The Ojai Studio Artists awarded $13,650 in scholarships to 13 Ventura County high school and college art students this year. The winning students were honored and awarded their scholarships at a special reception at Ojai City Hall on Saturday, June 3. This marks a new high in scholarship fundraising in OSA’s 24 year-old scholarship program.

Selected works by the scholarship winners will be shown at a month-long exhibition at City Gallery at Ojai City Hall. Each year OSA raises money to support young artists in their pursuit of further art education. To date, the artists’ organization has funded over $220,300 in scholarships and other ArtReach programs.  Further information about the artist organization and those who wish to contribute to the scholarship fund go to www.ojaistudioartists.org and click “donate”.

Local author J.J. Brown will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 to deliver a talk on her book, Secrets & Howls. Brown will read an excerpt and will discuss how she got started with writing. There will be time for a Q&A session, and Brown will also share a short excerpt from the novel she is working on right now.

J.J. Brown grew up in Ojai and obtained a BA in theater at CSU Long Beach. She is passionate about art and has returned to drawing and painting, is learning tap dance from a local instructor, and hopes to soon pick up her violin lessons again. She believes that sometimes you just need to cram all the art and creativity into your life that you can get!

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 public is invited to join Rev. Karen for a half-day retreat at Meditation Mount, on Saturday, June 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The morning will be devoted to “Waking up!” to the answers to all our questions and the fulfillment of all our needs—always already present inside us.

“We spend all our time looking outside ourselves for that which we think will make us whole and happy,” Rev. Karen says. “The truth is that what you are looking for is within you, and has always been within you.”

The morning will offer an opportunity for inner reflection, along with wisdom talks, sacred music, and quiet walks on the beautiful grounds of Meditation Mount. Randee Vasilakos, registered Science of Mind Practitioner, will be available to assist with prayers for personal healing and reconciliation. People of all faiths and traditions, or no tradition, are welcome to attend.

The retreat is by donation; $10 is suggested. Meditation Mount is located at 10340 Reeves Road. For more information, contact Rev. Karen at 310-968-8928, or register online at www.karenswylie.com.

Ventura nature photographer David N. Lee will present a workshop on the basics of nature photography at a private ranch near Ojai, June 15, 8:30am – 12:30pm.

“This workshop will present an overview of the types of nature photography,” says Lee. “Students will learn basic techniques for landscape, macro and wildlife photography.”

Enrollment is limited to the first eight participants. The suggested donation is $25. Please visit https://davidnleephoto.com/workshops for more information. Workshop directions and other details provided with registration.

Celebrations for graduation at Villanova Preparatory School begin with a Baccalaureate Mass at 7 pm on Friday, May 26, at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish,  185 St. Thomas Dr. Commencement exercises are set for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 27, in the Villanova Grotto. The ceremony will be presided over by the Very Rev. Kevin Mullins, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Augustine.

The commencement address will be delivered by John Huddy, a Class of 1993 Villanova Preparatory School graduate currently working as a foreign correspondent for the Fox News Channel, assigned to the Middle East bureau in Jerusalem.

Join Ojai native plant guide Lanny Kaufer on a Memorial Day Nature Hike to El Nido, May 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Attendees will learn to identify edible and medicinal plants and the ecology of Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Ventura River Preserve. The hike will cost $25 for adults, $20 for seniors 62-up, $15 for students 13-18, and kids 5-12 will be free, one per adult. Register at www.HerbWalks.com or by phone at 646-6281.

Everyone is invited to the 40th Annual Art in the Park held Memorial weekend (Saturday & Sunday May 27th and 28th from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) in Libbey Park. Come browse, meet the 80+ artists, listen to music, grab a bite and enjoy the weekend. Professional and high school art and music featured. Admission is free. Call 646-0117 for further information or visit www.ojaiartcenter.org/art-in-the-park.html. A variety of art mediums are featured. Musical styles include folk, rock and jazz. Fine art in a fine place!

Join Rev. Karen at Meditation Mount, on Saturday, May 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as she guides attendees in “the greatest work you will ever do—which is to awaken in consciousness.” The morning will be devoted to inner reflection, wisdom talks, sacred music, and quiet walks on the beautiful grounds of Meditation Mount. Randee Vasilakos, registered Science of Mind Practitioner, will be available to assist with prayers for personal healing and reconciliation.

The retreat is by donation; $10 is suggested. Meditation Mount is located at 10340 Reeves Rd. For more information, contact Rev. Karen at 310-968-8928, or register online at www.karenswylie.com.

