Happenings

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

THURSDAY

BACK ON THE RANCH WITH LARRY JANSS | 6

p.m. Larry Janss is Conejo Valley to the core. The respected entrepreneur, philanthropist, photographer and descendant of one of Thousand Oaks’ founding families spent his childhood on a 10,000-acre ranch that stretched from the southern ridgeline of the Conejo Valley to the Norwegian grade. Janss will share stories weaving local history with personal experiences. Free for museum members. $15. California Museum of Art, 350 West Hillcrest Drive, 2nd Floor, Thousand Oaks. www.cmato.org.

AN IRISH CHRISTMAS | Dec. 16, 17, 7:30

p.m. Take the entire family on a journey through Christmas in Ireland with dancing, singing, and Irish traditional music celebrating the international spirit of the holiday season. Join an award-winning cast led by World Champion dancers Tyler Schwartz (Magic of the Dance, An Irish Christmas, Celtic Fyre, Celtic Wings, and ReelRhythm) and Emily MacConnell (Dance Masters, Rockin’ Road to Dublin, Magic of the Dance, An Irish Christmas Celtic Fyre and Celtic Wings). 805-449-2787. Scherr Forum, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, bapacthousandoaks.com.

FRIDAY

FUTURE LEADERS OF AMERICA, MEET AND

GREET | 6-7:30 p.m. Meet Gloria Soto, executive director of FLA, one of the largest Latinx youth-serving organizations on the Central Coast. Soto is the daughter of immigrant farm workers, and was born and raised in Santa Maria, becoming the youngest woman elected to the Santa Maria City Council. Future Leaders of America, 1500 Camino Del Sol, Suite #20, Oxnard. futureleadersnow.org

THE NUTCRACKER | Dec. 18 and 19, 2 and

7 p.m. The Pacific Festival Ballet presents the classic holiday ballet performance with all the splendor and story you expect. $32-$40, recommended for ages 2 and up. Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Fred Kavli Theater, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. www. pacfestballet.org

PARADE OF LIGHTS CRUISES | Friday, Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 18, 5:45 p.m. and 6

p.m. departures. Your will cruise throughout the harbor waters for the festive holiday parade of lights with boats lit up for the holiday, and homes along the canals decorated to the nines. Enjoy 2 ½ hour cruises to watch the parade, lights and fireworks. $36 for adults. $26, 12 and under. 805-642-1393. Island Packers, Ventura Harbor, 1691 Spinnaker Drive, #105B Ventura. www.islandpackers.com

SATURDAY

CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Find your holiday cheer at the farm - with a visit with Santa, Reindeer games, tractor drawn wagon rides, and animal shows. $12 weekend admission. Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark. www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com/christmas-on-the-farm/ LAS POSADAS | Friday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m. Las Posadas translates to English as “The Inns” and is the name of a Latinx holiday commemorating the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of safe lodging for Mary to give birth to Jesus. To celebrate the holiday a candlelight procession is refused lodging. This year the event is held in memory of those who passed away during the pandemic and the undue hardships experienced by those across the community. Hosted by the Museum of Ventura County and De Colores Multicultural Folk Arts, the gathering will start with a convocation with Rev. Maddie Sifantus at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula. Pastor Lupita Alonso of El Buen Pastor Church, Elvia Hernandez of Esperanza/Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and Rev. Jenny Crosswhite of First Christian Church are participating. Traditional music by Inlakech Cultural Arts Center and De Colores Music Youth. Sheet music in Spanish will be provided. Wear comfortable shoes, dress warmly, and bring a flashlight. The procession will proceed over a half mile finishing at the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum. Gather at: Universalist Unitarian Church, 740 E. Main Street, Santa Paula. www.venturamuseum.org/event/las-posadas/ Pictured: Illustration by Donna Clare, “Carlos, Light the Farolito” by Jean Ciavonne.

will be signing and reading from her new book of poems. Bank of Books, 748 E. Main St., Ventura. www.bankofbooks.com

