10 HOT THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER THAT ARE COOL

For some of us a visit to someplace new or attending a new event can be refreshing. And, when those activities blend with our faith, they can give us not only a physical and mental uplift but a spiritual one as well. Many such places can be found all over Southern California with a drive of less than three hours from just about anywhere.

Here’s a list of our top 10 things you’ll want to check out this summer:

1. The Barbara Collins Arboretum, at California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Rd., Thousand Oaks.

Cal Lutheran is graced with breathtaking grounds bordered by rolling hillsides. The campus has a variety of trees and plants including those native to So. Cal.

This project is the effort of Dr. Collins, who selected and classified flora. Visitors can learn about botany and enjoy the meditative beauty of the campus gardens which include unique flowers and plants from other countries.

To tour the arboretum, download maps that serve as your tour guide: https://www.callutheran.edu/about/ arboretum/

2. Messiah Fine Arts, Performance of the musical Seussical July 28, 29 & 30 & August 4, 5 & 6.

How Lucky You Are can be more than just a song in this play if you plan now to attend this summer production. Located in Yorba Linda, the Joy Center Auditorium is just a short walking distance from the Richard Nixon Library & Presidential Museum. Also nearby is the Danish Lutheran Church Cultural Arts Centerhttps://www.danishchurchsocal.com

You will find the Joy Center on the grounds of Messiah Lutheran Church in Yorba Linda, 4861 Liverpool Street. For tickets or information: https://www.messiahyl.com/

3. Interfaith Jazz Concert Series, Free performances on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 5 p.m. in beautiful Santa Monica at Mt. Olives Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd. Jazz singer Janice Anderson is the curator for the Interfaith Jazz concert series. Janice has been producing this well-loved jazz series for nearly 20 years. You can also see her performing jazz standards with her quintet all around Los Angeles . Why not take the family to beach first and stay for the music later? For information: (310) 452-1116.

4. Grounds & Vineyard Grace Lutheran Church, 2108 N Euclid Ave, Upland. Worship Sunday mornings 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. in the sanctuary.

What could be more of a blessing then visiting a small, Lutheran congregation in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains with some of the most beautiful grounds we’ve seen?

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In fact, just behind the church is a small vineyard where they actively grow grapes and produce wine. An insider tip for those of you considering attending LSSSC’s October 7 Gala – a bottle of this delicious and rare wine will be up for bid (Yes, we’ve tasted it and it’s amazing).

Why not plan to stop by and attend worship and take a peek at this vineyard with a quick tour by their Pastor Wesley Menke? Contact: wesley@graceupland.org to let him know you’ll be visiting.

5. The Center for Worship & Performing Arts at Concordia University, 1530 Concordia Ave., Irvine. Professional and Student Performances and Exhibits are offered year-round. For summer, we recommend attending the Zenith Handbell FREE Concert on Saturday, August 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Hear expert ringers from around the country at this inaugural performance. Featuring a wide, virtuosic repertoire, it’s guaranteed to leave you amazed. Directed by Matthew Compton & Alex Guebert, this 30-member ensemble excites with music recently written with composers and arrangers in the ensemble! https://www. simpletix.com/e/zenith-in-concert-tickets-133401

Once there, plan to also visit the campus’s John and Linda Friend Art Gallery in Grimm Hall that will be featuring the amazing works of senior students on display thru August 14.

6. Crafty Connections Retreat, Retreat, Create and Connect at Luther Glen Farm the weekend of August 18 -21. Sitting nearly a mile high on 40 sunny acres, in the heart of apple country in beautiful Oak Glen, California.

Join other crafters for a weekend of crafts and connections. Bring your current project and get a weekend away to work on whatever you're passionate about.

You can also enjoy being around sustainable agriculture, sheep, goats, chickens, horses, pigs, cows and alpacas!

Contact: lauri@lrcchome.com - Cost is $220 per person.

7. Take A Spirit Hike, Thursday mornings with River of Hope Lutheran Church that meets in The Jewish Community Center of Palm Desert.

Join your hike host Don, a volunteer on the Pacific Coast Trail, as he leads hikes throughout the area. It's a wonderful and casual way to get to know others from the faith community and to experience postcard-perfect views. (714) 598-8623.

8. Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival, June 30 – August 6, 2023, with performances at 5:30 p.m. Kingsman Park at Cal Lutheran, 300 Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. This year’s festival features the plays Two Gentlemen of Verona & King Lear

In 1997 a collaboration between Santa Susana Repertory Theatre Co. and the Drama Dept. produced the first festival featuring a three-weekend run of A Midsummer Night's Dream and was "free" to the public. Due to the success of that first Festival, the Kingsmen Shakespeare Co. formed as a not-for-profit professional theatre org. KSC holds special contracts with Actors Equity Assoc. (AEA) and is a member of the Shakespeare Theatre Assoc. of America (STAA).

Purchase tickets ($15-$120): https://www. kingsmenshakespeare.org/

9. The Totally RAD Foundation’s Touch a Truck Event, Saturday, September 16th, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 196 N Ashwood Ave, Ventura. A fun family event offering hands-on opportunities for children (and children-at-heart) to explore, climb and touch trucks, emergency response vehicles, heavy machinery, and other equipment. Kids can get behind the wheels and visit with hometown heroes, while exploring big rigs, fire engines, police cars, construction trucks, tractors and more.

They’ll even be opportunity for those with sensitive hearing to enjoy this event. “No horn” hour (no sirens used) is from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. No pets allowed. Tag your photos using #TouchATruckVentura and #RADFoundation. Tickets: $7 per person or $25 for (4) or more . https:// totallyradfoundation.org/calendar/2023-touch-a-truck

10. Concert for a Cause, The Matthew Shepard Benefit & Big Band Concert August 12 at 6 p.m.– Gloria Dei Lutheran, 33501 Stonehill Drive, Dana Point.

Join a special fundraising event and enjoy the magic and passion of Big Band Music! Several professional jazz artists including our editor’s favorite OC pianist Ron Kobayashi will perform.

Proceeds go to The Matthew Shepard Foundation  whose mission is to "erase the hate and replace it with understanding, compassion, and acceptance".

For info./tickets ($25 gen./$50 VIP): https:// www.eventcreate.com/e/BenefitConcert4Matt