Events by Ana Baker

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.

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.

Oct. 13:   Ventura Audubon Society presents “The Salmon Seekers, Coastal Bears of Alaska”.  Ed MacKerrow will take on a photographic journey with the bears and other wildlife of Coastal Alaska.  Salmon are the lifeblood of Alaska. Ed MacKerrow, Ph.D. is a scientist who researches complex adaptive social systems, a professional nature photographer, and a wilderness explorer.  He serves on the boards of scientific societies and the Bosque Del Apache NWR.  Program will be held at the Poinsettia Pavilion beginning at 7:30p.m.

Oct. 14: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a critique meeting on Wednesday, at 7p.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. The topic Movement/Motion Blur. Anyone with an interest in photography is welcome and admission is free. 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

Oct. 17: Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 1679 is sponsoring its Fall Parking Lot Sale on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Post Home, 3801 Market St. Items for sale include household goods, arts and crafts, jewelry, tools, clothing and more. The Auxiliary will sell hamburgers and hot dogs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A bake sale starts at 10 a.m. The event is open to the public. Admission is free. Proceeds benefit the VFW’s programs assisting veterans and their families. For more information call 642-2674.

Oct 17: Ventura Audubon Society’s Field Trip starts at 8:30 a.m. Camino Real Park. Leaders: Linda Easter 482-7537 and Neil Ziegler 208-3149.  Camino Real Park can be a potential gold mine of warblers and other migrating species in the fall. If you’re lucky, you might see a rarity such as a Blue-throated Gray Warbler, a Black-and-White Warbler, or perhaps even a Baltimore Oriole. Begin along Aurora Drive at the east end of the park and walk into the park.

Oct. 17: The Ventura Emblem Club #157 will hold their 4th Annual Holiday Boutique on Saturday, at the Ventura Elks Lodge, 2126 Knoll Drive. 9a.m. to 3p.m. Local and visiting artisans, jewelry designers and clothing designers, horticulturists and sculptress will be displaying their creations with other crafters. Tri Tip sandwiches and holiday delicacies will be available for sale. The Elks will be selling racks of ribs on a preordered only basis. Order requests and additional information is available at Elks Lodge at 642-1467 or 639-0303 or Lodge office. The proceeds from this annual boutique will be used for the charity and scholarship projects the Ventura Emblem Club.

Oct. 18: The Ventura Sports & Race Car Club is pleased to present, The 8th Annual Ventura Motorsports Gathering 2015. This year will feature, Jaguar and all “Timeless Classics.”

Gathering will be held on the main lawn at the Ventura Harbor Village. We will also feature Classic Wooden Boats at the assigned dock. Participants will be treated to a wine tasting as part of their entry fee. Cost for entry is $50 for the driver and car and includes one guest. Participants are encouraged to dress in period costume from your car’s era.

Online registration https://venturamotorsportsgathering.wordpress.com

Oct. 18: 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 11a.m. There will be an informal workshop where a topic on clocks or watches will be demonstrated and discussed. This month’s program will be a presentation by Rodney Baker on the Santa Barbara Courthouse Clock Tower. Anyone interested in watches and clocks is invited to visit and join 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.

Oct.20:  Ventura Retired Men’s Group will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Ventura Elks Lodge, 2126 Knoll Drive.  Jean Clark, General Manager of Ivy Lawn Memorial, will talk about Ivy Lawn services and associated planning.  Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. For more information on VRMG & its future events, please visit http://www.VenturaRetiredMen.org/fp.html, call Gene Wink at 647-2513, or email [email protected]

Oct 20:  Ventura Audubon Society’s Field Trip starts at 8:30 a.m.  Canada Larga Road.  Leader: Adele Fergusson 415-4304.  Drive and walk as we bird this beautiful canyon road and one of the best birding hotspots. Target birds will include: American Pipit, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, and Lark Sparrow, with a possibility of Mountain Bluebirds.  Directions: From 101 N, take the 33 and exit Canada Larga Rd. and turn right.  Meet at the beginning of the road.

Oct. 21, 27:  Spice-Topia will be hosting cooking classes by Chef Amy Tyrrell of Morsels as You Wish. Each class fee is $35 and includes a complete recipe book and sampling of all dishes on that evening’s menu. Oct.21-Pumpkin Palooza features Pumpkin, Bacon & White Bean Roast plus lots of other good stuff. Oct.27: A Ghoul’s Gotta Eat! Turkey, Pear & Brie Grilled Sandwiches plus lots of other good stuff.

