Free Family Funday Public admission is free the last Sunday of each month at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta Del Sol Road; 682.7411; Free.

Lunch with the Singing Chef Andy LoRusso cooks up a 4-course Italian menu with a cooking demo and sing-along. Wednesday, noon-2 p.m.; Marcello’s Restaurant, 1218 State St.; 966.1192; $35.

Sierra Club Hikes Hike up scenic Rattlesnake Trail, meeting Saturday, 9 a.m. behind the Bank of America, 3890 State St. Please bring lunch and water. Call 569.5527. Hike up Douglas Family Preserve Parks, meeting Sunday behind the Band of America, 3890 State St. Please bring water and a snack. Call 965.9953.

Chanukah Candle Lighting to commemorate the Festival of Lights. Friday, 4 p.m.; Bronfman Family Jewish Community Center, 524 Chapala St.; 957.1115; Free.

Absinthe Quiz Night Santa Barbara’s original quiz night is back with its original host. Put together teams of up to 6 people to answer questions for prizes. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.; Absinthe Bar, 500 Anacapa St.; 965.5057; $5 per person.

March for Peace It’s never too late to march for peace. Join others promoting world peace Saturdays, 11 a.m.; Vera Cruz Park, 130 E. Cota St.; 965.7771.

Backstage Tours at the Lobero Theatre Docent-guided tours of California’s oldest continuously operated theater. Available by appointment; 33 E. Canon Perdido St.; 966.4946 x613; Free.

Scenic Flights Spitfire Aviation offers tours, or you can set your own itinerary. 204 Moffett Place, Suite P; 967.9328; $165 and up.

Historic DowntownWalking Tour Docent-led tours leading to hidden courtyards and fountains. Saturdays, 10 a.m.; Santa Barbara Public Library fountain, 40 E. Anapamu St.; 965.6307; $5.

Fresh Produce, Grown Locally Farmer’s Markets offer fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, street musicians and other treats. Old Town Tuesdays, 4-7:30 p.m., 500 State St.; La Cumbre Plaza Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 110 S. Hope Ave.; Summerland Wednesdays, 3-7 p.m., 2200 Lillie Ave.; Goleta Thursdays, 3-6:30 p.m., 5700 Calle Real; Carpinteria Thursdays, 4-7 p.m., 800 Linden Ave.; Montecito Fridays, 8-10:30 a.m., 200 Coast Village Road; Downtown Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Santa Barbara and Cota streets.

Crab and Lobster, Still Pinching There’s no seafood fresher than the catch brought in at the Fishermen’s Market. Saturdays, 7:30-11:30 a.m.; Santa Barbara Harbor; 965.8112; Free.

Benefits

New Year’s Eve Dance featuring the lively rhythms of Missbehavin’; includes hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and raffle to benefit United Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County. Wednesday, 8 p.m.; 4849 Foothill Road; 684.1568; $25.

Rape Crisis Center seeks Spanish-speaking volunteers to train as sexual assault counselors, certified by the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning, either to staff the 24-hour hotline or provide in-person counseling services. Traning begins Jan. 13. 111 N. Milpas St.; 963.6832 x27.

Sedgwick Reserve is looking for recruits to train to be part of its volunteer team in a variety of roles. Training begins Jan. 9; 693.5104.

Goleta Library Book Drive Donate to the library and it will buy a gift book for the library’s collection. 500 N. Fairview Ave.; 964.7878.

Aeromedicos Santa Barbara Pilots, medical translators and various medical volunteers sought to treat patients in Baja. 963.3011.

Cartridges for Kids Tri-Counties Easter Seals can earn cash for your empty and used inkjet cartridges. Drop them off at Easter Seals Center, 532 Santa Barbara St.; 899.4557.

Children

Teen Trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain Teens ages 13-18 can visit the thrilling theme park in Valencia. Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Meet at the Carrillo Recreation Center, 100 E. Carrillo St.; 897.2650; $25 includes admission, transportation and a light snack.

S.B. Playgroups Fun at the parks for kids, a social break for parents. Various play groups meet Mondays-Fridays and hold field trips. 692.0090.

Cachuma Lake Nature Center Exhibits and displays on Chumash history, geology and local wildlife. Wednesdays and Saturdays; 693.0691; Free with $6 per vehicle for parking.

Clubs

Santa Barbara Parrot Head Club A pursuit of various causes under the banner of Jimmy Buffet’s music. Last Thursday of each month, 7:30 p.m.; Sharkey’s, 416 State St.; 963.9680; $25-$40.

Gold Coast Miniaturist, a club for adults interested in making and collecting all things in minature, meets 9:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month in Goleta. All levels of interest and experience welcome; 968.9418 or 565.0200.

