Free Upcoming Events and Programs at the Simi Valley Public Library

The Simi Valley Public Library is located at 2969 Tapo Canyon Road. The library is open 7 days a week, 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday, 1pm to 5pm on Friday and Sunday and 10am to 5pm on Saturday. Here is a sampling of upcoming free events and programs at the Library. For more details, visit the Library's website at simivalleylibrary.org.

Upcoming events and activities at the library (as of 9/26/18):

Kids' Programs

Join us the last Saturday of the month from 2:00 - 3:30 pm and explore a different aspect of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, or Mathematics! For ages 5- 12. Children under age 9 must attend with a person 12 years of age or older. 

September – Learn about the structural differences between salt and sugar under a microscope and how that affects texture and taste!

October – Learn about the science behind tendons, muscles, and ligaments by making robotic hands!

November – Learn about the science behind money by looking at bills under a microscope.

December - Learn about the force and motion by painting with magnets and gravity!

*No registration required. Admittance is free. Program dates and content subject to change.

Family Programs

10/11/2018 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Rose Garden Patio Concert - A Phantom of the Night.  Halloween-themed songs performed by local teens and adults. Presented by It's A New Day.

11/8/2018 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Community Room Concert - The Beatles and the Beach Boys.  Two of the greatest musical influences of modern music were keenly aware of each other and their "competition" created some of the greatest music of all time. Local talent will perform some of their classics. Presented by It's A New Day.

12/13/2018 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Community Room Concert - Let's Rock With Jingle Bells!  Local talent will perform classic and contemporary winter holiday favorites. Presented by It's A New Day.

Discovery Center for Science and Technology "Space Fair" on Sunday, September 30th

Family-friendly Space Fair to celebrate The Discovery Center's New Traveling Planetarium Program on Sunday, September 30, 2018 at the Goebel Adult Center in Thousand Oaks from 1:30 to 4:30pm.

Get ready to blast off with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) familly-fun.

There are two types of tickets "General Admission Plus Planetarium Show" and "General Admission."

Main Hall - Timed Entry with General Admission Plus Planetarium Show Ticket

⭐️ Planetarium Shows will each be 20 minutes in length. Come inside our new inflatable dome and watch a stellar show with our astronomer.

Classrooms - Open the Entire Event for You to Explore with General Admission Ticket

⭐️ Hands-On STEAM Activities

5 classrooms with engaging, activities including robotics, making your own bots to take home, creating your own space art and hands-on earth and space science activities.

Exhibit Hall - Open the Entire Event for You to Explore with General Admission Ticket

Voyage along our Exhibit Hall and learn about The Discovery Centers "museum without walls" programs, partners and supporters.

On the Outdoor Patio - Open the Entire Event for You to Explore with General Admission Ticket

• Guest Speakers
• Free Fair Food and Beverages
• Entertainment and Science demonstrations

Tickets are limited. All proceeds go towards supporting The Discovery Center's STEAM programs which serve over 10,000 people annually in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. The Discovery Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/space-fair-the-discovery-center-for-science-and-technology-tickets-48861787923?aff=efbeventtix.

Free Screening of "The Wizard of Oz" at The Shoppes at Westlake on Friday, August 10th

Free Movie Night at The Shoppes: Wizard of Oz

The Shoppes at Westlake Village and Tifa Chocolate & Gelato are presenting a Free Outdoor Movie Night featuring The Wizard of Oz on Friday, August 10th at 8pm. The screening will take place at the front fountain outside of Tifa.

Tifa will be handing out special treats during the screening of the movie. Guests should be sure to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

All ages welcome! Come early to secure a seat, grab dinner to-go from one of the Shoppes restaurants, and get ready for a perfect summer evening with the family.

Location: 30770 Russell Ranch Rd., Westlake Village

http://shoppesatwestlakevillage.com/outdoor-movie-night-the-wizard-of-oz

Humane Society of Ventura County Birthday Bash & Open House in Ojai on June 9th

Stop by the Humane Society of Ventura County between 10-3 on Saturday, June 9, 2018 to celebrate 86 years of service to Ventura County. Get a behind the scenes peek at the facility, interact with animals, tour the kennels and clinic, meet the staff, and learn about different volunteer opportunities. Bring the whole family to enjoy refreshments, participate in a treasure hunt and learn more about how YOU can make a difference in the lives of animals in need!

Humane Educator, Robin Satnick, will have a variety of activities for children along with information on responsible pet ownership. Our Humane Officers will be on hand to give you a look at the responsibilities and duties of protecting animals throughout the county. We are pleased to welcome back Firefly Ceramics and their Tiles for Tails program. For a $25 donation benefiting our new kennels, you can design your own tile that will be permanently displayed on site here at the Shelter. 

What would a visit to a shelter be without the main attraction—the animals! There will be a full house of critters available for adoption; you never know when you are going to meet your new best friend!

When: Saturday June 9th from 10-3

Where: Humane Society of Ventura County. 402 Bryant St. in Ojai. Call 805-646-6505 for more information or visit www.hsvc.org/86th_birthday_bash_open_house.

Arbor Earth Day Event at the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden on Saturday, April 28, 2018

The Conejo Chinese Cultural Association (CCCA) Youth Project will host an Earth Day celebration at the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden on Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 1-4pm to increase awareness of natural grown native plants.

