Did you know that children played a significant role in the American civil rights struggle? In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, storyteller Awele Makeba relays, through interactive stories and songs, the intriguing saga of these young activists, the foot patrol of the movement. Also, learn more about the Montgomery bus boycott, segregation and integration of the schools, sit-ins, freedom rides, and other protests that were the weaponry in the hard-fought battle for African-American freedom and equality in this country. A theatrically trained storyteller and educator, Makeba weaves African-American history and culture into stories of pride, courage and compassion in the face of adversity. Join her in a celebration of fairness, respect and equality as she recaps events that changed America. For children 6 and up. Wednesday, 4pm. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. 646-3934. Free.

Tots

P.G. Pre-school. 1/11 through 1/29. 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: $65/P.G. resident, $75/non-resident. Three days: $90/resident, $105/nonresident. 648-3130.

Teenie Weenie Tot Time. 1/11 through 1/29. Mon, Wed & Fri, 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.

Dancin' Duo. 1/11 through 2/1. Monday, 10-10:45am. Kids ages 3-4 and their parents are welcome to join this class led by instructor Carol Benton. (No class 1/18. Pre-register at 546 Dutra St., Monterey. 646-3866.) Archer Park Center, 542 Archer St., Monterey. $45/Monterey resident, $59/other. 646-3870.

Dance for Little Feet. 1/11 through 2/1. Monday, 11-11:45am (No class 1/18). Boys and girls ages 3-4 are invited to fly like a bird, stretch like a cat and generally enjoy dance in this class taught by instructor Carol Benton. Archer Park Center, 542 Archer St., Monterey. $20/Monterey resident, $26/other. 646-3870.

Toddling Gourmet. 1/11 through 2/1. Mondays, 3-4pm. Kids ages 3-5 can mix, stir and taste in this class designed for budding chefs. Participants should wear smocks or aprons. Archer Park Center, 542 Archer St., Monterey. $24/Monterey residents, $32/other. 646-3870.

Musical Beginnings. 1/12 through 2/2. Tuesday, 4-4:45pm. Give your tot, 18 months to 3 years, a fun and educational introduction to music and movement at this class designed to get kids and their caregivers singing, moving, listening and dancing. Warning: Class fills up early! Hilltop Center, Divisadero Street and David Avenue, Monterey. $25/Monterey resident, $33/other cities. 646-3975.

Music for Mommy and Me. 1/14 through 2/4. Thursday, 4:30-5:15pm. Tots 18 months to 3 years can join their caretakers or parents in singing, moving, listening and playing simple instruments as the class explores simple musical concepts. Salinas Community Center, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. $25. 758-7351.

Tweens

Whalefest Crafts and Cruise. 1/8 through 1/9. Friday 4-5:30/Saturday 9:30-11:30. The Lyceum of Monterey County helps kids and their parents celebrate Whalefest with a special two-day program. On Friday, kids get together and make Whalefest crafts, on Saturday, they actually get to go out on the Bay and try and see whales. (Kids must be at least 4 1/2 years old, call the Lyceum for location details.) Parents/$10, Kids/$18. 372-6098.

Computer Workshops. 1/9 through 1/30. Saturday, 10-11:15am. Kids ages 6-9 can learn more about computers at this fun and educational series of workshops put on for beginners at the Monterey Youth Museum. Space is limited, so make reservations early. $40 for the series, includes computer-designed T-shirt. Monterey Youth Museum, 601 Wave St., Monterey. 649-6444.

Youth Roller Hockey. 1/9 through 2/27. Saturdays, 2-5pm. Kids ages 6-14 are invited to participate in roller hockey. Uniforms provided, but participants must bring their own in-line skates, helmets, knee and elbow pads, gloves and sticks. Game dates yet to be determined. Register at the Community Services Dept. (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm), 546 Dutra St, Monterey. $20/Monterey resident, $26/other cities.

YMCA Basketball. 1/9 through 3/13. Various, yet-to-be-determined practice days and times. Kids in grades K-9 should sign up Jan. 9 for a slot on a Salinas YMCA basketball team. Games will take place on Sundays at Hartnell Community College, practice times and days vary, according to the desires of each coach. Register at the Salinas YMCA. 117 Clay St., Salinas. $35/YMCA members, $45/program members, $55/nonmembers. 758-3811.

