Happenings

Happenings includes community events, meetings, classes, resources, needs and Arts Listings. To submit an item for inclusion email to: happenings@vcreporter.com

THURSDAY

PUBLIC MEETING ON UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS

| 12 – 1 p.m. The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) is seeking public input regarding Unmet Transit Needs in order to improve bus service in Ventura County. Meeting links and written input submittal information is online: www.goventura.org/ unmet-transit-needs.

CONTAGION! A POX ON BOTH YOUR HOUSES | 7

- 8:30 p.m. As part of California Lutheran University’s History Lecture Series, Michaela Reaves Ph.D. who specializes in American history with an emphasis on socio-cultural history, will address the history of smallpox. Whether the Bard meant “a plague” or “the pox,” both served as a warning of dire results. Smallpox can be traced through history from the mummy of Ramses V up to 1980, when the disease was considered eradicated. Through 3,000 years of contagion, variolation or vaccine, the disease maintained a death rate of 30% and affected both the “Old” and “New” worlds. A free event sponosored by Thousand Oaks Grant R. Brimhall Library and Ventura County Library with grant funding provided by Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation. Registration required. CLU, Lundring Events Center, 1-67 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. www.callutheran.edu

FRIDAY

TRANSIT EQUITY DAY | All Day Metrolink is offering free rides on all Metrolink trains to everyone in tribute to Rosa Parks for standing up for fair and equitable public transportation. Ms. Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on a public bus set in motion the end of segregation on public transportation and highlighted that all people should have the right to equitable and affordable public transit. Details at: www.metrolinktrains.com/ transit-equity-day

UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS PUBLIC HEARING | 9

a.m. The Ventura County Transportation Commission will hear directly from the public at this Public Hearing regarding local transportation needs. The hearing will focus on the areas of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks and adjacent areas of unincorporated Ventura County. To contact VCTC email dlopex@goventura.org or 800-438-1112. Zoom link is online. Dial in option via phone: 1-669-900-6833; Webinar I.D.: 812 4569 8806; Passcode: 011448. www. goventura.org/unmet-transit-needs/

UNITED TO END HOMELESSNESS SYMPOSIUM | Friday, Feb. 4, 9 a.m.,

Virtual event. The United Way of Ventura County is hosting a discussion featuring Jessica Bruder, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning bestseller “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century,” which was also a feature film. Following Bruder keynote presentation there will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions followed by a panel discussion with local experts including Mike Powers, CEO of Ventura County, Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), Amy Duganne, director of homelessness initiatives with United Way of Ventura County, Murtaza Sanwari, senior vice president and area manager with Kaiser Permanente and Matt Capritto, realtor and “housing champion.” Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) will facilitate a community discussion to conclude the event. $30. www.unitedtoendhomelessnessvc. org Pictured: Jessica Bruder, author of “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century.” Photo by Todd Gray. BOOK RELEASE AND SIGNING WITH LANNY KAUFER | Saturday, Feb. 5, 1:30 p.m. FREE, in person outdoor event. Author and Ojai native plant guide Lanny Kaufer will be signing his first book, Medicinal Herbs of California, a field guide presenting the principles of herbal remedies, history and roots in Indigenous cultures along with modern uses, recipes and the current science of natural phytochemicals of over 70 common native medicinal plants, which have been a part of American Indigenous medicines for thousands of years. Kaufer also presents the history of how these approaches were wiped from U.S. pharmacopeia in the last 100 years. The event will begin with an herb walk through the native plant garden at the Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai www.herbwalks.com Pictured: Lanny Kaufer and his wife Rondia in front of a native Toyon shrub. Photo submitted.

WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY GALA |

Saturday, Feb. 5, 7-9 p.m. FREE, virtual event. The Jewish Federation of Ventura is hosting its annual fundraising event to support the most vulnerable in the community. This year’s event will honor Jewish women who are caring for the community during the pandemic by bestowing the Women of Valor award to them. This year the event welcomes special guest, entertainer Lainie Kazan, who portrayed the beloved Greek mother in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Registration for the event is free and donations are requested. Details and registration are online at: www.jewishventuracounty.org. Pictured: Lainie Kazan in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

TUESDAY

EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION WITH GLADYS

RODRIGUEZ | 6-9 p.m. Meet artist Gladys Rodriguez and see the opening of her show titled Suspiro at 643 Gallery, 643 N. Ventura Avenue, Ventura.

SATURDAY

INTRO TO FLY FISHING CLINIC | 9-11 a.m. FREE, in person outdoor event. Sespe Fly Fishers of Ventura is hosting an introductory fly rod casting clinic. All experience levels are welcome from those who’ve never held a fly rod to those who have been casting for years. This clinic can help you improve your casting and meet with fellow fly rod enthusiasts. Rods will be on hand to borrow. Rods are available to borrow. For more information call Thomas Hall, 805-377-5249. Chumash Park at Petit and Waco in East Ventura. Please adhere to all pandemic guidelines. www.sespeflyfishers.org

MONDAY BELFAST | Monday, Feb. 7, Screenings at 3:30

p.m. and 6:30 p.m. This week’s screenings include an introduction by local Irish community activist, John McNally. The film, directed by Kenneth Branagh, tells the story of a 9-year-old boy who must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain. UK, PG13. Movie goers must be vaccinated and wear a face covering when not eating or drinking in the theater. $11.25, senior and youth discounts available. PG 13, English. Plaza Cinemas 14, 255 W. 5th Street, Oxnard. www. oxnardfilmsociety.org

HEALTHY SCHOOLS ACT: BEST PRACTICES FOR PEST MANAGEMENT NEAR SCHOOLS SERIES

- LANDSCAPE SESSION | 10-11:30 a.m. The California Department of Pesticide Regulations is hosting a series of workshops for those who AD PROOF work in the landscape industry about best pracClient: Three Star Books Ad Executive: Jon Cabreros tices for managing a wide range of pests in and (805) 648-2244 around school campuses. This workshop will focus on Landscape Integrated Pest Management and Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and “Final Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, cover weed and burrowing rodent management. AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. Continuing education credits available. Registration is online: bit.ly/3ugeP7gNOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP ISSUE: 10/14/21 TWILIGHT GATHERING | 7 p.m. Virtual and in person. Rev. Maddie Sifantus will lead this gathering amidst sound, silence and the spoken word. Atul Ranchod will provide original poetry, with music from Barry Cooper, a guitarist originally from Liverpool, England. Enjoy this reflective time in our busy week to hear inspiring music, share some silence and hear spoken word. Offerings requested to benefit the musicians. Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula, 740 E. Main Street, Santa Paula. www.uucsp.org

WEDNESDAY LUNCH & LEARN WITH THE LEAGUE | 12-1

p.m. FREE, online event. The public is invited to listen in on seven conversations with local elected officials. Today’s event features Steven Hintz, Ventura County Tax Collector. The interview will be hosted and conducted by the Ventura County League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation in government. Registration is required. 805-644-2899 https://bit.ly/3rKAzHb. https://my.lwv.org/california/ventura-county

AFTERNOON ORGAN RECITAL SERIES: ADAN

FERNANDEZ | 12:30 - 1 p.m. California Lutheran University organist Adan Fernandez will perform music from Bach, Buxtehude, Widor and Vierne as well as improvisations on popular themes. Donations will be accepted. Audience members must show proof of full vaccination for COVID-19. For more information 805-493-3306. Samuelson Chapel, CLU, 165 Chapel Lane, Thousand Oaks. www.CalLutheran.edu/music

VENTURA COUNTY CAMERA CLUB | 6:30 p.m.

