The Ventura Chamber of Commerce presents the 6th Annual “Taste” at the Museum of Ventura County on Thursday October 20th.

More than 40 of Ventura’s finest restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries, bakeries and confectioners will be featured at this popular event. Live music, mixology and cooking demos will complement the mix, as guests mingle in the courtyard and main space of the Museum of Ventura County.

Doors open at 5:30pm and the event goes until 8pm.

The advance ticket purchase cost is $40 for Ventura Chamber members and $50 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased by going to www.venturachamber.com/taste2016 or by calling  643-7222. Pre-registration is encouraged; guests can receive an additional $5 discount per ticket if purchased by October 15.

Event sponsors include Museum of Ventura County, Ventura Auto Center, Ventura Rental Party Center, Kaiser Permanente, WSPA, Union Bank, Gold Coast Acura, Ventura Community Bank, Ventura County Star, CAPS Media Center, Gold Coast Broadcasting, Luners Production Services, VC Reporter and the Ventura Breeze.

The Ventura Chamber of Commerce is a membership based organization that advocates on behalf of the business community. With nearly 700 members, representing more than 25,000 employees locally, the Chamber engages on a variety of issues that help to drive a strong local economy as The Voice of Business.

The greatest golfers on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule are set to descend upon Sherwood Country Club October 28-30 for the inaugural PowerShares QQQ Championship, the first event in the new season-ending Charles Scwab Cup Playoffs series. Fans are sure to witness exciting competition as these legends of golf compete for their spot to further advance in the Playoffs, when the field of 72 golfers is cut to jst 54 that move on to the Dominion Charity Classic in Richmond, VA.

Equally compelling for spectators, the tournament will offer a multitude of events and venues to experience while watching the action. It all kicks off on Thursday with the “Community Champions Day”, an event that’s open to the public as a public celebration to the week ahead. The day will feature a tennis exhibition (9-11 a.m.) with Andy Roddick, James Blake, Jim Courier and Mark Philippoussis, a free golf clinic (1-2 p.m.) with PGA TOUR Champions players and a chance to experience some of the premium food and beverage available during tournament week.

From seafood to the classic grilled cheese, the tournament has it covered all week with a host of options from local food trucks including Baby’s Badass Burgers, The Grilled Cheese Truck, Good to Go Juice and Shrimp vs. Chef. Fans are also encouraged to stop by the StoneHaus Wine Lounge, which is slated to be the place to be once competition rounds start. Located at the driving range, the lounge offers prime viewing of the players as they practice.

What’s even more rewarding is the access that the tournament is offering to youth and military. All youth 18 and younger will receive complimentary Grounds admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult. In addition, the PowerShares QQQ Championship is offering complimentary Grounds admission and hospitality during the tournament for all active duty, reserve military members, military retirees and their dependents along with complimentary admission for veterans.

While at the PowerShares QQQ Championship, all military guests will be treated to complimentary food and beverages and up-close views of the action in the Patriots’ Patio presented by Frontier Communications, a military-exclusive venue located on 9 green.

There will also be a Military Recognition Ceremony held Saturday, October 29 at 7:00 a.m that will also be open to the public.  The ceremony on 1 tee will feature a national anthem and color guard to honor military in the Thousand Oaks and Ventura County areas.

The tournament has made great strides in offering access to these great events to the public, but also to local organizations and deserving charities. The PowerShares QQQ Championship started the “Buy Now, Give Back” program to offer a ticket to charities through the Sherwood Cares Foundation, with every ticket purchased by fans.

“We’ve had the vision of making this a truly community-centric event,” said O.D. Vincent, Executive Director of the PowerShares QQQ Championship. “With venues and events that celebrate the best of our area, we really do have something for everyone.”

Tickets are available on PowerSharesQQQChampionship.com.

Opera Santa Barbara will open its 2016-17 season with a colorfully electrifying production of Carmen, Georges Bizet’s enduring tale of love and jealousy set amid the vibrant, unruly streets of 19th century Seville. Performances will take place at 7:30 pm on Friday, November 4, and at 2:30 pm on Sunday, November 6, in the historic Granada Theatre. Ranging in price from $29 to $204, tickets can be purchased at www.granadasb.org or by calling 899-2222.

