thursday 8|14

Marketing 101 8-9:30am. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce presents a workshop to learn the importance of a marketing plan and a marketing budget. Reservations required. Free/members, $15/non-members. 119 E. Alisal St., Salinas. 424-7611.

Grant Writing 9am-noon. Learn an innovative, "nuts and bolts" approach to grant writing and diversifying your funds base at this seminar. $99. Best Western Beach Resort, 2600 Sand Dunes Dr., Monterey. 646-0840.

Home Care Classes 2-4pm. Cresscare Agency offers a class in "fall prevention" for home care aides of elderly people. The class is worth two CEUs. Free/Cresscare employees, $5/others. Park Lane Residence, Suite A75, 200 Glenwood Cir., Monterey. 372-0802.

Standard First Aid 6-8:30pm. The Monterey County chapter of the American Red Cross offers a certified first aid class at the Monterey office. Registration required. 550 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. 372-5490.

Dowsing Class 7-8:30pm. Shakti Wilson, a teacher of Spiritual Response Therapy, offers a class and lecture on "using the pendulum for health." Free. Pilgrim's Way Bookstore, Dolores and 6th, Carmel. 624-4955.

friday 8|15

Wildlife Feeding 11:30am. Naturalist Milos Radakovich speaks about the dangers of feeding wildlife, and how to protect it from human impact. Sally Griffin Center, 700 Jewell Ave., Pacific Grove. 375-4454.

Development Executives 11:45am-1:30pm. Lisa C. Bennett gives a talk on "Ethics in Nonprofit Development" to the local chapter of the Development Executives Network. $20/members, $25/non-members. Reservations required. Meeting is held at Tarpy's restaurant, Highway 68, Monterey. 649-6444.

Snazzy Music 7:30pm. Robert Earl Keen performs a solo show, with openers Danny Barnes and Robinella & the CC String Band. $22/person. Henry Mello Center, Watsonvillle. 479-9421.

Freestyle Dance 8:15-10:15pm. World music and techno provide for a joyous dance spirit with DJ Theo. Freestyle Dance Jam, Chautaugua Hall, Central and 16th, Pacific Grove. $9/adults ($7/arrive before 8:30pm), $5/youth. 641-0814.

saturday 8|16

Big Sur Birds 8-10am. Visit the Big Sur Ornithology Lab and observe bird banding and other tasks in this "morning with the songbirds." Park at Andrew Molera State Park on Highway 1 in Big Sur, call for directions. 624-1202.

Tibetan Qigong 9am-noon. A workshop in One Finger Zen Dynamic form of qigong is taught by students of Master Zi Sheng Wang. $80/adults, $40/under 17. Sunset Center Bingham Room, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. 659-4053.

Partington Cove 10am. Experience a nature hike to Partington Cove and hear the history of this scenic gem from a park ranger. Meet at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur. www.pelicannetwork.net/ partington.canyon.htm

Ohlone Riders Campout 8/16-8/17. Backcountry Horsemen of California host a trail ride, trail navigation seminar, and campout. Meet around noon at the Travel Camp on the former Fort Ord. West Camp and Watkins Gate roads, Marina. 521-2361.

Peace Strategies 1-3pm. An informal meeting by the Peace Coalition of Monterey County takes place to brainstorm on the future of the peace community. Bring ideas for the Aug. 18 meeting. Monterey Public Library conference room, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. 625-6150.

Open Studio 4-7pm. Artists Marc Lauwers and Isabelle Aurel show mixed media figurative art and accessories. 9680 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley. 624-2847.

Book Signing 5-6:30pm. Author/reporter Kim White presents her new comedic book, Humboldt, about activists who plan a mass suicide to protest logging in scenic Humboldt County. Thunderbird Books, The Barnyard, Highway 1, Carmel.

Contra Dance 7-10:30pm. Stump Tail Dog plays live contra dance music while Erik Hoffman calls the dances. Basic lesson offered at 7:10pm, dance begins at 7:30pm. $8/non-members, $7/MCDC members, $4/students. YMCA, 600 Camino El Estero, Monterey. 372-7528.

