Thursday, March 19 TRASHY TREASURES Where some people might see trash, others see treasure. That’s been true throughout the ages, but there are some who take it a step further: trash into fashion. The South County Trashion Show is back, and it’s just as the title promises. Candy wrappers, old tires, well-read newspapers, used coffee bags and other discarded materials come together to form fashionable garb worn by models as they strut down the runway. The show is a fundraiser for Alliance on Aging, which provides services to local seniors. Sustainability meets art and fashion for a good cause. That’s four wins right there. [EC] 11am (silent auction and art show), noon (lunch and runway show) Thursday, March 19. Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, Orradre Building, 625 Division St., King City. $80-$90. (831) 6557504, allianceonaging.org. Friday, March 20 A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT One quirky feature about modern life is how we can move about without thinking about nature. In the old days, crossing the Carmel River, especially near the wide river mouth that runs into the Pacific Ocean, was a major project, depending on the flow and conditions. These days, just cruise along over a bridge on Highway 1 like nothing remarkable has happened. Something else remarkable, if subtle to the untrained eye, is happening in the Carmel River floodplain. Big Sur Land Trust is working with a long list of other agencies on a flood protection and habitat restoration project called Carmel River FREE. Learn about the dozens of agreements that go into a project like this and take a tour of the project site with BSLT’s Rachel Saunders on a gentle, guided 3.5-mile hike. [SR] 9-11:30am Friday, March 20. Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. Free; sold out; waitlist available. (831) 625-5523, bigsurlandtrust.org. ISO GENGHIS KHAN Award-winning author James Michael Dorsey continues his “Before They Vanish” travelogue series, presenting vanishing cultures through digital images and vivid storytelling. Next up, he leads a journey on “The Search for Genghis Khan,” taking attendees on 34 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 19-25, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com ELIZABETH MURRAY Multidisciplinary artist and avid gardener Elizabeth Murray is back with a new show at Marjorie Evans Gallery in Carmel, titled Rites of Renewal, In Kinship with the Earth. Her oil paintings on wood are a celebration of trees, for example Big Sur redwoods, perceived as old and wise beings, symbols of interexistence with the rest of the living world. A reception for this show (5-7pm on Friday, March 20) coincides with the spring equinox and features a performance by Carmel Dance Festival artists accompanied by a string duet. Murray is known not only for her paintings of trees, but also for her longtime interest in Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France (as well as her own garden in Monterey). The gallery is located in the Sunset Center in Carmel; open 10am-4pm Monday through Friday, and the exhibit is on display until April 30. [AP] 19-25 MARCH HOT PICKS To see more local events, and add your own, visit montereycountynow.com/events ELIZABETH MURRAY WESLEY HAACK, HAACKART.COM VISUALS ART OF OBSERVATION The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and Monterey Regional Airport collaborate on an exhibit exploring nature, science, curiosity and conservation through art. The Art of Observation: Recording Monterey County’s Natural World features artists working in different mediums, such as Linda Yamane and Violet Smith, whose basket work is inspired by local plants and Don Wobber, known for jade carvings. Oakland artist Wesley Haack’s woodcut and watercolor piece “Great Blue Heron” (above) was inspired by a visit to Pacific Grove. Pieces from artists in CSUMB’s Illustrating Nature Program are also included. The works will be on display at the airport from March 24 through spring 2027. An opening celebration takes place Tuesday, March 24 from 5:307pm and is open to the public. Monterey Regional Airport is at 200 Fred Kane Drive, Monterey. [DF] Il Divo has recorded songs in multiple languages that has landed them 160 Gold and Platinum records across 35 countries. Hear them at the Sunset Center on Tuesday, March 24 (see details, p. 37). COURTESY OF SUNSET CULTURAL CENTER Darnell Lamont Walker is a writer and a death doula. He’s currently on a book tour for his new book about the art of creating a peaceful ending (details on p. 36). K. FINN
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