Anchorage Daily News

TODAY

COMMUNITY

Great Ladies of Jazz, 8 p.m., Rumrunner's, 415 E St. Melissa "Jazzmom" Fischer and her quartet pay tribute to the great ladies of jazz such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and more. Trumpeter Pat Owens joins Fischer on piano and vocals, Dirk Westfall on bass and John Nyman on drums. Free. (278-4933, www.jazzmom.net)

Polar Bear Basics, 10 a.m.-noon, Alaska Museum, 201 N. Bragaw St. Preschoolers will learn how polar bears take care of their cubs, hunt and stay warm. $5 with accompanying adult. (274-2400, www.alaskamuseum.org)

ANTHC Toastmasters, noon-1 p.m. Tuesdays to Dec. 30, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Building, 4000 Ambassador Drive. Learn and practice public speaking and leadership skills in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Sponsored by Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. (729-3539)

Mountain View Boys and Girls Club Advisory Board, 5:30 p.m., 315 Price St. Residents of Mountain View and the Anchorage community are invited to attend meetings on choosing the direction of the Community Center. Sponsored by Mayor Mark Begich. Free. (337-8415)

AARP Driver Safety Class, noon-

4 p.m. today and Thursday, Anchorage Senior Activity Center, 1300 E. 19th Ave. Learn defensive driving. Insurance discount for those 55+. Must attend both sessions to receive certificate of completion. Sponsored by Anchorage Senior Activity Center. $10. (258-7823)

Alaskan Prospectors Society

presents "Earthwatch: Mongolia," 7:30-9 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 725 W. Ninth Ave. Ruth Fitzpatrick, the Alaska field representative for the Earthwatch Institute, will talk about her recent scientific expedition to Mongolia to study the ecology of the Argali, the world's largest mountain sheep. Free. (279-5768, www.earthwatch.org)

Anchorage Community Band rehearsals, 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 2, Romig Middle School, 2500 Minnesota Drive. All musicians welcome, regardless of talent and age. Sponsored by Anchorage Community Concert. $20 per semester. (258-7263)

Genealogy for Beginners, 6-7:30 p.m., National Archives, 643 W. Third Ave. Learn how to research your family lines. Preregistration is required. Sponsored by Anchorage Genealogical Society. Free. (243-1757)

Alaska Writers Guild Meeting,

7 p.m., Barnes and Noble, C Street and Benson Boulevard. Anchorage businessman Bob Bell will speak on "Return from the Dark Side," relating time spent in the political arena, which led him to write "Oh No, We're Gonna Die." (677-7724)

WEDNESDAY

COMMUNITY

"Leading to War," 6-8 p.m., Cafe Felix at Metro Books, 530 E. Benson Blvd. This documentary is composed entirely of archival news footage from the 14 months prior to the invasion of Iraq. Sponsored by Alaskans for Peace and Justice. Free. (276-0750)

Polar Bears in the North Slope Oil Fields: Preliminary data and potential mitigation measures to reduce bear-human interactions are presented by D.M. Sanzone, Ph.D., 11:30 a.m., BP Energy Center, 1014 Energy Court. Free. University scholarship donations are accepted. Sponsored by the Alaska Association of Environmental Professionals. (563-2128 or 563-2140, or visit www.alaskaaaep.org)

Northway Mall Wednesday Market, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Northway Mall parking lot, 3101 Penland Parkway. Shop for Alaska-grown produce. WIC and Senior Nutrition program recipients welcome. Sponsored by Webb's Consulting and Management Services Inc. (272-5634, www.anchoragemarkets.com)

Constitution Day Polaris Lecture, 7:30-9 p.m., UAA/APU Consortium Library, 3211 Providence Drive. Explore "The Constitution and American Progressivism." Ronald J. Pestritto, associate professor of political science at Hillsdale College, will lead the discussion. Free. (277-3994)

Nutrition During Cancer Treatment, 2-3:30 p.m., Hickel House, 3967 Piper St. Learn about the value of proper nutrition during cancer treatment along with tips to maintain a healthy diet while undergoing treatments. Sponsored by American Cancer Society and Providence Cancer Center. Free. (1-800-227-2345, 1-907-277-8696; www.cancer.org)

ON THE TOWN

"Leading to War," 6-8 p.m., Cafe ­Felix, 530 E. Benson Blvd. This documentary is composed entirely of archival news footage covering the 14 months leading up to the war in Iraq. Free. (276-0750)

Chris Towne CD Release Party,

7 p.m., Snow Goose Theater, 717 W. Third Ave. Celebrate the release of Towne's album "Harvard and Delaney" with his band The Alaskan Stars. $10. (277-7727, www.christowne.org)

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