THURS., MAY 15

Award Deadline!

Agoura/Oak Park/Las Virgenes Chamber of Commerce, 30101 Agoura Ct., Ste. 115, Agoura Hills: Nomination forms for Educator of the Year awards must be in Chamber office by today. Event at 5 p.m. on Thurs., June 5 at The Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, will honor outstanding local teaching professionals. (818) 889-3150

An Artsy Focus

Thousand Oaks Art Association: Professional photographer James Travers will discuss photographing art at 7:30 p.m. at Thousand Oaks Community Gallery, 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park. Free. (805) 498-2319 Edna

La Leche League

The League offers mother-to-mother breastfeeding support and information for pregnant or breastfeeding moms in a relaxed atmosphere. Group meets at 2 p.m. at the Westlake Village City Hall, 31200 Oak Crest Dr. Babies welcome! Free. (805) 597-2674 Jenn

Join This Circle

The Friendship Circle, a free program that extends warmth and friendship to families in the Jewish community who have children with special needs, will host a kick-off event at 7:30 p.m. at the Chai Center, 30317 Canwood St., Agoura Hills to inform teenagers how to volunteer to participate in this program. (818) 571-6581

An Eye on the Sky

Ventura County Astronomical Society hosts a public viewing of the total lunar eclipse from 7-10 p.m. at Grant Park (Father Serra Cross area), high above downtown Ventura. Telescopes, binoculars provided. (805) 643-2880 Jim

Fun for Moms & Sons

Yerba Buena Elementary School, 5844 Larboard Lane, Agoura Hills, hosts Mother/Son "Sports-O-Rama" from 6-8 p.m. on school’s blacktop. Moms and their sons will play handball, kickball and basketball. Food, awards, music, too. $15. (818) 889-5798 Jen Hesen

Mystery Business

Calabasas Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Mixer & Mystery Event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at West Hills Hospital & Medical Center, 7300 Medical Center Drive, West Hills. Capers Productions will present "T.I.M.E. is Running Out...!" Food, refreshments. (818) 222-5680

FRI., MAY 16

Watch Dance Champs

Westlake High School’s championship Dance Team members will reprise prize-winning competition numbers at Danceworks 2003 showcase at 7:30 p.m. in gym at Colina Middle School, 1500 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. (805) 497-6711 Susie Bellows

Big Big Telescope

Ventura County Astronomical Society: Richard Ellis, Ph.D., professor of astronomy at California Institute of Technology, discusses "Gravitational Lensing: Nature’s Giant Telescope" at 7:30 p.m. in Forum Auditorium, Moorpark College. (805) 642-5166

Marine Matters

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council meets 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Chase Palm Park Center, 236 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara to hear update on Marine Reserves at the Channel Islands and more. (805) 884-1464

Manna Will Benefit

Buckles & Bows Square Dance Club will present a multi-family garage sale from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. today and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. tomorrow at 4508 Knightsgate Road, Westlake Village, with 20 percent of the proceeds going to Manna, the local food bank. Sale is one block west of Lindero Canyon Road off Agoura Road. (818) 991-4398

Pause for this Cause

A wine-tasting event featuring wines, sake and beer, appetizers, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment and raffle prizes from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, 451 E. Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks is a benefit for PAUSE4kids nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids with developmental disabilities. $10. (805) 480-9065

Welcome to Agoura

Agoura Newcomers Club hosts a Welcome Coffee at 10 a.m. at home of a member for new and long-time area residents. Community-based social group offers wide range of activities for fun and friendship. Call for directions (818) 991-6590

Hungry Bruins

UCLA Alumni, the Ventura County Bruins, host networking luncheon at noon in Mimi’s Cafe, 400 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. RSVP Selwyn (805) 494-4868

SAT., MAY 17

It’s a Gem of a Show

Conejo Gem & Mineral Club hosts 29th annual Pageant of a Thousand Gems from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow at Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park featuring displays, demonstrations, youth activities and crafts, door prizes. (805) 482-2510

All Things Strawberry

20th anniversary edition of California Strawberry Festival features array of strawberry foods, live concerts, fun contests, Fine Arts & Crafts Showcase and Strawberryland for Kids activity area from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. today and 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Strawberry Meadows of College Park, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. $5-$9. (888) 288-9242

Let’s Help Brandon

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Brandon Quinn Fund when you have your vehicle washed at the Agoura Hills Hand Car Wash at Reyes Adobe Road and Canwood St. today and tomorrow. Brandon is an Agoura High School student battling leukemia.

