Category Archives: Community Events

City of Ventura Barranca Vista Imagination Center classes

Call 658-4726 or 654-7552 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

Friday Fitness Party! 16 years-adult
10/28-12/9 F 6:15-7:15 pm $40 or $7/day #7386
Join us and dance, body condition and cool down to fabulous music. Bring mat and water. Walk in fee of $7 is due at start of class. No class 11/25. Certified Zumba® Instructor Dala Sondors.

Friday Night Tap 12 years-adult
10/28-12/2 F 6:30-7:30 pm $40 #6822
Get great exercise and improve your balance while learning the basic tap steps, combinations and routines set to upbeat rhythms and music. Classes are progressive but designed for the beginner dancer. Tap shoes and exercise-type dancewear are required. No class 11/11 & 11/25. Classes held at the Billy Clower Dance Studio, 75 MacMillan Ave in Ventura.

Morning Zumba 18 years-Adult
$40/$65 for two days/$80 for all three
10/31-12/5 M 8:45-9:45 am #7381
11/2-12/7 W 8:45-9:45 am #7382
11/4-12/16 F 7:45-8:45 am #8087
Start your day with the Latin dance workout Zumba®! This is a dynamic, exciting and effective fitness system. Bring water and towel and dress comfortably. Walk in fee $7 due at start of class. Certified Zumba® Instructor Dala Sondors.

Basic Guitar 9 years-adult
11/1-12/13 Tu 7-8:30 pm $55 #7087
Learn folk and pop strums, patterns and chord progressions. Students provide own acoustic or electric guitar. No class 11/8. Class held at the Historic Dudley House, 197 N Ashwood St with instructor
Randy Covington.

Acrylic Painting for Youth 8-18 years
11/3-12/8 Th 3:30-4:45 pm $65 #6780
Explore painting themes of fantasy and nature on different painting surfaces. No class 11/24.

Sewing by Hand 10 years-adult
11/4-12/16 F 4:15-6 pm $60 #6787
Learn hand-sewing skills to make dolls, folk pictures, purses and more perfect for holiday gifts. No class 11/11 & 11/25.

Flowers, Bugs and Trees 7-12 years
11/8-12/6 M 4-5:30 pm $50+$10 materials fee #6783
Choose what inspires you to create unique art in abstract, realistic, pop, cubist and fantasy styles. Join artist Jen Livia at 4601 Telephone Rd #112 each week to explore new subjects and paint them in a variety of styles to discover our own unique style. All supplies provided. www.redbrickart.com.

Annual Bowl of Thanks to benefit homeless people and their pets

You will get to fill these bowls with wonderful food from Harbor restaurants.

Please join us on Sunday November 6th, 11-4pm  for the First Annual Bowl of Thanks Fundraiser to benefit the Ventura County Rescue Mission, Lighthouse for Women and Children,and Buddy Nation, a non-profit helping pets and their human companions of Ventura County.

Thanksgiving is perhaps the one time that people actually think about what they have – food, housing, family, safety, security. Homeless people don’t have these things, but they are grateful to have a good meal in a warm and friendly place. The Bowl of Thanks will allow many people to enjoy that good meal at Thanksgiving.

The Ventura County Potters’ Guild(VCPG), The December Store and More and the Ventura Port District are sponsoring the Bowl Of Thanks at the Ventura Harbor Village. Founded in 1957, VCPG members and friends are donating 150 gorgeous handmade ceramic bowls.

For $25 you will receive a bowl of your choice and a punch card that will lead to the harbor’s 17 eateries that are donating samples of their food. Fundraiser supporters will receive tasty treats like clam chowder, Cuban fusion, quiche, and fudge, just to name a few. A raffle will be held that will include a chance for a dinner for 2 from Brophy’s Seafood and more.

Presale will be held Saturday November 5th, 11 – 6 pm at the Ventura County Potters’ Guild Gallery, across from the Carousel. Bowls are available both days at the December Store and More. Limited to 150 bowls.

All monies raised will go directly to these charities who work year round to make life better for homeless people and their pets.

E.P. Foster November Events

Altered Book Workshop
11/ 2 & 16 Wednesdays @ 6pm
Repurpose an old book into a new piece of art.  Bring an old book and your imagination. Local artist Ron Smith will be leading this workshop. Some materials will be supplied but feel free to bring special items for your altered book.

