Briefs

     Volunteers help
     during tax season
     
      Free tax assistance is available for elderly or low-income individuals, and other taxpayers who can't afford professional help with their taxes.
      The program, operated by volunteers from the American Association of Retired Persons, who have been trained by the Internal Revenue Service, is available through April 14.
      Individuals are required to bring a copy of last year's tax return; a federal form package and/or label; W2 and 1099 forms (including SSA1099, RRB1099 and 1099R); social security cards for dependents; and all appropriate back-up information for itemized deductions. Please note that any taxpayers with complex returns or state returns will be asked to seek professional tax assistance.
      Assistance is separated into two categories -- tax counselling for the elderly and volunteer income tax assistance.
      The following locations offer tax counselling for the elderly: West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. from 1-4 p.m. on Mondays; Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays, 368-4411; Northwest Community Center, 6841 W. Lone Mountain Road from noon-3 p.m., 229-2924; and Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesdays, 228-4320.
      The following locations offer volunteer income tax assistance: West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. from 6-8 p.m. on Mondays; Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays; and Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesdays, 228-4070.
      If a telephone number is not listed, taxpayers will be served on a first come first served basis; however, if one is listed, an appointment is required.
      Electronic filing is also available at 340 N. 11th St. from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 386-8661 for information about electronic filing.
     
     Tucson group to
     perform with chorus
     
      The Boys Chorus of Southern Nevada will host the Tucson, Ariz., Boys Chorus and perform with them Tuesday at the Cheyenne campus of the Community College of Southern Nevada, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave.
      The performance begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and children under age 12. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 395-0527.
      The Tucson Boys Chorus was founded in 1939 and has earned a reputation as a premier music education and performance organization of both traditional and classic repertoire.
      The group has also worked with national symphony orchestras, has made radio and television appearances, collaborated with diverse arts organizations and produced numerous recordings. The group has performed at the White House, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, the Beijing Institute of Culture, Russian Glinka Cappella and the Sydney Opera House.
      The Boys Chorus of Southern Nevada, only in its third year, is a nonprofit, nonsectarian group for boys ages 8 to 12 whoses voices have not changed. The group has two major concerts a year and have done several community-sponsored performances.
      Those interested in auditioning for the group can call 395-0527 or 878-6982.
     
     Valentine wrapping
     offered at Boulevard
     
      Opportunity Village is operating a Valentine gift wrapping booth at The Boulevard mall to benefit its work training center for mentally challenged adults.
      Through Friday, volunteers will wrap gifts for a minimal donation. As a Valentine treat for shoppers, gift wrapping will be free on Valentine's Day. Opportunity Village will also be selling gold heart pins for $2 at the booth, which will be located in the mall's center court area.
      Opportunity Village will also be selling tickets to its annual benefit, the Concert of Love, which is scheduled for Feb. 22 in the Circus Maximus Showroom at Caesars Palace. The doors will open at noon and the concert will begin at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person.
      The Boulevard is located at 3528 Maryland Parkway, at Desert Inn Road and has more than 140 stores and 1.2 million square feet of retail space.
      For mall hours, call 732-8949 or visit the mall's Web site at www.blvdmall.com.
     
     Catholic Charities
     seeks volunteers
     
      Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is seeking volunteers to help with sponsored programs including social services, migration and refugee services and the Catholic Charities Child Care Center.
      "Because the needs of this community have grown tremendously, our need for volunteers has also grown," said Michael Husted, executive director of Catholic Charities. "We are looking for volunteers who can help us on a regular basis and other volunteers or civic groups who are interested in helping out with specific projects or programs."
      Catholic Charities offers diverse volunteer opportunities with programs such as the Lied Dining Facility, formerly known as the St. Vincent's Dining Room, Meals on Wheels, adoption services and five thrift store locations.
      Catholic Charities was founded in 1941 and is dedicated to serving the needy in Southern Nevada, regardless of race, religion or creed. Those interested in volunteering for any of Catholic Charities 20 programs should call 385-2662.
     
     Domestic violence
     topic of conference
     
      University Medical Center will be hosting a Domestic Violence Conference from 2-8 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the 2040 Building, Rooms E and F at the hospital.
      The featured guest speaker is Hedda Nussbaum, national speaker on domestic violence. Nussbaum will speak from the domestic violence survivor's point of view. The lecture is free and continuing education units will be offered to those professionals in the fields of nursing, social work, EMS, and marriage and family therapy.
      Other guest speakers include Frankie Sue Del Papa, attorney general; Brad Jerbic, city attorney; Kathleen Brooks, executive director of SafeNest; Judge Nancy Saitta; Dr. Dale Carrison; Dr. Fred Lippman; Dr. Anna Bell Barber; Jeri Dermanelian, R.N.; and Betsy Kolkowski, chief of elder rights.
      Refreshments will be served. To sign up for the course, call the University Medical Center Marketing Department at 383-2090.
     
     Christian center
     seeks music minister
     
      The Shield of Faith Christian Center is seeking a minister of music.
      The center is located at 2717 York St. in North Las Vegas, off of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, between Carey Avenue and Cheyenne Avenue. Those interested in the position can call 639-6158.
     
     Music festival
     seeks contestants
     
      The First Jr. Music Composition Festival is calling for scores.
      The performances are scheduled all day on June 6 at the Whitney Library Concert Hall, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave., and are open to the public. The application deadline is April 20.
      Youth ages 5 to 18 are invited to compete for first-, second- and third-place medals and honorable mention ribbons. The composition can be set in any style, including jazz, classical and pop, with the size of the group ranging from a soloist to six people. One piano will be provided. A second piano will be provided if a score is an orchestration of a piano concerto.
      Contestants will be grouped according to age, level, style and group size. Scholarship money may be awarded to high school students, depending on the number of entries. The event is sponsored by Lisa Fiorenza's School of Piano and local music businesses. Entry fee is $25.
      Those interested can call 795-4484.
     
     YMCA campaign
     seeks donations
     
      The YMCA of Southern Nevada kicked off its Current Support Campaign on Jan. 28, asking local individuals and businesses to "Invest in Youth" with their contributions.
      The goal of the six-week campaign is to raise $150,000.
      As a nonprofit organization and a United Way agency, the YMCA relies on all funds raised in the campaign to support YMCA programs for youth, families, seniors and adults. All contributions go directly to boost the YMCA's work in Southern Nevada.
      Brochures and pledge forms may be obtained by those interested in making a donation by contacting the YMCA at 877-9622. Because the YMCA is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, donations are tax deductible within the extent of the law.
      Each year, the YMCA of Southern Nevada serves 25,000 men, women and children, both through programs at its Meadows Lane facility and its new Fremont Villas YMCA Neighborhood Center in central downtown Las Vegas, and in many offsite programs throughout the valley, particularly in the northeast and northwest communities.