Steinem to Discuss New Book of Essays at Ventura Bookstore : Her rare local appearance will involve a talk Monday evening followed by a book-signing session.

Gloria Steinem, whose lectures, essays and books--including “Revolution from Within” and “Outrageous Acts & Everyday Rebellions”--have shaped gender politics for three decades, will make a rare appearance in Ventura to lecture on the subject of her new book of essays, “Moving Beyond Words” published by Simon & Schuster. Steinem, always an innovative activist, founded Ms. Magazine in 1972. She co-founded New York Magazine, created the Ms. Foundation for Women and serves as president of Voters for Choice. The talk begins at 7 p.m. Monday in the historic Oddfellows Lodge Building (above the Ventura Bookstore) 522 E. Main St. About 8 p.m. Steinem will be in the Ventura Bookstore to sign books purchased for the event. Those unable to attend may order signed copies at 643-4069.

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Pauline Falstrom, a sex educator with a Ph.D. in the philosophy of education, will sign her book “Sex Is Like a Hot Fudge Sundae” at 7 p.m. tonight at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura.

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A Sidewalk Book Sale sponsored by Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Newbury Park Library, 2331 Borchard Road.

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Byrd Baylor, the author of many books for children, among them “Guess Who My Favorite Person Is” and “Everybody Needs a Rock,” will sign her books at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura.

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Earlene Fowler will sign “Fools Puzzle” at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. And if you are interested in Sisters-in-Crime, an organization that supports women who write mysteries, visit the bookstore at 1 p.m., May 19, to meet Linda Grant, author of “A Woman’s Place” and immediate past president of SIC.

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Richard Hughes will sign his novel “Isla Grande” at 1 p.m. Sunday. And at 7 p.m. Tuesday, author/educator Jean Stangl will describe how to tap into the education publishing market. She will cover everything from craft and activity books to textbooks. Both events are scheduled at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura.

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Conejo Valley Genealogical Society will hear Sheila Benedict discuss the importance of Collateral Research at 7:30 p.m Tuesday at Conejo Valley Adult School, 1025 Old Farm Road, Thousand Oaks. A class for newcomers on how to access land and court records will begin at 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested in genealogy may attend meetings. Call 497-8293.