WEEKLY PEACE CALENDAR

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Peace Pick of the Week!
Wednesday, December 31, 5:30 pm - 6 pm, in person, Twilight Peace Procession, a tradition of First Night Monterey, a festive New Year’s Eve community arts celebration for all ages.  Ring in the New Year with a message of peace! Walk with the Peace Coalition of Monterey County.  Peace and justice groups are invited to join and carry their banners. Gather at the intersection of Franklin St. and Calle Principal in downtown Monterey starting at 5 pm. The procession begins at 5:30 and lasts approximately 30 minutes. Dove and peace symbol signs will be provided. Dress warmly. Wear white or light colors to signify peace. No need to purchase tickets for the First Night Monterey event to participate. For more info, contact Sidney Ramsden Scott at sramsdenscott@hotmail.com.  Learn more about First Night Monterey HERE.

Monday, January 5, 1 pm - 3 pm, in person, Whistlemania! Cali Coast ReSisters are partnering with Indivisible Monterey's WhistleSTOP Campaign to host a workshop at the Big Sur Grange, 47090 Highway One, Big Sur, CA.  Help sound the alarm on ICE activity in our community. Help assemble whistle kits to be used by local community members to alert their neighbors when ICE activity is nearby. Learn more and sign up HERE.  Donate.

Tuesday, January 6, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, in person, Join Swing Left: Write Postcards and Help Register New Voters in Swing States.  Meet at a new venue, the Monterey Public Library Community Room, 625 Pacific Ave., in Monterey.  Join the postcard and letter-writing party or pick up a packet to work on at home.  RSVP HERE. If you would like more than one packet, email Pat Fletcher at pfletcher02@gmail.com by January 4th to help with planning. Each packet of 25 postcards, stamps, and labels is $17.  ($2.50 without stamps).  Details for check, cash, Zelle, and PayPal payments will be available at the event. If you can’t be there, you can pick up packets from one of these three coordinators:
Carmel:  Maggie Pedersen: (713) 206-6507 or Maggie.pedersen52@gmail.com
Monterey:  Pat Fletcher: (408) 373-5800 or pfletcher02@gmail.com
Pacific Grove: Tama Olver:  (831)760-3163 or tamaolver96@gmail.com

Thursday, January 8, 3 pm – 4 pm, in person, Operation North Star, a monthly action at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, Sloat Ave Gate, organized by Veterans For Peace Chapter 46.  Call on Naval officers to follow their conscience and reject unlawful orders. Bring a sign: No Venezuela Blood for Oil, No War on Venezuela!  No Troops on our Streets!  Extrajudicial Killings Are Unlawful!  For more info, visit www.vfp46.org or contact Justin Loza, Justin.Loza.vfp46@gmail.com

Friday, January 9, 3 pm – 4:30 pm, in person and on Zoom, Monthly Meeting of Veterans For Peace, Monterey County Chapter 46.  Members and supporters are invited to attend the meeting in person at the Monterey Peace and Justice Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd., in Seaside.  Or join via Zoom, directly HERE.  Passcode 678017.  For more info, contact Chapter President Justin Loza at justin.loza.vfp46@gmail.com. Chapter 46 meets on the second Friday of each month at 3:00 pm at the Monterey Peace and Justice Center in Seaside (Optionally on Zoom).  VFP is open to all veterans and supporters. Visit the website and blog at vfp46.org. Follow on BlueSky Social vfp46.bsky.social and Facebook JohnSteinbeckIV 

Friday, January 9, and every 2nd Friday, in person, Discussion groups led by Alex Stampher at the Monterey Peace and Justice Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd. in Seaside.

·   United and Informed, 5:30–6:30 pm, Understanding Nonviolent Conflict Resolution

·   Unidos e Informados, 7:00–8:00 pm, Exercising Your Rights in English

This is a casual forum for community, conversation, and connection. Each month, we share short readings and lively dialogue on issues that matter most right now.

