thursday 11|20

Alegria 10-11:50am. Afro-Cuban jazz group Alegria performs a lecture/demonstration, joined by CSUMB musician Paul Contos. Free. CSU Monterey Bay, Music and Performing Arts Institute, Sixth Ave., Seaside. 582-3653.

Senior Thanksgiving 11:30am. Seaside offers a Thanksgiving luncheon and dance for local seniors. Mike Noonan performs live music. $3. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. 899-6809.

Republican Women 11:30am. Professor Russell Berman of Stanford University speaks to the Carmel Republican Women's Club about European attitudes on US foreign policy. $20. Rancho Canada Golf Club, Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. 624-0111.

Third Thursday 5-7pm. The Monterey Museum of Art welcomes Dizzy Burnett and Grover Coe performing swing jazz and R&B at its monthly mixer to view current art exhibits. 559 Pacific St., Monterey. 372-5477.

Fashion Show 5:30pm. The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce sponsors a holiday fashion show (6:15pm) with items from Monterey merchants like Kathleen's, Dick Bruhn and The Clothing Store. There will a food and wine reception at 5:30pm. $10/advance, $15/door. Embassy Suites Monterey Bay, 1441 Canyon Del Rey Rd., Seaside. 393-1115.

Plaza Linda Music 7pm. Guitarist/singer Brett Mikels, who recently opened for Eliza Gilyson, performs acoustic music. Plaza Linda, 9 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley. 659-4229.

Public Burn Forum 7-9pm. Several local groups sponsor a forum to learn about non-burning alternatives to clear up former Fort Ord ordnance. Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. 384-7658.

Great Smokeout 7-8pm. A stop smoking support group meets every Wednesday, sponsored by Community Hospital. Thursday is the national Great American Smokeout to help you put out that cig. CHOMP Hartnell Professional Center, 576 Hartnell St., Monterey. 625-4753.

Latino Film Festival 8pm. Part 2 of the Latino Film Festival presented by MEChA features films from Cuba and Chile, in the World Languages and Cultures building. CSU Monterey Bay, Seaside. 582-4725 or 582-3653.

friday 11|21

Freestyle Dance Jam 8:15-10:15pm. DJ Ashley spins inspirational tunes for dancing. $5-9. Chautaugua Hall, Central and 16th, Pacific Grove. 375-2312.

Ballet for Children 1:15-4:30pm. Monterey Recreation Department presents month-long ballet classes for kids in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Pre-register for the Archer Park sessions. 542 Archer St., Monterey. 646-3870.

Alliance on Aging 11am. The Friday luncheon program features Tina DePiero of the Red Cross, Leslie Sunny of the Food Bank, and Brett Melone of the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association, speaking about "celebrating and sharing our bounty." Program begins at 11:15am, lunch is served at noon. $2 donation for seniors, $5 for others. Sally Griffin Senior Center, 700 Jewell Ave., Pacific Grove. 375-4454. 646-1458.

Monterey Friends of Jung 7pm. Feminist author Vicki Noble discusses her new book, The Double Goddess--Women Sharing Power at the weekly meeting of the Carl Jung group. Reservations recommended. $15. 284 Foam St., Monterey. 649-4018.

saturday 11|22

Art Therapy 9:30am-4pm. Jennifer Allen offers an expressive art therapy workshop in Carmel. No experience necessary, just imagination. $100 includes materials. Reservations required. 277-9348.

Fine Arts and Crafts Fair 9am-3pm. A holiday sale of gifts, art, clothes, jewelry, garden crafts and more is held, along with a harvest luncheon. All Saints Episcopal Church, Dolores and 9th, Carmel. 624-3883.

Holiday Faire 9am-3pm. Handcrafted items, collectibles and baked goods can be found at the annual faire. Lunch and beverages will be served in the garden. Church of the Wayfarer, Lincoln and 7th, Carmel. 624-3550.

Holiday Grief 10am-noon. Judy Tatelbaum of the Hospice Foundation offers a free seminar for anyone who has recently lost a love one. First Presbyterian Church, 501 El Dorado St., Monterey. 333-9023.

Bagpipe Auditions 10am-noon. Michel d'Avenas and the Monterey Bay Bagpipe Band hold auditions for pipers for the 2004 competition season. Call to RSVP, 372-2020. Santa Catalina School, 1500 Mark Thomas Dr., Monterey.

