Javier Saucedo of Ventura County’s Green Business Program will visit the Ojai Library at 2pm on Friday, September 10, to explain and demonstrate the contents of the DIY Home Energy Savings Toolkits currently available for lending from Ventura County Library locations.

3C-REN and the Ventura County Library have partnered to create the DIY Home Energy Savings Toolkit. The toolkit includes tools, equipment, and a guide to help you save energy and increase the comfort of your home. There are items for you to keep, like LED light bulbs, outlet gaskets, weatherstripping, and water leak detection dye tablets; and tools to return, like an infrared laser thermometer and a Kill-A-Watt meter. Join this event for a demo of the kit, to ask your questions, and to learn about other sustainability programs in your area.

Javier Saucedo joined the construction trade in 1990, continuing until 2006 when he became an energy conservation specialist working with SoCalGas, SCE, and California weatherization programs. He currently leads the County’s Green Business Program, performs residential and commercial energy audits, and oversees quality control on energy saving upgrades.

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 Avenue in Ojai, CA. Hours of service are 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday and 12pm to 5pm Friday through Sunday.

The Ojai Storytelling Festival will present special performances for students on Friday, Oct. 29 at Libbey Bowl in Ojai at 9:30 (primary) and 11:15 (upper grades 4-12). The performances will present nationally acclaimed professional storytellers from around the United States. This year’s line-up includes Donald Davis, Regi Carpenter, Bill Harley, Diane Macklin, Kim Weitkamp, Bil Lepp and the Reverend Robert B. Jones.

Check website for the storytellers that are scheduled for each of the performances. Each of the sessions will feature stories appropriate to the grade level attending the performance. A special group ticket price for 10 or more is just $5 per ticket. Tickets for groups and individuals less than 10 are available on our website. For group tickets, phone 310-890-1439 or visit www.ojaistoryfest.org.

Finding Light, a new exhibition featuring artworks by the Ojai Studio Artists at the Ojai Valley Museum. Using a wide variety of mediums and styles, sixty artists depict how they found light. View the exhibition for inspiration about how you too, can continue to find the light in your life.

Although viewing artwork in person is a much richer experience, an online version of the exhibition is available on the museum’s website, OjaiValleyMuseum.org.

The exhibition will be on view through the end of October 11.

In addition to Finding Light, small exhibitions on a range of topics related to the history of the valley, and a diorama of the Sespe Wilderness, are always on view at the museum.

The Ojai Valley Museum is located at 130 W. Ojai Avenue in Ojai.

Events by Ana Baker

Aug 25: The Ventura College Area Community Council will be holding a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. The August meeting will focus on historic buildings and the preservation of community character through architecture. CACC represents citizens in Council District 3, currently neighborhoods north of Hwy. 126 between Dunning/Lemon Grove/Agnus on the west and Hill Road on the east. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list and to access a link to the Zoom meeting.”

Aug 27: Richard Senate’s Ghost Talk & Tours Return 7-9 pm. Located at the Bank of Books 748 E. Main St. 805-643-3154. Discover the ghosts of Old Ventura that lurk in saloons and re-enact tragic events from the days when this place was a wild cow town. You will never see Main Street the same after this tour of haunting stories and mysterious happenings.
Fee: $10/person. Advance reservations recommended.

Aug 28: The Jewish New Year, 5782, a time for reflection and recommitment is approaching. Congregation Am HaYam invites all to join with them in observances. S’lichot Services will take place via Zoom on Saturday, with a study session at 7:30 p.m., services at 8:15 p.m., and a second study session following. To receive the link, please call 805-469-0268.

Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur services will be both in-person and through YouTube. Services on the first and second days begin at 9:00 am both Tuesday, September 7 and Wednesday, September 8.

Kol Nidre begins on Wednesday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m. Yom Kippur services on Thursday, September 16 begins at 9 a.m. Fran Lande will lead a Study Session at 4:15 p.m., followed by Minchah (Afternoon) services at 5:15 and Ne’ilah (Concluding Services and Shofar Blasts) at 6:15. Please call 805-469-0268 to receive the link. CAH is located at 4839 Market Street, Unit C (rear). Ample free parking is available. Please call 805-644-2899 for ticket or other information or see our website at www.amhayam.com.

