Category Archives: Community Events

All non-profit volunteer organizations to interface

event RotaractVolunteers come from all backgrounds and professions.

On October 6th,  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.  The volunteer summit is like a job fair for volunteers, laying out a variety of opportunities by all of Ventura County’s volunteer organizations who are looking to connect with the community on a variety of projects.  The goal is to get more people involved with doing good things and fun projects in our local community.

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.  Each club in an independent organization within the Rotary international family.  Their ideals, standards and code of ethics are shared, however each club has its own projects and causes. 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.  They hit the ground running, taking up service and volunteer projects in support of Rotary, and local non-profit organizations.  To date, they have joined over 50 events and benefits within Ventura County.

http://www.venturarotaract.com/ventura-volunteer-summit

For more information please contact Jen at  827-1095.

Conejo Valley Adult School offering Writing a Bestseller class

event SheliStarting October 1, Conejo Valley Adult School in Thousand Oaks will be offering an eight-week class, Writing a Bestseller. Taught by award-winning 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.

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).

Project Understanding to benefit from two events        

event project understandingLive entertainment will be provided by Sunday Mornin’ and others at Harmony for Hunger

Ventura CROP Hunger Walk invites all to attend “Harmony for Hunger” on Friday, September 18, 6:30pm – 9:00pm, at The River Community Church located at 889 E. Santa Clara St.

Harmony for Hunger is a pre-event in promotion and preparation for the upcoming Ventura CROP Hunger Walk on October 4th. All who attend will learn about the CROP Hunger Walk, will be able to sign up to volunteer or walk, meet fellow walkers and supporters, and learn about this year’s beneficiaries—

Project Understanding of San Buenaventura and 1 Family 1 Restaurant (1F1R).  There will also be live entertainment by local bands including Sunday Mornin’, Blues Fever, and Kris Simeon and the Lonely Onlies.

Admission for the event is $5 or three canned goods. For more information, please call 658-7446 or email [email protected].

Project Understanding  will be holding their 3rd annual Starlight Supper Club event on Saturday, November 7, from 5:30pm – 10:00pm. The event will be a night of taste and sophistication with a touch of 1940s glamour, and will include a sit down dinner, raffles, silent auctions, and live entertainment.

The Starlight Supper Club is a fundraising event to benefit Project Understanding in support of the many programs they provide including the Food Pantry, SHORE (Supportive Housing Opportunities in a Residential Environment, Homeless to Home, Tender Life Maternity Home, and the various tutoring centers throughout Ventura County.

General admission for the Starlight Supper Club is $75. Tickets are still available and may be purchase online by visiting http://starlightsupperclub2015.eventbrite.com or by calling  236-1309 or  652-1326.

For more information on the Project Understanding or 1F1R, please visit www.projectunderstanding.org or www.1F1R.com.

 

FOOD Share launches “Spoon FULL a Day” pledge in recognition of Hunger Action Month in September

Every little bit helps.  With just a “Spoon Full a Day,” every business, individual, and family has the capacity to help close the hunger gap in Ventura County.  During the month of September, FOOD Share, Ventura County’s regional food bank, asks everyone to observe Hunger Action Month by taking the “Spoon Full a Day” pledge and doing just one simple task a day to raise awareness of the nearly 86,240 people who experience food insecurity in Ventura County every month.

The “Spoon Full a Day” pledge inspires Ventura County residents to look within themselves, their homes and their neighborhoods for ways to help solve the hunger problem and build stronger communities.  The initiative launches with “Spoon Selfie” Day on Tuesday, Sept. 1.  Individuals, families, and local businesses are encouraged to a take selfies with brightly colored spoons and post them to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using #aspoonfulladay.  If everyone participates in one small way every day, the “Spoon Full a Day” campaign will mobilize Ventura County to take action on the issue of hunger, and get everyone involved with the movement to solve it.

“While FOOD Share, its partners and its volunteers work year-round to secure the food necessary to continuously supply our 194 pantry partners across the county, Hunger Action Month is an opportunity for us to raise community-wide awareness of how much more needs to be done.  Solving hunger involves more than handing out food,” said Bonnie Atmore, President and CEO of FOOD Share.  “We must not just feed our unstable neighborhoods; we must also lead and strengthen them by giving them the tools and resources they need to stabilize themselves.”  This year, FOOD Share will launch its Collaborating for Clients initiative to empower communities to sustain themselves-one neighborhood at a time.

How to Take Action for Hunger Action Month:

Download and print the “Spoon Full a Day” calendar from www.foodshare.com and take the pledge to do one simple thing every day to fight local hunger.

Announce your pledge on social media by taking a “Spoon Selfie” and posting it using #aspoonfulladay on Sept. 1.

