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Community invited to Attend November Adoption Fair and Fun Walk to Support Foster/Adoptive Families
November is National Adoption Awareness Month – a month set aside to increase awareness about the adoption of children from foster care. Across the country, hundreds of community events designed to help retain, recruit and support critically needed foster and adoptive parents will kick off. Efforts will be focused on providing support to foster children, prospective adoptive families, and assisting children aging out of the foster care system.
On Saturday, November 7, beginning at 8 a.m., the public is encouraged to attend the Clark County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (CCFAPA) 2nd Annual Walk Me Home to the Place I Belong Walk-a-Thon, as well as the 11th Annual Adoption Fair, to help raise funds to support programs and services designed to help children in the foster care system. The walk-a-thon is the signature fund-raising and awareness event for foster care across America.
“Thousands of walkers will participate in Walk Me Home events across the country, raising funds to support the life changing programs and activities of foster care associations throughout the United States. We are encouraging everyone in the community to help Southern Nevada do its part”, said Anita Stephens, president of the CCFAPA. “While everyone is not ready to be a foster parent, everyone can help. Walk Me Home to the Place I Belong is a great way to support the half a million children in foster care,” Stephens said.
The Clark County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (CCFAPA), in conjunction with the Clark County Department of Family Services, the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program and The Adoption Exchange have organized this year’s Walk-a-Thon and Adoption Fair event.
Walk Me Home to the Place I Belong will take place at Mountain Crest Park, 4701 N. Durango Rd. In addition to the walk-a-thon, many local adoption and community agencies will be on hand for the Adoption Fair to provide information about various foster and adoption resources and requirements.
To register as a walker or donate to the cause, log on to www.walkmehome.org or call the Adoption Exchange at 702-436-6335.
Connect With Clark County
Providing citizens with information about Clark County and its activities, programs and services is a county priority.
With the increasing popularity of social media, it’s natural for the county to tap into this new communications tool, particularly since doing so incurs no additional costs.
So now you can find fast and reliable information about Clark County on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace – just “follow” us or become a “fan” or “friend.” (Social media has its own language, folks.)
The county’s main Twitter and Facebook pages are where you’ll be able to get the bulk of your social media interaction from the county. Find out what’s going on from the events at your neighborhood parks to construction on your streets to business in your Commission offices.
If your interests are more narrow, find out what’s happening down at the Regional Justice Center by following the courts on Twitter and Facebook.
Or, you can track special events, such as the county’s Las Vegas Renaissance Fair (on Facebook and Twitter), Strutt Your Mutt in November (on Facebook) and certain “extreme” activities such as X-Hour (on Myspace).
If your interest is healthcare, you can follow UMC on its Facebook pages. A list of all our social media sites can be found here.
Our social media ventures will not displace our other Internet-based communications tools. You can still sign up to receive monthly and quarterly online newsletters from the county and from individual county commissioners. You can begin receiving your commissioner’s newsletter as soon as the next edition is released by going to this page and signing up. Questions or concerns can be sent to the Clark County webmaster at webmaster@co.clark.nv.us.
Southern Nevada to Regionalize Housing Authorities
In the recent legislative session, officials passed a law allowing, for the first time, the regionalization of the valley’s three public housing agencies.
Until now, separate housing agencies serviced Henderson, Boulder City, North Las Vegas, Las Vegas, and Clark County residents. Under the new plan, all three entities would be combined to create the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority, a $113-million agency.
“This is great news for our housing authority clients and constituents,” said County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, one of the primary advocates of the move. “With one housing authority instead of three, there will be less confusion, more accountability and better service.”
The agency will employ 250 people and manage roughly 3,000 public housing units and nearly 9,000 Section 8 vouchers (vouchers are used for rent wherever landlords accept them.) This is expected to increase the ease of using vouchers, decrease mounds of paperwork and usher in an all-around simpler process.
The merger further translates into a new board comprised of nine members. The cities of Henderson, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Clark County appoints two members to the board, with the ninth being a housing-authority client who would represent tenants. That person is selected from a list eligible nominees submitted by an organization representing housing project tenants.
The terms of all nine were determined by lot, as directed by law, at the board’s first meeting on September 8. Two persons will serve one year, two will serve two years, two will serve three years and three persons will serve four years. It is possible that persons may be reappointed by the County Commission and city councils.
For years, low-income residents seeking help with housing had to navigate their way through a complex system that governed public housing. The merger, intended to ease the process, will create one of the largest boards of its kind in the country, officials said. The regionalization is mandated to be completed by January.
County Commission Meetings Now Available Via Podcast
Residents who are on the go can now download Clark County Commission meetings on their iPod or MP3 player and keep up with the issues that most affect them.
“The county is always looking for ways to increase people’s participation in government,” County Commission Chairman Rory Reid said. “This is one more way for people to engage the county, no matter how busy they are.”
