Summerlin South Briefs

The Alzheimer's Support Group meeting, usually held the first Wednesday of the month, has been changed to 10 a.m. to noon March 9 at the Desert Vista Community Center, 10360 Sun City Blvd. The group will revert back to meeting the first Wednesday of the month following March 9 meeting. For more information, call Sally Carlson at 657-9861.

The Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services plans to host an African-American Poetry Night at West Community Center on Friday beginning at 7 p.m. The West Community Center is located inside West Middle School at 2050 Sapphire Stone Avenue.

Organized by the city's Black History Month Committee, the event is one of many multigenerational activities and performances honoring Black History Month during February.

Admission is free but limited to adults. For complete schedule of activities to celebrate African-American heritage and history visit www.lasvegasparksandrec.com or call 229-5096.

Volunteers from AARP offer seniors age 50 and older free assistance with personal income tax form preparation at five city of Las Vegas senior centers.

Working with Internal Revenue Service personnel, Dula Gymnasium will offer personal income tax form preparation assistance for those whose family income is less than $35,000, with no age restrictions, now through April 15.

Appointments are required at all locations, and recipients are expected to bring a copy of their 2003 income tax return and all of the current year's paperwork to the appointment.

Locations are: Las Vegas Senior Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road, 229-6454; appointments offered Monday through Friday, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., through April 15.

East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., 229-1511; appointments offered Mondays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through April 11. Northwest Senior Center, 6841 West Lone Mountain Road, 229-4794; appointments offered Tuesdays, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, through April 15. Derfelt Senior Citizens Center, 3343 W. Washington Ave., 229-6601; appointments offered Tuesdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to noon, through April 15. Howard Lieburn Senior Center, 6230 Garwood Ave., 229-1600; appointments offered Wednesdays and Fridays, from 1 to 3 p.m., through April 15. Dula Gymnasium, 441 E. Bonanza Road, 229-6307; appointments offered through April 15; days and times will vary.

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program is hosting its National Gala at the Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Road, on Saturday in honor of Tim Wilmott, chief operating officer of Harrah's Entertainment.

Tickets begin at $500 per person . Reception and silent auction will begin at 6:30 p.m., with dinner, dancing, entertainment and tributes to this year's honoree to follow at 8 p.m. Proceeds from the event will make a significant contribution to the D.A.R.E. program throughout Las Vegas and the United States.

For more information, visit www.dare.com.

The Las Vegas Alumni Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority will hold a fund-raising Wine Silent Auction on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Each member who attends is requested to bring a bottle of wine to be auctioned. Bottles of wine purchased will be taken home. A buffet of hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served. All area alumni are invited to attend.

To RSVP or for more information, call 228-7494 or 562-2738.

The monthly Las Vegas Astronomical Society/Red Rock Star Party will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Red Rock Canyon Visitors Center. This month's presentation is titled The Winter Constellations. Telescope viewing will be offered afterward. Star gazing at Red Rock is done on a monthly basis from January to October.

Gates to the Visitors Center close at 6:30 p.m. This program is open to the public and is free of charge.

Meet featured watercolor artist Dale Karr at a free artist's reception 1 to 3 p.m. March 5, at the Derfelt Senior Citizens Center's gallery, 3341 W. Washington Ave. in Lorenzi Park.

Karr, a member of the Nevada Watercolor Society, will exhibit his work March 5-30. Currently on display and continuing through March 2 are Dale Cox's oil paintings of service stations of the past.

The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.

For more information call 229-6601.

"Taming of the Shrew" auditions will be held March 4 from 6-8 p.m., March 5 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., and March 6 from 3-5 p.m. at Farrington Productions, 4350 S. Arville St., Suite 15.

Bring a comedic monologue or read from provided materials. For more information, call Nevada Theatre Company, 873-0191.

"Once Upon a Mattress" auditions will be held March 12 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. with dancing at 11 a.m., March 13 from 3-5 p.m. with dancing at 4 p.m., and March 14 from 6-8 p.m. with dancing at 7 p.m.

Performers should bring music, prepare 16 bars on an uptempo song, and be ready to read from sides.

Teen Kamp will be offered for youth ages 12-15 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, March 21-25.

Registration is necessary.

Registration dates vary by location, with many beginning Feb. 28.

Fees are $65 per week. Family rates and day rates may be available.

Locations include: Becker Community School in Hills Park, 9110 Hillpointe Road, 229-2482; Brinley Community School, 6150 Smoke Ranch Road, 646-9046; Gibson Community School, 3990 W. Washington, 229-5096; Johnson Community School, 340 Villa Monterey, 229-6175; Lied Community School, 5340 W. Tropical Parkway, 229-5072; Molasky Community School, 7801 W. Gilmore, 229-5345.

Registration for the first spring session of classes offered by the Cultural Affairs Division of the city of Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services is open through March 3.

A variety of classes are being offered including art, ceramics, music, dance and theater.

Classes are for adults or children and are held at one of the four cultural centers throughout Las Vegas.

Fees range from $25 to $100 for a six-week session, from March 8 through April 17.

For a course catalog and more information, visit www.lasvegasparksandrec.com or call 299-5445.

Lenten University 2005 is offering classes Tuesday, March 8 and March 15 from 7-9 p.m., and March 15 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Classes are offered at Anderson Hall in the Catholic Center, located at 336 Cathedral Way.

Classes offered include The Eucharist as Passover, Eucharist: Sacrament and Sacrifice, and Eucharist: Making Holy Week Holy.

The cost is $4 each for $10 for all classes.

For more information or to register for a class, call the Office of Catechetical Ministries, 735-6044.

Ten free redbud trees will be given to each person who joins the National Arbor Day Foundation during February.

The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting between Tuesday and May 31 with enclosed planting instructions.

The six to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge.

To become a member send a $10 contribution by Monday to: Ten Free Redbud Trees, National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE, 68410, or register at the National Arbor Day Web site at arborday.org.