Aug 29: NAMBA Performing Arts Space, Inc. presents a new play “Breaking the Code” by local playwright Claudia Hoag McGarry. One day only, Sunday at 3 p.m. at NAMBA Performing Arts Space 47 S Oak St. in Historic Downtown Ventura. Tickets are $20 and are available on www.NambaArts.com. Starring Shelly Best, Gul Saeed, Heather Terbell, Claire Waterhouse, Shari Howard, Marlene Matosian. Music by Ashley Jones and Paul McGarry. Directed by Jordana Lawrence.

Sept. 4&5: Happenings at the Dudley Museum
Richard Senate, long known as Ventura County’s “Ghost Hunter” and other docents will lead tours of the 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum on Sunday September 5th from 1 to 4 p.m. Senate will be signing his books including the booklet, “Are There Ghosts at the Dudley House?” for sale in the gift shop. Tour group size will be limited. Admission is free. For information please call (805) 642-3345 or visit the website at dudleyhouse.org.

Sept. 4: The monthly plant sale continues at the Dudley House from 8 to 2 p.m. Bromeliads, orchids, succulents, tillandsias, rhipsalis, garden art and more. Vendors welcome (plants only), please call Charlie at 805-746-4317. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets (197 N. Ashwood).

Sept. 4: The Sespe Flyfishers of Ventura will again be conducting “First Saturday” introductory class on Fly Fishing and Casting the Fly Rod. There is no charge, and all are welcome. Whether you are an experienced fly fisher or a complete novice we want to help you learn and enjoy this great sport. If you don’t yet have a fly rod, don’t worry, just come, and use one of ours. Chumash Park, Petit and Waco, 9 to 11a.m. For every one’s safety we ask all those attending to please comply with any current recommendations by the Ventura County Health Department.
For more information: Bob Smith (805) 647-3522 www.sespeflyfishers.org

∙Local Ojai resident and yoga practitioner Garo Malkhassian will visit the Ojai Library at 2pm on Friday, August 13, to facilitate a discussion of yoga and self-realization, and to introduce a new discourse series.

Malkhassian believes yoga and meditation to be useful means for restoring balance and equilibrium in order to lead a meaningful life. Following an introduction into awareness and health and finding the tools to seek tranquility through implementing this knowledge, he feels the Ojai environment has made it possible to create and follow his own personal interpretation, one that is compatible with the contemporary world. Malkhassian will discuss this interpretation during his initial presentation and encourage additional discourse as the series progresses.

These events are 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 Avenue in Ojai. Hours of service are 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday and 12pm to 5pm Friday through Sunday.

∙Leaders of Ojai’s Thacher School have decided to remove the name of the former head of the school from its dining hall after pressure to do this from a petition signed by more than 500 current and former students, parents and employees. Trustees voted unanimously to remove the names of former longtime Head of School Michael Mulligan and his wife, Joy Sawyer-Mulligan, who also worked at the school, from the dining hall and athletic field.

It was one of several actions Thacher’s board of trustees announced as part of an ongoing response to an investigative report released in June detailing multiple allegations of sexual assault and abuse over nearly 40 years by Mulligan.

∙The Ojai City Council has voted unanimously to extend a ban on chain businesses with five or more locations. The ban would be for a year but could end sooner if a revised ordinance is approved by the council prior to the year.

Events by Ana Baker

August 15: CCJC presents, “The Phoenyx Big-Band,” Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at the House of Dance, 3007 Bunsen Ave. Suite E. Swing/Pop/Blues/Dixie Jazz and continuous entertainment, great dance floor and free parking. Donations $10 Members and $15 Non-Members. Qualified musicians welcome for Open Jam Session before featured band. Join us the 3rd Sunday of the month. www. ChannelCitiesJazzClub.com

August 19: The East Ventura Community Council, former County Supervisor Kathy Long will talk about the “Rising from the Ashes Home Tour” benefitting the Ventura County Library Foundation, to take place in the Fall. The Council will have the opportunity to weigh in once again on the city of Ventura’s General Plan revision. They will also hear from the Ventura Tree Alliance, a newly formed non-profit dedicated to making Ventura a more beautiful and greener place to live. Area crime statistics will be shared by Commander Weeks of the Ventura Police Department. The committee revising the group’s By-Laws will present a brief report. Other topics may be added to the agenda, so be sure to check the group’s Facebook page for updates. The Council represents those who live east of Victoria Avenue, and the public is encouraged to attend and participate. The meeting will be held on Thursday, at 7p.m. online via the Zoom application. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89105016185?pwd=S1JyZFozZ1owZUxqWnh0KzhQWUN3QT09

