Southwest and Spring Valley neighborhood news June 11-17

UNITED WAY PLANS BOOK DRIVE

The United Way of Southern Nevada, 5830 W. Flamingo Drive, is planning a summer book drive from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 10-14. Residents can drop off new and gently used books for pre-kindergartners through grade 12 in the United Way lobby. Book bags are to be distributed on June 21 to local Boys & Girls Clubs.

For more information, visit uwsn.org/volunteer.

CHILDS’ PLAY OFFERING
SUMMER MINI-CAMPS

Childs’ Play, 7260 S. Cimarron Road, has announced children’s summer mini-camps through the season. The camps, for ages 3 to 5, are planned from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through August. Each day is to be a different theme for exploration, playing and learning with story times, circle times, science experiments, arts and crafts, fine and gross motor skills and open play.

Price per mini-camp are as follows (a $5 sibling discount is available each day):

n one day/week: members, $35; nonmembers: $45

n two days/week: members, $65; nonmembers: $75

n three days/week: members, $85; nonmembers: $95

Scheduled weeks include June 17 and 24; July 8, 15, 22, 29; and Aug. 5 and 12.

All participants must be potty-trained. These camps are 2 ½ hours each. For more information or to register, call 702-722-6041.

THEATER ANNOUNCES CLASSES FOR YOUTHS

The nonprofit and nonprofessional Las Vegas Little Theatre has announced its LVLT Summer Youth Theatre Academy. Weekly classes for students ages 7 to 13 are set to start in June. Students may register for one or more sessions to gain hands-on experience in one or more facets of theater and acting. Each week is to end with a performance by the students in the LVLT Black Box theater. Classes are set from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday on the following topics:

n June 17-21: Improvisation: Whose Line Is It Anyway?

n June 24-28: Theater 101: There is No Business like Show Business!

n July 8-12: Musical Theater: Triple Threat Theater

n July 15-19: Comedy: Make ’Em Laugh

n July 22-26: Drama: Why the Long Face?

n July 29-Aug. 2: Mystery: Who Done It?

n An Audition Workshop is planned for July 1-3 and is open to students ages 7 to 18.

The LVLT Summer Youth Academy is conducted by Emily Fagan, a certified speech, theater and English teacher. Classes are $250 per week for each student; three weeks are $350; and all six weeks (excludes audition workshop) are $1,300. The three-day workshop is $150 per student.

For more information, call 702-362-7996 or visit lvlt.org.

VETERANS AID CENTER ANNOUNCES
OPENING OF THRIFT STORE

Veterans Village Las Vegas, a temporary housing and comprehensive resource facility for veterans and their families, has announced the opening of its new thrift store: Veterans Village Thrift Store, 6029 W. Charleston Blvd. The 33,000-square-foot store has been refurbished and re-merchandised via major in-kind donations from Las Vegas corporations and retailers.

Net proceeds from the sale of store merchandise directly supports operations at Veterans Village. U.S. veterans receive a 10 percent discount on purchases.

For more information, visit vvlv.org.

SIGN-UPS BEGIN FOR CHILDREN’S BEREAVEMENT CAMP

Registration for Camp Mariposa, an annual free children’s bereavement camp hosted by the nonprofit Nathan Adelson Hospice, is open for the planned June 28-30 camp session, which takes place at Camp Potosi in Lovell Canyon, 25 miles west of Las Vegas. It is open to any child between the ages of 7 and 12 who has lost a loved one. To request an application or volunteer for the camp, call 702-796-3167 or visit the Center for Compassionate Care, 4131 Swenson St. Information can also be downloaded from nah.org.

ASTRONOMY IN THE PARK SET FOR JUNE 15 AT LAS VEGAS SKI AND SNOWBOARD RESORT

An Astronomy in the Park event with free viewing of the night sky through telescopes is scheduled for June 15 at the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort, 6725 Lee Canyon Road on Mount Charleston. Observing is set to begin at
8:30 p.m. The viewing area is at the circular turnaround at the end of state Route 156. For more information, call Rob Lambert at 702-461-1390 or visit lvastronomy.com.

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS INSTITUTE ACCEPTING AWARD NOMINATIONS

The Nevada chapter of the Community Associations Institute is accepting nominations for individuals and charities statewide for its annual Ordinary People Extraordinary Measures Awards. The institute is a trade organization representing homeowners, homeowners associations, community managers and industry partners.

Formerly known as the Annual Heroes Luncheon, the awards program was redeveloped in 2012 to honor small charitable organizations that make a difference. Nominations are due July 15. For nomination forms, visit cai-nevada.org and click on “Events.” Winners will be honored during the chapter luncheon slated for Sept. 10 at the Gold Coast.

MDA SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR AUGUST CAMP

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is looking for volunteer counselors and medical professionals to care for children with muscular dystrophy and related diseases at the Southern Nevada MDA Summer Camp, slated for Aug. 4-10 at Apple Canyon Center in Mountain Center, Calif.

