‘Tis the Season : Shopping, dances and concerts are included in festivities to celebrate the holidays.

My sources report that membership in many service clubs is down from previous years. And that means there will be fewer volunteer-sponsored activities for seniors during the holiday season. Nevertheless, there are a number of events planned to allow residents of nursing homes and seniors in the general public an opportunity to participate in holiday festivities. A sampling:

Hassle-free shopping

* Senior citizens and people with disabilities are invited to attend Target’s 19th annual holiday shopping party Wednesday at the stores at 4200 E. Main St., Ventura, 2505 Vineyard Ave., Oxnard, and 2907 Cochran St., Simi Valley. Between 8:30 and 11 a.m., the stores will be open to seniors, those with disabilities and a limited number of family escorts. Shoppers can enjoy food, entertainment and free gift-wrapping services. Many volunteers will be available to assist shoppers with their selections. The aisles will be cleared for easy access. Rest areas and extra wheelchairs will be provided.

Entertainment and parties

Ventura:

* Sunday, 2-5 p.m. Christmas Dance on the Avenue, Ventura Avenue Adult Center, 550 N. Ventura Ave., will include a popular dance band and refreshments. Admission is $3 per person. For details, call 648-2829.

* Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. The Annual Senior Holiday Party, will be held at the Ventura American Legion Hall, 83 Palm St. The event includes entertainment, door prizes and refreshments. Admission is a canned food donation for the food-drive Project Understanding. For information, call 648-3035.

* Dec. 16, noon. Jewish family services will sponsor a Primetimers Chanukah lunch at Temple Beth Torah, 7620 Foothill Road, Ventura. Cost is $3 for seniors age 55 and older. Rabbi Michael Berk will provide entertainment, games and gifts. For reservations by Dec. 15, call 659-5144.

Camarillo

* Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. Camarillo Lodge 3118 of B’nai B’rith invites everyone to its annual Hanukkah party at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley St. Entertainer Kenny Ellis will combine singing, storytelling and pantomime into a multilingual variety show suitable for all ages. Admission is free.

Thousand Oaks

* Dec. 16, 10:30 a.m. Seniors are invited to partake of latkes and entertainment at a Hanukkah party to be held by the “50+ Club” at Temple Etz Chaim, 1080 Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. For details, call 497-6891.

The following events will take place at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road:

* Sunday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Holiday Fanfare, a concert featuring classical and traditional holiday music of the Village Voices Chorale is planned for senior adults age 50 and older and general admission. Tickets are available at the Goebel Center. Cost is $6 for seniors age 50 and older, $10 general admission. For information, call 497-1639.

* Dec. 14, 1-2:30 p.m. A free holiday party is scheduled for seniors age 50 and older who are residents of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Newbury Park. Seating is limited. Tickets can be picked up at the center until Friday. Residents from outside the Conejo Valley area may have any remaining tickets starting Monday. For details, call 497-1639.

* Dec. 21, 10 a.m. A free Chinese New Year celebration will include Chinese dancing, Chinese brush painting, calligraphy, origami, a magic show and refreshments. To make reservations by Dec. 18, call 497-1639.

* Dec. 23, 3 p.m. Chabad of the Conejo will sponsor a Hanukkah party featuring traditional potato latkes and dreidels for senior citizens at the Hillcrest Royale Retirement Center, 190 E. Hillcrest Drive. Similar festivities will take place at the Hillcrest Inn, 405 Hodencamp Road, and Castle Hill Retirement Village, 3575 N. Moorpark Road, but dates were not set at press time. For details, call (818) 991-0991.

Countywide Hannukkah events

* Beginning Dec. 20, Chabad of the Conejo will sponsor a series of community menorah-kindling ceremonies. For the time and place in your area, call (818) 991-0991.