One of the (heretofore) best-kept secrets of last holiday season was the Kids Holiday Flea Market held at the Hilltop Park Center in Monterey. There, early birds of all ages were able to find toys, books and even some clothes, purveyed by Peninsula kids and their parents eager to clear out closets before the holidays. This year, the Monterey Recreation and Community Services Department will sponsor the sale once again. For sellers (kids ages 6-17, although those under 12 need an accompanying adult), the sale means a chance to earn some pre-holiday cash, plus more space for holiday loot. For buyers, it's a stupendous opportunity to take home everything from bikes to stocking-stuffers at fabulous prices. Come early, and don't miss it! Saturday, Nov. 7, 9am-noon. Hilltop Park Center, 871 Jessie St., Monterey. Admission: free. Booth rental: $10 (space still available). 646-3975.

15sunday

Teens

Out of Their Gourds

Unique and seasonal crafts made from gourds are now within the reach of beginners, thanks to a unique day-long class offered through the Monterey Museum of Art. "Gorgeous Gourds," taught by Melissa Pickford, the museum's assistant director of education, will offer teens (and adults) the chance to make gorgeous bowls, vessels and table decor out of gourds that have been decorated, carved, or painted--whatever strikes the artists' fancy. "Gourds are decorated on almost every continent," says Pickford, who collects hers from a gourd and pumpkin farm in San Luis Obispo County, "As an art from, they've really had a flowering." Pickford says this class is specifically designed to encourage beginners, and she is adamant that a first-class craft project can be completed within the 10am-4pm time frame. Sunday, Nov. 15, 10am-4pm. Holman House, 769 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. $30/museum members; $40/non-members. Reservations required: 372-5477.

Tots

Tots N Tights. 11/9 through 11/23. Mondays, 9:30am, 10am, 10:30am. This 30-minute class lets 2-year-olds dance up a storm as they develop gross motor skills, movement creativity and body awareness. Class includes pre-ballet, tap and gymnastics readiness skills taught to music and song, Pre-register at Monterey Recreation & Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St. Monterey Youth Center Dance Studio, 777 Pearl St.; Monterey. $22/residents; $29/non-residents. 646-3866.

Teenie Weenie Tot Time. 11/9 through 11/25. Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9-11:30am. An age-appropriate curriculum including special visitors, field trips and snacks is being offered at the Firehouse Recreation Center. Sessions start every month. 1330 E. Alisal St., Salinas. $35/session. 758-7900.

PG Pre-school. 11/9 through 11/30. Mon.-Wed.-Fri. or Tues.-Thurs., 9-11:30am. Enroll your child (potty-trained and at least two-years nine-months) in this pre-school program emphasizing language, physical and social development, and self-esteem. Please pre-register in advance. Sessions last one month. Start any time. 515 Junipero Ave., Pacific Grove. Two days: $59/P.G. resident, $69 non-resident; three days: $82.50/resident, $98.50/non-resident. 648-3130.

Story Time. 11/11 through 11/18. Wednesday, 10:30am. All little ones ages 3-5 are invited to come to the Monterey County Free Libraries' Pre-School Story Time. Come enjoy the stories, books, fingerplays, puppets and songs at the Seaside Branch Library. 550 Harcourt Ave., Seaside. Free. 899-2055.

Tap for Tots. 11/5 through 11/19. Thursdays, 9:30am, 10am. Using upbeat children's melodies, this 30-minute class introduces 3 to 5-year-olds to the rhythmic foot exercises and choreography of tap dance. Includes marches, toe taps, brushes, chugs and basic terminology. (Pre-register at Monterey Recreation & Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St.) Monterey Youth Center Dance Studio, 777 Pearl St.; Monterey. $22/residents; $29/non-residents. 646-3866.

Music for Mommy & Me. 11/5 through 12/3. Thursdays, 4-4:30pm. Kids 18 months to 3 years sing, move, listen and play simple instruments with their moms. Salinas Community Center, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. $25/session. 758-7351.

