News from around the Valley, Oct. 8-14, 2015

New historical depository: The Bureau of Land Management has declared the Las Vegas Natural History Museum a federal repository for all archeological and paleontological finds in Southern Nevada. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 2013, the museum will house excavated materials to be used for research and learning purposes as well as to be included in archeological exhibits. More than 750 boxes of various archaeological artifacts made their way home to the museum, 900 Las Vegas Blvd. North, on Sept. 15 after previously being housed at the Harry Reid Center of Excellence at UNLV. The collection, containing items such as ancient pottery shards and authentic woven baskets, has been collected over the past 40 years and span more than 10,000 years of history. To ensure the preservation of each artifact, the boxes will be properly examined and documented by a professional curator. Visit lvnhm.org or call 702-384–3466.

Landscape awards: The Springs Preserve and the Southern Nevada Water Authority recently recognized the winners of the 17th annual Southern Nevada Landscape Awards competition during a breakfast ceremony at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. A panel of judges selected the winning landscapes from more than 60 applications, based on project creativity, overall design, technical merit and planting. The awards are presented in partnership with Star Nursery, the Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Southern Nevada Landscape Association. Awards included the Award of Excellence for Bowles Residence, design by homeowner; Mason Residence, design by Schilling Horticulture Group; Lindi Residence, design by Schilling Horticulture Group; and Whitney Mesa Recreation Area, design by JW Zunino Landscape Architecture. Photos of the 2015 winning landscapes are available at springspreserve.org.

Water collection results: Bringing together HELP of Southern Nevada, the Las Vegas cast of "Jersey Boys" and Whole Foods Market, this year's HELP2O drive collected 24,266 bottles of water and $1,700 in monetary donations. The campaign was created to help protect the area's homeless from the dangers associated with summer heat by calling on locals and visitors alike to donate water at any Las Vegas- and Henderson-area Whole Foods Market location from June through August. Call 702-369-4357 or visit helpsonv.org.

Historical Marker project completed: The Historical Marker Legacy Project, a part of Nevada's yearlong Sesquicentennial celebration of the state's admission to the Union through more than 500 official, signature and legacy events, has been completed in record time thanks to the work of the Nevada 150 Commission, YESCO and other community partners. Gov. Brian Sandoval announced the replacement of 116 historical markers throughout Nevada during an unveiling ceremony Sept. 25 at Historic Marker 40 in the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. There are a total of 266 markers throughout the state under SHPO management, a division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Visit nevada150.org/nevada-150-commission or nevada150.org.

Candy drive: Yes! Air Conditioning and Plumbing, a residential heating, air conditioning and plumbing company, announces a community candy drive in partnership with USO Las Vegas, benefiting the local military community. Through Oct. 20, Yes! is inviting residents to visit its offices at 6275 S. Pioneer Way from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to drop off candy for the upcoming Halloween holiday. The company will be donating the collected candy and an additional amount donated by the business to USO to be handed out at upcoming private harvest and holiday parties for local military families. In addition, Yes! is offering all candy drive participants 20 percent off any heating, air conditioning, indoor air quality or plumbing service.

Drive to benefit WestCare Women and Children's Campus: The Haunted Halloween Haul Drive is planned through Oct. 28 to benefit WestCare Nevada's Women and Children's Campus. Items requested are new toys, blankets and clothing, as well as women's clothing and new toiletries, Halloween costumes and unopened bags of candy. Items can be dropped off at donation boxes located inside any of the 15 Las Vegas Valley ATI Physical Therapy locations. Visit atipt.com/nevada.

USO accolades: USO Las Vegas was named the 2013 and 2014 top USO center in the world based on the TellUSO survey done by 16,000 troops and families. Visit uso.org/lasvegas.

Solo Strips raises $20,000 for AFAN, Broadway Cares: More than 400 guests attended the fifth annual Solo Strips show in the Absinthe Theater at Caesars Palace Sept. 28 to watch 15 Las Vegas performers strip down for solo performances. The midnight event doubled its initial goal of $10,000, raising a Strips record of nearly $20,000 to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Aid for AIDS of Nevada.

Tyson Foods delivers protein to Three Square: Tyson Foods delivered a truck full of high-quality protein to Three Square food bank, 4220 N. Pecos Road, Sept. 28. The donated food will be distributed through the food bank's network of partners, providing daily meals and food pantry services to food insecure residents.

