All posts by admin

Serve on the Grand Jury

The Ventura County Grand Jury will be holding information sessions for members of the public interested in becoming Grand Jurors. This is an opportunity to tour the Grand Jury Chambers, meet current Grand Jurors and get deeper insight into what it means to serve.

Two information sessions will take place on:

Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 11:00am to 12:00pm
at the Grand Jury Chambers located at 646 County Square Drive, Ventura.
Please RSVP for one of the above dates to Claudia D. Gomez at:
[email protected]

If you are interested in applying for the Grand Jury or want more information, please
visit the Grand Jury website at: https://www.ventura.org/grand-jury/

The grand jury is a civil investigatory panel of 19 citizens created to serve as a voice of the people and a conscience of the community. Jurors are not appointed by politicians; they are volunteers who act as independent eyes and ears of Ventura County residents.

Vol. 17, No. 08 – Jan 10 – Jan 23, 2024 – Music Calendar

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

Anna’s Cider
801 E. Main St., Santa Paula
Sat 1/13: Shay Moulder

Aqua Beachfront Bar (Crowne Plaza)
450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Wed 1/10: Déjà vu Too
Wed 1/17: Jerry Breiner Solo

Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
8585 N. Ojai Rd., Ojai
Sun 1/21: Phillip Levy, Tae Yeon Lim

Bellringer Brewing Co.
472 E. Main St., Ventura
Fri 1/12: Katie Leigh

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 1/12: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Sat 1/13: Bill Macpherson & Jen Staves
Fri 1/19: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer

Bombay Bar and Grill
143 S. California St., Ventura
Thurs 1/11: Blues Night w/ Red Headed Stephchild
Fri 1/19: Romper, Expect the Worst, Ugly, RedSuperGiant, Destiny Inn
Sat 1/20: Plan Your Escape, Two Brothers, Pretty Well, In the Grey

Café Fiore
66 S. California St., Ventura
Tues 1/16: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Tues 1/23: Open Mic and Jam

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 1/12: :Colette Lovejoy Band
Sat 1/13: Heart and Soul
Thurs 1/18: Canned Heat
Fri 1/19: Johnny and the Love Handles
Sat 1/20: Bad Habit
The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Wed & Thurs: Bobby Apostol
Fri & Sat: Warren Takahashi

Copper Blues
591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 1/12: Mix 3
Sat 1/13: Mirage
Fri 1/19: Caliente 805
Sat 1/20: Siempre Selena

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai
Fri 1/12: Mia Dyson, Scott Hirsch
Fri 1/19: Cinder Well

Four Brix
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Sun 1/14: Clear Sky Trio
Fri 1/19: Caught Red Handed
Sun 1/21: Mack and D

Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Fri 1/12: Breaking Bored
Sat 1/13: Steph’s Rockin’ Road Show
Fri 1/19: Duncan and the Dragonslayers
Sat 1/20: What the Funk

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Ave., Ventura
Fri 1/12: Freddy & Friends
Sat 1/20: Agent Orange, The Drowns

The Grape
2733 E. Main St., Ventura
Tues: The Gratitude Jazz Jam
Wed 1/10: Blanco Diablo
Thurs 1/11: Judy Wexler Band
Fri 1/12: The Ed Smith Group
Sat 1/13: Richiman and Groove Nice feat Joey Delgado (2 pm); Nick Mancini (8 pm)
Wed 1/17: Doug MacDonald Group
Thurs 1/18: Will Brahm Quartet
Fri 1/19: Derek Frank
Sat 1/20: Lewis Porter (2 pm); Jennifer Leitham Trio (8 pm)

House of Dance
3007 Bunsen Ave., Ventura
Sun 1/21: Swing Shift

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Rd., Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Fri 1/12: No Biggee
Fri 1/19: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 1/20: Toxic Sushi

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sat 1/13: Mark Masson JamGrass
Sun 1/14: Shay Moulder
Fri 1/19: JB & Wise Owl
Sun 1/21: Kris Simeon

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Sat 1/13: The Guitar & Whiskey Club, Raised on Vinyl, Fallen Saints, The Allegations

Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Rd., Camarillo
Wednesdays: Robert Van
Thursdays: Tom McMorran
Fridays: Tour Support
Saturdays: Jeanne Tatum Trio

Moofish Café (inside Crowne Plaza)
450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 1/11: Seth Andre Oster & Michael Velasquez

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sun 1/14: Teresa Russell

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak St., Ventura
Sat 1/13: Baila Nova
Sun 1/14: The Listening Room
Sat 1/20: Halley Neal & Caleb Bigler