Nordhoff High School, home of International Thespian Troupe 4816  will be performing their production of Steel Magnolias.

The International Thespian Festival, produced by the Educational Theatre Association, celebrates student achievement in the performing arts. The 54-year-old event, which this year takes place June 17-24 at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, brings together more than 4,000 high school drama students and their teachers for a week-long immersion in classes, lessons in critical observation, and opportunities to perform for an audience of their peers from across the nation and around the world.

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.

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 www.vcbridge.org   Life is Better with Bridge.

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

The Ventura County Philatelic Society meets the first and third Mondays each month — 7:30-9:30pm at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road.  Admission and parking are free.
Stamp trading and camaraderie.
Contact [email protected] or 320-1601

May 25: David Deutsch Executive Director of NAMI,  the National Alliance on Mental Illness will speak about what NAMI offers including: Family Support Groups & NAMI Connection support groups, the “Family to Family Education Program,” and the “Mental Health Provider Program.Thursday, at 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

CAREGIVERS office, 1765 Goodyear Avenue, Suite 205.

May 27: The Ventura Tennis Club, in partnership with the Ventura Recreation and Community Services, is hosting a bi-annual Ventura Tennis Day on Saturday from 9:00 am to 3 pm. The event will be held at the Camino Real Tennis Park.

The event will include clinics for adults and kids from 9 am to 12 noon with pro Scott Burton and staff. After a break for refreshments, raffle and announcements there will be organized doubles play in the afternoon.

The Ventura Tennis Club is a non-profit community based club bringing tennis enthusiasts of all ages and abilities together for social and competitive play.  Information: http://www.venturatennisclub.com

June 1: Ladies Luncheon 8th Anniversary “Celebrate your Inner Goddess” Instead of having a sponsor for June event spend more time networking, playing games and many more surprises! There’s limited seating so sign up today! Wear a flowing skirt or blouse and get an extra raffle ticket! Bring a raffle prize to share!

11:30am – 1:00pm Doors open at 11:15 am | $27 pre-registration  $30 at the door Sit-down Luncheon Buffet  Poinsettia Pavillion. www.theladiesluncheon.com

June 2&3: Gold Coast Concert Chorus presents Good Eats, A Feast of Musical Fun
Be a guest as they sing their way through a gourmet evening of song.
Do you have a favorite song about food? There is a good chance that GCCC will be singing it!
Enjoy the “Food, Glorious Food” on “The Night They Invented Champagne”, because “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries” in “Strawberry Fields”.
Friday June 2, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Saturday June 3, 2017 at 2:00 pm
St. John’s Lutheran Church – 1500 North C St., Oxnard
Tickets: Adults $15.00, Sr./Student $12.00, Child under 12 $5.00
616-7269 or [email protected].

June 3: On Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a Book Sale at the Vons at Victoria and Telegraph  (6040 Telegraph Road) .Quality used books at bargain prices.  All genres, including  special interest, vintage;  fiction, including classics and current hardcover and paperbacks; non-fiction, including biography, science, engineering, religion, travel, cooking, history, California history, art, music, self-help, education, parenting, sports, craft books, children’s books;  dvds, books on cd and tape, puzzles, and more.

June 4: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours by the “Mrs. Dudleys”  from 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 please call  642-3345 or visit www.dudleyhouse.org.

June 4: On Sunday,   3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions are holding their Monthly Meeting:   Students’ Dreams for Our Nation, Dreams for Our World at E.P. Foster Library, Topping Room 8th grade students from Oxnard will present their research and the educational products they created as part of their year-long Common Core Project-Based learning. See what 13 and 14 year olds are concerned about locally and globally.

Admission free. Kristin Jensen Storey  889-3650

For more information on Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions and how you can get involved  www.c-p-r.net.

June 4: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association presents free music concerts on the first Sunday of every month at the Poinsettia Pavilion from 2-4pm. Featuring the authentic “Old Country Grass Band”. 517-1131 for more information.

June 6&20: 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. Learn more from Steve at 642-1359

June 8: The Ventura County Professional Women’s Network (VCPWN), one of the county’s long standing organizations supporting the interests of women business owners and professionals, is hosting their monthly dinner meeting..  Dinner meeting is the second Thursday of every month at the Wedgewood Banquet Center, 5:30 PM.  Register for dinner online at www.vcpwn.org

Guest speaker, Heather Moreno, MA, specializes in working with professionals who struggle to squeeze health and weight loss into their busy schedules. Heather loves to see her clients fully enjoy what they eat and how they feel, regain their energy, and get back to being themselves again. http://weightbreakthrough.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. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $10, non-members $12. Call Rick at 415-8842 for more information.

