The Pastel Society of the Gold Coast, a non-profit organization, is pleased to present their award-winning professional paintings at their show and sale “I Love Pastels.”  The group has a membership of approximately thirty Southern California artists who utilize the dynamic and diverse application of soft pastels to express their creativity. The PSGC’s mission is to provide public exhibitions for it’s members, to educate the community through collaboration with other non-profit organizations, and to promote the arts in general. The paintings will be on exhibition at the Ojai Art Center from February 6 to March 2.

View beautiful art, listen to live piano music, and enjoy refreshments on February 13th at the Ojai Art Center, located at 112 S. Montgomery Street, from 1-3 p.m.

AARP Tax-Aide, in conjunction with the IRS, will provide free income tax preparation assistance and e-filing for seniors and low-to-moderate income adults of any age from February 1, 2016 through April 15, 2016. AARP membership is not required.   The Ojai site is by appointment only, at the Little House of Ojai, 111 West Santa Ana St, Thursdays noon-3:15 p.m. Please call 646-5122.

Since the 1890s postcards have represented a quick, easy and economical way to share a trip with friends and family. The Ojai Valley Museum’s latest exhibition, “Wish You Were Here: Postcards that Enticed Visitors to the Ojai Valley” highlights vintage postcards. The Ojai Valley postcards are enlarged for better viewing of interesting details. Not only are the images often beautiful, what people wrote speaks to earlier eras while also pointing out how some things never change. In an adjacent space, each visitor is invited to write and send a contemporary postcard themselves.

Also on view are historic promotional items including brochures and maps. Beautifully rendered early 20th century pieces are contrasted with exuberant items from mid-century.

The opening reception for “Wish You Were Here” was on Saturday, January 16. Enjoy the exhibition and a no host wine bar for the price of regular museum admission: $5 per adult, children 6-18 $1, current museum members and children under 6 free.

The exhibit is sponsored by the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. It will be on view through March 27.

The Ojai Valley Museum is located at 130 W. Ojai Ave. 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. 201, email [email protected], or visit the museum website at OjaiValleyMuseum.org.

Efforts are underway to update the master plan for Sarzotti Park, and we need your help! Local residents are invited and encouraged to attend a public outreach meeting set for Monday, January 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Ojai City Hall. The meeting will include public input and discussion on the development of future plans and amenities for Sarzotti Park.

The Parks & Recreation Commission is hosting the special meeting to gather additional input on the master plan update. An initial public outreach meeting was held in August, and City officials are looking forward to a large and diverse group to participate in the discussion.

The current draft of the plan can be found online at www.ojairec.com. For more information, contact the Ojai Recreation Department at  646-5581, ext. 390.

The Ventura County Library’s Read Adult Literacy program is coming to the Ojai Library. An information session for new  tutors and students at the library on Monday, January 25, at 5:30 p.m. Stop by to learn about how adults can get free help with reading.

If you are interested in being a volunteer tutor, Read is now recruiting! For more information about Read Adult Literacy, please come to the meeting or call 677-7160.

The Ojai Library Ukulele Club has returned to its normal schedule following the holiday hiatus. The Ukulele Club meets in the north wing of the library every Wednesday evening from 6-7 p.m. Come join other local ukulele enthusiasts at this fun and friendly musical gathering. All levels of skill are welcome.

E.P. Foster Library – February events

Adult Programs & Special Events

Poetry Out Loud County Competition
2/3 @ 3 pm
High school students from across Ventura County will recite poetry in the hopes of moving on to regional, state, and national contests.

Forgotten Foster Park
2/3 @ 6:30 pm
Come hear local author, Gwen Alfares, talk about her book, Forgotten Foster Park.  Foster Park was a small rural community that existed along Highway 33 from the 1920s to the 1960s and hosted such music greats as Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Between Two Rivers- Poetry Documentary
2/6 @ 3 pm
SOLO Press just celebrated 50 years of publishing. This film celebrates Glenna Luschei, found of the small, woman run poetry press.

