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.

The Chambers of Commerce Alliance of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties are hosting an energy event titled “The Future of Energy and the Environment,” scheduled for October 14,  from 8:00-11:30AM at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ventura.

“Energy is an important topic, both to the business community and the members of the public. The Alliance wants to provide an opportunity for greater understanding of our energy needs, and our energy reality, their effects on the environment, and to allow the audience to ask questions”, said Scott Eicher, Chair of the Chambers of Commerce Alliance.

Sandra Burkhart, Senior Coordinator, Coastal Region told the Breeze “We are very excited to have an energy event of this caliber here in Ventura. Energy is an important issue and better understanding our energy reality is critical to helping the community understand how we can all work together in achieving our goals for energy independence along with balanced regulations.”

The keynote speaker for the event will be Alex Epstein, a New York Times best-selling author and founder of the Center for Industrial Progress (CIP). Epstein has risen to prominence as the nation’s leading free-market energy debater, promoting a philosophy that is anti-pollution but pro-development. He draws on cutting-edge research and original insights to offer an alternate perspective on the energy debate and shares eye-opening thoughts into how technology will improve the lives of people – safely, cleanly, and effectively – for years to come. He has been called the “most original thinker of the year” by political commentator John McLaughlin.

There will also be a panel discussion featuring representatives from each of the energy sectors, including California Resources Corporation (CRC), Desert Solar, Infinity Wind, and Brightwave Energy. The discussion will focus on the opportunities and challenges each sector faces, along with environmental factors.

For more information or to register for this event, please visit http://tinyurl.com/pwvwpsk or call Sandra Burkhart at 966-7113.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Eric Boldt will discuss current El Niño predictions and will provide drought and wildfire updates during the October From Shore to Sea lecture.

Boldt and other forecasters have predicted the upcoming El Niño will result in much stronger oceanic and atmospheric effects than usual. On average, El Niño and its sister phenomenon La Niña, occur every two to seven years.

Boldt will describe what the condition known as El Niño is and how it is caused, as well as its effects on ocean environments, sea surface temperatures, and precipitation. He will compare current predictions with previous El Niños and explain how he and other forecasters have arrived at these predictions.

Boldt will also provide an update on current and upcoming drought and wildfire conditions and on the relationship between these conditions and the predictions for this year’s El Niño.

Boldt received a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of Kansas.

The talk will be held on October 8. The From Shore to Sea lecture series is sponsored by Channel Islands National Park to further the understanding of current research on the Channel Islands and surrounding marine waters. The lectures occur at 7:00 pm at the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, 1901 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura Harbor. The programs are free and open to the public.

On October 15, at 6pm there will be a benefit for The City Center to raise awareness of domestic violence and its direct connection to homelessness for women and children.

Join  and help “Take the Punch Out of Domestic Violence” with an informative, inspirational and thought provoking evening featuring championship boxer and domestic violence survivor, Maureen Shea.

More than 1/3rd of the homeless women and children in Ventura are homeless trying to escape from domestic abuse in their homes.  The City Center is committed to assisting these broken families and rebuilding lives.  The goal is to raise $10,000 to renovate and dedicate a “Purple Room” specifically to house a family in need”, stated Jim Duran, Executive Director.

Thanks to the compassionate members of the Oxnard Women’s Monday Club for scoring a “Knock Out” for homelessness and domestic violence as our “Purple Room” Title Sponsor.

Maureen Shea, championship boxer will share her story of surviving domestic violence in her home. How she has turned her life around and achieved her dreams.

You’ll also hear stories of success from current City Center residents and how they were able to leave their abuser and protect their children.  County Supervisor, Kathy Long will also share her story and the impact domestic violence has on our community.

The evening will inspire, inform and provide materials and resources to help those suffering from this quiet epidemic. You are not alone and you can win the fight against domestic violence.

The cost for the V.I.P. Party is $25 and includes a meet and greet plus a photo opportunity with Maureen, beverages, appetizers and inspirational entertainment plus much more.  General admission is free and the doors open at 6:30pm.  This event will be held at the TRC Conference Center at 859 E. Santa Clara St.

The City Center is a transitional living facility for homeless children and their parents in Ventura, equipping them to rebuild their lives for self-sufficiency.  For information regarding The City Center Transitional Living please call  628-9035 or visit www.TheCityCenter.org.

The California Association of Public Cemeteries (CAPC) will hold its Annual Education Seminar, Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10. The CAPC Education Seminar will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Public Cemetery Trustees, Managers, Secretaries and Employees from all parts of California will be attending. Topics to be presented and discussed include “Employee Relations”, “Public Cemetery Management”, “Harassment Training” and “The California Drought and Its Effect on Public Cemeteries”. Any persons interested in attending this seminar should register with CAPC by calling 888-344-9858. The Crowne Plaza Beach Hotel is located at 450 East Harbor Blvd. The hotel’s phone number for reservations is 652-5119 ask for Christine Smith, when calling identify oneself as an attendee to the CAPC Education Seminar and say you saw this in the Ventura Breeze.

Tasting handcrafted beer and sampling cuisine from over 30 local restaurants is a great evening.

By David Fukutomi, President, Pier into the Future Board of Directors and Jenise Wagar, Executive Director, Pier into the Future

The Board of Directors is proud of the accomplishments of our organization this past year.  Since January we have:

Made a presentation to the Ventura City Council on the status of the our efforts and the need for ongoing support from the Council to address deferred maintenance issues.

Deposited  $139, 603  into the Ventura County Community Foundation

Pier Fund….money raised from the community!

Purchased 10 new benches to be installed on the Pier.

Participated in the sand art event featuring Andres Amador at the Pier.

In addition with the most recent deposit mentioned above, we have now contributed $1,000,000 into the Pier endowment. Interest accumulated in the fund has been used by the City of Ventura to address operational costs of the pier.

The City has taken an important first step by seeking a study of critical work that has been identified to preserve the pier. We encourage everyone in the community to continue to keep the pier in the forefront of your thoughts and urge the City Council to make a priority of considering it’s on going needs in order that it remain safe, accessible and a most visible treasure.

The fund raising effort has truly been a grass roots effort. Proceeds have been raised in many ways including: selling deeds to planks, memorials on the granite panels and benches, tickets to our events, sales of pier related items and generous support from individuals and businesses in Ventura and the region.

Thank you for your continued support of the Pier. We look forward to continuing to work on your behalf to ensure that the Pier is part of our future and

Don Mills, Board Member, Pier into the Future said “Each year at the annual Pier Under the Stars fundraiser a very unique opportunity awaits guests. The chance to bid on a handcrafted Pier Plank bench. These beautiful benches have been craved by me using wood salvaged from the pier. Each bench is unique in design and size depending on what wood may have been removed during maintenance work on the pier. The common feature of all benches created to date are the hand carved words Ventura Pier Plank.”

Kathy McAden, Vice President, Pier into the Future stated “ It is not often that the community gathers together in one evening under the stars in support of a historical icon but Pier Under the Stars brings together the entire community to raise funds to ensure the historic Ventura Pier remains safe, clean and as beautiful as ever. “

If you would like to get involved in Pier into the Future please email [email protected]. Visit www.pierintothefuture.org to get your tickets today.