Virtual via GoToMeeting. Whether you capture images with your iPhone or an SLR, the club works to promote the art, science, technique and enjoyment of fine art photography through sharing, education, cooperation, association and fellowship. At each meeting members can submit work for review by a professional. Meetings are currently virtual. For details and to join the meeting contact club president via Instagram @67BillH or visit: www.venturacountycameraclub.com

THURSDAY

HEALTHY SCHOOLS ACT: BEST PRACTICES FOR PEST MANAGEMENT NEAR SCHOOLS SERIES

- STRUCTURAL SESSION | 10-11:30 a.m. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is hosting a series of workshops for those who work in the landscape industry about best practices for managing a wide range of pests in and around school campuses,. This workshop will focus on Structural Integrated Pest Management and cover insect and commensal rodent management. Continuing education credits available. Registration is online: bit.ly/3ugeP7g

THE SOMIS THURSDAY CLUB | 12:30 p.m.

Free, virtual Zoom event. A local women’s club that meets monthly over lunch to hear about various topics of interest. This month features Cheryl Temple, the Ventura County prosecutor who was part of the team assigned to prosecute Joseph D’Angelo, “The Golden State Killer.” Visitors and prospective members are welcome. Please call 805-469-5059 or email patti. dizazzo@gmail.com to RSVP and to receive Zoom information.

COMMUNITY NEEDS, OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES

SCUBA DIVER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR UNDERWATER SEARCH AND RESCUE |

Training session begins March 11 in Camarillo. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Underwater Search and Rescue Team is in need of qualified SCUBA divers to volunteer. Divers must be skilled, reliable and willing to volunteer their time and own resources and be willing to attend an orientation session for the Underwater Academy scheduled to begin Friday, March 11, 2 p.m. ad the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center (Sheriff’s Academy), 106 Durley Avenue, Camarillo. The orientation-training is $250 and is held Friday evenings and Sunday morning through Aug. 21. Candidates must be 21 years or older and have their own personal dive equipment, live in Ventura County, or nearby and hold a current Open Water Certification. Advanced certification is preferred. Additional eligibility requirements apply. For additional information concerning the Dive Academy call: Team Captain Larry Fuller- (805) 746-3326. Team Administrative Officer Steve Giles- (805) 910-8067 Sheriff’s Office SAR Coordinator Sergeant Kelly Roark- (805) 388-4212.

APPLICATION PERIOD OPEN FOR 2022 YOUTH LEADERSHIP SUMMIT | Through

Feb. 28. Students grades 7-12 in the Conejo Valley are encouraged to apply to attend the Youth Leadership Summit where community youth will participate in round table discussion with community leaders with the goal of keeping Thousand Oaks youth-friendly. Competitive application process open now. Information and application are online at: www.toaks.org/youth. For questions regarding the Youth Leadership Summit, email youthcommission@toaks.org or call Sarah Mailes at 805-449-2118.

HOMEBOUND VACCINATION INFORMATION

| Are you or a loved one homebound and in need of the vaccine? Please call the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging at 805-477-7300 or email covidmobileclinic@ventura.org to request a visit from the mobile team. There is no cost for the visit. This service is available for any homebound individual 12 years old or older.

ONGOING/UPCOMING EVENTS

PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED ON CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN | Through Feb. 24,

2022 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association is seeking public input about the CINMS management plan and draft environmental assessment. The plan and an online portal to provide input are online at the Federal Register: https://bit.ly/3uiLauc. Questions can be emailed to: cinmsmanagementplan@noaa.gov.

WINTER WHALE WATCHING | Daily through

April 23, 2022. It’s the time of year when Pacific gray whales can be seen along the Ventura County coastline during their migration from their feeding grounds in Alaska to their breeding grounds in Baja. Other species commonly seen include humpback whales, fin whales and sometimes orcas. Common dolphins are year round residents of the area. Island Packers, operating out of the Ventura Harbor Village, offers daily whale watching trips and excursions to the Channel Islands National Park. Whale watching, $42 adult, $30 children, 3-12. Kids 2 and under are free. All day trips are $63-$120 per adult. Book trips in advance. www. islandpackers.com