Community Calendar

Peace Through Understanding
FREE ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) CLASSES AT THE MONTEREY PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTER

A Community-Based ESL Program of the Monterey Peace & Justice Center. Classes are held Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at the Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd. Seaside CA 93955, 831-899-7322

Programa de inglés como segundo idioma basado en la comunidad del Centro de Paz y Justicia de Monterey. Las clases se imparten los lunes, martes y miércoles en el Centro, 1364 Fremont Blvd. Seaside, CA 93955, 831-899-7322

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The Monterey Peace and Justice Center offers free English as a Second Language classes to anyone wishing to improve their English language skills. Some basic knowledge of the English language is helpful.

El Centro de Paz y Justicia de Monterey ofrece clases gratuitas de inglés como segunda lengua a cualquier persona que desee mejorar sus conocimientos de inglés. Es útil tener algunos conocimientos básicos de inglés.

ESL ~ CLASES DE INGLÉS

Clases de primavera de 2025: lunes, martes y miércoles
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ESL ~ ENGLISH SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES
Spring 2025 Classes: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays
Las clases se imparten los lunes, martes y miércoles, de 6 p. m. a 7:30 p. m. en el Centro de Justicia y Paz de Monterey, 1364 Fremont Blvd., en Seaside.

No es necesario registrarse. Se permiten visitas sin cita previa. Buscando asistentes de enseñanza voluntarios de ESL. Por favor comparte esta información.

Comuníquese con Susan Morse en smorse21st@gmail.com.

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Classes are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, 6 pm – 7:30 pm at the Monterey Peace and Justice Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd., in Seaside.

No registration necessary. Walk-ins welcome. Contact Susan Morse at smorse21st@gmail.com.

Historia: Nuestro programa gratuito de ESL se lanzó en el verano de 2009 después de que una crisis presupuestaria del estado de California obligara a la Escuela de Adultos Monterey en Seaside a reducir sus clases de ESL. El Centro Paz y Justicia abrió sus puertas para satisfacer una necesidad crítica de la comunidad. Esa fue la génesis de nuestro programa "Paz a través del entendimiento". La competencia lingüística promueve la paz y la seguridad porque la conexión humana ayuda a combatir la desesperación. Sin lenguaje, las personas están irremediablemente aisladas unas de otras.

A través del boca a boca y de nuestra ubicación altamente visible en 1364 Fremont Blvd. en Seaside, generó una respuesta entusiasta al programa. Las clases tuvieron tan buena acogida que hemos seguido ofreciendo este servicio a la comunidad, de forma gratuita.

History: Our free ESL program was launched in the Summer, 2009 after a California state budget crisis forced the Monterey Adult School in Seaside to curtail its ESL classes. The Peace and Justice Center opened its doors to fulfill a critical community need. That was the genesis of our "Peace Through Understanding" program. Language competency promotes peace and safety because human connection helps fight despair. Without language, people are hopelessly isolated from one another.

Through word of mouth, and our highly visible location at 1364 Fremont Blvd. in Seaside, brought an enthusiastic response to the program. The classes were so well received that we have continued offering this service to the community, free of charge.

We offer two lessons (one basics and one beyond) followed by some time to practice together every Wednesday.
No partner or experience needed and fresh faces warmly welcomed, so put on.your dancing shoes and come give it a whirl!!

Cannery Row Jump is home of the Monterey swing dance scene offering Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Charleston lessons. Focusing on these energetic swing dances from the 1920s and 1930s. We aim to bring the joy of swing dancing to people of all ages.

Shake It Señora invites you to build community through joyful movement. Zumba workouts are offered T/Th&S begin August 5 at 8:30am at N Space Dance Studio, 170 Central Ave. Your first class is free when you mention this announcement. Learn more at ShakeItSenora.com or text Tracy at (919)995-55574.

Five New Exhibits to Open at the Pacific Grove Art Center on display from November 7 – December 11, 2025

Join Us in Celebrating Art and Community!

Pacific Grove Art Center, located at 568 Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove, is pleased to announce the opening of five new exhibits, on display from Friday, November 7, 2025 – Thursday, December 11, 2025.

Please stop by on Friday, November 7 from 6-8 pm for all new exhibits. The musical guest is Glenn Leon-Guerrero on keyboards and vocals.

Descriptions of the five new exhibits:

“Exploring” Imagery…Inspiration…Insight - Art by Sofanya, Gill Gallery

“I am blessed to live and make art in the magical redwood forest in beautiful Big Sur California. I welcome people from all over the world to visit my gallery, attend gatherings, workshops, and retreats.”