Ojai Underground Exchange
616 Pearl St., Ojai
Sat 1/13: Barrelhouse Wailers

Onyx Bistro
2390 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Fri 1/12: Smokey & Friends
Fri 1/19: Jack Keough
Sat 1/20: George Krikes

Orozoco’s de Ventura
839 E. Front St., Ventura
Fridays: Soul 4 II

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard
Sat 1/13: Dreaming of You

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 1/12: Delta by the Beach
Sat 1/13: Undercover Super Group
Fri 1/19: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 1/20: Duke Fame Band

San Souci
21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Wed 1/10: Centershift, Macro Mal
Wed 1/17: Slow Decay, Die Healing, Loc Dawgs
Sat 1/20: Local Bylaws, Defeating the Purpose, Spider Baby

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 1/12: CRV
Sat 1/13: We Are the 80s
Fri 1/19: Little Bit of Everything
Sat 1/20: Sin Chonies

The Six
419 E. Main St., Ventura
Sat 1/13: LakeDub
Fri 1/19: Medicine Hat
Sat 1/20: SGV Vibes, Bombafiya

Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sun 1/21: Brandon Ragan Project

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

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Tuesdays: Tuesday Blues Day
Sat 1/13: Frank Barajas (1pm: Hillary Watson (4 pm); King Bee (8 pm)
Sun 1/14: Hot Roux
Sat 1/20: Joe Delia (1 pm); Austin & Sage (4 pm); Cyamik Ashtiani (8 pm)
Sun 1/21: Steve and Sally Williams

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sundays: Mariachi
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter, Lowered Expectations
Wednesdays: The Jelly Jam Band
Sat 1/13: Spider Baby, Strychnine Ninety Nine, Hong Kong Frenzy

Ventura Harbor Village
1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Music: Noon
Sat 1/13: Elektric Love In
Sun 1/14: the Cocoknotts

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sun 1/14: Black Flag
Tues 1/16: Mayer Hawthorne
Thurs 1/18: Daniel Donato
Fri 1/19: The Alligators, Shaky Feelin’
Sat 10/20: Zoso

The White House
281 W. Main St., Ventura
Thurs 1/11: Boogie Nights

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 3 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 1/11: Brandon Ragan
Fri 1/12: Steve and Sally Williams
Sat 1/13: Heft & Wilson
Sun 1/14: Led Tasso
Thurs 1/18: Joel Martin’s Grateful Zone
Fri 1/19: Adam & Sam
Sat 1/20: Déjà vu Too feat. Colette Lovejoy
Sun 1/21: Medicine Hat

Vol. 17, No. 08 – Jan 10 – Jan 23, 2024 – Community Events

by Ana Baker

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. 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, Rose 805-659-9223, or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. A website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Paws for Reading brings together young readers and affectionate canine listeners to help boost the confidence of beginning readers. Hill Road Library, Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5 p.m. and

E.P. Foster Library, Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Join PAWS dogs for one-on-one reading sessions. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read to a special pooch. Children of all ages are welcome.

January 16: The Ventura Senior Men’s Group Men over 50 are welcome to visit this group from 11:30 – 1:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the beautiful Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. Enjoy a buffet lunch followed by an engaging speaker (your first lunch is Free). We talk about anything except religion and politics. Our speaker will be U.S. Navy Commander (Retired) and pilot Ken Webster. For additional information, please call Tom at 805-657-1071 or visit VSMG.net.

January 18: The East Ventura Community Council (EVCC) will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Visit the EVCC website at https://eastventura.org/ for the Zoom meeting link. The agenda includes the East Ventura police report and a presentation from Stephanie Caldwell from the Ventura Chamber of Commerce. The Ventura Chamber of Commerce works year-round to support a strong local economy through its stewardship of city policy and business development.

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

January 20: The Ventura County Genealogical Society will present a second speaker on Saturday from 1 – 4 p.m. In addition to professional genealogist Thomas MacEntee Family History Success,” Alexander Tolksdorf will provide an overview of historical German handwriting, “Exploring German Handwriting.” All VCGS workshops are free and open to members and the public. Non-members may request a Zoom invitation at https://venturacogensoc.org/request-invitation-to-lecture/. VCGS is an all-volunteer, public-benefit non-profit corporation [501(c)(3)]. Donations are greatly appreciated. For more information about the society, visit https://www.venturacogensoc.org.

