SOUTHWEST BRIEFS

BUSINESS

Sierra Gold tavern to open Saturday

Sierra Gold, an ultra-tavern located on the corner of Sunset Road and Jones Boulevard, is scheduled to open Saturday.

Sierra Gold will offer casual dining, gaming, large-screen televisions for viewing sports and a billiard room, among other entertainment amenities. Sierra Gold will be open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For further information, call 798-0091.

CAMP

Grief camp for kids to be held Aug. 26-28

Camp Mariposa is a specialized grief camp for children between the ages of 6 and 11 who have experienced the death of a family member, classmate, friend or other significant person in their lives.

The camp provides an opportunity to learn about grief in a safe, supportive and enjoyable environment, according to organizers.

The program, to be held Aug. 26-28, is a three-day, two night supervised stay at Mount Charleston. Applications are available through the Center for Compassionate Care at 796-3167.

The cost is $125 per child, which includes food, lodging and activities. For more information, call Sharon Johnson at 733-0320 or e-mail to sjohnson@nah.org.

DONATIONS

Summer book drive to benefit children

Kids to Kids and reJAVAnate Coffee Lounge are hosting a summer book drive.

New and gently used books are being collected at reJAVAnate Coffee Lounge, 3300 E. Flamingo Road through Aug. 16.

Through Kids to Kids, the books will be given to readers in need.

Kids to Kids is a nonprofit literacy organization that gives books to children throughout the Las Vegas Valley who may not have books of their own at home.

For more information, call 914-8741.

BOOKS

Local author to write Howard Hughes book

Stephens Press, the book publishing division of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, has contracted with local author Geoff Schumacher to write an in-depth book on Howard Hughes' extensive dealings in Las Vegas.

The book, to be published in 2007, will offer a fresh look at Hughes' multifaceted role in the growth of Las Vegas.

Schumacher will document the eccentric billionaire's involvement with the city from the 1940s through the 1970s, as well as his legacies in modern Las Vegas.

"Schumacher is one of our favorite authors," said Carolyn Hayes Uber, president of Stephens Press. "His books are meticulously researched, he knows how to dig for new information, and he is an extraordinary wordsmith." The Los Angeles Times Book Review called Schumacher's last book, "Sun, Sin & Suburbia: An Essential History of Modern Las Vegas" "impressively researched and highly readable."

EDUCATION

Library district to host middle school program

Students entering sixth grade and their parents are invited to attend a free program on surviving middle school.

Participants will receive tips on how to feel more comfortable in a new environment and how to prepare for the year ahead.

Students will get answers to their questions, learn about library resources and practice opening combination locks.

Programs will be held today at 6:30 p.m. at West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd., and 7 p.m. at Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway; at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle Drive, and 1 p.m. at Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave.; 5 p.m. Aug. 17 at West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.; 2 p.m. Aug. 20 at Enterprise Library, 25 E. Shelbourne Ave.; 6:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at Las Vegas Library, 833 Las Vegas Blvd.; and 2 p.m. Aug. 27 at Sunrise Library, 5400 Harris Ave., and Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd.

Programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call 734-7323 or visit www.lvccld.org.

High school reunion information needed

The Clark County School District's communications office is collecting information pertaining to upcoming high school reunions at any of the county's high schools.

Information regarding high school reunions can be found by visiting www.ccsd.net under the "schools" tab.

Those with information concerning upcoming reunions can e-mail the information to dsheehan@interact.ccsd.net.

Foreign exchange students need homes

AFS is currently seeking members of the Las Vegas community to open their homes to a foreign exchange student for the 2005-06 school year.

Students will be arriving from Europe in August and will attend high school during their stay. To find out more about being a host family or about foreign exchange programs, call (800) 237-4636 for more information.