People still need to get to work, and appointments, in Santa Barbara. And Amtrak is one of the only ways to get there (also by Island Packer’s boats). This large crowd all managed to fit in the Amtrak train with most of them needing to stand.
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Ribbon cutting for Mucho Gusto Barber Shop
On Dec.16 the Mucho Gusto Barber Shop, located at 1623 Thompson held their Ventura Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting.
Ventura County Grand Jury announces 2018/2019 Applications
Ventura County residents have an opportunity to provide a valuable community service while learning about local government by serving on the Ventura County Grand Jury. Applications are now available for the 2018/2019 Grand Jury at: www.ventura.org/grand-jury.
The Grand Jury is a civil, investigative panel of 19 volunteers. The watchdog group investigates issues and citizen complaints and then makes recommendations to improve the operation of local government.
The Grand Jury may examine all aspects of Ventura County government, its 10 city governments as well as special districts and other agencies funded by tax dollars.
To become a Grand Juror, you must be 18 years or older, a U.S. citizen and a Ventura County resident for at least a year. A complete list of requirements and other information about Grand Jury service can be found at: http://www.ventura.org/grand-jury/become-a-grand-juror.
All eligible residents of Ventura County are encouraged to apply. Applications can be found and completed online at the Grand Jury website: www.ventura.org/grand-jury and then returned by mail. Applications may also be requested by telephone at (805) 477-1600. Applications will be accepted until April 6, 2018.
Wilderness Basics Course at Poinsettia Pavilion
The local Sierra Club’s annual Wilderness Basics Course promises adventure, friendships, confidence, beauty, weather, inspiration, knowledge, tasty food and hardy health.
It’s all about the Club’s ethic of showing people the forests, open spaces, mountains and rivers in a safe and comfortable manner, and you don’t have to be a member.
Now in its 9th year, the program runs from Feb. 7 to March 28 with conditioning hikes, car camp and backpacks in prime locations in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
The course is geared to a wide variety of experiences, ranging from novice to knowledgeable, out-of-shape to out-of- sight. It’s for everybody, from teens to seniors, singles, couples and family members.
Classes are Wednesday nights at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. Outings are during weekends.
Early bird prices are available until Jan. 24 and the funds are used to cover expenses. Last year some extra funds were donated to the nine Search and Rescue teams in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
All the detail you need or to sign up is at:
http://www.lospadreswbc.org
[email protected]
www.Facebook.com/lospadresWBC
805 524-7170
Vol. 11, No. 8 – Jan 17 – Jan 30, 2018 – Music Calendar
For more events go to VenturaRocks.com
Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Jason Ho
Wednesdays: Mark McGinis
Thursdays: Blue Grass Jam
Fri 1/19: Blue Motel Room
Fri1/26: Teresa Russell
Sat 2/27: Mark McKinis
Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Thursdays: Yachtley Crew
Friday and Saturdays: DJs
Wed 1/24 8 pm Lucky Devils Band showcase
Casa Bella
391 E. Main Street
(805) 340-1119
Music starts 7 pm
Fridays: Encore
Saturday: Ricky Williams
Cask Alehouse
5952 Telegraph Road
Music at 7 pm
Sat 1/20: Milo Sledge
Sat 1/27: Jon Gindick
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
Tuesdays: The Jerry McWorter Trio
Wednesdays: Creative Open Mic Jazz Jam
Saturdays: Havana 5
Sun 1/21: Brandan Ragan
Fri 1/26: Lorenzo Martinez
Cork
1930 E. Main Street
Music 6-8 pm
Wednesdays: The Swillys
Dargan’s Irish Pub
593 E. Main Street
Sun 1/21: 4 pm Sunday Drivers
Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Thurs 1/18: Kyle Smith
Fri 1/19: Thomas Fire Benefit w/ Delgado Brothers, Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps, Guy Martin, Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers
Sat 1/20: Cubensis
Fri 1/26: Lee Scratch Perry & Subatomic Sound System
Sat 1/27: New Kingston, The Late Onez
Four Brix
2290 Eastman Avenue
Music 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Fri 1/19: Curtis James
Fri 1/26: Fido
Garage
1091 Scandia
Fri 1/26: 2mex, Points of Ellipsis, Shred TVT, Mic Justice
Sat 1/27: The Living Deads, Hillbilly Casino
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
Thurs 1/18: The Groove Lounge w/ Tariqh Akoni and Curt Bisquera
Fri 1/19: The Brandon Ragan Project
Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 1/19: Hi Hat Entertainment presentsPaul Pigot
Sat 1/20: Voodoo Dawn, Blackstar
Sun 1/21 4 pm Misunderstood
Fri 1/26: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Albert Cummings
Sat 1/27: The Brian Faith Band
Keynote Lounge
10245 E. Telephone Road
Tues & Wed: Karaoke
Thursdays: Open mic night
Fri 1/19: What the Funk
Sat 1/20: Old School Band
Fri 1/26: Crosscutt
Sat 1/27: Wired
Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd.