Twenty Toes. 11/5 through 12/10. Thursday 6-6:45pm, Monday 3-3:45pm or 4:45; Fridays 10-10:45am. This parent-participation gym is designed to give parents and tots (from walking age to 3 years) a chance to explore elementary gymnastic skills through parachute games, creative dance and rhythm sticks. Pre-register at the Monterey Recreation and Community Services Department, 546 Dutra St., Monterey. 646-3866. Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $32/Monterey residents, $41/non-residents. 646-3873.

Mother Daughter Dance. 11/9 through 12/14. Mondays, 10-10:45am. Moms and girls 3-4 dance and get a little exercise together. (Please pre-register at the Monterey Recreation and Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St., 646-3866). Archer Park Center, 542 Archer St., Monterey. $45/Monterey residents, $59/other. 646-3870.

Dance for Little Feet. 11/9 through 12/14. Mondays 11am-11:45pm. Active dance for kids 3 and 4 years to learn to run like a mouse, fly like a bird, stretch like a cat and jump over rainbows. (Please pre-register at the Monterey Recreation and Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St. 646-3866.). Archer Park Center, 542 Archer St., Monterey. $30/Monterey residents, $39/others. 646-3866.

Tiny Tots. 11/9 through 1/15/99. Monday-Friday, 9-11:30am or Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9-11:30am. Pre-schoolers ages 3-5 can enjoy crafts, games and music at one of two sites staffed through the Salinas Recreation Department's Firehouse Recreation Center. El Dorado Park on El Dorado Drive or Central Park on Central Ave. Pre-register two weeks in advance at Firehouse Rec Center, 1330 E. Alisal St., Salinas. $150/eight weeks (5 days) or $90/eight weeks (3 days). 758-7900.

Songs & Tales by MaryLee. 11/10 through 11/24. Alternating Tuesdays, 10am. The Children's Experimental Theatre of Carmel is offering to all tots (primarily ages 3-5) the opportunity to come and sing-a-long with MaryLee Sunseri. Join Marylee for "Down by the Bay" on Nov. 10 and "Thanks a Lot" on Nov. 24.. Indoor Forest Theatre at Santa Rita & Mt. View, Carmel. $5/person/show. 624-1531.

Storytimes! 11/05/98 through 11/30/98. Various times. The Salinas Library offers a variety of story hours for kids ages 2 and up. On Mondays, there's Thumbkin stories for kides 2 1/2 to 4 at the El Gabilan branch, Tuesdays: Preschool stories at the Steinbeck branch at 10am. Also on Tuesdays: Reading Garden for kids 0-5 and Adventure Seekers for kids 7 and up, both at the Cesar Chavez branch. On Wednesdays, there's Thumbkins for 2 1/2-4-year-olds at 10am at the Steinbeck branch. Also at the Steinbeck branch is Grandparents and Books, for kids of all ages on Mon.-Wed. 3-5pm. Thursdays are for Rookie Readers ages 3 1/2-6 at 10am at the El Gabilan Branch. Also on Thursday: Preschool Stories at 10am and Cuentos Para La Familia at 4pm, both at the Cesar Chavez branch. Steinbeck Branch: 350 Lincoln Ave., El Gabilan: 1400 N. Main St., Cesar Chavez: 615 Williams Road, Salinas. Free.

Little Critters. 11/30/98 through 12/16/98. Mondays, Wednesdays 10-11am or 11am-noon. Designed for kids too little to attend pre-school, Little Critters gives parents and tots a chance to socialize and participate in music and crafts. Pre-register at the Monterey Recreation and Community Services Department, 546 Dutra St., Monterey. Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $20/Monterey residets, $26 non-residents. 646-3873.

Small Crafts. 11/06. Friday, 7pm. Kids ages 2-6 can make a Thanksgiving turkey out of newspapers, construction paper, paper bags and markers with the help of Little Hands Art Book author Judy Press. Borders Books, 1080 California Ave., Sand City. Free. 899-6643.

