We have changed how we collect and accept calendar information. Readers must now submit all items through our website. Go to events.contracostatimes.com. Click on “submit your event.” You’ll have to register at this point, and enter your event. You do not have to pay. Submitting your event in this way will ensure it is part of our easy online searchable database, as well as a candidate for space in our publications.
Counseling for Landlords and Tenants. Housing Counselors from the Berkeley Rent Board offers free, one-on-one counseling sessions. 11 a.m. to Noon. May 17. Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 510-981-7368, www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.
Himalayan Fair 2014. A Berkeley tradition since 1983, the Himalayan Fair celebrates its 31st anniversary with a traditional Himalayan bazaar, Tibetan Monks from Gaden Shartse Dokhang Monastery conducting the opening ceremony and more. 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 17 and May 18. Live Oak Park, 1301 Shattuck Ave. Free. 650-714-8180, himalayanfair.net.
Author Marissa Moss. California Book Award-winner Marissa Moss shares the first book in her series, “Blood Diaries: Tales of a 6th-Grade Vampire.” 4 p.m. May 17. Books Inc., 1760 Fourth St. Free. 510-525-7777, www.booksinc.net.
BCS’s fifth annual Chess Festival. Celebrate the game of chess at the 5th Annual Berkeley Chess School Chess Festival with live music, delicious food and drink, a chess-themed performance on a life-size chess board, and more. Noon to 5 p.m. May 18. The Hillside School, 1581 Le Roy Ave. $5 adults. $3 children 12 and under. 510-843-0150, berkeleychessschool.org.
19th annual Jazz on Fourth St. Free outdoor music festival benefiting the jazz programs at Berkeley High School features legendary jazz vocalist Ed Reed, classic blues sounds from the Bay Area’s own Sista Monica Parker, traditional Cuban grooves from Tito Y Su Son De Cuba, and more. Noon to 5 p.m. May 18. Fourth St., 1834 Fourth St. Free. 510-526-6294, www.fourthstreet.com.
Berkeley Garden Club Programs. All are welcome to the monthly meeting of the Berkeley Garden Club, which includes a plant exchange, general meeting, and lecture “Great Plants for Our East Bay Gardens” with Tricia Christopher, East Bay Landscape Architect. 12:30 to 3 p.m. May 20. Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. Free www.berkeleygardenclub.org.
Author Katherine Ma. Author Katherine Ma reads from her new book, “The Year She Left Us.” 7:30 p.m. May 21. Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave. 510-704-8222, www.mrsdalloways.com.
Lawyers in the Library. One-on-one session with a visiting lawyer. 6 to 7:45 p.m. May 22. South Branch-Berkeley Public Library, 1901 Russell St. Free. 510-981-6260, www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.
Poetry Reading. Alejandro Murguía reads from “Stray Poems: San Francisco Poet Laureate Series No. 6” and Brenda Montaño reads from “Ojos de Raiz.” 7:30 to 9 p.m. May 22. Mrs. Dalloway’s, 2904 College Ave. Free. 510-704-8222, www.mrsdalloways.com.
Computers for Beginners. Learn how to use the mouse, use the keyboard, set up email and search the Internet at this free, drop-in class in a relaxed atmosphere. 10 to 11 a.m. Thursdays. Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. Free. 510-981-6148, www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.