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To stay updated on coming events for District D – visit Commissioner Weekly’s events calendar.
The Ultimate Flag Football Challenge and Valley Wide Food Drive
Commissioner Lawrence Weekly and KVEG HOT 97.5 will co-host the second annual “Ultimate Flag Football Challenge” and Valley Wide Food Drive from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 21 and 22 at the All American Park, which is adjacent to the intersection of Charleston Boulevard and Buffalo Drive.
The event will feature a flag football tournament with $5,000 in cash prizes and an onsite youth football camp.
In addition to the sports, the commissioner and KVEG HOT 97.5 are asking for donations for the food drive to benefit 300 seniors and families for the holidays. The donated food will be distributed through the commissioner's annual Thanksgiving holiday turkey giveaway.
Please contact Diana Smith at (702) 736-6161 ext. 224 for more information.
Community Organizations Team Up for a Fun & Safe Family Halloween
The 5th Annual Halloween Safe Night will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Dr. William U. Pearson Community Center, 1625 W. Carey Ave., Las Vegas.
This free event will feature carnival games, a decorating contest, a haunted house, jumpers, food, live music, haircuts and much more.
This year’s event is being supported by the Las Vegas Urban League, Commissioner Weekly, Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow, State Senator Steven Horsford, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Newsome Marketing, EOB, Power 88.1, Nevada Partners, Sam’s Club, Las Vegas Finest Social Club, Masterpiece Barbershop and One Luv Car Club.
Hope Coach Brings Free Mammograms to District D
From left, Commissioner Weekly; Rosemary West, Director, NVCI Partnerships and Mission Integration; Dr. Karen Milligan, NVCI oncologist; Yvonne Tucker, breast cancer survivor.
Commissioner Weekly joined with staff from the Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) recently as NVCI provided free mammograms to 125 uninsured women, during a special four-day event at the Dr. William U. Pearson Community Center.
The event was made possible through a donation from the Breast Cancer Relief Foundation and the life-saving screenings were conducted by NVCI staff on the Hope Coach.
Commissioner, UMC Staff Recognized by the American Heart Association
Commissioner Weekly, left, with Cardiologist Berge Dadourian, MD
The American Heart and Stroke Association recently named Commissioner Weekly and several UMC practitioners “Champions Fighting Heart Disease and Stroke.”
Commissioner Weekly was honored as the Advocate of the Year. UMC’s Dr. Murray Flaster was named Neurologist of the Year. UMC’s Dr. David Slattery was recognized as Emergency Department Physician of the Year. UMC’s Joy Guideng was named Cardiology Nurse of the Year. UMC is the only hospital in Las Vegas to be commended so highly by the American Heart and Stroke Association.
Earlier this year, the American Heart Association awarded University Medical Center with double Gold Awards for Cardiac Care. UMC is the only hospital in Nevada to also achieve such a remarkable distinction. UMC’s Stroke Program also received recognition, with the Bronze Award, another sign of UMC’s dedication to excellence in patient care.
UMC continues to set the gold standard for medical care, as the only hospital in Nevada to receive such distinguished awards, by offering an unsurpassed level of care.
UNLV School of Dental Medicine Dedicated to Community Service
The UNLV School of Dental Medicine is committed to increasing access to quality oral health care for all Nevadans. In addition to educating future dentists, the school is making a difference today by providing oral health care to thousands of Nevadans at reduced rates.
The UNLV School of Dental Medicine operates two clinical facilities in Las Vegas. The largest facility is on the Shadow Lane Campus, 1700 W. Charleston Ave., at the corner of Charleston Avenue and Shadow Lane. The UNLV Enterprise Community Practice is at 1750 Wheeler Peak Rd. in Las Vegas. Both facilities are open to all Nevadans including those participating in some of Nevada’s Medicaid programs.
Patients at the dental school’s clinics receive comprehensive care including exams, x-rays, cleanings, extractions and fillings at reduced rates. Faculty and student dentists have treated thousands of patients who cannot afford the full cost of dental care or are ineligible for Medicaid.
For more information contact the Shadow Lane clinic at (702) 774-2400 or the Enterprise clinic at (702) 648-7231.
District D Cleanup, Nov. 14
Join Commissioner Weekly and other concerned District D neighbors as we clean up the neighborhood from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.
Have your documents with sensitive information safely destroyed by Opportunity Village Mobile Shredder. The shredder service will be offered at KCEP 88.1, 330 W. Washington Ave., Las Vegas from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Get rid of that unwanted car or other vehicle sitting on your property. Call Quality Towing at (702) 649-5488 to put your vehicle on the list to be picked up on Nov. 14.
Volunteers interested in cleaning up graffiti and trash are asked to meet at the Walnut Recreation Center, 3075 Walnut Road, Las Vegas, by 8 a.m. on Nov. 14. The group will leave from the center shortly after 8 a.m. to clean up nearby neighborhoods.
For more information about this event, click here or call (702) 455-2540. You also may register as a volunteer to support this event by accessing the registration form here.
