Reader, Heal Thyself

If you’ve been to the movies lately, you may know that “Patch Adams” pans the medical profession and “You’ve Got Mail” rattles bookstore chains. Both use humor and feel-good endings. Still, when the laughs fade away, doctors and bookstores are great to have around.

This week’s bookstore scene offers a mixed bag of goodies. You might discover your own inner healer or listen to Shakespeare set to music. Then again, you could live vicariously through a skydiver who swims with sharks, or get the inside scoop on writing thrillers.

*

About that inner healer: Roger Jahnke, O.M.D., author of “The Healer Within” (HarperCollins), believes in a do-it-yourself approach to healing. A practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, Jahnke says, “The most profound medicine is produced within the human system for free.” Director of an integrated medicine clinic in Santa Barbara, Jahnke will conduct a mini-workshop to demonstrate how to tune into this inner healer Friday at 8 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, Ventura. Call 339-9170. For information on other workshops, call 658-7942.

*

For the adventurous: Jennifer Carter & Joel Hirschhorn, husband and wife authors of “Titanic Adventure” (New Horizons Press), will give a video presentation about her dives to the Titanic in a submersible. The leader of a French-American expedition that brought back museum-quality artifacts from the ship, Carter has also produced documentaries for National Geographic. Hirschhorn, bestselling author and composer--his songs have sold more than 90 million recordings--will perform the concerto he wrote for his wife. She’s an Emmy winner; he’s won Oscars and two Tony nominations. Book-signing and discussion. Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 497-8159

*

MORE HAPPENINGS--Today at 2:30 p.m., “Heaven Talks Back” author Jon Macks will discuss comedy writing, his experience on Emmy- and Oscar-awards shows, and writing for Jay Leno, George magazine, other comedians and politicians. Tips on using topical humor. Book-signing. Barnes & Noble, 4735 Commons Way, Calabasas, (818) 222-0542.

Also, today at 4 p.m., Shakespeare in Song. William Clark will perform Shakespeare’s words set to original music. Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

Monday at 8 p.m.: Open-mike night for writers; sign-ups at 7:30, in the cafe at Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 446-2820.

Tuesday at 7 p.m.: LAPD Detective of the Year Paul Bishop will discuss and sign his latest thriller, “Tequila Mockingbird.” A 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, he currently supervises the West Los Angeles Sex Crimes and Major Assault Crimes units. At Borders, Thousand Oaks. 497-8159.

Thursday, 7 p.m.: Marilyn Roy will sign and discuss “EyeRobics: How to Improve Your Vision,” at Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main, Ventura. 339-9170

Catch you next week.

* Information about book-signings, writers groups or publishing events can be faxed to Ann Shields at 647-5649, or e-mailed to anns40@aol.com.