The Grandkids Visit

Because families are scattered all over the country these days, the announcement that “the grandkids are coming to visit” is met with anticipatory joy and a wee bit of dread. Three local authors have addressed the subject. Patricia Fry’s “Creative Grandparenting Across the Miles” is only $5.95 and can be ordered by calling (805) 646-3045. Lillian Carson’s “The Essential Grandparent” is in local bookstores. And Joyce La Mers’ poetry collection, “Grandma Rationalizes an Enthusiasm for Skydiving,” was published by Mille Grazie Press of Santa Barbara.

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The rebuilt Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, heavily damaged in the 1994 earthquake, is once again a center of events for kids and adults. Tonight at 7, a filmmaking expert will tell interested teenagers “How to Break Into Show Business.” Call (805) 449-2660.

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Judy Mercer will sign “Double Take,” her new Ariel Gold adventure, at 10 a.m. Saturday in Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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Children can participate in writing and illustrating a group story, and play in the tents, tunnels and mazes organized by the Imaginarium store from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at The Oaks mall, 222 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. The event is part of a continuing drive to collect 10,000 books to benefit Ventura County, Westlake Village and Agoura libraries. Books are being collected at bins in The Oaks center court area. Call (805) 495-4628.

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“The California Abalone Industry: A Pictorial History,” just published by local author “Scrap” Lundy, is based on research he conducted at seaside communities from Monterey to Santa Barbara. He will present a slide show featuring some of the stunning photographs in the book at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura.

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The Ventura chapter of Small Publishers, Artists, Writers Network (SPAWN) will present a seminar at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Ventura TowneHouse, 4900 Telegraph Road, Ventura. Ruth Hibbard will discuss “Creating Art on Computers.” Paul Doebler will focus on “Mistakes Self-Publishers Can Avoid.” And Roni, author of “Sensuous Cinema of My Mind,” will describe “Life After Self-Publishing a Poetry Book.” Guest fee is $5. Call (805) 644-9843.

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The Conejo Valley chapter of SPAWN will hear graphic artist Judy Amov discuss “Computer Art Innovation for Self-Publishers” at 7 p.m. Monday at 29376 Mulholland Highway, Agoura. Nonmember fee is $5. Call (818) 707-0589.

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Syndicated cartoonist Kevin Fagan, creator of Drabble, will demonstrate what it takes to be a cartoonist and sign his book “Son of Drabble” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

* Frances Halpern and Jon O’Brien are co-hosts of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU-FM (88.3), Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.