Hello District G!
I hope you and your families are enjoying our beautiful spring weather in the Las Vegas Valley.
Mark your calendars for some fun activities coming up at the Whitney Park and Community Center this spring. Please join me and Clark County Parks and Recreation for our annual Eggstravaganza Easter event taking place Friday, April 19, from noon to 3 p.m. at the park. We have a lot of fun things planned for kids ages 2 to 12, so parents come out with your children and enjoy a beautiful afternoon in the park.
Also coming up is the return of our popular movie nights at Whitney Park. On the last Fridays of April and May, we will show two great family-friendly movies. First up on April 26 is "incredibles 2" followed by "Spider-Man Into the Spiderverse" on May 24. Showtime is 8 p.m. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets for free refreshments will be available for each movie night at the Whitney Community Center starting the first day of April and May. I look forward to seeing you there!
We also want to remind you that our Parks Department is hiring for lifeguards and other aquatic positions for the summer and encouarge you to mark your calendars for the upcoming Government Surplus Auction in May.
I hope you find this edition of our newsletter informative and interesting. As always, please email me or contact my office any time at (702) 455-5561 with any questions or concerns.
Have a very happy spring,
Jim
In This Issue:
Job Fair Welcomes Hundreds, Creates Lasting Connections
On Tuesday, March 26, Commissioner Gibson partnered with Workforce Connections, Nevada JobConnect and the STOP Coalition to hold a Job Fair. The Spring Job Fair was held at the Enclave Las Vegas, and brought in 70 employers from all over the valley and almost 700 job seekers. It truly was a roaring success with tremendous appreciation given by both employers and jobseekers alike, before, during and after the event had concluded.
Workforce Connections' One-Stop Career Center and the Nevada JobConnect program, managed through the state of Nevada, help connect employers with a ready workforce. Education and training opportunities also are available. For more information regarding Workforce Connections or Nevada JobConnect, please visit their websites at: www.nvcareercenter.org/ and www.nevadajobconnect.com.
The Enclave, located at Eastern and Russell, is a venue specializing in trade show events, product launches, conferences, seminars, networking receptions, and VIP parties. This job fair could not have been possible without Enclave, as they donated their space at no cost to the job fair.
Clark County Recruiting Pool Staff for Summer Season
Clark County is seeking lifeguards, ages 15 1/2 years or older for the 2019 summer season.
Clark County Parks and Recreation's Aquatics Program is now recruiting individuals 15 ½ years and older to work as lifeguards, cashiers and water safety instructors for the 2019 summer season.
Clark County offers multiple lifeguard and water safety instructor training classes through May at Aquatic Springs Indoor Pool (Fort Apache and Warm Springs), Desert Breeze Indoor Pool (Spring Mountain and Durango) and Hollywood Indoor Pool (Hollywood and Charleston). Early enrollment is recommended because training classes fill up quickly as swim season approaches. For additional information about class dates and locations, call (702) 455-1708, or visit the Aquatics Program's website at: http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/parks/Services/Pages/Aquatics.asp.
Those enrolling in lifeguard classes must be able to retrieve a ten pound weight from 7-10 feet of water, tread water and swim 300 yards using a combination of breaststroke and front crawl. Pay rates for lifeguards begin at $9.50 per hour, with available work hours ranging from 25-30 hours per week. Water Safety Instructor classes are available to those who are interested in teaching swimming lessons and are at least 16 years of age. Pre-requisite skills include the ability to swim all competitive and resting strokes prior to enrollment. Applicants for cashier positions at the pools do not need any additional certifications.
The County operates 17 aquatics facilities, including pools in Indian Springs, Laughlin, Logandale and Overton. Seasonal pools are open to the public in May, June, July and August. Opening dates vary for each facility but are posted on the Aquatics Program's website pages. Clark County Parks and Recreation can also be found on Facebook.
Law Library Hosting Free Tax Help on Thursdays Through April 11
Free tax help for individuals with households incomes of less than $58,000 is available on Thursdays through April 11 at the Clark County Law Library.
The Clark County Law Library is partnering with the Nevada Free Taxes Coalition to host free tax preparation to individuals with a household income of less than $58,000 in 2018.
IRS-certified volunteers from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program will be available at the Clark County Law Library every Thursday through April 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service is available on a first-come-first-served basis. Please see the www.nvfreetaxes.org webpage for information about free tax preparation eligibility, what you will need to bring, and other locations.
