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Ventura’s East End eateries – Part I: Two Trees Restaurant and Taps

The menu is quite eclectic. This is Two Trees Sea Bass Tacos.

by Jennifer Tipton

When we think of all the great places to eat in Ventura, the east end of town rarely comes to mind because there just isn’t much out that way. There are however three independently owned and operated restaurants on the east end, each with a great reputation and as charming as a country café!

Two Trees is located at 7822 Telegraph Rd. and I’ll admit, although I’ve lived on the east end of Ventura for years, I had never visited this modest little eatery before. On our first visit, the experience was a “wow!”, the server was “Johnny on the spot”, the food was unbelievably good!

On our second visit, the server was “Missing Maria” and the jalapeno burger (when it finally arrived) was missing the jalapeno…

However, the restaurant is always busy, and patrons sometimes line up outside the door even though they can seat well over 100. The interior can be a bit noisy, family friendly with two flat screen TVs showing news and baseball, customers can sit at the counter, a booth or one of many tables and there’s an adjoining room with bistro tables and a traditional bar. There’s also a couple small outside tables, so I guess it could be considered dog friendly and being in the Kimball Shopping Center, parking is plenty.

While wine is available, Two Trees also offers 28 beers on tap with different flights for tasting. On our second visit, there was a special that offered flights of 5 for $15 and a selection of $3 tacos to accompany them. All tortillas are homemade and there is no charge for chips and salsa – also homemade.

The menu is quite eclectic. Starters range from Mini Burgers to Jumbo Wings priced $7 to $13. Specialties such as a crusted Filet Mignon topped with Mushroom Brandy Sauce or Almond Crusted Mexican Seabass topped with lemon garlic sauce each come with the choice of two sides. Specialties are priced $15 to $30. Selections from the fryer include Black Tiger Shrimp and Chips or Fried Chicken. Prices $14 to $22.

There are seven different styles of burgers $12 to $15, nine different sandwiches $10 to $13 and fresh salads that offer salmon and poached pear with chicken breast $12 to $15.

What really makes Two Trees stand out are the traditional Mexican specialties, all homemade plates like the Molcajete with Carne Asada, Citrus Marinated Chicken, Shrimp, Nopal, Chorizo, Scallions and Jalapenos with fresh Mexican Cheese and Tomatillo Sauce served with those homemade tortillas and Rice and Beans, serves 2-3 people for $37.

Other Mexican specialties include Seafood Enchiladas and Blackened Salmon Tacos amongst others. Prices $10 to $16.

All the Mexican plates come with a roasted jalapeno, I had the Sea bass Tacos and although it is a single serving plate, portions are generous, be prepared to share or take some home.

Join Horizon Veterinary Specialists in Ventura for an Open House

Tour new small animal specialty hospital in Ventura.

On Wednesday, August 1st Ventura County gained a new, life-saving, 24/7 small animal specialty hospital. Horizon Veterinary Specialists, located at 5280 Valentine Road in Ventura, invites the public to their Open House on Sunday, September 9th, from 1pm to 4pm.

The specialty hospital is focused on caring for patients throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara and surrounding counties with 24/7 emergency and trauma services, critical care, internal medicine, ultrasound, digital radiography, endoscopy, surgery, and 24-hour ICU hospitalization when needed.

Meet the founders – Dr. Nancy Scott and Dr. Sarah Gray, both board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, are joined by Dr. Amy Rhoades, Dr. Melissa Herrera and Dr. Theresa Ortega, all board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. The five well respected board-certified veterinarians bring a collective 75+ years of internal medicine, emergency and critical care experience, much of that time spent right here in Ventura County.

Get to know our team – Working alongside the founders is highly experienced emergency veterinarian, Dr. Mary Ellen McLoughlin who has practiced emergency medicine exclusively for the past 12 years. She and the founders are joined by an experienced team of dedicated veterinary technicians, assistants, client service representatives, caretakers, and practice managers who are all committed to excellence.

Enjoy great food and win prizes!

Learn more at www.HorizonVets.com

14th Annual Spirit Awards

Dear Friends

Eric Harrison, President & CEO
United Way of Ventura County

On Sept.13, we’ll be celebrating our 14th Annual Spirit Awards at the Serra Padre Center in Camarillo. This will be a special evening recognizing the community and foundation leaders who partnered with us throughout the year and when Ventura County needed us most.

