SPECIAL EVENTS

Alan Cheuse, the "voice of books on National Public Radio" and an acclaimed author, will read from his new book "The Fires"; 7 p.m. Friday; Volcano Art Center's Niaulani campus, Volcano Village; free; 808-967-8222.

Borders Windward Mall grand opening, the bookstore chain continues its opening celebration today with a chance to win a gift basket, an appearance at 10 a.m. of Lyle Crocodile for kids, Bruce Shimabukuro at noon, John Cruz at 2 p.m. and Hoku Zuttermeister at 4 p.m; Windward Mall; free; 235-8789.

Read to Children, Kuhio Elementary School seeks adults who can read to and tutor students in grades K-3; training available; 973-0085.

Hawaii Literacy Promotion, during August all O'ahu Borders stores will accept newly purchased books that customers select from Hawaii Literacy's "wish list" and donate them to the literacy program; contact your local Borders bookstore for a book list and find out how you can purchase books for Hawaii Literacy: Ward Centre, 591-8995; Waikele, 676-6699; Pearlridge, 487-1818; Windward Mall, 235-8789.

"Talk Story Radio," weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere; 5:30 p.m. Mondays; broadcast on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays; on KTUH 90.3 FM; this week: www.talkstoryradio.com.

Youth Speaks Hawai'i, slam poetry workshops, hosted by Kealoha, TravisT, Melvin, Darron, and Lyz; 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays; The ARTS at Marks Garage; free; 387-9664.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Kimo Armitage and Scott Kaneshiro sign their "Limu: The Blue Turtle" children's book, 12-1 p.m.; Aug. 19; Hickam Exchange; free; 423-1304.

J. Ian Sample signs "Once a Warrior: Hawai'i Football on the Field and Off the Record;" 2-3 p.m.; Aug. 19; Borders, Waikele; 676-6699.

Kai White and Jim Krause sign "Images of America Waikiki"; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tuesday; Bestsellers, Bishop Square; 528-2378

Roberta Wong signs "Hawaiian Lei in Crochet" and "Fancy Hawaiian Lei in Crochet;" 10-11 a.m.; Aug. 25; Ben Franklin Crafts, Pearl City; 455-1909.

FOR WRITERS

Writers', Poets' and Playwrights' Group, 6 tonight; Borders Ward Centre; free; 591-8995.

Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts seeks applications from O'ahu nonprofit organizations for grants to create original art, between the dates of Dec. 1 and Nov. 30, 2008, in the fields of dance, theater, music and literature, which would benefit residents on O'ahu; hand-deliver or mail by Aug. 23 to MOCA, 530 S. King St., room 404, Honolulu, HI 96813. Information and applications: 523-4674, moca-grant@honolulu.gov.

Writing Retreat, meet other authors and share responses, led by Lillian Cunningham; 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Aug. 25; Windward Community College Hale Na'auao 146; bring writing materials, sack lunch and drink mug; $5, for 16 years and older; 235-7433.

Windward Christian Writers Group, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; Aug. 25; Faith Baptist Church; Kailua; free; 372-0274.

Scene Writing Workshop with Alan Cheuse, the writer and National Public Radio book commentator will give an intensive two-day workshop on the art of creating dramatic scenes. Educational subsidies available; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 25-26; Volcano Village, Big Island; $125; 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Maui Writers Conference, meet agents, editors, publishers and studio executives and writers (Michael Arndt, Bobby Moresco, Pamela Wallace W.S. Merwin, Lisa Nichols and Buzz Bissinger); Aug. 31-Sept. 3; Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa; also, the conference is proceeded by a six-day retreat in fiction, nonfiction or screenwriting, Aug. 25-31; for complete schedule and rates: 808-879-0061, www.mauiwriters.com.

READING GROUPS

Adult Book Club, Anna Marie Christiansen leads new group reading "Purple Hibiscus," by Chimamanda Adichie; 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 21; Kahuku Public & School Library; future meetings will be determined by the group; 293-8935.

FOR KEIKI

Keiki Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays; Borders, Waikele; free; 676-6699.

Preschool Craft & Storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Kahala; free; 737-3323.

Preschool Craft & Storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana; free; 949-7307.

Read Me a Story, books read by volunteer storytellers for 12 and younger and their parents; 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; Honolulu Academy of Arts; free for children, included with admission price of $7 for parents; 532-8700.

Fish Doodles, cartoonist Allen Tsukamoto leads a 45-minute program on cartooning, with brief discussion on marine conservation; for kids age 3 and up; 10:30 a.m. Wednesday; Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050.

Keiki Storytime; 10:30 a.m.; Wednesdays; Borders, Ward Centre; free; 591-8995.

Keiki Storytime, for ages 2-5; 11-11:30 a.m.; Wednesdays; Kailua Public Library; free; 266-9911.

Children's Storytime, stories and craft session, for ages 3 and older; 10:30 a.m.; Thursdays; Kaimuki Public Library; free; 733-8422.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to: Lit Beat, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.