SUN., MAY 18

Help Special Olympics

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Sagebrush Cantina Restaurant, 23527 Calabasas Road, Calabasas, sheriff’s deputies and personnel from Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station will serve food and bus tables. Any amount over and above regular wait staff tip will be collected and donated to Special Olympics. Tip a Cop program will also feature kids’ fingerprinting, displays, patrol car and motorcycle for photos. (818) 342-0017 Jan Maseda

Rosin Up Your Bow!

Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at Paramount Ranch, on Cornell Road in Santa Monica Mountains of Agoura, features musical contestants, folk singing, folk dancing, jamming musicians, professional bands, children’s crafts, folk arts and crafts booths, National Park Service exhibits and booths, food. $5-$10. (818) 382-4819

Agourapalooza!

Cities of Agoura Hills and Westlake Village along with Agoura Music present Agourapalooza: Battle of the Bands from noon-6 p.m. at Casa Rea Restaurant, Agoura Hills. $6. (818) 597-7361

Vets Welcome You

Jewish War Veterans invite all veterans to join their fraternal organization which meets 9:30 a.m. every third Sunday of the month at clubhouse of Pavillion Apartments on Brazil St. off Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks. Enjoy a nosh, guest speaker, camaraderie. (805) 484-4181

A Rebbetzin’s Wisdom

Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, author and teacher, will discuss "The Committed Marriage--Building a Relationship through Timeless Biblical Wisdom" at 8 p.m. at Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. Hosted by Conejo Jewish Academy. $12-$15. (818) 991-0991

MON., MAY 19

Get Author’s Advice

Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles: Acclaimed author of social history and historical fiction Harriet Rochlin will discuss "Historical Fiction: Facts, Images, Feelings" at 7 p.m. in Jewish Community Library of Los Angeles, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Free with RSVP: (323) 761-8648

It’s Ota’s Trunk Show

Conejo Valley Quilters: Local quilter Nancy Ota presents a trunk show at 7 p.m. in Baxter auditorium, Baxter Way, off Lakeview Canyon Road, Thousand Oaks. $5 guests. (818) 889-5147

TUES., MAY 20

A Special Workshop

"Planning for the Future of Your Child with Special Needs" workshop for parents is from 7-8:30 p.m. at Nygreen Hall #1, California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. To register: (818) 999-2800, ext 456

Adoption Seminar

Children’s Bureau will present parent orientation from 7-8:30 p.m. at Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks to introduce adults (single or married) to process of becoming adoptive parents to abused or neglected children. (805) 499-0620

Post-War Iraq

Prof. Juan Campo, director of the Center for Middle East, UCSB, will discuss "Iraq and the Middle East after Saddam Hussein" and the prospects for peace, security, justice and democracy after the war from 7-8:45 p.m. at Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road. Free. (805) 498-7608

Style Secrets

Satellite Chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals hosts guest speaker Diana Olson of Diana’s Color Collage Institute demonstrating "The Secrets of Color and Style" at the Boeing Company, 6633 Canoga Ave., Canoga Park. Networking at 6 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m. $5. (818) 586-8605

Vivid Portrait of Mexico

Teacher, dancer and storyteller Alina Mendez will celebrate Mexican culture and spirit from 6:30 -7:30 p.m. at the Agoura Hills Library, 29901 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills. Her show also includes a display of costumes and dolls. Free. (818) 889-2278

An AHS Production

Agoura High School, 28545 Driver Ave., G Bldg., Agoura Hills: Don’t miss the students’ performance of the classic comedy "You Can’t Take It With You" at 7 p.m. tonight through Fri., May 23. For ticket info call Sherry at (818) 879-6542