Our honorees include the Annenberg Foundation, which will receive our President’s Award for helping to establish the United Way Thomas Fire & Flood Fund with their lead gift; Bob Brunner, our longtime board member and Community Impact Chair, will be given the Milton M. Teague Award for outstanding volunteerism; Maggie Tougas will be recognized with the Douglas Shively Award for her service as a key member of our recovery group and for representing our local Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster; and Bank of America will be recognized for their top corporate citizenship with the Roy Pinkerton Award for their increased support and for helping us provide emergency debit cards to those affected by the Thomas Fire. Last, but certainly not least, William ‘Bill’ Kearney, who many of you know as one of our region’s most recognized and outstanding philanthropists and volunteers will receive our Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Richard Rush, Past President of California State University Channel Islands, will be presenting Bill with the award.

Limited tickets are available. If you’ve attended our Spirit Awards Gala in the past few years, you know the evening is known for its live entertainment. We are proud to welcome Spencer Day, the unique #1 Billboard-charting pop/jazz performer. Spencer has performed everywhere from Lincoln Center to the Hollywood Bowl and will put on a show you don’t want to miss. The 14th Annual Spirit Awards Gala is certain to be an inspirational and unforgettable evening. Come join us! 

United Way of Ventura County

702 County Square Drive, Suite 100
Ventura, CA 93003

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm

Phone: (805) 485-6288
Fax: (805) 485-4845
Email: [email protected]

 

Vol. 11, No. 24 – Aug 29 – Sept 11, 2018 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club Monday nights 7:30 – 9:45p.m. Poinsettia Pavilion. Ballroom, swing, Latin and line dancing. $10 members, $12 non-members. Dance lessons 6:45 – 7:15 $5 for couple $3 for single. Call Rick 415-8842 for more information.

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 – 5:45 p.m. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Bring an interesting topic to discuss if you can.

Ventura’s ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club offers games for all levels of play.  Learn the game, play with your peers, and earn master points while you are having fun.  There is a game every day of the week.  Check out their website at www.vcbridge.org

Country Western Line Dancing every Tuesday 7 – 9 p.m. Instruction every night. Located at the Moose lodge, 10269 Telephone Road. More information at countrylovers.com.

Mended Hearts of Ventura. Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. Group meets the first Tuesday each month at noon at Lemon Wood Mobile Homes, 850 Johnson Dr. Excellent speakers leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists, and Dietitians etc. from our area.

Contact Richard Hatcher at 644-2733.

Cross Town Hikers join in on Wednesday nights for a moderate-paced hike that includes views of Ventura from the cross, a walk out to the end of the pier, and a stroll along the Promenade back to the Museum. Four miles with an 800-foot elevation gain. Meet at 7 p.m. sharp at the fountain across the street from the Mission. Join Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/800215670039426/

The members of the Ventura Investment Group meet on Mondays for an informal discussion of recent economic events.  Topics cover current events that affect stocks, funds, real estate, and interest-bearing investments.  The meeting is from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Telephone Road and Main Street.  Visitors and potential members are welcomed.  There are no dues or requirements to participate, and all levels of experience are welcomed.

Retired men might enjoy a visit to a meeting of the Ventura Retired Men’s Group at the Ventura Elks lodge at 11:30 a.m.  on the first or third Tuesday of the month. Stop in and introduce yourself for a complimentary lunch, interesting program, and a relaxing good time with your peers. Give Bob Likins a call at 805-587-1233 for details

Musicians’ Sober Support Meetup @ FIND (A Friend in Deed) every Monday night 7-9 p.m. Bring acoustic instrument(s) for jamming after sharing support for sobriety.

Bell Arts-Studio 39-432 Ventura Ave. For further information [email protected].

The Channel Islands Bike Club is Ventura County’s largest recreational road cycling club. They are working to make Ventura County a bicycling destination and to share the benefits of bicycling for health, recreation, sport, and transportation. Both beginners and experts are welcome.

They provide free public programs on the second Wednesday of each month at the Museum of Ventura County at 100 East Main St. Doors open at 6:30pm with a no-host beer/wine bar. The program starts at 7:00pm with interesting speakers who share their knowledge and adventures.

They also host group bike rides several days per week. Additional information about the bike club is online at www.cibike.org or Bill Faulkner, Grants Director at 648-1426.

Are you a stamp collector? The Ventura County Philatelic Society meets on the first and third Mondays each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Rd.Admission and parking are free. Come for a great evening. Bill Garner (805) 320-1601 or [email protected]

Audubon Events

Sept. 8: 8:30 a.m.  Emma Wood State Beach, Adele Fergusson 805- 415-4304

Searching the scrub for sparrows and warblerson to the Ventura River Estuary.  The estuary is always an exciting place to bird.