“In the mid 80’s I discovered the “mistakes” in my paintings made them more interesting. I began to create art with this in mind. In this exhibit I share “stream of consciousness” paintings dated from the 1980’s to present.”

SAQA: ART MOVEMENTS IN FIBER, Dyke Gallery

In this juried exhibit, ART MOVEMENTS IN FIBER, produced by the Northern California/Northern Nevada region of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA), textile artists were asked to choose an art movement or genre and explain how it has inspired or influenced their work. This exhibit represents the work of 43 talented SAQA artists whose work was selected by juror Dolores Miller. SAQA is an international nonprofit organization with over 4,000 members whose mission is to promote and increase appreciation for the art quilt as a fine art medium.

A Shared Vision: Photographs by Cara Weston and Brett M. Thomas, Annand Gallery

Brett is a fine art photographer working exclusively in black and white. He uses medium and large format cameras to capture his images and produce silver gelatin prints in his home darkroom. His subject matter is varied, with an emphasis on landscapes.

As a photographer, Cara’s passion for travel intertwines beautifully with her love for capturing images... This exhibition showcases a curated selection of her favorite images, each capturing not just a moment in time but the essence of the places she encountered.

Between Memory and Light – Sahar Jabr & Reiko Michisaki, Boyer Gallery

Between Memory and Light unites a Japanese American painter and a Syrian felting artist, both navigating questions of identity and belonging. Through layered colors and interwoven threads, the works trace journeys marked by displacement and silence. This exhibition is a dialogue of loss and renewal, where memory becomes light, and art transforms.

Photo Poetry – MHS Digital Arts, Small Halls

Thirty-two teen artists share photos of the most beautiful natural landscapes that they have ever seen. Pictures were shot locally and throughout California, Mexico, Egypt, India, Greece, Germany and Japan. Through their photography, the artists take us with them as they fly on planes, ride horses and hike into breathtaking natural settings. Each photo has an original poem that goes with it, hinting at the emotions hidden inside each image.

About the Pacific Grove Art Center

Since 1969, the Pacific Grove Art Center (PGAC) has been a cornerstone of the Monterey Peninsula arts community. As a community-based nonprofit, PGAC is dedicated to cultivating the arts through creative experiences that inspire, engage, and enrich lives. For over five decades, PGAC has ensured art remains accessible to all by offering low-cost classes, free exhibits, and affordable artist studios.

The Art Center presents a dynamic lineup of rotating exhibits that change every regularly, each one launched with a First Friday New Exhibit Opening. PGAC features four distinct galleries—Nadine Annand Gallery, David Henry Gill Gallery, Elmarie Dyke Gallery, and Louise Cardeiro Boyer Gallery—each showcasing a wide variety of artistic disciplines including painting, photography, sculpture, encaustic, fabric arts, mixed media, and more. Both emerging and established artists are professionally exhibited, with group shows often serving as a launching point for new artists.

PGAC is also home to seventeen professional artist studios that provide dedicated creative spaces for local talent. A robust educational program includes art and movement classes for adults, as well as after-school, weekend, summer, and year-round programs for children and teens ages 8 to 17. Scholarships are available to ensure these opportunities are open to all young artists.

More than a gallery, PGAC serves as a vibrant hub for community and culture. It regularly hosts music performances, cultural events, and special gatherings that combine art, food, and live entertainment. The Center is also proud to be the home of the Peninsula Ballet Center.

PGAC’s historic galleries are available for rental, offering a unique and artistic backdrop for private events and special occasions.

The continued success of PGAC relies on generous donations, grants, and the dedication of volunteers. Community support is vital, especially during challenging times. Becoming a member is a great way to contribute while receiving the PGAC newsletter, which provides updates on exhibits, events, and programs.

Free admission to the PGAC is made possible through your donations. Please give generously!

Enforcing the Coastal Act
Speaker: Ellie Oliver, Northern California Enforcement Supervisor, California Coastal Commission
Thursday, December 11, 2025
6:00pm to 7:30pm Pacific Time
In-person event
Morse Building, room B105
426 Van Buren Street, Monterey, CA 93940
MORE INFO AT GO.MIIS.EDU/SUSTAINABILITY

About the Topic

This talk will briefly cover the history of the Coastal Act and the Coastal Commission, then dive into what it is like to work to enforce the Coastal Act, with examples of cases big and small from the Central Coast District.