The Clark County Law Library is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and may be reached by calling (702) 455-4696 or by email.
Solar Energy Initiative Notices Continue to Prompt Consumer Concerns
Here's an example of a recent advertisement circulated by an enterprise called the "County Solar Initiative." Clark County is not affiliated with any solar initiative and does not endorse any energy provider.
Our Commission office continues to hear from local consumers who are concerned about various solar energy initiatives being advertised on postcards that are appearing on residential garage doors and front doors.
Some notices advertise the effort as a "County" enterprise. Other notices look like they are sanctioned by different government entities. Clark County is not affiliated with any solar energy initiative, and does not endorse any energy provider.
Anyone with concerns is encouraged to report the matter to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada's Consumer Complaint Division at (702) 486-7210. Consumers also can contact the Nevada State Contractors Board to file a complaint with any workmanship or unlicensed contractor related concerns: (702) 486-1100.
Iconic Eiffel Tower at Paris Hotel Sports New Light Show for 20th Anniversary
In February, Commissioner Gibson recognized the Paris Las Vegas Hotel for its dazzling new light show and up and coming 20th anniversary.
The iconic Eiffel Tower at Paris Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip is equipped with brand-new programmable lights to sport different looks for different occasions.
Paris Las Vegas is located on the Strip in District G. Commissioner Jim Gibson was on hand to unveil the new light show and present a proclamation to the Paris and Caesars Entertainment for their contributions to Las Vegas. In addition to the new LED programmable lights, there are about 1,500 strobe lights on each side of the tower as part of the display.
The new lights are just one of the exciting things happening as Paris Las Vegas approaches its 20th anniversary on Sept. 1. The resort has an all new Voie Spa which is now open. Additionally, the hotel will soon complete a redesign and renovation of all 2,900 rooms and suites. The work is scheduled to be done in May. Caesars Entertainment has spent $92 million on renovations.
Keep Clark County Clean This Spring- And Your Garage!
If you plan to do some spring cleaning this season, visit the Keep Clark County Clean section of the county's website to learn how and where to dispose of everything from motor oil to old computers.
Clark County organized the effort with multiple community partners to boost public awareness about the damage littering and illegal dumping do, and to provide a one-stop resource for the public to use to find out how to dispose of common household items that don't belong in a landfill.
Also see our tips handout for ideas and resources as well as watch this video. You also can volunteer to participate in a community cleanup this spring by visiting Get Outdoors Nevada's website for a list of upcoming events: https://getoutdoorsnevada.org/events/.
Clark County spends millions of dollars a year to clean up graffiti and to remove trash and debris from streets, parks, public areas and flood control channels. Discarded cardboard boxes, plastic shopping bags, illegally dumped tree branches and construction debris can get washed into local flood control network during a storm and end up polluting low-lying areas of the Las Vegas Valley and Lake Mead, the source of our community's drinking water. Trash and debris also plugs up inlets, drains and pipes in curbs and sidewalks during storms, often adding to clean-up costs and causing neighborhood flooding.
Partners in the Keep Clark County Clean effort include the Clark County Regional Flood Control District, Clark County Water Reclamation District, Southern Nevada Health District, Las Vegas Valley Water District, Republic Services and Get Outdoors Nevada.
Easter Eggstravaganza Set for April 19 at Whitney Park
(Click image for larger version of flyer)
Commissioner Jim Gibson is teaming up with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, Clark County's Parks and Recreation and other community partners to host the 5th Annual "Easter Eggstravaganza" on Friday, April 19, from 12 to 3 p.m. at Whitney Park, 5712 Missouri Ave.
This free, family-friendly event will feature egg hunts for children ages 2 to 12 along with face painting, balloon art, candy and baskets, train rides and a variety of carnival games.
Sponsors include the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Southeast Area Command's Safety Through Outreach and Prevention (STOP) program, My Father's House, Wal-Mart, Albertsons, Smiths, Target, Smart and Final, and Star Costume.
Whitney Park Hosting Spring Movie Nights April 26, May 24
(Click on image for larger version of flyer)
Commissioner Jim Gibson and community partners will host free Movie in the Park nights at 8 p.m. in Whitney Park on April 26 and May 24. Whitney Park is located at 5712 Missouri Ave., just west of Boulder Highway. All District G residents are invited to attend.
