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thursday 10|25 The Best Medicine

UNKNOWN JEROMES It''s next to impossible to give a credible description of this five-piece band''s sound. Their style of music is a completely original fusion of funk, reggae, jazz, and rhythm and blues, with a touch of The Beastie Boys thrown in for good measure. The local perennials also feature a DJ and work a turntable like it was a lead instrument, which adds yet another unique dimension to their sound. Bottom line, so to speak, is that helpless dancers everywhere feel themselves compelled to shake their groove thangs within seconds of hearing the Jeromes hit their first chord. Tonight''s show has something extra: funny guy L.G. Brown and other comics warm up the crowd for this benefit to aid the American Red Cross in its hour of need.

9p

m. Doc Ricketts, 180 E. Franklin, Monterey. 649-4241.

John Steinbeck and the Mexicans

VIVA ZAPATA! Mexican culture has always played an intriguing role in John Steinbeck''s work. This month, as part of Steinbeck''s Centennial Year celebration, two screenings of Viva Zapata!, for which the celebrated author wrote the screenplay, light up the big screen at the National Steinbeck Center. The young Marlon Brando starred in the 1952 film as Mexican farmer-turned-revolutionary Emiliano Zapata. At Thursday''s screening, Mexican historian Gregorio Mora Tores speaks about the film and Zapata''s legacy. Saturday''s showing of Viva Zapata! also features a discussion, this one moderated by UC Santa Cruz Professor Pedro Castilo, a gourmet Mexican feast and readings from Steinbeck''s play Zapata by Western Stage actors.

Thursday, 4pm. Free/$5. Saturday, 11am. $17/$20. National Steinbeck Center, 1 Main, Salinas. 775-4721.

Swan Song

JILL KNIGHT She has all the right qualifications: she counts Joni Mitchell, Ricki Lee Jones and Emmylou Harris among her influences, her bassist plays a fretless bass, and she''s shared the stage with Shawn Colvin, Richard Thompson, Chris Isaak and Phoebe Snow. Tonight, San Francisco-based singer/songwriter Jill Knight and her three-piece band close Sandy Shore Productions'' "Divas at Viva''s" all-woman series with an original concoction of jazzy, folky rock and Knight''s clear, mesmerizing voice. Knight has released a couple CDs, Future Perfect and Imaginary Line. Two songs from the former appear in the 1999 movie Stranger Than Fiction. A satisfying way to wrap up a great series.

9pm. Viva Monterey, 414 Alvarado, Monterey. $10. 646-1415.

saturday 10|27

Little Big Car

BANTAM AUSTIN SHOW At first glance, Bantam Austins are so cute they''re funny to look at. With a wheel base of 75 inches and a 45-cubic-inch engine (smaller than that of many motorcycles), the Bantam was the original American compact--famous as the favored ride of Buster Keaton and Mickey Mouse. Look closer and the beauty of the little cars (especially those designed in the 1930s and ''40s by Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky) can win out over their silliness. The "biggest" Bantam event on the West Coast is organized by local enthusiast Bill Spear, whose tiny 1940 pickup truck is as precious as the cloisonne pins he sells for a living.

9a

m to 4pm. Crossroads Shopping Village, Highway One at Rio Road, Carmel. (A "fun-run" will take place in Carmel-by-the-Sea Friday morning.) 659-3056.

And Through the Woods

BIG SUR RIVER RUN If you''re a runner there''s no need to explain the appeal. The longer you run, the better it feels. Many runners become obsessive, treating the sport religiously, as it can become the focus and high point of each waking day. Running in a beautiful place helps too, and what more gorgeous setting for a race than Big Sur? Big Sur hosts a road marathon in the spring, a trail marathon in the fall and on Saturday, the Big Sur River Run. It''s a 10K course beside the Big Sur River, through the redwoods. The race accepts 1,000 runners and there are still bibs left. There''s also a 5K course for walkers.

Rac

e starts at 10am. Arrive at 8am to pick up bibs, earlier to register. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, 30 miles south of Carmel. $11 entry fee. 624-4112 or www.bigsurriverrun.org.

