Category Archives: Community Events

Vol. 10, No. 11 – March 1 – March 14, 2017 – City Classes

City of Ventura Barranca Vista Imagination Center classes. Check out hundreds more on web-site
Call 658-4726 or 654-7553 to register, if you already have an ACTIVENET account online, visit www.cityofventura.net Classes and events held at the Barranca Vista Center ~ 7050 Ralston Street in Ventura unless otherwise noted

Mad Science-Nasa Space Academy 5-12 years
3/7-4/18 Tu 4:30-5:30 $115+ $35 supply fee #8190
Explore our solar system and experience an astronaut’s life as you build a space station, compare the Earth’s atmosphere to other planets, follow stellar life cycles, find hidden objects with laser technology and build your own Skyblazer II Rocket to take home! No class 4/4.

Courage in the Kitchen 16 year-adult
3/7 & 3/21 Tu 6-8 pm $80+$20 monthly supply fee #8053
Get processed foods out of the pantry and learn to cook with fresh, seasonal and budget-friendly ingredients. We’ll meet to study recipes, learn new techniques and create meals that include vegan and vegetarian options. For view each month’s menus visit www.chefjudy.net. The $20 supply fee is due to instructor at first class.

COOKING WITH JUDY GILLIARD
Pottery and Ceramic Hand Building 16 years-adult
3/8-4/19 W 6-8 pm $110+$15 materials fee #7969
Pinch, coil, use slab construction, glaze and decorate to create your own ceramic masterpieces. Instructor Kim Clarke. No class 3/22.

Beginning Argentine Tango 18 years-adult
3/8-4/12 W 6:30-7:30 pm $69/person #8031
Tango in no time with our “true basics in six weeks” class. Classes held at The House of Dance, 3007 Bunsen #E.

Flamenco Dance 18 years-adult
3/8-3/29 W 7:30-8:30 pm $75 #8193
Learn Spain’s passionate gypsy dance form and its cultural significance as you build up your flexibility, grace, fitness and confidence. Instructor Wendy Castellanos. Classes held at Namba, 47 S Oak St.

Knights and Castles of the Middle Ages 6-12 years
3/13-3/27 M 4-5 pm $40 #7909
Discover the “knight life” of castles, combat, art and cathedrals as you learn how to make catapults and other crafts.

Belly Dance-4-Fitness 18 years-adult
3/13-4/10 M 6-7 pm $55 #7673
Dress comfortably to shimmy, twist and tone in this fun cardio class that includes a warmup, belly dance workout, choreography and cool down. Instructor Anja Christy.

Basic Guitar 9 years-adult
3/14-4/25 Tu 7-8:30 pm $55 #8040
Bring your own acoustic or electric guitar to learn folk and pop strums, patterns and chord progressions. No class 4/4. At Dudley House, 197 N Ashwood St. Instructor Randy Covington.

Happenings at the Museum

The Museum of Ventura County(MVC)  presents a Scandinavian-themed Festival for its Free First Sunday Activity on Sunday, March 5, from 11 am to 5 pm, that highlights Scandinavian culture. The Monthly Series brings families to the Museum, offering free admission, museum experiences and craft-making sessions

MVC has partnered with the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation (SACHF) at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks to create a mini-festival for children and families.

Activities for the day include:

  • Cultural performances
  • A demonstration of the nyckelharpa, a traditional, stringed Swedish instrument
  • Storytelling of fairy tales by written by famed Danish children’s author Hans Christian Andersen
  • Hands-on Crafts (1-3 pm)

“This program is about accessibility, and helping families develop a tradition of culture with their kids,” said director of education and outreach Megan Gately, “Admission is free, and from 1:00-3:00 pm, docents guide art-making sessions for children to create something to take home.”

An exhibition of artifacts and multi-media imagery chronicles the Women’s March on Washington by Ventura County women at the Museum of Ventura County from March 11 through March 25.

An exhibit that pays tribute to Ventura County participants in January’s Women’s March on Washington called “A Woman’s Place: the March on Washington.”  Comprising signs, posters, ephemera and multi-media presentations, the exhibition commemorates the efforts of women in Ventura County who took to the streets across the country to affirm their place in society.

According to curator Anna Bermudez, “It was immediately apparent to me that the women’s march was history in the making. In my role at the museum, I felt that my participation could take the form of an exhibit that pays tribute to the women who marched, and to all women.  My call for items was answered quickly and decisively.”