Directed by Octavio Cardenas, Opera Santa Barbara’s production will feature three of the region’s most celebrated Flamenco dancers – Wendy Castellanos-Wolf, Pamela Lourant, and Marcela Aguayo – and will mark the inaugural appearance of the company’s new Youth Opera chorus for singers ages 8 to 18.

The production also will mark the company conducting debut of Kostis Protopapas, who was named OSB artistic director in July 2015. “I’m very much looking forward to my conducting debut with Opera Santa Barbara, working with an absolutely fantastic cast and the Opera Santa Barbara Orchestra and Chorus on one of the world’s most treasured operas” he said.

Opera Santa Barbara’s 2016-17 season will continue with Leos Janacek’s the Cunning Little Vixen and Puccini’s elegant and poignant operetta La Rondine .

The Granada Theatre is located at 1214 State Street in downtown Santa Barbara.

To place a season subscription order, visit www.operasb.org or call 898-3890.

Subscribers can purchase season tickets for their children ages 17 and under for just $42. These discounted tickets allow for seating with parents in all sections of the Granada except the loge and boxes.

The Ojai City Council has selected interim city manager Steve McClary as Ojai’s permanent city manager. McClary had been serving as interim city manager since shortly after the resignation of Robert Clark on March 1. The city council voted 4-1 for a three-year contract, with Council Member Betsy Clapp voting no.

“Steve’s leadership skills and knowledge of the Ojai community clearly made him our best choice to be our City Manager,” said Mayor Blatz.

McClary began his service to the City of Ojai as the assistant to the city manager in 2009. He was promoted to the position of Deputy City Manager in 2013. Prior to his tenure in Ojai, McClary served 12 years in the city manager’s office for the City of Fillmore.

Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation and Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation has announced that Don Felder, a former legendary guitarist with the Eagles, will be performing at this year’s “At The Bowl” benefit concert on Oct. 22 at Libbey Bowl.

Felder, who played lead guitar with the Eagles for 27 years, originated the music on numerous Eagles milestones and co-wrote their biggest hit – the iconic “Hotel California.” The funds raised by this event will support Community Memorial Health System construction projects – the building a new Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura and a new Continuing Care Center in Ojai.General admission tickets and sponsorship packages are available at www.cmhsatthebowl.org.  Or call 667-2881.

The Ventura County Library’s Makerspace Librarian Antonio Apodaca will visit the Ojai Library at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2016, to deliver a presentation introducing a new eLibrary resource: PressBooks! Also at the Ojai Library, Opera Santa Barbara will return to present a Free Noontime Opera Concert on Thursday, October 13.

The Jewish Community of Ojai invites everyone to celebrate “Blessings,” six leaded-glass windows recently installed in the JCO sanctuary. These leaded-glass panels were commissioned in1993 by the Jewish Museum, New York, from glass artist and sculptor Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend. In 2016, at the artist’s suggestion, they were generously gifted to the Jewish Community of Ojai. Artist Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend, and curator Anca Colbert, will discuss the creative process behind the windows, a brief history of stained glass windows and their place in spiritual art.  The event will be held on Wednesday, October 19th at 7:30 pm. Dessert and wine reception will follow..

The Ojai Photography Club will host a presentation by photographer and master teacher Christopher Broughton on October 18, at 7:00 p.m. in Ojai’s Kent Hall. “Practicing Seeing,” is based on his experiences in Paris over the past five summers teaching a ten-week study abroad program in photography to Brooks Institute students.  After completing his BA and MS in photography at Brooks Institute, Broughton joined the faculty at Brooks and taught there for twenty years until the recent closure of the school. http://www.christopherbroughton.com

Monthly free presentations are part of the Ojai Photography Club’s community service outreach. Visitors are always welcome to attend. The Ojai Photography Club, which is devoted to education, inspiration, and camaraderie, meets on the third Tuesday of each month, February – November. For additional information please visit: www.ojaiphotoclub.com/

Come join over 100 players in the annual  Villanova Preparatory School golf tournament with a foursome. Come enjoy the Oktoberfest dinner and raffle. Families, friends, alumni, neighbors and public are all welcome! This year, our Wildcat Classic fundraising goal is to raise over $24,000 to use towards athletics and scholarships. Villanova is known for its sense of community and the involvement of its parents and supporters. The event promises to be an excellent opportunity to bring people together for a great cause, and great fun as this year’s event is aligned with Halloween. It will be a screaming good time for all!