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? DISCOVERING THE

OBVIOUS | 1-3 p.m. Author Robert Hanley will discuss his insights into finding deeper meaning in life’s everyday events and how noticing this brings understanding and joy to life. Bank of Books, 748 E. Main St. Ventura. made gift tags using repurposed materials you already have at home to create a no-waste holiday. Using old greeting cards, ribbons and more. $6 non-members. Free for members. California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks, and CReATEStudio. www.cmato.org

SUNDAY

BIG BIKE GIVEAWAY | Noon to 2 p.m.

BikeVentura has fixed up used bikes and will be giving the bikes to kids in need ages 5 to 15. Enjoy hot cider and cookies. Oxnard Bike Hub, 154 E. 6th Street, Oxnard. bikeventura.org

MONDAY

JULIA | 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. screenings Look into the life of the legendary cookbook author Julia Childs who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women. Using never-before-seen archival footage, personal photos, first-person narratives, and cutting-edge, mouth-watering food cinematography, the film traces Julia Child’s 12 year struggle to create and publish the revolutionary Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) which has sold more than 2.5 million copies to date. $11.25, discounts available. Plaza Cinemas 14, 255 W. 5th St., Oxnard. www.oxnardfilmsociety.org

TUESDAY

WINTER SOLSTICE 2021: BRING THE LIGHT!

| 7 p.m. Since ancient times, across many religions and cultures, the coming of the light is celebrated around the world on the longest night. The Celebration will be led by Rev. Maddie Sifantus and feature the music of John Robles and Chucumite, the Solstice Singers and more. Solstice finery and jollity encouraged. Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula, 740 E. Main St., Santa Paula. www.uucsp.org

(805) 648-2244

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Deadline for Ad Changes is 12:00 Noon the Tuesday prior to that issues release. ISSUE: 5/27/21

SESPE CIENEGA ETHNOBOTANY TRAIL RESTORATION | Saturday, Dec. 18, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Join Friends of the Santa Clara River for a volunteer day on the Sespe Cienega Trail at the Fillmore Fish Hatchery in Fillmore. Volunteers will help grow the trail, and learn about the Santa Clara River Watershed. All ages welcome. Wear closed toes shoes, water and a sun protective hat. Gloves and tools provided. Meet at Fillmore Fish Hatchery, 612 E. Telegraph Road, Fillmore. www.fscr.org/events/restoration/

VENTURA HARBOR PARADE OF LIGHTS AND FIREWORKS | Friday, Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec.

18. Holiday events begin at 4 p.m. Explore the Ventura Harbor Village, make a dent in your holiday gift shopping and get in the holiday spirit harbor style. Starting at 4 p.m. kids will enjoy rides and carnival games, by 5:30 the snow will be falling during this special event to light up your holiday. The boat parade begins at 6:30 p.m. with fireworks to follow. Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura. www.venturaharborvillage.com

COMMUNITY NEEDS, OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES

BE A SANTA TO A SENIOR | Gifts are still needed for seniors in the area who might not receive any gifts. Find a senior to give a gift to on trees located at Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street and Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. www.homeinstead.com

ONGOING/UPCOMING EVENTS

SNOW N GLOW HOLIDAY FESTIVAL | through Jan. 2 Grab your snow boots and mittens because the forecast is COMMENTS: Write the number on the ad that calling for a blizzard — at the beach! The rare storm event corresponds to your comments/corrections will create a magical wonderland to stroll through and there will be enough snow for sledding! Enjoy the million twin1. ____________________________________________ kling lights through snowy pathways leading to winter games, hot cocoa and winter treat stands. For those wanting to liven up a private party, or create a unique romantic _______________________________________________ setting with some winter flare, private igloos are available for rent. Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., 2. ____________________________________________ Ventura. www.snownglow.com. ♦ _______________________________________________ 3. ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________ 4. ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________ 5. ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________