Events calendar

BENEFITS

· MARCH 31

19th annual Comics for Kids dinner and auction. 5:30p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Pebble Beach Food and Wine grand tasting tent, at the Equestrian Center, Portola Road and Stevenson Drive, Pebble Beach. Stand-up comedy provided by Rita Rudner. Live and silent auction. Benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County. $300. 394-5171, bgcmc.org.

· MARCH 31

Butterfly ball. 6-10p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. Live music, open bar, appetizers, silent auction and door prizes. All proceeds support the museum. Advance tickets: $50 for museum members, $100 all others or $85 for a membership and advance ticket. 648-5716 ext. 11, pgmuseum.org.

· MARCH 31

“Shake, Rattle & Roll to the ’50s.” 6-10p.m. Saturday, March 31, in the Ferrante Room at the top of the Marriott, 350 Calle Principal, Monterey. Three-course dinner, wines, live and silent auctions, dancing and live entertainment. Proceeds benefit PacRep Theatre. $125. 622-0100, pacrep.org.

· MARCH 31

the Marina Foundation’s luau fundraiser. 6p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the American Legion, Post 694, at 694 Legion way, Marina. Dinner, live entertainment, silent auction and door prize. Benefits local youth, teen, senior and cultural programs. $25. Children under 12, $15. 717-4117, themarinafoundation.org.

· APRIL 4

“Guys and Dolls” fashion show and luncheon. 11a.m. Wednesday, April 4, at the Inn at Spanish Bay, 2700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. Silent and live auctions. All proceeds benefiting the Carmel Valley Women’s Club 2012 Scholarship and Community Fund. $65. 659-0934.

· APRIL 19

Peace of Mind Dog Rescue fundraiser. 5:30-7:30p.m. Thursday, April 19, at Abalonetti’s, 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey. Enjoy award-winning Monterey County wines and taste a variety of Abalonetti’s famous dishes. All four-legged attendees are encouraged to wear their finest fashion statement. Fashion show will be emceed by GO! editor Mac MacDonald. All admission proceeds benefit Peace of Mind Dog Rescue. $30. Reservations required. 373-1851.

· APRIL 21

the 11th annual Crystal Ball. 5:30p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside. Reception, dinner, auction and live music by Matt Masih and the Messengers. Benefit for Central Coast HIV/AIDS Services. $80 before April 6, $90 after. Tables of 10 for $750 in advance only. 384-3388, cchas.org.

· APRIL 22

Third annual wish upon a Tree Fundraiser. 2-5p.m. Sunday, April 22, on the Oak Tree Terrace at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, 1 old Golf Course Road, Monterey. Wine, food and live music. $25 per person. Children 10 and under admitted free. All proceeds benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates of Monterey County and Animal Friends Rescue Project. 372-1234, hyattregencymonterey.com

· MAY 19

Monterey Sunrise Rotary Club presents “Crab Grab.” 6p.m. Saturday, May 19, at St. Angela’s Parish Hall, Lighthouse Avenue and 10th Street, Pacific Grove. Crab dinner and silent auction. Benefits Project Helping Hand. $50. 655-4839, crabgrab05190.weebly.com.

CLASSES

& WORKSHOPS

· MARCH 29

Cooking Class: Sunday dinner. 6:30-8:30p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Stone Creek Kitchen, 465 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Monterey. Comfort food rich in flavor and simple to prepare. $65. 393-1042, stonecreekkitchen.com.

· MARCH 29

Chemotherapy hair loss workshop. 6-7:30p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Boomerang Hair Studio, 230 Grand Ave., Pacific Grove. Learn about hair loss and hair piece selection and care. Instructor: Larry Zellers. Free. Reservations: 920-7185.

· MARCH 30-31

“The Rumi Renaissance” lecture and “Sacred Relationships” workshop. Lecture 7-9p.m. Friday, March 30. $20 before March 26, $25 at the door. Workshop 9:30a.m.-4:30p.m. Saturday, March 31. $85 before March 26, $100 at the door. both events held at Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula, 490 Aguajito Road, Carmel. Speaker: Andrew Harvey. 402-7374.

· MARCH 31

Growing great tomatoes workshop. 1:30p.m., Saturday, March 31, at McShane’s Nursery, 115 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Salinas. Free. 455-1876.

· MARCH 31

Introductory emergency planning class. 6-9p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Monterey City Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. Preparing people to deal with most emergency situations. Attendees should be age 13 and older. Free. Reservations: conamonterey@aol.com.

· MARCH 31

Composting workshop. 9:30-11:30a.m. Saturday, March 31, at Monterey Regional Waste Management District, 14201 Del Monte Blvd., Marina. Composting yard and kitchen scraps reduces the amount of “garbage” going into landfills. Free. 372-3196 ext. 102.

