THOUSAND OAKS

Rink hosts peek at upcoming ice show

The Lakes Ice Rink at the Lakes shopping center will host a free preview performance of Broadway on Ice at 5:10 p.m. Thursday.

Numbers from the musical will be performed, and cast members will remain at the rink to skate with the public during the 5:30 p.m. session. The performance is free, though regular rink rates apply during the skating session.

Olympic gold medalist and ice-skating legend Dorothy Hamill and Phantom of the Opera singing star Franc D'Ambrosio have been set to headline at the full performance, which will held Sunday at the Fred Kavli Theatre for the Performing Arts at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

The rink is open daily through Jan. 6. Skating sessions are one hour and begin at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Admission is $8, and skate rentals are available for $3.

For more information, call 494-0514 or visit www.shoplakes.com.

VENTURA COUNTY

Maritime art contest is accepting entries

Entries are being accepted for Nautica 2008, the annual juried marine contemporary art competition and exhibit held at the Ventura County Maritime Museum. The exhibit will open Jan. 22, and a reception is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 26.

Artists residing in Ventura County are eligible to enter. The theme is maritime art, anything up to and including the tide line — ships and boats, harbor scenes, seascapes and sea life.

Two- and three-dimensional pieces weighing less than 50 pounds are being accepted this year.

The entry fee is $15 per piece, with a maximum of two entries per artist. Cash awards will be awarded. The competition and exhibit will close March 30.

For a prospectus and entry form, e-mail VCMMARTS@aol.com or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to VC Maritime Museum, 2731 S. Victoria Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93035.

For information, call Jackie at 984-6260.

SIMI VALLEY

Hospital seminar on Medi-Cal changes

Simi Valley Hospital will host a free informational seminar at the Simi Valley Senior Center on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Hospital staff knowledgeable about patient financial services will present information about the hospital's recent decision to discontinue the State's Medi-Cal program, and what it means to seniors living in Simi Valley.

Hospital representatives will explain how Medi-Cal enrollees can still access healthcare services at Simi Valley Hospital as well as the distinct differences between the state's Medi-Cal program and the federal Medicare program.

The Simi Valley Senior Center is located at 3900 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley.

Please call 583-6363 to make a reservation.

CAMARILLO

CSUCI skateboard art on display downtown

Artwork created by CSU Channel Islands faculty, students and alumni is now on display at the university's exhibition gallery in Camarillo.

"Hang On To Your Ego: Visions of California through Skateboard Art" opened Thursday and will continue through Jan. 25. Each of the 21 artists explores contemporary, historical and personal views of life in the Golden State.

All of the artwork has been printed on skateboard decks for the exhibition.

The gallery is located at 92 Palm Drive in downtown Camarillo, and regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, contact the CSUCI Art Department at 437-8863, or visit art.csuci.edu/gallery.

Citizen Patrol gets White House nod

The Camarillo Citizen Patrol has teamed with the White House to become a certifying organization for the President's Volunteer Service Award, a national program recognizing Americans who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service.

The award was created by President Bush in 2003 to recognize individuals, families and groups who meet requirements for volunteer service.

As a certifying organization for the award, the Camarillo Citizen Patrol is responsible for verifying service hours, nominating potential recipients and delivering the award.

Carol Crouse, Dave Fish, and Ed Christensen, volunteers with the Citizen Patrol, were presented the Lifetime Service Award for volunteering over 4,000 hours.

They will receive a special presidential lapel pin, a letter of recognition from Bush and a certificate.

For information about volunteering with the Camarillo Citizen Patrol, call 388-5129.

— From staff reports