* Send DATEBOOK items to the Huntington...

* Send DATEBOOK items to the Huntington Beach Independent, 18682

Beach Blvd., Suite 160, Huntington Beach, CA 92648; fax to (714)

965-7174; call (714) 965-7176 or e-mail [email protected].

Submissions must be received two weeks before publication.

TODAY

Centered on the Center will feature more than 200 regional artists

in a group exhibition. About 325 works will be on display. The event

is slated to run through Feb. 29. The exhibition will be at the

Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main St. Admission is free.

Information: (714) 374-1658.

FRIDAY

Huntington Beach Kite Festival will feature top kite designers

from around the world flying new styles from Revolution and Prism in

this three-day event sponsored by Kite Connection. The event will run

from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Feb. 8 north of the Huntington Beach

Pier. Attendance is free. Information: (714) 536-3630.

The Pier Plaza Art A-Faire, held at the outdoor Pier Plaza next to

the Huntington Beach Pier, will feature more than 50 vendors selling

unique, handmade gifts and crafts. The Art A-Faire will be open from

10 a.m. to sunset. Admission is free. Information: (714) 536-2213 or

(714) 846-5509.

SATURDAY

Huntington Beach Christian Singles will hold “A Rendezvous with

Destiny,” a pre-Valentine’s Day dinner dance. The evening event will

take place at the Meadowlark Golf Club, 16782 Graham St. Dinner will

cost $34, an hour-long dance class will cost $5 and dancing will cost

$12. Guests will also be able to pay $49 for the entire evening.

Dinner will start at 5 p.m., dancing is scheduled from 8 p.m. to

midnight. Formal attire is suggested. Information: (714) 625-3508.

Take a tour of the Shipley Nature Center grounds and hear

descriptions of the Center’s planned restoration to its historical

native plant habitat with the addition of water conservation gardens.

Meet at the front gate to the Shipley Nature Center at the Central

Park Drive parking lot off Edwards Street between Talbert and Slater

avenues. Follow the painted line along the sidewalk to the Center.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. Admission will be free. Information:

(714) 842-4772.

The Huntington Beach Smooth Jazz Series will present Kim Waters.

This concert series brings contemporary jazz to Huntington Beach.

Sponsored by BB Jazz Productions, proceeds will benefit children with

autism. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., and will be at the

Central Library Cultural Center Theater, 7111 Talbert Ave. Admission

ranges from $35 to $55. Information: (714) 377-7574.

The Golden West College Swap Meet will feature new and used

items. Fresh produce, records and music memorabilia, antiques and

collectibles are some of the treasures you may discover on your next

visit to the parking lot event that offers free parking and

admission. The address for Golden West College is 15744 Goldenwest St. The swap meet will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and

Sunday. Information: (714) 898-7927.

The Pier Plaza Art A-Faire, held at the outdoor Pier Plaza next to

the Huntington Beach Pier, will feature more than 50 vendors selling

unique, handmade gifts and crafts. The Art A-Faire will be open from

10 a.m. to sunset. Admission is free. Information: (714) 536-2213 or

(714) 846-5509.

SUNDAY

The Golden West College Swap Meet features new and used items.

Fresh produce, records and music memorabilia, antiques and

collectibles are some of the treasures you may discover on your next

visit to this parking lot event with free parking and admission. The

address for Golden West College is 15744 Goldenwest St. The swap meet

will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: (714) 898-7927.

The Pier Plaza Art A-Faire, held at the outdoor Pier Plaza next to

the Huntington Beach Pier, will feature more than 50 vendors selling

unique, handmade gifts and crafts. The Art A-Faire will be open from

10 a.m. to sunset. Admission is free. Information: (714) 536-2213 or

(714) 846-5509.

MONDAY

Children’s author Barney Saltzberg will be present at a story time

reading and signing of his book, “Peekaboo Kisses.” The free event

will be held at Barnes and Noble Booksellers at 7 p.m. The store is

at 7777 Edinger Ave. Information: (714) 897-8781.

TUESDAY

Huntington Beach Senior Services will offer dancing lessons from

2 to 3 p.m. at the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’ Center. The lessons

are structured in five-week sessions at a cost of $65 per dancer.

Couples and singles are welcome for lessons, registration forms are

available at the Seniors’ Center, which is at 1706 Orange Ave.

Information: (714) 536-9387.

