February 1
Paula Poundstone
Carmel
Tel: 831-620-2048
www.sunsetcenter.org
Paula’s ability to create humor on the spot is legendary and with her casual air, impeccable timing and razor-sharp wit, she improvises with a crowd like a jazz musician. 120 minute show without an intermission. May contain objectionable material.

February 2
Art Start Art Walks
Salinas
Tel: 831-758-9126
www.artistasunidos.org
Explore the galleries and informal exhibit spaces of Oldtown Salinas - complete with live music and light snacks - during this free monthly open house. Held 5-8pm the first Friday of every month.

February 3,10,14 & 17
"Mating Game" Flashlight Tours at Wild Things
Spreckels
Tel: 831-455-1901 ext 3
www.wildthingsinc.com
Adults (over 18) can get a little wild around Valentine's Day learning about the fascinating mating behaviors of the animal kingdom during a nocturnal tour of Wild Things animal facility. Tours followed by refreshments and a lucky drawing to win a night in the VisionQuest safari-style B & B.

February 1-16
Big Sur Writing Workshop Registration
Big Sur
Tel: 831-667-2574
www.henrymiller.org
The Henry Miller Library hosts a weekend-long workshop on March 9-11, 2007 for fiction and non-fiction writers that puts them face-to-face with editors, agents, and other writers who can help, inspire, and facilitate the progress of your book. Hurry! Registration ends on February 16th.

February 1-24
Fat Pig
Salinas
Tel: 831-675-0521
www.paperwingtheatreco.com
written by playwright Neil LaBute, explores how society treats a romance between a young single man and his overweight girlfriend. Don't miss this insightful production by Paper Wing Theatre Company at the old FOX Theater.

February 3
Carmel Music Society Series
Carmel: 831-626-9938
www.carmelmusic.org
Arnaldo Cohen returns to the Carmel Music Society series by popular demand. The Brazilian-born pianist has enjoyed an increasingly successful career taking him to the major concert halls of Europe and South America. In recent years, Mr. Cohen debuted in subscription concerts with the Philadelphia and Cleveland Orchestras and returned for recitals in New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Seattle and Miami, among others.

February 5-11
AT & T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
Pebble Beach
Tel: 800-541-9091
www.attpbgolf.com
The AT & T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is a 72-hole PGA Tour golf championship with 180 top tour professionals and 180 star-studded celebrity amateurs competing head-to-head at this year's event.

February 9-25
Hansel & Gretel
Monterey
Tel: 831-646-4213
www.mpcfaculty.net/drama_dept/sroplays.htm
Hansel and Gretel are the children of a poor wood cutter. Fearing starvation, the wood cutter's wife convinces him to lead the children into the forest and abandon them there. Hansel and Gretel hear her plan and gather white pebbles to leave themselves a trail home.The SRO/Studio Theatre presents a dramatization that should enthrall all ages.

February 11
A Day of Romance in Old Monterey
Monterey
Tel: 831-649-7111
www.parks.ca.gov
Features four romantic living history plays at Larkin House, Cooper-Molera Adobe, Diaz Adobe and the Stevenson House. The Romance Play Walking Tours take about 2 hours and are re-enacted by State Parks volunteers in historic character and 1900 period costumes. Tour depart on the 1/2 hour from 10 am - 2 pm (with exception of 12:30 pm). The tour concludes with tea, scones and a Victorian operetta reflecting the music of the 1800s led by local actor/musician Kevin Hanstick. Tickets may be purchased at Cooper Molera Store for $16/person.

February 11
22nd Annual Together with Love Run and Walk
Pacific Grove
Tel: 831-373-3389
www.mtryrapecrisis.org
mrcc@mbay.net
This 10k run/5k walk on a mostly flat, looped course along Alsilomar State Beach and Monterey Bay is the 10th largest race in California; it's open to competitive and noncompetitive runners plus wheelchair racers.

February 14
Valentine's Day Dinner at the Culinary Center of Monterey
Tel: 831-333-2133
www.culinarycenterofmonterey.com
Join the Culinary Center of Monterey for a very special Valentine Dinner presented by the senior class student chefs under the direction of chef instructor Rick Edge. Reservations required.

February 16-18
5th Annual Passport Weekend / Monterey Wine Auction & Gala
Monterey County
Tel: 831-375-9400
www.montereywines.org
Explore the wineries of Monterey County! You’ll be ready to navigate the region with a ‘passport’ that entitles you to wine tastings, entertainment, special offers and great prizes. The Monterey Wine Auction & Gala on February 17 will benefit charitable organizations and scholarship programs.

February 17, 18, 19
Monterey Symphony
Salinas (18), Carmel (19-20)
Tel: 831-624-8511
www.montereysymphony.org
Max Bragado-Darman, conductor
Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Schumann: Concertstuck in F major for Four Horns*
Beethoven: Symphony No.5

February 17 - 18
18th Annual Whale of an Art Show
Monterey - Custom House Plaza
Tel: 831- 625-0931
The Whale of an Art Show returns to downtown Monterey at Custom House Plaza State Park. Sixty five Contemporary artists will exhibit their latest creations in this historic outdoor gallery across from the Wharf. Event is free and open to the public 10-5 daily. Convenient parking next to the show at Del Monte & Washington.