Power in the Park
Commissioner Weekly, right, with Sheila Washington, Fitness Instructor
Commissioner Weekly helped host the recent American Stroke Association’s Power to End Stroke event at a Las Vegas 51s game. Dozens of children and concerned community leaders joined the commissioner for the event to raise awareness of the dangers of strokes, especially among African Americans.
African Americans are almost twice as likely to have a stroke and are more likely to die from a stroke than white Americans.
Magnet/CTA Schools
“Real Life Meets Academics”
“Real life” meets academics in Clark County’s popular Magnet Schools and Career & Technical Academies. These are schools where opportunity knocks at all levels - elementary, middle school, and high school. The moment one enters a Magnet/CTA School, they sense an electrified environment. This is because Magnet/CTA Schools are not strictly zoned schools, they are free-choice schools, where future-conscious students are attracted to special career learning programs, hence the term “magnet.” This environment of choice makes a positive difference in student attitudes and potentials. And Magnet/CTA Schools are completely FREE!
Transportation is provided throughout the Clark County School District for all Magnet schools, whether they be elementary, middle schools, or high schools, as well as for the newly-opened Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy and for the Advanced Technologies Academy. All of the Career & Technical Academies offer bus transportation within their zones, and also allow applicants to attend from outside the zone, so long as they supply their own transportation.
Magnet/CTA Schools aren’t just for students seeking blue-collar positions. They prepare students for the workforce, professional certifications, and even for the country’s best colleges, since students can earn transferable credits while still in school or specialize in intensive college preparation programs such as the International Baccalaureate. Magnet/CTA Schools offer training in such specialties as Aviation to Veterinary Medicine, Crime Scene Investigation to Pre-Law, Architecture to Performing Arts, and many highly-paid career fields in between. Each Magnet/CTA School has its own specialties, so applicants should carefully peruse course listings to find the best match. For most students, the future begins after graduation… at Magnet/CTA Schools, our children’s futures start now.
Important Date: Application deadline is Feb. 8, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.
To apply for the Magnet School or Career & Technical Academy of your choice, visit the CCSD Web site. For answers to frequently asked questions, or to see a list of all the District’s 24 Magnet Schools and Career & Technical Academies, go to http://Magnet.ccsd.net. You may also e-mail your questions or call (702) 799-8492 to speak with a representative.
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The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's 1st Tuesday program is an excellent opportunity for citizens to get involved with their police department.
On the first Tuesday of every month, police open the doors of local substations (also called area commands) from 7 to 8 p.m. for the community to have an open forum to communicate with the police officers who patrol their neighborhoods.
Each month a different area of the police department is highlighted so the community can get a better idea of what goes on "behind the scenes" throughout the different sections of the department.
Please visit the substation near you on First Tuesday:
- Bolden Area Command, 1851 Stella Lake, Las Vegas, (702) 828-3347
· Northeast Area Command, 831 N. Mojave, Las Vegas, (702) 828-3403
Volunteers, Donations Needed to Help Homeless on Nov. 10 – Call (702) 340-8821 or Visit www.helphopehome.org
Volunteers and donations are needed to help with the upcoming Project Homeless Connect, which helps thousands of homeless in Southern Nevada find food, clothing, transportation, job training, healthcare, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and other services. Almost 300 attendees found housing through last year’s event.
Project Homeless Connect is free to the homeless who will be able to check-in from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Cashman Center at 850 N. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. More than 1,000 volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks including escorting the homeless around the event, working the check-in table and post-event cleanup. Volunteers will be asked to arrive by 7 a.m. and stay until 4 p.m. but may spend a half-day at the event, starting or ending their day at noon. For more information about volunteering at Project Homeless Connect, call (702) 340-8821 or visit www.HelpHopeHome.org.
Donations of items such as T-shirts, socks and nonperishable food to give away during the event are still needed. Monetary donations are also appreciated and needed. For more information about donating to the event, call (702) 340-8821.
A comprehensive census conducted in January 2009 revealed an average of 13,000 homeless people staying in shelters or on the streets at any given time, and more than 50,000 instances of people becoming homeless over the course of a year.
Project Homeless Connect is a day-long event formerly known as Stand Down for the Homeless, which gives people “a hand up, not a hand out.” During last year’s event on Oct. 8, 2008, more than 900 volunteers helped nearly 3,400 homeless people receive help with food, clothing, grooming, housing, transportation, job readiness, healthcare, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, child care, veterans and legal services. In addition, nearly 300 attendees were placed in housing during and after the event.
Project Homeless Connect is coordinated by the SNRPC Committee on Homelessness’ Office of the Regional Homeless Services Coordinator and the Nevada Homeless Alliance (NHA). The Office of the Regional Homeless Services Coordinator works with local governments and other agencies, faith houses, advocacy groups and others concerned with the issues of homelessness and affordable housing through a coordinated and regional approach to planning and service provision. The NHA works with local agencies, volunteer groups, faith-based organizations and the corporate sector to create effective partnerships and promote collaboration through advocacy, events and education.
The event is also supported by Clark County and the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City. Event participants are expected to include Clark County Social Service, the City of Las Vegas, Las Vegas and county courts, emergency shelter and housing providers, Nevada Health Centers, employment training agencies, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department HELP (Homeless Evaluation Liaison Project) Team, street outreach service providers, state welfare and mental health agencies, the Veterans Administration, faith-based groups and various social service providers.
