2023 Pier Under the Stars Food & Wine Tasting Benefit in Ventura on October 7th

Since its original construction in 1872, the Ventura Pier has stood as a symbol of the region's rich history and natural resources. Once the cornerstone of Ventura County's agricultural, construction and oil trade, today the Ventura Pier is a favorite attraction for fishing, picnics, sunset strolls and beautiful views of Ventura County's coastline and the Channel Islands.

In 1993 a dedicated group of community leaders created Pier into the Future, a non-profit organization, to establish a $1 million endowment fund to preserve and maintain the Ventura Pier for future generations to enjoy. This committed group is continually seeking volunteers to help Pier into the Future reach its goal through community outreach efforts at events such as the Ventura County Fair, the City of Ventura's Street Fairs and the ever-popular food and wine tasting event Pier Under the Stars, a gathering of restaurants, wineries, and breweries all in support of Ventura's treasured Pier. Festivities will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 4-7pm at the Ventura Promenade overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean and Ventura Pier. 21+ only.

Visit www.pierintothefuture.org to learn more and purchase tickets.

Ride to the Flags Memorial Charity Motorcycle Ride on Sunday, September 10, 2023

Ride to the Flags began in 2008, accompanying the Wave of Flags 9/11 Memorial at Pepperdine University. Although not officially associated with the collegiate memorial - the ride does end at the memorial for a short service. Ride to the Flags is an all volunteer, charity ride that in the past has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for wounded warriors in need. In 2023 and beyond, the ride will support veteran mental health through the White Heart Foundation’s Guardian Project.

This year's ride will take place on Sunday, September 10, 2023.

Check-in from 7:30am to 9:30am at Naval Base Ventura County, followed by a ceremony at 10am. The ride starts at 11am down PCH, ending at Malibu Bluffs Park for a rally.

Registration and additional details at www.ridetotheflags.com.

41st Annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off September 1-4, 2023

The 41st Annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off will take place on Labor Day weekend, September 1-4, 2023 at 23575 Civic Center Way. Hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu.

ADVANCE TICKET SALES ONLY! TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD ONSITE. Tickets at malibuchilicookoff.org.. Carnival tickets will be sold separately.

Hours of Operation:

• Friday Sept 1: 4pm – 10pm

• Saturday Sept 2: 1pm – 10pm

• Sunday Sept 3: 1pm – 10pm

• Monday Sept 4: 1pm – 8pm

Event features chili contest, carnival, fair, skate contest, live entertainment, food for sale, vendors, etc.

Event parking is $20, cash only.

Learn more and purchase tickets at bgcmalibuchilicookoff.org.

Relay for Life of Conejo Valley Planned for Saturday, September 30, 2023

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Conejo Valley event is a life-changing experience that gives everyone in their community a chance to Celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, Remember loved ones lost, and Fight Back against the disease.  The 2023 event will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 9 am to 9 pm at California Lutheran University’s Memorial Field, 141 Memorial Pkwy, Thousand Oaks.

Fighting cancer takes many things like research, free rides to chemo and lodging near hospitals, and our 24/helpline. But we can’t do any of that without you. Join Relay For Life, the largest, most inspiring, and supportive cancer fundraising event on the planet.

Help attack cancer in our community. We will be walking to raise funds and awareness for cancer treatment and research

Visit www.relayforlife.org/conejovalleyca to learn more and sign up.

Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Ventura on August 26, 2023

Ventura Land Trust’s annual benefit, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, returns on Saturday, August 26th to the expansive lawn of the Ventura County Credit Union headquarters. Now in its 14th year, the film festival features nearly two hours of environmental and activism films along with music, food trucks, and local beer, wine and spirits.

Beyond being the Trust’s signature event to raise funds for the environment, it shares an urgent call to action, encouraging participants to learn more about what they can do to save our threatened planet. A family-friendly event, participants are encouraged to spread out on the Ventura County Credit Union lawn (2575 Vista Del Mar Drive, Ventura) with chairs and blankets. Doors open at 5 pm, and films begin just before 8 pm as the sky darkens.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Ventura Land Trust has permanently conserved over 3,800 acres of land in the Ventura region, including the 2,100-acre Harmon Canyon Preserve and Mariano Rancho, 1,645 acres sprawling across the hills north of Ventura.

Live reggae music from Jacob Marquez and the Good Vibes will kick off the festivities. An online silent auction will complement the event’s traditional onsite raffle. In the Ventura Vibe VIP Lounge, small bites from Aloha Steakhouse, Ubatuba Açaí, and others will be paired with wine, beer, and a signature cocktail by Ventura Spirits.

A general admission ticket is $40, $5 children and $10 for teens (13-17). VIP tickets, which include special gift items and admission to the Ventura Vibe VIP Lounge, are $125. Tickets and vendor information can be found at www.venturalandtrust.org/wsff2023.

22nd Annual Thousand Oaks Rotary Wine & Beer Festival on Saturday, August 19, 2023

The Thousand Oaks Rotary Foundation will celebrate the 22nd Annual Thousand Oaks Rotary Wine & Beer Festival on Saturday, August 19, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Hyatt Regency Westlake, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. Since its inception, the event, for adults ages 21 and up, has raised over $575,000 to benefit the Ventura County Special Olympics and the Thousand Oaks Rotary Foundation which supports many local charities and provides student educational scholarships.