Tweens

"Michelangelo is Not A Turtle." 11/7 through 11/15. Saturday, Nov. 7 and Sundays, Nov. 8 and Nov. 15 at 2pm, plus Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7pm. The Western Stage presents a hilarious music comedy for children at the Salinas Cabaret Theater. 215 Lincoln St., Salinas. $5/per person. 755-6816.

Safe Sitting. 11/14, Saturday, 1-4pm. Kids in grades 5 and up can learn the fundamentals of safe babysitting, including fire and injury emergencies, first aid and more. Participants get a Safe Sitter Information pad. Los Laureles Fire Station, Los Laureles Grade, Salinas. $15. 372-6098.

Turkey Trot. 11/14. Saturday, noon. Come help with a canned food drive and participate in an obstacle course especially for kids 6-8 and 9-12. Firehouse Rec Center, 1330 E. Alisal St., Salinas. Two canned goods. 758-7900.

Fun with Clay. 11/16 through 12/14. Monday, Wednesday 4-5:30pm. Kids 8 to 15 years old learn to express their ideas in three-dimensional form. Emphasis is on pot and vessel making but kids are encouraged to let their creativity go wild. Hilltop Park Center, 871 Jessie St., Monterey. $50/Monterey residents; $65/others. 646-3866.

Gymnastics. 11/17 through 12/15. Tuesday, Thursday, 3:30-4:30pm or Wednesday-Friday, 2-5pm. Teaches beginning and intermediate skills to kids 6-12 years of age. Focus is on self-esteem, social skills and technique. Call for info about classes for other ages. Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $36/Monterey residents; $47/others. 646-3873.

Giving Thanks Party. 11/21. Saturday, noon-4pm. Kids ages 6-12 are invited to come by and make Thanksgiving crafts at the Hebbron Heights Service Center. 683 Fremont St., Salinas. Free. 758-7900.

Trappers Encampment. 11/28. Saturday, 9am-4:30pm. Kids and their families can spend the Saturday after Thanksgiving on a living history adventure, experiencing how early American trappers/settlers lived. Learn how early settlers really lived-including games they played! Bring a picnic. Meet at Roaring Camp, Graham Hill Road, Santa Cruz. $5/per car. 372-6098.

Piano Lessons. Mondays, Wednesdays, various times. Individual instruction for beginning and intermediate level students ages 6 and older. Covers music reading and theory, scales, finger exercises, etc. Students must have a piano or keyboard to practice on.. Casanova-Oak Knoll Park Center, 735 Ramona Ave., Monterey. $45/Monterey resident; $59/other city resident. 646-5665.

Teens

Dance Dynamics . 11/6 through 11/20. Fridays, 4-5pm. This class for teens focuses on lyrical modern dance. Students will learn dance sequences and choreography as well as proper body alignment. Pre-register at the Monterey Recreation and Community Services Department, 546 Dutra St., Monterey. Monterey Youth Center Dance Studio, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $30/Monterey residents, $39/non-residents. 646-3873.

Beginning Jazz. 11/7 through 11/21. Saturdays, 10am-noon. Kids in grades 6 and up are invited to begin their exploration of jazz appreciation. Monterey High School, 101 Herrmann Dr., Monterey. $15. 372-6098.

West Coast Swing. 11/18 through 12/9. Wednesdays, 7-9pm. Teens can come and learn the basics of West Coast Swing. Come alone, or as a couple. (Please pre-register at 546 Dutra St., 646-3866.) Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $30 or $45/couple for Monterey residents, Other cities: $39 or $58/couple. 646-3873.

YMM Kick Off. 11/22. Sunday, 3pm. Youth Music Monterey's season begins with a program of music by Brahms, Handel, Liszt, Vaughn Williams and local composer Bruce Lee, MD. Concert takes place at the Performing Arts Center at Santa Catalina School. 1500 Mark Thomas Dr., Monterey. $5/general, $3/students, seniors. 375-1992.