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SoCalGas and Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast present Daisy Friends & Robots Event

The event’s primary focus was to provide an interactive platform for children.

Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) recently teamed up with the Girl Scouts of

California’s Central Coast (GSCCC) to present a one-of-a-kind event, the Daisy Friends & Robots Open House.

The event took place on June 3rd at the Westview Village, an affordable housing development located at 1187 Riverside St. in Ventura. With an array of engaging activities, attendees had the opportunity to get hands-on experience exploring rocket launchers, ball shooters, straw rockets, robot hands and robot tables all designed to spark curiosity and foster creativity.

The event’s primary focus was to provide an interactive platform for children to engage with robotics while making new friends within their own neighborhood. By combining the principles of STEM education with the spirit of community, SoCalGas and the GSCCC aim to inspire young minds and ignite a passion for science and technology.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast for the Daisy Friends & Robots Event,” explains Maria Ventura, Senior Public Affairs Manager from SoCalGas. “This collaboration provides a unique and memorable experience for families in Ventura, while also promoting the importance of STEM education in underserved communities.”

Thanks to the generous support of SoCalGas, the Daisy Friends & Robots event was a resounding success, attracting a remarkable attendance of 175 people. It was a powerful testament to the significance of developing the next generation of women leaders. As an event focused on recruitment, it holds special importance in encouraging girls from underserved communities to become Girl Scouts.

By actively engaging girls from underserved communities, the council aims to break down barriers and provide equal opportunities for all. It’s a reminder that every girl deserves a chance to be part of the Girl Scouts and unleash her full potential.

 

Ventura’s outrigger canoe team hosted the Ventura Challenge

75 outrigger canoes and their teams were racing.

by Patricia Schallert

Outrigger canoe boats are various watercraft featuring one or more lateral support floats known as outriggers, which are fastened to one or both sides of the main hull. They can range from small dugout canoes to large plank-built vessels.

An outrigger has a narrow, long and sturdy frame made from buoyant material which is attached to the side of the boat to give it extra stability. They are commonly seen on racing boats and other high-performance vessels,

Ventura’s outrigger canoe team, also known as Hokuloa,  hosted the Ventura Challenge race on Saturday, May 10th launching out of Harbor Cove Beach.  Many of the outrigger canoes and their teams came from as far away as San Diego, Dana Point, Long Beach, Newport Beach, Marina Del Rey, Santa Barbara, Avala Beach and San Luis Obispo County and other cities from Southern California.

Four or five clubs from Arizona and Las Vegas area also participated in the race.

Like most “outrigger canoe” clubs, Ventura has several teams which includes a novice team, women’s team, a co-ed team and men’s team, and includes master teams. There were three races that took place on Saturday. The novice team did a short course to the pier and back and the women and men’s race paddled 12 miles straight out toward the oil rigs and back.

Norm Hudson, a volunteer and supporter of Ventura’s recreation team, said there were close to “75 outrigger canoes and their teams that were racing on Saturday.”

Even with the cloud cover and some drizzle, it was fun to be a spectator and ato participate in the race.

Ventura’s Outrigger Canoe Club is a member-run non-profit organization Ventura Outrigger Challenge.

What is in a name? Ventura.

by Richard Senate

The Chamber of Commerce will tell you that the city of San Buenaventura is really the city of good fortune. That is a direct translation of the Spanish word Buenaventura. But in truth, that is not true. The city is named after a man, a very unique man who lived in 13th Century Italy.

His name was Giovanni di Fidanza, born in Bagnaren, Italy in 1221, the son of John Fidanza and Marra Fitel.  At the age of four he became sick and lapsed into  a coma.  His father was a doctor but all he tried to save his son failed, medical knowledge was limited at the time. His mother insisted that the child should be taken to St. Francis who lived not far away. At the time the pious Francis was seen by all as a living saint and it was believed he could cure the boy.  They took the infant to the saintly man to restore the child’s health.

