Events by Ana Baker

The Ventura Retired Men’s Group meets on the first and third Tuesdays  at noon at the Ventura Elks Lodge on Knoll Drive. They have a healthy lunch($15), a speaker on a topic of interest and an enjoyable couple of hours together. Call Steve Carroll for details 642-1359.

Free admission stage show, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. First Sunday of every month.  Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. For more Information call 517-1131.

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.

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.

Audubon events
Feb. 18: 8:30 a.m., Carpinteria Salt Marsh.
Rocky Luddes 208-9648. Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park is an excellent birding location due to the estuary, wetlands, and upland habitats.
Feb. 19: 8:30 a.m., Santa Clara River Estuary. Kay Regester 258-1025.
Walk will be part of the Great Backyard Bird Count. Hope to see a variety of shorebirds. Meet in the Surfers Knoll parking lot.
Feb.21: 9 a.m., Rancho Simi Community Park Adele Fergusson 415-4304
A 2-3 hour walk by large ponds with birds close up and personal; we will then walk down Arroyo Simi River, and afterwards have lunch together nearby.

Feb. 16: The Assistance League of Ventura County at the Chapter House, 913 East Santa Clara St.  Meeting begins  at 10 a.m., social beginning at 9:30 a.m. 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. Information at assistanceleagueventuracounty.org or Email [email protected]. Monday thru Thursday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 643-2458

Feb.16: The East Ventura Community Council will hear an update on new regulations for granny flats, second units and carriage houses during its monthly meeting. Dave Ward, Planning Manager for the City of Ventura, will present the new regulations governing the use of these dwellings.

City Councilperson Neal Andrews will speak about issues facing the city and will answer questions.

David Krushell will share the latest information on plans for new housing tracts. In addition, other topics may be addressed as time permits.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road. For more information call 804-7558 or check the group’s Facebook page.

Feb. 18: Intimate chamber works by Handel, Schubert and Spohr Saturday at 5 p.m.  Handel’s exquisite duet Ahi, nelle sorti umane and Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock. Patricia Lathrop-McPherson, Deborah Wynne and Maureen DeMaio are featured singers along with David Singer on clarinet.  Helen Farson, piano and director.  Admission is free. 1 hour.  Ventura Seventh-day Adventist Church 6300 Telephone Rd. 641-9646 if more information is desired.

Feb.19: On Sunday members of the public are invited to come celebrate the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura’s formal installation of its minister, the Reverend Dana Worsnop.

The Rev. Bill Sinkford, past president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, will present the sermon.

“I am thrilled to be the next minister of this engaged and passionate church community,” said Rev. Dana Worsnop. Rev. Worsnop joined the congregation in August of last year. Location 5654 Ralston.

Feb. 20: CA Zeta Chi parliamentarians will meet at 7 p.m. and will feature a lesson by Pres. Bruce Rick entitled “Got No Class!”  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 check out zetachi.webstarts.com.

Feb. 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, including public safety and economic development. 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.

Call  644-8695 for more information.

Feb.23: The local chapter of the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday.  This meeting is open to any person of Portuguese descent or interested in the Portuguese culture.  The meeting will be held at Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse, 3159 East Main St.  11:30pm. for a noon, no host luncheon / meeting.  For more information and reservation, please call Cora Corella at  483-6285, or Yvonne Westervelt at  483-4168.

Feb. 24: Youth & Family Night Bible Study Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Servants of the Father of Mercy Warehouse Chapel, 1544 Morse Ave. Free homemade bread and soup dinner at 6 p.m.

The last Friday of the month during Lent, February, March and April. Please bring a Bible, pen, an open-mind and note pad. Families, children and teens welcome to this launch of Lent and Easter Season Bible Study. RSVP [email protected].

Feb. 23:  Enjoy the photography of Garrett Parkinson a friend of the Bird Club for many years with a presentation of “The Birds of Balboa Wildlife Refuge”.

Garrett Parkinson was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. He attended Humboldt State University in the mid to late 1970’s and graduated with bachelor degrees in Zoology and Wildlife Management.  The Presentation will start at 7 p.m. at the Ventura Moose Lodge #1394, 10267 Telephone Rd.  Attendance is free and all are welcome.  For further information call 488-6244

Feb. 26: Public invited to free 3rd annual concert by The Pelican Chamber Music Series which brings you world class local talent. The Singer Chamber Players, led by David Singer, clarinet, Virginia Kron, cello, and Daniel Newman Lessler, piano. Music of romantic-progressive classicism, and folk-based tunes will be so inspiring you will want to dance in the aisles. About the Singer Chamber Players www.singerchamberplayers.com. Sunday at 4 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal, 3290 Loma Vista Road, 643-5033. www.saintpaulsventura.org. Reception following in Kahler Hall.

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).

The Ventura College Men’s and Women’s basketball teams, along with the Ventura Breakers Youth Basketball Club, will host the 17th annual barbecue fundraiser dinner and games on Saturday, Feb.4th.

