The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcomed to stop in to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tues., Wed., and Thurs. at 12:30. All levels of play and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30pm. Website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Come meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30am. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Paws for Reading brings together young readers and affectionate, canine listeners to help boost the confidence of beginning readers.
Hill Road Library, Wednesdays, 3:30 to 5 pm
E.P. Foster Library, Thursdays, 4 to 5:30 pm
Join PAWS dogs for one-on-one reading sessions. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read to a special pooch. Children of all ages welcome!

January 27: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a  Book Sale
at the Vons at Telegraph and Victoria (6040 Telegraph Rd.) Fiction, Non-fiction, Children’s Books Manga, Comic Books, Graphic Novels Puzzles, Audiobooks, CD’s and DVD’s!

February 3: Sespe Fly Fishers of Ventura will be conducting our monthly “First Saturday” introductory Fly Rod Casting and Intro to Fly Fishing clinic. There is no charge and all are welcome. Whether you are an experienced fly fisher or a complete novice we want to help you improve your casting and learn to enjoy this great sport. If you don’t yet have a fly rod, don’t worry, just come and use one of ours. Please join us at Chumash Park, Petit and Waco, 9:00 to 11:00 am, in East Ventura, off Telephone Rd.
For more information: Casting Program Coordinator Thomas Hall [email protected]  (805) 377-5249 www.sespeflyfishers.org

February 4. Open house tours of the 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will take place on Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. 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.

February 4: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc.
Sunday from 2:00-4:00 pm
Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura
Live Music on stage. Jamming in the Canada Room. Free Admission. Free parking
Open to the Public. For more information
call 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA

February 7: The speaker for BCNN February’s meeting is Emily Zivot, Park Ranger at Channel Islands National park. She will be giving a slide show highlighting how the ocean connects the Channel Islands and resident wildlife to each other and to the mainland.

BCNN, (Beach Cities Newcomers and Neighbors) meeting is the first Wednesday of the month, and runs from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Doors open at 9:30 AM. BCNN is a group for Women from Ventura, Oxnard and Port Hueneme. It has dozens of small groups, off shoots from sports activities, to wine tasting, bridge, games, book groups, movie group and more.

Please take note that the group has moved to the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Cub 2600 Harbor Blvd Oxnard.

February 10: Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our monthly plant and collectibles sale resumes in February with a “Hearts & Flowers” sale on the grounds at the Dudley House. Bromeliads, orchids and succulents will be on sale along with a variety of collectibles. Vendors please call Charlie at 805/746-4317 for details. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood Streets.

February 10: Public workshop on American pocket watches presented by Ventura/Santa Barbara chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.  Topics include a history of the American watch industry and participation in disassembly and reassembly of a typical watch movement. Expert assistance and all tool and watch movements will be supplied.

The class will be held at the Dudley House museum in Ventura. Contact Dave Coatsworth ([email protected]) for more information and to register.

February 22: Unleash the magic of tradition and connection at Chabad of Ventura’s Mega Challah Bake at 6 pm! Calling all wonderful women of Ventura County to join us in a delightful evening of laughter, learning, and the art of making the perfect traditional Jewish bread, Challah.
Come together with a diverse community, spanning generations and backgrounds, to create memories, friendships, and of course, delicious Challah!
Poinsettia Pavilion 5:30 registration and salad bar. 6pm program
Secure your spot now at www.chabadventura.com/challah and let’s embark on this journey together!

February 24: Join Supervisor Matt LaVere for an afternoon at an Italian Bistro to help raise rental assistance funds for Ventura Homeless Prevention. Lasagna, wine, music, auction and more. Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura. 5654 Ralston. Tickets and donations at venturahomelessprevention.org.

February 24: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG)
Location: Online and Live at Ventura County Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 Ventura (805) 289-3960. Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email, the Internet, AI, and social media brokers such as X, Facebook, and Google. Events begin at 9:30AM.

