THURS., MAY 19

Chamber Mixer

Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking mixer at 5:30 p.m. at Cisco’s Restaurant, 1712 Avenida de Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks featuring food and door prizes. (818) 889-3150

Learn Bonsai Lore

Dennis Roche will give a demonstration at the 7:30 p.m. meeting of the Conejo Valley Bonsai Society at Commercial Capital Bank, 973 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. Bonsai enthusiasts are invited. (805) 374-9668

Oak Park Gardeners

Oak Park Gardeners meet 7 p.m. at Mae Boyar Park, 130 Kanan Road, Oak Park to discuss Pumpkin Patch fundraiser along with forming supporting committees. Non-members welcome to attend. (818) 889-3518

FRI., MAY 20

Speed Dating Events

No Waiting Dating offers Singles Speed Dating events. Tonight it’s for Latin and Asian gals ages 32 to 48, men 34 to 58 at Stargazer, West Hills; on Mon., May 23 it’s for gals 56 to 63, guys 59 to 68 at Hyatt Westlake Plaza, Westlake Village. Call for event times and any fees: (818) 773-8333 Karalee Austin

Enjoy ‘Mary Poppins’

Adapted from the film "Mary Poppins" is this musical version from Pacific Festival Ballet Company at 4 and 7 p.m. in the Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. $17 to $21. (805) 449-2787

About NASA Missions

Ventura County Astronomical Society meets 7:30 p.m. in Forum Auditorium on Moorpark College campus, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark. Guest speaker Dr. Marc Rayman, who has received many awards from NASA and from JPL will discuss "NASA’s Deep Space 1 and Dawn Missions: To Boldly Go...." (805) 520-9666

SAT., MAY 21

A Habitat Fundraiser

Habitat for Humanity hosts annual Family Fun Day fundraiser beginning 9:30 a.m. with 5K, 10K run, walk, glide and 25-mile bike ride at Rancho Simi Community Park, corner of Royal Avenue and Erringer Road, Simi Valley. At 11 a.m. it’s a carnival with fun and food booths. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a fundraising dinner and silent auction at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 5801 Kanan Road, Westlake Village. $35. (805) 485-6065

Barbershop Harmony

Rincon Beach Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society presents its spring show, "Rock! Pop! And Barbershop!" at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Newbury Park High School Performing Arts Center, 456 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. Joined by Pacific Sound Mens A Capella Chorus and featuring the Alley Cats, a premier doo wop quartet and O C times championship barbershop quartet. $15-$35. (800) 353-1632

Agoura Art Show

Artists Elaine Cohen and Sheila Fein will be donating a percentage of sales from their artwork to Jonsson Cancer Research Center UCLA from their art show, "Real & Imagined . . . Two Artists" from 2 to 6 p.m. today and from 1 to 5 p.m. tomorrow at 2317 Sierra Creek Road, Agoura (between Kanan Road and Mulholland Highway). RSVP to (818) 879-6120

Family Carnival

Maple School, 3501 Kimber Drive, Newbury Park, hosts Family Days Carnival with games, rides, silent auction, barbecue. Call Wynter at (805) 231-2870 for event time

Girl Scouts Make Salsa

Girls Scouts of the San Fernando Valley present their second annual "Taste of Salsa" event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cesar E. Chavez Park, 208 Park Ave., San Fernando featuring salsa making and tasting, salsa dancing, arts and crafts, contests. Bring a picnic lunch. Open to all girls and their families (no pets, no alcoholic beverages permitted). $2. (818) 886-1801, ext. 27

Wildland

Fire Safety

The Ventura County Fire Department’s Office of Community Education will present its fourth annual Wildland Fire and Safety Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Camarillo Airport on the grounds of the fire department’s Regional Training Center, 102 E. Durley Ave., Camarillo. Homeowners and business owners are invited to learn about wildland fires, fire prevention and general safety. Equipment demonstrations, vendor displays, emergency info, kids’ activities. Free. (805) 389-9748 Russ Cole

Senior Festival

The Senior Festival is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Goebel Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, with more than 50 booths, guest speakers, entertainment, silent auction and lunch. Event is free; lunch by pre-sale tickets only is adults 50 and up $3, non-seniors $5.

