North Las Vegas Neighborhood News

Citizens group set to meet

The North Las Vegas Alliance of Homeowners Association and Concerned Citizens is set to meet at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Aliante Library, 2400 W. Deer Springs Way. The public is invited. For more information, contact Bob Borgersen at 649-2176 or email vborgersen@cox.net.

Safe nest relocates to North Las Vegas

The Safe Nest Donation Center has relocated to 4208 N. Arcata Way, Suite C, North Las Vegas. The center accepts gently used clothing, small household items, old cellphones, recyclable items such as paper, metal, and plastic, as well as vehicle donations. It also accepts large household appliances including washers, dryers and water heaters in any condition. Donations may be dropped off at the donation center during business hours, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call 257-3800 to schedule a home pickup. For vehicle donations, call 203-8661. Safe Nest will pick up the vehicle and handle all the paperwork. All donated items help raise funds to allow Safe Nest to provide necessary services for victims of domestic violence and their children.

For more information, call 877-0133.

Free health fair scheduled

The Junior League of Las Vegas Care Fair, a community health fair with complimentary dental, visual and auditory examinations and immunizations, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 25 at the James Clubhouse, 2530 E. Carey Ave.

The group said it aims to fill the gap that other complimentary health fairs leave open by being available only at the beginning of the school year and during typical workday hours. Several different vendors are offering a variety of information on health insurance, medical care and other services. Southern Nevada Immunization and Health Coalition is sponsoring the event. For more information, visit jllv.org or call 822-6536.

Solar company drops 200 jobs

California-based solar power company Amonix Inc. has eliminated 200 jobs in its first year of production at its North Las Vegas plant. The company opened its largest manufacturing plant mid-2011. The cuts came from Flextronics Industrial, the Singapore solar panel manufacturer and Amonix Inc. partner.

Company heads said the layoffs are temporary as the companies "retool" production.

Explore geologic history on Fossil Ridge

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Friends of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex invite the public to explore the wealth of geologic history on Fossil Ridge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Fossil Ridge is on the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, roughly 23 miles north of Las Vegas on U.S. Highway 95. The scramble is limited to the first 20 people who register. Participants can reserve a spot by contacting Friends of the Desert NWR Complex board member Frank Simpson via email at mojaveft@gmail.com. Those wishing to join the scramble must have a high-clearance vehicle with good tires. The organizers suggest bringing a sack lunch and plenty of water. Proper clothing for the conditions and footwear suitable for hiking are also recommended.

Photo challenge benefits families

Show off your photogenic child for a cause with local photographers Portraits to You and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a nonprofit that provides free photography sessions to families suffering an early infant loss.

Participants pose for a session with Portraits to You for a $39 fee. Families also receive a print.

Families rally support and votes via charitymodelsearch.org. Votes are $1 each, and proceeds benefit Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

Voting is to be conducted through March 23.

The top 25 vote-getters are judged by a panel of photography experts, and the top three are to receive awards including a camera, gift cards and savings bond.

For more information, visit charitymodelsearch.org, portraitstoyou.net or call 499-9930.

Regular city council meeting planned

The North Las Vegas City Council is set to meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

For more information or for a copy of the agenda, visit cityofnorthlasvegas.com or call the city clerk at 633-1030.

Ticket amnesty program available

The North Las Vegas Municipal Court, 2332 Las Vegas Blvd. North, has begun a ticket amnesty program that will offer 50 percent off on total fines for qualifying traffic and misdemeanor cases, including any additional warrant fees.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/nlvcourt or call 633-1130.

February book club selection chosen

Get a jump start on the February book selection for the book club at the Aliante Library, 2400 W. Deer Springs Way.

"The Ha-Ha" by Dave King is to be discussed at 7 p.m. Feb. 28.

The club is free and open to the public. For more information, call 839-2980.

Bus system to run holiday schedule

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is to operate on a Saturday transit system schedule on Monday, Presidents Day, due to traditionally lower ridership and less traffic on those days.

Schedules for all commission transit routes are available at rtcsouthernnevada.com or in the commission's transit guide.

For more information, call 228-7433.

Contractors board, association to offer free air-conditioning units

The Nevada State Contractors Board and nonprofit Southern Nevada Air Conditioning Refrigeration Service Contractors Association have announced the start of the seventh annual Mission Cool Off program. The program provides selected individuals and families in Southern Nevada a free air-conditioning unit that has been donated by licensed contractors who are also members of the contractors association.

