Ojai Events

Dance Ojai, a newly established dance arts organization, proudly announces the inaugural Ojai World Dance Festival, celebrating cultural diversity and artistic creativity. The festival will take place on Saturday, April 20th, 2024, from 7-9 PM at the iconic Libbey Bowl in Ojai, California.

The Ojai World Dance Festival promises to be a mesmerizing evening of vibrant and magnetic multicultural dance performances featuring highly acclaimed artists from around southern California. Audiences will be treated to diverse dance styles, including Indian classical dance, flamenco, samba, contemporary, and more, showcasing the rich tapestry of global dance traditions.

Join Dance Ojai for an unforgettable evening of celebration and unity at the Ojai World Dance Festival. Tickets are available online at www.OjaiDanceFestival.org.

For more information about Dance Ojai and the Ojai World Dance Festival, please visit www.DanceOjai.org or contact their team at [email protected].

Visit the Ojai Library at 2:30pm on Sundays in March, April, and May to participate in the library’s new Wonder Workshop craft program!

Calling all curious minds and creative souls! The Ojai Library is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest event series, the Wonder Workshop, designed specifically for adults eager to explore the world of fiber arts. Led by Library Technician Tawny, each month will bring a unique focus on a different topic, promising an enriching and hands-on experience for participants.

The Wonder Workshop series aims to provide a welcoming and engaging environment where adults can delve into various fiber arts methodologies, learn new skills, and unleash their creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, there’s something for everyone in this exciting lineup.

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

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

Events by Ana Baker

The “Ventura High School Class of 71 Turns 71” Reunion will be held on June 22,2024, at the Pierpont Raquet Club (500 Sanjon Rd. Vta) from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks, and light appetizers will be served. Please RSVP by June 1st to: [email protected]
$50 per person-payment information to follow your RSVP

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011, Rose 805-659-9223, or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. A website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family. Supplies provided BYO water.

Paws for Reading brings together young readers and affectionate canine listeners to help boost the confidence of beginning readers. Hill Road Library, Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5 p.m. and

E.P. Foster Library, Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Join PAWS dogs for one-on-one reading sessions. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read a special pooch. Children of all ages are welcome.

Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement program in Camarillo is adding new grief support groups that cater to specific bereavement needs. These closed-ended support groups are Parent Loss of Child under age 21(March 7th through May 9th) and Adult Loss of Sibling (March 26th through May 7th). For more information or to enroll, contact 805-389-6870 or online at lmvna.org/grief. Space is limited. All support groups are free for the community.

March 10: Olivas Adobe 11- 3 p.m. Help us celebrate the birthday of Don Raymundo Olivas at his rancho home, take a docent lead tour, and view the new Celebrating Animals of the Rancho exhibit in the small adobe. Learn how the Olivas family gained and prospered in the beautiful Rancho San Miguel.  At 1 p.m., volunteer training will be for those wanting to spend more time at this hacienda by the sea. There are many ways to volunteer. Plein Aire Ventura County artists will be on-site to paint the coming of spring at the Adobe; all artists are welcome to join. www.cityofventura.ca.gov/OlivasAdobe

March 12:Ventura Audubon Society’s March 2024 Program “Birds and Offshore Wind Energy Development: BOEM’s Avian Study Strategy to Assess Data Needs and Effects” with David Pereksta: Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion and streaming via Zoom: The offshore waters and the coastline of the Pacific states and Hawaii provide year-round habitat for many bird species, at least 13 of which are federally listed as threatened or endangered, and 80 others have some level of special status designation. This is a presentation you’ll not want to miss! For more information, visit www.venturaaudubon.org/speakers.

March 13: The Channel Islands Bicycle Club (CIBike) is presenting a free, open invitation to an evening of socializing and enjoying a biking presentation. Bicycles, Bikepacking, and Brews 6:30-8 p.m. at Topa Topa H Q and Brewery, 4880 Colt Street, Ventura. CIBike is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization founded 30 years ago in Ventura County. presentations, bike safety classes for youth, and many other activities. CIBike also has an established grant program that has supported many local non-profits over the years. For more info: www.cibike.org

March 16: On Saturday afternoon, from 1-4 p.m., the Ventura County Genealogical Society will present two lectures. The first is “Railroad Records and Railroad History: Methods for Tracking,” by Paula Stuart-Warren, followed by Stephanie O’Connell on “Reconstructing the Lives of Female Irish Ancestors.” All VCGS lectures are free and open to members and the public. Non-members may request a Zoom invitation at https://venturacogensoc.org/request-invitation-to-lecture/. Please note that VCGS cannot respond to same-day requests.

