Celebrating its 40th Anniversary, Project Understanding at San Buenaventura is pleased to announce the Hope Worth Giving Breakfast at 7:30am Thursday, March 30 at  the Pierpont Inn, 550 Sanjon Rd.

County Supervisor Steve Bennett and Ventura Mayor Eric Nasarenko will address the breakfast. Bennett said, “I support Project Understanding because they are committed to people in need.”

Kim Pagano of the Kim Pagano Show will emcee the event. Successful clients will share their stories of help and hope. Project Understanding helps needy neighbors with food, housing and education. The programs for giving people a hand up include the Food Pantry, SHORE apartments, Homeless to Home, Tender Life Maternity Home and eleven Tutoring Centers.

Guests will be given an opportunity to make a financial contribution at the event.

This event is generously sponsored by the Oxnard Monday Club, On Q Financial – The Jaffe Team, Bill & Elise Kearney, Trinity Lutheran Church and The Fred Evans Team – ReMax Gold Coast Realtors.

Hope Worth Giving is free to attend; however, a RSVP is suggested. All those who plan to attend may do so by visiting www.hopeworthgiving2017.eventbrite.com.

Founded in 1977, Project Understanding provides hope by developing and directing resources for the purpose of transforming lives and community through justice, mercy and compassion. For 40 years, Project Understanding has been assisting people reach their highest attainable level of independence. For more information, please visit www.projectunderstanding.org.

The Ojai Concert Series continues its commitment to bringing outstanding musicians to Ojai with an evening of exciting French Canadian “Québécois” folk music on Saturday, March 18th (7pm), by the “rarely on the west coast, but famous on the east”, Yves Lambert Trio playing some delightful Quebec folk music.

In 1976 Yves Lambert formed the now legendary La Bottine Souriante, a Quebec folk band specializing in traditional Québécois music with a modern twist. Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, 441 Ojai Ave. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. For more info or directions to the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, go to www.ojaiconcertseries.com or call 665-8852.

“Hollywood Nights:  Letting Our Stars Shine”, is the theme for this year’s annual auction at Villanova Preparatory School. Villanova provides a challenging, and rigorous college preparatory curriculum, taught by a world class faculty, in a family environment that promotes the development of the mind and heart of young adults from diverse backgrounds.

Villanova continues to rely on the generosity of businesses, families, alumni, and friends to assist in providing a quality education and programs for the students. This year, the auction fundraising goal is to raise funds to build a new Art Center. Donors and sponsors will have their names and/or businesses proudly showcased in the printed program and on the school website. The event will be held at the parish hall at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Ojai, on March 25 with silent auction viewing and appetizers from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Dinner, entertainment and D.J. (Cover2Cover) after 7:00 p.m.

All inquiries welcome! Please call Tessa Hottinger at 646-1464 ext. 126.

The Ojai Photography Club shifts into high gear with a presentation by Juan Carlo Mendoza, Ventura County Star staff photographer, “Photojournalism: Integrating Life and Lens.” His presentation will include numerous recent images. He will speak about his career as a photojournalist, the stories behind his images and his passion for the outdoors, which includes living in a tree house! Tuesday, March 21, at 7:00 p.m. in Help of Ojai’s Kent Hall, 111 West Santa Ana St.

The Ojai Photography Club, which is devoted to education, inspiration, and camaraderie, 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 Playwrights Conference announced performers and honorees for its 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala – “Celebrating 20 Years of Visionary Voices” scheduled for Saturday, April 8 the Benefit begins at 4:00pm at Matilija Auditorium with an extraordinary event created especially for this evening. Following the show, the festivities continue at Topa Mountain Winery, with a evening of fine wines, festive cocktails, a “Farm to Table Feast” prepared by some of Southern California’s finest chefs, and a live auction!

Writer and performer Cynthia Waring will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 18 to present a workshop titled “The Power and Healing of Writing Your Memoir.” Waring, author of the published memoir Bodies Unbound and author and performer of two one-woman shows, will be sharing her process of memoir writing. She will also discuss how writing can integrate memories and heal old wounds.

Participants will get a chance to write a story of their own using the guidance of the instructor during this one and a half hour workshop. For more information www.BodiesUnbound.com. Please bring a journal to write and pen!

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.

