Chamber On The Mountain, a chamber music concert series in Ojai presents the multiple award-winning cellist, Alexander Hersh, with pianist, Dominic Cheli, for a beautiful program with a mix of solo cello and cello and piano music on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at 3:00 pm in Logan House (located at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts in Upper Ojai). Tickets $30.00 at ChamberOnTheMountain.com. Audience members are invited to meet the artists at a lovely outdoor patio reception following the performance.

Having already performed as soloist with the Houston Symphony and the Boston Pops, cellist Alexander Hersh has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting and versatile talents of his generation.

Dominic Cheli embraces the role of an artist-citizen in his multifaceted career as performer, educator, composer, and director. He is described as an “inspired keyboardist.

“Elemental,” an art exhibit featuring the work of six talented Ojai artists, will run until April 30th with an opening reception Sunday, April 16th, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at The Ojai Art Center. We hope you can join us.

This show promises to be a must-see exhibition for art lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. In addition, a Patio Pop-Up Show of recent work will be featured Sat. & Sun., April 15th & 16th, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The exhibit and pop-up show will feature a wide range of artwork for sale.

We are thrilled to be showcasing the work of these talented local artists, each bringing their unique perspective to the theme of the elements and hope the ‘Elemental’ exhibit will inspire visitors to appreciate the beauty of nature and think more deeply about our relationship with the environment.

The Ojai Art Center, 113 So. Montgomery St. www.ojaiartcenter.org

by Mary Olson

Ventura County Library is offering a series of family-friendly sustainability-themed programs.
English/Spanish interpretation services and children’s activities will be available for all the
programs at the Piru Library, Saticoy Library, and Soliz Library branches. The upcoming topics
are:

Home Weatherization 101
Thursday, April 6, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm at Piru Library (3811 Center Street, Piru) 805 521-1753
Thursday, May 4, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Saticoy Library (1292 Los Angeles Avenue, Ventura)
805 671-5148

How to Get Green Business Certified
Thursday, April 13, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Soliz Library (2820 Jourdan Street, Oxnard) 805
485-4515
Thursday, May 11, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Piru Library
Thursday, May 18, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Saticoy Library
These programs are made available through a Sustainable California Libraries Grant from the
California State Library, and in collaboration with the County Executive Office’s Sustainability
Division.

Micaela Ellis, teen author, will visit E.P. Foster Library on Saturday, April 8, 11:00 am to noon
to present her book, Autism Over The Years and share her perspective on life as a child with
autism. She hopes to educate others on the challenges that people with autism face and the many
opportunities for growth and learning that are available to children like her when they are
respected and understood.

Nathalia brings Bilingual Music for Families to Hill Road Library on Tuesday, April 25 at 3:30
pm. Get ready to dance and sing in English and Espanol with Nathalia, a multi-talented singer
songwriter based out of Los Angeles. From rock to cumbia, jazz to reggaeton, Nathalia’s songs
are produced in a number of different musical styles and written with the whole family in mind.
This event is open to all ages.

Book Clubs at the Library
E.P. Foster’s Young Reader Book Club meets on the fourth Saturday of each month, from 1:00
to 2:00 pm, for children ages 9-12 (4th or 5th grade reading level). For more information, call
(805) 648-2716.

Hill Road Library’s quarterly Wise Owls Book Club for adults who enjoy reading children’s
literature, meets on Tuesday, April 11, 5:00 to 6:00 pm. The book selection is: The Last
Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera.

The Hill Road Library Book Club will discuss Bird Brother: A Falconer’s Journey and the
Healing Power of Wildlife by Rodney Stotts on Tuesday, April 25, 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
To join the mailing list for Hill Road Library book clubs, please email
[email protected] .

Visit Hill Road Library to pick up the latest book club selections.
Rising from the Ashes home tour will take place on Saturday, April 22, 12:00 to 4:00 pm.
The Thomas Fire of 2017 caused devastation, but not defeat. The Ventura County Library
Foundation invites you to witness the resilience of Ventura as you tour some of the beautifully
rebuilt homes and hear the stories of rebirth. Mid-Century Modern, Mediterranean, Spanish
Colonial, West Pueblo, Modern and French Country styles are represented.

Proceeds will help fund important literacy programs, including the Mobile Library. For more
information and to buy tickets, go to https://www.vclibraryfoundation.org/events.

Do you want to Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games.

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we

will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. All are always welcome. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected].