Plastic Pollution: How Microplastics are Impacting Beaches in Southern California
2/7 @ 3 pm Channel Islands Lecture SeriesClare Steel, PhD, Environmental Science Lecturer will present this lecture in the Topping Room.

Assemblage Workshop
2/10 @ 6pm
Local Artist Ron Smith will conduct an Assemblage workshop. If you loved collages you won’t want to miss this fun craft night. Some supplies will be provided.

You are welcome to bring your own supplies as well as curious and peculiar curios for art construction.

Valentine to Ventura
Poetry Writing Workshop
2/13 @ 3 pm
Special 150th anniversary event. Beginning to expert poets aged 13 and up are welcome to attend and compose a Valentine to Ventura.

Meditation and Inspirational Books
2/20 @ 12 pm
Join us for an afternoon of meditation and inspirational books. John Landa will discuss the books that guided him to the path he is now on. In addition to the discussion there will be a tranquil meditation session.

Ongoing Events

Library LAB Open Workshop 2/10 & 2/24 4:30-6:30 pm  Alternating Wednesday evenings to learn more about the  3D printer and laser cutter—or to use them yourself!

Poetry Open Mic Night 2/4, 11, 18, 25 Thursdays 7:30-9 pm  On these Thursday nights, join this group of writers as they meet in the Topping Room to share their work.

Ukulele Jam Session 2/8 & 22 Mondays 7-10 pm Locals gather to play the ukulele on the first and third Monday of the month.

Children’s Events

Early Literacy Class   2/2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, & 24
Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:30am   A great way to introduce your child to early literacy and the library.

Homework Center  2/2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 & 25
Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-5pm  Homework Helpers will be available to help students in grades K through 12 with their homework assignments.

Paws for Reading  2/6, 13, 20, & 27
Saturdays noon- 1pm  Read aloud to a registered service dog (sign-up required).

Teen Happenings

TAG Teen Advisory Group  2/3 & 17 Wednesdays 4 pm  Active members will get credit towards School Community Services Hours.

Youth Chess Club 2/1, 8, 22, & 29 Mondays 3 pm Learn to play chess or improve your current ability! Assisted by Class A tournament player Jack Cashman.

Special Events

Makeshop 2/9 & 23 Tuesdays 3-5 pm Building fun at the library! Makerspace event.

Lego LAB: Build, Learn, and Play! 2/2 & 16 Tuesdays 3 pm 2/6 Saturday 10 am

Exciting challenges every meeting. Bring your imagination and experiment with creative designs.

Dynamic Dinosaurs 2/10 Wednesday 4 pm Become a paleontologist by examining museum quality replicas of real dinosaur fossils!

Valentine’s Day Crafternoon 2/11 Thursday 3 pm A craft in the afternoon themed to Valentine’s Day.

Dance Party! 2/12 & 18 Friday and Thursday 10-11 am Enjoy non-stop music and movement for children ages 2-5 and their grownups in the Topping Room!

FosterCon 2/27 Saturday 10 am The mini-comic festival in Downtown Ventura.

Closed Monday, February 15th in observance of President’s Day.

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 4p.m. to 5:45p.m. at the Yolanda’s Mexican Restaurant at 2753 Main St.

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. Visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or call 253-3289 for more information.

Jan.21: The East Ventura Community Council will host a guest speaker for the next meeting. Brian Rinehart, Sales Manager for Enclave by Watt Communities, which is currently building 91 new homes in East Ventura along with other topics of interest to area residents will also be on the agenda.

The 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.  For more information call 804-7558.

Jan. 21: Erthbound Entertainment is proud to announce their new series “An Evening At NAMBA” will now be seen on CAPS TV Channel 6. The series documents the amazing local talents in our community showcased at the Namba Performing Arts Space in historic downtown Ventura.

The Premiere Episode is “Clara Cries Nuts”, performed on December 3, 4, 5, 2015 for sold-out audiences who support local arts programming in our community.

The show is a brilliant parody of the holiday classic Ballet, “The Nutcracker” with quirky twists throughout and gracefully performed by ALOFT Dancetheater, the resident dance company at the Namba Performing Arts Space.

