Local Paintings Flavor a Harvest Cookbook : Poetry, travel and vice are on the bill at area bookstores this week.

If you have a passion for collecting and reading cookbooks, Camarillo resident Marianne Moore-Rotenberg’s “Harvest America Recipes” is a keeper.

The author’s practical approach to nutritional cooking includes suggestions for presentation of each dish, with accompaniments, and caloric information on each recipe. Among 38 paintings by Barbara Dougherty are scenes of pumpkins growing along the Ventura Freeway in Ventura, strawberry fields in Oxnard and orange groves in Fillmore. The book is available from Harvest America Publications, 6191 Armitos Drive, Camarillo 93012, or call 482-2247.

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The demise of poetry is always predicted and lamented. But it rebounds and thrives in many places. Cafe Voltaire at 34 N. Palm St. in Ventura is hosting weekly poetry evenings through June, featuring guest poets and open readings. Sophia Kidd will read tonight at 8. Call 641-1743.

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Florence Mayberry will sign her autobiography, “The Great Adventure,” which details her experiences as a world traveler and Bahai faith consultant. She appears at 3 p.m. Friday at Mr. Nichols Books, 901 E. Main St., Santa Paula. She will also lecture at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Santa Paula Depot Community Room at 10th and Santa Barbara streets. Call 525-7804.

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Camarillo resident Paul Bishop, an 18-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, will discuss his vice squad and anti-terrorist assignments and will preview his sixth novel, “Grave Sins,” at 1 p.m. Saturday in Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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Mary Embree, author of “A Woman’s Way: The Stop Smoking Book for Women,” will appear at 2 p.m. Saturday in Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura. A percentage of the book’s earnings will be donated to the Ventura County chapter of the American Lung Assn.

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Gloria Evangelista, author of “Step Into Storytelling,” shows parents and teachers how to encourage children to write and illustrate stories. She will be at Barnes & Noble at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

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The popular children’s author Aliki will sign her latest books, “The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus” and “Tabby--a Story in Pictures,” at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura.