Field Work

Thousand Oaks teacher Carol Lambert saw a need and filled it with the books “Field Trips & Events Made Easy” and “Visiting Ventura County: And a few steps beyond!” (Lighthouse Institute, Thousand Oaks, $14.95).

The idea for the first book developed after she took students on field trips without the nitty-gritty details crucial when 20-plus kids needed to be fed and watered.

Besides useful information for teachers and parents, the book is tailored for single parents--fathers in particular--who might need ideas about where to take kids when Disneyland is not an option. Lambert set out to list worthwhile activities that were nearby, inexpensive and age appropriate.

“People don’t know you can go fishing very close by and get an almost guaranteed fish at Trousdale’s in Agoura,” Lambert said. “Then there’s a wonderful farm--Tierra Rejada Family Farms in Moorpark--where you could spend the whole day on maybe $4.” You can pick your own vegetables, have a picnic and visit the petting zoo--she did it with her own family. In fact, she checked each listing in the books for accuracy.

To appeal to someone looking for a quick and easy read, both books avoid lengthy descriptions and provide just enough information when the grandchildren pop in for a visit.

Lambert wrote the second book after receiving requests from grown-ups looking for places to go and things to do.

Both books are available at Borders, Adventures for Kids and Amazon.com. For more information, call 371-9661.

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If you’re a doer rather than a goer, check out “Art of Seed Beading” (Sterling Publishing, New York, $29.95) by Ventura authors Elizabeth Gorley and Jane Davis and Gorley’s sister, Ellen Talbott, who lives in El Cajon.

Gorley and Davis met while working with the PTA at Poinsettia School in Ventura. Davis had published books on quilting and Gorley was an aspiring fiction writer with a busy life. Gorley and her sister had dabbled in craft projects they made and sold at boutiques.

The three decided to combine their skills and collaborate on a big book about seed beading.

“We all did the writing and the projects, but we split it up--10 projects each and--we all kind of worked together,” said Gorley, who sent out a proposal and was shocked when Sterling called, she said.

The beads, which are made of glass, are called seed beads because they are so small. They must be a certain diameter to qualify as a seed bead, Gorley said.

A variety of techniques begin with needle and thread. With practice you can make projects shown in the book--anything from picture frames to Christmas ornaments.

“Once you get the hang of it, it’s not hard,” Gorley said. “We have projects if you’re just starting out, then harder ones for the more experienced--like wall hangings.”

The three authors will appear at a book signing and demonstration at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Barnes & Noble in Ventura. They will demonstrate techniques from the book, followed by audience participation.

HAPPENINGS

* Monday, 7 p.m. Monthly discussion group featuring Neale Donald Walsch’s “Conversations with God,” led by Jim Newell and Jim Michael. Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Monday, 7 p.m. Book signing and demonstrations by Jane Davis, Elizabeth Gorley and Ellen Talbott, who wrote “Art of Seed Beading.” Ventura Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., 339-9170.

* Tuesday, 7 p.m. The First Tuesday Contemporary Book Group will focus on “House of Mirth” by Edith Wharton. Borders, 497-8159.

* Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. Story time on dogs will include “Cosmo Zooms” by Arthur Howard. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Wednesday, noon. Book signing and discussion of “Dead Souls” by mystery writer Ian Rankin. Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 374-0084.

* Wednesday, 7 p.m. The Writing Group offers feedback about poetry, short stories, novels and other works in progress. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Wednesday, 7 p.m. Monthly meeting of Small Publishers, Writers & Artists Network will feature Gary Yeates, owner of Alphgraphics, who will discuss self-publishing. For more information, contact C. Doering at 493-1081 or via e-mail at cdoering@gte.net. Open to the public. Borders, 497-8159.

* Thursday, 3 p.m. Book signing and discussion of “Flashpoint” by Linda Barnes. Mysteries to Die For, 374-0084.

* Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Book signing and discussion of “Past Lives, Present Joy” by Marilyn Sunderman. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Friday, 1 p.m. Book signing and discussion of “The Power of Travel” by Steve Ziman. Borders, 497-8159.

* Friday, 7 p.m. Story time featuring “Hooway for Wodney Wat” by Helen Lester and “The Worry Warts” by Pamela Duncan Edwards. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Saturday, 10 a.m. Book signing and discussion by Dianne Day, author of “Death Train to Boston.” Mysteries to Die For, 374-0084.

* Saturday, noon. Book signing and discussion by Bruce Alexander, author of “Death of a Colonial.” Mysteries to Die For, 374-0084.

* Saturday, 3 p.m. Book signing and discussion by local author Leo Handel about “Trooper, Trooper,” the life of a dog with a police K-9 unit. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Saturday, 4 p.m. Adrea Gibbs will discuss and sign “Let’s Put on a Show.” Borders, 497-8159.

* Saturday, 7 p.m. Pajamamania on best stories from the 1940s. Borders, 497-8159.

Information about book signings, writers groups or publishing events can be e-mailed to anns40@aol.com or faxed to 647-5649.