January 20: Saturday from 3 – 6 p.m., The Museum of Ventura County documentary premiere of The Legends of Hobson Heights: The Untold Tales of 100 Years of Architecture, Triumph, and Tragedy. This film includes over 20 gorgeous Hobson Heights properties and their fascinating stories of Hollywood movie stars, secret speakeasies, Olympic gold athletes, ghosts, ground-breaking firsts, and the heartbreaking story of the fire that almost destroyed it all. Step into the 1920s and join us for a free premiere showcasing a century of captivating stories. Sip on drinks for a cause. All proceeds will support the Museum of Ventura County. Dress to impress in your best 1920s attire. Registration and information at https://venturamuseum.org/events/

January 24: The College Area Community Council in Ventura will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Council meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month and include speakers and discussion on neighborhood and community interest topics, including public safety and economic development. 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.”

January 24: Sunday 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM.

Swing Shift 17 piece Big Band featuring Jan Nelson on vocals will delight your happy feet and will play to your dancing pleasure.
Donations: Members $10.00 Non-Members $15.00
Location: 3007 Bunsen Ave., Ventura
Website: https://channelcitiesjazzclub.com/

January 27: Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a book sale from 10 to 3 p.m.
at the Vons at Telegraph and Victoria (6040 Telegraph Rd.) Fiction, Non-fiction, Children’s Books, Manga, Comic Books, Graphic Novels, Puzzles, Audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs. Contact: Mary Olson (805) 223-1187.

Results of online Public Health survey

The Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC), a disability services and advocacy nonprofit organization in California, is excited to announce the results of our online Public Health survey today. ILRC’s Public Health Advocate, Emily Bridges, created the anonymous questionnaire in January 2023 to discuss access issues people with disabilities and older adults encounter throughout Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties. Participants shared their responses through the deadline of November 17, 2023. Topics addressed feelings on interactions with healthcare providers, insurance and other benefits, access to local resources, and general thoughts.

A total of 86 people participated in the online survey. When asked to rank their satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 5, most respondents selected 3, 4, or 5. These choices indicate most of the people who answered feel their needs are generally being met. However, in the comments sections, feedback brought up various issues in ILRC’s service area. Such concerns include:

Being overlooked by professionals for their needs (i.e., physicians, insurance providers, resource staff). Enrolling and scheduling appointments are also complex and time-consuming processes. Unaffordable, scarce, or inaccessible services, especially in rural areas (i.e., caregiving, housing, and transportation). Also, few options extend beyond county boundaries. Services typically do not consider whole-person care and social determinants of health, like safety, education, and social support.

The above findings show a need for more awareness, training, and policies focused on improving access to healthcare and other resources. Similar instances of healthcare inequity for people with disabilities occur across the United States, which has prompted federal government agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to center more research and initiatives on addressing this widespread concern.

On a local level, different but connected improvement suggestions apply to the affected individual, providers, and policymakers. Patients could use advocacy strategies when speaking with professionals, such as highlighting the main reasons for their visit and asking clarifying questions. Service professionals could further their knowledge in disability competency and allow for more creative supports tailored to meet the needs of the person (i.e., care navigators, telehealth, and mobile/at-home support). Finally, legislators could host town halls to share updates and feedback from their constituents. The comments could serve as the blueprints for new laws and programs to improve equity and access.

The Independent Living Resource Center was founded in October 1976. We have offices serving Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties. Our mission is to promote independent living and full access for individuals with disabilities through advocacy, education, and action in our communities.

If you have any questions, ILRC staff will be happy to talk more about the survey results and how to improve access within the community. For further information, please visit www.ilrc-trico.org.

The Power of Love

An 80’s themed FUN-raising dance supporting Kids & Families Together

We are thrilled to invite you to join us for our fifth annual fundraising event for Kids & Families Together! This year’s event, The Power of Love ~ an 80’s themed FUN-raising dance, will carry you back-in-time to the decade of the boom box, the mix-tape, the Walkman, and totally awesome dance music!

Who we are and what we do…

Founded in January 2000, Kids & Families Together (K&FT) serves foster, adoptive, kinship, and birth families throughout Ventura County. For over two decades K&FT has been the leader in providing critical services and support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, loss, and multiple placements. K&FT is unique in that we provide education, support, and strategies to connect caregivers and parents to the children in their care. We wrap our arms around the entire family allowing them to use the strategies they have learned, along with “The Power of Love”, to raise healthy, nurtured children who thrive!

K&FT provides families with much needed mental health counseling, support, and education that brings direct and meaningful results right into the home. Here is what one kinship caregiver said about their experience working with K&FT.

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate working with Kids & Families Together. My therapist helped me explain the current situation more fully and thoughtfully to my 7-year old grandson. This has completely altered the dynamics within our home and my relationship with my grandson. Thank You!”

