John and Bebe Johnston enjoying the Breeze at the
Barcelona Riviera Maya resort on the Yucatán peninsula.
All posts by admin
The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends
by Mary Olson
Ventura County Library has initiated a new phone system. To reach any branch, dial 805 626-READ. The friendly person who answers the phone can assist you with many basic services, including helping you renew a book or place a book on hold, updating your library account, providing operating locations and hours, and more.
And, if they can’t help you directly, they will get you to someone who can in a timely manner.
Local author Joseph M. Puglia will visit the Ojai Library at 2 pm on Saturday, January 27, to talk about
his books Girl with the Purple Ribbon, Always Return, Redemption, and Campfires with Dr. Joe. His
talk will focus on the evolution of the novel as it relates to characterization, themes, scenes, and plots. Puglia will reference the classics as his characters explore the proverbial question: “What makes life significant?” Joseph Puglia has worked the docks of NYC, counseled street gangs, boxed, hustled beer at Yankee Stadium, been a newspaper columnist, spent 10 years in the Marines as an officer and taught college. His undergraduate studies were in classics, his masters in counseling psychology, and his doctorate in sports psychology.
Author events are free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional
Librarian, at (805) 218-9146 or [email protected].
Career Coaching Offered at Ojai and Piru Libraries
Ventura County Library, in partnership with the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC), is offering free one-on-one career coaching at the Ojai and Piru Libraries. Coaching is free, registration is not required, and drop-ins are welcome. You can also register to secure your spot at https://forms.gle/uzJMgre6iBgMGKk6A. Workshops will be held at Ojai Library (111 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai)
every other Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m, beginning Jan. 11 through May 30 and at Piru Library (3811 Center Street, Piru), every other Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m, beginning Jan. 9 through May 28. This program is 100% federally funded. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you have hearing or speaking limitations, dial 711 to reach the California Relay Service. Workshops include topics such as branding, emotional intelligence, networking and winning the interview. For more information about this program, see the vencolibrary.org website or contact Ventura County Library Education, Literacy, and Outreach Manager Antonio Apodaca at [email protected] or (805) 677-7159.
The Hill Road Library Book Club returns Tuesday, January 30 at a new time: 4 to 5 pm to discuss
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Pick up the latest Book Club selection at Hill Road Library. To join the mailing list, please email [email protected]
Ventura Friends of the Library Bookstore, 2nd Look Books, in E.P. Foster Library is open Tuesday
through Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sundays, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Our store offerings are definitely worth a second look, from current novels to jigsaw puzzles to vintage books. We also invite you to visit our online bookstore for local sales https://venturafol-107753.square.site/s/shop for more unique items. Orders are picked up at our bookstore in E.P. Foster Library
“The Path to Girl Scouts”
by Juliette Nasarenko
Girl Scouts have been thriving since 1924! The Girl Scout program in Ventura County fall under the Girl Scouts of the California Central Coast (GSCCC) which is comprised of Ventura County, Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, San Benito County, San Luis Obispo County, and Santa Barbara County. The Central Coast has a membership of 5,700 girls and 4,500 adult volunteers. Girl Scouts is an organization that empowers young women to serve their communities, gain leadership skills, and provide girls with opportunities to step out of their comfort zones and explore new interests. Girls participate in volunteering for organizations, camping, individual creative projects, and council events. These are some of the opportunities that inspired me to be a part of Girl Scouts at age five as I finish out my last and final year of Girl Scouts as a senior in high school.
Being a Girl Scout in Ventura with Troop 60852 for 13 years has taught me to become a leader, manage my time, and become more socially responsible. When I was young, I was extremely shy. Standing up in front of the class to give a presentation was a debilitating experience. Now I have the confidence to lead group presentations and advocate for ideas and others. As the years have passed through my various scouting activities, projects, and achievements I have developed a strong leadership skill set. I have earned the Bronze, Silver, and recently earned my Gold Award this year.
For the Bronze Award, my troop and I created a CD with all our campfire songs and passed it along to younger troops. With my Silver Award, I built a bell and implemented it at Camp Arnaz where we host our annual camping weekend each year. Lastly, I earned my Gold Award by creating a program called Bringing Memory and Strength to Senior Citizens. Integrating music, physical exercise, and dance movements, I hosted a week-long summer camp with seniors at local assisted living homes.
