All posts by admin

emPower at the Ventura Home and Garden Fall Show

Interested in lowering your carbon footprint and making your home healthier? Visit emPower Ventura County at the 24th Annual Ventura Home and Garden Fall Show September 18th – 20^th at the fairgrounds. emPower staff will be offering advice on how you can improve the efficiency, comfort and indoor air quality of your home, while saving money on utility bills.

At the booth, you can sign up for a free home energy site visit with an emPower Energy Coach for a comprehensive look at your whole’s home energy performance. You will also learn how to take advantage of utility incentives up to $6,500 and low-interest, unsecured financing that starts at 5.9%.

Date: September 18 – 20

Time: Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Seaside Park, 100 W. Harbor Blvd.

Cost: $5, Get a free ticket courtesy of emPower by emailing [email protected]

For more information on the emPower program, call 654-3834 or email [email protected]

Patriot’s Dinner

These lovely ladies Christina Hernandez and Marlene Fode, Rebecca Sierra, Jessica Gracia, and Marilyn Hartman, members of Ventura Elks Lodge #1430 were County Fair Parade Marshals, making sure that the parade went by there spot in an orderly fashion.

Ventura firefighters and Police will be honored at a special dinner and ceremony by the Ventura Elks Lodge #1430 at 6 pm on Saturday, Sept 12. Dinner will be served at 6 pm at the cost of $14.00. Seating is limited so reservations should be made by calling the Lodge at 639-0303 or at the office open Mon.-Fri at 2:00 pm Ventura Elks Lodge is located at 2126 Knoll Dr.

The Ventura Elks are revitalizing a traditional ceremony to show their support and appreciation for first responders. Individuals will be honored for their outstanding duty to the community.

The Ventura Elks Lodge has been an active force in the community which includes scholarships; donations to community fund raisers and schools; Americanism events and veteran services. The Children’s Drug Awareness Halloween Party and annual Christmas party are prize winning events held annually.

Membership information is available by phone, at the Lodge office or contacting www.venturaelks.us.

Copenhagen in Ventura?

Copenhagen is a Tony Award-winning drama written by Michael Frayn. This poetic and powerful play centers around a mysterious historical meeting in 1941 in Denmark between German physicist Werner Heisenberg and his mentor Niels Bohr. The play explores questions of moral responsibility in the face of discovery, and examines how those questions created explosive consequences for those on the forefront of a new scientific frontier during World War II. The play is helmed by internationally acclaimed director Judy Hegarty Lovett and stars stage and screen veterans Linda Purl, Brett Rickaby and Peter Van Norden.

Previews: Wednesday, September 2 at 7:00 p.m. ($25), Thursday, September 3 at 8:00 p.m. and Friday, September 4 at 8:00 p.m. ($30)
Press Nights: Friday, September 11 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, September 12 at 2:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., Sunday, September 13 at 2:00 p.m.
Closes: Sunday, September 27

Regular performance times and prices:
Wednesdays at 2 p.m. ($44) and 7 p.m. ($49) (Talkbacks following Wednesday evening shows except during previews)
Thursdays at 8 p.m. ($44)
Fridays at 8 p.m. ($44) (Preshow presentations on Quantum mechanics at 7:00 p.m.)
Saturdays at 2 p.m. ($54) and 8 p.m. ($54)
Sundays at 2 p.m. ($54)

A Taste of Local –The Epicurean Event of the Year!

By Kat Merrick

What better way to learn about local food than to experience it firsthand? The Taste of Local is about bringing together farmers, chefs and community to celebrate our local harvest and the diversity of great food we have right here in Ventura County. It’s sure to be the epicurean event of the year.

Over 50 area chefs, wineries brewers, farmers and purveyors are expected to showcase their culinary expertise during the inaugural Taste of Local Event on Sept. 11 at Cal State Channel Islands. The event will be in conjunction with the 2015 Ventura Ag Summit which will be held on Sept 11th . The Summit is hosted by Ventura County’s Ag Commissioners office. For more information go to http://www.venturacountyagsummit.com/taste-of-local-expo/

The theme of this year’s event is “We are Different”

Rich Soil, Mediterranean Climates, Innovative Farmers & Diverse Crops.

Ventura County Agriculture Helps to Feed our Community and the World.

Ventura County is known as one of the top agricultural producers in the world and that translates into one of the best cuisine scenes that Californian has to offer. Locally grown, locally produced and locally owned are some of the key ingredients in this year’s Taste of Local event.

