Category Archives: Community Events

Sierra Club to honor Jan Dietrick of Ventura

The Ventura Sierra Club will honor the work of Jan Dietrick of Ventura with its 2016 Environmental Hero Award to be given during the Women’s Empowerment Day Conference on March 5th in Oxnard, from 9am-3pm.

Jan, who has a Master’s Degree in Public Health is President of Rincon-Vitova Insectaries of Ventura ( a company that raises beneficial insects for the agricultural industry). Jan is also a founding member of the Ventura County Climate Hub, Ventura County coordinator for Citizens Climate Lobby. Jan is being honored for her work on climate change, protecting coastal ecosystems from dirty energy power plants.

The Sierra Club presentation will begin around 10:30am. This is a free community event and open to all.

Oxnard Cultural Heritage Center
141 West 5th Street
Oxnard

 

Vol. 9, No. 11 – March 2 – March 15, 2016 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

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.

March 6: Audubon 8:00 a.m. Work Day Hedrick Ranch Nature Preserve. Leader: Sandy Hedrick 340-0478.  Arrive at 8:00 for self-guided birding which usually yields some interesting birds. Work from 9am – noon. Long pants and boots or closed shoes are required.

March 6: Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions will be holding their monthly meeting at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Miguel Rodriguez, Community Organizer for the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy, will speak on different issues that he has worked on in West Ventura.

March 6: Free stage show, Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association.

Show will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. More Info call

517-1131. First Sunday of Every Month.

March 8:   Mary and Nick Freeman will provide an overview of the owl species that can be found in southern California, and will discuss the behavior of each species, illustrated with photos Mary has taken over many years.  Program will be held at the Poinsettia Pavilion beginning at 7:30 p.m.

March 8: The Ventura County Writers Club invites interested writers to hear mystery writer Mar Preston at 7 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Senior Center at 1605 E. Burnley Street in Camarillo. The event is free of charge. In this final session of Power Tools for Writers, Ms. Preston will look at finishing from two aspects: how to bring our stories to a satisfying narrative close, and how to polish our work. “You can start your writing life at any age,” says Mar Preston. Hers began after the death of her husband, Howard, in 2005, just four days after they moved into their retirement dream home in the Southern California Mountains. Contact Sheli Ellsworth at 499-3490 for more information.

March 10: Town Hall on Green Transportation Sales Tax. Ventura County Climate Hub and partner organizations with featured speaker Darren Kettle, Executive Director, Ventura County Transportation Commission on Thursday from  7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, Fellowship Hall, 5654 Ralston.  Hear Darren Kettle pitch the half-cent sales tax for transportation projects and answer questions.

March 10: Vista Real Charter High School will have an open house and official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, with the Ventura Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, from 4p.m to 6 p.m. Including a free Scratch Food Truck, as well as displays of student generated work and art pieces. Games, prizes, raffles, and giveaways along with school site tours. 300 E. Santa Clara-Downtown Ventura. 804-5929

March 10: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a critique meeting on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. A professional photographer from the area will critique member’s prints and digital images. Each month a special topic is chosen which features some interesting aspect of photography. This month’s topic is “Macro”. 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 or call 908-5663. WWW.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com

March 11: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution February luncheon meeting will feature the program “The Winter Patriots”, presented by Mr. Ward White at 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Located in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant.    The cost for lunch is $20 per person.  For information Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992 or http://pattonpatriots.org.

March 12: Gold Coast Concert Chorus, joined by the Ventura College Chorus, presents “Poetry in Song”, featuring rising soloists Bradley Pupa on guitar and Jessica Helms on piano in works inspired by the poetry of Walt Whitman.  Works include “A Jubilant Song” by Norman Dello Joio, and “A Procession Winding Around Me for one performance only, Saturday at 2 p.m. Located at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1500 North C Street, Oxnard, Tickets: Adults $15, Sr., Student $12, Child under 5 $5

Contact: Sandy 616-7269 or [email protected]

March 12: Audubon 8:30 a.m. Soule Park. Leader: Neil Ziegler  208-3149. Situated under the Topa Topa mountain range, this large park offers grasslands that bring out winter feeding flocks: sparrows, bluebirds, warblers and large shade trees which provide cover for woodpeckers and raptors. Shady bushes hide thrushes and thrashers.

