Send ideas to calendar@montereycountynow.com 30 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 23-29, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com istration. Or rather than forget, put it in context of a changing globe. Other large countries like India and Indonesia, as well as small countries barely covered in the U.S. press like Botswana and Guatemala, saw consequential elections in 2024. Worldwide, more people voted in competitive elections than any year in human history. What does it all mean? Larry Diamond, a political sociologist focused on democracy studies, gives insight into trends, upsets, gains and losses. He’s advised the U.S. Department of State, USAID and the World Bank. Join him and members of the World Affairs Council of the Monterey Bay Area over lunch for a report card: How did democracy do last year? [SR] 11:30am registration; noon lunch; 12:45pm speaker Monday, Jan. 27. Marriott (Ferrante room), 350 Calle Principal, Monterey. $75; $65/WACMB member. 643-1855, wacmb.org. Tuesday, Jan. 28 FOR BUDDING AUTHORS It was the best of times, it was the worst of times—it was time to write that book you’ve always had rattling around in your brain. Once you’ve written the great American novel (or nonfiction, children’s book, etc.), what happens next? The Salinas Public Library turns the page for authors and budding authors by offering an in-depth look at finding an agent and the beginnings of the publishing process in a talk by Seth Fishman, vice president and literary agent at The Gernert Company. Fishman will share all sorts of insights how and when to submit your work to an agent, and more. [PM] 10-11:30am Tuesday, Jan. 28. Online. Free; registration required at libraryc.org/salinaspubliclibrary/65095/register. 758-7311, salinaspubliclibrary.org. HOT DOGS Shearwater Tavern is going to the dogs, in the best way possible. For the first time, it is transforming its patio into The Dog Bar, where guests’ four-legged family members can chow down on treats. But they won’t be the only dogs here. Gourmet hot dogs with various toppings will be on the menu for the human guests, who can wash them down with a cocktail, local beer or wine. General Manager Bob Lambert said the goal is to turn The Dog Bar into a weekly event: “Our community loves gathering on our patio, and The Dog Bar offers the perfect mix of delicious food, great music and a dog-friendly vibe everyone can enjoy.” [EC] 5-9pm Tuesday, Jan. 28. Shearwater Tavern, 3665 Rio Road, Carmel. Prices vary. shearwatertavern.com. CONVERSATION KICKSTART Half the battle of having a good conversation is coming up with quality questions, whether you’re talking with a close friend or meeting someone new. Every fourth Tuesday of the month, The Pearl Works coworking studio hosts an evening designed to foster connections and real conversations. The atmosphere is low-stakes and potluck-style, where everyone brings something to share. Guests select cards with conversation starters to spark discussions and break into smaller groups, diving into topics with depth and intrigue. [KR] 6-8pm Tuesday, Jan. 28. The Pearl Works; 288 Pearl St., Monterey. Free. 645-1165, thepearlworks.com. Hot Picks by Sloan Campi, Erik Chalhoub, Dave Faries, Celia Jiménez, Pam Marino, Agata Popęda, Katie Rodriguez, Sara Rubin and David Schmalz. HOT PICKS Studios. It’s a warm venue with an eco-modern vibe, designed from the ground up to deliver exceptional live sound in an intimate setting. [KR] 7:30-9pm Friday, Jan. 24. Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave St., Monterey. $34. 6552010, wavestreetstudios.com. Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 25-26 IN SPORED As much as redwoods, mushrooms are iconic in Big Sur, as the shady canyons and ample precipitation make prime conditions for fungi. The annual Foragers Festival is a celebration of this delectable, meaty kingdom of the understory. Join in guided hikes (up to 30 people each) with mushroom experts, starting at Big Sur Lodge. Or attend the culminating feast with various chefs making signature small plates featuring their fungi of choice. This event has all the appeal of haute cuisine while also being down to Earth— Big Sur has a gift for stripping away formalities. The event, per tradition, is a fundraiser for the Big Sur Health Center, and pairs 11 local chefs with 20 local wineries. [DS] 9:30am Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 25-26 guided hikes; noon-3pm Saturday, Jan. 25 Fungus Face-Off. Big Sur Lodge, 47225 Highway 1, Big Sur. $75/hike; $135/Fungus Face-Off. bigsurforagersfestival.org. Saturday, Jan. 25 DREAM WEAVER Ensemble Monterey has assembled a chamber orchestra dream team. And with their current season, classical music fans are living the dream. For example, in your wildest dreams, could you imagine an evening with the harmonic beauty of Brahms’ Second Serenade? What if they added Gustav Holst’s Saint Paul’s Suite and Jean Françaix’s 9 Pieces Charactéristiques? Dream on, you say? The orchestra’s third part in the series is titled “A Sweet Dream,” featuring selections revered for engaging melodies. [DF] 7pm Saturday, Jan. 25. First Presbyterian Church, 501 El Dorado St., Monterey. $60; $50/seniors; $20/students; $10/children. 333-1283, ensemblemonterey.org. Sunday, Jan. 26 HIGH HOPES Kick off the new year with an uplifting afternoon of live music at the “Songs of Hope, Harmony & Healing” benefit concert. This event supports two meaningful causes: the Congregation Beth Israel Caring Circle and Breast Cancer Assistance Group of Monterey County. CBI Caring Circle is a community initiative focused on providing support and assistance to those in need. BCAG is a nonprofit dedicated to offering financial and emotional support to local individuals battling breast cancer. Besides a good cause, the musical entertainment also uplifts. Performing artists are Cindy Alexander, Alisa Fineman and Lisa Spector. [AP] 4-5:30pm Sunday, Jan. 26. Center for the Performing Arts at Carmel High School, 27990 N. Doris Watson Place, Carmel. $50. 624-2015, carmelbethisrael.org. Monday, Jan. 27 LAY OF THE LAND Try to forget, for a moment, the new United States presidential adminSAM SALERNO EcoFarm is part conference, part celebration. Likeminded farmers and ranchers gather annually at Asilomar Conference Grounds to trade ideas and take a break from the field. COURTESY OF ECO FARMS Do you want more substantive conversations and less small talk? Once a month, the Pearl Works hosts a group designed to help you get deep on meaningful topics.
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