by Ana Baker

Hospice Volunteer Training Course
Begins Tuesday, January 14th, for 8 consecutive weeks from 9-12p.m. Learn new communication, explore issues of grief and loss, learn to share view of spirituality, understand concepts of symptom management and end of life care.

Free Adult Grief & Bereavement Support Groups
Every Wednesday, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Free for anyone who has lost a loved one.
Receive emotional and educational support.

Free Joint Replacement Classes
2nd Monday of the Month (January 13), held from 4– 5 p.m. Free informational class that teaches you what to expect pre and post-surgery.

Living with Type 2 and Pre-Diabetes Classes
1st Tuesday of the Month (January 7), from 1– 2:30 p.m. Free informational class that teaches you how to manage your life with diabetes.

All above held at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, 1996 Eastman Ave., Ste. 109. Call (805) 642-0239 for more information.

The Compassionate Friends of West Ventura County is a support group for those who have experienced the loss of a child. Parents, grandparents, and siblings (over age 14) are all welcome. The group meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, Canada Larga room, 3451 Foothill Road. For more information, contact Laura Lindsay at (805) 836-9100.

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club Monday nights 7:30 – 9:45 p.m. Poinsettia Pavilion. Ballroom, swing, Latin and line dancing. $10 members, $12 non-members. Free dance lessons 6:45 – 7:15 p.m. Call Rick (805) 415-8842 for more information.

Ventura’s ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club offers games for all levels of play.  Learn the game, play with your peers, and earn master points while you are having fun.  There is a game every day of the week.  Check out their website at www.vcbridge.org

Country Western Line Dancing every Tuesday 7 – 9 p.m. Instruction every night. Located at the Moose lodge, 10269 Telephone Road. More information at countrylovers.com.

Cross Town Hikers join in on Wednesday nights for a moderate-paced hike that includes views of Ventura from the cross, a walk out to the end of the pier, and a stroll along the Promenade back to the Museum. Four miles with an 800-foot elevation gain. Meet at 7 p.m. sharp at the fountain across the street from the Mission. Join Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/800215670039426/

The members of the Ventura Investment Group meet on Mondays for an informal discussion of recent economic events.  Topics cover current events that affect stocks, funds, real estate, and interest-bearing investments.  The meeting is from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Telephone Road and Main Street.  Visitors and potential members are welcomed.  There are no dues or requirements to participate, and all levels of experience are welcomed.

Brain Injury Center of Ventura County. www.BrainInjuryCenter.org
Support Groups for brain injury/ stroke survivors and their family/caregivers
Learn more about brain injury/stroke and available services. Meet others who are facing or have faced similar challenges. Meet new friends and connections, give and receive support.
Encounter Church 6950 Ralston St., Bldg. #300 (805) 482-1312
2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, 4-5:30 p.m.

Men are you retired and routine-tired? Ventura Retired Men suggest you visit a Social Lunch Meeting on the first or third Tuesday each month at the Poinsettia Pavilion. Stop in, say hello, have a sip at the bar if you like, they will buy you lunch, and you can sample the hospitality as they go through activities and hear the speaker of the day. Bob Likins can tell you more at 805-587-1233.

Dec.27: Ventura County Bell Arts Song Circle
(4th Friday of each month), 7 – 10 p.m. Like to play acoustic music? Songmakers.org welcomes instrumentalists, singers, and singer/songwriters at all levels to join in a free song circle at the Bell Arts Factory Community Room, 432 N. Ventura Ave. Listeners welcome! Info: Mike Wittlin, (805) 750-8281.

Jan. 4: “Fly Fishing Event”
On the “First Saturday” of each month the Sespe Flyfishers of Ventura conduct an introductory class on Fly Fishing and Casting the Fly Rod. There is no charge, and all are welcome. Whether you an experienced fly fisher or a complete novice we want to help you learn and enjoy this great sport. If you don’t have a fly rod, don’t worry, just come and use one of ours. Please join us at Chumash Park, Petit and Waco, 9-11 a.m., in East Ventura (off Telephone Rd).
For more information: Bob Smith (805) 647-3522 www.sespeflyfishers.org

Jan.5: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours from 1 – 4 p.m.  Admission is free.  The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets 197 N. Ashwood.  For information please call (805) 642-3345 or visit the website at www.dudleyhouse.webs.com.

