Artifacts: The future of jazz, a capitol art show.

I returned last Saturday from a family work/vacation trip to Washington, D.C. where I saw, among many venues and events (including President Obama’s motorcade zoom past with a dozen police sirens blaring, and getting to tour the White House), an art show of wonderment at Renwick Gallery, the Smithsonian’s house of contemporary craft and decorative art. Each artist was given a separate room to fill with one piece. One such artist was Maya Lin, creator of the Vietnam War Memorial. Another artist created “nests” made of tree branches in an idiom that looked like that of Big Sur’s Jayson Fann.

The Friends of Salinas Public Library and the city of Salinas invite you to come out to a welcome party 5:30-7:30pm this Friday to meet and greet Cary Siegfried, the new director of library and community services. It’s happening at CSUMB at Salinas City Center, otherwise known as the Steinbeck Center. Contact fospl.events@gmail.com to RSVP.

The Carmel Valley Association and Carmel Valley Art Association are taking submissions for a pro and amateur art contest with the theme “inspired impressions of our rural valley” at CVAA in Carmel Valley Village by March 31. They say “any medium” is welcome (and may regret such wide open parameters) in adult, children and group categories ($5-$15/entry). The winning works will show near CVAA on April 17. Register at www.CarmelValleyArtAssociation.org. 659-2441.

Mary Whitton, who’s been a music teacher in Monterey, Pacific Grove and Salinas for 40 years, has written a children’s book titled Morgan and the Sock Thief. It was inspired by a student of hers who rescued and lost an old dog from the Monterey SPCA, and she says the story is about pet rescue, responsiblity, loss, volunteering and fate, from the point of view of a 10-year-old girl. She’s signing the book April 1 at Wise Music Co. in Salinas. mcwhitton@att.net.

The Monterey Jazz Festival’s annual and free Next Generation Jazz Festival harnesses some of the most buoyant and catchy musical energy in the county thanks to its influx of talented young musicians from around the country. This year it’s coming April 8-10, but the energy may be more concentrated because the Monterey Conference Center ballroom where it’s normally held is closed (the center is undergoing renovations). The festival is relocating this year to a temporary pavilion at 1 Portola Plaza, a venue with half the capacity. Meaning: get there early. 233-3715, www.MontereyJazzFetival.org/ngjf.