Yerba Buena Gala

PFA of Yerba Buena Elementary School, Agoura Hills, presents "Wish Upon a Star," the second annual adults-only spring fundraiser featuring cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dancing and silent and live auctions at Moorpark Country Club. Call for event time. $50. (818) 865-0076

Clean Up the Arroyo

Volunteers will help with third annual Arroyo Clean-Up Day from 9 a.m. to noon at Tapo Canyon Road (at the Arroyo), south of Royal Avenue, Simi Valley, removing trash and debris. Described as "fairly strenuous physical activity" and volunteers should be prepared with protective clothing and bring digging tools. (805) 583-6756

Plants and Butterflies

National Park Service activities today include a Native Plant Fair from 8 a.m. to noon in the main parking lot at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park, featuring more than 30 species of native plants and trees for sale, plus educational displays and tours of the ethno-botanic garden; and at 2 p.m. at park service headquarters, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, butterfly expert Fred Heath will reveal the secret lives of this beautiful and graceful creature in a free lecture. (805) 370-2301

Piano Concerto

Jon Kimura Parker will perform Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto when New West Symphony presents its 2004-05 Masterpiece Series Concert No. 4 and season finale also featuring works by Newman and Schumann at 8 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. $15 to $75. (800) New West

SUN., MAY 22

Ray Bradbury Appears

Literary giant Ray Bradbury, author of "The Martian Chronicles" and many other notable works, will make a guest appearance at 7 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. $10 to $15. Reservations are a must. (805) 497-0291

Strathearn Celebrates

Strathearn Historical Park & Museum hosts sixth annual History Day program from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 137 Strathearn Place, Simi Valley (behind the Kmart) plus the Golden Fifty’s Picnic honoring long-time Simi families. Rusty Relics will display tractors and antique engines; see a blacksmithing and horseshoeing demonstration; Chumash presentation featuring historical artifacts; and Rudy Maciel will discuss his ancestor Jose Francicso Ortega. Refreshments. $3. (805) 526-6453

Carnival Helps Kids

The sixth annual Kids Walking for Kids Carnival, created by Agoura High freshman Jenny Tannenbaum raises funds for Variety-The Children’s Charity, which helps children in need. It will be presented from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Willow Elementary School, 29026 Laro Drive, Agoura Hills and features carnival games, inflatables, prizes, silent auction, raffles, music by Hart to Hart, In-N-Out Truck (noon to 2 p.m.). (818) 991-4545

Student Artwork

Young at Art Studios host display of artwork by its students from noon to 2 p.m. at 330 N. Zachary, Ste. 106, Moorpark (805) 529-6274 and from noon to 2 p.m. Sun., June 5 at Agoura Hills City Mall, 5859 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills (818) 991-5514

An Equine Play Day

Equestrian Trails, Inc. Corral 36 Play Day features horse games and jumping classes at Malibu Valley Farms, Stokes Canyon at Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, beginning at 8 a.m. (818) 222-1359

MON., MAY 23

Golf for Schools

Participate in the Ventura College Foundation’s Golf Classic and play golf at Spanish Hills Country Club, Camarillo to support the Ventura County Community Colleges (Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura). For details: (805) 654-6461

TUES., MAY 24

For Adoptive Parents

Children’s Bureau, a licensed private adoption agency, hosts an information meeting for prospective adoptive parents from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. (805) 499-0620

Watershed Advisory

Malibu Creek Watershed Advisory Council meeting is from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at 23815 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu and will feature an update on current status of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Feasibility Study which will explore options for dealing with Rindge Dam and other issues of concern in the Malibu Creek Watershed. (310) 455-1030

WED., MAY 25

C.V. Garden Club

Conejo Valley Garden Club meets 10:30 a.m. at Bauduccos Restaurant, 563 W. Los Angeles Ave., Moorpark for installation of new officers followed by luncheon. $15. Guests welcome with advance reservations. (805) 497-2949

THURS.,

MAY 26

Simi AARP

to Meet

AARP Simi Chapter No. 3605 meets 1 p.m. at Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley. Marianne Knight of California Senior Living will discuss choosing a senior care facility. (805) 527-8304

Visit

Design House

Design House Chapter of the New West Symphony presents Design House 2005 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through June 26 and from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, with "Meet the Designers" program from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Fridays in Los Posas Estates, Camarillo. Park for free shuttle bus at Lokker Memorial Park. $20 to $25. Proceeds benefit New West Symphony. No stiletto heels, cameras, baby carriers or strollers. (805) 676-4148

For Democrats

The 37th Assembly District Committee, the local assembly’s grassroots organization for the Democratic Party, has its quarterly organizational meeting at 7 p.m. at Cameron Center, 288 Greenmeadow Drive, Thousand Oaks. (805) 217-6555

