Neighborhood news

TRAVEL CLUB SET TO MEET AT TAP HOUSE TODAY

The Las Vegas Single Social and Travel Club for Mature Adults plans to meet at 7 p.m. today at the Tap House, 5589 W. Charleston Blvd. The meet-and-greet portion is set to start at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting discussions focus on day trips, local events, in-state and out-of-state traveling, cruises and international traveling. A guest speaker frequently is featured. Appetizers are served afterward as the group mingles.

There will be no meeting in December. For more information, call 888-324-2028.

RAMPART CASINO TO HOST BLOOD DRIVE

The Rampart Casino at JW Marriott, 221 N. Rampart Blvd., plans to host a blood drive in the Grand Ballroom from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Each donor will receive one buffet voucher and a free gift. Donors also will be entered to win a free night stay and breakfast for two at Ceres, dinner for two at JC Wooloughan's Irish Pub or dinner for two at Ceres.

To make an appointment, visit unitedbloodservices.org and enter the sponsor code "Rampart" or call 638-7400.

LAS VEGAS ROTARY CLUBS COLLECTING CLOTHING FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

Las Vegas-area Rotary Clubs are asking for donations for the 16th annual Gift of the Holidays program, which provides winter clothing to children in need. On Dec. 8, children identified by local charitable organizations will be driven to JCPenney stores, where each child will be paired with a Rotarian or a volunteer to shop for shoes, socks, underwear, pants, shirts and a jacket.

The day includes supervised sports activities with college athletes and cheerleaders and a pizza party.

In order to reach its goal, the Rotary Clubs need to collect more than $30,000.

To make a donation, contact Jim Hunt at 498-7787 or Tom Krob at 498-2259.

BUY WINE TO HELP THE WHEELCHAIR-BOUND

The Rotary Club of Las Vegas Summerlin is holding a Fall Wine Harvest Fundraiser to raise funds to purchase 33 wheelchairs for the D5300 International Wheelchair Project in partnership with the Wheelchair Foundation. Wheelchairs will be provided to those who cannot otherwise afford one. Additional funds will go to the Rotary International's End Polio Now Challenge Grant.

Tickets are $20 each and three for $50. First prize is 50 bottles of wine (a $500 value) and a private wine tasting party for 20 people at Total Wine & More, 730 S. Rampart Blvd. Second prize is 30 bottles of wine. Third prize is 20 bottles of wine.

Purchase tickets or make a donation at rotarysummerlin.org/fundraisers/2011/wine/pledgeform.htm. For more information, contact Gregg Townsend at projects@rotarysummerlin.org.

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER TO HOST WINTER BREAK CAMP

The Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada plans to present Camp K'helah, a winter break program for children 3 or older, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 19-30 at JCC Southern Nevada's campus at 9001 W. Hillpointe Road.

Activities and events include hiking at Red Rock Canyon, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, and a trip to the Springs Preserve. Registration is open until Dec. 19. Financial assistance is available and open until Dec. 1.

Preschool-aged children will be provided with their own individual room and will not participate in off-campus field trips. Snacks will be provided, but all campers are required to bring their own bagged lunch.

To register or for more information, call 794-0090.

A free tai chi/ki gong class is planned from 9 to 10 a.m. Dec. 5, 12 and 19 and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 7 and 14 at H2U MountainView, 3150 N. Tenaya Way, Suite 114.

Ki gong is a form of tai chi that helps you balance your internal energies. It is a slow-moving meditation exercise that enables you to become aware of your breath, body and spirit.

Space is limited, and due to class popularity, you can come to either the Monday or Wednesday class but not both. A doctor's release is required.

To register, call 233-5474.

EBOOK READER WORKSHOP SET AT SUMMERLIN LIBRARY

The Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle Drive, is set to host a workshop about how to buy an eBook reader from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Get tips for how to decide from a Nook, Sony Reader, Amazon Kindle and Apple iPad and learn how to download free eBooks from a library. The workshop is free. For more information, call 507-6300.

HELP OF SOUTHERN NEVADA LAUNCHES HOLIDAY PROGRAMS

HELP of Southern Nevada, 1640 E. Flamingo Road, is launching three of its annual programs this holiday season.

Donations to HELP's Thanksgiving program provides a holiday meal for a family of four.

The group's Adopt-a-Family program allows people to assist needy families in giving them clothing and toys for the holidays.

The Holiday Assistance/Toy Drive benefits more than 16,000 families with its donations.

To donate, volunteer or for more information, call Lisa Laudadio at 369-4357, ext. 1246, or visit helpsonv.org.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES COLLECTING TURKEYS

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is in need of turkeys for Thanksgiving. The social service program is providing turkeys and groceries to families in need.

This holiday season Catholic Charities expects more than 4,000 families will come seeking Thanksgiving baskets. The organization needs turkeys and traditional Thanksgiving dinner fixings.

Individuals or organizations who would like to help by donating turkeys, canned or non-perishable food can call 385-2662 or deliver donations to Catholic Charities, 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

For more information about Catholic Charities, visit catholiccharities.com.

LEARN TO SELL LOCAL PRODUCE AND MEAT PRODUCTS DURING WORKSHOPS

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, 8050 Paradise Road, plans to launch a Beginning Farmers & Ranchers program in 2012 with workshops on field crops, processing and selling locally grown meat products and becoming a produce farmer.

Each workshop will be two days long and costs $50, which includes two lunches and snacks.

The program is scheduled to run from March to September 2012. For more information, call Staci Emm at 775-945-3444 or visit unce.unr.edu.

BUSINESS NETWORK PLANS MIXER nov. 29 AT SUNCOAST

The Large Vision Business Network plans to host its next mixer from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Suncoast, 9090 Alta Drive.

The LVBNM Mega Mixer Consumer Expo is scheduled to include more than 50 area businesses showcasing their products and services. The Chefs Corner will serve up bites of holiday flavors. Expect holiday music and a gingerbread house competition. The first 200 children in line to greet Santa will receive a stocking stuffer gift.

The event is open to the public. Admission is $10. For free tickets, visit pjproductionlive.com/LVBNM.html.

PET FOOD DRIVE TO ASSIST C.A.T.S. INC.

Bullseye Pet Supply and Safe Doggy Pet Sitting are sponsoring a pet food drive through December to benefit C.A.T.S. Inc., a nonprofit organization that distributes donated cat and dog food to families and/or individuals and shelters that have fallen on hard times and can no longer afford to feed their pets.

Bring unopened dry or canned cat or dog food to the following locations through December: Alta-Buffalo Animal Hospital, 450 S. Buffalo Drive, Suite 118; Spirals Salon, 8544 Del Webb Blvd., and Body Spa West, 8751 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 190.

For more information about C.A.T.S. Inc., visit catsinclv.org.