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The Rocknockers are coming!

The Stone Foundation, an international organization of stonemasons and stone artists who built the Japanese Castle Ramparts and the International Dry Stone Wall in Grant Park is returning to Ventura for Stonework Symposium 2018. This annual gathering of the Stone Foundation is being organized in collaboration with Art City Studios of Ventura.

The Symposium will consist of presentations as well as demonstrations, the installation of a communal public art project, and what the Rocknockers call their ‘Lithic Olympics’—stonework-related games such as a Wheelbarrow Steeplechase, Lithibolos (bocce with stone balls) and Stone-Stacking contests.  The Presentations, by experts in the fields of stonework and stone art, will take place at the Ventura County Museum. For details about the Presenters and the subjects of their presentations visit https://stoneworksymposium2018.net/presentations.php.

Ventura Townehouse hosts “Bling” Bingo Scholarship Fund Raiser

The Ventura Townehouse hosted a “Bling” Bingo Scholarship Fund Raiser event for Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O.) to benefit Ventura’s graduating senior high school girls. They packed the “House” with residents and was open to the public showering them with gifts, baskets, cash and a grand prize for most bling. This fun event raised over $2,000.00 for a Ventura area high school student. www.venturatownehouse.com

Cypress Place presented program on avoiding senior scams

Former Texas Judge Francine Lyles was a featured speaker in avoiding scams.

In collaboration with the Ventura County Adult Abuse Prevention Council (VCAAPC), Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura presented a fun, free and educational program on avoiding senior scams.

The Stop Senior Scams (SM) Acting Program used theater to dramatize senior scams. Members of the troupe, ranging in age from 60 – 97 years-old, write and perform skits based on their own personal experiences. It is a memorable way to equip those who are vulnerable with the knowledge they need to protect themselves.

​Using popular songs like the Rolling Stones “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, “Getting to Know You “, from the Rogers and Hammerstein musical “The King and I”, Abba’s “Money, Money, Money”, and the Supremes “Stop in the Name of Love”, the troupe brings theatricality, laughter and excitement to a commonly frightening and frustrating topic.

The program was founded in 1997 by director Adrienne Omansky who was a teacher of older adults and adults with disabilities.  The Stop Senior Scams (SM) Acting Program has been recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives and the California State Assembly, according to Nancy Cole, an eldercare manager and board member of VCAAPC.

Omansky stated “ On March 7 , I testified  for the U.S Special Committee on Aging about the effectiveness of this Peer to Peer Education Program.  The program started nine years ago and comments from seniors have been collected and reported in my testimony. I learned that

anyone can be a victim regardless of education, race, gender, national origin, or social economic background.  Seniors are more likely to tell their peers they have been scammed than family members including their spouses.  I have learned that seniors often do not know where to report scams to. I have learned the senior scams are grossly under reported.  I learned that residents in Assisted Living Facilities are specially vulnerable to scams.”

Also on hand during the event were vendors who provide a variety of services to the senior population. Attendees asked questions and received materials from these corporate sponsors.

The Ventura County Adult Abuse Prevention Council is a not-for-profit service organization dedicated to the prevention of elder and dependent adult abuse. To learn more about VCAAPC please visit their web site at vcaapc.org.

This program took place on October 11, from 1:30p.m. to 3:30p.m. at Cypress Place Senior Living , located at 1200 Cypress Point Lane.

Pier Under The Stars

Enjoying the great food, drinks, music and friendship at Pier Under The Stars were Diane Brown, Diane’s husband, Pam Baumgardner, Mark Brown and Richard and Rosemary Lieberman. The 25th annual benefit for the historic Ventura Pier was held on Saturday, October 7th. Each year more than 600 residents and visitors attend this beachfront culinary fair adjacent to the pier to sample the county’s best food and spirits provided by over 40 area businesses. This year marked the 25th anniversary of Ventura’s premier beverage and food event.