April 8: Micaela Ellis, the teen author, will visit two Ventura County libraries, Ray D. Prueter Library, and E.P. Foster Library, to deliver a presentation on her book, Autism Over the Years. In her presentation, Micaela will share her experiences as a young adult navigating autism in today’s world. She hopes to expand community perceptions and educate others on some of the challenges that autistic people may face, as well as share the many growth opportunities that are available to children and young adults like her when their needs are respected, understood, and celebrated.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. at E.P. Foster Library at 651 Main Street.

April 15: Flamenco in the 805 is back! Namba Performing Arts Space will host the 5th annual Flamenco showcase at 7 p.m. The show will open with the dance students of Wendy Castellanos and feature over 25 dancers from all over the 805 and the globe. The second half will feature Ana Quintero singing timeless gypsy melodies and Gerardo Morales on Flamenco guitar. At the same time, dancers Ryan Rockmore and Wendy Castellanos set the stage ablaze with thundering rhythms, entrancing movements, and heart-wrenching expressions. Get ready, Ventura! This is the pure essence of the Andalusian song. This. Is. Flamenco! 47 S. Oak St. Tickets $25 Ticket link. flamenco-805.ticketleap.com/flamenco/ Note: Seating is minimal, so purchase your tickets early.

April 16: The Ventura Senior Men’s Group has Ian Johnson, a Ventura County fire station chief speaking.  I’ve asked him to cover the relationships between the multiple fire authorities when we have a significant fire.  Ian says he has many stories about fighting the Thomas Fire.  The group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Men of all descriptions are welcome to stop to sample our shenanigans. Contact Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820

April 16: Anyone interested in timepieces, both antique and modern, can join the Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors for a watch/clock marketplace, lunch, and a presentation on a horological topic.

Bring a watch or clock for a free evaluation. 11am , Campus Student Center of Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Rd. nawcc-ch190.com.

April 25: Hill Road Library, 3:30pm . Bilingual musician and artist Nathalia will visit to perform bilingual music for families and children of all ages.

Nathalia is a multi-talented singer-songwriter based out of Los Angeles. Nathalia has been a featured guest on Univision’s ‘Despierta America’ and CBS’s ‘The Talk’, and her music has been featured on a number of parenting blogs and online radio stations. Get ready to dance and sing in English and Español!

These events are free and open to the public. For additional information, contact the Hill Road Library at 805-677-7180. The Hill Road Library is located at 1070 S. Hill Rd.

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

April 26: The College Area Community Council will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Council meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month and include speakers and discussion on neighborhood and community interest topics, including public safety and economic development. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. CACC represents citizens in the area bounded by Mills Road on the west, Hill Road on the east, city limits on the hillsides on the north, and the 126 Freeway on the south. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list, or to access a link to the Zoom meeting.”

In 1989, the very first Community Good Friday Service began in the City of Ventura. The service included the senior pastors from four churches, Horizon Foursquare Church, which is now The River Community Church, First Baptist Church, which is now Coastline Bible Church, South Coast Fellowship, which is now Journey Church Ventura, and Community Presbyterian Church which is still Community Presbyterian Church.

Today, thirty-four years later, we have approximately fifteen churches represented and over a dozen denominations. On Good Friday, denominational differences will be set aside, and the focus will be on what all these churches have in common, which is Jesus Christ.

“I love this service!” says Senior Pastor Jim Duran of The River Community Church. “The pastors in this city have become good friends, and they love to serve together for the betterment of our community. Each pastor brings their own personality, their knowledge of the scripture, and their love for Jesus, which makes this an amazing service. The entire city of Ventura should experience our Good Friday Service.”

The 34th Annual Community Good Friday Service will be held at The River Community Church, 889 E. Santa Clara St. Ventura, CA 93001, on Friday, April 7th at 12 noon. For more information, visit: www.TheRiverCommunity.org.

Events by Ana Baker

The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcome to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820
Do you want a Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we
will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected]. All Welcome.

March 31-April 2: This hilarious and heartrending new play comes from a multi-award-winning writer and director, Kieron Barry, just four performances before its London premiere. “Spy for Spy, love, shuffled” at NAMBA Performing Arts Space, 47 S Oak St. Spy for Spy asks if our lives make more sense in the wrong order and if love is enough to fuse two radically different spirits. Spy for Spy is a romantic comedy with a difference; a drama performed like a playlist with scenes shuffled in random order. Funny, moving, and profound, Spy for Spy explores the limits of the body, the weight of the soul, and the burden of love. Tickets are $30/$25 for students and seniors and can be bought online at www.NambaArts.com or at the door on the performance day.

