Events by Ana Baker

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $10, non-members $12. Call Rick at 415-8842 for more information.

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 p.m.to 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 and brighten your week. Hear more from Steve at 642-1359

Country Western Line Dancing every Tuesday 7 p.m. to 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

Assistance League of Ventura County creating “A Brighter Tomorrow for Today’s Children” will hold its regular monthly meeting on the third Thursday of each month at the Chapter House, 913 East Santa Clara St. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., meeting at 10 a.m. more information at assistanceleagueventuracounty.org or [email protected].

Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 643-2458

August 17: East Ventura Community Council: A member of the Surfrider Foundation will present an overview of Surf rider’s various campaigns and talk about opportunities to become involved. Ventura Police Dept. will update the Council on crime and safety in the area. John McNally will present a brief overview of east Ventura development. Books in good condition are 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

August 20: 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. Program by Dave Coatsworth on collecting private label watches. There is a $3 admission charge. Lunch is available for $5 more.. More information can be found at www.nawcc-ch190.com.

August 21: CA Zeta Chi parliamentarians will meet at 7 p.m. and will feature a lesson by Jill Martinez entitled “Subsidiary Motions.” 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.

August 23: The College Area Community Council will meet on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. Adrienne Stephens from the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy will discuss the 14 year-old nonprofit land trust’s ongoing work in the Ventura region. An officer from the VPD will be there to discuss issues related to crime in the area. Wright Event Center at 57 Day Rd. on the Ventura College campus. Free parking is available adjacent to the Event Center. CACC represents citizens between Mills and Victoria bordered by Foothill and Hwy. 126. Call 644-8695 or 844-4158 for more information.

August 27: The Ventura County Reproductive Rights Network is hosting its signature, “Write for Your Rights”, event to bring together our community’s collective voice during a time when threats to reproductive rights are at an all time high. The event will be from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston Street. VCRRN will have letters on a range of reproductive health care topics prepared for the public to sign. The event is free of charge and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Ample parking is provided in the lot in the rear of the building

Sept. 3: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours 1 to 4 p.m. accompanied by period music in the parlor and upstairs library landing. Admission is free. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood. For information 642-3345 or www.dudleyhouse.org.

Sept. 5: Cardiologist, Dr. Omid Fatemi, will talk about the latest restorative heart advances at the Tuesday program of Mended Hearts. The presentation will be in the Nichols Auditorium on the 8th floor of Community Memorial Hospital. Dr. Fatemi is a frequently requested speaker due to his easy-to-understand presentations and is very open to questions from the audience. The program, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, is open to the public and is free.

Sept. 13: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a meeting on Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. The first part of the meeting will be an instructional workshop on the techniques of image processing followed by the showing of member images. A professional photographer will critique member’s prints and digital images. This is not a competition but rather an anonymous discussion of the images.. Only members may submit images for critique. See the club’s web site for more information about the club and examples of member’s work or call 908-5663. www.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com

Events at the Ojai Library

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, August 21 the Ojai Library will be hosting a live stream viewing of the 2017 Solar Eclipse. A partial solar eclipse will be visible from Southern California, while certain areas of the country will be able to witness a total solar eclipse. We will project a live stream of the eclipse in the library meeting room, and a limited amount of eclipse glasses will be available for those present.

A solar eclipse occurs when the sun is partially or completely obscured by the moon, revealing the solar corona. These events are rare; the next solar eclipse that will be visible from North America will not happen until the year 2024. More information on the eclipse can be found by visiting https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/.

At 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 19 the Ojai Library will host a screening of the documentary film Seeds of Time. After the screening there will be a discussion facilitated by members of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF).

A perfect storm is brewing as agriculture pioneer Cary Fowler races against time to protect the future of our food. Seed banks around the world are crumbling, crop failures are producing starvation and rioting, and the accelerating effects of climate change are affecting farmers globally. This film follows Fowler on a passionate and personal journey that may save the one resource we cannot live without: our seeds.

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.

Ojai author and private chef Randy Graham will show you how to make restaurant quality pizza at home using pizza stones and traditional ingredients. In addition, there will be a pizza surprise so come hungry! Recipes are included and signed copies of his Ojai Valley cookbooks will be available for purchase. The class will be held at the Lavender Inn in downtown Ojai on Sunday, August 13, from 1pm to 3pm. Call 646-6635 for reservations. Class size is limited to 10 participants. This class will fill up quickly.

