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, besides a healthy, satisfying meal, supplies a welcome atmosphere to talk and joke, hear a speaker on a variety of relevant topics and brighten your week. 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.

Do you know what the present administration’s foreign policy is? Find out the answers to this and other tantalizing questions at the Ventura Discussion Group at the 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. You are invited to bring an interesting topic to discuss.

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

Mended Hearts of Ventura meet the first Tuesday each month at the Community Memorial Hospital – 8th floor. We have excellent speakers – leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists, Dietitians, etc. from our area. Come share with us if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. Contact: 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.

Assistance League of Ventura County creating “A Brighter Tomorrow for Today’s Children” holds its monthly meetings on the third Thursday of each month at the Chapter House, 913 East Santa Clara St. Doors open at 9:30 A.M., meeting begins at 10:00, with guests and new members welcome.

Find more information assistanceleagueventuracounty.org or Email [email protected].

Telephone: Monday – Thursday 8 – 2 p.m. 643-2458.

Conversational Spanish in a small group setting. Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Foster Library 651 E. Main St. Registration not required. For information Louise Vien 643-7064, [email protected]

Nov. 29: Sandpiper Toastmaster Club. 6:30 -7:45 am. Ventura County building. Human Services Agency Office. 855 Partridge Drive 2nd Floor.

Meetings have speeches, table topics, evaluations, free coffee and fun.

Lots of parking outside the building. Thereafter they meet every Wednesday.

Dec. 2: You are cordially invited to attend Jodi Farrell’s Music Studio’s Annual Student Holiday Concert on Saturday, at Ventura Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church at 1956 Palma Drive, Suite A. Showtime 2-4 p.m. Special guests band: Ron Barnett: piano, Jim Rankin: bass, Brad Strickland: guitar, Manon Franklin: drums and Ray Dean Mize: viola. Attendance is free. Donations are most welcome.

Refreshments served following the show.

Dec. 2, 3: The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura annual Fine Art and Crafts Fair will take place on Saturday, from 9-2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec 3 from 11-1 p.m. The fair features a large variety of art, photography, mosaics, jewelry, stained glass, crafts, textile art and more. The fair will be held in Berg Hall at the church, located at 5654 Ralston St. All are welcome. Ample parking is available in the back of the church.

Dec. 3: Old-Time Country Music Free Country Christmas Concert 2-4 p.m.

Located at the Poinsettia Pavilion 3451 Foothill Blvd. For more information visit www.oldcountry-grassband.com, or call 517-1131

Dec. 3: Servants of the Father of Mercy, 1544 Morse Avenue. Free decorate the Christmas tree Youth and Family Sunday. It’s a potluck 2-5p.m. Children decorate a real live Christmas tree, Light the first Advent candle along with Blessing of the tree and wreath. RSVP Mobile (310) 595-4175 Email: [email protected]

Dec. 14: Come meet the members of Ventura County Professional Women’s Network at the Membership Mix & Mingle. Enjoy complimentary light refreshments and holiday inspired desserts, Thursday, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hosted by VCPWN and member Marta Alvarez at YCE. Inc. 1587 Morse Ave., Suite A. For additional info email: [email protected] or 380-6887 Feel free to come in your festive attire.

Dec.16: On Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Amnesty International USA Local Group #452 is holding its annual Write-a-thon at College United Methodist Church, 4300 Telegraph Road on the corner Telegraph and Baylor.

This event is part of Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign, the world’s largest letter writing event, which engages people to speak out on behalf of prisoners of conscience, human rights defenders and communities at risk from around the world. Drop in between 1- 4 p.m. to write letters. Your hand-written letters, combined with hundreds of thousands of others from around the world, can change the lives of this year’s 12 cases. They furnish paper, pens, stamps, snacks and good company.

BikeVentura and the Ventura Bike HUB continue to expand their presence in the City and County of Ventura. The non-profit organization will move their operations to 490 N. Ventura Ave. This move is the largest expansion for the non-profit and is fitting for its ten year anniversary. In addition, BikeVentura recently opened a Bike HUB in the City of Fillmore.

“We have outgrown our current space and can’t wait to fill the new one,” shared Tobias “Toby” Smith, Program Director for BikeVentura.

The Bike HUB is a do-it-together community bicycle shop and second-hand bike thrift store with affordable refurbished bikes to help get people started riding, staffed by master mechanics and volunteers. The HUB began as a mobile bike station in 2012, though the group was formed in August 2007 with a primary focus of advocacy and bicycle safety.

