BRIEFS

Chef Donatello Castelli, the chef who prepares meals for such

Hollywood stars like Madonna, Michael Caine, Roger Moore, Sean Connery

and Gregory Peck, will host an Italian cooking class today at Baci

Italian Restaurant, 18748 Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach.

The class will be held at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $35 and includes the

lesson, wine and up to four portions from Castelli, who will have his

book of celebrities for patrons to see as well as famous stories from the

“rich and hungry.” Reservations: (714) 965-1194.

Photo coloring class offered

The city of Huntington Beach will offer a one-session class on

hand-coloring black and white photographs.

The class will be offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the

Murdy Community Center, 7000 Norma Ave. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 9 at

the Edison Community Center, 21377 Magnolia Ave. The registration fee is

$35 with an additional $10 materials fee payable to the instructor at the

beginning of the class.

Information: (714) 536-5486.

Taco House plans holiday fiesta

The OC Taco House will host its ninth annual Cinco De Mayo Fiesta on

May 5 in Huntington Beach.

Festivities will include raffles, free balloons and face painting for

children, a homemade salsa contest, as well as the restaurant’s grande

burrito competition, where participants race to devour a foot-long

burrito.

The day’s events begin at 1:30 p.m. with the burrito-eating contest,

and the salsa competition is at 2 p.m., at the restaurant at 5942 Edinger

Ave.

Information: (714) 840-8226.

Drowning prevention program on tap

A drowning prevention program is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. May 18 at

the City Gym and Pool at 1600 Palm St.

City officials said there have been five drownings of children under

the age of 5 in Orange County so far this year, a jump from just three

for all of last year.

The city gym workshop will provide information about backyard pool

safety, ocean safety and emergency procedures. It also will include an

overview on equipment designed to protect against accidents.

Representatives from the Orange County Drowning Prevention Network,

Huntington Beach Marine Safety Department and Huntington Beach Aquatics

Program will speak.

Information: (714) 960-8884.

Beginning piano class planned

The Edison Community Center at 21377 Magnolia Ave. will offer a

three-hour workshop in beginning piano at 6:30 p.m. May 2,

The “Keyboards Kool & Kwik” class will offer lessons on how to play

keyboard instruments such as the piano, synthesizer and organ, while at

the same time providing a fun workshop environment.

Participants need not have any previous keyboard knowledge, and will

leave playing with both right and left hands, center officials said.

The class is taught by professional pianist Patrick Hardman, who will

instruct students in note reading, playing with both hands and in three

different keys. Keyboards will be provided for each student.

The course costs $25, and an additional cost of $20 is needed for the

spiral-bound workbook and 60-minute home practice cassette tape offered

in the class.

Information: (714) 960-8870.

Swing classes to be held at Murdy

Residents looking to add an extra swing to their step can sign up for

East Coast Swing dance lessons at Murdy Community Center.

The five-week dance course runs at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays from May 17

to June 14 with classes lasting an hour long.

Interested residents will start with the basic techniques, learning

easy patters and turns right away. There also will be a grad class party

at a local swing club.

Registration for the class is $50, with an additional $2 fee for step

pattern sheets, and tips on leading, following and styling. Partners are

not needed to enroll in the class.

The Murdy Community Center is at 7000 Norma Ave., Huntington Beach.

Information: (714) 960-8895.