Here are some local events happening today:

Academy for Lifelong Learning, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., First Congregational United Church of Christ, 4515 S.W. West Hills Road. Topic: "What's Up With the Willamette Stage Company?" by Robert Hirsch and "The Story of Calypso and the Steel Drum Music of Trinidad and Tobago," by Dr. Robert Brudvig. ALL is a membership organization open to all mature adults. RSVP and information: 737-9405 or

osuall@yahoo.com.

Managing Your Compost, 4 to 6 p.m., Avery Park compost demonstration site. Teresa Matterson helps troubleshoot compost and worm farms. Information: 753-7208 or tmatteson@bentonswed.org. Preregistration required.

Dine for the Arts, all day, American Dream Pizza campus and downtown locations. A percentage of the restaurant's daily profit will be donated to The Arts Center. Information: 541-754-1551 or www.theartscenter.net.

Preschool story time, 10 a.m., Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave.

Music a la Carte: Rebecca Jeffers and Angela Carlson, pianists, noon, Memorial Union Lounge, Oregon State University.

Blood Drive, 1 to 6 p.m., Philomath Community Church, 145 N.W. 14th St., Philomath. American Red Cross blood drive. Information: Marilyn, 740-7955.

"Calendar Girl Creations," PEO Chapter O of Albany, 4 to 7 p.m., Adair Village Clubhouse. View table settings for each month of the year. Refreshments and beverages. A fundraiser for scholarships for the advancement of women. Admission: $20. Information and tickets: Mamie, 917-1820.

Blues Night at Papa's: Webster Chicago with Simon Bielman, 6 to 8 p.m., Papa's Pizza, 1030 S.W. Third St., Corvallis.

Town hall meeting with candidate Jason Brown and screening of vice presidential debate, 6 p.m. debate screening, 7:30 p.m. meeting, Philomath Public Library, 1050 Applegate St. Jason Brown, Democratic candidate for state representative in House District 23, will discuss his platform and issues concerning Benton County residents. Information: 503-838-2500.

Corvallis Belly Dance Guild, 7 p.m., The Arts Center basement, 700 S.W. Madison Ave., Corvallis. New members welcome for practice. Information: www.corvallisbellydance.org or 757-3598.

4-H Information night, 7 p.m., Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 S.W. 53rd St. Information: 766-6750.

"Human Origins and Our World" with Dr. Richard Leakey, Linus Pauling Memorial Lectures, 7 p.m., Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Admission: $45-$55 per lecture. Information: www.isepp.org.

For more information, see Friday's Entertainer, the F.Y.I. column in each day's edition or www.gazettetimes

.com. All events are open to the public and free unless otherwise indicated.