CAMARILLO

Screenings to reduce risk of stroke slated

Screenings to reduce the risk of having a stroke will be offered by Life Line Screening on Thursday at the American Legion Post No. 741, 7 Nellora St., Camarillo.

Screenings are fast, painless and will be by appointment only, beginning at 9 a.m. The cost of $129 includes a bone density screening to assess the risk of osteoporosis. To make an appointment, call 1-877-237-1287.

Bloodmobile church visit announced

United Blood Services Bloodmobile will be at St. Columba's Episcopal Church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at 1251 Las Posas Road, Camarillo. To make an appointment to donate blood, call 482-8831 or visit www.bloodhero.com.

Diabetes workshop begins Wednesday

The Healthful Living with Diabetes workshop begins 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Camarillo Health Care District, 3639 Las Posas Road, Suite 117, Camarillo.

The three-session workshop continues Aug. 22 and 29, and includes diabetes basics, self-blood sugar testing, meal planning, stress management, preventing complications and exercise. Family members are encouraged to attend.

For more information on fees and to register, call 388-1952 or 988-2865.

Seminar on benefits of acupuncture

Dr. M. Shen of Chinese Medicine Works in Newbury Park will present a seminar about using acupuncture and acupressure from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Alma Via of Camarillo, 2500 Ponderosa Drive.

Shen will present a brief history of acupuncture and acupressure and highlight the various ailments than can be treated with these alternative practices. For reservations, call 388-5277.

Academic Olympics seeks volunteers

Camarillo Academic Olympics is an enrichment program for fourth- to eighth-grade Camarillo and Somis public and private school students. Scheduled for January to March of 2008, this will be the 11th anniversary of CAO. This academic competition encompasses a wide selection of subjects — math, science, English grammar, U.S. history, world/California history, geography, current events, creative writing, art and speech. A Super Quiz Team from each school competes on a specific topic selected by the CAO.

Registration for the Camarillo Academic Olympics begins in January; typically more than 2,400 students sign up. Sixth, seventh and eight grade students compete in Division 1, and fourth and fifth grade students compete in Division 2.

The competition consists of three rounds: the first at the school level, the second at the Camarillo Boys and Girls Club, and the finals at the Camarillo City Hall Council Chambers. The closing program features the Super Quiz finals followed by the awards program where local dignitaries present medals to the winners. The entire event is televised to the community.

The CAO organizing committee is looking for new members to continue this Camarillo-exclusive event. Parents of past CAO participants and students from past competitions, along with anyone interested in becoming involved in this event, can call Kathy O'Riley at 443-1838, or e-mail to CAO2008K@aol.com for information on how you can help.

OXNARD

Participants sought for festival

Plaza Park will once again host Oxnard's 12th annual Multicultural Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 6.

The Multicultural Festival Committee is seeking retail and food vendors for the admission-free event. Vendors with international fare are encouraged to participate in this event with diverse cultural offerings. Additionally, performers featuring international dances, music or theater are invited to share their talents at this event.

For more information or to download vendor and booth applications, visit www.ci.oxnard.ca.us, or call 385-7434 to have the applications sent to you.

Friends of the Library plan trip

Oxnard Friends of the Library Foundation has planned an afternoon trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach on Aug. 28.

This is a world class facility with exhibits of sea life from 19 major ocean areas.

Included will be a 3D movie, "Monsters of the Abyss."

Time at Shoreline Village for a snack or dinner (not included).

Cost for this trip is $58 for members, nonmembers $63, which includes bus, driver gratuity, admission and movie.

Departure from the parking structure in Oxnard, Fourth and B streets is at 12:30 p.m. with an approximate return time of 9 p.m.

For reservations and information call, Pat Camp, 485-8262 or Jan Rhoads, 985-8072.

Leadership academy fundraiser Monday

The KEYS Leadership Academy at Café on A is having an enchilada dinner fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Cabos on Oxnard Boulevard.

The event will help the group continue its work with at-risk youths.

Tickets are $12; donations will also be accepted.

For more information or reservations, call 216-4530.

Plein Air Festival & Exhibit continues

The Ventura County Maritime Museum's Plein Air Festival & Exhibit is continuing through Sept. 30. The opening reception is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 18. It is free to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Participants will see images of the deepwater cargo ships in the harbor at the Port of Hueneme, images of Fisherman's Wharf at twilight, and the Scarlet Bell paddle boat docked at the Marine Emporium in Channel Islands harbor. All were painted on-site by artists working in the tradition of the 19th century French impressionist painters.

The museum is at Oxnard Fisherman's Wharf, 2731 S. Victoria Ave. and is open 11-5 p.m. daily. Entrance is free and donations are appreciated. For information: 984-6260.

VENTURA COUNTY

Wheeler Gorge offers docent training

The Wheeler Gorge visitor center is offering a six-week training program for prospective docents.

The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 8 and will be an all-day workshop dedicated to birds. The sessions will run every Saturday through Dec. 1 and will include bird watching, water resources, Chumash lore, youth protection and more. Volunteers are requested to commit three hours of service a month to help introduce and set up the Saturday Speakers Program, greet and answer questions from guests, and lead hikes, walks and talks. Seating is limited, early registration is suggested.

The Wheeler Gorge visitor Center is eight miles north of Ojai on Highway 33. For more information, call Mike Havstad at 630-9977.

Habitat seeks Special Event Team members

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County is looking for enthusiastic people for its Special Events Team. This group will work with volunteers and staff to put together events in the coming years.

To help or for more information, contact Karen Jensen at 485-6065 ext. 102.

HICAP seeking volunteer counselors

Ventura Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program is seeking volunteer counselors who speak Tagalog, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, or any other language to meet the increasing demand. They are recruiting English speaking volunteers as well as bilingual volunteers.

The new Medicare Prescription Part D Program, and the new changes in the Medicare Modernization Act have created the need for additional counselors and sites. These counselors are needed to assist seniors with Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Prescription Plans, and long-term care insurance questions and problems. Interested individuals should enjoy working with seniors, be detail-oriented and sensitive to the need for assistance in understanding the complications of Medicare and related insurance issues.

Forty hours of initial training, and a 20-hour internship is required prior to assignment. Upon completion of the training requirements, the State of California Department of Aging registers the counselors. A commitment to a minimum of 40 hours of counseling and 12 hours of additional training per year is required. Counseling is provided by appointment, and is scheduled at senior centers and other sites throughout the county.

For more information, contact Katharine Raley at the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging at 477-7310 or 800-434-0222.