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Summerdance Santa Barbara

June 21-July 29 SUMMERDANCE, one of the few festivals of contemporary dance on the West Coast, will feature performances with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Aszure Barton and her company, and more, performing a body of work heralded by critics as “among the most compelling in the contemporary repertory.” www.summerdance.com or 568-0865 for more info.

Seven Ways To Slash College Costs

July 12, 7 p.m. Free workshop for parents of college-bound high school students. Topics include how to double or triple your eligibility free grant money, secret to sending your child to a private or UC School for less than the cost of a community college, and the single biggest mistake 9 out of 10 parents make when planning for college. Free. E.P. Foster Library, 651 E. Main St., Ventura. (800) 211-0207.

The Hare And The Tortoise

July 1-2, and July 8. Gypsies in a Trunk continue their 2006 season of great fairy tales and classic children\'s stories to delight the young and old alike. See the Wizard of Oz as you\'ve never seen it before. Join the fun as Dorothy and Toto search for a way home with the help of the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. Hopefully they will make it past the awful Wicked Witch and finally see the Wizard of Oz and home. Saturday: Foxfield Park, 31965 Foxfield Drive, Westlake Village, 11am; Rancho Simi Bicentennial Amphitheater, corner of Erringer and Royal Avenues, Simi Valley, 4 p.m.; Sunday: Channel Islands Harbor, Harbor View Park, 2 p.m. Saturday, July 8: Camarillo Recreation Center, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo, 11:30 a.m., and Barranca Vista Park, 7050 Ralston St., Ventura, 4 p.m. Free. (661) 718-3968.

Special Events

PEACE RALLY Friday, July 7, 5pm. End the occupation of Iraq and Palestine. Ventura County Government Center, corner of Victoria and Telephone, Ventura.

OBON FESTIVAL Saturday, July 8, 1-9pm. The Oxnard Buddhist Temple holds their Fifty-First annual festival. Free admission. 250 S. H St., Oxnard. 483-5948.

THREE HARBORS BIKE TOUR Saturday, July 8, 7am. The Second Annual Bike Tour follows a similar path as 2005. All routes follow the coast down to Channel Islands Harbor and then return to Ventura. After making a loop around Ventura, the Half Metric route heads back to the Ventura Harbor Village and the after-ride BBQ. The Metric and Century routes continue towards Ojai on the River Trail and the Ojai Valley Trail. The Metric riders will then head back to Ventura and the Century riders will head around the back of Lake Casitas on Hwy 150. The Century continues on Hwy 192 toward Carpinteria to Santa Barbara Harbor and then return to Ventura Harbor down the coast using part of the Pacific Coast Bike Route. $60 for Century and Metric routes, $30 for the Half Metric. Fees include the usual SAG and rest stop amenities. Ventura Harbor Village, Spinnaker Drive. 667-4191.

OLIVAS ADOBE HONORS FLESCHMANN July 9, 11am-4pm. Bea Benzien, the last living member of Max Fleischmann’s Duck Club, will present a gallery of his acrylic paintings and drawings to honor Fleischmann, Santa Barbara Foundation creator and long time resident. Olivas Adobe Historical Park, 4200 Olivas Park Drive Ventura, CA 93003. (805) 382-1752.

Film

BIG SKY DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL ACCEPTING ENTRIES The premier venue for nonfiction film in the American west is seeking submissions for a festival that will take place February 15-21, 2007 in Missoula, Montana. The competitive event is open to non-fiction films and videos of all genres, subject matte, lengths and production dates. Awards and cash prizes given for Best Documentary Feature (over 50 minutes), Best Documentary Short (15-50 minutes), Best Mini-Doc (under 15 minutes) and best documentary about the American west. VHS, DVD, DVCAM and miniDV accepted for preview. Fees vary by deadline and length of film. Deadline September 1. www.bigskyfilmfest.org.

Performances

SUMMERDANCE SANTA BARBARA June 21-July 29 SUMMERDANCE, one of the few festivals of contemporary dance on the West Coast, will feature performances with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Aszure Barton and her company, and more, performing a body of work heralded by critics as “among the most compelling in the contemporary repertory.” www.summerdance.com or 568-0865 for more info.

CAMARILLO COMMUNITY BAND Thursday, July 6, 7 p.m. The band kicks off their twenty-first annual summer concert series every Thursday through July 27. Food vendors on site. Bring a folding chair or blanket. Constitution Park, Carmen Drive, Camarillo. 484-8050.

CAUGHT RED HANDED Friday, July 7, 6-8 p.m. The band performs country and western as part of the 2006 Heritage Square Summer Concerts Series held every Friday through August 18. Call for table reservations or seating options. 715 S. A St., Oxnard. 486-6074.

IMPROVISATIONAL COMEDY Friday-Saturday, July 7-8, 8pm. Friday: Last Improvisor Standing-12 players compete to be the funniest as the audience votes; Saturday: TheatreSports- two teams compete to be the funniest as a panel of judges award points. $7.50 Friday, $8.50 Saturday. Livery Theater, 34 N. Palm St., Ventura. 643-5701.

RANCHO SIMI SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Saturdays, 6-8pm. Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District invites the public to pack a picnic basket and bring the family for a free summer concert. Set against the serene and gorgeous Rancho Simi Community Park, the concert series is free and continues through summer. Oak Park. 584-4453.

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS Saturday, July 8, 7:30pm. The 2006 Summer Music Concert Series at Olivas Adobe is held every Saturday night through August September 9. July 8: The Latin-Salsa sound of Louie Cruz Beltran. $18 general admission. 4200 Olivas Park Drive,Ventura. 658-4726.

CONCERTS IN THE PARK Sunday, July 9, 6pm. The City of Agoura Hills Department of Community Services continue their Summer Concerts in the Park series for 2006. July 9: Reno Jones, followed by fireworks show. Free. Chumash Park, 5550 Medea Valley Drive, Agoura Hills. (818) 597-7361.

CALIFORNIA STATE OLD TIME FIDDLERS ASSOCIATION Sunday, July 9, 1:30 p.m. Join them for an afternoon of family oriented fun, old time music and dancing. Free. Oak View Community Center, 18 Valley Road, Oak View. 517-1131.

SUNDAY CONCERTS AT PLAZA PARK Sunday, July 9, 3-5pm. Local residents and summertime visitors are invited to enjoy quality music at Oxnard’s newest entertainment attraction. The ten-week summer series features an eclectic line-up of free entertainment for the entire family. July 9: . Food and beverage available, bring blankets, lawn chairs and a picnic. Oxnard Plaza Park, Fifth and B Streets, Oxnard. 486-6074.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE deadline August 1. The Alliance for the Arts is offering the Richard Carpenter Performing Arts Scholarship for interested high school and college students throughout Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The top four finalists in each category will compete on stage in the Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks. Applications: www.allianceforthearts.org. 449-2582.

Theater

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK May 6-September 13. Gypsies in a Trunk open their 12th season of Fairytales in the Park with a new twist on an old favorite. Westlake Village: May 6, 11am, at Foxfield Park. Simi Valley: May 6, 4pm, at the Rancho Simi Bicentennial Amphitheater, Rancho Simi Park. Channel Islands: May 7, 2pm, at Harbor View Park. Camarillo: September 13, 11:30am, behind the Community Recreation Center, 1605 E. Burnley Street. Ventura: September 13, 4pm, at Barranca Vista Park, 7050 Ralston. www.gypsyplayers.com. (661) 718-3968.

DIAL “M” FOR MURDER June 2-July 15. The Stage Door Theatre in Agoura Hills presents the classic play revolving around Tony Wendice and his plan to have his wife murdered. Creating a foolproof alibi for himself, he finds that events take an unexpected turn that requires a B” to have his wife arrested for murder85 Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Sunday June 4, 11, 25 and July 15, 2pm. $12-$15. Stage Door Theatre, 28311 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills. (818) 889-5209.

KINGSMEN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL Friday-Sunday, July 7-Aug. 6, 8pm. The Kingsmen Shakespeare Company and California Lutheran University present their Tenth Annual Festival, with productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream Friday-Sunday, July 7-16, and Othello, July 21-23 and 28-30, plus Aug. 4-6. A Midsummer Night\'s Dream revival has been recreated by director Lane Davies who originally conceived the staging for the Santa Susanna Repertory Company. Set in the Deep South on a plantation in the 1930s, the play brings together young lovers who are struggling against their parents, comical country bumpkins who are trying to produce a play, and meddling spirits who are portrayed as Confederate-era ghosts. Othello, the ultimate love story of passion, betrayal, jealousy and death, is one of Shakespeare\'s greatest stories. The grounds open at 5:30 for picnicking and pre-show entertainment with musicians, dancing, juggling, and sword-fighting demonstrations. $10 adults, free for those 18 and younger. Lawn seating available. Presented in an outdoor arena. 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. 493-3455.

GODSPELL June 9-July 16. The Elite Theatre Company of Oxnard proudly presents one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway musical successes of al time. Through clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics and vaudeville, the play addresses universal truths in a non-traditional plot. Friday, Saturday 8:30pm, Sunday 2pm. $20 general, $17 seniors/students. 730 South “b” Street, Oxnard. 483-5118.

SHOWBOAT Friday-Saturdays, 8pm, and Sundays, 2pm, July 7-Aug. 6. The Ojai Art Center Theater presents the Oscar Hammerstein Jerome Kern drama which revolutionized American musical theater with its epic and melodic story of love amidst an undercurrent of serious themes. $25 adults, $20 seniors, students, art center members. Ojai Art Center Theater,113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai. 640-8797.

URINETOWN Fridays-Saturdays, 8pm, and Sundays, 2pm, June 3-July 9. Actors\' Repertory Theatre of Simi presents the Ventura County Premiere production of the three-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy fresh from its current Broadway run. Suitable for all ages, although younger audience members may not get the more subtle humor and references. Special Deaf and Hard of Hearing interpreted performance Friday, June 16, 8pm. $20 adults, $16 seniors-students, $14 children 12 years and under. Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. 583-7900. Visit online at www.urininetown.com.

OPEN SECRETS Wednesday-Sunday, June 15-July 19. Rubicon Theater presents the premiere of two one-acts by Dale Wasserman and Directed by Artistic Director James O\'Neil. One of America\'s most important and prolific living American playwrights, Wasserman’s thought-provoking, scintillating, superbly crafted stories come to life on the Rubicon stage. Stallion Howl is a comic curtain-raiser where an attractive woman receives a surprise inheritance from a mysterious millionaire and refuses to reveal to her husband, an inquisitive newspaper editor, the reason for the gift; Boy on Blacktop Road follows an investigation taking place related to the arrival and subsequent disappearance of a young boy. Subject matter may not be appropriate for younger audiences. Starring David Birney, Cliff De Young, Karen Grassle and Eric Lange. Performances: Wednesday, 2 and 7pm; Thursday-Saturday, 8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 2pm. $49-$26. Rubicon Theatre Company 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. 667-2900. Visit online at www.rubicontheatre.org.

THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH June 16-July 15. The Conejo Players Theatre, Inc presents the foibles, fantasies and faults of a man whose wife and daughter have gone to the shore for the summer, leaving him to deal with high-flying libido and the temptress upstairs, while the voices of his conscience – three women from his everyday life – try unsuccessfully to keep him on the straight and narrow. $14-$18. Thursday=Saturday, 8pm, Sunday matinee July 9, 2pm. 351 S. Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks. 495-3715.

THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE Saturday-Sunday, July 1-2, and July 8. Gypsies in a Trunk continue their 2006 season of great fairy tales and classic children\'s stories to delight the young and old alike. See the Wizard of Oz as you\'ve never seen it before. Join the fun as Dorothy and Toto search for a way home with the help of the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. Hopefully they will make it past the awful Wicked Witch and finally see the Wizard of Oz and home. Saturday: Foxfield Park, 31965 Foxfield Drive, Westlake Village, 11am; Rancho Simi Bicentennial Amphitheater, corner of Erringer and Royal Avenues, Simi Valley, 4pm; Sunday: Channel Islands Harbor, Harbor View Park, 2pm. Saturday, July 8: Camarillo Recreation Center, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo, 11:30am, and Barranca Vista Park, 7050 Ralston St., Ventura, 4pm. Free. (661) 718-3968.

BUGSY MALONE JR AUDITION July 10th- July 12th 5-9pm. An audition for the musical production encourages singer/actors to read for a variety of characters. Conejo Players Theatre 351 South Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, CA. (818) 269-8712.

TO GILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY June 24-July 15 Conejo Players Theatre, Inc presents a tale of loss and hope, of one weekend in Nantucket where a grieving widower is visited by his late wife, and their well-meaning friends force him to go on. $10. Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm, evening performance July 9th, 7pm. 352 South Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks. 495-3715.

Art

AROUND THE CORNER GALLERY 7 days a week, 11am-5pm. 105 S. Montgomery St., Ojai. 640-8844.

ARIA SALON & DAY SPA Hours: Tue.-Sat., 9 am-6 pm, Sun.-Mon. by appointment. 307 E. Matilija St. Suite C, Ojai, 646-5006/646-1300.

ARTS COUNCIL BOARD AND FRIENDS ART SHOW June 5-July 7. Reception for public June 17, 4pm-7pm. See Set Design, Photography, Sculpture, Paintings, Pen and Ink and more. HYPERLINK www.hillcrestcenter.org www.hillcrestcenter.org. Hillcrest Center, 403 W. Hillcrest, Thousand Oaks. 381-2747.

ARTIST’S UNION GALLERY presents their second annual June Gloom exhibit, starting Saturday, June 17. Bursting through the gloom, this juried exhibit has been judged by Michele DePuy Leaveitt and is expected to be as successful as last year. The Artist Union asked artists from Ventura and surrounding counties to come share some of their gloomiest artistic expressions. Gallery hours Thursdays and Sundays, 12pm-6pm, Fridays and Saturdays 12pm-9pm. 330 S. California St, Ventura. www.venturaartistsunion.org. 643-3012 or 650-8252.

BEATRICE WOOD CENTER FOR THE ARTS Hours: Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm. Ojai, Ca. 646-3381. www.beatricewood.com.

BELL ARTS FACTORY 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura.

BROKEN OAK GALLERY 1414 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Suite 213, Thousand Oaks. 497-4022 or www.brokenoakgallery.com.

BUENAVENTURA GALLERY Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 12 – 5 pm, Saturday 11am–5 pm. 700 E Santa Clara St, Ventura. www.BuenaventuraGallery.org. 648-1235.

CAFC9 ON A 438 South A St., Oxnard. 487-8170.

CAFC9 ZACK presents oil paintings by Hilda Kilpatrick. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-9pm; Friday, 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-9:30pm; Saturday, 5:30-9:30pm. 11:30am-2pm. 1095 Thompson Boulevard, Ventura. 643-9445.

CALIFORNIA STREET GALLERY 40 S. California St., Ventura. www.CaliforniaStreetGallery.com. 653-0321 or cast gallery@sbcglobal.net.

CAMARILLO ART CENTER Free. 3150 Ponderosa Dr, Camarillo.

CARNEGIE ART MUSEUM From June 25- August 20 the museum will host “Documenting China”, a photography exhibit chronicling China’s industrial evolution, and “Box Full of Happy” a critique of consumer society in Los Angeles. General Admission $3. Open Thurs. – Sat., 10 am – 5 pm, and Sun. 1 pm – 5 pm 424 South C St., Oxnard. 385-8157.

DAVID GLENN through June. “Liquid Cities” is on display at the Channel Islands Harbor Gallery. Hours, Sunday-Friday, 11am-7pm. 984-2816.

