Category Archives: Community Events

The Ojai Library October events

On Saturday, October 8,  the Library will be participating in Indie Author Day. This special day is centered around indie writing and publishing, and includes author panels, book readings, workshops, and information on how to get your self-published eBook into the library catalog.

At 11 a.m. everyone will have a chance to join a digital gathering featuring a Q&A with writers, agents, and industry leaders. Then, from 12 to 3 p.m. the library will host presentations by individual authors, and at 3 p.m. there will be a panel discussion. Visit indieauthorday.com for more information!

On Tuesday, October 11, at 6pm the Library will host Lois and Chelsea Reimers, who will speak about Lois Reimers’ books Our Child’s Roots and Hattie: She Was Wired Differently. Lois writes about genealogy and family autobiography.

Lois’ grandmother Carey first piqued her interest in genealogy in 1947 shortly after World War II ended, and as she learned more she was inspired to further uncover her family’s history.

The Library will be hosting a new Tuesday STEAM Club at 3:30 p.m. on October 11, November 15, and in December. Each meeting will focus on a specific activity geared towards elementary school-age students. The STEAM Club will help introduce these students to science, technology, engineering, art, and math concepts.

Dr. Julia Ornelas-Higdon will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 1 to deliver a talk titled “Southern California’s 19th Century Wine Industry.” Dr. Ornelas-Higdon is the second speaker in the CSU Channel Islands Library Lecture Series. Discover the history of Southern California’s pre-Prohibition wine industry and the diverse groups who built it`. Learn what factors led to the demise of Los Angeles’ vineyards and wineries, and why the industry ultimately transitioned to Napa and Sonoma.

CSU Channel Islands hosts more than a dozen free public lectures from September through December at libraries throughout Ventura County.

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Avenue . 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.

Taste of Ojai, Ventura County’s Premier Culinary Event at The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa on Oct. 23,  Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5.p.m.  Music and Dance with Crooked Eye Tommy. Over 25 local vendors, Fine Foods, Wine, Silent Auction and Fun.  Tickets $75 per person.  TasteofOjai.com

From the Reins of H.O.P.E. Annual Fundraiser, join the 2nd Annual “Horses and Horse Power Ocktoberfest” on Saturday, October 1 from 2:00-6:00pm at the Thiessen Ranch 4588 Donlon Road, Somis. Tickets are $100 and includes Traditional German Food, Biergarten and Open Bar, and Dancing to the Alan Thornhill Band. To purchase tickets online, visit their website @ www.reinsofhopevc.org. All donations are tax deductible and support the Reins of HOPE’s mission to provide Equine Assisted Mental Health Therapy free of charge for our Veterans, Military Personnel, and Youth Programs in Ventura and Santa Barbara County.

 

Celebrate John Lennon’s birthday

Ivor Davis and Brooke Halpin present a free rehearsal.
Ivor Davis and Brooke Halpin present a free rehearsal.

Ivor Davis with Malibu singer Brooke Halpin are presenting a  “rehearsal” show at the Pierpont Racquet Club (500 Sanjon)free of charge on Sunday Oct. 2nd at 2 pm.

It will be  the tune up for “the Big One” a week later  at the legendary Crest Westwood Theater on Sunday October 9th–which is Lennon’s birthday (he would have been 76)

The big fundraiser is for Pancreatic Cancer–with proceeds going to battle the disease that claimed the life of Ivor’s lovely wife Sally and now Sandra Laby.

Tribute to a Working Class Hero, John Lennon
Sunday October 9th, at 1:30 p.m.
The Crest Westwood Theater
1262 Westwood Blvd

Tickets are $15 for students, $20 general seating, and $25 VIP seating.

 

 

Community celebrates at Launch Party for 5th Annual Water: Take 1 Online Short Film Festival

Ventura City Councilman Carl Morehouse, Ventura City Clerk Antoinette Mann and Shana Epstein, GM of Ventura Water at the Launch Party.

Over 100 community members and water professionals turned out to celebrate the launch of the 5th annual Water: Take 1 film festival at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach hotel held Wednesday night, Sept. 21. City of Ventura Councilmembers Carl Morehouse and Jim Monahan were among the local dignitaries present.

