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Vol. 13, No. 4 – Nov 20 – Dec 3, 2019 – Music Calendar

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Blue Agave
185 E. Santa Clara
Fridays: Mariachi Band; DJ
Saturdays: DJ

Blue Room
Ventura Harbor Village
Thursdays: The Get Down Jam
Fri 11/22: Boom Boom Showcase

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesday-Thursday 6 pm, Friday & Saturday 7 pm
Thursdays: Jim Friery, Bluegrass Jam
Tues 11/19: Frank Barajas
Wed 11/20: Karen Eden
Fri 11/22: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Sat 11/23: Epitome of Dreams
Tues 11/26: Shorebreak

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Thursdays, Friday & Saturdays: DJs
Sunday 2-7: DJs
Wed 11/27 (6-9 pm): VC/DC, Hip E Mark and the Group “W” Bench

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
Wed 11/20: Donna Butler
Fri 11/22: Cosolive
Sat 11/23: Jason Bourne
Tues 11/26: Fabulous Hangovers
Wed 11/27: Big Adventure
Fri 11/29: Heathers on Fire
Tues 12/3: Bernie Meisinger

Cantara Cellars
126 Wood Road, Suite 104
Camarillo, CA
Thursdays: Karaoke
Sat 11/23: Soul Machine

Casa Bella
391 E. Main Street
Thursdays: Danny D.
Fri 11/22: Doc Rogers
Sat 11/23: Doc Rogers

The Cave
4435 McGrath Street
5:30 – 8:30 pm
Weds & Saturdays: Varon Thomas
Thurs & Fridays: Warren Takahashi

Concrete Jungle Brewing
4561 Market Street
Thurs 11/21: Civil Conflict, Railer, Prying Eyes

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Music 7 pm; Sat 11 am ; Sundays 4 pm
Saturdays: & Sundays: Kenny Devoe (11 am – 1 pm)
Tuesdays: The Jerry McWorter Trio
Sun 11/24: Karen Eden

Crown Plaza
Agua Lounge
450 E. Harbor Blvd.
Fridays: Benjamin Buttner

Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
593 E. Main Street
Sun 12/1: Sunday Drivers (4 pm)

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Thurs 11/21: Through the Roots
Fri 11/22: The Aquabats
Sat 11/23: Highway Starr
Tues 11/26: Fortunate Youth, Mike Love, Natali Rize, Kash’d Out
Fri 11/29: Marlon Asher
Sat 11/30: OzzMania, Maiden USA
Sun 12/1: Fortunate Youth, Nattali Rize, Kash’d Out

Duke’s Griddle n Grill
1124 S. Seaward
Wednesdays: Karaoke

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Saturdays: DJ
Fri 11/22: Shaky Feelin’
Fri 11/29: Mark Masson

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Avenue
Music 6 – 8:30 pm Friday; 12 – 5 Sunday
Fri 11/22: Fish Fry
Sun 12/1: Mark Masson

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Avenue
(805) 642-2411
Thurs, Fri & Sat: Karaoke

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed & Thurs 6 pm; Fri & Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm
Tuesdays: Tango
Fri 11/22: Alastair Greene
Sat 11/23: Shawn Jones Trio
Sun 11/24: Jelly Roll
Fri 11/29: Gator Souffle
Sat 11/30: Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers
Sun 12/1: The Tossers

The Greek Restaurant
Ventura Harbor Village
Music: 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Mon, Thur & Fri: Kenny Devoe

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Sat 11/23: Wired, Black Dragon

Keynote Lounge
10245 E. Telephone Road
Tues, Wed and Sun: Karaoke
Thursdays: Open mic night
Fri 11/22: Wax Off
Sat 11/23: Sin Chonies
Fri 11/29: The Riffs
Sat 11/30: Funkronicity

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd.
Tues: Open Mic, The Listening Room
Fri 11/22: Jacob Marquez

Limon y Sal
598 E. Main Street
Fridays: DJ
Saturdays: DJ
Sundays: Instone (1-4 pm)

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street
Thurs 6 pm; Sat 4 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 11/21: Kirby Ai
Sat 11/23: Cheyenne Skye
Sun 11/24: Peter Blackwelder
Sun 12/1: RJ Mischo

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Wed 11/20: Atreyu, Whitechapel
Fri 11/22: The White Buffalo
Sat 11/23: Tribal Seeds
Sat 11/30: Riden’ the Storm Out, The Best Shot

