the Henderson Parks and Recreation Department.

Classes will be taught by Master Gardener instructors and start at 9 a.m. The lineup includes:

Saturday: Growing and using herbs

Oct. 13: Safe and sound insect control

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/NLVchamberevents.

In addition, Master Gardener Helen Brown plans to present a fall gardening class at 10 a.m. Oct. 2 at the Family Resource Center at University Medical Center, 1120 Shadow Lane.

It is free and open to the public.

To reserve a space, contact Amy Runge at the Family Resource Center at 383-2229.

For general gardening questions, contact the Master Gardener Help Line at 257-5555.

A cleanup project in honor of National Public Lands Day is planned from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

The Bureau of Land Management plans to conduct maintenance work at Oliver Ranch. Volunteers experienced with power tools are needed to help remove unwanted materials from a historical site.

For more information, call Cal Howell at 515-5386.

COATS FOR KIDS DRIVE TO KICK OFF MONDAY AT ALBERTSONS

The 13th annual Coats for Kids drive is scheduled Monday through Nov. 3 at Albertsons stores across the valley.

Bring gently used coats to any Albertsons store and place them in the marked box at the front of the store. Aramark Uniforms will pick up the coats and drop them off at Al Phillips The Cleaner, which has cleaned all the coats free for the past 13 years. They are distributed to children in need by The Salvation Army's Family Services.

As part of the Lucky 13 theme for this year, anyone who donates a coat can enter a drawing for one of 13 pairs of free tickets to see Carrot Top's show at the Luxor. Entry forms are available at the Albertsons service desks.

SOUTHERN NEVADA CHILDREN FIRST PLANS KIDNAPPED FOR A CAUSE EVENT

Southern Nevada Children First is planning its second annual Kidnapped for a Cause event at 3 p.m. Oct. 5. Local business and community leaders are to volunteer to be "kidnapped" and taken to Hennessey's Tavern on Fremont Street. These participants will have to call family, friends and coworkers to raise "ransom money," which is set at $1,500 per participant. This amount sponsors a young mother who is ready to move into her own apartment with her baby after graduating from SNCF's Life skills and Transitional Housing program. The release of the "victims" is planned from 5 to 7 p.m. during an open bar at Hennessey's. Individual donations in cash, check or credit card will be accepted.

SNCF is an area nonprofit group that provides long-term transitional living and life skills training to homeless pregnant and parenting teens and young adults from 16 to 22. All proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to fund SNCF's work.

For more information, visit childrenfirst-nv.org.

GRIEF CAMP TAKING APPLICATIONS

Applications are being accepted for Camp Solari, which offers a nurturing environment for children 6 to 17 and their surviving caregivers to learn to cope with grief. The next camp is planned for Oct. 12-14 at the Mount Charleston Lodge, 5375 Kyle Canyon Road.

All weekend activities, including art, music, talk therapy, drumming, dancing and nature walks, as well as lodging, meals and materials, are free to camp participants. Solari Hospice Foundation covers these costs through fundraisers and charitable donations.

For an application or to learn more about how you or your organization can donate to Camp Solari, go to solarihospicefoundation.org, call 877-795-8760 or email jamie@solarihospice foundation.org.

RESCUE GROUP BEGINS CAMPAIGN TO FUND PERMANENT SHELTER

Area animal rescue Adopt a Rescue Pet has launched its Beggin' for Bucks: 65,000 Pet Lovers Wanted campaign to support the organization's effort to build a no-kill animal sanctuary and canine retirement ranch. The goal is to reach $650,000 by collecting $10 from 65,000 people by Oct. 15.

The sanctuary, slated to be located on several acres in Amargosa Valley, will house 300 dogs.

To support the effort, visit facebook.com/arplasvegas.

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.

DONATIONS ACCEPTED TO AID NONPROFIT

Help homeless, pregnant and parenting teens by donating time, money or new or gently used items to assist clients of Southern Nevada Children First, 720 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 30.

Volunteers and donations are always needed to support the nonprofit.

For more information, visit childrenfirst-nv.org or call 487-5665.

ANIMAL FOUNDATION SEEKING DONATED LINENS

Nonprofit The Animal Foundation, 655 N. Mojave Road, one of Nevada's largest open-admission animal shelters and pet adoption centers, is seeking donations of new and gently used linens, including: towels, blankets, sheets, pillowcases, T-shirts and sweat shirts.

During summer, The Animal Foundation receives more than 100 animals per day. Donated linens are used to make the animals more comfortable and to keep the young and underweight animals warm.

Due to the cleaning procedures for donated linens, items must be washed in a high bleach-to-water concentration, which breaks down materials quickly. Additionally, once an item has been torn, it cannot be used again. Items with stuffing (comforters, pillows, dog beds, etc.) can be used only once as they cannot be completely disinfected.

Linens can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at the shelter. For more information, visit animalfoundation.com.

FORECLOSED UPON PETS NEEDS FOSTER FAMILIES

Foreclosed Upon Pets Inc. needs foster families for dogs and cats that have been relinquished by owners, left in foreclosed homes, found on the street or need a new home when the owner dies or is deployed.

Fostering usually involves short-term stints, typically ranging from a few weeks to a few months. Assistance is given to foster families, if needed, in the way of food, toys, medicine and veterinary care.

Foreclosed Upon Pets Inc. does its best to match foster families with a short-term companion that suits their lifestyle.

Foster families increase an animal's chance of being adopted by providing feedback on the temperament, activity level and likes and dislikes.

For more information, complete the foster form online at forecloseduponpets.org/, call 272-0010 or email forecloseduponpets@hotmail.com.

SPRING MOUNTAINS NIGHT HIKES PLANNED

Explore the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, also known as Mount Charleston, with free interpretive hikes.

A night hike discussing wildlife adaptations after dark is planned for 8 p.m. each Friday, beginning at the McWilliams Campground host site.

Campfire programs are planned for 8 p.m. each Saturday at the Hilltop Campground. Due to limited parking, the program is recommended for campground guests only.

The programs are made possible through a partnership among the U.S. Forest Service, the Basin Institute and the Southern Nevada Conservancy.

For more information, visit gomtcharleston.

KIWANIS CLUB WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

The Kiwanis Club of North Las Vegas, a chapter of the international service organization, is scheduled to meet at 6:15 p.m. each Tuesday at T.G.I. Friday's in Aliante Station, 7300 Aliante Parkway.

Club community projects have included canned food drives, car shows, kites in the park events and charity fundraisers.

The fourth meeting of the month is limited to members only.

For more information, visit nlvkiwanis.com or call 399-0332.

LOCAL ROTARY CLUB TO MEET

The North Las Vegas Rotary Club of Las Vegas meets at 7:15 a.m. Fridays at the Painted Desert Golf Club, 5555 Painted Mirage Road.

The weekly breakfast meetings include guest speakers, networking, education workshops and service projects.

For more information, visit nlvrc.org/newsite or call Bob Lillis at 340-9735.