March 12: “The joys of computer image editing” will be discussed by Robert Crum for the Ventura Beginners PC Users Group on the Sat . The workshop will be on Word features.  The group meets 9:15-12:00 at Cypress Place Independent Living, 1220 Cypress Point Lane.  All beginners and intermediates are welcome.  Call 648-1368 for further information.

March 13: Sunday, at Ventura First United Methodist Church, 1338 East Santa Clara , the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra will present a program of opera favorites, featuring a fabulous line-up of singers from Ventura County and beyond.    $20 Donation appreciated, youth are free.  Information is available at 643-8621 or check website, CHICOVC.org.

March 15: Audubon 8:30 a.m. Arroyo Verde Park. Leader: Adele Fergusson 415-4304. Enjoy a nice hike while birding the oak woodland, grassy areas, and chaparral in this long, broad canyon

March 19: The Lions Eyes across California will be a one day event held on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Montalvo Square Shopping Center on Victoria Avenue.  Lions are asking the community to give the gift of sight by recycling your eyeglasses.  Also accepting hearing aids, cell phones and food donations for FOOD Share.

March 14:  Adult Education Stamp Collecting Seminar and Stamp Collection Review & Evaluation, sponsored by the Ventura County Philatelic Society. At Bonaventure Community Building, 10949 Telegraph from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. $10 for morning presentations on how to collect, what to collect and understanding a stamp catalog. Free for the evaluation of collections, which begins at 1 p.m. Reservations may be made by sending a $10 to the Ventura County Philatelic Society to John Weigle, P.O. Box 6536, Ventura 93006

March 19: Easter Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Community Presbyterian Church, 1555 Poli St.  Jolly jumps, crafts, face painting. Food and fun for everyone.cpcventura.org  648-2737

March 19: Meet the authors at Bank of Books, 748 East Main St.  Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Britt Allcroft Mumfie and the Snowbird (author of Thomas the Tank Engine)

1 p.m. to 3p .m.  Ruby Lang Faces in the Windows

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Brent Ayscough, The Visitor

Britt Allcroft is the award-winning creator and writer of a trio of world famous children’s entertainment properties including Thomas & Friends. More info call 643-3154

March 19, Saturday, 3:00.  Children of all ages are invited with their parents for a family Birding Event led by John Borneman (Master Birder).  Meet at the Ventura Botanical Garden trail head behind City Hall to walk as a group to the bird site and learn about the birds of the Ventura Botanic Gardens. Bring a mat to sit on.  This is a free event.

March 19: “Rising Consciousness Triumphs over Big Ag and Big Food”, a Public Talk.

Dr. John Fagan, Professor of Molecular biology at Maharishi University of Management, leading authority and lecturer on biosafety and sustainability in the food and agriculture. Currently, a major shift in the food and agriculture industry is underway, as the public demands more transparency, purity and simplicity in food and its production. Dr. Fagan explains trends that value food produced in harmony with nature that he sees intersecting with a rise in collective human consciousness. Talk begins at 7:30 p.m. at the  E.P. Foster Library, Topping Room.

Museum events

event museumThe Museum of Ventura County presents its 2nd Latina Film Festival on Saturday, March 12, and Sunday, March 13. Saturday’s event begins at 7:00 pm with a dessert reception, followed by screenings and a tribute to actor Evelina Fernández. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased on site or in advance at the museum.  Sunday’s program begins at 2:00 pm, and costs $5 per person.

The main requirement for submitted work to the festival is that the film be directed, written or produced by a Latina; short films (30 minutes and under) and features were both acceptable.

The purpose of the Annual Latina Film Festival is to showcase Latina art through film direction, producing and writing.  Winners of the Latina Film Festival will be announced on March 12 at the festival. Proceeds from the event go to support the Museum’s educational and family programs.

Dr. Jon M. Erlandson, archaeologist and professor at the University of Oregon, will discuss over 13,000 years of archaeological evidence that provide a glimpse into how humans have  adapted to life on the Channel Islands.

