Upcoming
Año Nuevo Island / Charlie Russo
~ The season for the seals
Jan. 18, 24; Feb. 1, 8 Again this year, Año Nuevo State Reserve welcomes photographers for a special event coinciding with the height of the northern seal season: Sunrise Photography Tours. From 6 to 9:30 a.m. on those dates, photographers will be escorted by a park ranger to optimal viewing points in the reserve, where they can set up cameras and capture the spectacular sight of the huge seals. This is the point in the season when the beaches are crowded with up to 1,500 seals including families with pups and breeding and established males maintaining their harems — which can number up to 70 females — by chasing away younger usurping males. The tours are limited to eight photographers each, and due to the limited space should sell out quickly. The cost is $200 per person, with an additional $10 per vehicle parking fee or day-use pass. The Sunrise Photography Tours are sponsored by the California State Parks Association and California State Parks, and raise funds to support interpretive and educational programs at Año Nuevo and other San Mateo County coastal state parks. To reserve a space in a tour, go to www.CoastsideStateParks.org and for further information, email info@coastsidestateparks.org. 8 9
Half
Moon
Bay
JANUARY
2014
~ Sample some new wines
Jan. 9 Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay’s 2014 Vintner Series gets underway starting at 6 p.m. with a four-course vintner dinner at Navio that highlights coastal cuisine with wine pairings for all four courses. This month Beringer Vineyards from Napa Valley is featured and a Beringer vintner will explain the wines and the pairing. Vintner Dinners are $125 per person; reservations are required. Call 7127000.
~ Tons of talents
Jan. 10-12 Singers, instrumentalists, dancers, acrobats, comedians, and novelty acts — many of which will be performed by Coastsiders — will abound in the 22nd annual Community Talent Show presented by Coastal Repertory Theatre. It’s set for 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, and Saturday, Jan. 11, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan 12, at the theater at 1167 Main St. in Half Moon Bay. Tickets are $30 per person. Coastalrep.com.
~ Anime
Jan. 11 The Half Moon Bay High School Anime Club will present a selection of their favorite Anime, or works in the contemporary cartoon style, at 6 p.m. at the Half Moon Bay Library. Free. 712-7200.
~ Jazz for a good cause
Jan. 12 Pianist Larry Vuckovich will lead vocalize Kim Nalley and a dozen Bay Area musicians for a jazzy, annual fundraiser for the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society at the intimate, storied beachfront venue. Tickets are $50, for this all-star salute to the venue that has hosted many of these players. 726-4143.
~ A needlework extravaganza
Through Jan. 31 The Half Moon Bay Library presents an exhibit of the work of students of the Royal School of Needlework in London. The school has a studio in San Francisco where students have been studying a variety of techniques; it is their work that will make up the exhibit. Free. 7262316.