All CIPCUG events may be attended online. Due to limited space live attendance is reserved for members. Details for connecting to online events are emailed prior to the event. To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at: http://www.cipcug.org

Ojai events

Local Ojai author Joseph M. Puglia will visit the Ojai Library at 2pm on Saturday, January 27, 2 to talk about his books Girl with the Purple Ribbon, Always Return, Redemption, and Campfires with Dr. Joe.

In his novels, Puglia’s characters find the things that matter, hold on to them, fight for them, and refuse to let them go. Writing a novel is a love affair, the process of which can be magical—though frankly, it’s putting one word after the other. The focus of this talk will be the evolution of the novel as it relates to characterization, themes, scenes, and plots. Puglia will reference the classics as his characters attempt to find the answers to the proverbial question: “What makes life significant?”

Joseph Puglia has worked the docks of NYC, counseled street gangs, boxed, hustled beer at Yankee Stadium, been a newspaper columnist, fought a war, fallen in love, taught college, been a dad, failed, been a friend, a sinner, and a senseless romantic, hopped an eastbound freight, and raised some holy hell. He didn’t just fall off the vegetable truck—his undergraduate studies were in classics, his masters in counseling psychology, and his doctorate in sports psychology. However, his most prolific accomplishment is graduating from the University of Hard Knocks. Puglia spent 10 years in the Marines as an officer, taught college, and currently is a starving writer chasing immortality.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146 or [email protected].

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday and 12pm to 5pm Friday through Sunday.

Meteor Shower By Steve Martin
Directed by Brian Robert Harris
Weekends, January 26th – February 18th

Ojai Valley, 1993- Corky and Norm eagerly anticipate hosting Gerald and Laura at their charming home in a serene valley just outside Los Angeles. Their plan? To witness a meteor shower that promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. However, as the night unfolds beneath the twinkling sky, a starlit dinner party transforms into a whirlwind of flirtation, lunacy, and laughter. With his characteristic absurd humor, Steve Martin skillfully distorts the boundaries of time and reality, weaving together a play that is as surprising as it is hilariously unforgettable.

by Ana Baker

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011, Rose 805-659-9223, or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. A website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Paws for Reading brings together young readers and affectionate canine listeners to help boost the confidence of beginning readers. Hill Road Library, Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5 p.m. and

E.P. Foster Library, Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Join PAWS dogs for one-on-one reading sessions. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read to a special pooch. Children of all ages are welcome.

January 16: The Ventura Senior Men’s Group Men over 50 are welcome to visit this group from 11:30 – 1:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the beautiful Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. Enjoy a buffet lunch followed by an engaging speaker (your first lunch is Free). We talk about anything except religion and politics. Our speaker will be U.S. Navy Commander (Retired) and pilot Ken Webster. For additional information, please call Tom at 805-657-1071 or visit VSMG.net.

January 18: The East Ventura Community Council (EVCC) will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Visit the EVCC website at https://eastventura.org/ for the Zoom meeting link. The agenda includes the East Ventura police report and a presentation from Stephanie Caldwell from the Ventura Chamber of Commerce. The Ventura Chamber of Commerce works year-round to support a strong local economy through its stewardship of city policy and business development.

The purpose of the EVCC is to encourage residents to understand East Ventura’s problems, needs, and expectations and to recommend, initiate, and participate in developing and implementing programs or solutions. The EVCC facilitates communications between the community and government or other service agencies.

January 20: The Ventura County Genealogical Society will present a second speaker on Saturday from 1 – 4 p.m. In addition to professional genealogist Thomas MacEntee Family History Success,” Alexander Tolksdorf will provide an overview of historical German handwriting, “Exploring German Handwriting.” All VCGS workshops are free and open to members and the public. Non-members may request a Zoom invitation at https://venturacogensoc.org/request-invitation-to-lecture/. VCGS is an all-volunteer, public-benefit non-profit corporation [501(c)(3)]. Donations are greatly appreciated. For more information about the society, visit https://www.venturacogensoc.org.

