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 July 19 to the Month Ahead, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001.

For information, call 653-7570.

Traveling Theater

July 1, 8

The Gypsies in a Trunk Theater Troupe presents “The Wizard of Oz” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. July 1 at the amphitheater at Rancho Simi Park, 1765 Royal Ave., Simi Valley, and 11:30 a.m. July 8 at the amphitheater in Valle Lindo Park on Coe Street in Camarillo. Bring snacks and a blanket; please leave pets at home. Free. Information: 522-0449.

Early Fireworks

Monday, July 3

The Moorpark Historical Society will sponsor a fireworks extravaganza beginning at 4 p.m. at Arroyo Vista Park on Tierra Rejada Road in Moorpark. The festivities begin with music, food booths, arts and crafts, games and children’s events. At 7 p.m., the band Little Elmo and the Cosmos will play. Fireworks will begin about 9 p.m. Cost is $1 per person. Information: 529-5304.

Pushem-Pullem

Tuesday, July 4

The 25th anniversary of the Pushem-Pullem Parade begins at 10 a.m., followed by the 25th annual Fourth of July Street Fair on Main Street between Fir Street and Ventura Avenue in Ventura. The parade begins at Main and Hemlock streets and continues west on Main to Fir. The street fair features music and entertainment on six stages, food booths from more than 40 vendors, square-dancing, balloons and puppeteers. The parade features the Great Ventura All-Star Marching Band, which welcomes members on any instrument. Free. Information: 654-7830.

Fireworks

Tuesday, July 4

A Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza will be held at the Simi Valley High School stadium starting at 3 p.m., evening show at 6 p.m. Admission is $7, $3 for children in advance and $8, $4 for children at the gate; Thousand Oaks, best viewing is from The Oaks mall and Janss Marketplace parking lots, 9 p.m., free; Ventura College fireworks show at 9 p.m., $6, $4 for children / senior citizens in advance, $8, $6 for children and senior citizens at the gate; Ojai, at the Nordhoff High School stadium, gates open at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m.; adults $6, $2 for children; Harding Park in Santa Paula, 9 p.m., free; the Channel Islands Harbor show begins at dusk, free; Fillmore High School stadium hosts a show beginning at 9 p.m., free, and Camarillo holds a fireworks show in Freedom Park at 9 p.m., free.

Kids Concert

Thursday, July 6

Ventura Missionary Church hosts “Aussie Praise for Kids” at 7 p.m. at 500 Highpoint Drive. Australian Colin Buchanan, a songwriter of country music, will perform. Free. Information: 642-0550, Ext. 377.

Dinner Theater

July 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29

Marquie Dinner Theater presents the Neil Simon comedy “I Ought to Be in Pictures” at 6:30 p.m. at 340 Mobil Ave., Camarillo. The play is directed by Don Pearlman. Tickets are $35, $32 for senior citizens and $28 for children under 13. Ticket price includes a full buffet-style dinner, tax and tip. Reservations are required. Reservations or information: 484-9909.

‘Wild River’ Premiere

July 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29

The Livery Theater presents the world premiere of “Wild River” on Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m. at 34 N. Palm St., Ventura. Tickets are $15 at the door. The musical was written by Richard Wilder and Sheila Thibodeaux, creators of the musical “The Stylist.” “River” is the story of Ruby, a plain swamp girl who gets bitten by the wanderlust bug and meets a host of interesting characters along the way. Information: 643-5701.

Volunteer Workshop

Wednesday, July 12

Ventura County Volunteer Coordinators Council hosts a workshop by speaker David Roth from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, 365 S. Seaward Ave., Ventura. Roth is a songwriter who is teamed with Jack Canfield, author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” to help facilitate that series. Tickets are $17 in advance or $20 at the door. The council is dedicated to the enhancement of volunteer training. Registration or information: 652-7608.

