MOORPARK

Registration open for Jr. Safari Day Camp

America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College will host two events this holiday season: a weekend holiday event for all ages and a day camp for children.

The annual "Presents for Primates" event is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday. It features holiday games and booths, including an opportunity to make behavior enrichment "presents" for the many primates cared for at the zoo.

In conjunction with the weekend event, zoo staff are asking visitors to bring nonperishable food, and slightly used blankets and clothing to benefit a local homeless shelter. Those who bring a donation will receive a free booth ticket. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children and seniors.

The Jr. Safari Winter Day Camp is registering children age 6 to 11. The camp runs Dec. 31 through Jan. 4, and this year's theme is "Around the World in Five Days."

The camp fee is $275 for all-day camp, and $145 for a half day.

Complete registration paperwork is at http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/zoo or call 378-1441.

SIMI VALLEY

Council seeks gang task force members

The Simi Valley City Council is soliciting applications from community members desiring to serve on the city's Community Gang Task Force.

The task force was formed in 1995 to study the gang situation and to develop recommendations to resolve the issue within the community. The task force is co-chaired by Mayor Paul Miller and City Councilman Glen Becerra and included representatives from law enforcement, the school and park districts, the Youth Council, various local religious and community service organizations, and six regular and one alternate community members.

Community members currently serve two-year terms.

For more information, visit http://www.simivalley.org/html/gang_task_force.html, or call Lt. Mike King at 583-6252.

Applications are available at the Simi Valley Police Department, 3901 Alamo St. or by visiting http://www.simivalley.org/gtfapplication.pdf.

The deadline to return an application to the police department is 5 p.m. Friday. Applicants will be invited for an interview and recommendations for appointment will be forwarded to the City Council.

Library extends holiday hours

With two temporary exhibits on display, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is offering extended operating hours for the holiday season. One exhibit is the library's 14th annual "Christmas Around the World," which features 38 decorated trees.

This also includes an exhibit featuring many menorahs given to President Reagan while in the White House.

Guests will also be able to tour "Nancy Reagan — A First Lady's Style," which displays 80 of her suits, gowns and dresses spanning 50 years of her life.

The Reagan Library is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Christmas and New Year's Day. Museum admission fees are $12 general admission, $9 for seniors 62 and older, $3 for children ages 11-17 and free for children 10 and younger.

The library is at 40 Presidential Drive. For more information, call 800-410-8354.

THOUSAND OAKS

Conejo Community dishes up free dinner

The 13th annual Holiday Community Dinner, sponsored by Conejo Community Dinners Inc., will be from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday at Thousand Oaks High School, 2323 N. Moorpark Road.

In addition to a holiday dinner being served, there will be music, entertainment, games and gifts.

This event is open to all in the community at no charge and no reservations are needed. Free transportation may be arranged by calling T.O. Cab, 495-3500.

VENTURA COUNTY

Program seeks at-risk young adults

People ages 18 to 21 are needed to participate in the Youth Empowerment Program, where they can earn up to $500 and learn special job skills.

Offered through a grant from the Workforce Investment Board, the year-round program for at-risk young adults includes a two-week career success course where they will learn résumé writing, interviewing skills, goal setting, time management, how to dress for success and how to perform in a professional working environment.

The program is a partnership between the Workforce Investment Network and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme.

Participants must be either a high school dropout or a recipient of a secondary diploma or equivalent but are unemployed, underemployed or in need of training in basic skills. Copies of a signed Social Security card and an original birth certificate are required.

For more information and requirements, call Yessica Diaz at 483-1118, ext. 303.

Soroptimists seeking award applications

Soroptimist International of Ventura is now taking applications for its Women's Opportunity Award. The award provides cash grants to women who are working to better their lives through additional skills training and education.

Eligible women applicants have primary responsibility for themselves and their dependents, are attending an undergraduate degree program or a vocational skills training program, and have financial need.

For an application or more information, contact Sandra Masiel at smasiel@sbcgflobal.net or 278-3607.

CAMARILLO

City offers online payment option

The city of Camarillo now offers city utility customers the option to pay their utility bill online with the city's secure online service.

Starting this month, customers can access utility accounts using a computer with Internet access, their account number, an active e-mail address and a personal identification number.

Using the free service, customers can make credit and debit card payments for city water, sewer and trash bills.

Account information available for viewing will include balance, consumption, billing and payment history. Customers can access account information and pay their bill 24 hours a day.

For more information or to complete the online service registration, visit http://www.ci.camarillo.ca.us or call customer service at 388-5325.

Ojai

New Year's Eve dance planned

The Ojai Art Center will be the site of the New Year's Eve contra dance at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at 113 S. Montgomery St.

Warren Blier will teach and call the dances. Bonfire will play traditional tunes, featuring Bonnie Insull on the flute, Richard Scher on piano and Emil Olguin on the mandolin.

Introductory lesson and hors d'oeuvres are at 8 p.m. All dances are taught and prompted; no partner is necessary.

The event will conclude at 12:30 a.m.

Admission is $15; art center members and teens, $12.50.

For more information, call 933-0660.

VENTURA COUNTY

Program seeks young adults

Youths 18 to 21 are needed to participate in the Youth Empowerment Program in which they can earn up to $500 and learn special job skills.

Offered through a grant from the Workforce Investment Board, the year-round program for at-risk young adults includes a two-week career success course covering writing résumés, interviewing skills, setting goals, managing time, dressing for success and performing in a professional working environment.

The program is a partnership between the Workforce Investment Network and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme.

Participants must be either a high school dropout or a recipient of a secondary diploma or equivalent who is unemployed, underemployed or in need of training in basic skills.

Copies of a signed Social Security card and an original birth certificate are required.

For more information and requirements, call Yessica Diaz at 483-1118, ext. 303.

Soroptimists seeking award applications

Soroptimist International of Ventura is taking applications for its Women's Opportunity Award.

The award provides cash grants to women who are working to better their lives through additional skills training and education.

To be eligible, women must have primary responsibility for themselves and their dependents, be attending an undergraduate degree program or a vocational skills training program, and have financial need.

For an application or more information, contact Sandra Masiel at smasiel@sbcgflobal.net or 278-3607.

— News releases can be e-mailed to calendar@VenturaCountyStar.com.