Thursday  1/21      5pm
Friday  1/22      8pm
Saturday  1/23 11am

All broadcasts are available on Charter and Time Warner Cable Channel 6.

For more information about how to see “An Evening At NAMBA” visit http://www.capstv.org.

Jan.24: Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra performs with Kuanfen Liu, Artistic Director and soloists Kaytlyn Becker and Alexa ConstantineYoung Artists Showcase Concert. Sunday, 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Ventura, 1338 East Santa Clara St. Ventura. $20 concert donation appreciated, youth 18 and under free.

Jan.27: Ongoing Contacts N Coffee morning business networking meetings, held Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m. at Ventura Improv Company, 34 N. Palm Street in downtown Ventura. Pick up a copy of the Ventura Breeze. Members, $ 5.00 and newcomers, free.

Jan.27: The College Area Community Council will be meeting on Wednesday.

The Guest Speaker will be Denise Sindelar, Manager, Ventura Community Partnerships who will speak about the Library Advisory Commission.  In addition, a representative from the Ventura Police Department will address recent crime trends in the neighborhood

The Council, which represents citizens between Mills and Victoria bordered by Foothill and Hwy. 126, meets at 7 p.m. in the Wright Event Center at 57 Day Rd. on the Ventura College campus.

Call  658-7225 for more information.

Jan.28 The Ventura Moose Lodge #1394, will host Dee Lyon, who is a retired attorney turned world birder.  She started birding in 1991 in Kenya, Africa, got really interested in 1993 in the Galapagos, and has since birded extensively in North America. Now traveling the  world to see birds, Finland, Russia, Brazil, Costa Rica, India, Tibet, and Bhutan, Africa, and now is in Thailand. She will be handing out “bird Friendly Plants” and step by step instructions on how to change over a yard to a bird habitat.

At 10267 Telephone Rd at 7p.m. Attendance is free and all are welcome.  For further information call 488-6244.

Jan.28: Portuguese Fraternal Society of America will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday. This meeting is open to any person of Portuguese descent or interested in the Portuguese culture.  The meeting will be held at Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse, 3159 East Main Street at 11:30 a.m. for a 12p.m., no host luncheon meeting.  For more information and reservation, call Cora Corella at  483-6285, or Yvonne Westervelt at  483-4168.

Jan.30: San Buenaventura Friends of the Library will hold a Book Sale on Saturday. Open to the general public at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. will be reserved for current Friends members.  E.P. Foster Library, Topping Room. Rare and not so rare books for sale, including signed books, special interest, vintage, fiction including classics and current hardcover and paperbacks, non-fiction including biography, science, engineering, religion, travel, cooking, history, California history, Civil War, art, music, self-help, education, parenting, sports, craft books, children’s books, DVD’s, books on cd and tape, puzzles, and more.

Jan.31: Elite Theatre Company’s Sundays at 7 Staged Reading Program kicks off 2016 with Roger Williams’ drama, Dinner in Budapest, on Sunday, at 7 p.m. Directed by Lynn Van Emmerik.  There is no charge.  Open, first-come seating.

The time: December 1944.  The place: Budapest, where Nazi bigwig Adolf Eichmann is busy dispatching to Auschwitz the last remaining large Jewish population in occupied Europe.  Raoul Wallenberg, Sweden’s “Angel of Mercy,” invites Eichmann to dinner at the Swedish legation. Wallenberg’s goal in the drama: to get the S.S. commander to abandon his plan to empty residents of the Budapest ghetto onto the Auschwitz-bound trains.

Feb.1,15: The Ventura County Philatelic Society will host their stamp trading and camaraderie. Mondays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road. Admission and parking are free. Come for a great evening.  Contact: [email protected] or 320-1601

Feb. 1: 21st Annual Authors’ Luncheon presented by Assistance League of Ventura County will feature

authors Woody Woodburn, Drew Daywalt, and Isla Morley who will share their insights into the writing process, answer questions, and sign books. At the  Residence Inn by Marriott at River Ridge.