Morehouse told the crowd that the city’s film festival has a global reach. It’s also launched a year-round dialogue that has grown to include two annual events plus a monthly newsletter. “This invites an international audience to share our message online,” Morehouse said.

“Water: Take 1 is a homegrown campaign that keeps the conversation going not only about the importance of local sustainable initiatives, but also the global perspective that sharpens our local focus back to a ‘one water’ mindset as you will see tonight,” said the event host, Ventura Water General Manager Shana Epstein.   “Ventura Water is pleased to showcase the topic of water protection, conservation and sustainability to like-minded individuals and organizations in such a creative and engaging way.  With the drought uppermost in the minds of Californians, this Short Film Festival brings together our local, national and global conversations.”

Finally, Epstein thanked the many sponsors and partners who made Water: Take 1 possible.

Water: Take 1 aims to create a greater awareness of water as a valuable resource by inviting filmmakers worldwide to submit short films of five minutes or less in any genre – drama, documentary, comedy, animation, sci-fi or experimental – that address the topic of water. Awards include the Audience Choice Award, voted on by the general public with the winner receiving an iPad; the award for Best Student Short Film, chosen by a jury of entertainment and water industry experts with a GoPro camera for a prize; the Grand Prize of $1,500 presented by Ventura Water; and the Ventura Vision Award, which recognizes films shot in and around Ventura and offers a $500 cash prize.

Film submissions are now being accepted through Dec. 14. Winners will be announced at a celebration event to be held in Ventura in the spring of 2017. Last year, 48 films were entered from around the globe.

Expanding on last year’s efforts to engage other local water agencies, the Palmdale Water District was introduced as a new partner and is sponsoring the Palmdale Vision Award, recognizing films that best represent its mission and objectives, also for a $500 cash prize.

Other new film festival partners include Change the Course (http://changethecourse.us), a national movement to engage the public, the community and corporations to restore fresh water to people and nature, and Waves for Water (www.wavesforwater.org), which has a focused international mission to bring clean water to the entire world.

 

New West Symphony opens its exciting 22nd Season on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1

The New West Symphony opens its exciting 22nd Season on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1 with Danzón, a concert featuring works teeming with exhilarating rhythms and fiery musical flourishes, as well as the lyrical melodies of one of the best-loved works of 20th Century American music. Guest conductor Tania Miller leads the orchestra in a program honoring national Hispanic Heritage Month .

Tickets priced from $30 – $120 are available online at www.newwestsymphony.org, by phone at 866-776-8400, or at the respective box offices. Special family packages for parents with children ages 7-13 are available (advance purchase only) through the orchestra’s VIP Family Club, and discounted tickets for high school and college students are available through its Connect Club.

The first performance will take place on Friday at 8:00 pm at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, CA 93030. The concert will be repeated on Saturday at 8:00 pm at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks. An entertaining and informative, 30-minute pre-concert talk by noted musicologist Thomas Neenan begins at 7:00 pm in each venue.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, a Mexican fiesta will be available for Oxnard concertgoers beginning at 6:30 pm, with food and beverages available for purchase in the concert venue’s courtyard.

23rd ArtWalk Ventura event Oct. 1-2

The public is invited to the “ArtWalk Ventura Collectors Reception,” a special benefit celebration of art, poetry, music and food on Thursday, September 29, 6:30-9:30 pm, at Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street. Purchase tickets for $20 at www.artwalkventura.org or for $25 at the door.

Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko will welcome this year’s visiting “2016 Global Artist of Distinction,” painter Rolando Sigüenza, from Oaxaca, Mexico.  The mayor will also honor MB Hanrahan as the 2016 ArtWalk Artist of Distinction and introduce Phil Taggart, Ventura County Poet Laureate, who will read his poem “Ventura.” Enjoy music performed by a quartet from the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra, a no-host cocktail bar by Beverlee’s Bartending and hors d’oeuvres by Seasons Catering.

Tour the city’s nationally renowned Municipal Art Collection of almost 100 works by 73 of Ventura County’s best contemporary artists.

The streets of the city of Ventura’s historic Downtown and Westside Cultural District will transform into a mecca of artistic expression for the 23rd ArtWalk Ventura event the weekend of Oct. 1-2.

