FRI., SEPT. 30

Guild to Host Boutique Centennial Guild of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles hosts a Holiday Boutique from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow at North Ranch Community Center, Westlake Village featuring holiday merchandise plus vendors selling gift items. Proceeds to benefit young patients. (818) 865-8912

Art & Craft Show The Originals Art & Craft Show features works in jewelry, art, pottery, home decor, specialty food and more, plus kids’ activities, entertainment and food sampling, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and tomorrow and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Seaside Park, Ventura. $4.50 to $8.50. (800) 321-1213

Violets on Display The Northern and Southern California African Violet Councils will present their judged show and sale at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada. The theme of the show is “California’s Gold.” Hours today are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.; on Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (818) 846-1241

Katrina Benefit Concert The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, hosts an “All Acoustic Evening” benefit concert from 7 to 10 p.m. with 100 percent of the proceeds being donated to Habitat for Humanity. The “We Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans” concert will feature soulful songs of the South. $30. Info at thefamilyrock@earthlink.net or (310) 455-3723

SAT., OCT. 1

Dance Club Dates Thousand Oaks Dance Club hosts dances from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. tonight and Sat., Oct. 15 at Goebel Senior Adult Ballroom Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. $5 to $7. (805) 381-2744

Special Quilt Event Conejo Valley Quilters present “A Gathering Under the Oaks” quilt show and quilt auction from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at Oak Park Community Center & Gardens, 1000 N. Kanan Road, Oak Park featuring quilt displays, quilt auction Sunday at 1 p.m. $7 for both days. www.conejovalleyquilters.com

Tour Artists’ Studios Valley Artists Studio Tour is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow. Self-guided tour of the studios of 42 fine artists. “Meet the Artists” reception with entertainment and an art sale is from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight. $25. (818) 572-3150

Moorpark

Country Days From 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. it’s Moorpark Country Days on High Street in Moorpark featuring an Elvis tribute, rides, games, arts and crafts, food, parade, variety of entertainment. (805) 517-1145

Pie Festival in Malibu From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. it’s the 16th annual Malibu Pie Festival in grassy courtyard of Malibu Country Mart, 3835 Cross Creek Road, with pie judging, kids’ activities, live music by Melvin Eddy’s Blues Band and the Malibu Jazz Funkedelics, pie eating contest. (310) 457-7505

Oktoberfest Fun Rotary Club of Newbury Park and Farmers Insurance present 19th annual Oktoberfest from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, featuring German food, dancing, live music, performances and traditions plus a parade, contests, hayrides, pumpkin picking and a petting zoo. $5. (805) 701-7248

Children’s Arts Festival Conejo Valley Chapter of National Charity League and Conejo Recreation & Park District present 11th annual Children’s Festival of the Arts featuring hands-on arts and crafts activities, music and entertainment from noon to 3 p.m. at Conejo Creek Park North, 1379 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Free. (805) 381-2793

Vintage Book Sale Simi Valley Friends of the Library host a Vintage Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the community room of the Simi Valley Library featuring 19thcentury first editions, signed editions, classics, children’s books, magazines, record albums and reference books from the early 1900s. (805) 5841266

Square Dance The Thousand Oaks PI-R Squares host a plus level square dance from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. $6. (805) 492-1442

SUN., OCT. 2

Blessing of Animals The public is invited to bring pets to the annual Blessing of the Animals at 10:15 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 280 Royal Ave., Simi Valley, held outside on the patio with “pet romping room” on the lawn. (805) 5265141

Westlake Car Show The Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce presents the 20th annual Westlake Village Auto Show (rain or shine) at 10 a.m. in the Hyatt Westlake Plaza parking lot, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. Entertainment, barbecue, raffle prizes. (805) 370-0035

Singles Social Event No Waiting Dating hosts a singles social affair with dance, dinner, prizes, guest speakers and free photo at Sportsmen’s Lodge, Studio City. $39. Register (818) 7738333

Fall Family Festival St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church hosts its fourth annual Fall Festival from 2 to 7 p.m. with a Family Fun Festival including live entertainment, kids’ games and activities, adult bingo, raffle, barbecue and pizza, Bargain Book Nook, classic cars on display, marketplace with creative crafts vendors and six authors available for book signing. (818) 991-3915

