Comedian to Give Benefit Performance

* Comedian Paula Poundstone will present a benefit performance at 7 p.m. tonight at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Proceeds from the concert, part of the Marshall’s Women in Comedy Festival, will support Southern California domestic violence prevention groups. $21, $25 and $31. Tickets: 449-2787 or 583-8700.

‘The Hilarious Hillbilly Massacre’ to Be Staged

* The Gypsy Players will stage the murder mystery dinner “The Hilarious Hillbilly Massacre” at 7 p.m. Thursday at Dakota’s Mesquite BBQ & Steak House, 2525 Stow St., Simi Valley. Proceeds will help cover production and costume costs for the theater ensemble’s Fairy Tales in the Park series. The murder mystery will be repeated Oct. 29 and Nov. 18. $29.95. Reservations: 522-0449.

Commission to Host Jazz Fund-Raiser

* The Ventura County Commission on Human Concerns will host its “Jazz Beneath the Trees” barbecue and auction fund-raiser from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Rancho Guadalasca, off Caryl Drive and Deer Path Road, Oxnard. Jazz music will be provided by Rafe Hernandez and the Equinox Ensemble. Proceeds will go toward improvements at the commission’s drop-in center for the homeless. $40. Information: 486-4725.

Sorority Chapter Plans Clothing Drive

* The Xi Kappa Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will hold a coat drive from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Ventura County Rescue Mission, 234 E. 6th St., Oxnard. The public is invited to drop off new or slightly used clothes to be donated to homeless men, women and children living in area shelters. Information: 981-0757 or 486-9923.

8th Annual Walk to Benefit AIDS Programs

* The eighth annual Ventura County AIDS Walk for Life will be held Saturday starting at California Street and Harbor Boulevard near the Holiday Inn in Ventura. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. with opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m., warmups at 8:45 a.m. and the walk at 9 a.m.. Through pledges, the 10K participants will raise money for local AIDS-related programs and services. Information: 643-0446.

Beta Sigma Phi Council Plans Fashion Show

* The Ventura County Council of Beta Sigma Phi will hold a hat fashion show and luncheon at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Radisson Hotel, 600 E. Esplanade Drive, Oxnard. The program will include a silent auction and a decorated hat contest. Proceeds will benefit the council. $20. Reservations: 388-7074.

Restaurants to Assist County Food Bank

* Lamppost Pizza in Newbury Park, Allison’s Country Cafe in Ventura and Mandarin House Chinese Restaurants in Port Hueneme, Camarillo and Ventura will be among the establishments participating in the Dine Out/Help Out benefit for Food Share on Saturday throughout Ventura County. Participating restaurants will donate 10% of the day’s receipts to the Ventura County food bank. For a list of restaurants and other information, call 983-7100.

Theater Center to Host a ‘Ghost Walk’

* The Santa Paula Theater Center will host its fifth annual ghost walk Saturday and Oct. 17, 22-24 and 29-31 beginning and ending at The Mill, 926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula. Tours through historic downtown will leave every 15 minutes between 6:30 and 9 p.m. Ghost stories will be told along the walk. Proceeds will benefit the Theater Center. $7 adults, $4 children ages 5-10 and students with ID. Reservations recommended: 525-3073.

Maritime Museum to Hold Auction

* The Ventura County Maritime Museum will hold its annual fund-raising auction at 4 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Channel Islands Yacht Club, 4100 Harbor Blvd., Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard. Marine artwork, handcrafted ship models and limited edition prints will be among the items up for bid. Hors d’oeuvres will be served. $20. Information: 984-6260.

Rotary Club Seeking Vendors for Street Fair

* The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks is accepting vendor applications for the eighth annual Thousand Oaks Street Fair to be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 17 on Moorpark Road, north of Hillcrest Drive. Vendors of handmade arts and crafts are invited to rent booth space for $125 or $145, with proceeds benefiting Rotary Club causes. Information: 373-2174.

Deadline Nearing for Oxnard Charity Ball

* The Oxnard Police & Fire Charity Ball will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort, 2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard. The evening will include a live auction and dancing. Proceeds will benefit youth programs, including the Oxnard Police Activities League, the Fire Explorer Program and the Kids’ Safety House. $55. Information: 339-9979.

University Women to Present Fashion Show

* The Camarillo Branch of the American Assn. of University Women will present the “Trends for the Millennium” fashion show at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 23 at Las Posas Country Club, 955 Fairway Drive, Camarillo. The program will include lunch and a silent auction. Proceeds will go toward the branch’s scholarship fund and educational foundation programs. $35. Reservations: 987-8013 or 388-9916.

Group Plans Halloween Swing Dance Party

* The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Ventura County will present a “Swinging Halloween Happenin’ ” swing dance party from 8 p.m. to midnight Oct. 29 at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura. Swing music from the 1930s to 1950s will be provided by Ed Nani and the Moonlight Orchestra. Prizes will be awarded for best costume and best dancers. $12.50 per person. Reservations: 644-6863.

Applications Open for Halloween Carnival

* The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District is accepting applications from nonprofit and service organizations interested in operating booths at the Halloween Community Carnival on Oct. 30 at the Camarillo Community Center. Participating groups will be able to keep all of the profits raised from sales at their booths. $25 or $10 per space. Information: 482-1996.

Community Chest, a weekly listing of charitable fund-raising events, is compiled by Leo Smith. Please address items, with a publishable telephone number, to Community Chest, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items can also be faxed to The Times at 653-7576 or 653-7548.