Mary Winder will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, to deliver a talk entitled “Ancient Mystery Cults of Greece and Rome.” Ms. Winder comes to us via the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s Community Speakers Program.

This presentation will cover Ancient Mystery Cults—one of the most intriguing but least understood aspects of Greek and Roman religion. These cults were an important part of life in the ancient Mediterranean world, but their actual practices were shrouded in secrecy, and many of their features have remained unclear until recently. Mystery cults flourished in the ancient world for roughly a thousand years, from the sixth century B.C.E. to late antiquity. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art owns an impressive collection of Greco-Roman sculpture and artifacts; this presentation will illustrate one of the many facets of why this art was so very important to the Ancient Greeks and Romans.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, City Librarian, at 218-9146.

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

At 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, and Saturday, June 18 Peachtree Theater Company will hold auditions at the Ojai Library for children who wish to be a part of their July production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This event is a part of “Ojai Celebrates Shakespeare,” a festival commemorating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s legacy. Please bring a poem or song for the audition.

The Ojai Shakespeare Festival will include additional performances and events; for more information about the Festival, call 272-3882, or visit www.peachtreetheatercompany.com.

These auditions are free and open to the public.

Ojai Valley Museum is pleased to announce their participation this summer as a Blue Star Museum. The museum joins more than 2,000 museums across American offering free admission to military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

“We are happy to provide an interesting, free experience for military families as a small way to express our gratitude to the men and women serving our country,” said museum director Wendy Barker.

The Blue Star Museum program is a collaboration among the National Endowment of the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense. The program provides military families an opportunity to enjoy the nation’s cultural and artistic heritage. Museums of all types, in all 50 states, participate in the initiative.

The Ojai Valley Museum highlights the history, art and culture of the Ojai Valley in their museum located at 130 W. Ojai Avenue in Ojai. The museum is housed in a beautiful National Register building. Free parking is available behind the museum, off Blanche Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday noon to 4 pm. Group or school tours available by appointment.

For more information, call the museum at  640-1390, ext. 203, email [email protected] or visit the museum website at OjaiValleyMuseum.org.

William Hendricks, Professor of Photography at Ventura College, will share his images and speak about life in Cuba over the last 23 years in his presentation, “Cuba: Then and Now,” on June 21. Since 1993, Hendricks has made 62 trips to the Caribbean island.

Driven by an unsettled curiosity, Hendricks views photography as a way of reducing daily chaos into a few organized and meaningful moments. As both a photographer and educator, his work has taken him around the world with an array of clients and personalities. His images have been exhibited throughout the United States and in Havana, Cuba.

The free event starts at 7:00 p.m. at Help of Ojai’s Kent Hall, 111 Santa Ana St. The Ojai Photography Club is devoted to education, inspiration, and camaraderie and hosts presentations as part of its community service outreach. For additional information please visit: www.ojaiphotoclub.com/.

After a three-month hiatus for knee surgery, Rev. Karen S. Wylie will again offer her Mid-Month Devotional Retreat at Meditation Mount on the morning of Saturday, June 18th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..  The topic will be “Living in Grace.” The retreat is by donation; $10 is suggested.

“Grace comes from letting go of false beliefs and limitations and stepping into the Divine Flow that is always happening,” Rev. Karen says. Licensed Religious Science practitioner Randee Vasilakos will also be available for prayer all morning.

Meditation Mount is located at 10340 Reeves Road. For more information, contact Rev. Karen at 310-968-8928, or register online at www.karenswylie.com.

Events by Ana Baker

Would you like to meet new friends? Whatever the reason, Ventura’s Conversation Group is the right place for you. This eclectic group meets Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. At the    Main Street Restaurant, 3159 Main St., Ventura. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Be sure to bring an interesting topic to discuss.

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. The evening meeting takes place every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church located 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.

The daytime meeting is held from 1p.m. to 3p.m. at the New Visions Center in Ventura on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Turning Point Foundation’s New Vision Center is located at 1065 E. Main Street. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or call 746-3106 for more information.

June 8,10: Hitting the Refresh Button on Life Online Summit will fill you with wisdom and ideas to help you live the life full of excitement and satisfaction we all desire. Each day includes scheduled talks including one by our own Venturan, Linda Mac Dougall, health coach. You will leave the summit refreshed and empowered to begin creating the life you’ve always wanted but haven’t known how to reach. For more information visit hittherefreshbuttononlife.com.

June 10:   The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution May luncheon meeting will feature the program “The Lost State of Franklin”, presented by Chapter member Jim Wyly.  The luncheon event will take place at 11:30 a.m., Friday, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant, 1295 S. Victoria Ave.  All SAR & DAR Compatriots, friends, and visitors are welcome to join us.  The cost for lunch is $20 per person, and includes a piece of Marie Callender’s pie.  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, please visit the chapter website at http://pattonpatriots.org.

June 13:  Audubon -Arroyo Verde Park Leader: Linda Easter 818-519-2833 Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura-Day and Foothill Rd. Meet in the back area by the bathrooms. There is no fee for parking on Mondays.