Japanese Culture Ventura County JACL hosts 15th annual Japanese Culture Day from 1 to 4 p.m. at Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo with sumo and judo demonstrations, dance, taiko and cultural exhibits, crafts-making and much more. (805) 677-4517

Baroque Music at CLU Ensemble Bella Musica will perform baroque music at 4 p.m. in the Preus-Brandt Forum on the California Lutheran University campus, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. $10 to $15. (805) 493-3308

MON., OCT. 3

Tapo Simi 4-H Club 4-H Club sign-ups will be held during the 7:30 p.m. meeting of the Tapo Simi 4-H Club at Valley View Middle School. Open to girls and boys ages 9 to 18, the club offers projects in home economics, recreation, the arts, animal care and more. (805) 582-0615

Songbirds on View Conejo Valley Audubon Society invites bird enthusiasts to attend a digital presentation of birds found in Canada’s Pt. Pelee National Park. Guest speaker Onik Arian will discuss the park, known for the presence of a wide variety of eastern songbirds. Public welcome. They meet 7:30 p.m. at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo. (805) 987-2721

TUES., OCT. 4

Explore Role of Humor Reading and discussion group “Thinking Man’s Group” explores the topic of “Comedy: How Does Humor Affect Peace in the World?”

at 7:30 p.m. in community room at Simi Valley Library. Open mic forum/discussion. Prepare to tell jokes, listen to them, analyze them, share stories. (805) 583-8018

A Passion Vine Primer “Purple with Passion” is the title of Jorge Ochoa’s talk and plant demonstration on the mysterious and exotic passion vine at the 9:30 a.m. meeting of the Westlake Village Garden Club at Westlake City Hall, 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village. (805) 496-9509

WED., OCT. 5

For Mothers of Multis Conejo Valley Mothers of Multiples hosts speaker Marilyn Greene, MF, who will discuss discipline for children of all ages at 7 p.m. at Horizon View Club, 15 Van Dyke St., Thousand Oaks. (805) 279-1562

Be a Better Speaker Daybreakers of Westlake meets 6:30 to 8 a.m. every Wednesday at the Baxter building in Westlake Village. Guests welcome to attend and enhance their public speaking skills. (805) 230-0050 Bill

THURS., OCT. 6

African Violets Thousand Oaks African Violet Society meets 7 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 667 Camino Dos Rios, Thousand Oaks for program on different aspects of growing African violets. Visitors and their plants welcome. (805) 381-0014

Learn Library System Newbury Park Branch Library, 233a Borchard Road, Newbury Park: From 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. a program will be offered demonstrating how to take full advantage of the Thousand Oaks Library Materials Catalog and the library’s databases. Free. (805) 498-2139

Woodworkers Meet Conejo Valley Woodworkers Association hosts an auction at 7 p.m. at Redwood Middle School, 233 W. Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks. Auction items are tools donated from dealers and members of the association including new power tools plus gift certificates, used tools. (805) 492-2968

Floral Design Class Floral design classes in the Sogetsu style will be offered at 9:30 a.m. today and Thurs., Oct. 20 in the garden center of the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 350 W. Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks. The cost for each class is $15 plus $10 for flowers or $50 per month (classes are offered on the first and third Thursday of each month). (805) 498-7421 Camille

FRI., OCT. 7

Job Search Tips Employment Development Department will sponsor a job search workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Simi Valley. Professionals will

learn new strategies for online job search, networking, cover letters, resumes, interviewing and more. This is part of a five-day intensive workshop offered by OPEN chapter of Experience Unlimited. Free but must register by phone at (805) 526-6349

SAT., OCT. 8

Simi Rummage

Sale The Busy Hand Garden Club will offer a wide variety of rummage items at bargain prices at 7 a.m. at 2830 Dalhart, Simi Valley, in a benefit for the nonprofit club’s emergency fund. (805) 5261648

Meet Wild Critters

Children and their folks can meet reptiles and raptors at the “Museum Gone Wild” program from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Ventura County Museum of History & Art, 100 E. Main St., Ventura. Animalthemed crafts, story telling and face painting. Reptiles and raptors from Ojai Raptor Center on hand from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Free with paid museum admission. (805) 653-0323