April 1: Sespe Fly Fishers of Ventura will be conducting our monthly “First Saturday” introductory Fly Rod Casting and Intro to Fly Fishing clinic. is on. There is no charge and all are welcome. Whether you are an experienced fly fisher or a complete novice we want to help you improve your casting and learn to enjoy this great sport. If you don’t yet have a fly rod, don’t worry, just come and use one of ours.
Chumash Park, Petit and Waco, 9:00 to 11:00 am.
Also coming Up in April – Special Clinic – “Casting on the River!”
Sespe Fly Fishers in collaboration with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
is planning to set up a special casting clinic at the Ventura Steelhead Preserve in April to take advantage of the current Ventura River Flows.

Ventura Steelhead Preserve
9458 Santa Ana Rd, Ventura
Date: To be determined
For more information: Casting Program Coordinator Thomas Hall
[email protected]
(805) 377-5249 www.sespeflyfishers.org

April 2: Open house tours of the 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will take place on Sunday from 1- 4 p.m. Admission is free. The museum is at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood Streets (197 N. Ashwood). For information, please call (805) 642-3345 or visit the website at dudleyhouse.org.

April 2: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. Sunday 2-4 p.m.
At the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. Live Music on stage. Jamming in the Canada Room. Free Admission. Free Parking. Open to the Public. Current Ventura County Covid regulations will apply. For more information, call 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA.

April 4: Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomer’s speaker is Marsha McHenry Carol moved to Ventura from Dana Point five years ago. She has a degree in Communications from Cal State, Fullerton, and is a freelance journalist, writing for many of California’s lifestyle magazines. She splits her time between Laguna and Ventura. She bought Charles of Laguna, Charles Wigs, in 2010 when the business was 45 years old. She recently opened a private room, a wig boutique in Salon Pancho off Harbor Bl in Ventura. Wednesday 9:30-11:15 a.m. at Ventura Yacht Club, 1755 Spinnaker Dr.

April 8: Saturday 8 – 2 p.m., our monthly plant and collectibles sale continues on the grounds at the Dudley House. Bromeliads, orchids, and succulents will be on sale, along with various collectibles. Vendors, please call Charlie at 805-746-4317 for details. The museum is at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood Streets (197 N. Ashwood). Free.

April 12: The Ondulando Firewise Community will hold its first community-wide meeting from 6 – 7 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. All residents of Ondulando are invited to come and learn about the benefits of a Firewise Community: How to harden your home against wildfires, how our neighborhood can be more fire resilient, and how the cost of home insurance can be reduced for Firewise Communities.

Our local Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council has been helping us start our Firewise Community using the FIREWISE USA framework. “The Firewise USA program encourages local solutions for safety by involving homeowners in taking individual responsibility for preparing their homes for the risk of wildfire. The program provides resources to help homeowners learn how to adapt to living with wildfire and encourages neighbors to work together to act now to prevent losses.” (VRFSC, Feb 2023). For more information, search Firewise USA.

April 15: Step Up Ventura, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides academic, social, emotional, and behavioral skills to children experiencing homelessness under the age of 5, is hosting a Local Youth Artist Showcase on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave. Our Inspire to Aspire event will feature the talent of local VUSD students through choral and jazz music, crafted desserts by Ventura High School culinary students, and a silent auction. For more information, please visit our website to purchase tickets or to become a sponsor at www.stepupventura.org

April 28: Group: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG)
Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email, the Internet, and social media brokers such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, and Yahoo. Online and live at our temporary location Ventura County Computers, 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117. Events begin on Friday at 9:30 a.m. All CIPCUG events may be attended online. Due to limited space, live
attendance is reserved for members. Details for connecting to online events are emailed before the event. To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at: <ahref=http://www.cipcug.org>cipcug club website. (805) 289-3960

by Mary Olson
Ventura County Library is offering a series of family-friendly sustainability-themed programs.
English/Spanish interpretation services and children’s activities will be available for all the programs at the Piru Library, Saticoy Library, and Soliz Library branches. The upcoming topic is:

Home Weatherization 101
Thursday, March 30, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Soliz Library
(2820 Jourdan Street, Oxnard) 805 485-4515
Thursday, April 6, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm at Piru Library
(3811 Center Street, Piru) 805 521-1753
Thursday, May 4, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Saticoy Library
(1292 Los Angeles Avenue, Ventura) 805 671-5148

These programs are made available through a Sustainable California Libraries Grant from the California State Library, and in collaboration with the County Executive Office’s Sustainability Division. To learn more about the Sustainable California Libraries grant, visit their website at www.library.ca.gov/services/to-libraries/sustainable/.

