The Ojai Valley Museum is planning a week-long trip to Toledo and Chicago to attend the 200th anniversary of Libbey Glass. The trip will leave from LAX on Thursday, May 3 and return on Thursday, May 10. Space has been reserved for 24 persons on a first-come first-served basis. The cost including transportation, accommodations, admissions, and estimated meals is $2,100 per person roundtrip.

A preliminary meeting for those who might be interest will be held at the Ojai Valley Museum on Wednesday, January 24 at 5:30p.m. For further information please contact Tony Thacher at [email protected].

Chamber On The Mountain is pleased to present their first performance of the new year with the internationally renowned ensemble, Trio Valtorna, on Sunday, January 28, at 3:00 pm. Performance will take place at Logan House in Upper Ojai. Trio Valtorna brings exceptional chamber music to appreciative audiences, with a repertoire that includes both classic and contemporary works,

Shirley Waxman will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 20, to deliver a talk entitled “POP Art and the American Dream.” Ms. Waxman comes from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s Community Speakers Program.

In the years following World War II, the United States enjoyed an unprecedented period of economic and political growth which led to an explosive change in our culture.

This talk explores the works of the most celebrated American Pop artists, including Andy Warhol, James Rosenquist, Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, and Wayne Thiebauld, who all boldly experimented with new media and the American Dream.

Local author Fred Whitman will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, to read from his new book The Ghost of Saddle Mountain. This is Whitman’s debut novel, inspired by the eleven years he lived in San Francisco and enjoyed the live music scene that still thrives there.

Whitman’s youth spent exploring and building tree forts in the canyon behind his home instilled in him an appreciation for nature and the miracles of life. Those interested in his work as a sculptor can see more at www.fredsrockart.com.

Bonnie Landau will visit the Ojai Library at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, to deliver a talk entitled “Calming the Hyper Child: Practical Tools for School and Home.” Mrs. Landau is an Ojai resident, author, and consultant for parents whose kids struggle to learn in traditional settings.

There are many reasons kids find it hard to be calm. Bonnie will provide information on why children are hyper or over-stimulated, and she will discuss practical examples of calming techniques.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at 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.

The American Red Cross will be on hand at the Ojai Library on Saturday and Sunday, January 6 & 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help families affected by the Thomas Fire with recovery plans.

Red Cross caseworkers will connect one-on-one with people to create individualized recovery plans, navigate paperwork, and locate help from other agencies. In some situations, the Red Cross may provide direct financial support. The assistance can be used for such needs as an apartment deposit, to buy clothes or food, or to cover immediate transportation expenses. Red Cross clean up kits (sifters, cleaning supplies, shovels, etc.) will also be provided.

Please bring proof of address; photo identification is preferred. For additional information, contact a Red Cross representative at (512) 745-2920 or 987-1514.

The Ojai Art Center Theater and director Michael Addison announce auditions for Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the second production of the 2018 theater season.

Auditions will be held in the Sonshine Room of the Ojai Presbyterian Church, 304 N. Foothill Road Friday, January 19 at 6:30pm; Saturday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm with callbacks also at the Church on Monday, January 22 at 6:30pm.

The 4 Star Alliance Awards for 2017 were announced over the weekend and the Ojai Art Center Theater garnered 12 awards, including outstanding lead performances by Sean Mason as “Groucho Marx” in Animal Crackers A Musical and Sara Mitchell as “Molly Aster”, Peter and the Starcatcher.

The Gala to celebrate the 2017 Season awards will be held at the High Street Arts Center In Moorpark on January 14 at 7 PM.

The 2018 season kicks off with On Golden Pond January 26.

The Ojai Valley Green Coalition will host an E-waste Collection & Recycling Event on Saturday, January 20.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine bring accepted items to the Nordhoff High School parking lot, located at 1401 Maricopa Highway. The event is open to all Ojai Valley residents and businesses.

For details on accepted items please visit ojaivalleygreencoalition.org or call 669-8445.

Performances To Grow On is proud to present a new series in Ojai called “Imagination Celebration”. The series begins with Hobey Ford’s newest production, “Sea Song” on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 3 pm at the Ojai Art Center. Sea Song is the story of a boy discovering nature for the first time through a fascination with the life cycle of the sea turtle.

