Neighborhood News

Municipal primary elections are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. To find out where to vote in your area, call 455-8683 or visit clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/election/Pages/EDVoting.aspx.

Star Party set for Saturday at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

The Rangers at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and the Las Vegas Astronomical Society plan to host an Astronomy in the Park Star Party at the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The presentation is scheduled to be "Saturn Ð- Lord of the Rings," followed by telescope observing of the night sky immediately afterward, weather permitting. If you are not planning to attend the presentation, you should be in the park no later than 7 p.m. A 30-minute "What's Up Tonight" laser-guided tour of the night sky is set for 8 p.m., followed by more observing.

A park entry fee of $7 per vehicle may apply. For more information, visit lvastronomy.com or call Rob Lambert at 461-1390.

Poetry writing workshop set
at spring valley library

A poetry writing warm-up in preparation for the Teen Poetry Cafe and Open Mic Night April 18 is scheduled for 5 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. Learn to write a haiku, limerick or cinquain.

HOSPICE OF LAS VEGAS SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

Hospice of Las Vegas, 5765 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 111, is sponsoring a free training day for those interested in hospice care. The hospice is seeking volunteers to help patients and families in need and has scheduled a training class for April 16. Training will cover hospice services and philosophy. Training is free, and a lunch will be provided. For more information, call Tara Babcock at 853-9063. The deadline for class registration is Monday .

Learn about arthritis

An arthritis workshop is planned by The Foundation for Wellness Professional from 10 a.m. to noon Friday in the West Flamingo Senior Center, 6255 W. Flamingo Road. Nearly 50 million Americans (one in six people) suffer from some form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the best known of more than 100 chronic diseases of the joints, bones and muscles.

Make A Difference WITH AFAN

AFAN, Nevada's largest AIDS service organization, is looking for people to get involved with the group's AIDS Walk Las Vegas 2011 April 17.

For more information, please visit afanlv.org.

Chick-A-Dees Children's Resale and Specialty Boutique plans Charity Drive

Chick-A-Dees Children's Resale and Specialty Boutique is scheduled to hold it s first Charity Diaper Drive to benefit Southern Nevada Children First on April 16.

The store is at 8090 S. Durango Drive, Suite 105. C ustomers who bring in a pack of diapers that day will receive 10 percent off their purchase, and Chick-A-Dees will donate 10 percent of total sales that day to Children First.

For more information, call 614-1361.

Recycle used writing instruments
at Office Depot

Sanford Brands, Office Depot and TerraCycle Inc. are teaming up during Earth Month.

Customers can bring their used writing instruments, regardless of the brand, to any Office Depot store April 17-23. In exchange for 10 pens, pencils or markers, customers will receive a coupon toward a new Sanford product. The collected instruments will be sent to TerraCycle, an upcycling and recycling company, to be turned into new office supply products ranging from trash cans to desk organizers.

To further reduce waste, TerraCycle and Old Navy are partnering from April 22 to May 21 to collect used flip-flops and recycle them into four public playgrounds. Simply deposit used flip-flops in designated collection bins at your area Old Navy store.

For more information, visit terracycle.net.

United Way to announce
fundraising results MAY 25

United Way of Southern Nevada is set to hold its campaign finale at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 25 at the Gold Coast, 4000 W. Flamingo Road. Presented by sponsors NV Energy, Southwest Gas Corp. and USAA Savings Bank, United Way will announce the community's impact on the total dollars raised during the annual campaign season. Tickets are $40 per person or $400 for a table of 10, and they are available through May 18. For more information, call 892-2371 or visit uwsn.org/finale.

Water Authority accepting nominations for Landscape Awards

The Southern Nevada Water Authority's 13th annual Landscape Awards competition is taking applications.

The contest is open to local residents and landscape professionals interested in showing off their water-efficient landscapes.

Full information and applications are available at snwa.com through May 12. Applications also are available by calling 258-7283.

MGM Resorts employees donate
to Nevada Cancer Institute

Employees of MGM Resorts have donated more than $1 million to the Nevada Cancer Institute since 2002 through the employee-funded MGM Resorts Foundation. MGM Resorts has donated more than $1.5 million donations in cash and in-kind contributions. In response, NVCI has named its auditorium the MGM Resorts International Auditorium.

Nevada Cancer Institute, 1 Breakthrough Way, is the official cancer institute for the state, a nonprofit organization and the state's first academic medical institution.

For more information, visit nevadacancerinstitute.org.

HIGH SCHOOL REUNIONS SEEK CLASS OF '45 MEMBERS from western, clark

The Western and Clark High Schools Classes of 1967 plans to celebrate their 45th reunion on Oct. 5 and 6. They are asking for help to find classmates. Between the two schools, there were more than 950 graduating students, 100 of whom are deceased. Approximately 300 have been located.

For those with information on the remainder, call 336-7549, or email: Western High School, Barbara (Hackett) McCoy at mizzbarb@yahoo.com; Clark High School, Nita (Pierce) Augustus at nita1249@gmail.com.

FOOD DONATIONS NEEDED

With the unemployment rate still high and many families reaching the end of their savings, the Salvation Army is helping with food relief on an unprecedented scale.

A whole new population, formerly middle-class, is in need of aid.

To donate, call Charles Desiderio at 870-4430, ext. 112.

Travel club to meet at tap house

The Las Vegas Single Social and Travel Club for Mature Adults invites prospective members to its meetings, which are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at the Tap House, 5589 W. Charleston Blvd. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday. The meet-and- greet portion is set to start at 6 p.m.

