North Las Vegas Neighborhood News

Residents able to 'try the y' free

In an effort to remove barriers and help everyone in the community get moving, the YMCA of Southern Nevada is to offer its "Try the Y" promotion to prospective members through Feb. 24.

Southern Nevadans can "discover, play and be active" for two weeks free at the organization's four locations, including its newest in North Las Vegas, SkyView Multi-Generational Center, 3050 E. Centennial Parkway.

The 36,000-square-foot recreation center has an indoor pool, wellness center, kids gym, lounge areas and studios and offers an array of classes and fitness programs for all ages.

To "Try the Y," visit lasvegasymca.org and download a coupon for two weeks free, plus no joining fee, a savings up to $75. For more information on SkyView Multi-Generational Center, call 522-7500.

City hires new directors

The city of North Las Vegas filled two administrative roles this month with the hiring of Gerald Allan Zochowski as finance director and Alfonso Noyola as administrative services director.

Zochowski brings 30 years of government operations experience to his post. His most recent work was as finance director for the Village of Lake Zurich, Ill. He is a certified public accountant with a master's degree in business administration. His annual salary is slated to be $135,000.

Noyola has been acting director of administrative services and finance for the city since June. He holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master's degree in public administration.

His annual salary is to be $141,990.

The city council ratified their positions at its Jan. 6 meeting.

Dozens of employers expected at Texas Station job fair

A job fair is planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 31 in the Dallas Ballroom of Texas Station, 2101 Texas Star Lane.

The fair will be hosted by lasvegasjobs.com and is slated to include employers from up to 50 companies with several openings.

Walk-ins are welcome. Participants are asked to dress for an interview and to bring resumes.

For more information, visit lasvegasjobs.com.

Pet event planned at the Silverton

Senior Spaniel Rescue of Las Vegas is planning Find Your Furry Valentine, a pet adoption event, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Bass Pro Shops at the Silverton, 3333 Blue Diamond Road. Rescue groups will attend with a variety of pets available for adoption and to collect donations.

Vendors, sponsorships and volunteers still are needed. For more information, contact seniorspaniels.org.

Master gardeners plan plantin sessions

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and the South Valley Rose Society plan to offer two 7 p.m. educational meetings at the Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Road.

The Thursday meeting is slated to cover various types of soil amendments, fertilizers and spraying. The Feb. 23 meeting is planned to be on plant problems and will discuss plant diseases and remedies.

The meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, call 257-5555 or email lvmastergardeners@ unce.unr.edu.

The Cooperative Extension also plans to host an information and registration session for Spring 2012 Master Gardener Training at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the same address. Spring semester classes will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning March 12. There are 20 classes. The fee is $150.

Completed registrations (pay with cash or a check payable to Board of Regents) will secure enrollment and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For reservations, call Mary Bertsch at 257-5501 or email bertschm@unce.unr.edu.

Regular city council meeting planned

The North Las Vegas City Council is set to meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 1 at City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

For more information or for a copy of the agenda, visit cityofnorthlasvegas.com or call the city clerk at 633-1030.

Star party planned at Red Rock Canyon

The Las Vegas Astronomical Society plans to return to Red Rock Canyon for Astronomy in the Park at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

The evening is set to begin with the presentation "Getting Started in Astronomy," followed by telescope viewing of the moon and Jupiter just after sunset and deep-sky viewing of galaxies, nebulae and star clusters as the sky darkens.

A laser-guided "What's Up Tonight" tour of the night sky is scheduled to begin around 6:30 p.m. Americans with Disabilities Act parking and access to video-assisted viewing of the night sky is available.

The gates close at sunset, so arrive by 4:30 p.m. For more information, call Rob Lambert at 461-1390 or visit lvastronomy.com.

Health district to launch weight loss challenge

The Southern Nevada Health District plans to launch its fourth annual free 10 in 10 Challenge Feb. 6.

The online program helps participants cut calories and increase daily caloric burn. Sign up now. Each week, participants will receive two emails with tips and suggestions about how to swap foods they eat regularly with healthier, less calorie-dense choices, as well as ways to increase their physical activity.

Participants can track their progress online and set short- and long-term goals. In addition, they can post quotes or photos to help them stay motivated and achieve their goals. The 10 in 10 Challenge also is available in Spanish.

For information on any health district online programs, visit gethealthyclark county.org.

Donation made from holiday event

Benchmark Association Services presented Associa Cares with a donation of $6,911, raised at Benchmark's recent holiday luncheon's silent auction.

Benchmark provides community association management and developer services to Las Vegas.

Associa is a national nonprofit organization created to assist families and communities in crisis as a result of natural and man-made disasters. Based in Dallas, Associa and its 8,000 employees operate more than 140 branch offices in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Red Rock Canyon hours change

The Bureau of Land Management advises residents that the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Visitor Center and Scenic Loop Drive have different hours for the remainder of the month.

Scenic Loop Drive will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Visitor Center from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, call 515-5350.

Child focus seeks sibling mentors

Child Focus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reunifying separated brothers and sisters living in foster care, is recruiting sibling mentors to assist with chaperoning events and helping siblings develop the ability to become a healthy family.

Activities are held monthly and vary in topic. For a complete listing of volunteer opportunities, visit childfocusnv.org or call 436-1624.

New video puts faces to AIDS awareness

In recognition of World AIDS Day, the Southern Nevada Health District has created a video series, "Facing AIDS," available at youtube.com/snhealthdistrict.

Meet Ivan, Lane, Maryanne and Tracy, the "faces" behind the disease. They share their stories to prevent just one infection and encourage others to get tested.

More than 3,000 Southern Nevadans are living with HIV, and there are more than 2,800 AIDS cases locally. According to a study by UNAIDS, a United Nations program, about 33 million people worldwide are living with HIV.

For more information, call the health district at 759-0702.

Pruning series planned

Gardeners looking to sharpen their pruning skills are welcome to the final class of its series this weekend at the University of Nevada's Cooperative Extension orchard.

A class on pruning almonds and pistachios will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

A $5 donation to the orchard for each class is being solicited to help support educational research, outreach and demonstrations. The orchard lost its monetary support from the university this year.

No reservation is needed.

The UNCE orchard is 100 yards east of the intersection of Decatur Boulevard and Horse Drive.

For more information, contact Bob Morris at extremehort@aol.com or call the orchard at 257-5532 and leave a message for a volunteer.