Thursday, Jan. 8 READ ALONG If your New Year’s resolution is to read more in 2026, Monterey County Free Libraries has just the thing to kickstart your journey. The library system has a free Winter Reading Club through Jan. 31 for all ages. Sign up as an individual, or as a family or group, at one of 16 locations throughout the county and receive a free book and a reading log. For every 20 minutes of reading, color or check off a fun snowball graphic. Prizes are awarded for six hours of reading. The idea is to read for fun, so pick something that brings you joy. [PM] Through Jan. 31. Monterey County Free Libraries, various locations. Free. (831) 883-7573, bit.ly/3YktlJ8. Saturday, Jan. 10 RUN/WALK 2026 Maybe you’re the person who takes a beat in January—takes a chill pill and hibernates after a busy holiday marathon. Or maybe you’re eager to jog off the eggnog. If you fall somewhere in between and want to just move your body and get some fresh air for a good cause, Carmel is hosting a run/walk 5K to kick off 2026. Translated: That’s 3.1 miles of gorgeous coastal views along Scenic Drive. The proceeds go to Girls on the Run Central Coast Inc., a nonprofit that empowers girls in grades 3-8 to thrive and make a positive impact through programs that blend physical activity, teamwork, and life skills—helping build friendships and foster a sense of belonging. Canines will need an additional ticket ($15). [KR] 8:30am Saturday, Jan. 10. San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $48. (323) 630-3407, carmel-by-the-sea-5k.com. TRIPLE THE CHARM Chamber Music Monterey Bay presents the Lysander Piano Trio (Itamar Zorman, violin; Liza Stephanova piano; James Kim, cello). Inspired and named after the character in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the trio was formed at The Juilliard School, 20 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 8-14, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com IAN BATES Bay Area photographer Ian Bates shares a show with Tracy L. Chandler from Los Angeles and Janet Delaney from Berkeley at the Center for Photographic Art in Carmel. Bates’ newly published book, The Weight of Ash, is a photo collection devoted to wildfires. He does both black-and-white and color photography, capturing moody nature and human life in contemporary America. He’s done work for The New York Times Magazine, Smithsonian and Rolling Stone. Meet all three photographers during a 3pm artist talk at Sunset Center’s Carpenter Hall on Saturday, Jan. 10, followed by a reception from 4-6pm. The exhibition, titled The Californians, is on view until Feb. 8. Center for Photographic Art is located at Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. Hours are noon4pm Wednesdays through Sundays. [AP] 8-14 JANUARY HOT PICKS To see more local events, and add your own, visit montereycountynow.com/events IAN BATES LARRY FONES VISUALS LARRY FONES Pacific Grove Art Center not only houses a fourroom gallery, but is also home to many artists who have their studios there, and hosts classes and workshops of various kinds, from art to music. The Wednesday Night Painting Group works every fourth Wednesday of the month in the Annand Gallery. Larry Fones, whose work is shown above, leads the class, devoted to uninitiated life drawing for adults (long poses, ideal for drawing and painting; the sessions include both nude and clothed figure models). A sample of what is being achieved by the group is now on display—portrait and figure studies completed by participating artists throughout the 16 years of the class’ existence. 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. Open noon-5pm Wednesdays to Saturdays; 1-4pm on Sundays. Viewable until Feb. 26. [AP] Stuntman Steve-O of Jackass fame once told the Weekly that there are limits to what he attempts. “I try to avoid spinal cord injury,” he said. He brings his multimedia stand-up comedy and cringe-worthy stunt show to Monterey (see p. 22). STEVE-O Katie Parla is a bestselling cookbook author and an Emmy-nominated television host. Her specialty is Roman cuisine. Meet her on Tuesday, Jan. 13 (see p. 22).
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