Executive Director Elena Brokaw said, “This is what we’re all about; telling the collective stories of our lives and times. Museums, and especially our museum, are a site where ideas converge. We are not always looking to the past; we reflect the times as they are happening.”

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, March 11, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm, will feature women who participated in the event across the country, representing multiple generations. Admission is $10 per person; $5 per member. There will be live music and refreshments.

Vol. 10, No. 11 – March 1 – March 14, 2017 – Ojai News & Events

Dan Maher will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 11 to deliver a talk titled “Thinking Like a Mountain Lion: Learning to Live with Wild Neighbors.” Maher is from CSU Channel Islands (CI), and is the second speaker in this season’s CI Library Lecture Series.

Recent human-wildlife conflicts in the Santa Monica Mountains highlight definite changes in the way “fringe dwellers” relate to shared space. This talk provides a brief summary of the conflicts mentioned, their historical context, and findings from an ongoing study of related issues.

CSU Channel Islands hosts dozens of free public lectures at libraries throughout Ventura. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 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.

Opera Santa Barbara will present two performances in its series of Free Noontime Concerts at the Ojai Library on the second Thursdays of March and May. Each concert will begin at noon in the main room of the library and will last approximately 45 minutes.

Spend your lunch hour listening to members of the Mosher Studio Artist Program, who will perform a selection of popular opera arias and duets as well as some musical theatre pieces, all accompanied by piano.

Calling all photographers: share images of the Ojai Valley! The Ojai Valley Museum and the Ojai Art Center Photography Branch are jointly promoting a photo contest, in celebration of the centennial anniversary of the transformation from Nordhoff to Ojai, and the 50th anniversary of the museum. Photographers of all ages are encouraged to submit photo that highlight the diversity of life in the valley, especially the people, places and events that make the valley a special place to live and visit. There is also a historic category for vintage images take by you or a family member.

There are seven categories, each with a $100 first prize. Up to seven images in each category will be exhibited at the Ojai Valley Museum. Photographs will be added to the permanent collection of the museum.

Categories include people, youth, places, nature, events, architecture and historic.

Images should be submitted online at OjaiACPhoto.org/ojai-photo-contest.html.  Or see link and flyer on the museum’s website, OjaiValleyMuseum.org.

Photo contest winners will be announced Saturday, April 8th at the free Centennial Jubilee Picnic in Libbey Park, from 10am-2pm.

Ventura County Library’s READ Adult Literacy Program is proud to announce a new program location opening March 1st at the Ojai Library. The READ program provides free help with reading and writing for English speaking adults. Tutors will be available for free one-to-one tutoring from 5pm to 7:30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. New students are always welcome.

The READ program is also looking for adult volunteers who would like to help other adults improve their reading and writing skills. No teaching experience is required and the training is free. At the conclusion of training, tutors will meet one-to-one with an English speaking adult learner for a few hours each week.

The READ program has tutoring sites throughout Ventura County. For additional information visit the library’s website: www.vencolibrary.org/read or call the READ office at 805-677-7160.

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

Channel Islands National Park Celebrates 37th Anniversary

Channel Islands National Park invites the public to celebrate the 37th anniversary of the park’s establishment at an event on March 5, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the visitor center in Ventura Harbor. This free event will feature film showings, family-friendly activities, ranger-led talks, dock tours, and a special junior ranger program.

Throughout the day, segments from the 2016 documentary, West of the West: Tales from California’s Channel Islands, will be shown. Produced by Sam Tyler and written and directed by Peter Seaman and Brent Sumner, the documentary provides an in-depth look into intriguing stories of island inhabitants and history.

The short film, Offshore, created by Compass Coalition Films and featuring professional surfer Mary Osborne, will also be shown throughout the day, highlighting the many recreational opportunities available within the park.

At 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, a park ranger will discuss marine adaptations and ocean stewardship at the center’s marine life exhibit, which features species found in the prolific waters that surround the Channel Islands.

Dock tours will be available for the public to have an up-close look at the National Park Service (NPS) vessels. Biologists with the park’s kelp forest monitoring team will demonstrate the long-term monitoring techniques they use to better understand the health of the marine environment.

During the event, biologists and rangers will provide opportunities for children to learn about different careers in the NPS. Children’s activities will be available throughout the day, including a button-maker station and fox origami. A junior ranger station will allow children to complete activity booklets and a NPS career scavenger hunt, and earn a special junior ranger prize.

About Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park, America’s 40th national park, was established by Congress on March 5, 1980. The park is made up of five islands — Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara — and the  waters within one nautical mile of each island. The park bridges two major biogeographical provinces within 250,000 acres of land and sea, protecting a rich array of natural and cultural resources. The park offers the public with unparalleled opportunities for solitude, tranquility, wildlife viewing, outdoor recreation, and education.

Speaking of Ventura County presents “California vs. the Nation: Gov. Brown’s Democratic California Competes with President Trump’s Republican Federal Government”

by Cal Lutheran professor Herbert E. Gooch III, Ph.D.

On Wednesday, March 8, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm, the Museum presents a thought-provoking and powerful talk that outlines the inevitable ideology clash between the largest state in the union, known for its progressive politics, and a rapidly-acting national chief executive whose orders run afoul of local laws and philosophies.  It’s “Goliath vs. Goliath” once each side asserts their power.  This talk is part of the museum’s “Speaking of Ventura County” speaker series, which brings current events and historical topics to its audience.  Admission is free for members, $7 per person for non-members.

In this talk, Dr. Gooch explains the current struggles between California and the nation. defining the differences in political composition and public policy issues as Gov. Brown’s Democrat California contends with President Trump’s Republican Federal government – speculating on the potential impact specifically on Ventura County.

Dr. Herbert Gooch is Professor of Political Science at California Lutheran University. He formerly served as Director of the Masters in Public Policy and Administration program and Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies at Cal Lutheran. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley in History, he holds a M.B.A in Management and both masters and doctoral degrees in Political Science from U.C.L.A. He has written extensively and is a frequent commentator on political affairs locally and statewide. He has been at Cal Lutheran since 1987 and lives in Newbury Park with his wife and son who attends Cal Lutheran. His interests include politics, film and travel.

Rubicon Theatre Company celebrates Black History Month

Bessie Smith would go on to inspire Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin

The Devil’s Music: The Life And Blues Of Bessie Smith, starring singer and actress Miche Braden of the original Off-Broadway production (named one of the 10 Best Off-Broadway productions of the year by the N.Y. Daily Times).

The Devil’s Music: The Life And Blues Of Bessie Smith is conceived and directed by Joe Brancato of Penguin Rep, and written by Angelo Parra. Set in 1937 in Memphis, Bessie and her musicians have been turned away from performing at a “Whites-Only” theatre, then finding a hospitable gin joint where Bessie recounts her incredible journey from an impoverished childhood in Chattanooga, to her fortuitous rise as a show-stopping singer. Laughter, pathos and music all come together to deliver an electric, entertaining and surprisingly touching evening.

Bessie Smith would go on to inspire Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin. Tragically, Bessie’s career was cut short in a car crash when she was only 43. Her funeral was held in Philadelphia a week later, with over 7,000 mourners paying their respects. In this play the singer recounts her highs and lows in music and love with raucous humor and mirthful regret tinged with an unshakable foreboding.

Braden is joined by musicians Gerard Gibbs on Piano, Anthony Nelson Jr. on Sax and James Hankins on Bass. Gibbs also plays Pickle, who serves as narrator and guide at times, while coaxing Bessie to tell her story.

Bessie Smith opens in Ventura on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 p.m., followed by a post-show party with cast, crew and local VIPs at NOW Ventura. Low-priced previews are February 22-24. The show runs Wednesdays through Sundays through March 12. For tickets, go to www.rubicontheatre.org or call  667-2900.

 

Temple Beth Torah

Temple Beth Torah presents “The Magic of Purim Carnival.” The theme for this year’s carnival is magic; those who attend are encouraged to dress in costume for the theme but by no means is dressing up a requirement. The location for the carnival is at Temple Beth Torah – 7620 Foothill Rd. The date of the carnival is Sunday March 12th,  from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm. Admission is $12 per child and $10 for siblings. Activities at the event will include a Magic Show, Rockwall/Bungee Jump, Jolly Jump, Games & Prizes, Glow Room, Face Painting, and much more! Pizza, salad, snacks, and homemade baked goods will be available for purchase as well.

For more information contact 647-3798.

Ventura surfing champion Mary Osborne to serve as Grand Marshal of St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Osborne was the first woman to ride China’s Qiantang River tidal bore.