Namba
47 S. Oak Street
Sat 11/23: Jeffrey Biggs
Sat 11/30: MARS Landing

Oak and Main
419 E. Main Street
Tuesdays: Beer Bros. Open Mic
Fri 11/22: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 11/23: Country Night (DJ)
Sun 11:24: Crooked Eye Tommy, Jim Gustin & Truth Jones (5-9 pm)
Sat 11/30: The Untouchables

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wed: Karaoke

Orozco’s de Ventura
839 E. Front Street
Fri & Sat 5 pm: Victor and Artis

Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs

Peirano’s Delicatessen
204 E. Main Street
Music: 6-8, Sundays Noon – 2
Sat 11/23: 805 Allstarz
Sun 11/24: The Swillys
Sun 12/1: Brent Franklin

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
Mon 11/25: Wyatt Haupt

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D.

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sun 11/24: Elwood Music

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke w/ Brian Parra
Tuesdays: DJ Nick Dean
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 11/22: DJ Pistolero
Sat 11/23: Black Star
Fri 11/29: Sin Chonies
Sat 11/30: Astreyas

The Shores Restaurant
1031 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard
Thursdays: Karaoke
Fri 11/22: Ray Ray & the Posse
Sat 11/23: Pull the Trigger
Fri 11/29: Frank Barrajas
Sat 11/30: Masters of the Past

The Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Thursdays: DJ Terry
Fri 11/22: 805 Allstarz
Sat 11/23: Greg & the Gallows
Fri 11/29: Vanise Terry Band
Sat 11/30: Mini Driver

The Sushi House
1127 S Seaward Avenue
Music 1 – 3:30 pm
Saturdays: Gary Ballen

The Tavern
211 E Santa Clara Street
Sat 11/23: Noble Grizwald, The Black Stripes

Topa Mountain Winery
821 W. Ojai Avenue, Ojai
Music Saturdays: 5-7; Sundays 4-6
Sat 11/23: Johnzo West
Sun 11/24: Brandon Romero
Sat 11/30: Mark Masson Duo

Ventura College Performing Arts Center
4700 Loma Vista Road
Thurs 11/21: Chamber Music Concert
Fri 11/22: Chamber Orchestra

Ventura Harbor Village
1583 Spinnaker Drive
Music Noon – 3 pm
Sat 11/30: The CocoKnuts
Sun 12/1: Blown Over

Winchester’s
632 E. Main Street
(805) 653-7446
Music at 7:00 pm; Sundays at 5 pm
Fri 11/22: St. Pierre
Sat 11/23: Masters of the Past
Sun 11/24: Danny Feltwell
Fri 11/29: 805 Allstarz
Sat 11/30: The Tossers
Sun 12/1: The Catterwailers

The Winery Ventura
4756 Market Street
Thurs 11/21: TrioKAIT
Fri 11/22: mPhaka
Sat 11/23: RJ Root & Friends
Sun 11/24: CocoKnuts
Fri 11/29: Brad Rabuchin & Friends
Sat 11/30: Rafe Hernandez & Equinox

1901
Speakeasy
740 South B Street, Oxnard
Fri 11/22: Toni Jannotta
Sat 11/23: Karen Eden
Fri 11/29: Tex Pistols
Sat 11/30: Brian Faith Band

Parkinson’s Foundation to host Parkinson’s Caregiver Conference

The Parkinson’s Foundation will present an educational conference specifically for caregivers of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in Oxnard. The symposium “The Care Partners’ Toolbox: Resources for Now and the Future” features speaker Aaron Daley, MA, of the Parkinson’s Disease Clinic and Research Center at the University of California San Francisco. The conference is free and open to the care partners of people with PD.

“Providing education is a vital part of our mission to empower people with PD and their loved ones to live their best lives possible with Parkinson’s,” said Sarah Osborne, Parkinson’s Foundation Community Program Manager in California. “The care partner’s event will gather the community to learn about topics like communication challenges and managing feelings of frustration.”

In addition, attendees will learn about options for PD care, resources and other support in the local Ventura county area. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with one another, win giveaway prizes, and enjoy complimentary lunch and refreshments.

“Building a network of support is essential for those of us caring for people with Parkinson’s disease,” said Ventura Parkinson’s support group leader and care partner Patty Jenkins. “This event is a great chance to meet other caregivers and learn about ways to manage the very big job of taking care of our loved ones.”

