in brief

CAMARILLO

Art center to hold demonstration

The Camarillo Art Center will present a watercolor demonstration by Ventura artist Timberly Dunn. She will demonstrate traditional watercolor, botanical rendering.

Cost is $5 for nonmembers; Camarillo Art Center members may attend for free.

The demonstration will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at 3150 Ponderosa Drive. For more information, call 445-7061.

Health seminar, talk and class offered

Camarillo Health Care District is offering the following events:

n "What Preventative Medical Services are Covered by Medicare?" seminar from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday. The free event is sponsored by the County of Ventura Area Agency on Aging, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program.

n "Fat Loss and Detox" talk from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Robert Ferguson, a fitness expert and motivational speaker, will discuss the key reasons for detoxing. Cost is $16 for Camarillo/Somis residents and $20 for out-of-area residents.

n First aid class from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 24. The class will emphasize bleeding control, caring for a shock patient, dealing with burns, learning to apply splints and caring for someone who suddenly becomes ill. Cost is $40 for Camarillo/Somis residents and $42 for out-of-area residents.

The Camarillo Health Care District is at 3639 E. Las Posas Road. For more information or to register for any of the above, call 388-1952, ext. 100.

Artist to teach Chinese watercolor

A Chinese watercolor workshop with Christine Leong is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 24 at Studio Channel Islands Art Center, CSU Channel Islands, Building 18, Ventura Street.

Leong will demonstrate how to use bamboo brushes to paint on rice paper. Different techniques will be explored by using Chinese paints, watercolor, acrylic and ink.

Suggested items to take are a hair dryer, a wooden drawing board (approximately 24-by-24 inches), watercolor in tube (cerulean blue, cobalt green, permanent white), a container for rinsing brushes and a ceramic dish of any size.

Attendees are encouraged to take a lunch for an after-class discussion.

The cost for the workshop, which includes class materials, is $40 for members/students; $50 for nonmembers.

Class size is limited. For reservations, call 445-9053 or 310-210-2509, or e-mail ChrissyLeong@hotmail.com.

Mail checks, payable to Christine Leong, 5972 Paseo Encantada, Camarillo, CA 93012.

OJAI

Nordhoff plans Spring Showcase

Nordhoff High School will hold its Spring Showcase featuring a silent auction and dinner Tuesday.

A tri-tip dinner will be served from 5 to 7 p.m.

The silent auction will be from 5 to 7:45 p.m. The auction will contain more than 100 items from local stores and vendors.

Other activities include a trivia tournament, dance and drama performances, historical speeches and ceramic demonstrations. For more information, call 794-2088.

Annual book sale set at library May 24-25

The Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation's annual used-book sale will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 25 in the Ojai Library parking lot.

The sale will feature books, artwork and other donated items that volunteers have received, sorted and warehoused for the past year.

All proceeds will benefit the Meiners Oaks, Oak View and Ojai libraries.

Ojai Library is at 111 E. Ojai Ave. For more information, contact Twice-Sold Tales Bookstore Manager Arlene Roper at 646-3568.

OXNARD

Tip-a-Cop event at Dominick's May 27

Tip-a-Cop events of the Law Enforcement Torch Run campaign will continue 5 to 9 p.m. May 27 at Dominick's Italian Restaurant, 477 N. Oxnard Blvd. The phone number is 483-7933.

More than a dozen restaurants and eight law-enforcement agencies are teaming up throughout the year in support of Special Olympics Ventura County.

During "Tip-a-Cop" nights, the public is invited to support the cause by dining out and meeting local law-enforcement officers who volunteer to serve meals.

Tips for the evening become tax-deductible donations to Special Olympics Ventura County to provide athletic training and competition for more than 700 intellectually disabled children and adults, ages 8 and older, free of charge, in 15 sports at more than 40 training locations throughout Ventura County.

Representatives of the Oxnard Police Department will be "celebrity servers" at Dominick's, and will be assisted by local Special Olympics athletes who help serve food and sell fundraising T-shirts.

Special Olympics receives no federal funding. It is a grass-roots organization whose funding comes from and remains in Ventura County.

All athletes have some degree of intellectual disability, and many have physical challenges, as well.