Soule Park Golf Course
Friday, October 28
Registration 9:00 a.m. Tee Time 12:00 p.m.
Feast Time 4:30 p.m.

Show your love for Italian sports cars at the 9th Annual Ventura Motorsports Gathering “Viva Italia! set at Village Main Lawn Sunday, October 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s themed event celebrates all things Italian and spotlights Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maserati’s, but all sports, racing and classic cars are welcome to participate in the event.  Dine for lunch or dinner seaside to complement the event.

Gather at Ventura Harbor’s main lawn for this annual dog lovers event on Saturday, October 22, at noon with your dog and enter your pet in a Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest.  Supported by Ventura Pet Barn, the event will give prizes to pet owners for the “Most Sea-Worthy,” Cutest, “Scariest,” “Creative/Original,” and “Best In Show.”

A spook-tacular seaside is in store for the whole family at Ventura Harbor Village’s “Safe Trick or Treat” annual Halloween event planned Saturday, October 29 from 1-3 p.m.  A consistent favorite event for kids and parents, the Village provides a safe Trick-or-Treat with visits to local businesses.  The fun-filled day showcases a face painter, arts and crafts.  Kids of all ages are encouraged to bring their favorite goody bag to collect candy and treats from Harbor retailers and restaurants before enjoying lunch or other seaside treats from ice cream and smoothies.  Round out the day of fun, with a visit to the Village Arcade & Carousel or take a boat ride or pedal boat around the Ventura Harbor.

Zombies of all walks of life can join in “Thrill the World” zombie dance for the world record at Ventura Harbor Village Saturday, October 29 at 3 p.m. A celebration of dance and community inspired by the legendary Michael Jackson, the event is touted as the biggest Halloween gathering on the planet, participants can roam the Village promenade as dancers prepare to perform the classic Michael Jackson “Thriller” dance simultaneously around the globe for the world record!  This must-see event allows for novice and experienced dancers of all ages to dress in zombie wear.  Admission is free.

www.VenturaHarborVillage.com for more information.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and the Ventura County Public Library are partnering to bring a practical, award-winning, and free of cost fall prevention course to Ventura residents starting in October. Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. This program is designed to help you manage falls and increase activity levels. Emphasizing practical strategies to manage falls, participants will learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risks at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance.

Victoria Jump, Director of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging says, “Falls are not a natural part of aging. Evidence Based Exercise programs like Matter of Balance and others we offer can help a senior learn exercises and strategies to prevent falling.”

Anyone concerned about falls, interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength, or who has fallen in the past or anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns should contact the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging for more information and to register.

This free course will be held once per week for 8 weeks at EP Foster Library’s Topping Room. Classes will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting Thursday, Oct. 13 through Thursday, Dec. For more information and to register, please contact the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging at 477-7343 or 800-510-2020.

Ventura County Library System:Inspiring our community to explore, discover and connect.

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

Events by Ana Baker

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

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $10, non-members $12, first time dancers are free. Call Rick at 415-8842 for more information.

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 p.m.to 5:45 p.m. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Bring an interesting topic to discuss if you can.

Audubon Events

• Oct. 15: 8:30 a.m.  Ventura Settling Ponds.  Leader:  Linda Easter  482-7537
  Enjoy a morning of mostly waterfowl birding. Spotting scopes are always welcome.
• Oct. 16: 8 a.m.  Wheeler Canyon.  Leader:  Gary Tuttle  525-2327
  This canyon provides good birding opportunities. We will be looking for raptors, ground doves, Western bluebirds and maybe a lewis wood-pecker.
• Oct. 22: 8:30 a.m. Canada Larga.  Leader : John Pavelko  798-2571
  We will walk and drive the canyon. Always a great walk! Some birds we may see are Western Bluebirds, Road-runners, sparrows, swallows, Red-tailed Hawks & perhaps a Ferruginous Hawk.
• Oct. 29: Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island.  A special trip with the boat leaving Ventura at 9 a.m. and heading directly to Prisoners Harbor.   Leader:  Joel Barrett.  Questions please contact Adele Ferguson at 415-4304