“The Care Partners’ Toolbox: Resources for Now and the Future” will be held on Saturday December 7, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. — 1:30 p.m. at the Residence Inn Oxnard River Ridge, 2101 West Vineyard Avenue, Oxnard. It’s free and open to caregivers of people with Parkinson’s and their families. Complimentary respite care, provided by Right at Home Ventura County, will be provided for people with Parkinson’s onsite. Parking and lunch are also free. Registration is required, and seating is limited.

For more information or to register, call Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) or visit www.parkinson.org/Ventura.

The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. For more information, visit www.parkinson.org or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636).

VCAAA offers free nutrition counseling and Classes to Ventura County residents

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s Senior Nutrition Program is offering free nutrition counseling and classes to Ventura County residents as part of an effort to promote healthy living among older adults.

Nutrition counseling services and classes include personalized one-on-one or group settings with a registered dietitian and a focus on healthy eating on a budget, understanding food labels, managing weight loss, controlling diabetes, controlling high blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, enhancing bone health, and variety of other individualized concerns.

Additional services offered through the VCAAA’s Senior Nutrition Program include congregate and home-delivered meal services, which provide older adults with access to nutritious meals and contribute to maintaining their health, safety, dignity and quality of life.

The services are free and open to the public. Participants must be 60 and older.

For more information visit www.vcaaa.org or call (805) 477-7339.

Ventura Audubon Society December events

Dec 7, 8:30 a.m. Ojai Meadows Field Trip.Leader: Linda Easter 818-519-2833

This beautiful preserve is a birding hotspot and includes a restored wetland and native plantings. Target birds will include: Western Bluebirds, Sora, White tailed Kites, Western Meadowlark, Merlin, Lark Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrows.

Dec 9, 8:30 a.m. Lake Casitas Field Trip.Leader: Adele Fergusson 805-415-4304

Join us for a walk by the lake, We will be looking for hummingbirds, grosbeaks, gnatcatchers as well as ducks, geese and waterfowl. Hopefully we will see the Lewis’s woodpecker and the Bald Eagle. Plans are to enter Lake Casitas by car so walking will be less than usual

Dec 10, 7:30 p.m. Ventura Audubon Monthly Program at the Poinsettia Pavilion – 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura (Free to the Public).

From high seas to intertidal mudflat: Audubon protects birds on the west coast. Speaker: Anna Weinstein is the marine conservation director for National Audubon and Audubon California.

Audubon’s chapter network is a unique and powerful force for conservation. Anna will share stories of my collaboration with many of our 19 coastal California chapters to win conservation fights, shed light on the ecology and status of charismatic coastal species including the brown pelican and black oystercatcher, and inspire the public to love and care for our coast and ocean.

Dec 14, 8:00 a.m. Hedrick Ranch Nature Area Work Day.Leader: Sandy Hedrick 805-340-0478.

Arrive at 8:00 for self-guided birding which usually yields some interesting birds. Work from 9am – noon. Long pants and boots or closed shoes are required. Bring water, gloves & sun protection.

Dec 15, 8:00 a.m. Santa Clara River Estuary/ Surfers Knoll Field Trip.Leader: Tevin Schmitt 661-904-1563

We will walk along the beach from Surfers Knoll parking lot to the estuary. We hope to see a variety of shorebirds including Snowy Plovers, Ruddy and Black Turnstones and hopefully Surfbirds which are always an exciting treat. We will also tackle some gull and tern identification, so bring your field guides!

Dec 21, 8:00 a.m. Ojai Valley Sanitation District and Ventura River Field Trip. Leader: Kay Regester 805-258-1025

We will walk around the plant and census the birds there, and in the surrounding area. We will also check out Ventura River and Big Rock Preserve, as well as the bridge at Foster Park. Expect Mew Gulls, sparrows, woodpeckers, Blackbirds, and hawks. Maybe Hooded Mergansers. We may be in that area 3 hours, but you can leave anytime.

Jan 4, Ventura Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count – Organizer/Compiler: Frank DeMartino 856-906-8733 or ([email protected])

Our Christmas Bird Count is Saturday, January 4, 2020. The CBC is the longest running citizen science effort in existence. Bird counts take place all over North America with a few in the Caribbean and Latin America as well. This will be the 120th Christmas Bird Count conducted by National Audubon.

Have you plugged in to your Neighborhood Community Council?

