Category Archives: Community Events

A poignant love story set in 1940’s

Last year’s “Last Train To Nibroc” starring Erik Odom and Lily Nicksay who return in See Rock City. Photo by Christopher Brown

Rubicon Theatre Company presents See Rock City by Arlene Hutton, a poignant love story set in 1940’s Appalachia about young newlyweds trying to find their footing in a world on the brink of great change. May (played by Lily Nicksay “Boy Meets World”/”The Client”) is a principal at the local school, and Raleigh (Erik Odom “Twilight: Breaking Dawn”/Sons of the Prophet), is an aspiring writer.

The play begins with the couple returning to their home in Corbin, Kentucky after plans to honeymoon in Rock City are derailed. There they grapple with domestic realities and the desire for approval from community and family, especially their very different mothers (played by Clarinda Ross and Sharon Sharth).

When victory overseas results in unexpected consequences on the home front, the couple must confront hidden truths and May must consider a difficult sacrifice. The sequel to last year’s critically acclaimed hit Last Train to Nibroc, See Rock City stands alone as a funny, touching and universal portrayal of a devoted young couple grappling with change in the advent of a new, post-war America.

Katharine Farmer returns from London to helm See Rock City having directed the first play in the Nibroc Series last season to critical and popular acclaim. The production was nominated for an Ovation Award for “Best Production of a Play, Larger Theatre,” and was a part of Rubicon’s “Best Season” nomination. Farmer was also the recipient of an Indy Award for her direction (collecting her statue on her 22nd birthday). She has since made her West End directing debut with Pig Farm by Greg Kotsis. Mike Billings designs sets, lights and projections; Marcy Froehlich is Costume Designer, and Austin Quan is Sound Designer.

Low-Priced Previews: Wed., Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. and Fri., Jan. 29 at 8 p.m.

Opening Night: Sat., Jan. 30, 2016 at 7 p.m. with post-show party with cast hosted by Busy Bee Cafe

Closing: Sun., Feb. 14, 2016 at 2 p.m.

Box Office (for single and group tickets)667.2900

Website www.rubicontheatre.org

Rubicon Theatre Company has been described as, “the rising star of the Southern California cultural constellation.” A not-for-profit professional regional theatre, Rubicon serves area residents and visitors with innovative productions of classic and contemporary plays, as well as a wide array of educational programs and events. Founded in 1998, Rubicon’s work has been lauded by critics and industry professionals.

 

Ventura Audubon Society events

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.

 

 

 E.P. Foster Library events

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.

 

Vol. 9, No. 7 – January 6 – January 19, 2016 – Ojai News & Events

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.

Take a free bus ride for lunch in Ojai

If you might have to ride the bus soon due to not renewing your driver’s license or other aging issues, please join and learn about transportation programs as we ride the bus up to Ojai – and enjoy lunch on the City! On Jan. 19 and 21. Call 648-3035 to RSVP.

Also the Senior Volunteer Core needs you: they are looking for some folks to volunteer in their Senior Nutrition Kitchen and drive meals out to home bound seniors. Please contact Hans Hormann M-F 9-3 at 654-7554 or [email protected].

SCAN classes for seniors are wonderful

“GERD, IBS, Crohn’s Disease and Colitis: What You Need to Know” will be discussed at the SCAN Health & Wellness Center on Friday, January 15th, at 11 a.m. The one-hour discussion will be led by Ventura physician Bruce Woodling, M.D., as part of a monthly health series called “Taking Charge.” Dr. Woodling will talk about reflux, diet, and Barrett’s Esophagaus, IBS facts, symptoms and treatments; as well as symptoms and treatments of Crohn’s Disease and Colitis. The program is free to seniors 55 and older and their caregivers. Seating is limited to those new to the center and reservations are required. Call 658-0365 to register.

Trying to figure out how to use your new iPad? The SCAN Health & Wellness Center is offering a free “iPad Basics for Seniors” class Wednesday, January 27 at 9 a.m. at the SCAN Health & Wellness Center. During this two-hour, entry-level class, seniors will learn basic tablet terminology, initial set-up procedures, the features and gestures of their iPad, and more. The iPad Basics class is open to seniors 55+ who are new to the center. Please bring your iPad. To register for this class, please call 658-0365 (space is limited).

It’s possible to live with diabetes – learn how at a Diabetes Management Workshop at the SCAN Health & Wellness Center. On Jan. 26, Feb. 23 and March 22, Health Educator Mary Arevalo will share how to live well with diabetes, how to create a meal plan, how to add activity to your life and how to manage your medications. Each class is from 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon. This workshop is sponsored by the Gold Coast Health Plan Health Education Department. For more information, call 437-5606.