Furniture, appliance donations sought: The nonprofit New Genesis helps with transitional apartments for the homeless and is in need of furniture and/or small appliance donations. Items such as beds, dressers, tables, chairs, lamps, pots, towels, microwaves, TVs, fans, pictures, kitchen utensils, rugs and couches are welcome. Visit newgenesis.org.

Easter Seals program offers assistive technology: As part of Easter Seals Nevada's ongoing commitment to assist individuals with disabilities meet their independence goals, it announces the launch of the Nevada Assistive Technology Empowerment program in October, with the goal to bring a one-stop resource to all Nevadans with disabilities to acquire assistive technology, learn about the devices that could help them and view available loan inventory. The NATE Project's assistive technology drive is set to kick off at the Southern Nevada Centers for Independent Living's 24th Annual Disability Awareness Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 17 at the East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave. Community members are encouraged to come out and donate any assistive technology they no longer use. LaaRee Drawantz, director of assistive technology at Easter Seals Nevada, is set to lead a discussion about the importance of recycling and reuse of assistive technology. This free event also is set to feature a variety of educational activities, along with live entertainment, wheelchair repair, a free lunch and raffle prizes. Individuals can also donate assistive technology at any time at Easter Seals Nevada, 6200 W. Oakey Blvd. Examples of items needed include power chairs, flat-screen monitors, GPS navigation systems, electronic magnifiers and digital recording devices. call 702-870-7050 to ensure there is a need for items prior to donation. Visit nateproject.com.

Coats for Kids drive: The 16th annual Sweet 16 Harriet's Coats for Kids drive is happening through Nov. 2. Residents can drop off gently used or new coats at any Las Vegas Valley Albertsons store. The items will be picked up by Aramark Uniform and dry cleaned courtesy of Al Phillips the Cleaner. Donors may fill out a ballot to win two free tickets to this year's show sponsor, Terry Fator at The Mirage. Winners will be drawn at the end of drive. Coats will be distributed by The Salvation Army's Family Services. Call 702-233-2417.

Public input sought: The city of Las Vegas has prepared an updated self-evaluation and draft transition plan in response to expectations set forth in Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure the city's programs, services and benefits offered to the public do not discriminate against people with disabilities. The city surveyed 146 public facilities based on compliance with the ADA for structural impediments that could pose a barrier to persons with disabilities and corrective measures were determined to address the potential obstructions. The transition plan identifies and prioritizes which barrier removal actions will have the greatest impact citywide to ensure maximum access and equality among city programs for all residents. The public is invited to review the updated 2015 self-evaluation and draft transition plan and to provide feedback on the proposed goals. The online forum is available through noon Oct. 31 at lasvegasnevada.gov/ADAUpdate. A hard copy of the draft transition plan can also be viewed in the Human Resources Department on the first floor at City Hall, 495 Main St.

Community awards: The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards has begun its search for Nevada's top youth volunteers of 2016. The annual national awards program, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, honors students in grades 5-12 who have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service. The top middle and high school volunteer in every state each receive $1,000, a silver medallion and an all-expenses-paid trip with a parent to Washington, D.C., for several days of national recognition events. State-level runners-up receive bronze medallions or Certificates of Excellence. Through Nov. 3, middle and high school students are invited to apply for 2016 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards at spirit.prudential.com.

Give A Meal food program: Three Square food bank has partnered with Bank of America and Feeding America to help address the issue of hunger in the Las Vegas community. Through Dec. 31, Bank of America's Give A Meal program aims to increase hunger awareness and support. For every $1 donated, Bank of America Charitable Foundation will give $2 more. Last year, the Give A Meal program locally resulted in more than $12,000 benefiting Three Square — amounting to 36,000-plus meals provided to those in need in Southern Nevada. Visit threesquare.org and feedingamerica.org.

Winter gear collection: During September, HopeLink's SeniorLink, a 55-plus service for seniors living in poverty, will collect and sort new and gently used donations of winter coats, gloves and scarves to be distributed in October to senior communities in Southern Nevada. To donate, contact Don Miller, SeniorLink director at HopeLink, at 702-566-0576, ext. 305, or email don@link2hope.org. Tax deductible contributions to the effort can be made at link2hope.org.