Summerlin-area neighborhood news

SOCCER FOR KIDS OPEN HOUSE SET FOR SATURDAY

A Lil' Kickers ---- Soccer for Kids open house is slated from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Las Vegas Indoor Soccer at the Las Vegas Sports Park, 1400 N. Rampart Blvd.

Children 18 months to 9 years can try out the program for free. Lil' Kickers is a child development program that uses soccer as a tool to help children mature on all levels, including teamwork, listening skills and building self-esteem. For more information, call 684-9958.

RED ROCK CANYON TO HOST JEWELRY-MAKING CLASS

A jewelry-making class for teens is planned from 1 to 4 p.m. April 4 at the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center, 1000 Scenic Loop Drive.

The Colors of Red Rock class is taught by Jennifer Vincent, an interpretive naturalist, and takes inspiration from the canyon.

All materials will be supplied but feel welcome to bring your own if you like.

Class size is limited. Reservations are required by calling 515-5367. For more information, visit redrockcanyonlv.org.

WESTSIDE NEWCOMERS CLUB TO MEET

The Westside Newcomers Club, a social club for women who have lived in the Las Vegas Valley for 10 years or less or who have had life-changing events such as retirement, plans to host a coffee event for prospective members in the Social Hall at Desert Spring United Methodist Church, 120 N. Pavilion Center Drive, at 9:30 a.m. April 4. The event is held the first Wednesday of each month.

A luncheon with a program is planned for the second Wednesday of each month. For more information, visit westsidenewcomersclub.org or call 649-8536.

MAKE NEW FRIENDSHIPS AT JEWISH SINGLES CLUB

The Jewish Singles 55 Plus Social Club for men and women plans to meet 6:30 p.m. April 4 at the NV Energy building, back entrance, 6226 W. Sahara Ave. It meets the first Wednesday of each month.

The club welcomes everyone interested in entertaining programs, socializing, meeting new friends and enjoying some refreshments. Dine-outs and other social events are held throughout the year.

For more information, call 233-8618 or 143-9482.

LUNCH & LEARN PROGRAM TO EXPLORE GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS

A Lunch & Learn program is planned from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 10 at the H2U MountainView Office, 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 114.

Dr. Michael Zimmerman and a representative from Beau Monde Bakery, a local gluten-free bakery, plan to speak on the topics What is Gluten and How Does It Affect My Digestive Health?

The event is free, but registration is required by calling 233-5474.

MOUNTAINVIEW HOSPITAL TO HOST SIBLING CLASS APRIL 10

A Sibling Class is planned from 6 to 7 p.m. April 10 at MountainView Hospital's lobby classroom at 3100 N. Tenaya Way.

This class is geared toward the 2- to 12-year-old sibling of a new infant. The purpose is to acquaint children with the hospital environment before the delivery of the baby. It will include a tour of the maternity unit.

The cost of class is $10 per child or $15 per family group. Registration is required by calling 233-5474.

SHOES BEING COLLECTED FOR TORNADO VICTIMS

Desert Birkenstock and Soles4Souls are working to provide victims of tornado-ravaged areas with something many lost: shoes. Bring your gently worn shoes to Birkenstock stores, and they will be delivered to the local Soles4Souls warehouse near McCarran International Airport.

There are two Desert Birkenstock/Soles4Souls drop-off locations: in northwest Las Vegas at 2192 N. Rainbow Blvd., and in Henderson at 594 N. Stephanie St.

For more information about donating, call Desert Birkenstock at 454-0114.

JW MARRIOTT OPENS POOL FOR SEASON

JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa, 221 N. Rampart Blvd., officially opened its 2012 pool season March 9. The 11,000-square-foot pool is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in March and features a waterfall and 12 private cabanas. Pool access is complimentary for hotel guests. Cabanas can be purchased at a full-day or half-day rate (they are available only after 1 p.m. on the day of attendance and cannot be reserved in advance) or a food and beverage minimum. For more information on cabanas and pricing, call 869-7807.

The pool also is open to the public for $10 per day for those 12 or older and $5 per day for children 6 to 12. Children 5 or younger can swim for free. Pool memberships for the season also are available. The pool plans to feature events throughout the season, including Dive-In Movies, pool parties and other special promotions.

TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION OFFERS REDUCED FARE TRANSIT PASSES

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada announced that 30-day and five-day full and reduced fare transit passes now are available for purchase at more than 135 7-Eleven locations across the Las Vegas Valley. With the new addition of 7-Eleven stores, it will be easier and more convenient for Transportation Commission transit riders to purchase their full or reduced fare transit passes.

The 30-day and five-day full and reduced fare transit passes also are available at other retailers throughout Southern Nevada, including Albertsons, Walgreens and Mariana's. Passes also are available for purchase at bookstores at the College of Southern Nevada campuses. A full list of local retailers selling Transportation Commission transit passes can be found at rtcsnv.com/transit/fare_vendors.cfm.

TRAVEL CLUB TO MEET AT TAP HOUSE

The Las Vegas Single Social Travel Club for Mature Adults invites prospective members to its meetings, which are scheduled for 7 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month at The Tap House, 5589 W. Charleston Blvd. The next one is scheduled for today.

The meet-and-greet portion is set to start at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room. Discussions focus on day trips, local events, in-state and out-of-state traveling, cruises and international traveling. A guest speaker is frequently featured. The meeting closes at about 8 p.m., when appetizers are served and the group mingles. For more information, call 888-324-2028.

FOUNDATION COLLECTING CLOTHING FOR MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN

The Foundation for Positively Kids is hosting Pack the Bins, a six-week clothing drive to help medically fragile children in Las Vegas, which kicked off March 20.

The goal is to raise 1 million pounds of gently used adult and children's clothing. Donations can be deposited at any of Positively Kids' 145 donation bins located throughout the Las Vegas Valley. For more information, visit positivelykids.org.

CASINOS TO GO DARK FOR EARTH HOUR

Nine Boyd Gaming properties in Las Vegas plan to go dark for Earth Hour from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday as a reflection of the company's commitment to sustainable business practices.

By installing more efficient lights in a variety of areas during the last three years, Boyd Gaming has cut its annual electricity usage by more than 17 million kilowatt-hours. New initiatives now being introduced will reduce usage by an additional 5 million kwh.

NATURE WRITING CLASS SET AT RED ROCK CANYON

The Bureau of Land Management plans to host Introduction to Nature Writing, a free writing class, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday and April 12 and 26 at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

To RSVP, call 515-5367.

Each session will include short writing exercises, group discussions and selected readings from notable American nature writers. Participants may share their own writing.

Depending on the group's interest, plan to experiment with different types of nature writing such as creative non-fictions, short story, memoir, poetry or simply writing for one's own enjoyment.

EASTER SEALS WALK COMING TO W. WAYNE BUNKER FAMILY PARK APRIL 7

The Walk With Me 2-mile walk to benefit Easter Seals Nevada is slated to begin at 9 a.m. April 7 at W. Wayne Bunker Family Park, 7351 W. Alexander Road. A fun-filled day including a 2-mile walk, live music by School of Rock and Easter activities for the whole family are planned, with proceeds to benefit Nevadans living with disabilities. The walk is set to begin at 9:30 a.m.

Participants who raise more than $40 will receive a Walk With Me T-shirt. Proceeds support Easter Seals Nevada and its mission to help those with disabilities become self-sufficient through direct services, education and community partnerships.

Registration and additional information is available at walkwithme.org/lasvegas.