March

Shoot for Good Health – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Stuart C. Gildred YMCA – Free community event – guest speaker Dr. Brent Kovacs, a gastroenterologist affiliated with Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital. Attendees are invited to enter the basketball free-throw contest for a chance to win an Apple Watch and other prizes. Nutrition and healthy lifestyle tips will be offered, as well as information on genetic counseling.

Philharmonia Orchestra – 8 – 9:30 p.m. at the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara. Local favorite Esa-Pekka Salonen, former music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, returns to Santa Barbara for the third time as principal conductor of London’s world-class Philharmonia Orchestra. Log onto www.granadasb.org.

Mother-Son Luau from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall. Hosted by the Solvang Parks and Recreation Department. Log onto www.cityofsolvang.com for more info.

22 – 24

NatureTrack Film Festival – The festival showing dozens of nature-themed films returns to Los Olivos for a second year. For film screening times and locations, see the front-page story in this issue. For passes and more information, log onto www.naturetrackfilmfestival.org.

SYV Clean Team – 8:15 – 9:15 – Meet at Alisal Road at the main entrance to the Alisal Ranch. All supplies are provided; just show up. For more info contact wconnell@connellandersen.com.

All Things Birds in the Garden – All day at the SYV Botanic Garden at River View Park in Buellton.

We Support the Troops Care Package Collection Day – 9 a.m. – noon at Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang. Help prepare more than 100 care packages for American service members stationed overseas. To see the list of donations needed and more info log onto www.we-support-the-troops.org.

Panel Discussion Between Light and Dark – 4 – 6 p.m. at the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art – three local photographers Paul Roark, George Rose and Christopher Brown will be talking about black and white photography. For more info call 805-686-1211 or www.elverhoj.org.

Bel Canto by Candlelight – 6 – 9 p.m. at Sunstone Vineyards – An evening of exquisite music, food and wine. For tickets and more info log onto www.syvjc.org.

Condor Classic – All day at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School – Santa Ynez Youth Track meet – for more info log onto www.sytrack.org/condor-classic/

The Jungle Book – 2 – 3:30 p.m. at the Granada Theatre in SB – Rudyard Kipling’s famous tale of the “laws of the jungle” will ignite your sense of adventure. Log onto www.granadasb.org for tickets.

Frozen Youth Auditions – 3:30 – 5 p.m. at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church. Log onto www.artsoutreach.org for more.

SYV We Support the Troops packing day – 9 a.m. – noon at Bethania Lutheran Church – Volunteers pack care packages on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Call 805-245-4951 for more info.

Vikings of Solvang Blood Drive – 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Drive. Donors get $25 gift certificate for dinner at participating restaurants. Walk in to donate or make an appointment at www.blood4life.org using sponsor code 1081, or call 805-543-4290.

SYHS Open House and Chalk Festival – 6 – 8 p.m. at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. Come see local student artist chalk drawings.

Robotics Competition – All Day at Ventura College – The SYHS Mechapirates Robotics team invites anyone interested to see their robotics in action. The event is free to attend, log onto www.mechapiratesteam5136.org.

SB Vintners Wine Futures Tasting – 5:30 – 10 p.m. at the Alisal Guest Ranch – Come meet the Winemakers and personalities behind these one-of-a-kind, curated lots. Log onto www.sbcountywines.com for details.

SYV Clean Team – 8:15 – 9:15 – Meet at Highway 256 and Highway 154 roundabout – no kids at this event. All supplies are provided just show up. For more info contact wconnell@connellandersen.com.

Plant Propagation Workshop – 10 a.m. – noon at SYV Botanic Garden at River View Park. Lean about propagated cutting, soil mixtures, hands on demonstrations and irrigation and fertilization. Log onto www.syvbotanicgarden.org for more info.

April

April Fool’s Day

Buellton Rec’s Spring Break Camp starts – The camp is for ages 6 – 12 and the week includes trips to the SB Zoo, movies, bowling and more. Log onto www.buelltonrec.com to sign up.

