* 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

Mother’s Market & Kitchen will host a workshop and book signing

with Author Geoffrey Rose from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Patio Cafe in

Costa Mesa. The cafe is at 225 E. 17th St. Free. For more

information, call (949) 631-4741.

San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and State Sen. James Brulte

discuss California’s political future at a UC Irvine benefit event at

7 p.m. at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Tennis Club, 900

Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach. Tickets are $200 per person.

For more information, call (949) 824-1312.

FRIDAY

The city of Newport Beach, in partnership with the American Red

Cross, is hosting a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Newport

Beach Library on 1000 Avocado Ave. To schedule an appointment, call

(949) 644-3178.

FEB. 1

Crossroads of the West Gun Show will be held at the Orange County

Fair and Expositions Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 9

a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults and free for

children younger than 12. For more information, call (801) 544-9125.