About the Speaker

Ellie Oliver is the enforcement supervisor for Northern California at the California Coastal Commission. Ellie earned a BS degree in Biology from Chico State, and then spent a few years teaching science and health both domestically and abroad as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mozambique. When one of her students refused to participate in a class activity to make musical instruments out of plastic straws on environmental grounds, Ellie was surprised to realize that her passion for the environment had been dulled with time and the stress of teaching seventh graders. To rekindle that spark, and find a career that didn’t make her cry, Ellie attended MIIS as an IEP student with an NRPM focus. Ellie learned about the Coastal Commission through a class at MIIS, applied, and was hired in August of 2021 as the district enforcement officer in the Central Coast District. She now supervises district enforcement from the Oregon border through SLO county, working address and resolve violations of the Coastal Act and is extremely happy to be working to protect California’s coast and public access.

Location: Morse Building, Room B105

The Morse Building is located at 426 Van Buren Street, Monterey, CA, 93940, on the campus of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. The Morse building usually has flags hanging from it, and is located next to the MIIS Our Green Thumb garden. B105 is located toward the back of the building on the first floor. There is a wheelchair lift in the Holland courtyard, and stairs can be avoided by circling the back of the Holland Center and back to Morse. Restrooms are located in the Holland Center.

Parking

Parking is available in any Middlebury Institute campus lot after 5 p.m., no parking permit required, no fee. View the campus map. (be sure to not confuse city lots with campus lots—city lots do charge a fee). Free parking is also available on the street (time limits on surrounding streets end at 6 p.m.).

Questions

Contact Rachel Christopherson at the Center for the Blue Economy at cbe@miis.edu or (831) 647-4183.

Monterey State Historic Park Association and California State Parks invite community members and visitors alike to step back in time for a beloved holiday tradition — the 41st annual Christmas in the Adobes.

The event takes place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12–13, from 5-9 p.m., in the heart of Historic Old Monterey.

For two enchanting nights, the city’s historic adobes glow with the warmth of brightly lit luminarias, adding holiday décor, festive music and refreshments to the mix. Guests will stroll through more than a dozen historic buildings, many of which are open exclusively for this event, and experience the stories of California’s earliest days.

This annual walking tour has become a seasonal favorite for families, history enthusiasts and anyone looking to capture the true spirit of Monterey at Christmastime.

“Christmas in the Adobes is more than just a holiday outing — it’s a chance to walk through history, to step inside buildings that are rarely open to the public, and to experience Monterey as it was in Alta California,” said Nicollette Eason-Trottier. “Tickets often sell quickly, so we encourage guests to secure theirs early and not miss this one-of-a-kind celebration.”

A charitable tradition

Proceeds from the event directly support Monterey State Historic Park’s educational programs for elementary students, and the restoration of California’s First Theatre. Guest participation helps preserve history while creating new memories with family and friends.

Ticket information

On sale beginning Friday, Oct. 10:

$25 — Adult One-Night Pass (Early Bird: purchase before Nov. 1)
$30 — Adult One-Night Pass
$45 — Adult Two-Night Gold Pass
Free — Children 17 and under
Tickets may be purchased in person at the Custom House Store or Pacific House Store, online, or at the Pacific House Store on event nights. Military personnel and MSHPA members receive special in-store discounts.

For online purchases, guests must pick up wristbands and programs at designated will call locations on event nights beginning at 4 p.m.: Stanton Center (Custom House Plaza); Casa Gutierrez (590 Calle Principal); or Stevenson House (530 Houston St.). Wristbands are required for adobe entry.

Participating historic buildings include: California’s First Theater; Casa Serrano; Cooper-Molera Adobe; Colton Hall; Pacific House; Robert Louis Stevenson House; Royal Presidio Chapel/San Carlos Cathedral; and many more. The Pacheco Adobe will be open Saturday only.

A rain-or-shine celebration

The event will be held regardless of weather. Select adobes will also offer refreshments to add to the festive spirit.

For more information, visit here.

Although Monterey County enjoys a global reputation as "The Salad Bowl of the World," it still faces the highest rates of food insecurity among California counties.

That’s why one of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s most popular restaurants has teamed with the Food Bank of Monterey County to help fight an issue that, according to a study conducted by UC San Francisco, costs the region an estimated $65 million each year.

Toward that end, The Pocket will host its third annual Feed the Soul charity event on Friday, Dec. 12, bringing together the community for an evening dedicated to fighting hunger and fostering hope.

Last year’s fundraiser funnelled more than $130,000 to helping provide vital meals and resources for thousands of families across Monterey County. The Pocket’s team hopes to surpass that achievement this year, with 100 percent of event proceeds benefiting the food bank’s mission to ensure no one in the community goes hungry.

“Feed the Soul is a vital fundraiser — but it’s also a celebration of compassion, generosity and community spirit,” said The Pocket executive chef Mike Fischetti, a highly decorated chef whose career path includes showcasing his talents at the iconic James Beard House. “We can’t wait for the community to come together and help us make this year's event the most impactful yet.”

