Datebook

FRI., APRIL 25

Bella Vita Club Bella Vita Italian Social Club meets for dinner, 6 p.m., St. Jude Catholic Church Parish Hall, 32032 W. Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. Program after dinner. April birthdays celebrated. Plans discussed for upcoming trips, events. $12 members, $14 nonmembers. Guests welcome. Sara Paruolo, (805) 446-9225.

SAT., APRIL 26

Singin' The Blues Write4Hope, Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley host third annual Write4Hope Blues Festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oak County Park, 901 Quimisa Drive, Simi Valley. Musicians Robben Ford, Jimmy Z and the ZTribe, Michael John and The Bottom Line, Laurie Morvan Band, Barry "Big B" Brenner, BB Chung King and The Buddaheads. Fundraiser for Simi Valley Samaritan Center, Simi Valley Free Clinic. Advance tickets $20 adult, $25 at door. Children $5, age 4 and under free. Onsite parking $10. Free off-site parking with shuttle at Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road. (805) 289-4885, www.write4hope .org.

For Young Families Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning hosts annual Family Day at the Park for families with children ages 1 to 5, noon to 4 p.m., Thousand Oaks Community Park, 2525 N. Moorpark Road. Games, music, karaoke, drawings, giveaways. Ventura County Fire Department "Smoke House" on site. (805) 496-9035.

Ventura ArtFest Ventura Charter School hosts inaugural ArtFest, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mission Park in downtown Ventura. Live music, dancing, arts, crafts, climbing structures, food, silent auction, raffles, vendor booths. Free admission. Proceeds benefit Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education. (805) 648-5503, www.venturacharterschool.org.

SUN., APRIL 27

Clean Cars Oak Park High School Choir hosts carwash, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oak Park High School, 899 N. Kanan Road. Proceeds benefit choir programs. Cars $5, trucks and SUVs $8.

Garden, Patio Tour Westlake Village Garden Club hosts 35th annual Garden and Patio Tour, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tour five gardens in Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks. $15 advance, $20 at door. Children under 12 free. Proceeds fund college scholarships for local horticultural, forestry students. Lovita Vanderberg, tour co-chair, (805) 370-3141.

Chili Cook-Off Thousand Oaks Rotary Club hosts 33rd annual Conejo Valley Days Chili Cook-Off, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Conejo Creek Park South, Janss Road at 23 Freeway, Thousand Oaks. Sample 50 different types of chili. Band music, vendor booths, children's area. Adults $5, children 12 and under free. Parking free.

Radio Show "The High Street Broadcast," sketch comedy show based on live radio shows of 1940s, 7 p.m. High Street Arts Center, 45 E. High St., Moorpark. Sketches written, performed by the players. Free, no reservations needed. Seating is first come, first served. (805) 529-8700.

Fiddlers Group California State Old Time Fiddlers Association meets 1:30 p.m., Oak View Community Center, 18 Valley Road, Oak View. For all ages. Family-oriented fun, old time music, dancing, refreshments. Free admission. (805) 517-1131.

MON., APRIL 28

Photo Show, Sale Oaks Christian High School senior photography class hosts opening party for photo show, 7 to 9 p.m., on campus, 31749 La Tienda Road, Westlake Village. Prints, postcards with students' photos for sale. Proceeds go to nonprofit Kids with Cameras. Karla Branen Chouhan, kchouhan@oakschristian.org.

TUES., APRIL 29

Free Ice Cream Annual Free Cone Day and fundraiser to benefit Many Mansions, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Ben & Jerry's in The Lakes shopping center, Thousand Oaks. Residents receive one free scoop of ice cream and learn about Many Mansions and need for affordable housing.

WED., APRIL 30

Ceramics Sale Moorpark College hosts Spring Student Ceramics Sale, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., today and Thursday, Room

T-114, Ceramics

Studio, Technology Building, Moorpark

College, 7075 Cam

pus Road. (805) 378-1400, ext. 1770, www.moorpark.edu.

Flamenco

Guitarist Ventura County Classical Guitar Society meets, Recreation and Park District, 1605 Burnley St., Camarillo. 7 p.m. ensemble, solos. 8 p.m. Benjamin Shearer, flamenco guitarist. Public welcome. (805) 482-6224. www.vccgs.com.

THURS., MAY 1

Candidates Debate Democratic Club of Camarillo hosts Candidates' Night, 7 p.m., Orchid Room, UFCW Union Hall, 816 Camarillo Springs Road, Camarillo. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Democratic candidates for 24th Congressional District, 37th Assembly District, candidates for nonpartisan 3rd Supervisorial District race present statements, respond to questions. Public invited, free. Jack Phillips, (805) 504-3749.