Sept.11: 7:30 pm Poinsettia Pavilion, Raptor Pilot Study – Rodenticides

By Karl Novak

Raptor Pilot Study for Levee Protection is first to quantify the impact of raptors on ground squirrel damage at a levee.

Karl Novak is a Civil Engineer and long-time resident of Ventura County

Sept. 15: 8:30 a.m.  Sana Clara River Estuary/Surfers Knoll, Raeann Koerner 805-701-1919. Hope to see a variety of shorebirds including Western Snowy Plovers, Ruddy and Black Turnstones

Sept.16: 8:30 a.m.  Camino Real Park, David Torfeh 805-794-5334

Camino Real is a grassy park surrounded by pines and eucalyptus and is an excellent fall migrant hotspot.

Sept. 22: 8 a.m.  Ventura Settling Ponds, Frank DeMartino 856-906-8733

This will be a joint field trip with Conejo Valley Audubon. The Settling Ponds at the Ventura Harbor is a reliable place to find ducks, summer gulls and terns, as well as songbirds and raptors.

Sept. 23: 8:30 a.m.  Arroyo Verde Park, Linda Easter 818-519-2833

Enjoy birding the oak woodland, grassy areas, and chaparral in this long, broad canyon.

Sept.1: Free gardening class: “Renovating Your Landscape.”  Learn how to make your yard more drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, cost-effective and beautiful while also increasing your property value. It’s easier than you think! Refreshments, raffle and shopping discount day of.  A Smart Garden Nursery located at 33 South Palm St. in Downtown Ventura. 10:30 – 12 p.m.  RSVP: (805)667-8585

Sept.1: Camino Real Tennis Day! Free! The Ventura Tennis Club, in partnership with the Ventura Recreation and Community Services, is hosting a Ventura Tennis Day on Saturday, from 10 – 3 p.m. The event will be held at the Camino Real Tennis Park.

Events will include clinics for adults and kids from 10 – 11:30 a.m. with a tennis pro and other staff. After the clinics, there will be food and refreshments. The Ventura Tennis Club is a non-profit community-based club bringing tennis enthusiasts of all abilities together since 1981. Information: http://www.venturatennisclub.com

Sept. 2: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. Meeting
Sunday from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall, 36 Figueroa.
Free admission, music on stage and jamming. Free parking in the rear,
open to public. For more information call, 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA

Sept. 2: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours from 1 to 4 p.m. accompanied by period music.  Admission is free.  The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood.  For information (805) 642-3345 or visit at www.dudleyhouse.org.

Sept. 9,10,18,19: High Holiday services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur will be held at Pierpont Inn, 550 Sanjon Road. Rabbi Yakov Latowicz, the spiritual leader of Chabad of Ventura, will lead services to usher in the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah evening services will be held on both Sunday the 9th and Monday the10th at 7 p.m., followed by an elegant community holiday dinner. Morning services will be held Monday the 10th and Tuesday the11th at 9:30 am.  For more information please call 805 658 7441.

Sept.11: Life source Women’s Bible Study from 9-11:15 a.m. Community Presbyterian Church located at 1555 Poli St. Every Tuesday morning following the school calendar.

James by Beth Moore and Hosea by Jennifer Rothschild. Cost for two books and registration is $45.00. Scholarships and childcare available with prior notice.

805-648-2737 for more information or cpcventura.org

Sept.11: Sierra Club Venture Out Speaker Series 5:30-7p.m. at the EP Foster Library Topping room. Success story from Steve Evans, California Wilderness Coalition (CalWild), as 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act.   Hear what you can do to be advocates of rivers in our area and how to secure protection for new rivers and streams.  No fee.  Open to members and supporters.  Questions email [email protected]

Sept.12: The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is pleased to welcome Jennifer Parkinson, owner and Co-Founder of the non-profit organization, NeuroBoxing, from 1- 3 p.m. at the Lexington Assisted Living. NeuroBoxing is dedicated to aiding Parkinson’s patients and their families fight back against Parkinson’s Disease. For all details see full article in the Ventura Breeze Senior Section or call Patty at 805-766-6070.

Sept. 27: Silent Auction for the Ventura County Bird Club.  7:30 pm at the Ventura Moose Lodge. We believe that it is our responsibility to help the efforts to help maintain and preserve the survival of the many endangered avian species including our local birds.   Ventura Moose Lodge 10267 Telephone Rd.

