THURS., DEC. 16

THURS., DEC. 16

Walnut Winter Concert

Walnut Canyon School, 280 Casey Road, Moorpark: At 7 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium, the school’s strings students will perform a full program of music.

Middle East Discussed

Dr. Mehran Kamrava, chair of the Department of Political Science at Cal State University Northridge, will discuss the "sensitive and emotional issues" of the Middle East and the question of democracy when Ventura County Supporters of Global Exchange meet at 7 p.m. at Thousand Oaks Public Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Free. (805) 375-9939

Oak Park Gardeners

Oak Park Gardeners meet at 7 p.m. at Mae Boyar Park, 130 Kanan Road, Oak Park, for membership renewal (a mandatory meeting). Nonmembers welcome. (818) 889-3518 Adriane Lubin

Christmas Concert

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 32111 Watergate Road, Westlake Village: At 7:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night, the Chancel Choir and Orchestra will perform a special arrangement of "A Festival of Lessons and Carols" and traditional Christmas carols featuring familiar carols and readings to tell the Christmas story. Suitable for all ages. Free. (818) 889-1491, (805) 496-2394

Choirs to Perform

The Thousand Oaks High School Choral and Bell Choral groups will present a winter holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s Performing Arts Center, 2323 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. The Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Women’s Glee, Madrigals, Bell Choir and selected soloists will perform a variety of holiday songs. $6. (805) 495-7491

FRI., DEC. 17

Simi Art Festivities

Simi Valley Art Association hosts "a festive evening of art, food and fun" at 7:30 p.m. at Simi Valley Library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road, featuring a demonstration by award-winning watercolor painter Pong Apinyavat, silent auction, buffet. $2 to $4. (805) 584-1850

Agoura Youth Dance

Sixth- through eighth-graders invited to "Loungin’ After Dark" from 8 to 10 p.m. at Agoura Hills Recreation Center, 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Agoura Hills, featuring music, Hart 2 Hart interactive DJs and dancing. $8. (818) 597-7361

Folk Dance Lessons

The West Valley Folk Dancers offer an evening of participation in and instruction of international folk dances from 7:15 to 10 p.m. at the Canoga Park Senior Center, 7326 Jordan Ave., Canoga Park. Line, couple, set and mixer dances from many different countries for all ages and experience levels will be taught. $3. (818) 591-9078

Salsa Holiday Fun

Borderline Nightclub, 99 Rolling Oaks Drive, Thousand Oaks presents a "Salsation" Holiday Party. Dance lessons at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Beginners welcome. Special Latin dance show with Los Rumberos. $12 per person for Salsa dance lessons, dance show and "Yari More." Dinner reservations: (805) 446-4435

SAT., DEC. 18

‘Nutcracker’ in T.O.

Westlake High School sophomore Ariana Dewing and Oaks Christian sophomore Alison Lubin, both 15, will perform as Clara in the California Dance Theatre’s production of "The Nutcracker" today and tomorrow at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Matinees and evening performances each day. Call box office for show times and ticket pricing. (805) 449-2787

Holiday Film Festival

City of Calabasas Library, 23975 Park Sorrento St., Calabasas presents a holiday film festival featuring family films with fun and humor for the holidays, at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., with a different movie at each of these times. Kids 8 and under need an adult with them to be admitted. (818) 225-7616

Take a Strenuous Hike

Point Mugu State Park: Coastwalk members lead Big Sycamore Canyon to Serrano Canyon hike at 9 a.m. Hike a 9-mile loop with 1,100-ft. elevation gain to a ridge above Serrano Valley for views of Boney Mountain and the ocean. Six-hour trip. (805) 985-3728

A Square Dance

Camarillo Ripsnorters Square Dance Club hosts a plus-level square dance with rounds 7 to 8 p.m. and between tips, Squares from 8 to 10:30 p.m., at Camarillo Community Center, corner of Carmen and Burnley, Camarillo. $6. (805) 482-3201

