FRI., AUG. 25

An Irreverent Farce "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" is a fast-paced irreverent farce that blends the comedy of ancient Roman playwright Plautus with the energy of classic vaudeville in the story of a crafty slave scheming to win his freedom. Presented by the Conejo Players at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, tonight through Sept. 23 at 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. $14 to $18. (805) 4953715

Neil Diamond

Tribute City of Westlake Village hosts concert in the park at 7 p.m. at Berniece Bennett Park in Westlake Village's First Neighborhood featuring Fantastic Diamond in "A Tribute to the Music of Neil Diamond" at 7 p.m. Free. Qdoba Mexican Grill and California Pizza Kitchen will offer meals at $5 per person at 6 p.m. (818) 706-1613

Fresh Food for Sale Simi Valley Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Way: A Farmers' Market is here from 3 to 7:30 p.m. each Friday, in parking lot near Dakota's.

SAT., AUG. 26

Elegant 'Day

at Ascot' New West Symphony League hosts fundraiser "Day at Ascot" at 3 p.m. at Ventura Farms, David Murdock's estate in Hidden Valley/Lake Sherwood area of Thousand Oaks featuring tours of gardens and orchid conservatory, parade of Arabian horses, silent and live auctions, boutique items, awards for the most beautiful hat in the Ascot races tradition and more. Proceeds support musical programs for youth. $200. (805) 493-4663

See a Simi Mermaid Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District hosts a "dive in" movie featuring swimming and a screening of "The Little Mermaid" at Rancho Simi Community Park pool, 1765 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. Movie begins around 7:30 p.m. Bring a picnic and rafts, inner tubes, chairs, blankets. $5 per person. (805) 584-4436

PC User Group Channel Islands PC User Group meets at 8:30 a.m. at the Boys & Girls Club, 1500 Temple Ave., Camarillo, and will preview the newest version of WinDVD by InterVideo, a video system to use on PC, HDTV and cellphones. Free, all welcome. (805) 987-1748

Lobster Fest Arrives Simi Valley Kiwanis hosts its biggest fall fundraiser, the Lobster Fest, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Rancho Tapo Community Park. For $35 you can get a lobster or steak dinner, and children can get a hot dog or hamburger dinner for $5. Live entertainment, arts and crafts booths, children's area, raffle prizes and silent auction. (805) 675-8668

A Look at Wild Things At 7 p.m. at Malibu Creek State Park, on Malibu Canyon Road at Mulholland Highway in Calabasas, meet live wild birds, mammals and reptiles as the Nature of Wildworks presents "Wild in California," a onehour family program providing an up close look at local wild critters. (310) 455-0550

Bring Marshmallows City of Malibu Parks and Recreation Department hosts a two-hour "Marshmallow Hike" at 6:30 p.m. at Charmlee Wilderness Park on Encinal Canyon Road above the Malibu coastline. All ages welcome. Following the hike enjoy roasting marshmallows; bring your own and skewers. Parking $3 and reservations for the hike are required by calling (310) 317-1364

Mozart & Rembrandt Studio Channel Islands Art Center, on campus of Cal State Channel Islands, Building 18 on Ventura Street, Camarillo presents at 3 p.m. today a classical concert by the Women of Note and Friends performing Mozart's flute quartets, trios and duos ($10 to $15). At 4 p.m. tomorrow Gerd Koch in period costume will present a slide show on Rembrandt and also discuss Mozart (free). (805) 383-1368

'Bell, Book and Candle'

FRI., AUG. 25

Camarillo Community Theatre, 330 Skyway Drive, Camarillo (inside the airport) presents the romantic comedy with a witchcraft theme, "Bell, Book and Candle," tonight through Sun., Sept. 24. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Two for the price of one admission tonight and Sept. 1 to 3. $8 to $15. (805) 388-5716

Camarillo Optimists The Camarillo Noontime Optimist Club will host a food booth today during the concert in the park at City Hall. The club meets at noon every Monday at Roundtable Pizza on Arneill Road. On Mon., Aug. 28 they will hear from a guest speaker from the California Youth Authority. (805) 484-0459 Susan Meyer

Cheer Team Car Wash From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Alliance gas station on the corner of Agoura and Lakeview Canyon Roads in Westlake Village, the Westlake High School competition cheer team will host a car wash. $5

SUN., AUG. 27

New Orleans Jazz The Ulysses S. Jazz Band will perform traditional and classic New Orleans jazz from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the last Summer Jazz Concert of the season at Gardens of the World, 2001 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Lawn seating, blankets and lawn chairs okay, no pets. Free. (805) 557-1135

History a Picnic The Pleasant Valley Historical Society hosts its 41st annual Dons and Donas picnic from 1 to 4 p.m. at Camarillo Grove Park, honoring local residents who have contributed to the communities of Santa Rosa Valley, Las Posas Valley, Camarillo and Somis. Pacheco's will provide the food for the barbecue. For tickets call (805) 4846601 Bob Rust

Make a Terrarium Children are invited to a terrariummaking crafts class at 11:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. in the Kids' Adventure Garden at the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 350 W. Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks. Bring your own container and all other supplies will be provided. $5. Reservations are required: (818) 889-0560

