Write-in candidate filing period opens
MONTEREY COUNTY — The nomination period for write-in candidates seeking offices in the Nov. 3 General Election opened Sept. 7 and runs through Oct. 20, according to Monterey County Elections.
Candidates must meet the qualifications for the office and file write-in nomination forms with the Monterey County Elections Office at 1441 Schilling Place, North Building, in Salinas. There is no filing fee, and write-in candidates do not file candidate statements. Their names will not appear on the printed ballot.
Candidates must schedule an appointment to file by calling 831-796-1499 or emailing Ca***************@**************ey.gov. City write-in candidates must file with the clerk’s office of the applicable city. More information is available CountyofMonterey.gov/Elections.
PG&E plans wildfire safety town hall tonight
CENTRAL COAST — Pacific Gas and Electric Co. will host a virtual town hall Wednesday, Sept. 9, for customers in Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties.
The online event, scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., will provide updates on wildfire prevention and safety work, recent wildfire risk, local community engagement and customer resources. PG&E leaders, including Senior Manager Jeremy Howard, also will answer questions and take feedback from customers.
The town hall can be accessed online at bit.ly/4oUNP7J or by phone at 800-603-9617. The conference ID is 8264159. American Sign Language interpretation will be available through the online event.
More information, including the full virtual event schedule and recordings and presentation materials from previous events, is available at pge.com/webinars.
Hartnell gallery hosts joint exhibition
SALINAS — The Hartnell College Art Gallery will present “Order and Chaos,” the first joint exhibition of works by internationally recognized artist David Ligare and retired Hartnell ceramics professor and former gallery director Gary Smith.
The exhibition runs through Oct. 8, with a public opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10. Both artists are scheduled to attend.
Ligare’s drawings were created while he lived in Big Sur and transform spontaneous marks made in wet sand into precise works on paper. Smith’s ceramic sculptures explore the same theme through geometric forms that can be arranged in changing configurations.
Ligare and Smith have been partners for more than 50 years. The exhibition marks the first time their work has been shown together.
The reception is free and open to the public. Complimentary tacos and wine will be available to guests 21 and older.
The Hartnell College Art Gallery is in Room J109 of the J-Visual Arts Building, 411 Central Ave. in Salinas, beside the campus pool. Free street parking is available on West Alisal Street, while paid parking is available in Lot 4. For more information, visit bit.ly/hc-gallery.
Festa Italia returns to Monterey this weekend
MONTEREY — Festa Italia will celebrate Monterey’s Italian and Sicilian heritage and honor the contributions of local fishermen during its 93rd annual festival Sept. 11-13 at Custom House Plaza in Monterey.
The free, family-friendly festival will feature Italian food, live music, dancing, shopping, networking and a bocce tournament. Entertainment will include Pasquale Esposito, Mike Marotta and the Italian Allstars, The Money Band, The Anthony Lane Band, Lost and Found Band, and the music of Jimmy Rossi and Luca DePaolis.
Festival hours are 3 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 11, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 12 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 13.
The festival will be held at Custom House Plaza in Monterey State Historic Park, 20 Custom House Plaza, adjacent to Old Fisherman’s Wharf. The bocce tournament is scheduled for Sept. 12-13.
For more information, call 831-633-4444, email ma**@*****************ey.org or visit FestaItaliaMonterey.org.