A representative working with the new eResource cloudLibrary will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 12 to show you customers how to access this convenient new tool. Customers can bring their eReaders and mobile devices in to learn about what cloudLibrary has to offer and get help setting up their accounts. There will be a rundown of the first-time user experience and how to use the app, and library staff will be on hand to answer questions.

CloudLibrary is part of the effort to streamline eBook and eAudiobook collections from being accessed through multiple vendors to one simple, convenient service. You can use the cloudLibrary app to access not only our digital holdings, but those of our partner libraries as well. This means access to more copies of your favorite titles with improved wait times!

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

The Ojai Photo Club will feature photographer Nancy Lehrer for its August presentation, “Building a Photo Story: Personal Documentary Projects.” The free event will be held at 7 p.m. on August 15, 2017, in Help of Ojai’s Kent Hall, 111 W. Santa Ana Road.

Over the past two years Lehrer has worked on two personal documentary projects involving close family members. The first followed her parents after they had moved into an assisted living apartment. The second, a longer story, chronicled the first four months of her husband’s slow recovery from Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Although she has achieved master’s degrees in Music and Computer Science, she has always held on to her passion for photography.

For more information about Lehrer’s work, go to her website, http://www.inancyimages.com or to her blog, https://inancy.wordpress.com.

Monthly free presentations are part of the Ojai Photography Club’s community service and education outreach. The general public is always welcome to attend. More information is available at: www.ojaiphotoclub.com/

Events by Ana Baker

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $10, non-members $12. Call Rick at 415-8842 for more information.

Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) hosts two regular, confidential, peer-led, self-help support groups. Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church at 6950 Ralston Street in Room 301 of Building 300. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or call 253-3289 . 1p.m. to 3p.m. at the New Visions Center on the first and third Saturdays of the month. At 1065 E. Main. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or 746-3106.

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 p.m.to 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 p.m. to 9 p.m. Instruction every night. At the Moose lodge, 10269 Telephone Road. More information at countrylovers.com.

August 9: The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is pleased to bring one of southern California’s top Movement Disorder Specialists & Neurologist, Dr. Robert Hutchman. Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lexington Assisted Living, 5440 Ralston St. For more details see article in Senior Section of this issue. 1p.m. to 3 p.m. every second Wednesday. For more information please call Patty at 766-6070. We are an independent and volunteer-organized group not affiliated with or a part of any other organization or group.

August 10: Legendary drummer, Fito de la Parra, from the band Canned Heat, is the guest speaker for this month’s “Speaking Of” lecture series, 7–9 p.m. with de la Parra sharing highlights from his life in rock ‘n roll. Admission is free for members, $5 for non-members. The Museum of Ventura County. For more information, visit www.venturamuseum.org or call 653.0323.

August 12: The Ventura Beginners PC Users Group will meet at the Cypress Place Independent Living, 1220 Cypress Point, third floor lounge. 9:15 a.m. workshop will be on creating items with Word and at 11 a.m. Toby Scott of Ventura Computers will discuss the Cloud. All beginners and intermediates are welcome. Call 648-1368 for further information.

August 15: Men (retired or on the brink) can enjoy some time together on August 15th and September 5th at Ventura Elks lodge at noon for the Ventura Retired Men’s Group meeting. There’ll be the usual healthy $15 lunch, an entertaining and enlightening program, raffles, and a good time shooting the breeze with friends old and new. Call Steve Carroll at 642-1359 for the details.

