thursday 4|24

Knife Skills Class 10am. Charlie Vollmar teaches proper knife skills for chefs, including selection, handling and sharpening techniques. $80. 354 Orange Ave., Sand City. 373-3953.

Relaxation Discussion 2pm. Paul Haider discusses his book Relax Into Success and the techniques for finding peace and living a less stressful life. Sally Griffin Senior Center, 700 Jewell Ave., Pacific Grove. 375-4454.

Business Ethics Discussion 4pm. CSUMB presents its first Annual Business Ethics and Corporate Responsibility lecture. Panelists will discuss the current situation, corporate greed, and other issues. University Center Ballroom, Sixth St., CSUMB. 582-3037.

Community Action 7pm. Help the Community Action Partnership and commission to discover the needs of low-income residents of our area. NAACP Monterey Peninsula Branch, 1104 Broadway Ave., Seaside. 755-8492.

Literary Circle 7pm. Stuart and Paula Walzer lead a discussion of Carol Shield's novel Unless. Free. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. 646-3477.

Beluga Lecture 7:30. Ree Brennin of the Monterey Bay Aquarium gives a lecture on beluga whales, the importance of them to the Inuit people, and the reasons their population has dwindled in the last two centuries. Hopkins Marine Station Lecture Hall, Oceanview Blvd. across from Tin Cannery Outlets, Pacific Grove. 655-6200.

friday 4|25

Zen Talk 7pm. Reverend Katherine Thanas of the Santa Cruz Zen Center presents an introduction to Zen meditation. Hartnell College, 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas. 755-6810.

A Mother of a Book 7pm. Gail Michael talks about healing her relationship with her dying mother, and discusses the book she wrote about the experience, I Am a Thousand Winds That Blow. Thunderbird Bookshop, 3600 The Barnyard, Carmel. 624-1803.

saturday 4|26

Project Wet 8am. Teachers, parents and youth group leaders who teach science, math, social studies or language are invited to this seminar about helping kids learn. Watershed Institute, Building 42, B St., CSUMB campus, Seaside. 582-3689.

Healthy Kids Day 9am-1pm. Activities, games, free t-shirts with camp sign-up, plus food and more than15 booths of information on children's health. Monterey YMCA, 600 Camino El Estero, Monterey. 373-4167.

Rummage Sale 9am-3pm. Toys, games, clothes and other treasures are to be found at this "upscale" rummage sale. Church of the Wayfarer, Lincoln and Seventh (use Seventh Ave. entrance), Carmel. 624-3550.

Conflict Resolution 11am. Nadya Giusi is a family therapist who leads this discussion of how to talk without anger and foster peace in families. $8. Thunderbird Bookshop, 3600 The Barnyard, Carmel. 624-1803.

Dickens Fellowship Meeting 6pm. Meeting and discussion of part three of A Tale of Two Cities. Bring potluck dish to share with 6-8 people. Elstob Home, 412 Eleventh St., Pacific Grove. RSVP to 372-1143.

Moonstone 7pm. Japanese culture is celebrated through Taiko drumming, Asian-style dancing as a part of Japanese Children's Day. Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts, 250 East Beach St., Watsonville. 763-4047.

sunday 4|27

Fine Arts Show 8am-5pm. Nothing is over $1,000 at this day-long art show featuring over 30 artists. Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon Del Rey, Seaside. 394-2496.

Cooking Class 1pm. Rick Edge from Pacific's Edge Restaurant will teach how to make elegant dinner parties easy. Culinary Center of Monterey, 625 Cannery Row, Monterey. 333-2133.

Poetry Gathering 3pm. April is National Poetry Month, and the Thunderbird Bookshop is sponsoring a poetry gathering to honor winners of the contest "Love and Redemption." Thunderbird Bookshop, 3600 The Barnyard, Carmel. 624-1803.

York School Auction 4pm. George Rodrigue, Pam Carrol, Peggy Olson, Stephanie Esta, John Thodos, Jan Wagstaff, Susan Giacometti and Ed Leeper are among the many artists featured in this silent auction to benefit York School. Comfortable dress encouraged, $25 in advance or at door. York School, 9501 York Rd., Monterey. 373-4438 ext. 114.

Middle East Peace 4pm. The shifting political tides in the Middle East, especially the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, are discussed through the eyes of two women, one Jewish and one Muslim. Question and answer period follows, with potluck from 6-8pm. Donation. Monterey Senior Center, 280 Dickman Ave., Monterey. 786-0769.

