Events in and around Ventura County and surrounding areas, including Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Somis, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Ojai, Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Barbara and Port Hueneme.
Find events in Ventura County and surrounding areas in this section, by category at this link and in the Events Calendar. Community events of broad public interest can be submitted at this link for possible inclusion in this section (at our discretion).
We encourage posting of other events, activities, fundraisers, classes, workshops, sales, shout-outs, etc. directly to the COMMUNITY FORUM section!
The Simi Valley Town Center is hosting a Mother’s Day event from 2pm to 10pm on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Here’s the lineup of activities:
10am to 10pm - Bounce houses in the Center Court
2pm to 3pm - Dancers in the Center Court
3pm to 4pm - Fashion Show
4pm to 8pm - Sip and Shop
6pm to 8:30pm: Rod Stewart tribute band Forever Rod performs
The Pleasant Valley Historical Society and Museum will host Living History Day on Saturday April 29 from noon to 4:00 pm at Community Center Park on the corner of Carmen and Burnley Streets in Camarillo. There will be a variety of activities for children and adults. Here are just a few: Spinning and weaving demonstrations, wood working skills, sold-time music, early transportation and communication, historical photos and more.
Learn what’s happening with the PVHS Museum. Drop by this table to find out about the progress of our expansion and remodel !
Admission is free. For more information, visit pvhsonline.org/living-history-day.. The Pleasant Valley Historical Society is dedicated to serving the community by preserving and presenting the history of the Pleasant Valley area.
In conjunction with National Safe Boating Week, the U.S. Coast Guard Station Channel Islands will host its Annual Safe Boating Open House on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday May 20, 2023 at the Coast Guard Station, located at 4201 S. Victoria Ave. in Oxnard. Admission and parking are free.
USCG Boat Tours & Helicopter Rescue
Multiple public safety agencies will be present to demonstrate and provide an opportunity for the public to learn about recreational safe boating. Active duty members of the Coast Guard will conduct informative tours of their rescue boats and the USCG Cutter “Blacktip.”
Highlights include USCG Helicopter rescue demonstration over Channel Islands Harbor. Boaters may receive free life jacket exchange, drop-off expired flare disposal collected by the Ventura County Sheriff Office – Bomb Squad, Touch a Truck with Ventura County Fire Department, and much more.
Families and Children are welcome. Kids will delight with the antics of the talking Coastie Safety Boat robot! There are several information booths with safety brochures, boating safety class registration, vessel safety check RSVP, and all things to help adults and children learn about safe boating.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the members of the active duty Coasties will be on hand to answer your questions and make your visit to the station enjoyable.
www.channelislandsharbor.org/event/2023-u-s-coast-guard-safe-boating-open-house
The Simi Valley Town Center is hosting a Father’s Day event from 2pm to 10pm on Saturday, June 17, 2023. Here’s the lineup of activities:
10am to 10pm - Bounce houses in the Center Court
2pm to 10pm - Beer Garden in the Center Court (for the dads, not the kids :))
4pm to 9pm - Coachmen Car Show in the parking lot
5pm to 7pm - Dancers in the Center Court
6pm: A-Boxing in the Center Court
7pm: Neil Diamond tribute band Fantastic Diamond performs
Moorpark College and the Ventura County Astronomical Society present a stargazers event, “Total Solar Eclipse,” on Friday, March 17th at 7:30 p.m.
On April 8, 2024, the moon’s shadow will sweep across Mexico and the United States, bringing the most spectacular nature’s event close to us. Where will you be in the 4+ minutes of totality? Professor Hal Jandorf will present an exciting illustrated lecture about past total solar eclipses and how to plan, observe and photograph this coming one. He has observed and photographed eight total solar eclipses around the world.
This is a free event at the Moorpark College Forum, 7075 Campus Road, AA building, room #147. RSVP to mcfoundation@vcccd.edu.
MoorparkCollege.edu/Give 805-553-4761
Moorpark College Astronomy Department in Partnership with the Moorpark College Foundation and Ventura County Astronomical Society (VCAS) presents Dr. Brian Moncelli of JPL/NASA on Friday February 24, 2023 at 7:30 PM at the Moorpark College Forum, 7075 Campus Rd, Moorpark.
Dr. Brian Moncelli will discuss the recent Rover Perseverance and SHERLOC and Watson. These instruments will investigate past micro-bionic life in Martian geology. This will be an exciting and fact filled slide show/lecture!
Dr. Moncelli is a Principal Optical Engineer and Technical Group Supervisor at Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was part of the team that assembled, aligned, integrated and tested SherLOC.
RSVP to mcfoundation@vcccd.edu
Last meeting was standing room only.
