Southwest and Spring Valley Neighborhood News

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. today at 4965 E. Sahara Ave.; Wednesday and May 1 at 8180 Las Vegas Blvd. South; June 5 and Sept. 4 at 1301 S. Boulder Highway; June 14 at 4001 S. Decatur Blvd.; Aug. 16 at 1955 N. Nellis Blvd.; and Nov. 21 at 2255 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

For more information, visit nvhealthcenters.org.

Spring valley hospital health fair to include free screenings

A Spring Fling Health Fair is planned from 9 a.m. to noon March 31 at Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center, 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd.

Free screenings are to include blood pressure, vision, glucose, depression and bone density.

For more information, call 853-3008.

WINDER FARMS ANNOUNCES FRIENDS OF THE FARM INITIATIVE

Winder Farms has announced Friends of the Farm, a charitable initiative to help local nonprofits raise money.

Winder Farms plan to donate $25 back to the organization from each new customer sign-up at local nonprofit events.

To become part of the "Friends of the Farm" initiative or for more information, email regional sales director Sean McCrady at sean.mccrady@winderfarms.com.

CASINO PLANNING ZUMBATHON TO BENEFIT THREE SQUARE

The Silverton, 3333 Blue Diamond Road, is planning a Zumbathon to benefit Three Square food bank from 7 to 9 p.m. March 16 at the Silverton's Veil Pavilion. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, guests are encouraged to wear green workout attire, and the bar will be serving special green cocktails.

Cost for admission is five green canned food items per person and guests must be at least 21 years old.

For more information, visit silvertoncasino.com.

SPLASH CANYON WATER PARK OPENING DELAYED

Officials of Splash Canyon Waterpark, 7055 S. Fort Apache Road, announced recently that the $20 million family waterpark will open in the spring of 2013. The waterpark was expected to open Memorial Day weekend this year.

Reasons for the delay included offering passholders a full year and adding more amenities. Splash Canyon is offering those who purchased 2012 season passes a full refund or a conversion to a 2013 season pass for half price -- $49.50 per person -- plus two Buddy Day Passes.

They will receive an email with specific instructions on refunds or conversions. New 2013 season passes are expected to go on sale in 30 to 60 days.

For more information or for employment information, visit splashlv.com.

HOSPICE FOUNDATION PLANS BEREAVEMENT CAMP FOR KIDS

Solari Hospice Foundation has established Camp Solari, a weekend-long bereavement camp for children and their surviving guardians. This year, Solari Hospice Foundation is partnering with Las Vegas-based Clear View Counseling, which will be orchestrating and leading all camp activities. The camp's mission is to teach children and teens, ages 6 to 18, healthy ways to work through their grief, meet others who have experienced similar losses, and continue life as positively as possible while honoring their lost loved ones.

The next Camp Solari is scheduled for May 18-20 at the Mount Charleston Lodge, at the end of state Route 157. Applications will be accepted through March 30. All weekend activities -- including lodging, meals and materials -- are free to camp participants. Solari Hospice Foundation covers these costs through fundraisers and charitable donations.

Camp Solari attendees are chosen based on need and prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis. To request an application for Camp Solari, call 870-0000. To learn more about the camp, or to make a donation to the Solari Hospice Foundation, visit solarihospice.com and click on the link for Camp Solari. To learn more about Clear View Counseling, call 254-4883 or visit clearviewcounseling.com.

IT'S ALL ABOUT KIDZ RECEIVES DONATIONS

Nonprofit group home It's All About Kidz has received several anonymous donations, allowing the group to remain functional until government grants become available this year. To date, the group, which helps mothers kick drug addictions while living in a stable home environment with their infants, has received more than $10,000 in monetary donations as well as a new washer and articles of clothing. Several donations were in the $50 to $300 range.

For more information or to help, visit aakidz.org or call 445-0203.

CHESS GROUP MOVES

The World Chess Federation Inc. has moved its meetings to a new location. It now meets from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays inside Family Practice Urgent Care-Amazing Chiropractic, 3120 S. Valley View Blvd.

For more information, visit wcfchess.com or call 418-4687.

AREA PET RESCUE SEEKING FINANCIAL AID FOR MICROCHIPS

Due to microchip upgrades and other factors, Adopt A Rescue Pet is facing doubled costs for microchips for its adoptable animals. The nonprofit rescue is asking the public to donate $10 to sponsor a pet's microchip. This will allow the rescue to provide a registered microchip to every dog being adopted. Of the 1,292 animals adopted last year, 126 were relocated and returned to their owners or to the rescue due to their microchips. Secure donations can be made at adoptarescuepet.org or mailed to Adopt A Rescue Pet, 1500 E. Tropicana Ave., Suite 105, Las Vegas, NV 89119. Adoptions can also be made in person at the weekend adoption events at PetSmart, 2140 N. Rainbow Blvd., or Petco, 2340 E. Serene Ave.