Guests will be able to meet and chat with chefs, farmers and purveyors as they taste and learn about the bounty that is Ventura County. To add to the ambiance they will be treated to the live music of The Dan Grimm Band & Twice Western Music Association Cowboy Poetry nominee, Andria Kidd ‘s Cowboy Poetry (other musicians to be announced) all while sipping local wines and brews. Each guest will receive a “passport” providing information about participating farms and chefs and purveyors.

All this fun and it gives back. A percentage of the profits from the event will go to Treasure our Farms.

Treasure our Farms is an education campaign designed to engage and inform our local community about the value and beauty of Agriculture and Farming in Ventura County. Join us at http://treasureourfarms.com/

A limited number of tickets are available for the Taste of Local Event!

The Taste of Local will take place on Saturday, September 12 from 12:00 – 4:30p.m at Cal State Channel Islands.

Tickets are $65.00 and can be purchased at http://www.venturacountyagsummit.com/taste-of-local-expo/

WEV celebrates 14 graduates

Some businesses include an art gallery, a hair salon and a housing cleaning service.

On Wednesday, August 12th, Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) celebrated the accomplishments of fourteen men and women graduating from the WEV en Español’s Basic Self-Employment Training (SET) program.

Students in the four week course explored the risks and benefits of starting different businesses, characteristics important to becoming a successful entrepreneur, and they evaluated their own strengths and abilities. Graduates left the course with an understanding of whether they are ready to take the next steps in launching their own business.

“These graduates took a small but important step in determining their readiness for starting their own business,” said Leticia Sandoval, WEV Spanish Program Coordinator. “We are excited to see what the next few months brings for each graduate.”

WEV is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. Since 1991, WEV has been providing self-employment training, technical assistance and microloans to primarily low-income women. WEV offers a continuum of programs to help both women and men start, stabilize and grow small businesses. WEV’s service area includes Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, with offices in Santa Barbara and Ventura. As a non-profit community lender, the WEV Loan Program provides start-up and expansion loans of up to $50,000. For more information, visit WEV’s website at www.wevonline.org.

Ohana Pet Hospital welcomes Dr. Jennifer Kelly

Dr. Jan Shinkawa, Medical Director of Ohana Pet Hospital, announced the expansion of their professional family as they welcome local veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer Kelly, to the growing Ventura practice. Dr. Kelly will be overseeing urgent care services for existing clients.

Dr. Kelly is a native Southern Californian from Westlake Village. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of California-Davis and obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2008. Following veterinary school, Dr. Kelly returned to Ventura County, completing a rotating small animal internship at Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (VMSG). Dr. Kelly went on to join small animal veterinary clinics in 2009 in both Ventura and Thousand Oaks before joining Ohana Pet Hospital in May 2015.

“Dr. Kelly brings specific knowledge and experience working with patients in need of urgent care services,” said Dr. Janis Shinkawa, Medical Director of Ohana Pet Hospital. “As a growing veterinary practice, we must be able to accommodate our clients with scheduled appointments while also seeing our patients with urgent needs. Dr. Kelly is a perfect fit.”

“I’ve been building a career that emphasizes critical care and emergency medicine and I look forward to helping Ohana Pet Hospital’s growing list of clients with their urgent care needs,” stated Dr. Kelly, the seventh veterinarian to join Ohana Pet Hospital since its opening in December 2012.

At home Dr. Kelly spends her leisure time with her significant other, Rocky and her three year old daughter, Emma. Her family also includes a Great Dane named Bella, Chester the Bullmastiff and her beloved cat, Isis.

Barber RV has a new location

Also in attendance at the celebration were manufacture representatives.

Barber RV has relocated from Main Street where it had been since it opened in 1978, to the Ventura Auto Center at 6660 Auto Center Drive. Kirby Subaru remains in its current location, 6404 Auto Center drive.

August 1 and 2 were celebration days at the location. Live music was provided by Nathan McEuen and Friends and fresh tacos and condiments were provided by Juan Mendoza.

On Sunday attendees were treated to the Ventura K 9 Search and Rescue Unit and Carol and her PR Dog.

Also in attendance were manufacture representatives from 7 different companies who answered detailed questions for those interested in purchasing their vehicles.

Jeff Sukay, President of The Kirby Auto Group invited customers, city officials and Ventura Chamber members to attend the 2 day celebration. Motor homes, trailers, towables, and campers were put on display which amounted to over a one-quarter mile of traveling toys for all their visitors to enjoy, tour and purchase.

For nearly 50 years, The Kirby Auto Group has been treating customers like family.

www.barberrv.com www.kirbyautogroup.com

Mother and daughter creating and teaching art

Mother and daughter Jen Livia and Phyllis Gubins promise more “art from the heart” in their new location.