Big Sur Campfire 8:30pm. Hear the "sliding" history of Highway 1 and Big Sur from park interpreter Annie Glausser around a campfire. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park day use area, 26 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1. 667-0528.

sunday 8|17

Big Sur Weed Bash 11am-2pm. Volunteers are needed to join the California Native Plant Society in the ongoing effort to remove Cape ivy, eupatorium and other weeds from the roadside at Soberanes Creek. Meet at Brinton's Hardware in Carmel to carpool or at the barn gate entrance to Garrapata State Park, 7 miles south of Carmel. 384-1376.

Monterey History 1-2pm. Tim Thomas, program director of the Monterey History and Art Association, continues his Sunday lectures with the topic, "The Monterey Wharf 1938," the height of the sardine industry. Free/MHA members, $5/non-members. Maritime Museum, Stanton Center, Portola Plaza, Monterey. 372-2608 ext. 11.

Parkinson's Support Group 2:30-4pm. Parkinson's Disease patients, families, caregivers and the public are welcome at a support group. 200 Coe Ave., Seaside. 424-4359.

monday 8|18

New Directions Film Series 7pm. The Peace Coalition of Monterey County offers its continuing film series, with a screening of Aftermath: Unanswered Questions About 9/11. Come for a lively discussion of world and US issues. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. 626-0312.

tuesday 8|19

Corporate Ideas Speaker 3pm. John Seely Brown, the chief scientist of the Xerox Corp. and co-founder of the Insitute for Research on Learning, speaks about corporate strategies and their value to organizations. Reservations suggeseted. King Hall Auditorium, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey. 656-3346.

Irish Lass: Bagpiper Nancy Murray makes a guest appearance at the Monterey Celtic Arts Society Tuesday evening.

Bagpipe Nights 5-6pm. The Monterey Celtic Arts Academy presents the third "Bagpipe Nights" with pipe major Michel d'Avenas and bagpiper Nancy Murray. Watch demonstrations, hear bagpipe history, and try your hand at playing the pipes. York School music building, 9501 York Rd., Monterey. 633-4444.

Tenants' Rights Workshop 7-8pm. The Housing Advocacy Council presents a free tenant education workshop, with advice on rights and responsibilities. Monterey Senior Center, 280 Dickman Ave., Monterey. 424-9186.

Boating Safety 7:30-9:30pm. The Monterey Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a 10-hour powerboat course, covering boating laws, personal safety, navigation and more. There is no on-the-water training. Pre-registrations suggested. $20/person. Coast Guard Station, 100 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. 375-3767.

wednesday 8|20

Small Business Seminar 9am-noon. "Consortium Funding Presentation Review" is the topic for this week's Marina's Small Business Incubator program. Call for income qualifications. UCMBEST Center, 3180 Imjin Rd., Marina. 582-4791.

Travel Packing 11:30am. The Widowed Persons Association presents a talk by Jill McAlpine of Travel Bag (Crossroads Center, Carmel) about packing a carry-on for a two-week trip. The optional lunch after the program required reservations. Rancho Canada Golf Club, Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel. 646-8940.

The Electron Accelerator 1:30pm. Dr. Fred Buskirk gives a lecture on the electron accelerator at the Naval Postgraduate School, one of the oldest operating machines of the kind in the US. Sponsored by the Gentrain Society. Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont Blvd., Monterey. 646-4224.

Musical Marketplace 5:30-8pm. The last concert in Del Monte Center's summer series benefits the SPCA of Monterey County with music by the Sweet Thursday Jazz Band. Food and wine are available. Munras Avenue, Monterey. 373-2705 ext. 107.

Cardiovascular Disease 7pm. The latest findings on preventing cardiovascular disease are presented at the Sunset Center's Bingham room by nutritionist Linda Rodriguez. $10/person, seating is limited. San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. 625-2118.

