CAMPAIGN FORUMS : Candidates will make the rounds at gatherings before Election Day.

With less than three weeks remaining before the general election, local candidates for state and national office are making their final South Bay campaign appearances this weekend, attending informal “afternoon teas” or squaring off in public forums. Informational meetings are also scheduled to brief residents on state initiatives slated for the Nov. 3 ballot.

On Saturday, the South Bay Lesbian/Gay Community Organization will hold a candidates tea at a private residence in Manhattan Beach. Redondo Beach Mayor Brad Parton and Venice attorney Debra Bowen--respectively, the Republican and Democratic candidates for the 53rd Assembly District seat--have agreed to attend. Parton’s appearance is of special note, since he came under fire earlier this year for opposing a permit to allow a gay organization to use a city park.

Others expected at the event include 36th Congressional District candidates Marc Denny, a Libertarian, and Green Party candidate Richard Greene. Senatorial candidates Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein will not appear, but their campaigns are dispatching representatives. A representative from the Clinton presidential campaign also will be on hand.

“This is an opportunity to let candidates know the concerns of the lesbian and gay community,” the organization said in a press release. “Our concerns should be their concerns.”

In the only “Meet the Press” format in the South Bay, candidates will be quizzed by a panel of local journalists and field questions from the audience in a forum Sunday in Torrance. Linda Broder Herman with the League of Women Voters will moderate the forum. Janet Rae-Dupree of the Los Angeles Times, John Rofe of the Daily Breeze, and Dan Blackburn of the Easy Reader will serve on the panel of journalists.

Candidates for the 4th Supervisorial District, incumbent Deane Dana and Rolling Hills City Councilwoman Gordana Swanson are scheduled to appear in the first hour of the three-hour program. Appearing in the second hour will be 36th Congressional District candidates: Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores (Republican), attorney and businesswoman Jane Harman (Democrat), Marc Denny (Libertarian), Richard Greene (Green Party) and Owen Staley (Peace and Freedom).

Candidates for the 53rd State Assembly District will finish the program. Those appearing will be Parton, Bowen and Libertarian William Gaillard. The South Bay Area Chambers of Commerce, the American Assn. of University Women Torrance Branch and the League of Women Voters of Beach Cities are sponsoring the forum, which will be taped and broadcast on cable.

‘Meet the Candidates Tea’-- The South Bay Lesbian/Gay Community Organization is sponsoring a candidates tea in which voters can informally meet politicians; 53rd Assembly District candidates Debra Bowen and Brad Parton and 36th Congressional District candidates Marc Denny and Richard Greene have promised to attend; 1156 5th St., Manhattan Beach; 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday; information: (310) 379-2850 (free).

Candidates Forum--A panel of local journalists will question candidates on issues concerning the South Bay; James Armstrong Theatre, 3303 Civic Center Drive, Torrance; 1 p.m. 4th Supervisorial District candidates, 2 p.m. 36th Congressional District candidates, 3 p.m. 53rd State Assembly District, Sunday; information: (310) 377-9584, Ext.222 (free).

Ballot Discussion--The League of Women Voters of Palos Verdes Peninsula will examine the arguments for and against ballot measures appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot; Malaga Cove Library, 2400 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates; 2 p.m. Saturday; information: (310) 377-0735 (free).

More Ballots--The Gray Panthers of South Bay is sponsoring a discussion of the ballot measures with a representative from the League of Women Voters; Herma Tillim Senior Center, 3614 Artesia Blvd., Torrance; 9:30 a.m. Saturday; information: (310) 538-0917 (free).