This special lecture will be hosted at the Museum of Ventura County on March 10, at 7:00 pm, as part of a celebration of the National Park Service Centennial and the 150th Anniversary for the City of Ventura.

Recent interdisciplinary research on the northern islands, including work being done by archaeologists, historians, paleontologists, and ecologists, reveals the many ways in which humans on the islands both adapted and actively shaped their sometimes changing environments.

Erlandson received his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has taught archaeology at the University of Oregon since 1990.

This lecture is $5.00 per adult. Admission for children is free.

For more information, call  653-0323 or visit venturamuseum.org.

 

 

 

 

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

event rubiconRubicon Theatre Company presents the American Premiere of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, written by Jethro Compton and directed by Jenny Sullivan. The time is 1890; the place, the Wild West. Ransome Foster, a scholar from the East in search of adventure, is beaten and left for dead on the outskirts of town. He is rescued by a grizzled gunslinger and taken to Two Trees (not our Two Trees), where he falls for a local girl. Will her love be enough to save him when Liberty Valance comes to town?

Based on the short story that inspired the John Ford film,. Rubicon Theatre Company’s 2015-2016 Season continues with the American premiere of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Adapted from the short story by Dorothy M. Johnson that also inspired the legendary John Ford 1962 film, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a classic tale of love, honor, ambition and revenge set against the backdrop of the American West.  This classic tale will leave you breathless as it draws to its compelling conclusion.

Says Rubicon Producing Artistic Director Karyl Lynn Burns, “We are thrilled to present the first production anywhere in the U.S. of this consummately Western story, for which we owe a great debt to Steven Schipper and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and to Samuel French.  It is perfect to produce the premiere in Ventura, which is also known as Two Trees (the name of the town in the story).”

Among the cast are Venturan’s  Gregory Harrison, Joseph Fuqua and Dillion Francis.

Previews: Wednesday, March 2 at 7:00 p.m. ($25), Thursday, March 3 at 8:00 p.m. and Friday, March 5 at 8:00 p.m. ($30)

Opening Night: Saturday, March 5 at 8:00 p.m.
Closes: Sunday, March 20

Regular performance times and prices:
Wednesdays at 2 p.m. ($44) and 7 p.m. ($49) (Talkbacks following Wednesday evening shows except during previews)
Thursdays at 8 p.m. ($44)
Fridays at 8 p.m. ($44)
Saturdays at 2 p.m. ($54) and 8 p.m. ($54)
Sundays at 2 p.m. ($54)

 

Egg-Citement and mermaids at Ventura Harbor Village

Mermaids have been spotted seaside at Ventura Harbor Village. Photo by Dan Harding

Hop on over for family fun at Ventura Harbor’s Cottontail Day Festival, Saturday, March 19th from 10 AM – 3 PM, featuring egg hunts, petting zoo, kid’s crafts, and children’s entertainment; all geared towards families with kids ages 1 – 7 years old.

The Cottontail Day festivities give children a chance to take a photo or grab a hug with the Cottontail Bunny.  Children ages 1 –7 can join in the $2 Egg Hunt held every 15-30 minutes from  11 AM – 2 PM (includes free coloring book while supplies last).  Kids that find a “Golden Egg” will happily hop away with extra prizes.  A Village Scavenger Hunt offers clues leading guests to a Hoppy Surprise!  More family fun activities include:  pony rides, petting zoo, henna and glitter tattoos, face painting, tumbling fun

Come early and enjoy breakfast or lunch at one of the many harbor-view restaurants, and visit Harbor Village boutiques for unique gift items.  Stop by the Village Arcade and play a fun family game or explore sea-life on a Harbor cruise or pedal boat rental with the family.   Need an extra treat for Easter baskets?  Take home delicious homemade fudge, French pastries, or waffle cone gift certificates.

On Sunday, March 27th  from Noon – 3 PM the Harbor Is Hopping with Easter brunches, Cottontail Bunny, free kids’ crafts, Village Arcade & Carousel, boutique shops, and live Dixieland Jazz band, “Main Street Jazz” at the Village Carousel Stage.

