this week, and this time the focus is “Activating Your Writer’s Brain”—or, as senior librarian Cathy Andrews puts it, “everything that makes a difference to your writing that isn’t the sittingdown-and-writing part.” As usual, the workshop is helmed by author Bonnie Dillabough, whose own experience is a testament to how it’s never too late to pick up the pen. (Dillabough published her first book several years ago when she was in her early 60s; she’s now at work on her fifth.) Those who can’t make the workshop can watch a recorded version on the library’s YouTube channel. [RM] 6-7pm Tuesday, Jan. 31. Virtual event. Free. bit.ly/JanWritersWorkshop. Feb. 1 Shared History The beginning of Black History Month marks the beginning of a special movie screening series. Every Wednesday in February, the nonprofit Black Leaders and Allies Collaborative (BLAAC) will show a movie that examines race and racism in America. The screening is free (and so is the popcorn), but there is one contribution you’re expected to make. After the movie, BLAAC founder Dirrick Williams facilitates a brief conversation (see story, p. 40). What stood out to you in the movie? Made you mad? Made you think? This Wednesday, prepare to learn about the U.S. government’s counterintelligence program against Black organizers in the 1960s and ’70s through the documentary The FBI’s War on Black America. [TCL] 6pm Wednesday, Feb. 1. Lighthouse 4 Cinemas, 525 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. blaac.org. Hot Picks by Tajha Chappellet-Lanier, Dave Faries, Kyarra Harris, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Rey Mashayekhi, Agata Pop˛eda, Sara Rubin and David Schmalz. 36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY january 26-february 1, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com Send ideas to calendar@mcweekly.com HOT PICKS Pick Up Artist Looking for a way to help with post-storm cleanup? Here’s an option, and one that includes some exercise, too. A sad necessity that some have been incorporating into their fitness routines for a long time now has a name and a trend behind it: Welcome to plogging. Plogging is defined as picking up litter and jogging at the same time (from the Swedish verbs plocka upp—to pick up—and jogga). The term was invented and popularized as an organized activity in Stockholm in 2016. Now thought of as a full-body workout that involves jogging, stopping and bending, plogging is currently taking London by storm. While all you need is goodwill and a bag (perhaps a backpack) for your lovely collections, plogging can also be a regular group activity. Plogging is being promoted by Keep America Beautiful, a nonprofit that is the largest community improvement organization in the U.S., founded in 1953. Plogging can be conducted along roads, in parks, on beaches—anywhere you may find yourself walking the dog, running, etc. The search for litter is unfortunately easy after big storms in recent weeks (but there’s always something to pick up and dispose of). The things that you find can make for wonderful anecdotes and countless little adventures, plogging regulars report, not to mention a sense of well-done civic duty. So if you want to take the littering problem “into your hands,” gather your friends and start cleaning up the mess. [AP] daniel dreifuss outside of humor as for his disdain for anything curd-related. Could it be any more fitting, then, that Snell headlines this month’s Bricks N Beer Comedy Night at XL Public House in none other than downtown Salinas? Not a chance. We’re not sure where Jamar Pitts, Susan Maletta or Wendy Lewis stand on the question of Stilton, but they join Snell on stage for an evening packed with laughter. Treading Caerphilly? Not a chance. Really, they will string you along all night until, doubled over, you wave “no mozz.” Simply put, you will not leave feeling bleu. [DF] 9pm Saturday, Jan. 28. XL Public House, 127 Main St., Salinas. $10. 800-7625, eventbrite. com. Through Jan. 29 To the Kelp Forest If you are a bearer of a photo ID or a utility bill that proves that you are a resident of Monterey County, take advantage of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s annual open community house and visit—or revisit—sea otters, penguins and the kelp forest, all for free. Sardines, sharks, rockfish and tuna will be there too, and the whales— if you are lucky. The open house program returns after a three-year pandemic-induced hiatus, bringing marine habitats of Monterey Bay to the wide public. “We’re thrilled to bring back this popular tradition,” Aquarium Executive Director Julie Packard said in an announcement. “Our community has always been central to our success. I’m so glad we’re able to show our appreciation.” The offer is also open to residents of Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. The giant Pacific octopus cannot wait to see you all—no tickets or reservations are necessary. [AP] 10am-5pm through Sunday, Jan. 29. 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. Free. 648-4800, montereybayaquarium.org. Jan. 29 Pottery Pupils Handmade crafting has continued growing in popularity over the last couple of years. Now, there’s an opportunity to take on a new skill and join the trend, with this introduction to pottery class. Casey Starks Studio is hosting a workshop in which beginners make their own pieces. Learn to slab, pinch and coil, while creating up to two pieces, including a cup, bowl, plate or planter. Students get one-onone instruction from Starks herself and watch her demonstrate different skills. No prior experience is required. Your pieces will be fired, glazed and ready to pick up—and display proudly—in about three to four weeks. [KH] 10am-noon Sunday, Jan. 29. Casey Starks Studio, 550 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. $135. caseystarks.com. Jan. 31 Talking Shop Salinas Public Library’s quarterly virtual writer’s workshop is back What do you like to collect? A museum workshop goes into the history and tradition of collecting as art and storytelling. Photo by Alia Hasan on Unsplash
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