Native Plants for Sale The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 350 W. Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks, hosts a fall plant sale specializing in water-wise and California native plants from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and tomorrow in the Kids’ Adventure Garden area. Rain dates are Oct. 15 and 16. Admission free. (805) 494-7630

Literacy Tutors Needed Conejo Valley Adult School Literacy Program will offer a free literacy tutor workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Conejo Valley Adult School, Room A, 1025 Old Farm Road, Thousand Oaks. This workshop will prepare volunteers to tutor adults in basic literacy skills. Volunteers then commit at least two hours per week, days or evenings. To register: (805) 374-1161

Youth Stamp Fair From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Youth Stamp Fair will be presented in the cafeteria of Anacapa Middle School, 100 Mills Road, Ventura. All ages are welcome to attend and learn all about stamp collecting and techniques, win prizes, get free stamps. Free. (805) 485-7121

Relay for Life Conejo Valley Relay for Life is a 24-hour event to increase cancer awareness while raising funds for the American Cancer Society’s programs and services. It will be conducted today and tomorrow beginning 10 a.m. in Panther Stadium at Newbury Park High School. (818) 519-5256 Charles Volk, relay chair

A Show for Children Pepperdine University Center for the Arts will present the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia production of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites,” based on three popular children’s stories, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Smothers Theatre on the campus at 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. $10 to $15. For kids ages 4 to 7 and grades pre-K to 3. (310) 506-4522

SUN., OCT. 9

Vegas-Style Benefit A benefit for Hospice of the Conejo with a “Las Vegas Cool” theme will be presented from 7:30 p.m. to midnight at The Oaks mall, Thousand Oaks, featuring show girls, the Boogie Knights disco band, magician Christopher DePalma, a casino with blackjack, craps, roulette, a Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament, wine and beer, all-you-can-eat buffet. $50 admission includes $5,000 gambling money. (805) 402-8757

Woody Guthrie Tribute Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, hosts an old-fashioned family fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and “The Woody Show” at 2:30 p.m. as a day-long “Hootenanny” tribute to the American singer-songwriter who lived on the property. $7-$15. (310) 455-3723

MON., OCT. 10

Special Education Special Education Advisory Committee meets 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Room G9 at Oak Park High School, 899 N. Kanan Road, Oak Park. Featured speakers are Oak Park Unified School District Superintendent Tony Knight and Cathy Skiba, director of pupil services. (818) 5225211 Leigh Haikin

TUES., OCT. 11

T.O. Women’s

Connection Thousand Oaks Women’s Connection presents “Chocolate Delights” featuring Ellen Ansok from “Cakes by You” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Clarion Palm Garden Hotel, 495 Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park. Former college theater teacher Charisse Williams will speak on “A Time for Change.” Musical guest is Dolly Thompson. $20. (805) 4972949

Local Author Talks Agoura resident and author/writing workshop teacher Louise Cabral will read from and sign copies of her new novel about the mistress of William Shakespeare from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Agoura Hills Library, 29901 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills. (818) 889-2278

THURS., OCT. 13

Discover Antarctica Conejo Gem & Mineral Club will host speaker Sal Scarpato discussing “Antarctica, the Bottom of the World,” a slide presentation during their meeting that begins 7:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Arts Center, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. There will be a youth program, Pebble Pup Workshop, during the business meeting. Public welcome. Free. (818) 707-9972

C.V. Moms and More The Conejo Valley Chapter of Mothers and More hosts a “Mommy Jeopardy” event during their 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. meeting at the Westlake Village Civic Center, 31200 E. Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village. RSVP (805) 499-5756

FRI., OCT. 14

Sinbad Hosts Benefit Comedian Sinbad hosts a benefit presented by Hope ‘N’ Harmony for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties at 8 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, with a 6:30 p.m. reception for ticketholders featuring cocktails, food and silent, live auctions of celebrity memorabilia. Also performing will be the Bacon Brothers and the Commodores. Premium seating and VIP reception $504 to $1,004; other tickets range from $79 up to $254. Pur

chase through Ticketmaster at

(213) 480-3232 ComedySportz LA, the professional company of the National Comedy Theater in Hollywood, performs their improv show at 7 p.m. in Agoura High School’s G Building. Proceeds to Red Cross to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims. $10

but order early: (818)

879-6542 SAT., OCT. 1 ComedySportz at AHS