Neighborhood news

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 Saturday . 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.

Chick-A-Dees Children's Resale plans charity diaper drive for saturday

Chick-A-Dees Children's Resale and Specialty Boutique, 8090 S. Durango Drive, Suite 105. has scheduled a charity diaper drive to benefit Southern Nevada Children First on Saturday.

Any customer who brings in a pack of diapers for Children First will receive 10 percent off his purchase. Chick-A-Dees will also donate 10 percent of its sales that day to Children First. The Easter Bunny will also be on site.

For more information, call 614-1361.

AFAN to host 21st AIDS Walk Las Vegas

Aid for AIDS of Nevada is scheduled to host the 21st annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas at 8 a.m. Sunday at the World Market Center, 495 S. Grand Central Parkway. Early sign-in is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the AFAN headquarters, 701 Shadow Lane, Suite 130. Penn & Teller are set to serve as grand marshals for the 10th consecutive year. For more information on how to get involved, call 382-2326 or visit afanlv.org to register. Registration is free, but a minimum $50 donation per person is encouraged.

For more information, please visit afanlv.org.

TEEN POETRY READING AT SPRING VALLEY LIBRARY set for monday

The Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd., is scheduled to host a Teen Poetry and Open Mic Night at 5 p.m. Monday . Teens are invited to read their own poetry, share a favorite poem, play guitar or sing.

For more information, call 507-3820.

RECESS EVENT planned for wednesday AT spring valley LIBRARY

The Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd., is scheduled to host Recess Rocks!, an event designed to help elementary school kids test their skills at recess games such as marbles, hopscotch and jump rope.

The event is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday. For more information, call 507-3820.

Nevada track & Field team to host fundraiser at South Point

The Nevada Track & Field Team is planning a Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament to raise money to compete in the Down Under International Games Tri-Nations Meet in Australia.

The team plans to compete against other athletes from the United States, Australia and New Zealand in June and July.

The poker tournament is scheduled for Wednesday in the poker room at the South Point, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Sign-in starts at 5:30 p.m., and tournament play is set for 6:30 p.m. There is a $75 buy-in for $4,000 in chips. Cash prizes will be given for first through fifth place. There also will be free cocktails for all tournament players.

To RSVP, call Kimberly Helm at 325-00074 or Normalynn Beagle at 217-9768.

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.

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

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 Sunday through April 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.

FREE SHOTS GIVEN TO CHILDREN

The Southern Nevada Immunization and Health Coalition, along with the Consulate of Mexico and Nevada State Health Division, are sponsoring immunization clinics from April 25-30.

The health fair features no-cost immunizations for children 6 weeks to 6 years old, along with dental flouride and varnish, hearing and vision screening, lead testing, face painting and other activities for young children.

People can receive immunizations from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25 at the Consulate of Mexico, 823 S. Sixth St.; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26 at St. Rose Dominican De Lima, 102 E. Lake Mead Parkway; and Family to Family Connection, 31 Church St.; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 at St. Rose Dominican Hospitals San Martin Campus, 8280 W. Warm Springs Road; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28 at Sunrise Children's Foundation, 1000 E. Sahara Ave.; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29 at Desert View Hospital, 360 S. Lola Lane; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Walmart Neighborhood Market Store, 6151 W. Lake Mead Blvd.; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 650 N. Nellis Blvd.

Shots are administered on a first-come first-served basis.

For more information, visit snicnv.org.

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.

FORMER HEARTTHROB cassidy PLAYS THE ORLEANS SHOWROOM

Singer, producer, actor and recent contestant on "Celebrity Apprentice" David Cassidy is scheduled to perform his hits at The Orleans Showroom beginning at 8 p.m. May 7-8.

Tickets are available starting from $39.95 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 365-7075 or visiting www.orleanscasino.com.

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 nevada cancerinstitute.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.

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 April 25. 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.