Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County announces "THE BIG RUN III" on September 7, 2008. The 3rd annual "poker run" begins at Ventura Harley-Davidson, 1326 Del Norte Road, Camarillo, across Ventura County, then back to Camarillo to finish at Camarillo Grove Park for great music, barbecued tri-tip and chicken and much more.

The Big Run is an equal opportunity ride, all bikes are welcome as long as it has a motor. Riders must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Can't make the ride...then join visit Camarillo Grove Park anyway. Admission for just the "After Run" events is $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for children 10 and under. Parking is $5.00 per vehicle. This will be collected at Camarillo Grove Park when you arrive.

Not only will it be a great day in the sun, but it will also help Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County help out a lot of kids in the area.

The run will start at 8 a.m. and the festivities at Camarillo Grove Park will begin at 12:00 noon, with food, entertainment and much more...

For additional information about The Big Run and to register, visit www.thebigrun.org or call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County at 805.484.2282, extension 17 or 23.

The Santa Barbara Chapter of Surfrider is hosting its 4th Annual Paddle Out on Saturday, September 20, 2008. This is a family friendly event that is both educational and participatory. There will be an information fair where paddlers can learn more about how we can work together to reduce or eliminate waste from the ocean environment.

Join Surfrider either as a (1) Participant where you can paddle to show your support and solidarity with Surfrider, and learn more about what we can all do to help heal our oceans, or as a (2) Surfrider Supporter. Surfrider Supporters will receive goodie bags which will include an event tee shirt and other giveaways. Each child will receive a tee shirt and goodie bag with every paid adult Supporter.

Event Schedule

• Registration begins at 11:00 am
• Silient Auction opens at 11:00 am
• Speakers begin at noon
• Paddle Out starts at 1:00 pm
• Paddle Out concludes at 1:30 pm
• Lunch from Wahoo's is served at 4 pm 

Event to be held at East Beach (immediately on the east side of Stearns Wharf) in Santa Barbara. Starting line for paddle will be at the base of Stearns Wharf.

Visit www.sbsurfrider.org or call 805.252.2317 for more information.

This is a fundraiser event for the Thousand Oaks Police Explorers and Hospice of the Conejo Valley.  Refer to the flier below for details or visit www.redlinecorvettes.com.

 

The 2nd Annual Oktoberfest and Classic Car Show will take place on Sunday, September 28th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Camarillo Ranch House.  The event features beer tasting, local food vendors, a pre-1978 classic car show and tours of the beautiful 1892 Victorian Camarillo Ranch House.  General admission is $5 (no beer, under 12 free) and $20 with beer (I'll take mine with, thank you).  For more information visit www.camarilloranch.org.

Ventura County Fairgrounds Hosts Sixth Seaside Highland Games

The weekend of October 11 & 12 will see Scotland in all its color and pageantry come alive on the Fairgrounds as the Seaside Highland Games return to Ventura. The pipes—the Great Highland Bagpipes of Scotland—will signal the call to gather on that one special weekend when ALL are invited to join in the fun!

Hundreds of pipers and drummers along with all sorts of Scottish/Celtic entertainment will descend on the Ventura County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, the 11th & 12th of October and the gates are open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm each day. A wonderfully entertaining weekend of music, dance, athletics, children’s events, shopping, food and drink! Something for everyone and age doesn’t count! Seaside is known for bringing tradition to the field—with a twist! The ageless Celtic pastimes are honored but with a big nod to today. The pipes will play the tunes handed down through the ages—but don’t be surprised when you hear new and modern sounds emerging from those ancient reeds!

As usual, the talent lineup is a Who’s Who of Celtic Entertainment. Favorite Balladeer Alex Beaton will be sharing Center Stage with returning favorites The Browne Sisters & George Cavanaugh. Celtic Spring will delight and share an indoor stage with Golden Bough from the Northern California/Oregon region and everyone’s favorite wicked ones, the Wicked

Click to read more ...

Rotaract is an international network of more than 7000 young professional clubs in more than 160 countries. Each club provides volunteer, networking, and social opportunities for local club members.  Rotaract is free from religious, political, and profit motivation. Rotarians and Rotaractors accept and respect fellow members for their mutual dedication to "Service Above Self".  The only membership requirement is that a perspective Rotaract member be 18 to 30 years old. Each club sets its own membership dues and attendance requirements.

The Rotary Club of Conejo Valley, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, is hosting a networking event at Suki 7 Restaurant Club, 925 S. Westlake Boulevard, Westlake Village, on Wednesday, August 27th beginning at 6 p.m.

Come meet other 18 to 30-year-olds in Conejo Valley

Enjoy Free Appetizers and Happy-Hour Drink Specials

Learn how you can get involved with a local young professional organization with international influence.

No cover charge. No obligation.

Visit www.CV20s.org to learn more and RSVP for this event.

Don't miss Cure in the Canyons, THE LA beauty-fest for breast cancer.  Experience the best of beauty, lifestyle, wellness, fashion and epicurean influences at the amazing property set between sequoias and cascading waterfalls. Enjoy fabulous free beauty services, spa treatments, an S Factor stretch and indulge in gourmet delights and more.  Luxaholics leave re-energized and gorgeous with a great gift-bag upon departure. The Event is open to men, too.

Proceeds from this event go towards breast cancer research funding.  830 people attended last year!

Cure in the Canyons will be held at the California Health & Longevity Institute at the Four Seasons, 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village on Sunday, October 5th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Cost is $55.  Register by clicking here.

For more information visit www.cureinthecanyons.com.

Over 250 vintage pre-1975 cars (street rods, customs, pickups) will be on display at Channel Islands Harbor on Sunday, September 14th, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Free to the public and $20 per car entry fee.  Food and vendors on hand.  Proceeds to benefit local charities.  Visit www.venturavintagerods.org or call 805.405.3717 for more information.

