WHO: David Plouffe, campaign manager, Obama for America. Barack Obama, after his election as president, described Plouffe as “the unsung hero who built the best political campaign in the history of the United States.”

WHAT: “The Obama Phenomenon—What’s Next?”—the first installment of this year’s Distinguished Speakers Series at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. Includes question-and-answer session.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Oct. 5

WHERE: Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center

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WHO: Christopher Gardner, who went from being homeless to being the owner and chief executive officer of Gardner Rich LLC. Hollywood turned his autobiography, The Pursuit of Happyness, into a movie of the same name.

WHAT: “Breaking Cycles,”in the Mondavi Center’s Distinguished Speakers Series. Includes question-and-answer session.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Nov. 4

WHERE: Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center

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WHO: Eric Weiner, veteran National Public Radio correspondent and author of The Geography of Bliss, this year’s Campus Community Book Project. In the book, he looks at what makes people happy based upon journeys to the happiest places on Earth.

WHAT: “Mapping The Geography of Bliss.”

WHEN: 8 p.m. Dec. 1

WHERE: Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center

RELATED EVENT: “Why Are Republicans So Happy? (And Other Tales from the Science of Happiness).” Forum@MC, a panel discussion with Weiner, psychology professor Robert Emmons (whose books include The Psychology of Gratitude and the forthcoming THANKS!: How The New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier) and other faculty. The forum title stems from a 2008 Washington Post article in which Weiner, with ample supporting data and tongue firmly in cheek, explored the topic: “Why Republicans are so darn happy.” This free event is scheduled at 4 p.m. Dec. 1 in Jackson Hall.

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FURTHER OUT: Arianna Huffington, political analyst, columnist and author, Feb. 26; and Ira Glass, radio producer and host, National Public Radio’s This American Life, April 29.

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TICKETS: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or mondaviarts.org