They are a great way to Connect with your neighbors, learn what’s happening in your area, get updates and information from the City of Ventura including a regular police report and special presentations on projects and announcements for your area and the city at large and to participate in projects that make a difference in your community.

Find your neighborhood council:

College Area Community Council: Meets 4th Wednesday of each month at 7 pm at the Wright Event Center at 57 Day Road.

East End Community Council: Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 pm at First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Rd.

Midtown Community Council: Meets 2nd Thursday of each month at 7 pm at Grace Church, Cooper Hall 65 S. MacMillan Ave.

Montalvo Community Council: Meetings are held quarterly or as needed. Please email Dan Farmer for more information about the next meeting [email protected].

Pierpont Community Council: Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 pm at the Ventura County Credit Union located at 2575 Vista Del Mar.

Westside Community Council: Meets the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm at Bells Arts Factory located at 432 N. Ventura Ave.

Have questions about Neighborhood Community Councils? Please call 805-339-4317 or email [email protected].

Vol. 13, No. 4 – Nov 20 – Dec 3, 2019 – Mailbox

To [email protected]

Previously I wrote saying that Ventura has a bias against seniors. I should have said bias against seniors in senior mobile home parks Ventura has a lot of programs that can keep seniors busy.

The problem is in the senior parks that are owned by greedy companies. I have lived in Lemonwood mobile home park for 2 years and in that time my rent has gone up about $100 a month. Add to that $46.50 per month in capital expenses that we are billed for. They have billed us about $700,000 I capital expenses Including interest-yes we pay interest also, The name of the company that purchased this park is Sun Communities. We have no recourse as we get to help from the council person in our ward, no response from rent review board and nothing from the City Council.

My name is Ralph Trigo and I am a member of the VMRC which is the Ventura Mobil Residents Council hoping someone will listen.

Thank you

Breeze:
I’m an avid reader of the Breeze, and really appreciate the role you play in our community, especially in keeping government accountable.  I hope you can help my community do that, and seek your advice for the best way the Breeze may help.

I’m the President of the Padre Place Homeowners Association, a community of 13 homeowners that live across the street from city-owned property on Ferro Drive at Grant Park.  This hillside burned during the Thomas Fire, and yet remains thick with brush and dead/burned Eucalyptus trees.  To give you perspective, standing in Old Town, on Main Street and looking up, we live just below the huge crop of Eucalyptus trees on the hill (on city property), above the Mission. It’s an obvious fire danger to us and Old Town.

This situation creates a fire hazard for our community. We have called the city fire prevention department 8 times over the past several months, with no action or even a callback. We have also called the public works department and, when they did not return our call, we emailed the director. Nothing. We are very concerned and find it ironic (and dangerous) that the city is issuing safety guidelines for brush removal that they themselves are not enforcing, putting our homes (and lives) in danger.  We seek to make the city take our fears seriously and respond to our concerns.

Perhaps this is a letter to the editor, or other means of communication?  I really appreciate any advice or support you can provide.

And by the way, my dog Gracie (now deceased) was featured on your pet page last year (she was pictured in her dog stroller downtown). I really love that section!  We still keep that Breeze clip on our refrigerator, and of course miss her dearly.

Cheers,
Ed

Ed: Perhaps printing this will be a good start. I know what you mean with Gracie, I miss Scamp everyday.
Sheldon

Subject: Trump Supporters

I am sad, incredulous, stunned at those fellow citizens who continue to support Trump! He lies nonstop, denigrates career military and civil servant employees and accuses everyone else of lying while fabricating conspiracy theories. Any innocent person would willingly want their supporters to testify, show requested evidence, including tax filings, etc.

I am especially saddened by the 98% of Evangelicals’ who are staunchly supporting him when his policies and actions are so against their Biblical teachings!

Trump and GOP are not upholding the Constitution, only their party. They also ran on “draining the swamp”; under Trump and the GOP, the “swamp” has grown tremendously; just look at his inner circle and how many are in prison, indicted, committing perjury and refusing to appear when subpoenaed.

If a President lands in prison, would taxpayers still have to pay for 24/7 Secret Service protection?

Judith A. Beay

What say ye Trump supporters? Is being a kind of movie star enough for you? Let’s hear from you!

 

Market Match is California’s healthy food incentive program

Both shoppers and California farmers are benefitting from the Market Match and the Cal-Fresh (SNAP) food programs offered by the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFM).

