Datebook

FRI., SEPT. 21

Evolving Planets Ventura County Astronomical Society meets 7:30 p.m., multipurpose room Mesa Union School, Somis. Speaker: Stan Metchev, postdoctoral fellow UCLA. Topic: "From stars to planets," on planetary evolution. Free, open to public. (805) 642-5166, vcas1@aol.com, www.vcas.org.

Portrait In Pastel Simi Valley Art Association hosts a demonstration of portrait painting by artist Elena Roche, 7:30 p.m., Simi Valley Library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road. Roche creates portrait using soft pastel media. Drawing for artwork. Refreshments served. $5 donation. Michelle Adler, (805) 5264599.

SAT., SEPT. 22

Fine Weaving Ventura County Handweavers and Spinners Guild meets 9:30 a.m., 701 S. Del Norte Blvd., Units 115 & 120, Oxnard. Free, open to public. Chris Villalovos (805) 527-1915.

Right On Target Conejo Valley Archers shoot 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. rain or shine, Tapo Canyon Park, 4651 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley. Equipment, instructors provided. All ages. $3. (805) 5301339, www.cvarchers.org.

Square Dance Buckles and Bows Square Dance Club hosts plus level square dance with A-1 tip, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Goebel Senior Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Guest caller: Pat Carnathan. $6 donation. John and Shirley, (805) 499-2920.

Hoist The Colors Gold Coast Festivals presents Pirate Faire, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., today and Sunday, also Sept. 29, 30 at Lake Casitas, Ojai. West Coast's largest gathering of pirates, buccaneers. Three stages, street performers, costume contests, children's activities, pirate's market, tavern, food court. Same schedule each day. $15 adults, $7 children under 12, $12 seniors. Children 4 and under free. (805) 496-6036.

SUN., SEPT. 23

Fiddlers Play California State Old time Fiddlers Association meets 1:30 p.m., Oak View Community Center, 18 Valley Road. Free. All ages welcomed for music, dancing. Refreshments served. (805) 517-1131.

Jumpin' Jive Simi Valley Jazz Club meets 1 to 5 p.m., Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. Listen, dance to live music from 20s through 50s. Open jam sessions. Featured band: Patti Kelly and Her Men Of Note. $6 members, seniors attending for first time. $9 nonmembers. Lorrell Cooper, (805) 527-5905, www.simivalley jazzclub.com.

String Music Benefit Calabasas High School Music Boosters hosts a benefit recital, 4 p.m., private home in Calabasas. New Hollywood String Quartet plays music by Ravel, Schubert. Janet Crouch Shulman is guest cellist. $85. Refreshments served. For tickets, Sherri, (818) 222-0271; Cynthia, (818) 591-1026

MON., SEPT. 24

Luncheon RSVP Reservations/payment due for Conejo Valley Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution meeting/luncheon Mon., Oct. 1, garden room, Plug Nickle Restaurant, 717 Lakefield Road, Westlake Village. RSVP Sandy Krutilek (805) 532-1041.

Fashionable Benefit Brandeis University National Women's Committee San Fernando Valley Chapter hosts annual Polka Dot Luncheon, 10 a.m., Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills. Shopping boutique, fashion show, luncheon. Proceeds to medical research. $75. Linda Pomerantz (818) 225-1610, Eunice Brown (818) 342-3881.

TUES., SEPT. 25

Fundraising Luncheon Brandeis University National Women's Committee Conejo Chapter hosts second annual fundraising luncheon, 11:30 a.m., North Ranch Country Club, 4761 Valley Spring Drive, Westlake Village. Guest speaker: Rabbi Mark Borovitz, former mobster. $65. RSVP Shelly, (818) 874-0044.

WED., SEPT. 26

Chanson du Soir Ventura County Classical Guitar Society meets 7 p.m., Recreation and Park District Senior Center, 1605 Burnley, Camarillo. 8 p.m. guest performer Chanson du Soir with David Isaacs, guitar and Chelsea, soprano. (805) 4826224, www.vccgs.com.

Fine Stitchery Channel Islands Chapter The Embroiderers' Guild of America meets 9:30 a.m., Camarillo United Methodist Church, 291 Anacapa Drive. Beginners welcome. (805) 498-5956.

Public Speakers Moorpark Toastmasters meets weekly, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Boys & Girls Club, 200 Casey Road, Moorpark. Learn communication, leadership skills. Linda Martins, (805) 501-5229.

Wine In Woodland Hills Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce hosts Fine Wine Wednesday and silent auction, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tarzana Community and Cultural Center, corner Ventura and Vanalden. Wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, mingle. (818) 347-3321.

Play Along Simi Valley Acoustic Music Club meets 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. in Simi Valley private home. Play in song circles or listen. Public invited. M. Gregory, (805) 579-6416.

THURS., SEPT. 27

Public Forum Westlake Joint Board of Homeowners Associations host a forum with Westlake City Council members, 7:30 p.m., North Ranch Community Centre, 1400 N. Westlake Blvd. Public welcome. Kathy (805) 497-2276.