For further information call (805)488-6244 venturacountybirdclub.org

Sept.30: The Herb Walks with Lanny Kaufer program will visit Reyes Peak on the scenic Pine Mountain ridge on Sunday, for the annual Fall Equinox Nature Hike. Attendees will experience some of the most spectacular scenery and natural habitat that Ventura County has to offer. At 9 a.m. with a carpool caravan of about 35 miles up Highway 33 from the Maricopa Plaza, (1201 Maricopa Highway, Ojai to the Reyes Peak trailhead. The group will hike into the Sespe Wilderness from the trailhead at 7000 feet elevation, stop for lunch (not provided) among the Jeffrey Pines, and return to the trailhead by 3:30 p.m., arriving back at the Maricopa Plaza by 4 p.m.

This intermediate level hike is suitable for moderately experienced hikers or physically fit beginners. The total hiking distance will be about 3 miles. $25 for adults or $20 for seniors 62-up and students 13-18 years of age. Kids 5-12 can go free, one per adult, by prior arrangement. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No dogs or smoking, please. To register HerbWalks.com or call 805-646-6281. Registrants

 

 

Vol. 11, No. 24 – Aug 29 – Sept 11, 2018 – Music Calendar

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Aloha Festival
Promenade Park
North of Pier
Sat 9/1: Bombafiya, The Question, Rising Son
Sun 9/2: After the Smoke, Kyle Smith

Beach House Fish
Ventura Pier
Fri 8/31: Will Breman (5:30 pm)

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor Village
Monday-Thursday 6 pm, Friday & Saturday 7 pm, Sundays 4 pm
Mondays: Milo
Tuesdays: Jason Ho
Wednesday: Mark David McKinnis
Thursdays: Bluegrass Jam
Fri 8/31: Karen Eden & Park
Sat 9/1: Tom & Milo
Sun 9/2: Shore Break
Fri 9/7: Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson
Sun 9/9: Corsican Brothers

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Sat 9/1: Yachtley Crew

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
Wed 8/29: Edgar Thatcher Trio
Thurs 8/30: Sonido Moreno
Fri 8/31: The Collective

Cask Alehouse
5952 Telegraph Road
Sat 9/1: Leslie Bixler
Sat 9/8: Milo Sledge

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 3 pm
Mondays: Bill Macpherson
Tuesdays: The Jerry McWorter Trio
Wednesdays: Creative Open Mic Jazz Jam
Thursday: Coda jazz
Fri 8/31: Native Vibe
Sat 9/1: Havana Cinco
Sun 9/2: House Arrest
Fri 8/7: Brandon Ragan
Sat 8/8: Havana Cinco
Sun 8/9: Jerry McWorter Trio

Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
593 E. Main Street
Sun 9/2: Sunday Drivers (4 pm)

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Thurs 8/30: Pacific Dub, The Ries Brothers
Fri 8/31: Herbal Rootz
Sat 9/1: Collie Buddz
Fri 9/7: The Original Wailers, Ozomatli, Chali 2na
Sat 9/8: Blind Melon, Joshua James
Tues 9/11: Gin Blossoms

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

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Avenue #109
Music 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Fri 8/31: Theresa Russell

Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Wed 8/29: Species Unknown, The Rays, The MFA, Theurgy

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
Sat 9/1: Undrgrnd Uprising

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed 6 pm; Thurs 7 pm; Fri & Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm
Fri 8/31: The Salty Suites
Sun 9/2: The Tossers

Harbor Cove Café
1867 Spinnaker Drive
Music 4-8 pm
Fri 8/31: Ding Dong Devils
Sat 9/1: Glasgow Tiki Shakers

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Open Mic
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 8/31: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Lenny Goldsmith & the New Old Band
Fri 9/7: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Chris Duarte

Keynote Lounge
10245 E. Telephone Road
Tues, Wed and Sun: Karaoke
Thursdays: Open mic night
Fri 8/31: CRV
Sat 9/1: DJ Aaron Van Gundy
Fri 9/7: Action Down
Sat 9/8: Sean Wiggins

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd.
Tuesdays: Galactic Jazz w/ John Bardi
Thursdays: Mark Masson
Wed 8/29: Leashless Trio
Sat 9/1: Sam Kulchin
Fri 9/7: The Inside Break
Sat 9/8: Mark Masson & Phriends