The two-day Southern California art tradition will highlight the diverse works of more than 500 regional artists, exhibiting paintings to sculpture to performance art. This year’s Artist of Distinction is MB Hanrahan. This year’s Global Artist of Distinction is Rolando Siguenza from Oaxaca, Mexico. Ventura College is this year’s premier sponsor.

Nominated by her peers, Hanrahan was named this year’s Artists of Distinction. A renowned muralist, painter and sculptor, MB is a working California artist and arts advocate.

For more information about ArtWalk Ventura, visit http://artwalkventura.org/.

ArtWalk is a free, self-guided tour over more than two dozen high-end art galleries, pop-up stores and studios, as well as the return of 25 PODS® Containers transformed into mini art galleries. Attendees also may take advantage of a free shuttle service, which connects venues along Ventura Avenue to Main Street.

New to the exciting event this year is a series of special performances on the main stage at California Street, sponsored by Ventura College. Performances will feature VC students and professionals.

Also new, off Ventura Avenue, the Bell Arts Factory and its year-round studios will present a moving collecting of art from over a dozen artists visiting for the first time from Oaxaca, Mexico. Leading the effort is Siguenza, a celebrated deaf painter and muralist who will be collaborating with muralists Hanrahan and Uriel Leon to create a vibrant mural on the corner of Ventura Ave and Harrison Street.

 

 

Vol. 9, No. 26 – September 28 – October 11, 2016 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

Retired Men(and semi-retired or on the brink). If your significant other says you’re getting under foot around the house, we’d welcome you for a few informal hours twice a month on a Tuesday at the Ventura Retired Men’s Group. Enjoy your choice at the bar, exchange thoughts with a friend, new or old, have a healthy lunch and hear a presentation of interest, information and/or education. Call Steve Carroll at 642-1359 for when and where.

Music Speaks on all Sundays at 4 p m. in October is a play plus Q & A.

Each week brings a musician of note who will share their music and anecdotes from their professional careers in an intimate conversational setting at the NAMBA Performing Arts Space. 47 S. Oak St. For more info call 628-9250.

Tickets at http:/www.musicspeaks2016.brownpapertickets.com or at the door $20.

Nambaarts.com

Sept. 28: “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, meets in the Wright Event Center at 57 Day Rd. on the Ventura College campus.  Free parking is available adjacent to the Event Center.”

Sept. 30: A filled to the brim showcase of 24,000 handmade creations, the 27th Annual Ventura Harvest Festival® Original Art & Craft show gets underway Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Seaside Park at the beach becomes a hub of activities with shopping, live entertainment, contests, strolling entertainers, and a Kidzone with a pumpkin patch.

It’s the west coast’s largest indoor arts & crafts showcase that never disappoints.

Food Share will be on hand to offer $2 admission discounts to patrons who bring canned goods for donation. The Boys & Girls Club of Ventura also benefits from sales of shopping bags as they greet guests. Info and tickets are available at www.harvestfestival.com or call 925- 392-7300. Adults: $9, Seniors (62+) $7, Military: (Active/Retired/Veteran) $7, Youths (13-17) $4,

Kids 12 and under are free.

Oct.1: an Autumn Evensong on Saturday at 5 p.m.  Program features David Singer, clarinet and Nick Akdag, bassoon along with Helen Farson performing Glinka’s impassioned Trio Pathetique in d minor and  Dvorak’s timeless Largo from the New World Symphony.  Ventura Seventh-day Adventist Church, 6300 Telephone Dr. No admission charge.  Call 641.9646 for more information.

Oct. 2: Ventura CROP 5km and 10km Walk to support hunger-fighting agencies. Walk Begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Check-in from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 1338 E. Santa Clara Street. 658-7446 or [email protected]

Oct.2: The Chabad Jewish Center of Ventura will host High Holiday Services for both Rosh Hashanah, Oct 2, 3 and 4 and Yom Kippur, October 11 & 12 at the Pierpont Inn, Chabad & the Pierpont Inn are also offering a full Holiday “Retreat”   in conjunction with the services.

Rabbi Yakov Latowicz, will lead the services accompanied by a guest Cantor Rabbi Mendy Lubin. Services are conducted in Hebrew and English with bilingual prayer books. The cost for each dinner is $45 for adults and $30 for children (under Bar/Bat Mitzvah).

