AGOURA HILLS

Rose Parade family excursion offered

The Agoura Hills Department of Community Services is offering a trip to the 119th Rose Parade on Jan. 1. The theme is "Passport to the World's Celebration" and the Grand Marshal is Emeril Lagasse. The bus leaves from the Agoura Hills Recreation Center, 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd., at 6:15 a.m. and returns at 2 p.m. The registration fee of $80 a person includes bus transportation and reserved seats at 1630 E. Colorado Blvd. No refunds for this trip and it will go rain or shine.

For registration and more information, stop by the center or call 818-597-7361. Early registration is suggested. Tickets sell out quickly.

VENTURA

Mountain lion spotted near Grant Park

A mountain lion was seen near Grant Park in Ventura on Friday afternoon, authorities said, but no encounters were reported.

A man walking his dogs in an orchard near Cedar and Kellogg streets called Ventura police about 12:25 p.m. to report that he had seen what appeared to be an adult lion walking up the hillside toward the mountains, police said.

Anyone who sees a mountain lion should not approach the animal or run, authorities say. The person should fight a mountain lion if it attacks, and people should call 911 to report a sighting.

Man injured in rollover crash

A man was hospitalized with moderate injuries Friday morning after his pickup truck went off the right side of Highway 101 in Ventura, flipped over and crashed into a stand of trees, authorities said.

The solo rollover accident occurred just after 6 a.m. at the Sanjon Road offramp from northbound Highway 101.

It took firefighters more than an hour to rescue the man from his vehicle because of the position of the flipped pickup, said Battalion Chief Luis Espinosa of the Ventura Fire Department.

The man was taken to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment. Authorities did not release the victim's name.

The Sanjon Road offramp was closed while firefighters worked to rescue the man.

MOORPARK

College closes for winter holiday

The fall semester at Moorpark College ends Wednesday. All college offices will be closed for winter holiday beginning Dec. 22 and will reopen Jan. 2. The first day of classes for the spring 2008 semester is Jan. 7.

Registration for the spring semester continues online during the holiday closure.

More information, including the application, registration procedures and a schedule of all classes, is available at www.moorparkcollege.edu/spring.

THOUSAND OAKS

Triunfo YMCA offers winter camp

The Triunfo YMCAs will offer a winter camp during the winter school break for children in grades kindergarten through eight. Camp will be held Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4.

The winter camp will be at the YMCA child care site at Willow Elementary School, 29026 Laro Dr., Agoura Hills. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. "Some of the activities planned at the camp are carnival games, snowball toss, tie dye, talent show, cooking, crafts and local field trips," says Chrissy Withers, Triunfo YMCA's childcare program director. "Every day will have a different theme and different activities."

For more information, call Withers at 818-707-9622.

SIMI VALLEY

Holiday comedy at Cultural Arts Center

The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center is hosting "A Tuna Christmas," by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, through Dec. 22. Shows are at 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays.

With just 24 hours till Christmas, the whole quirky town of Tuna (the third smallest town in Texas), is caught up in the trauma, chaos and surprises that make up the holidays.

This comedy features two actors, Will Shupe and Fred Helsel , portraying more than 30 citizens of Tuna. With quick-witted dialogue and over 100 costume changes, they play all the men, women and children, from on-the-edge mothers to juvenile delinquents.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors and students, and $14 for children 12 and younger, and can be reserved by calling the box office at 583-7900 or visiting www.simi-arts.org for more information. The Cultural Arts Center is at 3050 Los Angeles Ave.

THOUSAND OAKS

Adoption orientation slated for Wednesday

The Children's Bureau will hold an orientation regarding adoption from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Thousand Oaks Public Library, 1401 E. Janss Road.

Adults, single or married, are welcome. With so many foster children waiting for homes, there is a great need for adoptive parents.

Training is provided by Children's Bureau, a licensed foster family and adoption agency.

For more information, call 499-0620, 800-730-3933, ext. 0, or visit www.all4kids.org.

VENTURA COUNTY

Sorority party set for New Year's Eve

The Ventura County alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will be hosting "An Evening of Elegance," New Year's Eve party from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 31 at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 600 Esplanade Drive, Oxnard.

Guests will be treated to buffet-style hors d'oeuvres, dessert, champagne and dancing. Tickets are $65 per person or $120 per couple.

The sorority is a national nonprofit community service organization. The Ventura chapter serves Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. All proceeds will benefit scholarships for local youth.

Guests should bring an unwrapped toy for the RAIN Project Transitional Living Center in Camarillo. For tickets or more information, call 300-6474 or visit www.dstvcac.org.

CAMARILLO

Workshop designed to lift sagging spirits

An experimental workshop to help people dealing with depression, anger and helplessness will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the Camarillo Center for Spiritual Living.

"The general public is invited to attend to lift their spirits and allow healing to begin," announcement said. The cost is $95. To register, call Jymme Taylor at 484-1137.

The center is at 340 Mobil Ave., Camarillo, near the Carmen Drive exit off Highway 101.

The center is an interdenominational church based on the teachings of the Science of Mind.

RAIN Project seeks clothing for needy

The RAIN Project Transitional Living Center, which helps individuals and families regain independent living, is seeking donations of new socks, slippers, underwear, robes for men, women and children and new pajamas for children of all ages.

Donations will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday through Dec. 21 at Ventura County Fire Department Station 50, 189 Las Posas Road, (adjacent to the Camarillo Airport). For more information, call 987-6712.

OJAI

Handbell ringers set to perform

The Hallelujah Handbell Ringers Choir will perform at 7 p.m. Monday at The Gables of Ojai, 701 N. Montgomery St.

The choir is a group of 10 ringers under the direction of Elaine Nelson. Organized 28 years ago, the bell ringers will play six concerts in the community this holiday season including The Gables, and hospitals and rest homes. This event is free, and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 646-1446.

— From staff reports