Mexico Update Business and Professional Women of Conejo Valley meet 7 p.m., Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. Dr. Eva Remirez discusses current issues in Mexico. Both men, women welcome. Free.

FRI., MAY 2

Pet Benefit LIFE Animal Rescue hosts "A Pawsitively Purrfect Night at the Casino" fundraiser, 7 to 11 p.m., Sunset Hills Country Club, 4155 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks. Hors d'oeuvres, live entertainment, silent auction, casino games, Texas Hold'em poker, door prizes. $60. All proceeds benefit LIFE Animal Rescue. lifeanimalrescue@aol.com.

SAT., MAY 3

CVD Parade Conejo Valley Days parade, 9 a.m., Thousand Oaks Boulevard from Pierce Arrow to The Lakes. Grand marshal, bands, horse riders, floats. Free. Festival continues noon to midnight, Conejo Creek Park South, 23 Freeway and Janss Road. Rides, vendors, food, live music, stunt dog show. Admission $4 to $10. Event raises funds for local nonprofits. www.conejovalleydays.org.

Fine Arts Festival 11th annual Calabasas Fine Arts Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., today and Sunday, parking lot behind Calabasas Library, 23975 Park Sorrento. Artists sell unique art in variety of media. Free admission. Onsite parking $5. Parking fees benefit Calabasas Arts Council. (818) 878-4225, ext. 266.

SUN., MAY 4

Love The Arts Annual Moorpark Arts Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., various sites in downtown/High Street area (City Hall, City Library, High Studio Fine Arts Gallery, High Street Arts Center). Juried art show, photography exhibit, live music performances, children's interactive arts, poetry readings. (805) 517-6260, www .moorparkartsfestival.com .

Open House California Wildlife Center hosts open house, noon to 4 p.m., 26026 Piuma Road, Calabasas. Meet the staff, guided tours, refreshments. Free, children welcome. RSVP (818) 222-2658.

MON., MAY 5

Military Couples Conejo Valley National Society Daughters of the American Revolution meet 11:30 a.m., Garden Room, Plug Nickle Restaurant, 717 Lakefield Road, Westlake Village. Retired Lt. Cmdr. Ann Siefert, USN, discusses military married couples. RSVP Barbara Hougardy, (818) 889-8039; Carol Satterwaite, (805) 532-1148.

Global Warning Conejo Audubon Society meets 7:30 p.m., Western Foundation for Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo. Elzbet Diaz de Leon from Ventura College speaks on "The Carbon Diet," ways to avoid global disaster. (805) 987-2721, www.ConejoValleyAudubon.org.

WED., MAY 7

Spring Boutique Las Virgenes Community Learning Center hosts Spring Boutique, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4029 Las Virgenes Road (behind AE Wright School), Calabasas. Vendors sell variety of items. Proceeds support school's music, art, PE programs. (805) 368-9995.

Mother's Day Tea RSVP Reservations due for Democratic Women's Council of Conejo Valley second annual Mother's Day tea, fashion show, noon to 3 p.m., Sat., May 10 on island overlooking lake in Westlake Village. Fashions from Coldwater Creek featured. Mother's Day gifts, jewelry, bags, raffle, door prizes. $20 donation. For directions, RSVP (805) 495-1515, www .democraticwomenscouncil.com.

Women's Luncheon Simi Valley Woman's Club meets 11 a.m., Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. New officer installation, barbecue pork luncheon. $10. RSVP (805) 583-8272.

THURS., MAY 8

Science Fair White Oak Elementary School hosts Science Fair 6:30 to 8 p.m., 31761 Village School Road, Westlake Village. Students kindergarten to fifth grade give science demonstration, display results of science experiments. Free admission, open to public. Gina Amenta-Shin (818) 889-1450.

Business Reception Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce Cinco de Mayo Reception, 5 to 8 p.m., Sagebrush Cantina, 23527 Calabasas Road, Calabasas. Free.

FRI., MAY 9

Active Adults Ventura County Over the Hill Gang hosts get acquainted meeting, 7 to 9 p.m., at member's home in Simi Valley. For active people aged 50 and over. Club activities include skiing, hiking, biking, dinners, cultural events. Guests attend free. For directions, call Karen (818) 735-0987. www.vcothg.org.

Family Movie Night Mesa Verde Middle School's Renaissance Club presents Family

Movie Night with Pixar/ Disney's "Ratatouille,"

lower field, 1400 Peach Hill Road, Moorpark. 6:30 p.m. snacks, playing on the field. 8 p.m. movie. Profits go to Renaissance program. Admission is donation. Pizza, candy, soda, coffee, popcorn for sale.