Champion long boarder and professional surfer Mary Osborne will serve as Grand Marshal when the annual Ventura County St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches up Street for the 29th time in downtown Ventura on Saturday, March 11.

The theme of this year’s parade, which begins in front of Mission San Buenaventura at 10 a.m., is “The Sporting Life: The Games We Play.”

While best known for her athletic endeavors – in 2010 the Ventura resident became the first woman to ride China’s Qiantang River tidal bore, the largest and fastest bore in the world – Osborne also is a women’s sports advocate, environmentalist, writer, model, TV personality and businesswoman. She has been ambassador to the United Nations Environmental Safe Campaign, the 5 Gyres Institute, Project Save Our Surf, a Patagonia ambassador, and in 2015 was guest of honor at the Women’s Sports Foundation’s annual event.

The whole county will be turning out in green on Main Street. Last year’s parade drew over 90 entries, including floats sponsored by civic groups, nonprofits and local businesses and restaurants; marching bands; car clubs; horses; clowns and the Biggest Green Pig in the World. There also will be high school pep bands, youth groups and fun-loving adult groups entered in the parade.

In the spirit of this year’s parade theme, the organizing committee also encourages Ventura County teams from all sports and from every age group to join in the parade. That includes school teams, Little League and adult league baseball teams, football, softball, soccer and basketball teams. Individual sports enthusiasts such as skateboarders, golfers, bowlers and swimmers also are invited.

The Ventura County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which ends at Laurel Street, is presented by the Ventura Elks Lodge #1430. The event’s committee is accepting entries for the parade. For entry forms or more information about the parade, visit www.venturastpatricksdayparade.com, email Jim Monahan at [email protected]  or call him at  643-4275 or email Nan Drake at [email protected].

AIDS Walk Ventura will provide a full morning of events

AIDS Walk Ventura will take place in Plaza Park Ventura on Saturday, March 4,  at 8:30 AM.  The goal of AIDS Walk Ventura is to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and to fund future efforts for education, outreach, and prevention within Ventura County.  The event has a long history in Ventura County and has been hosted by a number of organizations throughout the years.  Diversity Collective Ventura County (VCDC) is proud to have brought back this event to Ventura County, in partnership with Ventura County Department of Public Health, and with the help of numerous volunteers and sponsors for our third annual AIDS Walk.  Collectively, DCVC aims to reduce and stop the spread of HIV and AIDS in Ventura County with an education and prevention program.

There will be  a full morning of events. Walkers can fundraise online or register the day of the event. At 9:45 will be the official welcome by emcee Ruby Diamond. Walkers have a 5k walk starting at Fir Street then heading over to the Ventura Beach Boardwalk and back into the park to hear final announcements, the top three teams and individuals and live music!

If you would like to be a register online, sponsor, volunteer, or for general information, please visit aidswalkventura.diversitycollective.org.   Booths will be free of charge, and a limited number of tables and tents are available, upon request.  In kind donations and monetary sponsorships are tax-deductible. Contact Joseph Summers at [email protected] or  648-5428 for further questions.

Vol. 10, No. 10 – February 15 – February 28, 2017 – Foster Library events

Opera Santa Barbara Noontime Concert
3/10 Friday @ 12pm
Spend your lunch hour listening to members of the Mosher Studio Artist Program, who will perform a selection of popular opera arias and duets as well as some musical theatre pieces.

Makerspace Open Workshop
3/1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 Wednesdays @ 5-6pm
Come by the library on Monday and Wednesday evenings to learn more about our 3D printer and laser cutter—or to use them yourself! Ask the library staff about what you need to bring to print or engrave an item of your own, or just drop in to see what we’re up to in our library Makerspace, now upstairs!

Poetry Open Mic Night
3/2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 Thursdays @ 7:30-9pm
On these Thursday nights, come join this group of writers as they meet in the Topping Room to share their work.

Spontaneous Chess
3/4, 11, 18, & 25 Saturdays @ 1pm
Calling all chess players! Keep your skills sharp with this one-hour, drop-in session of free play. Boards will be set up and ready to go. Bring your best moves!

Children’s Events
Dr. Seuss Celebration!         
3/2 Thursday @3:30-5pm
Celebrate Dr. Seuss! Crafts! Games! Stories! Fun!

