FRI., JAN. 20

Astronomy Pioneer “Living legend in amateur astronomy” John Dobson will discuss optics, cosmology, the Big Bang theory and the foibles of modern astronomy as the special guest of the Ventura County Astronomical Society when they meet at 7:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 E. Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. (805) 520-9666

Newcomers’ Coffee Agoura Newcomers Club will host a get-acquainted coffee at 10 a.m. They are a social organization geared towards helping those new to the area meet people and get acquainted with the neighborhood. Call for location: (818) 889-7338

‘Annie Get Your Gun’ Chamberlains’ Performing & Fine Arts Academy presents Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun” at 7 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night and at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Smothers Theater on campus of Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. Cast is comprised of children ages 6 to 15 from Conejo Valley and other areas. $12. (818) 735-9464

Ambassador to Speak Simi Valley-Moorpark Republican Women’s Club Federated meets at noon at Wood Ranch Country Club. Ambassador Pierre Richard Prosper, candidate for attorney general, will be guest speaker. Lunch cost is $15. (805) 584-0629

Buy Books and More Friends of the Woodland Hills Library host a sale of books, tapes, videos, cookbooks, collector’s books and more “at amazing prices” from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (members) and from 12:30 to 5 p.m. (public) today and from 9 to 10 a.m. (members) and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (public) tomorrow at 22200 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. Proceeds will benefit the library. (818) 226-0017

RSVP Due Reservations should be made by today for the Wed., Jan. 25 meeting of the National Human Resources Association (Ventura County Chapter) from 7 to 9 a.m. at Los Robles Golf Course events center, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Speakers will discuss “The Talent Race: Do You Have a Winning Talent Management System?” $20 to $37. Call Arden at (805) 446-1860

Rockin’ Calabasas Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center, 27040 Malibu Hills Road, Calabasas: Five bands will perform in a rock concert at 7 p.m. $7. (818) 880-2993

SAT., JAN. 21

Explore Famed Park National Park Service Visitor Center, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks: At 2 p.m. interpretive park ranger John Lockhart presents a lecture on how to enjoy your visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. Free. (805) 370-2301

Preschool Fair MOMS Club of Newbury Park and The Oaks mall sponsor fourth annual Preschool Fair at The Oaks from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Cheesecake Factory parking lot. Children’s entertainment, parent information, guest speakers. Free. (805) 480-0716 Vanessa

Rose Pruning Taught The Ventura County Rose Society hosts Jeri Jennings, Jim Delahanty and Ingrid Wapelhorst, all consulting rosarians, in demonstrations of how to prune “old garden roses” on site at the Heritage Rose Garden of the Stagecoach Inn Museum, 51 S. Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park. (805) 498-0861

Catch Comedy Night Temple Adat Elohim Social Hall, 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks: The temple’s Brotherhood and Sisterhood present “Comedy Night” from 7 to 11 p.m. featuring emcee Allan Murray, Larry Omaha, Steve Mittleman, Wendy Kamenoff and Michael Rayner. Includes a buffet dinner, live auction plus door prizes. $40 to $50. (805) 497-7101

SUN., JAN. 22

‘Forbidden Broadway’ University of Judaism, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air presents “Forbidden Broadway,” which parodies popular Broadway productions and skewers beloved plays and musicals in the name of laughter, at 7:30 p.m. The troupe will add a Jewish twist for this show. $40. (310) 440-1246

House Concert Concerts at the Bodie House in Agoura Hills presents singer/songwriter Bob Franke at 6 p.m. $15. Address and directions upon RSVP (818) 621-8309

MON., JAN. 23

Learn About

the Web Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks hosts a free demonstration of Internet use and searching techniques from 7 to 8:30 p.m. tonight and repeated from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. Thurs., Jan. 26 at the Newbury Park Branch Library, 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park. Register (805) 4492660, ext. 204

TUES., JAN. 24

Adoption Information Children’s Bureau hosts a parent orientation open to adults single or married, English and Spanish speaking, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road. (805) 499-0620

Post 9/11 Saudi Arabia Global Exchange Ventura County Supporters host guest lecturer Nancy Gallagher speaking on her recent trip to Saudi Arabia from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Newbury Park Branch Library, 2331 Borchard Road. Free. (805) 241-8855

American Legion The Moorpark American Legion Auxiliary Unit 502 will meet at 6 p.m. in Mahan Hall at the United Methodist Church, 261 Flory Ave., Moorpark. (805) 529-1848

WED., JAN. 25

Play Excerpts Read The Malibu Book Discussion Group meets 1 p.m. in clubhouse of Pt. Dume Mobile Home Park, 29500 W. Heathercliff Road, Malibu. Actors from A Readers Theater will read excerpts from Arthur Miller’s play, “All My Sons.” Free with reservations required: (310) 457-7839

Magic and Fashion Thousand Oaks Woman’s Club meets 10:30 a.m. at Clarion Palm Garden Hotel, 495 Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park. Magician Paul Dwork will entertain. $20. On March 10 they’ll host their fundraising fashion show at Wood Ranch in Simi Valley; cost is $40. (805) 499-8039

