Paul Collins, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (SBMNH), will describe the effects that conservation efforts on the Channel Islands have had on breeding bird populations, during the September From Shore to Sea Lecture.

Collins will describe how, over the past 150 years, the type and behavior of breeding bird populations on the Channel Islands has changed significantly, influenced by a wide variety of factors.

Most recently, many bird species have benefited from the removal of non-native herbivores, rats, and cats on the islands, resulting in new breeding records and first time breeding records, as the species’ native habitats are restored.

Collins’ research has found not only the addition of 26 species of birds that are believed to be nesting for the first time on the islands, but also almost 150 island-specific changes in the breeding distribution and status of birds nesting on the Channel Islands.

Collins has been employed at the SBMNH for the past 43 years, where he has conducted research on a wide array of species on the Channel Islands.

The talk will be held on Thursday,September 8. The From Shore to Sea lecture series is sponsored by Channel Islands National Park to further the understanding of current research on the Channel Islands.

The lecture will take place at 7:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, January through December, at the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, 1901 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura Harbor.

The programs are free and open to the public. This lecture can also be viewed live online at: http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/live-programs.htm.

September 1st is the last day to join the Ojai Women’s Fund and participate in its inaugural year of community support. The Ojai Women’s Fund (OWF) is a nonprofit that feeds other local nonprofits via financial grants. Thus far, over 200 women of Ojai have joined together to pool resources to fund grant awards to local nonprofit organizations.

Membership in and donations to the OWF become powerful agents of change that will enhance Ojai’s communities through substantial financial grant awards to local nonprofits that serve Ojai’s arts, education, environmental, healthcare and social service programs.

Visit www.ojaiwomensfund.org or call  746-3096 to join, donate, and/or learn more about the OWF.

Ojai artist Shahastra will provide the  cover art of the 2016 Ojai Film Festival program guide. The cover features Shahastra’s beautiful landscape Three Guardians, a  pastel that depicts  three palm trees set against a backdrop of majestic mountains and lush lemon  groves. Executive director Maryse Gartner stated, “Shahastra’s aesthetic is perfect for conveying the natural beauty of the Ojai Valley.”

Shahastra has a long and distinguished career as a multimedia artist, teacher, and illustrator and is a member of Ojai Studio Artists, Shahastra illustrated the Magical Rainbow series of children’s books, contributed to the experiential Ojai art installation “The Walk,” and published a fifty-card reflection deck entitled “Meeting the Self.”

The Ojai Film Festival has received 407 film submissions and 67 screenplays for the 2016 competition. Featuring a range of quality films from around the world, the Festival will be held November 3 -13. More information on the Festival’s notable achievements, film submissions process, key leadership, and history is provided on its website www.ojaifilmfestival.com.

On Saturday, September 17, after an 11-year hiatus, Ojai’s Bowlful of Blues will return to Libbey Bowl, in Ojai’s Libbey Park, with performers scheduled from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m., including headliner, blues legend Arthur Adams, and featuring Mitch Kashmar, Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan, Calire-Marx Organ Quartet, and rising star Jade Hendrix. Gates open at 2:00 p.m. with popular locals Richard Kaller and Annieville Blues on the lawn stage.

Food will be on hand, including fried and roasted chicken dinners by Rondia’s Kitchen. The Shrimp vs. Chef and All American Softy food trucks will also be onsite. Premium beer, wine and snacks will be available. Tickets may be purchased online; from businesses in Ojai, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, and Thousand Oaks; via mail; or at the box office on the day of the show. For pricing and more information, see event website, bowlfofblues.org, or email Lanny Kaufer, [email protected], or Michael Kaufer, [email protected].

The work of local visionary artist Joyce Huntington is on display at the Ojai Community Bank, 402 W. Ojai Ave., through September 16. A reception for the artist will be held Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The show is called “Meditations” and features large, colorful works drawn from Huntington’s own meditation practice and the inspiration it gives her.

Originally from Seattle, Huntington spent most of her childhood in the desert southwest. A precocious, dance-obsessed child, she won a life-threatening death battle with polio, but the disease left her confined to a wheelchair. No longer able to dance, her creative spirit found new expression in painting. Huntington and her husband, Gerald Stanek own Frameworks of Ojai, and customers can often find her painting there.

For more information, about Huntington, her artistic process, and her paintings, visit her website: http://www.joycehuntingtonart.com.

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.

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.

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.

