Valleywide community news and information, June 5-12, 2014

HELP of Southern Nevada is accepting applications from low-income households owned by seniors, those who are physically challenged or homes with children for its Weatherization program. Weatherizing between 500 and 700 homes each year, the nonprofit offers various services, including weather stripping, blowing insulation, repairing broken windows, testing gas appliances, heating and air conditioning evaluations, refrigerator efficiency checks and installation of solar screens and other energy-saving devices.To apply, plan to attend an application assistance workshop, scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays at HELP of Southern Nevada, 1640 E. Flamingo Road, or visit between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, go online to helpsonv.org or call 702-795-0575.

HELP2O PROGRAM TO PROVIDE WATER FOR HOMELESS

HELP of Southern Nevada’s HELP2O campaign is seeking donations of bottled water at Whole Foods Market June 1-Aug. 31. Locations in the Las Vegas Valley are at 7250 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 6689 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 100 S. Green Valley Parkway and 8855 W. Charleston Blvd.

Bottled water donations can be purchased in the store and donated or purchased elsewhere and dropped off. The water will be collected on a regular basis and distributed to area homeless.

Monetary donations of change can be dropped into branded HELP of Southern Nevada coin jars at all four locations or by submitting a donation at helpsonv.org.

STATION CASINOS ANNOUNCES MILITARY MONDAYS FOR VETS

Station Casinos has launched a Military Mondays initiative that offers a variety of discounts and benefits for active and veteran military Boarding Pass card holders. Station Casinos also is donating up to $10,000 toward the Las Vegas Fisher House, which provides a free place for military families to stay while a loved one receives long-term medical care.

For more information, visit sclv.com.

NV ENERGY ANNOUNCES RETURN OF REFRIGERATOR RECYCLING PROGRAM

NV Energy customers who participate in the company’s second Refrigerator Recycling Program can have their old appliance hauled away free and receive a $50 rebate. Qualifying machines must be in working condition with a storage capacity of at least 10 cubic feet.

To schedule a pickup, visit nvenergy.com or call 877-289-8260.

NV ENERGY TO SPONSOR RESIDENTIAL LIGHTING REBATE

NV Energy is offering a residential lighting rebate program. Stickers on LED bulbs at participating local retailers — including Walmart, Home Depot, Costco, Sam’s Club and soon Lowe’s — will indicate that the cost of the bulbs has been discounted $3 to $5 per bulb thanks to the program.

NV Energy data indicate that LED bulbs, previously used primarily for commercial purposes, use 75 to 80 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and can save approximately $7 a year on energy costs for each bulb installed. The bulbs can also last 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

LED bulbs have recently become more accessible for residential use and are offered in a range of colors from soft white to daylight.

For more information or to find a participating retailer, visit nvenergy.com/lighting.

MUSICAL ARTS SOCIETY WELCOMES SINGERS

The Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society invites singers to perform “A Bluegrass Mass” by Carol Barnett and music by Bach and Mendelssohn this spring. Membership in the society’s choral ensembles is by audition. Interested singers should call music director Douglas R. Peterson at 702-451-6672 for an appointment. Audition information may also be found at the society’s website, snmas.com.

HUMANE SOCIETY HOSTS ADOPTION EVENTS

The nonprofit Las Vegas Valley Humane Society hosts weekly pet adoption events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Petco, 7731 W. Tropical Parkway. For more information, visit lvvhumane.org.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS PICNIC SHELTER RESERVATIONS ONLINE

The city of Las Vegas recently added online park picnic shelter reservation applications to its available online services. Shelter rentals start at $15 and vary in price depending on size, expected number of guests and whether music will be played or alcohol allowed.

For more information, visit recreation.lasvegasnevada.gov.

NSCB SEEKS HELP TO NAB UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS

The Nevada State Contractors Board is looking for homeowners to help get rid of unlicensed contractors by allowing undercover NSCB investigators to use their homes for daylong undercover sting operations.

For more information, contact NSCB Criminal Investigations supervisor Kenny Peppley at 702-486-1144.

HOME-SCHOOLING GROUP SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

The nonprofit RISE Education Resource Center, 3460 N. Rancho Drive, is seeking volunteers to teach a variety of weekly language arts and craft classes.

Volunteers of all ages are accepted, and no previous teaching experience is required. Classes can be one time only or scheduled in a series.

RISE has previously offered classes in Spanish, German, math, science and language arts, in addition to courses on paper weapon making, Pokemon and hula hoop making.

Classes for parents have included instruction on home schooling, making your own laundry detergent and eating gluten-free.

For more information, call the center at 702-748-7473 or visit riserescourcecenter.org.

HARDEST HIT FUND PROVIDES MORTGAGE HELP

With one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation, Nevada was selected to be a beneficiary of the U.S. Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund program, which provides assistance to help prevent avoidable foreclosures and keep Nevada homeowners in their homes.

The Nevada Hardest Hit Fund will assist eligible applicants by paying up to a maximum of $1,000 monthly toward their impounded first mortgage payment, including principal, interest, property tax and insurance for up to nine months. The applicant’s contribution will be a minimum of $75 or any amount that exceeds the $1,000 maximum assistance per month.

Applicants must be unemployed and actively looking for work or be able to validate at least a 35 percent reduction in income/wages since 2008 and must be facing imminent default.

To apply, homeowners can call 855-428-4357 or visit nevadahardesthitfund.nv.gov.

BLOOD COURIERS NEEDED

The American Red Cross is seeking volunteer couriers to deliver blood in Las Vegas. Couriers are needed from 7 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

The Red Cross distribution center, 4025 Dean Martin Drive, supplies blood to five hospitals: Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, Valley Hospital Medical Center, Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center, Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center and Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center.

For more information or to volunteer, call 800-434-3251.