TODAY

BUILDING ADVOCACY, Hawaii Gifted Association Conference, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and 9 to 11 a.m. tomorrow at Ihilani Resort; speakers Rollin Homer of Art Center College of Design, attorney Ed Case and David Rockwood of the University of Hawai'i-Mänoa School of Architecture; breakout sessions on various advocacy issues. Information: www.higifted.org or higifted@aol.com.

TOMORROW

BLOOD DRIVE, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Lä'ie Shopping Center; donors must be age 18 or over, in good health, 110 pounds or more with valid photo ID showing date of birth. Appointments: www.bbh.org, 845-9966.

GRASSROOTS FUNDRAISING workshops, at 949 Kapi'olani Blvd., Suite 100, to help nonprofit organizations improve fundraising techniques: Successful Fundraising in Challenging Times, 9 a.m. to noon, and Building Your Mid-Level Donor Program, 1 to 4 p.m.; $25 per workshop; sponsored by Hawaii People's Fund; register at www.ChangeNotCharity.org, 845-4800 or people@lava.net.

HAWAII LITERACY orientation, 10 a.m. to noon at Borders bookstore in Ward Centre; find out how to become a volunteer reading tutor. www.hawaiiliteracy.org, 537-6706.

EAST-WEST CENTER 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Hilton Hawaiian Village, Coral Ballroom; $250, tables of 10 from $2,500; international dress or business attire requested. Information/reservations: www.EastWestCenter.org/giving pr 944-7105.

UPCOMING

BLOOD DRIVE, 7:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Sunday at Foodland Kailua; donors must be age 18 or over, in good health, 110 pounds or more with valid photo ID showing date of birth. Appointments: www.bbh.org, 845-9966.

ST. LOUIS HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, monthly meeting 7 p.m. Sunday at Hokulani Elementary School; the state Department of Land and Natural Resources' proposed improvements at Wa'ahila Ridge Park will be discussed.

LATIN DANCE CLASSES taught by Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy's professional instructors, 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday starting Wednesday at Kíhei Community Center on Maui; featured will be beginner open-embrace Argentine tango and rumba, and intermediate salsa; $50 for three months; teens and adults, singles and couples welcome. 808-879-0055, www.alohaballroom.com.

LUNCH AND LEARNING lecture on far-off places for adventurous travelers, by Alice Tucker, 11 a.m. Thursday at Temple Emanu-El; lunch to follow; members $7.50, nonmembers $10. Reservations/information: 595-7521 (Richard Field).

BOOK AND MUSIC SALE of gently used vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, videos, equipment and books, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 16-17 at Harbor Warehouse, 525 Ala Moana Blvd., 'ewa of UH medical school; benefit for state library and Hawaii Public Radio. 536-4174, 955-8821.

PARENTING SKILLS, workshop on how best to discipline your child, featuring Kathy Bentley, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17 at Harris United Methodist Church; free; childcare provided. 536-9602.