I also coordinate monthly performances at the homes with my high school music department. Through Girl Scouts I have enjoyed hosting Camporee (the annual camping trip at Camp Arnaz), volunteering at Food Share and Assisted Living Homes, and lastly, taking fun trips with the Girl Scout money we earned from selling cookies. Community service is so necessary in today’s society and most organizations as public entities cannot run efficiently or at all without volunteers.
Through Girl Scouts, I have built memories for life and gained skills that I will take with me into the future.
Vol. 17, No. 09 – Jan 24 – Feb 6, 2024 – Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
There’s already a lot going on for 2024, so let’s get right to it. You should consider treating yourself to an intimate show with singer/songwriter, Nathan McEuen, on Friday, January 26, at the Ojai Underground. I became a fan when he had a week-night residency at Amigo’s several years ago, and I’ve played his original music on my radio show at Caps Media in the past. He’s a sweetheart of a guy and uber talented coming from a musical family including his brother, Jonathan, and father John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame.
Namba Performing Arts will be hosting their 2024 Winter Gala, a celebration of the diverse tapestry of talent in our community as well as to honor their late founde, Julia Campbell Namba. Featured performers include Grammy Award winning jazz pianist, Greg Karukas and Mexico City based singer/songwriter, Maya Burns. While I’m happy to report this one is sold out, that doesn’t mean you can’t still help keep Namba going by making a donation, large or small, to NambaArts.com.
On Friday, February 2, The Deer Lodge hosts British singer/songwriter, Pete Molinari, but also on the bill will be Robin Taylor Zander. Now if this name sounds familiar and you’re a fan of classic rock, well it should; his dad, Robin Zander, is founding member of Cheap Trick with whom he’s been touring with the past few years. I caught Cheap Trick in 2022 at the Ventura County Fair where it was a treat to see father and son on the same stage.
The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts will host a Women’s Voices Concert on Sunday afternoon, January 28, featuring Grammy nominee Janet Robin, national radio chart topper Rebecca Folsom; International Singer-Songwriter Associate (ISSA) Entertainer of the Year Charu Suri; poet & NYT Bestseller Katie Hendricks; and #1 iTunes top Singer/Songwriter, Kris Angelis.
Tickets are on sale now for 311 at the Ventura Theater for Tuesday, March 5 and recently added to Ventura Music Hall are Los Lobos for Sunday, March 3, Guttermouth with Buck-O-Nine on Thursday April 18 and Steel Pulse for Friday, April 19.
Quick Notes: Julian Marley and the Uprising play the Ventura Music Hall on Wednesday, January 24; a special Sunday afternoon birthday bash will be held on January 28 at the Garage with Bloody Mary Morning in the mix starting at 3 pm; The Trivle Omdobble play Topa Topa Brewing on Sunday January 28; Jesse Harris and his band with special guest Katie Skene will play Cantara Cellars on Friday, February 2; Phil Salazar and Tom Corbett play the Ojai Underground on Saturday, February 3; and the Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association standing monthly gig at the Poinsettia Pavilion falls on Sunday, February 4;
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.
“Keeping People Housed: That’s Amore.”
by the Ventura Homeless Prevention
The Ventura Homeless Prevention keeps many of our neighbors in Ventura from experiencing the double traumas of eviction and homelessness in the year ahead. In 2023, thanks to our generous donors, Ventura Homeless Prevention provided over $83,000 in rental assistance that kept 70 households (103 adults and 64 children) from losing their homes. In 2022, $101,000 in donations allowed us to keep 78 households with 125 adults and 69 children in their homes. In every case, a one-time, temporary financial setback had left neighbors who’d been paying rent on their own for years on the cusp of eviction. With our one-time help, all of them were able to stay housed and resume paying their own rent again. We are grateful we were able to help so many and that, on average, it only cost $1,150 per household or $500 per individual to keep our neighbors housed. Not surprisingly, the number we are able to help each year is determined by the amount of money we have on hand.
From 12:30-2 on February 24, the third Saturday of Valentines’ month, we are holding a fundraiser we are calling “Keeping People Housed: That’s Amore.” We hope you’ll join us and Supervisor Matt LaVere for a delicious Italian meal, live music, an online and in person auction, a wine pull, and a chance to meet some of the people we were able to help this past year thanks to the support of our donors.
