NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Edyta Sokolowska/Special to viewStudents from Dondero Elementary School, 4450 Ridgeville St., participate in a flash mob dance performance at the kickoff event for the Nevada Ballet Theatre?s new fundraising and awareness campaign, Spread the Dance, at Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Jan. 21. The goal of the Web-based, grass-roots campaign is to generate excitement and community support for the performing arts, specifically dance. Dondero participates in the Nevada Ballet Theatre?s Future Dance education and outreach program. Advertisement

CITY OF LAS VEGAS SEEKS RESIDENT INPUT ON SERVICES TO BE CUT

Based on the current economic data, the city of Las Vegas city manager is scheduling a series of evening town hall meetings with residents to receive input on services the city should cut or ideas on where to save money.

Discussion could cover numerous subjects, including, but not limited to, closing parks, community centers, fire stations and more. The Fundamental Service Review and the accompanying meetings will be held in all wards.

For northwest Las Vegas residents, meetings for Wards 4 and 6 are combined, as they are geographically closest.

More information and times will be available as it gets closer. Check the city's Web site at www.lasvegasnevada.gov for more information.

The next Ward 6 town hall meeting is planned from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at the Centennial Hills Community Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, 478-9622.

A meeting for Ward 2 is planned from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive, 229-1100.

Another meeting for Ward 6 is planned from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Northwest Career and Technical Academy, 8200 W. Tropical Parkway, 799-4640.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET TO DONATE TO FORECLOSED UPON PETS

Whole Foods Market, 8855 W. Charleston Blvd., will be donating 5 percent of the day's net sales to Foreclosed Upon Pets on Wednesday.

Foreclosed Upon Pets is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing domesticated animals that have been abused and/or abandoned due to economic hardships.

Whole Foods Market customers can help the group by shopping on Wednesday. For more information, call 254-8655. For more information on Foreclosed Upon Pets, visit www.fore closeduponpets.org, call 272-0010 or e-mail forecloseduponpets@hotmail.com.

Library plans recipe exchange

The Summerlin Library will host a Recipe Exchange from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 in the library conference room at 1771 Inner Circle Drive. Participants can bring their favorite recipes to exchange with others. Call 507-3860.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CONCERT COMING TO CHURCH

A Black History Month concert is planned for 3 p.m. on Feb. 21 at Mountain View Presbyterian Church, 8601 Del Webb Blvd.

The 25-voice chamber chorale of the College of Southern Nevada, under the direction of Mark Wherry, will present "The History of the Negro Spiritual." The program was written by Bertha Pendleton, former superintendent of San Diego schools. It will feature favorite choral spirituals, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Every Time I Feel the Spirit" and "Ain't That Good News," in addition to solo performances by CSN students.

A dramatic reading of "The Creation" by James Weldon Johnson will be presented, as well as the "Negro Choral Symphony" by pianist Voltaire Versoza.

Admission is free with a passing-of-the-hat offering. Call 341-7800.

GRACE IN THE DESERT TO HOST HOLOCAUST SERIES

Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church, 2004 Spring Gate Lane, will host a Lenton series "Holocaust and Holocaust Studies" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for five Wednesdays starting on Feb. 24.

For more information and a program schedule, contact the office at 838-7444.

NEW LIONS CLUB FORMING

The Lions are on the prowl for new members.

A new club, the Las Vegas Aloha Lions Club, is being formed in Las Vegas. There will be a meeting at 6 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the Silver Star Event Center, 1134 S. Rainbow Blvd.

Membership is open to anyone age 18 or older and of good character. The new club is sponsored by the Summerlin Lions Club.

Those interested in becoming a charter member of the Las Vegas Aloha Lions Club can call 341-7882.

STOP SMOKING WITH MEDICAL APPROACH

A free workshop on quitting smoking is slated from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Fremont Medical Center, 9499 W. Charleston Blvd.

The event will be followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session.

The workshop will include a presentation by a tobacco treatment specialist who trained at the Mayo Clinic and a former smoker who will share a personal story about quitting with the help of a prescription treatment option and support. Attendees also will receive tools to help them create a personalized plan to kick the habit.

Light refreshments will be served. All attendees must register before the workshop. RSVP by visiting freequitclinic.com or by calling (888) 866-0843.

COCKER RESCUE PLANS BOWLING FUNDRAISER

A bowling fundraiser for the Las Vegas Cocker Rescue is planned from 3 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 27 at Red Rock Resort, 11011 W Charleston Blvd.

