Community news briefs for November 9, 1999

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1999 | 9:34 a.m.

Wal-Mart helps out with wash project

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. donated $8,160 to Friends of the Desert Wetlands Park for next year's Las Vegas Wash & Wetlands Cleanup.

The wash channels floodwater, treated wastewater, runoff and shallow ground water into the Las Vegas Bay of Lake Mead.

The Wal-Mart contribution will go toward the April 8, 2000, cleanup. About 1,400 people attended this year's cleanup, removing more than 200,000 pounds of trash from the area surrounding the Las Vegas Wash.

Area youngsters nab Eagle awards

The following young men recently earned the distinction of Eagle Scout from the Boulder Dam Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America:

Joshua Andrews, 17, of Las Vegas; Vince Ashman, 18, of Henderson; Brandon Philip Bawden, 15, of Las Vegas; Dan Bollard, 18, of Henderson; Justin Brunson, 18, of Las Vegas; Lee Carpi, 18, of Las Vegas; Allen Sperry Chatwin, 16, of Henderson; Michael Childs 18, of Las Vegas; Andrew Charles Clifton, 17, of Las Vegas; Elliot Cole, 14, of Las Vegas; Zane Hodfield, 18, of Henderson; Darron Hansaker, 16, of Las Vegas; Tyler Parry, 15, of Las Vegas; Curtis Robinson, 18, of Las Vegas; Matt Robinson, 16, of Las Vegas; Kyle Thomas Stewart, 14, of Las Vegas; David Ladd Stirling, 15, of Las Vegas; Steven Torrance, 14, of Las Vegas; Scott Wells, 16, of North Las Vegas.

Southwest Gas honored for contributions

Southwest Gas has been named the "Corporate Giver of the Year" by the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives.

In a one-year period the company has contributed $3.5 million in donations, volunteer service and in-kind service.

The company donates gas appliances, computers, vehicles and the use of special equipment such as dump trucks, graders and backhoes to help local nonprofit organizations.

Among its recent gifts is $30,000 to Opportunity Village to be used toward the construction of a new facility that will expand services to Henderson residents who are mentally retarded.

Construction on the $4 million, 22,300-square-foot building is scheduled to begin next year.

State gets aid for seat belt usage

For the second year in a row, Nevada will receive a seat belt grant from the Department of Labor due to an increase in seat belt usage.

The $687,000 grant was based on savings in medical costs to the federal government as a result of the improved usage, Sen. Harry Reid's office said.

Nevada Carpenters union recognized

The Nevada Carpenters union received the "National Fundraising Award" from the National Kidney Foundation for members' ideas, guidance and community activities in support of the foundation.

The group has raised more than $25,000 since January, the highest amount this year by any group or organization in the state. The funds collected at 40 intersections on "Carpenters for Kidneys Day" and at the dunk tank at the group's annual picnic stayed in Nevada to support the Patient Services Program.

The program aids patients who need financial assistance for medications, dialysis transportation, lodging and medic alert tags.

Thrift store worker named 'Woman of Year'

Anne Clements, a 34-year employee of the Opportunity Village Thrift Store, received the organization's "Woman of the Year" award.

Clements is an efficient and enthusiastic employee, Ed Guthrie, executive director for Opportunity Village, said.

Clements, who began participating in the Opportunity Center -- the forerunner of Opportunity Village -- in 1965, has a reputation of friendliness toward customers and takes pride in the store's appearance and its quality of merchandise.

Mediators group honors 'peacemakers'

Mediators of Southern Nevada Inc., a nonprofit organization of mediators, individuals and organizations, recognized six "peacemakers" for their efforts in the community this year.

The peacemakers were Lynette Arvelo-Sawyer, Frank Banaria, Adrienne Cox, Charlotte Kiffer, Larry Spitler and Earl White.

Official is elected association chairman

Howard Skolnik, assistant director of the Nevada Department of Prisons, has been elected chairman of the Correctional Industries Association, a national association of prison industry administrators.

Skolnik has been a member of the association's board since 1987 and served as its president from 1985 to 1986.

Mayors will gather at annual event

The 14th Annual Mayors Prayer Breakfast will be held at the Stardust hotel-casino at 7:30 a.m. Friday.

The breakfast is hosted by the National Conference for Community and Justice and will include readings by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, North Las Vegas Mayor Michael Montandon, Henderson Mayor James B. Gibson, Boulder City Mayor Robert Ferraro and Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates.

The theme of the breakfast meeting is "Unity and Diversity: A Visualization for the Millennium."

Tickets for the breakfast are available by calling the NCCJ at 387-6225.