Volunteer counselors must be at least 16. Campers’ ages range from 6 to 17. Each counselor is a companion to an MDA camper, helping him with camp activities (sports, horseback riding, arts and crafts, etc.) and day-to-day activities (eating, bathing and dressing).

Also, the association is seeking physicians, nurses, emergency medical technicians, physical therapists and other medical professionals to volunteer for the camp’s medical staff. Medical staff members supervise and maintain the health and well-being of all camp participants.

To volunteer, contact the local MDA office by visiting mda.org/locate.

TORINO FOUNDATION SIGNING UP CHILDREN AND ADULTS FOR FREE CAMP

The Torino Foundation, a nonprofit organization, invites hundreds of children with medical issues each summer to its ranch for summer camp through specialized programs. The foundation now plans to offer camp experiences to teens and adults who were not able to have the chance in their youth. Every camp is residential, coed and offered at no cost to the participants.

Sessions are specialized, such as for children with a primary diagnosis of autism, or who are blind or have heart disease. Camps are set to begin June 20.

For more information, visit torinofoundation.org or call 702-258-4474, ext. 22.

CAMP THAT REUNITES SIBLINGS
IN FOSTER CARE SEEKS DONATIONS

Camp To Belong Nevada, which reunites siblings who are apart due to foster care, needs donations for its summer camp program. More than 80 children are expected to attend starting June 16.

A $115 donation provides transportation to and from camp for one child. A $285 donation covers a week’s lodging for one child. A donation of $400 sponsors a child for the entire week’s activities, including camper gifts, family meals, activity costs, clinical support and transportation.

Camper supplies, such as sleeping bags, water bottles and flashlights, also are needed. Some other needed items include: 200 individual packages of cookies; cans of Gatorade powder; 10 cases of Diet Coke; individual bags of trail mix; Solo cups; 100 packages of fun-size M&Ms; and 60 notebooks for journaling.

For a full list, visit Child Focus, 2685 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 112, or call 702-436-1624.

For more information, visit firstgiving.com/ctbnevada.

AREA GROCERY DELIVERY SERVICE OFFERS PINK MILK

Winder Farms, a grocery home delivery company based in southwest Las Vegas, will go pink for Susan G. Komen for the Cure by raising money and awareness for breast cancer screening, treatment programs and research. Through Oct. 31, Winder Farms is set to donate a portion of the proceeds from its Strawberry Milk to the local affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Winder Farms Strawberry Milk is made with reduced fat milk and comes from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones or antibiotics.

For more information, visit winderfarms.com. Sign up using the promotional KOMENSN13, and Winder Farms will donate an additional $25 to the charity.

SOLARI HOSPICE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

Solari Hospice Care, 5550 S. Jones Blvd., is looking for volunteers to aid with day-to-day operations and patient well-being. Volunteers bring companionship to people in the final months and weeks of life, often when people find themselves cut off from the community, isolated and alone. They bring respite to family caregivers who are caring for dying loved ones. Sometimes volunteers share a special knowledge or hobby, such as speaking a second language or playing music. Solari also uses volunteers to answer phones, assist with receptionist duties or perform light secretarial work.

For more information, call Shari Diebold at 702-870-0000.

SOLARI HOSPICE OFFERING FREE BEREAVEMENT SESSIONS

Solari Hospice Foundation, 5550 S. Jones Blvd., offers free weekly bereavement support groups from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

For more information, call 702-870-0000 or visit solarihospice
foundation.org.

MEN’S CHORAL GROUP PLANS
WEEKLY MEETINGS

The Silver Statesmen Chorus invites men of all ages to join its group. The chorus rehearses at 7 p.m. each Thursday at Christ The King Catholic Community, 4925 S. Torrey Pines Drive.

For more information, visit silverstatesmen.com.

HOSPITAL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center, 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd., is looking for volunteers to help at its facility. For more information, contact marketing director Naomi Jones at 702-853-3308 or naomi.jones@uhsinc.com.

NONPROFIT IT’S ALL ABOUT KIDZ
RUNNING SPONSORSHIP CAMPAIGN

Nonprofit It’s All About Kidz launched a sponsorship campaign calling for any company, organization or individual to sponsor a mother and child who is enrolled in the sober living program. The southwest-area group focuses on providing a sober living environment to women and their children while providing services for them to become self-sufficient. The nonprofit also serves as a foster care agency to provide temporary living arrangements for children. September marked the organization’s one-year anniversary, and people looking to get involved can participate by becoming a foster parent, offering financial support and/or participating in the New Beginnings Coat and Shoe Drive started Dec. 1 at the Behavioral Treatment and Foster Care Agency at 3450 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 500. For more information, call 702-631-0230 or visit aakidz.org.