Southwest and Spring Valley Neighborhood News

SPRING VALLEY TOWN ADVISORY BOARD MEETING SET FOR TODAY

The Spring Valley Town Advisory Board is scheduled to meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today in the Desert Breeze Community Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Road. For more information, visit clarkcountynv.gov.

BLOOD DRIVE PLANNED AT GATSKI COMMERCIAL

Donate blood during Gatski Commercial's Zombie Apocalypse Community Blood Drive, planned from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at 4755 Dean Martin Drive. Grouchy John's coffee truck is to be on site during the event, and the first 10 people who donate blood will receive a complimentary beverage of their choice. Free UNLV basketball tickets will also be available to donors while supplies last. For more information, call 702-221-8226 or visit gatskicommercial.com.

LOW-COST MAMMOGRAMS AVAILABLE through wednesday

Southern Hills Hospital, 9300 W. Sunset Road, is offering $75 digital screening mammograms through Wednesday. Approximately one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. The best way to reduce the risk is through a combination of regular mammograms, routine breast exams by a health care professional and monthly self breast exams. To schedule an appointment, call 702-731-2888.

UNITED BLOOD SERVICES OFFERS TICKETS

United Blood Services of Las Vegas is offering two free tickets to "Nathan Burton Comedy Magic" and "Jeff Civillico: Comedy in Action" to blood donors through Wednesday. Donors supplying blood or plasma at any of the three Southern Nevada UBS locations are eligible to receive the free entertainment vouchers. UBS offices are at 6930 W. Charleston Blvd., 4950 W. Craig Road and 601 Whitney Ranch Drive, Suite 20, in Henderson. For more information, visit unitedbloodservices.org.

UNITED WAY PLANS SUIT DRIVE FOR friday

United Way of Southern Nevada's Women's Leadership Council plans to host its annual one-day suit drive from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday in the parking lot of NV Energy, 6226 W. Sahara Ave.

A drive-through system will collect suits and other business attire for women in need. The drive helps women prepare for career opportunities and gain confidence to succeed during job interviews and in the workplace. Last year's drive collected more than 5,700 professional items, including suits, dresses, shoes, handbags and jewelry.

Donations will benefit various agencies, including Goodwill Career Connections, HopeLink, S.A.F.E. House, Safe Nest, the Shade Tree, the Women's Development Center and W.O.R.C. (Work Opportunities Readiness Center) of Help of Southern Nevada.

For more information, contact Lawrel K. Larsen at 702-892-2319 or lawrell@uwsn.org.

GAY AND LESBIAN CENTER PLANS HONORARIUM

The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada is planning its 18th annual Honorarium, after the culmination of a five-week multimedia capital campaign to raise $100,000, to go toward the construction and preparation of the nonprofit's new home, the Robert L. Forbuss Building. The Honorarium is set from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Rain nightclub at the Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road. Tickets are $150. For more information, visit thecenterlv.com/events.htm.

COATS FOR KIDS DRIVE SET THROUGH Saturday AT ALBERTSONS

The 13th annual Coats for Kids drive is scheduled through Saturday 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. 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 free tickets to see Carrot Top's show at the Luxor. Entry forms are available at the Albertsons service desks.

HEALTH FAIR FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES PLANNED for nov. 9

A free health fair for current and retired federal government employees and their spouses or survivors has been scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 9 in the second-floor ballroom at the Suncoast, 9090 Alta Drive. The event is sponsored by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.

Representatives from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, including Blue Cross-Blue Shield, GEHA, Mail Handlers, United Healthcare and the Health Plan of Nevada are expected to attend and answer questions about 2013 health benefits.

For more information, contact Jerry Mork at jmork26621@aol.com.

SOLARI HOSPICE CARE SEEKING BEREAVED LOVED ONES FOR MEMORIAL SERVICE

Solari Hospice Care, 5550 S. Jones Blvd., is planning its annual Celebration of Life memorial service in which loved ones of the hospice's deceased clients may gather to mourn their passing, scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. The hospice has sent invitations to those on its records, but any member of the public is welcome to attend the nondenominational service, which is set to include comments from administrators and staff members, words of inspiration, a message of comfort and the reading of patients' names. For more information, call 702-870-0000, visit solarihospice.com or email info@solarihospice.net.

DOG RESCUE RECEIVES DONATION PRIZE

Doberman Rescue of Nevada has won the $1,000 state prize for Nevada in the third round of voting in The Animal Rescue Site's 2012 $300,000 Shelter+ Challenge, together with petfinder.com.

A complete list of all winners can be found at theanimalrescuesite.com.

Doberman Rescue of Nevada posts its adoptable pets online at petfinder.com/shelters/NV140.html.

HELPING HANDS SURGICAL CARE PLANS SECOND ANNUAL CHARITY SURGERY DAY

Dr. Kevin Petersen and his wife, Kelly, co-founders of Helping Hands Surgical Care, plan to host the second annual Charity Surgery Day Nov. 13.

Helping Hands Surgical Care is a nonprofit organization with the mission to fund and facilitate surgeries for uninsured Nevadans without the means to pay for medically necessary procedures. HHSC doctors will provide 10 free surgeries Nov. 13 to uninsured Nevadans without the means to pay and who do not qualify for government assistance.

HHSC is seeking patients who may qualify. Applicants must qualify both financially and medically. To review patient eligibility requirements and apply, visit helpinghandssurgicalcare.com and click on the "How to Apply" link.