Tickets in advance are available online at www.ptgo.org(click on the Family tab) $10 for children, $15 for adults, at the door tickets are $3 more. In addition to the performance, Hobey Ford will be offering a workshop on making shadow puppets on Sat. Jan. 27 at 11 am at the Ojai Art Center. The 90 minute workshop is suitable for both adults and children and the cost is $15. Tickets for the workshop are also available online.

Patricia Hartmann will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 13, to read from her new book Lonesome Mountain. Hartmann is a teacher, writer, and artist who lives with her husband in Ojai. When her great-aunt Daffodil dies, Lonesome Mountain protagonist Lizzy unexpectedly inherits “Sweet Apple Farm”—the spot where she spent an idyllic summer as a child. She hires Gabe to repair the farmhouse and bonds with his timid daughter, Chloe.

Hartmann will show a video trailer for Lonesome Mountain, followed by a short reading. A Q&A session and book signing will follow; copies of Hartmann’s other books will also be available.

Free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at 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.

The Winter Wellness Workshop with Jess Starwood and Lanny Kaufer will be held on Saturday, February 3: 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Learn the art and science of preparing home remedies and preventative potions.

The cost of the workshop including all materials is $60. To register, please visit www.HerbWalks.com or call 646-6281. Please email questions to [email protected]. Registrants will receive a confirmation email with all necessary info prior to the event.

Events by Ana Baker

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club Monday nights 7:30 – 9:45pm. Poinsettia Pavilion. Ballroom, swing, Latin and line dancing. $10 members, $12 non-members. Dance lessons 6:45 – 7:15 $5 for couple $3 for single. Call Rick 415-8842 for more information.

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 – 5:45 p.m. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Bring an interesting topic to discuss if you can.

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   Life is Better with Bridge.

The Ventura Retired Men’s Group welcomes interested men to their semi-monthly Tuesday lunch ($15) meetings at the Ventura Elks lodge. This regular congenial social event, besides a healthy, satisfying meal, supplies a welcome atmosphere to talk and joke, hear a speaker on a variety of relevant topics. Hear more from Steve at 642-1359

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.

Ventura County Philatelic Society meets the first and third Mondays each month. Do you collect stamps? Come spend the evening with us. We are a fun group. 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Rd. Admission and parking free. Contact Bill Garner 320-1601

Audubon events

Jan. 7: 9 a.m. Work Day Fillmore Fish Hatchery Leader: Sandy Hedrick 340-0478

This is a new venue for restoration planting for the balance of this work season. Planting native plants. Meet at the Fish Hatchery which is located to the right off Highway 126 just 1.2 miles East of Fillmore and 26 miles from Ventura.

Jan. 13: 8:30 a.m. Santa Clara River Estuary/Surfers Knoll Leader: Kay Regester 258-1025

Jan. 15: 8:30 a.m. Walter B. Miranda Park, part of Bubbling Springs, and J Street Canal to the Port Hueneme Beach. Leader: Adele Fergusson 415-4304.

Bubbling Springs is a fantastic place to view many gulls and ducks up close such as Mallards and Widgeons etc.

Jan. 6: Sarah Sheena will be appearing at Bank of Books in downtown Ventura from 1- 3p.m. After the meet and greet, there will be a reading and signing of the 5 Star novel, Western Witches and Warlocks, A Journey Into Eternity. A Journey into Eternity is a well-told story that clearly demonstrates the very real struggle of young people weighing their spiritual options and choosing their path.

Jan. 7: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours from 1- 4 p.m. accompanied by period music in the parlor and upstairs library landing. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets. For information please call 642-3345 or visit www.dudleyhouse.org.

Jan. 9: Bald Eagle Recovery on the Channel Islands by Annie Little. Poinsettia Pavilion, at 7:30 p.m. The program will focus on the 37-year effort to restore bald eagles back to the Channel Islands after their disappearance by the 1960s due to impacts from the chemical DDT. Annie Little has worked as a Wildlife Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the past 21 years. She graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a B.S. in Biology: Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution.

Jan. 10: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a meeting on Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. The first part of the meeting will be an instructional workshop. This will be followed by the showing of member images. A professional photographer from the area will critique member’s prints and digital images. See the club’s web site for more information about the club and examples of member’s work WWW.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com or call 908-5663.