The spring season's selections are Disney PIXAR's "Incredibles 2" and "Spiderman Into the Spiderverse." Each movie will play at 8 p.m. at the Whitney Recreation Center and Park, 5712 Missouri Ave.
All children must be accompanied by an adult to attend. Refreshments will be served while supplies last. Families must pick up tickets for refreshments at the Whitney Community Center prior to the movie night events. Refreshment tickets will be available for the April movie night starting April 1, and the May movie on May 1. There will also be a free raffle with every ticket for two bikes including helmets.
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the movie.
Commissioner Gibson is partnering with Metro Southeast Area Command's STOP (Safety Through Outreach and Prevention) and Clark County's Parks & Recreation Department to present the movie night events.
Local Children in Foster Care in Need of Adoptive, Forever Homes
More than 100 foster children and teenagers in the care of Clark County's Department of Family Services are available for adoption.
Our kids are seeking loving and nurturing families that can commit to providing them with a warm place to call their forever home. Could you be the family our kids are looking for? You may be able to make a significant difference in the life of one of these children through adoption. You can learn more about these children on the profile pages of the department's adoption services website.
Locally, more than 3,500 children receive services under the supervision of the District Court Family Division. The majority of children and youth in foster care are reunified with their biological parents or relatives, but in some cases this isn't possible. When the goal for a child becomes adoption rather than reunification with parents or relatives, many foster parents currently caring for the children often decide to adopt them. If foster parents are unable to adopt a child in their care, our agency's seeks permanent adoptive homes for our kids. Adoption provides the most stable relationship for children and their adoptive parents.
There is a significant need for both adoptive and foster parents. For more information about adoption, call the Clark County Department of Family Services at (702) 455-0800, e-mail DFSAdoptions@ClarkCountyNV.gov or visit the department's website pages.
To learn more about foster care, call (702) 455-0181.
Boulder City High School Tennis, Volleyball Teams Honored
Commissioners honor Boulder City High School's Girl's Volleyball Team for their recent state championship.
The County Commission recognized Boulder City High School's Men's Tennis Team for winning the
Nevada 3A State Championship for the second year in a row.
It has been a very good couple of years for the Clark County School District Boulder City High School Tennis and Volleyball teams.
The school's Men's Tennis Team and Girl's Volleyball Team recently won their second straight Nevada State High School Championships.
Commissioner Jim Gibson and the County Commission honored both teams for their achievements at the March 5th County Commission meeting.
Well done Eagles!
County Commission Honors UNLV's Cheer and Dance Teams for National Championships
The Clark County Commission honored both the UNLV Cheerleaders and Rebel Girls and Company Dance Team for winning national championships at a competition in Orlando, Florida this winter. The dance team won two national titles for the second year in a row. The cheer team's first place finish at the competition was a first in the program's history.
The Clark County Commission honored UNLV's Cheerleaders and Rebel Girls & Company Dance team for bringing home National Championships.
The Cheer team won the Universal Cheerleaders Association and Universal Dance Association College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Competition in Orlando Florida for their Game Day performance. The team's first-place finish was a first in the history of UNLV's Cheer program. Among the teams there were the University of Minnesota, the University of Mississippi, Temple University, the University of California-Berkeley and San Diego State University.
The Rebel Girls & Company Dance team were crowned the 2019 national champions for their Game Day and Hip Hop performances – and this was the second year in a row that they accomplished both feats. Some teams they beat included: the University of Tennessee, Washington State, the University of Iowa, San Diego State University and the University of Alabama. The UNLV Rebel Girls & Company are so renowned for their talent that young dance athletes from across the country often aspire to become part of the Rebel Girls and Company team.
The members of both UNLV's Cheer and Dance teams devote hours of time to practices and performances. They are more than dedicated athletes. They are full-time students who serve as mentors to young cheerleaders and dancers in our community. They also participate in group fund-raising activities to supplement the budget for attending competitions.
CSN Achieves National Status as 'Leader College of Distinction'
The College of Southern Nevada was named one of 11 Leader Colleges of Distinction across the nation.
The College of Southern Nevada was named one of 11 Leader Colleges of Distinction across the United States for its ongoing work on improving student success and reducing student achievement gaps.
The award from Achieving the Dream, a national non-profit network of more than 200 colleges focused on improving student success, recognizes colleges that have consistently strived to meet challenging student success goals. CSN was named a Leader College in 2015, and received the Leader College of Distinction status in February 2019.
