NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

special to viewThe Light of Life Menorah is on display at Opportunity Village?s Magical Forest, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd. The menorah, the first to be placed in the holiday attraction in its 19-year history, was installed by the Jewish Family Service Agency. The lighting ceremony for the Light of Life Menorah was held on the first day of Hanukkah, Dec. 1, and attracted dignitaries such as Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. Advertisement

HOLIDAY CRAFT PROGRAM SCHEDULED FOR SPRING VALLEY LIBRARY

A Winter Holiday Craft program is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd.

The event is geared for kids ages 6 to 11. For more information, call 507-3820.

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT TO BE TOPIC OF HOSPITAL EVENT

Representatives of the Medical Advantage plan CareMore are set to explain the Medicare open enrollment process during an open meeting from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at Southern Hills Hospital, 9300 W. Sunset Road.

The free event will be in the first-floor administrative board room. Prospective attendees are asked to call 880-2700 to reserve a seat.

SANTA GOES AQUATIC AT THE SILVERTON

Silverton Casino Lodge, 3333 Blue Diamond Road, is putting Santa Claus in a whole new environment: underwater. Santa will take a swim in the property's 117,000-gallon aquarium.

Visitors to the casino will have a chance to get creative with holiday photos by posing with the aquatic Santa on Saturday and Sunday.

There is no cost. For more information, call 263-7777.

UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN NEVADA RELOCATES TO ARVILLE STREET

United Way of Southern Nevada has moved from its Flamingo Road location to 8290 S. Arville St. United Way's e-mail and phone and the fax numbers of employees will remain the same, as will the main office line, 734-2273.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE LOOKING FOR GIFT-WRAPPING VOLUNTEERS

The Golden Retriever Rescue needs volunteers to wrap holiday gifts. GRRSN is seeking teen and adult volunteers to help gift wrap at various Barnes & Noble and Borders Bookstores through Dec. 24. Those younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteers are asked to work a three-hour shift at the Borders in Summerlin, 10950 W. Charleston Blvd., and Henderson, 1445 W. Sunset Road, or the Barnes & Noble store at 8915 W. Charleston Blvd.

The gift-wrapping fundraiser will help defray a wide range of medical costs incurred by the organization on behalf of the dogs that it rescues and fosters.

To view the calendar of potential dates, visit grrsn.org and click on "calendar." To volunteer, e-mail grrsnvolunteer@yahoo.com.

ENTERPRISE LIBRARY TO DISPLAY PHOTO EXHIBIT ON STATE PARKS

Roger Klahn's photographs of the Valley of Fire and Cathedral Gorge are set to go on display today in the art gallery at the Enterprise Library, 25 E. Shelbourne Ave.

Klahn is an award-winning photographer best known for his nature photos of the Pacific Northwest. The effects of erosion on rock formations at the two Nevada state parks is the focus of "Cathedral Gorge and Valley of Fire, A Photo Tour," which will remain available for viewing during normal library hours until Feb. 5, 2011.

For more information, call 507-3760.

KIDS INVITED TO COUNT DOWN TO NOON FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE EVENT

The Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd., is scheduled to host a special New Year's event, New Year's at Noon, beginning at 11 a.m. Dec. 31. The event is geared toward kids younger than 11, who can expect to sing, dance and count down the clock.

For more information, call 507-3820.

CLARK COUNTY SAYS THINK TWICE BEFORE GIVING PET AS A GIFT

Clark County reminds residents that during the holiday season, it is common to give animals as gifts, but this is a good idea only if you are giving the animal to someone in your household.

It is difficult to ensure a good match between a new pet and owner for someone else. Instead of giving a pet that might not be a good fit for their new home, it recommended to give a gift certificate to a local animal shelter or bring the gift recipient to the shelter yourself. This way, the new owner can find the right pet to fit his home and lifestyle.

Every year, more than 30,000 cats and dogs are killed in Clark County due to pet overpopulation. Increased pet adoptions will help save some pets, but the real answer to this problem is making sure all pets are spayed or neutered. For more information, visit animalfoundation.com or call 384-3333.