Jan. 10: Start the New Year with hope for better treatments, a cure for PD and the knowledge that you are not alone. Join the Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group as they host Wayne Pickerell, Vice President and Clinical Research Manager of Neurosearch, Inc. Wednesday, 1- 3 p.m. at The Lexington Assisted Living. For more details see full article in the Senior Section of this edition of the Ventura Breeze.

Jan. 12: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution meeting will feature “How the American Revolution Really Started” presented by historian Robert Dempster. Friday, at 11:30 a.m., in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant 1295 S. Victoria Ave. If you choose to join for lunch, cost is $20 per person. Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992. For information regarding SAR membership and chapter activities, http://pattonpatriots.org.

Jan. 13: Day of Mindfulness with the Venerable Kusala, 10 – 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Friendship Sangha of the Heart. Kusala, an American born Buddhist Monk ordained in the Zen tradition of Vietnam, for a Day of Mindfulness at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura. Get more information and register at www.FriendshipSangha.org/dom .

Jan 14: 5—9 pm. Kanga Live Performance & Artists Talk in the Art City Gallery. $5 Suggested donation. Kanga (8—9 pm) is an electronic musician from Los Angeles. Described as “heavy and haunting” by Electronic Beats Magazine, Kanga’s style incorporates hyper-surrealistic pop with viscerally intense instrumentals. Art City Gallery holds its Grand Opening Exhibition Artists Talk (5-7 pm), presenting current exhibition painter Mike Tiné along with sculptors JoAnne Duby, Greg Kailian, and Chris Provenzano. Moderated by Dr. Sophia Kidd, along with panel experts.

CI Professor of Biology Dr. Nitika Parmar will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 9 to deliver a presentation titled “The Spiritual Basis of Life: The Link between Body and Soul.” Dr. Parmar comes from CSU Channel Islands (CI), and is the final speaker in this season’s CI Library Lecture Series.

Does the soul exist? Is it distinct from the body? Our bodies are highly complex machines, but what provides the consciousness to the body? Understanding the difference between body and soul is the beginning of spiritual life. This talk will compare the nature of the body and the soul and discuss how understanding both can help us achieve a better quality of life. Topics will include features of the soul, evidence of its presence, and its association with the body.

CSU Channel Islands hosts dozens of free public lectures at libraries throughout Ventura County as part of this program. The lecturers are experts from numerous departments at CI, including Biology, History, English, Computer Science, Political Science, Performing Arts, and Sociology to name a few.

This event is free and open to the public. 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.

Events by Ana Baker

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club Monday nights 7:30 – 9:45pm. Poinsettia Pavilion 3451 Foothill. Ballroom, swing, Latin and line dancing. $10 members, $12 non-members. Dance lessons 6:45 – 7:15 $5 for couple $3 for single. Call Rick 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   Life is Better with Bridge.

The Ventura Retired Men’s Group welcomes interested men to their semi-monthly Tuesday lunch ($15) meetings at the Ventura Elks lodge. This regular congenial social event supplies a welcome atmosphere to talk and joke and hear a speaker on a variety of relevant topics and brighten. Steve at 642-1359

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

Mended Hearts of Ventura meet the first Tuesday each month at the Community Memorial Hospital – 8th floor. Speakers Cardiologists, Nutritionists, Dietitians, etc. from our area. Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. Bill Garner 320-1601

DBSA Ventura County support group for depression and bipolar disorder meets Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8 p.m. A free weekly peer-led support group meeting at the Encounter Bible Fellowship Church campus, upstairs, Room 426/428, 6950 Ralston St. 633-0736 for recorded information or visit www.DBSAlliance.org.

Nancy R. Brandt Auxiliary of Ventura County Assistance League® is composed of working adults who give back to the community by volunteering service and fundraising activities to its philanthropic programs. Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 at the Chapter House, 913 East Santa Clara St. For more information call Carol Hughes 509-2150.

Conversational Spanish in a small group setting. Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Foster Library. Registration not required. Louise Vien 643-7064, [email protected]

Dec. 8: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution December luncheon meeting is their annual Christmas program and a presentation by Mr. Robert Taylor. 11:30 AM, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant. All SAR & DAR Compatriots, friends, and visitors are welcome to join. If you choose lunch, cost is $20. Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992. For information regarding SAR membership and chapter activities, http://pattonpatriots.org.

