North Las Vegas Neighborhood News, Nov. 26-Dec. 2

ANNUAL SHOES FOR CHILDREN DRIVE AND BENEFIT PERFORMANCES

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District plans to host its 19th annual Shoes for Children Drive and Benefit Performances at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

Admission is one new pair of children’s athletic shoes sized to fit preschoolers to high school youths. Donations also will be accepted at all library branches through Dec. 23.

For more information, call 702-507-3989.

CITY LEADERS MINT TWO NEW DEPARTMENT HEADS

North Las Vegas City Council members unanimously OK’d the appointment of a new library director and interim fire chief this month, stamping interim City Manager Jeff Buchanan’s picks for each of the spots filled at a Nov. 6 City Council meeting.

Acting Library District Director Forrest Lewis is set for a promotion to permanent district head, pending final district board member approval next month. Lewis stands to earn an annual salary of $104,631.

City leaders also signed off on retired Henderson deputy fire chief Jeff Lytle’s move into Buchanan’s former spot. Lytle will make an annual salary of $125,000.

NEW BOARD SET TO GUIDE CSN CHEYENNE

North Las Vegas and the College of Southern Nevada announced the formation of a city-proposed advisory board at the school’s Cheyenne Avenue campus this month, a move officials hope will foster better communication between the two entities.

The Nov. 18 agreement signed by Mayor John Lee and CSN President Dr. Michael Richards lays the groundwork for a jointly appointed panel of community members and business leaders set to advise school officials on “trends and local needs,” according to a release issued Nov. 14.

Lee said the board aims to put a little more community into its only college.

For more information on the panel, contact CSN communications director K.C. Brekken at 702-651-7535 or kc.brekken@csn.edu. Contact city spokeswoman Juliet Casey at 702-633-2613 or caseyj@cityofnorthlasvegas.com

BANK OF AMERICA NOW ACCEPTING HOLIDAY TOY DONATIONS

Bank of America plans to host a toy drive to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation from Nov. 29 to Dec. 13. The public is invited to drop off new, unwrapped toys at any of 51 Bank of America banking centers in Southern Nevada. The toys will be presented to Make-A-Wish kids and their families at the organization’s annual holiday party.

Hope Christian Health Center is set to open a new health care clinic near the intersection of North Pecos Road and East Craig Road by February 2014, officials with the North Las Vegas-based nonprofit group announced this month.

The clinic, 4385 N. Pecos Road, Suite 155, will serve patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, according to a release issued Nov. 4.

Nonprofit officials said the clinic was strategically sited in a part of town designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a “medically underserved” area in need of healthcare professionals.

They expect the clinic to create several new jobs in the area.

Work on the clinic, which has been in the planning stages for more than a year, is scheduled to begin next month.

For more information on Hope Christian Health Center, visit www.hopehealthvegas.org or call 702-763-2242.

ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY HOLDS OUTREACH EVENTS

The Las Vegas Astronomical Society holds events every month for those interested in learning about astronomy. The society meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the College of Southern Nevada Planetarium, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., usually with a speaker or program on an astronomical topic.

For more information on the group, visit lvastronomy.com.

SENIOR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION GAMES PLANNED

The North Las Vegas-based Las Vegas Senior Softball Association plans to play games Tuesdays and Thursdays morning in Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave. League teams open to men 50 to 64, 65 or older and women 50 or older.

For more information, visit lvssa.com.

MODEL AIRPLANE CLUB TO HOST HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE

Prop Nuts Radio Controlled Airplane Club plans to host its third annual Toys For Tots holiday fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at Willie McCool Regional Airfield, 4400 Horse Drive. Club spokesman Robert Connell said some of the nation’s top radio-controlled helicopter pilots are set to be on hand for the toy donation event.

For more information, contact Connell at 702-636-6620.

The North Las Vegas Neighborhood Recreation Center plans to host Seniorcize for adults 55 or older from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at 1638 N. Bruce St. For more information on the free sessions, call 702-633-1600.

MOAPA WILDLIFE REFUGE OPEN THROUGH MAY 26

The Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset Fridays through Sundays through Memorial Day.

