Community news briefs for December 7, 2001

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 9:37 a.m.

NLV children get a holiday spree

Thirty North Las Vegas children will get to Shop with a Cop this Saturday and buy Christmas presents for themselves and their families.

The annual event is hosted by North Las Vegas Police and the Kmart store at 2671 Las Vegas Blvd. North, where the shopping will take place.

A parade of police cars with Santa Claus on board will greet the children at the store.

Candlelighters, a nonprofit foundation working with terminally ill children; Caminar, an organization helping children infected with HIV, and North Las Vegas elementary schools are participating in the shopping spree.

So far, $5,400 has been raised from the city's businesses and residents to give each of the children at least $150 to spend at the store.

The children will also receive doughnuts, drinks and stockings filled with gifts from the police officers and the store.

For more information or to make a donation, call 633-1817.

Major Leaguers plan UNLV session

Two Las Vegas athletes who went on to play Major League Baseball will host a free baseball clinic for Southern Nevada youths Saturday at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Marty Cordova of the Baltimore Orioles and Tyler Houston of the Milwaukee Brewers have planned the clinic for 6- to 18-year-olds 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Wilson Stadium.

Participants need to bring a glove, ball and an unwrapped toy. Assisting with the clinic will be Brewers outfielder Mark Sweeney and local youth and high school coaches.

To register, call toll free at (866) 776-2267.

Book-signing on tap at Lake Mead center

Desert artist Roy Purcell will offer his book, "Portraits of Nature," as part of the holiday open house scheduled for the Alan Bible Visitor Center at Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Boulder City on Dec. 14 and 15.

Purcell will sign his book from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 15.

The book features paintings and sketches of desert plants and wildlife. It also demonstrates the artist's understanding of the desert environment.

A portion of the proceeds from the book sale will be contributed to the Outside Las Vegas Foundation, a nonprofit organization working with federal land management agencies in the Las Vegas Valley to preserve wildlands.

The open house will offer a 15 percent discount on books and merchandise in the bookstore, courtesy of the Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.

Holiday concert is scheduled Tuesday

The Las Vegas Classical Guitar Ensemble will present its holiday concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd.

The ensemble's program will consist of holiday music from around the world, including many Christmas themes. The event is free and open to the public. Call 656-6475.

Motorcycle run will bring in presents

The Southern Nevada Police Toy Drive will begin with a motorcycle run at 8 a.m. Sunday, starting from the Krispy Kreme, 9791 S. Eastern Ave.

The registration fee for the run is $15, and all riders must bring an unwrapped toy of $10 or more in value.

Santa will arrive via the Metro Police helicopter at 9 a.m. All toys donated are housed in a warehouse where officers from Boulder City Police, Clark County Park Police, Henderson Police, Metro, Las Vegas City Marshals, Mesquite Police, Nevada Highway Patrol, North Las Vegas Police, and UNLV Police will deliver them personally to the needy children they have identified in their work areas.

Call 236-4715.

Holiday luncheon set Tuesday at Stardust

The Nevada Arts Advocates will hold a holiday luncheon at noon Tuesday in the Stardust hotel Conference Center.

The Green Valley Madrigal Singers will provide musical selections of the holiday season. Speakers at the luncheon include state Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, chairman of the Legislative Arts Caucus, and Assemblyman Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, vice chairman of the caucus.

The luncheon is open to the public. Cost is $30. Call 362-8885 for reservations.