Community

Get a COVID Test at the Farmers Market, Support Flood Relief

 
5/23/23
 
free
 
Old Monterey

Ever since the Old Monterey Farmers Market reopened in the midst of the COVID pandemic, locally operated Lightspeed Testing has been administering free rapid COVID tests every Tuesday, 4pm-5:30pm, at the market.

As the nation moves away from the COVID emergency, Lightspeed Testing will be winding down operations, ending them by May 31. But, in this last month, Lightspeed wants to give back to our community!

In May, for every no-cost COVID test performed, Lightspeed will donate $100 to the Community Foundation of Monterey County’s flood relief fund up to $25,000.

Join us this month for a COVID test in support of flood relief. Testing is easy, and takes only a few seconds. View all our testing locations here.

Stanton Art Market

 
7/23/23
 
FREE
 
Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center

Celebrate the local arts and embrace the spirit of community at the Stanton Art Market on Saturday, July 23, 10am-4pm.

Immerse yourself in a captivating showcase of local talent and creativity, where artists come together to share their extraordinary work. Explore a diverse array of paintings, sculptures, crafts, and more, all crafted with passion and skill right here in our vibrant town.

Fleet Feet Monterey: The Big Run 5k

 
6/10/23
 
$45
 
Fleet Feet Monterey

Fleet Feet Monterey invites all runners and walkers to join us on June 10 for the Big Run 5k in celebration of Global Running Day! We're offering both an in-person and a virtual option for 2023. Register online. Fee is $45.

The Monterey course is stoller-friendly. All registered in-person participants will get a medal, technical t-shirt, and goodies from our sponsors.

Om Studios Reopens May 15

The renovations are done and Om Studios is back open again at 631 Cass Street, Suite B. We had to take a huge pause to repair winter storm damage, but the time away has allowed us to make some nice updates to our space.

We're now back to our regular schedule offering yoga, barre, and reformer classes. You can book your classes up to two weeks in advance on our website .

The Pearl Works: Desk Workspace Available

The Pearl Works, a locally operated co-working space at 288 Pearl Street, has openings in our Pod Desk Area. Now is the time to schedule a tour , meet some of the great people here, and see if having a dedicated desk would be helpful to you.

Our Pod Desk Area is an open office floor plan with a community vibe, open Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm.

Monterey Trolley Returns on May 27, 2023

The Monterey trolley has returned! This free service will operate May 27 - September 4, 10am-6pm daily.

Park in the Downtown Monterey Garage (340 Tyler), Cannery Row Garage (601 Foam), or the Waterfront Lot (245 Washington) and get a free ride to Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Lighthouse District, Downtown Old Monterey, and Old Fisherman's Wharf.

Monterey Peninsula LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration and Parade 2023

 
7/15/23
 
free
 
Custom House Plaza

Monterey Peninsula Pride is thrilled our annual LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration and Parade will return to Downtown Old Monterey on Saturday, July 15.

The opening parade will begin at 11am, going down Alvarado Street from Pearl Street to Franklin Street. Then, at Custom House Plaza, 12pm-3pm, bring the whole family to shop and eat from a variety of local vendors and enjoy a lineup of queer entertainers including our endlessly talented emcees Rogue Roulette and Khloe QuarterPounder.

Performers and speakers Saturday afternoon will include: Diversity Celebration with Quazar, Grand Marshal Tyller Williamson, Golden & Olga, Xinistra, Paul Richmond, Helixir, WooWoo Monroe, Glodean Champion, and GoldenLuca Oake.

Monterey History and Art Association's La Merienda 2023

 
6/3/23
 
$100/$125
 
Custom House Plaza

Celebrate the City of Monterey’s 253rd birthday with a very special barbecue buffet extravaganza, entertainment by Mike Marotta, Jr. and special guests, mariachi music, folklorico dancers, and a festive “Californio” party in the historic Memory Garden at Custom House Plaza. Tickets are $100 for MHAA member, $125 for all others. Ticket sales end on May 27.

Meet Artist Maria Poroy at Venture Gallery

 
5/20/23
 
free
 
Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery invites you to meet local artist Maria Poroy in person on Saturday, May 20, 10am-2pm. Drop by the gallery, view her new exhibit entitled Art Squared , and speak with her about her work. Maria's paintings will be featured at the gallery throughout the month of May.

Meet Artist Maria Poroy at Venture Gallery

 
5/5/23
 
free
 
Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery invites you to meet local artist Maria Poroy in person on Friday, May 5, 10am-2pm. Drop by the gallery, view her new exhibit entitled Art Squared , and speak with her about her work. Maria's paintings will be featured at the gallery throughout the month of May.

Monterey Garden Tour 2023

 
6/10/23
 
$25
 
Casa Del Oro Garden

Monterey State Historic Park Association and the Historic Garden League present the Monterey Garden Tour on Saturday, June 10, 11am- 4pm. Tickets are $25 per person - reserve your tickets online .

This self-guided tour will feature Casa del Oro Garden in Old Monterey plus 11 private gardens in the New Monterey Area. View beautiful gardens and learn about rainwater catchment systems, water-wise plantings, and weed suppression methods.

Thanks to Old Monterey's 2023 Earth Day Cleanup Volunteers!

From the Old Monterey Business Association and The Foolish Times: a huge thank you to the folks who participated in the community clean-up to help tidy the Downtown and Wharf on April 22.

After separating the recyclables, batteries, and cigarette butts, there was much less trash that went in the dumpster than in prior years. Cigarette butts were still the number one thing we eliminated from the streets and, thanks to TerraCycle, they will be recycled.

Stay tuned: The Foolish Times will organize another clean-up event in July combined with a meet up at the Stanton Center!