Spirit Doll 10am-5pm. This art class by Donna Thompson lets you create a doll figure to represent yourself or spirit. Bring items with special meaning. $125. The Art House Studio/Gallery, 226 17th St., Pacific Grove. 373-8888.

Country Dances 4:30-10:30pm. New Saturday couple dances are added before the potluck dinner and contra dances, sponsored by the Monterey Country Dance Community. Music by Laura Light and George Paul, caller is Warren Blier. $5/couple dance, $4-8/contra dance. YMCA, 600 El Camino El Estero, Monterey. 372-7528.

Bluegrass 6:30-9:30pm. The Hayboys perform their brand of bluegrass/country music at Plaza Linda Restaurante. 9 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley. 659-4229.

Greek Lecture 6:30-9pm. The Hellenic Cultural Institute presents a four-part lecture series on Greek culture, starting with "Greek Philosophers" by Harry G. Costis of CSU Fresno. Women's Club building, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $20/members, $25/non-members. Dinner included. 375-5549.

Jo Mora Lecture 1pm. Exhibit curator Peter Hiller presents "In and Out of the Studio," a view into the artistic life of early California local artist/writer Jo Mora. Maritime Museum, 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey. 373-2469.

Experience Paradise 1-7pm. Students of the Hawaiian music class at Hartnell College present workshops on lei-making, hula dancing and more. There is a potluck dinner at 5:30pm and a live concert at 7pm ($5 donation). Hartnell College Performing Arts Complex, 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas. 755-6906.

Handcrafters' Marketplace 9am-3pm. Carmel's Christmas crafts show is held along Ocean Avenue between Junipero and Lincoln. Local artists from three counties will be present. 620-2020.

Tannenbaum Lighting The 36th annual open house celebrates the Christmas season with the theme "A Season to Treasure." Two days of cooking and crafting demonstrations, tastings, and shopping for decorations and gifts. Baum and Blume/ The Carriage House, 4 El Caminito Rd., Carmel Valley. 659-0400.

Passion for Fashion 11:30am. The Monterey Civic Club hosts a women's fashion show/luncheon (clothes by Donle) with music by Ellaray Toscano. $25. RSVP to 883-4822. Monterey Elks Lodge, 150 Mar Vista Dr., Monterey. 373-1285.

Low Cost Pet Vaccinations 9:15am-5pm. The Monterey County Animal Services offers vaccination clinics at several locations on 11/22. Feed Trough on Highway 68, PetCo in Carmel's Crossroads, Collier Feed in Salinas, and Longs Drugs, and more. Call 769-8844 for details.

Christmas Pet Portrait Noon-4pm. The city of Salinas animal shelter hosts a fundraising Christmas party, with pet portraits taken by Vector Point Photography. There will also be people and dog treats, and raffle items. Proceeds benefit a project to install heaters in the shelter kennels. $10. Monterey County Office of Education TV Studio, 901 Blanco Circle, Salinas. 758-7285.

School Beautification 8am-noon. Mazanita Elementary School invites volunteers to spruce up the school and browse their rummage sale. All proceeds benefit the school's garden. 1720 Yosemite St., Seaside. 899-7019.

sunday 11|23

Old Fashioned Concert 2pm. The Monterey Community Band plays an "Old Fashioned Concert" with music of different styles and eras, led by Richard Robins. Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont Blvd., Monterey. 646-3866.

Tango Party 5-8:30pm. An Argentine dance party is held at the Pacific Grove Art Center. No partner necessary. $10. 568 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove. 375-2208.

Artist Signing 3pm. George Rodrigue, the creator of the Blue Dog Gallery and paintings, signs his new retrospective book. Thunderbird Bookstore, The Barnyard, Highway 1, Carmel. 624-1803.

Salsa Class 6-7pm. Instructor Al Watts teaches salsa rueda classes, with a dance party to follow. American Dancesport Academy, 540 Calle Principal, Monterey. 442-1294.

monday 11|24

Travel Program 5:30-7:30pm. Melissa Newlin presents a lecture and slideshow about recent travels in the Shenandoah Valley. A potluck precedes the talk. Monterey Hostel, 778 Hawthorne St., Monterey. 372-0375 or 372-5762.

String Ensemble The Monterey Peninsula College String Ensemble, led by David Dally, performs Mozart, Vaughn Williams, and Spohr. Violinist HeRan Cho is the soloist. $5 suggested donation. 980 Fremont Blvd., Monterey. 646-4200.