Spring Hebrew School session is starting  March 20 at the Jewish Community of Ojai. The school teaches beginning Hebrew reading and writing, Jewish holidays, and ethics and values to children 3^rd grade and up. The 10 week sessions help prepare students for their B’nai Mitzvah training. Come join for an Open House on March 13 at 6:30 PM at out Temple located at 530 West El Roblar Ave., Ojai to meet teacher, and see the school. For further info, visit www.ojaitemple.org, call 646-4464, or contact Pearl at 646-1721.

Rubicon Theatre Company presents a special one-night-only concert featuring Golden Globe Award-winner Amanda McBroom in voices on Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. Amanda McBroom’s new concert celebrates her recently released CD, “voices,” with her first re-cutting of “The Rose” since 1980 (in a duet with country legend Vince Gill). The CD also features the Tom Paxton classic “The Last Thing on my Mind,” one of Johnny Mathis’ biggest hits, “12th of Never,” and ten new songs.

Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St.

Tickets are $69.50 plus a $4 processing fee. Tickets may be purchased in person through the Rubicon Theatre Company Box Office at the corner of Main and Laurel in Ventura (Laurel entrance and downstairs) or online at www.rubicontheatre.org. To charge by phone 667.2900.

Events by Ana Baker

Men, already or nearly  retired, gather with the Ventura Retired Men’s Group at noon on the first and third Tuesday  each month at the Ventura Elks lodge in a relaxed atmosphere  for a healthy lunch($15), a topical program of interest, and various other enjoyable activities. Call Steve Carroll for details at 642-1359.

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.

March 16:  At the next meeting of the East Ventura Community Council, Jackie Griffin, Ventura County Library system Director, will report on the new East Ventura library scheduled to open in 2017. Deputy Mayor Neal Andrews will give a presentation on city issues and general concerns and questions. Ashley Bautista, of the Ventura Police Department’s Civic Engagement Unit, will present a crime update. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road. For more information contact John McNally, Chairman EVCC 804-7558

March 16: Assistance League of Ventura County.  Chapter House, 913 East Santa Clara.  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. Find more at assistanceleagueventuracounty.org or [email protected]. Telephone: Monday thru Thursday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 643-2458

March 18: Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a Buck-a-Bag Book Sale at Vons at Telegraph and Victoria on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Restock your bookshelves along with your groceries. We’ll provide the bag. Fill a plastic bag and take home a bag of books for just $1. Fill a larger paper bag for $2.

March 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. Starts  at noon at 11a.m. there will be an informal workshop where a topic on clocks or watches will be demonstrated and discussed. There will be a mart where items will be for sale followed by lunch and and a program “Show and Tell” where members bring interesting and unusual clocks, watches and other horological items to discuss.

There is a $3 admission charge. Lunch is available for $5 more. Watches and clocks will be on display.

March 19:  Sunday, Ventura Life and Love Hypnosis Meetup. 3:30 p.m. to 5p.m. Dr. Vondie Lozano, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Hypnotherapist, hosts Spring is in the Air Group Guided Imagery/Hypnosis. Free. Ventura E.P. Foster Library, Topping Room. For more information go to www.meetup.com/live-your-best-life-hypnosis/events/

March 20: CA Zeta Chi parliamentarians will meet at 7 p.m. and will feature a lesson by Sandra Sanders entitled “Agendas.”  At the Main Street Restaurant.  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 check out zetachi.webstarts.com.

March 22: The College Area Community Council will meet on Wednesday, at 7 p.m.  Council meetings include speakers and discussion on topics of neighborhood and community interest. During the upcoming meeting Kathy Bremer will make a presentation on the Telegraph Corridor Design Project.  An update on the issue of Ventura College parking will be given and the upcoming CACC officer elections will also be discussed.  The Council, which represents citizens between Mills and Victoria bordered by Foothill and Hwy. 126, meets in the Wright Event Center at 57 Day Rd. on the Ventura College campus.  Free parking is available adjacent to the Event Center.  644-8695 for more information.

March 22: How do our brains explain the way we relate to current events and business trends in this increasingly technological world?  These are topics Rebecca D. Costa will address.

Rebecca is an American socio-biologist. She is the recipient of the prestigious E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Technology Award, host of the syndicated radio program.

“Empowering, Provocative, Thoughtful,” presented by Congregation Am HaYam, at 7:30 pm at 4839 Market Street, Unit C. Tickets are available at www.amhayam.com/events or at eventbrite.com for $18.

March 24: Spring Swing Big Band dance featuring the Ventura Jazz Orchestra with the vocal stylings of Anna Kasper and Eliya Frantz.  Big band arrangements, quick steppin if you can.  Friday, 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion $15.00 admission at the door.  Free refreshments and parking.  648-1143 for more information.