Friday, January 9, 6 pm - 7:30 pm, in person, MC Million Rising Gathering at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula (UUCMP), 490 Aguajito Rd., Carmel. Meet on the 2nd Friday of each month to explore creative and nonviolent ways for ordinary folks to resist today's authoritarian threats to our freedoms and civil liberties, especially within Monterey County. Find notes from past meetings HERE.  To stay up to date, send your name, email address, and how you heard about the group to mcmillionrising@gmail.com.    

Mondays, January 12 through March 16, 4 pm - 6 pm, in person, Empathy in Action: Winter 2026 Series, an initiative of the Transformative Justice Center based in Monterey. In this arc of transformation, volunteers will spend over 8 weeks exploring different readings and topics with the incarcerated community at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad.  Sign up HERE.  For more information, email Megan McDrew at mmcdrew@transformativejusticecenter.org

Wednesday, January 14, 11:30 am, in person, What Is Behind the Surge in Renter's Issues? Speakers are Esther Malkin, founder of Monterey County Renters United, and Susie Shannon, statewide advocate for low-income renters and co-author of SB 1380 (California’s Housing First law). They’ll discuss the rising challenges facing Monterey County renters, including the Salinas renter-protection referendum, Marina’s pending decision on long-standing rent control, and the county’s high rate of student homelessness. A free talk presented by the League of Women Voters of Monterey County at their January “Lunch & Learn” meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 490 Aguajito Rd. in Carmel.  Doors open at 11:30 am for registration. Lunch is at 12 noon, and the presentation starts at 12:30 pm. Lunch (Mediterranean fare) is $25 per person, payable at the door with cash or check. Contact Beverly Bean at (831) 236-1611 or beverlygb@gmail.com to make your Lunch Reservations by Monday, January 12.  Find more details HERE. Recording will be posted on the LWVMC website, under Videos.

Saturday, January 17, in person, Salinas/Monterey County Homeless Union's 10th Anniversary Celebration at the National Steinbeck Center, 1 Main St, in Salinas. This inspiring community celebration will feature live music, speakers, art, food, and peer-led conversations uplifting impacted voices.  Because the Salinas/Monterey County Homeless Union was founded on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2016, with the support and direction of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, the NAACP Monterey County Branch is sponsoring the event.  HUGS (Helping U Get Support) is a new nonprofit that will debut by hosting this event.  You can support this project with a donation.   Everyone is welcome.  Musicians, poets, dancers, artists, and community groups are invited to participate. Contact: Wes White (510-274-9275) or Crystal Sanchez (916-495-9026). 

Sunday, January 18, in person, Salinas MLK March & Vigil:  A Celebration of Diversity!  4:30 pm: Gathering at the Old Jail,142 W. Alisal St.
5:00 pm: March to City Hall Courtyard 202 Lincoln St.
5:30-6:30 pm: Candlelight Vigil and Commemoration.
In case of rain, meet at First United Methodist Church, 404 Lincoln Avenue in Salinas.  Admission is free.  All Dreamers are Welcome!  More info, call (831) 578-5353. Sponsored by the Monterey County Interfaith Alliance.

Monday, January 19, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm, in person, Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. in Marina at the MLK Sculpture Garden on the Marina Library grounds, 190 Seaside Circle (near Locke-Paddon Park).  An afternoon of music, community, and remembrance.  Kona Jerry will be onsite selling delicious food.  Performance Schedule:

• Leon Joyce Trio, presented by the Just Jazz Foundation, 12:30–1:00 PM

• Smokey Ruffin Quartet, 1:15–2:00 PM

• Monterey County Pops Orchestra, 2:15–3:15 PM

Co-sponsored by Monterey County Pops! Orchestra, Citizens for Sustainable Marina, Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, and the City of Marina

Friday, January 23, in person, Save the Date for Solidarity With Immigrants: Fundraiser for Watsonville Law Center, at Other Brother Beer Co. Brewery and Restaurant in Seaside.  Email indivisiblemonterey@gmail.com if you own a local business and would like to donate a silent auction item. More details soon!  Donate to WLC HERE.

