Rubicon Theatre Company presents Noel Paul Stookey (“Paul” of Peter, Paul and Mary)in “At Home: Ventura” Sunday, May 15, at 7:00 p.m.

Returning after last year’s sold-out concert, singer/songwriter Noel Paul Stookey  brings his intimate musicality to the Rubicon Theatre Company stage again. Noel will perform Stookey standards such as “The Wedding Song,” “In These Times,” and “Jean Claude,” and previously unreleased solo songs from the Peter, Paul and Mary albums.

Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St.
Tickets: $69.50/Free to Rubicon Gold Coin Members
Box Office  667-2900
www.rubicontheatre.org

On Friday, May 20th, The Kiwanis Club of Ventura will host their 49th annual Officer of the Year event.

Last year there were 170 guests in attendance, many of them Ventura County peace officers and their families.

Ventura Kiwanis Officer of the Year Awards Dinner
The Tower Club 300 Esplanade Dr., 22nd Floor, Oxnard
5pm Reception / Cash Bar
Dinner – 6pm
Program – 7pm – 9pm

The event is open to the Public and costs  $40 per person.
RSVP via email @ [email protected] or  648-1143.

Footworks Youth Ballet presents Hansel and Gretel in Fairy Tale Land, a whimsical adventure where the famous duo encounter a whole new world straight out of the pages of their favorite bedtime stories. The audience will be delighted as enchanting gnomes and pixies lead them to a land where Nursery Rhymes, Fairy Tales and Willow Trees come to life. Prepare to be dazzled by beloved storybook characters such as Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs, The Cat and the Fiddle, Little Bo Peep, and many more in this charming ballet children will be sure to love. This is new and original ballet in the classical style, choreographed and directed by Kirsten Oakley of Oakley Ballet Center in Ventura.

As a complement to the classical, narrative setting of Hansel and Gretel in Fairy Tale Land, Footworks Youth Ballet also features two one-act ballets—Charles Gounod’s Iand Sergei Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony (a.k.a. Symphony No. 1 in D Major). Choreographed by Oakley’s mentor, Yvonne Mounsey (1904-2012), it showcases a more sleek and modern style that is based in classical ballet but features increased energy and speed, pared-down sets and costumes, and less reliance on a narrative setting.

The broad repertoire that Footworks Youth Ballet presents and exposes to the students of Oakley Ballet Center and to the community in Ventura County is yet another way in which the company provides education in this beautiful art form.

As always, in a Footworks Youth Ballet production, all the roles are filled by the student dancers, ages 6-18 (except, in this production, one male professional guest artist). The production is a hands-on project where director Kirsten Oakley can choreograph to students’ strengths but also extend their knowledge of the art from in a full-scale production.

Footworks Youth Ballet presents each production in an Outreach program to over 3200 elementary and middle school students. These performances are presented through greatly reduced, or free, ticket prices.

Join Footworks Youth Ballet for their Family Educational Hour one hour prior to each show to learn more about the production, costumes, ballet history and music. Footworks Youth Ballet offers family-friendly matinees on both regular performance days (June 4th and June 5th) at 2 p.m. Tickets are $14, $16 and $20 and can be purchased by calling 486-2424 or buying online at
http://www.footworksyouthballet.org.

Footworks Youth Ballet is a nonprofit ballet company whose purpose is to provide educational opportunities to young people through the art of ballet.

Owned and operated by a talented young couple who together with their immediate and extended family have managed to produce some of the most incredible productions in live family entertainment in generations, all under the Big Top!

Every member of the family is involved in the day to day operations of the circus and together they function like a well-oiled machine. From the most veteran member of the family to the youngest child everyone works together.

A small self-contained city on wheels, they travel from town to town, yet always manage to keep some semblance of stability and continuity. Laid out across whatever parking lot or grass field the Big Top calls home that week, the setup is almost always the same. “We are our own little community. We have the same neighbors in each town. The trailers are parked in the exact same spots relative to the Big Top, so the environment is always familiar. You feel at home even in a place you’ve never been to before”  Katya Quiroga, Co- Owner-Producer along with husband Nelson.

The Quiroga family has 4 generations of its own traveling with Circus Vargas. Add to that the many other performers from all over the world along with their families and you’ll understand why no one is ever lonely and certainly never bored. There are more than 20 children and teenagers at Circus Vargas and they have constant supervision. “There is always someone’s grandmother, father, mother, brother or aunt around,” laughs Katya, “so not much chance for anyone to misbehave and we are very big on respecting our elders”

Circus Vargas host, Jon Weiss, who travels with his wife and 3 children says it best. “The circus is a family in the sense that we feel responsible for each other. There is a tremendous respect you have for each other that doesn’t come from any other kind of job. Sometimes you literally have each other’s lives in your hands. We work together. We play together. We have barbeques, birthdays and baby showers. There is a kinship and sense of  community.”

