Please note: Because of the vast amount of material we receive and the small space we have in which to put it, we usually include events only if admission is free to the public or if the fees charged for the event — not to exceed $69 — benefit a nonprofit organization. We reserve the right to exclude any announcement from any organization, regardless of nonprofit status. Private practices and businesses charging for their events are invited to check out our reasonably priced classified advertising terms, listed near the back of this issue. We suggest that readers take a peek at the classifieds, too.

SAN LUIS COASTAL ADULT SCHOOL offers a range of classes beginning in Jan. A variety of classes are offered, including language, art, music, and computers. Check out the schedule online at www.ae.slcusd.org or visit the offices at 1500 Lizzie St., SLO. Info: 549-1222.

ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE offers Noncredit Education & Community Programs Early Start classes that begin as early as Jan. 2. Classes include Introduction to GED Preparation, Put Some Muscle in Your Life, and Crafts for Seniors. Info: www.hancockcollege.edu or 922-6966, Ext. 3209.

SLO COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY hosts a research class followed by a presentation by Elaine Alexander, “Locating Hard-to-find Passenger Lists.” The class is at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 3 at the Odd Fellows Hall, 520 Dana St., SLO. Info: www.kcbx.net/~slogen or 473-4963.

SLO GREEN PARTY hosts its monthly meeting at 5 p.m. Jan. 4 at the Washington Mutual Bank Community Room, 595 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay. Info: www.slo.greens.org or 544-1580.

SLO BYTES, a PC users group dedicated to educating its members in the use of personal computers, meets at 1 p.m. the first Sunday of every month at the Odd Fellows Hall, 520 Dana St., SLO. The next meeting is Jan. 4. Rich Blumenthal of Voice Factor will speak about speech recognition software. Info: www.slobytes.org.

NIGHTWRITER monthly meeting begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 in the Fireplace Room of the SLO Veterans Hall, 801 Grand Ave., SLO. Editor Pam McCully will give a presentation about “What Makes a Good Short Story.” Info: 929-9040.

NEW TRIBAL-STYLE DANCE BELLYDANCE CLASS begins Jan. 5 at the American Dance Studio, 2074 Parker St., SLO. Classes are Mondays at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Classes are $20 per month or $8 per lesson. Info: www.worlddance.biz or 543-9955.

CAMCORDER SCHOOL teaches everything from basic camcorder operation to detailed camera functions Thursdays, Jan. 8-29, 7-9 p.m., at New Rule Production, 3130 Skyway Dr., Santa Maria. Classes are open to ages 18 and older. Cost is $60, $48 for city residents. Registration required by Jan. 5. Offered by Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.

FIRST TUESDAY BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP meets at 11 a.m. Jan. 6 to discuss Anita Diament’s “The Red Tent” in the Community Room at Atascadero-Martin Polin Library, 6850 Morro Rd., Atascadero. Info: 461-6161.

ART FROM THE INSIDE OUT is a spontaneous and expressive art class and it meets Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., beginning Jan. 6. The class meets for four weeks and is offered at the San Luis Coastal Adult School, SLO High School, Room 511. Cost is $45. Info: 549-1222.

NEW FRONTIERS NATURAL FOODS hosts free weekly seminars on health and nutrition in the cafe area. Refreshments provided. Seminars are 7-8 p.m., at 896 Foothill Blvd., SLO. Jan. 6: Launching Powerfully into the New Year. Info: 785-0194.

WESTERN DANCE CLASSES are offered by Templeton Recreation every Tuesday, beginning Jan. 6, at the Templeton Community Center, 601 Main St. Line Dancing is offered at 7 p.m. and no partner is needed. Western Swing Partner’s Class begins at 8 p.m. Cost is $5 per class. Info: 434-4900 or 434-4909.

RE-EVALUATION COUNSELING is presenting free introductory lectures on theory and practice Jan. 6, 8, 14. An optional 8-week Fundamentals class will follow beginning Jan. 21. Info: 773-1196 or 929-0168.

HEALING DREAMS: A PATHWAY TO YOUR SOUL is a dream workshop that teaches dream recall, how to tap into your creative genius, how to understand common dream themes, and how to identify your personal dream symbols. The classes are Tuesdays, Jan. 6-Feb. 10, 7-9 p.m., at Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main St., Morro Bay. Info: 995-1390.

CALIFORNIA RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION meets at 11 a.m. Jan. 7 at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge, 1309 N. Bradley. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. and will be lasagna, Caesar salad, bread, beverage and ice cream. The program features Jim Byrne, KCOY weatherman. Cost is $9. Reservations required. Info: 922-4314.

CO-DEPENDENENTS ANONYMOUS, which used to meet at noon on Thursdays, will meet Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., beginning Jan. 7. The Sunday group meets 1-2:30 p.m. Both meetings are at the Cambria Connection, 1920 Main St., Cambria. This is a 12-step recovery program for anyone who wants to learn how to have healthier relationships with themselves and others. Info: 927-7107.

DEAN FOR AMERICA 2004 MEET UP is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at five locations from Paso Robles to Santa Maria. Info: www.howarddeanforslo.com or 782-9327.

KCBX.NET offers affordable computer and internet classes at 4100 Vachell Rd., SLO. Jan. 7, 7-9 p.m.: Intro to Computers, Part 1. Registration required by noon the day before the class. Info: 545-5002.

PUBLIC MEETING OF THE DIABLO CANYON INDEPENDENT SAFETY COMMITTEE is an opportunity for the public to observe and receive information concerning the activities of safety-related issues at Diablo Canyon Jan. 7 & 8 at the Cliffs Resort, 2757 Shell Beach Rd., Shell Beach. Info: www.dcisc.org or 1-800-439-4688.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TECHNIQUES FOR CRITICALLY ILL OR INJURED CHILDREN is presented by Suzanne Bradford and SLO-CAP Jan. 8 at the SLO Veterans Building, 801 Grand Ave., SLO. Networking and coffee begins at 8:15 a.m. Introductions and the presentation is 8:30-10 a.m. Info: www.slocap.org or 543-6216.

CREEKSIDE CAREER CENTER offers free workshops to help in today’s job market at 4111 Broad St., SLO. Jan. 8, 10-11 a.m.: Welcome to the Private Industry Council. Info: 788-2631 or 788-2690.

YE OLDE BOOK SHOPPE WRITERS GROUP meet to share and critique works in progress Jan. 8, 10 a.m.-noon, at4303 El Camino Real, Atascadero. New members are welcome. Info: 466-0356.

AARP meets at noon Jan. 8 at the SLO Senior Center, Santa Rosa and Buchon streets. Learn about “Adopt the Polls.” Includes a light lunch. Info: 541-4645.

CENTRAL COAST VETERANS MEMORIAL MUSEUM BOARD OF DIRECTORS meets at 9 a.m. Jan. 9 at the museum in the SLO Veterans Hall, 801 Grand Ave., SLO. Donations of memorabilia will be accepted. Info: 543-5240.

ACTING CLASSES, taught by professional actor/director/writer Stewart Moss meet Sundays, Jan. 11-March 28, 3-6 p.m., at SLO Little Theatre, Classes will cover improvisation, scene work, audition techniques, and include acting for stage and cinema. Info: 781-3889.