VCGS is an all-volunteer, public-benefit non-profit corporation [501(c)(3)]. Donations are greatly appreciated. For more information: https://www.venturacogensoc.org.

March 17: Ventura East Rotary is holding our second annual St Patrick’s Day party at Topa Topa brewery on Colt street Ventura from 1-6 pm . The Party includes Irish music and food plus Topa Topa brews a special St Patrick’s Day beer for this event.

All proceeds go to the Ventura Medical Center Ronald McDonald Family Room “Walk for Kids” fundraiser.  Ventura East Rotary meets Thursday at noon at Poinsettia Pavilion, visitors are welcome to learn about how Rotary makes a difference in our community and world.

March 17: Anyone interested in timepieces, both antique and modern, can join the Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors for a watch/clock marketplace, lunch, and a presentation on a horological topic. Bring a watch or clock for a free evaluation at 11 a.m. at the Campus Student Center of Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road. nawcc-ch190.com. For Details, contact: Bob McClelland, Director, Public Information (818) 225-8212 [email protected]

March 19: Ventura Senior Men’s Group. We welcome new members, so feel free to visit during the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays for lunch. Your first lunch is free. Members pay $25 for lunch and $25 for annual membership. Mel Felix will give a presentation on Edward Curtis, the famous photographer. According to the Smithsonian, “Edward S. Curtis (1868–1952) undertook the most ambitious photographic project in American history—to take photographs of the Native Americans of the American West before their traditional lifeways disappeared. VSMG meets at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd.

Ojai Happenings

Author J. Andre Boles will visit the Ojai Library at 2pm on Saturday, March 2, 2024, to talk about his books Monster on Gypsy Hill and Piercing the Lion Heart.

Monster on Gypsy Hill is the true crime tale of the search for the killer or killers of six pretty, young, middle-class women randomly slaughtered by the Gypsy Hill Slasher. Victim number seven, a mental patient, spent thirty-five years in prison for one of the Slasher’s crimes. This soon to be released book tells how good cops and lawyers righted the wrongs of bad cops and lawyers.

Ex-cop, ex-lawyer, and award-winning true crime author J. Andre Boles seeks new readers and listeners to entertain with his tales of chasing bad guys, exonerating the innocent, and calling out those who abuse power. The former oilfield roughneck, ranch hand, US Army tank commander, bus driver, amateur boxer, cop, and lawyer published his first true crime book in 2017. A second book followed in 2019. He lives in the mountains in California’s coastal range where he writes about cops, crime, and the justice system.

Autographed books will be available for purchase following this talk.

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

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

Digital Pop: Moving Lightly is the newest exhibition at the Ojai Valley Museum. It showcases contemporary art made with light, digital video, animation, and motion graphics. This group exhibition electrifies the museum gallery.

Over the past year and a half the museum has hosted two one-night BYOB (Bring Your Own Beamer/Projector) events. Local creators were invited to participate by projecting their work on the blank walls of the museum. Those popular happenings illuminated a group of new media artists working in our community.

Digital Pop was born from a desire to extend the energy brought to the museum by the BYOB events. Content creator Jennifer Jordan Day curated the exhibition. The local artists included in Digital Pop responded to an open call. They are Emily Allard, Jennifer Jordan Day, John Delaney, Joel Fox, Tilman Egel Karapandzic, Ben Grace, Cassandra C. Jones, Amun Levy, Douglas Lochner, Joe Manfredi, Rebecca Odes, Jamie Stratford, and Jules Weissman.

Each artist provides a diverse perspective on art and technology. Participants play with a mix of sculptural and electronic components. They break expectations of moving imagery, and push display boundaries with interactive works.

The Ojai Valley Museum is located at 130 W. Ojai Avenue in Ojai. Free parking is available behind the museum, enter the lot from Blanche Street. The Museum is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Suggested admission is $5 per adult, and $1 for children 5-18.

Events by Ana Baker

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we
will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011, Rose 805-659-9223, or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. A website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Come meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Paws for Reading brings together young readers and affectionate, canine listeners to help boost the confidence of beginning readers. Join PAWS dogs for one-on-one reading sessions. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read to a special pooch. Located at Hill Road Library, Wednesdays, 3:30 to 5 p.m., and E.P. Foster Library, Thursdays, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Children of all ages are welcome!

