On Wednesday, January 23, at 7 p.m., to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jewish Community of Ojai (JCO) will host an encore performance by Lanny Kaufer of his musical multimedia presentation, “My Summer Working for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Kaufer will share the experiences he had in the Voting Rights Movement, including meeting and volunteering for Dr. King in the South in 1965, and share socially conscious music of the era.
Speaking as the son of a Holocaust refugee, Kaufer will discuss the little known influence of American anti-black racism on Adolf Hitler’s philosophy as well as share Jewish contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.
The event is free with donations accepted. Jewish Community of Ojai is located at 530 W. El Roblar Drive in Meiners Oaks. For more information, please visit www.ojaitemple.org and select “Bulletin Board”.
Local poet Jeff Kustal will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, to deliver a reading of selected poems including the featured title “A Man and a Woman.” Mr. Kustal will be accompanied in his reading by Lucy Roadarmel.
An avid writer and longtime runner, Kustal has used poetry and exercise to keep himself moving through heart surgery and a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Lucy Roadarmel shares Kustal’s love of writing and reading. She has used her writing skills over the years working in corporate and non-profit organizations. A graduate of the High School of Performing Arts in New York and Theater Arts at NYU, Roadarmel has performed in off-Broadway plays, summer stock, and community theater.
At 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) will visit the Ojai Library to host a viewing of a 1997 documentary titled “Cadillac Desert: Water and the Transformation of Nature.”
Cadillac Desert explores the means through which the American Southwest was transformed in the 20th century from a harsh desert to a vibrant oasis. The film approaches water use from a development standpoint as well as a political one. Advances in technology and policy help to create a picture that is perhaps more relevant now than ever before.
This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146.
The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Chamber On The Mountain presents Narek Arutyunian, Clarinetist with Christopher Goodpasture, Pianist. Sunday, January 27, 3:00 pm / Logan House 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Rd.
Audience members are invited to stay and meet the artists at a reception immediately following the concert. Tickets: $25.00 at www.ChamberOnTheMountain.com
Fire Safe and Earthquake Resilient Home Design, a presentation and panel discussion hosted by the Ojai Valley Green Coalition on Sunday, January 27, 3 to 5 p.m. at the Matilija Jr. High auditorium – 703 El Paseo Rd. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door.
Panelist information is available at ojaivalleygreencoalition.org
