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One hundred Special Olympics athletes arrive July 21 for a four-day visit to Santa Barbara, one of 100 Host Towns in California, before competing in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles July 25–August 2. The largest sporting event in Southern California since the 1984 Olympics, the 25-sport competition includes 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches from 177 countries.

Jupiter, Venus and a small crescent moon come into alignment this month, but it may be views of Saturn that steal the show at a free public viewing of the stars Friday, June 19, beginning at 8 p.m. and lasting several hours at the ���ϰٿ� Observatory. Jupiter and Venus and the moon form a skewed triangle that will be easily visible after sunset in the western sky.

���ϰٿ� hosts a 5K run/walk to benefit , an organization working to improve the lives of women in Uganda, on Saturday, May 16, at 9 a.m. Registration, which costs $15 for students; $25 for adults (free kids fun run), begins at the ���ϰٿ� track at 8:30 a.m.

Commencement speaker David Brooks demonstrated his talent as a humorist while offering the class of 2015 advice about commitment, love and taking chances in their careers May 9 at ���ϰٿ�. Brooks’ opening, witty monologue shone a ray of sunshine on an otherwise overcast day.

Bethany Hamilton, whose autobiography, “Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board,” inspired the 2011 film “Soul Surfer,” spoke to more than 1,200 people in a special chapel service April 10 in ���ϰٿ�’s Murchison Gym.

Abraham Lincoln. Peter Drucker. Bill Gates. These iconic leaders continue to make a profound and pivotal impact on American thought and culture.

Thirteen graduating art majors will display their capstone art projects April 9-May 9 at the ���ϰٿ� Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. A free, public reception opens “Maker’s Dozen: ���ϰٿ� Senior Art Exhibition 2015” on Thursday, April 9, from 4-6 p.m.

​Renowned Russian pianist Vassily Primakov, who recently released a new, two-CD album, “Chopin: 51 Mazurkas,” performs Saturday, April 25, at 3 p.m. in First United Methodist Church, 305 E. Anapamu St. Tickets cost $25 for general admission; $20 seniors; $10 student and group (eight or more); and may be purchased at the door or by calling (805) 565-6040.

The concert, which is co-sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Robert Logan and the ���ϰٿ� Music Department, is a fundraiser for ���ϰٿ�’s piano program.

The ���ϰٿ� Choir tours Central California April 10-12 with performances in San Luis Obispo, Chowchilla, Visalia and Santa Barbara. The choir of 60 student singers will perform a selected repertoire from their entire concert season, especially works by emerging American composers.

Bethany Hamilton, whose autobiography, “,” inspired the 2011 film “,” speaks Friday,

The ringed, gas giant Juniper will be the star attraction at this month’s free public viewing on Friday, March 20, beginning at 7:30 p.m. and lasting several hours at the ���ϰٿ� Observatory. In case of inclement or overcast weather, please call the Telescope Viewing Hotline at (805) 565-­6272 and check the ���ϰٿ� website to see if the viewing has been canceled.

���ϰٿ� CIO Reed Sheard has been named a Computerworld Premier 100 IT Leader for 2015. He accepts this award in March with other top IT professionals from the business, education, government, service, technology and non-profit sectors.

Jodi Magness, a renowned archaeologist and Kenan distinguished professor in early Judaism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, examines the validity of claims that Jesus’ burial has been found in Jerusalem during a lecture on Thursday, M

Six high school seniors will compete for ���ϰٿ� music scholarships at the third annual Music Guild Competition on Saturday, March 7, at 7 p.m. at ���ϰٿ�’s Deane Chapel on lower campus. The event is free and open to the public.

Nineteen student actors and the same creative team behind the national award-winning 2013 production of “The Pirates of Penzance,” stages “The Insect Comedy or The World We Live In” Feb. 27 and March 6 at 8:30 p.m., Feb. 28 and March 5 at 8 p.m., and March 7 at 2 p.m., all in ���ϰٿ�’s Porter Theatre.