March 25, 26: Annual Book Sale at Olivas Adobe on Saturday and Sunday
4200 Olivas Park Drive. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Choose from hundreds of books!

March 26: The Christian Science churches of Ojai and Ventura will host a free, hour-long lecture entitled “The Healing Power of Unselfishness” on Sunday, at 2 p.m. at the E. P. Foster Library, Topping Room. Lois Carlson  will talk about learning to cultivate unselfishness, and what it means to live in a state of communion with the divine.

All are welcome to attend. Child care will be provided.
For more information, call 642-4891 or go to PrayerThatHeals.org.

March 27: Southern steelhead are an ocean going form of rainbow trout that need freshwater for survival, and cold, clean water within their environment is vital to the species success. Water quality in the Santa Clara River, has deteriorated as a result of pollutants draining off surrounding urbanized and farmed land.  Strategies for protecting the water quality in the estuary, as well as other stream and river habitats, will be presented in ‘Attaining Clean Water for Fish, Farms and Families’ at 6:30 p.m. at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center (Hueneme Room), 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard.

b The City Center’s Charity Cafe Fundraiser at Red Brick Pizza. Tuesday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.  at 4990 Telephone Rd.  At the time of ordering, be sure to mention The City Center. Red Brick Pizza will donate a healthy portion of that order The City Center.

March 30: Project Understanding, Life Worth Living Breakfast. Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Pierpont Inn, 550 Sanjon Rd. The breakfast is to tell our inspirational story and to listen to testimonies of lives that have and continue to transform.  Learn about our programs and learn how to get involved. Guests will be given an opportunity to make a financial contribution at the event. Table sponsorships are available and start at $600. For more information, please contact Lisa Marquez   236-4583 or email [email protected] or RSVP at hopeworthgiving2017.eventbrite.com

April 3, 17: The Ventura County Philatelic Society. Two Mondays 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road.  Admission and parking are free. Stamp trading and camaraderie. Come for a great evening.  Contact: [email protected] or 320-1601.

Thanks to recent rains, many are tempted to think the drought is over. Learn the opinions of three local water experts as they share their insight at Half Full or Half Empty: Managing Water Conflicts, 5:30–7:30 p.m., April 13 at the Ventura County Museum Plaza Pavilion. Sponsored by Ventura-based law firm Ferguson Case Orr Paterson.

The evening includes a panel discussion on the challenging water issues confronting Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Speakers include Josh Haggmark, City of Santa Barbara, Matthew Fienup of Cal Lutheran University and Susan Mulligan, Calleguas Municipal Water District.

The evening will begin with a reception from 5:30-6 p.m. followed by the main program. Refreshments will be served. This event is free to the public, however reservations are required. RSVP to [email protected] or call 659-6800.

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.

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum (USNSM) will be hosting a Seabee Celebration Day in honor of the 75th Anniversary of Seabee history.   All programs are free, and there is no museum entrance fee.  There will be two “Behind the Scenes Tours,” at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.  Discover the hidden work of the Museum Professionals. Due to limited space the Tour is by reservation only. To reserve a spot 982-6189.  An “Old Salt – Family Fun Day” program at noon for children ages 6-12, along with hands on activities.  Seabee Cinema Night at 5 p.m.  The film is the “Fighting Seabees. The USNSM is free to the public, located between Channel Island Boulevard, and Pleasant Valley Road on Ventura Road at Sunkist Street.  The Museum is off-base and is easily accessible from the street, so no base entry is required.

March 4,5: The 55th Annual Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Lapidary Arts Show of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society (VGMS) takes place at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.  The show is open to the public, and admission is free.  With a focus on kids and education, lapidary arts and jewelry-making, and California rocks and fossils, the Ventura Gem & Lapidary Arts Show has been a fun family event for 55 years.  During the pre-show dinner on Friday, March 3, we will present a $1,000 Scholarship Award to geology student Anna Hilliard of Santa Barbara City College.

March 5: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent led tours from 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 call 642-3345 or visit the website at www.dudleyhouse.org.

March 5: Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions is holding their monthly meeting at E.P. Foster Library, Topping Room, On Sunday, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. “Creating World Peace” Author and activist Sanderson Beck discusses his new book, Uniting Humanity by Spiritual Evolution & Democratic Revolution:  Solutions to the mega crisis of climate, poverty and war.

