HAPPENINGS
vcreporter.com
Happenings includes community events, meetings, classes, resources, needs and Arts Listings. To submit an item for inclusion email to: happenings@vcreporter.com
THURSDAY DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AWARENESS MONTH | Through April 14. The Ventura County Community College District will join the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to commemorate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Awareness Month. Throughout April, VCCCD and its colleges will raise awareness of DEI through free virtual and in-person events. For activities and more information, visit VCCCD.edu/celebrate-diversity. PHOTOS WITH THE SPRING BUNNY | Through April 16. Bring the whole family over for some festive spring photos. Capture the moment as the little ones meet everyone’s favorite bunny and pose for a special picture. Pets are welcome too! A variety of photo packages are available for purchase. Photos with the Spring Bunny will take place next to The Annex Food Hall at 546 Collection Blvd. For additional information, please call Guest Services at 805-342-7363. There are no reservations — photos are on a first-come, first-served basis. SOMIS THURSDAY CLUB | 11:30 a.m. Local women’s club meeting and catered lunch. This month’s program will be a visit from The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. Visitors and prospective members are welcome. Please call 805-469-5059 or email patti.dizazzo@gmail.com to RSVP. WORLDWIDE CLIMATE JUSTICE TEACH-IN | 4:30-6:30 p.m. ONLINE. Join the faculty of California State University, Channel Islands, for a campus-wide interdisciplinary conversation about climate change, action, hope and people’s power. Organized by the Open Society University Network, Bard CEP. CSUCI will be joining thousands of colleges, universities, schools and faith organizations. Register for the event at csuci.zoom.us/meeting/register/ tZckcOGtpj8qHtaUyraaUVy2rTLB9qmgqU32. WOMEN IN CONSERVATION | 7-9 p.m. At this event, a panel discussion moderated by Ventura Land Trust Executive Director Melissa Baffa will feature Kris Tompkins, past Patagonia CEO and president and cofounder of Tompkins Conservation; Kate Larramendy, trustee of The Conservation Alliance and past Director of Design and Sustainability for Toad&Co; and Michelle I. Sevilla, an immigrant from the Philippines who works on local environmental issues and policy in the California State Legislature. Part of VLT’s Environmental Speaker Series. Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St., Ventura, www. venturalandtrust.org/womeninconservation.
EASTER EVE FULL MOON SUNSET NATURE HIKE | Saturday, April 16, 6-8:30 p.m. Join Lanny Kaufer and Rondia for a 1.5 mile walk on a well-used dirt road with gradual elevation gain to the vista point above the Ojai Valley to watch the sunset and moonrise. After witnessing the setting of the sun, and while waiting for the rising of the moon, participants will take a moment to meditate on the significance of this day for Christians, Jews, naturists, believers and nonbelievers of all kinds. After the moonrise, walk back by moonlight and flashlight, returning to the trailhead between 8:30 and 8:45 p.m. Explore some valuable edible and medicinal plants along the way. No dogs or smoking, please. Light rain will not cancel; heavy rain will. $35 per person. To register and for more information, visit herbwalks.com. Pictured: Full moon rising over Topa Topa Bluffs by Judy Cheske with two shows April 15 and 16 at 7:30pm at the Black Box theater in the Performing Arts Building. This show will feature Dj sets, jazz combo bands, rock songs, lo-fi, loopback performances, and features written and arranged entirely by music students. If you’ve been waiting for a chance to get out of the COVID cocoon and be a part of a high energy concert, let’s “come together.” $10-15. Moorpark College Performing Arts Center, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark, 805-378-1485, www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/academic/theatre-arts/ performing-arts-center. ANNIE GRIFFITHS: PHOTOGRAPHY WITHOUT BORDERS | 8 p.m. One of National Geographic’s most celebrated female photographers shares images and stories from the globetrotting career that has taken her from Bedouin campfires to Argentinian horse whisperers. Annie Griffiths has a habit of uncovering the humorous, the heartwarming, and the universal, even in the strangest of places. $41-$51. Fred Kavli Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, www.bapacthousandoaks.com/shows.
