THURS., AUG. 31

Toastmasters' Contest Simi Valley Toastmasters Club hosts annual "Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest" at 7:30 p.m. at Sunrise Senior Living facility, 5300 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Guests interested in public speaking welcome. (805) 5778348

FRI., SEPT. 1

Bebop Concert Ronny & the Classics will bring the bebop music of the '50s and '60s to the stage at 8 p.m. at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. The band features outrageous stage antics, flashy zoot suits and great oldies music. $15 to $20. Reserve early by calling (805) 583-7900

SAT., SEPT. 2

A Ballroom Spin Thousand Oaks Dance Club hosts dances from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. tonight and Sat., Sept. 16 at the Goebel Senior Adult Ballroom Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Tonight the Starlighters present live music and on Sept. 16 it will be Moore Music. $5 to $7. (805) 381-2744

Take a 'Paws' to Read A "Paws 4 Healing" registered therapy dog will visit the Westlake Village Library, 31220 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village, from 2 to 4 p.m. and will "read along with" each child attending for 15 minutes. Ages 5 and up with parental waiver. (818) 865-9230

Comedian to Chat Stand up comedian Shelley Berman will discuss "History and Humor" from 1:15 to 2 p.m. at the West Valley Branch of the California Writers Club meeting in the Katzenburg Building at the Movie Television Fund Residence. Meeting is from 1 to 3 p.m. Visitors welcome. (818) 883-9685

Winery Open House Leeward Winery, 2784 Johnson Drive, Ventura hosts a Labor Day Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, tomorrow and Monday featuring tasting of new releases of 2002 Edna Valley Chardonnay and 2003 Edna Valley Syrah plus tours. Free. (805) 656-5054

Garden Happenings Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 350 W. Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks: From 10 a.m. to noon today the garden hosts a plant sale of native and water-wise plants in the nursery section. At 2 p.m. tomorrow Ed Hager will lead an informative walk through the rare fruit orchard. Free. (805) 494-7630

Fun for Active Adults The Ventura County Over the Hill Gang invites active people age 50 and over to get acquainted at their 4 p.m. meeting at a member's home in Agoura Hills. Club activities include recreation, dining, cultural events. Guests attend free. Call for location: (805) 495-8107

Coffee and Chat The Thousand Oaks Branch of American Association of University Women hosts a coffee and chat at the Side Street Cafe, 996 Lawrence Drive, Newbury Park. New and renewing members are welcome. Call for time: (805) 4932138

Book Sale in Oxnard Oxnard Friends of the Library host a special book sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in meeting room B at the library, 251 S. A St., Oxnard featuring vintage, rare, collectible and signed books, art, history, poetry, religion, etc. Children's books and fiction will start at 25 and 50 cents. (805) 485-1398

An Impressionist's Art Ines Blesilda "Bessie" Jacinto's impressionist paintings inspired by local and foreign landscapes will be on display today through Sept. 30 at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. The exhibit "Serene Wanderings II" will also feature poetry from the Women's Artistic Network. From 2 to 5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 16 the public may attend the artist's reception. (805) 583-3690

SUN., SEPT. 3

Mozart is Saluted The Bright Light Chamber Players will present a chamber music concert celebrating Mozart's 250th birthday at 2:30 p.m. at the Westlake Village Daniel K. Ludwig Library, 31220 W. Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village. (818) 865-9230

Animals and Music Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga: The children's concert series from 11 a.m. to noon will feature "Animals and Music" with the Wildworks Critters, and tunes by Mollie Hogan and Mike Martsolf. $8. (310) 455-3723

MON., SEPT. 4

Labor Day Breakfast Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks hosts a Labor Day breakfast from 9:30 to 11 a.m. for ages 50 and up featuring breakfast and entertainment. $2. For tickets call the Center at (805) 381-2744

Labor Day Picnic Democratic Party of Ventura County hosts its annual Labor Day picnic from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Freedom Park in Camarillo. Music, children's activities, raffle, barbecue, meet and greet Ventura County candidates and elected representatives. $7 to $20. (805) 477-1777

For Stevie Nicks Fans Bella Donna, a Tribute to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac, will recreate all of Stevie Nicks' hits with the band and solo when they perform at 5 p.m. in the final summer concert in the park at Conejo Community Park, 1175 Hendrix Ave., Thousand Oaks. Free. Leave pets home. (805) 381-2747

TUES., SEPT. 5

Discussion Group Language and Philosophy of Peace, an independent study group in Simi Valley, will hear from guest Laila Al-Marayati, MD, on "Women, Islam and Peace" at 7:30 p.m. in the community room of Simi Valley Library. Call the Redgates for information: (805) 583-8018

Gardening Tips Westlake Village Garden Club welcomes guests to the 9:30 a.m. meeting at Westlake Village City Hall, 31200 Oak Crest Drive, where they'll hear from professional Home Depot gardeners Martha Parker and Jane Triano discussing container gardening. Of special interest to those with small garden or patio areas only. (805) 496-4702

Artist Will Demonstrate Westlake Village Art Guild hosts guest Sadegh Aref whose paintings in acrylics have elements of abstractism, realism and cubism. Register 6 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m. at Los Robles Greens Banquet Center, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Aref will give demonstration of his style at 7:30 p.m. $7 to $28. (805) 379-5655

WED., SEPT. 6

Animal Expert's Advice Animal communicator Carol Gurney will conduct "Communication: A Workshop for Animal Owners" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Horse-NAround Art Gallery, 53 Moody Court, Thousand Oaks. $25 donation is directed to animal rescue organizations. (805) 494-7213

