3|13 THURS

WOMEN AND WELFARE LECTURE | SEASIDE – Dr. Sharon Hays, the Barbra Streisand Professor in Contemporary Gender Studies at the University of Southern California and the author of “Flat Broke with Children: Women in the Age of Welfare Reform,” talks about women and welfare. Reservations requested. 7pm. CSUMB World Theater, Sixth Ave. Seaside. Free. 582-4000.

ALTERNATIVE TO CAL AM’S DESAL | MONTEREY – Steve Kasower, a senior research economist at UC-Santa Cruz’s Center for Integrated Water Research, talks about the “regional water supply plan,” an alternative to Cal Am’s proposed desalination project. 7-9pm. Monterey Senior Center, 280 Dickman Ave. Monterey. Free. 645-9914.

3|14 FRI

STATE OF P.G. | PEBBLE BEACH – Pacific Grove Mayor Dan Cort delivers his annual State of the City address during the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce awards luncheon. Noon. Inn At Spanish Bay, 2700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. $20. 373-3304.

3|18 TUES

SEEKING MARINA COUNCIL CANDIDATES | MARINA – Marina seeks public-service minded residents (who are also registered voters) to fill a vacancy on the City Council. Applications, available online and at City Hall, accepted no later than 4pm today. Marina City Council, City Clerk’s office, City Hall, 211 Hillcrest Ave. Marina. Free. 884-1278.

CAL AM RATE INCREASES | SEASIDE – Cal Am hosts a public meeting to discuss its rate-increase applications. Come with questions: Why higher top rates for residential users, but not for commercial users? 6pm. Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon Del Rey Blvd. Seaside. Free. 393-1115.

3|19 WEDS

CAL AM RATE INCREASES | CARMEL VALLEY – Cal Am hosts a second public meeting to discuss why it wants to hike up customers’ water rates. 6pm. Rancho Cañada Golf Club, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd. Carmel Valley. Free. 624-0111.

FIVE YEARS INTO IRAQ | MONTEREY – Mourn the loss of thousands of U.S. soldiers and millions of Iraqis killed since the invasion of Iraq five years ago at today’s silent funeral march. Wear black; signs provided. 5pm. Window on the Bay Park, Del Monte Boulevard and Camino El Estero, Monterey. Free. 601-4564.