Bookstore in Ojai Planning to Toast the 10-Year Mark

It was in 1986 that 50-year-old Mitnee Duque, a sports editor and graphic artist, decided to take the plunge and open “an eclectic bookstore and gift shop.”

The Ojai Table of Contents, 208 E. Ojai Ave., will celebrate its 10th anniversary Saturday with special events focusing on the number 10 and culminating in a champagne reception, which begins at 6 p.m.

Beatrice Wood, the 103-year-old legendary ceramist and author plans to attend. And Mira Advani, whose book of poetry Wood illustrated, will be among the honored guests.

Duque said the first decade celebration is a salute to the Ojai community for supporting her efforts. She is particularly proud of the recently created Children’s Room, which features storytelling by community volunteers every Tuesday.

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To commemorate California Reading Week, Adventures for Kids and the Ventura County Reading Assn. are hosting a reading out loud marathon between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday at 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura.

Volunteers are invited to sign in as readers and join special guests KVEN talk radio personality Barry Turnbull and author/artist Mary Ann Fraser, who will present her new book, “Forest Fire,” at 3 p.m. Call 650-9688 for details.

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Discover the realities of travel writing from Jerry Camarillo Dunn, whose credits include National Geographic Traveler and Islands Magazine. The class is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Learning Tree University in Thousand Oaks. Call 497-2292 for details.

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Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, has scheduled a double-header this Saturday. Earlene Fowler will discuss and sign her latest Benni Harper mystery, “Kansas Troubles,” at noon. And Abigail Padgett will present her new thriller, “Moonbird Bay,” at 3 p.m.

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Santa Barbara author Gayle Lynds, who has been on a cross-country book tour, will sign her spy thriller, “Masquerade,” at 1 p.m. Saturday in Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura. A poetry reading hosted by Rivertalk Magazine is scheduled in the bookstore at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

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Local author Sharan Newman’s third medieval mystery, “The Wandering Arm,” has been nominated for an Agatha Award as best novel of 1995. She will also participate on the “Diversity in Mystery” panel at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at UCLA.

UP THE COAST

Following are events at Borders Books, 900 State St.: Screenwriter Gerald Dipego will read from and sign his novel “Cheevey” at 7:30 tonight. On Sunday, Melody Stevenson will sign her new novel, “Life Stone of Singing Bird,” at 2 p.m., and Kris Waldherr will present a seminar and sign her illustrated “The Book of Goddesses” at 7 p.m.

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A one-time-only exhibition, explaining little-known details of the California and Mexican war that led to the creation of the state of California, will be staged from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, 430 Hot Springs Road, Montecito. There is no charge to visit the exhibit, which includes manuscripts and artifacts never before shown to the public. Call 962-5322.

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Dennis Miller will sign “The Rants” at 3 p.m. Sunday at Earthling Bookshop, 1137 State St. A mini-workshop, “The Courage to Write” led by Ralph Keyes, is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Monday at bookstore.

Frances Halpern along with Jon O’Brien is co-host of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU 88.3 FM, Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.