Native Daughters of the Golden West Meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month, 7:30 p.m.; Goleta Valley Community Center, 5679 Hollister Ave.; 563.0519.

Santa Barbara Lodge F&AMasons First Thursday of each month with dinner at 6:30 p.m., meeting at 7:30 p.m. Family dinners the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Masonic Center, 16 E. Carrillo St.; 966.4502.

Parliamo! Italian conversation group. All levels welcome. Tuesdays, 5: 30-7 p.m.; Via Maestra Restaurant, 3343 State St.

Le Cercle Français French conversation group. Wednesdays, 5:30-7 p.m.; Pacific Crêpes, 705 Anacapa St.; 897.3810; Free.

Social Rubber Bridge Regulars and part-timers welcome. Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m.; Goleta Community Center Senior Lounge, 5679 Hollister Ave.; 968.6132; 50¢.

The Write Stuff Prepare for peer reviews and share writing practices. Every second and fourth Monday, 7:30 p.m.; Borders Books, Camino Real Marketplace; 968.1370; Free.

Leads to Business Networking Club Meets Tuesdays, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Max’s Restaurant, 3514 State St.; 385.3530 to RSVP.

Dance

Dance-Away Lively variety of music in a smoke- and alcohol-free environment. Fridays, 7:30-10:30 p.m.; Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, 1535 Santa Barbara St.; 967.5241; $5 adults/$1 children.

Line Dancing All ages and skill levels welcome, no partner necessary. Mondays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Community of Christ Church, 4675 Via Los Santos; 967.7990; $3.

Chasidic Jazz Dance Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m.; Bronfman Jewish Community Center, 524 Chapala St.; 957.1115; Free.

Contra (Country) Dance All ages and skill levels welcome. Tuesdays, 8-10 p.m., except the last two weeks in Dec.; Carrillo Recreation Center Ballroom, 100 E. Carrillo St.; 969.1511; www.sbcds.org; $3.

Ballroom Dance Enjoy live orchestras. All ages and singles welcome. Saturdays, 8-11 p.m.; 100 E. Carrillo St.; 897.2519; $9.

Square Dancing Santa Barbara Taws ’n’ Paws meets for Plus Level dancing. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.; St. Mark United Methodist Church, 3942 La Colina Road; 967.3369; $5 donation.

Exhibits

Kids Draw Architecture Exhibit through Jan. 7, 2004. Architectural Foundation Gallery, 229 E. Victoria St.; 965.6307.

Bryan Dinkins Hand-carved, hand-painted sculptures in bass wood. Through Tuesday; Cate School Hitchcock Theater, 1960 Cate Mesa Road; 684.4127 or 682.4522.

Messengers Anne Luther presents new assemblage works Through Jan. 28, 2004; Step One Art Gallery, 855 Linden Ave.; 566.2157.

Holiday Art Show Works in various media for $300 or less on exhibit through Jan. 4; Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St.; 962.1402; Free to look.

Mystery & Magic Hand tinted photography, paintings, watercolors and collage by locals Jill Sattler and Gene Ingles-Ward. Through Jan. 24; Gallery TEN-TWENTY-NINE, 1029 State St.; 886.0192; Free to look.

Worshiping the Ancestors Chinese commemorative portraits from 1450-1940 and historic furniture, textiles and dress. Through Feb. 15; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St.; 963.4364; $7.

Reflections of the Central Coast Clyde Kirkpatrick presents marine-themed watercolors. Through Jan. 31; Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, 113 Harbor Way; 962.8404.

Fine Lines Drawings from the collection of Wynn Kramarsky through Jan. 11; Contemporary Arts Forum, 653 Paseo Nuevo; 966.5373.

Mosaic Art Local favorite Patti Jacquemain goes to pieces with an ancient art for contemporary times. Through Sunday, Mission Creek Studios Art Gallery, 2948 Nojoqui Ave. #2, Los Olivos; 688.8792; Free to look.

At Home and Abroad California painters working in Europe demonstrate the influence of foreign travel on the study of the California regional tradition. Through Jan. 25; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St.; 963.4364; $7.

Insights Works that link contemporary American Art with Buddhist philosophy and practice. Through May 16, 2004; University Art Museum, UCSB; 893.2951; Free.

Sally Storch: “Lost and Found” New paintings of familiar moments. What was lost now is found. Through Jan. 6; Sullivan Goss, 1266 Coast Village Road; 730.1460.

Packhorses and Power Figures Sculptures by local artist Peter Cole, marrying African ancestral power with American life and symbols. Through Feb. 3; Sullivan Goss, 7 E. Anapamu St.; 730.1460.

The World of Carl Linnaeus See the work of the man who created the system by which we classify plants and animals. Through Jan. 4; Maximus Gallery, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta Del Sol Road; 682.4711; $6/5/4.