February 24: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG)
The location will be online and live at our temporary location, Ventura County
Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 (805) 289-3960
Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email, the Internet, AI, and social media brokers such as X, Facebook, andnGoogle. Events begin Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Due to limited space, live attendance is reserved for members. Details for connecting to online events are emailed prior to the event. To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at <ahref=http://www.cipcug.org>cipcug club website.

Feb. 28th: The College Area Community Council in Ventura will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder will discuss city goal setting and plans. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. CACC represents citizens in the area bounded by Mills Road on the west, Hill Road on the east, city limits on the hillsides on the north, and the 126 Freeway on the south. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list, or to access a link to the Zoom meeting.”

March 3: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc.Sunday, 2:00-4:00 pm
Poinsettia Pavilion 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura.
Live Music on stage. Jamming in the Canada Room. Free Admission. Free parking
Open to the Public. For more information
call 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA

March 6:  The speaker for our BCNN meeting will be Jaclyn DeSantis, Education Program Manager for The Ojai Raptor Center. The Ojai Raptor Center is a wildlife rehabilitation center specializing in birds of prey. animal care, transport, help with events, and never-ending center maintenance.  Most of the animal patients they receive are brought in directly from the public. Their injured bird hotline is: 805-649-6884

Beach City Neighbors and Newcomers (BCNN) is a women’s social organization serving women in Oxnard, Ventura, and Port Hueneme.  9:30-11:15 a.m. at Ventura Yacht Club.  1755 Spinnaker Dr. Ventura.

March 6: Ventura Senior Men’s Group presents speaker Leila Thayer Malone on options for senior care.
We welcome new members, so feel free to visit during the  1st & 3rd Tuesdays for lunch. Your first lunch is free.
Members $25 for lunch; $25 annual membership
We talk about everything except religion and politics. Stress free, no arguments. Just friendship. No other fundraising.
We are an Equal Opportunity group and welcome all men age 55 plus.
Poinsettia Pavilion ,3451 Foothill Rd.

Events by Ana Baker

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011, Rose 805-659-9223, or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. A website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Paws for Reading brings together young readers and affectionate canine listeners to help boost the confidence of beginning readers. Hill Road Library, Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5 p.m. and

E.P. Foster Library, Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Join PAWS dogs for one-on-one reading sessions. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read to a special pooch. Children of all ages are welcome.

City of Ventura Grant Opportunities. Applications available starting February 8 and due by February 27.

Cultural Funding Grant – Awards $90,000 in funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that support Ventura residents.

Community Partnership Grant – Awards $140,000 in funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit social and environmental service organizations that support Ventura residents.

Learn more and apply at: www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Grants

February 13: Ventura Audubon Society’s February Program “The Future of Ormond Beach”: Tuesday 7 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion and streaming via Zoom.  Pete Dixon speaks about the planned restoration of Ormond Beach will provide updates and status on the restoration plan for the coastal dune, upland ecosystems, and Ormond Lagoon.  For more information on this plan, visit www.oxnard.org/ormond-beach-restoration-public-access-plan, and for more information on this program, visit www.venturaaudubon.org/speakers.

February 15: The East Ventura Community Council (EVCC) will meet virtually at 7 p.m.  Visit the EVCC website at https://eastventura.org/ for the Zoom meeting link.  The agenda includes the East Ventura police report and a presentation from Paul Copley from California RCV. The California RCV is a diverse, nonpartisan group advocating to expand Ranked Choice Voting to all Californians to ensure we have a greater voice in our democracy.  The purpose of the EVCC is to encourage residents to understand East Ventura’s problems, needs, and expectations and to recommend, initiate, and participate in developing and implementing programs or solutions.

February 17: On Saturday afternoon, 1- 4 p.m., the Ventura County Genealogical Society will present a lecture by Cynthia Keefer Patton: “10 Steps for Organizing for the Busy Genealogist.” All VCGS lectures are free and open to members and the public. Non-members may request a Zoom invitation at https://venturacogensoc.org/request-invitation-to-lecture/. Please note that VCGS cannot respond to same-day requests.

The DNA Special Interest Group meeting will precede the general meeting on Zoom from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Contact the webmaster to be added to the invitation list: [email protected].