If you like to help by purchasing a ticket or by donating, you can go to our our website (venturahomelessprevention.org). There’s a link to the auction at that location as well; auction bidding will be open from February 10-25.
Yet another way you could help would be to encourage businesses you frequent to donate an item or a service for our auction. You/They can either email me at [email protected] with the details or fill in our easy online form here:
https://venturahomelessprevention.betterworld.org/donate-an-item.
We hope to see you and many of your friends and colleagues on February 24. It should be a fun event, and I know you’ll enjoy meeting several of the hard-working Venturans we helped in 2023.
Animals Wild & Domestic, Real or Imagined at Bell Arts Factory
Staring Tiger, Oil on canvas, Yuliya Greben
Buenaventura Art Association at Studio 99 @ The Bell Arts Factory
Animals Wild & Domestic, Real or Imagined exhibit runs to February 24.
Reception on First Friday, February 5th, 6 – 9pm
Our artists start the year at Studio 99 with a collection of stunning depictions of nature and animals. Realistic or redesigned, these animals will give you a new appreciation of nature and its boundless variety.
Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces $88,000 in funding for affordable housing lending
Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) begins 2024 by announcing $88,000 in new funds for the development of affordable housing in Ventura County. The funds come in the form of $85,000 in grants from U.S. Bank, First Citizen’s Bank and PennyMac Financial Services as well as $3,000 in year-end contributions from private donors. The amount will be applied toward the increased need for affordable housing funding as the staggering need for housing continues to grow.
U.S. Bank has awarded Housing Trust Fund VC a General Operating Home Grant to assist the organization in addressing the region’s need for affordable housing. The funds are to be used entirely to increase affordable housing options for low- and moderate-income families, seniors, veterans, transitional age youth and special-needs populations throughout Ventura County in alignment with U.S. Bank’s HOME Pillar. “Every dollar we receive is an opportunity to assist in addressing one of our county’s most pressing issues,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund VC, “These funds will significantly impact the lives of county residents by creating more affordable housing choices for all.” Housing Trust Fund VC received additional support in the form of $3,000 in year-end donations to wrap up 2023.
Housing Trust Fund VC will also receive a grant of $25,000 from the First Citizen’s Bank Community Development grant. The grant is a one-time award which will be used to support affordable housing to low- to moderate-income individuals, families and communities including transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless, with the intention of promoting economic development and opportunities for revitalization and stabilization throughout the county.
PennyMac Financial Services has also approved a charitable grant request for Housing Trust Fund VC. The grant is part of the PennyMac Corporate Giving Fund in Memory of Stanford L. Kurland. The PennyMac Corporate Philanthropy Program prioritizes its giving to organizations that align with the corporation’s culture, core values, vision and philanthropic focus areas. “It was an honor to attend the 2023 Compassion Campaign to learn more about the great work that Housing Trust Fund Ventura County does,” said Kisha
Parker Croom, Managing Director, Corporate Sustainability for PennyMac. “PennyMac recognizes the positive social impact that
Housing Trust Fund is making in Ventura County, and it is our hope that this contribution will help further that impact.”
Housing Trust Fund Ventura County – Launched as a 501c3 nonprofit corporation in 2011, Housing Trust Fund VC is the local trusted leader in helping to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County by leveraging public-private partnerships to provide low-cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle. As of December 2023, Housing Trust Fund VC has committed to investing $28 million through its Revolving Loan Fund, creating 1,177 affordable apartments and homes for very-low, low- and middle-income employees, transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless.