Friday Films with Craft 
3/3, 10, 17, 24, & 31 Fridays @ 2:00pm
Films: Minions (3rd), Finding Dory (10th), Charlotte’s Web (17th), Cars (24th) , & Star Wars: The Force Awakens (31st)
Join us each Friday for a film screening and a specially themed craft!

Spring Crafternoon!
3/16 Thursday @ 3:30pm
Join us to make a decorative
Spring themed craft!

Early Literacy Class
3/1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, & 29
Tuesdays & Wednesdays @ 10:30am
3/2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 Thursdays @ 5:30 pm
A great way to introduce your child to early literacy and the library. Join us every week for stories, poems, music, movement, a simple craft, and fun!

Family Coloring  
3/4, 11, 18, & 25 Saturdays @ 10:30am – 12pm
Saturday Family Coloring Fun!

Lego Play
3/7, 14, 21, & 28 Tuesdays @ 3pm
Build, Learn, and Play! Bring your imagination and experiment with creative designs. Children of all ages welcome!

STEAM Monthly
3/2 Thursday @ 10:30am-12pm
STEAM monthly will explore concepts related to science, technology, engineering, art, & math in fun and sometimes silly ways.

TAG: Teen Advisory Group
3/1 & 15 Wednesdays @ 5pm
If you want to share ideas, meet new people and have a great time shaping the library teen program join TAG! This is for 13+ and grades 8+ and counts toward community service requirements.

Vol. 10, No. 10 – February 15 – February 28, 2017 – Ojai News & Events

The Ojai Photo Club presents renowned celebrity photographer, Guy Webster. Webster will present the images and fill in the backstories behind the portraits in his recent retrospective book, “Big Shots: Rock Legends and Hollywood Icons.” The event will be on Tuesday, February 21, at 7:00 p.m., in Help of Ojai’s Kent Hall, 111 Santa Ana St. For additional information please visit: www.ojaiphotoclub.com/.

The Ojai Foundation will present Yoga and the Whole of Our Lives, The Ojai Foundation’s Land Sanctuary on Mon., Feb. 20 – Friday, March 10, as part of James Boag’s three-week residency.

The program includes talks, storytelling, movement practices, and singing. Participants can choose to purchase one session, a full week, or the whole course. The philosophical discussions are Monday – Friday from 6:30-9pm. The movement classes are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3-5pm. Donation-based kirtan and satsang is every Sunday from 3-5pm. Pricing information, registration, and overnight accommodations are available at ojaifoundation.org/events or by calling 646-8343, ext. 123.

Find pure, unconditional love as near as your next breath, as Rev. Karen leads a morning devoted to “Meditation: The Path to Love” at Meditation Mount, on Saturday, February 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 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.

Ojai’s native plant educator Lanny Kaufer is kicking off his 41st year of leading interpretive walks and hikes on Monday, February 20, with a nature hike and foraging expedition on West Sulphur Mountain Trail in the Casitas Springs area. Beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m., this will be a slow-paced hike of less than two miles each way on a wide dirt road that steadily gains elevation with corresponding views and changing plant communities. The group will take a half-hour lunch break on the trail.

The cost is $25 for adults and $20 for seniors 62-and-older and full-time students 13-18. Kids 5-12 can go free, one per adult, by prior arrangement.

On Sunday April 9th, from noon-4pm the Ojai Raptor Center will open its doors to the public for their annual Spring Open House; a rare opportunity to meet the non-releasable “ambassador” raptors, and tour the Center that is otherwise closed to the public year-round due to the sensitive nature of wildlife in rehabilitation.

Guests will meet a variety of hawks, falcons, and owls. There will be back-to-back stage presentations and a number of fun activities for children and adults related to this Spring’s Open House theme: “Baby Shower.”

Best-selling author D.J. Adamson will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 4 to lead a panel discussion on creating, producing, and promoting books.

This workshop offers methods to open up one’s creative self and to put that self on paper, whether tackling a fiction or non-fiction project. All three authors will advise which option may be best.

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

A new cookbook, Ojai Valley Gluten-Free Cookbook, by Ojai chef and author Randy Graham is now available for purchase for $16.95 including tax. All of the 87 recipes in this book are gluten-free and vegetarian. He will be signing books at the Ojai Coffee Roasting Company in Ojai on Monday, March 6th from 9:30am until noon. Come by to say hi, get a good cup of Joe, and buy a book (or two).