TODAY

TEACH FOR AMERICA information session 1 p.m. at 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 3-400; find out about committing two years to the national teaching corps; recent college grads and working professionals of all majors, backgrounds and career interests encouraged to attend. RSVP: shayna.mora@teachforamerica.org.

WAHIAWÄ NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD to recess this month.

TOMORROW

Neighborhood Boards recessing this month: Pearl City, Ala Moana/Kaka'ako and North Shore.

WEDNESDAY

MILILANI/WAIPI'O/MELEMANU Neighborhood Board to recess this month.

THURSDAY

BLOOD DRIVE 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 24 at Dillingham Donor Center; 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 24 at Downtown Donor 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.

WAIPAHU NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD to recess this month.

SATURDAY

BLOOD DRIVE 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 26 at Foodland, 'Ewa Beach; donors must be ages 18 and older, in good health, 110 pounds or more with valid photo ID containing date of birth. Appointments: www.bbh.org, 845-9966.

UPCOMING

KADOMATSU WORKSHOP 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 27 at Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i; learn to make your own kadomatsu, the Japanese pine and bamboo new year's display; members $50, nonmembers $60. Information/Registration: 945-7633 ext. 39 or takamune@jcch.com.

MOCHI POUNDING (mochitsuki) 8 to 11 a.m. Dec. 27 at Aiea Hongwanji Mission; public welcome to experience the cultural tradition; rice steaming from 6 a.m.; free. 487-2626.

BLOOD DRIVE 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Waterfront Plaza; 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.

ELDER CARE WORKSHOPS: Home Care & Equipment Safety 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Jan. 7, 2010 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: www.attentionplus.com.

GRASSROOTS FUNDRAISING WORKSHOPS Jan. 9 at 949 Kapi'olani Blvd, Suite 100, to help nonprofit organizations improve fundraising techniques: "Successful Fundraising in Challenging Times" 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and "Building Your Mid-Level Donor Program" 1 to 4 p.m.; $25 per workshop; sponsored by Hawaii People's Fund; register by Jan. 2. www.ChangeNotCharity.org, 845-4800 or people@lava.net.

EAST-WEST CENTER 50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA DINNER from 5:30 p.m. Jan. 9 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.

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 at Mänoa School of Architecture; breakout sessions on various advocacy issues. Information: www.higifted.org/ or higifted@aol.com.

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

HONOLULU HABITAT FOR HUMANITY information meetings for those interested in applying for its home program: 6:45 p.m. Jan. 20 at 'Aiea Public Library; 11 a.m. Jan. 23 at Papakolea Community Center; 6:45 p.m. Jan. 26 and 11 a.m. Jan. 30 at Waimänalo 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).