Fun With Nature

Malibu Creek State Park Docents present "Fun With Nature" program from 1 to 3 p.m. at Malibu Creek State Park, in Calabasas at junction of Malibu Canyon Road and Mulholland Hwy. For children young and old. Enjoy exhibits, displays, crafts and games at the visitor center. (818) 889-6238

Health & Fun Fair

Actress Amanda Bynes will be headline guest at the inaugural Family Health & Fun Fair from noon to 3 p.m. in the parking lot at 325 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, between Kaiser Permanente and Office Depot. Toys for Tots drop boxes will be on hand for donations of toys that are not gift wrapped. Free. (805) 557-1266

Artists Exhibit Work

The Artists of the Promenade will display their fine art from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Westlake Promenade, at the corner of Thousand Oaks and Westlake Boulevards, in front of Bristol Farms.

SUN., DEC. 19

Church Choir Performs

Saint Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, 5801 Kanan Road, Westlake Village: Church’s adult choir, youth contemporary singers, children’s choir, sacred dancers and solo performers will present a Christmas concert in the sanctuary at 8 p.m. Free. (818) 991-3915

Dogs Invited on Hike

"Dogs Rule" hike is at 4 p.m. at Sooky Goldman Nature Center at Franklin Canyon Ranch. Meet and greet other friendly doggie pals on a moderately-paced hike. Learn dog-hiking safety tips while enjoying the trails. Dogs must be on leash and cleaned up after. Call for directions and reservations: (310) 858-7272, ext. 131

Pepperdine Hails Raitt

Pepperdine University Center for the Arts presents a tribute to Broadway legend and Pepperdine benefactor John Raitt at 2 p.m. in Smothers Theatre on campus at 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu featuring a special acoustic performance by John Raitt’s daughter, Grammy Award winner Bonnie Raitt plus a pastiche of some of John Raitt’s great stage numbers performed by musical theatre students. Proceeds will benefit scholarships for Pepperdine University theatre students. $50-$200. (310) 506-4522

Scouts Host Sale

Cub Scout Pack 3753 will host the "Last Chance Christmas Boutique" from 1 to 5 p.m. at Cypress Elementary School, 4200 Kimber Drive, Newbury Park. Last minute gift ideas include jewelry, clothing, home decor, skin care products and more, plus visit the hot chocolate bar. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Cub Scout Pack 3753. (805) 523-0415

MON., DEC. 20

Softball Clinic

Oaks Christian will host a Holiday Softball Clinic for girls ages 6 to 14 from 9 a.m. to noon today, tomorrow and Wednesday on the school’s softball field, 31749 La Tienda Drive, Westlake Village. Clinic will cover pitching, catching, fielding, base running and hitting. Bring own equipment (glove, bat, cleats, sliders, etc.). $60. Register at the clinic. (818) 575-9252

TUES., DEC. 21

Music of the Season

Madrid Theatre, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park: "An Afternoon of Holiday Favorites," a family program, will feature jazz-flavored arrangements of holiday classics. $5. (818) 347-9938

Chorus Rehearses

The Agoura Hills Harmony Chorus welcomes all women who love to sing to their rehearsals at 7:15 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 1 Church Road, Thousand Oaks. (805) 531-3714

FRI., DEC. 24

Celebration in L.A.

L.A. County Holiday Celebration is from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles and features seasonal music and dance. Forty performing groups including choirs, music ensembles and dance companies. Hosted by Henry Winkler and Elayne Boosler. Free admission and free parking. (213) 972-3099

SAT., DEC. 25

Holiday Hiking

Cold Creek Canyon Preserve, Calabasas: At 11 a.m. it’s the annual Traditional Toyon Trek, a 1,200-ft. elevation gain 6-mile loop hike through Stunt Ranch and Cold Creek Preserve. Bring goodies to share, lunch and water. Meet at Lower Stunt High Trailhead. Lasts about 3 hours. For directions call (818) 591-1701