August 21, Saturday, 1-4 pm. The Ventura County Genealogical Society
presents two Free Family History Presentations Online with Zoom

1:00 p.m. Presenter: Judy Janes
“Discover Family History in Online Newspapers”
Newspapers offer a broad range of information about our families. Digital newspaper collections have\ proliferated in recent years, and are searchable by name, keyword, or
date. Learn how to use this powerful new tool to uncover
fascinating stories about your families.

Presenter: Debra Dudek “Discovering your UK/Irish Roots Online” Websites and Resources for English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish Ancestry There is no such thing as “one-stop genealogy shopping”! This program will lead you through the resources and search techniques.

All our monthly lectures and workshops are free to our members and the public. Non-members should request a Zoom invitation here
https://venturacogensoc.org/request-invitation-to-lecture/.
Visit our website at https://venturacogensoc.org/

August 25: The Ventura College Area Community Council will be holding a Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7p.m. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. Community Council meetings include speakers and discussion on topics of neighborhood and community interest, including public safety and economic development. The meeting will focus on historic buildings and the preservation of community character through architecture. CACC represents citizens in Council District 3, currently neighborhoods north of Hwy. 126 between Dunning/Lemon Grove/Agnus on the west and Hill Road on the east. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list and to access a link to the Zoom meeting.

The Ojai Storytelling Festival is pleased to welcome back, two-time Grammy winning storyteller and singer, Bill Harley to the 20^th Ojai Storytelling Festival, Oct. 28-31.  Bill will perform and lead a workshop during the 4 day festival. Tickets for the festival are available at www.ojaistoryfest.org.  A variety of ticket packages are available.

Bill Harley is well-traveled, well-read, well-educated, well-spoken and well-loved. Accompanied by his guitar, his narrative songs and stories, both original and traditional, are a celebration of our common humanity. Best known for his work with children and families, his ability to navigate through a confusing world with humor and wisdom is evident in his masterful storytelling as well as his numerous award-winning recordings and books. A two-time Grammy winner, he is vibrant, outrageous, unpredictable and genuine with songs and stories about growing up, schooling and what it is to be human—our connections with one another and with the planet we share. Recognized by audiences and peers as one of the finest performing storytellers in the country, his work has influenced a generation of children, parents, performing artists and educators. Bill tours internationally as a performing artist, author and keynote speaker from his home in Seekonk, Massachusetts.

by Ana Baker

July 28: The Ventura College Area Community Council will be holding a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, at 7p.m. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. Karen Flock from the Ventura Housing Authority will discuss inclusionary housing issues and housing affordability. Ramie and Associates will provide an update on the process for developing Ventura’s General Plan, which sets goals for the future. CACC represents citizens in Council District 3, currently neighborhoods north of Hwy. 126 between Dunning/Lemon Grove/Agnus on the west and Hill Road on the east. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ caccVentura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list and to access a link to the Zoom meeting.

August 4-15: Summer Fest at VC Fairgrounds with carnival rides and games, food and fun, Summer Fest is scheduled for August 4 to 15 in the ocean air at Ventura County Fairgrounds. Produced by Kastl Amusements, admission is free, parking is $15. Pre-sale carnival ride tickets are available online now until Tues, Aug 3 at 11:59 p.m.

https://kastl-amusements.ticketleap.com

Aug 27: Bank of Books Friday 7-9 p.m. 748 E. Main St.
Richard Senate Ghost Talk & Tour Haunted Downtown Ventura.
Discover the ghosts of Old Ventura that lurk in saloons and reenact tragic events from the days when this place was a wild cow town. You will never see Main Street the same after this tour of haunting stories and mysterious happenings. Fee: $10/person Limited to 30 people. For reservations call (805) 643-3154.

Aug 28^: Bank of Books Sat. 1-3 p.m. 748 E. Main St. (805) 643-3154

Alicia Doyle is an award-winning journalist who discovered boxing at age twenty-eight in the late 1990s when she went on assignment at a boxing gym for at-risk youth called Kid Gloves. During her boxing career, she won two Golden Gloves championship titles and earned three wins by knockout—and at age thirty in 2000 was named The California Female Fight of the Year.