In March mermaids have been spotted seaside at Ventura Harbor Village. From nautical finds to coastal décor, fashion and artwork inspired by the sea, Ventura Harbor Village pays homage to the mermaid in all of us to celebrate seaside with Mermaid Madness!

A colorful Mermaid People’s Parade will kick off the month long festivities on Sunday, March 6 at 1 pm at the Fisherman’ s Memorial , followed by a Ukulele Jam at the Ventura Harbor Village Carousel Stage.

Mermaid  Meet & Greets Sunday, March 6, 13, 20 from 1-4 pm, complimented with special sales, classes and culinary delights through the month.

Sip on a Blue Mermaid Margarita or savor a Seafood Scramble at the Boatyard Café or homemade Seafood Crepes on special for month of March at Le Petit Café.  For a sweet treat taste the Sea Monster Oreo Shake or Mermaid Dream Sundae at Coastal Cone Ice Cream this March, or mermaid-inspired spun cotton candy at Village Carousel & Arcade on weekends. Beautiful jewelry, coastal finds for kids and adults are found throughout the locally owned boutiques and galleries at Ventura Harbor Village.

March features various classes and art activities as well, such as Tina O’ Brien Gallery & Studio Mermaid Painting or Drawing Demo every Wednesday and Friday in March from noon-2pm or adult coloring days and kids’ crafts, and Sunday, March 13th  from 6-8pm attend a Mermaid Paint Party at The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood hosted by The December Store and More (Reservations and fee apply).

For a listing of full details and to learn more, visit Venturaharborvillage.com with updates added regularly.

 

Tournament celebrating 85 years of golf in Ventura to be held April 1st

Buenaventura is an award-winning 18-hole golf facility.
Photo by Michael Gordon

Coinciding with the City of Ventura’s 150th year celebration, Buenaventura Golf Course will host a golf tournament in celebration of 85 years of golf in Ventura. The tournament will be held on Friday, April 1st, at 1:00 in the afternoon. Take a step back in time to the way golf used to be, with knickers and hickory sticks. A fun afternoon is planned and golfers are encouraged to dress in 1930’s golf attire. An award will be given to the best dressed as well as many other awards and prizes. Food and beverage will also be provided to all participants before and after the round. For more information and to register, please visit www.buenaventuragolf.com/85years.

“We are looking forward to a great day on the golf course in celebration of the long-standing history of golf in the city of Ventura.” said Carl-Van Vallier, General Manager of Buenaventura Golf Course.

Fans of the sport will most definitely enjoy this celebration of the course. Fans may also be interested in FanDuel’s fantasy golf to switch up the way they view the sport.

About Buenaventura Golf Course

Owned by the City of Ventura, and managed by KemperSports since 2010, Buenaventura is an award-winning 18-hole golf facility originally designed by William F. Bell and redesigned by Forrest Richardson. The parkland-style design of the 6,054-yard golf course incorporates mature trees, subtle undulations and rolling contours suitable for all playing abilities. Buenaventura has previously been rated 4 Stars by Golf Digest “Best Places to Play.” For more information visit www.buenaventuragolf.com

Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports builds, owns and manages golf courses, resorts, athletic clubs and lodging venues across the U.S., Caribbean and Central America. The company’s award-winning portfolio includes nationally-ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, named the No. 1 Golf Resort in North America by Golf Digest and GOLF magazine; The Glen Club; Desert Willow Golf Resort; Harbor Shores, site of the 2012 and 2014 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid; and Chambers Bay, host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open. For more information about KemperSports, please visit http://www.kempersports.com.

U.S. Navy Seabee Museum Brown-bag Luncheon Learning Series Mar. 4

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum will hold a Brown-bag Luncheon Learning Series on Friday (March 4th) at noon.  The topic is “More than just roads and commodes:  The history of the Naval Shore Establishment 1800-1941, Part One.”  Join museum archivist Gina Nichols for the first installment of a two-part series on the history of the Bureau of Yards and Docks.  This event is FREE and open to the public.  No RSVP required.  Feel free to roam the galleries as well and learn about Seabee history.

