Centennial Neighborhood News, Dec. 17-23

MARATHON RUNNER COMPETES FOR FOOD BANK

Area ultra-endurance athlete Jayson Black plans to run 26 marathons in 26 consecutive days – a total of 681.2 miles – to raise awareness about Three Square food bank’s ongoing holiday food drives.

The public is invited to share in the runs each Saturday at Anytime Fitness Seven Hills, 855 Seven Hills Drive, in Henderson. Black will be running entire marathons, roughly five hours, on a treadmill and invites community members to drop off canned food items to benefit the North Las Vegas-based nonprofit’s food collection efforts.

Three Square will continue to accept food drive donations through Dec. 23 at O’Roarke Elementary School, 8455 O’Hare Road. For more information, visit threesquare.org.

MOUNTAIN CREST TO HOST HOLIDAY EVENT

The Mountain Crest Neighborhood Services Center, 4701 N. Durango Drive, is set to host a How the Grinch Stole Mountain Crest’s Christmas event from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 17. The free event is set to feature holiday crafts, games, cookie decorating events and a screening of the Dr. Seuss animated classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Popcorn and beverages will be provided. Preregistration is required. For more information, contact Clark County at 702-455-1905 or visit clarkcountynv.gov/parks.

LAS VEGAS SKI & SNOWBOARD RESORT REPORTS NO INCREASED AVALANCHE RISK

Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort’s snow safety team reports no ill effects from this summer’s Carpenter 1 Fire, according to a release issued this month.

A Dec. 5 statement from resort president and general manager Kevin Stickelman highlights no increased risk of avalanches as a consequence of wildfire damage in nearby Kyle Canyon.

A November avalanche advisory had asked visitors to avoid the resort while crews prepared for its Nov. 29 grand opening, a move resort officials say was aimed at allowing safety workers to catch up with conditions created by fresh snowfall.

Stickelman said LVSSR’s snow safety team does a full and thorough assessment of avalanche conditions every time the resort sees new snowfall and routinely posts updated conditions on the resort’s website.

For more information, visit skilasvegas.com.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP HOSTS WEEKLY MEETINGS

GriefShare, a national program for those dealing with loss, meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road. Weekly meetings including video showings and discussion. For more information, contact the group at 702-481-5833.

CHRISTMAS TREE CUTTING NOT ALLOWED IN SPRING MOUNTAINS

The U.S. Forest Service reminds the public that Christmas tree cutting is not allowed in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, including Mount Charleston.

Law enforcement actively patrols Mount Charleston to prevent illegal tree cutting. Violators can face misdemeanor charges up to $250 and receive a $500 fine per tree.

The closest locations that Las Vegas residents may purchase permits and cut Christmas trees are in Caliente and St. George and Pine Valley, Utah.

For more information, visit www.nv.blm.gov.

J.R. PONY FARM SEEKS PUBLIC HELP

J.R. Pony Farm, 1744 Leonard Lane, is asking for the public’s help in securing Clark County commissioners’ approval for a three-year extension to bring its septic tanks and bathrooms into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Address letters of support to J.R. Pony Farm, 1744 Leonard Lane, Las Vegas NV, 89108. All letters must be received by Jan. 5.

Support is also welcome at the Clark County Commissioners meeting set to begin at 9 a.m. Jan. 8 at 500 S. Grand Central Parkway.

For more information, contact the farm at 702-631-4142.

LIBRARY CLOSURES NOTED With the holidays come abbreviated hours for the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. All libraries are scheduled to be closed Dec. 24 and 25 and at 5 p.m. Dec. 31 and all day Jan. 1.

Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and all libraries are set to be closed.

For more information, visit lvccld.org.

LIBRARY DISTRICT SEEKS ATHLETIC SHOES

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District will accept donated athletic shoes suitable for school-age kids and teens through Dec. 23 at all district branches. For more information, visit lvccld.org.

FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Ross and the United Way are set to sponsor IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at the Centennial Hills Community Center YMCA, 3521 N. Durango Drive, starting Feb. 19. Those with an income of $52,000 or less should qualify for this service.

If interested in volunteering as a greeter or tax preparer (training is provided by the IRS), call Tuesday James at 702-229-5463.

HUMANE SOCIETY HOSTS ADOPTION EVENTS

Registration is open for a youth winter camp offered in the city of Las Vegas.

Holiday Kids Camp, open to ages 6 to 11, is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 23 through Jan. 3 at the Cimarron Rose Community Center, 5591 N. Cimarron Road. The center will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. The cost is $75 per week for the first child and $70 for each additional child in the same family. Programs for boys and girls are planned, including arts and crafts, games, sports, cooking, movies and more.

