LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL

Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006 | 7:43 a.m.

Those planning to raise a little Hell-dorado next year should start preparing now.

Las Vegas is accepting applications for entries in the 2007 Helldorado Parade, scheduled for May 17.

Helldorado Days began in 1935 as a lure to bring tourists to town after completion of Hoover Dam. The annual event was celebrated for more than 60 years and at its peak included a kangaroo court, rodeo and several parades.

Support for the event waned and, by 1998, the last vestiges of the festival disappeared, only to return in 2005 as part of the city's centennial celebration.

Renewed interest in that festival encouraged organizers to resurrect Helldorado as an annual event, which last year included a trail ride, poker tournaments and, of course, the parade.

The application deadline to enter a float or participate in next year's parade is Feb. 28.

Lacy Thomas, chief executive of University Medical Center, no doubt enjoyed his Nov. 15 visit to the Las Vegas City Council chambers much more than his appearance last week before the Clark County Commission.

Thomas and other UMC officials were grilled at the commission meeting over shortcomings in financial reporting practices at the hospital. County commissioners act as the hospital's board of directors.

Thomas, however, was all smiles at the council meeting as Las Vegas Councilman Lawrence Weekly and Mayor Oscar Goodman presented him with a plaque in honor of American Diabetes Month that recognized the efforts of UMC and other area health care providers in raising awareness about an illness that affects more than 20 million Americans.

The city is sponsoring several events as part of its "December to Remember" activities designed to celebrate the diversity in its communities.

Events, to occur each Saturday through Dec. 23, focus on several of the season's holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. The heritage of the city's Hispanic, American Indian and Wiccan communities also will be explored.

Activities are planned at facilities along the city's Cultural Corridor, including the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, Lied Discovery Children's Museum and Las Vegas Natural History Museum.

A list of events is available on the city's Web site at www.lasvegasnevada.gov.