NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

LOCAL ARTIST SHOWCASES PAINTING COLLECTION AT COLLEGE

Las Vegas resident Dolores Nast is showcasing her collection of paintings titled Pictorial Space at the College of Southern Nevada's Cheyenne Campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., until Aug. 8.

COUNTY LOOKING TO FILL OFF-HIGHWAY COMMITTEE VACANCIES

At the County Commission's June 17 meeting, an 11-member off-highway advisory committee was created to help provide guidance over the use of the Nellis Dunes area northeast of Nellis Air Force Base.

Although the committee consists of four members from various agencies or organizations -- the Bureau of Land Management, Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management, Nellis Air Force Base and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority -- seven positions will be filled from the public.

The commissioners, in their resolution to create the committee, also urged Nevada's Congressional delegation to enact legislation that would transfer the Nellis Dunes area from federal title to county ownership.

The committee will serve from Aug. 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009. Applications can be obtained from the county's Administrative Services Department at the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway.

LANES RESTRICTED ON ALIANTE PARKWAY THROUGH JULY 3

The Aliante Parkway detour will be restricted to one lane in each direction through at least July 3. The lane restrictions will allow for the installation of a concrete box culvert under the detour.

RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBIT FEATURED AT LEFT OF CENTER ART GALLERY

Left of Center Art Gallery, 2207 W. Gowan Road, will exhibit A Retrospective: The Art of Silvio H. Alava through Aug. 23.

One of the original founders of Latin Beat Magazine, Silvio Alava was born in New York City in El Barrio, Spanish Harlem, and was raised during the bebop era and the development of Latin music in the city. He attended the City College of New York, majoring in fine arts and photography. Developing from these roots, Alava's passion for music, especially the genres of Afro Caribbean, Latin jazz and jazz music, influenced and shaped the scope of his painting and photography.

The gallery is open 1-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m-2 p.m. Saturday.

FUN ZONE Drop-IN Program to offer summer activities

The Neighborhood Recreation Center, 1638 N. Bruce St., is offering summertime activities for kids, such as special events, games, arts and crafts and physical activities. Activities include unicycling, teen dinner and a movie night, badminton and volleyball. The Fun Zone is a drop-in program, and youth come and go as they please. All must be registered by a parent or guardian. Membership is $3. For more information, as well as dates and times, call 633-1600.

THE PLANETARIUM AT CSN SCREENS 'BLACK HOLES'

They lurk in the universe like cosmic dragons, unseen voids with the energy of a million suns. They can devour entire stars, and once in their grasp, nothing, not even light, can escape. Few mysteries in the universe have the power and awe of the black hole. Only now are we on the verge of understanding their true nature. What are they? How are they made? Is the earth in danger of being pulled into one?

Discover the answers at the College of Southern Nevada in a screening of the Digistar film "Black Holes," narrated by film actor John de Lancie (Q in the "Star Trek" TV series). The program has a running time of approximately 37 minutes. It is suitable for grades three and up.

Programs are presented every Friday at 6 and 7:30 p.m. and every Saturday at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. through July 26. Presentations start on time and there is no late seating.

Admission prices are $6 for general admission and $4 for seniors older than 55, children under 12 and CSN students. Youth groups, where one person buys all of the tickets, also qualify for the discount price. The Cheyenne campus of the CSN is located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. For more information, call the planetarium at 651-4505 or visit www.csn.edu/planetarium/.

CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

The city of North Las Vegas Human Resources volunteer program is seeking volunteers to participate in focus groups, community cleanups, gardening projects, planning and other activities. Volunteers will be matched with projects in their area of interest for either the short or long term. A volunteer coordinator will provide support and supervision.

For more information, call Sheila Thompson at 633-1156, or visit the human resources department, 2290 McDaniel St., Suite 2B. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

WORDSMITHS, POETS TO GATHER

Almary Gaston II will host an open mic gathering of poets and wordsmiths every second Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the North Las Vegas Library, 230 Civic Center Drive. Free admission and refreshments are provided. This is an all-ages event. For more information, call 633-1070.

ENJOY FRUITS OF THE HARVEST

The Thursday harvest market will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the campus of City Hall, 2200 Civic Center Drive. The Friday harvest market will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. at Nature Discovery Park, 2627 Nature Park Drive.

STUDIO OFFERS FREE TWO-STEP LESSONS

Free weekly dance lessons are offered at Larry's Hideaway, 3360 Thom Blvd. Dance instructor Pat Mathers leads participants in country two-step lessons on Monday night, West Coast swing on Wednesdays and Nite Club two-step on Thursday nights. Lessons are from 7-9 p.m.

For more information, call Larry's Hideaway at 645-1899.