6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m., 576 E. Main St. 628.3267 spice-topia.com

Oct.22: Portuguese Fraternal Society of America – The local chapter of PFSA (Council #128) will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday.  This meeting is open any person of Portuguese descent or interested in the Portuguese culture.  This meeting will be a potluck luncheon of Portuguese regional food held at a private residence.  For more information and reservation to attend, please call Cora Corella at 483-6285 or Yvonne Westervelt at 483-4168.

Oct. 23:  Bank of Books will be having an Evil Ghosts-Tour and Talk on Friday 7p.m. to 9p.m. at

748 East Main Street, 643-3154. Lecture fee/donation is $7 per person.

Not all ghosts are Casper the Friendly Ghost. Some seem bent on mischief and some can only be called demonic. Richard Senate never believed such things could exist until he came face to face with one. In his 30 year career he has faced several of the negative creatures and he will talk about some of them in this unique talk.

Oct. 23: Tender Life Maternity Home and Project Understanding will be having a birthday bingo bash to celebrate 30 years of building new lives. $30 Entry / 10 Games. Lots of great prizes. 6p.m. to 9p.m. at Ventura Elks Lodge #1403 2126 Knoll Dr. For more info or questions call 653-7474 or visit projectunderstanding.org

Oct 24: Ventura Audubon Society’s Field Trip starts at 8:30 a.m.  Lake Casitas. Leader: Karl Krause 415-0188.  Lake Casitas is a great birding location every season of the year. Target birds will include: the resident Bald Eagles, Green Heron, Chipping and Lark Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Common Merganser and Spotted Sandpiper. We will meet outside the gate, and walk in. There will be lots of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and bring snacks and water.

Maybe you could dress your dog to win the contest.

Head to Ventura Harbor Village on Saturday, October 24th for Halloween happenings seaside .  The fun begins at Noon with the Annual HOWL-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest at pet-friendly Ventura Harbor Village’s Carousel Stage.  Entry is free and prizes will be awarded for Spookiest, Cutest, Sea-Worthy, Creative/Original, and Best in Show! Every dog gets a treat from sponsor Ventura Pet Barn and owners can enjoy pet-friendly dining patios, a photo board just for pets, pet drinking fountain, walking promenade, new the PAWlor Menu (just for dogs) at The Parlor restaurant, and riding with your pooch with Ventura Boat Rentals on the water.

Calling all costumed kids and families to join in the new  Safe Trick –Or-Treat in Ventura Harbor Village. Ventura Harbor Village welcomes little ones for treats from Harbor restaurants and retailers as you stroll seaside.  Face painter and crafts with Harbor Village Gallery will be on site. Bring your favorite goody bag! Then grab lunch or an ice cream, coffee drink or smoothie, play at the Village Carousel & Arcade or take a pedal boat ride with the family.  The Safe Trick-or-Treat ends with the Thrill the World Zombie Dance at 3pm to break the World Record – in a global performance to the classic Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” . Dressed zombies dance simultaneously on the Ventura Harbor Main Lawn. Sign up to participate as a dancer at www.ThrilltheWorldVentura.com or come to the Harbor to watch zombies by the sea!  Admission and Parking are free.  For more information visit www.VenturaHarborVillage.com

The Ojai Film Society will screen “Grease Sing-Along” Sat., October 3 at Libbey Bowl. The gate opens at 5 pm. The movie is expected to start about 7:15 pm. As with the two previous OFS Bowl events, there will be dancing before the screening and free popcorn. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase. “‘Grease Sing-Along’ is pure fun,” George Sandoval, Chairman of the special event, says. “The lyrics to all the songs appear on the screen, so people can easily sing along to great hits like, ‘You’re the One That I Want,’ and ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You.'”

To make this event as accessible as possible to the community and to thank patrons for their patience waiting for the Ojai Playhouse to be reopened, admission is only $20 for adults, $14 for those 18 and under. Children 10 & under are free. Tickets in advance are available at the OFS Office at 646-8646, through OFS Board members, at the Matilija Auditorium Sunday afternoon screenings and at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/21887545.

Like a modern-day barn-raising, the Libbey Park Playground Project will rely on everyone and everything to be in the right place at the right time. Starting October 6, the Ojai community will find out if it’s up to the challenge.