“BikeVentura is well on its way to fulfilling its mission of a safe, healthy community through bicycle-centered education and empowerment,” stated John Buccola, Board Chairperson for BikeVentura.

BikeVentura is a project of VCCOOL; an active, grass-roots non-profit, charitable corporation. On the web at www.bikeventura.org.

Footworks Youth Ballet presents Tchaikovsky’s famous classical holiday ballet The Nutcracker on December 9th and 10th in two full-length performances at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. They’ll be accompanied by the Footworks Community Orchestra and singers from the Carpe Diem Chorus. Family friendly matinees on both days begin at 2 p.m.

This 14th annual production of The Nutcracker will dazzle audiences with its colorful costumes, professional sets and live orchestra and choir. Artistic director Kirsten Oakley also adds a little twist to the story each year, providing a freshness and whimsy that makes each year special.

Founded by Kirsten Oakley, Footworks Youth Ballet was created with the goal of providing a place for young people to thrive and grow through the joy of dance as they learn the art and discipline of classical ballet. Technique classes are offered through Oakley Ballet Center, for children ages 5-18.

In keeping with the mission of Footworks, senior student dancers perform in principal roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy or Snow Queen, giving young artists the opportunity to partner with professional male guest artists. As Oakley explains, “Even if a student leaves ballet after high school, they take with them a great appreciation for the classics, having explored the art form to its utmost and seen the results of their dedication and effort.”

For each ballet production, Footworks Youth Ballet hosts a sold-out performance for over 3,000 school-aged children to see the ballet. Most of the tickets for the children are provided at the reduced fee of $5.00 each, and many of the students qualify for free tickets.

Join Footworks Youth Ballet for their Family Educational Hour one hour prior to each show to learn about the production, costumes, ballet history and music.

The Nutcracker, presented by Footworks Youth Ballet.
Sat. Dec. 9th, 2:00 pm
Sun. Dec. 10th, 2:00 pm

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
Tickets $19, $24, $29

Call 486.2424 to buy tickets, or order online at footworksyouthballet.org  

The Ojai Community Chorus will conclude 30 years of entertainment with its presentation of “Stargazing”. The concert will explore the themes of stars and light, and how they are such an integral part of the holiday season. The concert will feature traditional songs as well, and will also include a Children’s Ensemble.

The performances will be held Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. at the Ojai United Methodist Church, 120 Church Road. A boutique and bake sale will also be held.

Suggested donation is $25 for general admission and $20 for seniors and students. Tickets are discounted $5 if purchased in advance from chorus members, St. Thomas Aquinas Thrift Store, or online at https://bpt.me/3168004.

The Ojai Art Center Theater will present “Animal Crackers – The Marx Brothers’ Musical” from November 24 – December 17. Performances will be on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are available online at www.OjaiAct.org. Or call to reserve tickets at 640-8797. The Ojai Art Center is located at 113 S. Montgomery St. For more information, please contact: [email protected]

Mary Eckhart will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, to deliver a talk entitled “The Artful Reader: Art Plus Books! Magic!” Ms. Eckhart comes to us via the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s Community Speakers Program.

Lost in the reverie of a book, the “gentle reader” has been an absorbing subject for artists throughout the ages. 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.

Aimee French will be at the Ojai Library from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 18 to facilitate a Collaborative Weaving Collage Workshop. This will be a three-hour, drop-in workshop with a short presentation about artist Christine Morla, whose work is the inspiration for this project.

Participants can create their own weavings and paper daisy shapes and mount them to background paper. The various pieces will overlap and contribute to the greater whole. Supplies will be left out after the workshop for others to come in and add to the collaborative, growing collage!

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at 218-9146.

The 7th Annual Ojai WordFest is coming to the Ojai Library from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, November 11 & 12. This literary festival will feature numerous local authors and voices who will share their experiences and work with the community.

WordFest is a celebration of words, ideas, and stories unfolding in one of the most beautiful settings in California: the majestic Ojai Valley. This literary nexus encourages readers and writers of all genres, skill level, and ages to partake in an extravaganza of events in and around the Ojai Valley. This year the Ojai Library will host speakers including Robert Ellwood, Michael Krohnen, Sam Ervin, Marilyn Miller, and many more!