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 702-796-3167 or Christine Zazzeri at 702-796-3126. For more information, visit nah.org.

FLU VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE ACROSS THE VALLEY

The Southern Nevada Immunization and Health Coalition and its partners plan to host no-cost flu immunization and health clinics from 9 a.m-noon Nov. 14 at the St. Rose Dominican Hospital San Martin Campus' Aljian Conference Center, 8280 W. Warm Springs Road; and noon-3 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Clark County Fire Department Station 26, 4030 El Capitan Way.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that everyone 6 months or older receive the flu vaccine each year. The clinics will provide shots on a first-come, first-served basis. Children older than 6 months, adolescents and adults are eligible for the inoculations.

For more information, visit snicnv.org.

IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE GALA TO RECOGNIZE NOBEL PRIZE WINNER WIESEL

The eighth annual In Pursuit of Excellence Gala is planned for 6:30-11 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 702-515-8203.

NONPROFIT COMPUTER DONATION CENTER MOVES TO LAS VEGAS

Computers for Kids Inc., a nonprofit organization originally based in Boise, Idaho, has announced its new headquarters in Las Vegas at 5180 S. Cameron St., Suite 2. The organization accepts donated computers from individuals and businesses and then repairs or refurbishes them for distribution to students. Computers for Kids and the Community Partnership Program in Nevada donated more than 1,600 computer systems to Clark County students. Computer systems that are not able to be refurbished are stripped of working parts for use in other systems or recycled.

The organization hopes to ramp up distribution within a year to donate 7,000 computer systems to Clark County school students yearly.

For more information, visit cfknevada.org or call 702-366-0909.

DIVORCE INFORMATION GROUP PLANS MONTHLY MEETINGS

Second Saturdays Las Vegas is offering workshops from 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at CoBiz CoWorking Space, 6445 S. Tenaya Way. The workshops offer information to women seeking or going through a divorce.

Following the business model of wife.org, the originator of the Second Saturday Divorce Workshops program, Second Saturdays Las Vegas has created a monthly seminar featuring financial advisers, divorce attorneys, family therapists and mediators to guide women through the next steps of divorce.

Professionals presenting information include: the divorce process and legal fees; protecting yourself legally and financially; child custody and child and alimony support; information about dealing with a hostile spouse; helping your family cope with the stress of divorce and rebuilding self-esteem; preparing for divorce; dividing property and the tax consequences of divorce; and avoiding divorce court and the benefits of the collaborative law process.

For more information about Second Saturdays Las Vegas and upcoming workshops, visit secondsaturdayslv.com.

HEALTH CARD PROCESS CHANGES

As of Oct. 1, the Southern Nevada Health District has streamlined the health card process for most applicants, who will no longer be required to receive hepatitis A immunizations.

As part of the restructuring of the program, the health district also will discontinue providing TB tests for health card applicants as of Thursday. Individuals who require a TB test for licensing or other purposes will be referred to other resources for their tests. For more information, visit snhd.info.

As a result of the changes, the cost of the health card has been reduced by $10, with the exception of the child care card, which remains at $40. Food handlers and child care staff members must complete the online training before they come to the health district to apply for the card. The cost of the online training is $20 and must be paid at registration, and the $20 balance must be paid at the health district when applying for the card.

RED ROCK CANYON ANNOUNCES FALL HOURS

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area plans to close Scenic Loop Drive at 7 p.m. through October. Beginning Thursday, the drive will close at 5 p.m.

The drive opens daily at 6 a.m., and the Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, visit blm.gov/nv or friendsofredrockcanyon.org.

WINDER FARMS USING STRAWBERRY MILK TO RAISE FUNDS FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

Winder Farms, Las Vegas' "Farmers Market on Wheels," continues to raise money and awareness for Susan G. Komen for the Cure through sales of its pink strawberry milk. Through October, a portion of strawberry milk sales will benefit breast cancer screenings, treatment programs and research. For more information, visit winderfarms.com.

HELP OF SOUTHERN NEVADA SEEKS HOLIDAY VOLUNTEERS

HELP of Southern Nevada is calling for volunteers to assist with a number of programs this holiday season. Assistance is accepted from individuals who can donate any amount of time.

Areas where volunteers are needed include: assisting clients with their applications for holiday programs at HELP's main campus, 1640 E. Flamingo Road; assisting in receiving donated Thanksgiving turkeys at various locations (turkeys will be given to more than 1,200 families); and assisting in receiving holiday gifts for selected clients in the Adopt-A-Family program.

To volunteer, contact Joan Lima at jlima@helpsonv.org or 702-369-4357.

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.

MAMMOVAN SCHEDULED TO OFFER LOW-COST BREAST CANCER SCREENING

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from Food 4 Less, Nevada Health Center's Mammovan is scheduled to offer its last low- to no-cost breast cancer screening from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 21 at 2255 Las Vegas Blvd. North. For more information, visit nvhealthcenters.org.

TRAVEL CLUB TO MEET AT TAP HOUSE

The Las Vegas Single Social Travel Club for Mature Adults invites prospective members to its meetings, which are scheduled for 7 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month at The Tap House, 5589 W. Charleston Blvd. The next one is scheduled for today.

The meet-and-greet portion is set to start at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room. 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 8 p.m., when appetizers are served and the group mingles. For more information, call 888-324-2028.