Homeless at 81

by Jennifer Tipton

Joan Lucas has worked hard all her life, she managed a training program for many years with Budget Rental Car and at 64, she started her own business. She worked 7 days/week taking only one Monday off per month to “sleep and recover – I am not a deadbeat!” she said. Collecting social security at 65, she continued working. And by age 68, “I was making money hand over fist!” But in 2007, she suffered severe injuries inflicted by her mentally ill son that required extensive hospitalization and rehabilitation.

In 2008, “the economy went to pieces, but I continued to work through the year and I broke even”. It was obvious to her that the next year would be worse, so she “folded”. Joan says that sixteen years ago, the amount of social security she received was enough to live on but, “prices kept climbing!” She tells me she did get a 3% increase in her social security, but her bills went up by 5% – three years in a row. “My income has not kept up with the economy”, she simply stated, “I’ve outlived my friends of 50-60 years and I’ve outlived my money”.

Joan was recently renting a room here in Ventura and reports, “I think this must have been the first time this woman rented a room in her home because it came as a surprise to her that I might want a little space in the refrigerator or to do some light cooking”. She adds, she was not allowed to “drag her oxygen around”. Joan has COPD(Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). She wasn’t allowed to bathe everyday either and her landlord was angry because the oxygen made the electric bill go up.

Joan had until October 3rd to find a new place to live. Her registered service dog, Jackie has been her companion for ten years, but potential landlords only hear “dog”. Affordable Housing requires a minimal income and she didn’t meet the criteria… Joan confessed, “I was hugely terrified!”

Just one day before Joan and Jackie would have ended up on the street, she found Cindy Wilson with Gabriel’s House in Oxnard. Residents there are from 3 months to 81 years of age and the program is like our City Center Transitional Living in Ventura. Cindy shares, “Joan had a cool journey to find us, she is as much an asset to the house as we are for her”. Gabriel’s House has a fundraiser coming up on October 26th called “Operation Hope”, it is an event to end the cycle of homelessness. For more information on Gabriel’s House and the Operation Hope event visit: Gabriels-House.org

Joan confides, “I see all of this as a way to make us aware that homeless people are not necessarily who we perceive them to be”.

Joan Lucas has also written a children’s book, “Jackie: A Dog’s Tale” available on Amazon.

Farm to table — what’s in season for winter?

Farm to table produce is more flavorful and fresh.

Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer

The popular phrase “farm to table” literally refers to fresh produce — fruits and vegetables — that are picked straight from the field (or farm) and delivered to your table vs. having to be preserved or frozen and shipped long distances to reach your grocer and ultimately your table.

Not only is farm to table produce more flavorful and fresh, the dollars you spend close to home help local businesses. By checking out a site such as https://www.boggiattoproduce.com, you’ll start to understand the importance of fresh produce when it comes to restaurant standard. I’m sure you’d all like to know that the food you are paying for is only sourced from the best.

It’s estimated that the food purchased in grocery stores has to travel an average of 1,500 miles. The reduced travel distance required when you buy from local markets helps curb the consumption of fossil fuels used in transport making it a win-win for the environment as well as local farmers and retailers.

In Ventura County, we’re incredibly fortunate to have access to abundant, fresh, locally grown produce year round. One of the best ways to purchase this local bounty is at Certified Farmers’ Markets. On Saturday mornings from 8:30 am to Noon the Downtown Ventura Certified Farmers’ Market at 305 E. Santa Clara Street offers the community a delicious array of locally produced fresh fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, and other tantalizing items all at the peak of the season.

Talk to your local farmer

Have you ever wondered how your food is produced? Do the farmers use organic farming practices? What are (if any) the chemicals utilized? Don’t hesitate to get to know your local farmers and talk to them about their farming practices. You’ll also discover excellent cooking tips and learn their favorite recipes.