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.

Celebrating their 5th Season, Chamber On The Mountain is most pleased to present the return of the magnificently flawless ensemble, the Arianna String Quartet, accompanied by the brilliant pianist, Michele Levin, on Sunday, December 3, at 3:00 pm. Performance will take place at Logan House in Upper Ojai. Audience members are invited to stay and meet the artists at a reception following the performance. Tickets: $25.00 at www.ChamberOnTheMountain.com.

Hailed for their outstanding musicianship, the Arianna String Quartet has firmly established itself as one of America’s finest chamber ensembles. Their performances have been praised for “tonal warmth, fastidious balance…expressive vitality”

Rev. Karen Wylie will offer her monthly half-day retreat at Meditation Mount on Saturday, Nov.18, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The topic will be “The Creative Energy of Gratitude.”

“Through awakened consciousness we discover that the more grateful we are for what we have, the more we have to be grateful for,” Rev. Karen says. “Appreciation appreciates.” Join her in this Thanksgiving season and tap into the wellspring of gratitude for the many blessings of our lives in the beautiful setting of Meditation Mount.

Randee Vasilakos, registered Science of Mind Practitioner, will be available to assist with prayers for personal healing. People of all faiths and traditions, or no tradition, are welcome to attend.

The retreat is by donation; $20 is suggested. Meditation Mount is located at 10340 Reeves Road, Ojai. 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.

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.

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.

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

Mended Hearts of Ventura meet the first Tuesday each month at the Community Memorial Hospital – 8th floor. We have excellent speakers – leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists, Dietitians, etc. from our area. Come share with us if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. Contact: 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.

Assistance League of Ventura County creating “A Brighter Tomorrow for Today’s Children” holds its monthly meetings on the third Thursday of each month at the Chapter House, 913 East Santa Clara St. Doors open at 9:30 A.M., meeting begins at 10:00, with guests and new members welcome.

Find more information assistanceleagueventuracounty.org or Email [email protected].

Telephone: Monday – Thursday 8 – 2 p.m. 643-2458

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 651 E. Main St. Registration not required. For information Louise Vien 643-7064, [email protected]

Nov.10: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution November luncheon meeting will feature a special program titled “Prison Ships during the American Revolution” presented by member Martin Spann. The luncheon event will take place at 11:30 a.m., Friday, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant. If you choose to join us for lunch, cost is $20. For additional information or for assistance in determining your possible Revolutionary War genealogical roots, call Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992. For information regarding SAR membership and chapter activities http://pattonpatriots.org.

Nov. 11: Celebrate Veterans Day at the government center on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the corner of Victoria and Telephone. Flower wreaths will be laid at all of the flags. Jackie Irwin, Steve Bennett and Julia Brownley will be there as speakers. As well Captain Janke commanding officer of The Naval Base will be the keynote speaker. Parking is free and everyone is invited.

Nov. 11: Hokuloa Outrigger Canoe Club (HOCC) is a non-profit 501-(c) 3 organization that is located in the Ventura Harbor.  The mission of the club is to perpetuate the sport of outrigger canoe paddling through good sportsmanship and the Hawaiian culture through competitive involvement of outrigger canoe racing in Southern California.  Huge garage sale Saturday from 7-1 p.m. at 1819 Poli Street. Furniture, kitchenware, clothes, games, sports equipment and more.

Nov.12: The Cave, the popular wine bar and gourmet restaurant, is pleased to host a Holiday Wine Tasting event on Sunday, from 2-4 p.m. Guests will stroll about with keepsake glasses, sampling over 100 wines from over 20 different wineries, including The Ojai Vineyard, Clos de Amis, and Rombauer Vineyards. They’ll also enjoy live music and passed appetizers prepared by The Cave’s award-winning Executive Chef, Alex Montoya. Tickets are $45 in advance or $50 on the day-of, and can be purchased at The Cave or by calling 642-9449. For more information, visit thecaveventura.com.

Nov.16: At the East Ventura Community Council meeting a representative of the Ventura Police Dept. will update the Council on crime and safety in the area. Tara Carruth of the Ventura County Continuum of Care will address concerns about our homeless population. The Council represents those who live east of Victoria Avenue. Books in good condition are always accepted by San Buenaventura Friends of the Library. 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road. The public is encouraged to attend and participate. For more information contact John McNally, Chairperson, EVCC 804-7558

Nov. 19:   Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra performing with KuanFen Liu, Artistic Director, Steven Chang, Violin, Bruce Walker, Oboe and the Rubicon Harmonix youth vocal ensemble presents “Bach and the Rubicon Harmonix” Concert. 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 1338 E. Santa Clara St. Donation of $20 appreciated. Youth 18 and under are free.

