Big Sur Chanterelle Festival & Cook-Off
February 26 - 28
Big Sur Chanterelle Festival

The weekend starts off at the Big Sur Lodge in the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, with a reception featuring most of the local restaurants, and a couple of surprise invited guests, featuring what they do best, only enhanced with the earthy and rich chanterelle. The following morning, the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz lead a walk through the State Park on a mycological exploration. Following this, there will be a panel discussion about the mushrooms found on the walk, as well as how they are indicator species for the health of a forest. At noon on the Saturday, there will be the Chanterelle Cook-Off! Local chefs, professional and non-, will be vying for various prizes based upon such criteria as Presentation, Taste, Originality and others. Come and taste a wide variety of chanterelle recipes and drinks (yes, we have beverages made with the mushroom!), taste great wines from Morgan, Galante, Hahn, Talbott and Heller, and vote for your favorite dishes. And then, on Saturday evening, come and sit with the chefs and enjoy a sumptuous meal in the Lodge dining room and cheer on the chefs as they receive their awards. Seats are limited for this dinner, so please call and book early.

To Sur, With Love
February 12 - March 12
The Gallery at Ventana

Enjoy Exhibits and Poetry.

JOCELYN LONEN WINERYGOLF & GRAPES CHARITY EVENTFIRST ANNUALCLAMBAKE FOR A C
February 11
Private estate in Carmel Highlands

In the spirit of The Crosby clambakes of old, and to benefit the Musella Foundation www.virtualtrials.com for brain tumor research and treatment, the Jocelyn Lonen Winery is inviting the Central Coast community and all AT&T Pro Am players and visitors to attend the First Annual Golf & Grapes Clambake for a Cure and Celebrity Chef Clambake Competition, a premiere event in the Carmel Highlands following the first round of the Pebble Beach AT&T National Pro-Am. The event will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at a private, ocean view estate in the Carmel Highlands from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Attendees will be able to mingle with celebrities, PGA Tour Players, and celebrity chefs, while enjoying excellent food, wine, a silent auction, live music and more. The cost is $125 per person in advance, or $150 per person at the door.

Craig Ferguson- Live Onstage
February 12
Sunset Center

Ferguson made his breakthrough on The Drew Carey Show as Mr. Wick. He also wrote and starred in three films, The Big Tease (1999), Saving Grace (2000), and I'll Be there (2003) - winning the Audience Award for Best Film at the Aspen, Dallas and Valencia Film Festivals. Ferguson obtained his US Citizenship on February 1, 2008, and chronicles his memoirs in a book entitled American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot.

Hands-On Pastry Class
February 17
L' Augerge Carmel

Chef Ron Mendoza continues with his highly regarded, hands-on sessions teaching professional pastry techniques. February 17th will feature Chocolate Truffles & Fudge.

Valentine's Demonstration & Lunch
February 13
Bernardus Lodge

Valentine's Demonstration & Lunch Saturday, February 13, 2010 11:00am - 3:00pm $95 per person, inclusive of tax & gratuity Enjoy the best of Carmel Valley with a luxurious afternoon at Bernardus Lodge.

Sweethearts of the Fair Valentine's Dance
February 5
Monterey County Fairgrounds

A special Sweethearts of the Fair Valentines Dance Party with Mike Beck & The Bohemian Saints will be held on Friday, February 5th at 8:00 PM at the beautiful Turf Club at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road, in Monterey. The event will feature a no-host bar and appetizers. The cost is $8 per person in advance and $10 per person at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased online at montereycountyfair.com or at the Fair office.

Local Children's Book Author Reading and Signing
February 6
Cannery Row

Local children's book author, Erin Saelens, will be at La Dolce Vita Home and Garden on Cannery Row for an author reading and signing event on February 6th from 11:00am to 1:00pm to promote her new childrens book(that is printed on 100% recyclable paper) "Cog Corner Goes Green" the first of a series of books depicting lovable robot characters as they discover new ways to be kind to the environment and their community! La Dolce Vita is very proud to welcome an author getting the "green message" out to our children and parents and we welcome you to join us in finding our more about this author and her books. Erin Saelens is also the founder of "Bot Tots" which is an organic childrens clothing line that features the fun robotic characters.

Shark Days
February 21 - 22
Monterey Bay Aquarium

Shark Days offers a chance to learn more about these amazing animals.

Book Publishing 1-2-3: From the Writer's Fingers to the Reader's Hands
February 11
Pacific Grove Library

Pre-registration is required with a $20 donation fee. For more information and to register call (831)648-5762.

AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
February 8 - 14
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am

The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is a 72-hole PGA TOUR golf championship dating back to the 1930's when Bing Crosby gathered a few friends to raise money for charity... and have a little fun. Top TOUR professionals team with Hollywood celebrities, world renowned musicians and the captains of industry as they compete for a $6.1 million purse. Foursomes rotate to MPCC Shore Course, Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach Golf Links Thursday through Saturday. The infamous cut is made on Saturday night and the leading 60 professionals and 25 pro-am teams play Pebble Beach on Sunday for the championship. Join us for a great week of golf February 8-14, 2010.

Valentine's Tour
February 13
Wild Things

Couples compete in "Mating Games" Tour with a chance to win a night in the Wild Things Safari Bed and Breakfast.

Steinbeck's Birthday Celebration
February 27
Steinbeck Center

On Saturday, February 27th, 2010, from 10am to 5pm the National Steinbeck Center hosts a Community Free Day. Steinbeck Birthday Celebration is in recognition of John Steinbeck and the inspiration he continues to provide through his legacy. For Monterey County residents, museum admission and all of the Birthday Celebration activities on February 27 are free. For all others, the activities are included in the general museum admission price.

Live Music at Embassy Suites
February 5 and continues every Friday
Embassy Suites

From 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Free admission!