TODAY

WAI'ANAE COAST Neighborhood Board meeting 7 p.m. at Wai'anae Neighborhood Community Center.

TOMORROW

MĀNOA Neighborhood Board to recess during January.

THURSDAY

ELDER CARE WORKSHOPS: Home Care & Equipment Safety 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Jan. 7, and Home Care & Medication Safety 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Jan. 13, both at 1580 Makaloa St., Suite 1060; free; sponsored by Attention Plus Care. Reservations: 440-9372. Information: attention plus.com.

EXCHANGE CLUB of Downtown Honolulu luncheon noon at Oahu Country Club; featured speaker, master sommelier Chuck Furuya on the latest in wines; $20. 524-0330, ext. 2.

DOWNTOWN Neighborhood Board meeting 7 p.m. at Pauahi Recreation Center.

KAILUA Neighborhood Board meeting 7 p.m. at Kailua Recreation Center

NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS not meeting in January: McCully/Mō'ili'ili and Kuli'ou'ou/Kalani Iki.

FRIDAY

BUILDING ADVOCACY, Hawaii Gifted Association Conference 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 8 and 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 9 at JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa; guest speakers: Rollin Homer of Art Center College of Design, attorney Ed Case and David Rockwood of University of Hawai'i-Mānoa School of Architecture; breakout sessions on various advocacy issues. Information: www.higifted.org or higifted@aol.com.

SATURDAY

BLOOD DRIVE 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Lā'ie Shopping Center; donors must be ages 18 and over, in good health, 110 pounds or more with valid photo ID containing date of birth. Appointments: www.bbh.org, 845-9966.

HAWAII LITERACY orientation 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Border's Books & Music, Ward Centre; find out how to become a volunteer reading tutor. 537-6706, www.hawaiiliteracy.org.

EAST-WEST CENTER 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner from 5:30 p.m. at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Coral Ballroom; $250, tables of 10 from $2,500; international dress or business attire requested. Information/reservations: 944-7105 or www.EastWestCenter.org/giving.

UPCOMING

BLOOD DRIVE 7:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Jan. 10 at Foodland Kailua; donors must be ages 18 and over, in good health, 110 pounds or more with valid photo ID containing date of birth. Appointments: www.bbh.org, 845-9966.

ST. LOUIS HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION monthly meeting 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at Hōkūlani Elementary School; the state Department of Land and Natural Resources' proposed improvements at Wa'ahila Ridge Park will be discussed.

LATIN DANCE CLASSES taught by Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy's professional instructors 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday starting Jan. 13 at Kīhei Community Center on Maui; featured will be beginner open embrace Argentine tango and rumba and intermediate salsa; $40 for three months if registered by tomorrow, $50 thereafter; teens and adults, singles and couples welcome. 808-879-0055, www.alohaballroom.com.

ALOHA COFFEE presented by the Newcomers Club of Honolulu 10 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 14; free; call for location. 591-7600. www.newcomersclubofhonolulu.org.

LUNCH AND LEARNING lecture on far off places for adventurous travelers by Alice Tucker 11 a.m. Jan. 14 at Temple Emanu-El; lunch to follow; members $7.50, nonmembers $10. Reservations/information: 595-7521 (Richard Field).

BOOK AND MUSIC SALE of gently used vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, videos, equipment and loads of books 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 16 and 17 at Harbor Warehouse, 525 Ala Moana Blvd., 'ewa of UH Medical School; a benefit for Hawai'i State Library and Hawaii Public Radio. 536-4174 or 955-8821.

PARENTING SKILLS workshop on how best to discipline your child, featuring Hawai'i's super nanny, Kathy Bentley, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17 at Harris United Methodist Church; free; childcare provided. RSVP: 536-9602.

HONOLULU HABITAT FOR HUMANITY information meetings for those interested in applying for its home repair, renovation or building programs: 6:45 p.m. Jan. 20 at 'Aiea Public Library; 11 a.m. Jan. 23 at Papakōlea Community Center; 6:45 p.m. Jan. 26 and 11 a.m. Jan. 30 at Waimānalo Public Library; free. 538-7070.

EAST-WEST CENTER 2010 Jefferson Fellowships for journalists application deadline Jan. 27. Information/applications: www.eastwestcenter.org/jefferson. Contacts: jefferson@eastwestcenter.org, 944-7600 (fax), 944-7619 (phone, Ann Hartman).

FRIENDS OF HĀLAWA XERISCAPE GARDEN general membership meeting 10 a.m. Jan. 30 at Hālawa Xeriscape Garden; agenda: year-in-review, election of 2010 board members; members' plant sale to follow. www.boardofwatersupply.com.