For most, Special Olympics is the only outlet where athletes and their families can interact with others who share similar life experiences.

For more information on the event and Special Olympics Ventura County, contact VCSO Regional Director Peggi Preston at 650-7717, or e-mail Ppreston@sosc.org.

St. John's to offer cholesterol class

A "Controlling Your Cholesterol" class will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at St. John's Regional Medical Center, 1600 Rose Ave.

The class will help participants learn to control cholesterol levels by changing their eating and exercise habits.

The class is free, but reservations are requested.

To register or for more information, call 988-2865.

RSVP is looking for instructors

Training is being offered for those interested in becoming an RSVP Bone Builders instructor.

No special skills are required; you just need to enjoy working with people. Anyone with a positive attitude, enthusiasm and an interest in staying healthy can lead the class.

Volunteers attend a six-hour training session and receive support and supervision from the program coordinator and an ongoing in-service schedule.

The next new volunteer training will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Wilson Park Complex, 350 North C St.

Volunteers must be willing to lead a one-hour class twice a week and must be 55 or older to participate. It is an opportunity to volunteer with a friend, as instructors teach in pairs.

RSVP Bone Builders classes include balance exercises and strength training with light weights. There is no charge for participants or instructors, and weights are provided. For more information or to register for the training, contact Jaci Gutierrez, RSVP Bone Builders coordinator, at 385-8019 or rsvp@ci.oxnard.ca.us.

SANTA PAULA

Healing After Loss meets Mondays

Assisted Home Hospice grief support group Healing After Loss meets 2 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays at Santa Paula Hospital, Administration Conference Room, 825 North Tenth St.

Attendance is free.

For more information, or to call to attend, contact Jessica Adriance at 677-7405.

VENTURA

Book Festival applications accepted

Exhibitor applications are being accepted for the third annual Ventura Book Festival, which will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 26 at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. It is produced by the California Literary Arts Society, a nonprofit organization, and admission is free to the public.

Exhibitors include authors, publishers, book sellers, writers organizations, nonprofit groups and vendors. Exhibitor fees are $125 per space before July 1 and $150 after that. The fee for half of a table is $65 before July 1, and $80 after that date. Registration deadline is July 19.

Free seminars on writing, editing, publishing and promoting books will be presented throughout the day. There also will be readings and panel discussions. Drawings will be conducted hourly, with prizes including gift certificates, gift baskets, books, art and more.

Application forms may be downloaded from the CLAS Web site at http://literaryarts-ca.org.

For more information, call Mary Embree at 643-3385.

American Red Cross to hold presentation

The American Red Cross of Ventura County will hold a free disaster-preparedness presentation 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Barnes & Noble, 4820 Telephone Road.

Learn how to build a disaster kit, make a disaster plan and prepare your family before disaster strikes. For more information, call Tina Hoogenakker at 339-2234, ext. 269, or e-mail hoogenakkert@usa.redcross.org.

Annual golf tournament set

The Ventura Police Activities League will hold its 11th annual golf tournament May 30 at the Olivas Links Golf Course. The Texas Scramble and shotgun start will be at 1 p.m.

The $150 donation per player will include green fees and cart, gift bag, awards ceremony and lunch by the Original Tommy's Burger. Lunch will be served 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The tournament is Ventura PAL's primary fundraiser. At last year's tournament, more than $30,000 was raised in support of activities for at-risk youths throughout Ventura.

Deadline to enter is Friday. For more information, call 339-4333, or visit http://www.venturapal.org.

Vet center to hold open house

Ventura Vet Center will hold a Memorial Day open house from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at 790 E. Santa Clara St., Suite 100.

The center offers a free counseling service to combat veterans. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

For more information, call 585-1860.

AGOURA

Carl's Jr. to host fundraiser for YMCA

The Triunfo YMCA, serving Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park, is teaming up with Carl's Jr. for a day-long fundraiser on May 23.

From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., bring in a Triunfo YMCA "Burger Benefits" flier to the Carl's Jr. at 5709 Kanan Road, make a purchase and the restaurant will donate 25 percent of the profits to the Y.