Donate Items for MY Museum's Creation Station

MY Museum needs your help! We're seeking donations of specific items for our children's Creation Station. We need: construction paper, school and office supplies, ribbon and yarn, wine corks, stickers, faux flowers, the cardboard tubes inside toilet and paper towel...

Workhorse Bicycles Chill Session

 
4/20/23
 
free
 
Work Horse Bicycles

Bike enthusiasts, Workhorse Bicycles is having a little Sea Otter Classic kickback here at the shop on Thursday, April 20, 6:30pm-9ish. Expect a couple beverages, a couple of hangs, and all the good times. Feel free to come on by and say hello!

Om Studios' Building Temporarily Closed for Reconstruction

After the Om Studios building at 631 Cass Street, Suite B suffered severe storm damage, the entire studio will need to be closed while drywall, flooring, baseboards, and parts of the roof are replaced. (Please note that other businesses at 631 Cass Street are still open! Om Studios was the only space affected.)

Om Studios will continue to offer yoga and mat pilates classes off-site, but we will be closed for in-person barre and pilates until further notice. Our virtual, on-demand offerings will remain available . We hope our studio will be back open in the next 2-3 weeks.

If you would like to pause your yoga/barre membership please don't hesitate to reach out by emailing us . We thank you for your support and patience.

Big Sur Marathon After Party with Fleet Feet and Fieldwork Brewing

 
4/30/23
 
$20
 
Fieldwork Brewing Company

Fleet Feet Monterey invites you to join us for our Big Sur Marathon After Party on Sunday, April 30, 4pm-7pm. Tickets are $20. Please register online.

Whether you plan on walking, running, or spectating at the Big Sur Marathon, join us on Sunday evening to enjoy exchanging race and training stories and socialize with the community at Fieldwork Brewing Company. The first round's on us!

Volunteer for the Downtown Old Monterey Cleanup!

 
4/22/23
 
free
 
Foolish Times

The Foolish Times invites you to help us clean up Downtown Old Monterey streets - let's beautify our beloved Downtown in honor of Earth Day!

Check in at 9am at the office of The Foolish Times next to the Hartness Gulch Walking Bridge. Bags, buckets, gloves, and pickers will be provided. All volunteers will receive a Foolish Times backpack with goodies!

Meet Artist William Eatmon at Venture Gallery

 
4/23/23
 
free
 
Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery invites you to meet local artist Wiliam Eatmon in person on Sunday, April 23, 10am-2pm. Drop by the gallery, view his new exhibit entitled Angels , and speak with him about his work. William's paintings will be featured at the gallery throughout the month of April.

Meet Artist William Eatmon at Venture Gallery

 
4/2/23
 
free
 
Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery invites you to meet local artist Wiliam Eatmon in person on Sunday, April 2, 10am-2pm. Drop by the gallery, view his new exhibit entitled Angels , and speak with him about his work. William's paintings will be featured at the gallery throughout the month of April.

Old Monterey Farmers Market Cancelled March 21 Due to Weather

 
3/21/23
 
 
Old Monterey

Attention: the Old Monterey Marketplace and Farmers Market has been canceled today, March 21, for weather and safety reasons.

The National Weather Service is forecasting severe thunderstorms and strong winds for the Monterey Bay Area.

Stay warm and dry, everyone! We look forward to seeing you at the market next week on March 28.

City of Monterey ADA Transition Plan Update: Town Hall Meetings

 
3/15/23
 
free
 
Monterey City Council Chambers

The City of Monterey is hosting town-hall-style discussions regarding its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan Update on Wednesday, March 15. There will be two sessions: one at 10am in the City Council Chambers, and on at 6pm online...

Meet Artist Gordon Mayfield at Venture Gallery

 
3/4/23
 
free
 
Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery invites you to meet local artist Gordon Mayfield in person on Saturday, March 4, 3:30pm-6:30pm. Drop by the gallery, view his new exhibit, Into the Heart of Big Sur , and speak with him about his work.

The paintings in Mayfield's show are inspired by his hikes in Big Sur below rock faces, in redwood canyons, and on cliffs edging the sea. His work will be featured at the gallery throughout the month of March.

Monterey State of the City Address 2023

 
2/15/23
 
free
 
Monterey Conference Center

The City of Monterey presents the 2023 State of the City Address featuring Mayor Tyler Williamson and City Manager Hans Uslar on Wednesday, February 15, 6pm-7pm at Monterey Conference Center on the 3rd floor in Steinbeck Room 1. You may also watch the address via Zoom .

Meet Artist France Ruhnke at Venture Gallery

 
2/4/23
 
free
 
Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery invites you to meet local artist France Ruhnke in person on Saturday, February 4, 3pm-6pm. Drop by the gallery, view her new exhibit, Metamorphosis , and speak with her to learn more about her beautiful work.

Ruhnke layers vibrant and soft colors and creates brilliant effects with handmade butterflies and flowers sewn on the canvas and ornamented with gold and brass filaments.

The Pearl Works: Call for Artists - Deadline February 8

The Pearl Works, located at 288 Pearl Street in Downtown Old Monterey, is seeking local artists to submit pieces for their next art show, Pathways . This show will be a juried exhibition of emerging artists from around Monterey County...

Meet Artist Evelyn Klein at Venture Gallery

 
1/21/23
 
free
 
Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery invites you to meet local artist Evelyn Klein in person on Friday, January 21, 2pm-5pm. Drop by the gallery, view her new exhibit, Printmaking Meets Painting , and speak with her while she demonstrates her techniques.

Evelyn Klein has spent a lifetime working on bridging the boundaries between printmaking and painting, exploring their intrinsic natures. Her work will be featured at the gallery throughout the month of January.