August 17, Ventura County Poet Laureate, Phil Taggart, will perform readings from the works of writer Charles Bukowski, at a special showing of “Born Into This,” the documentary chronicling the life of Bukowski. The reading begins at 6:30. The FBI kept a file on him as a result of his column, Notes of a Dirty Old Man, in the LA underground newspaper Open City. Admission is free to members, $5/non-members. The Museum of Ventura County

August 24, from 7-9 p.m. “The Crime of the Century: An Inside Look at the Manson Murders” with journalist Ivor Davis. Davis visited the Manson family at the Spahn ranch prior to the murder spree of 1969. Not only did he attend every day of the nine-month trial, the District Attorney used Mr. Davis’ book as a blueprint for the prosecution. Joining Davis is Mark Phillips, an Oak Park attorney who with his daughter, Aryn, co-wrote the book “Crimes of the Century: Admission is free for members, $5/non-members. No-host bar. The Museum of Ventura County

August 26: Grateful Dead Tribute Band Cubensis bring the sights, sounds, and fun of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead for the finale event of the museum’s Summer of Love 50th anniversary celebration. Doors open at 5 p.m., the concert begins at 6 p.m. Admission is $10. No-host bar available. The Museum of Ventura County

August 26: Walt Hackman Signing of No Problem, Mr. Walt: A Memoir of Loss, Building a Boat, Rebuilding a Life, and Discovering China. Mr. Walt is a poignant travel memoir written by father, businessman and easy-going voyager, who travels throughout China during his extraordinary quest to build an authentic wooden Chinese Junk boat. Walt’s memoir is an account of personal tragedy and tenacious triumph. Bank of Books, 748 East Main St. from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Contact 643-3154.

Events by Ana Baker

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $10, non-members $12. Call Rick at 415-8842 for more information.

DBSA Ventura, the local chapter of the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) hosts two regular, confidential, peer-led, self-help support groups in the County. Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church at 6950 Ralston Street in Room 301 of Building 300. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or call 253-3289 for more information. 1p.m. to 3p.m. at the New Visions Center on the first and third Saturdays of the month. At 1065 E. Main. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or 746-3106 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.

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

Find out the answers to tantalizing questions at the Ventura Discussion Group. Located at the Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St. Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 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.

Tuesday semi-monthly meetings of the Ventura Retired Men’s Group will resume in August on the first and fifteenth at the Ventura Elks Lodge. Men in or near retirement are encouraged to gather after 11 AM for a social good time, lunch($15) at noon, and a program to follow. Steve Carroll has details at 642-1359.

July 20: The Community Environmental Council’s Solarize Program offers discounted, top quality solar electric systems for homeowners in Ventura County.  The non-profit organization has negotiated limited-time discounts with vetted solar installers until September 8, 2017.  The Solarize workshop will explore the ins and outs of going solar. Learn how going solar can save you money.  For more information, please visit solarizeventura.org or call the Community Environmental Council 963-0583 x101. At the Ventura City Hall, Community Meeting Room at 6 p.m.

July 20: The East Ventura Community Council, Nancy Schramm, Deputy Director of Ventura County Library System, will report on the status of the new Hill Road Library. John McNally, Chairperson of East Ventura Community Council will provide an update on new construction. Ventura Police Department will report on crime and safety issues. 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, 804-7558.

July 26: The College Area Community Council will meet on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. A member of the Surfrider Foundation will make a presentation on the Coastal Protection projects in the Ventura area and a Public Works Department representative will discuss the long-awaited road repairs to the Loma Vista Hospital area. VPD will be there to discuss issues of community concern. The Council meets in the Wright Event Center at 57 Day Rd. on the Ventura College campus. CACC represents citizens between Mills and Victoria bordered by Foothill and Hwy. 126. Call 644-8695 for more information.

July 29: Ventura Family YMCA 18th Annual 5K & One-Mile Survivors Walk for Livestrong. All proceeds benefit the community through the Y’s Open Doors scholarship program. Saturday, 7 a.m. check-in, 5K starts at 8a.m. Registration/Race Start Location: Ventura Family YMCA, 3760 Telegraph Rd. Cost: Regular – $40 individual, $80 family One-Mile Survivors Walk – $15 individual. For more information, contact Sherry Gutsch at 805.642.2131 x 20 or [email protected]

July 29: City of Ventura Residents, get your free Smart Sprinkler Controller at the City’s Public Works maintenance yard, 10a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 336 Sanjon Road. Just bring your most recent water bill and a photo of your existing controller(s). You’ll be required to fill out an application on site and then schedule a time to replace your sprinkler/drip controller. Experts will be on hand to answer questions. For more information or inquiries 866-983-9232.