Scary Noises

FREAKFEST 2001 & PARTY AT SLY''S Tootsie Rolls and fun-size Snickers did the trick when we were all tykes, but let''s face it: grown-ups want something a little different in Halloween. We want really scary haunted houses and mobs of unidentifiable people dressed in creative get-ups like Little Bo Peep With A Naughty Secret or The Incredible Bulk. We want acres of dance floor teeming with humans, and music--lots of music. We want something like Freakfest 2001, where the party will rage until the wee hours with a 3-D haunted house and a costume party worth planning for (first prize wins $2,000). On Cannery Row, Taylor P. Collins returns to Sly''s as the headliner for the club''s annual Halloweeen bash. As in years past, Collins should provide a smooth R&B groove for all the goblins, monsters and assorted creatures who are looking to release a few weekend demons--and to take home the cash prizes in Sly''s costume contest. Should be a booty-shakin'' good time.

Freakfest: 8:30pm. Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey. $25/$20. Sly''s Costume Contest: 9pm. Sly McFly''s, Cannery Row. 649-8050.

They Only Come Out At Night

MASQUERADE DANCE PARTY Halloween is in the air--pumpkins in front of every supermarket, candy corns galore and journalists peppering publications with punny phrases like "guys and ghouls." But the best part about Halloween, the devilishly delightful part, if you will, is the fact that it''s okay to dress like a freak and wear anything you want, or nothing at all. It''s called getting in the spirit of things. Go grab your wigs, fangs, George W. masks and dancing shoes and float on down to the Carmel Performing Arts Festival''s Masquerade Dance Party at The Crossroads. R&B artists Linda Arcero and her band will play from 8pm to 9:15pm, followed by DJ Julian, spinning everything from Big Band tunes to Techno. Admission includes treats and one complimentary beverage and will benefit the Carmel Performing Arts Festival. Mask- and costume-contest winners will take home passes to next year''s Festival events. And one lucky guy--or ghoul--will win a $500 shopping spree at the Crossroads Shopping Center. It''ll be a real scream.

8pm. Crossroads Shopping Village, Hwy One at Rio Rd, Carmel. $25/advance, $30/door. 624-1692.

Another Great Porn Name

LUCKBUCKET Tonight marks another chance to catch a glimpse of the Sacramento based pop/rock band Luckbucket before they become too big for a stop in our little town. Three of the four members of Luckbucket-which is currently fielding inquiries from major record labels--have deep roots in rhythm and blues, having played with the nine--piece funk/dance band the King Bradley Fisher Group. Following an epiphany, songwriting partners King and Fisher decided that it was time to play louder and harder. Taking Fisher''s "porn name" as a moniker--you know, that wacky combo of the name of your first childhood pet and the street that you lived on at the time--they created Luckbucket. With music best described as Toad the Wet Sprocket meets Vertical Horizon, they''ve got the kind of lead vocals that makes teenage girls certain that the singer should become their next boyfriend. Power drums, experimental jazz-influenced bass, silky rock guitar and smooth vocals singing catchy melodies define this combo.

9:30pm. Viva Monterey, 414 Alvarado, Monterey. 646-1415.

sunday 10|28

The Cheerful Dead

EL DÌA DE LOS MUERTOS PROCESSION I would like to have seen the memo that the Spanish priests sent to the Aztec Indians telling them that their lovely end-of-July Day of the Dead celebration was going to be administratively rescheduled to coincide with All Saints'' Day. Day of the Dead is an ancient Aztec (and, it should be noted, not scary) celebration honoring the dead. Families create altars or shrines to memorialized deceased loved ones, set out food, smokes and booze for the dearly departed, and then start partying. To celebrate, the Steinbeck Center is hosting a free admission day so culture-loving gadabouts can see the many great Dia de los Muertos altars on display there. As part of the festivities, a procession of brightly attired folklorico dancers and folks in traditional costumes will wend from Main and Alisal to the Center, where food booths await. Hartnell College and the Pajaro Valley Cultural Council are also celebrating the holiday.

