Datebook for December 5, 2003

Friday, Dec. 5, 2003 | 8:24 a.m.

First Friday

First Friday, a monthly cultural open house and street festival held in the downtown Las Vegas Arts District, will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. today. Maps of the arts district can be obtained at www.whirlygiglasvegas.org, or at the Funk House, 1228 S. Casino Center, S2Art at One E. Charleston Blvd., or at the Red Rooster Antique Mall, 1109 Western Ave. 384-0092.

Free train rides

The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City is offering free train rides with Mr. and Mrs. Claus along the historic Boulder Branch Railroad at 3 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at 600 Yucca St. 486-5933.

'The Gathering'

A series of classes for 10- to 13-year-olds entitled "Putting the Man Back in the Hood: Manhood," continues with "The Gathering" from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Registration is $5. 229-4800.

Book signing

Author Cheryl Rogers-Barnett, daughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, will sign copies of her book, "Cowboy Princess," at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Barnes and Noble bookstore, 8915 W. Charleston Blvd. 242-8644.

Acting workshops

The New City Theatre, 2900 Patrick Lane, is offering free acting workshops for those over the age of 18 from 1-3 p.m. every Saturday. 547-1228.

Fund-raiser

The Contemporary Arts Collective hosts its annual art auction fund-raiser, "Paddle This!," from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today and at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the collective, 101 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 101. Admission is $15. 869-9002 or 455-8239.

Beckett festival

The second annual Samuel Beckett Festival will be held at 10 p.m. today and at 8 p.m. Saturday at Social Experimentation and Absurd Theater (SEAT), 103 E. Charleston Blvd. Admission is $10 presale and $15 the day of the show, $8 students and laservida members. 736-4313.

Book signing

Author Alice Medrich will sign copies of her new book, "Bittersweet -- Recipes and Tales from a Life in Chocolate" at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Reading Room at Mandalay Place. 632-7724.

Book groups

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District offers the following book discussion groups at area libraries this week:

Great Books Reading & Discussion Group -- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. 507-3427.

Murder in the Library -- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, and 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. 507-3646.

Rainbow Book Club -- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive. 507-3711.

West Las Vegas Book Club Social Hour -- 7 p.m. Tuesday, West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd. 507-3982.