History Lecture Series 7-8:30pm. The Monterey History and Art Association hosts Monterey State Parks historian Edna Kimbro, who speaks about Amelie Elkinton, the first historian for the Monterey State Parks. Please RSVP to 372-2608 ext. 11. Mayo Hayes O'Donnell Library, 155 Van Buren St., Monterey.

thursday 8|21

Bargain Hunt Sale 9am-4pm. The annual bargain fair sale to benefit St. John's Chapel is held at the church near the Hyatt Regency. There is a variety of items plus a snack bar. 1490 Mark Thomas Dr., Monterey. 375-4463.

Senior Driver Safety 12:30-4:30pm. Pre-register for a two-day course (8/21-8/22) on driving safety for senior citizens, sponsored by the AARP. Class graduates receive better skills and a certificate for insurance reductions. Sally Griffin Center, 700 Jewell Ave., Pacific Grove. 655-9918.

Free Pet Training 6:30pm. Monterey County Animal Services Center offers its last pet lecture of the summer, with this week's topic: "Crate training and other housetraining tips." Open to all new pet owners. Reservations suggested. 160 Hitchcock Rd., Salinas. 769-8850.

summer for kids

Kids' Art Nights Every Friday night (through December) from 6-8pm, kids ages 7-17 are invited to make or decorate ceramic art pieces. Pre-registration required for each class. Aug. 15 "Your Choice"; Aug. 22 Make-your-own-lamp; Aug. 29 Cherry bowl. $30 (includes materials, instruction, snacks and drinks). Corner House Ceramics, 231 17th St., Pacific Grove. 646-1929.

Drama Classes The School of Dramatic Arts (SoDA) is taking applications for ongoing classes, September-May, in pre-musical theater, production/playwriting, stage combat choreography, and more. Presented by Pacific Repertory Theater, SoDA is for children ages 4 and up. All Saints Church Hall, Lincoln and 9th, Carmel. 656-9730.

ongoing

Table Tennis Club Every Wednesday, 6-10pm. Ping-pong players of all levels are invited to join or stop by for a game at the weekly table tennis club. Seven tables are available. Marina Community Center, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. 915-2410, 384-7475.

Point Sur Tours Three-hour walking tours of the Point Sur Lightstation are offered on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Group size is limited, meet early on Highway 1 just north of the Point Sur Naval facility. $5/person. 625-4419.

Weekly Poetry Thursdays, 9pm. The Whitney Latham Lechich poetry workshop has changed to meet at the Little House in Jewell Park in Pacific Grove. Call Ryan at 373-3829.

African Dance and Drum Classes West African drumming and dance class every Sunday. Drum class is at 11am, dancing at 12:30. Park Avenue Performing Arts Center, 33 Park Ave., Monterey. 246-2314.

Grief and Loss A support group for grief and loss issues meets Wednesdays at 4pm, at the Visiting Nurses Association. 5 Lower Ragsdale Dr., Monterey. 758-8243.

Certified Farmers' Market at MPC Every Thursday from 2:30-6pm at Monterey Peninsula College, Parking lot A, 930 Fremont St., Monterey. 384-6961.

Marina Farmers' Market Everyone's Harvest (Cosecha Para Todos), a weekly farmers' market in Marina Sundays from 10am-2pm. Fresh produce, baked goods, arts and crafts. Marina Transit Station, 280 Reservation Rd., Marina. 384-6961.

announcements

Coast Weekly Deadline The deadline to include information in the "8 Days" calendar of events is Tuesday at 5pm, two weeks before the event. Calendar Editor, 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, CA 93955. calendar@coastweekly.com. Fax: 394-2909.

Youth Music Auditions On Saturday, 8/23, the Honors Orchestra and Youth Orchestra of Monterey County directed by Larry Granger hold auditions at Monterey High School. Appointments and a registration packet are required. Call 375-1992.

Treasures and Pleasures The Alzheimer's Association seeks "gently used" jewelry, collectibles and items for its annual fundraiser, to be held in March 2004. Call 647-9890 for details.

Casting Call 8/18-22. Male, African-American teenage amateur actor sought for Public Access TV Channel 24 film, Snotrockets. Contact the Community Media Center, 626-1600.