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Are you a songwriter or aspiring songwriter? Come to NAMBA to workshop, share and support each other in the creative process.

Rev. Heidi Alfrey is the featured speaker at Unity of Ventura, Sunday, June 25. Services are at 10:00 a.m. in "The Chapel" at the Ventura Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 6300 Telephone Rd. in Ventura. This Sunday is the last in a series of talks entitled “The Summer of Love,” inspired by the spiritual messages in the lyrics of certain Beatles songs. As Rev.

Rev. Heidi’s topic this week is “Let It Be.” She explains: “This song was written by Paul McCartney right before Paul left the Beatles. It was a turbulent time in his life. He had a dream in which his mother, whose name was Mary, came to him and said; ‘It will all be alright, just let it be.’ His mother’s reassurance spurred this beautiful ballad and helped Paul with what was a major life transition. How many times when life feels turbulent do we want to rail against life, or have regret and try to change things? Often the best solution is to step back, look for the lesson, and give the situation over to God, practicing faith in the Divine Order of things. Sunday's message will focus on turning fear into faith, to ‘Let it Be’.”

Following the service there will be a special Pot-Luck brunch and “Flower Power Bingo” to which all are invited. For more information, call 805-653-1059 or go to www.UnityofVentura.org.

Music during the service will be provided by Smitty and Juljia, Ojai-based artists known for their uplifting sounds and beautiful vocal harmonies. At Unity of Ventura, all lifestyles, faiths, genders and ethnicities are welcome.

Services are also available on Unity of Ventura Facebook.

Bringing The King To Life

The Blue Moon Boys have arrived on the scene to Rock the music of Elvis! Formed in 2021, the band of seasoned musicians and Elvis lovers are all from the Ventura area. We never fail to leave audiences dancing and asking for more!

The Blue Moon Boys play an upbeat and unique setlist that focuses on the Rockabilly roots of The King which continue to resonate with a live audience. We may not wear jumpsuits but we rock the style!

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) is pleased to present “Southern California Beach Culture from George Freeth to World War II” a lecture by Patrick Moser taking place on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. The presentation, incorporating some of the stories from Moser’s book, Surf & Rescue, will be enhanced with original photographs of the people and places who built California beach culture in the first half of the 20th century. Cost is free for SBMM’s Navigator Circle Members, $10 for all other members, and $20 for members of the public. There will also be a pre-lecture reception for members only from 6:15-6:45 p.m. Learn more about the event and register here: https://sbmm.org/santa-barbara-event/santa-barbara-maritime-museum-presents-southern-california-beach-culture-from-george-freeth-to-world-war-ii-a-lecture-with-patrick-moser/

Moser’s presentation introduces the early history of California beach culture as we recognize it today—surfing, lifeguards, and the image of California’s beaches as places of fun, health, and sex appeal. The arc of that story began with the arrival of native-Hawaiian George Freeth in Southern California in 1907. He made headlines with his rescue of seven fishermen, an act of heroism that highlighted his innovative lifeguarding techniques; but he also funded California's first surf club and coached both male and female athletes including Olympic swimming champion and “father of modern surfing” Duke Kahanamoku. Freeth combined surfing and lifeguarding to create the foundation of what would become an important part of the Golden State’s global identity.

Three friends and award-winning classical stars come together for an evening of chamber music at the highest level of cohesion and artistic insight. Gautier Capuçon’s powerful cello blends with the warm, brilliant tone of violinist Lisa Batiashvili and the finesse of Jean-Yves Thibaudet in a program of masterpieces that showcases their individual and collaborative gifts. “When you have the possibility to play incredible music with great friends onstage, this is just pure luxury,” Capuçon says. “There is nothing better than that.”

Movies by the Sea
Blue Hawaii
Movie start at Dusk

After being discharged from the U.S. Army, cool guy Chadwick Gates (Elvis Presley) returns home to Hawaii. Following several years of strict military life, Gates wants nothing more than to hang loose and surf all day. His family pressures him to work for the family pineapple business. Much to the chagrin of his snobby mother (Angela Lansbury), Gates lands a job as a tour guide at the same company where his girlfriend, Maile (Joan Blackman), also works.
Release date: November 22, 1961 (USA)
Director: Norman Taurog

Nickel Creek with special guest Hawktail


Nickel Creek is the platinum-selling, internationally renowned roots trio composed of mandolinist Chris Thile, violinist Sara Watkins and guitarist Sean Watkins. The Grammy Award-winning band has revolutionized folk and roots music since they captured the world’s attention with their self-titled LP, which showcased their instrumental virtuosity and songwriting prowess. All solo artists in their own right, the beloved trio’s 2023 album Celebrants represents a triumphant return to form after a nine-year break from recording and touring together.

One of our most respected voices on climate change, acclaimed author and investigative journalist Jeff Goodell offers an essential look at our world on fire. Probing archaeology, science, history, current events and more, Goodell paints a vivid picture of what’s at stake as we battle the invisible force of extreme heat.

Continuing its book launch series and to kick off the international month-long challenge of “Plastic Free July,” the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) is pleased to host a book signing and reading for Makana is a Gift, a new children’s book, written by local award-winning author Janet Lucy and illustrated by Mexican watercolor artist Alexis Cantu. This special community event on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. will take place on the museum’s patio. It will also include a brief discussion about the story, and a family art activity. Cost is free, but space is limited. Registration is required by emailing reservations@sbmm.org or online at: https://sbmm.org/santa-barbara-event/makana-is-a-gift/


About the Book
Makana is a Gift is the story of a little green sea turtle’s quest for identity and purpose, and an all-too-common life-threatening encounter with a plastic bag he mistakes for a jellyfish. Vibrant, life-like watercolor illustrations by Alexis Cantu introduce children to the undersea world and its diverse inhabitants. Through the story, children will learn about the biological beginnings of a sea turtle’s life as well as their ancient legacy, significance, and symbolism as well as the importance of ecological protection. The book also includes a “Discussion and Activities Guide” that explores the story’s themes as well as ways to eliminate plastic consumption. A “Resources” section lists ocean and sea turtle protection organizations worldwide plus more books on the topic for children and adults. Recommended for children ages 4 – 8, the book will inspire people of all ages and is available in both English and bilingual (Spanish-English) versions.


About the Author
Janet Lucy, M.A., is an award-winning writer and poet, who has authored and co-authored numerous books. She is the author of three award-winning children’s books in English and Spanish--The Three Sunflowers/Los Tres Girasoles, Mermaid Dreams/Sueños de Sirena, and Makana is a Gift/Makana es un Regalo. In addition, she is the co-author of Moon Mother, Moon Daughter – Myths and Rituals that Celebrate a Girl’s Coming of Age and the new Moon Circles Facilitator’s Guide and the By the Light of the Moon companion journal. Her most recent publication is the Ukranian-English version of The Three Sunflowers

Few historians have brought such insight, wisdom and empathy to public discourse as Harvard’s Jill Lepore. A two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, longlisted for the National Book Award and recipient of numerous awards and honors, Lepore brings her panoptic range and razor-sharp style to a discussion of the Supreme Court and the looming crisis of the U.S. Constitution’s unamendability. The U.S. Constitution was always meant to be added to and improved, so how has it become one of the most difficult in the world to change? And what are the consequences?