Press Picks

tuesday
november 4
Houston Reading Series Maxine Kumin has written 11 books of poetry, four novels, a book of stories, several kids' books and tons of essays. Along the way, she's won a Pulitzer Prize (for Up Country) and has been named chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. Tonight, she'll read from her works, as will J.M. Coetzee, the South African novelist best known for Waiting for the Barbarians. Thank the Margarett Root Brown Houston Reading Series for providing an entertaining and thought-provoking evening. 8 p.m., Brown Auditorium, Mu-seum of Fine Arts, 1001 Bissonnet, 743-3014. $5 suggested donation; free for seniors and students.

wednesday
november 5
Home for the Holidays Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas are fun, but they can also be lots and lots of trouble. If you're a decorating klutz who, try as you might, has never been able to get your holiday table to look as good as your mom's (or even that lady's down the block), there is help for you yet. The Decorative Center of Houston offers seminars today, hosted by professional decorators. Borrow their ideas to start the season beautifully. 10 a.m. Decorative Center of Houston, 5120 Woodway, Suite 209, 961-9292. Free.