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 8/30: RJ Bloke
Sat 9/1: Anchor & Bear
Sun 9/2: Milo Sledge Trio
Thurs 9/6: Matt Sayles
Sun 9/9: The Rose Valley Thorns

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Wed 8/29: J Boog
Thurs 8/30: Café Tacvba, The Marias
Fri 9/7: Neck Deep
Sat 9:8: E-40, Nef the Pharoah, OMB Peezy

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri and Sat 6 pm; Sun 4 pm
Tuesdays: Dave Rea
Wednesdays: Karen Eden
Thurs 8/30: Keith & Friends Open Jam
Fri 8/31: the Tossers
Sat 9/1: Reign
Sun 9/2: The Right Amount of Wrong
Mon 9/3: Sin Chonies
Fri 9/7: James Broz
Sat 9/8: Crosscut 805t
Sun 9/9: Trippin’ Wild

Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street
Thurs 8/30: Rachel Sedacca (11:30 am)
Sun 9/9: Camerata Pacifica

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wed: Karaoke
Fri 6/8: Live Band Karaoke

Olivas Adobe
4200 Olivas Park Drive
Music Under the Stars
Sat 9/1: Janeen Puente and her Latin Orchestra

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

Plan B Wine Cellars
3520 Arundell Circle
Sun 9/9: The U.K. Beat (4:30 pm)

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
Fri 9/7: Labor of Love Big Band Dance w/ Ventura Jazz Orchestra featuring Donna Greene

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
Thurs 8/30: The Inside Break, Bad Leaf, Casual Business
Fri 8/31: Soup Hat, Disrupted Euphoria

Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
Fri and Sat: Rotating DJs

Rubicon Theater
1006 E. Main Street
Wed – Sun: I Dig Rock and Roll Music (Musical)

Saloon BBQ
456 E. Main Street
10 pm
Fri 8/31: Last Resort Club DJ set
Sat 9/1: Dante Elephante

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 9/1: Maggie’s Drawers
Sat 9/8: Bryan Chan & Jill Fenimore

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: DJ Nick Dean
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 9/7: Spinz & the Dirt Farmers

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Sunday music 3 -6 pm
Tues: Karaoke
Thurs: DJ Trovlbe
Fri 8/31: Mini Driver Band
Sat 9/1: Shawn Jones Trio
Fri 9/7: Power Syndicate
Sat 9/8: Whiskey Stone

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Sundays: DJ Steezy Steve
Tuesdays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Get Right DJ
Sat 9/1: Char-man, Sweet Reaper, Die Evil Die
Sat 9/8: Cloudrunners

Ventura Harbor Village
1583 Spinnaker Drive
Rock on the Dock 3-6 pm
Sat 9/8: Sean Wiggins & Lone Goat

Ventura Nationals
Ventura Fairgrounds
10 W. Harbor Blvd
Sat 9/1: Gamblers Mark, Glazing Haley, Lance Lipinski & the Lovers, Abby Girl & the Real Deal, Hard Six

Vintura at the Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Sundays music at 3 pm
Thurs 8/30: Mike Cregan
Fri 8/31: Frank Barajas & the Corsican Brothers
Sat 9/1: Kevin Longdon
Sun 9/2: Paul McCallum Trio
Thurs 9/6: Nick Justiniano
Fri 9/7: Karyn 805
Sat 9/8: Jason Ho
Sun 9/9: Tommy Quayle Band

Winchester’s
632 E. Main Street
(805) 653-7446
Music at 8:30 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm
Fri 8/31: Mark Masson
Sat 9/1: The Tossers
Sun 9/2: Sam Kulchin
Fri 9/7: Two’s Company
Sat 9/8: 805 Allstarz
Sun 9/9: Sam Kulchin

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Fridays: Sing-a-long with Kenny Devoe (4-6); Troy Edwards (8-11)
Saturdays: Al Macias (10 am – 1 pm); Kenny Devoe (1-7)
Sundays: Al Macias (10 am – 1 pm: Kenny Devoe (1-4)

Ventura County Community Development Corporation has created a disaster recovery assistance grant program.

VCCDC offers disaster recovery grants for Thomas Fire Victims.

Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC), a local non-profit community economic development organization, has created a disaster recovery assistance grant program for Ventura and Santa Barbara County residents who were affected by the Thomas Fire and/or Montecito Mudslides. The funds come from an $800,000 commitment made by Wells Fargo to assist with economic recovery for those affected by the Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslide. The initial $300,000 in grant funds were awarded to five local non-profits, including VCCDC, Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF), Red Cross and Food Share, Inc. The remaining $500,000 will be distributed to nonprofits in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties over the course of the year, as plans and programs are developed to address current and emerging community needs.