Please arrive early to make sure you find a seat.
MoorparkCollege.edu/Give www.moorparkcollege.edu/events/join-dr-brian-moncelli-nasajpl
Please RSVP to mcfoundation@vcccd.edu. More info at 805-553-4761
CSUCI Broome Library presents Black educators across the nation for “Black Scholars on Black Lives” virtual presentations
Imagine analyzing the horrors aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad which was used to transport enslaved Africans to Cuba in 1839, or touring the Underground Railroad Museum in Kentucky—without ever leaving your home or classroom.
That’s the revolutionary teaching technique used by Morehouse University Assistant Professor of History Ovell Hamilton, who uses virtual reality in his “Metaversity,” which has proven so successful, that other departments are now using virtual reality for other disciplines at Morehouse such as biology, nursing, sociology and journalism, to name a few.
Hamilton will detail his use of virtual reality to teach Black History on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 9 to 10 a.m. with “The history of the African Diaspora in the Metaverse,” one of several online presentations in the “Black Scholars on Black Lives” lecture series, coordinated by CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s John Spoor Broome Library.
The “Black Scholars on Black Lives” lecture series will be held periodically throughout the year, but there will be weekly lectures throughout the month of February in honor of Black History Month.
“We know Black scholars don’t get their works published as much as white scholars,” explained Library Head of Instruction, Engagement and Assessment Colleen Harris. “Their research methods are not as valued—especially because much of their research is community-based, which bears the consequence of not valuing Black communities. This was an effort to shine a spotlight on Black scholarship.”
Harris began putting together the online library lecture series during the pandemic as a means to keep students engaged while learning remotely. They were so popular, that she has continued to search for and arrange for Black scholars across the nation to speak to CSUCI students and the public.
“The lectures are free and open to the public, and because it’s virtual, we can invite Black Scholars from around the world to speak,” Harris said.
University of California Merced Associate Professor of Sociology Whitney Pirtle will present “I Didn’t Know What Anti-Blackness Was Until I Got Here: Exploring the Unmet Needs of Black Students at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI)s” from 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Many universities, including CSUCI, have received the federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution because of a number of factors including the percentage of Hispanic students and specific programs designed to support their success.
But how well do HSIs serve Black students? That’s the question Pirtle has explored with research she has conducted indicating that a significant number of Black students’ perceptions are that they feel underserved and experienced a sense of anti-Blackness on an institutional, organizational and interpersonal level.
And finally, on Thursday, March 2, from 4 to 5 p.m., University of California Santa Barbara Assistant Professor of Race and Higher Education Antar A. Tichavakunda will present “Black Joy and Why it Matters in Higher Education.”
Tichavakunda’s presentation will address the experiences Black students have at predominately white colleges and universities, and more broadly, take a look at the sociology of race and higher education.
“He’s going to be talking about how Black students build ‘worlds’ to protect and nurture themselves as they move through an environment that was never built for them and has been actively hostile toward them,” Harris said. “He will show how we can build a sense of community for our Black students.”
Five CSUCI students who attend the lecture will win a copy of Tichavakunda’s book “Black Campus Life: The Worlds Black Students Make at a Historically White Institution,” which is about the intersection of a limited number of college graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, and the state of race relations in higher education.
The presentations are free and open to the public. Registration for each session is available online:
Feb. 15, Whitney Pirtle - "I Didn't Know What Anti-Blackness Was Until I Got Here": Exploring the Unmet Needs of Black Students at HSIs. Register at https://csuci.libcal.com/event/10161991
Feb. 21, Ovell Hamilton - "The History of the African Diaspora in the Metaverse" https://csuci.libcal.com/event/10162666
March 2, Antar Tichavakunda - "Black Joy and Why it Matters for Higher Education" https://csuci.libcal.com/event/10052724
Additional information is available at https://libguides.csuci.edu/events/black-scholars-series.
Earth Day returns to Alameda Park on Saturday, April 29 from 11am to 7pm and Sunday, April 30 from 11am to 6pm, 2023. Presented by the Community Environmental Council (CEC), this year’s Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival is co-produced with long-time festival partner, CarpEvents.
The 2023 festival – which is free to attend – anticipates all of the fun of past years. Now in its 53rd year, Santa Barbara’s community-organized festival is one of the longest-running Earth Day celebrations in the country and is one of the largest Earth Day festivals on the West Coast. Santa Barbara’s reputation as a pioneer in the environmental movement attracts national media, celebrity attention, and local crowds; the 2019 festival drew over 30,000 visitors.