The visitor area includes two walking trails with interpretive panels and a stream profile chamber featuring a water level view of the endangered Moapa dace, a small native fish. Guided interpretive walks are held from time to time.

The 117-acre refuge is located about 60 miles north of Las Vegas.

Staffing for the weekend openings is provided by volunteers, who also are needed for restoration projects. For more information about volunteering, contact Harry Konwin at 702-515-5494 or harry_konwin@fws.gov.

For more about the refuge, including a walk schedule, visit www.fws.org.

SAFEKEY REGISTRATION STILL OPEN

NORTH LAS VEGAS COAST GUARD GROUP TO MEET

The North Las Vegas Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla is set to meet at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of the month at the North Las Vegas Airport, 2730 Airport Drive.

For more information on the group, call flotilla commander Barry Keller at 702-219-2236 or visit goaux.us.

MASTER GARDENERS OFFER WEEKLY TOURS

Master Gardeners offer weekly garden tours from 10 a.m. to noon Fridays at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Demonstration Gardens, 8050 Paradise Road.

Master Gardeners plan to offer free weekly walking tours aimed at teaching visitors about many of the more than 500 plants that grow in harsh southwestern desert landscapes around Las Vegas.

In addition to scheduled tours, the grounds are open for self-guided tours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

For more information, call the Master Gardener Help Desk at 702-257-5555 or visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/mastergardenersofsouthernnevada.

CIVIL AIR PATROL TO MEET

The Nellis Senior Squadron of the Nevada Wing Civil Air Patrol meets from 7 to 8 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month in the Grand Canyon Room at the North Las Vegas Air Terminal, 2730 Airport Drive. The Civil Air Patrol is a nonprofit organization with 56,000 members nationwide. It performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions. Attendees must be 18 or older. For more information, contact Maj. Mark Goodman at 702-326-7363 or mgoodman56@me.com.

ALIANTE LIBRARY WRITERS CLUB TO MEET MONTHLY

The Aliante Library Writers Club is set to meet monthly from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Aliante Library, 2400 Deer Springs Road. The group gathers for networking, readings and learning about writing. For more information, call 702-839-2980, visit nlvld.org or email Glory Wade at glorywadewriter@gmail.com.

LEGO CLUB TO MEET MONTHLY

The North Las Vegas Library plans to meet monthly from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the North Las Vegas Library, 2300 Civic Center Drive. All ages welcome. Jigsaw puzzles are provided. For more information, contact the library at 702-633-1070 or visit www.nlvld.org.

NORTH VALLEY LEADERSHIP TEAM TO MEET

The North Valley Leadership Team meets at 10 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at the Pearson Community Center, 1625 W. Carey Ave. For more information on the group and its efforts, contact president Lydia Garrett at 702-413-3034.

PEARSON CENTER HOSTS WALKING CLUB

The Pearson Community Center plans its Positive Movement walking club at 6 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday at 1625 W. Carey Ave.

Participants aim to encourage each other physically, emotionally and spiritually by walking on the track.

For more information, call the center at 702-455-1220.

DONATIONS ACCEPTED TO AID NONPROFIT

Help homeless, pregnant and parenting teens by donating time, money or new or gently used items to assist clients of Southern Nevada Children First, 720 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 30.

Volunteers and donations are always needed to support the nonprofit.

For more information, visit childrenfirst-nv.org or call 702-487-5665.

KIWANIS CLUB WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

The Kiwanis Club of North Las Vegas, a chapter of the international service organization, is scheduled to meet at 6:15 p.m. each Tuesday at T.G.I. Friday’s at the Aliante, 7300 Aliante Parkway.

Club community projects have included canned food drives, car shows, kites in the park events and charity fundraisers.

The fourth meeting of the month is limited to members only.

For more information, visit nlvkiwanis.com or call 702-399-0332.

NORTH LAS VEGAS ROTARY CLUB TO MEET

The North Las Vegas Rotary Club of Las Vegas meets at 7:15 a.m. Fridays at the Painted Desert Golf Club, 5555 Painted Mirage Road.