The saintly Francis told them he couldn’t work miracles, and that only God could do such things.  The mother begged him to at least  give her son a blessing.  He took the boy in his arms and pronounced a blessing. The instant he did, the child woke out of his coma with a cry.  The surprised Francis let out the words; “O bona ventura!”  (What good fortune).  From that day on that became the boy’s nickname.

At the age of twenty-two he joined the Franciscan Order where he proved an adept scholar and was sent to Paris to study.There he became good friends with Thomas Aquinas and earned a degree as a Doctor of Divinity and took the position of teacher.

In 1256 he became the head of the Franciscan Order, over time rising to the rank of Cardinal of Albano.  His writings were so popular that in 1274 he was commissioned by Pope Gregory X  with the task of re-uniting the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic churched that had split.  In Rome he labored long and hard at his task, working himself to death, but failed in the end. He died on July 14th 1274, he was fifty -three.  In his life he penned many papers and books.  So many miracles happened at his tomb in the Vatican that he was named a saint. His symbol is the feather, a pen he used to write his many works.

Fr. Serra read his books and was impressed, naming the ninth Mission San Buneaventura in 1782 in his honor. St. Bonaventure is the patron saint of Ventura. A fitting man to represent all that is good in our community.

Vol. 16, No. 19 – June 14 – June 27, 2023 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

I love summer so much!!! Longer days, more activities including live music and all the beauty that our county provides. I hope you’ll take advantage of some of these events.

Free concerts in the park return to Constitution Park in Camarillo this summer with 24K Magic on June 24, the Kings of 88 on July 8, The 805 Social Club on July 22 and Garth Live on August 5. Residents are encouraged to bring low folding chairs, blankets and picnic dinners. Food trucks will be on site.

The 67th Conejo Valley Days will run Thursday, June 15 – Sunday, June 25 at Conejo Creek Park South (Janss Road off the 23 Freeway). Typically, the event runs four consecutive days, but this year it will be over two weekends. Live music includes performances from Mike Scully and the Weary Travelers, 805 Social Club, Colette Lovejoy Band and more. Admission is $10 (kids under five are free) and includes the entertainment, but not the carnival rides.

Chick Singer Night is switching locations to Namba Arts, downtown Ventura with Kimberly Ford, Karen 805, Sharon Hendrix, Annyett Royale, and Mary Scholz, on Sunday, June 25. And staying with Namba, they’ll host “Ventura City Blitz” featuring local artists such as Blurry Stars (also their summer release party), Aaron Burch, the Late Knights, Dielectric, and Ardi on Saturday, June 17.

New West Summerfest lands at Moorpark College for two days, Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25. It’s quite an eclectic lineup of performers such as Ilya Serov, B. Valentine, Gods of Rock, Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea and more. Ticket information available at NewWestSymphony.com.

And of course, you’ll want to mark off your calendar for which concerts you want to attend at this year’s Ventura County Fair. There’re only eight concerts this year on the Grandstand Arena stage: Midland, Patti Labelle, Collective Soul, Ashanti, Trace Adkins, 38 Special, Tesla and Dia de la Familia. And as always, the concerts are included in the price of admission to the fair. The fair runs August 2 – 13.

Quick Notes: Elvis Costello & the Imposters at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Wednesday, June 14; Duncan & the Dragonslayers, Stellar Ruins and Los Xiquenos play Bombays on Thursday, June 15; Barrelhouse Wailers will do an in store performance at Salzer’s Records to promote their latest release, “Never Look Back” on Saturday, June 17; Topa Topa Brewing will host their 8th anniversary party on Saturday, June 17, at their Colt Street location with live music throughout the day; and Fausto Cuevas y la Moderna play a salsa evening of dance at Cantara Cellars on Thursday, June 22.Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Vol. 16, No. 19 – June 14 – June 27, 2023 – Music Calendar

Music Calendar
For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

The Alley
444 Zachary St., Moorpark
Sat 6/17: Bill Rotella

Anna’s Cider
801 E. Main St., Santa Paula
Sat 6/17: D.on Darox & the Melody Joe Bakers

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Music 6-9; except Sundays 4-7
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 6/16: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Sat 6/17: Epitome of Dreams
Tues 6/20: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Fri 6/23: Mac and D
Sat 6/24: The CocoKnots
Sun 6/25: Ken Devoe
Tues 6/27: Noah & Friends