THE FRAMEWORKS FEATURING CHIU AND ZORTHIAN June 22nd- August 5th. The Frameworks Caruso Woods Fine Art is hosting new paintings by Sally Chiu and Seyburn Zorthian in the Caruso Woods Fine Art Gallery. Tuesday-Friday 10 am- 5 pm, Saturday 11am- 3 pm, Closed Sunday and Monday. 131 E. De La Guerra, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, www.carusowoods.com

FREDERICK R. WEISMAN MUSEUM OF ART May 20-September 3, On Location in Malibu 2006: Paintings by the California Art Club. Features nearly 60 works by 51 artists. Reception to meet the artists Saturday, May 20, 6pm-8pm. No admission fee. Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. (310) 506-4055.

HARBOR VILLAGE GALLERY Gallery hours: Wednesday- Sunday 12pm-6pm. 1591 Spinnaker Dr , Suite 117C, Ventura. 644 – 2750.

HERZOG WINE CELLARS A new series of diverse art work will be shown at Ventura County’s new winery offering tours, tasting, classes, shopping and fine dining. Work includes oils, watercolors, photography and digital art by local artists. 3201 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard. 983-1560.

HILLCREST CENTER FOR THE ARTS GALLERIA Admission is free. Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm. Call for extended evening and weekend viewing. 403 W. Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks. (805) 381-2747 or www.hillcrestarts.com.

HUMMINGBIRD NEST GALLERY June 1-July 31. “Out of the Past” is a photography exhibit by Fred Magness and Susan Vernand Magness, a collection of images of ghost towns, historical buildings and ancient ruins taken over the last few years. Gallery open everyday, 9am-9pm. Artists’ reception Saturday, June 3, 3pm-5pm. 1208 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. 642-5400.

J’s TAPAS Original renditions of local scenes in oil, watercolor, acrylic, colored pencils and mixed media by Gerardo Segismundo. The artists unique style and extensive range can be viewed through his web site www.segismundoart.com. J’s Tapas, 208 E. Main St., Ventura. 794-5810.

JONATHAN MCEUEN AND KAREN L BROWN Saturday, July 8, 6pm. Westside Music Series presents the rock/bluegrass/country music of Mceuen with the encaustic mixed-media of artist Karen L Brown. Exhibit opens 6pm, music begins 7pm. Cheese and wine available. $10. Sylva’s Boxing Gym, 211 W. Stanley Ave., Ventura. 652-2150.

JOHN NICHOLS GALLERY Wed.-Sat. noon-5pm. 916 E. Main St., Santa Paula. 525-7804.

KATHLEEN DINAN GALLERY Hours: Thurs-Sun noon to five or by appointment (805)646-6205 located within the Ranchos Trading Co, 928 E Ojai Ave, Ojai.

KWAN FONG GALLERY OF ART AND CULTURE Free. California Lutheran
University. Call 493-3316 or go to www.thedistilleryla.com.

MUSEUM QUALITY FRAMING 2120 E. Ponderosa, Camarillo, 389-9928.

NATHAN LARRAMENDY GALLERY June 10-July 30. “More Playgrounds.” Photographer Aaron Plant presents his first solo exhibition here. The exhibition is accompanied with a catalog of Plant\'s work with essays by Lisa Le Feuvre and Laura Richard Janku. 107 S. Signal St, Ojai. 646-2750.

ODYSSEY May 8-June 30. Ner Bicarme’s collection of 18 black and whites and sepia photographs on display. Bank hours Monday-Thursday, 9am-4pm; Friday 9am-6pm. Ojai Community Bank, 402 W. Ojai Ave, Suite 102, Ojai. 646-9909.

OJAI VALLEY MUSEUM May 12-August 12. “Encounters: 60 Years of the Ojai Music Festival” includes archive photos of legendary music artists, a gallery of commemorative posters, and a tribute to the Festival Women’s Committee. Cocktail party and reception on Friday, May 12, 5:30pm-7:30pm, $60 per person. 646-2094, ext. 104.

OVERTON HALL Free. California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks. 493-3316.

SAN BUENAVENTURA ARTISTS’ UNION 330 California St. Plaza, Ventura. 658-4726.

SANTA PAULA’S CALIFORNIA OIL MUSEUM May 7-August 27. Norton, Von Dutch, & Co: Legendary Motorcycles from the Schoenewald Collection is presented. At the Sunday, May 7 reception from 1-3pm, collector and owner Daniel Schoenewald will speak about the motorcycles in this collection. Some of the greatest names in motorcycle racing, design, and history are on display, including Norton Commando, Von Dutch, Triumph, BSA, Brough, and Vincent. This is the first public exhibition of this collection in California. 1001 E. Main St., Santa Paula. $4 Adults, $3 Seniors, $1 Children. 933-0076.

SEA BREEZE ART GALLERY June 23-July 21 Island Life - New Work featuring one of its talented resident artists, C. Lynn Tegenfeldt. The exhibition is a series of new and evocative riffs on the natural world, with a focus on common objects that are linked to both the Hawaiian locale and its Asian heritage which the artist shares through a variety of media and techniques, the paintings explore the hidden in everyday life. Includes interactive wall where the artist invites her guests to participate by rearranging groups of small modular abstract paintings. Candlelight reception Saturday, June 24 5-10pm. 255 S. Laurel St, Ventura. 643-3973.

STUDIO 84 WEST Thurs.-Sat., 6-8pm. 602 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. 646-3812.

STUDIO CHANNEL ISLANDS ART CENTER Gallery Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, noon-3pm, or by appointment. Cal State Channel Islands, Building 18, Ventura Street, Camarillo. www.studiochannelislands.org. 383-1368.

THE STUDIO GALLERY Exhibiting paintings, prints, ceramics and sculpture by international and local contemporary artists. Daily, 10am-6pm. 2741 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard. 985-1546.

