Do it. Do good this weekend.

Chinese Proverb: People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

As Earth Month heads toward its inevitable conclusion, there’s one more weekend to do good this month.

But of course just because Earth Month is over doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep on doing good.

This weekend there are a few events on Saturday I want to call your attention to and a fundraiser on Sunday. Plus there’s more ways to do good in May!

In Ventura on Saturday, April 28 from 9-11am meet on the beach promenade at the end of California Street for a beach cleanup. Wear comfortable clothes, closed toed shoes and sunscreen. All  are welcome to participate by signing a liability waiver, but volunteers under 18 MUST have a parent or guardian present at the beginning of the cleanup to sign a liability waiver before the minor can participate. Pre-registration is NOT required unless your group is larger than 25 people (if it is, then email beachcleanups@ventura.surfrider.org ). Supplies provided, but volunteers are always welcome to bring their own work gloves, trash bag/bucket, and/or reusable water bottle to reduce waste. Please be prepared to fill out a data card of all the trash you pick up to help find the sources of trash.

Also Saturday morning April 28 at a different Ventura Beach:

Walking for Water
Date: Saturday, April 28
Time: 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Location: Harbor Cove Beach, Ventura
More information: http://www.cleaninternational.org/

Community Cleanup Event
Saturday, April 28, 9:00 AM- Noon,
765 S. Seaward Avenue, Ventura
http://bit.ly/2pcm0eF

MILKWEED PLANTING

On Saturday, April 28, from 9 am – 12 noon, join Ventura Land Trust for a fun family-friendly milkweed planting event at our Big Rock Nature Preserve along the Ventura River. Monarch butterflies need milkweed plants to survive – their caterpillars only eat milkweed – and Monarch moms lay their eggs on the milkweed plant.

Milkweed habitat loss is the biggest short-term threat to the migration of Monarch butterflies.

Join VLT volunteers as we pitch in to provide essential habitat for the migrating Monarchs. We will bring the gloves, and milkweed plants; you bring the shovels and enthusiasm! Meet VLT staff at 9 am at our Big Rock Preserve near Foster Park. We will escort you to the planting area where we will do a short Monarch presentation and provide a planting demonstration. Once planting is complete, we will lead a short nature hike along the shores of the Ventura River. Please wear sturdy shoes, long pants, a hat, sunscreen and bring a water bottle and shovel (hand or long-handled) if you’ve got one! We will have water on hand for refills. RSVP here: www.venturalandtrust.org/events

Ethnobotany Day Sat. April 28 11-3pm
Hosted by Oakbrook Chumash Indian Museum
The debut of the updated ethnobotany gardens, with docent talks on Chumash use of plants. Make your own plant-based bookmark. Browse offerings from Native Roots Soap. Enjoy tasty treats and purchase a signed copy of the new book, “Cooking the Native Way,” from the Chia Cafe Collective. Included with museum admission: $5 adults, $3 seniors, students and children.

LIVING FOOD WORKSHOP
Ventura Food Co-op presents a discussion and workshop on Living Food- Fermenting Change at the Harvest Cafe on Saturday April 28th from 2-4 led by Michelle Lopez Dohrn: fermentologist with Wild at Heart and Susan Cousineau: microbiologist for Slow Food Ventura County; workshop follows from 4-6p.  What’s the value of live microbes in your food? How does gut flora influence your health and senses of well being? Come taste some deliciously nutritious fermented foods with the Ventura Food Co-op and friends,workshop follows from 4-6p.

Ignite a Spark Fundraiser 
Adult-only event at Art Trek in Newbury Park includes a delicious dinner buffet from Stonefire Grill, along with plenty of appetizers, salads, cheeses, bread, and desserts to suit many tastes; ample space to relax, paint, create and mingle (and all the materials you need to walk away with something unique and beautiful…if you choose!); a wine bar with a superb selection of varietals (sample first, pour your own, or try a few!); and an incredible silent auction with gourmet gifts, experiences, and delights. Tickets start at $65. RSVP to see auction list here: https://www.onesparkacademy.org/calendar/springfundraiser/

Anima: Theater of the Feminine Underground
Sat. April 28, 2018 7-9pm
Pacifica’s Ladera Lane Campus

The mission of Anima Ritual Theater Project, is to give expression to the feminine unconscious for the purpose of individual and collective transformation and bringing socio-political balance to the world. From Anima founders and my pal Lisa Citore:
“It’s been a life-long vision of mine to bring dreams to life on stage. This is the beginning. My focus for this particular series is the liberation of the feminine aspect from patriarchal conditioning. More than ever on this planet, feminine voices and visions are needed. When I put out the invitation for female artists in our community to share the vulnerable treasures of their deep psyche on stage through dance, song, spoken word and performance art, the response was overwhelming. Whether you are a lover of dreams or a fan of the dark feminine, we hope to poke at your own imagination in a way that feeds something lost and vital in you.” To buy tickets or for more information visit: https://retreat.pacifica.edu/anima/

TREE PLANTING

Help plant TREES along Ventura Avenue. Restore Ventura will be planting City approved trees on Arbor Day, Sunday April 29th. We will be meeting at 9am at The Restore Garden for a quick info meeting then we will be headed out in groups to plant our beautiful trees. Please let us know if you would like to sponsor a tree. We need $170 to make each tree a reality.  Click on the link below and select “ventura” under “giving options” then “street trees” under “comments”
https://restore.webconnex.com/donate

TAPOVANAYA  INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST CENTER
LUNCH Buffet with both Sri Lankan and Vietnamese food
Fundraising FOR A NEW TEMPLE IN SATICOY, CA
Sunday, April 29, 2018 from 11:30am to 3:00pm
An Lac Mission
901 S.Saticoy Avenue
Ventura, CA 93004
Contact Info: TAPOVANAYAUSA@GMAIL.COM

Sunday, April 29, 2018 from 11:30am -3:00pm fundraiser for a new Buddhist Center with entertainment and a lunch with Vietnamese and Sri Lankan food. $10/Adult, $5/Children above 09, younger children are free. Entertainment includes KARAOKE and a “bring your own drum” Drum Circle.  Please join us with your generosity and  innovative ideas for developing a new Buddhist Center. You are welcome to bring  your friends and family too.

An Lac Mission serves the community to practice the teachings of the Buddha.  Many classes are offered to the community and so now another Buddhist Center is necessary to cater to the growing  needs of the community. The TAPOVANAYA INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST CENTER.INC (TIBC), is a 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt, non-profit religious organization registered in the State of California ( EIN 81 1241575) under the leadership of Bhante Sutadhara. TIBC  is going to be a Buddhist Center in Theravada Tradition  which is independently run and closely affiliated with An Lac Mission Buddhist temple and Tapovanaya in Sri Lanka.  This is a new model for Buddhism to flourish in the western hemisphere

SOME OF THE EXPECTED   SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY BY THE TIBC
(i). Expand spiritual & social services  to the community on the east end of Ventura.
(ii). A  new model for teaching Buddhism by two Buddhist Centers in different schools of Buddhism working together.
(iii). Develop a residential Meditation Retreat Center.
(iv). A place for more Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi & other healing arts for living in harmony.
(v). Training  Center for Teaching Dhamma in the West.
(vi). A Center which works with Inter-faith Community to spread loving-kindness and compassion.
(vii). Develop a Buddhist Information & Learning resources center in the area.
All the above and more could be done only with your donations and participation.

And in MAY:

Water Wise Workshop
Date: Saturday, May 5
Time: 9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.
Location: 363 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura
More information: email wcdcinfo@gmail.com or call 805-628-3869