Attend the Ventura County Agricultural Summit on Friday Sept.11 and learn how Ventura County’s local farms help fight hunger in our communities.

Visit the Ventura Art and Street Painting Festival at the Ventura Harbor Village Saturday and Sunday Sept. 12-13, from 10am-5pm.  The signature FOOD Share event features vivid chalk art and more than 50 regional sculptors, painters, photographers, and potters.  All net proceeds will benefit FOOD Share.

Show support against hunger:  Attend Hunger Action Month proclamation with FOOD Share and the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. in the Ventura County Government Center’s Hall of Administration.

For more information on Ventura County’s hunger alleviation efforts, FOOD Share’s C4C initiative, and upcoming events, visit www.foodshare.com.

 

Live bands on a floating dock

Experience the Rock on the Dock Concert Series, a quintessential central coast summer event, along the sparkling waters of Ventura Harbor.  This popular, coastal cool affair kicks off Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 5th at Ventura Harbor Village along the Village Promenade and continues each Saturday in September from 3-6 PM.  Be entertained seaside by bands performing on a floating boat dock while soaking up the sun and picturesque harbor and mountain views.  Guests can catch the show from the water with kayak, SUP, electric and paddle boat rentals from Ventura Boat Rentals, dance along the promenade, stroll throughout seaside boutiques, or sip sunset cocktails while dining al fresco at one of Ventura Harbor Village’s waterfront restaurants.

Band line-up for Rock on the Dock

September 5:  Carmen & the Renegade Vigilantes (Country Rock)

September 12:  The Rincons (Surf  Rock)

September 19:  Hard Times Band (Classic Rock, Blues & Country)

September 26:  Smokey & Friends (Reggae & Rock)

Just Added: Special Friday Happy Hour Show 2:00-3:30 PM, and 4:30-6:00 PM

Friday, September 25:  Unkle Monkey (Tropical Rock)

For more fun after Rock on the Dock, head to the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club, an intimate harbor side venue, for comedy shows by top comics and fresh, up-and-coming talent.

Tickets: www.VenturaHarborComedyClub.com

Ventura Harbor Village restaurants offer a variety of cuisines. Dining options include: 805 Bar  & Grilled Cheese, Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market, Baja Bay Surf N’ Taco, Boatyard Cafe, Brophy Bros. Clam Bar & Restaurant, Coastal Cone Ice Cream, Coffee Dock & Post,      Le Petit Café & Bakery, Margarita Villa Mexican Restaurant, Milano’s Italian Restaurant,       The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood, and The Parlor.

Rock on the Dock includes free admission and free parking.  Ventura Harbor Village is located in the Ventura Harbor on Spinnaker Drive off of Harbor Blvd. For more information, visit www.VenturaHarborVillage.com or call  477-0470.

 

Post, Share, and Like #VenturaHarbor #RockontheDock

Ventura Film Society Season 7

Please join the Ventura Film Society on Thursday September 10 @ 7:15pm at the Century 10 Downtown Ventura for “The Salt Of The Earth”. German director Wim Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club, Pina, Paris Texas, Wings of Desire) confirms his mastery of the documentary form in this stunning visual ode to the great Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado. Long recognized as one of the camera’s great artists, Sebastiao’s sculptural use of light and space is combined with a deep empathy for the human condition, resulting in richly complex black-and-white images that capture the dignity within every subject. For the last 40 years, Sebastiao has been travelling across continents, in the footsteps of an ever-changing humanity. Sebastião Salgado’s life and work are revealed to us by Wenders and by the photographer’s son, co-director Juliano Ribeiro Salgado. The VFS is proud to present “The Salt Of The Earth”, the 8th of 12 films in our 2015 season. Advance tickets strongly suggested, available at www.venturafilmsociety.com/tickets.html and at the VFS Will Call table one hour before the screening.

Visit www.venturafilmsociety.com for more screening information, to see the film’s trailer, and for VFS 2015 Membership information. VFS Info Line 628-2299. Special thanks to all of our donors, volunteers, patrons, and supporters, especially the Ventura Breeze. The Ventura Film Society – We bring people together in the dark.

 

Restock your bookshelves

On Saturday, September 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a Buck-a-Bag Book Sale at the Haggen Grocery (previously Albertsons) at 7800 Telegraph Road at Kimball Road

Restock your bookshelves along with your groceries.
They will provide the bags — fill a plastic bag and take home a bag of books for just $1.00.
Fill a larger paper bag and take it home for $2.00.
We’ll even provide a box which you can fill for $4.00.

All funds raised are used to benefit Ventura’s libraries.

