Prime Briefs

The Derfelt Senior Center is temporarily closed while Lorenzi Park undergoes phase two of a major renovation. All programs and services have been relocated to other facilities during the construction. The center is expected to reopen in July 2012.

SENIOR TRANSPORTATION Services expand into ANTHEM, Seven Hills

With partnership from the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and Easter Seals Southern Nevada, ITN LasVegasValley senior transportation services have been extended to the Anthem and Seven Hills communities.

Starting April 7, seniors in the area can use the services allowing them to travel in a passenger car to run errands or go to appointments instead of using traditional public transportation.

A volunteer driver picks seniors up at home, takes them to their desired location and brings them home. Membership fees or per ride fees are charged to support the service.

For more information, visit itnlasvegasvalley.org or call 506-0917.

MUSICAL set AT COMMUNITY CENTER

The musical "I Know I Came In Here for Something" is slated for 3 p.m. April 10 at the Sun City MacDonald Ranch Community Center, 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway.

The show is being sponsored by the Gateway Arts Foundation, a charity that provides scholarships for young artists.

Tickets are $14 per person or $12 for residents.

For tickets or more information, call 270-7000.

Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health offers caregiver support

The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave., plans to host "Positive Aging: Promoting Brain Health" from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 11. For more information, call 483-6023 or email Susan Hirsch at hirschs2@ccf.org.

HENDERSON LIBRARIES plans EVENT ON OVERCOMING STRESS

Henderson Libraries plans a seminar on overcoming stress, anxiety and depression from 3 to 4:45 p.m. April 16 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway.

The seminar can teach people how to recognize, avoid and treat various forms of stress, anxiety and depression. The event is free and open to the public. To register, call the library at 207-4261.

Basic High School class of 1971 to reunite in October

The Basic High School class of 1971’s 40th reunion is scheduled for Oct. 7-9 at the Fiesta Henderson, 777 W. Lake Mead Parkway.

The cost is $71 for those who register by May 19.

For more information, email bat8@aol.com, call 737-5977 or search for the class on facebook.com.

TAX PREPARATION HELP provided

Need help preparing taxes? There are several organizations in the valley ready to serve. Volunteer-led tax prep sites include senior centers, libraries, nonprofit agencies and more. Rules for participation vary by location. Visit aarp.org to find a site near home.

Red Hat Rally set for April 21

Head to the Las Vegas Senior Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road, for the Annual Red Hat Rally scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 21. Red Hat Society members are invited to enjoy lunch, entertainment and displays. Tickets cost $10. Advance purchase is required. Participants must be members of city of Las Vegas Senior Programs, which costs $2 a year. For more information, call 229-6454.

Pre-retirement meetings planned

Residents are invited to free pre-retirement meetings in May.

Experts on Social Security, Medicare and Medicare gap/supplement programs will be on hand to answer questions such as:

n What are your retirement options?

n When are you eligible for Medicare?

n What benefits are available under Medicare?

n How do you plan for gaps with Medicare?

"Many people in my ward and across the city are at a point in their life where they are thinking of retiring," said Las Vegas City Councilman Gary Reese, who represents Ward 3. "This meeting is a great way for these folks to get all the information they need to make informed decisions about their future."

At 4 p.m. on May 3, Ward 5 Councilman Ricki Y. Barlow is set to host a pre-retirement meeting at the Doolittle Community Center, 1950 N. J St., multipurpose room B.

Ward 2 Councilman Steve Wolfson is set to host a pre-retirement meeting at 6 p.m. on May 17 at Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive, classroom 5.

And at 6 p.m. on May 19, Ward 1 Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian is set to host a pre-retirement meeting at Mirabelli Community Center, 6200 Hargrove Ave.

Center to offer ballroom classes

Learn social and competitive dancing from instructor Kelly Gellette in a series of ballroom dance classes at the Cora Coleman Senior Center, 2100 Bonnie Lane. Classes run from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 7.

Registration and payment of $37 class fee is required. Each student needs a partner for the class. For more information, visit clarkcountynv.gov or call 455-7617.

Gellette, who has been teaching for more than 50 years, owned an Arthur Murray dance studio, choreographed for entertainers, judged dance competitions and is the author of several dance books.

Senior poet laureate competition under way

Entries are being accepted for regional winners in the 19th annual National Senior Poets Laureate Poetry Competition for American poets 50 or older. The submission deadline is June 30. State senior poets laureate are expected to be named in July, and the National Senior Poet Laureate is set to be announced Sept. 1.

For more information, visit amykitchenerfdn.org.

Ballroom dance Tuesdays and Fridays

Seniors are invited to ballroom dances from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 2 to 4:30 p.m. Fridays at the Las Vegas Senior Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road. The fee is $4 each day. Participants must be members in city of Las Vegas Senior Programs. Call 229-6454 for more information.

M Resort announces dining deals for seniors

The M Resort, 12300 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is offering discounts for guests 50 or older who are members of the iMagine Rewards Club. Benefits include 50 cash and dining prize winners selected every Wednesday at 4 p.m. Senior club members also receive a buy-one-get-one-free deal at the Studio B Buffet on Wednesdays, with a 50 percent discount available for single diners; buy-one-get-one-free lunch entree (of equal or lesser value) at Hash House A Go Go from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays; and a free pastry with the purchase of a medium coffee at Baby Cakes on Wednesdays. For more information about the iMagine Rewards Club, call 797-1000 or visit themresort.com.

PIG OUT TO HELP SENIORS

Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, a Southern Nevada-based nonprofit agency serving area seniors, announces its Feed a Pig, Help a Senior fundraising campaign that offers piggy banks for "adoption."

For a $25 adoption fee, which will not be charged if the pig is returned in good condition, individuals, companies and organizations enter their piggy banks in a virtual race with others who also decide to become parents and adopt. Fundraise by asking for donations from friends, family, colleagues, clients and even strangers.

Monthly piggy bank sponsors have the opportunity to empty their piggies at organized "pig-outs," enjoy discounted food and drink and mingle with other piggy parents. The campaign will culminate in May.

The money raised will fund Helping Hands’s goals of providing food and transportation for home-bound seniors. The goal is to raise $100,000.

For more information about adopting, visit piggy4seniors.org or call 633-7264.