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.

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.

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.

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).

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