Bombay Bar and Grill
143 California St., Ventura
Thurs 6/15: Duncan & the Dragonslayers, Stellar Ruins, Los Xiquenos

Café Fiore
66 S. California St., Ventura
Wed 6/14: Edgar Thatcher
Fri 6/16: Otis Hayes
Sun 6/18: Jangala Roots
Wed 6/21: Fabulous Hangovers
Fri 6/23: Little Alice
Sun 6/25: Forbidden Fruit

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 6/16: Cinnamon Whiskey
Sat 6/17: Brandon Ragan Project
Thurs 6/22: Fausto Cuevas y la Moderna
Fri 6/23: Mid Life Crisis

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Wed & Thurs: Bobby Apostol
Fri & Sat: Warren Takahashi

Conejo Valley Days
Old Towne Camarillo
Thurs 6/15: Mike Scully and the Weary Travelers
Fri 6/16: 805 Social Club
Sat 6/17: Colette Lovejoy Band
Wed 6/21: Déjà vu Too
Thurs 6/22: Mike Scully and the Weary Travelers
Fri 6/23: 805 Social Club
Sat 6/24: Toxic Sushi; Colette Lovejoy Band
Sun 6/25: Toxic Sushi

Constitution Park
601 Carmen Dr., Camarillo
Sat 6/24: 24k Magic

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays
Thursdays: Glenn Bennet
Sun 6/18: Heart and Soul
Sun 6/25: The House Arrest Band

Copper Blues
591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard
Sat 6/17: Caught Red Handed (11 am); Los Amigos Band (7 pm)
Fri 6/23: On Tap
Sat 6/24: Caliente Band

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai
Fri 6/23: Marty O’Reilly

Enegren Brewing Co.
444 Zachary St., Moorpark, CA
Fri 6/23: Vanise Terry Band

Feros Ferio Winery
310 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Sat 6/17: Robert Van

Four Brix
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
(Fridays 6-8:30; Sundays 1-3:30)
Fri 6/16: On Tap
Sun 6/18: Clear Sky Trio
Fri 6/23: The Ray Jaurique Band
Sun 6/25: Natalie Gelman

Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Sat 6/17: The Renegades
Fri 6/23: Jahlos & the Rebels

The Grape
2733 E. Main St., Ventura
Tues: The Gratitude Jazz Jam
Thurs Happy Hour: Tom Etchart & Friends
Friday Happy Hour: Fred Kaplan
Wed 6/14: Harvey Wainapel Quartet
Thurs 6/15: Adam Clark ensemble feat. Rachel Flowers
Fri 6/16: Janis Mann
Sat 6/17: Tony Ybarra (2 pm); Tony Ybarra (8 pm)
Wed 6/21: Adam Clark Ensemble
Thurs 6/22: Nee’s Bees
Fri 6/23: Plotz!
Sat 6/24: Smokey & Friends (2 pm); Dave Tull Quartet (8 pm)
Sun 6/25: Doug Webb Group feat. Danny Carey

The Greek
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Fridays: Jim Seargeant

Harbor Cove Café
1867 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Saturdays 10 am: The Cool Hand Ukes

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Rd., Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Fri 6/16: Pull the Trigger
Sat 6/17: Reign
Sat 6/24: The Balance

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 6/15: Singer/Songwriter Open Mic Night
Fri 6/16: The Brandywise Buskers
Sun 6/18: Emily Coupe
Fri 6/23: Mike Beers
Sat 6/24: Morie and the Heavy Hitters
Sun 6/25: Dylan Cunningham

Libbey Bowl
210 S. Signal St., Ojai
Fri 6/16: Julian Marley, the Bad Seeds
Sat 6/17: Missing Persons, Naked Eyes, Stacey Q

The Lookout Bar and Grill
2800 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard
Wednesdays & Sundays : Gary Ballen
Sat 6/24: Stephanie Metcalf & Anson Jackson

