North Las Vegas Neighborhood News

NLVPD PLANS ANNUAL CELEBRATION
OF OFFICER’S LIFE

The North Las Vegas Police Department is planning its 14th annual Raul Elizondo Day from 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Elizondo Elementary School, 4865 Goldfield St. The school was dedicated in 1998 and named in honor of officer Raul Elizondo, who was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 30, 1995.

Police officers from across Southern Nevada are to join students for a day of events, including classroom activities, a ceremony honoring the fallen officer, police demonstrations and a parade of public safety and emergency response vehicles.

The schedule of events is as follows: 7:45 a.m., flag raising ceremony; 8 a.m., breakfast; 9:40 a.m., guests visit and read to students; 11:30 a.m., lunch; 1 p.m., ceremony; 1:30 p.m., honor parade.

For more information, contact the North Las Vegas Police public communications office at 1301 E. Lake Mead Blvd.

SPIRITUAL LECTURE PLANNED

The Rev. Patrick Harbula, author of “The Magic of the Soul: Applying Spiritual Power to Daily Living,” plans to give a lecture on “Radical Gratitude: An Entrance Into the Sacred” at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Center for Spiritual Living at 4325 N. Rancho Drive, Suites 110-120. For more information, call 702-255-6412 or visit livingpurpose
institute.com.

HOA AND CONCERNED CITIZENS ALLIANCE
TO HOST CANDIDATE EVENT

The North Las Vegas Alliance of Homeowner Associations and Concerned Citizens and Sun City Aliante plan to host a North Las Vegas Municipal Candidates Meet and Greet forum for North Las Vegas mayoral and City Council Ward 1 and 3 elections. The meeting is scheduled for the Sun City House Vista Room at 7390 Aliante Parkway from 6 to 8 p.m. today.

For more information, call Bob Merseau at 702-808-2985 or Richard Cherchio at 702-325-6708.

WOMEN’S BUSINESS GROUP PLANNING MEETING FOR MARCH 20

The American Business Women’s Association is planning its Monthly Business Networking Luncheon, set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 20 at Texas Station, 2101 Texas Star Lane. The speaker is to be Toni Terrell, editor in chief of The Answer Newspaper. Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers.

For more information, call 702-483-0183.

MOUNTAINVIEW JOINS THREE OTHER SITES FOR FIREFLY CLINICAL TRIAL

MountainView Hospital, 3100 N. Tenaya Way, is one of four sites in the country to take part in a Firefly clinical trial that looks at the use of directed imaging during minimally invasive hysterectomies for cervical and uterine cancer.

These procedures use the da Vinci Surgical System to perform complicated gynecologic cancer procedures through several tiny incisions. The clinical trial gets its name from the Firefly Fluorescence Imaging software and dye that causes sentinel lymph nodes to glow a fluorescent green.

The study examines whether fewer lymph nodes can be removed during cancer surgeries by identifying the “sentinel” lymph nodes (those most likely to involved in the spread of the disease). Current practice requires removing all the lymph nodes near the cancer, which can result in long-term health side effects, such as lymphedema of the legs.

The other study sites include hospitals and academic medical centers in Indiana, North Carolina and Michigan.

Dr. Lynn Kowalski, medical director of the hospital’s robotics program, heads the study at MountainView.

For more information, visit mountainview-hospital.com.

NEUROPSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM LOOKING FOR RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Neuropsychology Research Program is looking for participants for an ongoing study on bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

The research team at UNLV hopes to gain an understanding into cognitive and behavioral processes associated with daily function in order to learn about the neural mechanisms associated with severe mental illness and improve treatment interventions. Participants will be asked to do a variety of tests that will take approximately five hours and will be compensated $10 per hour.

Anyone who has been diagnosed with either of these conditions or who wants more more information can call 702-895-3314 or email unlvsocial
research@gmail.com.

This study has been approved by the UNLV Institutional Review Board.