WED., DEC. 29

Learn About Reptiles

The O’Grady Family and their exotic Reptile Family of pets will teach adults and children how to handle reptiles with care and respect from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Free. Reservations requested: (805) 381-2744

FRI., DEC. 31

A Buddy Holly Bash

Madrid Theatre, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park: The Buddy Holly "Rave On" Review stars John Mueller, star of Broadway’s "Buddy Holly Story." Featuring the tunes of Buddy Holly and the Crickets. An evening for the whole family, with late-night dessert, champagne and goodies. $45. (818) 347-9938

New Year’s Eve Dance

Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks hosts a New Year’s Eve Dance for adults ages 50 and up from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. featuring live music by the Windsors, hors d’oeuvres, New Year’s Eve toast, midnight balloon drop, complimentary photos. Singles, couples welcome in dressy evening attire. $25. (805) 381-2744

SAT., JAN. 1

Hike Strauss Ranch

At 10 a.m. join an easy-paced docent-led walk at Peter Strauss Ranch, 30000 Mulholland Hwy. at Troutdale Drive in Agoura. Free. (805) 370-2301

TUES., JAN. 4

Protecting Environment

Mark Burley, co-chair of Save Our Ring of Green, will address ways in which citizens can protect Ventura County’s environment and quality of life at 7 p.m. meeting of Ventura County Supporters of Global Exchange at Newbury Park Library, 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park. Free. (805) 375-9939

WED., JAN. 5

Moms Teach Discipline

"Discipline with Love and Logic" will be the lecture presented by Nicole Vitto, a mother of twins and counselor with the Conejo Valley Unified School District at the 7:30 p.m. meeting of Conejo Valley Mothers of Multiples at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. (805) 484-8821

THURS., JAN. 6

About African Violets

Thousand Oaks African Violet Society meets at 7 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 667 Camino Do Rios, Thousand Oaks, offering a culture class and program on different aspects of growing African violets. Visitors and their plants welcome. (805) 581-0014

FRI., JAN. 7

‘Cuckoo’s Nest’

Elite Theatre Company presents Dale Wasserman’s "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" based on Ken Kesey’s novel from tonight through Feb. 13 at the Petit Playhouse, 730 S. "B" St., in Oxnard’s Heritage Square. Show times are at 8 p.m. Fri.- Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. $13-$15. (805) 483-5118

Kids to Perform Spoof

Chamberlains’ Performing & Fine Arts Academy will present 60 local child actors in the musical spoof for families "Little Mary Sunshine" at 7:30 p.m. tonight and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in the Smothers Theatre on the campus of Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. $10. Reservations: (818) 735-9464

MON., JAN. 10

History of Quilts

"Quilting Through the Ages" is the program and slide presentation when Conejo Valley Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, meets at noon at Marie Callender’s Restaurant, 20 W. Cochran, Simi Valley. There will be a display of members’ quilts. (805) 532-1148

SAT., JAN. 15

Dance to Live Band

Thousand Oaks Dance Club hosts a dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, where the Star Lighters live band will perform. $5 to $7, singles and couples welcome. (805) 381-2744

SUN., JAN. 16

A Dog and Cat Circus

Master juggler Gregory Popovich brings his Comedy and Pet Theatre featuring trained dogs and cats he rescued from animal shelters to the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., at 7 p.m. $14 to $20. (800) 504-8587

THURS., JAN. 20

Prevent Fires, Falls

Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks: From 12:15 to 1:30 p.m., the Ventura County Fire Department’s Office of Community Education will present "Remembering When?" a humorous and interactive presentation to teach seniors how to prevent fires and falls. Raffle with safety prizes, giveaways. Free. Register: (805) 381-2744

SAT., JAN. 22

Toadstool Workshop

Bob and Carol Furniss of Peak District National Park in Derbyshire County of central England will teach an English Cottage Toadstool workshop, where participants learn to make an artificial stone mushroom garden accessory that should gather moss as it weathers. From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Soka University, 26800 W. Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas. $10. Reservations: (818) 878-3741