The Humane Society of Ventura County in partnership with RedRover Readers will visit the Ojai Library at 2pm on Friday, July 23, and Friday, August 20, to deliver two special reading events for school-aged children.

RedRover Readers is a social and emotional learning program that uses books about animals to help students practice making responsible decisions and become more aware of themselves and their communities. The program helps children develop the steps necessary for empathy: recognize human and animal emotions, share emotions, and regulate emotions. Each book and teaching guide meets Common Core and social and emotional learning competencies.

In addition to the events themselves, additional copies of each book featured—Buddy Unchained by Daisy Bix and The Forgotten Rabbit by Nancy Furstinger—will be available at the Ojai and Oak View libraries for families to borrow and read ahead of time to become familiar with the stories.

The Humane Society of Ventura County is a compassionate care shelter and non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and adoption of animals in need throughout Ventura County.

These events are 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 Avenue in Ojai, CA. Hours of service are 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday and 10am to 5pm Friday and Saturday.

After a year without holding local jazz concerts, Rich Tell Presents! begins again on Saturday, July 24 at 7:30 pm, in the Art Center’s Gallery. This is a move for the concerts from its former time on Sunday evenings. The first group to appear will be Brandon Fields and Friends, composed of two-times Grammy award-winning saxophonist Brandon Fields, four-time Grammy-winning percussionist Munyungo Jackson, and three-time Grammy nominated pianist Otmaro Ruiz.

“We are moving away from strictly jazz musicians,” said Rich Tell, “and lining up a series of LA’s finest musicians coming together under one roof to perform for fans in Ojai. These guys have recorded and toured with the biggest acts over the last forty years. They are seasoned musicians whose music will excite and delight an audience.” For full credits on all of the artists these musicians have recorded and toured with, visit OjaiConcerts.com.

With this new series, Tell has added a wine and beer bar for everyone’s enjoyment each evening. “Saturday night crowds are looking for more fun, and the bar will add to the experience,” said Tell.

Doors open at 7 pm and the concert begins at 7:30 pm, ending two hours later. Tickets are for sale on Event Brite and through OjaiConcerts.com. The price is $35 online and $40 at the door. There is free parking across the street at Café Emporium’s parking lot. If anyone needs more information, call 805-746-0936.

Events by Ana Baker

July 18: Come dance and listen to the sounds of the fabulous Larry Cossid Studio C Band at the House of Dance, 3007 Bunsen Ave, Suite E from 1-4p.m. Members $10, non-members are $15. This is an exciting, fun-filled afternoon of Big Band Sounds and Pop Standard music brought to you by CCJC.

July 24: Bank of Books will have a book signing with Betsy Blanchard Chess from 1-3 p.m.

Located at 748 E. Main St. Call for more info: 643-3154

Daughter of the Land is the story of a free-spirited child of privilege sheltered amongst the lemon and orange groves of the Santa Clara Valley. This tale weaves both family legacy and how the author fits into the story of her pioneering ancestors and draws them into life in a small agricultural town and the Blanchard family.

July 27: Music journalist Mark Brickley will join the Ventura County Library at 6:30pm with a new presentation, “The Beatles: Road To Stardom.” This event will take place virtually via Zoom. This multimedia journey traces the Beatles musical legacy from their 1956 Liverpool Skiffle band roots thru the group’s 1964 televised performances on the Ed Sullivan Show. It also features the Beatles film, A Hard Day’s Night. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

This online event is free and open to the public. The meeting ID and information can be found at https://bit.ly/VCLBeatles. For additional information, contact Dolly Knight, Senior City Librarian, at 805-340-7404, or [email protected].

July 28: The Ventura College Area Community Council will be holding a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, at 7p.m. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. Council meetings include speakers, discussion on topics of the neighborhood, community interest, public safety, and economic development. Karen Flock from the Ventura Housing Authority will discuss inclusionary housing issues and housing affordability. In addition, Ramie and Associates will provide an update on the process for developing Ventura’s General Plan, which sets goals for the future. CACC represents citizens in Council District 3, neighborhoods between Dunning/Lemon Grove and Hill Road, north of Hwy. 126. <collegeareacouncil.com/map> Visit the College Area Community Council website @ caccVentura.com to be added to the mailing list and to access a link to the Zoom meeting.