E.P. Foster Library is offering a new book club – Foster’s Young Reader Book Club will meet on the fourth Saturday of each month, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, for children ages 9-12 (4th or 5th grade reading level). The selection to be discussed at the March 25 meeting is The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. Despereaux Tilling is a mouse who sets out on a quest to rescue a beautiful human princess from the rats. The book won the 2004 Newbery Medal award and has been adapted into a film, a video game, and a stage musical.

Micaela Ellis, teen author, will visit E.P. Foster Library on Saturday, April 8, 11:00 am to noon to present her book, Autism Over The Years and share her perspective on life as a child with autism. She hopes to educate others on the challenges that people with autism face and the many opportunities for growth and learning that are available to children like her when they are respected and understood.

The Hill Road Library Book Club will discuss Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver on
Tuesday, March 28, 5:00 to 6:00 pm. The April book club selection is Bird Brother: A Falconer’s Journey
and the Healing Power of Wildlife by Rodney Stotts.

Hill Road Library also offers a quarterly Wise Owls Book Club for adults who enjoy reading children’s literature. The Spring meeting takes place on Tuesday, April 11, 5:00 to 6:00 pm. The book selection is : The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera. This middle-grade dystopian novel follows Petra Peña who, along with her family and a few hundred others, leaves Earth to continue the human race after a comet strikes the planet.

To join the mailing list for Hill Road Library book clubs, please email [email protected] . Visit
Hill Road Library to pick up the latest book club selections.

The Ventura County Library Foundation has announced its second Rising from the Ashes home tour to take place on Saturday, April 22, 12:00 to 4:00 pm.

The Thomas Fire of 2017 caused devastation, but not defeat. The Ventura County Library Foundation invites you to witness the resilience of Ventura as you tour some of the beautifully rebuilt homes and hear the stories of rebirth.

Proceeds will help fund important literacy programs, the Mobile Library, broader access to the internet and computers to close the digital divide, homework tutoring, STEAM initiatives, and much more.
For more information and to buy tickets, go to: https://www.vclibraryfoundation.org/events/

Wooden sculptures, charcoal portraits and fine ceramics are just a few of the treasures featured March 11 as part of the Ojai Studio Artists’ Second Saturday tour, which this month offers access to the private studios of artists across the East End of the Ojai Valley.

The second in a series of monthly events that runs through August, this East End tour offers neighbors, collectors and the merely curious a rare opportunity to experience world-class artwork in a casual and intimate setting unlike the busier, bigger October tour. 

The East End Tour includes OSA founder Gayel Childress, an Ojai original whose colorful canvases depict otherworldly landscapes and exuberant emotions, a family art compound containing work by famed glass artist Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend and world-renowned abstract painter Richard Amend, and the backyard studio of botanical artist Elizabeth White, whose close-up pastels are a favorite of local collectors.

This tour will be followed in April by a Downtown group, the Arbolada in May, Mira Monte in June, the West End in July and Meiners Oaks in August. Check the OSA website for a full list of participating artists. 

Ojai Studio Artists supports community education that promotes art awareness, preparing the next generation of artists, and celebrating the importance of the arts within the region. To date, OSA has given more than $200,000 in art scholarships. It also purchases art books for local libraries, partners with schools in teaching classes and mentoring students, and supports public art projects and other community programs.

For more information and a full list of artists, see the OSA website: https://www.ojaistudioartists.org/second-saturday-tour-march-11/

Book Publishing 1-2-3. Grab a pen and join us for this lively 90-minute workshop, sprinkled with ideas and stories to inspire and empower writers of all types. We’ll start by checking out today’s book business (both traditional and indie publishing), then share valuable resources to help aspiring authors connect with literary agents and editors.

We’ll offer ideas you can employ to add pizazz to your prose, including a gem courtesy of a gutsy comedy star. Thursday, March 23, 1 to 2:30 pm

Oak Park Community Center & Gardens, 1000 N. Kanan Road, Oak Park 91377

Cost $20 – cash or check only

Registration Requested. Call the presenter to reserve your seat at (858) 635-1233 or email her at [email protected].

Presenter Laurie Gibson is a professional editor with decades of experience serving hundreds of individual writers, as well as publishers.