January 20: Saturday from 3 – 6 p.m., The Museum of Ventura County documentary premiere of The Legends of Hobson Heights: The Untold Tales of 100 Years of Architecture, Triumph, and Tragedy. This film includes over 20 gorgeous Hobson Heights properties and their fascinating stories of Hollywood movie stars, secret speakeasies, Olympic gold athletes, ghosts, ground-breaking firsts, and the heartbreaking story of the fire that almost destroyed it all. Step into the 1920s and join us for a free premiere showcasing a century of captivating stories. Sip on drinks for a cause. All proceeds will support the Museum of Ventura County. Dress to impress in your best 1920s attire. Registration and information at https://venturamuseum.org/events/

January 24: The College Area Community Council in Ventura will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Council meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month and include speakers and discussion on neighborhood and community interest topics, including public safety and economic development. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list, or to access a link to the Zoom meeting.”

January 24: Sunday 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM.

Swing Shift 17 piece Big Band featuring Jan Nelson on vocals will delight your happy feet and will play to your dancing pleasure.
Donations: Members $10.00 Non-Members $15.00
Location: 3007 Bunsen Ave., Ventura
Website: https://channelcitiesjazzclub.com/

January 27: Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a book sale from 10 to 3 p.m.
at the Vons at Telegraph and Victoria (6040 Telegraph Rd.) Fiction, Non-fiction, Children’s Books, Manga, Comic Books, Graphic Novels, Puzzles, Audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs. Contact: Mary Olson (805) 223-1187.

The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcomed to stop in to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tues., Wed., and Thurs. at 12:30. All levels of play and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30pm. Website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Come meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30am. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Paws for Reading brings together young readers and affectionate, canine listeners to help boost the confidence of beginning readers..
Hill Road Library, Wednesdays, 3:30 to 5 pm
E.P. Foster Library, Thursdays, 4 to 5:30 pm
Join PAWS dogs for one-on-one reading sessions. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read to a special pooch. Children of all ages welcome!

Dec.17: 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM The Phoenyx Big Band will play to your dancing pleasure.
Donations: Members $10.00 Non-Members $15.00
3007 Bunsen Ave, Ventura, Website: https://channelcitiesjazzclub.com/

Dember 17: Head over to Ventura Harbor Village for the Santa Paddle. Santa himself will ditch his reindeer and hop on a paddleboard, and you can be a part of the adventure. Participants are encouraged to get into the holiday spirit by dressing up as Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, reindeer, or any other holiday character!
Santa is scheduled to make his appearance around 2pm

January 27: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG)
Location: Online and live at Ventura County Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 (805) 289-3960.
Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email,
the Internet, AI, and social media brokers such as X, Facebook, and
Google.  Events begin at 9:30AM.

All CIPCUG events may be attended online.  Due to limited space live attendance is reserved for members.  Details for connecting to online events are emailed prior to the event.  To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at: http://www.cipcug.org

Events by Ana Baker

The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Men of all descriptions are welcome to stop to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011, Rose 805-659-9223, or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. More information can be found on the website https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Dec. 2, 3; 9,10: Dudley House Holiday Boutique. The 29th annual fundraiser for the 1892 historic house museum continues into December on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 – 5 p.m. Come celebrate the spirit of holidays past, where you’ll find quality crafts, home décor, antiques, and collectibles, plus a silent auction and bargain “basement.” An outdoor flea market is added on Sundays from 8 – 4 p.m. Located at 197 N. Ashwood. (805) 642-3345. Free.

Dec.2: Sespe Fly Fishers of Ventura will be conducting our monthly “First Saturday” introductory Fly Rod Casting and Intro to Fly Fishing clinic. There is no charge and all are welcome.

Whether you are an experienced fly fisher or a complete novice we want to help you improve your casting and learn to enjoy this great sport.

Chumash Park, Petit and Waco, 9:00 to 11:00 am, in East Ventura, off Telephone Rd.

