Special Events for the Holidays

Those who don’t get around to reading the Sunday newspapers before noon run the risk of failing to learn about worthwhile events going on that day. So for those who like to sleep in on Sunday, fear not: Here’s some advance warning about events happening next Sunday. Mark your calendar and plan ahead.

With the holiday spirit focusing on peace on Earth, what could be more appropriate than the Community Brotherhood Brunch at Ventura’s Temple Beth Torah on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m.

Two award-winning journalists, Deanna Armbruster and Joshua Hammer, will speak at a public forum on “Building Bridges to Peace, Making Peace When There is Strife.”

Armbruster, author of “Tears in the Holy Land,” interweaves photographs with oral histories of Jews and Palestinians who share their conflict through personal stories. Armbruster is the Southern California director of the American Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat Al-Salam.

The group supports a community in Israel where Jews and Palestinians have chosen for more than 20 years to live, work and educate their children together. She will discuss her experiences in working for Arab-Jewish reconciliation.

Hammer, Newsweek’s Los Angeles bureau chief, will discuss his struggle to reconcile with his devout Hasidic Jewish brother.

He describes the effort in his book, “Chosen by God: A Brother’s Journey.” As one of Newsweek’s key correspondents, he covered the civil war and mass exodus in Rwanda and the continuing violence in Somalia. He’s also been a contributing editor, staff writer, general editor or freelance writer for People, the New York Times, Esquire, The Nation, the Los Angeles Times, GQ, and Premier magazine. Hammer is en route to his new assignment as head of Newsweek’s Berlin bureau.

The community is invited to the brunch at 7620 Foothill Road, Ventura. The cost is $7 with advance prepaid reservations and $10 at the door. For more information, call Temple Beth Torah at 647-4181.

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Also on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m., you can treat yourself to a new version of that old Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol.”

Retold by Pamela Kennedy, the tale is illustrated by Thousand Oaks resident Carol Heyer, who will be available to sign books. For an added attraction, actor/educator Charles David will do a dramatic reading of the story while student Megan Bates does a simultaneous presentation in American Sign Language. Held at Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (497-8159).

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Movie buffs will enjoy a special family story time next Sunday at 3 p.m. when Miles Marisco, the 12-year-old co-star of the upcoming film “Stuart Little,” appears at the Calabasas Barnes & Noble, 4735 Commons Way. He will read from several books, including “Stuart Little,” and will discuss the movie. “Stuart Little” is based on the E.B. White classic novel for children. The film is due for release Dec. 17.

The young actor has been performing since the age of 6 and has appeared in other movies, including “The Little Rascals.” His television credits include “ER,” “Mad About You,” “3rd Rock From the Sun” and “Frasier.” He lives with his parents and younger sister, Olivia, also and actor, in Sherman Oaks.

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Finally, next Sunday at 2:30 p.m., the Local Hero Bookshop, 254 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, will host a discussion and book signing by Barbara Bennett, author of the book and Advent calendar, “Teach Us to Number Our Days.” Call 646-3165 for more information.

HAPPENINGS

* Today: 10 a.m. Emmy Award winning producer and best-selling author Stephen J. Cannell will visit Borders for a live, in-store interview with Frances Halpern, NPR radio host of “Connections,” aired on KCLU (88.3 FM). He will discuss his latest thriller, “The Devil’s Workshop.” A book signing will follow the interview at 1 p.m. Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (497-8159).

* Today: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Annual Christmas party at Mysteries to Die For. Three authors will give away their original Christmas stories. They are Richard Barre, author of the Wil Hardesty series; Jan Burke, author of the Irene Kelly mysteries; and Terrill (Lee) Lankford, who will tell a children’s Christmas saga. At Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (374-0084).

* Today: 1:30 p.m. Book signing. Kimberly Kirberger, co-author of the books, “Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul I and II,’ will sign her recent release, “Teen Love.” Kirberger is also the president of Inspiration and Motivation for Teens, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and helping teens. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., Thousand Oaks (446-2820).

* Monday: 7 p.m. Ongoing Discussion Group, featuring Neale Donald Walsch’s series “Conversations With God.” Led by facilitators Jim Newell and Jim Michael. Borders (497-8159).

* Tuesday: 7 p.m. First Tuesday Contemporary Book Group. In-depth look at “Caucasia” by Danzy Senny. Borders (497-8159).

* Tuesday: 8 p.m. Poetry reading with featured poet Al Katraz, followed by an open-mike reading. Daily Grind, 607 E. Main St. (641-1679).

* Wednesday: 7:30 p.m. Book signing by local mystery writer, Skye Kathleen Moody, who will sign “Habitat” at Ventura Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St. (339-9170).

* Thursday: 1:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan will sign her book, “My Turn,” at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library’s museum store. Also available are signed copies of “An American Life: the Autobiography” by Ronald Reagan, and “Ronald Reagan: the Wisdom and Humor of the Great Communicator,” a collection of photos and quotations of the former president edited by Frederick Ryan Jr. At 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley (522-2977).

* Friday: 7:30 p.m. Pajamarama story time. Holiday stories about Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble (446-2820).

* Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 12 Noon. Local Author Day with book signings by Lisze Bechtold, author of “Buster the Very Shy Dog”; Joan Bransfield Graham, author of “Flicker Flash”; and Marla Frazee, author of “Hush Little Baby.” At Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura (650-9688).

* Saturday: 10:30 a.m. Story time. Hear about “Arthur,” the famous aardvark. Kids can shake his hand and have their parents take a picture. Calabasas Barnes & Noble ([818] 222-0542).

* Saturday: 4 p.m. Singers Showcase. Adults, teens and children will be showcased when students from the Charles Davis Actors Workshop perform a musical variety show under the guidance of professional singer and voice coach Maripat Davis. At Borders (497-8159).

* Saturday: 7 p.m., Pajamamania Storytime. “The Cat in the Hat” visits story time. Borders (497-8159).

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