Karate. 1/11 through 1/29. Mon-Wed-Fri, Beginners: 7:30pm, Advanced: 8:30pm. Kids ages 8 and up can enjoy various levels of karate at the Salinas YMCA. 117 Clay St., Salinas. $25/YMCA members, $29/Program members, Family members/free. 758-3811.

Kitchen Creations. 1/12 through 1/26. Tuesday, 3:30-5pm. Kids ages 6-10 can experiment with edible projects and concoct recipes--in someone else's kitchen. Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center, 735 Ramona Ave., Monterey. $23/Monterey residents, $30/other. 646-5665.

Workin' It! 1/12 through 1/28. Tues-Thurs, 5-6:30pm. This challenging jazz dance class is geared toward developing performance-level skills in advanced young dancers, ages 8-13. Call for dress requirements. Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $26/Monterey residents, $34/other. 646-3873.

Judo. 1/12 through 1/28. Tues-Thurs, Beginners: 6:30pm, Advanced: 8pm. Kids ages 7 and up can take judo at the Salinas YMCA. 117 Clay St., Salinas. $15/YMCA members, $18/program members, $22/nonmembers. 758-3811.

Ballet! 1/13 through 1/29. Fridays: Pre-Ballet: 2:15-3pm, Ballet I &II: 3-4pm, Ballet III: 3-4pm. Kids ages 5 and up can participate in a variety of ballet classes designed for their age level and abilities. Call for class requirements. Pre-registration required at Archer Park Center. Classes take place at Archer Park Center, 542 Archer St., Monterey. Four-week session: $28/Monterey resident, $37/other. 646-3870.

Self Defense. 1/13 through 3/31. Wednesdays, 5:15-5:55pm for beginners, various times for other levels. Kids ages 5-13 who are Yellow belts, Orange belts, Purple belts or above, or beginners to the art of self defense, are invited to participate in lessons provided by Central Coast Self Defense. Salinas Community Center, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. $5/lesson. 758-7351.

Lake San Antonio Eagles. 1/16. Saturday 11am-2pm. Kids and their families are welcome to enjoy this guided tour of Lake San Antonio to learn more about the local eagle population. Visit includes a boat tour of the lake to observe bald and golden eagles and other natural resources. Call Lyceum for location information. South County. $14/per person. 372-6065.

Sea Stories and Puppets. 1/16 through 1/30. Saturday, 10:30am-noon. Kids of all ages are welcome to bring a parent to one of these sessions of Saturday activities honoring Whalefest '99. Participants will learn ocean tales and silly sea stories. Monterey Youth Museum, 601 Wave St., Suite 100, Monterey. Free with admission. 649-6444.

Party! Party! 1/20. Saturday, 2pm. First graders and parents are invited to an "I Can Read" party at the Monterey Public Library (RSVP 646-3934 no later than 1/23). Refreshments, favors and fun. 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 646-3744.

Winter Crafts. 1/23. Saturday, noon-4pm. Celebrate winter and craft a snowman at this free Saturday crafts session. (Pre-register at the Firehouse Recreation Center, 1330 E. Alisal St., Salinas. 758-7900.) Hebbron Heights Service Center, 683 Fremont St., Salinas. Free. 758-7900.

Teens

Dance Dynamics. 1/8 through 1/29. Friday, 4-5pm. Teens are invited to explore and learn dance sequences, choreography, proper body alignment and spatial awareness. Call for dress requirements. Monterey Youth Center Dance Studio, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $30/Monterey resident, $39/other. 646-3873.

Gymnastics. 1/11 through 2/4 Mondays. Boys and girls of all ages, tots through teens, are welcome to participate at Cypress Gymnastics. Call for specific class times. 1354A Dayton St., Salinas. $34/four-weeks, $54/eight-weeks. 751-9077.

Teen Lounge. 1/11/99 through 1/28/99. Mondays, Thursdays 6:30-8:45pm. Hang out, play billiards, watch movies at the Salinas Community Center's free teen lounge. 940 N. Main St., Salinas. Free. 758-7351.