The Month Ahead

If you like to plan ahead, this monthly feature will be your guide and calendar. Just snip it out of the paper and attach it to the fridge.

To contribute suggestions for next month’s calendar, send a letter by May 15 to the Month Ahead, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001.

For information, call 653-7570.

Feathered Photo Feature

Monday, May 1

The Conejo Valley chapter of the Audubon Society hosts photographer Ron Watkins and his program on “The Birds of Mexico” at 7:30 p.m. at Western Foundation for Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo. Free. Information: 289-0440.

Model Ship Expo

May 1-30

Ventura County Maritime Museum hosts a model ship expo and sale throughout the month. The exposition will feature 30 handcrafted miniature ships from Southern California’s leading model ship builders, a range of watercraft, model-building demonstrations each weekend during the exhibit and an opportunity to speak with the model makers. The museum, open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, is at 2731 S. Victoria Ave., Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard. Admission is free; donations are appreciated. Information: 984-6260.

Nancy Reagan Book Signing

Tuesday, May 4

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library hosts former First Lady Nancy Reagan from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the library’s museum store, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. Get a signed copy of her autobiography, “My Turn,” or a signed copy of “An American Life: The Autobiography” by Ronald Reagan. Proceeds from book sales support the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, a nonprofit organization that sustains the library and museum. For a group visit or information: 522-9953.

Festival of Oranges

May 4-7

Fillmore hosts its Orange Festival, featuring live entertainment, a parade, train rides, arts and crafts, a carnival and variety of food, including orange chicken. The festival runs from 3:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday in a variety of locations. Entertainment includes Danny Torres and the Piru River Band, Persuasion, Crossfire, Larry Dean and the Shooters, and Johnny Jacinto’s Band. For schedule, locations and information: 524-0351 or 525-9820.

Festival of Classics

May 4-14

The Ventura Chamber of Commerce’s annual music festival, “Living Treasures,” will feature 21 classical events and meet-the-artist receptions in a number of historic sites in downtown Ventura. Highlights will include Sharon Isbin on classical guitar, Paul Salamunovich conducting the Ventura Master Chorale, the Ventura Master Singers and pianist John Browning. For a listing of events, check the festival Web site at https://www.vcmfa.org. Tickets range from $15 to $75 for opening night. For tickets, complimentary brochure or information: 648-3146.

Campy Comedy

Friday, May 5

Pierpont Inn presents “Venus Attacks,” an interactive campy comedy, at 8 p.m. at the inn, 550 Sanjon Road, Ventura. The self-help parody features two-time Emmy nominee Debbie Kaspar and two-time American Comedy Awards nominee Sheila Kay. Tickets are $15, with a two-drink minimum. Reservations and information: 643-6144.

Student Aid

Friday, May 5

Sterling Hills Golf Club hosts a golf classic fund-raiser with registration at 10 a.m. for a shotgun start at noon at the golf course, 901 Sterling Hills Drive, Camarillo. The event features a complimentary lunch, beverages, tee package, golf shirt and barbecue dinner with live auction and raffle. The driving range will also be open between registration and the shotgun start. Entry fee is $200 per player, $25 for the barbecue only. The proceeds will support area college students. Reservations or information: 384-8305.

Ojai Storytellers

May 5-7

Performances to Grow On presents the Ojai Storytelling Festival in a number of downtown Ojai locations. Storytellers include Donald Davis, Diane Ferlatte, Barbara McBride-Smith, Patrick Ball, Boxtales Storytelling Group and the Voices of Illusion. The event consists of more than 22 events offering workshops for adults and children, storytelling solos, duets and music. Tickets for the overall event are $100 for a family of four; individual event costs vary. For a schedule, check out https://www.performingarts.net/ptgo. Locations, schedules or information: 646-8907.

Ojai Garden Tour

Saturday, May 6

The Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce holds its annual self-guided garden tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring seven unique gardens in the Ojai area. The garden styles range from using feng shui, tropical settings, Zone 1 permaculture techniques and more. Proceeds benefit the chamber. Tickets are $20, $10 for senior citizens, free for children under 12. Tickets, garden locations or information: 646-8126.