February 17: The Museum of Ventura County will show a screening of “Six Generations” from 1- 3 p.m., followed by an insightful Q & A session with Chumash elder Ernestine Ygnacio-De Soto and Professor Kristina Foss. The documentary profoundly explores Chumash’s heritage with “6 Generations.” Narrated by Ernestine De Soto, a unique link to the past through her female ancestors, the documentary delves into the impact of the Spanish arrival in Santa Barbara. Registration is free for members at the individual/family level and $10 for non-members. It was made possible, in part, by The Bauer Foundation.

February 18: Anyone interested in timepieces, both antique and modern, can join the Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors for a watch/clock marketplace, lunch, and a presentation on a horological topic.

Bring a watch or clock for a free evaluation. 11am  February 18, 2024,  Campus Student Center of Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura. nawcc-ch190.com.

For Details contact: Bob McClelland Director, Public Information (818) 225-8212 [email protected]

February 22: Chabad of Ventura is thrilled to announce the Mega Challah Bake, a countywide community event on Thursday at Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. Registration opens at 5:30 p.m., and the event commences at 6 p.m. The Mega Challah Bake is a unique event fostering unity, love, and purpose. Participants knead their way into a more significant cause spreading love and light. Join us to uplift, enrich souls, and illuminate the world with goodness and kindness. For more details and registration, visit www.chabadventura.com/challah

February 24: The Ventura Downtown Lions are hosting Bowl to 2024 Strike Out Cancer at Buena Lanes in Ventura. The proceeds will go to CSCVVSB and The Ronald McDonald Family room.
Tickets are $30 each, which includes the 3 rounds of bowling, lunch, and more exciting activities. The event is from 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
Buena Lanes, 1788 S Mesa Verde Road, Ventura.

March 23: Group: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG) Online and live at Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 289-3960 Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email, the Internet, AI, and social media brokers such as X, Facebook, and Google. Events begin at 9:30AM.

All CIPCUG events may be attended online. Due to limited space live attendance is reserved for members. Details for connecting to online events are emailed prior to the event. To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at: http://www.cipcug.org.

May 21: Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is delighted to announce our annual Ventura County Public Works Day. It will be held on Tuesday, from 9 – 2 p.m., at the Ventura County Government Center. Our nationally recognized event has lots to see and do, including education for younger students and exciting career opportunities for high school students.

The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcomed to stop in to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tues., Wed., and Thurs. at 12:30. All levels of play and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30pm. Website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Come meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30am. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Paws for Reading brings together young readers and affectionate, canine listeners to help boost the confidence of beginning readers.
Hill Road Library, Wednesdays, 3:30 to 5 pm
E.P. Foster Library, Thursdays, 4 to 5:30 pm
Join PAWS dogs for one-on-one reading sessions. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read to a special pooch. Children of all ages welcome!

January 27: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a  Book Sale
at the Vons at Telegraph and Victoria (6040 Telegraph Rd.) Fiction, Non-fiction, Children’s Books Manga, Comic Books, Graphic Novels Puzzles, Audiobooks, CD’s and DVD’s!

February 3: Sespe Fly Fishers of Ventura will be conducting our monthly “First Saturday” introductory Fly Rod Casting and Intro to Fly Fishing clinic. There is no charge and all are welcome. Whether you are an experienced fly fisher or a complete novice we want to help you improve your casting and learn to enjoy this great sport. If you don’t yet have a fly rod, don’t worry, just come and use one of ours. Please join us at Chumash Park, Petit and Waco, 9:00 to 11:00 am, in East Ventura, off Telephone Rd.
For more information: Casting Program Coordinator Thomas Hall [email protected]  (805) 377-5249 www.sespeflyfishers.org

February 4. Open house tours of the 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will take place on Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood Streets (197 N. Ashwood) in Ventura.
For information please call (805) 642-3345 or visit the website at dudleyhouse.org.

February 4: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc.
Sunday from 2:00-4:00 pm
Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura
Live Music on stage. Jamming in the Canada Room. Free Admission. Free parking
Open to the Public. For more information
call 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA

February 7: The speaker for BCNN February’s meeting is Emily Zivot, Park Ranger at Channel Islands National park. She will be giving a slide show highlighting how the ocean connects the Channel Islands and resident wildlife to each other and to the mainland.