"There is nothing more important for CSN than student success. It is our core value and calls for our students to graduate, complete, transfer and prosper," said CSN President Dr. Federico Zaragoza. "We put students first in everything we do in order to help them complete their college journey prepared to enter southern Nevada's workforce."
The 2019 award specifically cited CSN for gains of 8 percentage points for students completing gateway math, 8 percentage points for gateway English, 8 percentage points for fall-to-fall persistence and a 3-percentage-point increase in completion. In addition, low-income CSN students saw a 10-percentage-point increase in gateway math completion, a 13-percentage-point increase in gateway English completion, and a 10-percentage-point increase in persistence. The college also showed gains for female students as well as black and Latino students across metrics.
The honor comes on the heels of similar recognition to CSN by other national leaders in student success, the Lumina Foundation and Complete College America.
The Harbor Juvenile Assessment Center Receives 'Good Achievement' Award
Clark County's Department of Juvenile Justice Services received the 21st Annual Cashman Good Government Award from the Nevada Taxpayers Association for its work with agency partners in establishing the Harbor Juvenile Assessment Center as an important community resource for troubled youth and their families.
The Harbor is designed to prevent children and teens from entering the juvenile justice system by helping families cope with problem behavior such as truancy or delinquency before issues potentially escalate into more serious trouble involving the police and court system. Since opening in October 2016, the Harbor has served nearly 7,000 local youth and families. To date, counseling, mentoring, tutoring and substance abuse treatment have been the top areas of service referrals. Only 5 percent of the clients served to date have escalated into the juvenile justice system.
The Harbor has two locations. Its main campus at 861 N. Mojave Road, off Washington Avenue, is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. That phone number is (702) 455-6912. A second location is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., at 6161 W. Charleston Blvd., Building 2, on the State of Nevada's Department of Health and Human Services campus off Jones Boulevard. The phone number is (702) 486-5331. More information about the Harbor is available on its website at www.theharborlv.com.
Multiple community partners provide collaborative, one-stop services at the Harbor. In addition to Clark County's Department of Juvenile Justice Services, other agencies include Clark County's Department of Family Services, Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Clark County Family Court, Clark County School District, Clark County District Attorney's Office, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, North Las Vegas Police Department, Three Square, Eagle Quest, the local cities and several nonprofit organizations.
Signs that youth may need help include depression, anxiety, drug use, isolation, bullying or changes in behavior. Officials say youth behavior may be rooted in unmet mental health or substance abuse issues. It also could be symptomatic of issues going on with the family that can be addressed through community service providers.
New PSAs Urge 1 October Survivors to Reach Out to Vegas Strong Resiliency Center
New public service announcements featuring survivors, first responders and other community leaders are airing on local TV stations to encourage anyone struggling with affects from #1October to reach out to the #VegasStrong Resiliency Center.
The PSAs were made possible thanks to a grant from Nathan Adelson Hospice and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The videos feature a wide variety of people affected by tragedy, including survivors, first responders, a local physician, nurses and EMTs who cared for the injured, and local leaders including Sheriff Joe Lombardo and Clark County Fire Department Chief Greg Cassell.
All the participants lent their support to the project to help carry the message that it's OK to seek counseling if you are coping with effects from the incident whether you were present when it occurred, responded to the aftermath, or are a family member or friend of a victim or someone who was in harm's way. Experts say it can take people months or years to recognize impacts from traumatic events, and the stigma associated with seeking mental health assistance often stops people from reaching out for help.
The PSAs were created in English and Spanish in :30 and :60 second versions. They are airing on Clark County TV and our social media sites. You also can view them on the Resiliency Center's website: https://vegasstrongrc.org/updates/.
Since the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center opened in October 2017, it has served more than 8,000 people. Services include victim advocacy and support; legal consultations for civil legal matters such as debt collection, foreclosure, insurance claims via the website, and family law issues; and counseling and spiritual care referrals. The Resiliency Center is located at 1524 Pinto Lane in Las Vegas. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday except holidays. It can be reached at (702) 455-2433 (AIDE) or toll-free at (833) 299-2433 and by email. Its website is www.VegasStrongRC.org.
Family Members of 1 October Victims Receive Portraits from Volunteer Artists
Portraits created as part of the Las Vegas Portraits Project, which was on display at the Clark County Government Center last fall to pay tribute to the victims killed in 1 October, were carefully packed and shipped to family members.
