You are all invited to the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau on December 4 for Gwenlyn Norton's Artist reception from 5:00 to 8:00, otherwise known as the Discovery Gallery on the corner of California and Santa Clara. We plan live entertainment and refreshments. If you cannot make it, you may view her display for the entire month of December.

For anyone dining in the Ventura area, check out Jonathan's downtown on Main Street. Every single piece of artwork at that location was created by Gwenlyn Norton. They will adorn those walls throughout the holidays until the end of December.

On May 14 (the day before my 70th birthday), my husband was delivering one of my 6-part polyptych art canvases on top of his van, which he thought was securely tied down, along highway 33 to the CSUCI Ventura gallery when he heard an awful sound. A gust of wind completely blew one part off into the brush and the second was smashed. He phoned me to come help him look for the missing part. From the car we found nothing. I sent him home with the remains and walked along the road for a mile or two. A stranger stopped and asked if I was alright.

For many years I have been wanting to start a VCPWN Book Club Group. I've since discarded all my research regarding the structure and development of such a group but am still interested in creating one.

Anyone interested?

About 25 years ago the VCPWN International Dinner Group took form. We have been meeting at a different private home every other month since and engaging ourselves in cooking and eating delectable foods from all over the world.

The rules have been quite flexible over the years, but primarily we enjoy authentic dishes. Traditionally, the host/hostess provides the location, dinnerware and liquid refreshments. He/she coordinates the menu so that we have a diverse meal.

Now I know some of you are gardeners. With spring weather like we're currently having (in March), what a grand way to spend an afternoon digging the soil.

My husband recently built me a raised vegetable planter bed. I've never had one before. I filled it with vegetable soil from Agromin and have planted rows of cucumbers, peas, carrots, radishes, onions and corn from seed. They've been in about a week and nothing yet is showing for all my labor, but I have high hopes!!!!