thursday 9|11

Carmel Republican Women 11:30am. Ben Gilmore, historian and garlic farmer, speaks about the Constitutional crisis in the Alabama Supreme Court. Steve Collins, a candidate for Monterey County 5th District Supervisor also attends the luncheon meeting. Reservations recommended. $20/person. Rancho Canada Golf Club, Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. 659-2819.

Women's Sacred Dance 5-6:30pm. Women are welcome to meditate, dance and breathe in a safe space dance class. Every Thursday in September. $10-15 donation appreciated. Unitarian Universalist Church, 490 Aguajito Rd., Carmel. 667-3023.

Ombudsman Volunteers 5pm. An orientation for Ombudsman volunteers takes place in Monterey and Salinas. The group advocates for the elderly in long-term care. Training begins 9/24. 333-1300 (Monterey), 758-4011 (Salinas).

Harvest Moon Spiritual Gathering 7pm. Joyia Felice and Eve Delunas host an evening of song, dance, prayer and meditation for world peace, featuring special guest Sophia Songhealer. Free. Community Room at the Barnyard, Highway 1 at Carmel Rancho Boulevard, Carmel. 484-5983 or www.Lightworkvisions.com.

Healing Your Body 7:30pm. Helene Rothschild, LMFT, presents a workshop on the emotional causes of illness or injury. Listen to messages your body is giving and maintain your health. Congregation Beth Israel, 5716 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley. 659-3440.

friday 9|12

Parents' Grief Noon. Al and Jane Nakatani discuss the tragic experience of the deaths of all of their three children, to AIDS and violence. Free. Hartnell College Performing Arts Building Room 125, 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas. 755-6781.

Leadership Institute 6-10pm. A weekend course in conflict resolution and mediation is offered by the County of Monterey Leadership Institute. Reservations are recommended for the 35-hour workshop. 1900 Garden Rd. Suite 110, Monterey. 649-6219, 424-4694.

Freestyle Dance Jam 8:15-10:15pm. A special Virgo Dance is held this week. All Virgos get free admission. All ages, with or without partners, dance freestyle to DJ music. $9 with annual $1 membership; $7/before 8:30pm, $5/youth. Chautauqua Hall, Central Avenue in Pacific Grove. 375-2312.

saturday 9|13

OSSC Bargain Fair 9am-noon. A multi-family yard sale is organized by the Officer Students' Spouses Club of the Naval Postgraduate School. Browse toys, clothes, furniture and more. La Mesa Village, Spruance and Farragut roads, Monterey. 655-1184.

Triathlon at Pacific Grove The sixth annual Triathlon at Pacific Grove runs its course around the Monterey Peninsula Saturday, with an Olympic distance course, "sprint" triathlon, Legends championship, and more. Lovers Point, Pacific Grove.

Harvest Walk 10-11am. Explore the union of nature, yogic arts, and nutrition for body and soul on a Earthbound Farm's walk with Mark Marino and Kathleen Karachale. Reservations suggested. $15/adult, $5/kids 12 and under. 7250 Carmel Valley Rd. 625-6219.

Scissors and Sun 10am-6pm. The full service salon celebrates its first anniversary with complimentary makeovers, gift giveaways, salon services prize drawings and more. 481 Tyler St., Monterey. 375-9000.

Wine and Roses 11am-4pm. Galante Vineyards presents the annual Days of Wine and Roses, a tour of the winery and rose gardens, followed by a luncheon with music and games. Reservations recommended. $68/person. 18181 Cachagua Rd.,Carmel Valley. (800) GAL-ANTE.

Tea Ceremony 1:30-3:30pm. The Lyceum of Monterey presents a family-oriented activity of the unique art of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Matsui Sensei gives a tour of a Pebble Beach tea house and Japanese gardens, and demonstrates the "way of tea." Families with kids in grades 4 and above are invited to register with the Lyceum. 372-6098.

Hootenanny XXXVII 7-10pm. The community music jam celebrates its sixth year with a salute to bluegrass. Singers and acoustic instruments welcome. Free with potluck donation. Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. 375-6141.