“For winter, we have a lot of citruses,” said Ed Etheridge from Etheridge Farm Organics at a recent Downtown Ventura Certified Farmers’ Market. “Fukumoto navel oranges, mandarins, and tangerines are abundant. We also have apples, kiwi, and Fuyu persimmons (a round fruit), which you can eat like an apple. Our Hachiya persimmons taste great when they get somewhat pudding-like; otherwise, they’re very astringent. You can also freeze them and when you’re ready to serve, eat them with a spoon as you would a bowl of sorbet.”

Some other local regulars you’ll find this time of year at the Downtown market include Oxnard’s Rodriguez Family Farms, which sells only strawberries that they pick fresh the morning of each market.

“We’ve been organic farming since the mid-80’s,” said Eric from Tutti Frutti Farms. “We specialized in all varieties of heirloom tomatoes. The Cherokee Purple tomato has a savory taste, and Marvel Stripe has a super sweet tropical flavor. This time of year, we also produce all types of peppers and squash.”

During winter months the McGrath Family Farms display offers an array of gorgeous radishes, winter beets, winter squashes, and a variety of leafy greens and more.

During a visit, you might also want to stop in and get a free sample of some pure, natural, raw honey from Blue Ridge Honey.

Once you visit the local Downtown Certified Farmers’ Market, you’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for — and more, so make sure you bring your reusable totes.

Here are a few of in season produce for winter:

Artichokes, beets, corn, eggplant, kumquats, lemons, lettuce and strawberries.

Visit, vccfarmersmarkets.com and for a what’s in season guide sfma.net/consumer/inseason.shtml.

Vol. 12, No. 1 – Oct 10 – Oct 23, 2018 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Every now and then an event is planned where a special milestone is celebrated; and so it goes with Army of Freshmen’s 20th anniversary hometown show at Discovery on Saturday, October 13. Earlier this year, they played dates in Europe to commemorate the occasion by touring with Bowling for Soup and Lit, but when they returned, they kept getting hit up with “What about your hometown?!!” This is a big deal, so get out and support. And if by chance you’ve never ventured out to see them live, do yourself a favor and don’t miss this one. Advance tickets are only $10, night of the show, $15 at the door.

You may have noticed on social media a new venue called Oak and Main, and while the location is a few doors down from Oak, it’s definitely on Main Street having taken over where Rookees used to be. The great news is that they plan on offering live music, case in point, they’ll have D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers on Friday, October 12. I’m so looking forward to having more live music downtown, especially since losing Zoey’s, The Watermark, Amigos and The Good Bar the past few years.

Vintura at the Wine Rack will host a Breast Cancer Fund-raiser with breast cancer survivor, Karyn 805 on Friday, October 12 from 8-11 pm. They’ll donate 25% of net proceeds to the Ventura Cancer Resource Center as well as all of Karyn’s tips for local women who need assistance with treatment.

All ye men and women: get out the kilts and head over for fun, games and Celtic music at the Seaside Highland Games over the weekend of October 13 and 14 at Seaside Park. The music will abound throughout both days on multiple stages with such acts as The Angry Brians, Ploughboys, Hidden Fifth, The Brown Sisters, LA Fife and Drum, Three for Joy as well as many more acts. The event runs 9 to 5, but Saturday night, you’ll want to continue the fun and stop in at Grapes and Hops for a special performance from The Angry Brians.

Quick notes: Ben Katzman’s DeGreaser out of Florida has a date at the Hong Kong Inn on Wednesday, October 10; Plan B Winery celebrates their 6th anniversary with Native Vibe on Sunday, October 14; new punk bands on the scene will play The Garage including Soul Wring, Section 5, and Ran Aground on Wednesday, October 17; Necrodancer from France will be at Red Cove on Friday, October 19; The Spazmatics will be at Discovery, Friday, October 19; Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians at Ventura Theater on Friday, October 19; and 50 Sticks of Dynamite will play a benefit concert for Step Up Ventura at Ventura Center for Spiritual Living on Saturday, October 20.

