All posts by admin

City of Ventura lifts temporary Leaf Blower Emergency Ordinance

“May I come out of the closet now?”

The Ventura City Council terminated the temporary leaf blower emergency ordinance during its regular meeting on July 9, 2018. The repeal is effective immediately and the use of gas, electric, and battery-powered leaf blowers in the City of Ventura is allowed. With this being said, you should begin to find leaf blowers in your local stores across the city. Don’t just jump at the opportunity, make sure you check for the best leaf blowers on the market before making your purchase! You could check out thebestleafblowers for further information.

The temporary leaf blower emergency ordinance was adopted by the Ventura City Council on December 18, 2017, shortly after the start of the Thomas Fire. During this time, air quality in the City of Ventura deteriorated and became a potential health issue. The use of leaf blowers allows for debris such as fallen ash and soot to be airborne. The City Council declared both a state of local emergency and a local public health emergency due to the Thomas Fire.

For information on the Thomas Fire Rebuild, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/thomasfirerebuild.

25th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival—A Weekend of Sizzling Music, Dance & Food

The festival is a celebration of all things salsa.

Hot Latin sounds, exotic dancing and spicy culinary flavors are all part of the 25th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival. The festival, July 28 and 29, is a celebration of all things salsa–the food, music and dance. Festivities take place at Plaza Park, Fifth and “B” streets in historic downtown Oxnard from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. both days.

Festivalgoers can dance to the beat of Latin bands including Janeen Puente, and her orchestra who are performing on Saturday at 4:45 p.m. Puente has a strong southern California following. Closing out Sunday’s lineup is Orquesta Tabaco Y Ron. Performing at 4:45 p.m., this 12-piece “Big-Band” orches­tra is composed of musicians from all over Latin America.

The festival’s salsa-tasting tent is filled with dozens of samples of salsa and hot sauce from local restaurants and gourmet grocers. Admission to the tent is $5 per person and includes a bag of fresh Mission tortilla chips and 10 tasting tickets.

The two days also feature a vendor marketplace, international cuisine, community stage, a kids’ zone and the annual “Dancing With Our Community Stars” contest to raise money for local charities.

This year’s Friday Night Kick Off Concert, July 27, features Poncho Sanchez and his fiery stew of infectious melodies and rhythms from a variety of Latin American and South American sources. The concert is also at Plaza Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the concert from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. As part of the 25th festival celebration, general admission is free. Bring your own food. Beer and wine margaritas will be available.

The festival is presented by the Oxnard Downtowners and sponsored by Bud Light, Gold Coast Broadcasting, Mission Foods, Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau and other community partners. Festival proceeds go back into downtown Oxnard and to help pay for events including the Oxnard Farmers Market and Oxnard Christmas Parade.

About 40,000 people attend the festival each year. Festival admission and parking are free. Main stage seating is just $5. For festival information, call 805‐535‐4060, email [email protected] or visit www.oxnardsalsafestival.com or on Facebook.

Soak in summer fun with Waterfront Wednesdays

Join us for Colorful Cocktails after our swim.

With summer arriving, lots of people are taking off their jetski covers, digging out their swimming trunks, and hitting the water to have some fun! And now you can escape the heat this summer from dawn to dusk for a midweek seaside sojourn to Ventura Harbor Village as it kicks off its annual Waterfront Wednesdays every Wednesday in July and August, 2018. Find fabulous seaside dining, one-of-a-kind boutique coastal shopping, and play by the sea! Sway to the sounds of the steel drum from Noon to 3 p.m. and live music into the evening, this unmatched enclave is the epitome of living the California summer lifestyle.

Waterfront Wednesdays offers Top 5 Deep Blue Deals on tap on the seashore at Ventura Harbor Village:

Seaside Cool – On the water fun from boat rentals, to toes in the sand at the Harbor beaches, and coastal wear & finds at boutique shops to keep cool this summer weather on the water or on the shore. Summertime finds at Ventura Harbor Village. (15-50% Boutique deals for Waterfront Wednesdays. Plus, local artisans offer art activities for Wednesdays- from painting to bracelets! )

Free Channel Islands live program at the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center just a few minute walk from Ventura Harbor Village every Wednesday from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Explore the underworld beauty and wonder of the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary or on the island shore with wildlife and flora in the Visitor Center theatre, where guests can listen, watch and interact with Rangers at the Channel Islands.