Best-selling author Laurell

K. Hamilton will discuss and sign her newest Meredith Gentry

novel, “Seduced by Moonlight” at Barnes and Noble Booksellers. The

event will begin at 7 p.m. Admission will be free. The store is at

7777 Edinger Ave. Information: (714) 897-8781.

WEDNESDAY

The Simple Abundance

Group will discuss “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and

Joy” by Sarah Ban Breathnach and other books as sources for

self-discovery. The meeting will be held at Barnes and Noble

Booksellers and will begin at 7 p.m. Admission will be free. The

store is at 7777 Edinger Ave. Information: (714) 897-8781.

The Wizard of Oz will be performed by Ballet Etudes. The show will

be at the Central Library Cultural Center Theater, 7111 Talbert Ave.

Shows are scheduled for 4 and 7 p.m. Admission will cost $5 for

adults and $3 for children. Information: (714) 375-5107.

THURSDAY

The Magic Tree House Young Readers Club will discuss the 12th book

in the series, “Polar Bears Past Bedtime.” The group will meet at 5

p.m. at the Barnes and Noble Booksellers at 7777 Edinger Ave.

Admission will be free. Information: (714) 897-8781.

FEB. 13

The Huntington Beach Longboard Crew will hold a fundraising

Valentine’s Dinner and Dance at the Old World Festival Hall. The

night’s activities will feature a performance by the Beatniks. The

event will take place from 7 p.m. to midnight. The address is 7561

Center Drive. Information: [email protected].

The Sweet Charity Ball will be an evening of dining, music and

silent auction bidding to benefit programs sponsored by the

Huntington Beach Rotary Club. The ball will be held at the Hilton

Waterfront Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast Highway. Registration

will begin at 6 p.m. The cost will be $60 per person. Information:

(714) 309-2433.

Star Wars author Timothy Zahn will discuss and sign his newest

Star Wars book, “Star Wars: Survivor’s Quest,” at Barnes and Noble

Booksellers, at 7777 Edinger Ave. The event will begin at 7 p.m.

Admission will be free. Information: (714) 897-8781.

FEB. 14

Children will be invited to meet Little Nut Brown Hare, who will

share some of his favorite stories and give hugs to all the children.

The free event will be held at the Barnes and Noble Booksellers at

7777 Edinger Ave. The event will begin at 11 a.m. Information: (714)

897-8781.

The Miss Huntington Beach Scholarship Pageant will feature Yankee

Doodle Darlings. Watch the city’s best and brightest young ladies

compete for scholarships and the title of Miss Huntington Beach 2004.

The pageant will be held at the Huntington Beach High School

Auditorium, 1905 Main St. The event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets will

cost $15 per person. Information: (714) 536-4357 or (714) 536-2054.

FEB. 16

The Barnes and Noble Fiction Reading Group will discuss “Forever”

by Pete Hamill. The free event will begin at 7 p.m. The store is at

7777 Edinger Ave. Information: (714) 897-8781.

FEB. 17

The Barnes and Noble Craft Workshop will demonstrate origami using

the book, “The Art of Origami” by Rick Beech. The free event will

begin at 7 p.m. The store is at 7777 Edinger Ave. Information: (714)

897-8781.

FEB. 18

The Mystery Reading Group will discuss “The First Law,” by John

Lescroart and “The Long Goodbye,” by Raymond Chandler. The free

meeting will be held at the Barnes and Noble Booksellers at 7777

Edinger Ave. The discussion will begin at 7 p.m. Information: (714)

897-8781.

FEB. 19

Children’s author Marie Torres Cimarusti will be present at a

story-time reading and signing of her book, “Peek-a-Zoo!” The free

event will be held at the Barnes and Noble Booksellers at 7777

Edinger Ave. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Information: (714)

897-8781.

FEB. 20

“Proposals,” a comedy written by Neil Simon and directed by James

Gruessing, will be performed by the Huntington Beach Playhouse at

Central Library Theater through Mar. 7. The Playhouse is at 7111

Talbert Ave. Tickets cost $6 to $20. Information: (714) 375-0696.

Mardi Gras Brazilian Carnival, a musical stage show with

Christiane Calli and the Girls from Ipanema, will offer dancing and a

barbecue kitchen. The carnival will run from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at

Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave. The event will also be held on

Feb. 21. The cost is to be announced. Information: (714) 647-7107.

