NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

SPECIAL TO VIEWSpirit Therapies, a nonprofit equestrian therapy center that specializes in physical and mental therapy for adults and children, celebrated the launch of its Horses Healing Heroes program on Sept. 11 at its headquarters at 9140 La Madre Way in Las Vegas. Helping provide a riding demonstration to the more than 150 visitors who turned out to support the program was Henderson resident Caroline Teixeira, 12, who was diagnosed with Smith-Magenis syndrome and has been enrolled in the riding therapy program for 1 1/2 years. From left, Spirit Therapies volunteer Christy Sherwood, Teixeira, therapy horse Pass, and volunteers Nancy Pasquale and Cindy Saunders get ready to demonstrate a riding technique used to build balance among riding patients. Advertisement

THE HORSE COUNCIL OF NEVADA WILL MEET SATURDAY

A meet and greet for the Horse Council of Nevada is planned from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Hawaiian Paniolo Ranch, 5820 W. La Madre Way. The afternoon includes a free barbecue and entertainment. In addition, the event will be the finale of the membership drive launched in September.

Existing members who renew or recruit new members will receive one raffle ticket for each new membership application. The grand prize is a pair of front-row tickets for the National Finals Rodeo donated by Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins.

For information, visit www.horsecouncilofnevada.org.

HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES COMING TO HENDERSON

To kick off the Halloween season, the Parks and Recreation Department will host the Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark for kids 3 to 5 years old from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 13 at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, 2400 B. Moser Drive.

Children and their parents are invited to hear a story about an owl who is scared of the dark. Each child will color a page related to the story. Parents are welcome to take children on an educational walk around the ponds after story time.

This event is free. For information, call 267-4000 or visit www.cityofhenderson.com (Activity No. 194004-65).

ANNUAL AARP EXPO IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

AARP will host its national expo from Oct. 22-24 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, 201 Sands Ave. The three-day event, which is open to the general public, offers an exhibit hall with more than 300 exhibitors showcasing various products and services, entertainment, first-run movies for grown-ups, celebrity panels, lifestyle advice and information sessions and much more.

Admission for ages 55-plus AARP members is $25 and $35 for nonmembers. Tickets for the dance party and concerts are an additional fee and start at $25. For information, visit www.aarp.org/events.

CHARITY GOLD TOURNAMENT PLANNED FOR OCT. 13

The fourth annual Los Vaqueros Children's Hope golf tournament benefiting Las Vegas youths will be begin at 8 a.m. Oct. 13 at the Dragon Ridge Golf Course, 552 S. Stephanie St. Proceeds from this event will benefit Los Vaqueros' charity programs that help at-risk youths, including Food for Thought, annual food drives, after-school programs, curriculum enrichment programs and medical care for at-risk children in Clark County. The nonprofit group also supports the Nevada Army National Guard Youth programs.

Entry fees are $900 for a foursome or $1,300 for foursome with a sponsorship sign on the course. Check-in will be at 7 a.m. Golfers are invited to a post-party lunch and will be given goody bags and prizes. For information, e-mail Erik Brandin at ebrandin@chessergroup.com.

SHALOM HADASSAH TO PRESENT A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

Join Shalom Hadassah for a night at the movies as the group presents "Yiddish Theatre -- A Love Story" at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at Congregation New Tamid, 55 N. Valle Verde. There will be a $10 donation to the Hadassah Fund. Refreshments will be served. For information, call Lillian Auspitz at 269-0387.