July 31: The Kiwanis Club of Ventura Suburban is proud to announce a unique wine – tasting event on Saturday, at the Ventura Elks Club, 2126 Knoll Drive from 4:30 – 7:30p.m. The event, called “Garagistas & ‘Ghetti” features local home wine makers (Garagistas), a winemaking demonstration, and chances to win Garagista and commercial wines, and a delicious spaghetti dinner. Tickets: $40/person, $75/couple until July 26^th. To purchase tickets or for more information: www.garagistasghetti.com; email [email protected]; or call 608-338-8062. Proceeds will go to support Kiwanis Club of Ventura Suburban Youth Projects including scholarships for Scout memberships and activities.

July 31: The monthly plant sale continues at the Dudley House from 8- 2 . Bromeliads, orchids, succulents, garden art and more. Plant vendors welcome, call Charlie at 805 746 4317. The Ventura Downtown Lions Club will be selling a barbecued hot dog lunch for $5 from 11- 2 to benefit their sight and hearing projects.

August 1: Mrs. Caroline Dudley and other docents will lead tours of the 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Group size will be limited. Admission is free. The Ventura Friends of the Library will be holding a giant book sale on the grounds and in the Community Room from 12 t o 3. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets (197 N. Ashwood) in Ventura. For information please call (805) 642 3345 or visit the website at dudleyhouse.org.

August 7: The Sespe Flyfishers of Ventura will again be conducting our “First Saturday” introductory class on Fly Fishing and Casting the Fly Rod. There is no charge and all are welcome. Whether you are an experienced fly fisher or a complete novice, we want to help you learn and enjoy this great sport. If you do not yet have a fly rod, do not 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 every one’s safety, we ask all those attending please comply with any current recommendations by the Ventura County Health Department. For more information:  Bob Smith (805) 647-3522

www.sespeflyfishers.org

Ojai Film Festival goes live!

Festival dates: November 4-14, 2021
November 4 – Opening free film in Libbey Park
November 5-8 – Screenings and Festival programs
November 9-14 – All festival films available online VOD

The Ojai Film Festival will present its 22nd consecutive event celebrating independent films from around the world LIVE here in Ojai, November 5-8, 2021.

Last year the Film Festival’s board engaged in a sharp learning curve culminating in the creation of the 2020 Online Virtual Film Festival. Now, after months of studying the projected COVID infection rate data and intense discussions at each meeting, the board decided to plan an in–Ojai, multi-screen event for November 2021.

The COVID pandemic certainly changed our world. Face masks, social distancing, the closure of almost all our public gathering places…sheltering in place for over a year. Small wonder observers of the social order commented widely on the need for us humans, fundamentally social animals, to socially interact. After mastering, to some extent, online electronic communications – Zoom, Facetime, Skype, etc. – we’re ready to see, touch and interact with others. As the COVID numbers drop we continue to inch out of the shadows.

The Festival enjoys an international reputation as an important celebration of independent films. It receives submissions for both its film competition and screenplay competition from over forty countries and each November regularly screens over sixty films and presents “the Libbey” trophy award in ten categories. Jon Lambert, the Festival’s president commented: “We are excited to be able to present our curated films once again to live audiences where they can be discussed and argued about in a festival setting.”

Year after year the Festival has relied on over one hundred film-loving volunteers to sell tickets, usher patrons, conduct Q&A’s and host visiting filmmakers. One result of the fourteen-month shutdown has been that our volunteer base diminished. To continue the tradition of this major cultural event we must identify new people. We also need folks with management skills, such as a people-oriented person willing to act as the Volunteer Coordinator, and an Operations Manager who will keep things running smoothly during the October lead-in and the November festival.

For his directorial finale for the Ojai Art Center Theater Tom Eubanks chose “Family Furniture,” what he calls, “A story of renewal.” Ojai ACT in a state of renewal themselves, stages this, their second in-person show of 2021, June 25 through July 18.

The New York Times called “Family Furniture” by A.R. Gurney “…a tender, sepia-toned play about a traumatic passage in the lives of a tight-knit, well-bred clan….” Brother and sister Nick and Peggy cope with their mother’s possible infidelity, their father’s apathy, and their own complicated love lives.

