Neighborhood News

KAZAKHSTAN AMBASSADOR TO US
TO SPEAK AT ATOMIC TESTING MUSEUM

Erlan A. Idrissov, ambassador from the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States, is slated to be the featured speaker for a presentation and roundtable discussion planned for 3-5 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Atomic Testing Museum, 755 E. Flamingo Road.

The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Idrissov's visit commemorates the anniversary of a resolution designating Aug. 29 as International Day Against Nuclear Testing and the 20th anniversary of the closure of the Soviet Semipalatinsk Test Site.

Other invited national and local government officials and individuals may speak, too.

For more information or to RSVP, call 794-5151.

INSURGO THEATER MOVEMENT
TO HAVE PLAZA PRESENCE

A new 75-seat theater on the third floor of the Plaza, 1 S. Main St., is being developed for the 36-member Insurgo Theater Movement. The opening will mark the first time a local repertory theater has been offered a residence and will produce full seasons of shows at a major hotel-casino in Las Vegas.

The company is expected to relocate from 900 E. Karen Ave., Suite D120, to the newly renovated downtown space Sept. 1, with the gala opening of "Waiting for Godot." An extended run of the play is set for 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, beginning Sept. 8.

In addition, the Insurgo Theater Movement plans to host Jeremy Aluma's original clown troupe "Four Clowns" on its first national tour for a special engagement slated for 3 and 11 p.m. on Sept. 2.

Later in the fall, "Cannibal!" by "Book of Mormon" and "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone is set to open for an open-ended run.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit insurgotheater.org.

WRITERS TO PEN SHORT FICTION
FOR CASH PRIZES DURING CONTEST

Writers interested in participating in a short story contest are invited to take part in the Flash! The Short Short Fiction Contest, planned for 2:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road.

Twenty contestants will compose a maximum 500-word short story in 90 minutes based on a theme provided at the start of the competition. A panel of judges from the Las Vegas writing community will determine the winners, who will receive cash prizes, in addition to their stories being published in Las Vegas CityLife, posted on the Vegas Valley Book Festival website and read at the festival.

For more information, call 507-3400.

BINGO ROOM OPENS ON THE STRIP

A bingo room is now open on the Strip at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

It is the only bingo room on the Strip. Bobby Taylor, who has more than 28 years of experience, will provide state-of-the-art bingo to players in the 6,000-square-foot room.

Sessions are held daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The Riviera bingo room has scheduled a $200,000 tournament with Superstar Bingo on Oct. 17 and 18. The game will feature a $25,000 coverall each day along with 28 games per day. Buy-in for both days is $150.

To make a reservation, call 794-9527.

DONATIONS REQUESTED
FOR CHILDREN'S CHARITY TOYS 4 SMILES

Toys 4 Smiles, a local nonprofit group that makes wooden cars to give to children in need, has a need of its own.

To keep the space it now occupies to make the toys requires $7,000 for a year's lease. Donations are welcome by calling founder Rex Doty at 232-8191 or 218-4582.

Toys 4 Smiles has given away more than 75,000 toy cars to needy children.

For more information, visit
toys4smileslasvegas.com.

SUIT DRIVE UNDER WAY
AT MEN'S WEARHOUSE

The fourth annual National Suit Drive, the country's largest collection of gently used professional attire, is ongoing until the end of August at more than 900 Men's Wearhouse locations across the country.

Bring gently used business attire to a local participating store and receive a 50 percent off coupon.

For more information or to find a nearby location, visit menswearhouse.
com.