The first 100 applications received by Feb. 29 will be considered for selection. Selections are made by a committee of individuals and are determined based on a person's or family's special circumstances. The program is not open to tenants, landlords, owners who do not reside at the residence or mobile homeowners. All applicants who qualify must complete and submit all required forms, including the application and media release form, in order to be considered. The forms can be downloaded at nscb.nv.gov or by calling Ranya Botros at 486-1165.

Young photographers can enter library district's art competition

Clark County youngsters from grades six through 12 can enter the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District's Visual Poetry, a photographic art competition for teens.

Submissions are due by Feb. 29. Awards are $150 for Best of Show, $100 for first place, $75 for second and $50 for third.

The awards reception is planned for 5 to 6:30 p.m. April 5 at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave.

For more information, visit lvccld.org/teen/specialprograms/visual_poetry.

Walk around Nevada without leaving town

The Southern Nevada Health District offers the Walk Around Nevada program, which helps participants track their physical activity online as they trek around the state and clock in 1,442 miles.

Anyone can sign up for this free online program and start a tour of Nevada. Track mileage online via a red line that marks your tour of the state. It also offers tips about staying hydrated, stretching and healthful hiking basics.

Walk Around Nevada maps include the entire state, a Lake Mead map and a Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake map.

For information on any health district online programs, visit gethealthyclark county.org.

Take care clinics have online component

Take Care Health Systems, a subsidiary of Walgreens, announces new scheduling options for its Take Care Clinics. Now, appointments can be made online through takecarehealth.com.

The site offers access to a comprehensive cost menu to quickly evaluate the cost of services, as well as local and up-to-date information on patient satisfaction scores and market-specific quality of care scores. The site includes estimated wait times at each clinic.

United Way approves funds allocation

United Way of Southern Nevada's Immediate Needs Council approved the allocation of $1 million to 12 local agencies providing rent and nutritional assistance. The funding distribution is a part of the nonprofit's mission to ensure families in need receive support so they can work toward becoming financially independent.

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada was allotted the largest amount of funding, receiving $355,178 for its food pantry services. HELP of Southern Nevada acquired $165,864, and Lutheran Social Services of Nevada obtained $103,119 for food and rent assistance. The Salvation Army Clark County received $159,825 for food services. Other agencies receiving financial aid include: American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter, Las Vegas Area Council Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, Emergency Aid of Boulder City, HopeLink, Jewish Family Service Agency, The Shade Tree and United Labor Agency of Nevada.

For more information about United Way's Immediate Needs initiatives, visit uwsn.org.

Residents able to 'Try the Y' free

In an effort to remove barriers and help everyone in the community get moving, the YMCA of Southern Nevada is to offer its "Try the Y" promotion to prospective members through Feb. 24.

Southern Nevadans can "discover, play and be active" for two weeks free at the organization's four locations, including its newest in North Las Vegas, SkyView Multi-Generational Center, 3050 E. Centennial Parkway.

The 36,000-square-foot recreation center has an indoor pool, wellness center, kids gym, lounge areas and studios and offers an array of classes and fitness programs for all ages.

To "Try the Y," visit lasvegasymca.org and download a coupon for two weeks free, plus no joining fee, a savings up to $75. For more information on SkyView Multi-Generational Center, call 522-7500.

City hires new directors

The city of North Las Vegas filled two administrative roles recently with the hiring of Gerald Allan Zochowski as finance director and Alfonso Noyola as administrative services director.

Zochowski brings 30 years of government operations experience to his post. His most recent work was as finance director for the Village of Lake Zurich, Ill. He is a certified public accountant with a master's degree in business administration. His annual salary is slated to be $135,000.

Noyola has been acting director of administrative services and finance for the city since June. He holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master's degree in public administration.

His annual salary is to be $141,990.

The city council ratified their positions at its Jan. 6 meeting.

Free health expo planned

The My Health and Wellness Expo, a free gathering of local and national health exhibitors, is planned for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 10 at Texas Station, 2101 Texas Star Lane.

Participants are invited to learn, snack and shop during the expo. Exhibitors slated to attend include natural, organic companies, personal trainers, life coaches, psychics, chefs, community nonprofits, skin care professionals, pediatricians and alternative healers, among others.

For more information, visit myhealthandwellnessexpo.com, call 602-625-3000 or email info@myhealthandwellness expo.com.

Child Focus seeks sibling mentors

Child Focus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reunifying separated brothers and sisters living in foster care, is recruiting sibling mentors to assist with chaperoning events and helping siblings develop the ability to become a healthy family.

Activities are held monthly and vary in topic. For a complete listing of volunteer opportunities, visit childfocusnv.org or call 436-1624.