VENTURA

Latest Stuart figures will focus on Russia

The newest exhibit of the George Stuart Historical Figures at the Museum of Ventura County has a Russian theme exploring its history of monarchy, upheaval, revolution and world power.

The exhibit runs Jan. 8 through March 30 at the museum.

Thirty-six one-quarter life-size sculptural figures portray the personalities who shaped four centuries of Russia's development, from Ivan the Terrible through the beginnings of communism and the Soviet Union.

The figures by artist and historian Stuart include Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Vladimir Lenin, Nicholas II and his son Tsarevich Alexis, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, Rasputin and Joseph Stalin.

Four accompanying sets of monologues by Stuart also will be offered during the exhibit.

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors and $1 children. Children 5 and younger and museum members are admitted free.

The museum is at 100 E. Main St., Ventura. For information, call 653-0323 or go to www.venturamuseum.org.

THOUSAND OAKS

Art show to feature eight CLU professors

Eight California Lutheran University art professors will exhibit their varied works beginning next month.

Barry J. Burns of Westlake, Kristi Colell of Camarillo, Lynn Creighton of Ventura, Larkin Higgins of Los Angeles, Michael Pearce of Granada Hills, Terry Spehar-Fahey of Moorpark, Brian Stethem of Fillmore and John V. Storojev of Westlake Village will present digital art, drawing, mixed-media, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture in Kwan Fong Gallery of Art and Culture.

The exhibit will run Jan. 16 through Feb. 16.

Admission is free. The gallery, in Soiland Humanities Center, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. For information, call Pearce at 493-3316 or visit www.callutheran.edu/kwan_fong.

KCLU will broadcast Christmas concert

KCLU-FM will air selections from California Lutheran University's 2006 Christmas Festival Concert during a special holiday broadcast from 8 to 9 tonight.

The university's symphony, choirs and student soloists performed choral and orchestral Christmas music during "Harmony From Chaos." It featured a mix of familiar favorites and lesser-known carols. The University Symphony, conducted by Daniel Geeting, performed Corelli's "Concerto Grosso" in G minor and Pachelbel's "Canon." Wyant Morton conducted the choirs.

The rest of KCLU's holiday lineup tonight includes Jonathan Winters performing "A Christmas Carol" at 7 p.m., an original Christmas program by Moorpark's High Street Broadcast group at 9 p.m., and a jazz piano Christmas recording at 10 p.m.

The National Public Radio station, a community service of CLU, broadcasts on 88.3 FM in Ventura County,

SIMI VALLEY

Players, sponsors sought for fundraiser

Poker players and sponsors are being sought for a Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament to be held Jan. 26.

The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Dylan Gregory Hatch Foundation, which helps disadvantaged and special needs children.

The tournament will be held at the Lost Canyons Golf Course, 3301 Lost Canyons Drive, Simi Valley. Registration is at 6 p.m., with the tournament beginning at 7 p.m.

Table sponsorship is $500 and includes two poker players.

Dylan Hatch was born in 2000 to Mark and Keri Hatch of Simi Valley. He had a number of medical problems and lived for six months at UCLA Medical Center. The memory of Dylan has left his family with the desire to assist other children who suffer from mental and physical disorders. The foundation provides families with medical equipment and support.

The foundation is soliciting players, table sponsors, prizes and raffle items to help make the event a success.

For information, call 888-473-9526.

Reagan Library extends hours

With two special temporary exhibits on display, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is offering extended operating hours for the holiday season through Dec. 31.

The library's 14th annual Christmas Around the World exhibit features 38 trees decorated with various themes. Many of the decorations were given to the Reagans as gifts or donated by people from those countries throughout the display's years at the library. This exhibit also features menorahs given to Reagan while in the White House.

Also, the library continues "Nancy Reagan: A First Lady's Style," which displays 80 of Nancy Reagan's suits, gowns and dresses spanning 50 years of her life.

The extended holiday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Dec. 31.

All other days, the library will remain open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library is closed on Christmas Day.

Regular museum admission fees apply.

The library is at 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors 62 and over, $3 for children 11 to 17, and free for children 10 and under. For information, call 800-410-8354.

— From staff reports