For more information:
Casting Program Coordinator Thomas Hall
[email protected]
(805) 377-5249
www.sespeflyfishers.org

Dec.3: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc.
Sunday, 2-4 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. Live Music on stage. Jamming in the Canada Room. Free Admission. Free Parking. Open to the Public. For more information, call 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA.

Dec. 5: Free documentary film about the Thomas Fire: “The Perfect Firestorm” at 7 pm at Poinsettia Pavilion. This event celebrates our city and working together to create stronger and more fire-safe neighborhoods. The documentary by CAPS Media highlights how our community pitched in to help each other during the disaster. Please join us in the celebration. Hosted by the Ondulando Firewise Community. For more info, email: [email protected]

Dec.6: The Ventura County Garden celebrates its 100th Year Season in 2024. The Club will hold its annual Holiday Potluck on Wednesday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 117 N. 7th St., Santa Paula. There will be Caroling, a White Elephant, Plant, and Gift Exchange, organized by President Marcia Heerema. We welcome new members. For more information, visit our website at VenturaCountyGardenClub.com.

Dec.9: Join us at Ventura Harbor at 6:30 p.m. for a festive Chanukah celebration! Witness our grand Menorah lighting and Havdalah ceremony under the stars. Enjoy an evening of arts and crafts, delicious donuts, and exciting dreidel games. Be captivated by the thrilling performance of a fire juggler! Pick up a menorah kit to extend your Chanukah festivities at home. For more details, visit chabadventura.com/hanukkah

Dec.10: Light Up Downtown: Chanukah Concert & Festival Join us on Sunday for an evening filled with the spirit and joy of Hanukkah. California & Main St, Downtown Ventura, 4 – 6:30 p.m. Free Admission for all. For more details, visit lightupdowntown.info.

Dec. 12: The San Buenaventura Women’s Club is holding a Holiday Tea on Tuesday. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road. There is no charge to attend and enjoy tea and sandwiches. However, this is a fundraising event, so there will be a cookie sale, opportunity baskets, a wine pull, and a live auction. Cash, checks, and Zelle will be accepted. Reservations are required for members and non-members alike. Contact Terri Davis at (805)320-2702 to ensure seating. Holiday attire is encouraged. There will be entertainment, and you will make new friends!

Dec.12: Ventura Audubon Society’s December Program “It’s Christmas Bird Count season!” Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion and streaming via Zoom: For over 100 years, Audubon chapters from around the country have conducted an annual census of birds known as the Christmas Bird Count. We will also look at some local trends we’ve observed over the past 43 years. www.venturaaudubon.org/speakers.

Dec. 16: Group: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG) Saturday at 9:30 a.m. online and live at our temporary location in Ventura County Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 289-3960 Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email, the Internet, AI, and social media brokers such as X, Facebook, and Google. All CIPCUG events may be attended online. Due to limited space, live attendance is reserved for members. Details for connecting to online events are emailed before the event. To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at http://www.cipcug.org

Ojai offers an enticing array of outdoor activities including golf, tennis, bicycling, camping, fishing, horseback riding, and hiking in Southern California.

The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy offers dozens of miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians, all centrally located near downtown. Nearby Los Padres National Forest presents opportunities for hiking, climbing, camping, fishing and swimming.

Home to The Ojai, the oldest amateur tennis event of its kind in the United States, Ojai was recently named one of the best tennis towns in the United States. Enjoy a match or two at the Libbey Park tennis courts.

With beautiful weather year-round, it is no surprise that we are a golfer’s paradise. Visitors can tee off at either of the two Ojai golf courses at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa or Soule Park Golf Course.