Summer Concert

Saturday, July 15

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum presents a Summer Concert Series performance from noon to 3 p.m. at 40 Presidential Drive near Simi Valley. The Sweetest Dixieland Band will play from an extensive library of jazz, Dixieland, blues and Latin music. Library admission is $5 general, $3 for senior citizens and free for children 15 and under. Concert admission is free with admission to the library. Information: (800) 410-8354.

Citrus Celebration

Saturday, July 15

The city of Santa Paula hosts the 33rd annual Citrus Festival Parade and Carnival at 10 a.m. on Main Street between 8th and Mill streets, ending in Veterans Park. The carnival features food, street performers, music and demonstrations. Area high school bands will also participate. Free. Information: 525-9820.

Museum Benefit

Saturday, July 15

The 2000 La Fiesta del Triunfo benefit for the Stagecoach Inn Museum begins at 5 p.m. at David Murdock’s Ventura Farms, 235 W. Portero Road, Thousand Oaks. The attire is Western. There will be a drawing, Southwestern buffet by Command Performance, equestrian presentation and tour of the paddocks. Music will be provided by Los Romanticos. Tickets are $75 before Saturday and $85 before July 10. Reservations are required before July 10. Reservations or information: 495-8317 or 495-8774.

Cultural Festival

Saturday, July 15

Oxnard Buddhist Temple presents the 2000 Obon Festival from 12:30 to 9 p.m. at 250 South H St. The event features Oriental foods such as sushi, chicken, beef, combination dinners, pastries and hot noodles. There will be exhibits, ceramic displays, watercolor paintings, games and prizes, and Oshie, a form of Japanese picture craft design. An outdoor dancing and demonstration program will begin at 1 p.m. Free. Information: 483-5948.

Summer Pops Concert

Sunday, July 16

Conejo Community Park Amphitheater presents a pops concert as part of its Summer Concerts in the Park Series at 5 p.m. at 165 W. Jeaunine Drive, Thousand Oaks. Ambrosia will headline the concert; the band Aspen opens. The event is sponsored by Los Robles Bank. Leave pets at home. Free; donations are accepted. Information: 381-2747.

Stargazers Touch Down

July 19-22

The Ventura County Astronomical Society hosts the Astrocon 2000 Convention at the Holiday Inn Beach Resort, 450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. The four-day convention includes workshops on astrophotography, better visual observation and hands-on astrophysics. There will be tours of the Mt. Wilson Observatory, JPL in Pasadena, Griffith Observatory and a star party at Mt. Pinos. The featured speaker July 22 is James Doohan, otherwise known as Scotty from “Star Trek.” Ticket or schedule information: 529-7813 or 529-7813, or look online at www.vcas.org/astrocon.

Benefit Tournament

Friday, July 21

Interface Children Family Services presents its ninth annual Fore Children Golf Tournament at the Camarillo Springs Golf Course, 791 Camarillo Springs Road. The day consists of a golf clinic in the morning with area pros and a tournament in the afternoon. Clinic fee is $125; tournament fee is $125. The tournament is a foursome Texas scramble and includes golf cart, lunch and dinner. Reservations are encouraged. Proceeds benefit WeCAAN programs through Interface. Reservations or information: 485-6114, Ext. 640.

Afternoon Jazz

Sunday, July 23

Sunday Afternoon Jazz at the Carnegie presents the Estrada Brothers Latin jazz sextet from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C St., Oxnard. Tickets are $7 for museum members, $9 general admission. The jazz series is organized by the Carnegie Art Museum Cornerstones to benefit the museum’s children’s education programs. Tickets or information: 385-8157.

Musical

July 28-30

Cabrillo Music Theater presents “Fiddler on the Roof” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. The musical includes the classic songs “Tradition,” “Sunrise, Sunset” and “To Life.” Tickets range from $14 to $32. Information: 497-8616.

Festival of Salsa

July 29-30

The seventh annual two-day Oxnard Salsa Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Plaza Park on West 5th Street in downtown Oxnard. The festival features vendors, food booths, salsa music, Latin jazz, salsa dance lessons, salsa contest and kids’ corner. Admission and parking are free. Information: 247-0197.

Compiled by ALEX FIELD / Los Angeles Times