Ten percent of every admission will be donated to a local conservation group for habitat restoration in Ventura County, kicking off the presenter’s “Let’s Endow a Forest!” campaign.

Chamber On The Mountain, a chamber music concert series in Ojai , presents the GRAMMY®–nominated Neave Trio on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at 3:00 pm in Logan House (located at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts in Upper Ojai). Tickets $30.00 at ChamberOnTheMountain.com. Audience members are invited to meet the artists at a lovely outdoor patio reception following the performance, with a special wine tasting by Stevenson Oaks Vineyard & Winery.

Since forming in 2010, Neave Trio – violinist Anna Williams, cellist Mikhail Veselov, and pianist Eri Nakamura – has earned enormous praise for its engaging, cutting-edge performances, and has emerged as one of the finest young ensembles of its generation.

Neave Trio has performed at many esteemed concert series and at festivals worldwide, including Lincoln Center’s “Mostly Mozart Festival,” Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 92nd St. Y, Rockport Chamber Music Festival, Norfolk and Norwich Chamber Music Series (United Kingdom), and the Samoylov and Rimsky Korsakow Museums’ Chamber Music Series in St. Petersburg (Russia).

Celebrating its Tenth Season, the chamber music series brings internationally recognized musicians to Happy Valley in Upper Ojai – home of the Besant Hill School, the Happy Valley Cultural Center, and the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts. For more information visit www.ChamberOnTheMountain.com.

“Elemental” featuring the work of six Ojai artists (Ingrid Boulting, Carlos Grasso, Gretchen Greenberg, Susan Griffin, Thomas Hardcastle, and Mariana Peirano) will be on display the month of April at the Ojai Art Center.

The four classical elements: earth, water, air, and fire have been interpreted in art, philosophy and science since ancient times presenting a wealth of inspiration as well as broad parameters for interpretation. See how six local artists interpret these elements…

Opening reception is Sunday April 16th from 3-5 PM.

A Patio Pop-Up Show of recent work will be featured Sat. & Sun., April 15 & 16, from 11AM – 4PM.

The Ojai Art Center is located at 113 So. Montgomery St. in downtown Ojai.

As you walk the meadows, mountains and valleys of Southern California, do you find yourself wishing you knew more about the elusive mushrooms you encounter? Turn your wishing into learning on Saturday, February 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. when Herb Walks with Lanny Kaufer hosts a workshop in Ojai with acclaimed forager/chef Jess Starwood, author of Mushroom Wanderland: A Forager’s Guide to Finding, Identifying, and Using More Than 25 Wild Fungi!.

Starwood will join Kaufer, author of Medicinal Herbs of California: A Field Guide to Common Healing Plants, at a diverse Ojai habitat that is home to several species of fungi and native plants. Of course, they can’t guarantee which mushrooms they’ll find as that is unpredictable, dependent on rainfall, weather, and other factors. In any case, Starwood will bring dried samples from her pantry to fill in the gaps.

The workshop will start out at 9 a.m. at the Ojai Meadows Preserve for some plant ID and mushroom foraging. At 12 noon the group will move indoors to Fisher Hall at St. Andrews Episcopal Church for a wild food lunch demonstration, followed by more learning in the afternoon. At 3 pm. Kaufer’s mobile bookshop will be open for purchasing either title and many more. The authors will sign their respective books.

This will be Starwood’s only Ojai workshop during mushroom season this year. All three of her 2022 mushroom workshops sold out so those interested are encouraged to act soon if they want to be able to participate in this very special event.

The cost for the workshop, including all materials, is $145. Registration and more information can be found at HerbWalks.com or by calling 805-646-6281. This workshop will go on rain or shine with a change of morning venue in case of a heavy downpour.

In preparation for the upcoming H20 Show at the Ojai Art Center, 24 Pastel Society of the Gold Coast (PSGC) members have been busy creating works of art in various mediums – all in the name of environmental love.

Although this group of artists is generally known for creating beautiful pastel paintings – they are also extremely talented in various mediums and this particular show will showcase their broad range of talent.

Not only are these artists doing this in the name of art, but they want to build awareness as well, through their art, of our most precious resource: water. And in so doing, they will also be raising funds to support the tireless efforts of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC).

The H20 Show opening will be held Saturday, March 4th, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Ojai Art Center. Everyone is invited to come meet the artists and bid on some beautiful pieces to support the environment as well as the arts! If you can’t make the reception, H20 will be on display from March 4th through March 29th. The Ojai Art Center is located at 113 So. Montgomery Street in downtown Ojai.