Paragon Pools, a Las Vegas residential and commercial in-ground swimming pool construction company, announced that Joe Vassallo Jr., executive vice-president, passed the Nevada State Contractors Board exam, earning him the accreditation of qualified expert in the state.
Nevada law requires every construction company to have a QE on staff to hold a valid license. Vassallo's father, owner of Paragon Pools, also has the accreditation.
An award-winning designer, the younger Vassallo has been involved in the pool industry for over 15 years. As executive vice president, his responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company, business development and concept design.
COMMUNITY
Vidalia onions ripe for ordering
The Las Vegas Zelzah Temple announced that nearly 30,000 pounds of fresh, farm-picked, Vidalia onions will soon be heading from Georgia.
The sweet onions are expected to arrive in Las Vegas at the end of this month or early May.
Sale of the onions will help the group with various community service projects.
The cost is $10 per 10-pound bag. Call 382-5558 to place an order.
Tea event to mark Mother's Day
The JW Marriott plans its fourth annual Mother's Day Tea for noon to 2 p.m. May 12 in the Marquis Ballroom.
The event will be in honor of mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and friends and will benefit Child Focus. A silent auction and raffle prizes will be included.
The event's grand prize is a pair of diamond pendants, compliments of event sponsor M.J. Christensen.
During the tea, Dillard's will showcase its latest spring and summer styles with a fashion show.
Attendees are invited to wear their best hat to the event.
"After all, what's a tea without fancy hats," said Child Focus founder Stephanie Holland.
The littlest set will be entertained with storytelling by the Fairy Godmother.
Tickets cost $50 for adults and $25 for children ages 10 and under.
Event pre-registration is required and reservations can be made by calling 436-1624.
Group plans party in honor of 96th year
The Mesquite Club plans to celebrate its 96th anniversary from 6-9 p.m. Saturday at the Spanish Trail Country Club, 5050 Spanish Trail Lane.
The club is the oldest nonprofit women's community service organization in Las Vegas. The group established, stocked and staffed the first library; inaugurated the Community Christmas Tree celebration; worked to pass state suffrage for women in Nevada; and made bandages with the Red Cross during World War I. The club continues to be actively involved in city initiatives.
Tickets are $150 per person. Call 393-0466 for more information.
Canines, companions set for annual walk
The Las Vegas Valley Humane Society plans its 11th annual Wag-a-Tail Walk-a-Thon for Sunday at the Hills Park in Summerlin, 9000 Hillpointe Road.
Pre-registration for the event begins at 8 a.m., with the walk starting at 9 a.m.
The event will include music, dog contests, raffle prizes, free refreshments and a Stupid Pet Tricks contest.
Registration is $30 for adults and $20 for children with a registered adult. The fee includes a lunch catered by Carrabba's Italian Grill, a T-shirt and a doggie scarf.
Pre-registration can be conducted at www.lvvhumane.org or on Saturday at any west side Petco location.
Garage sale accepts vendor registrations
The Sun City Summerlin garage sale is planned for 7 a.m.-noon on April 28 in the Mountain Shadows parking lot, 9107 Del Webb Blvd.
Rental spaces are $30, with a two-space limit, and the cost to rent a 6-foot-long table with two chairs is $10.
The registration deadline is Friday. Call 363-3581 for more information.
County summer camps to begin
Clark County Parks and Recreation's summer RecTrek camps will run from June 11 through Aug. 24 on weekdays, offering children's activities at eight recreation centers across the Las Vegas Valley.
Youngsters can participate if they are ages 6-12, or if they are age 5 and have completed kindergarten.
The cost is $14 per day or $65 weekly. There is a 50 percent discount on the third child if three children from one family are enrolled for a full week.
The camps will include arts and crafts, themed projects, sports, games and field trips. Participants also can perform skits, watch movies and conduct science projects. Occasional field trips are offered for an additional fee.
Centers that offer the camps include the Desert Breeze Community Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Road; and the Helen Meyer Community Center, 4525 New Forest Drive, both located on the west side of the Las Vegas Valley.
