Biography Takes New Look at Famous Duo : Author Sharon Rich tells of longtime love affair between Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy.

Millions of people are still devoted to entertainers such as Judy Garland, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean because of their charismatic lifestyles and untimely deaths. But the real film phenomenon is the continued devotion of fans all over America to Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, the singing co-stars who reigned in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s.

Their fan clubs, which include a number of Ventura residents, are thriving despite the fact that the pair has been dead almost 30 years. The largest Mac/Eddy club is headed by Sharon Rich, author of a controversial biography “Sweethearts,” recently published by Donald I. Fine. The book describes a long-term off-screen love affair between the two, while they were married to other people.

At home following a book tour in England, Rich will do a live interview at noon Saturday on KQSB 990-AM in the Earthling Bookshop and will sign books beginning at 2 p.m. MacDonald/Eddy musicals will be screened all afternoon at the bookstore, 1137 State St., Santa Barbara.

*

Paul Levine will sign his fifth Jake Lassiter mystery, “Slashback,” at noon Saturday at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

*

Friends of the Simi Valley Library are planning a series of poetry evenings beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road. Those interested in reading their own work, the work of a favorite poet or just listening are encouraged to attend. Donation of a good used book for the Friends bookstore will be welcomed, but is not required. Call 522-1178 for details.

*

Bring a garden design and questions to professional garden designer Betty Jo McDonald who will explain how to choose the right plants at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura.

*

Cary Ginell will discuss the roots of swing music and sign his new biography, “Milton Brown and the Founding of Western Swing,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Barnes & Noble Bookstore.

*

Plan Ahead: Ruben Navarrette, author of “A Darker Shade of Crimson: Odyssey of a Harvard Chicano,” will address the Ventura County Minority Business Group at 5 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Tower Club, 300 Esplanade Drive, Ventura. Tickets are $20, and half of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to the group’s scholarship fund. Reservations must be received by Monday. Call Nancy Jackson at 981-2744.

*

Due to the untimely death of The Vampyre Lounge Cafe, “which had a stake driven through its fiscal heart,” the poetry evenings sponsored by Bakunin Magazine have been canceled, according to publisher Jordan Jones. Bakunin will sponsor occasional readings as new issues are published.