VCCDC plans to use the funds it was awarded through this grant to provide individual grants of up to $1,000 for households affected by the disasters. Applicants must be residents of Ventura or Santa Barbara County and must demonstrate a financial loss due to the fire and/or mudslides. The funds will be given directly to the applicant to be used for existing needs ranging anywhere from housing to living expense needs caused by loss of wages or business losses caused by disasters. There are no income or household size limits. One grant per eligible household or business will be awarded. Additional criteria and requirements apply.

“Although eight months have passed since the Thomas Fire began its destructive path in Ventura County and attention has shifted, the need for financial assistance for those affected is still very much present. We are grateful to our community partner, Wells Fargo, for stepping up to show their support for our community during the recovery period. Our hope is that through these small individual grants we can lessen the financial burden that the affected families are still feeling,” says VCCDC Executive Director, Bertha Garcia.

Full application, document requirements, eligibility criteria, and submission details can be found at www.vccdc.org/wfgrant starting on Monday, August 27th at 10am. Applications will be accepted until all qualified recipients have been identified.

Since it was founded in 2001 as a local non-profit organization, VCCDC has worked to increase homeownership and economic stability in underserved communities of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. VCCDC is dedicated to ensuring that homebuyers are prepared for homeownership with the support of certified professionals who provide education and guidance, assisting with planning and problem solving. All VCCDC staff is bilingual, proudly serving the community. VCCDC accomplishes its work in partnership with other community organizations, and is financially supported by private and public funds. Visit at www.vccdc.org and www.facebook.com/vccdc

For questions please contact Keily Victoria, Administration Support Manager for VCCDC, at 805-273-7800 or [email protected].

Vol. 11, No. 24 – Aug 29 – Sept 11, 2018 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner

VenturaRocks.com

School is back in session, summer is drawing to an end, and yet, Ventura continues to rock! It doesn’t matter what time of year it is in our beachside community, you can always count on an abundance of live music to keep things lively!!

Much love to Discovery these days for the bands they’ve been pulling in. Yes, I love our local bands playing, but that being said, I also love seeing bands like The Original Wailers and Ozomatli (9/7), Blind Melon (9/8) and Gin Blossoms (9/11) play this smaller venue where you can not only get a great meal, but you can get up and close and see these amazing national artists play. I was personally thrilled to see Gin Blossoms on the bill. I caught up with the band’s lead singer, Robin Wilson, who told me about their new album, Mixed Reality, and not only did he tell me it’s been receiving fantastic and positive response both from critics and fans, he also said it’s certainly the band’s best work in the past twenty-five years. Now that’s saying a lot! You can hear more from Robin on The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour which airs on KPPQ-LP 104.1 FM, and online at www.CapsMedia.org/Radio Tuesdays and Fridays at 5 and Sunday at noon.

Rock on the Dock returns to the Ventura Harbor kicking off their unique way to stage concerts with the bands playing on a floating dock, Saturday, September 1 featuring The Bomb, and then it’s Sean Wiggins and Lone Goat on Saturday, September 8. Concerts run 3-6 pm.

The Aloha Festival is back this year and falls over the Labor Day weekend at Promenade Park. No cover, so get out and enjoy the music with performances from Bombafiya, The Question, Rising Son, After the Smoke and Kyle Smith.

The Ventura Nationals cruise into town at the Ventura Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 1 with musical performances from Gamblers Mark, Blazing Haley, Lance Lipinski and the Lovers, Abby Girl and the Real Deal, and Hard Six.

Quick notes: The Rubicon Theater is running the musical, “I Dig Rock and Roll Music for the next couple of weeks; Hat Hat Entertainment at the Hong Kong Inn has Lenny Goldsmith and The New Old Band on Friday, August 31, and Chris Duarte on Friday, September 7; Music Under the Stars wraps up their season Saturday, September 1, with Janeen Puente and her Latin Orchestra; Labor of Love, big band dance, will be held at Poinsettia Pavilion on Friday, September 7, with the Ventura Jazz Orchestra featuring Donna Greene; and Camerata Pacifica will perform Beethoven, Haydn & Brahms at the Museum of Ventura county on Sunday September 9.

And just one final note, Bombay has their annual Beach party over Labor Day; however, no advance listing of bands was submitted for publication. My apologies.

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.

Ventura Unified School District announces new brand

District develops brand promising rich and varied academic programs.