Youth Radio Show 7pm. "Youthtopia," discusses issues such as date and acquaintance rape and their prevention. These are important issues for teens, as one-third of rape victims are under 18. Listeners are invited to call in. Tune into KUSP at FM 88.9 to listen and be heard. 476-2800.

monday 4|28

Hostel Society Potluck 6:30pm. Enjoy the potluck then listen to Jan Sorge talk about her experiences hostelling in California. Free, bring food. Monterey Hostel, 778 Hawthorne St., Monterey. 372-5762.

Painting Class 7pm. Acrylic artist George Bleich demonstrates his techniques at the Central Coast Art Association's monthly meeting. Yoga Room, Sunset Center, San Carlos and Eighth Ave., Carmel. 644-9224.

Book Lecture 7pm. Author Linda Grant tells of growing up in Big Sur 50 years ago, with no telephones or electricity, and how her experiences shaped her life, as published in her book Daughter of the Sur. Free. Carmel Women's Club, San Carlos and Ninth, Carmel. 624-1615.

tuesday 4|29

Museum Discussion 6pm. Roundtable discussion of the significance of museums and the best way to support them. University Center Living Room, Building 29, Sixth St., CSUMB campus, Seaside. 582-3130.

Winemaker Dinner 6:30pm. Four courses and dessert are featured at this winemaker dinner. $55 advance, $65 day of includes dinner, wine, tax and tip. Hullabaloo, 228 S. Main St., Salinas. 757-3663.

Community Action 6:30pm. Help the Community Action Partnership and commission discover the needs of low-income residents. Gambetta Middle School, 10301 Seymour St., Castroville. 755-8492.

wednesday 4|30

Grief Discussion 10:30am. See a televised broadcast, "Living With Grief: Coping With Public Tragedy" at the conference room of CHOMP. Learn how to help people cope with loss. Free, to receive CEUs there is a $25 processing fee. Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, 23625 Holman Hwy., Monterey. 625-4708; to register call 658-3921.

Student Play 7pm today and Wednesday. May Day, a play written by CSUMB student Matthew Fiori, is presented at the Black Box. Black Box Cabaret, Third Street and Gen. Jim Moore Blvd., CSUMB campus, Seaside. 582-3597.

War Discussion 7pm. Discussion of the Middle East with particular emphasis on Iraq, our actions there and the potential consequences. Barbecue at 6:15 $5, lecture free. Call to reserve. St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 146 Twelfth St., Pacific Grove. 373-4441.

thursday 5|1

Writer's Roundtable 6pm reception, 7pm meeting and lecture. The Weekly's associate editor Sue Fishkoff presents her book, The Rebbe's Army: Inside the World of Chabad-Lubavitch at the national meeting of the National Writer's Union Local 7. Thunderbird Bookshop, 3600 The Barnyard, Carmel. 883-4486.

Chitresh Das Dance Company 7:30pm. The dance of Northern India is brought to CSUMB as Chitresh Das dancers perform Kathak dancing. Price varies. World Theater, Sixth Ave., CSUMB campus, Seaside. 582-4580.

ongoing events

Argentine Tango Classes Beginners class 7pm, intermediate 8:10 at the Pacific Grove Art Center each Thursday. Call 394-1520 for more information or visit www.tangomonterebay.com. Art Center is at 568 Lighthose Ave., PG.

Martial Arts The Sally Griffin Senior Center offers martial arts classes for balance and flexibility. $2 per person, Tuesdays at 11am. 700 Jewell Ave., Pacific Grove. 647-8466.

Peace Vigils Sunday, noon-2pm, Window-on-the-Bay, Del Monte at El Estero, Monterey, Peace Coalition of Monterey County; 4:30-5:30 pm, Women in Black silent vigil, South Main and Blanco, Salinas, Monterey Peninsula Friends (Quakers); 7pm, peace vigil in Aromas at Town Square, Carpenteria and Blohm.

Monday, noon-1pm, vigil and leafletting at Griffin Park, Pearl and Washington, Monterey, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

Tuesday, 5:45pm, peace vigil in Aromas at the Peace Pole in front of the Fire Station on Carpinteria.

Wednesday, noon-1pm, peace vigil in Marina, Reservation Road at Del Monte; 5:30-6:30 pm, Women in Black silent vigil in Monterey, Fremont at Aguajito; sunset-10pm, candle-light vigil, Reservation Road and Del Monte in Marina. Bring your own candle and cup to protect your hands. Also Wednesdays, the monks at New Camaldoli Hermitage between Lucia and Limekiln State Park on Highway 1 in Big Sur invite the public to join them in all-night prayer, starting at 6:30pm.

