Noticias-Dec. 15, 2010

Submit your calendar items and notices to mlopez@lasvegasoptic.com

• The San Miguel County DWI Safe-Ride-Home Service operates from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. However, the service will be unavailable on Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, In observance for the New Year, the service will be operating from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, through Saturday, Jan. 1. Call 429-0336 for service.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters is raffling a red 2010 Chrysler Sebring Limited with sunroof, leather seats, 3,500 miles, provided by NM Auto Wholesalers. The drawing will be held Friday, Dec. 17. Tickets are $100. Only 300 tickets will be sold. All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters programs in San Miguel and Mora counties. For more information, call 426-8510.

• The Holiday Pecan Sale by the Greater Las Vegas Lions Club is under way to raise funds for grants to qualified residents of San Miguel and Mora Counties to pay for eye exams and glasses. So-good new crop pecans — chocolate coated, roasted, cinnamon glazed, caramel clusters, log rolls, toffee coated pecans and popcorn, plain pecans, walnuts and giant cashews too — in gift bags, boxes, and tins, are available at Shoes ‘n Boots on Seventh Street near Mills Avenue. Prices begin at just $3. Call the Lions at 426-1606 if you want the group to bring the goodies to your home or place of business. The club is offering discounts for case purchases.

• The Northeast Regional Education Cooperative, based out of New Mexico Highlands University, is recruiting recent area high school dropouts. If you are a recent dropout and are interested in taking free online courses to complete your diploma, contact Student Outreach Specialist Lorenzo E. Márquez at 426-2232. There are currently 59 courses offered from IDEAL-NM. The courses are all taught online by New Mexico certified teachers. Current high school students wishing to take credit recovery courses, advanced placement courses or select electives may also qualify.

• DVDs of Robertson High School’s 2010 graduation are available for purchase. For more information, call the school’s office at 454-5770, ext. 212, or 429-2897. Proceeds of the sale will go to the 2011 graduating class.

• Volunteers are needed for Girl Scouts to start troops and help girls become more confident and build character. For more information, call Loretta Armijo at (505) 983-6339, ext.12, or e-mail larmijo@gs-nmtrails.org.

• Flu shots are available from 1-4 p.m. every Wednesday and 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. every Thursday at the Las Vegas Clinic for Children and Youth, 501 Seventh St.  

• Volunteers are needed at Vida Encantada nursing home to help with activities on Tuesday mornings. If you are able to donate your time, call Sheena Galla at 425-9362.

• Highlands University’s counseling department is offering counseling services to the community this semester. The counseling is provided by graduate students in the final phase of their training in the counseling profession. Call 454-3564 for more information or to make an appointment. The counseling is confidential, free and supervised by the counseling department’s training professor. The sessions are offered 3-6 p.m. Thursdays.

• The Parent Support Group meeting for Children with Disabilities meets 6-7 p.m. every first Wednesday of the month at Pathways Therapy Services at 2002 Hot Springs Blvd. Participants can discuss with other parents topics such as IEPs, different types of therapy, advocacy training, behavior management and resources in the community. All are welcome and do not have to be receiving therapy services at Pathways to attend the meetings. For more information, call Raychel Hosch at 426-7466, e-mail radhosch@hotmail.com or visit pathwaystherapy.wordpress.com

• The United Community Soup Kitchen of the First United Methodist Church at the corner of Eighth Street and National Avenue is open serving meals from noon to 12:45 p.m. Thursdays.