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.

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

HRACC 2004 LEGAL UPDATE with Susan Wang is set for Jan. 13, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd., SLO. Cost is $20, $15 for HRACC members. Reservations required by Jan. 8. Info: hraccrsvp@yahoo.com.

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.

FILM FESTIVAL features films about sports at 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Paso Robles Library, 1000 Spring St., Paso Robles. Refreshments available. Info: 237-3870.

CENTRAL COAST NOETICS is a community discussion group that explores the frontiers of consciousness and builds bridges between science and spirit. It meets the second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-noon, at Unitarian Fellowship, 232 Foothill Blvd., SLO. Jan. 10: Near Death Experiences are discussed by Bernice Nicholson. Info: 481-1724.

CENTRAL COAST CHAPTER OF SISTERS IN CRIME meets at 11 a.m. Jan. 10 at Borders, 243 Madonna Rd., SLO. Rural crime prevention specialist Terri Woods is the guest speaker. Info: 544-8222.

ANTHONY TAYLOR, author of “Whatever You’re Doing Now You Can Do Better! Your Guide to the Alexander Method,” gives a presentation and demonstration at 1 p.m. Jan. 10 at Barnes & Noble, Higuera St., SLO. Info: 542-8212.

ANNUAL ORCHARD PRUNING, hosted by the California Rare Fruit Growers and Cal Poly, is set for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at Cal Poly’s Crops Unit. Info: 544-1056.

SAVE THE MESA meets Jan. 10, 1:30-3:30 p.m., at the Dana Adobe. Paloma Nieto, a wildlife biologist at Vandenberg Air Force Base, and Dick Davis, a public health biologist, will give a presentation on how to preserve and enhance wildlife habitat. Info: 489-8384.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WATCH AND CLOCK COLLECTORS meets the second Sun. of every month at the Central Coast Senior Center Hall, 1580 Railroad St., Oceano. Mart begins at 12:30 p.m. If you have an old clock or watch and would like help identifying or valuing it, they can help. Jan. 11: The Science of Timekeeping. Info: Jerry, 528-3100.

PENDULUMS MAKE ENERGY is discussed by Chelsea Hollinghbead Jan. 11, 1-3 p.m., at “Sunday for the Spirit” at the Halcyon Store, 936 S. Halcyon Rd. Energy healings are also offered. Info: 489-2432.

FIVE CITIES RETIRED ACTIVE MEN holds its monthly meeting at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 12 at the Elks Lodge, 410 Air Park Dr., Oceano. Suzanne Bradford will give a presentation about the Cal Star Medical Rescue Helicopter Service. Info: 481-5789 or 481-6064.

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.

LOW-COST AND FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS for ages 50 and older include tests for blood pressure, anemia, diabetes, cholesterol, and more. Jan. 12, 9:30 a.m.-noon: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cambria. Jan. 13, 9 a.m.-noon: Judson Terrace, SLO. Jan. 14, 9-11 a.m.: Oak Park Recreation Center, Paso Robles. Jan. 15, 9-11:30 a.m.: California Manor, Atascadero. Info: 544-4355, ext. 295.

GROWING WITH BABY is a 7-week comprehensive class taught by Andrea Herron, a pediatric nurse practitioner and lactation consultant. Classes begin Jan. 13 at 1230 Marsh St., SLO. First class is free. This week’s topic is “Sharing Your Birth Experience.” Reservations required. Info: 543-6988.

UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY, Arlington Chapter, meets for a luncheon at 11 a.m. Jan. 13 at the Elks Club, Elks Lane, SLO. Open to members and women with Southern Heritage. Info: 549-9244.

SLO AVIATION SAFETY PROGRAM presents a seminar, “Walking Clues,” focusing on what a pilot can expect when receiving a “Ramp Check” by FAA Safety Inspectors. The seminar is Jan. 13, 6:30-9 p.m., at the SLO Veterans Hall, 801 Grand Ave., SLO. Refreshments served. Info: 466-9725.

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. 13: Disease, Not Digestion. Info: 785-0194.

ATASCADERO HORSEMEN’S CLUB meets the second Tuesday of every month at Player’s Pizza in Atascadero. The next meeting is Jan. 13. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., guest speaker is at 7 p.m., and general meeting is at 8 p.m. Info: 462-2241.

MINDFULNESS-BASED STRESS REDUCTION & RELAXATION TRAINING is a free introductory class to an eight-week group training and it meets Jan. 13, 7-9 p.m., at the SLO City/County Library, 995 Palm St., SLO. Registration required. Info: 995-2010.

13TH ANNUAL COLLABORATION FORUM focuses on resources available to nonprofit organizations Jan. 13 & 14 at Embassy Suites Hotel, SLO. Info: 756-5338.

CREEKSIDE CAREER CENTER offers free workshops to help in today’s job market at 4111 Broad St., SLO. Jan. 13, 9-11:45 a.m.: Start Using Job Techniques that Work. Jan. 15, 10-11 a.m.: Welcome to the Private Industry Council. Info: 788-2631 or 788-2690.