By Mira Reverente

Like any proud mother, Phyllis Gubins talks about her daughter’s work with obvious pride and affection. “Jen exhibited an obvious talent in art even as a young kid,” says Gubins, who co-owns Red Brick Gallery with daughter Jen Livia.

“I didn’t get into watercolor painting until later in life, and only upon Jen’s encouragement,” says Gubins who has a real estate and finance background. “She was the one with the talent and I just encouraged her and helped nurture that gift.”

Livia’s early love affair with art began with the camera, which propelled her to earn a degree in photography from UC San Diego. Spreading her wings further, she headed to the San Francisco Art Institute to complete her Masters in Studio and Media Arts.

In 2006, Livia and Gubins opened Red Brick Gallery along Main Street. “We wanted a place where we could showcase our work, other artists’ work and at the same time, be able to teach various classes,” says Livia.

Gubins is at the helm of the watercolor classes, while Livia mainly teaches acrylic, photography and Photoshop classes. Says Gubins, “We realized we both really love teaching so that’s one of our main focus now in this new space – teaching both beginner and advanced classes in various media.”

By “new space,” Gubins is referring to the gallery’s new location at the corner of Telephone Road and Market Street. The doors formally opened on August 22 with a simple reception and preview of some existing art by Gubins, Livia and local artists and artisans.

Among the artwork on exhibit are some from Marco Aguilar’s collection. Lancaster-based but Belize-born, the amiable and self-taught acrylic artist is known for the dreamlike quality of his work, inspired by the Hudson River School artists, among others.

“I have heard some people say they can identify my work instantly – the play of light and shadow, the water and glass, the seascapes and landscapes,” says Aguilar who currently teaches a class at the gallery once a month.

“Expect to learn a variety of techniques – some drama and some realism approach,” he says. “It’s fast-paced and perfect for adults.”

Meantime, mother and daughter are eagerly anticipating a packed calendar with new classes, new artists and new original artworks. After beefing up her cosmic painting and treescape collection, Livia has spent recent weeks dabbling in food – painting mouth-watering cupcakes and doughnuts, but not actually devouring them. Gubins has found her niche too, painting animals and sea creatures.

Do animals actually sit still long enough for her to paint them? “I wish,” says Gubins, who finds inspiration from photographs of animals, of various shapes, sizes and color. “Jen and I are both animal lovers. She has dogs and I have cats.”

In the near future, Livia envisions adding more classes, particularly clay and other media. She wants to discover more emerging artists and give them a local venue for their work.

“We just want to keep teaching art from the heart,” says Gubins. Livia chimes in, “Everyone can be taught. Everyone has some form of creativity in them. It just has to be drawn out.”

For more info, go to www.redbrickart.com

Five portraits from The Face Of Ventura portrait series on display at the Museum of Ventura County

art museum Five portraits from The Face Of Ventura portrait series by Johanna Spinks (no credit is given) are on display at the Museum of Ventura County’s current exhibit of portraits. The Face Of Ventura featured 2-years of Johanna portraits in the Ventura Breeze showing a cross-section of Venturans. The Museum show displays painting and photographs following the history of portraiture from the early 1800s to today. A portrait created just for the show by Johanna is also on display. “Sitting Pretty:Portrait Photography from the Salon to the Selfie” will be at the Museum until Nov.29.

The portrait on the right is Howard Burroughs who just turned 102. His “Children’s Garden” at the Ventura County Museum has just opened so be sure to visit it also while there. He has given major financial support to many Ventura venues including the Museum.

Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival Sept. 12-13

The from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ventura Harbor Village. This waterfront juried art festival features more than 40 fine artists and artisans on the Ventura Harbor Village main lawn, as well as over 50 street chalk artists creating colorful murals along the Village promenade overlooking the boats. Proceeds from the festival benefit FOOD Share. venturaartfestival.com

This festival is the only street painting festival in Ventura County. Approximately fifty artists will be creating vibrant sidewalk art with chalk pastels. According to organizer Barbara Hinton, chalk art was added to the event in 2011. “We had fourteen artists that first year, which was fantastic considering I didn’t know a single street painter when I first had the idea.”

A limited number of chalk art squares are available for sponsorship by companies or individuals and will feature the sponsor’s name. Sponsorships can be purchased through Ventura County Art Events, which hosts the festival.

For artist application or sponsorship information, please contact Executive Director Barbara Hinton 650-9858 or visit venturaartfestival.com.

Sidebar