A NOTE FROM LOIS
We are most appreciative to have collected more than 1,200 books during our February book drive. In addition, $500 was donated by the Painter’s Union and other local unions committed money as well. We also had many books donated by the employees of the local branch of a large national architectural firm, Gensler of Nevada, and of course, we had phenomenal support from the employees of the city of Las Vegas. In fact, there are so many groups that made significant donations that I cannot name them all. The book collection was done in recognition of our March Reading Month.

On March 2, Mayor Oscar B. Goodman and I distributed the books at Vegas Verdes Elementary School. We read to all of the school’s second graders and then gave each child a book. There are many children who have never had their own book to take home. The smiles on their faces and the light in their eyes showed how delighted they were. Also a box full of books covering all grade levels was given to the school librarian. I will be distributing books March 20 at Griffith Elementary School and later at Doris Hancock Elementary School. 

We also are joining forces with a group called Spread the Word Nevada - Kids to Kids to help in distributing books to other schools throughout the city. Their system organizes groups of senior citizens who help clean and repair any of the older books received. 

This entire project is a strong example of how individuals, businesses, unions, local governments, and mom and pop organizations can join together to produce strong support in our community.

I would like to thank everyone who helped make this book drive a success!

EVENTS IN WARD ONE

Ward 1 Easter Egg Hunt
Enjoy a day of family fun at Pioneer Park for the Ward 1 Easter Egg Hunt. The event will include face painters, a jump house, raffle prizes, popcorn, cotton candy and drinks. There will also be pictures taken with the Easter Bunny.
Wednesday, April 8
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Pioneer Park – Braswell Drive and Pioneer Way

Clark Community School Easter Egg Hunt
Bring your basket for hunting eggs and your camera for pictures with the Easter Bunny.
Saturday, April 11
10 a.m.
Clark High School Soccer Field,  3074 Arville St.

Ward 1 Leisure Service Events
Below is just a small sample of the activities offered at the city’s recreation centers. For a complete listing, visit the events calendar Web Page. The Lieburn Center is located at 6230 Garwood Ave. and the Mirabelli Community Center is located at 6200 Hargove Ave.

Metro First Tuesdays
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's First Tuesday program is an excellent opportunity for the citizens of Las Vegas to get involved with their police department. On the first Tuesday of every month metro opens its substations from 7 to 8 p.m. in order for the community to have an open forum of communication with the police officers who patrol their neighborhoods.

Bolden Area Command
1851 Stella Lake Drive, off Martin L. King Boulevard just north of Vegas Drive
(702) 828-3347

Northwest Area Command
9850 W. Cheyenne Ave., just west of Grand Canyon
(702) 828-3426

Enterprise Area
6975 W. Windmill Lane
(702) 828-2843 and 828-2844

Neighborhood Watch Meeting
The next Neighborhood Watch Informational meeting will be held on Monday, March 23. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Northwest Area Command, 9850 W. Cheyenne Ave. Those interested in learning about Neighborhood Watch and how to get a group going are welcome to attend. 

If you do not live in the area represented by the Northwest Area Command, please call your local station to find other Neighborhood Watch meeting dates and times. If you are unsure which station covers your area, just give the councilwoman’s office a call at 229-2299. You can also go to http://www.lvmpd.com  for more information.

Be Part Of An Historic Event…Earth Hour 2009
Saturday, March 28
8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
On Saturday, March 28, Las Vegas will “go dark.” Our great city will lead more than 240 cities in “going dark” for Earth Hour 2009. This event will show that hundreds of millions of people around the globe are concerned about climate change and are committed to finding solutions to the problem. For one hour, government agencies, communities, businesses and residences worldwide will turn off all non-essential lights.  
Please join us and turn off all non-essential lights in your home or business for one hour on March 28.  For more information, visit http://www.earthhourlv.org/

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Neighborhood Spotlight - Clark Terrace Association
Clark Terrace Association is perhaps the most unique neighborhood association we have in Clark County. It is the only residential cooperative existing in the state of Nevada. Clark Terrace, Inc. holds title to the entire property. Instead of an owner’s title, residents hold a share certificate giving them the right to occupy a specific unit for as long as they live and abide to the conditions of membership. They don’t own their unit, but earn equity in it.