Flu Shots Available
The Southern Nevada Health District is offering flu shots for both the regular seasonal virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus based on the availability of vaccine. For up to date information on vaccine availability and clinic locations, visit the health district website at www.snhd.info or call the flu information line at 759-INFO (4636).
The H1N1 vaccine is initially being offered to those at risk for severe illness and complications. The priority groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include:
· Pregnant women
· Caregivers and those who live with infants age six months or younger
· Health care workers and emergency response personnel who have direct patient contact
· Young people between the ages of six months and 24 years old
· People who are 25 - 64 years of age who have health conditions associated with higher risk of complications from influenza.
In order to ensure those most at risk receive vaccine first the health district is offering injectable vaccine (when available) and FluMist to those in the priority groups most at risk. Once more vaccine is available the vaccine will be offered to the expanded priority groups and eventually the general public. It is anticipated there will be enough H1N1 flu shots and FluMist available for everyone who wants to be vaccinated.
The inhaled vaccine is recommended for healthy people between the ages of two and 49 who are in a CDC-recommended priority group currently being served by the health district. Due to limited doses, and in an effort to reserve the flu shots for those ineligible to receive the intranasal vaccine, including pregnant women, children younger than 2 years of age and those with certain chronic medical conditions, the health district is urging everyone eligible for the intranasal vaccine to receive the FluMist. The H1N1 influenza vaccine is free. Check the health district’s website for updated clinic dates and times.
Until adequate immunization rates for H1N1 are achieved, the best way to prevent influenza is to practice good health habits. The Southern Nevada Health District continues to monitor for the seasonal and novel 2009 H1N1 influenza strains. As of the end of October 2009, there have been more than 1500 laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases in Clark County; however, the number of reported cases represents a small percentage of residents who have been infected with H1N1 as most do not seek medical care.
The health district encourages everyone to get a regular seasonal flu shot especially high-risk individuals including people 50 and over, pregnant women, health care workers, individuals between six months old and 49 with certain medical conditions, and household contacts of individuals who are at high risk. The health district does have a limited supply of adult vaccine at this time and seasonal flu shots are also available in doctor’s offices, pharmacies and clinics throughout the community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also encourages flu vaccinations for children between the ages of six months and 59 months.
For additional information visit www.SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict.org or www.snhd.info or call the Nevada Helpline, (702) 759-4636 (INFO). The health district is also available on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.
As the local economy continues to struggle, Clark County is having to make more and more cuts that so far total $112.5 million.
Budget deficits, unfortunately, will be a fact of life for the foreseeable future so it is critical that we continue to find ways to reduce expenses while minimizing the effect on services.
The cuts have continued unabated since May 2008, when the first signs of the weakening economy began appearing. Those first cuts began with reductions in overtime, travel and implementation of a soft hiring freeze. By December, that freeze was hardened and today there are more than 500 vacant positions at the county and more than 250 vacant positions at University Medical Center (UMC).
In February, the County Commission authorized a voluntary furlough program which has saved the General Fund about $560,000, the county as a whole more than $1 million and the County and UMC combined $1.6 million. In March, the board approved a voluntary separation program that has saved the county $4.3 million to the budget this fiscal year, which began July 1. This past spring, the Commission accepted wage concessions agreed to with the Service Employees International Union, which, combined with the wage freeze in effect for management employees going back to January 2008, is saving $90 million to the current general fund budget. On Tuesday, the Commission will consider the establishment of another Separation Program.
By June, it was clear that the state of the local economy required further action. The county manager asked departments to come up with additional cuts, yielding an additional $22.5 million in savings – partly through the elimination of 31.5 full-time and 170 part-time positions. In September, the County Commission supported the deferment of $54 million from active capital projects to help improve the current financial situation. Meanwhile, the county is reviewing its management structure and weighing what reorganization can occur with an eye toward producing additional savings. This fiscal year’s shortfall is still about $60 million, and the county is facing a projected shortfall of $108.7 million in Fiscal Year 2011.
Be a Responsible Pet Owner - Spay or Neuter
One female and one male cat and their offspring can produce 420,000 kittens in seven years. One female and one male dog and their offspring can produce 4,372 puppies in seven years. There aren’t enough homes for them all but there is something you can do about it – have your pet spayed or neutered.
Clark County has entered into a partnership with Heaven Can Wait to provide low cost dog and cat sterilizations. These services have been made possible through the DMV Spay and Neuter License Plate Fund.
Please call Heaven Can Wait at (702) 277-5555 for more information on this important public service.
Foreclosure Mediation Program
Residents facing foreclosure can get help resolving disputes through the Foreclosure Mediation Program that was established by Assembly Bill 149.
The program is administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts and has established a Web page with a variety of information and forms. For more information, click here. Information is also available for Spanish speaking residents.
Owner-occupied residential properties served with a Notice of Default and Election to Sell on or after July 1, 2009 can enter into mediation provided the lender agrees.
Go "Where Fun Happens"
Looking for something to do? View the list of the events going on in Clark County parks this week.
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