SUNRISE HEALTH SYSTEM INSTALLING SELF CHECK-IN KIOSKS IN ER

The Sunrise Health System is installing self check-in kiosks in the Emergency Department lobbies at Sunrise Hospital, Sunrise Children’s Hospital, MountainView Hospital and Southern Hills Hospital.

The kiosks are similar to those in an airport. A patient selects their preferred language, either English or Spanish, and swipes a driver’s license or credit card. A credit card swipe at the kiosk is not used for billing purposes or charged in any way.

Patients may also enter their name manually. They will then be asked to enter their reason for visiting the Emergency Department from a drop-down list of options, or they can enter their reason manually.

Walk-in patients experiencing chest pain should bypass the kiosks to see the triage nurse immediately. Should a chest pain patient begin to register, the kiosk will flash a message in red informing the patient to stop and see the nurse immediately. Additionally, patients 4 years old or younger or 65 or older will be flagged for attention with the triage nurse.

Staff members are available in the Emergency Department Lobby to assist all patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additional benefits of the kiosk include improved patient satisfaction by eliminating the paper check-in process, two language options, and accurate and automated capture of patient arrival time.

For more information, visit sunrisehealthinfo.com.

SHRINERS EVENT PLANNED FOR OCTOBER AT TPC

The 2013 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is planned for Oct. 14-20 at Tournament Players Club (TPC) Summerlin, 1700 Village Center Circle. The Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is an official PGA Tour event. The 2013 tournament is set to feature more than 130 PGA Tour professionals competing for a $6 million purse, with a winner’s share of $1,080,000. All proceeds will benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The events fourth annual Women’s Day luncheon, Kick Off Your Heels, is planned for Oct. 15. It will be catered and feature a guest speaker. Tickets are $125 per guest. The luncheon sold out in 2012, so early purchases are encouraged.

Daily and weekly tickets and ticket packages for the 2013 tournament can be purchased online at shrinershospitalsopen.com or by calling

702-873-1010.

COMPUTER CLUB TO MEET AT TOTAL WINE & MORE SATURDAY

The Clark County Commodore Computer Club (aka 5C’s) plans to meet from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Total Wine & More, 730 S. Rampart Blvd. in Boca Park.

Commodore 64 software for 1040EZ tax returns will be demonstrated. A question-and-answer session will be available on the Google Nexus 7 tablet. A free raffle is planned for all attendees for Norton Antivirus 2013 for PC or an Alpine 7 Pro Intel CPU Cooler for PC.

The club consists of computer enthusiasts of the Commodore 64 and Commodore line of computers. The meeting is open to the public, and visitors are welcome. For more information, call Forrest Nettles at 702-363-3331 before 6 p.m. or email flnettles@hotmail.com.

JEWISH GENEALOGY SOCIETY TO MEET AT SAHARA WEST LIBRARY SUNDAY

The Jewish Genealogy Society of Southern Nevada plans to host its monthly meeting at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave.

Speaker Crista Cowan’s planned topic is “Ancestry.com: Get To Know Our Family To Discover Even More About Yours.”

There is no charge to attend, and meetings are open to the public. The group is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month.

For more information, call Abe Simon at 702-523-9874 or email abe_simon@cox.net.

For more information about the group, visit at jgssn.org.

E BUNNY COLLECTING EASTER BASKETS
FOR VALLEY CHILDREN

The E Bunny plans to begin delivering Easter baskets to agencies and shelters as early as March 18, as Easter is March 31. On March 29, E Bunny plans to “take it to the streets” with its annual Easter basket giveaway in some of the poorest neighborhoods in the Las Vegas Valley.

To help the effort, plan to purchase an Easter basket by March 21 and deliver it to an E Bunny drop-off site.

For more information, email ebunnylv@gmail or call 702-498-9808

WALGREENS COLLECTING FOR AFAN

Aid for AIDS of Nevada encourages Walgreens customers to shop for a cause and make a donation during checkout through March 30. All donations made during this period will help raise money for AFAN’s largest annual fundraising event, the 23rd annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas, scheduled for April 14.