Highlights of this year’s event include:
The longest running Green Car show in the United States that will feature the latest electric and hybrid vehicle technology. Festival-goers can get a first-hand feel for the latest electric vehicles and electric bikes by participating in the free Ride & Drive experience
Over 200 eco-friendly exhibitors
Beer & Wine Garden, featuring local beer, wine, and bites
A Kid’s Zone organized by LearningDen Preschool and Explore Ecology, with arts & crafts, musical performances, storytelling, face painting, and eco-activities, along with a Family Passport that promotes kid-friendly activities throughout the park
Two full days of music on the Main Stage
Plant-forward Food Court featuring locally sourced, regenerative ingredients from ecologically-focused chefs, caterers, and food artisans
Homegrown Roots Zone and Homegrown Roots Stage curated by Cultivate Events to showcase the farmers, ranchers, food producers, and organizations who are working to create a more regenerative food system along the Central Coast
Free Bike Valet, with complimentary bike tune-ups and secure all-day parking provided by MOVE SB County
A commitment to reducing waste: on average, more than 93% of waste produced at Santa Barbara’s Earth Day is recycled or composted.
About Santa Barbara’s Earth Day: Widely acknowledged as the birthplace of Earth Day, Santa Barbara’s involvement began with the devastating 1969 oil spill off its coast. This led a local group of concerned citizens to begin discussing a different way of looking at environmental systems. During that time, Senator Gaylord Nelson visited Santa Barbara to view the oil spill damage. When he returned to Washington, D.C., he introduced a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth. Over the next few years, the environmental movement was born across the country – including the Community Environmental Council (CEC). Led by a group of forward-thinking youth and elders, CEC incorporated in the spring of 1970 and its first act as a new nonprofit was to hold an Earth Day celebration – a one block long teach-in between State St. and Chapala St. along Anapamu. Around the country, 20 million concerned citizens attended similar events. We recognize that “every day is earth day” and that special events like this are a way to bring diverse voices from our community together as a reminder to tread lightly on the planet.
For up-to-the-minute information on CEC's Earth Day 2023:
• Find Earth Day on the web at SBEarthDay.org
• Like “Santa Barbara Earth Day” on Facebook.com/SBEarthDay
• Follow the event on Twitter @SBEarthday and on Instagram @SB_EarthDay
About the Community Environmental Council (CEC): The Community Environmental Council (CEC) advances rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis – including ambitious zero carbon goals, drawdown of excess carbon, and protection against the impacts of climate change. CEC was recognized as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year and a City of Santa Barbara Climate Hero, and is led by CEO Sigrid Wright who was recently named 2022 Congressional Woman of the Year. CEC has worked since 1970 to incubate and innovate real life environmental solutions that directly affect the California Central Coast. Our programs lead to clean vehicles, solar energy, resilient food systems and reduction of single-use plastic. Learn more about why CEC is one of only five nonprofits in Santa Barbara County to have the highest possible ratings on Charity Navigator and Guidestar at CECSB.org/impact.
Find CEC on the web at CECSB.org and on Facebook.com/CECSB, Instagram.com/CEC_SB, Twitter.com/CECSB, and Linkedin.com/company/cecsb/.
Conejo Valley Cars and Coffee meets every first and third Saturday of the month from 7am to 10am at the Firestone Auto Center, The Oaks Mall, 598 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.
The general public and car aficionados are welcome to enjoy classics, muscle cars and exotics.
Upcoming Dates: February 4th
Learn more at www.cvcarsandcoffee.com.
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will be joined by the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, as co-headliners for the 2023 Point Mugu Air Show March 18-19, at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), 311 Main Road, Point Mugu.
For 77 years, the Blue Angels have showcased the teamwork and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach while inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country for nearly 500 million fans. The Blues showcase the mainstay of modern Naval air power operating off U.S. aircraft carriers, the combat-proven F/A-18 Super Hornet, along with the Marine Corps' premiere logistics support aircraft, the C-130J.
The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision, and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The Point Mugu Air Show will be the third time America’s premiere demonstration squadrons have performed at the same public event, and the first time at Point Mugu.
The Point Mugu Air Show, Ventura County’s largest public event, is open to the public on March 18, 19, 2023. Gates open at 8 a.m. daily. Honors/national anthem at 10 a.m. Performances begin at noon.
Parking, admission, and blanket seating are free. Upgraded preferred seating options will be available.
NBVC is a strategically located Navy installation composed of three operating facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme and San Nicolas Island. NBVC is the home of the Pacific Seabees, West Coast E-2D Hawkeyes, 3 warfare centers and 80 tenants.
To learn more, visit www.pointmuguairshow.com.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
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