June 14: Award winning multi-lingual poet Carmen Moog will be one of several speakers discussing different aspects of writing at the Ventura County Writers Club monthly meeting at 7:00 PM. Author Carol Fogel will be sharing her experience at this year’s San Francisco Writer’s Conference. Author Phillip Brown will be discussing his YA book, Light Runner. Held at 1605 Burnley Street

Camarillo. Free and open to the public. Contact Sheli Ellsworth at 499.3490 for more information.

June 16: Meeting of the East Ventura Community Council meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road. The public is encouraged to attend and participate!

A representative from Community Environmental Council will talk about the latest in residential solar regulations and offer discounts through this City of Ventura program.

Matt Guthrie of COLAB will discuss an initiative measure for the November ballot, “SUSTAIN VC.

Other subjects of concern to residents may also be addressed.

The council represents residents who live east of Victoria Avenue. Books in good condition are always accepted by San Buenaventura Friends of the Library, and are very much appreciated. Check Facebook page for updated agenda items. For more information call 804-7558.

June 20:  CA Zeta Chi parliamentarians will meet at 7 p.m. and will feature a lesson by Sally LaMacchia titled “What Comes First?”  The location is the Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse, 3159 E. Main St., Ventura.  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.

June 21:  Audubon -Emma Wood/Ventura River Estuary Leader: Adele Fergusson 415-4304

We will begin at Emma Wood State Beach, where we will target Snowy and Semipalmated Plover and Caspian Terns. We will walk through the willows and sand dunes as we make our way to the estuary which is always an exciting place to bird, and target birds will include: Black-bellied Plover, Willet, Whimbrel, Black Turnstone, Red-necked Phalarope, and Forester’s Tern.

June 18: The Ventura College Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Robert Lawson, will present the 8th annual Henry Schwab Violin/Viola Competition Concert featuring three young and talented violinists each performing complete violin concertos by Mozart,Tchaikovsky and Wieniawski. Please join us at 8 8 8 p.m. at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, 4700 Loma Vista Road. $15 general, $5 seniors and students. For more info call 289-6020.

This coming Monday, May 30,  at 1pm,  at St. Mary’s Cemetery, at 1347 Main Street, we will be honoring the 76 American veterans and the one 1869 Medal of Honor recipient for their service to our Country who are buried there.

After a prayer and pledge, the Port Hueneme Naval Color Guard will make their presentation, and a trumpet will play taps. A few renown community speakers will address the public with some local history and afterwards a question and answer discussion will begin.

Join fellow Venturans, bring your entire family and friends, this Memorial Day, to learn the history and honor the Country’s veterans.

The Downtown Ventura Farmers’ Market will celebrate its 30th birthday on Saturday, June 4  with a community event complete with all types of fun activities for all ages.  The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the farmers’ market area and also throughout the Main Street Mini Park, located on the corners of East Santa Clara and Palm Streets, south of the 300 block of Main Street.  A special presentation will be held at 8:30 a.m. to thank the original visionaries and participants who brought the market into Downtown Ventura.

Along with chef demonstrations, the celebration will feature a customer appreciation booth with free giveaways, a children’s area with face painting and activities, community information booths and tasty birthday cake, which will be given out while supplies last.  Special food offerings will include a tri-tip BBQ from the Busy Bee Café and several food trucks including Scratch, a local favorite.

Gene West, toy maker will also be on hand to share his handmade wooden toy creations.  Musical entertainment will be provided by Jerry McWorter and the Hot Roux Band from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Environmental Sustainability Division for the City of Ventura’s Public Works Department will provide attendees with information on food waste prevention, edible food recovery and backyard composting.  In addition, the community can also learn how the farmers’ are adapting to the drought by viewing a continuous screening of ‘Water Woes:  We Plan for Your Eating”.

’“We look forward to thanking the community for its overwhelming support over the last 30 years,” sated Karen Schott, Operations Manager for the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association.  “This community has proven that it cares about our farmers and accessing local food.”

For more information on the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association visit www.vccfarmersmarkets.com

Sandpiper Toastmasters Club in Ventura (www.sandpiper.freetoasthost.com) marks its 40th anniversary on Saturday, June 11 in honor of the occasion, a special dinner, program and celebration with entertainment is being held from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Santa Paula room of the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura. Members of the public and Toastmaster alumni are invited to attend. The contact for reservations is Michael Nelson, 890-2922, or [email protected].

“Since 1976, the Sandpiper Toastmasters Club has been helping people in Ventura become better speakers and leaders by providing a supportive and positive environment where members have the opportunity to overcome their fear of public speaking and sharpen presentation skills,” explains current Sandpiper president Dan (“Pizza Man Dan”) Collier of Ventura. “Other benefits include the opportunity to increase one’s confidence, build critical thinking skills and become an effective listener,” adds Collier.

Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., the organization’s membership exceeds 332,000 in more than 15,400 clubs in 135 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators and leaders