Friday, Nov. 20

10 a.m. to noon Blood Pressure Testing: Free. Lobby Alameda Hospital, 2070 Clinton Ave. (Info: 814-4362)

5 to 7:30 p.m. Alameda Art Association: General meeting and Gil Garitano on the business of art. Visitors welcome. Alameda Art Association Art Gallery, 2242 South Shore Center. (Info: 523-4475)

6:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat: Celebrate Shabbat with singing, dancing, prayer and joy; services tailored to the very young through age 6. All are welcome. Temple Israel, 3183 Mecartney Road.

7:30 p.m. "The Fame of the Land of a 1000 Dances": Dance performance presented by the West Coast Performers. Tickets: $15, adults; $10, students and seniors. Kofman Auditorium, 2200 Central Ave.

7:30 p.m. House of Blue Leaves: Presented by the St. Joseph Notre Dame High School Drama Department. Additional performances Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2. Tickets: $10, general admission; $7, seniors and children; and $5, students. St. Joseph Elementary School Learning Center, 1910 San Antonio Ave.

7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Express Yourself!: Share the arts, music, poetry or just observe. Suggested donation: $5 to $10 with some of the proceeds going to charity. Bring a snack to share. (Info: Cathy Dana, 523-7853)

8 p.m. Taize - Prayer Around the Cross: An ecumenical candlelight service of mantra style chants, meditation, contemplation and reflection, silence, solitude and serenity. Free to the public. St Joseph's Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St.

8:30 p.m. Music: Featuring the Jinx Jones Trio. No cover. Speisekammer, 2424 Lincoln Ave. (Info: 522-1300)

9 p.m. Zydeco Music and Dance: Featuring Lil' Pookie and his Zydeco Band. Dance lessons at 8. Tickets sold at the door: $15. Eagles Hall, 2305 Alameda Ave. (Info: 415-285-6285)

Saturday, Nov. 21

10 to 11:30 a.m. "Meet Your Wild Neighbors!": Search shoreline and ponds to spy upon wildlife large and small and find out what they're up to in the morning. Binoculars available to borrow. Free for all ages. Crab Cove, 1252 McKay Ave. (Info: 544-3187)

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Multiple Sclerosis Self-help Group: Meeting. Lyons Conference Room, Alameda Hospital, 2070 Clinton Ave. (Info: Sharon, 521-6260 or Ray, 522-5210)

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fall Harvest Festival: Free to the public. Rising Star Montessori School, 1421 High St. (Info: 865-4536)

1 to 4 p.m. House Tour: Admission: $3. Meyers House and Gardens, 2021 Alameda Ave.

1 to 4 p.m. Island Women Write!: All women writers of poetry, short fiction, novels, plays and non-fiction meet for support, constructive feedback and fellowship. Free. Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru St. (Info, registration: 523-6957 or www.frankbettecenter.org )

2 to 3 p.m. Catch of the Day: Discover what's new in the Visitors Center. Crab Cove, 1252 McKay Ave. (Info: 521-6887)

7:30 p.m. House of Blue Leaves: St. Joseph Elementary School Learning Center, 1910 San Antonio Ave.

8 p.m. Live @ the Library: Last in a series of three concerts; featuring Jazzschool Advanced High School Jazz Workshop Director Michael Zilber. Reception at 7. Tickets: $25. Regina K. Stafford Rooms, Main Branch of the Alameda Free Library, 1550 Oak St. (Info: www.alameda libraryfoundation.org)

8:30 p.m. Tin Pan Alley Jazz: Featuring Frisky Frolics. No cover. Speisekammer, 2424 Lincoln Ave. (Info: 522-1300)

Sunday, Nov. 22

1 p.m. Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner: Open to seniors 60 and older and the disabled over 50. Tickets: $6. Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave. (Info, advanced ticket sales: 747-7500)

2 p.m. House of Blue Leaves: Final performance. St. Joseph Elementary School Learning Center, 1910 San Antonio Ave.

2 to 3 p.m. Catch of the Day: Discover what's new in the Visitors Center. Crab Cove, 1252 McKay Ave. (Info: 521-6887)

Monday, Nov. 23

Noon. Encinal Parlor, #156, Native Daughters of the Golden West: Brown bag lunch, social hour, short business meeting. (Info, address: Lois Hoffman, 865-1635)

7:30 p.m. Y.L.I.: Meeting. St. Joseph's Parish Center, 1119 Lafayette St. (Info: Eleanor, 523-8852)

Tuesday, Nov. 24

12:30 p.m. Rotary Club or Alameda: Luncheon meeting with Mary Biasotti speaking on "GRID Alternatives and Renewable Energy/Energy Efficient Services." Grandview Pavilion, 300 Island Drive.

Wednesday, Nov. 25

7:30 p.m. Desert Island Book Club: Call regarding the book selection. Free to the public. Books Inc. 1344 Park St. (Info: 522-2226)

Thursday, Nov. 26

11 a.m. Community Thanksgiving Dinner: Annual gathering hosted by Christ Episcopal Church. Free to the public. 1700 Santa Clara Ave. (Info: 523-7200)

Friday, Nov. 27

2 to 3:30 p.m. HIV and Hep C Testing: Free and confidential testing and support referrals. For information and location, call Alameda Family Services, 629-6300.

