|
Chris G. Organizes Neighborhood Cleanup
When Commissioner Chris G. got the call that a neighborhood in her area was filled with trash, dead vegetation and animal waste and homeowners in the surrounding area were responsible for clean up, she pitched in and led the effort to organize a neighborhood cleanup.
Although the residents were responsible for the maintenance of the Nevada Power easement near Winterwood Boulevard and Sahara Avenue, Giunchigliani along with her staff pitched in to help. Fourteen volunteers including ten youths and four staff members brought in by Clark County Parks and Recreation Department, cleaned out the alley as a community service for the surrounding property owners. As part of Graffiti Awareness Day the previous month, the Commissioner and volunteers also painted over graffiti in this area.
Giunchigliani encourages residents to do their part to help keep their neighborhoods clean so that all communities can enjoy a better quality of life.
Electrifying Art Contests Draws in Valley High School Students
Valley High School junior Pablo Gonzalez' electrifying art will be prominently displayed on utility boxes throughout his campus.
Gonzalez won first place in the "High Voltage Art" competition after he beat out 20 of the other art club students who showed initial interest in the project, and four students who entered their artwork in the July competition organized by Friends of Winchester and Valley High School.
"I am amazed at the amount of talent that we have in these young students," County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani said. "I commend each and every student who entered this competition and I look forward to seeing more events like this that encourage our young folks to express their creativity."
Friends of Winchester and Valley High School won a Clark County Small Projects Grant to help fund the competition. Students were asked to draft and submit drawings of ideas for the utility boxes and after review by two volunteer judges, school faculty and a professional artist, the winners were selected. The competitions top two winners displayed their artwork on utility boxes.
High Voltage Art is a variation of "ZAP!", an event that coincided with the Las Vegas Centennial Celebration. "ZAP!" featured professional artists such as Suzanne Hackett-Morgan, Shan Michael Evans and K.D. Matheson who turned the utility boxes on McLeod Drive, Desert Inn Road and Eastern Avenue into works of art. The goal of the High Voltage Art contest was to create a presence of public art in school. Donna Silva, the organizer of the project, says part of their mission was"to create awareness and appreciation for the value of public art, and to define public art versus 'graffiti.'"
Guinchigliani will present Gonzalez with a plaque and Proclamation. The "high voltage" winner has also been tapped to take a more active role in the project as student liaison when they apply for the grant again next school year.
Commissioner Giunchigliani, the Friends of Winchester and Valley High School staff would like to give special thanks to the Water Reclamation District and Nevada Power for permission to paint the utility boxes on the campus and to the Clark County Graffiti Abatement team.
Chris G. Participates in Metro's National Night Out
On Aug. 7, 2007, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sponsored National Night Out to encourage residents across the valley to turn on their porch lights, get outside and meet their neighbors between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani visited with residents at several of the events, at River Oaks Mobile Home Park, John C. Fremont Middle School and at Avion Apartments. The event at Avion Apartments, located at Lake Mead and Hollywood, included officers of the Northeast Area Command, the S.W.A.T. team and members of the K-9 unit. They provided refreshments, interactive games for the kids and raffle prizes such as gift certificates from Target, Port of Subs and Roadrunner.
National Night Out replaced the event known as First Tuesday, a monthly meeting hosted by Metro Area Command where citizens visit their local substation to meet with officers. Residents have the opportunity to express concerns and ask questions regarding crime and safety in their communities.
Dance Troupe Makes Magic at Disneyland
On July 14, intermediate and advanced students in the Winchester Star Catchers Dance Program performed at Disney's California Adventures in Anaheim, Calif.
The dancers were chosen for the opportunity after submitting audition material. The following day, all the dancers participated in a workshop led by professional Disney choreographer Shelly Nichols.
Throughout the last five years, the team has performed for Clark County, city of Las Vegas and other community events, including one of the last conventions held at the Stardust. Aside from public performances, the students put together material to fill three annual recitals.
Aside from physical activity, Star Catchers Dance provides a creative outlet and positive alternative activity for children of all skill levels. Students follow a strict code of conduct, which includes staying away from drugs and alcohol, achieving academic excellence and showing respect for themselves and others.
In the months leading up to the trip, the team, made up of boys and girls ages 7 to 16, trained for the warm Southern California weather and the endurance to perform their 27-minute, high-energy show.
When they weren't rehearsing, they earned money from friends and family to help pay for the cost of the trip, which tallied more than $10,000. In the end, Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani rewarded their hard work and helped them reach their financial goal.
The trip was an overwhelming success. The dancers received numerous compliments from Disney staff and impressed their guest choreographer. Aside from the performance and workshop, the kids enjoyed two days at the Disney Parks and had a lot of fun.
On the back of the dancers' shirts they wore in Disneyland is a Walt Disney quote that says, "It's kind of fun to do the impossible." And for many of the kids who had never been to Disneyland, let alone perform there, it was a once-impossible dream come true.
The hip-hop dance program meets at Winchester on Monday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., for beginning dancers; 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for intermediate dancers and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for more advanced dancers. Cost for the 12-week program is $60. The fall session is under way now.
Those interested in Star Catchers Dance can call Winchester Center at 455-7340.
