SPECIAL

"10th ANNUAL STAR POETS" AND "POEMS FOR PEACE" CONTESTS, sponsored by Windward Community College and Starbucks Hawaii, for students, grades 3-12; entry deadline Jan. 26; forms and rules, www.windward.hawaii.edu/poets; Libby Young, 235-7396.

"SEARCHING FOR HEALTH INFORMATION ONLINE," a series of hands-on classes for seniors, including basic computer and Internet skills, 8:30-10 a.m. Mondays, through Nov. 24; Kapolei Public Library; required registration: 693-7050.

NEW DOWNTOWN WRITERS CLUB, 6:30-8 p.m. alternate Tuesdays, beginning Nov. 11, Land of Organica Coffee House, 900-A Maunakea St. (corner of Nimitz Highway; reservations, 255-9890.

NATIONAL WRITERS ASSOCIATION, Honolulu chapter, meeting, with manuscript critique (bring at least 10 copies of one manuscript, five pages or less); 7 p.m. Nov. 11, Borders, Ward Centre; Robert Tanouye, 845-9585

"READ TO A DOG" CHILDREN'S REMEDIAL LIBRARY READING SESSIONS, for children, grades 1-3, who need some encouragement reading, conducted by Andrea O'Connor of the Intermountain Therapy Animals group, 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m. Nov. 15 and 22, and Dec. 6 and 20, Kailua Public Library; registration, 266-9911.

TEEN READ WEEK 2008, a series of annual literacy events for teens, parents, librarians, educators and booksellers; 831-6877, www.librarieshawaii.org:

• "MONKEY WATERFALL" and "BONES," with Nyla Fujii-Babb and Yukie Shiroma, respectively, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 15, Kailua, Kona, Public Library, Big Island.

DAVE & BUSTER'S MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE SERIES continues with staging of "The Glitch That Stole Christmas"; 7 p.m. Nov. 15 and 29. Dave & Buster's; $36.95, with meal; reservations: 589-2215.

SALAAM ENSEMBLE, an ensemble of composers and master musicians performing Persian, Arabic, Turkish and Armenian music of the Near and Middle East, 11 a.m. Nov. 15, Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050

Keiki storytime with wally amos, story read-aloud, finger plays and occasional crafts for ages 2 to 5; 10:30-11 a.m. Nov. 19 and Dec. 10; Kailua Public Library, under "The Reading Tree"; free; 266-9911.

Youth Speaks Hawaii, 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.

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

BOOK SIGNINGS

Author Christine Le and illustrator Michel Le will sign copies of their book, "The Hawaii Snowman," 2-3 p.m. Nov. 9, Borders Ward Centre; and 12-1 p.m. Nov. 15, Native Books, Ward Warehouse; 732-1709.

BOOK LAUNCH, "Asian Settler Colonialism: From Local Governance to the Habits of Everyday Life in Hawai'i," a book examining the roles of Asians as settlers in Hawai'i, by various contributors, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 14, Native Books, Ward Warehouse; 596-8885.

AUTHOR KEVIN WHITTON, will sign copies of "Green Hawai'i," 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 15, Leeward Community College Family Fun Fair; 732-1709.

MILTON MURAYAMA will sign copies of his book, "Dying in a Strange Land," 3-4 p.m. Nov. 9, Borders Kahului (Maui); 2-3 p.m. Nov. 11, Barnes & Noble Ala Moana; 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 12, UH-Manoa, Art Auditorium (also premiere showing of video interview of author by Gary Pak, speakers and refreshments); 2-3 p.m. Nov. 15, Borders Pearlridge Center, and 2-3 p.m. Nov. 16, Borders Ward Centre; 956-8697.

DENNIS OGAWA AND JOHN BLINK will sign copies of their book, "California Hotel and Casino: Hawai'i's Home Away from Home," 10:30 a.m. Nov. 13 (opening of related exhibit, and reception), Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i; 12-1 p.m. Nov. 15, Borders Windward Mall, and 4-5 p.m. Nov. 15, Borders Ward Centre; 956-8697.

FOR KEIKI

FALL STORYTIMES, sing-alongs and other activities, for ages 3 and older with a parent or caregiver; 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 19; Pearl City Public Library; free; 453-6566.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME, for children ages 3-5 with a parent or caregiver; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 10; Hawai'i Kai Public Library; free; 397-5833.

FALL STORYTIME, stories, sing-along songs, finger plays and more for ages 3-5; 10:30-11:15 a.m. Wednesdays, through Nov. 26; 'Ewa Beach Public & School Library; free; 689-1204.

FALL PUZZLETIMES, with educational board puzzles, storytime, songs, fingerplays and activities, for ages 11/2-3, with a parent or caregiver; 9:30 a.m. Thursdays through Nov. 21; Pearl City Public Library; free; 453-6566.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME, stories read aloud, sing-along songs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3-5 with a parent or caregiver; 10 a.m. Thursdays through Dec. 18; Wai'anae Public Library; free; 697-7868.

Toddler time storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and rhymes, for babies to toddlers up to age 3; 10-10:30 a.m. Mondays; Hawai'i State Library; free; 586-3510.

Keiki storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3 and older; 10-10:45 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050.

Toddler storytime, books, finger plays, matching games and songs, for ages 2-3; 10 a.m. Tuesdays; McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library; free; 973-1099.

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

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays; Mililani Public Library; free; 627-7470.

Preschool craft AND storytimE, 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble Ala Moana; free; 949-7307.

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

Keiki storytime, stories, songs, sing-alongs and other activities; 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Kahuku Public & School Library; free; 293-8935.

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

Keiki storytime, stories read aloud, finger plays and occasional crafts for ages 2-5; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Kailua Public Library; free; 266-9911.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3-5; 4 p.m. Wednesdays; Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library; free; 733-8488.

SATURDAY STORYTIME, for ages 3 and older, accompanied by a parent or caregiver; 10:30-11 a.m. Saturdays; Hawai'i State Library; free; 586-3510.

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.