A trip to Ojai wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Lake Casitas, where boating, fishing, camping, kayaking, and picnicking are popular pastimes. Just three miles from the town’s center, Lake Casitas was the site of the 1984 Olympics’ canoeing and rowing events! Ojai Angler provides private guided fishing trips. While swimming is prohibited in the Lake, the Casitas Water Adventure features waterfalls, slides, a lagoon and lazy river for summer family fun.

by Ana Baker

The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion on each month’s first and third Tuesday. Men of all descriptions are welcome to stop to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011, Rose 805-659-9223, or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. A website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month. Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Nov. 16: The East Ventura Community Council (EVCC) will meet virtually at 7 p.m.  Visit the EVCC website at https://eastventura.org/ for the Zoom meeting link.  The agenda includes the East Ventura police report, presentations from the Stewardship Director of the Ventura Land Trust, and the Project 22-0103 manager from Michael Pauls Associates. Mr. Michael Pauls is the project manager of the proposed two-story convenience store with eight gas pumps, an automatic carwash, and beer and wine for off-site consumption at the corner of Wells Rd & Telegraph Rd.

Nov. 18: Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a book sale from 10 to 3 p.m.
at Vons located at Telegraph and Victoria (6040 Telegraph Rd.) Fiction, Non-fiction, Children’s Books, Manga, Comic Books, Graphic Novels, Puzzles, Audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs. Contact: Mary Olson (805) 223-1187

Nov. 19: Anyone interested in timepieces, both antique and modern, can join the Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors for a watch/clock marketplace, lunch, and a presentation on a horological topic.

Bring a watch or clock for a free evaluation at 11 a.m. at the Campus Student Center of Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road. nawcc-ch190.com.

Nov.21: Our annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the historic downtown First United Methodist Church. Participants will include representatives of the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Unitarian, Catholic, and Protestant traditions. Refreshments and fellowship in the church hall will follow the service—First United Methodist Church 305 East Anapamu (corner of Garden and Anapamu). Free parking in the church parking lot; enter from Garden Street. 805-963-3579 [email protected] or visit our website www.fumcsb.org or https://www.facebook.com/FirstUMCSantaBarbara

Nov. 24, 25, 26; Dec. 2 & 3; 9 & 10
Dudley House Holiday Boutique. The 29th annual fundraiser for the 1892 Historic House Museum is back. Come celebrate the spirit of the holidays’ past, where you’ll find quality crafts, home décor, antiques, collectibles, silent auctions, and bargain “basements. Open 11 – 5 p.m. with a flea market added 8 – 4 p.m. outside on Sundays. Located at 197 N. Ashwood. (805) 654-8381. Free.

Dec. 2: Flamenco in the 805 is back. Namba Performing Arts Space will host the 6th annual Flamenco showcase at 7 p.m. The show will open with the dance students of Wendy Castellanos and feature over 30 dancers from all over the 805. Get ready, Ventura! This is the pure essence of the Andalusian song. This is Flamenco!

December 5: Free documentary film about the Thomas Fire: “The Perfect Firestorm” at 7 p.m. at Poinsettia Pavilion. This event celebrates our city and working together to create stronger and more fire-safe neighborhoods. The documentary by CAPS Media highlights how our community pitched in to help each other during the disaster. Please join us in the celebration. Hosted by the Ondulando Firewise Community. For more info, email: [email protected]

by Ana Baker

The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcome to stop in to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820

Do you want to Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. For more information https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family. Supplies provided BYO water.

Nov. 4: Sespe Fly Fishers of Ventura will conduct our monthly “First Saturday” introductory Fly Rod Casting and Intro to Fly Fishing clinic. There is no charge, and all are welcome. Whether you are an experienced fly fisher or a complete novice, we want to help you improve your casting and learn to enjoy this great sport. If you do not yet 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 everyone’s safety, we ask all attending to please comply with any current recommendations by the Ventura County Health Department.
For more information: Casting Program Coordinator Thomas Hall, [email protected]
(805) 377-5249 www.sespeflyfishers.org.

Nov.5: Open house tours of the 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will take place on Sunday 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, call (805) 642-3345 or visit the website at dudleyhouse.org.