· MARCH 31-APRIL 1

Monterey Bay Sailing Club demonstration weekend. 11a.m.-4:30p.m., Sat-Sun, March 31-April 1, at 78 old Fisherman’s Wharf, on right finger pier, Monterey. Opportunity to “test the waters” of boat ownership through a one-hour cruise with a licensed captain. Sailing experience not required. $25. 372-7245, montereysailing.com/ sailreservation.

·APRIL 6

Japanese Tea seminar 11a.m.-12:30p.m. Friday, April 6, at Cha-Ya Annex, 108 Webster St., Monterey. Speaker: tea instructor Masanori Shirakata. Free. 646-5486.

·APRIL 13

International Humanitarian Law Course. 9a.m.-1p.m. Friday, April 13, in the McGowan Building, Room MG102 at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, 411 Pacific St., Monterey. Class about the rules of engagement in armed conflict. Free. 566-8841, hofmann .

· THROUGH MAY 2

Vinyasa Yoga Class. 5:15-6:30p.m. Wednesdays through May 2 at Prunedale Dance Center, 8550 Prundedale Road North, Suite B, Prunedale. Donation. 415-244-9255, s@sarahyogadance.com.

EVENTS

· MARCH 29

“An Introduction to Olive Oil Tasting.” 5:30p.m. Thursday, March 29, in the parker Room at Montrio Bistro, 414 Calle Principal, Monterey. ask questions of expert Louis Gonzalez who has been an olive oil taster for more than 14 years. $10. 646-5632, .

· MARCH 30

Book and plant sale. 9a.m.-3p.m. Friday, March 30, at the Carmel Foundation, Eighth Avenue and Lincoln Street, Carmel. Free. 620-8703.

· THROUGH MARCH 30

Italian Catholic Federation’s Lenten fish dinner. 5:30-7p.m. Fridays through March 30 at San Carlos Cathedral Hall, 500 Church St., Monterey. Takeout available at 5p.m. $12, $6 for children 6 to 10, children under 6, free. 375-3666.

· MARCH 30

Monterey County Hospitality Association presents “Steinbeck Returns to Cannery Row and All that Jazz.” 6p.m. Friday, March 30, at the InterContinental the Clement Monterey, Prescott Street at Cannery Row, Monterey. Live music by Dizzy & Grover, Monterey Jazz Festival County High School Big Band. $125. mcha.net.

· THROUGH MARCH 30

Fish dinners. 6p.m. Fridays through March 30 at our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 9 El Caminito Road, Carmel Valley. $12 for adults, $8 for children 5 to 12 years old, free for children under 5. Takeout avialble. 659-4700, 659-7073.

· MARCH 31

Celebration for new ecologically designed classroom. 10a.m.-noon, Saturday, March 31, at the Hilton Bialek Habitat adjacent to Carmel Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. Classroom designed to model solar electricity, solar thermal, rainwater catchment, living roof, passive solar design, responsible waste management, sustainable food choices and more. Free. MEarth.info.

· MARCH 31

Valley Yoga and Movement fundraiser. 5-7:30p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Valley Yoga and Movement, 16 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. Drumming, fire and belly dancing and more. $15. valleyyogaandmovement.com.

· APRIL 1

Marina Certified Farmers Market. 10a.m.-1p.m. Sunday, April 1, at the Marina Village Shopping Center, 215 Reservation Road, Marina. Marina Tree & Garden Club’s Cutting Day. bring cuttings, seedlings and other garden items for exchange. it is not necessary to contribute items to participate. Look for the exchange tables set up in the Marina Farmers Market starting at 10 a.m. please bring your offerings by 1p.m. Free. 384-6961.

· APRIL 4

Seniors Easter party. 9a.m.-12:30p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at the Firehouse Recreation Center, 1330 E. Alisal St., Salinas. $5 per person. Deadline to purchase tickets is April 2. 775-4286.

· APRIL 5

Pop-Up Dinner. 6p.m. Thursday, April 5, at the new building at the Hilton Bialek Habitat adjacent to Carmel Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. Special culinary event to help support MEarth’s programs. $65. MEarth.info,brownpapertickets.com/event/235995

· APRIL 7

Monterey Peninsula Nisei Veterans’ 47th Easter Egg Hunt. 11a.m. Saturday, April 7, at Del Rey Oaks Park at the end of Angelus way, Del Rey Oaks. Children ages 9 and younger, as well as handicapped children (no age limit), are invited to participate in this free egg hunt with more than 2,000 eggs and plenty of prizes. in the event of rain, eggs will be given away. 372-0219.

· APRIL 7

the 12th annual golden egg hunt. 11a.m.-1p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby St., Seaside. the Easter egg hunt is for preschool children to 12 years old. Bounce house, petting zoo, 7,000 eggs, craft center and a visit from the Easter bunny. in case of rain, event will be held in the Oldemeyer Center. Free. 899-6800.