The Ventura Unified School District has announced its new brand and a district promise to maintain excellent schools and learning environments where all children can explore, grow, and thrive as students in a modern world and be well prepared for the future ahead of them.

“’For the future of every student’ is our promise emphasizing our belief that every child has a brilliant future ahead of them,” said Superintendent David Creswell. “Our role is to help them find it, explore it, and prepare for it in safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments across the district. It also signifies a culture that embraces every child, meeting them where they are at, and promotes their growth academically, social-emotionally, and as citizens of the world.”

At the direction of the board, VUSD hired Zeste, a company with extensive experience working on school district brands, to conduct dozens of deep interviews with VUSD stakeholders about what defines the district.

“It was time for the district to re-examine who we are, what our mission is, and who our customers were. Public education is not the only education option for parents today. We want to be the preferred option, not by default but by choice. Branding is part of getting that message out,” said John Walker, president of VUSD Board of Trustees.

The pillars of the promise of the new brand are:

A safe, healthy, and positive learning environment in every school

Rigorous and relevant academics that challenge each student

Engaging settings that stimulate curiosity and empower students to have a voice in their learning

Real world experiences and connections in and out of the classroom to cultivate creativity, critical thinking, and an appreciation for the world in which we live

Consistent, enthusiastic and unwavering encouragement of each and every child—so they can discover who they want to become and be academically, personally, and socially

“When it comes to delivering an education that prepares students for a future in the world today, a one-size-fits-all approach no longer suffices. Students must be able to think critically, approach problem-solving with agility and creativity, be open to exploration, and adapt to new ideas and pathways they will invariably encounter throughout their lives,” said Creswell.

As part of the brand process, the district developed a new logo, the open wave, that was inspired by VUSD’s connection to the California coast and the possibilities that lie ahead for our students. The ocean, and all that it represents, is a fitting metaphor for the optimism and energy embodied by our people, schools, and district. The logo unifies our schools and programs with a bold, abstract signature that connotes an open, cresting wave. The clean lines that comprise the open wave signify the opportunities students are offered by our district through its variety of programs and schools. The color blue leads our bold and varied color palette since it stands for confidence, wisdom, and intelligence.

“This is so much more than a logo,” said Creswell. “It is a symbol of the new direction we are taking. We are grateful to the board for the freedom to create this direction and now it is up to our administration, our teachers, our staff and our students to live up to the promise.”

Vol. 11, No. 24 – Aug 29 – Sept 11, 2018 – Ojai News & Events

Man of La Mancha opens September 7 and runs for five weekends
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinee at 2 pm
Ojai Art Center Theater 113 S. Montgomery Street

Tickets are $30 for general admission, $25 for seniors, and people 25 and under at $15
Tickets are available online at www.OjaiACT.org or call to reserve at 805-640-8797.

Weekend passes for individuals are the most economical way to enjoy Ojai Storytelling Festival, Oct. 25-28 in downtown Ojai and are now on sale online at www.ojaistoryfest.org.  The Ojai Storytelling Festival has become one of Ojai’s most popular and entertaining festivals.  An adult pass is $125 until Aug. 31st, $140 there after, Senior passes (age 60+)are $115 until Aug. 31 and then $130 there after. . Tickets for individual performances are also available for purchase   Passes offer festival goers admission to all events except the workshops, and the Naughty Tales event. Over 17 events are included in the weekend package. “Weekend passes are available online at www.ojaistoryfest.org.

Join Ojai native plant guide Lanny Kaufer and special guests James Adams, PhD, of USC School of Pharmacy and plant educator Enrique Villaseñor for a Fall Medicinal Plant Workshop on Saturday, October 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop will be based on Dr. Adams’ ground-breaking pharmacological studies on local native plants as described in his book Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West, co-authored with the late Chumash healer Cecilia Garcia. For information and registration, visit HerbWalks.com or call 805-646-6281.

Session will take place on the pathways of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Cluff Vista Park and the Ojai Valley Museum’s Chumash Garden,

The afternoon hands-on preparation session will be held at a community kitchen nearby. Dr. Adams, Kaufer, and Villaseñor will demonstrate how to prepare edible and medicinal products from seasonal native plant material .

The cost of the workshop is $75 including all materials. Registrants will receive an email during the week prior with all necessary information including directions, what to bring, etc. After the workshop, participants will receive a complete list of all plants that are identified and utilized as well as recipes and other information.