Vol. 17, No. 09 – Jan 24 – Feb 6, 2024 – Music Calendar
For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com
The Angry Ferret
11990 Hertz St., Moorpark
Sat 2/3: Whole Hog
Aqua Beachfront Bar (Crowne Plaza)
450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Wed 1/24: Déjà vu Too
Wed 1/31: Big Adventura Duo
Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
8585 N. Ojai Rd., Ojai
Sun 1/28: Janet Robin, Rebecca Folsom, Charu Suri, Katie Hendricks, Kris Angelis
Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Music 6-9; except Thurs 4-9
Tuesdays: Noah Thoresen
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery (4 pm ); Bluegrass Jam (6:30 pm)
Fri 1/26: Mack & D
Sat 1/27: Bill Macpherson & Karen Eden
Fri 2/2: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Bombay Bar and Grill
143 S. California St., Ventura
Thursdays: Ventura Blues Night
Sat 1/27: Neon Blonde
Café Fiore
66 S. California St., Ventura
Tues 1/30: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Tues 2/6: Open Mic and Jam
Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 1/26: Ray Jaurique and the Big Band
Sat 1/27: Doc Rogers
Fri 2/2: Jesse Harris & His Band w/ Katie Skene
Sat 2/3: Fish Fry and the Vonettes
The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Wed & Thurs: Bobby Apostol
Fri & Sat: Warren Takahashi
Copper Blues
591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 1/26: On Tap
Sat 1/27: Don’t Push
Sat 2/3: FlashPants
Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai
Fri 1/26: Pylon Reenactment Society
Sat 1/27: The Senate, Beau Red
Fri 2/2: Pete Molinari, Robin Taylor Zander
Sat 2/3: Emily Rose & the Rounders, Darlin’ Brando
Four Brix
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Fri 1/26: Midlife Crisis
Sun 1/28: Smokey & Friends
Fri 2/2: Inna Rude Mood
Sat 2/4: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Fri 1/26: Robert Heft Band
Sat 1/27: The Renegades
Sun 1/28: Bloody Mary Morning (3 pm)
Fri 2/2: Operation 90s
Sat 2/3: Rayford Bros.
The Grape
2733 E. Main St., Ventura
Tues: The Gratitude Jazz Jam
Wed 1/24: Stephane Wrembel
Thurs 1/25: Bill Cunliffe Trio
Fri 1/26: Brian Charette Quartet (night 1)
Sat 1/27: Brian Charette Quartet (night 2)
Mon 1/29: The Pickle Mafia
Wed 1/31: Dr. T & the Blues Criminals
Thurs 2/1: WoRK Quintet
Fri 2/2: The Artistocats
Sat 2/3: Delta by the Beach (2 pm);
Institutional Ale Company
3841 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo
Thurs 2/1: Solomon King
Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Rd., Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Fri 1/26: Reign
Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 1/26: Keyth Garcia & the Universouls
Sat 1/27: Boom Duo
Sun 1/28: Danielle Cardillo
Lucky Fool’s Pub
75 E. High St., Moorpark
Fri 1/26: Doc Rogers Band
Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Fri 1/26: Explosions in the Sky
Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Rd., Camarillo
Wednesdays: Warren Takahashi
Thursdays: Tom McMorran
Fri 1/26: Lisa Ritner Duo
Sat 1/27: Pam and Hollywood
Moofish Café (inside Crowne Plaza)
450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Thursdays: Seth Andre Oster & Michael Velasquez
Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sat 1/27: Dead on the Harbor: Scarlet Fire
Sun 1/28: Teresa Russell
Namba Arts
47 S. Oak St., Ventura
Fri 1/26: The Listening Room
Sun 1/28: Larry Bellorin & Joe Troop
Thurs 2/1: Greg Karukas, Maya Burns
The Ojai Pub
914 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Wed 1/24: Katie Leigh
Ojai Underground Exchange
616 Pearl St., Ojai
Fri 1/26: Nathan McEuen
Sat 1/27: Bud Foster w/ Perla Bertala, Gaby M
Sat 1/3: Phil Salazar & Tom Corbett
Sun 2/4: Alison Shearer
Ojai Valley Brewery
307 Bryant St., Ojai
Sat 1/27: Ted Lennon Band
Onyx Bistro
2390 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Fri 1/26: Vinny Berry
Sat 1/27: Brenda Carsey
Orozoco’s de Ventura
839 E. Front St., Ventura
Fridays: Soul 4 II
Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Rd., Ventura
Sun 2/4: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc.
Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
2209 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: Danny D
The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri & Sat 7 pm
Fri 1/26: Three Rivers Band
Sat 1/27: Holgers Heroes
Sam’s Place
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Fri 1/26: Tommy Quayle and Friends
San Souci
21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Fri 1/26: The Blue Moon Boys
Sat 1/27: Stellar Ruins, NoSilence
The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 1/26: Brittney and the B-sides
Sat 1/27: Robert Heft Band
The Six
419 E. Main St., Ventura
Thurs 1/25: Vinyl Gypsies
Fri 1/26: Mark Masson and Friends
Sat 1/27: Jahmon Soul
Mon 1/29: Open Mic w/ Big Stu
Thurs 2/1: Morrison Drive
Fri 2/2: Sophie Diumenti
Sat 2/3: Ganda
The Sportsman
4426 Central Ave., Camarillo
Sun 1/28: Swing Shift
Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sat 1/27: Ignition
Sun 1/28: Vinyl Gypsies
Taqueria Jalisco
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery
Topa Topa Brewing
4880 Colt St., Ventura
Sun 1/28: The Trivle Omdobble
The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Tuesdays: Tuesday Blues Day w/ Hot Roux & guests
Sat 1/27: Cyamak Ashtiani (1 pm); Brittany and Brian (4 pm); The Mends (8 pm)
Sun 1/28: Dive Bar Steve Trio
Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sundays: Mariachi
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter, Lowered Expectations
Wednesdays: The Jelly Jam Band
Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Wed 1/24: Julian Marley and the Uprising
Tues 1/30: Soja, Hirie, Likkle Jordee
Sat 2/3: The Third Mind featuring Dave Alvin
Tues 2/6: Too Many Zooz, Cloudchord
Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 3 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 1/25: Mack & D
Fri 1/26: Doc Ventura
Sat 1/27: Blown Over
Sun 1/28: James Schulfer Band
Thurs 2/1: Karyn 805
Fri 2/2: Steve and Sally Williams
Sat 2/3: Electrik Love in Duo
Sun 2/4: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
1901 Speakeasy
740 S. B St., Oxnard
Fri 1/26: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Sat 2/3: RJ Mischo
Museum of Ventura County announces call for applications
A previous winner.
The Museum of Ventura County is proud to announce that applications for the Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship for the Visual Arts are now open. This significant scholarship program, established in honor of Bonita C. McFarland—a devoted supporter of the Museum and the broader arts community—aims to increase opportunities for emerging artists and amplify their impact on our community.
The Museum of Ventura County is committed to empowering the next generation of artists. The Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship has $10,000 to award. Winners also become part of the program’s alumni network – a community of emerging artists and art supporters. “The Bonita McFarland scholarship program reflects the Museum’s dedication to nurturing arts in education, aspiring student artists, and fostering a vibrant cultural landscape within our county.” – Elena Brokaw, Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director
The Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship is open to all high school seniors and college undergraduates residing in Ventura County who demonstrate exceptional talent and commitment to the visual arts. Applicants will be evaluated based on the quality of their submitted portfolio, academic achievements, personal essay, and recommendations. Applications are due by April 7, 2024, 11:59 PM PST. For further details and to apply, visit: https://venturamuseum.org/2024-museum-of-ventura-county-bonita-c-mcfarland-arts-education-scholarships/
We invite all eligible students to apply and help us continue Bonita C. McFarland’s legacy of supporting the arts. Together, we can shape the future of art in Ventura County and make a lasting impact on our community.
Dance social at Portside to support Downtown Lions Clubs
“When there’s a need, there’s a Lion,” echoing the spirit of the Lions Club where individuals unite for a shared passion in community service, guided by the mantra “We Serve.” So, when a group of friends in the close-knit Portside community set out to plan a simple dance social for a night of fun, their vision expanded into a larger community gathering for a noble cause – supporting the Ventura Downtown Lions Club’s Admin Account.
The goal: turning a night of enjoyment into a meaningful service for the community. Remarkably, several small businesses like Ambitious Beauty Studio, Harbor Mart, CRAVE Gelato Kofi Bar, Mystic Relic, Focus SUP, Reiki, Vision Marine, Neuroboxing, Portside Yoga, Portside Marina, Top This Chocolate, KO Tacos, Tap Truck 805, and many more have come together, pooling silent auction items and services to contribute to this admirable cause. The event is Friday, Feb 2nd starting at 5:30 PM in the Portside Clubhouse and is open to the public. $15 entry fee. Tacos and alcohol available for purchase. Free dance lessons will be provided as well.