thursday 11|15 SPCA Pet Talk 6:30pm. Discussion on the pros and cons of purchasing a puppy as a Christmas gift. Part of a series of talks on pet ownership. Reservations encouraged. Monterey County Animal Shelter, 2840 5th (Old Fort Ord Base), Marina. Free. 384-1396.

Books and Dinner 6pm. John Walton, author of "Storied Land: Community and Memory in Monterey," outlines the history of Monterey in the last 230 years. Thunderbird Bookshop Patio, 3600 The Barnyard, Carmel. $17.50. 624-1803.

Dialogue on Terrorism 7pm. Author John Arquilla speaks about his new book "Networks and Netwars; The Future of Terror Crime and Millitancy" and gives a talk on the Internet''s role in terrorist and criminal activities. Monterey Public Library Community Room, Pacific and Madison, Monterey. Free. 372-1143.

Denim Fashions 7pm. Denim fashions of all sorts being shown by "Something Old, Something New." Tickets sold at 1123A Fremont, Seaside. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby, Seaside. $15. 394-5397.

Harp Concert 7pm. Tonight the Monterey Harp Ensemble, featuring Juli Alexander and William Faulkner, performs a concert using Celtic and Mexican harps. The show repeats on Sunday at the Monterey Church of Religious Science, 400 W. Franklin in Monterey, at 7pm. Hartnell College Choral Room, Hartnell College, 156 Homestead, Salinas. $10 general/$8 students and seniors. 755-6924.

"Third Thursday" 7pm. Monterey Museum of Art''s Third Thursday is a mix of wine, refreshments and great entertainment. Tonight bassist Stephen Uccello and guitar player Dan Kai serenade the crowd while Terranova Fine Wine and Benedetti Catering provide consumables. Monterey Museum of Art, 599 Pacific, Monterey. Free. 372-5477.

Recruitment Fair 7:30am-1pm. Technical and four-year colleges, as well as career prep schools, will be recruiting Alisal High School juniors and seniors, as well as speaking with parents and teachers. Call to present your business or school. Haddan Gym at Alisal High School, 777 Williams Road, Salinas. Free. Marc Rosen, 796-7651.

friday 11|16

Curious George''s Birthday 4pm. Library hosts "Happy Birthday Curious George" to celebrate the 60th birthday of the storybook monkey with activities, treats and special animal guests. Ages 3-adult. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific Street, Monterey. Free. 646-3934.

Goddess Talk 7pm. Monterey Peninsula Friends of C.G. Jung host a talk by Jerilee Cain on her new book, "Hestia Come Home," which concerns a little-known Greek goddess. Reservations required. Jung Friends, 284 Foam Street, Monterey. Free. 649-4018.

Talent Show 7pm. Salinas Recreation Park Department is sponsoring a Teen Talent Extravaganza, featuring vocalists and thespians from all over the Peninsula. Salinas Community Center, 940 Main, Salinas. Free. 758-7352.

Holiday Gallery Show 7pm. Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation is hosting a reception at Carmel Plaza featuring paintings and drawings by members. Also on display are holiday items. #210 Carmel Plaza, Ocean and Mission, Carmel. Free. 659-1201.

Thanksgiving Senior Dance 12pm. Seaside is sponsoring a senior dance and dinner, featuring the "Two for the Show Band." Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby, Seaside. $3. 899-6339.

saturday 11|17

American Indian Art 10-5. Exhibit and sale featuring the work of Native Anerican artist, including Black Eagle of the Shoshone-Yokut. Sunday also. Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest, Pacific Grove. Free. 372-3256.

Author Talk 10am. Allan Roland, Ph.D., author of "Radical Therapy: Surrender to love and heal yourself in seven sessions" shows off his strategy for healing individuals and couples. Thunderbird Bookshop Patio, 3600 The Barnyard, Carmel. $80 person/$140 couple. 707-935-1908.

Youth to Youth Conference 9am. Inspirational speaker Ty Sells, along with 40 drug-free high school students with leadership training, holds a day-long forum with middle-school students about peer pressure. A dance with a DJ caps off the day. Pacific Grove High School, Pacific Grove. 624-3838.

Holiday Happenings 10am-6pm. Nautical decorations, fully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and Thanksgiving items featured, as well as refreshments. Seaside Historical Commission''s Information and History Center, 1600 La Salle, Seaside. Free. 394-4442 or 394-5663.

Buddhism and the 12 Steps 10am-noon. A Buddhist approach to recovery from addiction, intended for those actively involved in 12-step programs. Through meditation, talks and discussion, parallels between the 12 step and Buddhist teachings are explored. Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, Corner of Fourth and Guadalupe, Carmel. Donation. 647-6330, or 624-7491.