Money raised will benefit the Strong Kids Campaign, a fundraiser to help support YMCA youth programs.

"Burger Benefits" fliers are at YMCA child care locations: Willow Elementary School, Sumac Elementary School, Yerba Buena Elementary School and White Oak Elementary School. They are also available at the Triunfo YMCA main office: 31225 La Baya Dr. #106, Westlake Village. For more information, call 818-707-9622.

CONEJO VALLEY

Parent lecture session caps series

Speaker and author Barbara Coloroso will present a parenting program 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive.

Coloroso is an internationally known author and lecturer. Her books include "Kids Are Worth It: Give Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline," "Parenting Through Crisis" and the nationally acclaimed "The Bully, The Bullied and the Bystander." She is considered one of the best speakers on the circuit on the subject of discipline. Her message will inspire parents to create a home in which children can become self-disciplined, compassionate, responsible, resourceful resilient human beings who can act in their own interest, stand up for themselves and exercise their own rights while respecting the rights and legitimate needs of others. This lecture is the fifth and final of the 2007-08 Parent Talk Lecture Series sponsored by the Conejo Valley Adult School.

An additional session for teachers will be 6 to 9 p.m., Monday at the Horizon Hills campus. Tickets are $15 presale, $20 at the door. For ticket information, call 492-8837.

SIMI VALLEY

Volunteer training offered at Strathearn

The Simi Valley Historical Society is offering classes to prospective volunteers for the docent program. Docent hours are flexible, and there is no charge for the training classes.

Volunteers will be trained on the Chumash-Indian, Spanish-Rancho and American periods of Simi Valley's history.

Docents may participate in various activities, giving tours, preservation of artifacts, school programs and special events.

Registration is now open for training classes scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and May 27 and 29.

All four classes must be attended for accreditation. Training will be at Strathearn Park, 137 Strathearn Place. For more information, call Karla Hubbell at 818-388-3301 or the museum, 526-6453.

For information about Strathearn Park & Museum visit http://www.simihistory.com.

Gator Run to benefit canine foundation

The Rotary Club of Simi Sunset will present the second annual Gator Run 5K/10K on May 25. The event's major benefactor will be the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, which will use the money to train a search-and-rescue dog with a Ventura County firefighter.

Founded in 1995, the mission of the Search Dog Foundation is to produce the most highly trained canine disaster search teams in the nation. The job of these teams is to find people buried alive in the wreckage after natural disasters and terrorist attacks. The foundation receives no government funding and relies on supporters to provide the services.

The Gator Run is held in conjunction with the Simi Valley Cajun Creole Festival. Registration fee for the run/walk is $30.

New this year is a Health and Fitness Expo that will feature local businesses and services that cater to the health-minded. Lots of give-aways will be handed out, including prizes for top age group placers, goody bags, refreshments and T-shirts for all race participants. The race will start and finish at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 E. Los Angeles Ave., at Stearns Street in Simi Valley. All participants also receive a 2-for-1 pass to the Cajun Creole Festival. The Cajun Festival features Cajun and Creole food, Cajun and Zydeco music, dance lessons, a Mardi Gras parade, children's activities and play area.

To register for the Gator Run, visit http://simicajun.org or http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1499549.

Registration and packet pick-up will also be available 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 24 at Foot Pursuit Run Shop, 4324 Cochran St., Simi Valley.

For more information, call 583-4971 or e-mail GatorRun@mac.com.

OAK PARK

Fibromyalgia workshop available

A free community workshop on fibromyalgia is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Oak Park Library, 899 N. Kanan Road.

The workshop will help attendees understand the cause of the syndrome and learn about nondrug treatments. Guest speaker will be chiropractor Lindsay Erickson.

The event is sponsored by Foundation for Wellness Professionals.

Reservations are required and are limited to the first 20 callers. For more information, or to RSVP, call 818-307-8463.

EDD workshop for unemployed available

The Employment Development Department is offering a free five-day workshop for unemployed professionals. It will include résumé writing, cover letters, interviewing, networking, online job searches and more. This workshop, offered by OPEN (Outstanding Professional Employment Network), a chapter of Experience Unlimited, will be 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 2-6.

