SIMI VALLEY

Ice, snow and Toto, too, slated for rink

The Tri-County Youth Productions Corp. will host "The Wizard of Oz on Ice" Dec. 14 and 15 at Iceoplex, 131 W. Easy St.

General admission for adults is $10, $5 for ages 5-12, and free for children 4 and younger.

The arena is featuring a "Winter Wonderland" for skaters, complete with snow and trees through Jan. 2.

For more information, rates and performance schedule, call 520-7465, ext. 13.

THOUSAND OAKS

CLU hosting World AIDS Day 2007 event

Ventura County's commemoration of World AIDS Day 2007 will include presentations, a candlelight vigil and an art exhibit at California Lutheran University.

The keynote event of "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise!" will be a talk at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Samuelson Chapel.

Karen G. Cheng, a professor at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, and Dr. John K. Williams, associate director of the UCLA Sexual Health Program, will discuss the need for innovation, vision and perseverance in addressing local and global HIV/AIDS challenges.

Other presentations will began Monday and continue into Tuesday.

All events are free. CLU is at 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. For more information, call 493-3694 or e-mail CEJ@callutheran.edu.

'Sing in the Holidays' at the Scherr Forum

The Village Voices Chorale will present holiday music at 8 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Directed by Gloria Hilliard and accompanied by Christine DeKlotz, the 70-voice chorale will feature holiday favorites.

Tickets are $18 and may be obtained by calling the Village Voices at 379-5913 or purchased at the box office or through Ticketmaster.

Holiday Boutique set for Dec. 8

The Democratic Women's Council of Conejo Valley will hold a Holiday Boutique from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 8 at a Westlake home.

A $10 donation at the door will cover the cost of refreshments. For directions, information and reservations, call 497-1003.

Discussion group to meet Thursday

The Jewish Cultural Discussion Group will now meet from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Thursdays beginning this Thursday at Goebel Senior Center, 1385 Janss Road.

For more information, call 496-0746.

CAMARILLO

Tax preparers and interpreters needed

"Earn It! Keep It! Save It!" is seeking participants for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, VITA, program. Screeners and greeters are also needed. VITA offers free preparation of federal and state income tax returns for taxpayers with low incomes. Tax preparation volunteers will receive three days of free training and certification by the Internal Revenue Service on Jan. 4, 5 and 12 at Oxnard College Job and Career Center. VITA sites, located in Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Paula and Simi Valley, will open in mid-January and offer day and evening hours for volunteering.

To volunteer for the program or for more information regarding this VITA opportunity, visit United Way's Web site at www.volunteerventuracounty.org and click on "spotlight," or call 485-6288, ext. 226.

SGI-USA offers peace exhibit for children

Soka Gakkai International-USA, SGI-USA, will host a free exhibit, "Building a Culture of Peace for the Children of the World," from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Multipurpose Room of Dos Caminos Elementary School, 3635 Appian Way.

The ribbon cutting will take place at 6:30 p.m. There will be refreshments.

SGI-USA is an American Buddhist movement that promotes peace, culture and education. For more information, call 857-1334 or 444-4882.

OXNARD

Holiday Dreams On Ice' begins Dec. 14

The fundraising skating event "Holiday Dreams On Ice" will take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, and 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at Oxnard Ice, 830 Wagon Wheel Road.

The Channel Islands Figure Skating Club presents this annual skating event to raise money for foster and abused children in need during the holiday season.

Proceeds will be donated to the Children's Services Auxiliary of Ventura County through the "Spence & Bob's Children's Fund of KVTA Radio." This year's productions feature skaters from beginning tots and adults to special Olympians and regional and national competitors.

Cost is $10 for off-ice bleacher seating, $25 for on-ice reserved seating, and $18-$22 for general on-ice seating; tables for four are $185 (extra person is $44) and include hors d'oeuvres, desserts and beverages. For advance tickets and reservations, call 988-4440.

Christmas concert at Mary Star of the Sea

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Mary Star of the Sea Conference of Oxnard, will sponsor a fundraising Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 9 in the Parish Hall of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 463 W. Pleasant Valley Road.

A donation of $5 per person is appreciated. All proceeds will go to the Christmas Basket program for the needy. For more information, call 486-6133, ext. 210.

Oxnard Ballroom Dances set

The Oxnard Ballroom dances are scheduled for 7:30 to 10 p.m. Thursdays in December at 800 Hobson Way.

Live bands will play Latin and swing music.

Cost is $6 for members and $7 for nonmembers. Singles and couples are invited. Single men are admitted free on their first visit. Light refreshments will be served. For more information call 647-2603 or 647-2963.

Speaker series highlights autism

The Oxnard College Speakers Series presents autism activist Taylor Cross at 12:45 p.m. during the Wednesday presentation in the Oxnard College Clocktower Auditorium (LS-8 Lecture Hall).