Sulha 2003 Film 12:45-2pm. The film of a "reconciliation ceremony" between Muslims, Jews and Christians taken in Israel is shown in the MPC Lecture Forum. Donations welcome. Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont Blvd., Monterey. 646-4000.

tuesday 11|25

India Auction Banquet 5-7pm. The Realife India Mission Team sponsors live and silent auctions, plus live music and a play performance, to benefit an upcoming trip to India. $20/advance. Laguna Seca Raceway, Highway 68, Monterey. 626-4490.

Bicycle Travel 7:30pm. Betsy Schwartz will present a slideshow of her recent trip across seven continents on her bicycle. A potluck precedes the show at 6:30pm. Crossroads Community Room, Rio Road and Highway 1, Carmel. 624-8110.

Library Storytimes Youth services staff read themed stories to children every Tuesday through 12/16. 10:15am is for kids under 36-months; 11am is for kids up to 5 years old. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. 646-3934.

Children's Songs 10:30am/6pm. MaryLee Sunseri performs Pilgrim songs and tales for young children. Costumes welcome. Indoor Forest Theater, Santa Rita and Mountain View, Carmel. 624-1531.

wednesday 11|26

Poetry Slam 7:30pm. Don't be a turkey, come to the Rubber Chicken poetry slam. Poets sign up at 7:30pm. $5/audience, $2/slammers. www.rubberchickenpoetry.com Morgan's Coffee & Tea, 498 Washington St., Monterey. 373-5601.

Catapult Contest 10:30am. Three categories of pumpkin tossing-catapults are available to students in the annual Catapult Contest on the Chartwell School's future site on the former Fort Ord, Seaside. Parents and public are welcome to watch the handmade catapults. 394-6419.

thursday 11|27

Community Dinner Noon-3pm. A traditional community Thanksgiving dinner is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Monterey. Donations of volunteer-time and food are still needed. Monterey Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Rd., Monterey. Call 647-5845.

Community Thanksgiving 1-4pm. Local residents are invited to a family-style community dinner with turkey and all the trimmings. Donations of volunteer time and foods are also welcome. RSVP to 659-2640. Carmel Valley Community Center, 25 Ford Rd., Carmel Valley. 659-3983.

ongoing

Christmas in the Adobes Tickets are on sale now for the annual Christmas in the Adobes celebrations on Dec. 11 and 13. Twenty historic Monterey buildings participate with candlelight, music, and foods. $10/adults before Nov. 30, $2/kids 6-17 years old. 647-6226.

Teddy Bear Donation The Monterey County sheriffs are collecting new teddy bears and stuffed animals to donate to needy local children who may have experienced trauma. Drop off bears by Dec. 31 at the Coastal Station on Aguajito Road, in the Carmel Crossroads, the King City station, or the Central Station on Natividad Road in Salinas. 622-7861.

Marina Farmers' Market Everyone's Harvest (Cosecha Para Todos), a weekly farmers' market in Marina Sundays from 10am-3pm. Fresh produce, baked goods, arts and crafts. The last market of the season is 11/23. Marina Transit Station, 280 Reservation Rd., Marina. 384-6961.

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

African Drum and Dance Beginners and experienced welcome to drum (11am) and dance (12:30pm) every Sunday. A Park Avenue Studio, 33 Park Ave., Monterey. 246-2314.

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.

Dart League New players and sponsors are sought for the Monterey Bay Dart League. Call Candy at 394-7079.

Winter Basketball Applications are being taken for Salinas basketball clinics, for kids aged 11-13 and 14-16. The clinics are 12/29-30 and 1/2-1/3/04. $32/residents, $34/non-residents before Dec. 5. Salinas Recreation Center, 320 Lincoln Ave. 758-7326.

Single Golfers A Monterey County chapter of the American Singles Golf Association is forming. Meet other golf fans, over age 21, for mixers, activities and fun. Call (866) 240-5246 for details.

Holiday Donations John XXIII AIDS Ministry seeks food and gift donations for local, low-income families and individuals during the holidays. Bring items to 1098 Del Monte Ave., Suite C, Monterey. 655-1737.

Suicide Prevention Suicide is a leading cause of death in California, especially during the holidays. A crisis hotline, (877) 663-5433, is provided by the Suicide Prevention Service of the Central Coast.