Dec. 8: Think church is boring? You won’t with Messy Church. A fun evening for every age of crafts, games, music, celebration and dinner. Make new friends, build great community, connect and enrich your life with God in the center of it all. Fun starts at 5:45 p.m. and dinner is at 7 p.m. Free, at Ventura First, 1338 E. Santa Clara, more fumcventura.org or 643-862

Dec. 8, 9: Gold Coast Concert Chorus presents Cheers! A Holiday Celebration. Celebrate the holidays and their 30th anniversary year with a look back to the holiday songs we loved, and a look forward to wonderful new holiday favorites.

Friday December 8, at 8 p.m. and Saturday December 9, at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church 1500 North C St., Oxnard. Adults $18, seniors and students $15, child under 12 $5.

Call 616-7269 or [email protected]

Dec. 8,9,10. The 24th year of the Dudley House Holiday Boutique on weekends from 10 – 6 p.m. with a flea market added on Sundays. Celebrate the spirit of holidays past where you will find quality crafts, home décor, antiques and collectibles and a tearoom with refreshments, silent auction and bargain items. 197 N. Ashwood Ave. Admission is free.

Call 642-3345 for information.

Dec. 8-14, 17-31:-California Sleigh Rides in Ventura Harbor. See beautiful holiday lights on boats and homes in Ventura harbor and in the Ventura Keys while cruising on the calm waters.

Public 1.25 Hour California Sleigh Ride Cruises depart nightly 5:45-7 p.m. and 7:30-8:45 p.m.

Adults (13-64) $25, seniors (65+) $23, children (2-12) $15, Infants under 2 are $7.

Parade of Lights Cruises departures on Friday 15th and Saturday 16^th 5:30-7p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m., $35 Per Person all ages. Free Hot Chocolate and Cookies on all Cruises plus a

Full bar available on board including “Reindeer Milk”. Credit card reservations required, no cancellations. Visit www.CaliforniaSleighRides.com. For reservations call 642-7753

Dec. 10: South Seaward Reindeer Games and Holiday Block Party 12- 2 p.m. South Seaward Avenue

Free Admission. Bring your friends and family and celebrate the season. The South Seaward Merchants Association and local businesses are hosting the first holiday block party featuring live reindeer, Santa Claus, carnival games, an ugly sweater contest, and more.

Dec. 10: Celebrate the Season! Special Christmas show featuring three Ventura County a cappella choruses: Pacific Sound, Channel Island Harmony Chorus, and Channel Aire Chorus.

Sunday, 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church 1338 E. Santa Clara St.

Tickets available through: 1-800-353-1632 or pacificsoundchorus.org/tickets

Dec. 12: Ventura Audubon Society December program 7:30 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. Program focuses on the restoration of habitat throughout Ventura County. Some of these projects include wetland restoration, creek and woodland revegetation. Speaker Samantha Lantz is a Biologist and GIS Specialist for Resource Conservation Partners.

Dec 13: Walk It Off Wednesday – Comedy Showcase. Comedians Abby Roberge (Sirius XM, Buzzfeed) and Ari Mannis (Gabriel Iglesias stand up revolution, Comedy time, Forbes magazine) are co-headlining one night only at Ventura Harbor Comedy Club! They will also be bringing a special guest from television with them! $15 per person, show starts at 8pm. Ventura Harbor Comedy Club in the Ventura Harbor.

Dec. 16: German Saturday School via GASA German American School Association).

German Weihnachtsfeier holiday party at 9:30 a.m. Students will perform songs, poems, and skits followed by a visit from the German Nikolaus ( Santa Claus). It’s a fun event for families with children interested in another culture. German speaking “Round table” ( Stammtisch) every 3rd Thursday of the month at a different location in Ventura County. Native speakers from Switzerland, Austria, Germany and advanced language learners get together. Unitarian Universalist Church , 5654 Ralston.

[email protected] for more information.

Dec. 16, 17: Olivas Adobe Historical Interpreters Present: A Clockwork Christmas.

Saturday and Sunday from 11 – 3 p.m. Olivas Adobe’s Small Adobe 4200 Olivas Park Dr.

A Christmas musical tour from a collection of late 19th century and early 20th century mechanical wonders, antique music boxes and vintage phonographs covering the period from 1870-1912. Experience the genius of these music makers from the past. Bring your kids and be prepared for a rare and joyous Christmas experience. Also, the Olivas Adobe will be open for special tours with an accent on Christmas, circa 1855. For more information call 658-4728. Coffee and tea provided. Donations appreciated.