Meeting discussions focus on day trips, local events, in-state and out-of-state traveling, cruises and international traveling. A guest speaker frequently is featured. The meeting closes at about
7:30 p.m., and appetizers are served as the group mingles. For more information, call 888-324-2028.

Ask-A-Lawyer program open to those facing foreclosure

The Ask-A-Lawyer program is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon April 12 at the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave. Registration begins at 8 a.m. the day of the session.

Homeowners who are going through foreclosure and have elected foreclosure mediation in an effort to save their homes and have questions in preparation for their mediations can receive free legal advice at the Regional Justice Center's Self Help Civil Law Center through a program run by the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.

Another event is planned for April 26.

For more details about all of the Foreclosure Mediation resources available through Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, visit lacsn.org or call 386-1070.

ENERGIZER BUNNY semifinalists NEED YOUR VOTES

Angela Daffron of Henderson and Kelsey Kinsel of Las Vegas have been selected as two of 100 semifinalists in the running to become the 2011 Inductee into the Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame. They are being recognized for their energetic commitment to making a positive impact.

It's up to America to determine the 2011 inductee. Vote for your favorite of the 10 finalists at energizer.com/halloffame.

Voting is through May 14. Each finalist vote will trigger a $1 donation from Energizer to the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, up to $10,000.

The 2011 Inductee will receive a $10,000 cash prize, plus a $5,000 donation to his or her favorite charity.

USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
ACCEPTING ENTRIES

The 16th annual USA Songwriting Competition is accepting entries. Winning songs will receive radio air play in the United States and Canada. The top prize is more than $50,000.

Contestants may enter via songwriting.net, sonicbids.com or broadjam.com.

Nevada Cancer Institute offers smoking cessation courses

The Nevada Cancer Institute is offering A Smoke-Free Life, a free six-week tobacco cessation course for companies looking to reduce health care costs.

A Smoke-Free Life realistically addresses the challenges of ending tobacco use. A certified tobacco treatment specialist will help employees quit successfully by creating a quit plan, providing information on nicotine replacement therapy and helping participants develop the coping skills to stay smoke-free.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, killing approximately 1,200 people every day, which is more than alcohol, AIDS, motor vehicle crashes, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined. Each year, Nevada spends $565 million in health care costs that are directly related to smoking. Only 22 percent of Nevadans currently smoke, according to Dr. John Ruckdeschel, director and CEO of NVCI.

Companies interested in offering the course can call 822-5299 or e mail jquade@nvcancer.org.

Baby's Bounty asks for donations
of baby items

Baby's Bounty, 2295 Renaissance Drive, Suite D, is in critical need of supplies and is asking for the donation of items such as portable cribs, car seats, baby clothing and diapers.

Baby's Bounty is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2008 by civic activist Kim Amato. It is devoted to helping babies born to disadvantaged families. Recipients include domestic abuse victims, teen mothers and those living in poverty.

For more information, call 485-2229 or visit babysbounty.org.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO provide transportation for CANCER PATIENTS

The American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery program is seeking volunteers to provide transportation to cancer patients to and from medical appointments.

Rides are provided by volunteer drivers who donate their time and the use of their personal vehicle. Rides are offered to cancer patients who have no means of transportation and/or who are too ill to drive themselves. Many patients need daily or weekly treatment over the course of several months. The program is in dire need of drivers in the southwest and northeast parts of the Las Vegas Valley.

Volunteers must complete an application and attend a training/orientation, and all volunteers are screened.

Volunteers must have the following:

n A current, valid driver's license issued by the state in which they will perform their volunteer driving duties or in the state where they reside

n A good driving record, which will be checked by the DMV

n Access to a safe and reliable vehicle

n Maintain sufficient limits of automobile liability insurance for their personal vehicle

n Must be in good health

n Must complete the volunteer driver's application and attend a training/orientation

For more information, call 866-500-3272 or visit www.cancer.org.

Get free tax help at goodwill
of southern nevada

People who earned less than $49,000 in 2010 can receive free tax preparation if eligible at Goodwill of Southern Nevada at 1280 W. Cheyenne Ave. or 3345 E. Tropicana Ave.

Bring a valid I.D., a Social Security card, all 2010 W-2 and 1099 forms received, day care payment records and any other tax documents. For direct deposit, bring routing and bank account numbers. Spouses must be present if filing jointly. For more information, call 214-2056 or visit sngoodwill.org.

E Bunny asks for donations

The E Bunny program is asking for donations of Easter baskets and helping hands to make Easter special for needy children.

The private, volunteer outreach group has grown in 21 years, from delivering 25 baskets the first year to 2,750 baskets in 2009.

Last year's effort was hampered by the economy but still provided 1,800 baskets to children.

Organizations that received baskets include City Mission of Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Straight from the Streets, Clark County Social Services, Lutheran Social Services, Nevada Social Services, Family Promise, S.A.F.E. House, Heads Up and the Las Vegas Housing Authority.

The effort relies on the generosity of local businesses and community support. For more information or to volunteer, visit reviewjournal.com/communitylink and click on "Charitable Groups" and then scroll to "E Bunny."

Charities invited to sell
Helldorado Days tickets

Charitable organizations can partner with the Las Vegas Elks Lodge No. 1468 to sell tickets for the Helldorado Days rodeo and receive $5 for their organizations for every ticket sold.

The rodeo will seat approximately 5,000 spectators each night. General admission seats in each section are $15. Premium seats are $25.

Rodeo tickets are available for May 12, 13 and 15. Helldorado Days 2011 is scheduled for May 12-15.

The Elks can custom-make packages for each organization. The group produces events throughout the year to raise funds for youth groups and underprivileged children. Since 2009, the rodeo has become the flagship event of Helldorado Days, which takes place in the downtown area.