Tickets are $60 person, includes lunch, $25 is tax-deductible. The event will begin at 9am with a silent auction, raffle tickets, and book sales. All proceeds go to supporting the philanthropic programs of Assistance League of Ventura County serving children in our community.

Please call 643-2458 for reservations by Jan. 22.

Feb.2: Mended Hearts of Ventura Group meets the first Tuesday each month at the

Community Memorial Hospital on the 8th floor from 7 p.m. to 9p.m. Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. Excellent speakers, leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists,

Dietitians, etc. from our area. Contact Richard Hatcher 644-2733

Feb.3: 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 a variety of activities such as hiking, card games, crafts, reading, writing, films, book discussions, cooking, gardening, dining, and more. The next monthly coffee meeting will be held on Wednesday, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Pavilion of the Museum of Ventura County, 100 East Main Street.  http://bcnnwomensclub.org/

Feb.7: 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. For information please call 642-3345 or visit  www.dudleyhouse.org.

Feb.7: On Sunday, 3 pm — 5 pm the  Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions are holding their Monthly Meeting at E.P. Foster Library Topping Room. Join us as we share the newest version of the Awakening the Dreamer symposium,  a transformative educational program that explores the challenges facing humanity at this critical moment in time and the opportunities we as a human family have to create a new future. Light refreshments.

Feb.12,13,14: Bank of Books will be giving away free romance books daily from a large selection of authors. Beginning February 12 thru the 14th Valentine’s Day. Come select up to two books each day from the special selection. Romance books continue to be the largest book sales of any category in the nation.  Bank of Books has a great selection, both in the store and their warehouse. They have given away over 300,000 books to the community over the years, making Bank of Books one of the most unique bookstores in the country.  Located at 748 E. Main Street.

Jan 9,  8:0 0 a.m.   Work Day – Hedrick Ranch Nature Area.  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. Bring water, gloves and sun protection.

Jan 10, 8:30 a.m.  Veteran’s Park, Sylmar.  Leader: Karin Kersteter 901-2203, Half day trip and also a joint trip with Conejo Audubon!  This spacious park in the foothills above Sylmar is loaded with a varied and exciting avian population and often a surprise or two.

Jan 16, 8:30 a.m.  Rustic Canyon/Happy Camp, Moorpark.  Leader: Don and Chrystal Klabunde  558-9254.  Coastal sage scrub and oak woodland dominate in Rustic Canyon.  We will explore the stream/canyon that borders the golf course targeting sparrows, woodpeckers and sapsuckers, roadrunners, phainopepla and expect to see other interesting species.

Jan 19, 8:30 a.m.  Surfer’s Knoll.  Leader: Adele Fergusson  415-4304.  We hope to see a variety of shorebirds including Snowy Plovers, grebes, turnstones, whimbrels, godwits, cormorants, sandpipers, and many ducks and gulls.

Jan23,  8:00 a.m.  Ormond Beach/Arnold Rd.  Leader: Kay Regester  258-1025. Join us at this excellent coastal location, where we will discover a variety of coastal birds and perhaps even a Peregrine Falcon.

Jan 30,  8:30 a.m.  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 Plovers and Caspian Terns. We will then walk along the path that leads through the willow forest and across sand dunes to the Ventura River Estuary which is always an exciting place to bird.

Themed Early Literacy Class- For the month of January Early Literacy Class at all Ventura Libraries will be themed around things you find in Ventura in celebration of the city turning 150 this year.

Early Literacy Class – The Beach & Ocean – January 12 & 13 @10:30am

Early Literacy Class – Gardens – January 19 & 20 @10:30am

Early Literacy Class – Cars – January 26 & 27 @10:30am

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) Workshops will teach young folks about the STEAM of Ventura!

150th Themed STEAM Workshop – January 6 @4pm

Adult Programs/Special Events

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation – January 6 @12pm  Join Audrey Walzer to learn about the stress reducing practice of mindfulness meditation and how it can help you be more effective in daily life.

Adult Coloring Book Break – January 20 @12pm   Join us in the library for some stress relieving coloring. Coloring sheets and pencils provided. Available from 12pm to 2pm so stop by a minute or ten!