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. 12, No. 1 – Oct 10 – Oct 23, 2018 – Music Calendar

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor Village
Monday-Thursday 6 pm, Friday & Saturday 7 pm
Mondays: Milo
Tuesdays: Jason Ho
Wednesday: Mark David McKinnis
Thursdays: Bluegrass Jam
Fri 10/12: Teresa Russell
Sat 10/13: Two’s Company
Fri 10/19: Corsican Bros.
Sat 10/20: Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Friday & Saturdays: DJs
Sat 10/13: Brothers Fortune

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
Wed 10/10: Donna Butler
Thurs 10/11: Rick Whitfield
Fri 10/12: Instone
Sat 10/13: Self Righteous Bros.
Tues 10/16: Edgar Thatcher
Wed 10/17: Big Adventure
Thurs 10/18: Self Righteous Bros.
Fri 10/19: David Princes Party Crashers
Sat 10/20: Otis Hayes
Tues 10/23: Donna Greene

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

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Week nights 6 pm; Weekends 7 pm; Sundays 4 pm
Sat & Suns: Al Macias (11-2 pm)
Tuesdays: Jerry McWorter Trio
Fri 10/12: House Arrest
Sat 10/13: Havana Cinco
Sun 10/14: Jerry McWorter Trio
Fri 10/19: Amistad
Sat 10/20: Amistad
Sun 10/21: Brandon Ragan Project

Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
593 E. Main Street
Sun 10/21: Sunday Drivers (4 pm)

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Thurs 10/11: Kyle Smith w/ Joey Harkum
Fri 10/12: Mark Farina
Sat 10/13: Army of Freshmen 20th Anniversary Hometown show
Sun 10/14: E.N Young w/ Bombafiya, Dr. Sucio
Thurs 10/18: the Late Ones w/ Dr. Sucio
Fri 10/19: The Spazmatics

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

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: Xoco Moraza & Friends (6-8 pm), DJ
Saturdays: DJ

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Avenue
Music 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Fri 10/12: Fish Fry
Fri 10/19: Midlife Crisis

Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Wed 10/10: The Heartlights, Grapevine, Moonily
Fri 10/12: Six Pack of Doom, Disrupted Euphoria, Asylum, T.S.R.
Sat 10/13: Doom, Phobia, No Divide
Wed 10/17: Soul Wring, Section 5, Ran Aground
Sat 10/20; The Hell Toupees, Dead End Drive In, The Downsides

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

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week 9 pm
Tuesdays 7 pm: Open Mic

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed & Thurs 6 pm; Fri & Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm
Wed 10/10: Bluegrass
Fri 10/12: RJ Mischo & His Red Hot Blues Band
Sat 10/13: The Angry Brians
Sun 10/14: Brandon Ragan
Wed 10/17: The Swillys
Fri 10/19: Crooked Eye Tommy
Sat 10/20: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 10/21: Salty Suites

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Wed 10/10: Ben Katzman’s DeGreaser
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 10/12: Hi Hat Entertainment presents James Intveld
Wed 10/18: Bluegrass open mic
Fri 10/18: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Coco Montoya
Sat 10/19: Tech805 Fright

Keynote Lounge
10245 E. Telephone Road
Tues, Wed and Sun: Karaoke
Thursdays: Open mic night
Fri 10/12: Vital Itch
Sat 10/13: Black Canyon Band
Fri 10/19: CRV
Sat 10/20: Reign

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd.
Fri 9/28: BeJaminmington
Tues 10/2: Beers Brothers Open Mic
Fri 10/12: Boom Duo

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 10/11: Sam Kulchin
Sat 10/13: Lee Koch
Sun 10/14: RJ Mischo & his Red Hot Blues Band
Thurs 10/18: RJ Bloke

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Fri 10/19: Eddie Brickell & the New Bohemians
Sat 10/20: Vaughan Mason, Trinere, O’Bryan

