Bookstore Backing : August sales at a Ventura store will benefit schools, libraries.

It is in our self-interest to support bookstores. Example: Adventures for Kids in Ventura designates August as Library Support Month and donates 10% of all purchases to school and public libraries.

Since 1993, community support of this program has resulted in the store providing more than $10,000 in free books to schools and libraries.

The events planned by Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, focus on entertaining youngsters as well as encouraging creativity and a love of books. The Family Poetry event for kids, ages 5 and up, begins at 6:30 tonight and features Kris George, who will read from her new book, “The Great Frog Race.”

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The Ventura Bookstore, which opened its doors in 1938, is a mecca for readers who attend the spirited monthly book-discussion groups. As one participant attests, “This store is more than a place to buy books, it’s a communal experience, a gathering place where ideas are exchanged, friendships forged, plans hatched.”

Even vacation plans can be hatched after hearing local author Cathy Philipp describe where to walk and hike, and watching her sign her book, “On the Trail, Malibu to Santa Barbara,” at 7 p.m. Friday at the Bookstore, 522 Main St.

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It’s a doubleheader Saturday at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Caroline Wheat will sign “Troubled Waters” at 10 a.m., and John Peak will present “Blood Relations” at noon.

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Check out the seminar/signings at Borders Books, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks: Author J.S. Salt will present a workshop for children and their parents based on his book “Always Kiss Me Good Night: Instructions on Raising the Perfect Parent” at 2 p.m. Saturday.

And local poet Roni will read from her “Sensuous Cinema of My Mind” and discuss how to create and market a self-published book of prose and poetry at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

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Wendy Elliott will describe “How to Find Buried Treasures Hidden in Print” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Conejo Valley Genealogical Society, Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road. The 6 p.m. beginners class will focus on “Can Court Records Reveal Anything About Law-Abiding Ancestors?” Call 497-8293.

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Knowing how to analyze the magazine market is a skill freelancers must master. Speaker Joan Jones will address the topic at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday at the Ventura County Writers Club, Orchid Professional Building, 816 Camarillo Springs Road, Camarillo. The nonmember fee is $5. Call 482-5648.

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In Santa Barbara

Amanda McQuade Crawford will sign “Herbal Remedies for Women” at 7 tonight at SuperCrown Bookstore, 3985 State St.

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Local publishers John and Susan Daniel, who produce from 30 to 40 books a year, will describe how small publishing houses work with writers--from acquisitions to marketing and distribution--at a free seminar.

The event, sponsored by Small Publishers, Artists & Writers Network, is at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Karpeles Library, 21 W. Anapamu St. SPAWN’s members include those involved in publishing--from artists to authors, printers to publicists. For details about the seminar or membership, call Andora Hodgin at 962-4680 or Mary Embree at 643-2403.

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According to local author Jack Foster, people who come up with great ideas have two things in common: courage and curiosity. He will sign “How to Get Ideas” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Borders Books, 900 State St.

* Frances Halpern and Jon O’Brien are co-hosts of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU-FM (88.3), Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.