Community Calendar

Siji Krishnan’s paintings invite viewers into a world where memory, myth, and daily life intertwine. Working primarily on delicate rice paper, she builds up translucent layers of watercolor and oil to reveal figures, landscapes, and hidden details. Her images often feel dreamlike—ponds shimmering with light, grasses bending in the rain, or figures dissolving into their surroundings—suggesting the ways that identity, home, and belonging are shaped by both what we see and what lies beneath the surface.

The exhibition The Secret Place brings together recent works from Krishnan’s Los Angeles debut, alongside five new large paintings created in her studio in Kerala, India. In these new works, Krishnan replaces her more figurative elements with water, plants, and sky. The natural world of her home—backwaters, monsoon rains, and village ponds—becomes a central motif, a site of both refuge and transformation. Themes of fertility and motherhood, community, and renewal flow through her practice, informed by her experiences of raising a child and the shifting boundaries between self and environment.

Krishnan’s art asks us to look slowly and closely. Small details emerge—an animal, a flower petal, a shadow of a figure—like secrets discovered over time. Both intimate and expansive, her paintings transcend cultural and geographic boundaries, embodying the Upanishadic (ancient Indian sacred philosophical texts) philosophy vasudhaiva kutumbakam: “the world is one family.”

Sustainably harvested white and red “silver tipped” fir trees from Northern California will be available for pickup on Tuesday, December 2 through December 5 at McGrath Family Farm (1012 West Ventura Blvd., Camarillo). Proceeds from the Christmas tree fundraiser will help support Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) agriculture education and healthy eating programs for kids in Ventura County. Tree pickup time is from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The trees are harvested in the northern Sierra Nevada mountain range to reduce overgrowth and fire risk and then donated to SEEAG. Trees are 6’ to 10’ tall. The cost is $100 per tree. SEEAG is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization so all tree purchases are tax-deductible. Trees can be pre-ordered by going to https://www.seeag.org/christmas. For questions about delivery, call 805-892-8155.

The Simi Valley Family YMCA will host its annual Breakfast With Santa on Saturday, December 6. Participants can have their picture taken with Santa and receive a framed photo, and enjoy breakfast and hot cocoa. There will be snow, a snow slide and holiday crafts for the kids.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Families can then select a newly arrived Christmas tree at the YMCA’s Christmas tree lot operated by the Simi Valley Y’s Men’s Club. The lot offers about 750 Noble, Douglas and Nordmann fir trees from 3' to 9' tall.

All proceeds from tree sales go back into the community. Tree lot hours are 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

The tree lot and Breakfast with Santa are at the Simi Valley Family YMCA (3200 Cochran St., corner of Galena Ave. and Cochran St.). Advance registration is required for Breakfast with Santa (www.sevymca.org/breakfast-santa).

Join us for Saturday morning art adventures in the EE Makerspace above Art from Scrap.

All materials provided - just bring your imagination!

Kids 5+ (adults must stay in the Makerspace with their child).

Projects may use hot glue guns - safety first!

Experience a traditional European festival at the 4th Annual Holidays in the Village, A European Marketplace, Saturday, December 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.. Visitors can shop for unique holiday gifts from 60 artisan vendors in a festive, family atmosphere. The Festive Garden and Le French Quarter feature traditional European foods and beverages, including bratwurst, soft pretzels, French pastries, Glühwein warm mulled wine, mimosas, apple cider and hot cocoa. The Kris Kringle Village with Kris Kringle and Mrs. Kringle, includes face painting, Art Trek specialty crafts, a holiday train and a Village Bear Scavenger Hunt. Carolers and live music will entertain visitors throughout the day. Admission and parking are free. The Marketplace is presented by the Rotary Club of Westlake Village and hosted at The Oaks (W. Wilbur Rd. and W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. parking lot) in Thousand Oaks. Proceeds support local nonprofits. For more information, go to http://www.HolidaysInTheVillage.org or email info@holidaysinthevillage.org.

Siji Krishnan’s paintings invite viewers into a world where memory, myth, and daily life intertwine. Working primarily on delicate rice paper, she builds up translucent layers of watercolor and oil to reveal figures, landscapes, and hidden details. Her images often feel dreamlike—ponds shimmering with light, grasses bending in the rain, or figures dissolving into their surroundings—suggesting the ways that identity, home, and belonging are shaped by both what we see and what lies beneath the surface.