EP Foster Library and the Justice Bus Project are partnering with Bryan Cave, Bank of America, and Public Counsel Center for Veterans Advancement to provide a free legal clinic to underserved veterans in great need of assistance with VA benefits and criminal record expungement. Medicare 101 with speaker Samuel Schwartz

Adult Coloring Book Break
11/2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 Wednesdays @ 12-2pm
Join for some stress relieving coloring. Coloring sheets and pencils provided. Available from 12pm to 2pm so stop by for a minute or ten!

Library LAB Open Workshop
11/2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 Wednesdays @ 4:30-6:30pm
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.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover
11/1 Tuesday @ 10am-7pm
Drop off your stuffed animal at the library for a sleepover at the library. Your stuffed friends will have an adventure of a lifetime!

STEM for Early Learning Workshop
11/1 Tuesday @ 5-6:30pm
In this hands-on workshop, parents/caregivers and children ages 0-5 will learn how to take a concept from a picture book and create an easy science, technology, engineering and/or math (STEM) project ; how to use simple everyday household items to create STEM projects; how to modify projects to explore more STEM learning *

TAG: Teen Advisory Group
11/2 & 16 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.

MakerBox: Experiment with Makey Makey
11/10 Thursday @ 3:30pm
Experiment with different types of fruit to control the melody and compose unique songs using the Makey Makey system!

Robot Invasion
11/16 Wednesday @ 4:30-6:30pm
Join the Youth and Makerspace Librarians at this robotics petting zoo! Come and see the robots and other gadgets the library has to offer and make a brush bot pet of your own to take home! This is in partnership with the Library LAB (the Makerspace) and the Maker Mentors.

Youth Chess Club
11/7, 14, 21, & 28 Mondays @ 3pm
Learn to play chess or improve your current ability! Assisted by Class A tournament player Jack Cashman.

 

Mountain Lions to be presented at free environmental speaker series

On Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) will host the second installment in their free environmental speaker series entitled: “Connecting California’s Mountain Lions to be discussed by wildlife ecologist

International and local conservation biologist and wildlife ecologist, Dr. Anthony J. Giordano, will discuss the ecology of mountain lions including how they represent a wildlife conservation success story, mountain lion-human conflicts and their potential as a “tool” for connecting wild places.

The mountain lion is North America’s largest “small cat” and much like the wolf and grizzly bear, has been vilified as a pest to the livestock industry.  Historically ranging from coast to coast, today’s mountain lion populations are moving eastward and reclaiming areas they formerly inhabited.  Although California has the largest state population of mountain lions in the U.S., the future of mountain lions in California depends on the ability to make room for them as the human population grows.  In Southern California in particular, mountain lions are threatened by encroachment of development into wilderness areas, increased demand for dwindling water supplies, and a fragmented landscape caused by the state’s expanding transportation infrastructure.

This free community lecture will take place in the Santa Paula Room at the Poinsettia Pavilion. The event is free but reservations are encouraged. To RSVP, visit www.venturahillsides.org/events. For more information, call VHC 643-8044.

Anthony J. Giordano possesses more than 22 years of experience working in the field on global conservation issues. He holds a double B.S. from Long Island University at Southampton College in Biology (Zoology) and Environmental Science (Biology), a M.S. in Conservation Biology and Applied Ecology from Frostburg State, and a Ph.D. in Wildlife science and Management from Texas Tech. Currently he is based in Ventura, CA, where he directs S.P.E.C.I.E.S. (http://www.carnivores.org), a global carnivore conservation organization, and is President of the Wild Felid Research and Management Association (http://www.wildfelid.org).

Ventura Farm Day kicks off with a Food and Farm Film Fest

The 4th Annual Ventura Farm Day is an agricultural celebration.

This year’s Ventura County Farm Day on November 5 will kick off a day early with its first Food and Farm Film Fest, Friday, Nov. 4 at Mission Park in downtown Ventura. The free, family-friendly event will feature short films produced locally that tell the story of life (both human and animal) on the farm and the popular kids’ movie “Babe.”

Critically acclaimed filmmaker John Chester will be on hand to present and talk about his films. Chester, co-owner of Apricot Lane Farms in Moorpark, has produced short films that are regularly featured on Oprah Winfrey’s “Super Soul Sunday”.

“The films will be a real treat for those who are not familiar with daily farm life,” says Mary Maranville, Founder and Executive Director of SEEAG (Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture), the nonprofit that organizes Farm Day and the Film Fest. “All the films are shot beautifully. It is the perfect introduction to what people will see and experience the following day at our local farms.”

