Community Briefs

Y in search of talent

The Camarillo Family YMCA Talent Show will be presented at 7 p.m. Fri., Dec. 14 at the YMCA, 3111 Village at the Park Drive, Camarillo.

For those who missed the Nov. 20 auditions, there may be some slots open, so contact Brett Lane at brett.lane@ciymca.org.

The Y is seeking singers, actors, comedians, silly human tricks, contortionists, lipsynchers, guitar heroes and any other talent.

The event is open to all ages, and YMCA members and nonmembers alike may audition.

For more information about the Camarillo Family YMCA, the talent show or other events, visit www.ciymca.org/camarillo.

Optimists' lineup

The Camarillo Noontime Optimist Club meets at noon every Monday at Round Table Pizza on Arneill Road next to Kmart. All are welcome to join them for a free lunch.

Featured speakers this month are:

Dec. 3: Greg Glover, the 1976 scholarship winner, in a program "Where Are You Now?"

Dec. 10: Greg Stuart of Camarillo Boys & Girls Club will speak.

Dec. 17: Janet Kanongata'a of CAPE will speak.

At 11:30 a.m. Thurs., Dec. 20 club members will prepare and hand out Christmas Baskets at the Boys & Girls Club.

For information call Susan Meyer at (805) 300-5656.

Santa Paws

The Humane Society of Ventura County will host "Santa Paws," an opportunity for residents to be professionally photographed with their pets and Santa.

Two dates are available: from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., Dec. 1 at the Ojai Shelter, 402 Bryant St., and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., Dec. 8 at the Wharf in Ventura, 980 E. Front St. Families may bring their pets for a group photo.

All dogs must be on a leash and all cats in carriers.

Cost is $20 for one picture with Santa. Those making an additional donation will receive a CD containing all the pictures.

Professional photography will be by Greg Cooper while Rick Mayer poses as Santa.

Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Ventura County.

For information, call (805) 646-6505.

'Culture of Peace' exhibit

Soka Gakkai InternationalUSA will host a free exhibit, "Building a Culture of Peace for the Children of the World," from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Tues., Dec. 4 in the multipurpose room at Dos Caminos Elementary School, 3635 Appian Way, Camarillo.

A ribbon-cutting will take place at 6:30 p.m., and refreshments will be available.

SGI-USA is an American Buddhist movement that promotes peace, culture and education.

For more information, call Masako at (805) 857-1334 or Lisa at (805) 444-4882.

Softball, track sign-ups

•Camarillo Cosmos track sign-ups will be from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Wed., Dec. 5 and Tues., Dec. 12 at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley St.

The track team is open to children in first through eighth grades.

•Camarillo Girls Softball will host an equipment exchange and walk-up registration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., Dec. 1 at BatRUp, 487 Dawson Drive.

'Light up a Life'

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice's "Light Up a Life" Memory Tree lighting will take place at 7 p.m. Tues., Dec. 11 at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura.

The annual event raises funds for the hospice.

Livingston provides home healthcare to the sick, handicapped, elderly, homebound and terminally ill.