DATEBOOK

calendar* Mail AFTER HOURS items to Daily Pilot Calendar, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, or e-mail dpcalendar@latimes.com.

TODAY

LOVE POETRY NIGHT

The Alta Coffee House in Newport Beach will offer live music and a romantic poetry contest, with Mini Love Poetry by Lee Mallory and Marianne Davis, to set the mood. The event begins at 8 p.m.; poetry contestants must arrive to sign up by 7:30 p.m. Cost: $1 entry fee, but free to watch. Call: (949) 675-0233.

THURSDAY

AUTHOR TALKS

The Newport Beach Public Library Foundation will host a discussion of author Walter Cruttenden’s book “Lost Star of Myth and Time.” Cruttenden is an archaeoastronomer and director of the Binary Research Institute. His book weaves some of the latest archaeological evidence with astronomy to reveal a history of the world that fits with myth, folklore, and the archaeological record. The event begins at 7 p.m. in the Friends Meeting Room, 1000 Avocado Ave. Free. Call: (949) 644-3296, or visit: www.nbplfoundation.org.

SUNDAY

ARTISAN DINNER PLANNED

Meet the men behind the magic in their first and only Orange County appearance together. Rich Mead, chef and owner of Sage on the Coast, welcomes Alex Weiser of Weiser Family Farms and vintner Joe Davis of Arcadia Winery to dine with guests and answer questions throughout the evening. The event will feature a multi-course dinner prepared by Mead, showcase Weiser Farms’ prized potatoes, carrots and Vacquero onions, and showcase Arcadia’s just released 2001 Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. The event begins at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $95 and reservations are required. Location: Sage on the Coast, 7862 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach. Call: (949) 715-7243.

THROUGH MAY 7

“LANDSCAPE CONFECTION”

The Orange County Museum of Art presents “Landscape Confection” featuring 50 works that expand the boundaries of landscape painting. Panel discussions, soundscapes, and free Thursday evenings are presented with the show, at 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, open till 8 p.m. Thursdays. Cost: $10, students, $8 seniors. Call: (949) 759-1122 or visit: info@ocma.net.

FEB. 24

“THE LADY EVE”

Orange Coast College’s Friday Night Film Series will screen “The Lady Eve,” starring Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda and directed by Preston Sturges. 6:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts building, room 119, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. A discussion with retired professor Arthur H. Taussig will follow. Parking is free in Lot D on Merrimac Street. Cost: $6 students, $5 seniors. Call: (714) 432-0202.

ONGOING

BAYSIDE RESTAURANT

Live jazz music is played all winter at Bayside Restaurant, 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach. Call for specific bands, times and dates. Call: (949) 721-1222.

MUSIC

WEEKLY JAM DUKE’S PLACE