IT’S NATURE’S WAY: The recent storms have...

IT’S NATURE’S WAY: The recent storms have kept most folks away from the beaches. But over the next few months, they will return. And when they do, they’re bound to spot the harbor seals that give birth on shorelines from late February until early May. . . . Because of that, officials warn that if you find an unattended baby seal, keep your distance. Otherwise, you might scare off its mother and endanger the baby. The message is clear, said Joe Cordaro, a wildlife biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service: Leave Mother Nature alone to do her own thing. In case someone doesn’t get the message, remember this: Federal law prohibits handling a seal pup, and fines run $400 to $10,000.

TIME WELL SPENT? It’s called a “block schedule,” and it means students go to three 90-minute classes a day, rather than six shorter ones (B1). . . . Supporters say the longer lectures help students focus. But critics counter that students are receiving 20% less instructional time. So with two high schools--Hueneme and Newbury Park--already using it and a third--Santa Paula--considering it, the obvious question is: Does it work?

PUPPY LOVE: From the moment she adopted Dijon, 12-year-old Erica Anderson has braced for the day she would have to give up the yellow Labrador retriever (B3). . . . Erica cannot keep the floppy-eared companion because when Dijon turns 15 months old, she will be given to Guide Dogs for the Blind, a national organization based in San Rafael. “We could not exist without them,” Guide Dogs assistant Deborah Henderson said of the puppy trainers.

CULTURE CASH: In the coming weeks, Ventura’s cultural affairs office will award a total of $30,000 in grants to artists and art groups. Applications are due a month from today, and a workshop will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.