Lit Beat

SPECIAL EVENTS

• POETRY SLAM, open-mike night from 6 p.m. Jan. 16, with slam beginning at 7 p.m., Jelly's, 98-023 Hekaha St., behind Cutter Ford, 'Aiea; all participants must pre-register; call Shirl for rules and registration. 484-4413.
• KANE'OHE PUBLIC LIBRARY is scheduled to have its lanai and stairs resurfaced Jan. 20-22; library and book drop to be closed Jan. 20 and will reopen Jan. 21-22 while the project is completed. 233-5676.

SIGNINGS/READINGS

• Vergilio Felipe, author of "Hawaii: A Pilipino Dream," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Waldenbooks, Kahala Mall.
• William Stephens, author of "Reddy and Abel," 2 p.m. Jan. 12, Kaneohe State Library.
• Jan Tissot, author of "Keiki," 2 p.m. Jan. 18, Kaneohe State Library.
• JEAN HEE, author of "Hawaii's Best Local Dishes," 2-3 p.m. Jan. 18, Waldenbooks, Kahala Mall.

FOR WRITERS

• TALK STORY ABOUT THE VALUE OF YOUR LIBRARY essay contest sponsored by state library system and Friends of the Library of Hawaii; $25 prize and $50 to your library; four winners from each major island; entry forms available at libraries; entry deadline Jan. 10.
• STAR POETS COMPETITION for students grades 3-12; 20 lines or less; entry forms at Starbucks stores on O'ahu, Maui and the Big Island; deadline Jan. 15. www.wcc.hawaii.edu.