Thursday, 6-6:30pm, the public is invited to gather in the spirit of prayer, reflection, hope, and mutual support at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula, 490 Aguajito Rd., Carmel.

Friday, 12-1pm, rally for peace in front of the post office at 100 W. Alisal, Salinas. Salinas Action League. The public is invited to all the above vigils.

On the Waterfront Bicycle tours of the Monterey waterfront, first Saturday of every month. Meet at the Maritime Museum, 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey. 372-2608.

Feel the Beat 7pm. Drum circle meets each Monday, no drum required. Sing, dance, chant or drum your heart out. Free. Unitarian Church, Aguajito Rd. at Hwy. 68, Carmel. 624-7404 or 643-2298.

Personal Growth Workshop Weekly meeting each Saturday to explore the hidden meaning of dreams with licensed psychotherapist Frank Losik 11:30am. Limited space, call ahead, 784-0646.

Belly Dancing Extravaganza Every Friday night at Kalisa's La Ida Cafe. Seating starts at 8, show begins at 9 and goes on until midnight or later. Kalisa's, 851 Cannery Row, Monterey. 656-0957.

Afro-Latin Jazz Dance Weekly classes combine dance techniques of jazz, funk African and Latin dance for those aged 8-18. Monday through Friday afternoons, call to pre-register. Pacific Grove Recreation Department, 515 Junipero, Pacific Grove. 648-5730.

Monterey Actors Studio Ongoing auditions for newly formed theater group focusing on theater games, voice, music, improv and movement. Saturdays, 11:30-1:30, St. James Episcopal Church, 381 High St., Monterey. 784-0646.

Cribbage Club Cribbage enthusiasts meet every Wednesday at 6:30pm in the Oldemeyer Community Center, 986 Hilby, Seaside. Call 883-0963 for details.

West African Drum Classes Features authentic rhythms and culture from Senegal. Drums available. All skill levels, drop-ins welcome. $15, $5 drum fee. Classes held Thursdays from 7:30-9pm at Salinas Valley Yoga, 248 Main St., Salinas; and Fridays from 6:30-8pm at Chautauqua Hall, 16th and Central, Pacific Grove. 754-8779.

MPC Certified Farmers' Market Every Thursday from 2:30-6pm, this farmers' market sells produce, crafts, fresh food and much more. Monterey Peninsula College, Parking Lot A, 930 Fremont St., Monterey.

Old Monterey Marketplace This year-round, rain or shine market takes place every Tuesday from 4-8pm. Vendors offer a wide variety of fresh produce, flowers, arts, crafts and jewelry. Alvarado Street, Monterey. 655-2607.

Historic Monterey Walking Tours Guided tours of downtown Monterey focusing on California's history from 1842-1849 begin daily at 10:30am. The 2pm daily tour focuses on California's history from the 1820s to the 1840s. Free. 649-7118.

Carmel Heritage Walking Tours Saturdays at 9:30am, join the Carmel Heritage Society in touring and learning about the town's history. Meet at the First Murphy House, Lincoln and Sixth, Carmel. 624-4477.

Carmel Walks 10am and 2pm Tue-Fri., meet outside the Lincoln Inn (Lincoln and Ocean Ave.) for this two-hour walk through historic Carmel. $20, reservations encouraged. 624-2700.

Family Night The Monterey Recreation and Community Services Department hosts evenings for teens and their families to play, talk, eat and enjoy. Billiards, ping-pong, foosball, video games and more. 5-8:45pm. Monday: Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Tuesday: Casanova-Oak Knoll Park Center, 735 Ramona Ave., Wednesday: Hilltop Park Center, 871 Jessie St., Thursday: Archer Park Center, 542 Archer St. 646-5665.

Poetry Workshop Every Wednesday from 6:30 at Bookworks, at 667 Lighthouse Ave. in Pacific Grove, come share and improve your poetical rants. Call Ryan at 373-3829 for more information.

Meditation for Peace 5:30pm, Sundays. Unity Church hosts this event held by Emphasis on Communication, a new meditation session to encourage peace on the last Sunday of each month. Free. Unity Church, 601 Madison St., Monterey. 649-1835.

headsup
upcoming & noteworthy

5|2-4 Up-and-coming jazz acts are featured at the Big Sur Jazz Festival. 667-1530 or www.bigsurarts.org.
5|3 The Human Race, a 10k run/8k walk along the PG coastline, is one of Monterey County's biggest collaborative fundraisers. 1-800-408-9191 or 624-9035.
5|17-18 The Castroville Artichoke Festival serves up all kinds of chokes, with music and a crafts fair. 633-2465.