THURS., SEPT. 7

Woodworkers Meet Dan Gallo leads discussion on use of scroll saw and will show some of his intricate designs at 7 p.m. meeting of Conejo Valley Woodworkers Association at the Redwood Middle School, 233 W. Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks. Visitors welcome to attend. (805) 492-2968

Camarillo Democrats At 7 p.m. the Democratic Club of Camarillo will meet at UFCW Hall, 816 Camarillo Springs Road to hear from Herbert Gooch III, PhD, associate professor of political science at CLU, who will discuss "The Strategic Gamble: American Foreign Policy in the Middle East." Public welcome. (805) 383-6204

FRI., SEPT. 8

Splendor of Orchids Conejo Orchid Society hosts its annual Orchid Show and Sale from noon to 6 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow and 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Sale of a wide variety of orchids and supplies plus potting demonstrations and culture tips. (818) 889-1895, (805) 523-1857

Newcomers' Coffee Agoura Newcomers Club will host a coffee at 10 a.m. If you are new to the area or a long-time resident seeking to make new friends, join them. (818) 991-6590 for details

SAT., SEPT. 9

Backbone Trail News National Park Service hosts "Great Backbone Trail Celebration" at 11 a.m. at Peter Strauss Ranch, 30000 Mulholland Hwy. (at Troutdale Drive), Agoura. Get the latest Backbone Trail information from various agencies. For past and future Backbone Trail hikers. (805) 370-2301

Celebrating the Horse ETI Corral 37 Conejo Riders host "Day of the Horse" at 10 a.m. at Conejo Creek Equestrian Park, 1300 Avenida de las Flores, Thousand Oaks. Exhibitions, demonstrations and information about many horse breeds for all ages of riders. Free. (805) 494-8755

'Fiddler on the Roof' Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley presents "Fiddler on the Roof" tonight through Oct. 15. Shows at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m. matinees on Oct. 7 and 14, 7:30 p.m. show Thurs., Oct. 12. $14 to $20. (805) 583-7900

Simi YMCA Celebrates Simi Valley YMCA hosts annual Barn Party from 6 to 10 p.m. at Strathearn Historical Park, Simi Valley featuring live country band and entertainment, raffles, barbecue, silent and live auctions. Age 21 and older only. $40. (805) 583-5338

Swing Band Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.: From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. hear a tribute to the big band era performed by the Late Night Swing Band, then vocalist Mark Curran will sing tributes to Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Sammy Davis Jr. $44. (805) 449-2787

For Doodle Dog Lovers Southern California Labradoodle Romp and Picnic is from 1 to 5 p.m. in Malibu. Original Australian Labradoodle breeders will be there and there's a dog show at 4 p.m. Contact doodleromp@verizon.net

SUN., SEPT. 10

'Las Vegas Cool' Hospice of the Conejo hosts annual fundraiser "Las Vegas Cool" at 7:30 p.m. at The Oaks mall, Thousand Oaks. Event features live and silent auctions and opportunity to win more than $30,000 in prizes. Elvis impersonator Raymond Michael will entertain. Buffet-style hors d'oeuvres served. $50 advance or $75 at door. (805) 495-2145

Fashion Show and Tea The Simi Valley-Moorpark Republican Women host a Titanic-era fashion show with high tea from 2 to 4 p.m. at a private home in Simi Valley. Learn about the Edwardian era (1910 to 1915). Ticket price includes original signed cup and saucer by potter Don Swanson. $52. (805) 582-4931 Marie

MON., SEPT. 11

Action Photography Guest speaker Lori McElroy, freelance photographer specializing in sports and action photography, will offer tips for action shots during meeting of Digital Photo Group of Thousand Oaks Personal Computer Club, beginning with a Q & A session at 6:30 p.m. at Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. (805) 498-4669

TUES., SEPT. 12

Rotary Events The Agoura Hills/Oak Park Rotary Club will host a free breakfast buffet and program at 7:15 a.m. at the Renaissance Hotel, 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills. Dr. Discovery will give a presentation on "Mak

ing Science Fun for Kids." The club meets each week to hear from special guests. (818) 586-0426

Fight Financial Fraud Camarillo Council on Aging and city of Camarillo sponsor a program "Senior Citizens Can Fight Financial Fraud" presented by Ventura County Financial Abuse Specialist Team at 9:30 a.m. in city council chambers at City Hall, 601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo. Free. All ages welcome. (805) 388-5314

WED., SEPT. 13

Conejo Newcomers The Newcomers Club of the Conejo Valley hosts an open coffee from 10 a.m. to noon at Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Refreshments provided. Club is for those new to area or those looking to create new friendships. Social, non-philanthropic club offers many varied activities. (805) 677-2628

Simi Valley Days Arrive Twenty-second annual Simi Valley Days extends from today through Sept. 17 at corner of Madera Road and Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley and includes live entertainment by local bands, children's area, merchants and crafters pavilion, Battle of the Bands (Sept. 14), Simi Valley Days Parade (Sept. 16), oldfashioned picnic (Sept. 17), youth sports exhibition (Sept. 17). For more details visit the website at www.simivalleydays.org

Women Will Connect Thousand Oaks Women's Connection meets for luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Palm Garden Hotel, 495 Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park. Sayrelyn chef Sharon Simpson presents "Meals in Minutes," plus a musical guest. $20. (805) 497-2949