10am-5pm. Steinbeck Center, One Main, Salinas. Free. 775-4722. Parade starts at Alisal and Main at noon.

wednesday 10|31

Spook and Be Spooked

HALLOWEEN WEEK Somehow Halloween has become a seven-day holiday. Not that we''re complaining--we like Bazooka gum and Sweet Tarts as much as the next guy--but it does mean some planning''s involved. Marina''s Mad Manor, a fright for a good cause, scares big and little kiddies every night this week until 10:30pm (521-1089; www.madmanor.com). The Pacific Grove Library Haunted House will be open for its ghoulish business on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 6:30pm-7:30pm (648-5760). On Saturday from 10am-2pm, a Halloween Carnival at Hilltop Park Center in Monterey will feature games, fortunetelling and costume contests (646-3975). Sunday from 1pm-4pm, costume and carved pumpkin contests come to the Barnyard for the Harvest Festival (624-8886). On Wednesday the little goblins can go trick-or-treating at Halloween on Cannery Row from 5pm-7pm and at the American Tin Cannery from 3pm-5pm. Sally Griffin Senior Center''s Halloween Fête gives prizes for funniest hat (375-4454) at its 11am party. Seaside''s Oldemeyer Center''s Halloween Bonanza throws a free hoopla with bounce house, costume contest and refreshments from 6pm-9pm (899-6273). And finally, on Nov. 1, because this is a sad world, most Doctors on Duty clinics will examine candy from 9:30am-7pm.

This week''s Hot Picks were unwrapped and devoured by Catrina Coyle, Alex Gilrane, Jessica Lyons, Jenny McPhee, Andrew Scutro and Chuck Thurman.

best of the rest

thursday 10|25

Alternative Dental Care 11am. Dietitian Jenny Peters offers remedies from the kitchen and garden for natural dental care. Sally Griffin Senior Center, 700 Jewel, Pacific Grove. Free. 375-4454.

Teachers Club 12:30pm. The Monterey Peninsula College Teachers for Tomorrow Club hosts Sophia Vicuna, a teacher recruitment liaison for CSU Monterey Bay. MPC Alamaden Lounge, 980 Fremont, Monterey. 646-3006.

Poetry Reading 2:30pm. Poet/political activist Maude Meehan reads from her poetry on the KAZU 90.3FM radio program. Pacific Grove. 375-3082.

MCCFC Meeting 2pm. The Monterey County Children and Families Commission meets to discuss local issues. 1125 Baldwin, Salinas. 444-8549.

Business Mixer 5:30pm. The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Monterey Film Commission sponsor an early Halloween mixer, plus a presentation on promoting Monterey County as a filming destination. Costumes optional. Monterey Beach Hotel, 2600 Sand Dunes, Seaside. $6/members, $15/guests. 648-5360.

Co-Ed Leads Club 5:30pm. A business mixer is hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Leads Club for managers and business owners and the public to network and meet their neighbors. Bytes Technology, Calle Principal, Monterey. 656-9178.

Monterey Toastmasters 6:30am. All are invited to improve their public speaking, listening and leadership skills each Thursday morning with the Monterey Peninsula Toastmasters, where speeches on a variety of topics are given in a supportive and fun spirit. Unitarian Universalist Church, 490 Aguajito, Carmel. Free. 641-0652.

Argentine Vals (Waltz) 7pm. Pre-register for an Argentine dance workshop with Luis Castro and Claudia Mendoza of "Forever Tango." This class covers rhythm and waltz patterns of dance. Beginner and intermediate levels. American Legion Hall, Dolores and 8th, Carmel. $25. 624-6482.

Lance Armstrong Story 7pm. A benefit for the Lance Armstrong Cancer Foundation and the Red Cross is held at Robert Louis Stevenson School featuring Jeffrey Spencer, author of The Lance Armstrong Story. 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. $10. 626-5333.

Calendar Deadline 5pm. The Weekly welcomes submissions for the calendar of events. Our deadline is Thursday 5pm, one week prior to publication, or earlier for Hot Pick consideration. Ongoing items are printed if space is available. Photos are encouraged and can be returned with a self-addressed envelope. Information is accepted via fax (394-2909), email (catrina@coastweekly.com), or snail mail. 668 Williams, Seaside CA 93955, Seaside. Free. 394-5656.

friday 10|26

Redwood Book 7pm. Cabrillo College professor and historian Sandy Lydon speaks about a new book, Coast Redwoods, of which he wrote Monterey Bay chapters. Unitarian Universalist Church, 490 Aguajito, Carmel. Free. 688-2374.

Float Night 7pm. Join a night of family fun on anything that floats at the Monterey Sports Center pool. Innertubes, beach balls and life jackets welcome. 301 E. Franklin, Monterey. 646-3730.

