Moorpark College and Ventura County Astronomical Society Presents "A Trip to Mars" Presentation on February 24th

Moorpark College Astronomy Department in Partnership with the Moorpark College Foundation and Ventura County Astronomical Society (VCAS) presents Dr. Brian Moncelli of JPL/NASA on Friday February 24, 2023 at 7:30 PM at the Moorpark College Forum, 7075 Campus Rd, Moorpark.

Dr. Brian Moncelli will discuss the recent Rover Perseverance and SHERLOC and Watson. These instruments will investigate past micro-bionic life in Martian geology. This will be an exciting and fact filled slide show/lecture!

Dr. Moncelli is a Principal Optical Engineer and Technical Group Supervisor at Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was part of the team that assembled, aligned, integrated and tested SherLOC.

RSVP to mcfoundation@vcccd.edu

Last meeting was standing room only.

Please arrive early to make sure you find a seat.

MoorparkCollege.edu/Give www.moorparkcollege.edu/events/join-dr-brian-moncelli-nasajpl

Please RSVP to mcfoundation@vcccd.edu. More info at 805-553-4761

CSU Channel Islands Presents Black Scholars on Black Lives Virtual Presentations in Feb/Mar

CSUCI Broome Library presents Black educators across the nation for “Black Scholars on Black Lives” virtual presentations

Imagine analyzing the horrors aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad which was used to transport enslaved Africans to Cuba in 1839, or touring the Underground Railroad Museum in Kentucky—without ever leaving your home or classroom.

That’s the revolutionary teaching technique used by Morehouse University Assistant Professor of History Ovell Hamilton, who uses virtual reality in his “Metaversity,” which has proven so successful, that other departments are now using virtual reality for other disciplines at Morehouse such as biology, nursing, sociology and journalism, to name a few.

Hamilton will detail his use of virtual reality to teach Black History on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 9 to 10 a.m. with “The history of the African Diaspora in the Metaverse,” one of several online presentations in the “Black Scholars on Black Lives” lecture series, coordinated by CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s John Spoor Broome Library.

The “Black Scholars on Black Lives” lecture series will be held periodically throughout the year, but there will be weekly lectures throughout the month of February in honor of Black History Month.

“We know Black scholars don’t get their works published as much as white scholars,” explained Library Head of Instruction, Engagement and Assessment Colleen Harris. “Their research methods are not as valued—especially because much of their research is community-based, which bears the consequence of not valuing Black communities. This was an effort to shine a spotlight on Black scholarship.”

Harris began putting together the online library lecture series during the pandemic as a means to keep students engaged while learning remotely. They were so popular, that she has continued to search for and arrange for Black scholars across the nation to speak to CSUCI students and the public.

“The lectures are free and open to the public, and because it’s virtual, we can invite Black Scholars from around the world to speak,” Harris said.

University of California Merced Associate Professor of Sociology Whitney Pirtle will present “I Didn’t Know What Anti-Blackness Was Until I Got Here: Exploring the Unmet Needs of Black Students at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI)s” from 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Many universities, including CSUCI, have received the federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution because of a number of factors including the percentage of Hispanic students and specific programs designed to support their success.

But how well do HSIs serve Black students? That’s the question Pirtle has explored with research she has conducted indicating that a significant number of Black students’ perceptions are that they feel underserved and experienced a sense of anti-Blackness on an institutional, organizational and interpersonal level.

And finally, on Thursday, March 2, from 4 to 5 p.m., University of California Santa Barbara Assistant Professor of Race and Higher Education Antar A. Tichavakunda will present “Black Joy and Why it Matters in Higher Education.”

Tichavakunda’s presentation will address the experiences Black students have at predominately white colleges and universities, and more broadly, take a look at the sociology of race and higher education.

“He’s going to be talking about how Black students build ‘worlds’ to protect and nurture themselves as they move through an environment that was never built for them and has been actively hostile toward them,” Harris said. “He will show how we can build a sense of community for our Black students.”

Five CSUCI students who attend the lecture will win a copy of Tichavakunda’s book “Black Campus Life: The Worlds Black Students Make at a Historically White Institution,” which is about the intersection of a limited number of college graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, and the state of race relations in higher education.

The presentations are free and open to the public. Registration for each session is available online:

Feb. 15, Whitney Pirtle - "I Didn't Know What Anti-Blackness Was Until I Got Here": Exploring the Unmet Needs of Black Students at HSIs. Register at https://csuci.libcal.com/event/10161991

Feb. 21, Ovell Hamilton - "The History of the African Diaspora in the Metaverse" https://csuci.libcal.com/event/10162666

March 2, Antar Tichavakunda - "Black Joy and Why it Matters for Higher Education" https://csuci.libcal.com/event/10052724

Additional information is available at https://libguides.csuci.edu/events/black-scholars-series.

Conejo Valley Cars & Coffee Meetup - 1st and 3rd Saturday of the Month in Thousand Oaks

Conejo Valley Cars and Coffee meets every first and third Saturday of the month from 7am to 10am at the Firestone Auto Center, The Oaks Mall, 598 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.

The general public and car aficionados are welcome to enjoy classics, muscle cars and exotics.

Upcoming Dates: February 4th

Learn more at www.cvcarsandcoffee.com.

2023 Point Mugu Air Show Planned for March 18-19 at Naval Base Ventura County

The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will be joined by the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, as co-headliners for the 2023 Point Mugu Air Show March 18-19, at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), 311 Main Road, Point Mugu.

For 77 years, the Blue Angels have showcased the teamwork and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach while inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country for nearly 500 million fans. The Blues showcase the mainstay of modern Naval air power operating off U.S. aircraft carriers, the combat-proven F/A-18 Super Hornet, along with the Marine Corps' premiere logistics support aircraft, the C-130J.

