Community briefs for April 27, 2005

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 | 8:17 a.m.

Firefighters host annual blood drive

Southern Nevada firefighters and United Blood Services are inviting the community to participate in the fourth annual Firefighters Challenge Blood Drive 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

The event was created as a tribute to those 343 firefighters who died in the line of duty during the attack on the World Trade Center.

All donors will receive a commemorative Firefighter's Guardian Angel Pin, a buffet ticket for a Coast Casino property and a T-shirt. In addition, all donors will be eligible for various raffle prizes.

All donors must present proper identification. The typical time to donate takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh more than 110 pounds.

Donors can call 228-8400 to schedule an appointment and 228-4483 to address donor eligibility questions.

Inclusive education to be celebrated

The Nevada Partnership for Inclusive Education will host an appreciation dinner to celebrate the partnership between the Clark County School District, the university system and the community at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Green Valley Ranch Station.

Clark County Schools Superintendent Carlos Garcia will speak at the dinner, along with Punam Mathur, MGM Mirage senior vice president of Corporate Diversity and Community Affairs, and Jim Rogers, interim chancellor of the University and Community College System of Nevada.

The Nevada Partnership for Inclusive Education is founded on America's promise that all students will have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Its goal is to strengthen public school education that is respectful of, and responsive to, the many cultures, languages and diverse learning styles of Nevada's children and youth.

Call 799-5304.

Fashion show will help school for deaf

For Kids Now will host its second annual fashion show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday at Palace Station to benefit the Robert L. Taylor Elementary School in Henderson and the establishment of the Las Veas Charter School for the Deaf.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $30 and include a buffet luncheon, live entertainment with Stein-Mart, a silent auction and raffle, door and table prizes.

The new school for the deaf hopes to reverse the trend of graduating deaf students with reading skills measured at second and third grade levels.

Taylor Elementary, an at-risk school, will receive funding for its literary efforts and for literacy meterials for the Parent Center. Call 253-1971.

Amargosa Days set this weekend

The Amargosa Valley Improvement Association and the Amargosa Valley Town Advisory Board are sponsoring the first Armagosa Days event Friday and Saturday at the park and town community center, 821 E. Amargosa Farm Road.

Judging for the chili cookoff will begin 3:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 4 p.m. Friday evening will be highlighted by a Miss Amargosa Valley contest for young ladies aged 13-19 in the community center.

The 2K/5K Walk/Run will begin at 6 a.m. Saturday. Breakfast will be served in the park at 9 a.m. A parade down Farm Road at 11 a.m. will follow the breakfast and walk/run. Call 372-1218.

Dr. Joseph Arditti will speak at 2 p.m. Sunday

on the "Techniques Orchids Use to Survive in the Wild" at the Greater Las Vegas Orchid Society's meeting in the Nevada Garden Club Building in Lorenzi Park. There will be orchids on display, orchids for sale, a raffle and refreshments. Call Eileen McKyton at 251-1456 or visit www.glvos.com.