SUPER! MINIATURE, PAINTINGS weekends June 24-August 20, 1pm-5pm. Recent works by more than 35 California Central Artists will be on display. Also: works by American landscape master Ray Strong, and “Lifetime Achievement” Academy Award-winner, Down Iwerks. Weekdays by appointment. Weldon Art Ranch, 958 Weldon Rd, Santa Barbara. 965-5486.

UPFRONT GALLERY Gallery hours: Fri.-Sat. 1-5pm, Sun. 2-5pm, or by appointment. 267 Laurel St., Ventura. 648-7878 or 340-1448.

VALLEY OF THE MOON FINE ART REPRODUCTION Hours: Mon.-Wed. & Fri.-Sat., 9am-5pm; Thurs. 12-5pm; Sun. by appointment. 201 Bryant St. #12, Ojai. 657-2959.

VENTURA HARBOR VILLAGE GALLERY Gallery hours: Noon-6pm, Wednesday-Sunday. 1591 Spinnaker Drive , Suite 117C, Ventura. 644-2750.

VENTURA HEALING ROOMS Featuring Lee Hodges as artist-in-residence. Tuesday & Thursday, 9am-4pm, and by appointment. 701 E. Santa Clara St., Suite 11, Ventura. 647-6641 or www.LeeHodgesArt.com.

YOUNG AT ART STUDIOS The missing link in art education presents the student’s drawings, paintings, and mixed media pieces at the 2006 annual art shows. www.youngatartstudios.com. Exhibits on display Monday-Saturday, 3pm-6pm330 N. Zachary, Suite 106, Moorpark. 529-6274.

Museums

CALIFORNIA OIL MUSEUM Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm. $4 general, $3 seniors, $1 youth. Free for members. 1001 E. Main St., Santa Paula. (805) 933-0076. www.oilmuseum.net.

CARNEGIE ART MUSEUM 10 am-noon. Suggested admission: $3 adults, $2 senior/students, $1 children 6-16. Free Fridays 3-5pm. 424 C St., Oxnard. 385-8157. www.vcnet.com/carnart.

CEC/SEABEE MUSEUM Historical artifacts, multi-media installations and vintage uniforms. 8am-4:30pm Monday to Friday, 12:30-4:30pm Saturday. Closed Sunday and national holidays. Port Hueneme Naval Construction Battalion Center, Sunkist entrance. 982-1249.

DUDLEY HOUSE Corner of Ashwood and Loma Vista, Ventura. 644-3286.

FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE: FAMOUS AND INFAMOUS TWOSOMES May 9- September 10. The George Stuart Historical Figures on display include Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Abraham and Mary Lincoln, and Benedict Arnold and his wife Peggy Shippen. The one-quarter life-size portraits of historical personalities are renowned for their meticulous wardrobes and expressive faces. Ventura County Museum of History & Art, 100 East Main Street. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. $4 ages 18-61, $3 seniors and $1 children ages 6-17. Free for children under 5 and museum members. 653-0323.

GULL WINGS MUSEUM The county’s only hands-on learning museum for kids. 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. 418 4th St., Oxnard. 483-3005 or www.gullwingsmuseum4kids.org.

OJAI VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM Thurs.-Fri. 1-4pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, Sun. noon-4pm. 130 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai. (805)640-1390.

PORT HUENEME LIGHTHOUSE The Lighthouse is open to the public the third Saturday of each month from 10am-3pm. The current structure was built in 1941, with the original having been built in 1874. The fresnel lens was made in 1897 and is still in operation. Admission is free. Adults age 18 and up require photo ID. Last shuttle pick-up at port gate is 2:30pm. 120 W. Port Hueneme Rd., Port Hueneme. (310) 541-0334.

RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM Admission: free-$7. Hours: 10am-5pm daily. 40 Presidential Dr., Simi Valley. (800)410-8354. www.reaganfoundation.org.

SANTA PAULA’S CALIFORNIA OIL MUSEUM Adults, $4, seniors, $3, children, $1. 1001 E. Main ST., Santa Paula. Call 933-0076.

VENTURA COUNTY MARITIME MUSEUM This Open daily 11am-5pm. Free; donations appreciated. 2731 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard Fisherman’s Wharf, CI Harbor. (805)984-6260.

VENTURA COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART $1-$4; Hours: 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. 100 E. Main St., Ventura. 653-0323.

Kids/Seniors

THE INVITATION Thursdays, June 29-July 28, 3-5pm. At-risk teen girls have a place to go every Thursday where they can write, make art, discuss books, and talk about life with poet Gwendolyn Alley, artists Lynne Okun and Melissa Pereida. At the end of the free six week, drop-in program, the girls make an Art Life-style publication, hold a reading, and hang an art show in the Artbarn including ceramic mirrors and other projects they\'ve made. Kid’s Art, Ventura. For more information please call 338-2576.

MATURE MINGLERS Thursday, July 6, 4:30pm. The Ventura Avenue Adult Center invites seniors to their weekly gathering. Reservations required. Fixed menu price for meal, soft drink, tax and tip. 71 Palm, Ventura. 648-3035.

MONEY CAMP FOR KIDS July 10- July 14. Return of the non-profit organizations teen camp teaching useful money management techniques for kids ages 13 through 17. Boasts a unique, fun, camp-like environment. 135 Chapala Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101. (805) 957-1024.