The Food and Farm Film Fest begins at 5:00 p.m., with the films beginning at dusk. Festivalgoers can bring food, blankets and lawn chairs. Food will also be available from Scratch Food Truck and Paradise Pantry (call ahead to Paradise Pantry to order a picnic box, 641-9440). Free parking is available at Mission Park and the Ventura County Museum.

The 4th Annual Ventura Farm Day is an agricultural celebration in which more than 20 Ventura County farms open their doors and invite the public to experience a day of agricultural learning firsthand. This free event for all ages connects the community with its farming neighbors and encourages them to visit the farms in their own backyards..

Farm Day hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on November 5. The public is encouraged to visit www.VenturaCountyFarmDay.com, select two or three farms that they would like to visit and then map out their day.

A barbeque celebration will follow at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The barbeque is from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Barbeque tickets are $40 for adults and $15 for children under 12.

For more information, go to www.venturacountyfarmday.com or call 901-0213.

 

 

 

Surfrider Foundation celebrating 25 years

Can you believe that the Surfrider Foundation Ventura County Chapter has been doing great things for 25 years! It all started when a group of passionate people met at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in 1991 to form one of the first chapters for the Surfrider Foundation nationwide.

Come out to Surf Brewery on October 29th to celebrate their achievements with great music, food and beer! The event runs from noon- 9pm with live music from 2-6pm. from Sea Hunters and reggae from Fire Stick and Rising Son. There will be a kid’s art tent, an environmentally friendly fashion show,

Admission is $5 at the door or for $12 at the door you can get admission, a commemorative steel pint cup and first beer fill. Funds raised at the event will benefit Surfrider’s local programs and campaigns. There is a special VIP package only available online in advance. For $40 you get admission, a commemorative steel pint cup and first beer fill PLUS a commemorative long sleeve t-shirt, a Surfrider reusable bag and a 22oz bottle of the commemorative beer to take home. https://ventura.surfrider.org/25th

The Surfrider Foundation also engages the community to help protect local beaches, ocean and waterways with core campaigns and programs such as monthly beach cleanups, an Ocean Friendly Gardens program and a Hold On To Your Butt cigarette litter campaign. The Ventura County Chapter also helped with the Surfer’s Point Managed Shoreline Retreat Project while we are still working on more long-term solutions for protecting Surfer’s Point.

 

The brewery is located at 4561 Market Street.

 

 

 

Museum of Ventura County invites families to its Annual Day of the Dead Celebration

Ballet Folklórico Mestizo of Oxnard College to appear at Museum
Ballet Folklórico Mestizo of Oxnard College to appear at Museum

On Sunday, November 6, the Museum of Ventura County hosts a free community celebration of music, dance, and crafts from 11am – 4pm for the whole family. Visitors can see the artist-created altars, called ofrendas, on display throughout the museum, enjoy cultural dance performances by local groups, create art projects to take home and have their faces painted calaveras–style. This annual celebration has become very popular at the Museum, highlighting the local traditions of Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos.

Sunday’s entertainment includes performances by Ballet Folklórico Mestizo of Oxnard College, Ballet Folklórico de Bell Arts, and Danza Mexica Cuautemoc, and DATA (DeAnza Academy of Technology and the Arts) Mariachi.

Traditional craft-making is available for all ages, which includes making paper flowers, masks, and paper skeletons. Refreshments are available for sale.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is observed in many part of Mexico and Latin America, and includes altars to welcome and honor the departed who are said to come back to walk among the living on November 1st. It is now popular in the United States among Latinos and non-Latinos alike. Humorous skulls (Calaveras) and skeletons are the dominant symbols of the celebration, which has roots in pre-Columbian as well as Spanish religious beliefs.

 

Vol. 10, No. 2 – October 26 – November 8, 2016 – Ojai News & Events

Villanova Prep is honored to host Emmanuel Sekiyoba, economics instructor and international consultant, to address the students as part of a Project Africa presentation. Mr. Sekiyoba will be Villanova’s guest in the theatre at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26.

Mr. Sekiyoba was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and at an early age learned to appreciate the importance of hard work and the value of education. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1991 and is currently an economic instructor at the West Los Angeles College and also works with the Los Angeles Unified School District teaching mathematics.

Mr. Sekiyoba is the coordinator of the Congolese Community of Southern California.

Catherine Ann Jones, award-winning playwright, author, and screenwriter  will read from and sign her new book, Freud’s Oracle – a one-person play about the American poet Hilda Doolittle (1886-1961) and her relationship with Sigmund Freud.  H. D.  The themes are the travesty of war and the triumph of the individual.  A reception follows the book signing.  Suggested donation $5.  The Ojai Art Center -113 S. Montgomery St.