A $10 donation per person gets three hours of family-fun bowling, with shoe rental included. Donations will go toward helping Las Vegas Cocker Rescue provide homeless cocker spaniels with a second chance and aid in finding them a forever home.

The event includes a 50/50 raffle, a raffle for donated prizes and the Best Looking Cocker Spaniel Contest (bring a picture of your cocker spaniel). Additionally, there will be bowling prizes.

For more information, visit www.lvcr.org or call 461-2581.

HELP THE ANIMALS OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY

The Las Vegas Valley Humane Society plans its Hearts and Paws Luncheon from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Grape Street, 7501 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

The fundraiser will include lunch, wine, video music and a silent auction. Everyone will receive a gift bag.

The Las Vegas Valley Humane Society is an all-volunteer organization. All proceeds will go to the injured and abandoned animals.

Tickets are $75. For reservations or more information, call 434-2009 or go to www.lvvhumane.org.

SUMMERLIN LIONS CLUB PLANS CHARITY DINNER DANCE

Lions and supporters from Nevada, California and Arizona plan to celebrate Chinese New Year at the Summerlin Lions Club's ninth annual charity dinner dance at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Gold Coast Arizona Ballroom, 4000 W. Flamingo Road.

The event will begin with a silent auction, followed by a dinner. The annual event raises funds to meet the pressing needs of local and global communities, including providing equipment at the Lions Burn Care Center at the University Medical Center; the Blind Center of Nevada; providing free-of-charge sight and foot screening projects; and awarding scholarships to local high school students.

Radio and television personality Nate Tannenbaum will serve as the master of ceremonies and auctioneer. Entertainment will be provided by the Lohan School of Shaolin Troupe and music by Jeneane Marie Plus 3.

Tickets are $100 and can be reserved by calling 869-5097 or 255-9882. Donations are welcome.

SEMINARS ON MONEY MATTERS COMING TO LIBRARY

Merrill Lynch plans free seminars at 2 p.m. each Thursday at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave.

The seminars will address the myriad financial issues faced by those making a job or career transition in today's economy.

Presenters use real-life scenarios, and a Merrill Lynch financial adviser will demonstrate transition planning and risk-management strategies.

The seminar will cover managing liquidity and cash; determining the proper asset allocation for individual situations; protecting insurance coverage; identifying retirement rollover/distribution strategies and options; managing concentrated stock positions; and keeping personalized retirement and estate planning goals on track.

To make reservations or for more information, contact Rich Bartone or Cason Swinn of Merrill Lynch at 227-7009.

SIGN UP FOR CLASSES OFFERED BY THE CITY

Enroll in one of the dozens of classes and activities offered by the city of Las Vegas at its cultural arts centers, community centers and community schools.

There is a plethora of healthy lifestyle options available, from sports leagues and exercise options to family-fun events, educational workshops, after-school programs and leisure activities for all ages.

Registration for the Spring I session classes at the arts centers will be held through Feb. 20 for classes that start the week of Feb. 22. Registration for Spring I activities at the community centers, community schools and municipal pool will be open Saturday through Feb. 26 for activities that begin the week of March 1. Spring break camp registration is currently open. Summer camp and aquatics registration opens on Feb. 22.

Available classes for the arts centers are listed in the Spring 2010 ArtQ.

Classes at the other centers are listed in the winter/spring 2010 leisure guide class and activity schedule. Both publications are available at www.lasvegasparksandrec.com. The ArtQ also may be picked up at city of Las Vegas arts centers.

Call any of the following leisure centers for information, registration numbers and free class schedules. Save travel time by registering with a credit card at www.clvbeyondtheneon.com, or by touch tone phone at 229-5445, once you have Leisure Access and LeisureLink numbers. In addition, you will need the codes for camps, classes and activities for which you wish to register. Registration also will be available at all of the following locations. Hours vary by location.

Arts Centers in or close to the Summerlin area:

Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 229-6383.

Community Centers and Schools in the Summerlin area:

Becker Community School, 9110 Hillpointe Road, 229-2482.

Johnson Community School, 340 Villa Monterey Drive, 229-6175.

Molasky Community School, 7801 W. Gilmore Ave. 229-5345.

Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center, 229-1100.

The city of Las Vegas supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Anyone who needs reasonable modifications to attend a program is asked to contact the program coordinator two weeks prior to the start date.

ROTARY CLUB SPONSORS SHELTER BOXES FOR HAITI

The Rotary Club of Las Vegas Northwest is sponsoring four shelter boxes through ShelterBox USA, to go immediately to the homeless in Haiti.

