Datebook for October 1, 2004

Friday, Oct. 1, 2004 | 8:57 a.m.

First Friday

The Las Vegas Arts District will celebrate First Friday, a street festival on Colorado Avenue between 3rd and Main streets, from 6 to 10 p.m. today. More than 40 galleries will be open to the public. Admission is free. 229-5431.

Young artists

The Winchester Cultural Center will offer an introduction to the visual arts for young people on Saturday at 3130 S. McLeod Drive. Times are noon to 1:45 p.m. (ages 4-6) and 2:15 to 4 p.m. (ages 7 to 10). Registration is $5, and pre-registration is required. 455-7340.

Arts & Crafts Fair

Sun City Summerlin will host its 15th annual Arts and Crafts Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Desert Vista Community Center, 10360 Sun City Blvd. Admission and parking are free. 966-1424.

Book signing

Wayne Allyn Root will sign copies of his book, "The Zen of Gambling," at 11 a.m. today at Barnes & Noble, 8915 W. Charleston Blvd. Admission is free. 242-1987.

Poetry reading

Bilingual poet Roy Chavez will host a poetry writing workshop from 10 a.m. to noon, and a poetry reading from 3 to 4:30 p.m., both on Saturday at the North Las Vegas Library main branch, 2300 Civic Center Drive. Admission is free, but reservations are required. 633-1070.

Organ dedication

Nevada's largest pipe organ will be dedicated with a ceremony and recital at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Beam Music Center's Doc Rando Recital Hall on the UNLV campus. Admission is free. 895-1575.

Train rides

The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City will run the train from today to Sunday in honor of the area's Art-In-The-Park event this weekend. Fares are $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 children ages 11 and under. 486-5933.

Short film festival

UNLV's Short Film Archive will host a screening of award-winning short films at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Classroom Building Complex on the UNLV campus. Admission is free. 895-3547.

Book signing

Former game show host Bob Eubanks will sign copies of his book, "It's In the Book, Bob!" at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Barnes & Noble, 8915 W. Charleston Blvd. Admission is free. 242-1987.

Lecture series

Darren Petrucci, associate professor of architecture and urban design at Arizona State University, will give a lecture on "amenity infrastructure" at 3 p.m. today at the Paul Sogg Architecture Building at UNLV as part of the university's "Klai Juba" lecture series. Admission is free. 895-1575.

Circus fund-raiser

The Las Vegas Zelzah Shriners will host their largest fund-raiser of the year, the 55th annual Zelzah Shrine Circus, from today to Sunday in the south parking lot of the Plaza Hotel on Main Street in downtown Las Vegas. Tickets are $14 adults, $10 seniors, $7 children. 364-8604.

Tai chi classes

"Tai Chi Tuesdays" will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Tuesday at the District at Green Valley Ranch at the intersection of Green Valley Parkway and I-215, and are free to the public. 458-8855.

Acting classes

Clark County Parks & Community Services is offering free acting classes from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday at Whitney Center, 5712 E. Missouri Ave. Pre-registration is requested. 455-7576.

Book groups

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

Mahogany Circle Book Club -- 11 a.m. Saturday, Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. 507-3427.

Spring Valley Book Discussion Group-- 7 p.m. Thursday, Spring Valley Library, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North. 507-3606 or 507-3514.

Spanish Book Discussion Group -- 1 p.m. Saturday, Las Vegas Library, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North. 507-3606.