To register, call 526-6349 or visit http://www.EU-OPEN.org.

Children's interactive show closes Sunday

"A Faery Hunt," an interactive children's show, will stage its last performance for May on Sunday. The play opens at 10 a.m. at Corriganville Park, 7001 Smith Road, and will incorporate international fairy lore and history as told through the magical creatures of Fairyland.

The tale carries life messages including kindness, forgiveness, respect for nature and love.

A Girl Scout and Brownie badge, and The Magical Fairy Adventure Badge, can be earned by participating.

Attendees are asked to arrive from 10 to 10:15 a.m. Cost is $10.

Reservations are required. Call 818-324-6804 or visit http://www.afaeryhunt.com.

THOUSAND OAKS

Disaster awareness program offered

The American Red Cross of Ventura County will offer a free disaster-preparedness presentation from 3 to 4 p.m. May 25. Instruction will be given on how to build a disaster kit, making a disaster plan and on strategies to prepare your family before disaster strikes.

The program is free and will be held at Borders Book & Music, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

For more information, call Tina Hoogenakker at 339-2234 ext. 269 or e-mail hoogenakkert@usa.redcross.org.

VENTURA COUNTY

CAPCA to offer two scholarships

Ventura County California Association of Pest Control Advisers is offering two scholarships to students interested in pursuing Pest Control Adviser licenses and careers in agriculture or horticulture. They must be or have been Ventura or Santa Barbara County residents before going to college.

A $1,000 award will go to a student attending a California agricultural college or university, and $500 will be awarded to a student attending a California community college majoring in agriculture or horticulture.

For more information, e-mail janee@oxnardpest.com or write CAPCA Scholarship info, PO Box 994, Somis, CA 93066. The deadline is June 6. Transcripts must be provided.

The contact person is Jane Delahoyde, president of Ventura CAPCA, and she can be reached at 483-1024.

Civic Alliance seeking new members

Ventura County Civic Alliance is seeking new members. The nonpartisan, nonprofit organization works with community and civic leaders to create a more livable and sustainable community. VCCA is seeking community members who are interested in improving the quality of life in Ventura County.

The group promotes an approach that engages and encourages cooperative action. It brings residents and civic organizations together to explore options and find integrated solutions to the complex economic, environmental and social challenges of the region.

Community members are welcome to participate in a membership through an annual contribution. Members receive up-to-date reports on work to sustain quality of life and invitations to topical civic events. Members can also take part in one of the organization's working groups that focus on Workforce Education, a Compact for a Sustainable Ventura County and Livable Communities.

For more information, visit http://www.VenturaCountyCivicAlliance.org.

Gala slated for Wellness Community

The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura will celebrate 17 years of providing support, education and hope to people fighting cancer at 6:30 p.m. May 30 at the Anniversary Gala fundraiser at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. The gala will feature dinner and a live auction. Proceeds will benefit the organization's free programs. Nancy Colton,Andrea Roschke, Henry Montes and the Amgen Foundation will be honored for their work with The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura.

For more information, call 379-4777. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.twcvv.org.

Chinese watercolor workshop offered

A Chinese watercolor workshop with Christine Leong is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 24 at Studio Channel Islands Art Center, California State University Channel Islands, Building 18, Ventura Street.

Leong will demonstrate how to use bamboo brushes to paint on rice paper. Different techniques will be explored by using Chinese paints, watercolor, acrylic and ink.

Suggested items to bring are: a hair dryer, a wooden drawing board (approximately 24-by-24 inches), watercolor in tube (cerulean blue, cobalt green, permanent white), a container for rinsing brushes and a ceramic dish of any size.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch for an after-class discussion.

The cost for the workshop, which includes class materials, is $40 for members/students; $50 for nonmembers.

Class size is limited. For reservations, call 445-9053 or 310-210-2509, or e-mail ChrissyLeong@hotmail.com.

Mail checks, payable to Christine Leong, 5972 Paseo Encantada, Camarillo, CA 93012.

— Press releases can be e-mailed to calendar@VenturaCountyStar.com. For more coverage or if you have missed the two-week deadline, log onto http://www.VenturaCountyStar.com/YourNews.