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"One might argue that death in war is merely a matter of increased probability, but not different in principle from death in time of peace. But this would be a superficial view, for it is not the frequency of death but the manner of dying makes a difference.”
Humans are not unique in resorting to violence to slack desire, defend or assert themselves. Animals kill and hunt in packs. But the constituent degree of organization and appeal to justification are distinctly human.
In two sessions, we reflect on the nature and changing character of war. Are we “hard-wired” to destructiveness? What is the attraction of war? How do changes in technology (nukes and drones), economy (computers and globalization) and social values (democracy and equality) impact its practice? Intending an end to war, can we afford not to prepare for it? In a nuclear and global age, what is war?

Dr. Herbert Gooch is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at California Lutheran University. He formerly served as Director of the Masters in Public Policy and Administration program and Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies at Cal Lutheran. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley in History, he holds a M.B.A in Management and both masters and doctoral degrees in Political Science from U.C.L.A. He has written extensively and is a frequent commentator on political affairs locally and statewide. He has been at Cal Lutheran since 1987 and lives in Newbury Park with his wife. His interests include politics, film and travel.

Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

On Friday, August 26, 2022 at 7:00 PM, the Music Teachers’ Association of California, Conejo Valley Branch will present teacher members performing music by women composers in celebration of Women’s Equality Day and the certification of the 19th Amendment. Compositions for piano, winds, and piano quartet will be performed by Kay Min, Tomiko Taylor, Tachell Gerbert, Bradley Gregory, Ann Erwin, Fred Beerstein, and the Luminoso Piano Quartet.

Rev. Sherri James is the featured speaker at Unity of Ventura, Sunday, September 4. Services are at 10:00 a.m. at the Santa Paula Room in the Poinsettia Pavilion (3451 Foothill Rd., Ventura). Her topic is: “Fulfilling the Law.”

Rev. Sherri invites us to join her for a powerful conversation on the Universal Force that harmonizes, synthesizes and smooths out everything concerning our lives. Through the discussion we will learn how to awaken more love in our experience with practical, actionable things we can do today.

An ordained minister with the Universal Foundation for Better Living, Rev. Sherri serves as Senior Minister for Understanding Principles in Los Angeles. She is the Founder of The Sherri James Company, home to the Bible Hangout as well as her new course, Manifesting Money. Professionally, Rev. James serves as the Director of Operations for retirement planning firm EFC Wealth Management.

Music during the service will be provided by Smitty and Juljia, Ojai-based artists known for their uplifting sounds and beautiful vocal harmonies. Unity of Ventura celebrates diversity and honors our oneness. All lifestyles, faiths, genders and ethnicities are welcome. Following the service is an informal gathering for coffee/tea/snacks on the Poinsettia Pavilion patio with its panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.

For more information, contact Jana Rector at 805-794-5787 or go to www.UnityofVentura.org.

Dirty Cello – cello like you’ve never heard before! Combine the virtuosic wail of Jimi Hendrix, the soul of BB King, and the fire of Bill Monroe, and add a whole lot of cello, and you get the Dirty Cello band.

Dirty Cello performs all over the world, from Iceland to Israel, from Scottish castles to underground caves presenting an energetic and wild show that’s been described as, “Dirty Cello’s music is all over the map: funky, carnival, romantic, sexy, tangled, electric, fiercely rhythmic, and textured, and only occasionally classical.” by Oakland Magazine.

Hailed by John Renbourn as ‘the best Celtic guitarist in the world’ Tony McManus has also been listed as one of the 50 transcendent guitarists of all time by Guitar Player Magazine. Tony has both extended and transcended the parameters of contemporary Celtic music. Ranked by peers and predecessors alike alongside the guitar world’s all-time greats, his fiendishly dexterous, dazzlingly original playing draws on traditions from the entire Celtic world, along with still further-ranging flavours such as jazz and eastern European music. Long applauded for his uncanny ability to transpose the delicate, complex ornamentation characteristic of traditional bagpipe or fiddle tunes – even the phrasing of a Gaelic song – onto his own six strings, McManus is increasingly being acknowledged also as a pioneering figure in bridging the realms of Celtic music and other guitar genres.

The Ventura Improv Company is a collective of improvisers that gather to grow in our craft and co-create. We exist to enrich people’s lives through excellent improv education and hilarious shows.

Our vision is a world filled with laughter.
Our passion is creating joy.

Esteban Ramirez
If you love romance, you’ll love Esteban!

Esteban Ramirez and his quartet ensemble combine his mastery of the acoustic grand piano interspersed with select poetry readings to inspire the senses. With touching ensemble accompaniments consisting of cello, flute, violin, and clarinet, his original neo-classical instrumental compositions will touch your heart and his poetry will move your soul.

After 3 years on hiatus, Café KITP is back! The evening begins with a presentation by our featured physicist, then continues into a discussion/Q&A that is facilitated by an interlocutor who inspires the audience to engage with the subject and the speaker. Join us September 21 for a talk from Postdoctoral Scholar Zhu-Xi Luo (KITP and Harvard) titled "Generating Entanglement through Measurements: A Time to Tear Down and a Time to Build.”

Talk Abstract: Entanglement is one of the primary features of quantum systems, which characterizes how one part of a system is independent of the remainder. To reveal entanglement, measurements can be conducted. However, in the quantum world, one cannot measure a system without affecting it. In many situations, measurements simply destroy the entanglement of interest. Zhu-Xi Luo will describe how to turn the game around: we design competing measurements to generate more entanglement, realizing exotic phases of matter that are potentially useful for robust quantum computation.

Doors open at 5PM
Seating is first-come, first-served
Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and there is no drink minimum or cover charge.

Aberdeenshire folksinger, Iona Fyfe, has become one of Scotland’s finest singers, rooted deeply in the singing traditions of the North East of Scotland. In 2021, she became the first singer to win the coveted title of Musician of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Iona is a fierce advocate for the official recognition of the Scots Language, leading a successful campaign to pressure Spotify into recognising Scots and add it to its list of languages. Honoured at the Scots Language Awards with the title of Speaker of the Year in 2021, Iona performs both folk and pop songs in the Scots language, remaining true to her rooting in tradition. Iona has featured in several publications including The Sunday Post, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Times. She won the title of Scots Singer of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in 2018 and was described as “one of the best Scotland has to offer.” (Global-Music.de)

Fresh off her 1961 Academy Awards triumph and a recent brush with death, Elizabeth Taylor is struggling with her hardest role yet: herself. Through an intimate conversation with her biographer, CALL ME ELIZABETH examines the movie star’s early life, career, and loves as she grapples with the culture of celebrity and her place as Hollywood’s brightest star.

In a sensitive and finely-acted performance, Kayla Boye captures the instantly recognizable voice and mannerisms of Elizabeth Taylor and wins her audience’s hearts. Whether you’re interested in the Golden Age of Hollywood, or simply in the stories of female powerhouses, you’re in for a real treat with this superb show.