Nov. 10: Friends of Ventura Harbor invites 6-10-year-old children to Chumash Storytelling with Alan Salazar Friday from 10 -11:30 a.m. at The Greek Mediterranean Restaurant, 1583 Spinnaker Dr. RSVP to [email protected] (First 40 reservations will be honored)

Nov.12: Annual Holiday Arts & Craft Fair Saturday from 11- 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 5654 Ralston St. Do not miss unique locally made arts and crafts—lots of great Holiday gift ideas.

Nov. 12: What Lies Beneath exhibit at the Olivas Adobe . In 1985 archaeologists took to the dirt to study the roots of the adobe and develop a framework of its relationship to the Olivas family.   Artists from Plein Aire Ventura County have supplemented this exhibit with paintings inspired by the grounds .  Come meet the artists at 11:30 am for a meet & greet. Feel free to stay and paint, take a docent lead tour, or learn about volunteering at the Olivas Adobe during a volunteer open house at 1 pm.  The Olivas Adobe ~ a great way to spend your Sunday.  www.cityofventura.ca.gov/OLivasAdobe

Dec.5: Free documentary film showing about the Thomas Fire: “The Perfect Firestorm” at 7 pm at Poinsettia Pavilion. The film by CAPS Media highlights how our community pitched in to help others during and after the disaster. Q&A after the film. Sponsored by the Ondulando Firewise Community. For more information email: [email protected]

Events by Ana Baker

The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Men of all descriptions are welcome to stop to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820

Do you want to Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. Website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30–10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Oct. 19: The East Ventura Community Council (EVCC) will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Visit the EVCC website at https://eastventura.org/ for the Zoom meeting link. The agenda includes the East Ventura police report from Cmdr Brown and a presentation from the City of Ventura Manager, Mr. Bill Ayub.

Our newly appointed City Manager, Bill Ayub, wants to meet and connect with East Ventura community members. The City of Ventura announced the appointment of Bill Ayub as our new City Manager in August 2023.

Ms. Rollins, the City of Ventura’s Housing Services Manager, will speak on the Housing Services Division’s plan to host the East Ventura Housing Forum at Juanamaria Elementary School in November.

Oct. 25: The Channel Islands Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (CICEGA) will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the United Methodist Church, 291 Anacapa Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010. All experience levels are welcome. For more information, email [email protected] or visit our website at https://www.channelislandsega.org.   

Oct. 25: The College Area Community Council will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Council meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of each month and include speakers and discussion on neighborhood and community interest topics, including public safety and economic development. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. CACC represents citizens in the area bounded by Mills Road on the west, Hill Road on the east, city limits on the hillsides on the north, and the 126 Freeway on the south. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list, or to access a link to the Zoom meeting.

Nov. 1: The Ventura County Garden Club celebrates its 100th Year Season in 2024. The Club is excited to offer our members a unique opportunity to tour the Ambritz Kingdom of Plants in Carpinteria. The tour begins at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Following the tour, we will enjoy an optional lunch at Garden Cafe, 3811 Santa Claus Lane, Carpinteria. VP Kathleen Cressy organized this event. We welcome new members. For more information, visit our website at VenturaCountyGardenClub.com.

Nov. 14: Ventura County author Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo will visit the Hill Road Library to discuss her recent book, Threads of Awakening, which details her years practicing traditional Tibetan textile art. Through her remarkable journey, she discovered that a path is made by walking, and some of the best paths are made by walking off course. In this talk, Leslie will reveal the unique stitches of an ancient needlework tradition, introduce the Buddhist deities it depicts, and share the extraordinary possibilities they embody. 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. Service hours are Monday through Wednesday, 10 – 6 p.m., Thursday, 2 – 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 10 – 2 p.m.

Nov.18: Group: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG) Online AND Live at our temporary location, Ventura County Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 (805) 289-3960 Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email, the Internet, AI, and social media brokers such as X, Facebook, and Google. Events begin Saturday at 9:30 a.m. All CIPCUG events may be attended online. Due to limited space, live attendance is reserved for members. Details for connecting to online events are emailed before the event. To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at www.cipcug.org