Oct.13:   The Ventura County Professional Women’s Network (VCPWN is hosting their monthly dinner meeting 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Wedgewood Banquet Center.  This month’s speaker will be Tracy Williams.    She will teach the science behind the power of our thoughts and how we can apply the knowledge to create a life we love. Networking starts at 5:30 p.m. $28 for members who register early and $33 for www.vcpwn.org/dinner-meeting, or at the door.  www.vcpwn.org.

Oct. 14: Opera Santa Barbara to hold Noontime Concert at the EP Foster Library.
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. The concert will also offer a “preview” of Opera Santa Barbara’s upcoming production of Carmen. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience great opera in a room with great acoustics.

Oct.15: Saturday, Ventura Singles Roundtable discussion, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. to talk about life, love, family, friends, work, fun, spirituality. Discussion led by Dr.Vondie Lozano, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Group guided imagery/hypnosis included. Ventura E.P. Foster Library, Topping Room.  For more information go to https://www.meetup.com/Ventura-Singles-Roundtable-Discussions/events/

Oct. 15: The Color Run will take place in local Ventura neighborhoods on Saturday, from 8 am to 12 pm, and may cause some traffic delays and/or parking issues.

The race begins in Downtown Ventura at Surfer’s Point Park and the finish line is at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

The Color Run, also known as the Happiest 5k on the Planet, is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, and individuality. Now the single largest event series in the world, The Color Run has exploded hosting more than 225 events in 35+ countries in 2015.

Oct. 15: Thousands of free stamps will be available to those attending the 26th annual Youth Stamp Fair, sponsored by the Ventura County Philatelic Society and the Anacapa Middle School Stamp Club. Doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dudley House Museum.

Despite the event’s name, it is open to people of all ages who want to learn more about stamp collecting. In addition to being able to pick stamps for their collections from thousands of choices, the visitors will get a swag bag. Door prizes will be given throughout the event.

More information at 485-7121 or [email protected], or http://www.vcphilatelic.com.

Oct. 16: Sunday, Live Your Best Life Hypnosis Meetup, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dr. Vondie Lozano, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Hypnotherapist for, “What Would You Like to Attract into Your Life?” Group Guided Imagery/Hypnosis included. E.P. Foster Library, Topping Room. For more information go to www.meetup.com/live-your-best-life-hypnosis/events/

Oct.17: CA Zeta Chi parliamentarians will meet at 7 p.m. and will feature a lesson by President Bruce Rick titled “Incidents.”  The located at the 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.

Oct.20: The East Ventura Community Council will hear from several candidates running for Ventura School Board during its monthly meeting. Those scheduled to appear are Steve Offerman, Sabrena Rodriguez, Ed Summers and Don Wood.

Erika Ruiz, Central California Outreach Manager for Compassion and Choices, will review strategies for having conversations with your doctor on options for end of life care. Tobie Mitchell from the City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Office will explain a new community cleanup program offered by the City and E. J. Harrison. 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 visit the group’s Facebook page.

Oct.22: On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a  Book Sale at 11251 Riverbank Dr. This sale will be held on the grounds of the location of the warehouse where the Friends process book donations, allowing us to offer shoppers a very large selection of affordable quality used books, audiobooks, music and movies.

Oct.23: On Sunday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Ventura Friends of the Library will be holding their Annual Membership Meeting: Libraries Growing with Technology at E.P. Foster Library’s Topping Room. Antonio Apodaca, Makerspace Librarian, and Deya Terrafranca, City Librarian, will explain all that library tech has to offer and what will soon be available at a library near you.

Bring a friend to see the library’s 3D printer in action and discover the new dimensions of the library.  Admission is free.

Nov. 1:12 noon Mended Hearts of Ventura.
Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. Group meets the first Tuesday at 12 noon at Carrows restaurant on Harbor Blvd. Excellent speakers – leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists, Dietitians, etc. from our area.
Contact Richard Hatcher 644-2733

Step Up Ventura will host its first benefit Murder Mystery Dinner at the Wyndham Garden Ventura Pierpont Inn on Friday, October 14th from 6 to 10 pm. Group seating and sponsorships are available by calling the Informant at (310) 497-9709.

