All posts by admin

Help with the homerless count

The Ventura County Continuum of Care is looking for volunteers to assist with the 2022 Homeless Count on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. This count is required for all of our state and federal grants that fund local homeless shelters, permanent supportive housing, rental assistance programs, street outreach and more! The survey is anonymous and we need to make sure everyone gets counted. This year we will provide hygiene supplies and recommend face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

We will be using a mobile app to capture the survey data which will be reviewed during training in mid-January. Volunteers can sign up online to assist during shifts between 6:30am to noon: https://forms.gle/cmByTeEBArQZJV7k6

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast will offer a new brownie-inspired cookie

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) are happy to announce that the new Adventurefuls cookie will join the nationwide lineup for the 2022 Girl Scout Cookie season. An indulgent brownie-inspired cookie with caramel-flavored crème and a hint of sea salt, Adventurefuls take cookie lovers on a delicious taste adventure just like Girl Scouts go on their own amazing adventures through the program. Girl Scouts in the California Central Coast area and across the United States will offer the Adventurefuls cookie next season alongside favorites like Thin Mints® and Caramel deLites®.

Every purchase of Adventurefuls, and the whole portfolio of iconic cookies, during cookie season, fuels local Girl Scouts’ adventures throughout the year: exploring what interests them, discovering their passions, and taking action on issues they care about. Whether they’re using their STEM skills to solve a problem, changing a law to help their community, having a courageous outdoor experience, or starting an innovative nonprofit, Girl Scouts build a better future for themselves and the world. Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, not only do girls become entrepreneurs as they gain hands-on experience running their own small business, but they also earn money to fuel their Girl Scout adventures, which catapult them where they want to go.

Also new this year, GSUSA recently announced new Cookie Business badges that help girls think like entrepreneurs as they run their own cookie businesses and incorporate online sales via the Smart Cookies platform. The badges progress from goal setting and effective sales- pitching in person and online to using market research, creating business plans, and implementing digital marketing campaigns.

The Cookie program is set to kick off on January 29 in the counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. Girl Scout booths will begin to appear council-wide on February 11.

Available nationwide, every bite of Adventurefuls is full of indulgent brownie-inspired flavor with a combination of chocolatey and caramel flavors, and smooth and crispy textures, for an incredible taste of adventure in every bite.

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County provides $4 million in pre-development construction loan funds

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announced that it is providing a $4 million pre-development construction loan to kick-off the development of Rancho Sierra Senior Apartments (Rancho Sierra), to be built in an unincorporated area adjacent to the City of Camarillo. Rancho Sierra is being developed by Many Mansions with support from the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura to provide affordable housing solutions for low-income seniors in eastern Ventura County.

“Our board is committed to identifying and funding projects that make an impact in our community for those in serious need of safe and equitable housing,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County. Rancho Sierra Senior Apartments will consist of 49 affordable housing units with 24 units set aside specifically for homeless seniors or those at-risk of being homeless due to mental disabilities. The site will also include a 4,200 square foot indoor community space to allow for integral services such as health screenings, library services, transportation assistance, and peer counseling for residents.

Learn more about affordable housing solutions in Ventura County at Housing Trust Fund VC’s Annual Meeting on January 26th, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. where it will outline it’s, “Community Promise – a commitment to positively impact people’s lives through the ongoing funding of safe and equitable homes.” During the meeting, Ray Pearl, Executive Director of the California Housing Consortium, will share a statewide perspective on the advancement of affordable housing and community development. Joining Pearl will be Moorpark City Manager and President of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Troy Brown, a 25-year public sector veteran who will share the federal perspective of affordable housing solutions.

Vol. 15, No. 08 – Jan 12 – Jan 25, 2022 – Ojai News & Events

Ojai Women’s Fund awards $85,000 in grants

The Ojai Women’s Fund has announced the award of $85,000 in grants to seven organizations that serve residents of the Ojai Valley. OWF is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, and these awards were made possible by the collective effort and dedication of this year’s 375 members, who are organized around the giving circle concept. Grants are awarded in five focus areas—Arts, Education, Environment, Health, and Social Services—based on votes by individual and giving circle members. With these awards, the total amount given by OWF members in the past six grant cycles exceeds half a million dollars.

The Ojai Women’s Fund works to inspire and educate all women to become leaders in philanthropy and to help make a difference in the Ojai Valley Community. OWF welcomes new members and encourages organizations that serve the Ojai Valley to consider applying for a grant during the 2022 grant cycle, which begins in May. To join or for more information on 2021 grant winners visit www.ojaiwomensfund.org.

District Commanders

As part of the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan to strengthen community partnerships, increase collaboration and accountability, and streamline problem solving efforts in each area of town, a Ventura Police Commander has been assigned to each of the Neighborhood Community Councils and to the Downtown Ventura Partners.