SAT., MAY 28

Fun Fair in Topanga

Topanga Days Country Fair featuring Bohemian culture, alternative music and country and bluegrass fun plus Children’s Village, zany country contests, crafts, food fest and much music will be presented from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday at Topanga Community House grounds, 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. New this year is inaugural Topanga Days Folk & Bluegrass Contest on Saturday and Sunday. Also John McEuen, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, will perform on Sunday. $6-$12. (310) 455-1980

Winery’s Open House

Leeward Winery hosts an Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, tomorrow and Monday at 2784 Johnson Drive, Ventura featuring tasting of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Free. (805) 656-5054

Square Dance Action

Buckles & Bows Square Dance Club hosts plus level square dance from 7 to 10:45 p.m. at Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. $6. (805) 499-2920

SUN., MAY 29

Matilija Poppy Fest

Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 350 W. Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks presents its annual Matilija Poppy Festival in the garden’s nursery area from 1 to 5 p.m. See this tall, dramatic flower, hear speakers on gardening topics, take special tours; plus kids’ activities, plant sale, free popcorn and more. Free. (805) 494-7630

MON., MAY 30

Bluegrass Festival

The Walnut Grove Bluegrass Festival features jamming all day under the trees at 3370 Sunset Valley Road, off Tierra Rejada Road, Simi Valley. Gates open 8 a.m., show starts 10 a.m. Featured performers include Tom Corbett Band, Walden Dahl Band, The Kin Folk, Witcher Brothers, Silverado Bluegrass Band; plus workshops, beginner and intermediate jams; food. Proceeds to help Rotary Club of Moorpark. $10 to $20 at the gate. (818) 282-9001

FRI., JUNE 3

Village Voices Sing

Village Voices Chorale presents "Power of Music" at 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night in Scherr Forum Theatre at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Musical journey of classical, Broadway and contemporary songs. $15. (805) 449-2787

SAT., JUNE 4

Kid’s Nature Festival

The Children’s Nature Institute hosts the 15th annual Kids’ Nature Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Temescal Gateway Park, 15601 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades for toddlers to 8-year-olds (older siblings welcome) featuring more than 30 hands-on activity booths, silent auctions, face painting, food and three concerts by Dan Crow at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Two costume parades at 12:30 and 2 p.m. $7 to $8. (310) 998-1151

ArtWalk in T.O.

ArtWalk, a benefit for the Conejo Valley Art Museum, will be presented from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow in The Oaks Shopping Center’s east parking lot. More than 170 artists, many from the local area as well as from all over the country, will exhibit their work. Children’s hands-on art booth, live entertainment, food. Free admission. (805) 492-8778

FRI., JUNE 10

Celebrating Orchids

Conejo Orchid Society hosts its annual show and sale, "Orchid Dreams," from 4 to 6 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow at Newbury Park Library, 2331 Borchard Road. Potting demonstration at 11 a.m., lecture on how to grow orchids at 2 p.m. (818) 889-1895 (evenings)

SAT., JUNE 11

Fire Truck Pull

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the Ventura County Fire Department presents the second annual Fire Truck Pull to benefit Ventura County Special Olympics and the Moorpark D.A.R.E. program. The event will occur during the Moorpark Apricot Festival presented from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark. The Fire Truck Pull is an event that consists of six-person teams pulling a fire truck a short distance for the fastest time. (805) 532-2712, (805) 529-0322

Potter’s Guild Show

Ventura County Potter’s Guild presents its 48th annual Show and Sale with more than 30 exhibiting artists from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow during the Ojai Music Festival, Libbey Park, downtown Ojai. (818) 889-1856

SUN., JUNE 12

Ojai Wine Festival

Ojai Wine Festival is from noon to 5 p.m. at Lake Casitas in Ojai. More than 40 wineries will be pouring. Admission fee covers all entertainment, nine tasting tickets. Ten local restaurants will offer food at reasonable prices. Arts and crafts on display, kids’ activity area. $35 at gate, parking $3. (800) 648-4881

Chili Cookoff & Cars

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Knights of Columbus Simi Valley Council No. 5803 presents 18th annual Chili Cook-off and Car Show on grounds of St. Rose of Lima School (behind church), 1305 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. Rides, entertainment, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, food, plus view classic cars. Chili cooking begins at noon with judging at 4 p.m. $3 to $5, with chili tasting tickets 50 cents each. (805) 526-7960