Paradise/Downtown Neighborhood News, Aug. 27-Sept. 2

YOUTH MENTORING WORKSHOPS PLANNED

Fourteen-week Girls & Boys Rites of Passage Mentoring Workshops for children ages 10-16 are scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays beginning Sept. 14 at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

Applications and registration are required. For more information, visit artslasvegas.org or call 702-229-4800.

CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION CLASS PLANNED

Prepared Childbirth Classes are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 7 and 21 at The Breast Center at Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 250. A tour of Labor and Delivery and the Maternal Infant Unit is available at the completion of the class.

The cost is $45. To register, call 702-233-5437.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS ACCEPTS $1 MILLION GRANT

The city of Las Vegas has accepted a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration as part of the Strong Cities, Strong Communities Challenge National Initiative. Over the next 18 months, the city of Las Vegas plans to host a contest open to the public to develop a comprehensive economic vision in one of four categories; Cashman Field; The Medical District; Business Parks; and Existing Redevelopment Agency Projects.

The city is set to appoint a selection committee from multi-disciplinary teams to determine the submission process and to judge the entries. Prizes are set to go to the submitters of the top three ideas. Third place is set to receive $10,000, second place $30,000 and first place $60,000. A grand prize winner will then be chosen from the three to receive the $800,000 prize. All ideas become property of the city of Las Vegas.

The grant requires that the city provide $250,000 to fund infrastructure and planning efforts to implement the winning idea.

Las Vegas is one of three cities selected for the program, joining Greensboro, N.C., and Hartford, Conn.

GALA RAISES MONEY FOR UNIVERSITY MEDIAL CENTER

Martin Lawrence Galleries inside The Forum Shops at Caesars recently presented a check for $7,035 to representatives from the University Medical Center Trauma and Burn Care Center. The funds were raised from ticket sales and a raffle at the second annual Art of The Party gala hosted at the gallery on July 20.

COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA OPENS SITE AT LAS VEGAS CITY HALL

A new College of Southern Nevada site opened Aug. 15 at Las Vegas City Hall, 495 S. Main St. The college site occupies the third floor of City Hall with 20 full-time employees in the college’s Division of Workforce & Economic Development and is developing workforce training and academic courses for city employees and residents, targeting the downtown community.

Literacy, ESL and GED classes are already taking place in the evenings and on the weekends. The college plans to offer skills certification examinations, customized training for city employees and local businesses, and workforce training courses. The college is also hoping to provide select academic credit courses in the next year.

MOB MUSEUM RECEIVES ARTIFACTS FROM IREY ESTATE

The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, the Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave., recently received a collection of artifacts related to U.S. Treasury Department official Elmer Lincoln Irey. Irey was active from 1919 until his retirement in 1946 and eventually oversaw the operations of the U.S. Secret Service, the IRS Intelligence Unit, U.S. Customs and the Bureau of Narcotics, the Alcohol Tax Unit and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Irey led investigations credited with the prosecution of many notorious mobsters, including Louis Campagna, Frank Nitti and Al Capone. He is also recognized for the capture of suspected Lindbergh baby kidnapper Bruno Hauptmann.

A new exhibition, including the Irey objects and artifacts, is in development at the museum with its public opening expected to be announced next year.

TRAVEL CLUB TO MEET AUG. 27 AT TAP HOUSE

The Las Vegas Travel and Social Club plans to meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Tap House, 5589 W. Charleston Blvd. A half-hour of social time is planned before the meeting.

The guest speaker is scheduled to be Charlie Zingras from UNLV Continuing Education, speaking on education-related travel programs.

A small fee covers light refreshments and the cost of the meeting room. For more information, call 888-324-3928.

FOOD DRIVE TO HELP SENIORS IN SOUTHERN NEVADA

More than 80,000 seniors living in Southern Nevada are going hungry or are at risk of hunger. Many live on fixed incomes and find themselves regularly choosing between purchasing needed medication, paying monthly bills and shopping for groceries.

Now, more than 60 locally owned outlets of The UPS Store in Southern Nevada are teaming up with AARP Nevada and Three Square for a special food drive to support seniors in need. Members of the community may drop off non-perishable food items at The UPS Store in their neighborhood through Sept. 2. To find a location, visit theupsstore.com. A list of most-needed items can be found at threesquare.org.

CROHN’S AND COLITIS FOUNDATION PLANS SUPPORT GROUP

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s August Support Group Meeting plans to meet at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at MountainView Hospital, 3100 N. Tenaya Way. Anyone affected by inflammatory bowel disease is welcome to attend.

To RSVP or for more information, contact Caitlin Shea at cshea@ccfa.org or 646-306-4472.