It is only fitting that with so much togetherness, these friendships foster a deep respect and camaraderie that cultivates into sincere affection that is felt under the big top. They care about each other. Not only while they are performing but behind the scenes, as well.

by Ana Baker

May 10: The Ventura County Writers Club will be hosting memoirist Lari Newton at the Pleasant Valley Senior Center, 1605 Burnley Street in Camarillo. Newton’s 7 p.m. talk will expand on the importance of theme in writing. Her talk: It’s My Theme and I’m Sticking to It, explains that theme is the “stick’um” that holds the other story essentials together. Contact Breeze contributing writer Sheli Ellsworth at 499-3490 for more information.

May 12: Local author Ken McAlpine will compare the experience of solitude on the Channel Islands to the bustle of life on the mainland as he shares excerpts from his book, Islands Apart: A Year on the Edge

of Civilization, during the May From Shore to Sea lecture. Thursday, at 7p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, January through December, at the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center.

May 13: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution May luncheon meeting will feature the program “The Magna Charta”, presented by Louis Kreuzer, Esq.  at 11:30am. Friday, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant, 1295 S. Victoria Ave. Lunch is $20 per person. For information call Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992  or http://pattonpatriots.org.

May 14: Audubon BBQ and Annual Meeting at Hedrick Ranch Nature Area. Sandy Hedrick 340-0478, birding along the recently dedicated Reed Smith Memorial Trail, along with some additional trails that lead to new birding locations. Bring water, hats, field guides and sun protection. Arrive at 8:30 a.m. for birding, and the BBQ and annual meeting will follow.

May 14: “Creating a Power Point Presentation” will be presented to the Ventura Beginners PC Users Group by Martha Navarrete on Saturday in the Cypress Place Independent Living third floor lounge. The workshop is on more Microsoft Word features.  The group meets 9:15-12:00. All beginners and intermediates are welcome.  Call 648-1368 for further information.

May 14: Bank of Books, 748 East Main St. Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lida Sideris Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Philip Brown Light Runner
5p.m. to 7 p.m.  Mike Casper, The Sing Son Child, a love story

Lida Sideris like her heroine, Corrie Locke worked as an entertainment attorney for a film studio.

Philip Brown, A contemporary fantasy author, is motivated by the power of words to change lives.

May 14:  Coastal Housing Partnership’s 5th Annual Home Buying Fair at the Ventura Beach Marriott 2055 Harbor. The Home Buying Fair is a one-stop shop for potential home buyers to access valuable tools, resources and information on how to navigate the home buying process and get on their path to home ownership. This event is designed for first time home buyers, move-up buyers, buyers interested in getting back into the market or for anyone just thinking about buying a home.

May 15: Ventura and Santa Barbara County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) will meet Sunday, in the Campus Student Center of Ventura College.

The regular meeting starts at noon and at 11 a.m. there will be an informal. There will be a mart where items will be for sale followed by lunch and an informational meeting and a program. Program will be “Master Clocks that Henry Warren used to solve the Alternating Current power dilemma” presented by Alan Bloore. There is a $3 admission charge. Lunch is available for $5 more. www.nawcc.org. Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday of each month at the Ventura College. www.nawcc-ch190.com.

May 16: CA Zeta Chi parliamentarians will meet at 7 p.m. and will feature a lesson by Sharon Hillbrant titled “What’s New?”  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.  Sharon Hillbrant, 479-6738.

May 17: Audubon 8:30 a.m. Ventura Settling Ponds.  Adele Fergusson 415-4304. The Settling Ponds at the Ventura Harbor is a reliable place to find summer gulls and terns, as well as songbirds and raptors. The water treatment plant is on Angler, a left turn before Spinnaker curves to the right.

May 19:  Ventura Water’s Assistant General Manager, Joe McDermott, will discuss new water policies and updates during the meeting of the East Ventura Community Council. Patrick Davidson of CAPS TV will show a PowerPoint presentation telling about CAPS’ role in producing programming and information. Adrienne Stephens, Development Coordinator, and Derek Poultney, Executive Director, of the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC), will discuss the local land trust’s mission, projects and progress.

First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road at 7 p.m. For more information call 804-7558.

May 19: Plant In A Shoe, a free event for children and their parents on Saturday at 2 p.m.  Learn the needs of a plant to grow and thrive.  Please bring 1 shoe or boot for each child to plant in and take home.  Plants and potting soil generously donated by Green Thumb Nursery.  Sponsored by    Ventura Botanical Gardens Education Committee.  Meet at Green Thumb Nursery, 1899 S. Victoria Ave.  Drive to the rear of the building park and enter at the gate.