Fischetti has orchestrated this year’s event around chef-curated food stations, along with wine and libations from local vendors, as well as interactive entertainment designed to engage and delight. Guests also can bid on exclusive items through a silent auction.

Supporters are invited to get involved in several ways, including becoming a vendor partner, donating items or experiences to the silent auction, or purchasing tickets to attend. All donors and participants who contribute through products, services or auction items will receive complimentary tickets to the event.

As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Food Bank for Monterey County ensures that all contributions — monetary, in-kind, or volunteer — are tax-deductible (Tax ID #77-0270228).

The Pocket was launched in late 2019 by Kent Ipsen, president of Skipolini's Inc., as a place where guests discover “that perfect combination of people, ambience, food and drink” — finding themselves in The Pocket. The event takes place in The Pocket Residences courtyard. For more on the restaurant, visit its website here.

Event details

What: Feed the Soul: A Community Celebration
When: 5-10:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12
Where: The Pocket, Lincoln Street, 5 NW of 6th Ave., Carmel-by-the-Sea

The Food Bank for Monterey County is the largest provider of emergency supplemental food in the area, serving one in four residents throughout the county. With a mission to end hunger and transform the health of the community through good nutrition, the Food Bank distributes millions of pounds of fresh and nutritious food annually to children, families, and seniors in need.

Shake It Señora invites you to build community through joyful movement. Zumba workouts are offered T/Th&S begin August 5 at 8:30am at N Space Dance Studio, 170 Central Ave. Your first class is free when you mention this announcement. Learn more at ShakeItSenora.com or text Tracy at (919)995-55574.

3D Entrepreneurs Club – Free 2-Hour Intro Workshop for Kids (Ages 8–12)
Online after-school program for kids ages 8–12. Empower your child’s creativity and confidence through fun, hands-on learning. Invent toys and products with 3D printing.

Participate with your child in-person or online. Limited seats — register at www.3de.club/workshop.

Location: NextSpace Coworking (opposite Abbott Square, Downtown Santa Cruz ) or Online via Zoom
Time: In-Person: 4–6 PM | Online: 2–4 PM
Questions / Volunteer Interest: info@3de.club

Thanks so much for helping us spread the word!

Monterey State Historic Park Association and California State Parks invite community members and visitors alike to step back in time for a beloved holiday tradition — the 41st annual Christmas in the Adobes.

The event takes place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12–13, from 5-9 p.m., in the heart of Historic Old Monterey.

For two enchanting nights, the city’s historic adobes glow with the warmth of brightly lit luminarias, adding holiday décor, festive music and refreshments to the mix. Guests will stroll through more than a dozen historic buildings, many of which are open exclusively for this event, and experience the stories of California’s earliest days.

This annual walking tour has become a seasonal favorite for families, history enthusiasts and anyone looking to capture the true spirit of Monterey at Christmastime.

“Christmas in the Adobes is more than just a holiday outing — it’s a chance to walk through history, to step inside buildings that are rarely open to the public, and to experience Monterey as it was in Alta California,” said Nicollette Eason-Trottier. “Tickets often sell quickly, so we encourage guests to secure theirs early and not miss this one-of-a-kind celebration.”

A charitable tradition

Proceeds from the event directly support Monterey State Historic Park’s educational programs for elementary students, and the restoration of California’s First Theatre. Guest participation helps preserve history while creating new memories with family and friends.

Ticket information

On sale beginning Friday, Oct. 10:

$25 — Adult One-Night Pass (Early Bird: purchase before Nov. 1)
$30 — Adult One-Night Pass
$45 — Adult Two-Night Gold Pass
Free — Children 17 and under
Tickets may be purchased in person at the Custom House Store or Pacific House Store, online, or at the Pacific House Store on event nights. Military personnel and MSHPA members receive special in-store discounts.

For online purchases, guests must pick up wristbands and programs at designated will call locations on event nights beginning at 4 p.m.: Stanton Center (Custom House Plaza); Casa Gutierrez (590 Calle Principal); or Stevenson House (530 Houston St.). Wristbands are required for adobe entry.

Participating historic buildings include: California’s First Theater; Casa Serrano; Cooper-Molera Adobe; Colton Hall; Pacific House; Robert Louis Stevenson House; Royal Presidio Chapel/San Carlos Cathedral; and many more. The Pacheco Adobe will be open Saturday only.

A rain-or-shine celebration

The event will be held regardless of weather. Select adobes will also offer refreshments to add to the festive spirit.

For more information, visit here.