Portraits painted as part of the Las Vegas Portraits project to honor the 58 victims killed in the 1 October tragedy were delivered to family members earlier this year.
The Vegas Strong Resiliency Center worked with organizers of the Las Vegas Portraits Project to ship the portraits to family members listed on Nevada Victims of Crime Program applications. A letter about the project was included in addition to a program from a reception at the Clark County Government Center. The reception, held as part of community activities commemorating the 1-year anniversary of 1 October, was attended by several artists and family members so they could have an opportunity to meet each other.
Staff from Clark County's Public Arts Program and the Nevada State Museum helped package the portraits for shipping. Their efforts also helped make our public exhibit of the portraits possible for four weeks during September and October 2018.
The portraits were created by 58 different volunteer artists from across the United States and as far away as Canada, Greece, Australia and Peru. Artists and cousins Ellen Abramo of Pennsylvania and Kortney Struempf of Georgia organized the @lasvegasmemorial project on Facebook in the days after the #1October incident to pay tribute to those who lost their lives, and to offer a portrait as a gift to the families of each victim. Each artist selected for the project chose his or her subject from images and biographical information that appeared in published news stories about the victims following the attack.
If you have questions about the Las Vegas Portraits Project or want to get in touch with the artist who created the portrait of your loved one, you can contact the project by email at: lasvegasvictimsportraits@gmail.com. In some cases artists made contact with family members of the victims during the process of creating the artwork.
County to Host Spring Surplus Auction May 11
Clark County hosts three government surplus auctions each year at 4320 Stephanie St., off East Flamingo Road.
Clark County will host a spring government surplus auction at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, at 4320 Stephanie St., off Flamingo Road near Dog Fancier's Park.
A three-day, preview and pre-registration period will be open on site Wednesday, May 8, through Friday, May 10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The popular auctions feature items used or acquired by area police and government agencies including cars, trucks, computers, office equipment, electronics and other lost and found items from McCarran International Airport.
The County contracts with TNT Auction to manage the sales. Catalogs listing vehicles and miscellaneous items being sold are posted on TNT's website at www.tntauction.com and get updated regularly as the date of the sale approaches. Anyone planning to participate in the live auction to bid on vehicles or miscellaneous items must register as a bidder on site at the TNT Auction trailer set up on the auction grounds. To become a registered bidder, participants need to present a valid ID. There is no cost to register.Upon winning a bid on auction day, payment is due in the form of cash, cashier's checks, credit cards, debit cards, traveler's checks or money orders. YouTube videos in English and Spanish are posted on the County's website at www.ClarkCountyNV.gov to walk interested participants through the process.
Miscellaneous items are sold during a live, separate auction that is conducted at the same time as the vehicle auction. An exception for on-site registration is if you plan to participate in the online portion of the vehicle auction, which is conducted at the same time as the on-site vehicle auction. Anyone who plans to bid for vehicles online must register in advance of the sale online through TNT's website. If you register online for the vehicle auction, you must bid online.
The last auction of 2019 will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the same Stephanie Street location. In 2018 the auctions raised $6.9 million for participating governmental entities, including $4.4 million for Clark County agencies. Each auction drew an average of 1,927 bidders.
Commissioner Gibson Visits 5th Graders at Harley Harmon Elementary School
Commissioner Gibson visits Harley Harmon Elementary School during Nevada Reading Week.
In celebration of Nevada Reading Week, Commissioner Jim Gibson read to 5th graders at Harley Harmon Elementary School in District G.
The students enjoyed interacting with the Commissioner as he encouraged them to develop a love of reading!
Thanks to all the students and their teachers, Mrs. Fuller, Mrs. Gorman and Mrs. Fulmer. It was lots of fun spending the day with you.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10th
Don't forget Teacher's Appreciation Week, May 6-10.
Teacher Appreciation Week is a celebration in recognition of teachers and the contributions they make to education and society.
Recognizing teachers during this week provides an opportunity for students, their parents, and school principals to show their appreciation for the hard work teachers do every day.
During the week, Commissioner Gibson will join Metro's Southeast Area Command and the STOP (Safety Through Outreach and Prevention) Coalition, to visit several schools within District G, to deliver breakfast to teachers before classes begin for the day.
We encourage everyone in our community to recognize an educator in your life, even if it's simply by saying, "Thank you!"
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