ARTIFACTS - "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

➔ In arts and culture, 2014 was a year packed with big fun, dynamic developments and memorable moments, much of it chronicled in the Weekly’s print stories, calendar listings, online blogs, Facebook posts and this column. A lot of that rich content begins with you. If you have an event that could use a boost or are privy to arts and culture news worth sharing, email walter@mcweekly.com and calendar@mcweekly.com to harness the power of the media. Many of the organizers behind the events in the print story on the left do just that.

➔ It’s one of the most wholesome seasonal pastimes, and we reliably get it each year without the headache of black ice or burst water pipes. Ice Skating by the Bay at Custom House Plaza continues 11am-10pm daily (12-8pm Sunday) until Jan. 4. 649-4511.

➔ It’s been one of the most reliably surprising music gigs in the county, but alas, all good things must come to an end – or at least transform into something else. TheWondir/Freeway Productions local musician open jam called LIVE FROM THE BASSment at Cannery Row Brewing Company ends with the farewell/3-year anniversary 8pm to midnight Tuesday. It’s hosted one more time by its namesakes Hanif Wondir (MC, DJ, producer) and Brian Conway (drums, producer). Who will turn up for this final, no-cover, 18-and-over jam remains to be seen. 643-2722.

➔ The Gentrain Society offers up another interesting disquisition in its ongoing, free and public lecture series at Monterey Peninsula College’s Lecture Forum 103 1:30-2:30pm Wednesday. This one is is by Dr. Richard Kezirian, professor emeritus at MPC and professor and senior program coordinator at the Panetta Institute for Public Policy, and concerns itself with “What the study of history teaches us about leadership.”

➔ The Monterey County Free Libraries is looking for English literacy tutors and conversational English group facilitators. Call 883-7597 or email AndrewsCS@co.monterey.ca.us to find out more.

➔ Some organizations are on the lookout for a rainmaker. CSUMB is looking for a hat-maker. For their February celebrations of Black History Month, they’re doing excerpts of a play called Crowns based on a book of the same name and for which a hat-making workshop is slated to segue into a fashion show. If you, or someone you know, have the skills and are inclined to lead the hat-making workshop, contact professor Stephanie Johnson at stepjohnson@csumb.edu.