HOLIDAY CONCERTS
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Pops! Brass ensemble will present two free holiday concerts in December, featuring traditional and contemporary festive music. The concerts are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Hartnell College in Salinas, located at 411 Central Ave., and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. at the Church of the Wayfarer in Carmel, at Lincoln Street and Seventh Avenue. Both performances, conducted by Carl Christensen, will include collaborations with the Hartnell College Choir and showcase holiday favorites, Renaissance brass music and contemporary arrangements. Doors open one hour prior to each concert. For more information, visit montereycountypops.org.
ANIMAL CAMPS
SALINAS — Animal-loving children can enjoy fun and educational experiences this holiday season with SPCA Monterey County’s one-day camps. On Saturday, Dec. 13, children can participate in “Happy Howlidays & Winter Whiskers,” a festive camp exploring what the SPCA does, how animals arrive at the shelter and ways to help. The camp features hands-on activities and creative projects to learn about animal care. The next camp, “Junior Vet Day,” takes place on Saturday, Jan. 3. Kids will discover what veterinarians do, meet adoptable animals and practice animal first-aid techniques, all while learning from SPCA’s vet team. Located at the SPCA’s newly renovated Claire Jacobson Learning Center, these camps promote kindness and compassion. Space is limited; register now at spcamc.org/camp.
GRACE SERVICES
KING CITY — A Friday night Candlelight Service and a Christmas Story in the Barn are the featured celebrations of the Christmas season at Grace Church in King City. The public is invited. The Friday night service on Dec. 19 will feature candles and special music beginning at 6:30 p.m. at 205 Canal St. Pastor Amy Beveridge of Atascadero will be giving a message. Preceding the service at 5:30 p.m. will be a light meal in the lower level of the church. The Friday service is designed to give people who leave town for the holidays a chance to celebrate the faith-based meaning of Christmas. The Sunday service on Dec. 21 will be moved to 3 p.m. and relocated to the Casey’s Redtail Ranch at 53060 Pine Canyon Road, 3.9 miles west of Jolon Road. Titled “A Country Christmas: The Christmas Story with Music in the Barn,” this service will feature a living nativity and be followed by a soup supper with hot chocolate and cookies. Pastor Wendell Brown of Lake Nacimiento will be the narrator and the Grace worship band will provide the music. Regular services will resume Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Grace campus at 10 a.m. at 205 Canal St. with an end-of-the-year focus.
BONUS BRIEF: TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
MONTEREY COUNTY — Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) is accepting applications for the fourth cycle of grants under the Measure X Senior & Disabled Transportation Program, supporting services from 2026-27 to 2028-29. The program aims to enhance transportation options for seniors and people with disabilities, helping them live independently. Funding supports nonprofit services filling gaps in county transit. The application deadline is 12 p.m. on Dec. 18. Draft project proposals will be reviewed by local committees in February, with final approval by the TAMC Board in spring 2026. For guidelines and application details, visit tamcmonterey.org.