For more information, call the center at 702-229-1607.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS PICNIC SHELTER RESERVATIONS NOW 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.

AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS KICKS OFF GIVING TUESDAY CAMPAIGN

After-School All-Stars Las Vegas announced the kickoff of a holiday campaign called Giving Tuesday. Thanks to two anonymous donors, those who participate in the campaign will see their dollars matched by each of the anonymous donors, tripling the original donation amount.

Donations may be made at asaslv.org or by calling 702-770-7601. Once the donation is made, it will be matched by each of the anonymous Giving Tuesday donors.

NATHAN ADELSON HOSPICE HOSTING DOG BED AND BLANKET DRIVE

The Pet Therapy Program at Nathan Adelson Hospice is holding its third annual Dog Bed & Blanket Drive to help keep shelter animals warm this season.

Through Jan. 31, the hospice is collecting new or gently used dog beds, blankets and towels, as well as unopened dog food, to deliver to local animal shelters. In the valley, donations can be dropped off at 4141 Swenson St.; 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 350, next to MountainView Hospital; or 1201 Nevada State Drive in Henderson.

More than 3,500 items were donated to local shelters over the last two winter seasons through the drive. For more information, visit nah.org.

AUDUBON SOCIETY HOSTS BIRD WALKS

The Red Rock Audubon Society hosts bird walks at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, 9200 Tule Springs Road, starting at 8 a.m. on the third Saturday of every month. Walks last about two hours and are geared toward beginners and casual walkers. Attendees meet in the last parking lot in the group picnic area. For more information, visit redrockaudubon.org.

MOUNT CHARLESTON SEEKS SNOW PLAY VOLUNTEERS

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking volunteers to be a Snow Play Host on Mount Charleston. Every winter weekend, thousands of people flock to the mountains to play in the snow, and hosts will look to encourage visitors to have fun while reducing impact on the forest.

Hosts will also be asked provide roadside information about snow play opportunities and engage visitors at snow play sites.

Volunteers must be 18 or older and able to work outdoors in cold conditions. Hosts are expected to work weekends and holidays, with shifts of three to six hours, from mid-December through March.

For more information, contact the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area at 702-515-5408 or volunteer@gomtcharleston.com.

NSCB SEEKS HELP TO NAB UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS

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 homeschooling, making your own laundry detergent and eating gluten-free.

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

FRUIT AND VEGGIE SALE SET AT GILCREASE

The Gilcrease Orchard, 7800 N. Tenaya Way, plans to offer fruit and vegetables for sale from 7 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. Attendees can purchase from the stand or pick their own. Apple cider is also available.

For more information, contact the orchard at 702-409-0655.

MASTER GARDENERS OFFER WEEKLY TOURS

Master Gardeners offer weekly garden tours from 10 a.m. to noon Fridays at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Demonstration Gardens, 8050 Paradise Road.

Master Gardeners plan to offer free weekly walking tours aimed at teaching visitors about many of the more than 500 plants that grow in harsh Southwestern desert landscapes around Las Vegas.

In addition to scheduled tours, the grounds are open for self-guided tours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays

For more information, call the Master Gardener Help Desk at 702-257-5555 or visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/mastergardenersofsouthernnevada.

CENTENNIAL HILLS LIBRARY HOSTS STORY TIME

The Centennial Hills Library plans to host story time for children ages 3-5 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. most Wednesdays at 6711 N. Buffalo Drive. Organizers plan to offer stories, songs and other activities to help boost literacy skills. For more information, call the library at 702-507-6100 or visit lvccld.org.

CENTENNIAL HILLS ACTIVE ADULT CENTER OFFERS WEEKLY SENIOR FITNESS CLASSES

The Centennial Hills Active Adult Center plans to offer 25 weekly fitness classes for adults 50 or older from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays at 6601 N. Buffalo Drive.

Classes include yoga, cardio dance and tai chi. Cost is $15 per month and includes free use of the YMCA weight room and indoor lap pool for a limited time.

For more information, contact the center at 702-229-1702.

CENTENNIAL HILLS ACTIVE ADULT CENTER TO HOST KNITTING GROUP

The Centennial Hills Active Adult Center plans to host a low-cost knitting group for adults 50 or older at 9 a.m. Wednesdays at 6601 N. Buffalo Drive. The group is free to those with a $2 annual adult center membership. For more information, contact the center at 702-229-1702.

VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL SEEKS COMPUTER DONATIONS

The Clark County School District’s Virtual High School and Academy for Individualized Study, 3050 E. Flamingo Road, will accept in computers in good working condition through Dec. 31. The Laptops for Learning Holiday Drive is designed to give economically challenged future virtual high school students a chance to take online classes, school district officials said.

Donations will be refurbished and wiped clean by data professionals at U.S. Micro Corp. Donations can be dropped off at the Virtual High School campus.

For more information, contact the school at 702-855-8435 or visit www.ccsdde.net.

SHAKESPEARE INSTITUTE TO OFFER ACTOR CLASSES

The nonprofit Shakespeare Institute of Nevada recently launched a series of acting workshops for Southern Nevada residents focusing on teaching students to try new material and prepare audition pieces while receiving feedback from professional actors and directors. The workshops are suitable for all ages and all acting levels and are planned from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Hollywood Bound Acting Academy, 7220 S. Cimarron Road.

The fee is $80 for 10 classes. The first class is free to audit.

For more information or to register, email shakesinstnv@gmail.com or call 702-896-9517.

PONY PARTIES PLANNING PLAY DAYS

J.R. Pony Parties, 1753 Fairhaven St., plans to host play days and pony rides from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and no-school days through January. Admission for adults and kids is $5. For more information, call 702-631-4142 or visit jrponyparties.com.

BELLY DANCE CLASSES PLANNED AT ACTIVE ADULT CENTER

Join members of the Centennial Hills Active Adult Center for belly dance classes set for 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays and Fridays at 6601 N. Buffalo Drive. Class members, led by instructor Jeanne Baer, have performed during luncheons at the Lieburn Senior Center and at a Chinese New Year celebration in Sun City Anthem. For more information, call the center at 702-229-1702.

FREE TRAPPERS SET TO MEET IN SPRING MOUNTAINS

Spring Mountain Free Trappers meet for a black powder shoot the first weekend of each month at CC Spring and Lovell Canyon roads in the Spring Mountains southwest of Las Vegas. Locations vary depending on weather, so call Daniel Trousdale at 702-645-2658 before attending. For more information, visit smft.org.

MOJAVE MAX EMERGENCE CONTEST KICKS OFF

The annual Mojave Max Emergence Contest has kicked off, offering participants the chance to guess when Mojave Max, a live tortoise who lives at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, will leave his burrow in the spring. Participants are encouraged to try to guess as closely as possible the correct day, hour and minute when Max will emerge.

Anyone can enter the contest, but only one kindergarten- through 12th-grade student enrolled in a Clark County public, private or registered home school is eligible to win prizes. The grand prize winner’s class will receive T-shirts, a pizza party and a field trip to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The winner also receives a laptop computer, a digital camera and a yearlong pass to federally managed fee areas. The winner’s teacher will receive a laptop computer.

To enter, visit mojavemax.com and click on “Contest.” Since the contest launched in 2000, the earliest Max has emerged was 11:55 a.m. Feb. 14, 2005. The latest was 12:41 p.m. April 17, 2012.

RESCUE GROUP TO OFFER GIFT WRAPPING

Golden Retriever Rescue Southern Nevada plans its holiday gift-wrapping fundraiser through December.

Shop at participating stores and meet some Golden Retrievers. The gift-wrapping effort is free, but donations will be accepted. Donations help fund the rescue group’s various programs and covers costs such as veterinary care.

Volunteers are needed to fill various shifts at the following three locations in the Summerlin area: Barnes & Noble, 8915 W. Charleston Blvd.; GAP, Rampart Commons Shopping Mall, 1055 S. Rampart Blvd.; and Pottery Barn, Rampart Commons Shopping Mall, 1085 S. Rampart Blvd.

To volunteer or for more details, contact grrsnvolunteers@aol.com or call 702-598-4653.

MANDATORY WINTER WATERING SCHEDULE IN EFFECT

The Southern Nevada Water Authority reminds residents and businesses that the community’s winter watering schedule runs through Feb. 28. The seasonal schedule limits both turf and drip irrigation to one day per week according to each customer’s assigned watering group, as listed below. Watering is prohibited on Sundays.

Watering days are: Group A — Monday; Group B — Tuesday; Group C — Wednesday; Group D — Thursday; Group E — Friday; and Group F — Saturday.

Hand watering is permitted to revive dry spots.

Customers can visit snwa.com to find their assigned watering days, get information on seasonal watering restrictions and learn recommended run times for irrigation systems.

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.

GREEN CHIPS LAUNCHES WEBSITE TO INCREASE SUSTAINABILITY AWARENESS

Green Chips, a nonprofit designed to advance Nevada’s sustainability identity, recently launched a community website at greenchips.org.

The site is intended to provide individuals, groups, businesses and municipalities with a venue to share green events, activities, incentive programs and more. To submit information for the site, email info@greenchips.org.

The second phase of the site, expected in March, is slated to include health, transportation and educational resources, including an interactive section for students with science projects, lesson plans and outdoor activity ideas.