Ventura County Community College District holding Public Policy Hearing on Accreditation Mar 2

The Ventura County Community College District plans to hold a Public Policy Hearing on Accreditation at the Ventura County Office of Education (5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo, CA), Wednesday, March 2.  The three colleges in the District (Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura) are preparing required self-study documents in anticipation of their accreditation site visits from the Association of California Community and Junior Colleges planned for late September/early October.

 

The invitation is extended to members of the Citizens Advisory Council, students, college constituents, and the general public. All are welcome. The hearing will cover the current ACCJC accreditation standards, reports from members of the VCCCD District Council on Accreditation and Planning, and public discussion on the District’s service to the respective communities.  A brief reception is planned for 5:30 p.m. and the public hearing will follow at 6:00 p.m.  Light refreshments will be served.

 

“This invitation is extended to the public, because the District values the opportunity to share the accreditation process and timelines with our community stakeholders,” said Larry Kennedy, Board Chair.  “We want to provide important information on how we are meeting the accreditation standards to maximize service to our students and the community.”

 

“The District’s Accreditation Committee (DCAP) Co-Chairs and their teams have been working diligently to ensure the District is in good standing and each college is prepared for its accreditation visit,” said Bernard Luskin, Chancellor.  “We look forward to a robust and productive discussion that includes members of our Citizens Advisory Committee, staff and students.”

 

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 113-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 50,000 students annually.  The District’s three colleges- Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura- offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities.  For more information, please visit www.vcccd.edu.

 

Public Invited to Mayor Erik Nasarenko’s State of the City Address February 29

Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko will present the annual State of the City address in Council Chambers at City Hall, 501 Poli Street, on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 6 pm.  A brief reception will be held after the address, followed by the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

The address, titled “Invest in Ventura, Now and For a Strong Tomorrow,” will focus on themes related to investing in our community and a proposed sales tax measure.  “The City of Ventura responded early and decisively to the economic downtown by implementing cost-saving measures, eliminating and reducing programs, and deferring much needed maintenance. Protecting our most essential city services like infrastructure, crime prevention and programs for seniors and youth with a stable funding source that is guaranteed to be spent locally will ensure a strong tomorrow for Ventura,” said Mayor Nasarenko.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.  The State of the City address will be broadcast live on Channel 15 within Ventura city limits, and rebroadcast thereafter. It can also be accessed online by visiting the City’s website at www.cityofventura.net and clicking “Videos.”

 

Channel Islands National Park Comes “Ashore” to the Museum of Ventura County To celebrate National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary

On Sunday, February 28, from 11 am to 5 pm, the Museum of Ventura County, in partnership with the Channel Islands National Park, hosts a fun-filled day for families with the theme of “Island Chumash Traditions.”  This is one of four Sundays that the two organizations will jointly host in celebration of the Channel Islands National Park’s 36th anniversary, amid thousands of nation-wide commemorations of the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary.

Essentially ‘kicked-off’ by Grand Marshall Ken Burns at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, the 2016 centennial brings special attention and education to Americans about its National Park System.

And Ventura boasts one of the most beautiful —the Channel Islands National Park.  The wonders, traditions and lore of the Channel Islands National Park can be experienced at the Museum of Ventura County on Sunday, February 28th at the museum.

Activities include:

  • Learning about the Chumash culture through traditional demonstrations and ceremonies, led by Chumash elder Julie Tumamait
  • Cave painting and an archeological dig in the museum’s Chumash Garden
  • Group readings of the beloved children’s novel “Island of the Blue Dolphins” which is set in the Channel Islands
  • Traditional craftmaking, such as necklaces made with shells and beads, and crafting dolphin masks and tomols (small canoes)
  • Learning about the Junior Park Ranger Program
  • You can even dress up as a sea otter!

Park Rangers will be on hand with museum volunteers to teach children about the islands.  Refreshments will be available for sale from Aaron’s Tacos food truck and Kona Ice.  Adult admission is $5 each; kids under 18 are admitted free.

The Museum of Ventura County is located in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Paid events include free admission to the galleries, and the first Sundays of every month are free general admission for the public.