Tango Party 7:30pm. Claudio Asprea and Agustina Videla of Forever Tango lead a special Argentine tango class, followed by a performance and party. No partner or experience needed. House of the Four Winds, 540 Calle Principal, Monterey. 394-1520.

sunday 9|14

Dixieland Dancing 1-5pm. Sweet Thursday Jazz Band led by Bob Phillips and Carl's Trad Jammers perform dance music at the Monterey Moose Lodge. $7/general. 555 Del Rey Gardens Dr., Del Rey Oaks. 633-0683.

Mid East Peace 3-4pm. A meeting of Monterey County Citizens for Mid East Peace is held monthly. 1205 David Ave., Monterey. 646-8614.

monday 9|15

Mexican Wars Workshop 11am. As part of Hartnell College's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Prof. Ruben Mendoza of CSU Monterey Bay presents a workshop on "Tres Siglos: Mexican Wars for Independence 1521-1821." Hartnell College Steinbeck Hall, 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas. 755-6825.

Parkinson's Support Group 2:30-4pm. Parkinson's Disease patients and their caregivers are welcome to a support group, sponsored by Health Projects Center. Alzheimer's Daycare Center, 200 Coe Ave., Seaside.

Asian Cooking 6-8pm. Chef Karen McCarthy Close teaches a class in cooking with various Asian ingredients. Take home recipes and enjoy samples. Reservations suggested. $60/person. 354 Orange Ave., Sand City. 373-3953.

Nepal Issues 7pm. The Monterey Bay chapter of the United Nations Association hosts Mr. Jagdish Ghimire, to speak about community development and public health issues in Nepal, plus a slideshow. Community Church of the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley 625-9414.

tuesday 9|16

Hispanic Heritage Celebration 10am-2pm. "El Grita Celebracion," a fiesta featuring music, art and cultural displays, and foods is offered at Hartnell College. Campus Center, 156 Homestead Ave., 755-6825.

Japanese Flower Arrangement 1pm. Mrs. Sakae Sakai, of the Enshuu School, presents an ikebana demonstration, hosted by the Monterey Bay chapter of Ikebana International. $10/person. Pebble Beach Community Services District, Lopez and Forest Lake Roads, Pebble Beach. 622-0649.

Bagpipe Nights 5-6pm. Michel d'Avenas, pipe major for the Monterey Bay Pipe Band, co-hosts the monthly lecture and bagpipe demonstration to encourage study for Celtic pipes and drums. Guest drummer for September is Georgia Crispelle. York School Music Building, 9501 York Rd., Monterey. 633-4444.

Rescued Animals 7-8pm. The Animal Friends Rescue Project offers an introduction to its programs on saving abused and abandoned animals, and how to get involved by volunteering or adopting a pet. Monterey Senior Center, 280 Dickman Ave., Monterey. 333-0722.

wednesday 9|17

Cross Cultural Communications 1:30-2:30pm. Peter Groethe, the director of International Programs at Monterey Institute of International Studies, speaks to the Gentrain Society about "communications in a dangerous world." Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. 646-4224.

Jim Conway Presentation 7-8:30pm. The Monterey History and Art Association offers a free presentation by local historian Jim Conway, who speaks about his new book, Monterey: Presidio, Pueblo and Port. Mayo Hayes O'Donnell Library, 155 Van Buren St., Monterey. 372-2608, ext. 11.

thursday 9|18

Taste of the Valley 5-8pm. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts a showcase of Monterey County produce at Sherwood Hall. Local chefs give demonstrations and wineries are represented. $5/Chamber members, $10/non-members. 940 N. Main St., Salinas. 424-7611.

ongoing events

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.

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.

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. Marina Transit Station, 280 Reservation Rd., Marina. 384-6961.

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 Street, Monterey. 655-2607.

Poetry Workshop Thursday, 9pm. The Whitney Latham Lechich poetry workshop/open mic is held in the Little House at Pacific Grove's Jewell Park, hosted by Ryan Masters. Central Ave. between Forest and Grand, Pacific Grove. 373-3829.

Walk Garland Ranch Saturdays. Year-round docent-led hikes take place in Garland Ranch Regional Park. Call 372-3196, ext. 3 for details. 700 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley.

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.

Lead Singer Wanted High school rock band seeks singer, male or female. All original music, local gigs. Call Matt, 375-6796.

Adult Literacy Monterey County Free Libraries seeks volunteer tutors for their adult literacy program. Help someone improve their English skills. Call 899-0417.