Wine Tasting Social Westlake Women's Club hosts a "Summer Wine Down," a wine tasting and networking social from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Westlake Yacht Club, 32123 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. The fundraiser will feature wines from California vineyards, demonstrations by wine experts, live music, cigar rolling tent, hors d'oeuvres. $35 to $42. (805) 497-8206

MON., AUG. 28

Golfing for Cops The 13th annual Simi Valley Police Foundation Golf Tournament begins 9:30 a.m. with check in and putting contest at Lost Canyons Golf Club, 3301 Lost Canyons Drive, Simi Valley. Shotgun start is at noon plus lunch by Maverick's Restaurant, with 6 p.m. dinner and awards ceremony. Four man scramble format on the Sky course. Proceeds benefit Simi Valley Police K-9 program, Explorer Post and other organizations. (805) 526-0265

TUES., AUG. 29

New Look at Fitness The Wealth Creator Company hosts a singles event "Wine, Chocolate and Weight Loss" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Boccaccio's Restaurant, 32123 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. Learn how to be financially as well as physically fit. Guest speaker is author and weight loss guru Robert Ferguson. Guests will sample wines and healthy chocolates. Neil Palache will discuss how to establish a financial fitness plan. $35 to $60. (818) 8744005, ext. 207

WED., AUG. 30

Mavis Leno is Guest Women's rights activist Mavis Leno will be the guest at the noon meeting of the Woodland Hills Rotary at Woodland Hills Country Club, 21150 Dumetz Road, Woodland Hills. RSVP (818) 222-2482 Sheri

Hear Classical Guitar Guest artist Carlos Gonzales will perform at 8 p.m. when the Ventura County Classical Guitar Society celebrates its eighth anniversary at the community center, 1605 Burnley St., Camarillo. At 7 p.m. guests will hear from an ensemble as well as solo performers. (805) 482-6224

Pollution Problems Global Exchange Ventura County Supporters hosts Carmen Ramirez in a discussion on "Liquified Natural Gas Terminals: A Bad Choice for Ventura County and for Planet Earth" at 7 p.m. at Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. (805) 241-8855

Golf Benefit Pearls of Hope Golf Classic at Moorpark Country Club raises funds to provide college scholarships for youth who have lost a parent to breast cancer. Hole-inone will earn one golfer a 2006 Mercedes Benz. $150 per person, $500 foursome. (805) 453-1927

THURS., AUG. 31

Toastmasters' Contest Simi Valley Toastmasters Club hosts annual "Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest" at 7:30 p.m. at Sunrise Senior Living facility, 5300 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Guests interested in public speaking welcome. (805) 577-8348

FRI., SEPT. 1

Bebop Concert in Simi Ronny & the Classics will bring the bebop music of the '50s and '60s to the stage at 8 p.m. at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. The band features outrageous stage antics, flashy zoot suits and great oldies music. $15 to $20. Reserve early by calling (805) 583-7900

SAT., SEPT. 2

A Ballroom Spin Thousand Oaks Dance Club hosts dances from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. tonight and Sat., Sept. 16 at the Goebel Senior Adult Ballroom Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Tonight the Starlighters present live music and on Sept. 16 it will be Moore Music. $5 to $7. (805) 381-2744

Comedian to Chat Stand up comedian Shelley Berman will discuss "History and Humor" from 1:15 to 2 p.m. at the West Valley Branch of the California Writers Club meeting in the Katzenburg Building at the Movie Television Fund Residence. Meeting is from 1 to 3 p.m. Visitors welcome. (818) 883-9685

Winery Open House Leeward Winery, 2784 Johnson Drive, Ventura hosts a Labor Day Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, tomorrow and Monday featuring tasting of new releases of 2002 Edna Valley Chardonnay and 2003 Edna Valley Syrah plus tours. Free. (805) 656-5054

Garden Happenings Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 350 W. Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks: From 10 a.m. to noon today the garden hosts a plant sale of native and water-wise plants in the nursery section. At 2 p.m. tomorrow Ed Hager will lead an informative walk through the rare fruit orchard. Free. (805) 494-7630

Fun for Active Adults The Ventura County Over the Hill Gang invites active people age 50 and over to get acquainted at their 4 p.m. meeting at a member's home in Agoura Hills. Club activities include recreation, dining, cultural events. Guests attend free. Call for location: (805) 495-8107

Coffee and Chat The Thousand Oaks Branch of American Association of University Women hosts a coffee and chat at the Side Street Cafe, 996 Lawrence Drive, Newbury Park. New and renewing members are welcome. Call for time: (805) 4932138

SUN., SEPT. 3

Chamber Music The Bright Light Chamber Players will present a chamber music concert celebrating Mozart's 250th birthday at 2:30 p.m. at the Westlake Village Daniel K. Ludwig Library, 31220 W. Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village. (818) 865-9230

Animals and Music Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga: The children's concert series from 11 a.m. to noon will feature "Animals and Music" with the Wildworks Critters, and tunes by Mollie Hogan and Mike Martsolf. $8. (310) 455-3723