The Fusion 2004 Dance Concert, Academy for Performing Arts dance

faculty, guest choreographers and the Ensemble Dancers will present

an evening of traditional and original works in ballet, jazz, tap and

modern dance. The show will be held at Huntington Beach High School,

1905 Main St., at 7:30 p.m. General admission will cost $10, tickets

for students and seniors will cost $8. Information: (714) 536-2514,

ext. 4025.

FEB 24

Author Shannon Peck will discuss and sign her book “Love Heals” at

the Barnes and Noble Booksellers at 7777 Edinger Ave. The free event

will begin at 7 p.m. Information: (714) 897-8781.

FEB. 25

The Barnes & Noble Artist’s Way Workshop is designed to help

participants rediscover their creative selves. The two-hour workshop

will begin at 7 p.m. The store is located at 7777 Edinger Ave.

Admission will be free. Information: (714) 897-8781.

FEB. 26

At the Brazilian Mardi

Gras Luncheon & Show, choreographer Leila Flores of Tropidanza has

assembled a diverse team of beautiful and talented dancers who

entertain with energy and passion. The meal will include chicken and

Brazilian-style meatballs with sweet sauce, mashed potatoes, black

beans, vegetables, salad, cake and coffee. The event will be held at

the Old World Festival Hall, 7561 Center Ave., in room 49. The show

will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost will be $25 per person,

including tax and tip. Information: (714) 895-8020.

An “open mic” night of poetry will be held at Barnes and Noble

Booksellers. The free event will begin at 7:30 p.m. The store is

located at 7777 Edinger Ave. Information: (714) 897-8781.

FEB. 27

Mardi Gras Brazilian Carnival, a musical stage show with

Christiane Calli and the Girls from Ipanema, will offer dancing and a

barbecue kitchen. The carnival will run from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at

Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave. The event will also be held on

Feb. 28. The cost is to be announced. Information: (714) 647-7107.

FEB. 28

Jazz at the Center will present Gospel Music through the Ages, a

concert featuring special musical performers to be announced later.

The concert will run from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at 538 Main St. General

admission will cost $20. Information: (714) 374-1650.

MARCH 1

Surfin’ Sundays Concert Series will showcase free concerts from

authentic surf bands. The concerts will be held through Oct. 30 at

the International Surfing Museum, 411 Olive St. The concerts are

scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m. Admission will be free. Dates have yet to

be determined. Information: (714) 969-9575.

MARCH 5

Mardi Gras Brazilian Carnival, a musical stage show with

Christiane Calli and the Girls from Ipanema, will offer dancing and a

barbecue kitchen. The carnival will run from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at

Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave. The event will also be held on

March 6. The cost is to be announced. Information: (714) 647-7107.

MARCH 6

The Jericho’s Kids for Clean Waves Surf Contest will be held near

the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The

entry deadline is March 1. Information: (949) 369-6677.

ONGOING

CHILDREN/LIBRARY

The Main Street Library Branch will accept book donations for the

Friends of Library book sales during normal library hours, 10 a.m. to

7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, at 525

Main St. (714) 375-5071.

Huntington Beach Central Library will host Books Art Storytime

every Saturday from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Children 5 through 9 are invited

to enjoy stories and related crafts at the library, at 7111 Talbert

Ave. Information: (714) 375-5107.

Saturday Sunrise Car

Cruisers, billed as the best free car show in the world, is a

15-year tradition that brings classic and hot rod car collectors,

known as the Donut Derelicts, to the parking lot near 9025 Adams

Ave., every Saturday from 6 to 9 a.m. Admission is free. Information:

Rodding Around at (714) 963-2928.

The Clara Barton Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters

of the American Revolution meets at 9:30 a.m. every third Saturday at

Community United Methodist Church, 6652 Heil Ave. Membership in

Daughters of the American Revolution is open to any woman who is at

least 18 years of age and can prove lineal descent from an ancestor

who aided in achieving American independence. Information: (714)

848-4297.

The Huntington Beach Library’s popular Sandcastle story time

series is shown at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays on Time Warner Cable Channel

6. (714) 375-5107.

The Huntington Beach Children’s Library presents Folktale Story

Time, for kindergartners through fourth-graders, starting at 3 p.m.

Thursdays at 7111 Talbert Ave. Information: (714) 375-5107.

Enjoy stories, activities

and fun at a story time held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the

children’s section of Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 7777 Edinger Ave.

Pajamarama is held from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays. Story time is held at

11 a.m. Saturdays. (714) 897-8781.