Lucky Fool’s Pub
75 E. High St., Moorpark
Sat 6/17: 24 Strings

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Wed 6/14: Elvis Costello & the Imposters
Fri 6/16: 805 Local Hip Hop & Rap Night

Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Rd., Camarillo
Wed 6/14: Warren Takahashi
Fri 6/16: Jim and Mark Duo
Sat 6/17: Jeanne Tatum Trio
Wed 6/21: Robert Van
Fri 6/23: Tour Support
Sat 6/24: Pam and Hollywood

Margarita Villa
1567 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Fri 6/16: Operation 90s
Sat 6/17: Ventura Iris-Ites Possie
Sun 6/18: CRV
Fri 6/23: Three Amigos
Sat 6/24: Crosscut 805
Sun 6/25: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sun 6/18: Teresa Russell

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak St., Ventura
Fri 6/16: Jonathan Foster
Sat 6/17: Ventura City Blitz
Fri 6/23: The Listening Room Redux
Sun 6/25: Chick Singer Night

Oceanview Pavilion Performing Arts Theater
575 E. Surfside Dr., Port Hueneme
Sat 6/24: Strange Days, Electrico, Looking West

Ojai Valley Brewing
307 Bryant St., Ojai
Fri 6/16: Olivia Willhite
Sat 6/17: The Art of Funk
Sun 6/18: Nautical Thrust
Fri 6/23: Lindsey Marie
Sat 6/24: The Brandywine Buskers

Onyx
2390 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Fri 6/16: D.on Darox & the Melody Joy Bakers
Sat 6/17: Eliya Frantz
Fri 6/23: George Krikes
Sat 6/24: Ashun

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard
Fri 6/23: Petty & the Heartshakers
Sun 6/25: The 3 Divas: Pops, Kuh & Jaya

Peirano’s
204 E. Main St., Ventura
Thursdays: Mack and D
Saturdays Frank Barajas
Sun 6/18: Mack and D
Sun 6/25: Vinny Berry

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri & Sat 8 pm; Sunday 2 pm
Fri 6/16: Soul Machine
Sat 6/17: Cinnamon Whiskey
Sun 6/18: Smokey & Friends
Fri 6/23: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 6/24: Jayden Secor Band
Sun 6/25: Teresa Russell

Ric’s Restaurant Sports Lounge
2500 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Tuesdays: Tour Support w/ Kurt & Bob

Salzer’s Records
5777 Valentine Rd., Ventura
Sat 6/17: Barrelhouse Wailers

Sam’s Place
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Saturdays: Smitty and Julija and Friends

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 6/16: Joe Delia (4 pm); Brandon Ragan (8 pm)
Sat 6/17: Steph’s Rockin’ Roadshow
Sun 6/18: Karen & the Bad Apples
Fri 6/23: Jake McCelland (4 pm); Pull the Trigger (8 pm)
Sat 6/24: Sin Chonies
Sun 6/25: Corsican Brothers

The Six
419 E. Main St., Ventura
Sat 6/24: The Bomb

The Sportsman
4426 Central Ave., Camarillo
Sun 6/25: Swing Shift

Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sat 6/17: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat 6/24: Vinyl Gypsies
Sun 6/25: Holgers Heroes

Taqueria Jalisco
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery

Tony’s Pizzeria
186 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Wed 6/14: DNA with Dave Rea
Thurs 6/22: Morie & the Heavy Hitters
Fri 6/23: The Trivle Omdobble
Sun 6/25: Heart & Soul

Topa Topa Brewing
104 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs: Davey Miller Jazz
Sun 6/18: Milo Sledge Trio

Topa Topa Brewing
4880 Colt St., Ventura
Sun 6/25: the Trivle Omdobble

Topa Topa Brewing
2024 Ventura Blvd. Camarillo
Sat 6/17: Jimmy Darin Band
Fri 6/23: Colin Kyffin

The Twist
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Fri 6/16: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat 6/17: Jayden Secor (noon); Joe Delia (4 pm); Jetlemons (8 pm)
Sun 6/18: Preacher Blues Band (noon); Ken Devoe (4 pm)
Fri 6/23: Brobots
Sat 6/24: Adam & Sam (noon); Dive Bar Steve Trio (4 pm); Shakey Feelin’ (8 pm)
Sun 6/25: Charlie Baker (noon); Hot Roux (4 pm)