Women Of Westlake Westlake Village Junior Women's Club hosts New Member Social, 7:30 p.m., at private home in Westlake Village. Cocktails served. Meet active members, learn about club. Brooke MacLean (805) 7781085, www.westlakejuniors.org.

All About Education Calabasas Chamber Luncheon, 11:30 to 1:30 p.m., Calabasas Country Club, 4515 Park Entrada. Guest speaker: Donald Zimring, superintendent of Las Virgenes Unified School District. Topic: "State of education in California." $30 members, $35 nonmembers and those without reservations. Country Club dress code forbids jeans, denim, Tshirts, gym/athletic wear, cellphones. RSVP Cheryl at Chamber office (818) 222-5680.

Chamber Networking Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce reception, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Citibank, 5837 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills. Catered by Agoura's Famous Deli.

Rose In Bloom Ventura County Rose Society meets at Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center, 5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo. Doors open 6:30 p.m., questions and answers by consulting rosarians. Rose show 7 p.m. Attendees welcome to bring roses to display. Guest speaker Paula Smart discusses "Growing Dahlias and Roses" 7:30 p.m. Refreshments provided. Visitors welcome. Janet Sklar, (818) 993-6622; Dawn-Marie Johnson, (805) 523-9003, www.venturarose.org.

FRI., SEPT. 28

Off To See Wizard Mesa Verde's Renaissance Club hosts Family Movie Night with "The Wizard of Oz," Mesa Verde Middle School lower field, 1400 Peach Hill Road, Moorpark. 6:30 p.m. snacks, playing on the field. 8 p.m. movie begins. Pizza, candy, soda, ice cream, popcorn sold. All proceeds to school Renaissance program. Admission: donation. Kelley Cambalik (805) 378-6309.

Java And Friends Agoura Newcomers Club hosts a coffee for those new to the area or longtime residents who want to make new friends, 10 a.m. For RSVP, location, (818) 889-2084.

Swingers Swing Simi Valley Council on Aging presents dance, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. Doors open, dance instruction 7 p.m. Music by Dennis and the Swinging Trio. Admission $6. Door prizes, refreshments. Proceeds support senior programs. (805) 583-6041.

SAT., SEPT. 29

Tune Up To Success Troop Real Estate Community Awareness Realtors Engaged (CARE) Team presents musical fundraiser with recording artist, composer, producer Freddie Ravel and his Tune Up to Success motivational program, Moorpark High School Performing Arts Center, 4500 Tierra Rejada Road. Silent auction 6 p.m., performance 7 p.m. Event benefits Moorpark High School Academic Decathlon Team. $25 general admission, $50 for VIP seating, backstage reception with Ravel. (805) 312-5511.

All You Can Eat Thousand Oaks High School Lancer Band serves annual pasta dinner, 6 to 8 p.m., Thousand Oaks High School, 2323 Moorpark Road. Ensembles from band perform. Penne pasta with marinara sauce from Gino's Trattoria, salad, garlic bread, sodas or coffee. $9 adults, $5 seniors & children under 12. Gourmet desserts, coffee bar $2.50 additional. Frances (805) 370-8899.

Buy A Book Friends of the Calabasas Library hosts book sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 23975 Park Sorrento. Children's books, best sellers, classics for adults. All books $2 or less. (818) 225-7616.

Saddle Up ETI Corral 37 Conejo Riders presents third annual "Day of the Horse," 10 a.m., Conejo Creek Equestrian Park, 1300 Avenida de Las Flores, Thousand Oaks. Most breeds represented. Drill team, riding demos, buggy rides, a veterinarian, shoer, feed store owners, 4H and Pony Club booths. Free admission. Proceeds from barbecue lunch benefit Ride On Therapeutic. Barbara Kloster, (805) 494-8755, computersnoway@roadrunner.com.

Kids Make Art Children's Festival of the Arts, noon to 3 p.m., Conejo Creek Park North, 1379 E. Janss Road. Crafts, face painting, Box City, magic shows, clowns. Music by The Sunflowers, the Hollow Trees. Free admission; refreshments for sale. Children wear play clothes. (805) 381-2791.

All-Star Concert All-Star Spectacular Benefit Concert for the City of Hope, 7 p.m., Malibu Performing Arts Center, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road. Doors open 6 p.m. Host Denis Leary. Performers include Martin Short, Bobcat Goldthwait, Mad TV cast, The Knack. For ages 18 up. $75 to $275. Portion of ticket is tax-deductible. Net proceeds to City of Hope. (310) 4576722, ext. 103. www.ticketweb.com.

Walk For The Dogs

Animal Rescue Volunteers, Secret Garden Restaurant host three-mile charity walk, 8 to 11:30 a.m., Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. Dogs welcome. Complimentary breakfast, prizes, silent auction, pet adoptions, doggie costume contest. Proceeds help with rescue program. No entry fee. Preregistration required. (805) 579-8047, www.arvsimi.org.

