Connecting in the community at local events

Now through the end of the year is a busy time for most people with holidays, community activities and special events on our calendars. We hope to connect with you at one of these!

Oct. 29: Trunk or Treat

Camarillo Police Department's Trunk or Treat is changing locations this year and will be held at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 Burnley St., in Camarillo, 5:30-8 p.m. on Oct. 29. The police department has invited a number of community organizations, government agencies and nonprofits to participate in this spooktacular event. This year, the police department is partnering with the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District to hold the Trunk or Treat during Halloween in the Park. There will be a costume contest at 6 p.m., as well as face painting, food trucks, activities for kids and, of course, lots of treats. We'll be there with crayons and coloring sheets, as well as candy, as long as supplies last. Look for our car and display. We hope to see you there!

Nov. 6: Stories from the Heart

We will host a live version of our podcast, "Stories from the Heart: Inspiring Tales of Life, Love and Learning" 6-7 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Camarillo Public Library, 4101 Las Posas Road in Camarillo. At this free event, meet five of your neighbors as they share heartfelt stories based on their lives. Among the themes are perseverance, adoption, family caregiving, aging parents and navigating grief. We hope to see you there and invite you to tell your story on a future episode of our podcast. As one of our storytellers puts it: "I can only wish that more people would share their stories because opening up about how we have been blessed and how we have been challenged, about what we have suffered and how we survived - and sometimes triumphed - can lead to deeper bonds." Call us at 805-388-1952 to register.

Nov. 7: Medical presentation

We're hosting a presentation by Dr. Andrew Voyiadjis 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Nov. 7. A board-certified neurologist who specializes in multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology, he will present "Living with Multiple Sclerosis." The presentation will take place on our campus, 3639 Las Posas Road, in Camarillo.  He will address what living with multiple sclerosis means as one navigates a fluctuating disease course that can impact various aspects of life. His message will be that it is manageable with the right approach. Call us at 805-388-1952 to reserve a seat.

Dec. 13: Camarillo Christmas Parade

Keep an eye out for us in the 63rd annual Camarillo Christmas Parade on Dec. 13 as we decorate one of our vehicles and get into the spirit of the theme: "Here Comes Santa Paws." The Christmas Parade & Santa's Village is presented by the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District and sponsored by the city of Camarillo. Santa's Village is held in the Community Center, 1605 Burnley St. in Camarillo, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  and will feature visits with Santa, free activities, holiday shopping, food trucks and live music. 

The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Temple Avenue and Las Posas Road, and travels down Las Posas Road, turning onto Carmen Drive and ending at the Community Center. When you see us, give a wave!

Dec. 16: Family Caregiver Symposium: The Power of Care

Caregiving has many faces. It can be a teenage or adult child caring for the parent, a partner or spouse caring for their loved one, a grandparent caring for a grandchild, and so on.  Each situation is different, bringing its own unique challenges.  Family caregivers are invited to attend our  "Family Caregiver Symposium: The Power of Care" from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Ventura County Office of Education, 5189 Verdugo Way, in Camarillo. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and will start with a complimentary catered breakfast followed by a program designed to uplift and empower those who give so much:

Keynote Address: Compassion Fatigue, Post-Traumatic Caregiving and Ambiguous Loss

Caregiver Panel and Q&A: Personal journeys and lessons learned 

Finding Humor in the Everyday: Laughter as Medicine

Experiential Opportunities: Virtual Reality Meditation & Caregiver Skills Lab

Resources to Answer: "Now What?"

Reserve your seat by calling us at 805-388-1952.