The Southern California show of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) is coming to Ventura.  The show which attracts hundreds of vendors and watch and clock collectors will be held at the San Miguel Hall at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on February 19 and 20.   A Friday morning program, “Time to Go,” featuring traveling time pieces is free and open to the public, as is the Saturday morning program, “Music in Clocks and Clocks in Music.”  The Friday mart featuring thousands of clocks and watches for sale from vendors from California, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada is open to members of the NAWCC. The sales floor is open to the public on Saturday, from 9am to 3pm. Admission is $5.  Bring your clock or watch to the show for a free evaluation.  Further information is available on the web at chair2016.com or at [email protected].

the Ojai Library is loaning out Knitting Kits to customers interested in learning more about this fun and relaxing hobby. Each kit will contain the tools necessary for you to get started as well as some materials and resources to point you on your way.

Once you have your kit, stop by the Ojai Library Knitting Club, which meets in the north wing of the library every Monday evening from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join a group of knitters of all ages and skill levels to unwind—if you’re looking for inspiration for your first project, this is the place to be!

These events are free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, City Librarian, at (805) 218-9146.

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 0 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.

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 , 2753 Main St. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Be sure to bring an interesting topic to discuss.

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45p.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. Every Tuesday from 6:30p.m. to 8p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church, 6950 Ralston Street in Room 301 of Building 300. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or call 253-3289 for more information.

And 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.

Feb. 4: Ladies Luncheon eat, meet, greet and shop at one of Ventura’s Best Networking Events! 11:30 am – 1pm | Doors open at 11:15 am | $27-$30 at the door Sit-down luncheon buffet. The Wyndham Garden Pierpont Inn – Pavilion Room , 550 Sanjon Road. Limited seating available so pre-register today! www.theLadiesLuncheon.com

Feb.5: The First United Methodist Church,1338 E. Santa Clara St. is having a rummage sale on Friday, from 9am-3 & Saturday, February 6 from 9am-noon.  There is kitchenware, jewelry, clothing, shoes, toys, linens, bedding, and collectibles.  Sat. is $5 Bag Day, everything you can get in a grocery bag is only $5.

Feb.7: 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.

Feb. 7: Sunday free stage show,  Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association, 2-4:00 p.m., Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. More Information 517-1131.

Feb.9: The Ventura County Writers Club will be hosting screenwriter and radio talk-show host David Congalton at the Pleasant Valley Senior Center in Camarillo. Congalton was also the director of the Central Coast Writers Conference for 12 years. The event at 1605 Burnley Street starts at 7pm and is open to the public at no charge. Contact Sheli Ellsworth at 499.3490 for more information.

Feb. 9:    Cause Hanna, PhD, Director, Santa Rosa Station will discuss the mission and activities at the Santa Rosa Island Research Station. The research station provides students, faculty, researchers, and our local community with the resources and opportunities to engage in natural and cultural resource based research and education via a partnership between the US National Park Service and CSU Channel Islands. Program will be held at the Poinsettia Pavilion beginning at 7:30pm.

Feb.10: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a critique meeting on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. 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 “Eyes”. 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 about the club and examples of member’s work or call 908-5663. www.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com

Feb.12: They are back. Rafe Hernandez & The Equinox Ensemble will be entertaining at Squashed Grapes Winery from 7-10pm.  Come out and enjoy an evening of straight-ahead and Latin jazz in a cozy and intimate atmosphere at 2351 E. Main. Pizza and Italian food is also available.

Feb.12: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution February luncheon meeting will feature the program “King Philip, the War, and the Chair”, presented by genealogist Mr. Ken Lynch.  The luncheon event will take place at 11:30 am in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant, 1295 S. Victoria.  All SAR & DAR Compatriots, friends,  and visitors are welcome to attend.  The cost for lunch is $20 per person, and includes a slice of pie.  For additional information 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.

Feb.13: The Ventura Beginners PC Users Group will meet Saturday, in the third floor lounge of the Cypress Place Independent Senior Living building, 1220 Cypress Point Lane,  from 9:15 to noon for workshop and featured speaker.  The workshop topic will focus on creating a Word document.  The 11:00 program will be Dustin Dugger and Danica Chavez speaking on “Tech Q&A”.  There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about computer problems for beginners and intermediates.  Everyone who would like to know more about their computer is welcome to attend any or all sessions. For more information call Marcie @648-1368.

Feb 15, Audubon 8:30 a.m. Camino Real Park and Great Backyard Bird Count  Leader: Adele Fergusson  415-4304. The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an annual citizen science count sponsored by National Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. For the trip, meet at the park at 8:30 a.m. We will begin along Aurora Drive at the east end of the park and walk in.

Feb 20, Audubon 8:00 a.m. Seal Beach Wildlife Refuge/Bolsa Chica. Leader: Karin Kersteter 901-2203. Joint VAS/CVAS trip – limited to 20 people!  Pre-Registration required by Feb 11.

Feb.21: The 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, 4667 Telegraph Road. The regular meeting starts at noon and at 11:00 there will be an informal workshop where a topic on clocks or watches will be demonstrated and discussed. There will be a mart where items will be for sale followed by an informational meeting and a program.

Anyone interested in watches and clocks, (modern & antique) is invited to visit and join the chapter. There is a $3 admission charge. Lunch is available for $5 more.

More information about chapter 190 can be found at www.nawcc-ch190.com.

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.