None

thursday 12|26 Survival Skills for Holidays 3pm today and Friday. The Dialysis Support Group for patients and loved ones of those receiving dialysis presents this lecture on how to get through this somewhat stressful season with health and sanity intact. Salinas Valley Dialysis Conference Room, 955 C Blanco Circle, Salinas. 758-6222.

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.

saturday 12|28

Kwanzaa Celebration 2pm. Song, drums and stories help kids aged 5+ understand this holiday as the library presents "Joyful Traditions: A celebration of the Kwanzaa." Sign language translation is provided. Groups and classes must call ahead, admission free. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. 646-3934.

Poetry Reading 7pm. George Donald and Sean Smith read their poetry in this monthly event organized by PG''s poet-in-residence, Ryan Masters. Free. Bookworks, 667 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. 373-3829.

tuesday 12|31

Senior New Year''s Bash 2-5pm. The Scott Brown Quartet provides music at this fun day for the elderly. $3. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby St., Seaside. 899-6809.

Filipino New Year 6pm. Dinner, champagne and live music are featured at this evening of cultural togetherness and celebration. Music by the Island Wave. $35 advance, $40 door. 192 Paddon Pl., Marina. 384-5383.

Doubletree Wine Dinner 6pm. Reserve ASAP for this night of fine food, wine and ringing in the New Year. 7pm dinner follows reception, then move on to the New Year''s party at 9pm. Dinner is $100 in the Portola room; party is $63 in the De Anza Ballroom. Doubletree Hotel, 2 Portola Plaza. 649-4511 ext. 181.

Barbary Coast Theater Party 8pm. Dinner and a toast accompany this special performance of The Shooting of General Anesthesia. $24, military discount available. Barbary Coast Theater, 320 Hoffman Ave., Monterey. 655-4992.

New Years at Spanish Bay 8pm. The entire inn will be decorated like an international assembly of carnivals representing celebrations from New Orleans to Rio to Venice and back again. $200 includes buffet dinner, live dance bands. Inn at Spanish Bay, 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. 800-654-9300.

ongoing events

(Call ahead for any holiday changes)

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.

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.

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.

Toastmasters Meetings Positive learning environment for speaking, listening and leadership skills. Meetings are Thursdays at 6:45 am at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 490 Aguajito Rd., Carmel. Call 372-7515.

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.

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.

Christian Singles Fridays at 7:30, meet and connect with other Jesus-loving singles. Call Carolyn Chaney at 784-0207 for information.

announcements

"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.

Monterey Bike Map Design Map designers are welcome to enter this contest to design a bike map for the Transportation Agency of Monterey County. Proposals are due by 1/9. Visit www.tacmonterey.org or call Christina Watson at 775-4406 or e-mail her at christina@tacmonterey.org.

Book Fund Donate money to the Pacific Grove Public Library for books. You may specify what type of purchases you''d like to be made with your contribution. For more information about how to help, visit them at 550 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove.

Hartnell Registration Spring semester registration has begun at Hartnell College, and continues until January 23. For further information about courses and in-person registration, call 755-6711.

Be a Buddy Best Buddies Citizens matches adults with developmental disabilities with volunteer buddies for friendship. Want to help out? Call 393-9185.

Blankets for Animals The Monterey County Animal Services Center needs towels and blankets to keep homeless animals warm this winter. Bring donations to 2840 Fifth Avenue in Marina, or call 442-3857.

Food For Fines Monterey and Pacific Grove Libraries will forgive any library fines for a can of food to be donated to the Monterey County Food Bank. Bring non-perishable food items to either library and have all your transgressions forgiven. Amnesty ends Dec. 31.