A short documentary will be shown, followed by a question-and-answer session and a related workshop for Oxnard College sociology students and interested members of the public.

As part of his presentation, Cross will show his short film, "Normal People Scare Me," which his family made in partnership with former special education teacher Joe Travolta.

In his current talk, "Taylor and Autism Unraveled," Cross goes solo to speak about making his film and his current experiences as part of a pilot micro-enterprising program with his personal business coach.

The presentation is free. For more information, contact Oxnard College event coordinator Harold "Jun" Sanders by e-mail at jun.sanders@gmail.com or sociology professor Linda Chaparro, 986-5800, ext. 1919, or e-mail lchaparro@vcccd.edu.

Cat and kitten adoption at Petsmart

Cats at the Studio's (Cats Inc.) is sponsoring cats and kittens for adoption from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Petsmart, 2021 Oxnard Blvd.

For more information, visit www.petfinder.com/shelters/CA402.html.

PIRU

Annual parade and festival scheduled

The Piru Neighborhood Council has announced its 30th annual Christmas Parade on Dec. 8. This year's theme is "La Noche Buena en Piru." The parade will kick off at 2 p.m. from Piru Elementary School and continue down Center Street to Warring Park on Orchard Street.

It will be followed by a Holiday Festival in downtown Piru at the Town Square. Mariachis will perform from 3 to 6 p.m. in the gazebo plaza followed by Dan Torres and the Piru River Band from 6 to 10 p.m.

This year's festival will also feature a Craft Faire in the Town Square from 2 to 10 p.m. offering local crafts and gifts for holiday shoppers.

There is no entry fee for this year's parade. To sign up, contact Monica Orozco at 320-3035 or Laura Ortega at 521-1145.

PORT HUENEME

Holiday concert and singalong slated

The Vocal Production Group will hold the Holiday Musical Festival concert and singalong at 1 p.m. Tuesday at 550 Park Ave.

Director Marion Bessett will play the piano. The event is free. For more information, call 485-0463.

SANTA PAULA

Friendship Club to hold luncheon

The Friendship Club of Santa Paula will hold its Christmas luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Mupu Grill, 930 E. Main St.

Each friend will order from the menu and separate checks (to include tip) will be provided. Instead of a gift exchange, each friend (and guest) will take an unwrapped toy to be donated to the Santa Paula Boys & Girls Club for 8- to 12-year-olds.

Hostesses will be Eileen Lysaker and Judy McLaughlin.

For reservations or more information, call McLaughlin at 933-3121.

Those who would like to take a toy by but not attend the lunch, may call McLaughlin or make arrangements with Buddy Escoto of the Boys & Girls' Club at 907-8464.

VENTURA

Light Up A Life' tree lighting is Dec. 11

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice's "Light Up A Life" Memory Tree lighting will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Pacific View mall.

The event is for families and friends to unify in remembrance and honor those they love. The Memory Tree will be on display throughout this month.

The annual "Light Up A Life" event increases awareness and raises funds for Livingston Hospice, ensuring that all terminally ill patients in Ventura County have access to professional compassionate care. Livingston provides home care to the sick, handicapped, elderly, homebound and terminally ill.

Livingston invites individuals, businesses and organizations to sponsor this year's "Light Up a Life" Memory Tree. For a gift of $20 each, a personalized star will be placed on the Memory Tree and the name of a loved one will be recited at the tree lighting ceremony. Additional sponsorship information is available online at www.Livingstonvna.org or by calling 642-0239, ext. 775.

Harbor to hold holiday extravaganza

The Parade of Lights and fireworks display will light up the sky at the Ventura Harbor with festivities and carnival to begin at 5 p.m., followed by the Boat Light Parade at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. The two-day celebration, set for Dec. 14 and 15, is the 31st anniversary of this occasion.

The carnival will feature Santa and holiday-dressed characters such as polar bears and penguins. There will also be carousel rides and live bands for dancing.

Parade of Lights admission and parking are free. Free water taxis will be offered Dec. 14 and will depart from 5 to 7 p.m. from the boat ramp launch area and return after 9 p.m. Also on Dec. 14, a free bus shuttle will leave Harbor Boulevard and Schooner Drive continuously from 5 to 10 p.m.

To enter a boat in the parade, contact the Ventura Harbor at 477-0470. There is no charge to enter a watercraft; entry includes a keepsake photo and boaters brunch at The Greek restaurant.

For more information, call 877-89-HARBOR, or visit www.venturaharborvillage.com.

SPAN seeks volunteers

The Spay Neuter Animal Network, SPAN, Thrift Store is seeking volunteers to work in its store.

Duties include sorting donations, arranging displays, assisting customers with purchases and accepting donations. This is an opportunity to give back to the community and help raise funds to spay and neuter cats and dogs.

