AGENDA : THINGS TO DO / SEPTEMBER 12

Parade and Party * Dancing, arts and crafts, music and food will highlight the Fiestas Patrias celebration from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Plaza Park, at 5th and C streets, Oxnard. World boxing champion Robert Garcia will lead a parade beginning at 12:30 p.m. along C Street, from 9th to 2nd streets. Free. Information: 486-0266.

Garden Tour

* The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden will present a Rare Fruit Orchard Tour & Talk at 1 p.m. at Conejo Community Park, 1300 Hendrix Ave., Thousand Oaks. Free. Information: 494-7630 or 497-3266.

Cooking Lessons

* The Camarillo Health Care District will begin a series of cooking classes for men from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3639 E. Las Posas Road, Suite 117. The first class will focus on breakfast and brunch. The course will continue Sundays through Oct. 3. $20 for the series for Camarillo and Somis residents, $22 others. Registration: 388-1952, Ext. 117.

Scrabble Fans

* The Ventura Scrabble Club will meet at 1 p.m. at Community Memorial Hospital, eighth floor conference room, 147 N. Brent St., Ventura. $2. Information: 984-8944 or 642-2326.

Watercolor Show

* The Healing Arts Gallery at Los Robles Medical Center will hold a reception for artist Paula Odor from 2 to 4 p.m. at 215 W. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Odor’s watercolor paintings are on display at the gallery through Oct. 30. Free. Information: 643-9689.

Square-Dancing

* The Thousand Oaks Bachelors ‘N’ Bachelorettes will hold a beginning square dance class from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Free for first-time participants, $4 others. Information: 495-3605 or 495-9814.

Seniors Gather

* The Ventura County chapter of the Over the Hill Gang will meet at 3 p.m. at a member’s home. The group is for people 50 and older who enjoy skiing, hiking, dining, cultural events and other social activities. Free. Location and information: 495-8107.

COMING MONDAY

* The Conejo Valley Audubon Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Western Foundation for Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo.Free. Information: 289-0440.

* Attorney Terence Geoghegan will discuss “Gun Control: Constitutionality and Practicality” at a meeting of the Freethinkers of Ventura County from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Orchid Building, 816 Camarillo Springs Road, Camarillo. $2. Information: 386-4232.

* The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will begin a 13-week series of Boating Skills & Seamanship classes from 7 to 9 p.m. at Simi Covenant Church, Room 202, 4680 Alamo St., Simi Valley. $30 text book. Free. Information: (818) 360-7332.

* The Conejo Recreation & Park District will offer drop-in basketball for people age 50 and older from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the teen center, 1375 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. $1. Information: 381-2744.

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The Agenda, a daily listing of events, is compiled by Leo Smith. All events must be open to the public. Please address items, with a publishable telephone number, to The Agenda, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items can also be faxed to The Times at 653-7576 or 653-7548.