Running parallel with his academic career, Dr. Adams has worked with the Chumash people since 1998 and studied Chumash healing with Cecilia Garcia for almost 15 years.

Join Rev. Karen S. Wylie on Sunday, September 9, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at The Ojai Retreat, to “Tap into the eternal you.” The gathering will be devoted to contemplation, inner reflection, quiet walks, wisdom talks, sacred songs, and sharing a vision for peace and love on the planet. The Ojai Retreat is at 160 Besant Road. People of all faiths and traditions, or no tradition, are welcome to attend. Randee Vasilakos, RScP, will assist and anchor the morning in a consciousness of prayer and healing.

The retreat is by donation; $20 is suggested. For more information, contact Rev. Karen at 310-968-8928, or register online at www.karenswylie.com. Rev. Karen is the author of Into Me See: A Book for Daily Inspiration, available on Amazon and her website.

This year’s Wild & Scenic® Film Festival hosted by the Ventura Land Trust gets a new home and new friends

by Maryann Ridini Spencer (@MaryannRidiniSpencer)

“This is the greatest venue no one’s ever been to,” said Gary Bednorz, chairman of the Ventura Land Trust’s popular SYRCL Wild & Scenic® Film Festival now in its ninth year in Ventura.

The festival, which serves as a fundraiser for the Ventura Land Trust (formerly Ventura Hillsides Conservancy), celebrated in a laid back, galvanizing fashion this year on the campus of the Ventura County Credit Union located at 2575 Vista Del Mar. On August 18, doors opened at 5:00 pm and VLT served up an evening that fostered community connection, rousing entertainment, and engaging films with sustainable themes.

“We outgrew our home at the Poinsettia Pavilion and felt that holding an outdoor festival under the stars would be a wonderful blend of our film festival, and the music festivals we held in previous years,” continued Bednorz.

“The Wild & Scenic Film Festival started in Nevada City, California, and while the flagship event takes place there annually, communities like Ventura custom pick from a variety of films to showcase at their festivals,” said Derek Poultney, Executive Director, Ventura Land Trust. “For the Land Trust, we select films in line with our mission to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. We hope that the festival inspires the community to get and stay connected to the land and to the work of the Ventura Land Trust.”

Surrounded by trees and perched on a hillside with peek-a-boo coastline views, the evening’s family-friendly festival drew in the neighborhood of nearly 1000 attendees who enjoyed delicious eats from a variety of food trucks, libations from local beer and wine vendors, community partner information booths, outdoor games, and a raffle featuring such items as original artwork, outdoor gear, and dining-out certificates.

Cool breezes were a welcome respite from the hot summer temperatures as guests strolled by the vendor booths and food trucks and chatted with friends. Others laid out their blankets (and chairs), on the expansive green lawn and; listened and danced) to acoustic guitar music by Bill Jones and J. Peter Boles, and the rock cover band Mid Life Crisis until the screening of films commenced at 8:00 p.m.

“Our circle of friends expanded this year,” added Adrienne Stephens, Development and Marketing Director, Ventura Land Trust. “The mix of being able to spread out and kick back with friends and family, while enjoying great music, food, and drink, followed by inspiring films was a great recipe for a relaxing, memorable evening.”

The eleven films showcased at the event commenced with an 8-minute movie shown at the April 2018 Water: Take 1 Film Festival “Ventura Land Trust” highlighting the Land Trust’s important community programs and endeavors.

Other films included were “Imagination: Tom Wallisch” where a young boy’s skiing day dreams come magically to life; “Brothers of Climbing,” a poignant short about a small group of black climbers that create a new community. In “Blind Sushi” a blind travel writer meets the world’s first sustainable sushi chef. Together, the two cook up experiences that enlighten them both. In “Dragging 235 lbs. Uphill Bothways,” a mother of four decides to turn off her children’s electronics in exchange for lessons in nature. “The Nature of Maps” roams some of the world’s last remaining wildlands with two modern-day pioneers who map these distant places for all to enjoy. “Where Wild Things Play,” a jaw-dropping ode to“badass” female athletes. “Lost in Light,” is a mesmerizing view of how light pollution impacts the night sky. “Love of Place” delves into one park ranger’s mission to rid a beautiful desert river of an invasive plant species. “Grandad” takes the viewer on a morning meditation row around a serene lake. “A Letter to Congress” features Wallace Stegner’s 1960 letter to Congress about how our unified voice can help prevent the transfer of our most valuable heritage— our public lands— to private and corporate interests.”

Visit venturalandtrust.org for more information.