Community Calendar

OXNARD, CA: The U.S. Coast Guard released its latest summary of statistics for boating incidents, revealing 3,844 accidents that involved 564 deaths, 2,126 injuries and approximately $63 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents. Where cause of death was known, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 87% were not wearing a life jacket. Alcohol continued to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Not surprisingly, 74 percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.

The Coast Guard encourages all boaters take a boating safety course that meets the National Boating Education Standards before they go boating.

The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Boat America course is an introductory boater certificate course designed for the novice boater. The 1-day course on Saturday APRIL 19 in Oxnard, CA. consists of seven core lessons, providing up-to-date knowledge for boating safety. Coast Guard Auxiliary civilian instructors are experienced recreational boaters with in-depth knowledge of boating safety and skills. Topics include Introduction to Boating, Boating Law, Safety Equipment, Safe Operation and Navigation, Boating Emergencies, Trailering, and Sports and Boating tips.

This Boat America course provides the knowledge needed to obtain a California boating certificate. The Boater Card, issued from the state Division of Boating and Waterways, is required this year for ALL persons.

Class date is Saturday APRIL 19 , 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. Location is Coast Guard Recruiting Building, 4202 S. Victoria Ave. Oxnard, CA. Cost is $32.00. Checks payable to: “USCG Aux Flotilla 72”. RSVP by APRIL 14 is required, seating limited. Contact Auxiliarist Robert Hamming, rhamming@sbcglobal.net, (805) 701-7216.

Every city has a particular feel about it, defined by its architecture, demographics, geography, climate, and the people and cultures that have shaped the city from its founding to its current status. From historical to contemporary structures, these lectures will explore the iconic structures that identify various American cities and how they came to be. A variety of architectural styles are discussed, as well as the sociopolitical context in which these buildings were created.

San Francisco, the City by the Bay: From the establishment of the Presidio and Mission Dolores by Spanish missionaries to the growth of the city brought about by the Gold Rush, San Francisco boasts beautiful Victorian mansions, luxurious hotels, and many fascinating and historic structures such as the Palace of Fine Arts, Coit Tower, and Alcatraz Prison.

New York, The Big Apple: From its establishment by Dutch settlers to its modern skyscrapers, New York is a study in architectural styles. In America’s Gilded Age of the late 19th century, New York was a center of booming industry, reflected in the elegant mansions of the wealthy industrialists. Inspirational churches, sophisticated hotels, and noteworthy museums add to the cachet of this celebrated city.

Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures worldwide on art and architectural history, and leads art and architecture tours throughout the world. She has been named a Distinguished Instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people ages 50 and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university-level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.

Stitch a story of sustainability in our Sashiko Bookmarks workshop! Using scrap fabric and recycled thread, you’ll learn the traditional Japanese embroidery technique of sashiko to create beautiful, functional bookmarks. This mindful stitching practice reinforces fabric while adding intricate, eye-catching designs. Whether you're new to embroidery or a seasoned stitcher, this workshop offers a relaxing way to repurpose materials into something unique and useful. Join us to give old textiles new life—one stitch at a time!

Dorothea Lange produced an astonishing body of photographic work in a career that lasted from the 1920s, when she ran the most successful portrait studio in San Francisco, to her death in 1965. Best known for her Depression-era documentary work—including the world-renowned “Migrant Mother”—Lange brought the humanity of the poor into sharp focus.

Avril Angevine is an arts aficionado, teacher, and presenter with an interest in all things California. She has lived in the state since the age of 8 and is a proud graduate of California public schools, including the University of California, Berkeley. As an undergrad at UCLA and Berkeley, she studied English, several foreign languages, and art, and received an MA in Comparative Literature from UCB in 1977. Over a long career, she has alternated between teaching and publications work. She has taught English, French, and Humanities at numerous local colleges and universities, public and private, and in between, worked as a freelance graphics designer and as art director of the State Coastal Conservancy’s magazine, Coast and Ocean.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people ages 50 and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university-level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.

This event is for someone with a high interest in single-origin dark chocolate, where it comes from, how it's processed and the technicalities behind making shiny, lusciously smooth chocolate from what starts as a small, bitter bean. You’ll get to taste chocolate at every stage, from bean to bar (including sampling through all our single origin dark chocolate bars), as well as other products we make, like caramel and chocolate-covered espresso beans. We’ll describe the stages of roasting, sorting, refining and tempering. You’ll come away having tasted a lot of chocolate and having learned more about our specialty!