Colorful Cocktails & Delicious Cuisines – come try something new every Wednesday with lunch, dinner and Happy Hour menus perfect for sharing with friends & family. Unwind from the day with amazing wines, craft beer, refreshing cocktails and a variety of options featuring French, Cuban, Seafood, Greek and American cuisines for lunch or dinner with stunning views of the waterfront. (Waterfront Wednesday deals feature complimentary appetizers, $10 entrees, Happy Hour menus, wine specials, and more!)

Engage the Family Seaside Off Screen- Waterfront Wednesdays offers kids a complimentary Scavenger Seaside Scavenger Hunt from Noon -3 PM for prizes, an Escape Room features Wednesday booking specials, and renting a kayak, pedal or electric boat, jet ski or stand up paddle board gets you extra time on the water on Wednesdays. Watch for free tours & tastes weekly.

Sounds of Summer Resonate on Waterfront Wednesdays overlooking the boats in the Harbor kicking off with a live Steel Drum Noon -3 PM reminiscent of a tropical vacation. Live bands entertain over cocktails and delicious appetizers every Wednesday evening at multiple restaurants on the waterfront for classic summer nights.

For a listing and details of all the Top 5 Deep Blue Deals visit https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/waterfrontwednesdays/

Funds raised are used to sustain programs in three areas of focus

Open house and ribbon cutting held for United Way. Photo by Michael Gordon

The United Way of Ventura County held an open house and ribbon cutting on June 19 to officially dedicate its new headquarters at 702 County Square Drive, Suite 100, in Ventura. The agency relocated in December from Camarillo.

“We’re very excited about our new headquarters, which is in shared space with one of our community partners, Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. And with this move, we are saving nearly $100,000 per year, money that will be used to support various community needs,” said Eric Harrison, president and CEO of the United Way of Ventura County.

Additionally, the agency will be kicking off its annual workplace employee campaign for 2018-19. Funds raised are used to sustain programs in three areas of focus: education, income and health. Top employers running campaigns this year include Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Procter and Gamble, Enterprise, the Ventura County government, UPS, Costco, Target, Our Promise (state employees), AT&T and Macy’s.

To learn more about the United Way of Ventura County, visit www.vcunitedway.org.

Ventura Aquatic Center Dive-In Movie Friday, July 20

It’s time to dive into summer! Join the staff at the Ventura Aquatic Center for a dive-in movie! Attendees are invited to order pizza or bring a picnic dinner and float the night away under the stars while watching Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. For more information, visit the Aquatic Center website or call 805-654-7511.

Doors open at 7:30 pm, movie begins at 8 pm

$5 per person, children 2 and under are free

Oxnard’s Levity Live at The Collection

A Conversation with Merion Estes Sunday, July 29, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Oxnard’s Levity Live at The Collection, 591 Collection Blvd.

The tools of her trade have included fabric, glue, acrylic and spray paints, glitter, photo downloads and paper, gradually moving almost exclusively to the use of collaged fabrics and photos, with hand painting assuming much less importance. At first glance we are seduced by the beauty of her work. Closer inspection reveals a worrisome sense of man’s depredation of the natural world.

Merion was a founding member of Double X, a women’s art group, and a consistent champion of women’s issues. In a recent exhibit at The Pasadena Museum of California Art, The Feminine Sublime, Merion’s work was described as a counter-narrative that upends previous ideas of the sublime in painting with a unique feminist perspective.

Merion Estes states “The beauty and fragility of life and the tragedy of man’s intervention is my subject.” To learn about Merion visit www.MerionEstes.comCollateral.

$15 for general public; $10 for seniors. free to FOTM Members.

Visit www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or call 805.653.2501 for tickets.

AfterGLOW Fundraising Event:

Join for a celebratory dinner at the Camarillo home of Edy & Sal Santangelo immediately following the Artist Spotlight Interview. Paid reservations are essential and required prior to July 24. We expect this AfterGLOW to sell out.

$30 FOTM members,

$40 Non-members.

Maps will be given to paid guests at the interview.

2686 Kitchen Chamber ribbon cutting

2686 Kitchen recently held their Ventura Chamber ribbon cutting. Located at 2686 Loma Vista Rd. it is a new place to sit and enjoy a meal, or make a quick stop to pick up lunch or dinner. Their menu features hearty salads, sandwiches, and appetizers. Park right in front to pick up your meal for yourself, the office, coworkers and more. 805-643-7444

 

Joyce Wallach joins local law firm

Wallach earned her law degree at U.C. Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law.

Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP (FCOP) has welcomed Joyce Wallach to the firm as attorney of counsel. Wallach brings more than 30 years’ experience specializing in business and corporate law. She will work out of the Ventura office location.

