North Las Vegas Neighborhood News

LEAP ALLIANCE PLANS DIABETES TESTS
AT HEALTH FAIR

LEAP Alliance is set to have a booth at the health fair planned from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Texas Station, 2101 Texas Star Lane. November is National Diabetes Month, and LEAP representatives are to conduct a screening test for diabetes that involves special filament applied to the bottom of the foot. For more information, visit leapalliance.org.

FUNDRAISER TO HELP
FORECLOSED UPON PETS INC.

Foreclosed Upon Pets Inc. plans to host its fourth annual fundraiser from
5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 9 at the home of Conita and Tom Jones. The evening will include a beer and wine bar, a buffet, music and a raffle. Donation is $25 per person, and 100 percent of the donations will benefit FUPI. Raffle tickets are five for $20. To RSVP and get directions, contact Sandy Marsh at 279-2544 or smarsh2009@yahoo.com.

GOLDEN HAND SERVICE AWARDS PLANNED

The Cultural Diversity Foundation has announced its fifth annual Golden Hand Service Awards, set from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at Nevada Partners, Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, 710 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

The Golden Hand Service Awards honors individuals who have contributed outstanding service to the community and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to lend a helping hand to someone in need of support.

The event's master of ceremonies is set to be Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly. Tickets are $50 or $500 for a table of 10. For more information, visit cdfnv.org/goldenhand.html.

FUNDRAISER FOR HOMELESS VETS PLANNED AT CLARK COUNTY SHOOTING COMPLEX

The Las Vegas Valley Vets annual Nancy Gass Turkey Shoot is planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Clark County Shooting Complex, 11357 N. Decatur Blvd. The fundraising event is to benefit Las Vegas homeless veterans. A Corvette coral, vendors and the Sin City roller derby team are set to be on hand. Participants will be shooting at paper targets, and the BB closest to the center wins. Those younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, call 455-2002.

COMMUNITY DAY OF SHARING TO ASSIST
FIVE NONPROFITS

Albertsons Sav-on's CommUNITY Day of Sharing will combine five nonprofit groups for a donation drive, culminating Oct. 20.

The effort will unite Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, Three Square food bank, United Way of Southern Nevada and Goodwill of Southern Nevada, with the goal of impacting the lives of those who need help with shelter, food, employment or other basic needs. Donate gently used clothing, home goods, nonperishable food items and new hygiene products to any Albertsons location from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20. The Albertsons store at 4055 S. Durango Drive at Flamingo Road will serve as the main event site from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day, with music, prizes and a community barbecue planned.

FREE BEREAVEMENT SESSIONS OFFERED
FOR TEENS

The Center for Compassionate Care division of the Nathan Adelson Hospice is offering a series of free bereavement support groups for teens 13 to 18 who have experienced a significant loss.

The support group plans to meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, ending Nov. 14, at The Center for Compassionate Care, 4131 Swenson St.

The program will explore grief, loss, emotional responses to memories and events surrounding loss, and coping skills.

To register, call 796-3167 or Christine Zazzeri at 796-3126. For more information, visit nah.org.

IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE GALA
TO RECOGNIZE NOBEL PRIZE WINNER WIESEL

The eighth annual In Pursuit of Excellence Gala is planned for 6:30 to 11 p.m. Nov. 17 at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

It will honor Holocaust survivor, Nobel Peace Prize winner and "Night" author Elie Wiesel for his literacy and activism in human rights. Live and silent auctions, a dinner and dancing are planned. Tickets start at $250 per person. To purchase tickets or make a donation, visit adelsoncampus.org or contact Davida Sims, Adelson Educational Campus director of development, at 515-8203.

MASTER GARDENERS PLAN TOURS
OF DEMONSTRATION GARDEN

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

HELP OF SOUTHERN NEVADA DISTRIBUTES DONATED WATER BOTTLES

HELP of Southern Nevada, in partnership with Whole Foods Market and Real Water, acquired 14,784 bottles of water, or 616 cases, during its HELP2O bottled water drive this summer.

From June through August, the nonprofit teamed up with all four Whole Foods Market locations in the Las Vegas Valley for the effort. Real Water, a Las Vegas-based bottled water company sold at Whole Foods Market, matched all Real Water purchases made during the campaign.

HELP of Southern Nevada staff members are regularly distributing the bottles to homeless citizens around the valley. The inventory is expected to last into the winter season.

For more information, call HELP of Southern Nevada at 369-4357 or visit helpsonv.org.

MASTER GARDENERS PROGRAM OFFERING FREE CLASS

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners program, 4600 Horse Drive, is offering a free class, the last of a series, at Acacia Park, 50 Casa del Fuego, in conjunction with the Henderson Parks and Recreation Department. The class will be taught by a Master Gardener instructor and start at 9 a.m. It is:

n Oct. 13: Safe and sound insect control

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/NLVchamberevents.

In addition, Master Gardener Helen Brown plans to present a fall gardening class at 10 a.m. today at the Family Resource Center at University Medical Center, 1120 Shadow Lane. It is free and open to the public.

To reserve a space, contact Amy Runge at the Family Resource Center at 383-2229. For general gardening questions, contact the Master Gardener Help Line at 257-5555.

COATS FOR KIDS DRIVE PLANNED THROUGH NOV. 3 AT ALBERTSONS

The 13th annual Coats for Kids drive is scheduled through Nov. 3 at Albertsons stores across the valley.