Join us on a beautifully paired wine and chocolate experience. This guided tour walks you through the chocolate making process, from bean to bar! Taste the cacao every step of the way and finish with a chocolate and beverage tasting that excitingly pairs three truffles with three sustainably-made, small production wines, selected and poured by our local wine partner, WINECULT.

Attendees will enjoy a welcome drink while we give a brief introduction to our bean-to-bar, dark chocolate making process. Ingredients for decorating will abound and inspire, and you'll learn a few tidbits about how we invent flavor combinations for new delicious, sweet products at our chocolate factory. We will fill chocolate bar molds with luscious 75% dark chocolate, and you will get to decorate chocolate bars with local ingredients, like flowers, salt and fruit. While bars are setting up, we will lead a 20-30 minute chocolate tasting experience while you sip on perfectly paired wines to enhance the flavors. We are happy to provide a non-alcoholic tasting experience for anyone in the group who might require that. Your custom chocolate bars will go home with you in beautiful, resealable Twenty-Four Blackbirds pouches. Don't miss out on this delicious experience!

AUDITION & PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP WITH NEKA ZANG
Young Performers! Join us on April 26th and 27th from 10 am – 3 pm, at NAMBA, 47 South Oak St., Ventura for a special workshop designed to elevate your storytelling by integrating the core elements of singing, dancing, and acting seamlessly. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or someone with limited experience, this workshop will teach you how to use dance as a powerful tool to develop characters, build stage presence, and elevate your performance. Beginners to Intermediate Performers (ages 13+ to young professionals) are encouraged to sign-up.

Workshop Overview: Broadway veteran Neka Zang, recognized for her work as both a performer and educator, leads this exclusive workshop. With credits including Wicked, Mary Poppins, American Psycho, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, and Rock of Ages, Neka brings extensive industry expertise directly to aspiring performers. This triple-threat workshop is designed to equip students with essential audition skills, professional insights, and industry strategies. Participants will learn how to seamlessly integrate singing, dancing, and acting to craft standout performances.

From refining audition techniques to mastering stage presence, this session will help young performers excel in both auditions and live performances. The workshop includes hands-on training in all three disciplines, culminating in an industry Q&A where students can ask Neka about audition strategies, career insights, and what it takes to succeed in the world of musical theatre and beyond.

Join us for this exclusive opportunity to learn from a Broadway professional—right here in Ventura!

For more information and registration, email nekazang@mac.com.

Every city has a particular feel about it, defined by its architecture, demographics, geography, climate, and the people and cultures that have shaped the city from its founding to its current status. From historical to contemporary structures, these lectures will explore the iconic structures that identify various American cities and how they came to be. A variety of architectural styles are discussed, as well as the sociopolitical context in which these buildings were created.

San Francisco, the City by the Bay: From the establishment of the Presidio and Mission Dolores by Spanish missionaries to the growth of the city brought about by the Gold Rush, San Francisco boasts beautiful Victorian mansions, luxurious hotels, and many fascinating and historic structures such as the Palace of Fine Arts, Coit Tower, and Alcatraz Prison.

New York, The Big Apple: From its establishment by Dutch settlers to its modern skyscrapers, New York is a study in architectural styles. In America’s Gilded Age of the late 19th century, New York was a center of booming industry, reflected in the elegant mansions of the wealthy industrialists. Inspirational churches, sophisticated hotels, and noteworthy museums add to the cachet of this celebrated city.

Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures worldwide on art and architectural history, and leads art and architecture tours throughout the world. She has been named a Distinguished Instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people ages 50 and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university-level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.

This event is for someone with a high interest in single-origin dark chocolate, where it comes from, how it's processed and the technicalities behind making shiny, lusciously smooth chocolate from what starts as a small, bitter bean. You’ll get to taste chocolate at every stage, from bean to bar (including sampling through all our single origin dark chocolate bars), as well as other products we make, like caramel and chocolate-covered espresso beans. We’ll describe the stages of roasting, sorting, refining and tempering. You’ll come away having tasted a lot of chocolate and having learned more about our specialty!