February 21
3rd Annual International Flavors of Marina - Food, Wine & Beer Tasting
Marina
Tel: 831-384-9155
Taste fresh creations from over 30 local restaurants wineries and breweries, and enjoy live entertainment and silent and live auctions from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the CSUMB, University Center Ballroom. Please reserve your tickets in advance to ensure availability.

February 22
Mindful Parenting with Daniel Siegel, M.D
Robert Down Elementary Auditorium
Pacific Grove.Time: 7 - 9 pm
Tel: 831.646.6623
Don't miss this exciting opportunity to improve and better understand the relationships in your life. This event is for parents, caregivers, and professionals who care about children of all ages.Drawing upon stunning new findings in neurobiology and attachment research, Dr. Siegel will reveal how interpersonal relationships directly impact the development of the brain, and offer parents a step-by-step approach to forming a deeper understanding of their own life stories that will help them raise compassionate and resilient children. Reservations are recommended. $15 per person ($25 per couple) - Scholarships available.

February 22-25
21st Annual Masters of Food and Wine
Carmel
Tel: 800-401-1009
www.mfandw.com
The world's leading international summit of the best food and wines. Rare wine tasting and food prepared by the best chefs in the world, including Roy Yamaguchi of Roy's and Charlie Trotter, plus cooking demonstrations, great meals and more.

February 22
Amgen Bike Tour of California
Seaside and South County
www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
The world's top professional cycling teams compete for the highest prize purse in North America. Stage 4 of the eight-day, 700-mile race throughout California begins in Seaside and travels south along scenic Highway 1 through Big Sur.

February 24
National Steinbeck Center Big Red Kick Off & Community Free Day
www.steinbeck.org
Salinas
Tel: (831)796-3833
Come join the party as we kick off The Big Read at the edge of the Oldtown Marketplace, with a variety of entertainment on the front steps of the museum. Come on in, the museum is free all day to for Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz County residents!

February 24
Slanguage
Seaside/CSUMB
Tel: 831-582-4580
http://worldtheater.csumb.edu
Built loosely around the structure of a subway ride from Brooklyn to the Bronx, Slanguage synthesizes traditional theater with poetry, storytelling, rap, gospel, jazz riffs, bluesy laments, Spanish boleros, and other poetic forms, to paint a rich portrait of the sights and sounds of New York City.

February 24
Habitat for Humanity Warehouse Sale
Seaside - Fort Ord
Tel: 831-883-8644
www.habitatmonterey.org
Monterey County chapter of Habitat for Humanity is preparing a warehouse sale for the public's benifit, helping to raise funds for future projects in Monterey County. The type of Items range anyware from a Sony color television to quite litterally the kitchen sink.A complete inventory list, directions, and sale information can be found at the web address above.

February 24-25
Eden Cat Fanciers Show
Monterey County Fairgrounds
Salinas Room
Tel: 831-372-7018
www.montereycountyfair.com
justplaincarol@onemain.com
Just in time for John Steinbeck's birthday: the East of Eden Cat Club holds its annual show of fabulous felines, at Monterey County Fairgrounds

February 25
Intricacies of Taste
Carmel Valley
Tel: 831-624-2600
www.chateaujulien.com
Chateau Julien’s Kraftzeck and Chef Kasky will lead participants through the fundamentals of taste, exploring a variety of wines with comparable foods and textures. from 1:00pm – 4:00pm in the winery’s Conservatory, and will feature a hands-on discussion and tasting of complementary, contrasting and experimental food/wine combinations. Visit the website for a complete list of Chateau Julien Wine Estate.

February 25
Oscar Night Gala, Dinner & Big Screen Telecast
Carmel Valley
Tel: 831-646-0910
http://www.filmmonterey.org
"The Big Night 2007" The Monterey County Film Commission’s 17th annual celebration of Hollywood’s Academy Awards® presentation night, held at Tehama Golf Club

February 25-26
Shark Days
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey
Tel: 831-648-4888
www.montereybayaquarium.org
Ever dreamed you could get up-close-and-personal with a shark? Throughout history, humans have been both fearful and fascinated by these magnificent and mysterious animals, and this special weekend will be fun, educational and inspiring.

February TBA
Chamber Music in Colton Hall
Monterey
Tel: 831-646-5640
www.monterey.org
Enjoy an evening of chamber music at Colton Hall, setting of California's Constitutional Convention. Reservations required as space in this historic venue is limited.

February TBA
Steinbeck Country Cat Show
King City
Tel: 408-749-0147
Cats of all stripes compete in an all-breed cat show listed with The Cat Fanciers' Association, held at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds.