Fireman helps Aliante’s kids hit the books

North Las Vegas Fire Chief Al Gillespie is able to blend civil service and civic service. Throughout the year, Gillespie and his department find time to benefit the community, from seasonal toy drives to ongoing public safety and education programs.

For Gillespie, one of his favorite community-related activities is the weekly Children's Reading Corner he leads at the Aliante Library in the master-planned community.

Monday afternoons at 4 p.m., Gillespie shows up at the Aliante Library dressed in uniform (including fire helmet and boots) and armed with a wide selection of popular children's books.

From Mother Goose to Dr. Seuss, he is prepared to familiarize some kids and reacquaint others with some popular children's books and authors.

The readings typically consist of two to three stories within a 20- to 30-minute session.

"It's something I started doing years ago in other communities," said Gillespie, a 25-year firefighter who came to North Las Vegas in 2005 from Augusta, Ga. where he had served as fire chief since 2002.

Prior to Augusta, he was chief of the Yakima, Wash. fire department.

"I think it is important that members of the government give back to the community and this gives me a chance to do that," Gillespie said. "My children are all grown, so I particularly enjoy the opportunity to interact with kids.

"At the same time," he said, "it gives the kids a chance to meet and visit with a representative of their local government. It shows them that we can be accessible on a human, as well as a professional, level."

Gillespie said participants range from pre-school children to eighth graders, who often stop by to assist with the activities.

He uses books from both his own collection and the Aliante Library's children's collections.

"My wife is a substitute teacher and we have grandchildren, so there are plenty of children's books at our house," he said.

"Between my books and the vast selection of children's titles here at the Aliante Library, we're never at a loss for topics and materials."

Gillespie, who began his reading sessions at Aliante last November, said he intends to continue the program for "as long as the kids keep showing up."

"In the past, I'd do something like this once a month, but here at Aliante the level of interest was high enough from the beginning to sustain a weekly program," he said. "It has been a wonderful experience for me and apparently, the children are enjoying it equally as well."

Part of the North Las Vegas Library District, the Aliante Library provides year-round opportunities for education. The library offers children's arts and crafts, story times, an expanding Spanish collection, cultural and civic programs, public-use computers with Internet access, current movie videos and specialized books and materials on diverse topics.

The 15,900-square-foot, one-story building houses reference, circulation, young adult and children's areas and an outside patio for story times. Other features include a special programs room, multi-purpose room, meeting rooms, kitchen, circulation and reference desks, book-processing areas and staff offices.

For more information and a calendar of library events visit nlvld.org or call 839-2980.

Aliante is a development of North Valley Enterprises, LLC, an affiliate of American Nevada Co. and Pulte Homes. Encompassing more than 1,900 acres.

Home builders at Aliante include Astoria Homes, Pardee Homes and Del Webb, which is building the age-qualified Sun City Aliante community. Home prices range from the mid-$200,000s to the high $400,000s.

Aliante is bordered roughly by Grand Teton Drive, Centennial Parkway, Decatur Boulevard and Clayton Street. Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, intersects Aliante.

About 428 acres in Aliante are designated for recreational and public purposes, including the Aliante Golf Club, the 20-acre Nature Discovery Park, Deer Springs Park, Aviary Park, more than 24 miles of lighted concrete trails and linear parks and an arroyo.

Proposed plans for Aliante include two elementary schools and a middle school, all of which would be built by the Clark County School District.

The community's first school, the Theron H. and Naomi D. Goynes Elementary School, opened in August 2005. A new fire station was opened in April 2004 and the Aliante Library, located adjacent to the Nature Discovery Park, opened in May 2006.

About 100 acres in Aliante are allocated for commercial development.

Ground was broken during the first quarter of 2007 for the Aliante Station hotel and casino.

Information about Aliante can be obtained at the information gallery.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Information can also be obtained at AlianteHomes.com or by calling 866-787-2951.