Participants become a part of the scene as they enjoy dinner and an evening of fun and fantasy to help impact homeless children. Who knows, the person sitting next to you could be a stone cold killer.

Their vision is a community where the safety and well-being of children are not compromised by their parent’s circumstances or instability and do not have to live with repeated traumas, disrupted attachments, or neglect. A community where all children have a chance to form healthy relationships and have access to early childhood education that supports realizing their potential.

They work towards this goal by providing all day therapeutic daycare and preschool to homeless children age 0-5.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.stepupventura.org.

The  California Central Coast’s very own Scottish Festival—returns to the beautiful Ventura County Fairgrounds in October.  You can look forward to two solid days of Scottish fun and frivolity, games and gaiety and the tension of competition in these various venues:

Colorful Highland Dancers compete for prize money and trophies on the Amtrak Stage near the front entrance.  Then, follow your ears for the Pipe and Drum Band Competition and don’t miss the colorful Drum Major Competition and the famous Scottish Fiddle Competition. We convinced the very talented Rebecca Lominky and Shauna Pickett-Gordon to oversee and to judge these talented musicians.  There is more to come!  The athletes compete for trophies and bragging rights.

After the Herding Dog demonstrations, shaggy Highland cattle are nearby and shaggy Scots, too, in a fun-for-all Bearded Scot Contest!  A packed Children’s Glen will entertain the wee ones for as long as you will let them stay!  Opening Ceremonies and Grand Parade not to be missed at noon sharp on Saturday and a meaningful Closing and Awards Ceremony near the end of Sunday’s festivities.

Four Entertainment Stages are alive with the best Celtic performers to be found anywhere.  Perennial favorites, the Wood family known professionally as Celtic Spring headline their own stage.  Sharing that stage are excellent family spinoffs Bows & Toes and Three for Joy among others.  The centrally located Alex Beaton Stage will be home to long-time friends The Browne Sisters & George Cavanaugh and back “for the first time ever” Eric Rigler and Dirk Freymuth with a completely new acoustic bagpipe and guitar sound like none other! Lurking toward the extreme end of Clan Row, you cannot miss the sights and sounds of the Celtic Rock Stage anchored by heavy favorites The Angry Brians with lively local buddies, The Ploughboys!  One more stop midway down Clan Row is a wee stage we call The Pavilion Stage and it will be hopping all day.  Don’t miss our fabulous Harp Glen sponsored by the Clan Currie Society.  Plus, you are likely to find the great Los Angeles Fifes and Drums anywhere on the grounds.  Now, maybe time for some excellent Scottish and Irish food and bev, or shopping among unique and quality vendors or taking a class should you want to know more about Celtic cooking with The Celtic Caterer himself, Eric McBride, or history, the Gaelic language or Single Malt Scotch!

For further information see seaside-games.com or call John & Nellie at 818-886-4968

A Voice Discovered (AVD), a local non-profit organization, will be hosting their 3rd Annual Casino Night and Silent Auction Fundraiser to benefit people in the community with complex communication needs on Saturday October 8th from 6:00p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Those hoping to participate can get some practice beforehand by heading to the Mobile Wins casino on phone.

The event will raise money and awareness for people in the community with communication impairments who are unable to use speech as their primarily form of communication and require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to express themselves. The money raised will benefit A Voice Discovered’s grant programs for individuals and organizations in the community. The grants provide people with complex communication needs funding for services and/or equipment that they would otherwise not be able to access. The Casino Night and Silent Auction will be at Four Brix Winery in Ventura. Tickets cost $40 prior to the event and $50 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online through the website www.avoicediscovered.com . The purchase of a ticket includes a meal ticket, a glass of wine and funny money to get started at the Casino Tables provided by Aces and 8s. We will also have Silent Auction and Raffle items provided by local businesses. Those who enjoy the thrill of gambling may be pleased to know that you can take part in games from your own home with online casinos, some of which offer a casino welcome package to new members.

More information can be found at www.avoicediscovered.com