The Gift Show Get that special person a photograph or book instead of a fruitcake this year. Shows concurrently with selections from Edward Weston. Through Tuesday; Staton•Greenberg Gallery, 15 W. Anapamu St.; 962.9876; Free to look.

Margethe Mather & Edward Weston An exhibition of the 12-year working relationship between the two influential photographers. Through Jan. 18; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St.; 884.6462; $7.

Working Land A Photographic Portrait of Contemporary Agriculture in Santa Barbara. Through Feb. 27; Channing Peake Gallery, 105 E. Anapamu St.; Free.

Desert Views Paintings and photographs present unique visions of the American West. Through Jan. 9, 5-7:30 p.m.; Fielding Graduate Institute Art Gallery, 2112 Santa Barbara St.; 898.2947; Free to look.

Health

Hula Class No experience necessary. Saturdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m.; Blue Star Rising, 5880 Calle Real; 683.6100.

Compassionate Communication Improve your communication skills and connect more easily with others. Sundays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Room C; 682.7895; Free.

Mahakankala Center Guided Buddhist meditation. Sundays, 10:30 a.m.; 925 E. Quinientos St.; Montecito meetings, Wednesdays, 7:15 p.m.; 1469 East Valley Road; 965.1813; $10 donations requested.

Sit ’n’ Stretch Light exercise for any age. Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m.; Bronfman Jewish Community Center, 524 Chapala St.; 957.1115; Free.

Laughter Helps Cancer Patients Classes are designed for those dealing with the disease and other life-threatening illnesses. Tuesdays, 3-4:15 p.m.; Multipurpose Room, Cancer Center, 2320 Bath St., Suite 107; 563.8820 x13 to register.

People with Arthritis Can Exercise Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon, and Fridays, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Wellness Resource Center of Santa Barbara; 892.5556.

Fighting Colon Cancer Christine Pickett, M.S., R.D., teaches how to fight cancer through diet. First Wednesday of each month, noon-1 p.m.; Cancer Center of Santa Barbara, 2410 Fletcher St., Suite 104; 569.2243; Free.

Nutrition Class for Diabetes Jeannine Mesipam, R.D., teaches this course. Thursdays, noon; Sansum Medical Research Institute, 2219 Bath St.; Free.

La Leche League of Santa Barbara Breastfeeding information and support for mothers. Second Thursday of each month, 10-11:30 a.m.; Birth Resource Center, 4141 State St.; 961.2205; Free.

Noon Swim Program for Adults Experienced lap swimmers only. Santa Barbara High, 700 E. Anapamu St.; 966.1191; $100 per year.

Lectures

l Prophet: The Hat Maker’s Son Study the life and work of Robert Muller, former Asst. Secretary General of the U.N. Fridays in December and January, noon-2 p.m.; Karpeles Manusscript Library Museum, 21 W. Anapamu St.; 957.1936.

Meetings

l Meet-up for Dean Learn about the candidate, local activities and supporters. First Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m.; Franklin Neighborhood Community Center, 1136 E. Montecito St.; 884.1846; Free.

Town Hall Meeting Share ideas promoting peace, politics and good will through community action. First and third Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m.; 1535 Santa Barbara St.; 685.8822.

Veterans For Peace Meetings Mondays to discuss war and films. Social hour, 5-6 p.m., films 6 p.m.; Veterans Memorial Building, 115 W. Cabrillo Blvd.; 564.2698.

IWC Study Group on Sufism Informal study group meets every second and fourth Thursday of each month, 8-9:30 p.m. Currently considering the teachings of Seyyed Hossein Nasr, “the Heart of Islam.” All are welcome. Concord House, 1407 Chapala St.; 967.1055; Free.

Plato Discussion Circle Informal study group meets the last Saturday of each month, 4-6 p.m. Institute of World Culture, Concord House, 1407 Chapala St.; 967.7263 for the current reading assignment; Free.

Music

Glen Phillips The former lead singer of Toad the Wet Sprocket performs a solo acoustic set of original material. Tuesday, 8 p.m.; SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State St.; 962.7776.

Bruce Goldish and Crosby Loggins So this fingerstyle guitar player and this singer-songwriter walk into a bar and create momentary harmony. Sunday, 8 p.m.; SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State St.; 962.7776.

Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan wail on the guitar and blues harp Sunday, 1 p.m.; Cold Spring Tavern, 5995 Stagecoach Road; 967.0066.

Missing Persons Dale Bozzio and the boys are back on their way to a Destination Unknown. Jan. 1, 8 p.m.; Coach House, 110 Santa Barbara St.; Tickets available at 866.340.BAND or www.malibu-inn.com; $20.