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sundays: Mariachi
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter
Wednesdays: Tribal Me
Sat 6/17: CRV

Ventura Harbor Village
1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Sat 6/17: Surfer Joe Band
Sun 6/18: Unkle Monkey
Sat 6/24: Karen Eden
Sun 6/25: Blown Over

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Wed 6/14: Matisyahu
Thurs 6/15: Grateful Shred
Fri 6/16: Creed Fisher
Sat 6/17: Dreamers, Robert DeLong
Tues 6/20: Polyrhythmics
Fri 6/23: The Purple Ones

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 2 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 6/15: The Pipes
Fri 6/16: Miss Bix & the Nervous Ticks
Sat 6/17: Teresa Russell
Sun 6/18: Pull the Trigger
Tues 6/20: Open Mic
Thurs 6/22: Brittany & Ben
Fri 6/23: Blown Over
Sat 6/24: Ray Jaurique Trio
Sun 6/25: Ventura Irie-Ites Posse

1901 Speakeasy
740 S. B St., Oxnard
Wed 6/21: Shay Moulder
Fri 6/23: Teresa Russell, Stephen Geyer

Vol. 16, No. 19 – June 14 – June 27, 2023 – Community Events

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tues., Wed., and Thurs. at 12:30. All levels of play and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected]. All Welcome.

June 15: The East Ventura Community Council (EVCC) will meet virtually at 7 PM. Visit the EVCC website at https://eastventura.org/ for the Zoom meeting link. The agenda includes the East Ventura police report from Cmdr. Brown, followed by a presentation from Ventura City Environmental Specialist. Arriana Rabago.

The purpose of the EVCC is to encourage residents to understand East Ventura problems, needs and expectations, and to recommend, initiate and/or participate in the development and implementation of programs or solutions. The EVCC facilitates communications between the community and government or other service agencies.

June 20: The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcomed to stop in to sample our shenanigans. ! Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820

Members $25 for lunch; $25 annual membership Your first lunch is free

Upcoming Speaker Tuesday, June 20th,

Bob Harris from the Gold Coast Veteran’s Foundation.

June 21: Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) Ventura Chapter is having a Memorial Rally in Ventura at 10:30 am. It will be on the corner of S. Victoria Ave and Telephone Rd near the government center. It is free and open to everyone. They can bring signs of their loved ones to represent them, so they can also be remembered.

June 28: The College Area Community Council in Ventura, will be holding a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, at 7pm. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list or to access a link to the Zoom meeting.”

June 30: Join the Chamber monthly Lunchmob at the Harbor Mart located at Portside Ventura Harbor at 947 Schooner Dr.in Portside Ventura Harbor. Meet new people while you have lunch prepared by Harbor Mart.

July 2-23: Ventura College’s Schwab Academy of Music will present a series of orchestra and chamber music performances as part of its this intensive three-week summer institute. Talented students perform alongside the Academy’s nationally-recognized faculty in a diverse and exciting repertoire.

All performances take place in the Helen Yunker Auditorium at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, located at 4700 Loma Vista Rd..

Tickets Prices:

  • $15 General Admission
  • $5 Senior/Student
  • Kids 10 and under free

July 8: From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a Book Sale at the Vons at Telegraph and Victoria (6040 Telegraph Rd.)

Books priced from $.25 to $5.00. Large selection of children’s books, CD’s and DVD’s!

Contact: Mary Olson (805) 223-1187

July 14: The Chamber will hold a ribbon cutting at the Harbor Mart located at Portside Ventura Harbor at 947 Schooner Dr. Celebrate a new business that is a mini-mart and a fine restaurant.

Sept. 9: Relay for Life of Ventura. 10-10 p.m. at the Ventura County Credit Union, 2575 Vista Del Mar. The largest, most inspiring, and supportive cancer fundraising event on the planet. www.facebook.com/relayforlifeofventura