BCNN, (Beach Cities Newcomers and Neighbors) meeting is the first Wednesday of the month, and runs from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Doors open at 9:30 AM. BCNN is a group for Women from Ventura, Oxnard and Port Hueneme. It has dozens of small groups, off shoots from sports activities, to wine tasting, bridge, games, book groups, movie group and more.

Please take note that the group has moved to the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Cub 2600 Harbor Blvd Oxnard.

February 10: Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our monthly plant and collectibles sale resumes in February with a “Hearts & Flowers” sale on the grounds at the Dudley House. Bromeliads, orchids and succulents will be on sale along with a variety of collectibles. Vendors please call Charlie at 805/746-4317 for details. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood Streets.

February 10: Public workshop on American pocket watches presented by Ventura/Santa Barbara chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.  Topics include a history of the American watch industry and participation in disassembly and reassembly of a typical watch movement. Expert assistance and all tool and watch movements will be supplied.

The class will be held at the Dudley House museum in Ventura. Contact Dave Coatsworth ([email protected]) for more information and to register.

February 22: Unleash the magic of tradition and connection at Chabad of Ventura’s Mega Challah Bake at 6 pm! Calling all wonderful women of Ventura County to join us in a delightful evening of laughter, learning, and the art of making the perfect traditional Jewish bread, Challah.
Come together with a diverse community, spanning generations and backgrounds, to create memories, friendships, and of course, delicious Challah!
Poinsettia Pavilion 5:30 registration and salad bar. 6pm program
Secure your spot now at www.chabadventura.com/challah and let’s embark on this journey together!

February 24: Join Supervisor Matt LaVere for an afternoon at an Italian Bistro to help raise rental assistance funds for Ventura Homeless Prevention. Lasagna, wine, music, auction and more. Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura. 5654 Ralston. Tickets and donations at venturahomelessprevention.org.

February 24: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG)
Location: Online and Live at Ventura County Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 Ventura (805) 289-3960. Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email, the Internet, AI, and social media brokers such as X, Facebook, and Google. Events begin at 9:30AM.

All CIPCUG events may be attended online. Due to limited space live attendance is reserved for members. Details for connecting to online events are emailed prior to the event. To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at: http://www.cipcug.org

Ojai events

Local Ojai author Joseph M. Puglia will visit the Ojai Library at 2pm on Saturday, January 27, 2 to talk about his books Girl with the Purple Ribbon, Always Return, Redemption, and Campfires with Dr. Joe.

In his novels, Puglia’s characters find the things that matter, hold on to them, fight for them, and refuse to let them go. Writing a novel is a love affair, the process of which can be magical—though frankly, it’s putting one word after the other. The focus of this talk will be the evolution of the novel as it relates to characterization, themes, scenes, and plots. Puglia will reference the classics as his characters attempt to find the answers to the proverbial question: “What makes life significant?”

Joseph Puglia has worked the docks of NYC, counseled street gangs, boxed, hustled beer at Yankee Stadium, been a newspaper columnist, fought a war, fallen in love, taught college, been a dad, failed, been a friend, a sinner, and a senseless romantic, hopped an eastbound freight, and raised some holy hell. He didn’t just fall off the vegetable truck—his undergraduate studies were in classics, his masters in counseling psychology, and his doctorate in sports psychology. However, his most prolific accomplishment is graduating from the University of Hard Knocks. Puglia spent 10 years in the Marines as an officer, taught college, and currently is a starving writer chasing immortality.

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

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday and 12pm to 5pm Friday through Sunday.

Meteor Shower By Steve Martin
Directed by Brian Robert Harris
Weekends, January 26th – February 18th

Ojai Valley, 1993- Corky and Norm eagerly anticipate hosting Gerald and Laura at their charming home in a serene valley just outside Los Angeles. Their plan? To witness a meteor shower that promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. However, as the night unfolds beneath the twinkling sky, a starlit dinner party transforms into a whirlwind of flirtation, lunacy, and laughter. With his characteristic absurd humor, Steve Martin skillfully distorts the boundaries of time and reality, weaving together a play that is as surprising as it is hilariously unforgettable.

by Ana Baker

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011, Rose 805-659-9223, or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. A website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Paws for Reading brings together young readers and affectionate canine listeners to help boost the confidence of beginning readers. Hill Road Library, Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5 p.m. and

E.P. Foster Library, Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Join PAWS dogs for one-on-one reading sessions. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read to a special pooch. Children of all ages are welcome.