Questions may be directed to Desert Breeze at 455-8334 or Helen Meyer at 455-7723.
Registration forms and additional information can be obtained at www.accessclarkcounty.com/parks, or by calling 455-8200.
Teen outing to include art, malts
The Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada plans Teen Third Thursday from 6-9 p.m. on April 19.
Participants will visit some of Las Vegas' art galleries, as well as Otto's Malt Shop for a malt and poetry reading.
RSVP by April 16. The cost is $10. Call 794-0090 for more information.
Release of butterflies to honor loved ones
A live butterfly release is slated for 2 p.m. on April 29 in Hills Park in Summerlin, 9000 Hillpointe Road.
The annual event will consists of a nondenominational dedication, followed by the release of live Monarch butterflies in honor and/or memory of loved ones. Each butterfly purchased is accompanied by a commemorative gift. Butterflies cost $25 each.
Due to the popularity of this event, residents are encouraged to call ahead to purchase their butterflies, as there is a limited quantity.
"Native American legend tells us that if you whisper a prayer to a butterfly, it will deliver that prayer to the Great Spirit," said Lisanne Kranker, events coordinator for the Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation. "This is a family friendly event and a great way to help children cope with the loss of a loved one."
Families are invited to take advantage of the park by bringing a picnic lunch and making it a full afternoon event.
For more information or to purchase butterflies, those who are interested can contact Kranker at 938-3959 or e-mail lkranker@nah.org.
Day of fun for kids planned by county
The 14th annual Clark County Children's Festival is planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Winchester Cultural Center and Park, 3130 S. McLeod Drive.
The event and many activities are free, but there are minimal fees for selected activities, rides and concessions.
Activities will include craft workshops, bounce houses and an obstacle course slide, along with free balloon animals, face painting, carnival-style games and a climbing wall.
Quality Food Services and Luigi's Pizzas will be among food vendors.
The cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children.
For more information, call 455-7340 or visit www.accessclarkcounty.com.
Sellers' group to host membership drive
The Direct Selling Women's Alliance will host a free membership drive mixer from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Dan Marino's Restaurant inside Hooters Hotel.
National president and founder Nicki Keohohou will be the special guest speaker. All women who are involved in direct selling are invited to the event.
Reservations are required. Contact Lanetta Seppala at 328-5028 or lanetta@savesyoutime.com.
CONTEST
Desert landscaping competition begins
The Southern Nevada Water Authority is holdings its 2007 landscape competition.
Participants must have a water-smart lawn demonstrating that desert landscaping can be a functional and attractive.
Applications for the free competition are available at snwa.com or by calling 258-7283.
Applications and photographs are due no later than May 9.
CULTURE
The Gallery to host reception for artist
An artist reception and exhibition for internationally renowned contemporary landscape artist Ford Smith is slated for 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday at The Gallery at Summerlin, 9330 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 180.
This will be Smith's first Las Vegas appearance for an art exhibition, which is a fundraiser for the Public Education Foundation of Las Vegas.
A portion of the proceeds from arts sales also will be donated by The Gallery to benefit the Public Education Foundation.
The reception is free and open to the public.
For more information, call 228-6013 or visit www.thegalleryatsummerlin.com.
ENTERTAINMENT
Group to perform concert at Starbright
The Sun City Silvertones plan to perform Welcome to the 5 & Diner at 7 p.m. on April 28 and 2:30 p.m. on April 29 at the Starbright Theatre, 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd.
Musical director George Puccini's arrangements for the spring concert will include "Unchained Melody," "Sincerely," and "For the First Time."
Tickets are $7 apiece. For more information, call 254-3427, 228-3441 or 838-2908.
Irving Berlin to be celebrated
Mark Nadler and KT Sullivan plan to present Always: The Love Story of Irving Berlin at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St.
The pair performed before a sold-out house the last time they were here. Nadler and Sullivan will celebrate the music of Irving Berlin and offer insight into the intimate story of one of America's greatest composers.
Tickets are $10 for advance and $15 on performance day. Call 229-6383 for more information.