Feng Shui Lecture 7pm. Linda Ann Buonocore offers tips on using feng shui in your home to encourage harmonious energy. Thunderbird Bookshop, The Barnyard, Highway 1, Carmel. Free. 624-1803.

Wild Things Tours Halloween Flashlight Tours at Wild Things Animal Rentals begin 10/12 and take place each Friday and Saturday through Halloween. Reservations required. River and Highway 68, Salinas. $12/adults, $10/kids under 14. 455-1901 ext. 3.

Animal Film 7pm. Film director Jenny Stein and producer James La Veck host a screening of The Witness, a documentary about animals that the LA Times calls "the most important and persuasive film." Monterey Institute of International Studies Irvine Auditorium, Van Buren and Franklin, Monterey. Free. 647-6426.

saturday 10|27

The Ultimate Drive BMW and the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation sponsor a fundraising campaign where special fleets of BMWs appear for the public to enjoy and raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. My BMW of Seaside. (800) 462-9273.

Natividad Harvest Festival 10am. Natividad Elementary School hosts a family festival with pony rides, games, a pumpkin contest and costume contest, clowns, magicians, crafts, a health fair, and songs and dancing. 1465 Modoc, Salinas. 753-5675.

Final Harvest Walk 10am. Mark Marino leads the final tour of the season through the organic fields at Earthbound Farm. All participants get to harvest a basket of produce and flowers. Reservations suggested. Carmel Valley. $15/adults, $5/kids. 625-6219.

Entry to Beginner''s Mind 10am. Patricia Wolff and Robert Reese lead an introduction to Soto Zen Buddhism, the teachings of Suzuki Roshi, and methods of meditation. Reservations suggested. Monterey Bay Zen Center, Guadalupe and 4th, Carmel. Donation. 647-6330.

Free Student Flights 10am. To interest students in aviation, airplanes rides are offered free along with aviation career information at the Marina Airport. Parental permission is necessary. Ages 8-17. Marina. 373-6587.

Instant Piano 10am. John Davis teaches a one-day workshop of piano playing based on the Laughlin Method to play songs instantly. Pre-register with the Monterey recreation department. Casanova Oak Knoll Center, 735 Ramona, Monterey. 646-3866.

I Cantori Workshop 10am. A choral singers workshop is hosted by I Cantori di Carmel. David Gordon focuses this session on the romantic oratorio. Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont, Monterey. $15/advance, $17/door. 644-8012.

Animal Spirits 10am. A one-day workshop combining sacred art and nature is taught by Linda Purcell Satchel. Families are welcome on a nature walk followed by guided meditation, expressive sculpting and storytelling. Personal totem animals are revealed to each person. Garland Ranch Park, Carmel Valley. $85/person or family pair, $25 additional. 601-3756.

Holiday Bazaar 10am. St. Mary''s by the Sea Episcopal Church presents its holiday craft and gift fair containing games, toys, home-baked treats, homemade jams, ornaments and more. Proceeds benefit the church''s outreach programs and other community groups. 146 12th, Pacific Grove. Free (hot lunch available for purchase). 373-4441.

Fresh Bread Class 10am. Kids in grades 5 and 6 can enjoy a class learning to make bread from scratch as people did in pioneer days. Sign up with the Lyceum. Each student makes a loaf of fresh, hot bread. Carmel. $10. 372-6098.

Gayatri Mantra 3pm. Professor Sasi Velupillai, a psychic palmist from India, offers a mantra class and initiation ceremony. Reservations required. First Murphy House, Lincoln and 6th, Carmel. 626-3153.

Health and Freedom 4pm. Dia Lynn of USANA Health Science presents a public education forum on nutrition, skin protection and the "psychology of living lean." Please RSVP. Carmel. 625-1752.

Murder Booksigning 4pm. Joan Drummond Miller and WB Daniels sign and discuss their book, Rocky Point Murders, a collection of short stories at Thunderbird Bookshop. The Barnyard, Highway 1, Carmel. Free. 624-1803.

MIRA Star Party 5pm. The Friends of the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy host a star-gazing party for members at the Oliver Observing Station. Call for reservations. Chews Ridge, Carmel Valley. 883-1000.

Whiffleball 8am. A two-day whiffleball tournament for all ages is held at Monterey Peninsula College. Three-person teams are allowed and prizes are awarded. Call for reservations. MPC Baseball field, 980 Fremont, Monterey. $75. 646-4223.