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.

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

The Ventura Retired Men’s Group welcomes interested men to their semi-monthly Tuesday lunch ($15) meetings at the Ventura Elks lodge. Besides a satisfying meal, meeting supplies a welcome atmosphere to talk and joke, hear a speaker on a variety of relevant topics and brighten your week. More from Steve at 642-1359

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

May 11:  The 35th anniversary for the Ventura County Professional Women’s Network dinner will take place on Thursday, at the Wedgewood Banquet Center. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. and the sit-down dinner at 6:15 p.m. There will be a special program, with a panel of speakers sharing history of the group. Members will vote on the coming year’s Board of Directors.

Party attire is encouraged for this special evening.  Register at vcpwn.org, or by emailing [email protected]. For more information about the event www.vcpwn.org.

May 11: The Ventura County Climate Hub invites the public to hear leaders of two partner organizations working on ‘Out with the Old, In with the New’ energy economy. Citizens for Responsible Oil and Gas (CFROG) will talk about their campaign to oppose permits for new oil wells in Oxnard. World Business Academy will present the latest know-how for transition away from fossil fuels towards clean energy.

Ventura County Climate Hub is a grassroots, non-partisan local affiliate of 350.

Doors open Thursday at 6:30 p.m.  Meeting begins at 7 p.m..  The Unitarian-Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St, rear parking lot to Fellowship Hall.

May 12: The Kiwanis Club of Ventura is pleased to announce and invite you to attend a special event honoring their 50th Annual Ventura County Officers of the Year 2017 Awards Dinner .

Friday, May 12,
5-6pm – Reception with No-Host Bar
6-7pm – Dinner
7-9pm – Program
The Tower Club
300 Esplanade Dr., Oxnard RSVP to Michelle Bleuel – [email protected] or 647-0567

May 12: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution luncheon will include a special program presentation “Benedict Arnold”, presented by Chapter member Fred Dunn.  At 11:30 a.m., Friday, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant.  Lunch is $20. For additional information please call Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992.  For information regarding SAR membership and chapter activities http://pattonpatriots.org.

May 13: What’s Your Personality Type in Life and Love? Dr. Vondie Lozano, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist hosts Ventura Singles Discussions. Group Guided Imagery/Hypnosis included. Free discussion from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ventura E.P. Foster Library, Topping Room. For more information www.meetup.com/Ventura-Singles-Discussions/events/

May 15: CA Zeta Chi parliamentarians will meet at 7 p.m. and will feature a lesson by Sandra Sanders entitled “Finding Your Way through Robert’s Rules of Order.”  Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse, 3159 E. Main St. Those wishing to eat should arrive at 6 p.m.  Non-members are welcome.    For information Sharon Hillbrant, 479-6738, or zetachi.webstarts.com.

May 16, June 16: Ventura Retired Men will have their semi-monthly meetings on May 16 and June 6 at the Elks lodge. If you’re retired or nearly so, looking for some diversion, come enjoy lunch for $15. Raffles, program topic of the day, and association with guys just like you.  Steve Carroll if you have a question at 642-1359

May 17, 6 p.m.  Be The Bridge, Interracial  and cross-cultural bridge builders Conversation over food. Working to make a positive difference in the community through dialog and action.  Make new friends.  Child care provided upon request.  First United Methodist Church of Ventura, 1338 E. Santa Clara.  Please rsvp attendance email [email protected] or text 520-261-5574.

May 18: East Ventura Community Council. Mayor Erik Nasarenko will provide an update on city matters. A representative of the Ventura Police Department will report on crime and safety issues. Books in good condition are always accepted by San Buenaventura Friends of the Library.

Starts at 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, Chairman EVCC,   804-7558.

May 18: Monthly meeting of Assistance League of Ventura County at the Chapter House, 913 East Santa Clara Street.  Doors open at 9:30 a.m., meeting begins at 10 a.m. with guests and new members welcome. Assistance League is creating “A Brighter Tomorrow for Today’s Children” through several philanthropic programs. The Bargain Box Thrift Shop helps fund these programs. More information assistanceleagueventuracounty.org or email [email protected]. Monday thru Thursday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 643-2458

May 20:  Food Forward’s Backyard Harvest Program puts together a day of harvesting for those in need through their Citrus Saturday event.  Food Forward volunteers all across Ventura County will come together to harvest a variety of citrus from backyard trees throughout the area.  After this day of picking, Food Forward will be hosting a potluck at their Ventura County office where each volunteer is welcome to bring a dish. Please RSVP to Ally at [email protected].