A 15-minute chair massage for seniors 55 and older and their caregivers. Certified Massage Therapist Linda Mac Dougall has many years of experience in treating older adults with chronic and acute conditions with therapeutic massage. Schedule your appointment for an upcoming Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seated, fully-clothed neck, shoulder and back massages cost $15 per session, and can help get rid of those knots and stress in your upper back, shoulders and neck. To make an appointment, call 658-0365.

SCAN Health and Wellness Center, 6633 Telephone Road, Suite 100 in Ventura.

Vol. 9, No. 7 – January 6 – January 19, 2016 – Events

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. Located at the Yolanda’s Mexican Restaurant at 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.

Free admission stage show, 2p.m. to 4p.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 9:45p.m. Located at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $9, non-members $11. Call 407-9971 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 6:30p.m. to 8p.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.

Jan.8:  The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution luncheon meeting will feature the program ” Tracing Your Hispanic Heritage and the American Revolutionary War “, presented by a distinguished panel consisting of Georgine Herd, Pat Harmon, and Dr. Sunny Vazquez-McMullen, all members of the Conejo Valley Genealogy Society.  The luncheon event will take place in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant on Friday at 11:30 a.m.  All SAR & DAR Compatriots, friends, and visitors are welcome to join us.  The cost for lunch is $20 per person, and includes a slice 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, visit http://pattonpatriots.org.

Jan.9: Unitarian Universalist Church will feature, Practicing living joyfully in the present moment with Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo. The day will begin with the documentary film Creating Buddhas: the Making and Meaning of Fabric Thangkas, featuring Leslie’s story and artwork, and will be filled with opportunities to practice living joyfully in the present moment. A gratitude offering will be gratefully accepted, but is not required ($35 suggested). Sponsored by the Friendship Sangha of the Heart, a Spiritual Growth Program of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo has been a beginning meditator and aspiring mindful person for over 40 years. Now resettled at the Channel Islands Harbor, she continues to make Buddhist textile art on commission and to teach mindful art-making to students around the world through her Stitching Buddhas Virtual Apprentice Program. For more about Leslie http://threadsofawakening.com/

Jan.12: Audubon Society It’s all about bees.  Dr. Ruben Alarcón will discuss the diversity of bees, their importance for native plant communities and agricultural systems, and ways homeowners can promote bee populations.  He is a pollination ecologist and associate professor of Biology at CSU Channel Islands. Program will be held at the Poinsettia Pavilion, Foothill Road beginning at 7:30 p.m.

 

Ventura College expands schedule, offers Saturday Classes

This January, Saturday classes return to the Ventura College schedule, as the college continues to give students new options to access learning conveniently, as increasing student access and attracting working adult students are priorities for the college.

“We are here to serve students and the community, so we’re delighted to offer Saturday classes as a way to give busy people a way to further their education and careers,” said Kim Hoffmans, Ed.D., vice president of academic affairs.

Most courses begin on January 16 and meet for 18 weeks. Course offerings include introductory classes in sociology, speech communications, United States history and guitar. Also offered are courses toward certified nurse assistant, for smog license update, in intermediate guitar and in cardio machine training.

Saturday classes are an especially great option for high school seniors who want to get a jump-start on their college requirements, Hoffmans noted. “Students can apply online and receive their acceptance instantly. Then they can enroll in the class online and just like that, they’ve launched their college education,” she said.

For more information and to register, visit www.venturacollege.edu, or call Ventura College at 289-6000.

January celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the main leaders of the American civil rights movement. A Baptist minister by training, King became a civil rights activist early in his career, leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott. His efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, raising public consciousness of the civil rights movement and establishing King as one of the greatest orators in American history.

In 1964, he became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a United States federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King’s birthday, January 15.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Martin Luther King Day was established as a national holiday in the United States in 1986. In 2004, King was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.

A national hero and a civil-rights figure  King summoned together a number of black leaders in 1957 and laid the groundwork for the organization now known as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). King was elected its president, and he soon began helping other communities organize their own protests against discrimination.

 

 

 

Tall ships return to Ventura Harbor

Photo of  by John Ferritto

A movie star tall ship and her companion return to Ventura this winter for more than three weeks of sailing adventures, cannon battles, and educational programs for young people. The brig Lady Washington and the topsail ketch Hawaiian Chieftain are scheduled to sail into Ventura Harbor Village January 15 and stay until  February 8.

New this year are three Evening Sails on Wednesday January 20, January 27, and February 3. These 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. excursions are opportunities for individuals and families – who are unable to sail on the weekends – to enjoy an educational and relaxing experience on an authentic tall ship. Passengers are encouraged to help raise a sail, learn a sea shanty, or just soak up an ocean sunset. Tickets are $35 each.

The Ventura stop also includes the popular Battle Sails, which are three hour recreations of a typical 18th century cannon duel between two tall ships using real cannons, and gunpowder, but no cannon balls. Tickets are $75 for adults, and $67 for seniors (62+). Students with ID, active military, and children 12 and under are $39.