The Shapeshifter’s Ball Come as your past, leave as your future with the sounds of Animal Liberation Orchestra. Wednesday, 9 p.m.; Absinthe Bar, 500 Anacapa St.; 965.5057; $25/20.

New Year’s Eve Pops Concert Maestro Gisèle Ben-Dor leads the Santa Barbara Symphony through tango, big band and pops classics with opera arias and comedy performed by BJ Ward. Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.; Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St.; 963.4408; $26.50-53.50.

Maxi Priest The British reggae star mixes R&B and hip hop in with the island influence. Wednesday, 8 p.m.; Coach House, 110 Santa Barbara St.; 882.1077; Tickets available at 866.340.BAND or www.malibu-inn.com for $25.­­

Channel City Men’s Barbershop Chorus Immediate openings in all four parts. No audition. Mondays, 7:30 p.m.; Trinity Lutheran Church, 909 N. La Cumbre Road; 682.5005.

Inner Light Community Gospel Choir Invitation to all without auditions. Mondays, 7 p.m.; Goleta Presbyterian Church, 6067 Shirrell Way; 961.2712.

Seniors

New Year’s Eve Party Dance or listen to the big band sounds of Déjà Vu and enjoy wine and cheese. Wednesday, 6 p.m.; Garden Court, 1116 De la Vina St.; 884.0095.

Schmooze Room A community social cafe for seniors. Wednesdays, 2:30 p.m.; Bronfman Jewish Community Center, 524 Chapala St.; 957.1115; Free.

Senior Health Clinic Comprehensive health assessment by a public health nurse.Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; county Public Health Department; 681.2568.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Ages 55 and older are encouraged to participate in this invaluable service. 963.0474.

Tai Chi Goleta Valley Senior Center provides fun, healthy events, including this great class to strengthen, stretch and rejuvenate. Mondays, 10:45-11:30 a.m.; 5679 Hollister Ave.; 683.1124; Free.

Support

Parkinson’s Early Onset Meeting Support for those coping with an early diagnosis. Sunday, 4 p.m.; First Christian Church, 106 W. Pedregosa St.; 962.4779.

Celebrate Recovery Christian group to heal people’s pains and hang-ups. Mondays, 6:45-9 p.m.; 924 Anacapa St., Suite 1A; 965.9283.

Post-Polio Support Group Meetings the last Wednesday of each month. 12:30-2 p.m.; Easter Seals, 532 Santa Barbara St.; 899.4557.

Single Living in a Couples World Mondays, noon-1:15 p.m.; Bronfman Jewish Community Center, 524 Chapala St.; 957.1115; $5.

Life After Loss Meetings Mondays, 1-2:15 p.m.; Bronfman Jewish Community Center, 524 Chapala St.; 957.1115; $5.

Current Events Rap Group Meetings Tuesdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Bronfman Jewish Community Center, 524 Chapala St.; 957.1115.

Anorexic and Bulimic 12-Step Meeting Help for the eating disordered. Mondays, 6:30 p.m.; St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Picasso Road and Camino Pescadero, Isla Vista; 692.9940 or 692.9942; Free.

Autism Society of America Fourth Wednesday of month, 7-8:30 p.m.; First United Methodist Church, 305 E. Anapamu St.; 569.1091.

Diabetes Support Group First Friday of each month, noon; Sansum Medical Research Institute, 2219 Bath St.; 682.7638; Free.

Caregivers Support Group Meetings every second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 4-5:30 p.m.; Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care building, 222 E. Canon Perdido; 963.6794.

Free Legal Aid Legal outreach for those finding the law out of their reach. Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.; 301 E. Canon Perdido; 963.6754; Free to needy residents and senior citizens.

Epilepsy Support Group Meetings Fridays, 7 p.m.; 967.4370.

Theater

l The Country Club Ensemble Theatre Company presents Douglas Carter Beane’s social satire about holidays amongst the privileged. Tuesdays-Saturdays through Jan. 4, 8 p.m. and Sundays, 2 and 7 p.m.; Alhecama Theatre, 914 Santa Barbara St.; 962.8606; $24.50-34.50.

Upcoming

Soul City Survivors The hot buttered soul of Santa Barbara performs your favorites. Jan. 2, 9:30 p.m.; SOhO Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State St.; 962.7776.

The Wonders of Elvis Mark Curran revives the larger than life Rock’n’Roll giant and Goldrush calls forth the essence of the Everly Brothers. Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Center Stage Theater, 751 Paseo Nuevo; 963.0408; $32/30/28.

Negative Prints of War Photographic prints from motion picture footage shot by Don Calamr in Germany during World War II on exhibit Jan. 3-31; Goleta Library, 500 N. Fairview Ave.; 964.7878.