For more info and please call 658-7441 or visit www.ChabadVentura.com.

Oct. 2: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  As a special treat, local celebrity author and ghost hunter Richard Senate will be on hand to lead tours and sign books. Admission is free. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets in Ventura. For information please call 642-3345 or visit the website at www.dudleyhouse.org.

Oct. 2 , 8: The Murphy Auto Museum in Oxnard is gearing up for two spectacular events in October to round out the remaining months of 2016. First up, on October 2, is the opening of its newest exhibit, Station Wagons and Pickups, along with a public car show hosted the same day.

Next, a fundraiser and car rally on Oct. 8 to honor late Ventura resident Jerry Magnuson, founder of worldwide famous Magnuson Superchargers. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.

Oct.3&17: The Ventura County Philatelic Society will meet for stamp trading and camaraderie.

Located at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Admission and parking are free. Contact: [email protected] or 320-1601

Oct. 5: The Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomers Club, (BCNN ) is a group of active women of all ages who live in Ventura, Oxnard, or Port Hueneme and enjoy activities such as hiking, bridge, dining, etc. From 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. held at the Ventura Museum Pavilion. No charge for meeting and no reservation is required.

Speaker Dr. Donald Decker for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

“Breast Density & Tomosynthesis”. Please visit our Website at: bcnnwomensclub.org or  call 988-0795.

Oct. 5: Author and Ventura native Bill Lascher will present a talk on his new nonfiction book, Eve of a Hundred Midnights, at the inaugural Engage & Enlighten event, a community event series sponsored by the law firm Ferguson Case Orr Paterson (FCOP). The presentation is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at FCOP’s office at 1050 S. Kimball Road.

The event is open to the public; however reservations are required. RSVP to [email protected] or call  659-6800.

Oct. 8: Creating stationery in Word and Changes in the Ventura County Star Photos will be topics for the Ventura Beginners PC Users Group on Saturday from 9:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the 3rd floor lounge of Cypress Place Independent Living, 1220 Cypress Point Lane.  All beginning and intermediate computer users are welcome to attend. For further information, call 648-1368.

Oct.12: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a critique meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. A professional photographer from the area will critique member’s prints and digital images. Each month a special topic is chosen which features some interesting aspect of photography. This month’s topic is “Black & White”. 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 about the club and examples of member’s work or call 908-5663.  WWW.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com

Oct.14: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution October luncheon meeting will feature the program “Thomas Jefferson Miscellaneous “, presented by Past California Society SAR President Steve Hurst.  Begins at 11:30 a.m., Friday, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant lunch is $20 per person.  For additional information please call Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992.  For information regarding SAR membership and chapter please visit http://pattonpatriots.org.

Oct. 16: The Ventura Sports and Race Car Club is pleased to present, The Ninth Annual Ventura Motor Sports Gathering.  This year will feature Italian cars on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  held on the main lawn at the Ventura Harbor Village.  It will also feature classic wooden boats.  Cost for entry is $50.00.  The event is free to the public.  For further information call Don Greene 794-5438 or Bill Erickson 890-1461.

 

Vol. 9, No. 26 – September 28 – October 11, 2016 – City classes

City of Ventura Barranca Vista Imagination Center classes check out hundreds more on our web-site
Call (805) 658-4726 or 805-654-7552 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

Introduction to Video Game Design & Coding 8-12 years
9/28-11/16 W 3:45-5 pm $129 #6760
Learn the basic principles of conditional coding and work with a partner on fundamental video game design elements working with Multimedia Fusion software.

Beginning Hip Hop 6-12 years
9/30-10/21 F 4:30-5:15 pm $40 #6810
Join other hip hoppers to learn basic moves in a fun environment. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in, no jeans or shorts, and sneakers. No classes 9/2-9/5. Class held at 1547 Los Angeles Ave #102, Ventura.

Pre-K Ballet/Acro PC 2-5 years
10/1-10/22 Sa 10:15-11 am $40 #6801
Learn basic ballet techniques such as pointing your toes, foot positions and balancing, plus somersaults and hand stands. Instructor Kelyla Nelson,1547 Los Angeles Ave #102 in Ventura.

