Can we talk in the heat of current domestic and world affairs? In 2025, it seems to be more difficult than ever. Join a dialogue with CSU Monterey Bay’s own Patrick Belanger. As a professor of communication studies, Belanger teaches and researches the interface of communication, culture and ethics, with a focus on ideology and collective identity. His classes emphasize public advocacy, environmental politics and multicultural conflict resolution, media, ethics and dialogue across boundaries. The event is part of the Fireside Chat at the Library series. As of press time it’s sold out, but you can still register to watch a video recording. [AP]

6:30pm Wednesday, March 26. Harrison Memorial Library, The Reading Room, Ocean Avenue and Lincoln Street, Carmel. Free; registration required. 624-4629, carmelpubliclibraryfoundation.org.