THURSDAY, 8/19

MONTEREY BAY SANCTUARY | WATSONVILLE – NOAA’S Monterey Bay Sanctuary Advisory Council invites you to an all-day confab on sanctuary-related topics. 9am. Marinovich Community Center, 120 2nd St., Watsonville. 647-4206. montereybay.noaa.gov

FRIDAY, 8/20

MIIS INTERNATIONAL POLICY EXPO | MONTEREY – Grad students showcase their research on international business and social change. 9am-5pm. Various locations on the MIIS campus, 460 Pierce St., Monterey. 647-6417. blogs.miis.edu/gpism

SATURDAY, 8/21

RECEPTION FOR SAM FARR | SALINAS – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack comes to town for a reception to support Congressman Sam Farr and Congressman Jim Costa, hosted by Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue, County Supervisor Lou Calcagno and ag bigwigs. 4:30pm. National Steinbeck Center, One Main St., Salinas. RSVP 373-4607 or plashawill@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, 8/22

FORECLOSURE WORKSHOP | SALINAS – Attorneys and nonprofit experts give those faced with foreclosure the rundown on their rights and options. 1pm. Madonna del Sasso Church, 320 E. Laurel Drive, Salinas. 722-2845. watsonvillelawcenter.org

MONDAY, 8/23

HOT DRINKS AND HOT TOPICS | SALINAS – Chat with County Supervisor Jane Parker on local issues and big topics. 5:30pm. Cherry Bean Coffeehouse, 332 Main St., Salinas. 883-7570. janeparker.org/weekly-agenda-review

WEDNESDAY, 8/25

ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD | SALINAS – Got animal issues? The county’s animal control advisory board considers them. 3:30pm. Monterey County Animal Services Center, 160 Hitchcock Road, Salinas. 769-8850. www.co.monterey.ca.us

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM | SALINAS – Singer-songwriter and cellist Ben Sollee makes a Salinas stop on the “Ditch the Van” tour, aimed at promoting local arts and bicycle culture. Sollee plays folk, bluegrass, jazz and R&B. 7pm. National Steinbeck Center, One Main St., Salinas. 775-4724. www.steinbeck.org