Tickets are $15.00. Barbecue dinner at the Ventura College Cafeteria will be served from 4:00 to 7 p.m., and includes beef tri-tip and or chicken, chili, salad, bread and drink choice.

Ventura College will play Allan Hancock College, with the Men’s game at 5 .m. and the Women playing at 7p.m. Ticket prices include dinner and admission to both games.

Proceeds benefit VC men’s and women’s basketball and the Ventura Breakers Basketball Club.

Information and tickets 289-6118, and www.vcweplayhard.com

Local photographer Stephen Adams will visit the Ojai Library at 10 a.m. on Sat., Feb. 11 to present a seminar titled “Better Family Photos.” This seminar is for family photographers who know the basics of taking photos with a smartphone or pocket camera but are not satisfied with their results.

Adams earned his M.A. from San Diego State University in Television and Film and has taught classes at SDSU and community colleges. You can see more of his work at www.StephenAdamsPhoto.com.

Registration is required email [email protected]. This event is free and open to the public.

On Sat., Feb. 11 Heather Castillo will be at  the Ojai Library at 1 p.m., to deliver a talk titled “TADA! Validating the Magic of Theatre and Dance.” Castillo comes from CSU Channel Islands (CI), and is the first speaker in this season’s CI Library Lecture Series.

On Sep. 26, 2016 Governor Brown signed SB 916, the TADA! Act into law. Written by Senator Ben Allen of Santa Monica, the Theatre and Dance Act will provide all students in California access to dance and theatre as part of their public education experience. Heather will discuss the benefits of inclusive arts education and its new required prominence in K-12 education.

Opera Santa Barbara will present a series of Free Noontime Concerts at the Ojai Library on the second Thursdays of February, March, and May, 2017. Each concert will begin at 12 p.m. in the main room of the library and will last approximately 45 minutes. Their first concert will be on Thursday, February 9.

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.

Performances To Grow On is proud to present Animalia, a performance featuring the puppets of Hobey Ford on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 3 pm at the Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery.  Tickets in advance are $15 for adults and $10 for children and tickets are available online at www.ptgo.org by phone at 310-890-1439 or at the Ojai Coffee Roasting Company. Tickets are $5 more at the door.

The quintessential favorite, Hobey Ford’s “Animalia” explores the magical world of animals.

The Ojai Raptor Center (ORC) takes in about 1,000 sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals each year, specializing in birds of prey, with rehabilitation and release back to the wild always being the main goal.  ORC receives the majority of these patient admissions between the months of April-August and is looking to recruit  new volunteers for the upcoming nesting season.  ORC is seeking volunteers, over the age of 17, who can commit to at least one 4 hour volunteer shift per week.  If you are interested the annual New Volunteer Orientation on Feb. 19 at 1pm. Held at 370 Baldwin Rd Building E1. Please bring something to sit on.

Ojai Raptor Center’s Director Kim Stroud and her staff will discuss different volunteer opportunities available, and what to expect when working with wildlife, and birds of prey. For more information on volunteering with ORC, please visit http://www.ojairaptorcenter.org/volunteer-information/

The Ojai Studio Artists organization is awarding over $10,000.00 for art scholarships this year to qualified high school and college students who are residents of Ventura County and plan on pursuing a career in the visual arts.  Applicants are eligible to receive one scholarship award per year with a maximum of four scholarships total.

This is a wonderful opportunity for art students to receive financial aid, to augment their resumes and to connect with OSA’s vibrant community of artists.  Professional artists from OSA will jury the digital entries, awarding scholarships based on merit, varying from $50 to $2000.

Since its inception, the Ojai Studio Artists (OSA), a 501 (c) (3) California non-profit organization, has raised well over $200,000.00 for educational support.

Application forms and submission requirements can be downloaded at: www.ojaistudioartists.org.  Applications must be received by Friday, May 5, 2017.

Events by Ana Baker

Free admission stage show, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. First Sunday of every month.  Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. For more Information call 517-1131.

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.

Audubon events
Feb. 4: 8 a.m., Work Day Hedrick Ranch Nature Area. Sandy Hedrick 340-0478. 8 a.m. for self-guided birding. Work from 9 a.m. to noon. Long pants and boots or closed shoes are required. Bring water, gloves and sun protection.

Feb. 11: 8:30 a.m., Soule Park. David Wappler 706-416-8555. Situated in east Ojai, this large park offers grasslands, large deciduous trees and riparian habitat that bring out winter feeding flocks.