JEAN BRODY, Cambria author and bookseller, opens the 2004 series of adult programs sponsored by the Friends of the Cambria Library. Her talk, “Writing Fiction: The Fine Art of Lying,” is at 2 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Joslyn Center, 950 Main St., Cambria. Free. Refreshments served. Info: 927-3235.

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE INTRODUCTORY TALK & DEMONSTRATION is offered by qualified teachers Tony Taylor and Chloe White at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Children’s Montessori School, S. Higuera, SLO. Info: www.improveyourlife.net or 542-8212.

NEWCOMERS CLUB meets at 1 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Radisson Hotel, Santa Maria. Nancy Leff will present “Life: A Laffing Matter.” Info: 937-7442.

RIDE NIPOMO, a nonprofit group that promotes riding trails and horse-friendly policies for the Nipomo area, is holding its annual membership meeting in conjunction with the Nipomo Pathways Committee at the Nipomo Services District Office Jan. 14, 6:30-8 p.m., at 148 Wilson St., Nipomo. Annual dies are $10 per person or $15 per family. Info: 343-9494.

KCBX.NET offers affordable computer and internet classes at 4100 Vachell Rd., SLO. Jan. 14, 7-9 p.m.: Intro to Computers, Part 2. Registration required by noon the day before the class. Info: 545-5002.

EVENING OF BUDDHIST MEDITATION followed by a Dharma talk is offered by Rev. Seikai Luebke of Pine Mountain Buddhist Temple at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Morro Bay Public Library, 625 Harbor St., Morro Bay. Meditation instruction for newcomers begins at 6:30 p.m. Free. Info: 528-6792.

ESSENTIALS OF FINER ITALIAN COOKING teaches essential techniques, recipe basics, and stylish fine cuisine Jan. 17, 5-8 p.m., at Elwin Mussell Center, 510 E. Park Ave., Santa Maria. Open to ages 18 and older. Cost is $38.50, $31 for city residents. Registration required by Jan. 14. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.

RETIRED MEN’S COFFEE CABINET meets every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. at Madonna Inn, SLO. Info: Don, 773-1672. Jan. 15: Member Don O’Connor presents Steve Click, “Twenty-six Years in the Frozen North.”

AUTHOR ROGER WILKINS will speak as part of the “Provocative Perspectives” series at 11 a.m. Jan. 15 in Chumash Auditorium, Cal Poly. Info: 756-2582.

ESTERO BAY REPUBLICAN WOMEN meet at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 15 at the Inn in Morro Bay. Guest speaker is Miguel Paredes from Neal Truesdale Insurance. Info: 528-5828.

MI CASA ES TU CASA…OR IS IT? is a panel discussion focusing on the challenges faced by first and second-generation immigrants Jan. 15 in the Parish Hall, 5075 Harp Rd., Santa Maria. Issues include legal concerns, educational hurdles, employment issues, and cultural identity problems. Followed by a question and answer session. Presented by the Justice and Peace Ministry of St. Louis De Montfort Catholic Church. Info: 937-7782.

ARGENTINE TANGO WORKSHOP is taught by guest instructor Brooke Burdett Jan. 16 at the Shell Beach Veterans Hall and Jan. 17 at the SLO Veterans Hall. Info: www.logic-plus.com/tango or 783-0569.

PEPPER SPRAY FOR SELF DEFENSE CLASS teaches the legal and ethical uses of pepper spray Jan. 19, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at the Shell Beach Veterans Building, 230 Leeward Ave. Cost is $12 for the pepper spray. Registration required by Jan. 16. Info: 773-7063 or 773-7049.

PET FIRST AID AND CPR WORKSHOP teaches what to do when a pet is choking and basic first aid skills Jan. 17, 8 a.m.-noon, at the American Red Cross, 222 W. Carmen Lane, Suite 102, Santa Maria. Cost is $25, includes manual. Registration required. Info: 928-0778.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN, Five Cities-Pismo Beach Branch, meets at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 17 at the Women’s Community Center, 211 Vernon Ave., Arroyo Grande. Linda Paulsen will present a program on Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” Cost is $12, includes lunch. Reservations required. Info: 473-3489 or 474-1203.

TAROT READINGS is offered by Lorraine Vigil Jan. 18, 1-3 p.m., at “Sunday for the Spirit” at the Halcyon Store, 936 S. Halcyon Rd. Energy healings are also offered. Info: 489-2432.

CORNERS OF THE MOUTH poetry reading features Carol V. Davis from Los Angeles and Azarm Ghareman from SLO at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at Linnaea’s Café, 1110 Garden St., SLO. Open reading follows. Info: 547-1318.

SPANISH FOR BEGINNERS teaches the basics of Spanish and explores Hispanic culture, attitudes, and humor. Classes meet Wednesdays, Jan. 21-Feb. 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Elwin Mussell Center, 510 E. Park Ave., Santa Maria. Open to ages 18 and older. Cost is $38.50, $31 for city residents. Registration required by Jan. 18. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.

FREE BACK PACKL SCREENING and computer health is offered every Tuesday, 3-5 p.m., through Jan. 27 at Athlon Health and Fitness, 805 Aerovista, Suite 104, SLO. Hosted by San Luis Sports Therapy & Orthopedic Rehabilitation. Info: 546-6070.