The Wake-Up Call: New Beginnings

It's Monday: Is it the start of another grueling workweek? Or is it a moment pregnant with opportunity, the chance to make a fresh start in any area of life you choose? We're going to go with the latter. Here's to those bold, paradigm-shifting moves that make your stomach quiver with nervousness and excitement. What about your life would you like to transform?

In the Patch:

Train for a new job. Elk Grove Adult and Community Education is holding three upcoming informational sessions for their vocational training courses, which prepare people for careers as pharmacy technicians, veterinary assistants and more. Advance registration is required for the events; the first one takes place this Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. on the EGACE campus. Contact Helen Bohen at (916) 525-4744, ext. 7820.

. Or at least someone likeable and employed. Date and Dash is holding one of their speed-dating events for singles in their thirties and forties tonight. The event starts at 5:45 at on Laguna near Bruceville. RSVP here.

Outside the Patch:

Visit an unfamiliar land. The Obama administration is loosening regulations on educational trips to Cuba, home to salsa dancing, revolution and, of course, a blistering American trade embargo. This New York Times article discusses some of the legal ways to go, from cooking classes to clinic tours to art projects.