WINTER CAMP OFFERS FUN AT YMCA

The YMCA of Southern Nevada plans to host a holiday camp Monday through Dec. 31 for youths 5 to 12 while school is closed. Members and nonmembers are welcome.

The camp is offered at all YMCA locations: Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane; Durango Hills Community Center YMCA, 3521 N. Durango Drive; and Centennial Hills Community Center YMCA, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive.

For week one, Monday through Dec. 23, camp hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and fees range from $79 to $105. In week two, Dec. 27-31, hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fees for week two range from $99 to $131.

The YMCA also accepts daily drop-ins.

Expect arts, games, indoor swimming, sports and character development activities. As with all YMCA programs, the camp will incorporate the YMCA's four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

For more information, call 877-9622 for Heinrich, 240-9622 for Durango Hills or 478-9622 for Centennial Hills. To register, visit a YMCA location or lasvegasymca.org.

CHILDREN CAN SIGN UP NOW FOR CITY OF LAS VEGAS' WINTER CAMP

Registration is open now for the city Las Vegas' winter break day camps for youths 6 to 15, Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Dec. 30. There will be no camp on Friday holidays, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.

Age-appropriate activities are planned, including arts, crafts, holiday games, sports, music, life skills, nutrition and physical fitness.

The camps cost $75 per child each week and $70 for an additional child from the same household. Youths will need to bring a sack lunch, snacks and beverages daily. The following locations will offer winter break day camp:

Cimarron Rose Community Center, 5591 N. Cimarron Road, 229-1607, ages 6 to 11.

East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., 229-1515, ages 6 to 15.

Mirabelli Community Center, 6200 Hargrove Ave., 229-6359, ages 6 to 15.

Telephone registration for camps is available by calling 229-5445. You will need a Leisure Access (family account) number, a personal LeisureLink number and program code(s). These may be obtained by calling any of the facilities listed above for assistance or by visiting clvbeyondtheneon.com. Registration also is available at each of the above facilities. Registration will continue until camps are full.

Participants must pay at the time of registration in order to reserve a spot in camp.

For more information on the city of Las Vegas' seasonal camp program, call 229-6175.

WALMART FOUNDATION GIVES BACK TO COMMUNITY

Through Walmart, Las Vegans can support their city to receive up to a $1 million grant for hunger relief this holiday season in a Facebook campaign.

Now through Dec. 31, cast your vote at walmart.com/fightinghunger by choosing from a list of 100 communities where hunger rates are the highest. The city with the most online support will receive $1 million in grants, and the next five cities with the highest support will receive $100,000 each to help fight hunger.

From Feb. 1, 2009, through Jan. 31, 2010, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $512 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally, $467 million of which was donated in the United States. To learn more, visit walmartfoundation.org.

UNITED WAY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR TAX PREPARATION PROGRAM

United Way of Southern Nevada's Volunteer Center is seeking volunteers for its Earn It Keep It Save It program, which provides free tax preparation to those who earned less than $49,000 in 2010.

The center is recruiting 300 volunteers for the program. Through a grant from the Internal Revenue Service and matched funds from local partners, United Way plans to support 30 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites across the Las Vegas Valley, which will be staffed by IRS-trained and -certified volunteers who will prepare tax returns at no cost to qualifying individuals and families.

Volunteers are needed from Jan. 15 through April 15, 2011, to serve as tax preparers, greeters, quality reviewers and site coordinators. Volunteers will receive free tax law and e-file training and IRS certification.

For more information, visit volunteercentersn.org or call 892-2300.

DONATE A TOY FOR A CHILD WITH HIV/AIDS

Aid for AIDS of Nevada encourages the community to participate in its annual Holiday Toy Drive by donating a new, unwrapped toy, which will benefit the organization's children up to age 15 who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Donations are being accepted through 5 p.m. Wednesday at AFAN's office, 701 Shadow Lane, Suite 170.

For more information or to request a child's wish list, visit afanlv.org.