Paradise/Downtown Neighborhood News

HELP of Southern Nevada, 1640 E. Flamingo Road, is one of 140 charities that received a $10,000 grant during Walmart Stores Inc.’s 12 Days of Giving Facebook campaign.

The organization, which provides food, housing and clothing to needy individuals, in addition to hosting numerous toy and food drives throughout the year, was one of 145 nonprofit groups selected from more than 5,400 nominations.

For more information on the campaign, visit facebook.com/walmart.

CITY COMPLETES SOLAR PANEL PROJECT

Officials from the city of Las Vegas and NV Energy celebrated the completion of an $8.2 million solar panel project Dec. 20.

There are 16 facilities in the project, which includes the new City Hall, 495 S. Main St., which features 33 solar trees — pole-mounted solar panels — installed to shade the plaza in front of the facility. Tony Sanchez, NV Energy vice president, presented Mayor Carolyn Goodman with a $4.4 million rebate check to recognize the city’s work to install energy-efficient structures.

NEW ORDINANCE ALLOWS FREE PARKING
FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES

The Las Vegas City Council adopted an ordinance that was scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1 making parking free downtown for those who drive alternative fuel vehicles.

Owners of alternative fuel vehicles will be able to park for free at any city-operated parking zone or lot with a city-issued permit.

For a permit application, call 229-7400, visit lasvegasnevada.gov/parking or go to the Parking Citations and Hearings Office on the sixth floor of Las Vegas City Hall, 400 Stewart Ave.

GIRL SCOUTS PLAN THIN MINT SPRINT
AND SHORTBREAD SHUFFLE JAN. 28

The Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada plans to host its Thin Mint Sprint 5K and 1 Mile Shortbread Shuffle and 16th annual Cookie Carnival Jan. 28 at Freedom Park, 850 N. Mojave Road.

The timed race begins at 9:30 a.m., and the shuffle is set to start at 10 a.m. followed by the carnival, which includes cookie contests, entertainment and prizes.

The cost to participate in the 5K is $25 and $15 for the 1-mile run if registered before Friday. The cost increases to $35 and $20, respectively, until Jan. 25, when fees increase to $40 and $25.

For more information, call 385-3677 or visit girlscoutsnv.org.

JAN. 10 INFORMATIONAL EVENT
TO FOCUS ON INFANT ADOPTION

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is set to host an orientation on domestic infant adoption from 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 10 and Jan. 25. The event is free and open to the public. Call Susan Gardiner at 385-3351 or visit catholiccharities.com.

NEW VIDEO PUTS FACES TO AIDS AWARENESS

In recognition of World AIDS Day, the Southern Nevada Health District has created a video series, “Facing AIDS,” available at youtube.com/snhealthdistrict.

Ivan, Lane, Maryanne and Tracy share their stories to prevent just one infection and encourage others to get tested.

More than 3,000 Southern Nevadans are living with HIV, and there are more than 2,800 AIDS cases locally.

For more information, call the health district at 759-0702.

About 33 million people worldwide are living with HIV, according to a study by UNAIDS, a United Nations program.

GRANT TO HELP THOSE WITH HIV/AIDS

Nonprofit group Golden Rainbow has received a $25,000 grant from MAC Cosmetics’ AIDS Fund for 2012. The donation will be used to support the organization’s Affordable Housing Program.

The 25-year-old program is designed for people living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada who would otherwise have no place to call home.

For more information, visit goldenrainbow.org.