THE ANIMAL FOUNDATION OFFERING DISCOUNTS FOR SENIORS

The Animal Foundation, 655 N. Mojave Road, is launching its Seniors 4 Seniors program, offering local seniors (60 or older) $50 discounts on adoption fees for dogs 3 years or older and cats 1 year or older. The shelter receives more than 50,000 animals annually. Younger cats and dogs find homes quickly and easily while older pets frequently get passed over. Animals that are a bit older are often calmer and gentler, which can be a better match for less active people. Additionally, senior citizens often spend more time at home, which can be ideal for an older pet. The program is sponsored in part by the nonprofit Pets for the Elderly Foundation. For more information, call 384-3333, ext. 131 or email adoptions@animalfoundation.com.

ZAPPOS CEO TO MATCH FUNDS FOR THE LAS VEGAS LITTLE THEATRE

As part of a fundraising effort to support community theater, Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh has promised to match all donations made to the Las Vegas Little Theatre by June 1 up to $15,000. To donate, visit lvlt.org or mail donations to 3920 Schiff Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89103. For more information, call 362-7996.

E BUNNY GEARING UP FOR EASTER OUTREACH PROGRAM

For 22 years, the E BUNNY, a grass-roots community outreach program, has helped make Easter fun for thousands of children in need. The E BUNNY delivers Easter baskets to facilities such as the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Sunrise Children's Hospital, Clark County Social Services and Straight from the Streets. In addition, baskets are given to children living in temporary housing and shelters in the poorest areas of Las Vegas and Henderson.

Donations of pre-packaged Easter baskets, which can be purchased at any grocery, drugstore or general department store, are needed. The community group does not accept monetary contributions, only Easter baskets to pass directly to the children.

For details and drop-off locations, email barbarakenig@aol.com or call 498-9808.

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ANNOUNCES DISCOUNTS

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada's Club Ride Commuter Services is offering new discounts to enrolled commuters who choose an alternative mode to get to and from work, such as carpooling or taking transit, through its Club Ride Rewards program.

Discounts and promotion details for Club Ride members can be found online and include Golden Spoon, Krispy Kreme, Papa Murphy's, Tropical Smoothie, Boulder Dam Brewing Co, Sassy Sal's BBQ, Red Mango and Chef Fleming's Bake Shop. There also are entertainment discounts and discounts for services.

For more information, visit rtcsnv.com and click on Club Ride.

PHOTO CHALLENGE BENEFITS FAMILIES

Show off your photogenic child for a cause with local photographers Portraits to You and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a nonprofit that provides free photography sessions to families suffering an early infant loss.

Participants pose for a session with Portraits to You for a $39 fee. Families also receive a print.

Families rally support and votes via charitymodelsearch.org. Votes are $1 each, and proceeds benefit Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

Voting is to be conducted through March 23.

The top 25 vote-getters are judged by a panel of photography experts, and the top three are to receive awards including a camera, gift cards and savings bond.

For more information, visit charitymodelsearch.org, portraitstoyou.net or call 499-9930.

SHOW SUPPORT FOR RED ROCK CANYON THROUGH LICENSE PLATE

The Red Rock Canyon license plate has been approved by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles and is now available at any DMV office. Those who wish to support Red Rock Canyon do not need to wait for their current plate to expire. Exchanging your existing plate for a Red Rock Canyon one costs $61, plus a transfer fee of $5. Bring your ID and vehicle registration.

Annual renewals are $30 and can be handled through the mail or online.

Friends of Red Rock Canyon will receive $25 (first year) and $20 for renewals.

For more information, visit dmvnv.com.

LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY RECEIVES WALMART FOUNDATION GRANT

The Southern Nevada chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was given a $50,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to fund an in-depth educational series called Educating and Empowering Southern Nevada, which is open to anyone in Clark, Lincoln, Nye and Esmeralda counties.

In 2011, the chapter provided $178,665 in medication co-pay assistance and financial aid to local patients. It is estimated that doctors will diagnose approximately 800 Southern Nevada residents with a blood cancer in 2012.

For more information, visit lls.org or call 800-955-4572.

WALK AROUND NEVADA WITHOUT LEAVING TOWN

The Southern Nevada Health District offers the Walk Around Nevada program, which helps participants track their physical activity online as they trek around the state and clock in 1,442 miles.

Anyone can sign up for this free online program and start a tour of Nevada. Track mileage online via a red line that marks your tour of the state. It also offers tips about staying hydrated, stretching and healthful hiking basics.

Walk Around Nevada maps include the entire state, a Lake Mead map and a Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake map.

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

TAKE CARE CLINICS HAVE ONLINE COMPONENT

Take Care Health Systems, a subsidiary of Walgreens, has announced new scheduling options for its Take Care Clinics. Now, appointments can be made online through takecarehealth.com.

The site offers access to a comprehensive cost menu to quickly evaluate the cost of services, as well as local and up-to-date information on patient satisfaction scores and market-specific quality of care scores. The site includes estimated wait times at each clinic.