Purchase advance sale event tickets for the special price of $95 per person! ($125 at the door). Go to www.ThousandOaksRotaryWineFestival.com.

Sample acclaimed California limited-production handcrafted wines, microbrews and hors d’oeuvres while perusing fabulous auction items donated by local businesses and residents. Meet Special Olympics athletes.

Special Olympics Ventura County offers free year-round sports training and athletic competition to over 700 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in 10 Olympic style sports at over 20 county sites.

The Thousand Oaks Rotary Foundation has been a major supporter of the Special Olympics and has enabled over 10,000 athletes to compete. The club also donates more than $175,000 each year to many local and international charities to foster social, cultural, economic, and environmental progress.

Be an Event Sponsor! Register at www.thousandoaksrotarywinefestival.com or contact Roger Benson at (805) 496-2099

Silent Auction: To donate items, contact Susan Murata at (805) 390-0027. The Silent Auction will be accessible in advance online starting August 1st – go to www.32Auctions.com/TORF23 to register and bid.

2023 Run for the Ranch 5K Race Series at Paramount Ranch on July 13, 20 and 27

Paramount Ranch was the site of many beloved film classics and TV series, including Westworld, The X-Files, Beau Geste, A Farewell to Arms, Helter Skelter, Dr. Quinn-Medicine Woman, The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, and Perry Mason episodes, among many others.

The 2700 acre property was purchased by Paramount Pictures in 1927 for that express purpose (a “movie ranch”) and was acquired by the National Park Service (NPS) in 1982. It became a tourist and community destination featuring hiking trails and the famed old western town, which remained an active cinematic resource. Sadly, the ranch was devastated by the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which burned 88% of NPS land in Santa Monica.

Fleet Feet of Agoura Hills and The Future Track Running Pack are hosting a summer race series to benefit efforts to restore the historic ranch buildings that were lost in the fire. The reconstructive initiative, projected to cost $12 million, is headed by the NPS and aims to rebuild four structures, replace critical infrastructure, improve the parking lot, and install fire suppression systems. All replaced structures will meet the 2018 International Wildland Urban Interface Code. The Santa Monica Mountains Fund has pledged to raise $2 million for the project. Funds raised by the race series will contribute to that fund. The federal government will match all donations to the campaign up to $500,000.

Long-time residents and runners in the Conejo Valley will recall the Paramount Ranch running series in times past that brought together runners of all ages throughout the Conejo Valley. This series aims also to recapture that enthusiasm and sense of community. A 5K and kiddie 1K will be held on three consecutive Thursday evenings in July: 13, 20, and 27 at 6 pm, with on-line registration available on June 1 (5K $10, 1K free, 5K series $25).

Register at runsignup.com/Race/CA/AgouraHills/RunForTheParamountRanch.

Paramount Ranch is located at 2903 Cornell Road, Agoura Hills.

2023 Cool Breeze Century Ride in Ventura on Saturday, August 19th

COOL BREEZE CENTURY 2023

30, 60, 100 and 125 Miles

Saturday, August 19th

Ventura

Sponsored by the Channel Islands Bike Club and the Kiwanis Club of Ventura, the Cool Breeze route follows the coast from Ventura to Santa Barbara. The weather is generally in the low 70's -- you can't ask for better summer cycling weather! There are lots of great rest stops along the way. Pre-race breakfast and post race lunch included.

Visit coolbreezecentury.com for more information and to register.

Inaugural Wild Oaks Country Music Festival in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, June 3rd

The first annual Wild Oaks Country Music Festival will take place Saturday, June 3 in Thousand Oaks and will feature some of Nashville’s favorite country artists.

Performers set to appear include country chart-topping Craig Morgan, Grammy-nominated CAM, and local favorites Justin Honsinger and Chris Johnson and the Hollywood Hillbillies (straight from the Cowboy Palace in Chatsworth).

The festival also features line dancing and lessons, a live DJ, food trucks, kids’ activities, Hot Summer Night People’s Choice Best Hot Sauce tastings and over 75 vendors and booths.

Event takes place from noon to 7 p.m. at Conejo Creek Park South, 1300 E. Janss Road.

Presented by the Rotary Club of Westlake Village, all net proceeds go to local nonprofit groups.

A limited number of VIP tickets that include shaded seating next to the stage, private restrooms and food and drink tickets are $225. Kids under 12 are free. Festival hours are noon to 7:00 p.m. Free onsite parking. To purchase tickets go to www.WildOakscmf.com.

For more information: obmhsn@gmail.com, 805-701-7248. Follow Wild Oaks Country Music Festival on Facebook. 

36th Annual A Taste of Camarillo Wine, Brew and Food Festival on July 30, 2023

A Taste of Camarillo - Wine, Brew & Food Festival will take place on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at the Camarillo Ranch, 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo, from noon to 4:30 pm.

This is perhaps the longest running wine and food festival in Ventura County. Guests spend an afternoon sampling fine wines, craft beers and gourmet foods on the grounds of the historic Camarillo Ranch. Sample fine and wines and local restaurants, live music and dancing, boutique shopping and more. 21+ only event. No children or pets allowed.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit tasteofcamarillo.com.