We need you to join us, so we can continue to offer these types of one-on-one connections, supporting children and their families who often find themselves in crisis situations. You will be an integral part of our annual celebration supporting Ventura County foster/resource, kinship and adoptive families. You’ll enjoy a fun-filled evening including food, drinks, silent auction, 80’s trivia and game zones and a LIVE BAND! You will be dancing the night away to your favorite 80’s hits!

Date/Time: Saturday, February 10th, 2024, 6:00pm-10:00pm

Location: Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd., Ventura, CA

Live music at the event will be provided by We Are The 80’s Band, Los Angeles’ PREMIER 80’s music cover band! They have performed locally at, The Garage Bar in Ventura, Pocock Brewing Company in Santa Clarita, Margarita Villa in Ventura Harbor, and The Shores Restaurant in Oxnard.

“WE ARE THE 80s is honored to perform at the 2023 Kids & Families Together charity event. This year’s theme, The Power of Love, resonates deeply with our music as we perform many of the greatest hit songs from the 1980’s decade. We support the fantastic work that this organization provides to the families in Ventura County, and the critical services that they offer to abused and neglected children. It’s always a privilege for us to contribute our talents to a worthwhile cause.” – Steve Roth Founder/C.E.O. (Chief Entertainment Officer)/Drummer

80’s inspired sponsorship opportunities are available. If you have any questions please feel free to contact K&FT Outreach and Development Manager, Amy Huot at (818)306-6614 or [email protected].

To learn more about K&FT visit … https://www.kidsandfamilies.org/

Kids & Families Together is a California nonprofit organization, tax exempt under IRS section 501(c)(3); tax ID # 31-1678238.

Ventura County Leadership Academy announces 2024 honorees

Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) is pleased to announce the 2024 Journey to Leadership Awards honorees, recognizing five outstanding community leaders for their contributions to Ventura County. Save the date – Thursday, April 25th the community will join together to honor these local leaders at the Serra Center in Camarillo.

Business of the Year – Amgen

Non-Profit Leader of the Year – David Maron, Vice-Chair, Ventura County Civic Alliance

Public Sector Leader of the Year –Tracy McAulay (VCLA Cohort XXVI), Management Analyst, County of Ventura

Alumna of the Year – Linda Rossi (VCLA Cohort XX), President & CEO, Ventura County Credit Union

Founder’s Award – Bill Kearney

“On behalf of the VCLA Board of Directors, it gives me great pleasure to announce the 2024 Journey to Leadership Award recipients,” said Bob Harrell, VCLA Board President. “The honorees embody the spirit of collaboration, community engagement, and service that VCLA strives to instill in each graduate. These honorees are dedicated to Ventura County, living VCLA’s mission to connect and strengthen our county.”

Information on sponsorship opportunities or congratulatory ads to support VCLA’s honorees can be found at www.vcleadership.org or by contacting VCLA Executive Director Pattie Braga at [email protected].

The Ventura County Leadership Academy connects and cultivates a diverse network of passionate, capable leaders through an immersion in both critical issues shaping Ventura County and opportunities for personal and professional growth. VCLA’s comprehensive program ignites awareness and inspiration, helping cohort members discover their individual pathway toward impacting our region.

In January we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the main leaders of the American civil rights movement. A Baptist minister by training, King became a civil rights activist early in his career, leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott. His efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, raising public consciousness of the civil rights movement and establishing King as one of the greatest orators in American history.

In 1964, he became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a United States federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King’s birthday, January 15.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Martin Luther King Day was established as a national holiday in the United States in 1986. In 2004, King was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.

Vol. 17, No. 08 – Jan 10 – Jan 23, 2024 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi, I’m Teddy, a 2-year-old (I’ll be 3 in April) handsome Chow X who was rescued in bad shape from a shelter. The person who rescued me, nursed me back to health, but isn’t able to keep me. I’m not good with cats, she has five.

I’m very loving and sweet once I’m comfortable with you. I love giving my paw and holding your hand. I also love treats, toys and being outside.

The best home for me would be with a backyard and with an active family. I don’t enjoy being left alone all day. I take time to warm up to other dogs, but once I do I like to play.

If you’re interested in meeting me, please fill out an online application.

Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. https://carldogs.org/
CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Meet our Senior Pet of the Week Selkie! She’s looking for a soft spot to live out her golden years. This sweet pittie is low energy and loves humans of all shapes and sizes, but would prefer to be the only animal in the home. Selkie is looking for someone with a heart for animals with medical needs who just need love. adopt Selkie, reach out to her foster for more information!

Pet Link: VCAS https://www.vcas.us/viewan-2/?ida=A822850