THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM presents “Twilight Thursdays” on Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring free programs— “Smarty Crafts” on Aug. 20, “Exciting Recycling” on Aug. 27—at the museum, 705 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: 928-8414 or smvdiscoverymuseum.org.
THE CALIFORNIA STARS COAST announced softball league tryouts for 12U and 14U divisions on Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., all at the Hagerman Softball Complex, 3300 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. Info: 598-5423 or leaguelineup.com.
THE SANTA MARIA RECREATION AND PARK DEPARTMENT offers an “Intro at the Skatepark” skateboarding class through Sept. 1 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for kids 6 to 8 years old, and 5 to 6:30 p.m. for kids 9 through 13 years old at the Fletcher Park Skate Park, Santa Maria. Cost is $32.50, $40 for non-city residents. The A full list of classes and events offered by the city is available at ci.santa-maria.ca.us. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 264, or ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
THE CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS presents a Junior Ranger Program for kids ages 7 to 12 years old featuring games, hiking, wildlife, and activities through September meeting at the Oceano Campground, Pismo State Beach. Info: 473-7220.
ADVENTURES IN LEARNING PRESCHOOL hosts a free “Story and Sing-A-Long Hour” the first Monday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. at the preschool, 145 Verbena St., Nipomo. Info: 929-1889.
WORTH THE DRIVE
THE WILDLING ART MUSEUM presents a story hour including an art project for kids 4 to 6 accompanied by a parent on Aug. 20 and 27 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Wildling Art Museum, 2928 San Marcos Ave., Los Olivos. Info: 688-1082 or wildlingmuseum.org.
THE CACHUMA LAKE NATURE CENTER holds a Kids’ Fishing Workshop for kids 7 to 15 years old on Aug. 22 from 8:45 a.m. to noon at the Cachuma Lake Nature Center, Cachuma Lake. Info: 693-0691.
MUSTANG WATERPARK features waterslides, pools, and fun for all ages from 11 a.m. to dusk through Aug. 23 at the Lopez Lake Recreation Area, Arroyo Grande. Spectator passes are available for $3. Info: 489-8898 or mustangwaterslides.com.
THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR BALANCE AND HEALING offers free energy balancing sessions every third Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Sierra Vista Auditorium, 1010 Murray Ave., SLO. Info: 438-4347 or globalalliance.ws.
ONGOING
LA LECHE LEAGUE SANTA MARIA offers pregnant and nursing moms free breastfeeding support and information the third Wednesday of each month. Info: 734-9895 or 938-0789.
THE LITTLE VILLAGE offers a daily enrichment program for kids ages 3 to 6 during the summer and fall. Activities include arts and crafts, baking, music, gardening, and creative play. Info: 925-7515.
MUSIC TOGETHER is a music and movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the adults who love them. Classes are offered in Arroyo Grande and Santa Maria. Free demonstration classes available. Info: 264-5545 or strawberrymusic2gether.com.
MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS GROUP (MOPS) is a non-denominational group that meets for speakers, crafts, mom’s night out, and other fun activities every second and fourth Monday of the month, 6:30 p.m. at Pacific Christian Center. Santa Maria. Child care is provided. Info: 934-3491.
MOM’S CLUB OF SOUTH SLO COUNTY offers friendship support, weekly play groups, and other activities for moms and kids. Info: momsclubinfro@sbcglobal.net, of southslomomsclub.org.
MOMS OFFERING MOMS SUPPORT offers weekly playgroups and other activities for moms and kids. The club meeting is on the fourth Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at Hunter’s Landing, 1156 E. Grand Avenue, Arroyo Grande. Info: 473-2548.
ORCUTT MOMS CLUB meets for playgroups, mom’s nights out, and other fun activities. Info: 350-3148.
SANTA MARIA M.O.M.S. CLUB is a support group for stay-at-home moms who meet for play and activity groups, mom’s night out, and park days on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 10 a.m., at Maramonte Community Park. Info: 928-0655 or 925-0351.
PERFORMANCE ATHLETICS GYMNASTICS offers a “Parents Night” every second Saturday of the month. Parents can drop their kids off from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. for pizza and gymnastic activities. The facility is located at 720 Aerovista St., Suite C, San Luis Obispo. Info: 547-1496.
THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF SANTA MARIA, 412 S. McClelland (next to lawn bowling) is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Regional habitat exhibits are interactive and multi-sensory. School tours are by appointment only. Donations accepted. Info: 614-0806 or naturalhistorysantamaria.com.
SANTA MARIA STAY AT HOME MOMS GROUP meets for weekly play groups at local parks on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Info: sahm.meetup.com/2515.
SANTA MARIA VALLEY DISCOVERY MUSEUM is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, closed. Enjoy themed events on Thursday nights until 7 p.m. Admission is $8 per person, kids under 2 get in free. Location is 705 S. McClelland. Info: 928-8414.
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY freight depot is located at 628 S. McClelland St. The Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad hold monthly programs every second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the depot. Info: 922-7941.
SOLVANG PUBLIC LIBRARY holds a preschool story time at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The library is located at 1745, Mission Dr., Solvang. Info: 688-4214.
RAILWAY HISTORICAL MUSEUM offers a trip into the Santa Maria Valley’s past when railroads ruled. See miniature railroad layouts, pictures, and artifacts. Learn about railroading in the present and future. Admission is free. The museum is located in the Santa Maria Town Center. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Info: 714-4927.
ABEL MALDONADO COMMUNITY CENTER offers daily activities for kids in 7th through 12th grades. Activities include indoor sports, a computer lab, games, fitness equipment, basketball courts, movies, and more. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 2:30 to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 3:30 to 7 p.m. The center is located at 600 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Free. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 252.
COLUMBIA CHILDREN’S CENTER is located at 840 E Stowell Road, Santa Maria. The center offers preschool and child care, kindergarten readiness, potty training, and more. Info: 922-KIDS.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB of Santa Maria Valley offers an Early Bird Program for children 6-12 years old. The program provides year-round students with the opportunity for supervised, structured programs during their off-track time from school. It runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cost is $8 per day. Regular club hours during the school year are Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m., and from noon until 6 p.m. during the summer. Info: 922-7763.
HANCOCK “COLLEGE FOR KIDS” CLASSES include ballet, ballet folklorico, hip-hop, and jazz-funk. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3209.
VOLUNTEERS FOR INTER-VALLEY ANIMALS (VIVA) hold pet adoptions Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Adoption Center, 133 North D St., Lompoc. Info: 735-6741.
This article appears in Aug 20-27, 2009.