• Big Picture Athletics Winter Football: Big Picture Athletics will be holding an eight-week competitive seven-on-seven winter passing league for seventh- and eighth-grade teams from Jan. 22 to March 18. The focus of the league will be on exposure, player development, competition, and improved knowledge of the game. A maximum of 12 teams will be admitted, with 12 to 14 players per team. Games will be played at Santa Ynez High School. For sign-up information, or to contact Big Picture Athletics, call 598-3703 or e-mail jtbigpic@gmail.com.
• Let’s Talk About Bears: The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake will be welcoming expert Kate McCurdy, director at UCSB’s Sedgwick Reserve, for a talk on local bears and other large mammals on Jan. 22. The presentation will be held at the Cachuma Lake Recreation Hall. The lecture is free with park admission of $10. Light refreshments and beverages will be served at 2 p.m., with the presentation running from 2:15 to 4 p.m. A question-and-answer period will follow. For more information, visit clnaturecenter.org or call 693-0691.
• Adult Softball League: Santa Maria’s Recreation and Parks Department will be taking registrations for its Adult Softball program until Jan. 26. Leagues include men’s, co-ed, and men’s 40 years and up. Play begins Feb. 10, and all games will be held at the Hagerman Sports Complex, 3300 Skyway Dr. Fees are $394 for resident teams and $492 for non-residents. Players can register at the Recreation and Parks Department, 615 S. McClelland in Santa Maria. For more information, call 925-0951, Ext. 260.
• Youth Sports Seminar: Coaches, parents, and student-athletes from seventh to 12th grade are invited to attend the “Sports Performance for Youth” seminar on Jan. 28 at Anytime Fitness to learn about cross-training on a consistent basis. The seminar runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes individualized assessments of athletic abilities. Anytime Fitness is at 153 E. Clark Ave. in Old Town Orcutt. For more information, call 938-1300.
Sports Shorts is compiled by Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Jan 19-26, 2012.