SPAN Thrift Store will also be giving away holiday treat baskets for low-income dog and cat owners. The baskets are being donated by Sheeler Moving and Storage of Ventura. Baskets will be available starting Dec. 14.

SPAN is a nonprofit agency that relies on volunteer staff and donations of clothes and home furnishings.

The office and thrift shop are at 110 A and B N. Olive St. Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed Sundays and Mondays.

For more information, call 641-1170 or www.spanonline.org.

Independent Thinkers to meet

The information discussion group Independent Thinkers will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at 2231 Hyland Ave.

Topics might include politics, psychology, economics, social concerns, health, religion, environment, philosophy, or whatever the group is interested in talking about.

For more information, call 653-1121.

Northern Light group to meet Tuesday

The next regular meeting of Northern Light Guiding Star is Tuesday at the Odd Fellows Hall, 516 Main St.

Social time is from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and a $5 pizza dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. There will be a business meeting after dinner, with an update on the traditional Santa Lucia Program to be held Dec. 8 at the Odd Fellows Hall. The traditional Santa Lucia procession is at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 children 2 through 10.

All are invited to learn about Scandinavian ways and enjoy the company of Northern Light Local Lodge No. 620, a Swedish-American fraternal organization founded in 1948.

Regular meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month except July and August.

Enter at the rear of the building and take the elevator to the second floor. Parking is free in the parking structure across the alley.

For more information, call Betty Birch at 64431. For reservations for the Dec. 8 Santa Lucia Program, call Jean Peckfelder at 947-7842.

Street festival takes place Sunday

Ventura's 31st annual Holiday Street Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday on Main Street in the city's historic Downtown Cultural District.

With the theme "Holidays in Paradise," the event will feature more than 300 artisan and fine arts booths, food vendors and free musical entertainment. Photos will also be taken with Santa Claus at the Midtown Community Council booth.

The event is free, and a complimentary shuttle service will be provided to the event from the Ventura County Government Center, Lot F.

For more information, call 654-7749, or visit www.cityofventura.net.

VENTURA COUNTY

Rainbow Alliance to present awards

The Ventura County Rainbow Alliance will present the annual Ventura County Lesbian and Gay Community Service Awards banquet and silent auction from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday at the Topa Tower Club, Floor 21, of the Morgan Stanley building in Oxnard.

It will be an evening of recognition and celebration of those individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and HIV/AIDS issues in Ventura County. Cost is $95 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Jay Smith at 339-6340 or e-mail jay@lgbtventura.org.

Master Chorale performances set

The Master Chorale of Ventura County presents "Spirit of Christmas," a combination of beloved carols and children's voices, with the Master Chorale Children's Concert Choir.

Performances will be:

• 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at St. John's Theology Chapel, 5012 E. Seminary Road, Camarillo. Donation is $15.

• 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at San Buenaventura Mission, 211 E. Main St., Ventura. Cost ranges from $10-$20.

For tickets and information, call 654-0995 or visit www.venturachorale.org.

HR Professionals gala assists causes

The Ventura County Human Resources Professionals' 2007 annual Holiday Gala and Fundraiser will benefit the 2008 NHRA Scholarship Fund, Casa Pacifica and FOOD Share.

The gala is from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort, 2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard.

The cost is $60 per person. Reservations can be made with Juanita Pena at 523-2000, ext. 2203. Discounted rooms are available for attendees who stay overnight Dec. 8 or Dec. 9.

Group sending care packages to troops

For The Troops is shipping more than 1,000 care packages to service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan at 10 a.m. Dec. 13 from its donated headquarters in the Sycamore Plaza, 2820 Cochran St., Simi Valley.

The packages have been put together from the donations of many local schools, an Eagle Scout project, various organizations and individuals.

Anyone who knows people serving in Iraq or Afghanistan may contact For The Troops with their name and address so they can be sent a care package.

To receive e-mail copies of thank you letters from the troops, contact For The Troops with your e-mail address at USA@ForTheTroops.us. Visit www.ForTheTroops.us or phone 818-640-3846 or 818-262-7180.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE

Swedish Christmas Festival of Lucia set

The Oak Leaf Lodge, a member of the Swedish order of Vasa, will sponsor the Swedish Christmas Festival of Lucia at 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Westlake Village 1st Neighborhood Recreation Center, 31830 Village Center Road.

Karly Peterson, a 14-year-old Thousand Oaks girl, is Oak Leaf Lodge's Lucia for 2007.

Light refreshments will be served at the close of the ceremony. Donation is $3 for adults and children under 4 are free.

For more information, call Lorraine Parriot at 818-889-1184.

Lupus support group plans festivities

The next meeting of the Conejo Valley Lupus Support Group is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at One Baxter Way.

Festivities of the season will be celebrated with those who have lupus and their families.

Call Lupus International at 888-532-2322 or facilitator Mary Weyand at 524-3123 for details and further directions.

— From staff reports