Nov. 19: The Ventura and Santa Barbara County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) will meet Sunday, in the Campus Student Center of Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road. The regular meeting starts at noon and at 11 a.m. there will be an informal workshop where a topic on clocks or watches will be demonstrated and discussed. Also a mart where items will be for sale followed by lunch and an informational meeting and a program. This month’s program will be “Clocks of the Winterthur Museum” presented by Dave Weisbart. There is a $3 admission charge. Lunch is available for $5 more. Watches & clocks will be on display. More information about chapter 190 can be found at www.nawcc-ch190.com.

Nov.20: CA Zeta Chi parliamentarians will meet at 7 p.m. and will feature a lesson by Sandra Sanders entitled “RONR Index Research.”  Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse, 3159 E. Main St.  Those wishing to eat should arrive at 6 p.m.  Non-members are welcome.  Membership is $25 per year.  For information, contact Sharon Hillbrant, 479-6738, or zetachi.webstarts.com.

Nov. 24, 25, 26; December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 & 10. Come celebrate the spirit of holidays past at the historic Dudley House. The 24th year of this annual fundraiser for the museum features quality crafts, home décor, antiques and collectibles and a tearoom with refreshments, silent auction and bargain items. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a flea market added on Sundays. The Dudley House is located on the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood admission is free. Call 642-3345 for information.

From over 80 submissions, “My Husband, the Dick” emerged as the winner of the second annual Ojai Film Festival Screenplay Competition. It is about a struggling mystery author who is writing a novel based on her fiancé detective’s big murder case. A live read of the entire script will be presented on Sunday, November 5 at 2 pm in the Ojai Art Center Gallery. Ojai director, Larry Swerdlove, will direct area actors for the table read.

On Sunday October 29th, Topa Mountain Winery will host the 10th Annual Concert Fundraiser for local nonprofit, Safety Harbor Kids (SHK) to support music education programs for orphans, foster and homeless children.

The event will be emceed by actor and radio personality, Hal Sparks and will feature Danny Seraphine of Chicago and Tommy Thayer of KISS, Tony Grant of AZ Yet and SHK Music Director Edward Roth on keys. Also performing will be American Idol top four finalist Jessica Meuse, Italian entertainer, Maria Elena Infantino and a live Facebook broadcast by social media sensation singer Kirsten Collins.

The event will have door prizes, silent auction, food and drinks . SHK’s Personal Enrichment Programs teach essay writing, goal achievement, work ethic, music and art in a one on one format. Visit www.safetyharborkids.org for more information.

Daniel Champagne was described as ‘the finest guitar player of his generation.’ The young Australian born and Nashville based artist spent his early twenties touring the world with the likes of Ani DiFranco. Now with his fourth LP ‘Fault Lines’ set for release Daniel Champagne is on his most extensive tour yet.

Tickets are available at these Ojai locations for $20: Ojai Creates, Serendipity Toys, Ojai Coffee Roasting Company, and Cardinali Brothers Music, or online for $22 (www.ojaiconcertseries.com). Tickets will be $25 at the door, kids 7 to 15 are $10 at the door and youngsters on your lap are free.

Enjoy the last Sunday of Daylight Savings Time on the Horn Canyon Trail in the east end of the Ojai Valley with native plant guide Lanny Kaufer, observing and discussing nature and native plants. This slow-paced walk of about 1 mile round trip will take place on Sunday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The outing is suitable for hikers of all levels of ability who are capable of walking that distance and standing for periods of time.

Some native plants participants can expect to see include California Bay, Black Walnut, Yerba Santa, Black Sage, Coastal Sagebrush, Yucca, and Mugwort.

The cost is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors 62 years of age and up, and $10 for students 13-18. Payment can be made by cash or check on the morning of the walk. Kids 5-12 can go free, one per adult, by prior arrangement. Toddlers must be in a carrier. No dogs or smoking, please.

To register visit www.HerbWalks.com or call 805-646-6281. Registrants will receive a confirmation email with all necessary info during the week before the event.