Clark Terrace elects a Board of Directors to direct the joint enterprise. The board hires professional management to take care of the day-to-day operations. The units lie within a park like environment.

Residents of Clark Terrace were interested in becoming part of the Neighborhood Associations group within the City of Las Vegas. A social barbecue was held where membership information was discussed and informational pamphlets were distributed. After a few meetings, residents decided in 2008 to formally become a city neighborhood association.

Their first activity was a survey of needs given to residents from which they could set their goals. They are also initiating a neighborhood watch program, replacing wood on the park benches near the playground, and working to improve community safety. In 2008, the residents also had some of the trees on the property removed because they were dying due to being planted too close together.

The Clark Terrace Board of Directors includes President/Treasurer Janie Silvaggio, Vice-President Julia Brantley, Advocate Alice Perez and Member-at-Large Nick Tundo.

Local Seniors Receive Help To Maintain Healthy Lifestyle
Councilwoman Tarkanian and Councilman Ricki Y. Barlow recently joined with Albertson and Coca-Cola to present a $10,000 check to the Las Vegas-Clark County Urban League. The money will go toward programs that help promote good nutrition for local seniors, many who attend the Howard Lieburn Senior Center in Ward 1.

One of the city’s priorities is to promote healthy lifestyles for all segments of the community. Through the generosity of Albertsons, seniors who attend city of Las Vegas senior centers will receive additional resources to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition.

The check presentation was done in conjunction with Black History Month. After the check presentation, 25 seniors and 20 Rose Warren Elementary School students were treated to a Healthy Eating tour that was facilitated by Sav-On Pharmacist Dan Heller and Albertsons Corporate Nutritionist Heidi Diller. The students will be able to learn about healthy eating habits that they can use for the rest of their lives.

April Is Graffiti Awareness Month
Now is the time for each neighborhood association to look around their area and find a small project to paint over or report to the city’s Rapid Response Team. Some of you are already working with your Las Vegas Neighborhood Service Planner on ideas and projects.

We must all be vigilant in the fight against graffiti. Please call or e-mail the location of any graffiti you see to Code Enforcement at (702) 229-6615 or http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/RequestHelp/neighbor_issues.htm . 

Flood Control Improvements Are Underway On Oakey Boulevard
Traffic lane restrictions are in effect on Oakey Boulevard near Rancho Drive, for work on a $6.2 million flood control improvement project.

Work started in late February and will take approximately 10 months to complete. The improvement project starts at Birch Street, east of Rancho and will proceed westerly to Cahlan Drive.

Most work will be done during daytime hours. As construction progresses, some night and weekend work may be necessary. Some temporary road closures may also be necessary.

As traffic delays and disruptions can be expected, Sahara Avenue and Charleston Boulevard are suggested as alternate routes for through east-west travel.

YNAPP Grant In Motion
It is with great excitement that we share an update on one of the Ward 1 Youth Neighborhood Association Partnership Program (YNAPP) Grants administered by the city’s Neighborhood Services Department.

A group of Hyde Park Middle School Academy students will be working with Lowe's, local architects, mechanical engineers, parents and family volunteers on Friday, March 20, to build part of their grant project. This will be done in the building materials department at the Lowe’s on West Charleston Boulevard. The day will be a great example of community productivity and team building.

If you are in the neighborhood, make sure to stop by and take a look. 

Report Unpermitted Food Vendors
Food vendors within southern Nevada need to have a permit to operate. Help protect the health of our community by reporting unpermitted food vendors.

To report this activity, contact the Southern Nevada Health District on its 24-hour hotline at 759-0523. When calling, make sure to include the location, a description of the food being offered, any identifying signage and whether the vendor is mobile or stationary.

Please also include your name and contact telephone if you wish to be called back regarding your complaint.

Remember, persistence pays! Make sure to call each time the vendors are seen. There are currently two health inspectors to handle all calls, but they are dispatched seven days a week. The average response time is 30 minutes.