Haunted Ventura County 6-12 years
10/4-10/18 Tu 4-5 pm $40 #7149
Take a closer look at such local historic and haunted sites as the Stage Coach Inn, Heritage Square and Ortega and Olivas Adobes with a weekend field trip for an up-close investigation.
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Figurative Clay Sculpture 16 years-adult
10/5-11/2 W 6:15-8:15 pm $110+$20 materials fee #6785
Create your own figure and face sculptures using a variety of techniques. Instructor Kim Clarke.

Meditate for Mind Body Health 18 years-adult
10/6-10/27 Th 7-8 pm $75 #6751
We sit in chairs (bring pillows if needed) to practice silent concentration and mindfulness meditations to reduce stress, anxiety, insomnia and pain. Instructor PHD Psychologist Kimberly Wulfert.

Canine Body Language Seminar 18 years-adult
10/8 Sa 10 am-12 pm $20 #6770
Tail wagging doesn’t always mean “happy.” Learn to identify signs of anxiety versus playfulness as you open new lines of communication with your dog. Leave your dog at home and join Registered Veterinary Technician and Certified Professional Dog Trainer Shannon Coyner. Class held at 3521 Arundel Circle #B. www.venturapetwellness.com.

Tap with Haley 18 years-adult
10/9-11/13 Su 3-4 pm $60 #6829
Get a great mental/physical workout with simple tap steps and rhythm patterns. All dance levels welcome. Instructor Haley-Nicole Harwood.

Tai Chi Xing Yi
10/11-11/10 Tu/Th 12-1 PM $72 #7441
Learn Chinese physical culture, mental exercises, and mind-body systems as you practice traditional elements of Chen and Shao Lin style, Tai Chi, Qigong, and more with World and National Champion Martial Artist, Eric Zhang. No class 10/25 & 10/27

Olive Oil Tasting, Snacks and Art Sketching 18 years-adult
10/12 W 1-4 pm $40+$20 materials fee #7160
10/15 Sa 1-4 pm $40+$20 materials fee #7161
Sketch and tour Ojai Olive Oil’s groves. Taste its oils and create a refreshing drink of vinegar, herbs and fruit (recipes included). Meet at 1811 Ladera Rd, Ojai.

Just a few of the E.P. Foster October events

Author Reading – Zoe Murdoc 10/4 Tuesday @ 6pm
Join us for a reading from Ojai author Zoe Murdock’s book Man in the Mirror: A man finding himself as he loses himself to Alzheimer’s. Altered Book Workshop 10/5 & 19 Wednesday @ 6pm

Opera Santa Barbara Noontime Concert 10/14 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.

Spontaneous Chess 10/1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 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!

Music Together with Hitchcock Children’s Center 10/4 Tuesday @ 9am  
A music and movement class for kids 0-5 and the grown-ups who love them.  Music Together is sharing songs, instrument play, rhythm chants, and movement activities in a relaxed, playful, setting.

Lego Play 10/11 & 25 Tuesday @ 3pm @10am
Build, Learn, and Play! Bring your imagination and experiment with creative designs. Children of all ages welcome!

TAG: Teen Advisory Group 10/5 & 19 Wednesday @ 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.

EP Foster Library will be joining libraries across North America and their local writing communities for the first annual Indie Author Day on October 8. At 11am, all participating libraries will come together for an hour-long digital Q&A featuring veterans of the literary community- Jon Fine of Amazon, Kiera Parrott of Library Journal, Robin Cutler of IngramSpark, Jim Blanton of Louisville Free Library and Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) award-winning author L. Penelope. Writers will learn valuable information while meeting other members of their local literary community. Following the Q&A session, EP Foster Library will host an author meet and greet, a time for local indie authors to network and learn from each other.

 

Professor Scamp presidential pup rally at A Secret Garden Florist Café at 1pm Sunday, Sept. 18

On Sunday, September 18, there will be a pup rally at A Secret Garden Florist Café (981 E. Main, Ventura) at 1pm to officially announce the candidacy for president of Professor Scamp PhD (Pretty happy Dog).

The public is encouraged to attend to support Scamp’s run for the Oval Office. Attendees are welcome to bring their dogs, and can buy some pupcakes at the cafe. The barking lot is small so bark in the street. Scamp will be handing out pawtographs.