Luna takes a look at a chemical giant

There will be a free screening of “The World According to Monsanto” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at Café Luna.

The film, directed by French documentarian Marie-Monique Robin, chronicles Monsanto’s roots as a small chemical company that grew to spread its influence around the world.

From a start in the manufacturing of the now-banned toxic compounds known as PCB’s, Monsanto moved to producing the defoliant Agent Orange during the Vietnam War and then on to making the popular household herbicide, Roundup.

Monsanto branched into the bovine growth hormone business, purchasing and patenting the rights to many heirloom seeds, and genetically engineering seeds of crops such as soy and corn.

A discussion will follow the screening.

Poets howl at the moon

The macabre delights of Halloween will be the theme of the next poetry open mic at Café Luna, scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16.

Readers are invited to bring a poem or short-short story to share.

The poem or story can be original or not, or poets can write a new work using the following eight words: evening, spooky, slimy, ghostly, freaks, ghouls, howling, moon.

The first half of the event will be reserved for school-aged writers. For more information, visit the café’s Web site at www.cafelunavashon.com.

House Engine rocks the Bike

House Engine, a new Island band, will perform a free, all-ages show at Red Bicycle Bistro & Sushi from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct 12.

Organizer Pete Welch described the band’s music as “primarily blues, with a little rock, alternative country, originals, Motown, funk and a little shout styles thrown in.”

Vanderbilt at the bookstore

Author Annie Vanderbilt will come to Books by the Way at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, to read from her new novel, “The Secrets of Madame Olivetti.”

The book tells the story of the lost loves and intrigues of a wealthy widow, Lily Crisp, who sits down in front of her beloved Olivetti typewriter in an effort to unspool the mysteries of her life.

Publishers Weekly said in its review of the book that “those who relish delightful prose and quirky adventuresses should be satisfied.”

Sculptor has an open house

Sculptor Anthony Kaufmann, who carves in stone, will open his studio to show new work from 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Beall Greenhouse Studios.

To see Kaufmann’s work, visit www.3000bcstudios.com.