West county community briefs: Automobile info class for women

CAMARILLO

Automobile info class for women

The Camarillo Health Care District will present "Learn How to Speak Car: An Auto Information Class for Women" at 6 p.m. March 7.

Barry Hoyland, president of Barry's Auto Service will explain some of the things women should be aware of.

Cost is $10 for residents of the district; $12 for others. To register call 388-1952.

The Camarillo Health Care District is at 3639 E. Las Posas Road, Suite 117.

Presentation will be on African wildlife

Wildlife conservationist Beverly Critcher, founder of Wildlife Experience, will present "Uganda Wild" at 7 p.m. Friday in the Community Room at the Camarillo Library, 4101 Las Posas Road.

The presentation is an introduction to Wildlife Experience's Uganda Safaris, which Critcher leads.

Live African education animals will be in attendance.

Seating is limited; reservations are required. Call 649-5384 to RSVP. This is an adults-only event.

Healthier living program offered

The Camarillo Health Care District will present "Healthier Living: Better Choices, Better Health" series on Tuesdays from Feb. 21 through March 27.

The program, designed by Stanford University, is offered at the new Wellness and Caregiver Center at the Camarillo Health Care District from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The six-week series will cover such topics as managing your health; reducing fatigue, sleep loss and pain; effective communication techniques with family and health professionals; and nutrition.

It is free to Ventura County residents. To register call 388-1952, ext. 100.

The Wellness and Caregiver Center is at 3687 E. Las Posas Road.

OJAI

Dogs can learn to avoid rattlesnakes

Rattlesnake-avoidance training for dogs will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 11 at a park in Ojai.

Dogs will learn to avoid a snake and owners will learn how to respond based on their dog's cues.

Cost is $80 per dog. A percentage of proceeds benefit the Humane Society.

Reservations are required; call 523-3432.

The location of the session will be furnished upon registration.

Workshop will explore herbs

Local native plant guide Lanny Kaufer will present the hands-on workshop "Herbal Preparation in the Kitchen," today with special guest instructor, Dr. Fred Siciliano. The workshop will be held at the Ojai Valley Wesleyan Church kitchen from 2 to 4 p.m. at 105 E. Topa Topa St.

Cost of the workshop and all materials is $35.

Explore making herbal teas and broths for various health uses. Herbs to be covered will include some that can be found growing wild (mugwort, horehound, elder) and others that can be grown in the garden or purchased locally (garlic, celery, onion, ginger, cinnamon, peppermint, St John's Wort). Participants will prepare and taste them together in class. Additional snacks will be provided.

To register, visit http://www.HerbWalks.com or call 646-6281.

OXNARD

Mental health focus of forum

Turning Point Foundation, in cooperation with Janssen Pharmaceuticals and McCarthy Construction, will present the fifth annual Community Building Breakfast Feb. 22 from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Courtyard Marriot, 600 Esplanade Drive.

Tom Roberts, actor, former broadcast journalist and college professor will present "Chewing Through The Straps — Living with Mental Illness."

Reservations are required; call Jane Lax at 652-0000.

Free hockey, skate lessons offered

The Channel Islands Ice Center, 830 Wagon Wheel Road, will celebrate National Skating Month with free hockey and a skating carnival Feb. 25.

The public is invited to try hockey from 10:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. No previous hockey experience is necessary. There will be specific times for individual age groups.

Activities will include a skating carnival with face painting, music, games, and instruction for new skaters.

All equipment and instruction will be provided free by the Channel Islands Ice Center.

For more information, call 988-4440 or visit http://channelislandsice.com/.

Whale festival seeking vendors

Vendor applications are being accepted for the 16th annual Celebration of the Whales Festival. The event will take place March 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers & Fisherman's Market, 3350 S. Harbor Blvd.

Vendors of cooked and prepackaged food; crafters and commercial nonfood vendors and marine and whale educational exhibitors are encouraged.

For information, call 642-6458 or email pacific209@hotmail.com.

VENTURA

Wilderness Course to begin Feb. 29

The Los Padres Sierra Club will offer its fourth annual wilderness basics course from Feb. 29 through April 25, except April 4, at the

Ventura Townehouse, 4900 Telegraph Road. Classes will meet on Wednesdays.

The course will cover backpacking, clothing, equipment, first aid, safety, navigation, animal tracking and more.

Outdoor training will begin with a conditioning hike and car camp with more on navigation and will include two backpacking trips.

Cost for members is $155 per single or $279 per couple, nonmembers $170 per single or $306 per couple. Call 746-6030, email lospadreswbc@gmail.com or visit http://www.lospadres.sierraclub.org/wbc for details.

World affairs talk group to open

An eight-week "Great Decisions" group will meet Sunday afternoons starting Feb. 26 in Ventura. "Great Decisions" is a program of the Foreign Policy Association. This year's topics include: Middle East Realignment, Promoting Democracy, Mexico, Cybersecurity, Exit from Afghanistan and Iraq, State of the Oceans, Indonesia, and Energy Geopolitics.

The group will meet from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1338 E. Santa Clara St. Call 643-8521 or email fumcventura@sbcglobal.net to reserve a place and a briefing book. Briefing books cost $20. More information about the "Great Decisions" program can be found at http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions.

VENTURA COUNTY

Annual fundraising ball set for Feb. 25

The 23rd annual Casa Pacifica Angels Ball will be held Feb. 25 at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks.

The event will include a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing to a live orchestra and a live auction. The purpose of the Angels Ball is to raise funds to support Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families. The announcement of the 2011 Guardian Angel Award, which honors an individual or couple who has gone the extra mile in support of Casa Pacifica, will also be made.

Tickets are $325 per person, a portion of which is tax deductible.

For reservations or sponsor information, call Kristin Palos at 484-7144.

Casa Pacifica is a crisis-care and residential treatment facility for abused, neglected, or at-risk children in Camarillo. For more information visit http://www.casapacifica.org or call 445-7800.

Class will show how to identify birds

A Southern California Birds ID Class is being offered by ornithologist Linnea Hall from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays Feb. 25 through March 17.

Several classes (depending on weather) will be held at the The Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology Museum in Camarillo to practice ID from specimens and vocalization recordings, and to cover natural history and ecology of local birds. Other labs will be in the field practicing identifications.

Cost is $200 per person (20 percent less for WFVZ members). For reservations, call 388-9944.