* Send AROUND TOWN items to...

* Send AROUND TOWN items to the Daily Pilot, 330 W. Bay St.,

Costa Mesa, CA 92627; by fax to (949) 646-4170; or by calling (949)

574-4298. Include the time, date and location of the event, as well

as a contact phone number. A complete listing is available at

www.dailypilot.com.

TODAY

A writer’s workshop will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Vision

& Dreams in Costa Mesa. The workshop will focus on how write a book

and get it published. Pre-registration required. Vision & Dreams is

at 2482 Newport Blvd. The fee is $49 and includes a workbook. For

more information, call (888) 522-4628.

Hornblower Cruises & Events will offer a holiday preview cruise

from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. today and Tuesday. The cruise will consist of

a three-course meal, on-board entertainment and water views of the

seasonally decorated shorelines. Tickets are $64 for adults and $32

for children ages 3 to 11. Reservations required. For more

information, call (949) 646-0155 or visit www.hornblower.com.

The Costa Mesa Senior Center will host a Christmas program from 11

a.m. to noon. The program will include a performance by the Page

School Choir. The event will be followed by lunch. Reservation for

lunch only are necessary. The center is at 695 W. 19th St. For more

information, call (949) 645-2356.

TUESDAY

The Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce will host its Christmas

networking luncheon at 11:30 a.m. today at the Five Crowns

Restaurant. Reservations required. The restaurant is at 3801 E. Coast

Highway. For reservations, call (949) 673-4050.

WEDNESDAY

Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning author Wendy Wasserstein

will be at the Newport Beach Public Library from 7 to 9 p.m. to give

a presentation chronicling the challenges facing American women.

Wasserstein will also be available to autograph copies of her latest

book, “Shiksa Goddess (Or How I Spent My Forties).” The library is at

1000 Avocado Ave. The event, which is sponsored by Fletcher Jones

Motorcars, is $36 and includes a complimentary copy of the book. For

more information, call (949) 717-3890.

The 94th annual Christmas Boat Parade will be held from 6:30 to 9

p.m. today through Dec. 22 along the Newport Harbor. More than 100

boats will be decorated for the holidays for the two-and-a-half-hour

parade. Free for spectators, $25 for boat participants. For more

information, visit www.christmasboatparade.com.

THURSDAY

The Alzheimer’s Assn. of Orange County will host a support group

for caregivers from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Silverado Senior

Living-Newport Mesa, 350 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa. Free. (949)

641-2212.

SATURDAY

Maxine B. Cohen will host a workshop for men and women going

through a divorce from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshop will be

held at 180 Newport Center Drive. $40. For more information, call

(949) 644-6435.

DEC. 23

The Holiday Market Place, also known as the Orange County Market

Place, at the Orange County Fairgrounds will offer free admission

today. Santa will be around for photos. The Market Place at the

Orange County Fairgrounds is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

DEC. 31

The Oasis Senior Center will host a Monte Carlo Casino Night from

6 to 10 p.m. at the center to ring in the new year. A light meal and

wine will be provided. The center is at 800 Marguerite Ave. Tickets

are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. For more information, call (949)

644-3244.

ONGOING

The Newport Beach Newcomers Club holds a general meeting on the

third Wednesday of every month. The organization is open to all

Newport Beach residents who have lived in the area fewer than five

years. For more information, call (949) 645-9922, or visit

newcomers-newportbeach.org.

Interfaith couples with one Jewish partner are invited to

participate in a discussion group at the Jewish Family Service of

Orange County office. The group is geared toward dealing with issues

between interfaith couples, such as raising children, observing

holidays, symbols in the home and relationships with extended

families. The cost for three sessions is $45 per couple.

Preregistration is required. Call to schedule date and time. The

office is at 250 E. Baker St., Suite G, Costa Mesa. (714) 445-4950.

Women 50 and older can join a discussion group coordinated by

Jewish Family Services to address issues such as anxiety, depression,

relationships, loneliness and family. The group meets from 10 to

11:30 a.m. Mondays at the agency offices, 250 E. Baker St., Suite G,

Costa Mesa. Preregistration required. (714) 445-4950.

Friends of the Newport Beach Public Library Used Book Store are

asking for patrons to donate books to replenish the dwindling stock.

Books may be left at any of the three branch libraries -- Balboa,

Mariners, or Corona del Mar -- or in the book closet next to the

Friends Book Store, at 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. All

hardcover and paperback donations, with the exception of magazines

and law books, will be accepted and are tax deductible. (949)

759-9667.

The Braille Institute offers free computer classes to people with

fading vision who have difficulty seeing the computer screen. The

Oasis Center at 800 Marguerite Ave., Corona del Mar, offers six

sessions. Call to sign up for classes. (714) 821-5000.

A spiritual care class meets at 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays at 3400

Irvine Ave., Suite 114, Newport Beach. Call to reserve a seat. (949)

263-1462.