January 16: The Ventura Senior Men’s Group Men over 50 are welcome to visit this group from 11:30 – 1:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the beautiful Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. Enjoy a buffet lunch followed by an engaging speaker (your first lunch is Free). We talk about anything except religion and politics. Our speaker will be U.S. Navy Commander (Retired) and pilot Ken Webster. For additional information, please call Tom at 805-657-1071 or visit VSMG.net.

January 18: The East Ventura Community Council (EVCC) will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Visit the EVCC website at https://eastventura.org/ for the Zoom meeting link. The agenda includes the East Ventura police report and a presentation from Stephanie Caldwell from the Ventura Chamber of Commerce. The Ventura Chamber of Commerce works year-round to support a strong local economy through its stewardship of city policy and business development.

The purpose of the EVCC is to encourage residents to understand East Ventura’s problems, needs, and expectations and to recommend, initiate, and participate in developing and implementing programs or solutions. The EVCC facilitates communications between the community and government or other service agencies.

January 20: The Ventura County Genealogical Society will present a second speaker on Saturday from 1 – 4 p.m. In addition to professional genealogist Thomas MacEntee Family History Success,” Alexander Tolksdorf will provide an overview of historical German handwriting, “Exploring German Handwriting.” All VCGS workshops are free and open to members and the public. Non-members may request a Zoom invitation at https://venturacogensoc.org/request-invitation-to-lecture/. VCGS is an all-volunteer, public-benefit non-profit corporation [501(c)(3)]. Donations are greatly appreciated. For more information about the society, visit https://www.venturacogensoc.org.

January 20: Saturday from 3 – 6 p.m., The Museum of Ventura County documentary premiere of The Legends of Hobson Heights: The Untold Tales of 100 Years of Architecture, Triumph, and Tragedy. This film includes over 20 gorgeous Hobson Heights properties and their fascinating stories of Hollywood movie stars, secret speakeasies, Olympic gold athletes, ghosts, ground-breaking firsts, and the heartbreaking story of the fire that almost destroyed it all. Step into the 1920s and join us for a free premiere showcasing a century of captivating stories. Sip on drinks for a cause. All proceeds will support the Museum of Ventura County. Dress to impress in your best 1920s attire. Registration and information at https://venturamuseum.org/events/

January 24: The College Area Community Council in Ventura will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Council meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month and include speakers and discussion on neighborhood and community interest topics, including public safety and economic development. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list, or to access a link to the Zoom meeting.”

January 24: Sunday 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM.

Swing Shift 17 piece Big Band featuring Jan Nelson on vocals will delight your happy feet and will play to your dancing pleasure.
Donations: Members $10.00 Non-Members $15.00
Location: 3007 Bunsen Ave., Ventura
Website: https://channelcitiesjazzclub.com/

January 27: Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a book sale from 10 to 3 p.m.
at the Vons at Telegraph and Victoria (6040 Telegraph Rd.) Fiction, Non-fiction, Children’s Books, Manga, Comic Books, Graphic Novels, Puzzles, Audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs. Contact: Mary Olson (805) 223-1187.

The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcomed to stop in to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tues., Wed., and Thurs. at 12:30. All levels of play and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30pm. Website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Come meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30am. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Paws for Reading brings together young readers and affectionate, canine listeners to help boost the confidence of beginning readers..
Hill Road Library, Wednesdays, 3:30 to 5 pm
E.P. Foster Library, Thursdays, 4 to 5:30 pm
Join PAWS dogs for one-on-one reading sessions. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read to a special pooch. Children of all ages welcome!

Dec.17: 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM The Phoenyx Big Band will play to your dancing pleasure.
Donations: Members $10.00 Non-Members $15.00
3007 Bunsen Ave, Ventura, Website: https://channelcitiesjazzclub.com/

Dember 17: Head over to Ventura Harbor Village for the Santa Paddle. Santa himself will ditch his reindeer and hop on a paddleboard, and you can be a part of the adventure. Participants are encouraged to get into the holiday spirit by dressing up as Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, reindeer, or any other holiday character!
Santa is scheduled to make his appearance around 2pm

January 27: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG)
Location: Online and live at Ventura County Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 (805) 289-3960.
Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email,
the Internet, AI, and social media brokers such as X, Facebook, and
Google.  Events begin at 9:30AM.

All CIPCUG events may be attended online.  Due to limited space live attendance is reserved for members.  Details for connecting to online events are emailed prior to the event.  To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at: http://www.cipcug.org