Bring gently used coats to any Albertsons store and place them in the marked box at the front of the store. Aramark Uniforms will pick up the coats and drop them off at Al Phillips The Cleaner, which has cleaned all the coats free for the past 13 years. They are distributed to children in need by The Salvation Army's Family Services.

As part of the Lucky 13 theme for this year, anyone who donates a coat can enter a drawing for one of 13 pairs of free tickets to see Carrot Top's show at the Luxor. Entry forms are available at the Albertsons service desks.

SOUTHERN NEVADA CHILDREN FIRST PLANS KIDNAPPED FOR A CAUSE EVENT

Southern Nevada Children First is planning its second annual Kidnapped for a Cause event at 3 p.m. Friday. Local business and community leaders are to volunteer to be "kidnapped" and taken to Hennessey's Tavern on Fremont Street. These participants will have to call family, friends and coworkers to raise "ransom money," which is set at $1,500 per participant. This amount sponsors a young mother who is ready to move into her own apartment with her baby after graduating from SNCF's Life skills and Transitional Housing program. The release of the "victims" is planned from 5 to 7 p.m. during an open bar at Hennessey's. Individual donations in cash, check or credit card will be accepted.

SNCF is an area nonprofit group that provides long-term transitional living and life skills training to homeless pregnant and parenting teens and young adults from 16 to 22. All proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to fund SNCF's work.

For more information, visit childrenfirst-nv.org.

GRIEF CAMP TAKING APPLICATIONS

Applications are being accepted for Camp Solari, which offers a nurturing environment for children 6 to 17 and their surviving caregivers to learn to cope with grief. The next camp is planned for Oct. 12-14 at the Mount Charleston Lodge, 5375 Kyle Canyon Road.

All weekend activities, including art, music, talk therapy, drumming, dancing and nature walks, as well as lodging, meals and materials, are free to camp participants. Solari Hospice Foundation covers these costs through fundraisers and charitable donations.

For an application or to learn more about how individuals or organizations can donate to Camp Solari, go to
solarihospicefoundation.org, call 877-795-8760 or email jamie@solarihospice
foundation.org.

RESCUE GROUP BEGINS CAMPAIGN TO FUND PERMANENT SHELTER

Area animal rescue Adopt a Rescue Pet has launched its Beggin' for Bucks: 65,000 Pet Lovers Wanted campaign to support the organization's effort to build a no-kill animal sanctuary and canine retirement ranch. The goal is to reach $650,000 by collecting $10 from 65,000 people by Oct. 15.

The sanctuary, slated to be located on several acres in Amargosa Valley, will house 300 dogs.

To support the effort, visit facebook.com/arplasvegas.

AARP TAX-AIDE SEEKING VOLUNTEER HELP

AARP Tax-Aide NV, which prepares free personal income tax returns for residents in the lower- to middle-income brackets, is seeking unpaid volunteers to prepare taxes, greet clients and program computers in early 2013. Training is scheduled for Jan. 7-11 on the west side of the Las Vegas Valley and Jan. 21-25 on the east side. For more information or to volunteer, email taxesbarb@cox.net or jerrytaxes@cox.net.

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 487-5665.

ANIMAL FOUNDATION SEEKING
DONATED LINENS

Nonprofit The Animal Foundation, 655 N. Mojave Road, one of Nevada's largest open-admission animal shelters and pet adoption centers, is seeking donations of new and gently used linens, including: towels, blankets, sheets, pillowcases, T-shirts and sweat shirts.

During summer, The Animal Foundation receives more than 100 animals per day. Donated linens are used to make the animals more comfortable and to keep the young and underweight animals warm.

Due to the cleaning procedures for donated linens, items must be washed in a high bleach-to-water concentration, which breaks down materials quickly. Additionally, once an item has been torn, it cannot be used again. Items with stuffing (comforters, pillows, dog beds, etc.) can be used only once as they cannot be completely disinfected.

Linens can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at the shelter. For more information, visit animalfoundation.com.

FORECLOSED UPON PETS NEEDS
FOSTER FAMILIES

Foreclosed Upon Pets Inc. needs foster families for dogs and cats that have been relinquished by owners, left in foreclosed homes, found on the street or need a new home when the owner dies or is deployed.

Fostering usually involves short-term stints, typically ranging from a few weeks to a few months. Assistance is given to foster families, if needed, in the way of food, toys, medicine and veterinary care.

Foreclosed Upon Pets Inc. does its best to match foster families with a short-term companion that suits their lifestyle.

Foster families increase an animal's chance of being adopted by providing feedback on the temperament, activity level and likes and dislikes.

For more information, complete the foster form online at forecloseduponpets.org/, call 272-0010 or email forecloseduponpets@
hotmail.com.

SPRING MOUNTAINS NIGHT HIKES PLANNED

Explore the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, also known as Mount Charleston, with free interpretive hikes.

A night hike discussing wildlife adaptations after dark is planned for 8 p.m. each Friday, beginning at the McWilliams Campground host site.

Campfire programs are planned for 8 p.m. each Saturday at the Hilltop Campground. Due to limited parking, the program is recommended for campground guests only.

The programs are made possible through a partnership among the U.S. Forest Service, the Basin Institute and the Southern Nevada Conservancy.

For more information, visit gomtcharleston.

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 Aliante Station, 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 399-0332.

LOCAL 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 340-9735.