Market Match is California’s healthy food incentive program, which uses grant dollars to match or double a portion of the customers’ federal nutrition assistance benefits, like Cal-Fresh (SNAP), for the exclusive purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables at their certified farmers’ market.

The Market Match program is available at two Ventura Markets, the Midtown Ventura Certified Farmers’ Market held on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pacific View Mall and the Downtown Ventura Certified Farmers’ Market held on Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon held in the City Parking Lot, at Santa Clara & Palm Streets.

All Cal-Fresh SNAP and Market Match benefits are administered through a token system available at the VCCFM Market Information booths. The markets also accept the WIC (Women, Infants and Child) food programs at each of their locations. “This is a great time for qualified shoppers to utilize these programs and expand their food benefits during the holidays with all of the celebrations taking place,” stated Karen Schott, Operations Manager for the VCCFM. “We are excited to offer this grant program, working together with our farmers, to add more food accessibility in our community” she added.

For more information, call the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association at 805-529-6266 or visit the website at www.vccfm.org.

NAWBO Ventura County gives you the gift of time this holiday season

Does the thought of overbooking your December calendar with holiday parties make you feel a bit stressed? The Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO VC) is giving you the gift of time this holiday season! No NAWBO VC holiday party to add to your already overflowing December calendar

Instead, relax with us on Wednesday, November 13th for a festive Pre-Holiday Mix & Mingle and ring in the holidays at Four Brix Winery in Ventura over light snacks, wine and WINGO (women networking over bingo). Admission is just $10 for members and $15 for guests if you grab your tickets before November 8th. After that all tickets are $20 per person.

This Pre-Holiday Mix & Mingle is open to our large community of women business owners and entrepreneurs and those who support them. Spouses, significant others, colleagues, employees, and friends are all welcome.

Buena’s Dia de los Muertos brilliantly honors the departed

Members of Buena’s football and baseball teams made an altar in honor of late teammate Patrick Graham.

by Amy Brown

It’s 7:00pm, on October 23 at Buena High, and a young girl with skeleton and flowered face paint runs through the crowd with her parents. They race past a giant tree—vivid with colored paper flowers from root to branch and dramatic up-lights—on their way to the Aztec dancing performance. It’s the annual Dia de los Muertos celebration at the school, a huge community event for this popular cultural celebration of life. The Day of the Dead is a truly vibrant festival honoring those who have passed away, celebrating their time on the planet with ornate and beautiful multi-level altars. Hosted by Buena’s Spanish teachers and students, it featured student artwork and projects, food, music and dancing with participants from Oxnard High, De Anza, Anacapa, Cabrillo and many other schools and local organizations.

“My number one favorite thing about the event is the students’ enthusiasm,” said Emily Bradvica, a Buena Spanish teacher and Buena alum who has participated in each event since its inception seven years ago. “They blow me out of the water with their altars and creativity, and everything they come up with, it’s remarkable.” Bradvica shared that some students created traditional altars, while others created an interactive activity or game based on research that would teach participants about Dia de los Muertos.

“It’s such a fun event, “said Lexy Almora, a junior. “And the people are really interested in the altars, especially, it’s so meaningful—when you’ve lost someone you cared about and can honor them.” In fact, in March of this year, Buena lost one of its beloved students to Burkett’s Lymphoma. Patrick Graham was just 16, and passed away after an eight month fight. His fellow baseball and football teammates worked together to create a huge and elaborate altar commemorating him. “This year, our season in baseball and football, it’s all for him. We’re playing for Patrick,” said Kaiden Brunkan, a 10th grader on Buena’s JV football team. “He made us a family. Our teachers let us all be a group and do this special thing because we loved him so much.”

Nathan Silva, a sophomore on Buena’s varsity baseball team, reflected that despite Graham’s illness, he always looked out for his teammates. “He put a smile on everyone’s face, and made sure everyone else was happy and ok, even when he was sick in the hospital and in pain.” Graham’s altar was surrounded by huge groups of students the entire night.

While many of the altars were for family members and friends, 10th grader Everett Luna and his classmates created an intricate altar honoring the late Dr. Seuss, which even included a bowl with two live goldfish in it—on homage to the famed book ‘One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish’. “He made a really big impact on us with his books, and we wanted to honor his contributions,” said Luna.

Dr. Roger Rice, VUSD Superintendent was seen walking through the displays with a big smile on his face, and greeting families. His take? “The community here, and the art, creativity, music, families, and the culture—this is all just amazing.”