SATURDAY
ANIMAL TRACKING IN THE GARDEN | 8:30 a.m. Join Wyatt Harris, a member of the Ventura County Wildlife Trackers, to learn how to recognize what wildlife has been prowling through the gardes! Children accompanied by adults are welcome. Wear hats, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. Gather at the Welcome Center. Limited to 20 people; reservations required. $15. 567 S. Poli St., Ventura, 805-232-3113, venturabotanicalgardens.com. FRIDAY FULL MOON NATURE IMMERSION WALK | 8:4511:30 a.m. The Nature Immersion Medicine Walk, COME TOGETHER | 7:30 p.m. Moorpark College led by Nature Therapy Guide Elena Rios, is a core offerPerforming Arts and the Music Technology program ing of Taft Gardens. On this guided walk into the Nature Preserve you will be given instructions, which are referred to as invitations, to assist you in slowing down, relaxing, and finding your own way of being in relationship with nature and the land. $35. Visit our Events Page to reserve your spot! www.taftgardens.org. EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This free community event is great for the whole family! Do some shopping, take photos with the Easter Bunny, enjoy food, live music and activities in the park. Featuring craft vendors, food trucks, arts and crafts, an inflatable obstacle course and more. Those who participated in The Big Egg Hunt can turn in their “bingo sheet”during the Eggstravaganza; raffle drawing begins at 1 p.m. and you must be present to win. The celebration takes place at the Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo. For more VENTURA HARBOR IS HOPPIN’ FOR EASTER | Through information, call Briana Ramos at 805April 17. Bring the whole family down to beautiful 485-1996 ext. 116 or visit www.pvrpd. Ventura Harbor Village to partake in a wide array of activiorg/2022-04-16-easter-eggstravaganza. ties. Hunt for the “golden egg,” stuffed with Easter goodies VC ART MARKET | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and gift cards. Jump in Sal’s Inflatable Fun Zone. Dance to Join us for the next VC Art Market at the Barrelhouse Wailers on April 17. Buy sugary treats, gifts California and Main in Downtown and more at the many shops. There’s a lot going on, so visit Ventura. Support local artists, makers www.venturaharborvillage.com for the full schedule. 1583 and small businesses while finding Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, 805-477-0470. Pictured: Easter cupunique gifts, decor and more. Shop cakespresents from Sugar Bakeshop. local and shop small. 494 E. Main St. proudly “ComeLab Together: Music Tech Showcase”,
18 —
— April 14, 2022
(corner of California and Main), Ventura, downtownventura.org/event/vc-art-market-7/. BANK OF BOOKS SANTA PAULA BOOK SIGNINGS | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sandie Moore, Linked Lives; Alicia Doyle, Fighting Chance and The Oath; A.C. Karras, What’s In a Life; Viviana Hall, Poems of Love; and Hannah Nicole Duran, Written on Walls. Bank of Books, 820 E. Main St., Santa Paula, www.bankofbooks.com.
SUNDAY RIVER BOTTOM SESSIONS VOL. III | 3-7 p.m. A concert music series to benefit the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. Here at Las Palmas de Ojai, we are always looking for ways to give back to the community and the great non-profit organizations that contribute to making our town so amazing! We have collaborated with local businesses to create a fun and safe environment for our community. With help from our friends we have had a great time celebrating our beautiful valley with music accompanied by great food and drinks from our favorite spots in Ojai! On April 17 we will be hosting Volume III of our series with our headliners The Eyes of the World: music of the Grateful Dead. Beer from Topa Topa Brewing Company, wine from Topa Mountain Winery, kombucha from Revel Kombucha Bar and food from Pinyon Ojai. Children 12 and under free. Fun for the whole family! $30. Las Palmas de Ojai, 1250 Meyer Road, Ojai, laspalmasojai.com.