“We are excited to have Joyce join the FCOP family,” said FCOP Managing Partner Mike Velthoen. “Her expertise in contract negotiations and business transactions will add depth to our comprehensive business law practice areas.”

Wallach graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in history and went on to earn her law degree at U.C. Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law. An experienced corporate/securities/business attorney, she began her career as an associate at Sidley Austin, one of the largest law firms in the world. She later went in-house as general counsel to a Nasdaq-traded corporation. Wallach has also served as in-house counsel to the California State Legislature. Her experience includes an assembly fellowship and legislative aide position to then-Assemblyman Gray Davis.

For more information, visit www.fcoplaw.com.

Vol. 11, No. 21 – July 18 – July 31, 2018 – Music Calendar

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Beach House Tacos
Ventura Pier
Fri 7/20: The Dynasties (5:30 pm inside)
Sat 7/21: Kyle Smith (3 pm outside)
Wed 7/25: Devour the Day (6 pm inside)
Sat 7/28: Jason Jo (3 pm outside)

Blue Agave
185 E. Santa Clara
Fridays: Live Mariachi Band

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Jason Ho
Wednesday: Mark David McKinnis
Thursdays: Bluegrass Jam
Sat 7/21: RJ Mischo
Sun 7/22: DejaVu Too

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Friday and Saturdays: DJs

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
(805) 653-1266
Wed 7/18: Big Adventure
Thurs 7/19: Self Righteous Bros.
Fri 7/20: Instone
Sat 7/21: Self Righteous Bros.
Sun 7/22: Jangala Roots
Tues 7/24: Edgar Thatcher Duo
Wed 7/25: Big Adventure
Thurs 7/26: Self Righteous Bros.
Fri 7/27: Soul Infusion
Sat 7/28: Action Down
Sun 7/29: Casey Jones & the Reggae Train

Cask Alehouse
5952 Telegraph Road
Sat 7/21: Mason Summit
Sun 7/22: GLAM
Sat 7/28: Cap Quirk

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 presents Third Beat
Tuesdays: The Jerry McWorter Trio
Wednesdays: Creative Open Mic Jazz Jam
Fri 7/20: Havana Cinco
Sat 7/21: Havana Cinco
Sun 7/22: Martinez Brothers
Fri 7/27: Martinez Brothers
Sat 7/28: Havana Cinco

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Wed 7/18: Ballyhoo! w/ Bumpin Uglies & Tropidelic
Thurs 7/19: Legalizer
Fri 7/20: Twisted Gypsy
Sat 7/21: Leon Hendrix
Sun 7/22: Roots of a Rebellion
Fri 7/27: Hotel California
Sat 7/28: Yachtley Crew
Sun 7/29: Katastro

Downtown Ventura
Plaza Park (Santa Clara & Chestnut)
Tequila and Tacos Music Festival
Sat 7/21: DJ Cue, Dax, Adelaide, Patron Latin Rhythms
Sun 7/22: Dax, Adelaide, Mariachi Reyes

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: Xoco Moraza & Friends (5-7 pm)
Saturdays: DJs

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Avenue #109
Music 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Fri 7/20: 50 Sticks of Dynamite
Fri 7/27: Midlife Crisis

Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Sun 7/22: Fatty Cakes and the Puff Patries, Squid Ink

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 7/28: Manufactura Electronica night

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed 6 pm; Thurs 7 pm; Fri & Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm
Fri 7/20: Jarrod Dickerson
Sat 7/21: Brandon Ragan Project
Sun 7/22: Tex Pistols
Wed 7/25: Bluegrass Jam
Fri 7/27: Shawn Jones
Sat 7/28: Salty Suites
Sun 7/29: Mandy & Johnny

Harbor Cove Café
1867 Spinnaker Drive
Music 4-8 pm
Thurs 7/19: Rock Cats Rock
Fri 7/20: Jill Martini and the ShunkenHeads
Sat 7/21: The Rockin’ Henrys

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Wednesdays: Open Mic w/ the Beers Brothers
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 7/20: Jerry’s Birthday Bash
Sat 7/21: CD Release with Cloudrunns
Sun 7/22: Del Franklin
Fri 7/27: Hi Hat Entertainment Presents Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan

Keynote Lounge
10245 E. Telephone Road
Tues, Wed and Sun: Karaoke
Thursdays: Open mic night

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd.
Tuesdays: Galactic Jazz
Thurs 7/19: Mark Masson
Fri 7/20: Rob Van Trio
Sat 7/21: Cap Quirk
Sun 7/22: The Swillys
Wed 7/25: Patrick Gallagher
Thurs 7/26: Mark Masson
Fri 7/27: Doc Ventura
Sat 7/28: Bood Duo