Building a new playground with community volunteers requires a lot of advanced coordination and working out of the logistics. The playground is a result of an innovative community design-and-build approach, under the guidance of Play By Design, the city’s consultant hired to guide the process. But it’s the community that is the driving force behind the effort.

The price tag on the project is approaching $300,000, but that budget only covers the design and the materials. Volunteers will provide the labor to make it all come together. The build will take about a week to complete and is set to begin on October 6 and finish Oct. 11. There will be three shifts per day, 8 a.m. to noon, 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Meals and child care will be provided for volunteers. If interested in volunteering, please register at www.ojaivalleylionsclub.com.

The final design of the Libbey Playground is a collaborative result of numerous community workshops, countless presentations and tireless revisions.

For more information on the project or how to donate, visit www.ojairec.com.  Follow the Libbey Playground Project on Facebook for updates. For more information contact the Ojai Recreation Department at  646-5581 Ext 390.

The Ventura River Water District will be relocating boulders across the Ojai Valley Trail near Nye Road and Highway 33 starting next week. The work will result in intermittent closures of the trail.

Fence removal will begin on October 1. The boulders will be moved starting on October 6 and finishing October 9. The work will be conducted Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00.p.m. Signs and flagmen will be posted in the section of the trail where work is being done. Some delays should be expected. Trail users are asked to be cautious in areas where work is being performed.

Anyone with questions about the repair work is asked to call  654-3968.

The Ojai Valley Trail is one of three County-maintained trails. It is a nine-mile trail that parallels Highway 33 from Foster Park near Ventura, to Fox Street in Ojai. One side of the trail is paved for bicyclists, walkers, joggers and people exercising their pets. A post-and-rail wooden fence separates the paved side from a dirt bridle path for horseback riders.

Events by Ana Baker

Oct. 1 & 2: There will be photographs, sculptures and paintings for sale featuring the birds of the Ojai Raptor Center. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the center. A few of the Raptor Center’s majestic ambassador birds will also be present. Thursday, October 1st, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.: For Reception/Opening. $10 at the door, artist Jennifer MaHarry will be in attendance, and refreshments available. Friday, October 2nd, between 6p.m. and 9 p.m.: First Friday at Bell Arts

Bell Arts Ventura at 432 N Ventura Ave.  The Ojai Raptor Center is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center that specializes in birds of prey.

Oct. 3: You are warmly invited to enjoy the buoyant and virtuosic art of jazz guitarist Graham Dechter and bassoonist Nick Akdag at 5 pm.  Graham, who plays regularly with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra as well as Michael Bublé, will offer a selection of spirituals and other meditative works.  Dovetailing with Graham’s style, Nick will intersperse movements by Bach and Vivaldi, Helen Farson is on piano.  Admission is always free. Ventura Seventh-day Adventist Church.  6300 Telephone Rd. 641.9646.or 805.642.5387 for more information.

Oct.3: Ventura Elks Lodge, #1430 will hold a Casino Night on Saturday, at the Ventura Lodge on

2126 Knoll Drive. A donation of $60 includes Bar-B-Que Tri- Tip sandwich meal, and game chips. Dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. Game chip pick up is at 6:45 p.m. and game starts at 7 p.m. Non players may purchase dinner for $12.00. The proceeds from the event will benefit the various charities the Elks support.

Oct. 4:  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 the website at www.dudleyhouse.org.

Oct. 4: The 2015 Cougar Golf Classic will be held on Saturday, at 1 p.m. at the San Buenaventura Golf Course in Ventura.  The day will include 18 rounds of golf including green fees, cart and lunch. There will also be dinner, prizes and a raffle.  Sponsorships are available at all levels of participation.  Golf and dinner is $150. For golf tournament details and entry form visit www.cougargolfclassic.org or contact Dan or Ann Larson at 558-2520.

Oct 5: Ventura Audubon Society’s Field Trip starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Ventura Settling Ponds.  Leader: Linda Easter 482-7537.  The Settling Ponds at the Ventura Harbor is a reliable place to find over-wintering ducks and geese. Target birds will include: Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Red-breasted Merganser, Sora and Common Gallinule.