Book Buyer's

Delight The Book Bag hosts fourth annual Sidewalk Sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., today and Saturday, 202 N. Skyline Drive, Thousand Oaks.

Hardbacks, paperbacks, children's books 50 cents to $1. Cash and checks only. Nonprofit community bookstore that benefits local literacy efforts. (805) 497-0710, www.thebookbag.biz.

SAT., MAY 10

Paint Nature Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore Inc. host paint-out, Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Cross Creek Road at PCH. 9:30 a.m. meet in parking area under red flag, stay until early afternoon. For new, experienced artists in any media. Paint nature scenes by Malibu Pier. Bring lunch, own art supplies, cash for parking fee. Facilities available. Carole Garland (310) 338-0333.

Antiques Faire Conejo Valley Historical Society hosts annual Antiques Faire, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Stagecoach Inn Museum, 51 S. Ventu Park, New-bury Park. Antiques, art, collectibles, silver, china, crystal, jewelry, vintage clothing, kitchen items, toys, furniture, clocks, books. Camarillo antiques authority Rita Faulders lectures on Carnival Glass. Evaluations $5 per item. Admission $5 includes museum tour. Free cookies, lemonade. (805) 498-9441.

Genealogy Seminar Conejo Valley Genealogical Society hosts annual seminar, 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Guest speaker Megan Smolenyak. Various workshops. (805) 379-2067, cvgs2008seminar@aol.com.

Gourd Art Festival Channel Islands Gourd Society displays, sells decorated gourds at annual Gourd Art Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, Santa Rosa Valley Clubhouse, 11701 E. Las Posas Road, Camarillo. Mask parade, hourly birdhouse raffle, demonstrations on gourds, children's make-and-take workshop. Free admission. Charlene, (805) 649-9868.

Hispanic Fair Festival Dia de la Madre Hispanic Community Fair, noon to 8 p.m., today and Sunday, Sun Valley Park, Vineland Avenue and San Fernando Road, Sun Valley. Food, arts and crafts, carnival games, free gifts and samples, live music, vendors, information on education, home loans, medical, legal services. Free admission. Comite Civico LatinoAmericano, (818) 718-7956.

SUN., MAY 11

Breakfast For Mom Boy Scout Troop 127 hosts 45th annual Mother's Day Breakfast, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Malibou Lake Lodge, 29033 Lake Vista Drive, Agoura Hills. All-you-can-eat ham, eggs, pancakes, orange juice, coffee, tea, milk. Free door prizes, free flower, gift basket raffle. Steinway artist Steve Hall performs. Professional photographer on hand (extra cost). $5 for meal. Children 3 and younger, free. Jodi Regan, (818) 707-2995.

MON., MAY 12

Orchid IQ Conejo Orchid Society meets 7 p.m., Westlake Village City Hall, 31200 Oak Crest Drive. Jim Kotsybar of Chaotic Exotics Orchids speaks on "Your Orchid IQ." Raffle, refreshments. Free, guests welcome. Janna, (805) 278-2205; Marian, (818) 889-1895.

WED., MAY 14

Song & Dance Benefit Seventh annual High School Benefit Concert "Song and Dance Man," 4 p.m., Kavli Theatre, Countrywide Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Peformances by Dick Van Dyke, Harmony Oaks barbershop group, choral groups from five local high schools. Proceeds go to music programs of participating schools. Tickets $15 to $35 at box office. (805) 499-6456, pennywitt@earthlink.net.

THURS., MAY 15

Acoustic Music Club Camarillo Acoustic Music Club meets 7 to 11 p.m., private home. Beginner to expert musicians. Guests welcomed to play or listen. T.J. Zeiler (805) 482-0029, www.Songmakers.org.

FRI., MAY 16

Planet Images Ventura County Astronomical Society meets 7:30 p.m., multipurpose room, Mesa Union School, 3901 Mesa School Road, Somis. Dr. Marshall Perrin discusses imaging of planet formation. Public invited. Carl Ashley, (805) 642-5166, vcas1@aol.com., www.vcas.org.

SAT., MAY 17

Learn About Dinosaurs Robert and Maxine Dearborn present program on prehistoric creatures, including dinosaur bones, 11 a.m., Woodland Hills Branch Library, 22200 Ventura Blvd. Free, for families. (818) 227-0017.

Caravan Dance Thousand Oaks Dance Club hosts dance, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Goebel Senior Adult Center ballroom, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Doors open 7 p.m. Music by Caravan. Singles, couples welcome. Light refreshments. $5 members, $7 nonmembers. (805) 381-2744.

In The Round Camelot Round Dance Club, 7 to 10 p.m., Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley St. All skill levels welcome. Refreshments served. $7 admission. (805) 3888867, (805) 482-0882.