Some of the agencies included FOOD Share, Catholic Charities, Help of Ojai and Project Understanding, all of whom help to feed those in need in Ventura County. For more information www.foodforward.org.

May 21:  We All Need Each Other. Dr. Vondie Lozano, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Hypnotherapist hosts Ventura Life and Love Hypnosis Meetup. Group Guided Imagery/Hypnosis included. Event is free from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ventura E.P. Foster Library, Topping Room. Information go to www.meetup.com/life-love-hypnosis/events/

May 21: 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. The regular meeting starts at noon and at 11 a.m. an informal workshop where a topic on clocks or watches will be demonstrated and discussed. A mart where items will be for sale followed by lunch. A presentation by Noel Poirier on The National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania. $3 admission charge. Lunch is available for $5. Watches and clocks will be on display. More information at www.nawcc-ch190.com.

May 21: May 21: at 2-5 p.m., Rockin’ for a Cause Concert to Raise Community Awareness.  Donation $10.  Proceeds go to support Project Understanding; Musicians with a Mission; Arise Against Hunger; and Sierra Service Project. Featuring many bands.  First United Methodist Church Ventura, 1338 E. Santa Clara St.  Tickets: www.fumcventura.org/donate

The Ojai Library Ukulele Club meets every Wednesday, rain or shine, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the main library building. Continuously meeting since its formation in 2015, the club is open to all ages and levels of experience. If you have your own ukulele, bring it along! The club has a couple of extra ukuleles for drop-in guests.

Feel free to bring a copy of a song; the club collects these in a book of songs used during meetings. Each songbook includes a chord chart and is easy to follow—each song has the accompanying chords and lyrics listed and ready to play!

These events are free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146.

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Avenue in Ojai, CA. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Local author Edward Webster will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2017, to deliver a talk on his third book, Soul of Toledo. Described as a “suspenseful and ambitious historical novel,” this work is based on a detailed history by B. Netanyahu, a renowned scholar and father of Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Webster will talk about the historical context of the novel, his meetings with professors in Spain, and how he wove the novel around what he learned.

Visit www.edwardwebster.com for more information about the author.

Local author Gaelle Lehrer Kennedy will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017, to deliver a talk on her novel Night in Jerusalem. Night in Jerusalem is a love story and a glimpse into Israel’s turmoil in 1967. The book depicts the religious immigrant, the secular Israeli born Sabra, those living in Jerusalem, and those outside the city during turbulent times. Academy Award-winning director Moshe Mizrahi described it as “a bewitching love story that is also an extraordinary portrait of Jerusalem, its faith, spirituality, identity, and kaleidoscope of clashing beliefs.”

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

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Avenue in Ojai, CA. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The Ojai Photography Club welcomes Ojai-based photographer and educator, Greg Cooper, as its May presenter. Cooper, Director of Community Outreach for the Humane Society of Ventura County, will bring together volunteering and photography in his presentation,  “Volunteerism: Putting Your Photographic Skills to Use in the Community.” The event will take place Tuesday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m. in Help of Ojai’s Kent Hall, 111 W. Santa Ana St., Ojai, CA.

A volunteer for the Humane Society since 1990, Cooper will speak and share images from his long and fulfilling experience in community service.

In addition to the focus on volunteering, Cooper will present strategies for creating successful pet portraits based on his experience with shelter animals and his own HSVC rescued dog, Biskit.

The Ojai Photography Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month, February – November. Only members may submit images for review. For additional information please visit: www.ojaiphotoclub.com/.

The Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation (OVLFF) and its newly renovated used book store, “Twice- Sold Tales” will have its Annual Memorial Day Weekend Book Sale on Saturday, May 27, Sunday May 28 and Monday 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The sale will be held on the patio and parking lot of the Ojai Library, 111 E. Ojai Avenue. A huge amount of high quality books will be sold at prices that range from 50 cents to $2.00.

All profits from the book store go to providing the three Ojai Libraries: Oak View, Meiners Oaks and downtown Ojai, with revenue for special programs for children and adults and for the purchase of additional materials and books.

The library bookstore has added a community room and it is available to the community to use for events. Please contact the library if you wish to reserve the room.

For further information, visit http://www.ovlff or check out the OVLFF Facebook page.