Community briefs for September 30, 2004

Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004 | 9:06 a.m.

Groups can learn about grants

Faith-based and community organizations can learn how to compete for federal grants during a program next week organized by the Institute for Youth Development.

The Compassion Capital Fund Grant Educational Conference will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, beginning with a continental breakfast, and from 8 a.m. to noon Friday at the Embassy Suites Convention Center, 3600 Paradise Road.

The educational conference is part of the Faith-Based and Community Initiative created by the president. It is designed to level the playing field for faith-based and community groups so they may participate in opportunities to receive federal grants.

To register for the conference visit www.youthdevelopment.org. Registration closes at 2 p.m. Monday. Questions about the conference registration should be directed to Joanne Jones at (703) 471-8750, ext. 133.

Cottonwood Cove cleanup scheduled

Volunteers and certified divers are needed for the annual Cottonwood Cove Beach Cleanup and Ecology Dive on Saturday.

All volunteers are to come to Cottonwood Cove. Take U.S. 95 south to Searchlight and then the Cottonwood Cove Road.

Beach clean-up volunteers should wear sunscreen and bring hats, gloves, and footwear that can get wet and meet at the Cottonwood Cove store. Boats will take cleanup volunteers to selected beaches.

Snacks and refreshments will be served all day and a free barbecue will be held for all workers. Experienced, certified divers with C cards are needed for the ECO dive. Divers must bring their C cards, dry suits or 7 mm wet suits, hoods, and gloves.

Door prizes will be drawn and a free "Clean-Up Day" T-shirt will be given to volunteers.

Call 297-1464 and register between 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Expos planned for homeowners

Community Associations Institute will host its 14 annual Education and Trade Exhibition, "Lights, Camera, Action!" from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Palace Station, Sahara Avenue and Rancho Road, to benefit Shade Tree shelter.

The expo gives homeowners and community association members information to ensure a positive association experience.

The even is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 648-8404.

Art workshops on tap for kids

Young Artists in the Park workshops for children ages 4 to 6 will take place from noon to 1:45 p.m. and from 2:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 7 to 10 on Saturday at the Winchester Community Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive.

Participants will try new visual art activities and stretch their creativity in an outdoor setting with chalk arts, Jackson Pollack-style splatter painting, clay hand-building, pottery decoration, and recycled sculptures.

Cost is $5.

Call 455-7340.

Lake Las Vegas to toast Alaska

Lake Las Vegas Resort presents "Wild About Alaska," a festival that will be held Wednesday through Sunday next week within the Resort MonteLago Village.

The festival will feature authentic Alaskan cuisine, crafts, entertainment and rare Alaskan artifacts that have been featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Lake Las Vegas will allow guests to experience traditional Alaskan Native dancing, delectable Alaskan seafood, traditional craftsmanship and recreational pastimes.

For more information, call (800) 564-1603 or visit www.lakelasvegas.com.

CASA to host recognition dinner

The Court Appointed Special Advocate Foundation will host its 14th annual Child Advocacy Recognition Dinner event beginning with a silent auction from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by the dinner Oct. 8 at the J.W. Marriott, 221 N. Rampart Blvd.

The CASA Foundation's purpose is to promote and support child advocacy through the Clark County CASA program. The program trains volunteers to speak up for abused and neglected children and to work within the system as appointed officers of the court. The goal is to move foster children into a stable, permanent, and loving situation within a reasonable time frame.

Michael Holly, an award winning comedian and juggler, will provide the event's entertainment. Call 455-4306.