The service is free to all users and is offered through iTunes. Podcasts are available from July 23, 2009, to the present. The only requirement is that users sign up for a free iTunes account.
The service is an extension of what is already offered by the county. Residents can also access live and on-demand streaming video of meetings online dating back to 2007.
DAQEM Water Quality Management Plan Wins Award from American Planning Association
Clark County’s Department of Air Quality & Environmental Management (DAQEM) received the 2009 DeBoer Excellence in Planning Award for its “208 Water Quality Management Plan” (WQMP) from the Nevada State Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) conference held in Reno, Nevada.
On winning in the category of “Outstanding Cultural or Environmental Plan,” DAQEM Director Lewis Wallenmeyer said, “The plan was just approved by the EPA in July 2009 and details the objectives, policies, and programs for managing water quality in the county. We are very happy that it was recognized as an outstanding plan.”
The award-winning plan addresses municipal wastewater treatment, population projections, groundwater management, water reuse, stormwater protection, the Las Vegas Wash, agricultural diffuse sources, water quality standard revisions, environmental planning coordination, and a timeline to implement the plan.
DAQEM’s Water Quality Team is comprised of Assistant Planning Manager Ebrahim Juma and planners Kathryn Hoffmann and Joe Leedy. “Clearly, the Water Quality Team could not have achieved this great recognition without the help, leadership and direction received from the many organizations and agencies that assisted in the development of the 208 Water Quality Management Plan over the past several years,” said Juma.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) Amendments of 1972 and 1977 require the control of all sources of water pollution in meeting the goals of the Clean Water Act. Section 208 of the Clean Water Act is for the purpose of encouraging and facilitating the development and implementation of area-wide waste water treatment and water resource management strategies. The American Planning Association is an independent, not-for-profit educational organization that provides leadership in the development of vital communities.
For more information on DAQEM Water Plans, visit us on the Web.
Historic Candlelight Wedding Chapel Re-Opens with Huge Gala
The 1966 Candlelight Wedding Chapel, formerly located just north of the Riviera Hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard, will re-open with a free gala celebration at the Clark County Museum, 1830 S. Boulder Highway in Henderson, on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m.
The event is planned as a historic block party featuring live music and wedding cake. The chapel wedding exhibit will be open for self-guided tours. Couples who were married at the Candlelight Chapel (or under its previous name, the All Religions Wedding Chapel) and who bring their marriage certificates can have a free souvenir photo taken in front of the chapel.
The Paul Ringenbach Trio will perform jazz and pop standards of the ‘50s, ‘60s and 70s from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“The Candlelight Wedding Chapel restoration saves a unique piece of Clark County history for the enjoyment and education of our residents,” said Commissioner Steve Sisolak. “The wedding industry is an important part of our tourism heritage, and this building, with the new historical exhibit inside, will demonstrate first hand this part of our shared history.”
At the time of the gala, the houses on Heritage Street will be decorated for the holidays with lights, ornaments, and historic artifacts for each time period represented by the different houses. The Clark County Museum Guild will serve as hostesses with refreshments at each stop along the street.
The Museum Store will offer a 10-percent discount for one night only for holiday shopping. The store features books, jewelry and handmade Native American art and pottery. Free souvenirs of the Clark County Centennial will be given away while supplies last. Souvenirs include the limited-edition centennial commemorative pin and copies of the centennial history of the Clark County Commission. Author Angela C. Moor will be on hand to autograph the 186-page book.
The Candlelight Wedding Chapel opened in 1966 just north of the Riviera Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip next to the Algiers Hotel. Several years later the chapel changed ownership and the name was changed to the Candlelight Wedding Chapel. The Candlelight Chapel was one of only two free-standing wedding chapels on the Las Vegas Strip – the other one being the 1942 Little Church of the West, now across from Mandalay Bay.
Some of the celebrities who were married at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel include Bette Midler and her husband, artist Martin Von Haselberg; Michael Caine and Shakira Baksh, Whoopi Goldberg, Barry White and Clayton Moore, also known as The Lone Ranger.
The Candlelight closed in 2003 when the property owner sold the land to the Fontainebleu project. The chapel sat closed, threatened with demolition, until Gordon Gust, who had operated the business for 33 years, purchased the building and donated it to Clark County. The chapel was moved to the Clark County Museum in 2007.
Grants from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors’ Authority and the Nevada Commission on Cultural Affairs paid for the renovation, which was planned as a major project of Clark County’s 2009 centennial celebration.
Clark County was officially formed on July 1, 1909, out of what had been Lincoln County and is named for railroad baron William Andrews Clark. The city of Las Vegas, which includes downtown and the area north of the Strip, was incorporated two years later in 1911. Those interested in additional information on Clark County’s Centennial celebrations can visit the Web site at www.accessclarkcounty.com/100 or call (702) 455-7955.
