Summerlin/Summerlin South Neighborhood News, Dec. 31-Jan. 6

COMMENT PERIOD FOR WILDERNESS PLAN TO CLOSE JAN. 14

The Bureau of Land Management’s Southern Nevada District Office and U.S. Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest announced the availability of a management plan for two wilderness areas west of Las Vegas.

The La Madre Mountain Wilderness Area — a 47,225-acre area — and Rainbow Mountain Wilderness Area — a 24,899-acre area — are contained within Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.

Some of the specific actions include: Improve recognition of the wilderness boundaries; eliminate vehicle intrusions in wilderness; designate Rattlesnake, Limestone and Bridge mountain trails for hiking use (BLM portion); designate Brownstone Basin Trail extension for hiking and equestrian use (on BLM portion); establishment of staging areas and installation of information kiosks; allow for protection and study of unique archaeological, geological and paleontological resources; and monitor for and remove invasive exotic or noxious plant species.

The public has until Jan. 14 to appeal the decision to approve the Final Wilderness Management Plan.

Read the plan at tinyurl.com/wilderness-plan. To contact the BLM Las Vegas Field Office, call 702-515-5297.

WESTSIDE NEWCOMERS CLUB TO MEET JAN. 2

The Westside Newcomers Club plans to host a coffee event for prospective members at 9:15 a.m. Jan. 2 at Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church, 2004 Spring Gate Lane.

The coffee events are planned for the first Wednesday of each month; however, the upcoming meeting in January will be on Thursday, due to Wednesday being a holiday.

The club is for women who have lived in the area for 10 years or less or for those who have a life-changing event, such as retirement. It offers a variety of activities. A luncheon with a program is planned for the second Wednesday of each month.

For more information, visit westsidenewcomersclub.org or call Laura Gordon at 702-649-3922.

ORCHID SOCIETY TO MEET JAN. 5 AT RAINBOW LIBRARY

The Greater Las Vegas Orchid Society plans to meet from 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive.

The scheduled speaker is Ron Parsons, presenting the “Orchids of China.” Expect a sale and a raffle of orchids, a white elephant sale, show-and-tell and food. The social hour is set to begin at 1 p.m. with the meeting at 2 p.m. The event is free.

For more information, call 702-845-4872.

BABY BOOMERS EXPO PLANNED AT SUNCOAST JAN. 7

The Large Vision Business Network Mixer plans to host its first 2014 business mixer from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 7 in the Suncoast’s ballroom, 9090 Alta Drive.

The 2014 kickoff expo is open to the public and aimed at the estimated 300,000 baby boomers in Clark County. It is expected to showcase 50 exhibitors highlighting services and products. A meet and greet is planned with fine artist Annie Lee. More than $10,000 in raffle prizes are planned as well.

More than 5,000 free admission tickets are being distributed throughout the county. For more information, call 702-639-6964.

CHEFS FOR KIDS 5K RUN/1 MILE WALK PLANNED FOR JAN. 18

The Chefs for Kids 5K Run/1 Mile Fun Walk is scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 18 at W. Wayne Bunker Family Park, 7351 W. Alexander Road.

Each runner/walker will receive a Chefs for Kids T-shirt, a goodie bag and a free pancake breakfast. A raffle is also planned.

The Las Vegas Track Club has agreed to provide race bibs and computerized timing. Trophies will be awarded in some categories. Age categories begin at 12 or younger.

Participant fees are $25 for adults for the 5K and $20 for the Fun Walk, $20 for children 12 or younger and per runner for groups of 10 or more. The race-day fee is $35.

Online registration is available at active.com, or mail checks payable to LVTC to P.O. Box 30134, Las Vegas, NV 89173. Packet pickup will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Red Rock Running Company, 7350 W. Cheyenne Ave., or from 8 to 8:45 a.m. on race day.

For more information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Sandy Boyer at 702-460-1852.

NATHAN ADELSON HOSPICE HOSTING DOG BED AND BLANKET DRIVE

The Pet Therapy Program at Nathan Adelson Hospice is holding its third annual Dog Bed & Blanket Drive to help keep shelter animals warm this season.

Through Jan. 31, the hospice is collecting new or gently used dog beds, blankets and towels, as well as unopened dog food, to deliver to local animal shelters. In the valley, donations can be dropped off at 4141 Swenson St.; 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 350, next to MountainView Hospital; or 1201 Nevada State Drive in Henderson.

More than 3,500 items were donated to local shelters over the last two winter seasons through the drive. For more information, visit nah.org.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP HOSTS WEEKLY MEETINGS

GriefShare, a national program for those dealing with loss, is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road. Weekly meetings include video showings and discussion.

For more information, contact the group at 702-481-5833.