All Aboard!

Saturday, May 6

The Conejo Valley Symphony Orchestra holds a fund-raising concert, “Welcome Aboard the S. S. Symphony,” at 8 p.m. at Calvary Community Church’s auditorium, 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village. The performance features cruise ship entertainers the Carlssons, who have appeared on numerous television shows, including “Murder She Wrote,” “Fame” and “L. A. Law.” The performance also features the Great American Dance Company. Tickets are $10, $5 for children under 15. Information: 370-8200.

History in Action

Sunday, May 7

The Pleasant Valley Historical Society presents “Living History Day” from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Historical Museum, 720 Las Posas Road, Camarillo. The day features free tours of the museum and garden, tortilla making, butter churning, a cornhusk doll-making booth and bandanna printing area. Also on display will be antique tractors. Refreshments and musical entertainment provided. Free. Information: 482-3660.

Senior Session

Wednesday, May 10

The Conejo Recreation and Park District presents the third annual senior festival from 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1384 Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. The event will feature morning and afternoon workshops, demonstrations, free blood pressure checks, art exhibit, handouts, information booths, door prizes and keynote speaker Judith Harris, whose topic will be “He Who Laughs, Lasts.” Tickets are $4. Information: 381-2744.

Festival of Music

Saturday, May 13

The second annual music festival sponsored by Interfaith Church for Today begins at 7:30 p.m. in Thousand Oaks Inn’s ballroom, 75 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. The show features performances by John Durrill, Jill Mortell, Frank Morgan and special guest Lee Loughname from the band Chicago. Tickets are $12 in advance, $5 children; $15 at the door. Tickets and information: 889-6264 or (818) 991-1878.

Harbor Happening

May 13-14

Ventura Harbor Village hosts a waterfront arts and crafts show featuring local artists, crafters and musicians from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1583 Spinnaker Drive. There will also be a petting zoo and face painting for the kids on the village lawn. Information: 653-3131.

Lunchtime Fashions

Saturday, May 20

Caring Hearts Women’s Guild of Villa Esperanza holds its annual fashion show luncheon at 11 a.m. at Sherwood Country Club, 320 W. Stafford Road, Westlake Village. Tickets can be purchased at Hope Chest Thrift Shop in Thousand Oaks or by calling 496-6562. Proceeds go to Villa Esperanza’s special programs for developmentally disabled children and adults. Tickets are $50. Information: 379-4436.

Native American Festival

May 20-21

Visions in Time Foundation presents the 10th annual Lake Casitas Intertribal Powwow from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area, 11311 Santa Ana Road, Ojai. The event, representing more than 50 North American Indian tribes, will feature traditional music and dance, drum groups, and an arts and crafts market with jewelry, pottery and fine art. Tickets are $7, $5 for children under 12, free for children under 5. Information: 496-6036.

Red and Sweet

May 20-21

The 17th annual California Strawberry Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days at College Park, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. The festival features live entertainment from Los Lobos, Starship, the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Association. There will be an arts and crafts show, and more than 40 food booths with nearly every type of food served with strawberries, including pizza, kabobs and shortcake. There will be a children’s area and variety of strawberry contests. For schedule or information: 385-7578.

Local Concert Series

Sunday, May 21

Camerata Pacifica presents “Concert H” from its 1999-2000 concert series at 8 p.m. in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza’s Scherr Forum Theater, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. The program consists of original works from Bolcom, Poulenc, Tom Johnson and Aaron Copland. Cost is $25. Parking at the Civic Arts Plaza is $5. Tickets or information: 961-0571 or (800) 557-2224.

Political Turmoil

May 25-26

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza hosts the Oak Hills Shakespeare Company production of “Julius Caesar” at 7 p.m. in the Scherr Forum Theater, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Tickets are $11.50. Information: 449-2787.

Compiled by ALEX FIELD / Los Angeles Times