TUES., OCT. 2

Gourd Art Westlake Village Garden Club meets 9:30 a.m., Westlake Village City Hall, 31200 Oak Crest Drive. Artist Helen Howett demonstrates creating designs with gourds. Refreshments served. Guests welcomed at no charge. Barbara Oliver (805) 496-4702.

West Coast Fishing Ventura County Sportfishing Club meets 6:30 p.m, Du Par's Restaurant, 75 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks. Guest speaker: Dan Hernandez, nationally recognized fishing expert, TV host. Topic: west coast fishing, Alaska to California to Mexico. Adults invited. Bill Berger (818) 889-1370.

Fall Fun And Crafts Ventura Harvest Festival at Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Foods, arts & crafts, seasonal gifts, puppet shows, Kid Zone, live music. $8 adults, $7 seniors 62 up, $4 youth 13 to 17, free 12 and under. (415) 447-3205, www.harvestfestival.com.

THURS., OCT. 4

War Aftermath Democratic Club of Camrillo meets 7 p.m., UFCW Hall, 816 Camarillo Springs Road. Guest speaker: retried psychiatrist Donald S. Broder, MD, discusses health effects of the war on Iraqi people. Public invited. Joan or Bob Rust (805) 484-6601.

African Violet Society Thousand Oaks African Violet Society meets 7 p.m., Redeemer Lutheran Church, 667 Camino Dos rios, Thousand Oaks. Show and tell, business meeting, program. Visitors, plants welcomed. (805) 581-0014.

SAT., OCT. 6

A Season For Change Women's Resource Center of Thousand Oaks hosts annual charity banquet, "A Season for Change," 6 p.m., Four Seasons Grand Ballroom, 2 Dole Drive, Westlake Village. Gourmet dinner, awards presentation, silent and live auctions, celebrity guests. Comedian Michael Jr. performs. Reservations $175. RSVP Jan Moses (805) 496-7383, www.wrcevent.com.

Beautiful Bonsai Conejo Valley Bonsai Society hosts fourth annual Bonsai Exhibition and Demonstration, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday, Gardens of the World, 2001 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Tree care demonstrations 11 a.m., 2 p.m. both days. Tree displays, talk to club members for tree tips. Street parking on T.O. Boulevard. Nat Stein (805) 374-9668.

Immigration Issues Ventura County League of Women Voters presents public meeting, "Perspectives on Immigration: Economic, Legal, Agricultural, Legislative," Resident Inn by Marriott at River Ridge, 2101 W. Vineyard, Oxnard. Registration 9 a.m., program 10 a.m. Four panelists discuss immigration law. Open to public, free. Continental breakfast, lunchoen $24. RSVP for meals Jeri Andrews, (805) 379-2768.

SUN., OCT. 7

Cheerful Bake Sale Moorpark Packers Competitive Cheerleading Team hosts bake sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Vons, 4241 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark. Proceeds to cover competition expenses. Jan Cole (805) 523-2372, eternally27@roadrunner.com.

Rat Pack Cool Thousand Oaks Rotary Foundation hosts "Las Vegas Cool" fundraiser, 5 p.m., Moorpark Country Club, 11800 Championship Drive. Games, food, entertainers, showgirls, prizes, live auctions. Proceeds to Hospice of the Conejo. $75 advance, $100 at door. (805) 495-2145, www.lasvegascool.org.

The Cars Come Out Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce presents 22nd annual Westlake Village Auto Show, 10 a.m., Countrywide, 31303 Agoura Road, Westlake Village. Day of event registration 7 to 9:30 a.m. Classics, antiques, sports cars in more than 51 categories. Trophies awarded 2:30 p.m. Vendors, food, raffles, live entertainment, rock climbing wall. Free to public. $25 car registration. www.WestlakeVillageAutoShow.com.

MON., OCT. 8

Join 4-H Conejo Valley 4-H Club meets, 7 to 9 p.m., Cameron Center, 288 Greenmeadow Drive, Thousand Oaks. Educational program for ages 5 to 19. New members welcomed. Jenean Bass, jeneanbass @roadrunner.com.

FRI., OCT. 12

Moore Dancing Simi Valley Council on Aging hosts dance, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. Dance instruction, doors open 7 p.m. Music by Moore Music. Refreshments, door prizes. $6. Proceeds to senior programs. (805) 583-6041.

SAT., OCT. 13

See Art In Ojai Ojai Studio Artists Tour, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., today and Sunday, Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montogomery St. Public can visit 40 artist studios. Artist Pallette Reception, 6 to 8 p.m. today, Oaji Art Center. $20 advance, $25 at door, children 12 and under free. (805) 646-8126.

Classic Kimonos Reservation due for Camarillo Newcomers Club meeting Thurs., Oct. 18, Spanish Hills Country Club, 999 Crestview Ave., Camarillo. Social time/meeting 11 a.m., lunch at noon. Program: John McMullen, minister of visitation at Camarillo United Methodist Church, shows his personal collection of Japanese kimonos. Lunch $20 members, $22 guests. RSVP (805) 389-4079. Club information (805) 384-9373.