Trips & Tours

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The Western Railway Museum in Solano County celebrates the grand opening of its new display building, the Loring C. Jensen Memorial Car House, with special events Saturday. The 37,000-square-foot facility will permanently house the museum's collection of electric railway artifacts. Activities include tours of the 38 historic trains on display, rides throughout the day and an ice-cream social at 1 p.m. Admission is $10 general, $9 for seniors and $7 for children. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Parking is free. The museum is on Highway 12 midway between Interstate 80 and Rio Vista. Information: (707) 374-2978 or www.wrm.org.

Painting workshop

Victoria Brooks, a Loomis artist who leads painting trips abroad, is giving a free travel painting workshop at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Borders Books, 2030 Douglas Blvd., Roseville. Brooks will demonstrate her on-location technique and share tips on equipment and packing. The class is intended to spur interest in an Aug. 16-23 painting trip she will lead to Ireland. Information: (916) 768-1751 or www.toscanaamericana.com.

Learn Spanish in Mexico

The Department of Continuing Education at California State University, Sacramento, is offering a June 28-July 12 trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico, that immerses the traveler in culture, history, education and people while strengthening Spanish-language skills. Beginners are welcome. Peter Baird, professor of bilingual/multicultural education, will lecture on current events. Included in the $1,935 trip cost are classes, family home stay, seminar and three units of credit. Deadline to register is May 16; an orientation session will be held June 4. Information: (916) 278-4916 or www.edweb.csus.edu/bmed/mexico.

Endangered species fair

The Endangered Species Fair marks its 29th anniversary Saturday at Bidwell Park in Chico. The 10 a.m.-4 p.m. educational event for all ages features musicians, live animal presentations and a parade of eco-puppets. It's free. Information: (530) 891-6424.

El Dorado wine country

Join Sacramento-based Grape Escapes Saturday for tours and tastings in the El Dorado wine area. Transportation, winery visits and lunch are included in the $70 cost. Information: (916) 821-5636.

Cinco de Mayo con animales

The Animal Ark, a sanctuary for non-releasable wild animals, is holding a Cinco de Mayo celebration next Sunday in which wolves, cheetahs, tigers, bears and other animals will receive special pinatas packed with goodies. The family event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission is $7 general, $5 children. To find the Ark, take Highway 395 north from Reno, turn right on Red Rock, go 11.5 miles to Deerlodge and turn right. Information: (775) 970-3111.

New Zealand, Germany

A phone number given last week for information on trips offered by the Big Valley Travel Club had an incorrect area code. For information on the Feb. 8- March 11, 2009, trip to New Zealand or September 2010 trip to the Passion Play staged once every 10 years in Oberammergau, Germany, call Dick Griffin at (209) 634-6804.

Day at the races

Experience the thrill of live thoroughbred racing on a trip to Golden Gate Fields on May 21. Friends in Travel is sponsoring the event that includes transportation and lunch at the Turf Club; cost is $79. Information: (916) 207-9691.

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Send items to Travel, The Sacramento Bee, P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852, or to travel@sacbee.com with "Trips & Tours" in the subject field. Submissions should be received at least two weeks before an event. All submissions become the property of The Bee.

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