Sept. 3: Local writer Philip Brown, author of the young adult Light Runner fantasy series, will be meeting readers and signing books at Bank of Books ,748 E. Main Street, .from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Sept. 3: The Ventura Tennis Club, in cooperation with the Ventura Recreation and Community Services, is hosting a Ventura Tennis Day on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be held at the Camino Real Tennis Park. This is a free event for vtc members and their guests.

Events will include clinics for adults and kids from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with a Tennis pro and other staff. Then there will be racquet demos. After the clinics, there will be a lunch and refreshments followed by organized doubles play.

The Ventura Tennis Club is a non-profit community based club bringing tennis enthusiasts of all abilities together for social and competitive play since 1981. http://www.venturatennisclub.com

Sept. 4: Ventura Audubon Society field trips Camino Real Park at 8:30 a.m.  Leader:  Raeanne Koerner 701-1919   Camino Real is a grassy park surrounded by pines and eucalyptus.  Target birds will include Red Shouldered Hawk, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler and Townsend’s Warbler.

Sept. 4: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association presents free music concerts on the first Sunday of every month at the Poinsettia Pavilion from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Next session features the very lively, versatile and talented “Old Country Grass Band”.  Call 517-1131 for more information.

Sept. 4: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours from 1 p.m.  to 4 p.m. accompanied by period music in the parlor and upstairs library landing. Admission is free. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets in Ventura. For information 642-3345 or www.dudleyhouse.org.

Sept. 6,20: Retired men(or those nearing that status) are invited to a Tuesday, semi-monthly get-together of the Retired Men’s Group to spend a couple of hours for a sip at the bar, a song, a joke, light lunch and an interesting, informational, or even educational presentation on any variety of subjects at the Elks lodge at 2126 Knoll Drive. Call Steve Carroll for details at 642-1359.

Sept.7: 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, wine outings, reading, mah jong, cooking etc.

For more information, please come to our monthly meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. held at the Ventura Museum Pavilion  No charge for meeting and no reservation is required.

Subject:  The Grand Jury “The Eyes and Ears of Ventura County Residents”. For additional information, please visit bcnnwomensclub.org or 988-0795

Sept. 8: RL Miller will speak about Climate Hawks Vote that is building grassroots political power for the climate movement. Miller is elected chair of California Democratic Party’s Environmental Caucus. Ventura County Climate Hub is a grassroots, non-partisan local affiliate of 350.org with the mission to create a local movement working on reversing climate change. Actions are taken to promote clean energy (off of fossil fuels) along with a localized food system for resilient communities in Ventura County.

To engage and educate voters to make candidate positions on climate change action a key factor in who they vote for and support.

Unitarian-Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St., rear parking lot to Fellowship Hall. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 9: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution September luncheon meeting will feature annual awards program to honor members of the chapter.  The luncheon event will take place at 11:30 a.m., Friday, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant.  All SAR & DAR Compatriots, friends, and visitors are welcome to attend.  The cost for lunch is $20 per person.  For additional information or for assistance in determining your possible Revolutionary War genealogical roots, please call Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992.  For information regarding SAR membership and chapter activities, http://pattonpatriots.org

Sept. 12: Gold Coast Concert Chorus under the direction of Elizabeth Helms invites you to sing for the 2016-2017 season.  Rehearsals for their holiday concert, Peace on Earth, begin Monday at 7 p.m.   Registration begins at 5:45 p.m.  Rehearsals will take place at Ventura Continuing Education Center, 5200 Valentine Road, in the Ron Halt Community Room in the back parking lot.  No audition is required to participate in GCCC.  Interested singers may register September 12th, 19th or 26th and are financially responsible for registration fee and music.  This concert will be performed December 9th & 10th, 2016.  For more information: www.goldcoastchorus.org

Sept.13: Wildlife of the Pantanal:  with Paul Abravaya.  The Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland area in the world.   It is mainly in Brazil but is also found in Paraguay and Bolivia.  Estimated to be up to 75,000 square miles, eighty percent of the area floods during the wet season with up to fifty-five inches of rain.  As a member of the Peace Corps Paul worked in Brazil and has discovered a new species of hummingbird and a new genus of mammal.  He uses his photographs to educate and help people to become aware of the beauty of the natural world.

Event held at the Poinsettia Pavilion beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Sept.13&14: Community Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary is hosting Accessory Mania Sept. 13 (10-5) and Sept. 14 (7-4) in the lobby of CMH (147 N. Brent St).  There will be available a wide variety of items.  Please come and shop.  While shopping, pick up a volunteer application at the front desk.  All services have openings.

