Monday September 29, 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Weekly ballroom dance
Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road
The Poinsettia Ballroom Dancers invite singles and couples to the group's weekly ballroom dance. It features a live band playing traditional ballroom music. Refreshments provided. Coast is $7 for members, $8 for others and free for single men on their first visit.  For more information contact (805) 672-2891.

Tuesday September 30, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Weekly dance party
The Family Center, 10369 Telephone Road
Country Lovers Western Dance Club holds its weekly dance party, which includes lessons and open dancing.  Admission is $3 general, $2 for active military and free for kids younger than 13 and first time visitors.  For more information contact (805) 647-1893 or http://www.countrylovers.com .

Wednesday October 1, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Kickoff party for "Big Read"
Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave.
Kickoff party for the month-long "Big Read" program.  Come for music, food, fun and free copies of the Big Read book, buttons and Reader's Guides in handmade gift bags to the first 50 attendees.  Free.  The community is invited to read "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya as part of Ventura Big Read.  The celebration of reading includes more than 30 free events with lectures, children's activities, youth mural project and staged reading, and discussion groups in both English and Spanish.  For more information contact Eric Wallner at (805) 677-3911.  Visit http://www.cityofventura.net/bigread  for the full schedule. 

Friday October 3, 7 p.m.
"Individuality and World Peace" talk
Topping Room, E. P. Foster Library, 651 Main St.
Barrett Culmback, former philosophy teacher at Ventura College, will speak on "Individuality and World Peace." There is no cost to attend but donations are accepted.  For more information contact (805) 850-8961 or online at http://www.barrettculmback.org .

Friday October 3, 6 p.m.
Reception
California Plaza
Reception for public art installation "Tubular Zen" by Stefan Verstappen.  For more information contact Denise Sindelar at (805) 658-4793 or dsindelar@cityofventura.net .

Saturday October 4, 7 a.m.
Harvest Ride for Literacy
Starts at Ventura Unified School District headquarters, 255 W. Stanley Ave., goes up the coast on rides on 30, 55, 66 and 100 miles with fee of $45. Family ride of 10 miles on bike path for $20.
Harvest Ride for Literacy, a bicycle ride for adult literacy programs. It is sponsored by the Ventura Rotary Club and the Ventura County Library Adult Literacy Program.  Smacks, T-shirts, socks and assistance provided.  To register go to http://www.harvestridefotliteracy.org.  For more information contact (805) 641-4484.

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