People of all ages are encouraged to participate in the walk. Registration is free, but a minimum donation of $50 per person is encouraged and includes an official AIDS Walk T-shirt.

For more information or to register for a team, visit afanlv.donordrive.com.

CAMP SOLARI TO OFFER
FREE BEREAVEMENT CAMP

Camp Solari, a weekend-long bereavement camp sponsored by the Solari Hospice Foundation, 5550 S. Jones Blvd., plans to offer children ages 6 to 17 and their surviving caregivers a free opportunity to learn healthy coping strategies and honor the memories of their loved ones. The next camp is scheduled for May 3-5 at Mt. Charleston Lodge at the end of state Route 157. Applications for Camp Solari must be completed by March 11 to be considered for the spring camp. Planned activities include art, music, talk therapy, drumming, dancing and nature walks.

Camp Solari attendees are chosen based on need. To request an application, call 702-870-0000 or visit solarihospicefoundation.org.

CITY INVITES SENIOR STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP

The city of North Las Vegas invites high school seniors who live in North Las Vegas to apply for the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities Youth Award Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship recognizes students who have performed public or community services and have encouraged others to become involved in their communities.

To qualify, students who apply must be a full-time senior in high school and live in North Las Vegas. A panel of three North Las Vegas administrators and a City Council member will review the applications and forward three finalists to the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities for review. The league is set to notify the winners this spring.

Applications can be obtained online at cityofnorthlasvegas.com, from counselors at high schools in North Las Vegas or at City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. North. The application deadline is 5 p.m. April 3.

For more information, contact Nancy Chavez or Donna Gamble at 702-633-1007.

KOHL’S ACCEPTING YOUNG VOLUNTEERS NOMINATIONS until march 15

The Kohl’s Department Stores scholarship, Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program, is accepting nominations for kids ages 6 to 18 until March 15 at kohlskids.com. The program plans to award more than $425,000 in scholarships and prizes in 2013 ranging from $50 gift cards to $10,000 scholarships to more than 2,300 young volunteers who have made a positive impact in their communities. The nominators must be 21 or older.

Two nominees from each of the more than 1,100 Kohl’s stores nationwide will win a $50 Kohl’s gift card, and more than 200 will win regional scholarships worth $1,000 toward post-secondary education. Ten national winners will be awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarships for post-secondary education, and Kohl’s will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization on each national winner’s behalf.

Since the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program began in 2001, Kohl’s has recognized more than 17,000 kids with more than $3.4 million in scholarships and prizes.

RAPE CRISIS CENTER INCREASES
FACE-TO-FACE HOSPITAL VISITS

The Rape Crisis Center, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd., made nearly 40 percent more face-to-face hospital visits with victims in 2012. Advocates for the center made 421 hospital visits in 2011 and 588 in 2012. Bill Thomas, the center’s chairman of the board, said the increase in services is a result of better and stronger community relationships and community outreach and not necessarily an increase in the number of sexual assaults. The Rape Crisis Center hotline number is 888-366-1640. For more information, visit
therapecrisiscenter.org.

SEARCH is ON FOR NEVADA’S top
SENIOR VOLUNTEERS

Home Instead Senior Care is searching for Nevada’s outstanding senior volunteers. The Salute to Senior Service program recognizes senior volunteers for the many contributions they make in the community. Nominations are scheduled to be accepted through March 31, and the winner in each state will receive $500, while the national will receive $5,000 to donate to the winners’ charities of choice. Online voting takes place from April 15 to April 30, and a panel of senior care experts is to pick the national honoree.

To complete and submit a nomination form online for a senior 65 or older who volunteers at least 15 hours a month, and to view the contest’s official rules, visit salutetoseniorservice.com. Completed nomination forms also can be mailed to Salute to Senior Service, P.O. Box 285, Bellevue, NE 68005.