The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision, and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The Point Mugu Air Show will be the third time America’s premiere demonstration squadrons have performed at the same public event, and the first time at Point Mugu.

The Point Mugu Air Show, Ventura County’s largest public event, is open to the public on March 18, 19, 2023. Gates open at 8 a.m. daily. Honors/national anthem at 10 a.m. Performances begin at noon.

Parking, admission, and blanket seating are free. Upgraded preferred seating options will be available.

NBVC is a strategically located Navy installation composed of three operating facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme and San Nicolas Island. NBVC is the home of the Pacific Seabees, West Coast E-2D Hawkeyes, 3 warfare centers and 80 tenants.

To learn more, visit www.pointmuguairshow.com.

Free Family Holiday Events at Malibu Country Mart on Saturdays, December 10, 17, 2022

On Saturday, December 10 and Saturday, December 17 from noon to 4pm, Malibu Country Mart is hosting two days of celebrations. During both events, visitors can take photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, visit with live reindeer, listen to carolers, write letters to Santa and drop them off in our North Pole-bound mailbox and enjoy winter-ready treats, including s'mores and hot cocoa. All activities are free to experience.

Malibu Country Mart celebrates the holiday season throughout December by transforming the seaside shopping and dining destination into a winter wonderland. Trimmed with festive holiday décor, the shopping destination features a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, a light-up menorah for Hanukkah and twinkling lights.

Malibu Country Mart is located at 3825 Cross Creek Road.

www.malibucountrymart.com/events

Olivas Adobe Holiday Candlelight Tours in Ventura on Sunday, December 11, 2022

The public is invited to experience what the holidays were like in late 19th century Ventura with a free Holiday Candlelight Tour of the City of Ventura’s historic Olivas Adobe, located at 4200 Olivas Park Drive – on Sunday, December 11, 2022. Tours take place from 5:30-7:30PM.

Tours are free, however, registration is required and space is filling fast. Call 805-658-4726 to make your reservation.

The Olivas Adobe Historical Interpreters, in historical costumes, will take you on a tour through the house, decorated in different holiday traditions, while performing historical skits.

www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1935/Events-at-the-Olivas-Adobe-Historical-Pa

Barnes & Noble Book Reading of "The Boy From Mexico" (An Immigration Story of Bravery and Determination) in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, November 12th

Edward Dennis is a Chicano Author/Illustrator who is proud to be reading his debut Children's book at Barnes & Noble in Thousand Oaks with a reading of “The Boy From Mexico.” Edward has worked 10 years as a Special & Gifted Education teacher in inner city Phoenix. He was often asked about immigration from his students. His students were either immigrants themselves, 1st or 2nd generation or even 3rd generation like Edward himself. He never had a good answer to their questions because of how complex the topic is.

Edward sought to change this by creating his own book, something that could break down such a complex issue for children. Edward has worked with numerous companies such as Giant Bicycle group, Disney, Toyota USA, Shimano to name a few. One of his goals, is to get more Latinx children into the arts.

Schedule of events

11:00 AM PST: Event will start with a panel discussion between Edward and several special guests, hosted by media.

11:20 AM: Edward will read his book aloud in store and answer any questions.

11:35 AM: An art lesson for the children in attendance. Paper and drawing materials will be provided at the event.

11:50 AM: Book signing immediately following read aloud.

Location: Barnes & Noble at The Promenade at Westlake, 160 S Westlake Blvd, Thousand Oaks

Learn more about the book and the author at www.theboyfrommexico.com.

Malibu Cars and Coffee Event on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of Each Month

Malibu Cars and Coffee. Southern California's top car enthusiasts will enjoy a beautiful drive down the coast to meet at Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway, from 7am to 9am.

Enjoy a cup of coffee at "Malibu Cars and Coffee" while admiring some of the world's finest automobiles at an unbeatable location with gorgeous views of Malibu's coastline. Cars will arrive and be available for viewing at 7 am. Visit www.malibucarsandcoffee.com for more information.

Inclement weather can cancel event.

2nd and 4th Sunday of the month.

Upcoming dates:  9/25 cancelled

Veteran's Day Commemoration Event at the Reagan Library on November 11, 2022

To honor the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library will be hosting its annual Veterans Day Event on Friday, November 11. The day’s activities include live musical entertainment, a civil war encampment, a military vehicle display and a program honoring all branches of our military.

Live musical entertainment begins at 10:30 a.m. The program, which begins at 11:00 a.m., includes an honor guard, live music, and remarks by keynote speaker and US Army Veteran Brad Taylor. Brad Taylor served for 21 years, retiring as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel, with his final assignment as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. He is now a New York Times bestselling author of his Pike Logan series; with more than 15 installments and more than 3 million copies sold.

Following the program, Mr. Taylor will be signing copies of his latest book, End of Days.

Outdoor events and the program are free to attend; however, reservations are recommended to attend the program. For more information, and/or to reserve seats and pre-purchase books, please click here. Museum admission rates apply to visit the Reagan Museum and Air Force One Pavilion, including our special exhibit which opens on November 11, An American Christmas Story. Veterans with valid ID will receive free admission to the Museum on November 11. Active military members with valid ID are always free.

July 4th Celebration at Bethany Church on the Hill in Thousand Oaks

Join the 4th of July fun and see the best panoramic view of Conejo Valley's Independence Day fireworks on Monday, July 4, 2022 at Bethany Church on the Hill in Thousand Oaks. Games for kids, food and fun.

Questions? Call (805) 495-7029 or visit www.bethanyto.org

Location: 200 W. Bethany Court, Thousand Oaks