Parents College Day 9:30am. Parents and students of local high schools and middle schools are invited to a college information day hosted by Hartnell College and UC Santa Cruz. Workshop for parents and students are offered on financial aid, getting into college and more. The information is presented in Spanish and English. 156 Homestead, Salinas. 459-5648.

Weed Bash 9:30am. All are invited to battle invasive weeds and restore native habitat at CSU Monterey Bay and on former Fort Ord lands. Join the Watershed Institute Weed Warriors to attack iceplant. Take the fort Ord main entrance off Highway 1 and follow signs. Seaside. 582-3689.

Marine Lab Open House 9am. Moss Landing Marine Labs holds an open house for marine scientists and students to share the latest research and discoveries with the public. Sandholdt, Moss Landing. Free. 633-6565.

sunday 10|28

Magical Music 2pm. Magic Circle Center presents the last concert in its series, featuring Lynda Sperry Jardine, Amy Krupski and friends playing harp music. Reservations recommended. 8 El Caminito, Carmel Valley. $15. 659-1108.

Contra Dance 6:30pm. Discover old-fashioned folk dancing at its best. Beginners'' contra lessons offered at 6:30pm, with dancing to live music by Stump Tail Dog at 7pm. Friendly, lively dancing in a smoke and alcohol free event. Chautauqua Hall, Central and 16th, Pacific Grove. $7/general, $6/members, $4/students. 373-7559.

Pet-o-ween Contest Noon. Collier Feed and Pet Supply hosts a pet costume contest with prizes for best trick and costume. 101 W. Laurel, Salinas. 443-6161.

Lighthouse Talk 2pm. Jerry McCaffery presents a slide show and signs his book Lighthouse: Point Pinos. Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest. Free. 648-5716.

monday 10|29

Homeless Services Plan 6:30pm. The public is welcome to make comments on the draft Homeless Services Plan at a public hearing sponsored by the Monterey County Department of Social Services. Seaside City Hall, 440 Harcourt, Seaside. Free. 755-4447.

tuesday 10|30

MaryLee''s Halloween Concert 10:30am. MaryLee Sunseri performs Halloween songs and stories in two shows at the Indoor Forest Theater for kids 9 and older. Reservations recommended. Santa Rita and Mountain View, Carmel. $6. 649-1790.

Elected Officials Panel 11:30am. Hear an update on regional government issues and the year in review in Washington DC from Congressman Farr, Senator McPherson, and Assemblyman Keeley. Reservations suggested. DoubleTree Hotel, Portola Plaza, Monterey. $25/Chamber of Commerce members; $35/guests. 648-5356.

announcements

Poetry Contest Kalliope, a journal of women''s literature and art, sponsors the Sue Elkind Poetry Contest, with a deadline of 11/1. Poems may be any subject, up to 50 lines. First prize is $1,000. Kalliope Poetry Contest, FCCJ, 3939 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville FL 32205. (904) 381-3511.

Hartnell Choir Singers of all types are invited to audition to join the Hartnell College Choir, which rehearses every Monday, Wednesday and Friday led by Sandy Rudo. 156 Homestead, Salinas. 755-6804.

African Study Program Hartnell College seeks applicants for the Sylvano and Maria Boronda Memorial Scholarship to study in West Africa next May. The deadline is 11/2. 156 Homestead, Salinas. 755-6811.

Kids Olympic Parade The Winter Olympics torch visits Seaside in mid-January and youth groups are invited to join a multicultural parade to welcome it. Call for sign-up information. Seaside City Hall. Sarah, 899-6340.

Yoga Workshop Santa Cruz Iyengar yoga instructor Kofi Busia presents workshops at the Yoga Center of Carmel on 11/10 and 11/11 and 1/19/02 and 1/20/02. Pre-registration required. San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $35/one, $60/two. 624-4949.

Feast of Samhain Celtic storyteller and druidess Mara Freeman hosts a workshop to celebrate the Celtic New Year on 11/3. Myth, meditation and magic complete the event. Santa Cruz. (800) 694-1957.

Planetarium Class The night sky and solar system come to life at the Hartnell Planetarium for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade and families. Pre-register with the Lyceum. 156 Homestead, Salinas. $5. 372-6098.