For more information about Salute to Senior Service or the Home Instead Senior Care network’s services, call 702-796-6393.

YMCA RECEIVES GRANT FROM JCPENNEY

The YMCA of Southern Nevada received a $5,000 grant from jcp cares, JCPenney’s new charitable giving program to provide school-aged children with financial assistance to attend after-school programs at the YMCA. In Southern Nevada, the YMCA served approximately 470 after-school program participants in 2012 between the ages of 6 and 12. Additionally, jcp cares named the YMCA as its featured charity for January. Customers at JCPenney were able to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar in stores and donate the difference to the YMCA. For more information about the YMCA’s programs, visit lasvegasymca.org.

EASTER SEALS NEVADA RECEIVES
$9,000 IN GRANTS

Easter Seals Nevada, a nonprofit group serving more than 8,000 Nevadans with disabilities every year, was awarded two grants in January from Cox Charities and EZCORP Foundation, totaling $9,000.

The grants will fund the following Easter Seals Nevada initiatives:

n The $5,000 grant from EZCORP Foundation will serve as scholarship money for the inclusive Child Development Center, providing children of all ages opportunities to explore, socialize and build skills to nurture their education foundation.

n The $4,000 grant from Cox Charities will be used to purchase various toys and equipment that will assist children with disabilities in their development of gross and fine motor skills, sensory integration and creative play.

Easter Seals Nevada provides services to more than 8,000 individuals with disabilities and strives to create solutions that help people with disabilities become self-sufficient through education, community partnerships and direct services.

For more information, visit eastersealsnevada.org.

BLENDED FAMILY CONFERENCE
SET FOR saturday

Nehemiah Ministries Christian Church plans to host the Blended Family Conference from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 3606 N. Rancho Drive, Suite 144. The conference will require a registration fee of $25 per person or $40 per couple, and trained workshop facilitators plan to explore different topics, including “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace (Discussing Your Parental Concerns Before You Say I Do)” and “Who’s On First (How to Define and Develop the Roles and Rules of the Biological and Stepparent).” The conference will include workshop materials, lunch and giveaways. For more information, call 702-645-2544.

AARP TAX PREPARATION TO BE AVAILABLE

AARP plans to prepare tax returns for free by appointment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through April 8 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays Feb. 7 through April 11.

To make an appointment, call 702-229-1702.

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES SEEKS FOSTER HOMES

The Clark County Department of Family Services is seeking members of the public willing to become foster parents. The program involves individuals and families providing safe, stable and loving environments for children in need of temporary out-of-home care.

Information packets are available and include an overview of the program and the latest session schedule. For more information or to request a packet, call 702-455-0181.

REBUILDING TOGETHER ACCEPTING HOMEOWNER APPLICATIONS

Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada is accepting applications from North Las Vegas homeowners for National Rebuilding Day on April 27. The organization plans to repair and renovate 25 to 30 homes with the help of 1,500 volunteers in one day. To be eligible for home repairs, the applicant must own and live in his house; be low-income in accordance with the Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines; be at least 60 years old, a person living with disabilities, a veteran of family of an active-duty military service member of a multigenerational family; and be current with mortgage and real estate taxes. For more information or to apply, call Therese Elliot at 702-259-4900 or visit rtsnv.org.

U.S. TENNIS ASSOCIATION-NEVADA
SEEKS DONATED ITEMS

The United States Tennis Association-Nevada is asking for donations of old wooden tennis rackets, usable tennis rackets, old trophies, ball machines, items for a silent auction or raffle, a digital photo camera, an office phone system and computers or laptops.

Items can be dropped off at the USTA-Nevada office, 1333 N. Buffalo Drive, Suite 130.

For more information, call 702-792-8384 or email support@ustanevada.com.