Saturday, January 24, 7 pm - 9 pm, in person, Diana Gameros, in concert at the Palenke Arts Studio, 1713 Broadway Ave. in Seaside (behind Martin Luther King, Jr. School of the Arts). Diana Gameros is a Mexican singer-songwriter whose music weaves love, longing, and hope across cultures and languages. She captivates audiences with soaring vocals, expressive guitar work, and an engaging stage presence. Doors at 6:30 pm. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. Proceeds benefit Palenke Arts multicultural arts organization.

Thursday, January 29, 2026, Monterey County Point-in-Time Count for all populations of persons experiencing homelessness.  Volunteers Needed!  The Count is required to receive federal homeless assistance funds and provides critical data used to understand homelessness locally and support strategic program decisions. Find more details and sign up HERE. Contact alex@appliedsurveyresearch.org or 877-728-4545.

Tuesday, February 10, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, in person, Join Swing Left: Write Postcards and Help Register New Voters in Swing States.  Meet at a new venue, the Monterey Public Library Community Room, 625 Pacific Ave., in Monterey.  Join the postcard and letter-writing party or pick up a packet to work on at home.  RSVP HERE. If you would like more than one packet, email Pat Fletcher at pfletcher02@gmail.com by February 8th to help with planning. Each packet of 25 postcards, stamps, and labels is $17.  ($2.50 without stamps).  Details for check, cash, Zelle, and PayPal payments will be available at the event. If you can’t be there, you can pick up packets from one of these three coordinators:
Carmel:  Maggie Pedersen: (713) 206-6507 or Maggie.pedersen52@gmail.com
Monterey:  Pat Fletcher: (408) 373-5800 or pfletcher02@gmail.com
Pacific Grove: Tama Olver:  (831)760-3163 or tamaolver96@gmail.com

Friday-Sunday, February 20–22, 2026, in person, A Black History Month Celebration: Exploring and Restoring Our Path to Healing Through Empathy and Music, a weekend retreat at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA.  LaVerne McLeod and Melanie DeMore will facilitate this transformative workshop.  People of all backgrounds are invited to explore shared experiences using empathy, songs, visualization, and movement exercises. Reserve your spot early; this event will fill up.  Registration is now open at http://bit.ly/41qjXpg. Special Offer:  Reduced rates are available for Big Sur and Monterey County residents who arrange their own lodging offsite.  Click the Register Now link for details.

Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 pm – 7:45 pm, English Second Language Classes at the Monterey Peace and Justice Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd., in Seaside.  No registration necessary.  Walk-ins welcome. For more information, text, or phone Alex Stampher at 831-899-7322.

Thursdays, 24-hour Economic Boycott!  Let your economic power send a message to the big corporations that exploit workers, fuel militarism, suppress unions, or abandon diversity, equity and inclusion. Demand accountability and justice. Try to shop locally, if you must spend. Resources: WagingNonviolence.org and ChooseDemocracy.us/boycott-central/

First and Third Sundays of each month, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm, Vigil for Peace at the Star Market parking lot, corner of S. Main and Blanco Road, Salinas.  Email John Silva at roycamp39@gmail.com for more information. Sponsored by the Live Oaks Friends Meeting (Quakers).

Fridays, 4 pm - 5 pm, Peace Message Fridays at Window on the Bay, 717 Del Monte Avenue in Monterey, organized by the Peace Coalition of Monterey County.  Contact Sidney Ramsden Scott at sramsdenscott@hotmail.com for more information.

Paused starting Friday, January 2, 2026, until further notice:
Fridays, 4:30 pm - 6 pm, Vigil for Peace:  Salinas Palestine Solidarity, at the Star Market parking lot, corner of S. Main and Blanco Road, Salinas.  Email Dick Strubbe at dickstrubbe@sbcglobal.net for more information.  Co-sponsored by MPJC.

Sundays, 3 pm - 5 pm, No Rest Until Liberation for Palestine, at Window on the Bay, 717 Del Monte Ave in Monterey.  Activities include information sharing, art, street protest, music, community, and food. Rain or shine. Signs are available, or bring your own. Organized by Monterey Palestine Solidarity.  More info, email montereypalestinesolidarity@gmail.com