Community briefs

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1998 | 2:19 a.m.

First Alert, a well-known manufacturer of the devices, has sent 500 smoke detectors to the fire department to be given away free to those who cannot afford to replace them.

Also available through the fire department is a pamphlet explaining how smoke detectors work and new advances like a nuisance alarm, which can be turned on to quiet a detector from smoke while cooking and can be overridden in the event a fire develops while preparing food.

MORMON FORT -- To commemorate the day in 1864 when Nevada became a state, the Old Mormon Fort State Historic Park will celebrate with history demonstrations and ranger-led tours.

The Old Fort, located at 500 E. Washington Ave., will host a variety of history events from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Archeo-Nevada Society will conduct a mock archeological dig, the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers will demonstrate pioneer activities, the Nevada Civil War Historic Society will dress in Civil War costume and demonstrate period drills and activities and the Spinners and Weavers Guild will demonstrate the art of pioneer spinning and weaving.

Various local history and archeological groups will also provide information on becoming involved in the preservation of local historical and archeological resources.

CHARITY EVENT -- Help of Southern Nevada is celebrating National Make a Difference Day, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the San Remo ballroom

The nonprofit organization, which assists those in need with food, clothing, information and jobs, is asking for the community's help by bringing cleaned, pressed clothing, canned food, personal hygiene items or bus tokens to the event. Entertainment will be provided.

BOOK BUS -- New and like-new books are needed for children ages 3 to 7, who are enrolled in the Classroom on Wheels program, a free bilingual preschool for at-riskchildren ages 3 to 5.

The books will be collected Oct. 24 at six Smith's Foods stores and used to stock the libraries on the buses.

People may visit the COW buses, which will be at the following locations from 8 a.m to 11 a.m.: 2385 E. Windmill Lane, at Eastern Avenue; 4440 N. Rancho Drive; and 1000 Green Valley Parkway. From noon to 3 p.m. the buses will be at 8555 W. Sahara Avenue, at Durango Road; 450 N. Nellis Blvd.; and 4600 E. Sunset Road.

The drive is sponsored by the Republican Women of Las Vegas.

A children's Bicycle Rodeo will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Orr Community Center, 1520 E. Katie. Call 455-7196.

Southern Nevada Rock Art Enthusiasts will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Las Vegas Library. Speaker: Jesse Warner, a Utah archaeologist. Call 645-7450.

The seventh Clark County Gem and Mineral Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the Clark County Heritage Museum on Boulder Highway in Henderson. Also the Seventh Great Basin Mineral Symposium will held Saturday and Sunday. Call 455-7955 to register.