Summerlin Area Neighborhood News, April 9-15, 2015

WOMEN’S CLUB SEEKS DARE TO DREAM GRANT APPLICANTS

The Women’s Club of Summerlin is accepting applications for its Dare to Dream grant. Each year, the organization awards Dare to Dream grants to women working to improve their lives and the lives of others in the community. The money can be used for assistance with educational opportunities, new skills development, business development, tuition or anything a woman can dream of that will help her move toward her goal.

Grants of up to $3,000 are awarded based on the impact that the money will have on the recipient and others in the community, the merit of the requested program or project and personal need. Applicants must be 21 or older and reside in the Las Vegas Valley.

To date, the organization has donated more than $430,000 in cash and items to the Las Vegas community, and 47 women have been awarded grants.

The deadline is May 8. For applications, visit womensclubofsummerlin.org.

RED ROCK ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM GEARS UP FOR SECOND ROUND

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area’s resident artist is Susan Thiele, who will spend now through April 10 working on her art at Red Rock Canyon. An avid plein air painter and signature member of the New Mexico Watercolor Society, Thiele has traveled the world as a wilderness and international trekking guide specializing in the remote outposts of Asia.

Sean Russel is set to complete his residency April 25. A local artist and teacher at the College of Southern Nevada, Russel has explored a variety of artistic mediums, from large-scale, aggressive oil paintings to cast lead sculptures and an assortment of public artworks around Las Vegas.

During their time at Red Rock Canyon, the selected artists will lead a number of community engagement projects and participate in an exhibition at the visitor center in August and September.

This year, the Bureau of Land Management and the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association received 32 applications from artists. Last year was the program’s debut; this year, out-of-state artists were invited to apply.

The artist-in-residence program promotes awareness through art of the exceptional places protected within the BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System. The program provides an opportunity for learning and dialogue about the value of preserving public lands. It will engage and inform an audience through public programs by participants and will provide time for artists to pursue their work.

For more information, visit redrockcanyonlv.org or call 702-258-8265.

BLM OFFERING FREE 2015 PHOTO CONTEST CALENDARS

The Bureau of Land Management Nevada calendar celebrating Nevada’s public lands is available for pickup.

The photographs were chosen from submissions to the BLM’s third annual photo contest. The public was invited to vote on the images.

“We received some breathtaking images from across the state, and we’re glad we have the opportunity to share some of them,” said outdoor recreation planner Barb Keleher. “We hope that people enjoy viewing the photos each month and are inspired to go out and explore the great opportunities their lands have to offer.”

The calendars are free and can be picked up at one of the following BLM Nevada offices: Southern Nevada District Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive (from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday); Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Center Visitor Center, 1000 Scenic Loop Drive (from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily).

Quantities are limited. Calendars are restricted to one per person. Additional photos submitted to the contest can be found on BLM Nevada’s Facebook page at facebook.com/blmnevada.

FRIENDS OF RED ROCK CANYON ANNOUNCE PHOTO CONTEST

The 2015 Friends of Red Rock Canyon Photo Contest is slated to accept entries from 2 to 4 p.m. May 1 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 2 and 3 at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Visitor Center, 1000 Scenic Loop Drive. The theme is Nature and Wildlife of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Categories are landscape, desert plants, wildlife, creative, monochromatic, and professional.

All photos must be framed. The entry fee is $10 per photo and $8 for Friends of Red Rock members. First-place winners receive $100, second place gets $75, and third place gets $50.

For entry rules, visit friendsofredrockcanyon.org/photo.php or email photo@friendsofredrockcanyon.org.

STATE FARM PROGRAM TO GIVE $25,000 GRANT

Neighbors across the country have the chance to help change their communities for the better through State Farm Neighborhood Assist. This philanthropic program awards 40 causes a $25,000 grant. Anyone in the U.S. can submit a cause through March 29. Ultimately, voters will decide which projects win, and up to 4,000 causes will be accepted. The State Farm Youth Advisory Board will identify the top 200 submissions, and the public can vote from May 14 to June 3. The nominations and votes will be accepted exclusively through a free Facebook app.

Since the program began, State Farm has awarded $3 million to 120 communities across North America, supporting a wide variety of causes.

For more information, visit statefarm.com/neighborhoodassist.