May 21: Audubon Canada Larga 8:30 a.m. Leader: Adele Fergusson 415-4304. Meet near the beginning of the road off Hwy 33 under the bridge. We will carpool from that location as we walk and drive this long county road.

The Photography Branch of the Ojai Art Center welcomes artists to submit photographic images in black and white for the upcoming 13th annual juried photography exhibit, “Shades of Gray,” opening June 4 with a reception from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Entries may be submitted to the Art Center Thursday, June 2, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. or Friday, June 3, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

All entries must be in black and white photographic media. The subject matter is open, and can be pure photographic or digitally altered images. Amateurs, professionals, and students in grades 7 through 12, are all welcome to enter. Students will have free entry fees. For full information and questions contact: David Baker  558-6460 (call or text) or e-mail at [email protected]

For the Call for Artists please visit: http://ojaiacphoto.org/2016-annual-exhibit.html

Ojai ACT is in the process of formulating its 2017 season and is seeking meaningful suggestions from directors, producers, or anyone involved in the theater world.

The goal for the 2017 season is to present a balanced slate of plays that will offer new and different choices for our patrons, as well as plays that we know to be the backbone of the play-going community.

Plays should be accompanied by a short statement.

Please drop it off at: Ojai Art Center Theater, 113 S. Montgomery St., Attn: Richard Camp. For mailing, use Ojai ACT, PO Box 331, Ojai CA 93024, Attn:  Richard Camp. For any questions, email [email protected].

At 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2016, local humorist poet John Gentry will visit the Ojai Library to read from his 2012 edition of Treading Lightly: Not So Modern Poetry in the Post-Modern Age. Mr. Gentry is a retired teacher and an unapologetic rhymer—a rare appellation in this age of modern, free verse poetry.

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

On Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Ojai Valley Green Coalition invites the public to the 7th annual Green Living Tour & Home Show. Tickets are $10 (kids 18 and under are free). Information on the Tour and tickets, free Home Show, biking the tour and much more can be found at ojaivalleygreentour.com.

Throughout the Ojai Studio Artists’ Angles: Best of OSA exhibit, the Ojai Valley Museum will host Art Talks every Saturday morning from  11 am – noon. This Saturday May 14, Stephen Edwards, Brian Berman and Richard Flores will be the featured artists. For further information, call 640-1390.

Second Saturday Open Studios: April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13 and December 10, Artisan’s Holiday Gift Tour. Studios open 10 am – 3 pm. Admittance is free.

Advance Tickets:  $30 in advance, $35 day of event, $20/person for groups of 10 or more, $15 for students, 17 & under free. Ticket includes studio visits all three days and admission to Saturday’s Gala Reception. Tickets and Tour brochures available at ojaistudioartists.org.

Acting Workshop at The Ojai Art Center:  “Act Up – Act Out”

For beginners and Experienced actors – children and adults.  Gai Jones, founder of CA Youth in Theatre, National Educational Theatre Association Based on the book THE STUDENT ACTOR PREPARES, the 2 hour workshop for actors, artists, and even those who feel non-creative, invites the public to learn, have fun, and discover themselves.  The event will be held at the Ojai Art Center, Literary Branch, at 113 S. Montgomery, Ojai.  Sat., May 28th, 2 p.m.  Suggested Donation is $5

There’s a reason why Sir David Hare’s play “Skylight” has a shelf full of major awards and successful revivals in England and America; it speaks to hearts, and those voices are at to the Ojai ACT stage in dramatic fashion until June 5.

Behind the scenes are many other players who make it real. It all starts with Steve Grumette, who loves to act and direct comedies, “but the plays that appeal to me most are those in which the author makes a serious attempt to explore and illuminate the human condition.”

“Skylight” runs until June 5 at Ojai ACT, 113 S. Montgomery St, at (note earlier time) 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15 general and $12 for seniors, students and Art Center members. For tickets, call 640-8797 or visit: www.OjaiACT.org

The City of Ojai announces the hiring of Cheryl Shaw as records manager. Shaw comes to the City from the Ventura County Civil Service Commission, where she has served as the manager and staff for the Commission for the past seven years. With the Commission, Shaw has been responsible for all aspects of management and staff support for the commission and its commissioners, including the preparation of agendas and minutes of commission and committee meetings, Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) filings, commission appointments and elections, records management, public records requests, the commission’s budget, and the filing of appeals. Shaw, a resident of Ventura, holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Diego.