Library LAB Open Workshop TBD 4:30-6:30pm   Come by the library on alternating Wednesday evenings to learn more about our 3D printer and laser cutter—or to use them yourself!

Poetry Open Mic Night January 7, 14, 21 & 28 Thursdays 7:30-9pm On these Thursday nights, come join this group of writers as they meet in the Topping Room to share their work.

Ukulele Jam Session January 11 & 25 Mondays 7-10pm  Locals gather to play the ukulele on the first and third Monday of the month.

Teens Teaching Tech 1/9 Saturday Noon – 1pm  Need help with technology? Bring your device to the library to get help from local teens.

Early Literacy Class  January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27                                                                                              Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:30am   A great way to introduce your child to early literacy and the library.

Homework Center January  7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 & 28                                                                                                  Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-5pm   Homework Helpers will be available to help students in grades K through 12 with their homework assignments.

Paws for Reading  January  9, 16, 23, 30 Saturdays noon- 1pm Read aloud to a registered service dog (sign-up required).

TAG Teen Advisory Group  January 6 & 20 Wednesdays 4pm                                                                                                             Active members will get credit towards School Community Services Hours. TAG meetings are in the Young Adult area on the 2nd floor.

Youth Chess Club   January  11 & 25 Mondays 3pm                                                                                                            Learn to play chess or improve your current ability! Assisted by Class A tournament player Jack Cashman.

Dance Party!  January 16 & 21 Friday 10:00-11:00am                                                                                               Enjoy non-stop music and movement for children ages 2-5 and their grownups in the Topping Room!

Lego LAB: Build, Learn, and Play!  January 19 Tuesdays 3pm                                                                                                           January 9 Saturday 10am Exciting challenges every meeting. Bring your imagination and experiment with creative designs.

The Library will be holding its third annual Foster Con Mini Comic Festival on Saturday, February 27, 2016, from 10am to 4pm. For comic lovers of all ages, there will be many activities, including a comic workshop for kids, vendor tables, raffle prizes, and special guests, including True Thomas the Storyteller, and the Mandalorian Mercs, a very special Star Wars cosplay group.

For information about Foster Con, contact Heather Seaton, Library Technician I, at (805) 641-4413.

On Friday, January 8, from 3 to 4 p.m., Park Ranger David Begun of Channel Islands National Park will visit the Ojai Library to deliver a special talk entitled Find Your Park. David will share general information about the islands that make up Channel Islands National Park and discuss the many recreational opportunities that the park has to offer. David has years of experience sailing, kayaking, diving, and hiking the islands.

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archaeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was.

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.

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

The Ojai Art Center Literary Branch is proud to host Composer John Biggs’ who will describe how he sets words to music. John Biggs is an award-winning, honored composer of orchestral music, chamber music, choral, and operatic music, who lives in Ojai. A sampling of reviews: from the San Francisco Examiner:  “… but it (voice of soprano Beverly Hoch) served her well last night through a pair of Handel arias, several of Brahms, and most especially through John Biggs’ compelling ‘Soliloquy from Planet Earth’…” From the Los Angeles Times: “Biggs conveys a flowing, sophisticated musical language that savors witty wordplay, a sly irreverence and an underlying tenderness – the innate hallmarks of Wilde’s piece…” opera Ernest Worthing based on Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest.” There will be a wine reception. The event will take place at the Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery Street, on January 11th, at 7:00 p.m.  For more information, call  816-4099.

The Ojai Film Society’s 4-week mini-series begins Sunday, January 10 with a screening of The End of the Tour, an engaging drama about Rolling Stone magazine reporter David Lipsky’s interview with author David Foster Wallace. Jason Segel, who plays Wallace in the film, will make a guest appearance and will be on hand for a Q&A.

On Sunday, January 17 the documentary Heart of a Dog will be shown. The film is an impressionistic meditation on artist/musician Laurie Anderson’s beloved, but departed, dog Lolabelle. The film is on the short list for this year’s Oscar nominations for feature documentary.

Films are shown at 4:30 pm, at the Matilija Auditorium, located at 703 El Paseo.