THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS presents a forum for the candidates for the Santa Barbara County district attorney and 5th District supervisor on April 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Betteravia Government Center, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria. Info: 928-9888 or joanleon@juno.com.
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA Recreation and Park Department offers a “Wii Fit for Seniors” class for those 50 years and older on May 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 East Park Ave., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.
BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL holds registrations for its “Monday Evening Women’s Bible Study” May 3 and May 10. Info: 431-3939.
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents “Paper Magic!” featuring a beginning origami/kirigami class May 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Shepard Hall and an intermediate origiami/kirigami class May 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., also in Shepard Hall. Info: 925-0994, Ext. 117, or dhildinger@ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents a “Becoming a Teacher” seminar on May 6 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center of the Santa Maria Campus, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3363.
WORTH THE DRIVE
WESTMONT COLLEGE presents graduate Paul Chappell and his talk “Will War Ever End?” on April 29 at 7 p.m. in the Westmont Founders’ Dining Room, 955 La Paz Road, Santa Barbara. Info: 565-6051 or Westmont.edu.
THE C GALLERY presents an “Encaustic Painting” workshop taught by Alissa Massey on May 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the gallery, Los Olivos. Cost is $95. Info: 344-3807 or connie@thecgallery.com.
THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT presents a “Wildfire Community Preparedness Workshop” on May 1 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Solvang City Hall, Solvang. Info: 681-5531 or sbcfire.com.
THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART presents “Experiencing Indian Art and Culture: Dialogues with Dr. Stephen Huyler and Dr. Pratapaditya Pal” on May 2 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Mary Craig Auditorium, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Info: sbma.net.
CAL POLY’S BAKER FORUM presents Walter H Moos and his keynote address “The Dollars and Sense of Pharmaceutical Innovation: Saving Lives Through Drug Discovery” on May 2 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre, Cal Poly, SLO. Info: 756-6530.
THE CITY OF LOMPOC Parks, Recreation, and Urban Forestry Department presents a dog obedience class through May 12 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Lutheran Section of River Park, Lompoc. Cost is $65, $78 for non-city residents. Info: 875-8100.
ONGOING
EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS for inventors, entrepreneurs, new product developers, and creative individuals that feature expert speakers and resources meet every first Wednesday of the month from 6 to 7 p.m. for the public at the eastside branch of the Santa Barbara Public Library, 1100 E. Montecito St. Info: 879-1729.
BUSINESS SKILLS OPEN LAB offers free computer classes for all levels, including classes in MS Word 2002, Power Point, Internet Explorer 6, and more. Offered by Allan Hancock College Noncredit Education and Community Programs. Santa Maria. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3209.
NINA TOASTMASTERS CLUB 80 meets noon to 1:15 p.m. on Thursdays in the Merrill Gardens activities theater, 1350 N. Suey Road, Santa Maria. Info: 925-2403, Ext. 814. Info: nina80.wordpress.com.
NOONTIME TOASTMASTERS CLUB shows that the fear of public speaking is easily fixed while having fun. For gentle, caring, and constructive help, drop in every Thursday from noon until 1:15 p.m. Info: 478-3071.
RANCHO DE GUADALUPE HISTORICAL MUSEUM features displays of memorabilia and photographs from the early days of Guadalupe. The museum is located at 1005 Guadalupe St. and is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. or by appointment. The historical jail is open the last Sunday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. Polaroid “jailbird” pictures are available for $2. The jail is at 4555 Ninth St. Info: 343-5901.
GUADALUPE CULTURAL ARTS & EDUCATION CENTER features information and exhibits on the history of Guadalupe and surrounding areas. It also features information about cultural awareness and the diverse community groups. The center offers arts, presentations, and educational classes. It is located at 1065 Guadalupe St. Hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Info: 343-2939.
WATERCOLOR PAINTING FOR BEGINNERS AND ADVANCED is offered by the Santa Maria Parks and Recreation Department Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 E Park Ave., Santa Maria. Cost is $57.25, $46 for city residents. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.
GENSPAN A.P.P.L.E. PROGRAM (Adults Providing Positive Learning Experiences) seeks volunteers to work with Santa Maria Valley area school children. Volunteers assist as mentors in classrooms and help students with reading, writing, and more. No special skills are required. Info: 614-4968.
SENIOR CONNECTION is an information, referral, and assistance program of the Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens. New classes are forming for people interested in volunteering to help senior citizens in the community. Info: 928-2552 or 1-800-510-2020.
THE PACIFIC PRIDE CENTER is seeking volunteers to help locals and their families affected by HIV/AIDS. Help is needed in the Necessities of Life Food Pantry, office support, community events, and more. Volunteers can also help in LGBT youth programs, support groups, and speaker panels. Info: 349-9947, Ext. 103.
SANTA MARIA INCLUSIVE LEARNERS (SMILe) meets every Monday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to discuss academic enrichment, and engage in social interaction and fun. All home educators and alternative learners welcome. Info: 938-1307.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS offers free disaster services classes to the public. Info: 928-0778.
SANTA MARIA VALLEY DISCOVERY MUSEUM, 705 S. McClelland, is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and open the last Sunday of every month from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 per person; kids younger than 2 get in free. Info: 928-8414.
COMMUNITY CPR AND FIRST AID classes are offered by Fast Action Safety Training. Classes can be taught in schools, churches, businesses, or community centers. Classes are also offered in pet first aid and workplace safety. Spanish courses also available. Info: 929-0921.
RETIRED & SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (R.S.V.P.) knows of a vast number of volunteer opportunities and can match just about any skill or interest you have with a community need. Info: RSVP, 922-9931.
SANTA MARIA CITY HALL TOURS are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, hosted by city staff. Call to book a tour: 925-0951, Ext. 200.
COELHO ACADEMY OF MUSIC offers a variety of music lessons including keyboard, drums, guitar, and vocal. “Worship training center” and “rock school” available. The academy is located at 325 E. Betteravia Road, Suite B-4. For scheduling, additional fees, and other information, call 925-0464.
LEARN ENGLISH with free classes at Allan Hancock College’s Santa Maria campus, Building W, Room 11, 800 S. College Dr., Monday through Thursday from 12:30 to 8:30 p.m. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3299.
LOMPOC CITIZENS’ POLICE ACADEMY is a nonacademic informational course hosted by the Lompoc Police Department, conducted every Thursday over a 15-week period. Class size is limited to 25 students. Participants must be at least 14 years of age, have no felony arrest history, and not have been arrested for any charge within the past three years. All applicants will be screened prior to admission into the class. Pick up an application in the lobby of the Lompoc Police Department or call 736-2341.
NEW LIFE DIVORCE CARE MINISTRY offers video seminars on divorce care. Info: 937-0077. Or to find a nearby group, call 489-3254, Ext. 10.
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE conducts free tours on the base every second Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. through the public affairs office. Tours last about two hours and include a visit to the Heritage Center for a look at how the base evolved, plus space and missile artifacts. Make a tour reservation three weeks in advance by calling 606-3595.
BUELLTON SENIOR CENTER serves the Santa Ynez Valley with one-to-one computer tutoring for seniors age 55 and older. Learn at your own pace. Specialized equipment is available for low-vision and physically impaired seniors. Info: 688-4571.
GENSPAN FOUNDATION is seeking volunteers for its “Story Catchers” program. Training is free. Info: 614-4968.
VOICE-OVER WORKSHOP teaches the basics of copy interpretation, microphone technique, taking direction, and understanding the audition process. Class meets for four weeks in Oceano. Info: 489-9326.
This article appears in Apr 29 – May 6, 2010.