Club helps smooth move to Las Vegas

Learning your way around. Tips on the best time to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles. Finding a good, nearby restaurant with take-out.

When it comes to moving to Las Vegas, there's a lot to learn. Getting the information from someone already settled here can make it easier. That's the premise behind the Westside Newcomers Club.

"New membership is open to anyone living in the valley less than five years," said Paula Johnson, outgoing president. "Our objective is to attract people so they can network to create friendships and enable us to learn about the valley. It makes relocating to this area a smoother transition."

On Jan. 19, the ladies-only club held its first activities fair at Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive.

That morning, the large meeting room was filled with decorated tables lining the walls, each promoting its particular interest. There were tables for things like mah-jongg, poker, tennis, Scrabble, bridge and computers. About 100 women mingled over coffee and finger foods, learning more about activities within their club.

Ariane McCroy held court over the Couples or Singles Dine Out Club. That group meets about once a month at various restaurants in the valley. Asked if a group with a prime purpose of meeting for eating didn't cause people to eventually add on a few pounds, she laughed and gestured to the next display table.

"You can eat with us and then go hiking," she said.

The Hiking Club's table sported water bottles, trail mix and pictures of past hikes to places like Red Rock Canyon and Zion National Park.

The theater group grabs a bite together before taking in shows like "Mamma Mia!," "Zumanity" and newly released movies. Instead of giving something a thumbs up or rating the show with stars, they use peanuts.

When it comes to the most popular activities, bowling and bunco share top honors. Those groups can see as many as 100 participants at get-togethers.

Day Trippers also sees a good turnout. One time the group organized a shopping trip to Nordstrom, which included transportation and mystery goodie bags. Another day trip had them touring Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas in Summerlin, followed by lunch in the school's restaurant. Thirty-two women showed up for that. The trip was so well received, another is planned for the summer.

Over at the Birthday Bunch table, Rita Shaul explained the group meets at Olive Garden on Cheyenne Avenue near U.S. Highway 95.

"You don't have to have a birthday that month in order to come," she said. "It's just a good excuse to get together for lunch."

Her group's members chip in an extra $1 each time to share birthday cake.

Established about 12 years ago by four women, the Westside Newcomers Club now boasts nearly 1,000 members. The group is a ladies social club but husbands are welcome at several events, like the Dining Out activities.

"In the past, and I'm talking about way back when, most of the time, families moved here, the men went off to jobs and the women stayed home," said Gaylynne Schaefer, incoming president. "I like Las Vegas but it's very hard to meet people here. Since I joined the club, I met more people in the last year and a half than in the previous three years."

The club meets the second Wednesday of the month, each time at a different place. A New Member Coffee is always held the third Wednesday of the month at the Rainbow Library.

"It's not cliquish," said Carol Anne Schmidt. "Everybody welcomes you."

The club has a link on the Las Vegas Review-Journal Community Link Web site (www.reviewjournal.com. Click on relocation, then community link, then social groups and scroll down to Westside Newcomers Club. A newsletter alerts members to scheduled activities for each month. Call 492-7057 for more information.