· APRIL 7

Spring celebration. 10:30a.m.-1p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Barnyard, Highway 1 and Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. Free egg hunt. Scavenger hunt and raffle. Benefiting Special Kids Crusade and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County. $2 per ticket or three for $5. Scavenger Hunt $15 (under 8 free with an adult). 624-8886, thebarnyard.com.

FILMS

· APRIL 2

“A Defiant Volcano” and “Seeds of Hope.” 6:30p.m. Monday, April 2, at the Peace Resource Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. “A Defiant Volcano” is 1985, a documentary about the people’s struggles in Central America. “Seeds of Hope”, 1983, a documentary about hope and survival in the civil war in El Salvador. Free. 899-7322.

· APRIL 5

“2012: A Time for Change.” Potluck at 6:30p.m. Bring a dish to share and your own place setting. Movie starts at 7p.m. Thursday, April 5, at the Big Sur Grange, Highway 1, Big Sur. $10. 667-8823.

LITERARY

EVENTS

· MARCH 30

Author Frank Bardacke. 7p.m. Friday, March 30, at the Peace Resource Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. Discussion of new book “Trampling out the Vintage.” 899-7322.

· MARCH 31

Selected shorts. 8p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Sunset Center, San Carlos Street at Ninth Avenue, Carmel. Short stories by established and emerging writers performed by stage and screen stars. $30-$50. 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org.

· MARCH 31

Creative nonfiction. 3p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, Fourth Avenue and Guadalupe Street, Carmel. New work by Michael Reid and Patrice Vecchione. $10. 624-7491, carlcherrycenter.org.

· APRIL 10

Author Yiyun Li. 7p.m. Tuesday, April 10, in Carpenter Hall at the Sunset Center, Ninth Avenue and San Carlos Street, Carmel. Author of “The Vagrants.” Yiyun Li grew up in Beijing and came to the United States in 1996. Her writings have been published in the New Yorker, best American Short stories, O Henry Prize stories and elsewhere. $10. 624-2811, carmelpubliclibraryfoundation.org

MEETINGS

· MARCH 30

“Dine Out” seniors. 4p.m. Friday, March 30, at Bayonet Blackhorse Golf Course, 1 McClure way, Seaside. 655-9168.

· APRIL 2

Monterey Bay Talespinners meeting. 6:30p.m. Monday, April 2, Monterey Public Library Community Room, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. Short business meeting followed by sharing of tales. Free. 646-8584, 372-5762.

· APRIL 5

Monterey County Genealogy Society. 7p.m. Thursday, April 5, at the Family History Center, 1024 Noche Buena, Seaside. “The Library of Congress: Navigating their Websites and Accessing their Records,” by Dayna Jacobs. mocogenso.org.

· APRIL 10

Monterey Audubon Society meeting. 7p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum, Forest and Central avenues, Pacific Grove. Program: Birds of Paradise and other delights of West Papua, Indonesia. Free. 656-9168.

MUSIC

· MARCH 29

in My Universe. 7-10p.m. Thursday, March 29, at East Village Coffee Lounge, 498 Washington St., Monterey. Donations. 373-5601.

· MARCH 29

Leeward Fate, Sean Ryan Smith. 7:30-9p.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Alternative Cafe, 1230 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. All ages. $8. 583-0913.

· MARCH 30

Jeffrey Halford & the Healers. 7-9p.m. Friday, March 30, at Plaza Linda restaurant, 9 Del Fino place, Carmel Valley. $10. 659-4229. plazalinda.com.

· MARCH 30-APRIL 1

Next Generation Jazz Festival. Various times and locations Fri-Sun, March 30-April 1, throughout downtown Monterey. more than 64 bands compete for a spot on stage at the 55th annual Monterey Jazz Festival. Free. 373-3366, montereyjazzfestival.org/2012/NGJF.

· MARCH 31

Monika & Adam Greenaway. 7p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Plaza Linda restaurant, 9 Del Fino place, Carmel Valley. $10. 659-4229. plazalinda.com.

· MARCH 31-APRIL1

Aria presents “HeartSong.” 8p.m. Saturday, 3p.m. Sunday, March 31-April 1, at Carmel High School Center for the Performing Arts, 3600 Ocean Ave., Carmel. Aria is a choir of the Monterey Peninsula Choral Society. Premiere concerts will feature a repertoire from Schumann’s “Widmung” to a Celtic Riverdance. $15-$25. Tickets: ariamonterey.org.

· MARCH 31-APRIL 1

Ensemble Monterey Presents “Not Again! It’s April Fools!” 8p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Monterey Peninsula College Music Hall, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. 7p.m. Sunday, April 1, at Cabrillo College Recital Hall, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Includes the Concerto Grosso for Cell Phones and Candy Wrappers. $28. $20 for seniors and students 20 and under. Free for active duty military. 333-1283, ensemblemonterey.org.

· MARCH 31

Hootenanny LXXXVII 7-10p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. Open jam and group sing-along. Potluck snacks and donations for the art center welcome. Song books provided. Free. 375-614

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