Inspired? Here’s how to get started

If you’re interested in woodworking, Sam Maloof suggests that you will learn the most by starting at the bottom, at a production shop. He also believes in trial and error, his own form of learning.

For inspiration, you can visit the Maloof house. It’s open from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. It’s at 5131 Carnelian St. in Alta Loma, and admission is $10; $8 for seniors. Contact (909) 980-0412 or malooffoundation@earthlink.net for reservations and more.

Or maybe you’d prefer more formal help. Some resources:

Cerritos College and Palomar College are nationally recognized for their woodworking programs. Cerritos College, 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk; https://www.cerritos.edu/wood. Palomar College, 1140 W. Mission Road, San Marcos; https://www.palomar.edu/woodworking.

Several other community colleges include woodworking instruction and facilities, including El Camino, Fullerton, Long Beach City and Los Angeles Trade Tech. Some high schools offer adult classes in woodshop through regional occupational programs. Additionally, some community centers have woodworking facilities.

A comprehensive list of woodworking guilds, clubs, exhibitions and classes throughout the region is published bimonthly in Woodworker West, P.O. Box 452058, Los Angeles, CA 90045; https://www.woodwest.com.

Rockler, a retail chain for woodworkers, has locations in Torrance, Pasadena, Orange, Ontario and San Diego. Individual stores offer periodic workshops and classes. (800) 279-4441; https://www.rockler.com.

Lowe’s and Home Depot offer home improvement seminars at their retail stores.