ShelterBox is a grass roots Rotary Club project, which has rapidly grown to an international level. While other relief efforts have been stymied by the scope of the Haitian disaster, ShelterBox has already established three separate operational centers in and around Haiti to help distribute assistance to the estimated 1 million people left homeless by the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake.

Each Shelter Box contains a 49-gallon box (The ShelterBox), which is initially the container for the materials, and once delivered, can be used as a water tank, food store, a cot or a table.

It also holds a 10-person tent deemed winter-suitable by international relief standards. It also includes items such as sleeping mats, thermal blankets, water purification tablets sufficient for a family of 10 for up to three months, a tool kit, a multi-fueled cook stove and eating utensils.

To make a donation toward the purchase of a shelter box, visit http://www.shelterboxusa.org/Default.aspx.

For information about the Rotary Club of Las Vegas Northwest, visit www.lvnwrotary.org or call 838-4550.

DONATIONS TO HELP WOMEN IN CRISIS

The Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors is encouraging all local Realtors and others to join its 10th annual toiletry supply drive to benefit homeless and abused women and children from the local Child Haven, Safe Nest and Shade Tree shelters.

The organizations need shampoo, toilet paper, feminine products, baby wipes, diapers and similar necessities. Donations are being collected through Wednesday at the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors office at 1750 E. Sahara Ave., just east of Maryland Parkway.

The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Donations will be distributed to the shelters just in time for Valentine's Day.

For more information, e-mail nadine@glvar.org or call 784-5032.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET COLLECTING DONATIONS TO HELP HAITI

Whole Foods Market is collecting register donations to help provide medical aid to earthquake survivors in Haiti through the organization AmeriCares. Customers can donate $1, $5, $10 or any amount of their choosing directly through the register during checkout.

AmeriCares is a nonprofit global health and disaster relief aid organization, which delivers medicines, medical supplies and aid to people in crisis around the world. It is sending a shipment of relief supplies including antibiotics, pain relievers, bandages and medical supplies for survivors with trauma injuries. Additional shipments will follow in the days and weeks ahead. For more information, visit www.AmeriCares.org.

There are two Whole Foods Market locations in the Summerlin area: 8855 W. Charleston Blvd., 254-8655; and 7250 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 942-1500.

EVENT TO PUMP FUNDS INTO CHILDREN'S HEART FOUNDATION

The seventh annual Walk with the Heart of a Child will be held on Feb. 27 inside Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, to support the Children's Heart Foundation. The event begins at 8:30 a.m., with registration set for 7 a.m.

The Children's Heart Foundation assists families whose children have been touched by heart disease. During the event, teams gather at the mall to walk in celebration and raise awareness regarding heart disease.

Online registration is available at www.chfn.org. Fees are $25 for adults, $15 for virtual walkers and $15 for students and seniors. Community members and businesses that want to support the Children's Heart Foundation can call 967-3522. For more information, visit www.chfn.org.

KLIP IT FOR KIDZ TO AID CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CANCER

There is still time for residents to pledge money for Klip It for Kidz, a fundraising event in support of children and families in Southern Nevada affected by cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.

The charity event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 13 at Town Square Las Vegas, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Klip It For Kidz is sponsored by the Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada and the Metropolitan Police Department and raises money for the programs of the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation.

Those who are interested can download a pledge form at www.nvccf.org or on Facebook (search for Klip It For Kidz) and collect pledges through March 13.

Participants will bring their pledges to the southwest parking lot of Town Square Las Vegas, near Rave Motion Pictures, and then step up to the barber chair to shave off their hair. Participants can donate 10 inches or more to Locks of Love.

For more information, visit www.nvccf.org or call 735-8434.

SOUTHERN NEVADA SONS OF ERIN TO HOST ANNUAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL

Preparations are under way for the 44th annual Southern Nevada Sons of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, which will be held March 11-14 in downtown Henderson.

The club is seeking groups to participate in the parade, which will be held at 10 a.m. March 13 along Water Street. Sponsors, vendors and entertainers also are needed for the parade and festival. Deadline for applications is Feb. 16.

The theme for this year's parade is "Rainbow and Pot of Gold." Trophies will be awarded for Best of Theme, Prettiest, Most Original and Greenest.

More than 50,000 people attended the parade and festival in 2009. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local charities.

For information, call 260-8072 or visit www.stpatricks2010.com.

SUPPORT GROUP SEEKS PARTICIPANTS

A women's broken heart support group is forming for women. The group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Create, Develop & Flow Martial Arts at 101 S. Rainbow Blvd.

For more information, call 764-9256.