Area briefing

HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL TO BENEFIT SEARCH AND RESCUE UNIT

The Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue Unit is set to host a hot air balloon festival and carnival from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday at Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center, 9300 W. Sunset Road.

The event, expected to attract nearly 20,000 attendees, will feature 30 hot air balloons, live entertainment, food vendors, carnival rides and games and a rescue demonstration. Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit search and rescue unit. Festival entry is free, but tickets for balloon and carnival rides must be purchased.

The Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue Unit formed in 1986 to provide a technical rescue service to the community. The unit, which includes paid police officers, helicopter support and more than 50 volunteers, is on call 24/7 and responds to more than 8,000 square miles of mountainous desert terrain. Volunteer unit members include rock climbers, cavers, scuba divers, firefighters, paramedics and doctors.

For more information, visit lasvegasballoonfest.com or lvmpdsar.blogspot.com.

HALLOWEEN-THEMED 5K RUN, fun WALK
TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT RUNAWAYS

Nevada Child Seekers plans a Hit the Streets 4 Treats 5K run and family fun stroll Nov. 10 at The District at Green Valley Ranch, 2240 Village Walk Drive, Henderson.

The event is geared to raise awareness about runaway children and is being put on in conjunction with Runaway Prevention Month, observed in November.

Registration for teams and individuals is set for 6 a.m., followed by a stretch at 7:15 a.m. and the 5K race and family fun stroll at 7:30 a.m. Registration costs $25 for adults and $15 for children younger than 12. Group discounts are available for schools.

The event will include awards, entertainment, candy, games and other family-oriented activities. Free digital fingerprinting and photo IDs for children also will be provided.

For more information, call 702-458-7009 or visit nevadachildseekers.org.

1ST TUESDAY CANCELED FOR NOVEMBER

The Metropolitan Police Department said its 1st Tuesday program is canceled for November due to Election Day. The event was scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 6 at the department's valleywide area commands.

The program is set to resume in December, with officers slated to discuss fraud and identity theft.

The 1st Tuesday program is a free open house-style event that takes place monthly on the first Tuesday. After speakers discuss assigned topics, residents can learn more about their neighborhoods and meet their local police officers.

For more information, visit lvmpd.com or call 702-828-3111.

PROGRAM OFFERS SCHOLARSHIP
FOR RADON MITIGATION STUDIES

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's Nevada Radon Education Program is offering a scholarship to help residents train and get certified to be a radon mitigation professional in Southern Nevada.

The grant-funded scholarship program of the Nevada State Health Division is offering the funds toward online mitigation entry level training through the Center for Environmental Research & Technology Inc. and the national certification exam through the National Radon Proficiency Program.

The regular price for the course, including study materials, is $750, and the cost of the exam is $100. Nevada residents living in Lincoln or Clark counties are eligible.

The application deadline is Nov. 30. Experienced building and remodeling contractors or plumbers licensed with the Nevada State Contractors Board who wish to expand their business are encouraged to apply.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas present in many homes, schools and buildings and is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, according to the Cooperative Extension.

For more information on the scholarship program, call Laura Au-Yeung at 702-257-5550 or the radon hot line at 888-723-6610.

CONTRACTORS BOARD PLANS SENIOR AWARENESS EVENT DEALING WITH SCAMS

The Nevada State Contractors Board plans a senior awareness event regarding scams from 1-2 p.m. today at the Lieburn Senior Center, 6230 Garwood Ave.

The events will highlight scams that target seniors, help seniors identify the warning signs, provide tips and tools to help seniors protect themselves and offer resource information on where to report incidents. Light refreshments will be available.

The Nevada State Contractors Board plans to put on the senior awareness forums in every legislative district in Nevada in the coming year. Future event dates and locations are to be made available as they are scheduled.

The events are being put on in partnership with state legislators and state agency representatives.

For more information, call Jennifer Turner at 702-486-1139 or visit nscb.nv.gov.

PERFORMANCES TO PROMOTE
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR IN CHILDREN

A variety of public and private anti-bullying shows are planned around the valley for students in preschool through third grade.

The shows, to be performed by Michael Darby & Smile, are aimed at helping children feel empowered to make a positive difference in the world.

Public shows include:

n 10 to 10:20 a.m. Saturday at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St., during the Vegas Valley Children's Book Festival.

n 2:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson.

Private shows include:

n 8:30 a.m. March 7 at the Alexander Dawson School, 10845 W. Desert Inn Road.

n 8:30 a.m. March 19 at Bonner Elementary School, 765 Crestdale Lane.

For more information, visit michaeldarbyandsmile.tv, email aimhighsmile@gmail.com or call
702-271-9428.