Happenings

VENTURA IMPROV COMPANY’S 30TH ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOW | Friday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. The best event on New Year’s Eve and for just $25 it’s a joyful event not to be missed. Tickets include hors d’oeuvres and champagne toast at midnight and lot’s of laughs. The Ventura Improv Company is a collective of improvisers that gather to grow in their craft and co-create. The nonprofit’s mission is to enrich people’s lives through excellent improv education and hilarious shows. Namba Performing Arts, 47 S. Oak Street, Ventura. www.nambaarts.com

VOLUNTEER PLANTING DAY | Friday, Dec. 31 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Spend the final day of 2021 outdoors for a good cause — help plant natives at the Ventura Botanical Garden’s California Coast Sage Scrub area. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own shovel for planting. Check in at the Ventura Botanical Garden Welcome Center, 567 Poli Street, Ventura. www.venturabotanicalgardens.com BELFAST | Monday, Jan. 3, 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. screenings A 9-yearold boy 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. Plaza Cinemas 14, 255 W. 5th Street, Oxnard. www.oxnardfilmsociety.org

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

THURSDAY

BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE | 7:30 p.m. The famous, dynamic and incredibly fun a cappella group Straight No Chaser is performing for one night only in Thousand Oaks. Expect to be brought to your feet by unfettered voices through R&B, smooth jams, holiday tunes and stadium anthems with style, a bit of swagger and a lot of spirit. $49.50-$79. Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000. 805-449-2787. Kavli Theater, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. www.bapacthousandoaks.com

FRIDAY Have a safe and fun New Year’s Eve

GERMAN NEW YEAR | 1- 4 p.m. Want a New Year party without staying up til midnight? Good drink, food, music and even a ball drop. The ball drops at 3, when it’s midnight in Germany. Enegren Brewing Company, 444 Zachary St., Moorpark. www.enegrenbrewing.com

MASQUERADE BALL IN THE ALLEY | 8 p.m. -

12:30 a.m. Enjoy live music from Tour Support, small bites and desserts included, champagne or beer for midnight toast. Lucas Sellers Wine and Enegren Brewery are partnering for this fun New Year’s Eve event. $25 per person. The Alley, Zachary St., Moorpark. Tickets must be purchased in advance: www.eventbrite.com/e/ new-years-eve-masquerade-ball-in-the-alleytickets-227871478727 NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION | 8 p.m. - After midnight A plated dinner, dancing and night-long party with ocean views. Dinner starts at 8 p.m., party begins at 10 p.m. Different ticket options for party only, party and gourmet plated dinner or a two night all inclusive hotel stay package. All tickets include a hosted bar. Tickets starting at $159 per person. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 450 Harbor Blvd., Ventura. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5170335

SATURDAY New Year’s Day SUNDAY

INTRO TO RIDING AND MOUNTED ARCHERY |

10 a.m. Start your New Year off with an amazing introduction to mounted archery. No horseback riding experience is necessary to join in the fun at this confidence-building event. Bring your bag lunch and maybe a friend. Helmets and all equipment is provided. Enjoy a beautiful outdoor day in Maricopa. Session is 5 hours long. $100 per person. 661-319-2644. Hidden Creek Ranch, 343 Lockwood Valley Road, Maricopa. www.hcrgaitedhorses.com

TUESDAY

ART DEMONSTRATION BY FRANK LENNARTZ

| 6 p.m. Dinner and art — what could be better? And to benefit the Westlake Village Art Guild, a non-profit organization. Artist Frank Lennartz is an impressionist oil painter with a focus on landscapes. His works are exhibited across Southern California. Check in begins at 5:30 p.m. with a buffet dinner at 6 p.m. $28 members. $35 for guests. Reservations required. See website for COVID restrictions. Los Robles Greens West Banquet Room, 299 S. Moorpark, Thousand Oaks. www.westlakevillageartguild.org

WEDNESDAY

VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE JAPANESE AMERICAN

NATIONAL MUSEUM | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. A virtual Zoom lecture on an exhibit of the Japanese American National Museum titled Common Ground: The Heart of Community. Viewers will explore the Japanese American experience from 1860 into the post-war era. Limited to 60 people. $10. Part of the January lecture series offered by California Lutheran University. 805-493-3290. www.callutheran.edu/ centers/lifelong-learning/fifty-better/

FREE DIAPER BANK | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30

p.m. Free diapers and wipes provided. Available to all Ventura County residents, provided by Secure Beginnings. Ojai Unified School District headquarters (drive-through loop), 200 N. Montgomery Street, Ojai. www.securebeginnings.org

SOFTBALL UMPIRES CERTIFICATION | 6:30-9

p.m. A five session certification course for softball umpires offered by the Conejo Recreation and Parks District, conducted by Dean Mitrofanis, SCMAF Certified Umpire and CRPD Umpire-in-Chief. $35. Sessions held in Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park. For more information or to sign up, please contact CRPD Sports at 805-495-4674 or email sports@crpd.org.

COMMUNITY NEEDS, OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES

ENVIRONMENTAL VOICES ACADEMY |

Application deadline Jan. 4, 2022. Climate First! Replacing Oil and Gas is now accepting applications for the spring session of the Environmental Voices Academy. High school sophomores, juniors and seniors from Ventura County are eligible to apply. The 14-week mentorship program includes virtual and in-person components to support rising activists in gaining real-world environmental advocacy experience by providing an opportunity to network with working activists, scientists and university educators. Application and details are online at: www.cfrog.org/what-we-do/ environmental-voices-academy/

ONGOING/UPCOMING EVENTS

SNOW N GLOW HOLIDAY FESTIVAL | Every

day through Jan. 2 Grab your snow boots and mittens because the forecast is calling for a blizzard — at the beach! The rare storm event will create a magical wonderland to stroll through and there will be enough snow for sledding! Enjoy the million twinkling 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., Ventura. www.snownglow.com.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS FOR END HOMELESSNESS VIRTUAL SYMPOSIUM | Discounted ticket price before Dec. 31

Get your tickets early for this benefit event on Feb. 4, 2022 with keynote speaker Jessica Bruder, author of Nomadland, recently made into a feature film. The event benefits United Way of Ventura County and will include a panel of speakers including Rep. Julia Brownley and Mike Powers, CEO of Ventura County. Early bird tickets are $25. Early bird VIP tickets are $85 and include signed copy of Bruder’s book. Tickets online at: www.tickettailor.com/events/ unitedway/622159# ♦