Sept. 14: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a critique meeting on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. A professional photographer from the area will critique member’s prints.  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

Rubicon Theatre Company’s 2016-2017 Season was publicly announced at a special event hosted by Joe Spano (Emmy Award and L.A. Drama Critics’ Circle Award-winning veteran of stage and screen) and Peter Van Norden (whose numerous credits include five Broadway shows, regional theatre, film and television).  The two actors star as Marley and Scrooge, respectively, in the company’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol, which was a Critic’s Choice in the L.A. Times and will be reprised this December under the direction of Brian McDonald.

The season also features the third play in Arlene Hutton’s celebrated Nibroc Trilogy, Gulf View Drive, helmed by London-based director Katharine Farmer; Miche Braden reprising her Off-Broadway performance in The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith written by Angelo Parra and directed by Joe Brancato of Penguin Rep; the return of the most popular comedy in Rubicon history, A.R. Gurney’s Sylvia, directed by Stephanie A. Coltrin; direct from Off-Broadway, The Other Mozart written by and starring Silvia Milo and directed by Isaac Byrne, about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s equally remarkable sister Nannerl; Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Frank McGuinness’ riveting tale based on a true story about three hostages held in Beirut in1986, directed by Katharine Farmer; and King Lear by William Shakespeare, directed by James O’Neil.

The theme for the 2016-2017 Season, “Stories that Matter,” was explained by Rubicon Producing Artistic Director Karyl Lynn Burns at the event. “At this tenuous time in the world, we wanted to focus on stories that embrace diversity and focus on our shared humanity. Theatre is a forum where open, civil, meaningful dialogue can happen, and I think there is a hunger for that right now.”

At the announcement, Rubicon co-founders Karyl Lynn Burns and James O’Neil also announced two selections in this year’s Plays-in-Progress: a new musical version of Sea Marks by Gardner McKay, adapted by James O’Neil with music and lyrics by Amanda McBroom and Michele Brourman; and a concert with a working title of The Folk-Rock Project by O’Neil. As part of the announcement, an original song entitled “The Sea Provides” was performed from Sea Marks featuring Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper; and “I Dig Rock and Roll Music” was performed by members of the Off-Broadway cast of Lonesome Traveler – Mongiardo-Cooper, along with Trevor Wheetman, Sylvie Davidson and Jamie Drake. Other performers who participated in the announcement included Lily Nicksay, Erik Odom, Jennifer Shelton, George Ball, and Joseph Fuqua.

Titles for the Janet and Mark L. Goldenson Broadway Concert Series; and other PIP selections (curated this year by Rubicon Artistic Associate Jenny Sullivan), will be announced in early January.

To purchase season tickets for the company’s 2016-2017 Season, call the Rubicon Box Office at 667-2900. Those who purchase three or more shows as a series before August 15 save 15% and receive a bonus $5 gift card for concessions. They will also be entered in a drawing to win a Jewel Club year-long Ruby Membership, which includes opportunities to go behind-the-scenes at Rubicon and attend Director’s Previews in private homes, Designer Presentations, and a table-reading, as well as other benefits.

The Ventura County Reproductive Rights Network is hosting its signature Write For Your Rights event to bring together our community’s collective voice during a time when threats on reproductive rights are at an all time high. Recent attacks from an anti-abortion group put Planned Parenthood at serious risk of being defunded. Even though the attempt to block Planned Parenthood’s funding on the federal level failed in the Senate, women’s health still remains at risk at the state level. Write For Your Rights gives Ventura County the opportunity to tell our local and national legislators that we stand in support of women’s rights and believe reproductive rights are human rights.

The event will be from 12:30 – 2:30pm on Sunday, August 28th at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura (5654 Ralston Street). VCRRN will have letters on a range of reproductive health care topics prepared for the public to sign. In past years, we have collected as many as 1,500 letters during a WFYR’s event.  By bundling the letters, they are sending a strong message to our elected representatives.

The event is free of charge and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

The Ventura County Reproductive Rights Network is a countywide umbrella of organizations and individuals committed to educating the community about reproductive health issues and mobilizing its members in support of reproductive freedom, rights and access. In addition to the annual Write for Your Rights event, every January the VCRRN gathers signatures for its annual Roe v. Wade signature advertisement to raise social awareness about the ongoing assault on reproductive freedom.