Each of our six Commanders and our Assistant Chief work directly with the City Council member from each district to better serve our residents and businesses in that area of Ventura.

Have a question that might be better suited for a Police Corporal? Get in touch with your Beat Coordinator!

Contact your District Commander:

District 1 & Westside Community Council: Commander Sarah Heard: [email protected], 805-339-4460
District 2, Midtown Community Council & Downtown Ventura Partners: Commander Darrick Brunk: [email protected], 805-339-4323
District 3 & College Area Community Council: Commander Rick Murray: [email protected], 805-339-4343
District 4 & East Ventura Community Council: Commander Ryan Weeks: [email protected], 805-339-4309
District 5 East Ventura Community Council: Commander Sam Arroyo: [email protected], 805-339-4441
District 6 & Montalvo Community Council: Commander Matt Cain [email protected], 805-339-4488
District 7 & Pierpont Bay Community Council: Assistant Chief David Dickey: [email protected], 805-339-4493

Vol. 15, No. 08 – Jan 12 – Jan 25, 2022 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

The winner of the first BlackCouch Studios Music Showdown was announced this week! The friendly competition between 16 musicians here in Ventura was the brainchild of Jerry McWorter (Hi-Hat Entertainment) and Guy Martin (BlackCouch Studios). They placed sixteen names in three different hats (8 guitarists, four bass players, four drummers) then arbitrarily put together four bands by pulling names out of the hat. The members showed up without knowing who their bandmates were, nor the song they were to record. They were given three hours to record their rendition of Midnight Rambler. The winner of the first round (group 1 & group 2) and the winner of the second round (group 3 & group 4) went head to head on YouTube with viewers voting for their favorite rendition without knowing who the players were. I want to thank both Guy and Jerry for being on my radio show and for letting me play the winner on the Pam Baumgardner Music Hour this week. The winning group was #2 with winning musicians Ray Jaurique, Joe Baugh, Hank Van Sickel and Chris Jenson. Speaking from the heart, I loved every single rendition and as we discussed on my radio show, this project was great for the heart and soul of Ventura’s music scene. I’m looking forward to the next installment of the BlackCouch Studios Music Showdown!

The Tavern at 211 E. Santa Clara Street in Ventura has switched gears and as the first of the year are now called A Bar Called Country where they’ll be offering line dancing every Sunday at 5. The live music I’ve found so far includes Hard Rooster, Brother Earl and the Cousins and Dan Hitchcock on Thursday, January 13, and Medicine Hat with the full band on Fri January 14.

According to their official website, Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen’s project, Smith/Kotzen’s very first live date in the US is schedule for the Ventura Theater on January 15. Smith is best known as one of the main guitarists for Iron Maiden and Kotzen from the Winery Dogs, as well as having worked with both Mr. Big and Poison. Also playing the theater this month the Stuts on January 23 and Subtronics on January 27.

Quick Notes: The Bank of America Performing Arts Center in TO has REO Speedwagon on January 12, and David Foster on January 19; Kruelty, a band marketed as Tokyo disgusting music, plays with Apparition, Slowbleed and Upon Stone at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Friday, January 14; The Sewer has a special Sunday Psycho Sunday event on January 16 with Frenetic Trio from Brazil, joining the bill, The Cursed Bastards; and Kelly’s Lot’s performance at Namba has been rescheduled to March 26, but still on the books are Franck Goldwasser aka Paris Slim on January 15 and Dreamland, music of Joni Mitchell featuring Kimberly Ford on January 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. 15, No. 08 – Jan 12 – Jan 25, 2022 – Music Calendar

For more up-to-the-date listings go to VenturaRocks.com

Bank of America Performing Arts Center
2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks
Wed 1/12: REO Speedwagon
Wed 1/19: David Foster

A Bar Called Country
211 E. Santa Clara Street, Ventura
Thurs 1/13: Hard Rooster, Brother Earl & the Cousins, Dan Hitchcock
Fri 1/14: Medicine Hat

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; then Bluegrass Jam
Sat 1/15: Big Adventure Duo
Tues 1/18: Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson
Fri 1/21: Teresa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St., Ventura
DJs Friday – Sunday

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Road, Camarillo
Music 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Fri 1/14: Slogan Acoustic
Sat 1/15: Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers
Sat 1/22: Heart and Soul

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Music 5:30 – 8:30
Wednesdays & Thursdays: Bobby Apostol
Fridays & Saturdays: Warren Takahashi

Chuy’s Simi Valley West
1397 E. Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley
Wednesdays: Rockstar Karaoke
Sat 1/15: Vinyl Gypsies

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Saturdays and Sundays: Kenny DeVoe 11 am
Sat 1/15: Teresa Russell
Sun 1/23: Buena Onda

