thursday 12|27 Poetry Reading 7pm. Friends of recently deceased writer Don Marsh gather to read his work. Marsh was a published novelist and poet whose weekly poetry e-mails were sent worldwide. Thunderbird Bookshop, 3600 The Barnyard, Carmel. Free. 624-5725.

friday 12|28

Wild Things Flashlight Tour 6:30pm. The exotic animal ranch offers Friday and Saturday evening tours through 12/30. Highlight is an appearance by Santa and two live reindeer. 400 River Rd, Salinas. $12/adults, $10/children. 455-1901 x3.

sunday 12|30

Labyrinth 12:30-3pm. Walk the Labyrinth of Hope on Colton Hall Lawn in Monterey. Once you reach the center of the labyrinth and make your wish, each step out signifies hope for the new year. Pacific and Madison streets, Monterey. Free.

monday 12|31

Early New Year 11:30am. Celebrate the New Year a little earlier in the day. Food, music and decorations are part of the festivities. Reservations encouraged. Sally Griffin Senior Center, 700 Jewell, Pacific Grove. $3 seniors/ $6 non-seniors. 375-4454.

First Night Monterey 2pm-midnight. Over 50 artists, performers and musicians come together for another family-oriented New Year''s celebration. Throughout downtown Monterey. $15/$12/$8. Buttons available at Longs and Mailboxes, Etc. See www.firstnightmonterey.org or call 373-4778.

Murder Mystery at Bully III 5pm and 8:30pm. An interactive whodunit murder mystery dinner kicks off the new year. Two seatings allow patrons plenty of time to fit in more partying before 2002. Bardwell''s Bully III, Eighth and Dolores, Carmel. $45 includes dinner, champagne and non-alcoholic beverages. 625-1750.

New Year''s Eve at Quail Lodge 5:30 and 8:30pm. Looking for an affair to remember this New Year''s? The Quail Lodge serves up a spectacular gala with two dinner seatings, cocktails and hors d''oeuvres at 7pm and the acoustic sounds of guitarist Robert McNamara from 7-12pm. Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club, 8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel. Call for information or to make reservations. 620-8886.

New Years on the Beach 6:30pm. Cafe Beach at the Monterey Beach Hotel is throwing a New Year''s fete with sumptuous dinner buffet and dancing ''til midnight. Dino Vera and David Kempton play the music. Monterey Beach Hotel, 2600 Sand Dunes Dr., Monterey. Dinner $39.95 per person, dance party $25 per person. 899-4544.

2002: A Dance Odyssey 8:30pm. The DoubleTree''s New Year''s bash lights up the first hours of 2002 with a dance party on a 10,000 square foot floor. DJ Jae Jae of CD93 spins the tunes, the giant TV will show the ball dropping in Times Square and a midnight champagne toast will ring in the New Year. DoubleTree Hotel, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey. $50. 649-2688.

Midnight Musical 10pm. At midnight Bethany Community Church of God in Christ presents its first Midnight Musical with choirs and soloists from around the Bay Area. The church will serve breakfast after the musical. The evening begins at 10pm with the New Year''s Eve Watch Night Service. 8095 Kelton, Gilroy. 422-8374.

tuesday 1|1

Rio Resolution Run 9am. 6.8-mile footrace and 3-mile family fun walk/run to benefit the Suicide Prevention Service of the Central Coast. Race begins at the Rio Grill, and registration fee includes brunch, a T-shirt, prizes and awards for the top runners in each division. Registration forms available at Rio Grill and the Treadmill, both in the Crossroads. Rio Grill, Crossroads, Hwy One and Rio, Carmel. $25 adults, $17 children 12 and under. 644-2427.

wednesday 1|2

Holiday Day Camp 7:45am-5:30pm. Wondering what to do with the kids over this holiday break? The City of Seaside is sponsoring a two-week camp filled with tons of fun for youngsters ages 5 to 10. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Street, Seaside. $30/12/26-12-28; $40/12/31-1/4. 899-6273.

