Southwest and Spring Valley Neighborhood News

PLANNING COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES LOGO CONTEST FOR NEVADA'S 150th

Plans are in the works for a yearlong celebration commemorating Nevada's 150th year of statehood on Oct. 31, 2014. The celebration's planning committee, formed by Gov. Brian Sandoval, is encouraging the public to get involved by designing the event's logo to be used in promotional and event efforts.

The theme of Nevada's 150th anniversary will be "Battle Born-Nevada Proud," and all interested professional or amateur artists, designers and advertising and public relations agencies are invited to participate.

Requirements for participation include:

-- The resident or company designing the logo must primarily reside in Nevada.

-- Artwork must include the tagline "Battle Born. Nevada Proud."

-- Artwork designed and submitted by the artist must be free to the committee.

-- Final artwork must be provided as print-ready for use in a .jpg, .eps or Illustrator file. Hand-drawn illustrations will not be considered.

-- The logo needs to be showcased in three different applications to show its versatility for the multitude of uses and needs.

The contest will be conducted through a request for proposals, available online at sites.google.com/site/nevada150th, or by requesting a copy from planning committee member Lori Nelson at lori.nelson@stationcasinos.com. All logo contest details, and terms and conditions are available.

Submissions are due by Aug. 23 and will be judged by the planning committee. The winning logo is scheduled to be unveiled at a to-be-determined Nevada Day celebration on Oct. 31.

RED ROCK CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL TO MEET WEDNESDAY IN BLUE DIAMOND

The next Red Rock Citizens Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Blue Diamond Recreation Hall, 1 Village Drive. For more information and agendas, visit tinyurl.com/redrockcac.

COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA OFFERING NATURALIZATION EDUCATION COURSE

The College of Southern Nevada is offering a free 12-week course to prepare for the U.S. naturalization exam to become a U.S. citizen at two CSN locations: the Sahara West Center, 2409 Las Verdes St., and the Green Valley Tech Center, 1560 W. Warm Springs Road.

The course will focus on the civics content needed for the exam, including history and government, as well as practicing oral and written communication skills through sample testing and mock interviews. The program, in its second year, was funded in 2012 through a grant from the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Workforce Investment Act, Title II.

Enrollment in the class is based upon completion of an orientation session involving a reading assessment placement. Students who do not qualify will be referred to ESL classes to improve their English skills so that they can qualify for a class later in the year.

Orientation schedules are as follows:

-- 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. today, Sahara West Center

-- 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sahara West Center

-- 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Aug. 7, Sahara West Center

Sahara West classes are set for 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in August and run through early November, and Green Valley classes are set for 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays in September and run through mid-December.

To register for orientation or for a schedule, visit csn.edu/workforce, call 651-4487 or visit the Sahara West Center in person.

RADIO STATION MAKES SUMMER EXCURSIONS TO UTAH THEATER FESTIVAL

Nevada Public Radio is planning a bus trip to the Neil Simon Festival and the Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Southern Utah.

The Tuacahn Amphitheatre excursion is scheduled to depart Saturday with a boxed lunch provided before the matinee performance of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and evening performance of "Hairspray." Guests are scheduled to stay overnight at the Abbey Inn in Cedar City and return to Las Vegas Sunday.

The cost of the theater excursion is $275 for single occupancy and $225 per person for double occupancy and includes theater tickets, hotel room, travel and boxed lunches. Proceeds must be purchased through Nevada Public Radio. For more information or to make reservations, visit knpr.org or call 258-9895.

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.

FUPI 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.

ANIMAL FOUNDATION SEEKING DONATED LINENS

Nonprofit The Animal Foundation, 655 North 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, pillow cases, T-shirts and sweatshirts.

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 only be used 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.

SEE THE BEAUTY OF RED ROCK CANYON IN PHOTOS

More than 100 photos from the 2012 annual Red Rock Canyon Photo Contest are on display through Aug. 10 at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Visitor Center Gallery, 1000 Scenic Loop Drive.

The 2013 Visions of Red Rock Calendar is available at friendsofredrockcanyon.org (click on "store" and "books") and at the Elements Gift Store in the Visitor Center. The calendar features 14 images of Red Rock Canyon entered in the 2012 contest. The cost is $15 and $12.75 for members.