July 30: The SoCal Chapter of the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, AHAF President Sheila Lowe and chapter Vice-President Lena Rivkin will lead the two hour-long discussions. Handwriting of business leaders – what does it say about their leadership style? Introduction to questioned document examination – learn about forgers and forgery. Guests are welcome to bring a handwriting sample to add to the discussion. EP Foster Library, Topping Room from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

August 6: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. accompanied by period music in the parlor and upstairs library landing. Admission is free. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets. For information please call 642-3345 or visit the website at www.dudleyhouse.org.

August 8: Blessing of the Marriages at the Ventura County Fair at 11 a.m. located at the Sea breeze Stage. Celebrate long-term marriages on the free Senior Day (65+) at the fair. Renew your vows, share some wedding cake, and honor a life well-lived with your mate. Then enjoy the fair together.

August 9: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a meeting on Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. An instructional workshop on the techniques of image processing such as using Photoshop or the aesthetics of composition. This will be followed by the showing of member images. A professional photographer from the area will critique member’s prints and digital images. Only members may submit images for critique. For more information about the club and examples of member’s work or call 908-5663. WWW.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com

August 12: The Bank of Books will host a book release event with author Diane Mautner and keyboardist, Ray Mautner. Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at. 748 E. Main Street. A fun event filled with books, music, and art. Presenting the adventures of Prisoner #147. Diane Mautner will read her book, featuring exquisite illustrations by Nazar Horokhivski. Adding to the presentation is music by Ray Mautner, keyboardist and educator, who will also be performing in the show, “Music from the Gilded Age to the Broadway Stage” at the Maritime Museum on August 30th. The program is a fundraiser on behalf of The New West Symphony. “Prisoner #147” by Diane Mautner is a picture book that encourages participation. A raccoon has been stealing food from backyards by jumping over walls and fences. Then something goes wrong! The event will wrap up with a raccoon-themed craft time.

August 13: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association presents special free music concert at the Poinsettia Pavilion from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit www.oldcountry-grassband.com or call 517-1131.

The Ojai Storytelling will open this year’s festival with a special event, “Raw Tales” on Thursday, Sept. 7 at the Ojai Art Center.

You no doubt have heard The Moth on NPR. Contemporary, hip and totally engaging, The Moth has garnered praise for its biting stories. The Ojai Storytelling Festival is pleased to present 3 winners of The Moth Grandslam from Los Angeles, along with comedian, Cary Odes in a performance of personal stories for an adult audience Tickets are available at www.ojaistoryfest.org. Take advantage of early bird prices and purchase your tickets now. The event is geared for ages 18+.

Three businesses have been selected to receive the City of Ojai’s first medical cannabis non-retail dispensary and delivery permits, City officials announced today.

City Manager Steve McClary announced the decision following a lengthy application, interview and background check process, which began with the City accepting applications in January. The businesses chosen are: AgMD, Shangri La Care Cooperatacive/Collective, and Sespe Creek Collective. Each business was selected to receive both a non-retail dispensary and delivery permit; permits are issued for one year. All three will be located in the Bryant Circle industrial park in the City. Deliveries will be allowed only within City limits, and advance appointments will be required for patients at dispensaries. None of the businesses are permitted to provide recreational cannabis.

Each business will be subject to a final inspection by the City before they can open their doors, or make deliveries, to patients. “We will be closely monitoring each business to ensure they are following the City’s rules and regulations, as this is an emerging industry with many potential unknowns. At the same time, we know there are patients eager to access medicine without having to leave the city limits.”

Chamber On The Mountain will begin its 2017-18 season on Sunday, September 24, with a concert that presents the artistry of flutist Jill Felber, pianist Dianne Frazer, and COTM’s own Heidi Lehwalder, on harp. Each is world-renowned in her own right. Bringing them together promises a very special concert, “quite different from our other concerts,” Lehwalder says. “What better place than atop a beautiful mountain to bring you this captivating program, a musical fusion of a vast array of colors and styles, varying paces of tempo, quick changes of mood, with some palate-cleansers that serve as little flickers of light humor appearing between the heartfelt melodies.” Great artists, great music and a great setting!

The performance begins at 3:00 p.m., at Logan House, an intimate venue adjacent to the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Rd. A “meet the artist” reception will follow the performance. Reservations are $25 and can be purchased at Chamber On The Mountain’s website: www.chamberonthemountain.com/reservations.html.