Paradise/Downtown Neighborhood News

FITNESS PROGRAM FOR NEW MOMS
OFFERED AT TOWN SQUARE

New mothers who are too busy to make it to the gym but want to get in shape can enroll in the Stroller Strides Get Fit Challenge and work out with their kids in tow.

The challenge was scheduled to kick off Monday at Town Square Las Vegas, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and is set to continue at 8:30 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The program features weekly classes that offer moms a full-body workout while their children are engaged in songs and activities in their strollers.

The 12-week program is geared toward empowering parents to lead healthier lives by encompassing physical fitness, encouraging healthy eating habits and offering helpful recipes and dietary tips.

The hourlong classes include a five-minute warm-up and 45 minutes of power walking with intervals of strength and body-toning exercises. The class concludes with 10 minutes of ab exercises and stretching.

Babies should be at least 6 weeks old to participate . Moms should wear athletic shoes, bring a towel or mat for ground exercises and any type of stroller.

For more information and to sign up for classes, visit strollerstrides.net/lasvegas.

Rugby action returns to sam boyd

The annual USA Sevens international rugby tournament, the fifth event out of nine in the HSBC Sevens World Series , is scheduled to return to Sam Boyd Stadium, 7000 E. Russell Road, from Feb. 8-10.

Fans will witness 16 international rugby teams play 45 matches during a three-day competition in an attempt to gain points in the Sevens World Series standings.

Tentative rugby sevens teams competing are Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Kenya, New Zealand, Portugal, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, United States and Wales.

The schedule of tournament play is :

n Feb. 8 - Pool rounds one and two in men's and women's play. Gates open at 3 p.m. Matches are set for 4 to 9:45 p.m.

n Feb. 9 - Pool round three and quarterfinals in men's and women's play and women's semifinals. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. Matches are set for noon to 7 p.m.

n Feb. 10 - Semifinals and finals in men's play and finals in women's play. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. Matches are planned for 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tickets start at $10 for children 14 or younger and $33 for adults.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 888-784-2977 or visit usasevens.com.

LOCAL BUSINESSES INVITED
TO MEET YOUR CUSTOMER DAY EVENT

Purchasing analysts and other staff members from numerous Clark County departments are scheduled to meet with local business representatives at the Meet Your Customer Day event planned from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 23 at the Clark County Government Center rotunda, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway.

Local minority-owned, female-owned, small, physically challenged, veteran and disabled veteran business enterprises interested in supplying Clark County's business needs will have a chance to meet various representatives of county departments and purchasing analysts in partnership with area agencies, including: the Nevada Small Business Development Center's Business Success Center; SCORE Counselors to American's Small Business-Southern Nevada Chapter; the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada; the state of Nevada, the Governor's Office of Economic Development; Akers and Associates Inc.; the Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow; University Medical Center; and the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.

Purchasing staff members will be available to assist businesses with registering in the county's Supplier Registration Database, which is used to notify businesses when opportunities arise to provide supplies and services.

Advanced registration is not required. For more information, call 702-455-4432 or 702-455-3092.

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, ROSE SOCIETY PLAN EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and the South Valley Rose Society are collaborating to offer two free educational meetings.

n Larry Kaplan, rose society yearbook editor, is scheduled to present Good Bugs, Bad Bugs at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Road. Participants can find out what insects are beneficial to roses, how to attract them, where to buy them, what insects cause problems and how a gardener can get rid of them using organic or inorganic products.

n Lyn Vinson, consulting rosarian, plans to present Photographing Roses 101 at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Lifelong Learning Center. Participants can learn the basics and how to get started taking pictures for their own pleasure or for exhibiting. She will cover which type of camera to use, any special equipment needed and which roses photograph best.

For more information, call the Master Gardener Help Desk at 702-257-5555 or email lvmastergardeners@unce.unr.edu.

ART STUDIO TO HOST FREE WORKSHOP

In preparation for The Arts Factory's Carnival 2013 celebration in February, R Space Studio plans to offer a free mask-making workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 27 at the studio, 107 E. Charleston Blvd.

Columbian artist Joanna Pratt Lopez is scheduled to conduct the workshop, which is open to everyone.

To reserve a spot, call studio owner Susan Forestieri at 702-327-2506.

NEON MUSEUM OFFERS
PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIALS

Through the end of January, 2013 Clark County School District graduates can create a unique senior portrait at the Neon Boneyard at the Neon Museum , 770 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

The fee is $150 for 30 minutes .

For February, local couples will be able to book the Neon Boneyard for their Valentine's Day or engagement shoot at the same rate .

Times are available earlier than 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and all day Sundays and must be booked two weeks in advance. A deposit and address will be requested.

The photographed graduate must be a Las Vegas resident. For couples, either the bride or groom must be a local resident. The offer does not include the photographer. If a photographer is needed, the Neon Museum can provide recommendations by request.

For more information or to book a time slot, call 702-387-6366 or visit neonmuseum.org.

OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE
RECEIVES $16,000 DONATION

WestStar Credit Union has donated $16,000 to Opportunity Village as the culmination of its 2012 charity campaign: A Mile of Smiles.

In August 2012, WestStar Credit Union set out on a mission to collect a mile's worth of smiles with the intention of donating $1 for every smile collected to Opportunity Village.

Over the past several months, WestStar sent teams of volunteer employees out to different local venues, including Fremont Street; the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; local malls; Las Vegas Wranglers hockey games; the Great Santa Run; and the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village to capture pictures of people's smiles. Their efforts were partnered with local Las Vegans who uploaded their own pictures to the gallery at amileofsmiles.org.