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri and Sat 6 pm; Sundays 4 pm
Fri 10/12: Operation 90s
Sat 10/13: Cross Cut 805
Sun 10/14: Doc Rogers
Fri 10/19: James Broz
Sat 10/20: Misunderstood
Sun 10/21: Colette Lovejoy Band

Namba
47 S. Oak Street
Fri 10/12: Mood Swing

Oak and Main
419 E. Main Street
Fri 10/12: D.on Darox & the Melody Joy Bakers

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wed: Karaoke

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

Plan B Wine Cellars
3520 Arundell Circle
4:30 – 7 pm
Sun 10/14: Native Vibe

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D
Fridays: Mike Moody
Saturdays: Jessica Ash

Red Cove
1809 E. Main Street
Thursdays: Music Club Open Jam Night
Wed 10/10: False Confession, Detoxi, The Rouse, Tung
Fri 10/19: Sol, Necrodancer

Saloon BBQ
456 E. Main Street
10 pm
Fri 10/12: DJ
Sat 10/13: Wild Coast
Fri 10/19: Lady Freaq
Sat 10/20: Last Resort Club

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 10/13: Thadeus Gonzalez
Sat 10/20: Ruby Skye
Sun 10/21: Eaton Young, Henry Stewart & Friends

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: DJ Nick Dean
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 10/12: Seaside Band
Sat 10/13: Kevin
Fri 10/19: Bombafiya
Sat 10/20: Astraeus, KC Mobley

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Sunday music 3 -6 pm
Tues: Karaoke
Thurs: DJ Trovlbe
Fri 10/12: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 10/13: Vanise Terry Band
Sat 10/20: Mini Driver Band

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Sundays: DJ Steezy Steve
Tuesdays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Get Right DJ

Topa Mountain Winery
821 W. Ojai Avenue
Saturdays 5 pm; Sundays 3 pm
Sat 10/13: Omar Velasco
Sun 10/14: Sam Kulchin
Sat 10/20: Shaky Feelin’
Sun 10/21: Alan Thornhill & Friends

Ventura Center for Spiritual Living
101 S. Laurel Street
Sat 10/20: 50 Sticks of Dynamite

Ventura County Fairgrounds
10 W. Harbor Blvd
Sat 10/13: Seaside Highland Games w/ Angry Brians, Ploughboys, Dulcimer, and more…
Sun 10/14: Seaside Highland Games w/ Angry Brians, Ploughboys, Dulcimer, and more…

Vintura at the Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Sundays music at 3 pm
Thurs 10/11: Don Stewart
Fri 10/12: Karyn 805
Sat 10/13: Kevin Longden & Friends
Sun 10/14: The Swillys
Thurs 10/18: Victoria Leon
Fri 10/19: Mark Masson
Sat 10/20: Déjà vu Too
Sun 10/21: Epitome of Dreams

Winchester’s
632 E. Main Street
(805) 653-7446
Music at 8:30 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm
Fri 10/12: Dave Rea
Sat 10/13: The Swillys
Sun 10/14: Tommy Marsh & Smokey
Fri 10/19: Will Breman
Sat 10/20: Natalie Wattre
Sun 10/21: Two’s Company

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Fridays: Troy Edwards (8-11)
Saturdays: Kenny Devoe (2-7)
Sundays: Kenny Devoe (2-6)

Eye clinic has official ribbon-cutting

A $3,000 check was presented by the Rotary Club of Ventura for the eye clinic.

Even though open for several months the community free Eye Clinic held a Chamber ribbon-cutting on Friday, Sept. 28, at the Salvation Army living center located at 155 S Oak St.

In attendance were Ventura Chamber members, friends, members of the Ventura Rotary Club, Ventura Downtown Lions Club and the Salvation Army of Ventura, the 3 groups that have partnered to bring the community a free Eye Clinic. Their goal and vision is to provide free eye glasses for those in need. Patients are seen each Thursday from 7:30- 9:30 except holidays. Walk-Ins are welcomed as well, just arrive early and ring the bell!

Photos by Michael Gordon