2010 Mojave Max Emergence Contest Opens
Beginning November 1st, students in Clark County will get another chance to take home the Mojave Max trophy. All they have to do is guess the exact date or the date closest to when they think the infamous desert tortoise will emerge from winter hibernation to mark the onset of spring.
The Bureau of Land Management keeps a careful watch over Mojave Max and maintains an excellent learning environment for youth in the Las Vegas community to learn more about the ecosystem. Students study weather patterns, temperatures, daylight schedules and various aspects of biology to guess intelligently about the tortoises' emergence date.
As local biologists have learned, Mojave Max’s emergence has been unpredictable, but quite accurate. He has emerged as early as February 14 and as late as April 14 in past years. The earlier emergences correlated to earlier warming temperatures in the Las Vegas Valley while the later emergences correlated to later warming temperatures in the valley.
The contest is science-based and incorporates fun activities and competition. To enter, students log on to the Mojave Max Web site where they enter the date and time that they believe Mojave Max will emerge. The winner and their class receive medals, t-shirts, a pizza party, and a field trip to Red Rock National Conservation Area. The winning student and their teacher also are awarded a personal laptop computer.
Mojave Max is now being referred to as the “West Coast indicator of spring.” Lincoln and Nye counties in Nevada, areas in Southern California, and Washington County, Utah are all hosting local contests where they recognize their local winners. Clark County also receives entries for the contest each year from students across the United States.
Mojave Max, his emergence from brumation, and the related education programs have received national recognition. All local news stations cover his emergence each year. In 2004, the Associated Press, CNN, USA Today, and media across the county ran the story of Mojave Max Emerging from his burrow. In 2003, The Mojave Max Education Program received the first place "Excellence in Interpretation and Environmental Education” Award.
The contest opens on November 1st each year and closes when Mojave Max emerges in the spring. All children are invited to log onto www.mojavemax.com or www.accessclarkcounty.com and make their official prediction, but only children of the Clark County School District are eligible for the prizes offered by Clark County.
County Dedicates New Habitat at Wetlands Park
On Aug. 28, 2009, the county dedicated a new 112-acre habitat at the Wetlands Park. The habitat now serves as home to 212 species of birds and more than 70 species of mammals and reptiles, including beavers, coyotes, bobcats, rabbits and snakes. The park also features 13 miles of hiking trails, which will be expanded over the next five years to cover 50 miles.
The park is located at 7050 Wetlands Park Lane at the eastern end of Tropicana Avenue and is open daily from dawn to dusk. An information center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and may be reached at (702) 455-7522.
Learn more about the park by clicking here or watch this County Chronicles video. County videos can be accessed via the Web and re-air on CCTV Channel 4. For additional information on the park, contact Wetlands Park Coordinator Elsie Sellars at (702) 455-8131.
Great Events Are Coming to the Springs Preserve
The Springs Preserve is gearing up for a variety of exciting and educational events in the month of November.
The preserve is a 180-acre cultural institution designed to commemorate Las Vegas' dynamic history and to provide a vision for a sustainable future.
The Springs Preserve features museums, galleries, outdoor concerts and events, colorful botanical gardens and an interpretive trail system that meanders through a scenic wetland habitat.
To learn more about events coming to the Springs Preserve, click here or visit the Web site.
Halloween Festivals and Events
 The night of ghouls and goblins approaches to bring forth loads and loads of candy and good times for kids across the valley. While many look forward to the October 31st tradition of going door-to-door to collect sweet and tasty treats, the county has many programs planned to give families safer alternatives.
Check out these events to find out what is going on in your neighborhood:
Friday, Oct. 23:
Pumpkin Carving in the Park - Paradise Recreation Center
Friday - Sunday, Oct. 23-25:
Ghost and Goblins of Nevada's Past Halloween - Clark County Museum. Event flyer.
Monday, Oct. 23 to Monday, Oct. 26:
Pumpkin Carving Contest & Carving Workshop - West Flamingo Senior Center
Monday, Oct. 26:
Black and Orange Ball - West Flamingo Senior Center
Tuesday, Oct. 27:
Pumpking Painting and Photo Activity - Whitney Recreation Center
Wednesday, Oct. 28:
Ghosts and Goblins Halloween Parade - Whitney Recreation Center
Indian Springs Halloween Carnival - Indian Springs Recreation Center
Chills and Thrills Safe Halloween Carnival - Walnut Recreation Center
Thursday, Oct. 29:
Candy & Corridors - Paradise Recreation Center
Halloween Movie and Snack - Whitney Recreation Center
Halloween Spooktacular - Hollywood Recreation Center
Saturday, Oct. 31:
Pumpkin Carving - Indian Springs Recreation Center
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