NONPROFIT IT’S ALL ABOUT KIDZ
BEGINS SPONSORSHIP CAMPAIGN

Nonprofit It’s All About Kidz launched a sponsorship campaign calling for any company, organization or individual to sponsor a mother and child who is enrolled in the sober living program. The southwest-area group focuses on providing a sober living environment to women and their children while providing services for them to become self-sufficient. The nonprofit also serves as a foster care agency to provide temporary living arrangements for children. September marked the organization’s one-year anniversary, and people looking to get involved can participate by becoming a foster parent, offering financial support and/or participating in the New Beginnings Coat and Shoe Drive started Dec. 1 at the Behavioral Treatment and Foster Care Agency at 3450 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 500. For more information, call 702-631-0230 or visit aakidz.org.

WATER AUTHORITY REMINDS RESIDENTS ABOUT WINTER RESTRICTIONS

The Southern Nevada Water Authority reminds residents that winter watering restrictions are in effect, and watering is limited to one assigned day a week through Thursday.

Watering restrictions also apply to drip irrigation systems. Sunday is not an optional watering day.

If residents notice that frost or a freeze has damaged a plant, they should leave it alone until warmer weather arrives and new growth appears. Pruning or transplanting a plant during the winter months can hurt or even kill it. Watering should be done in mid-morning to avoid afternoon winds that make sprinklers less effective and avoid the risk of icing.

For more information, visit snwa.com or call 702-258-7283.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD SERVICES SEEKS SITES FOR BLOOD DRIVES

The American Red Cross Blood Services is the predominant supplier of blood products for Southern Nevada and has increased staffing to increase the number of blood drives in Las Vegas.

The Red Cross invites community-minded businesses, churches, schools and other organizations to host blood drives in locations across the city.

To meet the demand for blood products in the Las Vegas hospitals it serves, the Red Cross needs to schedule two or more blood drives every business day. It is estimated that in the coming year, about 48,000 Las Vegas patients will need a red blood cell transfusion in a hospital the Red Cross serves.

North Las Vegas residents interested in sponsoring a blood drive or donating blood should call 702-522-4000.

MASTER GARDENERS PLAN TOURS
OF DEMONSTRATION GARDENS

The Master Gardeners of Southern Nevada plans monthly tours of the Demonstration Gardens at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Road. Tours are free and open to the public. Groups of five or more are requested to call program coordinator Ann Edmunds at 702-257-5587 at least two weeks in advance.

DONATIONS ACCEPTED TO AID NONPROFIT

Help homeless, pregnant and parenting teens by donating time, money or new or gently used items to assist clients of Southern Nevada Children First, 720 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 30.

Volunteers and donations are always needed to support the nonprofit.

For more information, visit childrenfirst-nv.org or call 702-487-5665.

MISS NEVADA PAGEANT COMING
TO TEXAS STATION IN SUMMER

The Miss Nevada Organization announced that it plans to host the 2013 Miss Nevada and Miss Nevada’s Outstanding Teen competitions at Texas Station, 2101 Texas Star Lane, June 14 and 15. Winners will represent Nevada at the Miss America and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competitions. Tickets for the pageant will go on sale in the spring.

For more information, visit missnevada.org.

KIWANIS CLUB WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

The Kiwanis Club of North Las Vegas, a chapter of the international service organization, is scheduled to meet at
6:15 p.m. each Tuesday at T.G.I. Friday’s in the Aliante Hotel + Casino, 7300 Aliante Parkway.

Club community projects have included canned food drives, car shows, kites in the park events and charity fundraisers.

The fourth meeting of the month is limited to members only.

For more information, visit nlvkiwanis.com or call 702-399-0332.

NORTH LAS VEGAS ROTARY CLUB TO MEET

The North Las Vegas Rotary Club of Las Vegas meets at 7:15 a.m. Fridays at the Painted Desert Golf Club, 5555 Painted Mirage Road.

The weekly breakfast meetings include guest speakers, networking, education workshops and service projects.

For more information, visit nlvrc.org/newsite or call Bob Lillis at 702-340-9735.