The weekly breakfast meetings include guest speakers, networking, education workshops and service projects.

For more information, visit nlvrc.org/newsite or call Bob Lillis at 702-340-9735.

FREE TRAPPERS SET TO MEET IN SPRING MOUNTAINS

Spring Mountain Free Trappers meet for a black powder shoot the first weekend of each month at CC Spring and Lovell Canyon roads in the Spring Mountains southwest of Las Vegas. Locations vary depending on weather, so call Daniel Trousdale at 702-645-2658 before attending. For more information, visit smft.org.

NEVADA STATE BANK HELPS HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE

Nevada State Bank is collecting new, unwrapped children’s toys and bikes through Dec. 4 in support of 98.5 KLUC’s 15th annual toy drive. Toys can be dropped off at any Nevada State Bank branch location in the Las Vegas Valley and will be delivered to KLUC’s Chet Buchanan and the Morning Zoo in early December.

For a list of Nevada State Bank branches, visit nsbank.com/locations.

VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL SEEKS COMPUTER DONATIONS

Clark County School District’s Virtual High School and Academy for Individualized Study, 3050 E. Flamingo Road, will accept in computers in good working condition through Dec. 31. The Laptops for Learning Holiday Drive is designed to give economically challenged future virtual high school students a chance to take online classes, school district officials said in a release issued Nov. 5.

Donations will be refurbished and wiped clean by data professionals at U.S. Micro Corp. Donations can be dropped off at the Virtual High School campus.

For more information, contact the school at 702-855-8435 or visit www.ccsdde.net.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR FREE FURNITURE

Walker Furniture is seeking nomination letters through Dec. 1 on behalf of Clark County individuals and families in need for its Home For The Holidays program. This will mark the 20th consecutive year that Walker Furniture plans to provide families in need with a houseful of new furniture.

This year, the company plans to help 28 families in need. HELP of Southern Nevada will assist with identifying nominated families displaying the most genuine need.

Nomination letters should be sent to Larry Alterwitz, Walker Furniture, 301 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89106, or fill out a form at walkerfurniture.com.

MOJAVE MAX EMERGENCE CONTEST KICKS OFF

The annual Mojave Max Emergence Contest has kicked off, offering participants the chance to guess when Mojave Max, a live tortoise who lives at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, will leave his burrow in the spring. Participants are encouraged to try to guess as closely as possible the correct day, hour and minute when Max will emerge.

Anyone can enter the contest, but only one kindergarten- through 12th-grade student enrolled in a Clark County public, private or registered home school is eligible to win prizes. The grand prize winner’s class will receive T-shirts, a pizza party and a field trip to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The winner also receives a laptop computer, a digital camera and a yearlong pass to federally managed fee areas. The winner’s teacher will receive a laptop computer.

To enter, visit mojavemax.com and click on “Contest.” Since the contest launched in 2000, the earliest Max has emerged was 11:55 a.m. Feb. 14, 2005. The latest was 12:41 p.m. April 17, 2012.

SHAKESPEARE INSTITUTE TO OFFER ACTOR CLASSES

The nonprofit Shakespeare Institute of Nevada recently launched a series of acting workshops for Southern Nevada residents focusing on teaching students to try new material and prepare audition pieces while receiving feedback from professional actors and directors. The workshops are suitable for all ages and all acting levels and are planned from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Hollywood Bound Acting Academy, 7220 S. Cimarron Road.

The fee is $80 for 10 classes. The first class is free to audit.

For more information or to register, email shakesinstnv@gmail.com or call 702-896-9517.

NO-COST FLU IMMUNIZATION CLINICS PLANNED

The Southern Nevada Immunization and Health Coalition and its partners plan to host multiple no-cost flu immunization clinics through Dec. 7 in the Las Vegas Valley. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months or older get a flu vaccine each year. The 2013-14 flu vaccines will protect against both the H3N2 and the H1N1 flu virus. The clinics will offer flu vaccine on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone 6 months or older is eligible if they are uninsured or underinsured. Those with health insurance are encouraged to talk to their doctor or pharmacist about getting vaccinated.

