Community briefs for May 25, 2005

Wednesday, May 25, 2005 | 9:05 a.m.

Centennial Plaza opening scheduled

Mayor Oscar Goodman and Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian will be joined by U.S. District Judge Lloyd George to celebrate the opening of the new Centennial Plaza 12:30 p.m. Friday on Fourth Street near Lewis Avenue.

The plaza features 30 ash trees, benches, decorative concrete and lighting. It is designed with spacious areas that can be used for cultural programming, entertainment and more.

Centennial Plaza was built by department of Field Operations crews, and Star Nursery donated all of the fan tex ash trees planted in the plaza.

For more information, call 229-4186.

Benefit tote bags available online

As part Fashionable to Care program by Quilted Northern, fashion designer Cynthia Rowley has designed oversized tote bags that have been personally customized by celebrities to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Consumers may bid online through Thursday by visiting www.quiltednorthern.com for a link to the auction.

Celebrities including Teri Hatcher, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Paula Abdul, Jessica Alba, Hilary and Haylie Duff, Nancy O'Dell, Jen Schefft, Ashlee Simpson, Allison Janney, Jennie Garth, Gail O'Grady, and Sara Rue are those who have custom-designed Cynthia Rowley tote bags.

Admiral will speak to Navy League

Navy Rear Adm. Jose Luis Betancourt will be the guest speaker at the Las Vegas Council on the Navy League's meeting at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Acapulco Room at Fiesta Rancho.

No-host cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 7 p.m.

The meeting is open to the public. Reservations are required. Cost is $20. Call Mary Ann Gilleon at 364-1015 or Jim Jefferis at 341-7617 for reservations or more information.

Planning board position available

Las Vegas residents interested in serving on the Las Vegas Planning Commission should contact Councilman Steve Wolfson's office by June 8.

Wolfson is looking for a new commissioner to fill the Ward 2 seat on the commission, which is being vacated by Laura McSwain. McSwain's term on the commission expires June 20.

Interested candidates are advised to send a resume and application form to Wolfson's Office at Las Vegas City Hall, 10th Floor, attention Councilman Wolfson, 400 Stewart Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89101.

Application forms, called board interest forms, are available through the city's Web site at http://www.ci.las-vegas.nv.us/1353.htm.

The city Planning Commission is an advisory board to the City Council on matters related to zoning, and has final approval power over some issues.

Commissioners serve 4-year terms and are limited to two full terms.

The Planning Commission meets the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 6 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall, from January through October, and the first and third Thursdays in November and December at 5:15 p.m.

For more information contact Wolfson's office at 229-6405.