Blues bash set at park plaza
The Las Vegas Blues Festival is slated for noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza, located inside Lorenzi Park, 720 Twin Lakes Drive.
The event will include Las Vegas blues bands, such as Leon Blue, Scott Rhiner and the Moanin' Blacksnakes, the Andy Walo Group, Al Ek and the Shuffle-Aires, and the Spellcasters. Barbecued food will be available for purchase.
In lieu of admission, participants are asked to donate at least two nonperishable food items to benefit the Community Food Bank of Clark County.
Call 229-1087 for information.
GIVING
Walk at Summerlin park to raise funds
The 2007 Arthritis Walk is slated for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Hills Park in Summerlin, 9000 Hillpointe Road.
Participants can choose from two courses. Those who raise $100 or more get a free T-shirt.
Register at www.arthritis.org or http://lvaw.kintera.org, or call 1-877-232-2898.
Dinner event to benefit autism group
A gala is planned to raise funds for Families for Effective Autism Treatment of Southern Nevada, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at Turnberry Place Stirling Club, 2827 Paradise Road.
The evening will include hors d' oeuvres, silent and live auctions and a seated dinner prepared by chefs Charlie Palmer, Michael Mina, Susan Feniger and David Burke.
The guest of honor will be actor Joe Mantegna. A SmartforTwo micro car will be the featured door prize.
Individual seats are $1,000. Call 896-9042 for more information.
Organization seeks help to buy building
HELP of Southern Nevada seeks financial assistance from the community so it can make a $700,000 down payment to purchase 1640 E. Flamingo Road, where the organization's offices are located.
By purchasing the building, the group said it could save up to $7,000 a month in expenses.
To take a tour of the building, make a donation, or for further information, call Fuilala Riley at 369-4357, Ext. 238.
Volunteers sought for assisting seniors
The Jewish Family Service Agency is seeking volunteers in various capacities.
Volunteering takes many forms, depending on a person's availability and skills, said Ellen Grossman, volunteer coordinator.
"The key is their willingness and matching what they can do with a need," she said.
Needs include drivers to transport seniors to medical appointments, transportation for grocery store shopping, visiting homebound seniors and hospital and nursing home patients, caregiver support, distributing grocery bags and working in the food pantry, answering phones and providing information.
In 2006, about 5,000 people benefited from JFSA programs, in addition to the 7,000 people who used the JFSA food pantry.
For more information, call 732-0304 or visit www.jfsalv.org.
Charity collects furniture for needy
A Lift Up Org, a nonprofit organization that distributes donated food, clothing and household items to the needy, has expanded its service to include Operation Furniture Bank.
The group is looking for everything from couches to dressers. Many recipients are abused women with children who are trying to build a new life away from an abusive husband/father.
Items go directly to a needy family and A Lift Up is not equipped to clean or repair items.
To make a donation, visit www.aliftup.org or call 457-0700. Donations can also be dropped off at the thrift store at 3310 S. Nellis Blvd., Suite 28.
SAFETY
Program to teach kids about swimming
The Jewish Community Center invites youngsters to learn water safety and swimming
Early childhood swim instructors will lead the program in a private, heated pool.
There will be an opportunity to socialize with other families and enjoy after-swim refreshments. Changing rooms will be available.
Lessons are slated for Sundays from April 22-June 17 at Merryhill School at 5055 S. Durango Drive.
Two classes will be offered: sessions for participants ages 3-12 months will be held from 11-11:30 a.m., and classes for those ages 13-24 months will be held from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
The cost is $110 for JCC Members and $140 for nonmembers. Call 794-0090 for more information.
HEALTH
Clinic dedicated to diabetes awareness
A Valley Hospital outpatient clinic for counseling and educational classes on managing diabetes is now open at 700 Shadow Lane, Suite 455. Classes will be free for a limited time. Course offerings include two core classes that cover a range of information, plus specialty courses in gestational diabetes, nutrition and carbohydrate counting, diet, weight management, and gestational diabetes.
To register or for more information, contact the Diabetes Resource Center at 477-6530.
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