MONDAY THE ROSE MAKER | 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Oxnard Film Society presents this 2021 French comedy/drama about an artisanal horticulturalist struggling to keep her family legacy alive amidst corporate competition. When three employees from a prison rehabilitation come onboard with their work ethic and fresh ideas, together they build a daring plan to save the business. Runtime: 1 hour, 34 minutes. Not rated. In French with English subtitles. $8 seniors, $11.25 general admission. Plaza Cinemas 14, 255 West Fifth St., Oxnard, www.oxnardfilmsociety.org.
TUESDAY HERO WITH 1,000 FACES BY JOSEPH CAMPBELL | Tuesdays 12-1:30 p.m. through June 7 ONLINE. The Agora Foundation is currently enrolling students in this online intensive about Joseph Campbell’s theory that mythological narratives frequently share a fundamental structure. We invite you to join us as we explore this highly affecting work in a small group, one chapter per week for eight weeks, taking place on Tuesday afternoons from 12-1:30 p.m. All reading materials will be supplied and sessions will be facilitated by tutors experienced in shared inquiry and the Socratic method. Groups will be limited to 14 participants and no prior knowledge is required. $275; payment options available. Sign up online at www. agorafoundation.org/current-seminars. TWILIGHT GATHERING WITH UNIVERSALIST UNITARIAN | 7 p.m. Rev. Maddie Sifantus announces the monthly Gathering with Sound, Silence and Word in person at Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula. Gathering is a reflective time in our busy weeks to hear some beautiful music, share some silence and hear spoken word on a theme. Original poetry by Atul Ranchod. The music will be provided by Christine Snipes
SPRINGTIME ON THE FARM | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Through April 24. Come celebrate with us at our Springtime on the Farm in Moorpark! With more than 50 acres to visit and numerous activities, there is plenty of space to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine with family and friends. See the giant Easter egg basket, enjoy photo opportunities with live bunnies, take part in an egg and spoon race and more. And of course, the animal center and pick your own fields will be available. $10 weekdays at the gate; $14 weekends (weekend tickets MUST be purchased online); children under 2 are free. No dogs or outside animals allowed. 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, 805529-3690, www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com/springtime-on-the-farm/. Mazor on violin, Geno Palilla on piano and Maddie Sifantus, soprano including works by Richard Strauss and Respighi. Gatherings are now “hybrid”with folks invited to the Sanctuary of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula, masks optional. Gathering also continues on Zoom and exported live to the congregation’s Facebook page which is www.facebook.com/ uucsp. 740 E Main Street, Santa Paula, 805-525-4647, www.uucsp.org.
WEDNESDAY AMERICAN HISTORY: THE CIVIL WAR TO THE 21ST CENTURY | Wednesdays 5:30-7:30 p.m. through Oct. 19 ONLINE. The Agora Foundation is currently enrolling students in this online intensive. Through the lenses of race, religion, politics, education, media, commerce, science, and culture, this series attempts to find answers to our essential American questions: How can we describe the American Mind? What are the country’s core values and central tenets? Can those core values and central tenets endure? Online seminars will take place on Wednesday evenings, 5:30-7:30 p.m. All reading materials will be supplied and sessions will be facilitated by tutors experienced is shared inquiry and the Socratic method. Groups will be limited to 14 participants and no prior knowledge is required. $800; payment options are available. Sign up online at www.agorafoundation.org/ current-seminars.