Continuing Events

Mondays

Yoga, 9 a.m.; Arthritis Exercise Class, 10:15 a.m.; Arts and Crafts every third Monday; Solvang Senior Center, 1745 Mission Drive; 805-688-3793.

Divorce Care Recovery Seminar and Support Group – 6:30-8:30 p.m. Santa Ynez Valley Christian Academy Library, 891 N. Refugio Road, Santa Ynez; Louise Kolbert at 805-688-5171.

Tuesdays

Computer class, 9 a.m., Knitting, 9:30 a.m.; Tai Chi, 11 a.m.; bridge and poker, 12:45 p.m.; Mah Jongg 1 p.m., Solvang Senior Center, 1745 Mission Drive; 805-688-3793.

Preschool Story Time – 10:30 a.m. at Solvang Library.

Two-Step Dance Lessons – 6:30 p.m.; 8 p.m. – Industry Night and Karaoke Party. Maverick Saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. Visit www.themavsaloon.com.

Wednesdays

SYV We Support the Troops – 9 a.m.-noon. Volunteers pack care packages on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Bethania Lutheran Church, 603 Atterdag Road, Solvang. 805-245-4951.

Art Class, 9 a.m.; Book Club, 10 a.m. (call first); Bingo, 1 p.m.: Solvang Senior Center, 1745 Mission Drive; 805-688-3793.

Knit and Crochet – 1 p.m., Buellton Senior Center, West Highway 246, Buellton; 805-688-4571.

Healing Hearts Support Group – 2-4 p.m. Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, 1825 Alamo Pintado Road. Free. To R.S.V.P. call 805-693-0244.

Solvang Farmers Market – 2:30-6:30 p.m., First Street between Mission Drive and Copenhagen Drive, Solvang.

Crafternoons – 3:45-5:45 p.m. Arts Outreach, 2948 Nojoqui Ave. Suite 9, Los Olivos. $10/child; 805-688-9533.

Thursdays

Sideways Inn Local’s Night Specials – 5 p.m.- 8 p.m., 114 East Highway 246, Buellton; 805-691-8088.

Chair Exercises – 10 a.m., Buellton Senior Center, West Highway 246, Buellton; 805-688-4571.

Arthritis Exercise Class, 10:15 a.m.; Mah Jongg, Noon; Basic Cartooning, 1 p.m., Solvang Senior Center, 1745 Mission Drive; 805-688-3793.

Brain Injury Survivors of Santa Ynez Valley – Noon-2 p.m., Bethania Lutheran Church, 603 Atterdag Road, Solvang. Jodi House Brain Injury Support Center offers a support group for brain injury survivors and caregivers; www.jodihouse.org.

Fridays

Nutrition Classes – 11 a.m. – SYV Cottage Hospital Conference Room – Instruction Stacey Bailey is a dietician and offers weekly courses in various topics. For more information call 805-694-2351. Bring your lunch and talk nutrition.

Tai Chi, 9:15 a.m.; Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.; Pilates – 10:15 a.m.; Ukulele 11:15 a.m., Solvang Senior Center, 1745 Mission Drive; 805-688-3793.

Bingo – 1 p.m., Buellton Senior Center, West Highway 246, Buellton; 805-688-4571.

Saturdays

Cachuma Lake Nature Walk – 10-11:30 a.m.; 805-688-4515 or www.sbparks.org.

Junior Rangers Program – 12:30-1:30 p.m. Neal Taylor Nature Center, 2265 Highway 154. Children 3 and up; under 10 years must be accompanied by an adult. $3/person. Nature Center admission is free. Visit www.clnaturecenter.org.

Coming Up

Log on to www.cityofsolvang.com, www.buelltonrec.com or www.visitsyv.com to see a full schedule of programs and events that range from adult and youth sports to teen dances, field trips, excursions and more.