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Music Fridays 6-8 pm; Saturday 1 – 3:30 pm
Fri 1/14: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Sat 1/15: Smokey & Friends
Sat 1/22: Brittney & Ben
Sun 1/23: Big Adventure Duo

The Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Wednesdays: Blues Wednesday
Sundays: Soul Sunday w/ DJ Also
Sat 1/15: The Late Knights

GiGi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Ave., Ventura
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays: Karaoke

The Grape
2833 E. Main Street, Ventura
Tuesdays Jazz Jam
Wed 1/12: CHOMSKYJazz
Thurs 1/13: Blanco Diablo

The Greek Restaurant
Ventura Harbor Village
Wednesdays & Thursdays: Ken Devoe (4 pm)

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: KJ Carlos
Fri 1/14: Caliente
Sat 1/15: DJ Sherman
Fri 1/21: DJ AVG
Sat 1/22: Whiskey Business

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Music 6:30 – 8:30; Sundays 3-5
Thurs 1/13: Dylan Cunningham
Fri 1/14: Mike Belk & Swingin’ Johnny
Sat 1/15: Jacob Marque & the Good Vibes
Sun 1/16: Illunis
Thurs 1/20: Warren & Dr. Dan
Fri 1/21: John Espinoza
Sat 1/22: Mark & Guil duo
Sun 1/23: Exit 15 unplugged

Lookout & Grill
2800 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Wednesdays: Tommy Foytek’s Variety Show
Thursdays: Acoustic Open Mic

Lucas Sellers Wine
330 Zachary Street, Moorpark
Music 6-9 pm
Sat 1/15: Bombafiya
Sat 1/22: Natalie Wattre

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street, Ventura
Music 3-5 pm
Sun 1/23: The Devil’s String Band Duo

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street, Ventura
Sat 1/15: Smith/Kotzen, Raised on Vinyl, Rusted Stone
Sun 1/23: The Struts

Manhattan Restaurant
5800 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo
Fri 1/21: Tour Support

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Channel Islands Harbor
Music at Noon
Sun 1/16: Teresa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak Street, Ventura
Sat 1/15: Franck Goldwasser
Thurs 1/20: The Listening Room Redux
Sat 1/22: Dreamland

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
Canyon at Oxnard PACC
Sundays: The House Arrest Band (1-4 pm)
Fri 1/14: Kruelty, Apparition, Slowbleed, Upon Stone
Thurs 1/20: Tommy Emmanuel
Fri 1/21: Slowbleed, Momentum, Treacherouskin

Paddy’s Cocktails
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke

Pedals & Pints
156 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks
Tuesdays: Open Mic

Prime Restaurant
2209 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: Danny D

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Music at 8 – 11 pm
Fri 1/14: Brittney Burchett
Sat 1/15: Holgers Heros
Fri 1/21: Sean Wiggins
Sat 1/22: Tyler James (Foo Flannels)

Ric’s Restaurant
2500 Las Posas Road, Camarillo
Tuesdays: Tour Support with Kurt Griffey & Bob DeLellis

Rock & Roll Pizza
5255 Cochran Street, Simi Valley
Tuesdays: Rockstar Karaoke
Sat 1/15: Black Daze, Stoned Temple Pilots
Sun 1/16: King Sol & the Vibes
Fri 1/21: Jetlemons
Sat 1/22: Metal Health
Sun 1/23: Dan Westerlund

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut Street, Ventura
Sun 1/16: Frenetic Trio, The Cursed Bastards

The Six Chow House
419 E Main Street, Ventura
Thurs 1/13: Mark Masson and Friends
Fri 1/21: Power Syndicate
Sat 1/22: Free Love Project

Sunland Vintage Winery
1321 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks
Music 6-9 pm
Thursdays: Dave & Kevin
Fri 1/14: Teresa Russell
Fri 1/21: Guy & Dave

Taqueria Jalisco Restaurant
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Music 5-8 pm
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery

Topa Topa Brewing HQ
4880 Colt Street, Ventura
Music 4-6 pm
Sat 1/15: Nautical Thrust

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main Street, Ventura
Wednesdays: Classic Country w/ Jesse Harris
Thursdays: LA Jazz Connection
Fri 1/14: Tex Pistols
Sat 1/15: Steve & Sally Williams (2-5 pm); Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 1/6: Joe Delia (2-5 pm)
Fri 1/21: Littlefish
Sat 1/22: Jesse Harris Band
Sun 1/23: Jayden Secor (2-5)

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunters (5 pm); Karaoke (8 pm)
Thursdays: Delta by the Beach (5 pm)
Sundays: Mariachi Gallos de Oro (11 am – 2 pm)