4 p.m. Annual Tree Lighting: Featuring the Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers, followed by a performance by the Alameda Civic Ballet, the Bay Farm School Choir and more. Tree lighting and caroling at 6. Free to the public. Alameda Towne Centre, Otis Drive and Park Street. n 9 p.m. Zydeco Music and Dance: Featuring Miguel Fontenont and his Zydeco Band. Dance lessons at 8. Tickets sold at the door: $15. Eagles Hall, 2305 Alameda Ave. (Info: 415-285-6285)

Sneak Peek

Nov. 28, 9 a.m. Walk on Saturday: Stroll through the Fernside district with a guide. Plan to walk 4.5 miles in 3 hours. Free to the public. Meet in front of Nob Hill Foods, Blanding Avenue and Broadway. (Info: Robert, 749-5942)

Nov. 28, 9 to 11 a.m. Breakfast and Bingo: Enjoy breakfast before playing Bingo. Admission: $3. includes a dauber for those going on to play Bingo (by separate admission). Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave. (Info: 747-7500)

Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m. "Winter Dreams": Holiday Concert featuring holiday music performed by the Alameda Community Chorus and Band. Free to the public. Kofman Auditorium, 2200 Central Ave. (Info: www.ehsmusic.org/acc)

Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Holiday Trade Show: Presented by the East Bay Women's Network. Free to the public. Grandview Pavilion, 300 Island Dr.

Dec. 5, 9 a.m. Midway Shelter Run-Walk: 5K run or one mile walk to benefit the Alameda Midway Shelter serving abused and homeless women and children. Registration on race day: $15. Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal, 1141 Harbor Bay Parkway. (Info or register in advance: Mark Hovermale, 523-2647 or email )

Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Blood Drive: Calvary Christian Center, 1516 Grand St. (Appts, info: 800-448-3543 or www.HelpSaveALife.org/NC ; sponsor code: CALVARY)

Dec. 5, 1 to 3 p.m. Artists' Reception: Celebrate the closing of the 16th annual exhibit of work by members of Alameda Women Artists, along with a silent auction and holiday art boutique. Alameda Museum, 2324 Alameda Ave. (Info: www.alamedawomenartists.org)

Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m. Mayor's Holiday Tree Lighting: Entertainment, souvenirs, Santa's visit. Free to the public. City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Ave.

Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m. Lighted Yacht Parade: "An Old-Fashioned Christmas." View from cites and restaurants along the estuary.

Dec. 5, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Live and Become: Third part of a series of four film nights in the Temple Israel's Adult Education Committee Jewish Film Series. Tickets: $10 at the door. Snacks included. Temple Israel, 3183 Mecartney Road. (Info: Mindy Myers, 593-5285)

Dec. 6, 3:30 p.m. "Songs of Nativity": Choral performance featuring Soli Deo Gloria. Tickets at the door: $25, general admission; $20, students/seniors; discount with advanced sale. Christ Episcopal Church, 1700 Santa Clara Ave. (Info, tix: 1-888-734-7664 or www.sdgloria.org)

Dec. 6, 4 p.m. Christmas Party: Annual event of Alameda Republican Women, Federated. $25 per person. Gold Coast Restaurant, 1901 Park St. (Info, reserves: Agnes, 865-7278)

Dec. 9, 10:30 a.m. "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Starting Solids, Nutrition and Weaning": La Leche League meeting offering information and support for nursing mothers. Babies and toddlers are welcome. Gathering time is 10 a.m. 1611 Pearl St. (Info: Virginia, 521-4867 or Patty, 522-0979 or www.LLLI.org )

Dec. 10, noon "Holiday Blues": Free class; open to the public. Cardinal Point, 2431 Mariner Square Drive. (Reservs, info: 337-1033) n Dec. 19, 7 p.m. and Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Nutcracker Ballet: Fifth annual production presented by Alameda Civic Ballet. Tickets: $27, adults; $17, children and seniors. Sugar Plum Party follows the matinee: $5. Kofman Auditorium, 2200 Central Ave. (Info, tix: 864-2256 or www.AlamedaNutcracker.com)

Jan. 9, 7 to 9 p.m. Gentleman's Agreement: Final part of a series of four film nights in the Temple Israel's Adult Education Committee Jewish Film Series. Tickets: $10 at the door. Snacks included. Temple Israel, 3183 Mecartney Road. (Info: Mindy Myers, 593-5285)

Jan. 23, 5:30 to 10 p.m. Chili Cookoff: 11th annual fund-raiser of the Alameda Kiwanis Club. Silent auction, dinner and dancing. No-host cocktails, chili-tasting and silent auction viewing will be followed by dinner at 7:30. Al DeWitt O Club, 641 West Redline Road, Alameda Point. (Info, entries: 764-1472 or www.alamedakiwanis.org)