Adventurer''s Group 5pm. Members of Monterey Bay Adventures meet for happy hour at the Monterey Beach Hotel, Canyon del Rey and Hwy 1. This group is composed of like-minded folks who enjoy indoor and outdoor recreation and travel. See www.MBA.BeHappy.com. Free. 649-6499.

announcements

Carmel Christmas Walks 10am. Two hour walk shows off the charm and beauty of Carmel in the Christmas season, featuring hearth fires, poetry and Christmas stories. Tuesday-Saturday mornings through December, with a second walk at 2pm on Saturdays. Pine Inn, Lincoln at Ocean, Carmel. $20. 642-2700.

Family Night Tuesday 5-8:45pm. If your family needs a change in the nightly routine, drop by the Casanova-Oak Knoll Park Center and participate in games and activities for all ages along with other local families. Ongoing. 735 Ramona Ave., Monterey. Free. 646-5665.

Make a Friend for Life Monterey County Animal Service Center urges people in stable situations to consider taking in a dog or a cat this holiday season. Also, volunteers are needed to make the animals more comfy, and the center needs donations of towels and blankets to keep the critters cozy. 442-3857.

Immunization Clinic Monterey County Health Department offers flu vaccinations at its Salinas office, 1270 Natividad Rd in Salinas, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8am-11am and 1pm-6:30pm; at Broadway Health Center at 1292 Olympia in Seaside on Fridays, 8am-11am, and at St Jude''s Parish Hall in Marina on Mondays, 8am-11am. Clinics last through December. People ages 50 and up are eligible. Various. 755-4500 (Salinas); 899-8171 (Seaside).

Umpires Needed High school baseball and softball teams need experienced umpires. Call for more information. 375-3301.

Food Drive Bring one or two canned food items to Marina City Hall 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm M-F for "Can Do" food drive. 211 Hillcrest, Marina. 884-1211.

Complimentary Computer Coaching Ongoing computer coaching for seniors. Call ahead for times and availability. Sally Griffin Senior Center, 700 Jewel, Pacific Grove. Free. 375-4454.

Red Cross Water Safety Pre-registration for a seven-week instructor-level class on how to teach swimming, to take place Fri. and Sat. February 20 through April 10. Proficiency in a variety of strokes tested on first day of class. Monterey Sports Center, 301 East Franklin, Monterey. Call for information. 646-3730.

Pool Pals Monday 1-3pm. Need a pool partner? There will be lots of them at the Casanova-Oak Knoll Park Center, where a new drop-in billiards program for local senior citizens (age 55 and older) will be offered every Monday and Wednesday afternoon (excluding holidays). 735 Ramona Ave., Monterey. Free. 646-5665.

Tot Time Friday 10:15. One-hour session every Friday for adults over 16 to swim with children 5 and under. Monterey Sports Center, 301 East Franklin, Monterey. Call for information. 646-3730.

Bingo Wednesday 2pm. Weekly Bingo game for seniors, with refreshments. Ongoing. Vista Lobos, 3rd and Torres, Carmel. Free. 626-1255.

Toastmasters Morning Thursday 6:35am. Every Thursday morning the Toastmasters meet to practice public speaking. Unitarian Universalist Church, 490 Aguajito, Carmel. 641-0652.

West Coast Swing Wednesday 7pm. Pre-register for a West Coast Swing class at the Monterey Youth Center, to be held Wednesdays, 7-9 pm January 9-23. Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl, Monterey. Call for information. 646-3866.

Cheerleading Camp Monday 9am-5pm. Future cheerleaders, here is your chance. The Monterey Sports Center is offering this 4-day cheer-fest from 12/21-1/4 (no program Jan. 1). Youth in grades three through six can learn everything from dance routines to crowd-pleasers. Early drop-off 7:30am. Space is limited. 301 E. Franklin, Monterey. $95/resident; $110/other. 646-3439.

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