Oct. 5: The Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club is presenting Bonnie Bowden singing with the Dick Parent Trio. Bonnie was nominated for a Grammy for her version of “Indian Summer” with Johnny Vana’s big band. Event begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and includes food. Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. RSVP Rick Peterson 415-8842.

Oct. 6:  Ventura Retired Men’s Group will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Ventura Elks Lodge, 2126 Knoll Drive.  Major Andrew Miller, Air National Guard, Pt. Magu, will speak about C-130 aircraft roles and services.  Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. For more information on VRMG and its future events, please visit http://www.VenturaRetiredMen.org/fp.html , call Gene Wink at 647-2513, or email [email protected]

Oct. 6: On Tuesday, from 5 – 9 p.m., Poinsettia Pavilion, “The Venue with a View”, will host their last monthly Foothill Food Truck Fest of 2015.  The event will include gourmet food options served up by ten or more food trucks, beer by Surf Brewery, wine by Four Brix Winery, margaritas and live music provided this month by the Pier 101 Band. Proceeds from the free monthly event help fund much needed capital improvement projects at the non-profit event center.  In business since 1957, the facility is one of the oldest public venues in Ventura.    For more information, call 648-1143.

Oct. 7: The Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomers Club monthly meeting is from 9:30 a.m. to 11a.m. (BCNN ) is a group of active women of all ages who live in Ventura, Oxnard, or Port Hueneme and enjoy activities such as hiking, bridge, dining, wine outings, reading, mah jong, cooking etc.

Meeting will take place at the Ventura Museum Pavilion located at 100 E. Main Street. No charge for meeting and no reservation is required.  Coffee or Tea is available at a nominal charge of $1.00.

Kate Nash Owner of Cosmotion-The Joy of Movement – Dancing through Life
bcnnwomensclub.org, 647-8105 or 985-8085

Oct. 8 & 13: Spice-Topia will be hosting cooking classes by Chef Amy Tyrrell of Morsels as You Wish. Each class fee is $35 and includes a complete recipe book and sampling of all dishes on that evening’s menu. Thursday, Oct. 8 is October Fest! Main dish beer beef stew. Oct. 13 will be Vegetarian Vagaries- Main dish roasted poblano & onion quesadillas from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 576 E. Main St. 628-3267. Main dish plus much more. Go to spice-topia.com for the entire menu.

Oct. 8: The Ventura County Professional Women’s Network (VCPWN), is hosting a Networking Dinner Meeting on October 8th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:1 5p.m. Guest speaker for the evening will be The City Center.  Since October is Domestic Violence awareness month, they will have survivors, counselors and law enforcement educating us about “Taking the punch out of Domestic Violence.”   The Wedgewood Banquet Center at 5880 Olivas Park Drive, will provide a fun environment for business networking, good food and new friendships.  The cost for the evening is $33 and can be paid at www.vcpwn.org/dinner-meeting, or at the door. For more information about the event or to register log on to www.vcpwn.org.

Oct. 9: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution October luncheon meeting will feature the program” Surprising Discoveries in Revolutionary War Research”, presented by  Ward White.  Event will begin at 11:30 a.m., Friday, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant,.  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. Please visit the chapter website at http://pattonpatriots.org.

Oct, 10: Bingo night to benefit local organizations. The Charitable Foundation, a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Ventura agent supported non-profit is holding their 2nd Annual Bingo Extravaganza to benefit local organizations that promote health, education, community, and the environment. Enjoy a night of bingo, food and drinks, raffle, silent auction featuring astounding prizes, and more! The event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura located at 5654 Ralston St. Contact Mark Ouchi for additional information at 256-0933 or [email protected].

Oct. 10: Thousands of free stamps along with “basic training” for stamp collectors will be offered at the 25th annual Youth Stamp Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the Dudley House Museum, 197 N. Ashwood St.

The free event is sponsored by the Ventura County Philatelic Society and the Anacapa Middle School Stamp Club. The Youth Stamp Fair offers a “swag bag” to everyone who attends, free stamps, several work stations where stamp collecting techniques are explained and more. The stamps are free for those up to age 18 and 5 cents each for those above 18.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road. Visitors are always welcome. The Anacapa Middle School Stamp Club meets every Monday during the lunch hour and is open only to Anacapa students.

Oct. 10: The Ventura Beginners PC Users Group will meet Saturday, October 10th in the third floor lounge of the Cypress Place Independent Senior Living Center, 1220 Cypress Place, from 9:15 a.m. to noon. The workshop topic is Mail Merge. At 11:00 Dustin Dugger and Danica Chavez will discuss Windows 10 and security. 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. For more information call 648-1368.