The Ojai Film Festival returns for its 17th season, offering the best in independent film and special events that celebrate innovative filmmaking. The festival kicks off with a free screening at Libbey Bowl on November 3, starting at 7:00 PM.

From November 3-13, the Film Festival will present an eclectic mix of narrative, documentary, and animated films as part of its competition screenings, Gold Coast series, and Focus Earth offerings.

On Oct.29, at 5pm  Besant Hill School of Happy Valley invites you to enjoy their 500 beautiful acres to celebrate community with friends and foodies. The dinner is in support of local foodshed awareness and education. It will raise funds for Besant Hill’s sustainable agriculture program, and Food for Thought Ojai: the Ojai Healthy Schools Program.

The evening will also include music under the stars. The tickets are $150 (only $49 for faculty and staff members of any Ojai school) and can be purchased online at www.besanthill.org. Besant Hill School of Happy Valley is located at 8585 Ojai Santa Paula Road.

At 85 years old, Tab Hunter is one of the few remaining stars to witness Hollywood’s transformation from the studio system of its Golden Age to the American New Wave of the 1970s and its current incarnation as the epicenter of celebrity culture.

Hunter will appear with his long-time partner and producer Allan Glaser after a showing of the hit film Tab Hunter Confidential on Saturday, November 5,  from 5:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  The movie will be followed by an intimate Q&A with the Film Festival audience moderated by Stuart Crowner .The screening of Tab Hunter Confidential and the Q&A will take place at the OjaiArtCenter

Join Rev. Karen at Meditation Mount, on Saturday, October 29, from 9:30 am to 12:30, and open the mind, heart and body to the Ultimate Mystery.

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.

OjaiCARES, Ojai’s cancer resource center, welcomes the prestigious Dr. Oscar Streeter, Jr. Board Certified Radiation Oncologist and Dr. Cyrus Rafie, Ph.D, Medical Physicist from Santa Monica’s Center for Thermal Oncology. The esteemed doctors will present on Personalized Medicine 101 & Understanding Hyperthermia.

The Ojai Retreat, 160 Besant Road in Ojai is on Saturday, October 29, from 11 to 2 pm. This and all OjaiCARES programming is free of charge.Visit ojaicares.org or call 646-6433 for more information.

On Veterans’ Day, Friday, November 11, the Mitz-Khan-A-Khan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution with join with the Ojai American Legion Post #482, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Ojai Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #11461 to honor our veterans.  Festivities will take place at the American Legion Hall, 843 East Ojai Ave.

The American Legion Auxiliary #482 will be serving a delicious breakfast from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Breakfast is free to all Veterans, and costs $4.00 for all others.

Any reader who wishes to honor a veteran by adding him or her to the “Wall of Remembrance” posters should contact Nancy Hill at 805-302-6093, or e-mail photos and information to [email protected].

 

Ventura Botanical Gardens announces Fall Trail Festival

Naturalists will host interactive education stations at the Fall Trail Festival.

Join the Ventura Botanical Gardens on Saturday, October 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the first ever Fall Trail Festival—a family-friendly opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, learn about nature and celebrate the fall season in ghostly style.

Naturalists will host interactive education stations to teach visitors about wildlife, geology and local culture. A bird-watching station will be open to lovers of our fine-feathered friends. Guided trail tours, wildflower seed sowing, and other hands-on activities will also be available. Guests will have a chance to enter an opportunity drawing for a possibility to win memberships to the Gardens among other prizes provided by Patagonia, Real Cheap Sports, and Islands Packers.

A festive Canine Costume Contest is planned giving visitors a chance to unleash their hound’s inner werewolf, ballerina, clown, wizard, vampire or ghoul! The first twenty-five dogs to register will receive goody bags and the first, second and third place winners will receive prizes courtesy of Ventura Pet Barn.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate this first ever Fall Trail Festival,” said Joe Cahill, Executive Director for the Ventura Botanical Gardens. “The trails are so popular and we’ve had a number of requests to develop more events on the site. The tremendous support we receive from the community allows us to develop more community-focused events like this.”

Admission to the Fall Trail Festival is free and both local residents and visitors are encouraged to attend. For more information, please visit www.VenturaBotanicalGardens.com. Follow Ventura Botanical Gardens on Facebook.com/venturabotanicalgardens for upcoming events.