Lifestyle Expo and CASA run post successes

The Nevada Appeal's inaugural Home & Lifestyle Expo continues today from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the former Wal-Mart building, 4209 S. Carson St.

Laura Burns, the Appeal's special-sections and events coordinator, said Saturday's show was a success.

"It's been great," she said. "We've had a steady flow of people all day."

She said about 400 people showed up in the first hour alone.

"We were expecting a few people to mosey in," she said. "We were blown away."

Burns said about 123 vendors have booths set up, and each was receiving customers.

"It's not just a few here and there."

The show features a variety of products and services, ranging from hot tubs and landscape design to financial services and home builders.

"The is a show that should not be missed," she said.

Admission is $2; kids 12-younger free.

Burns said organizers are hoping to make the show an annual event.

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The inaugural CASA Fun Walk/Run on Saturday attracted about 75 participants, from children to seniors. Most did the 5K loop on the city's west side, but some of the participants went around the course twice.

At least a few participants went the extra mile, figuratively, as well.

Tina Baldassare participated at the urging of her friend Jenny Scanland, one of the event organizers, who told her to simply show up with the $10 entry fee.

"I said, 'well, we can do better than that,"" Baldassare said. She went to some of her co-workers at the Council for Economic Development and asked for donations. She got a great response, including a $100 pledge from Kimberly Elliott.

Baldassare and her sister Liz Wingfield do a 10K every month.

"You get to work on your tan, you get some exercise, and you get to help someone out," Wingfield said.

The funds raised at the event will help Court Appointed Special Advocates work on behalf of children caught up in the court system. Without CASA volunteers, there would be no one to speak up on behalf of the best interests of those children, according to CASA director Chris Bayer.

He said CASA plans to hold the event next year as well, possibly in conjunction with a statewide meeting of CASA chapters from around the state.

"This was a fabulous success," he said. "This is a way everyone can come out and support CASA."