Country Store and Auction 11am. Craftspeople, jam-makers and artist are invited to donate to, and the community is encouraged to visit, the Blind and Visually Impaired Center''s Country Store and Auction. Blind and Visually Impaired Center, 225 Laurel, Pacific Grove. Free. 649-3505.

Ballroom Dancing 6pm. Studio 99 offers lessons for beginners followed by an evening of dancing. Studio 99, 330 Reservation Rd, Ste B, Marina. Call for price. 88-DANCE.

Homecrafters'' Marketplace 9am-3pm. Sunset Center hosts its 31st Annual Homecrafters'' Marketplace at a different locale this year, due to renovations. The event features local artists and craftspeople from the tri-county area. Ocean Avenue between San Carlos and Monte Verde, Carmel. Free. 624-3996.

Robert Down Craft Fair 9am-4pm. Over 20 vendors offering hand-crafted gift items. All proceeds benefit Robert Down PTA. Pacific Grove Middle School, 835 Forest, Pacific Grove. 649-5114.

Upper Carmel River Hike Call for time. California Wild Heritage Campaign leads a hike past the historic Los Padres reservoir through picturesque country. Carmel River is being proposed for Wild and Scenic River status. Lunch at Carmel River Camp. Call for meeting location. 484-1656.

sunday 11|18

Honors Orchestra 3pm. John Larry Granger conducts the Honors Orchestra of Monterey as it performs works of Liszt, Handel, Diemer and Dvorak. Santa Catalina Performing Arts Center, 1500 Mark Thomas, Monterey. $5 general/ $3 students and seniors. 655-9300.

monday 11|19

Meet the Penguin 11:30am. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 11:30am. Kids can make the acquaintance of Limpopo, Karoo or Seekoei, three of the Aquarium''s South African blackfooted penguins. Kids get a coloring sheet and the birds are guaranteed to make the whole family chuckle. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Monterey. $15.95/$13.95/$7.95. 648-4888.

How to Avoid Sickness 11am. Microbiologist and CSUMB Environmental Protection Officer Diane Ellers will tell how to avoid sickness this holiday season, including food poisoning, flus and colds. She will also answer questions about molds, anthrax and other causes of illness. Sally Griffin Senior Center, 700 Jewel, Pacific Grove. Call for pricing info. 375-4454.

Science Fair Research 7pm. Librarians will show stdents how to research a science fair project. Former winners will be there to offer tips, and a juggler will demonstrate physics. Ages 10-17, parents and teachers invited. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific, Monterey. Free. 646-3934.

tuesday 11|20

Early Thanksgiving Celebration 11:30am. Traditional Thanksgiving celebration with dinner, and music by Warren John Wolfe on guitar. Advance tickets available. Sally Griffin Senior Center, 700 Jewel, Pacific Grove. Call for pricing info. 375-4454.

MBARI Presentation 12pm. Moss Landing Marine Labs hosts Charles Fisher, Ph.D. of Pennylvania State University, who is giving a talk entitled "Small lives and deep roots: Ecophysiology of cold seep vestimentiferans (unraveled with the help of submersibles, assorted toys, and persistence)." 7700 Sand Holdt Road, Moss Landing. Free. 775-1700.

Afghanistan and Conflict Resolution 7-9pm. A panel of Middle East policy and conflict resolution experts from the Monterey Institute of International Studies meets to discuss avenues to peace in Afghanistan. Irvine Auditorium, MIIS, Monterey. Free. 625-2014.

announcements

Volunteer Opportunities The Volunteer Center of Monterey has many volunteer opportunities available, ranging in time commitment and interest. Volunteer Center of Monetery, 857 Munras, Monterey. Monterey 372-4838; Salinas 757-3206.

Complimentary Computer Coaching Ongoing monthly computer lessons for seniors by qualified volunteers. Free access to the Internet and computers. By appointment only. Sally Griffin Senior Center, 700 Jewel, Pacific Grove. Free. 375-4454.

Steinbeck Award for Short Fiction Winner of the short story contest is acknowledged at the Steinbeck Birthday celebration in February, 2002. Deadline for submissions is 12/1. Visit www.steinbeck.org for info. 775-4737.

Blood Pressure Screening Monday 11am-12pm. Volunteer Nurses provide free blood pressure screening. Sally Griffin Senior Center, 700 Jewel, Pacific Grove. Free. 375-4454.

Bingo Wednesday 2pm. Weekly Bingo game for seniors, with refreshments. Ongoing. Vista Lobos, 3rd and Torres, Carmel. Free. 626-1255.

Calendar Deadline 5pm. The Weekly welcomes submissions for the calendar of events. Our deadline is 5pm, one week prior to publication, or earlier for Hot Pick consideration. Ongoing items are printed if space is available. Photos are encouraged and can be returned with a self-addressed envelope. Information is accepted via fax (394-2909), email (catrina@coastweekly.com), or snail mail. 668 Williams, Seaside CA 93955, Seaside. Free. 394-5656.