Thursday 3|23

Plan Drug War

MONTEREY—Rep. Sam Farr discusses the war on drugs and the current state of Plan Colombia, which funnels billions of dollars to the Colombian military to fight drug cartels and battle a political insurgency. 7-9pm. Monterey Institute of International Studies, 499 Pierce St., Monterey. Free. 647-4100.

Saturday 3|25

Oil Addiction

SEASIDE—Pierre Chomat, author of Oil Addiction: The World in Peril, and Deborah Lindsay, co-founders of Sustainable Monterey County, talk about the local ramifications of oil and gas peak and decline. 1pm. Seaside Library, 550 Harcourt Ave., Seaside. Free. 392-1037.

Sunday 3|26

Celebrate Women

SEASIDE—The Monterey County Commission on the Status of Women hosts its 20th annual celebration honoring outstanding local women. 2:45pm. CSUMB Ballroom, Bldg. 29, 100 Campus Center, Sixth Street, Seaside. 755-4499.

Follow the Money

MONTEREY—At today’s Democratic Club of Monterey Peninsula meeting, Beverly Bean presents a model campaign finance ordinance for local governments. 2-4pm. Library Community Room, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 620-1674.

Monday 3|27

Literacy Is Important

SALINAS—Dana Goia, chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts, addresses “The Importance of Literacy to Business.” 11:30am-1pm. National Steinbeck Center, 1 Main St., Salinas. 424-7611.

Beach Crew Recruiting

PACIFIC GROVE—Surfrider, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting oceans and waves, discusses ocean-minded activities at tonight’s general meeting. 7pm. Central Avenue Bakery, 173 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. E-mail ximena_w@yahoo.com.

Tuesday 3|28

Pesticide Rules Rule

SALINAS—The state’s Department of Pesticide Regulations holds a public hearing on a proposal that would make pesticide enforcement rules uniform statewide. 5-9pm. Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, 1428 Abbott St., Salinas. Free. 759-2268.

Wednesday 3|29

UFW Founder Lecture

SEASIDE—United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta closes CSUMB’s Diversity Days with a lecture. 8pm. CSUMB World Theater, Sixth Avenue, Seaside. Free. 582-3539.

Help Baby Birds

MONTEREY—The SPCA trains volunteers who would like to help with the care and rehabilitation of animals. 5:30-7:30pm. SPCA, 1002 Highway 68, Monterey. 373-2631.

e-mail: publiccitizen@mcweekly.com