Learn About Camellias A speaker from Nuccio’s Nursery will show and discuss camellias at the 9:30 a.m. meeting of the Conejo Valley Garden Club at United Methodist Church, 1000 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. (805) 497-2949

Saluting the Good Guys Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge hosts 29th annual Law Enforcement and Firefighter Appreciation program at 6 p.m. at 158 Conejo School Road, Thousand Oaks. Barbecue dinner ($12) is 7 p.m. and awards ceremony is 8 p.m. (805) 496-2477

THURS., JAN. 26

Kids’ Book Comes Alive Malibu Library, 23519 W. Civic Center Way, Malibu presents “Manners I. Care, The Traveling Show” musical extravaganza with four puppets and three actors, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. It’s based on David Bruce’s new children’s book. He’ll read and sign books after the show. Free. Surprise and gifts for all in attendance. (877) 543-7588

Elvis Tribute Moorpark resident and famed Elvis impersonator Raymond Michael, an alumnus of CLU, will perform his “Tribute to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll” at 8 p.m. in the Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., joined by a 24piece orchestra and backup singers. Proceeds benefit CLU performing arts programs. $10 to $35. (805) 449-2787

SAT., JAN. 21

Calabasas Chamber Calabasas Chamber of Commerce: Installation luncheon and awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m. at Calabasas Inn, Parkview Room, 23500 Park Sorrento. New board of directors introduced and Chairman’s Award and Bill Van Gieson Community Service Award presented. RSVP (818) 222-5680

Tame Thorny Roses Scott Klittich from Otto & Sons Nursery in Fillmore will demonstrate and discuss “How to Prune Roses” at 7:30 p.m. meeting of Ventura County Rose Society at Cowan Conference Center, 550 Airport Way, Camarillo. Also, a panel of society members will recommend successful roses for specific areas such as coastal, inland coastal and inland hotter valley areas. (818) 993-6622

FRI., JAN. 27

‘Finian’s Rainbow’ Conejo Players Theatre, Inc. presents the musical-comedy “Finian’s Rainbow” at 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, tonight through Feb. 25. It’s the magical story of Finian McLonergran, an Irish dreamer and schemer, and his journey to Rainbow Valley. $14 to $18. (805) 495-3715

Comedy Sportz Night Oak Park Comedy Sportz team will play a home game at 7:15 p.m. in room G9 at Oak Park High School, 899 N. Kanan Road, Oak Park. Enjoy fast-paced improvisational comedy between two teams in a sportslike setting. Audience votes for the funniest. $3 to $5. (818) 735-3300

It’s Puppet Mania! City of Calabasas Library, 23975 Park Sorrento St., presents a special event for children ages 5 and younger at 11 a.m. featuring the Stroud Puppets performing “Puppet Mania!” Please, no strollers. Free. (818) 225-7616

SAT., JAN. 28

Used Book Sale Platt Branch Library, 23600 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills hosts a Super Used Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in multipurpose room and bookstore featuring a large selection of fiction, nonfiction and children’s books. (818) 340-9386

Painting Demonstration Artist Magoo Valencia will present a painting demonstration from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Doyon Studio and Gallery #E, 1390 Flynn Road, Camarillo. A pizza lunch will be served. $5 nonmembers, free to members of California Gold Coast Watercolor Society. (805) 987-0291

Free Wine Tasting Winter candelight tasting is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow at Leeward Winery, 2784 Johnson Drive, Ventura. Cellar is illuminated by twinkling candles as guests sample wine releases including chardonnay and pinot noir. Free. (805) 656-5054

Winter Nature Walk Charmlee Wilderness Park: At 10 a.m. at this scenic oceanview park known for its meadows, oak groves and wildflower displays, take a guided Winter Nature Walk to search for migratory birds and early blooming plants. The park is on Encinal Canyon Road in the Malibu mountains above the Pacific Coast Highway. Bring binoculars, meet in the upper parking lot. There is a parking fee. (310) 317-1364

Square Dance The Buckles & Bows Square Dance Club will host a plus-level square dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. $6. (805) 499-2920

SUN., JAN. 29

Stellar Young Violinist Heralded violin prodigy Caitlin Tully, 18, who has won countless awards and appeared with numerous symphony orchestras, will perform at 2 p.m. in Raitt Recital Hall on the Pepperdine University campus, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. On the program will be works by Beethoven, Tartini, Ravel and Rachmaninoff. Accompanying Tully at the piano will be Robert Koenig. $25. (310) 506-4522

Nonviolence Stressed Ventura County Fellowship of Reconciliation organizing team cosponsors a workshop “The Challenge of Nonviolence in a Violent World” from 2 to 5 p.m. in Nygreen Hall on the campus of California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Free. (805) 498-9401

TUES., JAN. 31

Optimist Club Meets Las Virgenes Optimist Club meets at 6:30 p.m. at Terri’s Cafe, 30135 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills. They also meet most Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. (818) 707-1934

Seniors’ Book Club City of Agoura Hills Department of Community Services Senior Recreation Program hosts a free book club meeting for program participants from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Today they will be discussing “Cold Mountain” by Charles Frazier. $12 annual fee to participate in Senior Recreation Program. For meeting location, call Agoura Hills Recreation Center (818) 597-7361