DIRECTIONS COMING FROM THE SOUTH/LOS ANGELES AREA:
Take the US-101 North and exit at Victoria Avenue. Go left on Victoria Avenue. Follow Victoria Avenue for approximately 7 miles until you reach Channel Islands Harbor, on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Channel Islands Boulevard. Follow the directional signs when you reach the harbor.

This is the 14th anniversary of Ventura County’s original Ghostwalk.  This year's festivities are planned to take place at the Santa Paula Airport on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings October 10-12, 17-19, 24-26.

Its continued popularity is due to the fact that volunteers rarely present the same story twice, and its “ghostoric” location changes from year to year, influencing what stories are told. The Ghostwalk is not a “spook house”, but a unique form of theatre in the streets, which embraces the tradition of great storytelling mixed with fun history that is suitable for the whole family (7 and older).   All proceeds from this event go to help support the Santa Paula Theater Center.

Ghostwalk was started by a group of Santa Paula Theater supporters, not only as a fundraiser for the theater, but also as a way to take theater out to people who might not normally go see live theater.

Ghostwalk tours leave every 15 minutes beginning at 6:30pm sharp. The last tour begins at 9:00. It is about a one-hour walk by flashlight (MUST BRING YOUR OWN!).  Tours are limited to 25 people and reservations are recommended as they sell out early!

NOTE: The route this year is NOT wheelchair accessible.

Since the Ghostwalk is a fundraiser, please bring a little mad money so you can buy some tasty goodies sold by local youth groups, or pick up collectible Ghostwalk merchandise, such as ghostly “Glow-in-the-Dark” T-shirts or disappearing coffee mugs.  Both items feature the creepy Comedy/Tragedy skull logo designed by Jeff G. Rack.

Visit www.ghostwalk.com for more information.  Tickets are available by calling 805.525.3073.

Santa Paula Airport :
Just South of Hwy 126 in
Santa Paula, CA, between the 10th Street and Palm Street exits

Wow, a $1 breakfast!?  It pays to be 50 or older in Thousand Oaks, as that's all it'll cost you for breakfast on Labor Day morning, September 1st, at the Goebel Senior Adult Center at 1385 E. Janss Road.  Tickets will be available soon and must be purchased by end of August.  I'm told that breakfast will be served around 9 a.m.  For more information call 805.381.2744. 

Halloween is less than 3 months away so might as well start planning the festivities now while its still summertime!  The Reign of Terror Haunted House is NOT geared towards young children or the faint of heart, but sounds like a frightfully fun time between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Wed-Sat, October 29th through November 1st at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.  Advance tickets are highly recommended if you don't want to wait in a long line, so visit www.hillcrestarts.com for more info or to purchase tickets.  Or call 805.381.1246.

The BIG E - Extravaganza...A fun, educational, and enlightening event presented by Money Intelligence/The Ken & Katie Show to benefit (in part) the Habitat for Humanity ReStore of Ventura County.

The Event will include:

1. Sustainable Living Pavilions holding more than 175 booths and showcasing various ideas, products and strategies for every area of the home – including a special Green Garage/Transportation Pavilion
2. More than 50 different seminars, lectures and demonstrations
3. More than 20 sustainable/housing nonprofit organizations promoting the cause of sustainability in our region.
4. A special E-Ticket “ride” in a hydrogen-powered vehicle.
5. History of Energy (In place the week prior to the event for previews)
6. History and Future of Recycling
7. Live entertainment and food vendors

The FREE event will be held on August 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Palms Shopping Center, 2100 Outlet Center Dr., Oxnard.  For more info, visit www.e-extravaganza.com or call 805.302.9582.

Two-day Thousand Oaks Arts Festival showcases local artists of all styles both visual and performing. Event includes demonstrations, and hands-on children's art experiences. Entertainment on two stages ongoing both days. Admission and parking are free, refreshments available. More than 60 exhibitors. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For more info visit www.toartsfestival.com or call 805.498.6591.

Event is located at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Mary and Richard Carpenter Plaza Park, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Five outdoor Saturday night jazz concerts at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. Westlake Boulevard are coming soon.  Doors open at 6 p.m. and concerts start at 7 p.m.  Tickets are $47.50 for open seating or $95 for VIP seating with dinner and drinks included.

Visit www.westlakejazzseries.com or call 805.557.1234 for more information and to purchase tickets.

The Lineup:

June 28th:  Acoustic Alchemy

July 12th:  Euge Groove

July 26th:  Mindi Abair

August 16th:  R'n'R (Rick Braun and Richard Elliot)

September 13th:  Peter White

Billed as the Conejo Valley's longest running auto show!  Sunday, October 5th at Countrywide Financial Corp, 31303 Agoura Road, Westlake Village.  Music, raffle, food, great cars, etc.  Show opens at 10 a.m. and awards at 2:30 p.m.  Admission is free.  For more information, click here for a flyer or call 805.370.0035.

Visit the Conejo Valley Home Show on April 26th and 27th as well as September 6th and 7th at the Westlake Village Hyatt, 880 South Westlake Boulevard.  Show hours are usually 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but check the website at www.conejovalleyhomeshow.com for details.  The show will feature contractors and vendors for a whole host of home improvement projects, from kitchen remodels, windows and doors, spas and pools, patios, marble counters, roofing, tile, closet organizers, flooring, roofing, interior decorating, plumbing, HVAC, solar, general contractors, security companies, you name it. 

Now if only they had a money tree in the parking lot of the Hyatt to pay for all this great stuff!  Not to worry.  Go the the www.conejovalleyhomeshow.com website and click the "free pass" to get a free entry into the show!  Or be one of the first 200 people at the door on Saturday or Sunday and you'll get in for free.