Cambridge Hosts Freaky Fright Night on Oct. 25
The things that go "bump" in the night will gather for the annual Freaky Fright Night event from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Cambridge Recreation Center, 3930 Cambridge St., in southeast Las Vegas.
Children ages 12 and younger can gather candy at Trick-or-Treat Town and scare themselves silly in one of the haunted houses, and the annual costume contest will showcase Freaky Fright Night's best dressed. Food will be provided by Panda Express and music and games will keep the whole family entertained. The event is free, but the train ride and climbing wall are 50 cents per person.
The purpose of the event is to promote community awareness and give residents of the neighborhood an opportunity to gather and mingle with neighbors, family and friends in a positive setting.
"We are happy to present families with a safe and fun event to celebrate an early Halloween," said Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, who represents the surrounding neighborhoods. "The Cambridge Recreation Center always offers area residents a great experience."
The center is part of the Clark County Department of Parks and Recreation and features classes, programs for school-age children, senior activities, a skate park, an outdoor pool and water park and amenities such as a fitness room, game room and meeting rooms.
Univision and Hot 97.5 FM will be on site hosting live remotes. Call 455-7169 for more information or go to www.accessclarkcounty.com/parks.
Chris G. to Host Town Hall Meetings
Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani invites you and your neighbors to attend a Town Hall/Neighborhood Meeting on one or all of the available dates. The commissioner along with Clark County staff and state legislators will be on hand to answer your questions and concerns. Meetings will be held from 5:30 p.m to 7 p.m. at the following dates and locations:
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007
Guest: Assemblyman Tick Segerblom
Cambridge Recreation Center
3930 Cambridge
Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007
Guests: Assemblywoman Kathy McClain and Assemblyman David Parks
Parkdale Community Center
3200 Ferndale
Monday, Nov. 19, 2007
Hollywood Recreation Center
1650 S. Hollywood
The Purpose of a Town Advisory Board
Town Advisory Boards (TAB) and Citizens Advisory Councils (CAC) were created to assist the Board of County Commissioners in an advisory capacity with the decision-making process in supplying public services to the unincorporated areas of Clark County. There are 13 Town Advisory Boards and 6 Citizens Advisory Councils appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to serve in these unincorporated towns. Each board or council, consists of area residents, and serve as formal direct channels to the County Commission allowing for greater input into the future of their towns. These members serve without compensation for two-year terms and have the responsibility of assisting the Board of County Commissioners in the governance of the unincorporated town by acting as a conduit between the residents and the Commission. These boards and councils hold public meetings with assistance from County staff, such as Town & Liaison Services and Comprehensive Planning. During these meetings:
-
Boards and councils are informed of matters pertaining to the town such as: long-term planning, zoning changes, public works projects, and ordinances, and they are asked to provide input regarding these matters to the Board of County Commissioners.
-
They forward the concerns or problems of residents to the Board of County Commissioners or County staff for resolution.
There are three TABs in District "E": Paradise , Winchester and Sunrise Manor.
If you are interested in applying for membership on a TAB/CAC please click here for an application and the criteria needed to serve.
Chris G. to meet with Residents Near National Golf Course
A special informational meeting will be held for the residents surrounding the National Golf Course. This is an opportunity to meet with the new owner and discuss his vision for the area. It will be held on October 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Orr Middle School in the multipurpose room.
Did you know that Clark County gives out grants to neighborhoods like yours every year? It's true! The program is called "Neighborhood Grants." It is designed to:
-
Improve the aesthetics of the neighborhood
-
Improve the welfare of people and their communities
-
Stimulate resident-driven solutions
-
Increase communication amongst neighbors
-
Provide support and opportunities to develop leadership and organizational capacity
Clark County is accepting applications from community groups seeking grants to improve their neighborhoods through beautification, leadership training and community-building initiatives.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available through the county's Neighborhood Small Project Grants Program. The program is designed to help residents in urban and rural areas organize grass-root efforts to improve the social network and character of neighborhoods.
Applicants are urged to apply as soon as possible because the supply of funding is limited. Grant amounts, project types and application deadlines fall into three categories:
-
Neighborhood Beautification/Large Projects - Matching funds of up to $5,000 are available to 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organizations to implement larger-scale neighborhood beautification and improvement projects. Eligible initiatives may include landscape projects, neighborhood cleanups, pedestrian-friendly improvements and public art. Applications are being accepted until, Friday, Nov. 9, at 5 p.m.
-
Leadership/Training Grants - Funds up to $500 are available to enhance the organizational and leadership skills of resident groups to make positive changes in their neighborhoods. Eligible programs may include neighborhood mediation efforts and workshops on newsletter writing, grant writing or land-use and zoning regulations. Applications are being accepted now through Friday, May 2, 2008, at 5 p.m.
-
Small Project Grants -Funds up to $500 are available for low-cost projects and events designed to help residents get to know each other and make their neighborhoods better places to live. Eligible projects may include a back-to-school event, neighborhood festival, block party or picnic. Applications are being accepted now through Friday, May 2, 2008, at 5 p.m.
Applications for the Neighborhood Small Projects Grant Program are available online at www.accessclarkcounty.com or at the Department of Administrative Services, located on the 6th floor of the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas, NV; 89155. For more information about the program's eligibility and application requirements, contact neighborhood liaisons Dan Giraldo at 455-7388 or Tamara Williams: 455-0560
|