Limon y Sal
598 E. Main Street
Friday and Saturdays: DJ
Sundays 1-4: Instone

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street
Thurs 6 pm; Sat 4 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 7/19: Jade Hendrix
Sat 7/21: The Inside Break
Sun 7/22: The Midtones
Thurs 7/26: Anna Vera
Sat 7/28: Alice Austin
Sun 7/29: 50 Sticks of Dynamite

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Sat 7/28: 90th Anniversary concert w/ Robot Nature, Plan Your Escape, The Velveteen Band, The Inside Break

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri and Sat 6 pm; Sun 4 pm
Mondays: Bobby Campbell
Tuesdays: Dave Rea
Thursdays: Keith & Friends Open Jam
Fri 7/20: James Broz
Sat 7/21: Crosscut 805
Sun 7/22: Corsican Bros.
Fri 7/27: City Nights
Sat 7/28: Reign
Sun 7/29: Blown Over

Mission Park
Main Street Downtown
Wed 7/18: Jarabe Mexicano (5 pm Free)

Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street
MUNCH Thursdays 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Wed 7/18: Jarabe Mexicano (noon youth performance)

Namba
47 S. Oak Street
Fri 7/20: Grupo Nematalin

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wed: Karaoke
Fri 7/20: Karen Eden
Fri 7/27: Frank Barajas & the Corsican Bros.
Sat 7/28: Frank Barajas & the Corsican Bros.

Olivas Adobe
4200 Olivas Park Dr
Sat 7/21: Music Under the Stars presents Blue Breeze
Sat 7/28: Music Under the Stars presents Bleeding Harp

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

Plan B Wine Cellars
3520 Arundell Circle
3-5 pm
Sun 7/22: Dale Berrington Duo

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
Mon 7/23: Ralph Mathis Band

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 7/18: Bucket Flush, PLOG, Goat Rhythm, Cosmic Tide
Fri 7/20: 2Faced, Ashes of the Dead, Braced 4 Impact, Up an Atom

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

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 7/21: Mason Summit
Sun 7/22: Maggie’s Drawers
Sun 7/29: Cool House

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: DJ Nick Dean
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 7/20: DJ Pistolero
Sat 7/21: Bombafiya
Fri 7/27: Frame by Frame
Sat 7/28: Molkahete

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Sunday music 3 -6 pm
Fri 7/20: Power Syndicate
Sat 7/21: The Bomb
Sun 7/22: The Question
Fri 7/27: Brandon Ragan Project
Sun 7/29: After the Smoke

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

Topa Mountain Winery
821 W. Ojai Avenue, Ojai
(805) 640-1190
Saturdays 5-7; Sundays 4-6 pm
Sat 7/21: Davey Jones and the Midnights
Sun 7/22: Shylah Ray and the Sunshine Band
Sat 7/28: Danny McGaw Band
Sun 7/29: Shennie and Cata

Ventura College Performing Arts Center
4700 Loma Vista Road
Fri 7/20: Ventura Music Festival presents: Akropolis
Sun 7/21: Ventura Music Festival presents: Perla Batalla

Winchester’s
632 E. Main Street
(805) 653-7446
Music at 8:30 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm
Fri 7/20: The Ventucky String Band
Sat 7/21: National Cat
Sun 7/22: RJ Mischo & Paris Slim
Fri 7/27: Tommy Marsh, Chris Chalk & John Owens
Sat 7/28: Braids & Dreads featuring Dan Grimm
Sun 7/29: Charlie Baker

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Fridays: Kenny Devoe (3 pm); Troy (8 pm)
Sundays: Al Macias (10 am); Kenny Devoe (1 pm)
Sat 7/21: Al Macias (10 am); Kenny Devoe (1 pm); Frank Barajas (8 pm)
Sat 7/28: Al Macias (10 am); Kenny Devoe (1 pm)

7th Annual Golden Future 50+ Senior Expo

Golden Future Expos presented their 7th Annual Golden Future 50+ Senior Expo on Saturday, July 14. at the Ventura County Fairgrounds inside the San Miguel Expo Hall.

The event featured over 60 vendors with products, services, and resources tailored for Baby Boomers, Seniors, Caregivers, and Friends/Family.

The Golden Future 50+ Senior Expo connects local seniors, their families and caretakers with a variety of services and resources available to them.

Included were:

  • Free Health Screenings
  • Free Makeovers
  • Live Entertainment
  • Great Speakers & Workshops
  • Hourly Door Prize Drawings & Giveaways
  • Fitness Class
  • And much more!