Community news briefs for December 27, 2000

Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000 | 10:25 a.m.

Awareness event planned Thursday

To ensure there is enough blood on hand this New Year's weekend, United Blood Services and Stop DUI are kicking off a blood drive and DUI awareness event 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday.

Activities take place at 6930 W. Charleston Blvd. and will include the Nevada Highway Patrol's DUI crash vehicle and Metro's DUI van.

Typically, 2.5 percent of Las Vegas Valley residents participate in blood donations, Jan Dalby, director of community relations for United Blood Services, said. However, during winter months, sickness, travel and busy social schedules shrink the existing donor pool. Also, a higher holiday accident rate strains the blood supply even further.

For questions regarding eligibility, call 233-9620. Blood donors should also eat a good meal and drink plenty of liquids before donating.

Mountain Crest to have celebration

A celebration for the opening of Mountain Crest Park in northwest Las Vegas will be held noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.

A dedication ceremony will kick off festivities that will include children's games, music and a light lunch. The park, at 4701 N. Durango Road, covers 37.5 acres and includes playgrounds, tot lots, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts and picnic areas. It also will feature a grassed amphitheater, disc golf course, loop walking trail and access for horse riders across a drainage streambed.

A 5,550-square-foot community building is expected to be completed next year. For more information on the park, call 455-8200.

Watch Night

Mountaintop Faith Ministries invites the community to its annual Watch Night Services 9 p.m. Sunday at 2845 Lindell Road to welcome in the new year. For more information, call the church office at 367-1636.

Gift of cosmetics to help self-esteem

Euphoria Salons and Day Spas made a unique donation to the Shade Tree shelter during the holidays. The spa gave $4,500 in cosmetics for use by the women, who often are learning self-esteem and presenting themselves properly for job interviews.

The facility, at 1 W. Owens Ave., provides emergency shelter to homeless women and women with children in crisis since 1990.

Organizations sought for volunteers program

The Nevada Commission for National and Community Service Inc. is looking for community service programs to fund for 2001-2002 through the AmeriCorps program.

Nonprofit groups, institutions of higher education, school districts, Indian tribes and state and local governments are eligible.

AmeriCorps is a national service initiative that allows thousands of Americans to serve their communities in return for educational money.

Organizations that want to apply must use AmeriCorps members full time or part time in the areas of education, the environment, human needs or public safety. This year the commission is giving priority to public safety programs. All proposals should support 10 full-time members.

For more information about the grants, call Shawn Lecker-Pomaville, the commission's executive director, at (775) 423-1461 or visit the website (www.americorpsnevada.org).

Recognition given for backfill program

Mining and reclamation activities in Nevada have earned the Northwest Mining Association's Award for Environmental Excellence.

The Nevada Mining Association, Nevada Division of Minerals, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Clark County received the recognition for their work with the Nevada Abandoned Mine Backfill Program, which aims to fill abandoned mines in Southern Nevada.

Since December 1999, 20 mines have been secured and plans are under way to fill another 20 in the Goodsprings area.

The program began last year to try to eliminate the threat abandoned mines pose to users of public lands. For more information on the program, call the Nevada Mining Association at (702) 892-3721 or visit the website (www.nevadamining.org).

Justice center wins daily award

The Clark County Social Service Neighborhood Justice Center recently received the Daily Points of Light Award, which honors an individual or organization that makes a difference in the lives of others.

For more information, call the Nevada Commission for National and Community Service, (775) 423-1461.