To learn the dates and locations where the clinics are slated to be held, visit vaxvegas.org.

RESCUE GROUP TO OFFER GIFT WRAPPING

Golden Retriever Rescue Southern Nevada plans its holiday gift-wrapping fundraiser starting on Nov. 29 and running through December.

Shop at participating stores and meet some Golden Retrievers. The gift-wrapping effort is free, but donations will be accepted. Donations help fund the rescue group’s various programs and covers costs such as veterinary care.

Volunteers are needed to fill various shifts at the following three locations on in the Summerlin area: Barnes & Noble, 8915 W. Charleston Blvd.; GAP, Rampart Commons Shopping Mall, 1055 S. Rampart Blvd.; and Pottery Barn, Rampart Commons Shopping Mall, 1085 S. Rampart Blvd.

To volunteer or to get more details, contact grrsnvolunteers@aol.com or call 702-598-4653.

MANDATORY WINTER WATERING SCHEDULE IN EFFECT

The Southern Nevada Water Authority reminds residents and businesses that the community’s winter watering schedule runs through Feb. 28. The seasonal schedule limits both turf and drip irrigation to one day per week according to each customer’s assigned watering group, as listed below. Watering is prohibited on Sundays.

Watering days are: Group A — Monday; Group B — Tuesday; Group C — Wednesday; Group D — Thursday; Group E — Friday; and Group F — Saturday.

Hand watering is permitted to revive dry spots.

Customers can visit snwa.com to find their assigned watering days, get information on seasonal watering restrictions and learn recommended run times for irrigation systems.

HARDEST HIT FUND PROVIDES MORTGAGE HELP

With one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation, Nevada was selected to be a beneficiary of the U.S. Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund program, which provides assistance to help prevent avoidable foreclosures and keep Nevada homeowners in their homes.

The Nevada Hardest Hit Fund will assist eligible applicants by paying up to a maximum of $1,000 monthly toward their impounded first mortgage payment, including principal, interest, property tax and insurance for up to nine months. The applicant’s contribution will be a minimum of $75 or any amount that exceeds the $1,000 maximum assistance per month.

Applicants must be unemployed and actively looking for work or be able to validate at least a 35 percent reduction in income/wages since 2008 and must be facing imminent default.

To apply, homeowners can call 855-428-4357 or visit nevadahardesthitfund.nv.gov.

PLASTIC FOOD DRIVE PLANNED

The nonprofit Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth plans to hold its seventh annual plastic food drive through Nov. 26.

NPHY aims to raise $20,000 in food vouchers to help feed the approximately 7,000 homeless youths in Clark County. Fast food and grocery store gift card voucher donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the William Fry Drop-In Center, 4981 Shirley St.

Event organizers also invite community members to host their own and donate the proceeds to NPHY. For more information on the drive, or to register as a participant, contact the organization at 702-383-1332 or visit www.nphy.org.

BLOOD COURIERS NEEDED

The American Red Cross is seeking volunteer couriers to deliver blood in Las Vegas. Couriers are needed from 7 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

The Red Cross distribution center, 4025 Dean Martin Drive, supplies blood to five hospitals: Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, Valley Hospital Medical Center, Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center, Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center and Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center.

For more information or to volunteer, call 800-434-3251.

GREEN CHIPS LAUNCHES WEBSITE TO INCREASE SUSTAINABILITY AWARENESS

Green Chips, a nonprofit designed to advance Nevada’s sustainability identity, recently launched a community website at greenchips.org.

The site is intended to provide individuals, groups, businesses and municipalities with a venue to share green events, activities, incentive programs and more. To submit information for the site, email info@greenchips.org.

The second phase of the site, expected in March, is slated to include health, transportation and educational resources, including an interactive section for students with science projects, lesson plans and outdoor activity ideas.

AARP TAX SERVICE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

AARP Tax Aide, the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service, is looking for volunteers. Training is scheduled for the first week of January. To register, visit aarp.org/taxvolunteer or contact district coordinator Jerry Allen at 702-233-1918.