Community news briefs for September 23, 2005

Friday, Sept. 23, 2005 | 8:53 a.m.

Firewood-cutting season to start

The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area firewood cutting season opens Oct. 1 and runs through Feb. 28.

A permit must be purchased in order to cut and collect firewood. Permits go on sale Thursday and cost $20 per cord with a limit of three cords per household.

Permits will be sold weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the U.S. Forest Service office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, throughout the firewood cutting season. Permits also will be sold at the Kyle Canyon Visitor Center and Forest Service Pahrump office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Maps and collecting requirements will be included with each permit. Forest Service employees will be patrolling the area and will enforce all collecting regulations.

For more information on firewood permits, call 515-5400.

Nonprofit sonference set

The Nevada Association of Nonprofit Organizations is hosting its first conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday in the Conference Center at the Stardust.

The conference will address key issues affecting nonprofit organizations. The conference will help develop and encourage a nonprofit sector in Nevada.

Panel discussions include: A legislative panel discussing the last legislative session, expectations for regulations and lobbying issues. The human resources panel will cover issues with personnel, volunteers and health care affordability. The grantor panel will discuss granting organization expectations as well as how to better position your nonprofit to receive grants.

NANO was created in 2002 to help nonprofit organizations communicate issues and obtain assistance. Designed to protect the interests important to the success of Nevada nonprofits, NANO fosters a healthy, well-run nonprofit sector in Nevada through accreditation, education, advocacy and resources.

To register for the NANO conference, call 567-0862. For more information, visit www.nevadanonprofits.org.

Mariachi event planned at Cashman

The Clark County School District will host its second annual International Mariachi Conference and Festival, a three-day event beginning Tuesday from 8:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

The conference will continue Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and conclude on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

The conference will include workshops for over 300 CCSD students. The conference will provide beginning Mariachi students an opportunity to learn Mariachi music in a fun and interactive atmosphere.

In addition to CCSD students, the conference will feature a concert.

For more information, call 799-2853.

Blood drives

Monday: 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Coronado Hills School, 1001 Coronado Center Drive, Henderson; 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Summerlin Hospital, 657 Town Center Drive.

Tuesday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Morris Academy Credit Retrieval Program, 3801 E. Washington Ave.; 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Rancho High School, 1900 E. Owens Ave.

Wednesday: 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Department of Family Services, 701 N. Pecos Road; 2-6 p.m., Gold's Gym, 9310 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 110.

Thursday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Excalibur; 2-8 p.m., Sunset South High School, 5300 E. Russell Road; 1-7 p.m., Riverside Resort, Laughlin.

Sept. 30: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Home Depot, 2200 Serene Ave.; 7:30-1:30 p.m., Riverside Resort, Laughlin; 6:30-9 a.m. and 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Area Technical Trade Center High School, 444 W. Brooks Ave., North Las Vegas.