Well, maybe not exactly with Tom Cruise, but definitely starring Tom Cruise.
The former IMAX theater just re-opened two blocks from our office – and we can’t wait to head over to see “Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” starring you-know-who.
What could be better than dinner (or Happy Hour) and a movie on Cannery Row? Let’s see… Johnny Rockets for a burger? Outrageous clam chowder at the Fish Hopper? Prime rib sliders at the Chart House?
Mmmmm… this is a very good dilemma to have.
The Cinemark Monterey Cannery Row XD is at 640 Wave Street. The “XD” stands for extra large, extreme entertainment—ceiling-to-floor and wall-to-wall screen, custom sound, and premium seating which promises to deliver “an intense sensory experience” to every seat.
See you there!
Holy Smokes, who knew that Cheech Marin (of Cheech and Chong fame) was also an art aficionado?
An avid collector of Chicano art, Marin will exhibit “Chicanitas”—small paintings from his collection—at the Museum of Monterey (MOM) through April 1, with an opening reception December 10.
Subtitled “size doesn’t matter,” the collection includes 65 works (all under 16″x16″) from established and emerging Chicano artists in a variety of media: abstracts, portraits, landscapes, and photo-realism.
The actor/comedian will treat members of MOM to a private reception and walk through from 4-5 pm, with a public reception following from 5-7 pm.
Admission is $10 general and $5 for children under 12. The Museum is located at 5 Custom House Plaza and is open Tues.-Sat. 10am-5pm and Sundays from noon to 5pm.
Looking for some holiday family fun? Take the kids to Caledonia Park in Pacific Grove on December 3rd. From 10am – 4pm this charming neighborhood park will be transformed into a mini winter wonderland with a blanket of snow and twinkly lights. Santa will arrive in a shiny red fire truck—and the Snow Queen and Frosty the Snowman won’t be far behind.
Then grab some hot cocoa and head downtown to the outdoor ice rink in Custom House Plaza, where you can skate the day (or night) away through January 8 (Mon.-Sat. from 11am till 10pm and Sundays from noon till 8pm).
And on December 8th and 10th from 5-9 pm downtown Monterey will be all aglow for “Christmas in the Adobes.” Dozens of the city’s historic structures (illuminated by candlelight and festooned with holiday decorations) open their doors and serve up music and refreshments (like bagpipes at the Robert Louis Stevenson house and Spanish fandango at the Custom House, California’s oldest public building).
Volunteers in period dress will welcome you on this walking tour of 19th century adobes, and docents will be on hand to tell the stories behind the buildings (many of which are open to the public only during this event). Tickets are $20 adults, $2 for ages 6-17, and children under five are free. Call (831) 649-7120 for tickets—the proceeds support youth educational programs at the Monterey State Historic Park.
Saddle up, vaqueros: the 13th Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival rides into town Dec. 2-4 with a line up of some of the world’s very best cowboy poets and musicians.
Monterey has a rich Western heritage, and cowboy poetry – classic storytelling in rhyme and meter – is a folk art that dates back to the early cattle drives.
Things kick off Friday night at 7 pm with “Singing and Swinging” and run nonstop all weekend. There will be jam and open mic sessions (if you are longing to share)—and don’t miss the Sunday morning “Cowboy Church” to benefit the Salvation Army.
A special “Christmas Art and Gear” show, featuring antiques and collectables, custom tack and saddles, Western clothing, paintings, photography, and an array of crafts—from hand-tooled leather to engraved silver—runs concurrently.
All events take place at the Monterey Conference Center at One Portola Plaza. Festival passes are $220, and tickets are available for individual events. Giddyap!
Don't miss your workout when vacationing in Monterey!
There are so many things to be thankful for this time of year (like just living on the glorious Monterey Peninsula, for instance).
But whenever we count our blessings, we always include the Monterey Sports Center.
How do we love thee? Let us count the ways:
Sparkling clean, flooded with natural light from pyramid skylights and clerestory windows, the 72,000 square foot facility has a cafe and a pro shop, huge rooms full of exercise machines and weights, enormous workout spaces with polished floors, a gigantic natatorium (two pools, a 112′ water slide and a sun deck), and a humungous three court gymnasium.
(Sorry, we have to use a lot of superlatives when describing this place: it takes up a whole city block.)
Reasonable fees make it accessible to everyone, and there are over 100 classes scheduled each week—from bosu ball to ballet barre. They offer childcare in the “Kids Zone”—and they’ve just added “ZumbaAtomics” for kids 4-7 and 7-12.
You can put the Sports Center up head to head with any private workout facility in the country. Built by the city of Monterey, with help from many generous benefactors, it’s a shining example of the the public sector doing something right.
With its authentic Victorians and fairytale-lit main street, it’s hard not to get into the holiday spirit in Pacific Grove.
On November 28, head to Jewell Park for a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 pm. Festivities include entertainment by local school bands and choruses, followed by caroling, refreshments, and Santa’s first visit.
Next up: “Christmas at the Inns.” On November 29 & 30 from 6-9 pm, you can visit ten inns decked out for the holidays in Victorian era splendor. Entertainment and light refreshments are included in the ticket price, $20 per person.
On December 1 at 6 pm, bundle up and head downtown for the 10th Annual Holiday Parade of Lights featuring marching bands, floats, dancers, equestrians and Santa. Stores will stay open late, and there will be wagon rides, carolers, and a chance to take photos with Mr. Klaus.