THURSDAY CHANNEL ISLANDS GULLS FUNDRAISING LUNCHEON | 11 a.m. Join in the fun at our April luncheon and help raise funds for California Coastal Horse Rescue. CCHR rescues and re-homes horses and provides educational programs to school and community groups. The social hour begins at 11 a.m. at The Greek, 1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura Harbor. $40. Advance reservations and payment required: 805263-7759 or cigullsreservations.@gmail.com. THE TAO BY LAO TZU AND CHUANG TZU | Thursday evenings 5:30-7:30 p.m. through June 9 ONLINE. The Agora Foundation is currently enrolling students in this online intensive. The Tao Te Ching is a Chinese classic text traditionally credited to the 6th-century BC sage Lao Tzu. We invite you to join us for this eight-week online course, taking place on Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:30 p.m., as we explore one of the most translated works in world literature... and one of the most profound. We will be concerned with trying to understand the Way, and how it is expressed by virtue through naturalness and non-action. All reading materials (in English translation) will be supplied and the group will be limited to 14 participants. $275; payment options available. Sign up online at www.agorafoundation.org/current-seminars. LAUNCH | 5:30 p.m. Ventura Education Partnership will hold its third annual LAUNCH event at the Museum of Ventura County. Sponsored by Aera Energy, LAUNCH recognizes and celebrates Ventura Unified School District educators who bring learning to life through innovative, creative and engaging techniques. This year, LAUNCH will highlight Erin Beerer, Balboa Middle School; Eva Cherrie, Elmhurst Elementary School; and Joel Levin, Buena High School. 100 E. Main St., Ventura, 805-7549861, www.venturaeducationpartnership.org. ART AND CLIMATE CHANGE? | 6 p.m. A presen-
tation highlighting the important role local artists can play in saving our planet from climate change, followed by a short video from Greta Thunberg and a Q&A session with members of the Ventura County Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby. Hosted by California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks. Free; pre-registration required. CMATO, The Oaks Mall, Second Level, 350 W. Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks, 805-405-5240, cmato.org.
COMMUNITY NEEDS, OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES CASA PACIFICA ANGELS WINE, FOOD AND BREW FESTIVAL | The festival is currently open to vendors interested in registering for this year’s June 5 celebration. Registration is free, and includes tables, linens, an umbrella, utensils and ice; as well as promotion on the festival website, social media exposure and a listing on the festival map. Must provide 750-1,000 food or beverage samples. To register and for more information, visit www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com/2022-registration/. MULCH MADNESS | Join us for our quarterly mulch and compost giveaway at the Cornucopia Community Gardens! Participants must register in advance for an appointment, preorder mulch and/or compost, and be prepared to bag their own mulch and compost products. Please bring a bag or bucket to collect material. Mulch and compost products are sourced from Agromin, and provided to city of Ventura residents free of charge. Space is limited. Learn more and register at https://form.jotform.com/220455349576160. FREE TAX PREP ASSISTANCE | Through April 30, 2022. Trained volunteer tax preparers with the United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) are available to help working families and individuals file their state and federal tax return and access the tax credits to which they are eligible. Households earning up to $57,000 in 2021 are eligible to use the free services. This assistance is in-person and by appointment only. Call 211 or visit www. MyFreeTaxes.org to make an appointment.
ONGOING/UPCOMING EVENTS SUMMER OF ART SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION | Registration is open now for kids ages 6 and up in camps with different topics - animals, figure drawing, drawing with color, urban sketchbook, Jewelry, ceramics and more. Dates and age groups are online. Vita Art Center, 28 W. Main Street, Ventura. www.vitaartcenter. com/new-page-1. CITY OF VENTURA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE SURVEY | Ongoing. The City of Ventura is updating its General Plan - the land use “constitution”for the next 20 years - and is seeking input from the public on various aspects of what will be included: transportation, natural disasters and climate change, initial visioning and a survey on Issues and Opportunities. All surveys are online at: www.planventura.com/online-surveys. 20 YEAR REUNION – ST. BONAVENTURE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2000 | Saturday, June 4, 2022. Members of the St. Bonaventure High School Class of 2000 are invited to attend the upcoming 20 year reunion. The celebration will take place at a local private location. RSVP to Julie Wouk, 619-888-7956.♦