Tickets for the weekend performances June 25 through July 18, no show July 4th, are $20 general admission, $18 seniors and AC members, and $10 for those under 25. For more information go to https://ojaiact.org or call (805) 640-8797.

On Sunday, July 25, at 4pm Moscow born wonderful pianist, Natasha Kislenko, returns with fanfare to the Ojai Art Center to resume in person concerts. Natasha will perform solo works from the classic piano literature, and cellist Virginia Kron will join her for the much loved Beethoven Op.69 Sonata in A Major for Piano and Cello. $20 no change donation recommended ~ just drop your donation in box at the entrance. This will be an indoor event with no seating restrictions. Non-vaccinated attendees must wear face masks, but for fully vaccinated folks, masks are optional. The Ojai Art Center is located at 113 S. Montgomery St. in Ojai. For more information contact (805) 640-1158.

by Ana Baker

Channel Islands Maritime Museum Presents the upcoming exhibit: “71%: Honoring Vital Waters”

Saltwater is seventy-one percent of the Earth’s surface, and our seas are considered the lungs of the planet, generating much of the oxygen we breathe. It is no surprise that humans have always been interwoven with the ocean as it plays a practical, recreational, and spiritual role in many cultures throughout history.

Through the unique artwork of mixed media artist Shannon Celia and abstract expressionist Mary Neville, CIMM’s May 2022 exhibition will delve into our complex relationship with the ocean – Saluting those who protect the aquatic ecosystem we depend on to exist while exploring the art, food, fun, and culture derived from the sea.

CIMM will host an opening event on May 12th, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. with local catering, beverages, and a Q&A panel with the artists.

July 24: Saturday, Ventura County Handweavers and Spinners Guild IN PERSON “SO Happy To See You” meeting at new our location: Studio Channel Islands Art Center Community Room, 2222 Ventura Blvd., Old Town Camarillo. Combined Board/General Meeting & Show & Tell 9-10:30 a.m. Welcome to a meeting of a creative community with the specific purpose to advance, foster & promote the art of handweaving, spinning & related crafts through charitable and educational activities. Program Presentation 10:30-11a.m. “Angora Rabbits” followed by a “Stay & Play Afternoon”. For more info on our monthly Programs and Workshops visit us at: www.vchsg.org.

July 24: The Bank of Books 748 E. Main St. 643-3154. Laura Keane, Sat. 1-3p.m.

The Tippy Tree by Laura Keane. This whimsical adventure follows two children on a nighttime moonlit nature walk where they discover the Tippy Tippy Tree. The tree sings out in a magical rhyming song that teaches the alphabet, shapes, colors, and animals, while lulling children to sleep. The book’s colorful illustrations contain images hidden amongst the branches, serving as a fun picture search to keep little ones engaged while reading.

Establishing a good bedtime routine that infuses reading with settling down for bed is an excellent way to prepare children for good sleep habits later in life. This story will inspire the reader as well as the audience until the very end and become a bedtime favorite.

August 3: 5:30-7:30. Dead Letters is almost here, and you are invited to the launch party!

Please join a bunch of friends of Sheila Lowe(and Sheila) at Orozco’s de Ventura Mexican restaurant to celebrate the release of my new Claudia Rose Forensic Handwriting Mystery, Dead Letters (#8). We’ll be outside on Orozco’s wonderful patio (no mask required!) with amazing Mexican food, prizes, networking, live music by Charles Talmadge, and of course, books galore.

And that’s not all! Local authors James F. Gray, AJ Llewellyn, and Connie Hood will have their books available, too.

RSVP requested: [email protected] (If you’ve already contacted me, no need to do it again). 805-351-7833.

Orozco’s de Ventura 839 E. Front St.

August 7: “Fly Fishing Event”

The Sespe Flyfishers of Ventura will again be conducting our “First Saturday” introductory class on Fly Fishing and Casting the Fly Rod. The “First Saturday” is on the 7th. There is no charge, and all are welcome. Whether you are an experienced fly fisher or a complete novice we want to help you learn and enjoy this great sport. If you do not yet have a fly rod, do not worry, just come, and use one of ours. Please join us at Chumash Park, Petit and Waco, 9 – 11a.m., in East Ventura, off Telephone Rd. For every one’s safety we ask all those attending to please comply with any current recommendations by the Ventura County Health Department.

For more information: Bob Smith (805) 647-3522

www.sespeflyfishers.org