The exhibition The Secret Place brings together recent works from Krishnan’s Los Angeles debut, alongside five new large paintings created in her studio in Kerala, India. In these new works, Krishnan replaces her more figurative elements with water, plants, and sky. The natural world of her home—backwaters, monsoon rains, and village ponds—becomes a central motif, a site of both refuge and transformation. Themes of fertility and motherhood, community, and renewal flow through her practice, informed by her experiences of raising a child and the shifting boundaries between self and environment.

Krishnan’s art asks us to look slowly and closely. Small details emerge—an animal, a flower petal, a shadow of a figure—like secrets discovered over time. Both intimate and expansive, her paintings transcend cultural and geographic boundaries, embodying the Upanishadic (ancient Indian sacred philosophical texts) philosophy vasudhaiva kutumbakam: “the world is one family.”

Sustainably harvested white and red “silver tipped” fir trees from Northern California will be available for pickup on Tuesday, December 2 through December 5 at McGrath Family Farm (1012 West Ventura Blvd., Camarillo). Proceeds from the Christmas tree fundraiser will help support Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) agriculture education and healthy eating programs for kids in Ventura County. Tree pickup time is from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The trees are harvested in the northern Sierra Nevada mountain range to reduce overgrowth and fire risk and then donated to SEEAG. Trees are 6’ to 10’ tall. The cost is $100 per tree. SEEAG is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization so all tree purchases are tax-deductible. Trees can be pre-ordered by going to https://www.seeag.org/christmas. For questions about delivery, call 805-892-8155.

Our annual Howliday Donation Drive-Thru takes place Saturday, December 6, from 11am to 2pm. This year, we offer multiple drop-off locations in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, including Earl Warren Showgrounds and both locations of Klondike Pizza. We are grateful for dry and canned pet food donations as well as monetary gifts toward pet food and wellness services. All of the resources raised help keep pets healthy and with their families for life! https://care4paws.org/howliday/

Santa Monica Playhouse is excited to present the 19th anniversary production of its modern Halloween classic, Oct 4 – 26 only. It’s the delectable Family Theatre Halloween musical for Kids 2 to 102 – the heartwarming Rudie-DeCarlo tale of the aptly-named Candy, a sweet young girl who learns some surprising lessons about life, love, laughter, and sugar, from a delightful array of characters who take her on a magical All Hallow’s Eve adventure. And you, the audience, help Cattypuss, Patty Patches, Lester the Jester and Fifika the French Fortune Teller save Halloween for one more year.

Helmed by Playhouse Artistic Director Chris DeCarlo, with book, music & lyrics by DeCarlo, Evelyn Rudie & Matthew Wrather, the ingenious costumes are created by award-winning designer Ashley Hayes, with production and multi-media design by James Cooper and The Attic Room. ABSOLUTELY HALLOWEEN features internationally acclaimed Actors’ Repertory Theatre members Celeste Akiki, Isabel Lindley, J.T. Melaragno, Cydne Moore, Joseph Perez, Charlotte Robinson, Graham Silbert and Megan Wright. Birthday parties, hosted by gaily-costumed members of the ABSOLUTELY HALLOWEEN Company, are available in conjunction with every performance. It’s Around Town’s “Favorite Pick!” It’ll be yours, too! Saturdays, 2pm, Sundays 12:30, October 4-26 only.

41st Annual Memorial Program Light Up a Life

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice’s “Light Up a Life” events offer comfort and solace to those who have experienced loss, providing a meaningful opportunity to honor the memories of loved ones. Whether they were lost recently or long ago, near or far, “Light Up a Life” serves as a heartfelt tribute that brings joy and reflection during this holiday season. Join us for our 41st anniversary on the following dates and times:  

Constitution Park, 1287 Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo 
Saturday, December 6th from 4:30 pm – 5:30pm 

Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura 
 Wednesday, December 10th from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm 

Heritage Square, 715 South A Street, Oxnard  
Saturday, December 13th from 4:30 pm – 5:30pm 
   
Light Up a Life is for everyone. Join us for a heartfelt opportunity to honor and celebrate the lives of those we cherish. Our events feature touching readings, acts of remembrance, and a beautifully illuminated Tree of Life. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome to take part in this year’s Light Up campaign. By making a tax-deductible donation of $25 or more, you can have a star bearing your loved one’s name displayed throughout the holiday season in our online memory listing and in our touching video tribute at the events. Your contribution plays a vital role in sustaining our hospice and bereavement programs across Ventura County. Reserve your start today at www.lmvna.org/LightUpALife.