* Send AROUND TOWN items to the...

* Send AROUND TOWN items to the Huntington Beach Independent, 1375

Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626; fax to (714) 965-4678; call

(714) 966-4690 or e-mail at hbindy @latimes.com. Submissions must be

received two weeks before publication.

TODAY

Bible Exploration Training and Assistance, an overview of the Old

and New Testaments will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through

March 17 at Christ Presbyterian Church, 20112 Magnolia St.

Information: (714) 968-4940.

The Huntington Beach Motivated Networkers, a group for business

professionals, will meet at 7:30 a.m. at Huff’s restaurant, 7148

Edinger Ave. Information: (714) 840-5448.

Former “General Hospital” star Gail Ramsey will discuss and sign

copies of her book, “Dear God, It’s Me Again,” at 7 p.m. at Barnes

and Noble, 7881 Edinger Ave., Suite No.110. Information: (714)

897-8781.

FRIDAY

God at the Movies, a movie and small group discussion, will be

held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Fridays through June 3 at Christ

Presbyterian Church, 20112 Magnolia St. Information: (714) 968-4940.

SATURDAY

The Bolsa Chica Wetlands Tour will be a walk along the loop trail

of the wetlands. Trained tour guides will discuss bird

identification, ecology, endangered species, early history and the

wetlands’ status. The walk will begin at 10 a.m. Guests will meet at

the walk-bridge at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve on the east

side Pacific Coast Highway between Warner and Seapoint avenues.

Admission will be free. Information: (714) 840-1575 or

https://www.amigosdebolsa chica.org.

The Shipley Nature Center Tour will offer visitors a chance to

hear descriptions of the center’s planned restoration to its

historical native plant habitat with the addition of water

conservation gardens. The event will begin at 10 a.m. Guests will

meet at the front gate to the Shipley Nature Center in Huntington

Central Park. Parking will be available in the Central Park Drive

parking lot off Edwards Street between Talbert and Slater avenues.

Information: (714) 842-4772 or https://www.fsnc.org.

The Huntington Beach Christian Singles will hold a pre-Valentine

dance at 8 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 16351 Springdale St. The

cost is $10 for members and $12 for nonmembers. Information: (714)

625-3508.

“Centered on the Center,” a group art exhibition, will be opening

at noon at the Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main St. The exhibit,

which will run through Feb. 20, features works by150 regional

artists. Admission to the gallery is free. Information: (714)

374-1650.

SUNDAY

The Sunday Arlington West Project will set up 600 crosses every

Sunday, as a memorial to American servicemen and women who have died

in Iraq and all victims of the war in Iraq. It will take place at 8

a.m., a half block north of the Huntington Beach Pier, Pacific Coast

Highway at Main Street. Volunteers are needed to set up the crosses

at 8 a.m. and take them down at 4 p.m. Information: (949) 859-6488.

TUESDAY

The Kiwanis Club of Huntington Beach Surf City Breakfast Club will

meet at 7:30 a.m. at the International House of Pancakes, 18782 Beach

Blvd. Information: Glen Cauble, (714) 848-8102 or Randy Golden, (562)

884-4145.

A Sports Broadcast and Video Production workshop will be offered

from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays throughout January in Fine Arts Room 106

at Golden West College, 15744 Goldenwest St. Beginners and

experienced participants will learn the technical duties of producing

sports segments for television in this hands-on workshop.

Information: (714) 895-8798.

The Chamber of Commerce will hold the 2005 annual dinner from 6:30

to 10 p.m. at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast

Highway. Chamber members will honor outstanding achievements in the

business community and the event will feature a stellar awards

program recognizing the Ambassador of the Year, Member of the Year.

The cost is $70 per person and $650 per table of 10. Information: (714) 536-8888.

WEDNESDAY

Join award-winning author and cheese columnist Laura Werlin for an

evening of wine and cheese tasting from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Purcell

Murray Showroom and Education Center, 15400 Graham St., Suite 102.

The cost for the class is $65 and it includes a copy of Werlin’s

latest book, “Great Grilled Cheese.” Information: 1-800-294-0644,

ext. 505.

A seminar on starting and running your own business given by

instructor Linda Hoit will be held from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the

Chamber of Commerce, 19891 Beach Blvd. The cost is $20 per person.

Information: (714) 536-8888.

THURSDAY

The Huntington Beach Christian Singles will meet from 6 to 9 p.m.

at the Eclectic Cafe, 4911 Warner Ave. Suite 102. Information: (714)

625-3508.

JAN. 28

A support group for nonprofit inventors will meet at 7 p.m. at

Rodgers Senior’s Center, 1706 Orange Ave. Information: (714)

540-2491.

ONGOING

CIVIC GROUPS

Huntington Beach Police Department Senior Volunteer Program is

accepting applications for new members. Volunteers perform duties for

the department, such as citing illegally parked cars and taking down

illegally posted signs. Applicants must be 55 and older and live in

Huntington Beach. Interested applicants should contact the program

coordinator for an application. Information: (714) 536-5933.

The SOS Investment Club meets regularly on the second Monday of

each month and is seeking new members interested in studying

companies and making long-term investments. The group’s meetings are

held at 913 California St. Information: Cathy, (714) 960-7225.

The Huntington Beach Chapter of the National Assn. of the

Physically Handicapped provides disabled children and adults the

opportunity to make their lives become more vital to the community

through providing informative newsletters four times a year from

National Headquarters. It meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month

at 6:30 p.m. at Wycliffe Gardens at 18765 Florida St. Anyone

interested in becoming either a regular member or an associate member

may contact Bernadette at berntrav8@aol.com or call Dorothy at (949)

646-4771 for more information.

The Clara Barton chapter of the National Society Daughters of the

American Revolution will meet at 9:30 a.m. on the third Saturday of

each month at Community United Methodist Church, 6652 Heil Ave.

Membership is open to any woman who is at least 18 and can prove lineal bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving

American independence. Information: (714) 848-4297.

The North Huntington Beach Mothers Club welcomes all stay-at-home

or part-time moms living in North Orange County. The club emphasizes

support and friendship for mothers and family activities.

Information: (714) 373-5488.

The MISS Foundation is a support group for families who have

experienced the death of a child that meets on the first Thursday of

every month. The group gathers at 6:30 p.m. and begins at 7 p.m.

Information: Katie, (714) 442-3669, for location or peer support.

Toastmasters Club 770 is a group that teaches communication

skills to business and community members. The club will meet from 7

to 9 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at Carrow’s

Restaurant at the corner of Magnolia Street and Warner Avenue.

Information: (714) 847-3660.

Toastmasters Club No. 6641 presents “Tongue Tamers” from noon to

1 p.m. the first and third Friday of every month at the Huntington

Beach Civic Center, 2000 Main St. room B-8. Information: (714)

964-9813.

The Point-to-Point chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild meets

on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except December) at Rodgers

Senior Center at 17th Street and Orange Avenue. Hospitality is at

6:30 p.m., followed by a general meeting at 7 p.m. Information: (714)

962-1562.