Feb. 5: Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions meeting on Sunday, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  E.P. Foster Library, Topping Room. Topic will be on Non-Violent Communication. Victoria Kindle Hodson internationally recognized author, and passionate proponent of respectful interactions between people will be the speaker. Admission Free. For more information on Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions  www.c-p-r.net, or  Mary Olson 223-1187

Feb.6: Toastmasters International Speech craft Course, attendees of all experience levels will learn how to develop and improve public speaking skills with growing confidence.  Taught over 8 meetings on the first and third Monday evening of each month. The mission of Toastmasters is to empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. February 6, 10; March 6, 20; April 3, 17; May 8, 22; from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. $75 cost includes course materials.  Union Community Partners Building 801 S Victoria Suite 201.  http://800498.toastmastersclubs.org/For more details contact Ed Blumenstock 746-5732

Feb.8: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a critique meeting on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. A professional photographer will critique member’s prints and digital images. Each month a special topic is chosen which features interesting aspect of photography.  Anyone with an interest in photography is welcome and admission is free. Only members may submit images for critique. See the club’s web site for more information or call 908-5663. WWW.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com

Feb.9: The Ventura County Climate Hub meeting will be a goal setting meeting for climate policy, events and celebrations. The Ventura County Climate Hub is a grassroots, non-partisan local affiliate of 350 along with 26 local partner organizations.  Planning will focus in three areas: policy, transition actions, arts, media and celebrations from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Unitarian-Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St.  To create a local movement working to reverse climate change by engaging together to promote clean energy, environmental justice, appreciation for the interconnectedness of humans in the ecosystem, and celebration of the beauty of our planet.

Feb.10: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution February luncheon meeting ” Military Advisor to Iraqi Police Commandos “, presented by Mr. Marty Spann.  The event will take place at 11:30 a.m. in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant.  The cost for lunch is $20 per person.  For additional information or for assistance in determining your possible Revolutionary War genealogical roots, call Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor

216-7992. the chapter website is http://pattonpatriots.org.

Feb.11: The 9:15 a.m. workshop for the Ventura Beginners PC Users Group on Saturday, will be Creating Your Own Greeting Cards. Gmail and Other Google Services will begin at 11 a.m.  The group meets on the third floor lounge of Cypress Place Independent Living at 1220 Cypress Point Lane. All beginning and intermediate computer users are welcome to attend. For further information, call 648-1368.

Feb. 13: The Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club presents the Valentines Ballroom Dance. Debut performance of the Ventura Jazz Trio which is an extension of the Ventura Jazz Orchestra. Featuring the vocal stylings of Lisa Pardini. Cha cha, Rumba, Foxtrot, Swing, or just listen. Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion Ballroom.  Admission is $12, $10 for members and $5 for students. Free refreshments and parking. For more information call 648-1143.

Feb.14:  The Evolution of Ventura Audubons Shorebird Recovery Program at 7:30 p.m. At the Poinsettia Pavilion. Cynthia Hartley, Vice President, Ventura Audubon.  Cynthia obtained her federal recovery permit in 2008 and has been working on Snowy Plover recovery at Ormond Beach ever since. Cynthia has a master’s degree in geographic information science (GIS) from the University of Maryland and teaches GIS at CSUCI.  Cynthia will share her experiences from 20 years of work at Ormond Beach.

Feb.19: The Ventura/Santa Barbara chapter of the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors presents the Seaside Clock and Watch show at the Ventura Fairgrounds. The show is open to the public and admission is only $5 with children 16 and under and active military free. The hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be hundreds of antique watches and clocks on display and for sale. Free evaluations of a guest’s clock or watch will be available to learn about its condition and history. Limit of one item per guest. Ventura County Fairgrounds, Seaside Park, Santa Cruz Hall.  www.nawcc-ch190.com or email [email protected] or call 647-6463.

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

New Year-New You!  18 years-adult
1/20     F          9:30 am-12:30 pm        $40+$20 materials fee  #8221
Join Alison Mytych and your friends for hikes, art projects, camaraderie and new perspectives on our great state. Meet in the City Hall Atrium for an “art hike” up the moderate-to-easy trails behind City Hall. Class held at 501 Poli St.

Friday Night Tap  12 years-adult
1/20-2/10         F          6:30-7:30 pm   $40      #8015
Learn basic steps, combinations and routines to upbeat rhythms and music. Classes are progressive but designed for the beginner. Instructor Elli Busch. Classes held at Billy Clower Dance Studio, 75 MacMillian Ave. in Ventura.

Mad Science System 3: Did Someone Say Science?  5-12 years
1/24-2/28         Tu        4:30-5:30         $115+ $35 supply fee  #8189
Discover the wonders of chemistry, flight and aerodynamics. Experiment with inertia, gravity and centrifugal force. Find out the science behind magic tricks, analyze structures and experiment with conductors to create your very own circuit to take home.

Basic Guitar  9 years-adult
1/24-2/28         Tu        7-8:30 pm        $55      #8039
Bring your own acoustic or electric guitar to learn folk and pop strums, patterns and chord progressions. At Dudley House, 197 N Ashwood St. Instructor Randy Covington.

Big City Inspirations  18 years-adult
1/25-2/22         W        10-11:30 am     $85      #8080
Use wood, paint, fabric and found objects to create skylines, people and interiors inspired by the world’s big cities. Instructor Judee Hauer.

Adult Ballet  18 years-adult
1/25-3/15         W        7:30-8:30 pm   $60      #8084
Release stress as you tone, strengthen and increase flexibility. Wear comfortable clothes for easy movement. Instructor Jenae Kartawidjaja.