ROCKY J. HALL\'S ONE-ON-ONE BASEBALL CAMP Monday-Friday, June 19-23, June 26-30, and July 10-14, 8:30am-1pm. Three camps offered by age. June 19-21: ages 7-7; June 26-30, ages 9-10; and July 10-14, ages 11-12. $150. St. Bonaventure Baseball Field, Wells Road and Henderson, Saticoy. 477-0235.

SUMMER DAY CAMPS Weekly through Aug. 25, 7:30am-5pm. Oxnard’s Recreation and Community Services Department offers day camps for children ages 5-12.Camp Serendipity Summer Vacation Day Camp is jam-packed with sports activities, arts and crafts, games, and field trips. Each week features a different theme. $65-$85, covers all activities. Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. 385-7995.

SIMI VALLEY DIVE-IN Sat. July 29, August 26, 6-9pm. The Rancho Simi Community Park Pool will be presenting Blue Hawaii and The Little Mermaid respectively for a unique in-pool movie experience. $5, children under 2 are free. 1765 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley.

MATURE MINGLERS Thursdays. The Ventura Avenue Adult Center invites seniors to their weekly gathering. Reservations required. Fixed menu price for meal, soft drink, tax and tip. 71 Palm, Ventura. 648-3035.

SCRABBLE THURSDAYS Presented by the Ventura Avenue Adult Center. They provide the game, dictionary and the place, you provide the brainpower. 550 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura. 648-3035.

BUILDING BLOCKS OF ART Saturdays, 10:15am-12pm. The Carnegie Art Museum is offering a series of art workshops for kids ages 7-12 and their adult guardians. Carnegie Art Museum, Oxnard. $1 per child. Reservations required. 385-8171.

ART START Monday-Friday, July 10-14 and 17-21, 9am-noon. The Ventura County Museum of History & Art presents their summer art program for children. The Art Start sessions begin July 10-14 for students 3-5grades, and July 17-21 for students 6-8 grades. Art Start stresses creating art, appreciating art, and self-expression. Each day a different medium is explored, with professional instruction in different techniques. Students keep a personal sketchbook to learn how to observe the world with an artist\'s eye, and studies of artwork in the museum \'s collection help stretch creative thinking skills. Students display their work in a mini-exhibit, and participants meet with local artists who shed light on what it means to choose art as a career or simply as something to love. $75 non-members. 100 E. Main St., Ventura. 653-0323, ext. 14.

C.A.T.S. SUMMER CAMP Roxanne Diesel, local drama and manners instructor, offers, for the 7th annual Camp Broadway Bound this summer, plus Harry Potter Literacy and Wizardry Camp, Commercial and Film Boot Camp, Comedy and Improvisation Boot Camp and Crime Scene Investigators Camp. Camps held in partnership with local Ventura County recreation districts. The following camps are offered this summer for ages 7 -13: Camp Broadway Bound - a week long, day camp finds students cast in a production of Peter Pan; Harry Potter Wizardry & Literacy Camp - students become residents of Hogwarts for a week as they journey through reading, writing and acting; Comedy and Improvisation Boot Camp - Week long, half-day camp utilizing a similar format to the TV show Whose Line is it Anyway; Commercial and Film Boot Camp - Students experience the thrill of being filmed for each day of camp, learn how to hit a mark and slate their name, master cold readings of a script, use their voice and body to portray a character and sell a product or idea on camera, and audition for stage or film; Crime Scene Investigators Camp - students investigate a mock crime scene. (661) 718-3968.

CLUB SOCCER TRY-OUTS Looking for girls born on or after Aug. 1, 1992 for competitive Team. 890-8532.

WATER AEROBICS FOR SENIORS Thursdays and Thursdays, July 11-Aug. 17, 11am-noon. The City of Oxnard Senior Services Program sponsors this free exercise class for seniors 55 and better. Registration required, minimum of 20 participants needed. Colonial Pool, 125 Marquita St., Oxnard. 385-8022.

CALL FOR ART Oxnard students are invited to “Celebrate the Rhythms of Cultures” through art in the annual art contest, sponsored by the City of Oxnard. Participants must be Oxnard residents 6-18 years old, and must incorporate the festival theme. The deadline for entry has been extended to Monday, July 17.

SUMMER YOUTH ATHLETIC CAMPS AT CLU Lu Dawg Baseball Camp (www.ludawg.com , 493-3398); Hoop Rat Point Guard, Perimeter Play Basketball Camp, Hoop Rat Shooting, Individual Offensive Moves Basketball Camp (www.kingsmenbasketball.com , 493-3404), Total Tennis Academy (495-0111), Team Soccer Direct (www.teamsoccerdirect.com, 494-1747), All-Sports Camps (www.create-a-camp.com, 494-1747).

Lectures/Seminars

GLOBAL WARMING AND THE FATE OF VENTURA COUNTY Thursday, July 6, 7pm. Presentation by Rachel Pratt, M.Sc., M.Sc. Come and get your questions answered. Free of charge. The Topping Room, EP Foster Library, 651 E. Main St., Ventura. 649-2367.

TIDEPOOL TALK Saturday-Sunday, July 8-9, 11am and 3pm. Join National Park Service Rangers in the Channel Islands National Park Visitors Center as they show and tell about the many fascinating animals and plants in the marine life exhibit. Free.1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura. 658-5730.