Oct 10: Ventura Audubon Society’s Work Day starts at 8a.m. Hedrick Ranch Nature Area. Leader: Sandy Hedrick 340-0478. Arrive at 8a.m. for self-guided birding which usually yields some interesting birds. Work from 9 a.m. to noon. Long pants and boots or closed shoes are required. Bring water, gloves & sun protection. Call Sandy for directions. Even a little rain can make the road impassible; if in doubt, call Sandy to check road conditions.

Starting October 1, Conejo Valley Adult School in Thousand Oaks will be offering an eight-week class, “Writing a Bestseller”. Taught by author/humorist Sheli Ellsworth, the class will explore plots, characters and narrative drive of over twenty bestsellers of the last decade. Writers at all levels of proficiency are welcome. The class meets on Thursday mornings from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Enroll by phone at 497-2761 or go online to conejoadultschool.org and click on writer’s program. Contact Sheli Ellsworth at 499-3490 for more information.

Breeze contributing writer Sheli Ellsworth is the author of The Psychoanalysis of Everyday Life: Sometimes I Pee When I Laugh (BeachHouse Books, 2012), Confessions of a Pet Au Pair: the ABCs of pet ailments (BeachHouse Books, 2014) and co-author (with Sheldon Brown) of My Winter Holiday by Noah (Ventura Breeze Press, 2014).

Volunteers come from all backgrounds and professions participate.

On October 6^th,  6:30-8:30pm the 1st Annual Ventura Volunteer Summit Kicks off to join non-profit organizations and the public at the Wedgewood Wedding and Banquet Center,  5880 Olivas Park Dr.

Free admission for all attendees

The Volunteer Summit is an opportunity for all non-profit volunteer organizations in Ventura County to interface with one another, lay out a common goal in the community and meet potential volunteers. Ventura Rotaract is organizing this event to help create a better local network for both Ventura based projects and international projects.

Rotaract is a humanitarian organization for young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35. Rotaract Clubs are dedicated to contributing to local and international charity work.  Their efforts are not only financial by laborious for the task at hand. They are a true non-profit. Their volunteers donate their time and energy to eliminate any type of overhead, allowing all proceeds to be contributed to the cause.

Rotaract clubs are located all around the world.  They follow the 4 avenues of service Club Service, Community Service, International Service and Vocational Service.

Ventura Rotaract chartered in District 5240 in May 2010.    To date, they have joined over 50 events and benefits within Ventura County.

For more information please contact Jen at  827-1095 or http://www.venturarotaract.com/ventura-volunteer-summit

The Seaside Highland Games, now in their “Lucky 13th” year, have become one of the West Coast’s major and hands down favourite Scottish/Celtic Gatherings.  Their home at the Fairgrounds is ideal for the vast Scottish cultural event held from October 9-11.

This festival will be a special one in every respect and to show their true international flavor, how about the famous Tannahill Weavers direct from Paisley, Scotland?  They will pair up with Golden Bough just returning from one of their own European tours on the Alex Beaton Center Stage.  Three other stages will be alive with fine musicians all day long.

Scottish Heavy Athletes from across the US and Canada will amaze with their feats of strength and agility. Beginners can sign in to try their hand on Sunday morning.

Numerous bagpipe and drum bands from across the Southland are competing as groups and singly for trophies and prizes.

There will be a wonderfully complete Children’s Glen the young ones will not want to leave. More great entertainment and Scottish Country Dancing in Morgan Arena and, oh my, the Harp Glen and Harp Petting Zoo sponsored by Clan Currie plus numerous classes in Gaelic Language, Genealogy and a Scotch Whisky tutorial (really)!

Plan to arrive for the Opening Ceremonies and Grand Parade at noon on Saturday before you shop the vendor buildings for unique Scottish and Celtic products and then follow your senses to the amazingly satisfying Food Court for a wee bit of food and bev !

Come early for Friday’s Four Points Sheraton events—the huge Single Malt Tasting and the one-of-a-kind “A Scottish Evening” (a fine buffet supper w/live entertainment and the now famous Seaside Scottish Fashion Show)!

See seaside-games.com for more information or call John and Nellie at 818-886-4968.