Stroller Strides 10am. Outdoor stroller fitness class for body sculpting, a unique way for Mom to exercise with baby. Pre-registration encouraged. Free. Natividad Creek Park, 1395 Nogal Dr., Salinas. 402-2673 or www.strollerstrides.com.

Genealogy Meeting 7pm. The Monterey County Genealogy Society holds its monthly meeting. Family History Center, LDS Church, 1024 Noche Buena, Seaside. 424-4546.

saturday 1|4

Winemaker Lecture 10am. Heller Estate presents "From Vine to Wine," a discussion of the process of winemaking. Free. Carmel Valley Library, 75 West Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley. 659-2377.

First Saturday Morning 10:30am. Kids and their adults are welcome to this monthly story time and musical gathering. Help ring in the new year with Nancy Raven and special guest storyteller Carol Collin. $3 adults, $2 kids, babies free; no family over $10. Morgan's Coffee and Tea, 498 Washington St., Monterey.

Contra Dance 7:10pm. Class until 7:30, then the dance kicks off with caller Andy Wilson and music by Stump Tail Dog. $8 non-members, $7 members, kids under 12 free. Monterey YMCA, 600 Camino El Estero, Monterey. 372-7528.

monday 1|6

Hungry Readers Group Noon. Bring a bag lunch and your appetite for books to this monthly book discussion and sharing party. Dessert provided. Free. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. 646-3477.

wednesday 1|8

Terrorism Lecture 1:30pm. "The DLI's Role In The War On Terrorism" is the topic of this lecture by Colonel Kevin Rice. MPC Gentrain Forum (LF 102), 980 Pacific St., Monterey. 646-4000.

Carmel Anniversary Plans 2:30pm. Mayor Sue McCloud presents a sneak preview of Carmel's 100th anniversary plans for this year. Refreshments follow presentation. Diment Hall, Eighth and Lincoln, Carmel. 624-1588.

Professional Women's Network 6:45pm. Ted and Irene Lane talk about "Goal Setting in Times of Transition." Community Room, Crossroads Shopping Center, Carmel. 633-4444.

Green Building Lecture 7pm. Moss Landing Marine Labs was recently named a "green" building by the U.S. Green Building Council, a group that advocates sustainable buildings and landscaping. Learn about this from Marry Giles, building service engineer. Seminar Room, MLML, 8272 Moss Landing Rd., Moss Landing. 771-4100.

Poetry Slam 8pm. The Rubber Chicken Poetry Slam and Open Mic Night is here every second and fourth Wednesday with its mix of irate feminists, high schoolers, poets and pundits. All ages welcome. $2 to slam, $5 to watch. Morgan's Coffee and Tea, 498 Washington St., Monterey.

ongoing events

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 healing and growth aspects of writing. 11:30am. Limited space, call ahead to Frank Losik, 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.

Belly Dance Classes On-going Tuesday and Wednesday classes at Hartnell College in Salinas and the Carmel Ballet Academy in Carmel. Egyptian, Persian, Gypsy and Turkish techniques. Call 643-2775 for details.

Dancing Classes Salinas School of Dance offers this Tuesday morning class for adults from 11am-12pm and Saturday class of reels, jigs and shoe dancing for kids. 40 West Gabilan St., Salinas. 424-4655 or www. Salinasdance.com.

Afro-Latin Jazz Dance Weekly classes combine dance techniques of jazz, funk African and Latin dance for those aged 8-18. Performance opportunities available. 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.

Eagle Watching Tours Lake San Antonio offers Eagle Watch Boat Tours from Jan. 5 through Feb. 23. $10 per person, $8 for seniors and kids under 12. Call the Monterey County Parks Dept., 755-4895.

Conservation Class This class by Joanna Nelson takes place from Jan. 8 through March 5 and focuses on environmental decision-making around the bay. To enroll, call 655-6208 or e-mail info@marine.stanford.edu.

Friends of Acoustic Music Those with instruments and/or who sing are welcome to join in every Saturday from 2-5pm at Sculpture House & Gardens Gallery, Highway 1, Carmel Highlands. 624-2476.

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.

Peace Vigil The Peace Coalition of Monterey County holds a vigil for peace every Sunday from noon to 2pm at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. The Salinas Action League holds a peace vigil every Friday from noon to 1pm outside the Salinas Post Office; and the Women's League for International Peace and Freedom passes out anti-war information every Monday from noon to 1pm outside Morgan's Coffee and Tea in Monterey. The public is invited to stop by or join the vigil.

Alanon Meetings If a loved one is in trouble with substance abuse, there's a group that can help you through this trying ordeal. Monday meetings from 4-5:15pm. Salinas Valley Church of Religious Science, 21 W. Laurel Dr., Salinas. 484-1420.

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 Market Place 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 St., 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.

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 the Little House in Jewell Park, come share and improve your poetical rants. Call Ryan at 373-3829 for more information.

Grief and Loss Meeting Ongoing, free group for anyone who's lost a loved one, held at the VNA office at Ryan Ranch. For more information, call Carol Owen at 758-8243.

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

announcements

Tree Pickup Monterey Waste Management will pick up the Christmas trees if those in sever Monterey County areas. There are also many drop-off sites for your convenience. For more information about tree disposal, call 384-5313.

Auditions Try out for Oklahoma or HMS Pinafore on Thursday, Jan. 9. Tryouts are held at the Wharf Theater, call 649-2332 for more information.

Silent Auction Items Sought John XXIII AIDS Ministry requests silent auction items for their Valentine's Day Ball. For information or to donate, call 655-1737.

"All Ears" Contest Teenaged kids are invited to enter this contest 150 words or less to describe what you'd say to someone special (famous or not) if you could. Get onto paper what's on your mind and in your heart. Prizes for doing so range from $2,000 to $10,000 split between the winners and their respective schools. For rules and information, go to the Inverness website at www.invernesscorp.com/contest or call 212-757-6880.