Community briefs for June 2, 2005

Thursday, June 2, 2005 | 8:17 a.m.

Program to focus on domestic violence

Domestic violence advocates and experts will participate in the fifth annual domestic violence conference "Life's Journey: Out of the Darkness Into the Light" at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the East Las Vegas Community Senior Center, 240 N. Eastern Ave.

Participants will strategize and share their challenges in confronting domestic violence in America.

The conference will feature professionals, para-professionals, students and advocates in diverse fields including law enforcement, criminal justice, social work and nursing.

Keynote speakers include Dr. Paul Hegstrom, the founder of Like Skills International, a nonprofit organization, and author of "Angry Men and the Women Who Love Them" and "Broken Children/Grown Up Pain."

Hegstrom will speak about domestic violence treatment and safety for the victim.

Lori Fralick, Nevada's domestic violence ombudsman, will speak about teen dating violence.

Registration is open to the public and the fee is $75 per day for professionals or $50 per day for students. Call 229-6873.

Fire safety topic at conference

The National Fire Protection Association's annual World Safety Conference and Expo will begin at 3:30 p.m. Monday at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

As part of the show, Las Vegas Fire Chief David Washington will be at the Ansul booth No. 843 to test his firefighting skills and set the bar for the "Beat the Chief" contest on Tyco's Ansul Fire Simulator, a device that provides realistic fire extinguisher training for both veterans and first-time operators.

Attendees of the conference are invited to top Washington's mark on the simulator.

For more information, visit https://www.ansul.com/training/fire simulator.asp.

Metro Police's Steve Franks will speak on identity theft

at the Nevada Republican Men's Club membership meeting at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Ellis Island Casino on Koval Lane. All U.S. citizens of voting age are invited to attend regardless of gender or party affiliation. Admission is $15 and includes a buffet lunch. Call 361-6002.

Fred Clarke will speak on "Cycnoches, Mormodes, and Catasetum"

at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Nevada Garden Club in Lorenzi Park on Washington Avenue west of Rancho Drive. Members will be bringing orchids for display. There will be orchids for sale and a raffle. Refreshments will be provided. Call 251-1456.

A Foster, Adoption, Kinship Care Provider Conference

will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the William S. Boyd School of Law, Room 110 on the UNLV campus. The conference is being presented by the Foster Care and Adoption Association of Nevada.

Registration and lunch are free. RSVP at 657-6470.