Jan. 8: Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomers (BCNN) is a social group serving Oxnard, Ventura and Port Hueneme women.  Usually, first Wednesday of the month 9:30-11:15 a.m. for Coffee Get Together and program. Review of club’s social activity groups, including cards, games, potlucks, theater, memoir writing, etc.  Knights of Columbus,36 Figueroa St.Ventura.  Parking via Santa Clara.  Free for guests first time. For more information, contact Lauraine [email protected]

Jan. 8: Lori Mohr will visit the Hill Road Library at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, to deliver a talk entitled “Uptown, Downtown: American Art for a New Century.” Ms. Mohr comes to us via the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s Community Speakers Program. America at the turn of the 20th Century was being reshaped by engineering, nowhere more dramatic than in New York City. Skyscrapers, cars, and telephones stood as signs of a changing culture. This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Linda Cherry, Librarian, at (805) 677-7180. The Hill Road Library is located at 1070 S. Hill Road. Hours of service are Monday through Wednesday 10 – 6 p.m., Thursday 2 – 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday 10 – 2 p.m.

Jan.11: On Saturday, the Friendship Sangha of the Heart will host a Day of Mindfulness from 9:30 – 4 p.m. This event is a renewal for the New Year with the Venerable Kusala, an American born Monk, ordained in the Zen tradition of Viet Nam. The event will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St. (805) 644-3898, and will consist of Sitting, Walking, Eating Meditations as well as Dharma Sharing and Teachings.

Jan.16:  New York Times bestselling author Lee Goldberg and his new crime novel, Lost Hills, which has received high praise from mystery heavy hitters Michael Connelly and Tana French, among many others.  Lee lives in Calabasas, and his book is set in that area.  Lee will be making a Ventura appearance on his book tour, on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Bank of Books, 748 E. Main Street.  He’ll be in conversation with another local-ish bestselling author, Paul Levine, who lives in Santa Barbara.

Jan. 19: Channel Cities Jazz Club CCJC will resume it’s third Sunday of the month concert/dance events at Patricia Monoco’s House Of Dance located at  3007 Bunsen.Ave., Suite E in Ventura from 1-4 p.m. The Phoenix Big Band  to open the 2020 season and all who attend are in for a big treat when they hear their exiting, swing era style music with a sprinkling of other popular dance styles as well.
There is a huge dance floor with plenty of room to execute your favorite steps. Wine and beer will be available along with some munchies.  Mark your calendars and be sure to attend their first 2020 event.

Join Rev. Karen S. Wylie at The Ojai Retreat on Sunday, December 22, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., for her Mid-Month Devotional Retreat, which this month will explore “The Greatest Gift You Can Give!”

“In order to give to others from the best that is within you, you may have to let go of some clear boundaries you’ve created internally to keep yourself from being hurt or disappointed,” Rev. Karen says. “Join us for this meditative morning where we explore ways in which we can open ourselves up to greater living and loving through insights, revelations, inspiration, sacred stillness, uplifting songs and quiet walks in nature.” People of all faiths and traditions, or no tradition, are welcome to attend. Randee Vasilakos, RScP, assists and anchors the morning in a consciousness of prayer and healing.

The Ojai Retreat is at 160 Besant Road, Ojai. The retreat is by donation; $20 is suggested. For more information, contact Rev. Karen at 310-968-8928, or register online at www.karenswylie.com. Rev. Karen is the author of Into Me See: A Book for Daily Inspiration, available on Amazon and her website.

Chamber Music Concert: On Sunday, January 5th at 2:00 pm, the Ojai Art Center proudly presents return violinist Yue Deng.  Yue will thrill us with classic works emphasizing the Baroque. Yue will be joined by cellists Jonathan Flaksman and Virginia Kron for some rare classic pieces. The Ojai Art Center is located at 113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai.  Tickets sold only at the door: $15 general admission, $12 Art Center members and students.  For further information, call 640-1158.

Two acting classes for beginners through advanced, will be offered by Susan Kelejian, Artistic Director of A Muse of Fire and Ojai Valley Artists Theater Ensemble starting mid-January for either six or seven weeks each. For more information please email [email protected].

Proceeds of the classes will help fund the 2020 Muse of Fire Teen Conservatory and Nordhoff Drama, Chaparral High.