March 5: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association presents free music concerts on the first Sunday of every month at the Poinsettia Pavilion from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Featuring the authentic “Old Grass Band”.  Call 517-1131 for more information.

March 7: Ventura County Archery Club is a group of Traditional archers (only longbows and recurves) who foster and promote traditional archery with organized 3D shoots, field archery, and roving archery shoots in Ventura county with organized field outings to archery events throughout southern and northern California. They have dozens of shoots and outings throughout the year along with monthly scheduled shoots in Ventura. If you’re interested in joining  attend one of their meetings, the first Tuesday of every month at Barnes and Noble at 6 p.m.

March 7:  Heart disease kills more women each year than breast cancer yet is rarely discussed. Heart disease is usually thought of as a man’s disease but it is an equal opportunity problem. The public is invited to the Ventura County Mended Hearts Chapter program.  Andrea Ricketts will discuss the symptoms of heart disease specific to women and what can be done to minimize the risk of heart attack.  Ms. Ricketts is a Cardiac Surgery Nurse and Director of Community Memorial Health Systems Health Aware. Located on the 8th floor of Community Memorial Hospital, Tuesday, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

March 7:  Quail Forever Ventura will meet Tuesday, at 7 p.m. at Auto Masters, 4533 Telephone Road.

Quail Forever is a non-profit service organization dedicated to preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat in Ventura County.  Much of QF’s work involves the maintenance and restoration of wildlife water sources, frequently called guzzlers.  Membership is open to all ages and interests.  Come to a meeting to see if QF is an organization of which you’d like to be a part.  Please call Brian Smith at 661.302.0582 or send an email to [email protected].  You may also email Ventura QF at [email protected].

March 8: Project Understanding – Charity Cafe Fundraiser at Red Brick Pizza (4990 Telephone Rd.), from 11:30am – 9pm. Enjoy healthy food ingredients are prepared fresh daily! At the time of ordering  mention Project Understanding. Red Brick Pizza will donate a healthy portion of that order to Project Understanding.

March 9: Westmont College Assistant Professor of Biology Amanda Sparkman will discuss new research on the evolution of dwarfism in Channel Islands reptiles, during the March From Shore to Sea lecture.

The Channel Islands are home to three reptile species that exhibit dwarfism, or have evolved into smaller forms than their mainland relatives. Two of these reptile species, the southern alligator lizard and western yellow-bellied racer, have only recently been identified as dwarf species.

Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, 1901 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura Harbor. The programs are free and open to the public.

This lecture can also be viewed live online, at: Shore to Sea lecture series.

March 10: Women Bringing the World Together Through Music. Free concert benefitting women and musical arts, Friday at 7 p.m. Located at the First United Methodist Church, 1338 E. Santa Clara Ave.

Arias, duets, choral and classical piano music, all by women composers. Donations accepted. Contact – Millie Schofield 650-1422

March 10: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution March luncheon meeting will be a special presentation “Japanese Internment Camps of WW II”.  11:30 AM, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant.  All SAR & DAR Compatriots, friends,  and visitors are welcome to join us.  The cost for lunch is $20.  For additional information or for assistance in determining your possible Revolutionary War genealogical roots, please call Bill Bays  650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992.  For information regarding S R http://pattonpatriots.org.

March 11: The Gold Coast Concert Chorus and Ventura College Choir under the direction of Elizabeth Helms will perform Gospel Mass by Robert Ray and Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez. Both are modern versions of the Latin Mass but are musically worlds apart. Ramirez’ Misa features rhythms, melodies and instruments of South America and Ray’s Mass is a jubilant and soulful gospel celebration.

2:00 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church – 1500 North C St., Oxnard
Adults $15.00, Sr./Student $12.00, Child under 12 $5.00
616-7269 or [email protected]

March 12: The Nature Conservancy Spring Migratory Bird walk from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Located at West Santa Paula at the end of Mission rock Rd.  Join in as they look for birds as they return north at the beginning of spring.  We will be along the Santa Clara River so bring durable shoes and binoculars (optional).  For more information please contact Amy Davis at [email protected] or 770-853-4715.

March 16: The City Center – Purple Room Ribbon Cutting & Reception , 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Join The City Center Transitional Living on Thursday at 5:30pm at  837 E. Thompson Blvd. in a ribbon cutting as they open up the second “The Purple Room” a space dedicated to residents at The City Center who have survived domestic violence. Come tour the facility, meet residents, meet staff, board and dignitaries. Food and refreshments will be served. To RSVP, please visit thepurpleroom2017.eventbrite.com.