Music’s Message

The world-renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin submitted to a two-hour press conference last week in Santa Barbara, where he was honored by the Nuclear Peace Foundation. He described eloquently the power of music and words to awaken the senses and sensibility of children before their formal education begins.

Menuhin deplored the lack of poetry in young people’s lives and, remembering his father singing Jewish folk songs to him as a child, said, “We must read to, sing to and dance with our children as a form of inoculation against violence and to create warmth and contemplation.”

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There are storytelling and poetry events occurring this week that will charm the children and remind us all of gentler pursuits. For example, Jim Woodard, who has done much to revive the art of storytelling, will be the featured speaker at noon Wednesday at the East Ventura Kiwanis Club’s luncheon meeting at Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura. Woodard will highlight the history of storytelling and discuss the current status of and plans for the library and reading programs at the Ventura Boys & Girls Club, which Woodard heads. Call (805) 658-6697.

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Swiss author-illustrator Marcus Pfister, creator of “Rainbow Fish,” will introduce his latest book, “Hopper’s Tree Top Adventure,” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. today at Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura.

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Local author Margaret Brownley, whose latest historical romance is “Buttons and Beaus,” will describe “How to Create Perfectly Flawed Characters” at 6:30 tonight for Gold Coast Fiction Writers, Carrows Restaurant, 2401 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. Call (805) 985-2959.

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Two events are planned at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Phyllis Richman will sign her mystery about the death of a famous chef, “The Butter Did It,” at noon Friday, and Don Winslow will sign “The Death and Life of Bobby Z” at noon Sunday.

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James Michael Pratt, whose book “The Last Valentine” is based on incidents in his family, will discuss how to record and write family histories at 2 p.m. Friday at Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura. Pratt will also appear at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., and at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Santa Barbara store, 829 State St.

June Foray, queen of voice-overs and known to children as Rocky the Flying Squirrel, will read from her latest audiotape, “Tall and Small Tales,” at 11 a.m. Sunday at Borders Books, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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Ares Slavin will read poetry at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Daily Grind, 607 E. Main St., Ventura. Open readings will follow.

In Santa Barbara

A major botanical and horticultural book sale to benefit garden projects is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Theodore Roosevelt Gardner will sign his “Lotusland: A Photographic Odyssey,” and special collectors editions of rare titles will be available. Call 682-4736, Ext. 139.

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“Maps & Journeys: A Poet’s Guide to the Universe” is the theme of the sixth annual Santa Barbara Poetry Festival. It features local and nationally known poets performing Friday-Sunday at venues throughout the city. Call (805) 962-3202 for schedules. In addition, Carol Lee Sanchez will lead a poetry workshop from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The fee is $25. Call (805) 483-4748.

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.