For more information, contact Friends of Red Rock at 515-5360 or email info@friendsofredrockcanyon.org.

YOUTH CAMP OPENINGS FILLING QUICKLY

Time is running out to register for University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's summer Science, Technology, Engineering and Math day camp, scheduled from Aug. 14-18.

The camp is open to youths 7 to 11. It includes activities in plant and animal sciences, health and nutrition, computer science, robotics and rocketry.

The Lifelong Learning Center is at 8050 Paradise Road. The cost is $90 and includes daily lunch, snacks and activities. Sibling registration is $60. Previous 4-H participation is not required.

For more information on 4-H or the day camp, contact Mary Regan at 257-5524 or email reganm@unce.unr.edu.

MAMMOVAN SCHEDULED TO OFFER LOW-COST BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from Food 4 Less, Nevada Health Center's Mammovan is scheduled to offer low- to no-cost breast cancer screenings at selected Food 4 Less locations. Stops are scheduled from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 4 at 1301 S. Boulder Highway, Aug. 16 at 1955 N. Nellis Blvd. and Nov. 21 at 2255 Las Vegas Blvd. North. For more information, visit nvhealthcenters.org.

The Red Rock 5K is slated for 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at the Arroyo Golf Course at Red Rock Country Club, 2205 Red Springs Drive.

The course is scenic and challenging, following the rolling landscapes of the area. For more information, visit rynorunning.com.

CITY LOOKING TO FILL 67 POSITIONS IN SAFEKEY PROGRAM

The city of Las Vegas is looking to fill 67 positions in its Safekey program, which is a before- and after-school recreational enrichment program that is offered at 68 Clark County School District elementary schools within the city. Positions average 19 to 25 hours per week with a pay range of $10 to $12 per hour.

The program provides a safe environment where children in kindergarten through fifth grade can receive homework assistance, have an afternoon snack and engage in fun activities.

Positions available for the 2012-2013 school year include Safekey site assistant and Safekey site leader. Some of the requirements are:

-- Minimum 18 years of age.

-- High school diploma or GED equivalent.

-- First aid and CPR certification at time of hire/reclassification.

-- Need to maintain physical agility.

An application can be downloaded from the city's website at lasvegasnevada.gov/employment or at the Safekey office, 1651 S. Buffalo Drive. Office hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 229-3399 or visit lasvegasnevada.gov/files/ safekeyjobdescriptions.pdf.

VACCINATIONS REQUIRED FOR SCHOOL

The Southern Nevada Health District has reported 22 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, since January. Seven have occurred in children younger than 1 year. The health district reminds parents, health care providers and child care providers to receive the vaccine. For information, call 759-0850 or visit southernnevadahealthdistrict.org.

SOLARI HOSPICE FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

To help provide bereavement resources and information to children and their surviving family members, the nonprofit Solari Hospice Foundation has launched a new website, solarihospice foundation.org.

The website includes information and schedules for Camp Solari, a bereavement camp for children 6 to 17 who, along with their surviving caregivers, come together for a weekend of camaraderie and healing. At Camp Solari, professional grief counselors teach children and adults healthy ways to express their emotions and move forward, while still honoring the memory of the deceased. Camps are held in Las Vegas and Houston, with plans under way for a spring 2013 camp in Phoenix.

Bereavement resources are also listed on the website, including tips to cope with loss, dates and times of grief support groups offered free to the public. Links are provided to Facebook and Twitter, so individuals can join in the conversation with other families that have suffered similar losses.

WINDER FARMS PLANS BREAST CANCER SUPPORT INITIATIVE

Winder Farms plans to make a donation to the local affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure for every Winder Farms strawberry milk sold through Oct. 31 (Breast Cancer Awareness Month). To remind customers of the charitable initiative, labels on 16-ounce and half-gallon bottles have been changed and will now feature the Susan G. Komen for the Cure pink ribbon.

Winder Farms has also created a Friends of the Farm offer to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For every new customer who signs up for Winder Farms using the promotional code "KOMEN," $25 will go to the charity. For more information, visit winderfarms.com.

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.