Activities will include distributing local grown plants free of charge to participants, demonstrating the paper making process where you can create your own paper from recycled materials; face painting and paper folding.

The event will take place at the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden's Kids' Adventure Garden, located at Jeaunine Dr. Thousand Oaks. Free Admission.

Conejo Chinese Cultural Association website: www.ccca-tocs.org/beta.

New Venture Ventura County Event at Cal Lutheran Thousand Oaks on May 5, 2018

New Venture Ventura County

Supporting the Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow

New Venture Ventura County (NVVC) showcases student entrepreneurs from grade school to grad school. The event, free and open to the public, will take place on Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 10am to 1pm.

The event includes:

• 6th Annual New Venture Challenge Student Entrepreneur Expo and Pitch Competition
• Makerspace Expo showcasing some of the cool things students and community members do at local Makerspaces
• Coding Bootcamp Demo designed to better prepare students for college college degrees and careers in IT

More information at www.newventurevc.com.

JPL Hosts "A Ticket to Explore" Public Event the Weekend of June 9-10, 2018 (SOLD OUT)

(SOLD OUT!)

"A Ticket to Explore JPL” is a special weekend when JPL opens its doors to the public and displays all the ways they are  exploring the solar system and beyond. Advance tickets are required to this event on June 9-10, 2018 from 8:30 am to 4 pm.

Tickets are free, but limited, and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning April 7, 2018 starting at 9 a.m. at https://explore.jpl.nasa.gov. Maximum number of tickets per requestor is five and must be reserved for specific names.

At "Explore JPL," visitors will have the opportunity to see, among other things, a life-sized model of InSight -- the next mission to Mars, scheduled to launch in May -- and Mars rovers, plus JPL's machine shop, where precise parts are made for spacecraft. This event coincides with the 60thanniversary of NASA. The agency was created in 1958.

Although children under two do not require a ticket, experiences at the event are not intended for very young guests.

More information available at www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/special-events.php.

9th Annual Sights of Conejo Drum Line and Winter Guard Show on Saturday, March 10, 2018

The Thousand Oaks High School Lancer Band will present the 9th Annual Sights of Conejo Drumline and Winter Guard exhibition at 7 on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the Thousand Oaks High School Gym, 2323 N. Moorpark Road. Doors open at 6 p.m.

This event will feature performances by percussion ensembles and/or color guards from middle schools and high schools from the Conejo Valley.

Food and refreshments will be available for sale. Tickets are $5 per person and $3 for students at the door, cash only. For more information, visit www.tohsband.org.

2018 Moorpark Rotary Blue & Gray Civil War Reenactment in Moorpark on March 17-18

The Blue & The Gray Civil War reenactment in Moorpark is the largest battle reenactment on the West Coast. Now in its 17th year, the event will take place March 17 and 18 at Hitch Ranch (100 West High St., Moorpark, entrance adjacent to the Moorpark Post Office).

Hundreds of re-enactors from all over the country come to Moorpark each year to participate.

Activities include four battle reenactments (with cannon and musket fire), Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address, solider and civilian encampments, Confederate army surrendering to the Union army and period dancing and music. The featured battle this year is the Battle of Gettysburg. Presented by the Rotary Club of Moorpark, the event is designed to educate the public about the historical significance of the Civil War and its effect on the United States including the abolishment of slavery.

Hours: 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. Admission:  $20/adults (online, $22 at the gate), $15/ages 6 through 17 (online, $17 at the gate), free/ages 5 and under. Bleacher seats: an additional $4 per person, per battle. Parking: $5 per car. A free shuttle will take visitors to the event site. Discount packages are available online. For more information: go to www.MoorparkCivilWar.com, CivilWar@MoorparkRotary.com, 805-279-5253.

SCENES FROM THE 2010 EVENT

"My Father's Dragon" Family Show at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Sat, January 20th

Embark on an adventure with My Father’s Dragon at the Bank of America Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Fred Kavli Theatre, Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.

Based on Ruth Stiles Gannett’s beloved, award-winning and best-selling Dragon trilogy, Enchantment Theatre Company’s My Father’s Dragon features talking animals, flying dragons and buried treasure! Elmer sets off on a daring adventure to rescue a baby dragon being held captive by the ferocious animals of Wild Island. With pluck and ingenuity Elmer makes his way to the island, outwits the wild animals and saves Boris, the dragon. But can they find their way back home? Using life-size puppets, expressive masks, magical scenic effects and original music, Enchantment brings to life this remarkable tale that reminds us all that we are never too young to make a difference.

The Enchantment Theatre Company awakens imaginations of every age with its whimsical telling of new and classic fables, myths and legends. For this production, they bring to vivid life a story that has been honored by Newbery and the American Library Association, named among the top 100 books for children by the School Library Journal, and is celebrating its 70th anniversary of publication in 2018. With “delightfully logical nonsense, appealing characters, and irrepressible humor,” (the New York Times), the production is a tale of derring-do and laughter, too. 

Single tickets are priced at $29-$19 with group discounts available. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com (or more specifically, THIS LINK) or through the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard. For more information call 805-449-ARTS (2787) or visit www.civicartsplaza.com.