Summerlin Area Neighborhood News, Dec. 18-24, 2014

Joni Wakley holds a prepaid credit card she won in this undated photo at Downtown Summerlin. The Howard Hughes Corp. ran a Downtown Summerlin $1,000 shopping spree contest, and the winner was randomly drawn at the end of November. Wakley is a Summerlin resident and plans to spend half of her winnings on her grandchildren’s holiday gifts and the other $500 on a child she doesn’t know through a local elementary school's holiday “adoption” program. She says she doesn’t plan to spend any of the money on herself. (Special to View)

ADOPT A MILITARY FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS

The Adopt A Military Family program connects local military families in need with volunteers wanting to “adopt” a military family for the holidays. VFW Post 10047, 4337 Las Vegas Blvd. North, encourages the public to stop by and pick the name of a military family in need off the tree. For those who can’t make the trip but would like to adopt a family for the holidays, email adoptamilitaryfamily@hotmail.com, and a family’s name will be emailed to you.

All gifts must be dropped off at VFW Post 10047 by Dec. 20. There are more than 400 military families waiting to be adopted. For more information, visit vfw.org.

TIVOLI VILLAGE TO HOST PET ADOPTIONS

Tivoli Village, 450 S. Rampart Blvd., plans to host pet adoptions for the Las Vegas Hot-Diggity Dachshund Club and Rescue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 28.

For more information, visit tivolivillagelv.com.

BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE PLANS BRUNCH JAN. 4

The Brandeis National Committee plans to host its annual University on Wheels Brunch at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 4 at Canyon Gate Country Club, 2001 Canyon Gate Drive.

Dr. Bruce Magid, dean of Brandeis International Business School, is slated to be the guest speaker, discussing the New World Economic Order.

The cost is $40. Proceeds will benefit the Sustaining the Mind research for neurodegenerative diseases.

For reservations or more information, call Jo-Ann Geller at 702-656-1666.

REI TO HOST FREE PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS

REI plans to offer the class Outdoor Photography Basics — Point & Shoot at 7 p.m Jan. 6 at its Boca Park facility, 710 S. Rampart Blvd.

Join an REI GreenVest to learn how to take photos and videos up a notch with classes focused on outdoor photography. Capture the perfect landscape, colorful sunrise, snow-covered trail or star-filled sky, and learn tips and tricks for digital and film cameras with in-store and in-the-field opportunities.

The event is free, but sign-ups are required. To register, visit rei.com or call 702-951-4488.

RED ROCK CANYON SEEKS ARTISTS FOR 2015 RESIDENCIES

Applications are being accepted for the spring 2015 artists’ residencies at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. All artists working in any field, including writers, musicians, sculptors, painters and performance artists, are invited to apply for residencies lasting two or three weeks in March, April or May.

The Red Rock Canyon Artist-in-Residence program will select three artists, with each receiving a $1,000 stipend for developing their work in response to Red Rock Canyon and leading a community engagement project of their design. Artists will be selected by a panel of arts professionals, community members and Bureau of Land Management staff members.

Applications are being accepted with a postmarked deadline of Jan. 31. For more information, visit rrc-air.org.

AARP SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR FREE TAX PREPARATION PROGRAM

The AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program plans to offer free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income. In its 46th year, the program is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention to the older population. The service is offered in conjunction with the IRS and is open to anyone, not just AARP members.

Last year in Nevada, 260 volunteers helped more than 12,700 people file federal tax returns and answered tax-related questions. The program is offered at senior centers, libraries and other convenient locations.

The program needs volunteers. Tax volunteers must complete a tax preparation workshop from the IRS before working with taxpayers. There is also a need for grass-roots leadership, on-site greeters and those who can provide language assistance in Spanish, Mandarin or Cantonese.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/4r34r8v or call 888-227-7669.

USTA-NEVADA OFFERS FREE TENNIS LESSONS FOR ALL AGES

The United States Tennis Association-Nevada is offering free tennis lessons to people of all ages. Participants are asked to visit ustanevada.com to complete the registration form. They will be emailed a certificate to take a free tennis lesson at any of the participating facilities.

Free loaner tennis rackets are available through USTA-Nevada’s Racquet Recycle Program. Everyone who registers will receive a free Nevada Tennis Association membership, which includes a newsletter and special invitations to community tennis events.

For more information, email freetennis@ustanevada.com or call 702-792-8384, ext. 101.