Classes/Workshops

IMPROV CLASSES The Livery Theatre, home to Ventura TheatreSports, offers classes in comedy improv for youth, teens and adults. First class is always free. 34 N. Palm St., Ventura. 643-5701. Online at www.venturaimprov.com.

POWER AND PEACE Wednesdays through July 19, 7:30-10pm. The Bodysattva Healing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks presents Founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Embodied Wisdom, Scott Coady, who with the assistance of Dr. Shana Berger hosts four evening workshops designed to help individuals create more exciting and fulfilling futures by strengthening their capacity to produce more powerful results while experiencing more peace as they continue to lead full and busy lives. $25 each session, $75 course. All donations go directly to Interface Children Family Services. 497-0300. Bodysattva Healing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks. www.embodiedwisdom.com

THE JOYS OF YIDDISH Sundays, July 9-30, 10:30am-noon. Chabad Jewish Center offers a four-part course on the Yiddish language for beginners and intermediates. $18 covers entire course. 3810 Channel Islands Blvd., Oxnard. 382-4770.

FIBER CLOTH DOLLS Monday, July 10, 6:30pm. Focus on the Masters offers the class by instructor Gienne Gabriels. Students use cloth, yarn, ribbons, and their own rich imagination to make a wonderful doll. The process is just as important as the product, providing an opportunity to experiment with materials. Some materials supplied. Bring scissors and any fabric scraps, ribbons, lace, cord, you would like to include. $35. 1141 E. Main St., Ventura. 653-2501.

SEVEN WAYS TO SLASH COLLEGE COSTS Wednesday, July 12, 7pm. Free workshop for parents of college-bound high school students. Topics include how to double or triple your eligibility free grant money, secret to sending your child to a private or UC School for less than the cost of a community college, and the single biggest mistake 9 out of 10 parents make when planning for college. Free. E.P. Foster Library, 651 E. Main St., Ventura. (800) 211-0207.

Literature/Poetry

AMATEUR POETRY CONTEST Deadline July 22. The Talent Literary Guild sponsors a competition with 50 prizes in all, with a $1,000 grand prize. Poems may be written on any subject, using any style. Send one entry of 21 lines or less. (The Editors reserve the right to publish the winning poems in a pamphlet and send it free to all entrants, along with a winner\'s list.) Free. send to: www.freecontest.com, or Free poetry Contest, 1257 Siskiyou Blvd., #4, Ashland, OR, 97520.

WRITING WORKSHOP Thursday, July 6, 6pm. Free workshop offered by Local Hero bookstore and FictionWeek.com. Meets weekly. 254 Ojai Ave., Ojai. 640-6865.

OUTLAW POETS OPEN WORD Friday, July 7, 7:30pm. Comic Taylor Morgan performs at 7:30pm, followed by open microphone. Donation at door. Bart\'s Books, 302 W. Matilija, Ojai. 646-3755.

RAY BRADBURY Friday, July 8, 1pm. Phantom Books and Gallery 33 are honored to bring the World’s Greatest Living Science Fiction author to Ventura County. Fans should arrive early for this very special event. Refreshments served. 1328 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura. 641-384.

MUSICIAN’S NIGHT OUT Wednesday, July 12, 7:30-11pm. Traditional gathering of writers and performers. California Taco Co., 469 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. 646-7174.

FAVORITE POEMS PROJECT Third Monday, 5:15pm-6:30pm. Open mic: all poets and non-poets invited to read a favorite poem (not their own) or two. Hosted by Lois Klein. The Blue Agave, 20 E. Cota, Santa Barbara.

OPEN MIC Tuesdays, 6:30-10pm. All ages welcome. Selah CafE9, 40 Day Road, Ventura.

OPEN MIC Tuesdays, 7:30 pm. Host: TL Cabrera. Artists’ Union Gallery, 330 S. California St., Ventura, 320-3524.

OPEN MIC Wednesdays (except the first of the month), 7:30 pm Hosted by Miss Marissa. Kava Dume, 5653 Kana Rd., Agoura, (818) 865-8602.

MUSICIAN’S NIGHT OUT Wednesdays, 7:30-11pm. Traditional gathering of writers and performers. California Taco Co., 469 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. 646-7174.

POETRY WORKSHOP Every second and fourth Wednesday. Barnes and Noble, Ventura.

POETRY READING Thursdays, 7 pm-10 pm Hosted by Daniela Schonberger. Giovanni’s, 6583 Pardell Rd., Isla Vista, 968-2255.

REDS HOT POETRY First Thursday of every month, 7pm-9pm. Open mic. Hosted by Sojourner Rolle. Red Hot Coffee House, 12 Helena St, Santa Barbara.

SOAP BOX POETS Second Thursday of every month, 7:30pm. Open mic. Hosted by Kathleen Roxby. Borers, Camino Real Shopping Center, Goleta.

OUTLAW POETS OPEN WORD First Friday of the month, 7pm. Bart\'s Books, 302 W. Matilija, Ojai. 646-3755.

LATTE 101 First Saturday of every month, 8pm. Open mic with music. Hosted by Nurse Bob. 5722 Telegraph Rd., Ventura.

THE POETRY ZONE Second Saturday of every month, 2pm-4pm. Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 21 W. Anapamu, Santa Barbara.

POETRY OPEN MIC Sundays, 5 pm-8 pm Hosted by Paradox and Mama Val. Every second Sunday is Ventura SLAM 101 with $101 prize. The Underground, 3367 Telegraph Rd., Ventura.