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Sundays: Fire on the Mountain (2 pm)
Saturdays: Smitty and Julija and Friends

Waterside Restaurant & Wine Bar
3500 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Music at 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Sat 1/22: Déjà vu Too
Sun 1/23: Teresa Russell

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 1/13: Brandon Ragan
Fri 1/14: Guy & Dave
Sun 1/16: CRV
Thurs 1/20: James Broz Bros.
Fri 1/21: Big Adventure
Sun 1/23: Mike Scully & the Weary Travelers

1901 Speakeasy
740 South B Street, Oxnard
Music 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Sat 1/22: Tour Support

Vol. 15, No. 08 – Jan 12 – Jan 25, 2022 – Community Events

Events by Ana Baker

The Ventura Investment Group has reconvened and is meeting in the rear room of Denny’s Restaurant at the corner of Telegraph and Ashwood each Monday at 10:30 a.m. All people interested in investment are welcome.

Looking for some outdoor fun? Try Lawn Bowling a great fun and terrific low impact exercise. You get to play on a beautiful green with free club equipment and free lessons. Also included are friendly people and social activities. Located at 350 N. C St. Oxnard. 9 – Noon. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. All are welcome.

Jan. 20: East Ventura Community Council Meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

Ventura Environmental Sustainability Program Supervisor Brandon Kayser will talk about changes to our waste and recycling program. Kathy Thomson from Friends of the Library will provide an update on long-term plans for a possible permanent library in East Ventura. Area crime statistics will be shared by Commander Weeks of the Ventura Police Department. Other topics may be added to the agenda, so be sure to check the group’s Facebook page for updates. The Council represents those who live east of Victoria Avenue, and the public is encouraged to attend and participate. The Zoom link can be accessed at the group’s website,www.eastventura.org. The meeting will be recorded and can be viewed on the website, www.eastventura.org. For more information, contact EVCC Chairperson, John McNally, at [email protected].

Jan. 26: The College Area Community Council in Ventura will be holding a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, at 7p.m. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. Council meetings include speakers and discussion on topics of neighborhood and community interest, including public safety and economic development. CACC represents citizens in Council District 3, currently neighborhoods north of Hwy.126 between Dunning/Lemon Grove/Agnus on the west and Hill Road on the east. Visit the College Area Community Council website at https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list and to access a link to the Zoom meeting.

Feb.9: Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program announces a new Men’s Grief Support Group starting on February 9, 2022. The group is for men grieving the death of a loved one. It will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, via Zoom. If interested, please contact us at 805-389-6870. For more information, visit LMVNA.org

Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program support groups are committed to maintaining an open, accepting, confidential atmosphere. We also offer individual, couple, and family grief counseling in English and Spanish.

All support groups are free and conducted through Zoom at this time. For more information on the Grief and Bereavement Program, visit LMVNA.org.

Vol. 15, No. 08 – Jan 12 – Jan 25, 2022 – Forever Homes Wanted

Thor is a sweet, happy pit bull terrier 9 year old boy who is happiest chewing on a tennis ball. He knows some basic commands like “sit” “down” and “off” and is easy to bathe! His previous owners reported that he didn’t get along with other dogs and cats, and that he did well with kids but can get excited when he’s playing and may accidentally knock over small children. Please come to the shelter to meet him! VCAS Camarillo Animal Shelter Animal ID: A773713 www.vcas.us/adoptionprocess

For the new year Rambo is trying to find his forever family. He has shown to be good around other dogs and children (6 y.o. +). He is such a sweet boy who is waiting for someone to take a chance on him. He loves running around and doing zoomies. Rambo is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

United Way announces departure of President & CEO

United Way of Ventura County (UWVC) announced that President and CEO Eric Harrison has notified the Board of Directors of his decision to resign from his role in order to accept the CEO position with United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.

Harrison joined UWVC in December 2014.

“Eric has provided creative and meaningful leadership to our United Way,” said UWVC Board Chair Greg Gillespie.

During his time with UWVC, Harrison led the organization with a focus on innovation and results, launching and revitalizing several community initiatives, including Building

Healthy Smiles, which has helped 3,000 local children receive oral health assessments; the Thomas Fire and Flood Fund, which provided assistance to over 1,800 households affected by natural disasters; and the Landlord Engagement Program, which supports individuals, families, seniors, and veterans experiencing homelessness. In less than two years, the program has housed more than 100 individuals and families.

“I’m tremendously proud of everything that this organization has accomplished during the past seven years,” said Harrison. “We’ve assembled a strong leadership team that is passionate about making a difference in the lives of our neighbors in Ventura County. I’m confident that the organization is in good hands and will continue its transformational work.”

For more information about United Way of Ventura County, visit www.vcunitedway.org.

Sidebar