“Cotton” Rosser rides again

stuff RosserEighty seven year old  “Cotton” Rosser is the production manager for the rodeos held at the Fair Grounds. He is the owner of the Flying U Rodeo, the oldest rodeo company in the world and the major supplier of livestock to the  PRCA Rodeo held as part of The Ventura County Fair.  Cotton actively participates in rounding up the animals after each event. He is shown on his horse talking with fair children. By John Ferritto

Ojai News & Events

It’s not too late to submit an art grant proposal to the City of Ojai for 2016.
The deadline for submission for the City of Ojai Arts Commission’s 2016 Art Grants
program is 5 p.m. on September 14. Proposals may be submitted at Ojai City Hall. This
year the Commission has been allotted $20,000 for the 2016 grant cycle; visual and
performing artists are encouraged to submit projects for City funding that promote the
arts in Ojai.

“We want artists and arts organizations to know the process works and we are happy to
have more funding available to promote their work this year than ever before,” said
Michael Addison, Art Commission Chair. “We strongly encourage all artists and art
organizations to find out if their project or program qualifies and apply for this valuable
support.”

The City will be accepting completed grant applications until 5 p.m. September 14,
for the 2016 calendar year. The applications are available online at the city website,
www.ojaicity.org or the Arts Commission website, www.artsojai.org. For questions
contact Deputy City Manager Steve McClary at 646-5581 x101.

The Ojai Photography Club welcomes Ojai based photographer David Baker to their September 15 meeting. The program begins at 7:00 PM, at Kent Hall, located at Help of Ojai’s Little House, 111 Santa Ana St.

Baker will speak on “Seeing in Black & White.” This will be a highly informative presentation for anyone interested in branching out of digital color into the dramatic world of black and white photography. Using his own award-winning photographs as examples, Baker will demonstrate how to select color images and convert them into black and white artwork. Presented in an interactive setting, the talk will provide the audience with many opportunities to ask questions and receive answers from the expert.

In the early 1970s, Baker worked as a professional photographer for the Monterey Park Progress newspaper. In 1980 he left the photography profession to become a successful software engineer and graphic designer.

Visit his website for images and extended information: http://www.ojaiimages.com

After his presentation, Baker will review images submitted by club members. Monthly presentations are part of the Ojai Photography Club’s community service outreach and visitors are welcome to attend.

The Ojai Photography Club, which is devoted to education, inspiration, and camaraderie, meets on the third Tuesday of each month, February – November. Only members may submit images for review. For additional information please visit: www.ojaiphotoclub.com/.

Course 3 of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition Food Preparation Series is a dehydration and solar cooking class on Saturday, September 5, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Instructors Michelle Dohrn and Mikhael Collins will share the fun of making Chard chips, flaxseed crackers and culinary salts; along with demonstrating solar cooking.

There is a suggested donation of $35 for OVGC supporting members and $40 for non-members. Reservations are required and the class is limited to 12 participants. Visit ojaivalleygreencoalition.org for full details or call 669-8445.

Join the County of Ventura emPower program and the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) for an Energy Education Seminar hosted by the Ojai Valley Green Coalition. The seminar, Energy: The New Frontier, will explore efficiency and renewable energy choices, financing tools, information on building a cleaner, local energy portfolio and ways to improve the comfort and indoor air quality of your home.

Lunch will be provided. Visit http://ojaivalleygreencoalition.com/selections.shtml to make your lunch selection. The event will be on September 12th, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Ojai Valley Women’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Avenue. Tickets are $10, but the first 25 people to register through emPower will receive FREE admission.

To register, visit http://www.empowersbc.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=167.
For more information on the emPower program, call 654-3834 or email [email protected].

The Ojai Valley Green Coalition is hosting an energy education seminar – Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave. The seminar cost is $10.00 and runs 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with an organic lunch included.

Seminar topics include available energy and water efficiency upgrade financial tools, our homes as an energy ecosystem, why renewable energy and rooftop solar is so important, how electric vehicles play into the equation and a new model for community based clean energy.

For more information about the Seminar and to register, visit ojaivalleygreencoalition.org/ees.shtml.

 

 

EP Foster Library events

Special Events for Adults
Saturday September 12th – Local Author Event – Focus on Fiction & Focus on Nonfiction 2-4pm Topping Room
Wednesday September 23rd – Collage Workshop 6 pm in the Topping Room

Ongoing Events
Children & Teens
Early Literacy Class – Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:30 to 11:30
PAWS for Reading (kids read to dogs) – Saturdays at noon
Lego Lab- September 1st, 15th, & 29th at 3 pm
Library LAB Open Workshop – Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 pm
Homework Center for kids and teens – Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-5 pm
Youth Chess Club – Mondays 3-5
TAG (Teen Advisory Group) — 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 4-5 pm

Adults
Library LAB Open Workshop – Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 pm
Poetry Open Mic Night – Thursdays at 7:30 in the Topping Room
Ukulele Jam Session- 2nd and 4th Monday at 7 pm in the Topping Room