Farmers’ Markets

CERTIFIED MARKET- VENTURA Wednesdays, 9am-1pm, Pacific View Mall West Parking Lot, Ventura. 529-6266.

CERTIFIED MARKET- THOUSAND OAKS Thursdays, 3pm-7pm. The Oaks Shopping Center, Wilbur Rd. & Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks. 529-6266.

CERTIFIED MARKET- DOWNTOWN VENTURA Saturdays, 8:30am-12pm. Corner of Santa Clara & Palm, Ventura. 529-6266.

CERTIFIED MARKET- SANTA CLARITA Sundays, 8:30am-12pm. College of the Canyons, Parking Lot 8, Santa Clarita. 529-6266.

Stepping Out

BALLROOM DANCE Thursday, July 6, 7:30-10pm. Live band. Singles and couples welcome. $7 non-members. Oxnard Community Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. 647-9471.

JULY DANCE PARTY Sunday, July 9, 3-5:30pm. The Ventura Chapter of USA Dance offer Cha Cha lessons, 2:20pm, followed by open dancing to Big Band music spun by Lana Flora, The Devine Deejay. $10 general, $7 members. The House of Dance, 3007 Bunsen Ave., Ste. E, Ventura. 646-6271.

THOUSAND OAKS DANCE CLUB Saturday, July 1, 7:30-10:30pm. $7 non-members. First and third Saturday Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. 381-2744.

DANCE JAM VENTURA Saturday, July 8, 7:30-10:30pm. A lively variety of music to dance to, barefoot on spongy mats. Free-Style dancing, no partner needed. Smoke and alcohol-free. 3026 Telegraph Rd., Ventura. (805) 650-7112.`

WEST COAST SWING Tuesdays, 7pm. Poinsettia Swing Dance club hosts their weekly dance and lessons. Under 21 welcome. 7pm: beginning West Coast swing lesson; 8pm: intermediate lesson; 8:30-10:30pm: West Coast Swing Dancing. $10 before 8pm, $6 after 8pm. House of Dance, 3007 Bunsen Ave., Ste. E Ventura. 643-0788.

Shows/Markets

ARTS BY THE SEA Saturday, July 8, 10am-4pm. Weekly art show features mostly fine art including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, ceramics and jewelry. Held outdoors between the Holiday Inn and the Artists’ Union Gallery, where California St. meets the sea. 340-0609.

CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR FARMER\'S AND FISHERMAN’S MARKET Every Sunday, 10am-2pm. Over 35 farmers sell locally grown fresh-picked fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers. B-B-Q, baked goods, kid\'s corner, arts and crafts, plus live music and entertainment. 3350 S. Harbor Blvd., Channel Islands Harbor. 643-6458.

Clubs/Groups

DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF CAMARILLO Thursday, July 6, 7pm. David Howard, co-chair of Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions presents a Beyond War overview followed by an open forum among club members on the war in Iraq. The public is invited to attend. UFCW Hall, 816 Camarillo Springs Road, Camarillo. 383-6204.

CONEJO SKI AND SPORT CLUB MEETINGS Group meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday 8-9 pm of each month at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park. 495 N Ventu Park Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. (805) 716-4200.

JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE CONEJO VALLEY Sunday, July 9, 2-4pm. The Conejo Valley-Ventura County group hold a general meeting and discussion: Detecting Faults and Errors in Genealogical Sources. Temple Adat Elohim 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. (818) 889-6616.

FREETHINKERS OF VENTURA COUNTY Monday, July 10, 7:30-9pm. The organization meets for their monthly meeting. Tonight\'s discussion: Ken Tipton, creator and subject of the film Heart of the Beholder discusses the making of the film and its repercussions. Camarillo Library, Don Adolofo Room, 3100 Ponderosa Camarillo. 386-4232.

THOUSAND OAKS DIGITAL PHOTO GROUP Monday, July 10, 6:30pm. July meeting features a Q and A session, plus Larry Marrin continues his discussion on Raw storage files for Digital Cameras. Goebel Senior Center, Thousand Oaks. 498-4669.

VENTURA COUNTY WRITERS CLUB Wednesday, July 12, 7pm. Join award-winning crime novelist Barbara Seranella as she discusses her mystery novels. Borders Books, 124 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 496-6204.

DOG-PUPPY ADOPTIONS Saturday, 11am-4pm, and Sunday, noon-4pm. Canine Adoption and Rescue League hold adoptions every week. Adoption Center, Five Points behind Ventura Pet Barn, 3004 Telegraph Road, Ventura. 652-1001.

PING PONG Thursdays, 7:30 pm-9:30 pm Open play. Rec. Center, Park Road, Ojai. Call 646-8162 for more information.

LESBIAN AND GAY SUPPORT GROUP Thursdays, 7:30-9:30pm. Singles and couples welcome. Cope with hostilities and concerns in the workplace, society, community and family. Morbrook Institute, Camarillo. 484-7867, ext. 44.

WOMEN’S SUPPORT GROUP Tuesdays, 4-6pm. Create friendship, courage, personal growth and healing. Morbrook Institute, Camarillo. 484-7867, ext. 44.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS Meetings daily in the Ventura, Ojai and Santa Barbara areas. (888) 702-0202. Visit online at www.oa-ci.org.

AAUW Coffee & ChatsA0First Saturday of the month, 9 to 11 a.m. Prospective members are welcome. Side Street CafE9, 996 Lawrence Drive, Newbury Park. 495-9669.