Tuesdays: Galactic Jazz
Thursdays: Live Jazz Jam Sessions
Fri 1/26: Bad Leaf
Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street
Thurs 1/18: Big Tweed
Sat 1/20: Kyle Swan
Sat 1/27: Skin & Bones
Sun 1/28: Sea at Last
Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Fri 1/19: Zoso
Wed 1/24: Eric Johnson
Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street
Thursdays 11:30 am: Shay Moulder
O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs
Patio at Players Casino
Auto Center Drive
Thurs 1/4: Andres Herrera Trio
Fri 1/19: CRV
Sat 1/20: Brandon Ragan
Fri 1/26: Pull the Trigger
Sat 1/27: The Mighty Cash Cats
Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
Mon 1/22: Wyatt Haupt
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
Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Fri and Sat: Rotating DJs
Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 1/20: Dan McNay
Sun 1/21: Ben Guihan
Sat 1/27: Steve Bedau
Sun 1/28: Bruce Mancuso
Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: DJ Nick Dean
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 1/19: Sick Boy
Sat 1/20: Stevie Char
Fri 1/26: The Rouse
Sat 1/27: DJ Pistolero
Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main Street
Wed 1/17: Native Vibe
Thurs 1/18: Coda
Sat 1/20: Mitch Forman Trio
Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Tues: Karaoke
Thurs: DJ Trovlbe
Fri 1/19: Shawn Jones
Sat 1/20: Pull the Trigger
Fri 1/26: Bloody Reunion
Sat 1/27: Whiskey Stone
The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Sundays: DJ Steezy Steve
Tuesdays: Karaoke
Metal Wednesdays
Get it Right Thursday DJs
Fri 1/19: Young Dempsey
Sat 1/20: Danielle Stacy
Fri 1/26: I Want my 80’s
Sat 1/27: The Black Stripes
Ventura High School Auditorium
2 N. Catalina Street
Sun 1/28: 3 pm Ventura County Concert Band
Vintura at the Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Sundays music at 2 pm
Fri 1/19: Paul Mars Black
Sat 1/20: Jodi Farrell & Jim Rankin
Sun 1/21: Toni Jannotta & Friends
Fri 1/26: Rich Sheldon & Carl Osterlof
Sat 1/27: Kevin Longden & Friends
Sun 1/28: Marcel Hernandez
The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Music at noon Sat & Sun with Kenny Devoe
Vol. 11, No. 8 – Jan 17 – Jan 30, 2018 – Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
The Thomas Fire benefit 805 Love Notes concert at the Ventura Theater on Sunday, January 14, was an amazing day of talent celebrating first responders and raising money for Help-California.org, a grassroot efforts to help our community recovery. Just a few of the highlights were performances by Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket, the return of Shades of Day and Franklin for Short as well as all the artists who donated their time. I can’t thank Steve and Polly Hoganson enough for inviting me to emcee the day.
Mark Hartley gave me the head’s up for the Thomas Fire Benefit Festival (www.ThomasFireBenefit.com) to be held at Plaza Park on Saturday, February 3. He said this one will be one for the books, and I can’t disagree as the headliner will be Kevin Costner and Modern West along with Olivia Newton John, Colbie Caillat, Super Duper Kyle, and Ventura’s own Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. When asked what it means to be a part of the fundraiser, BBVD front man, Scotty Morris, told me, “It means everything to us! We were on the road when the Thomas Fires kicked in and it was personally one of the most painful tours of my career. Watching my city burn on [social media] is hard to put into words. To see my family and my friends and my community facing such unbelievable horrors in our beautiful city was heartbreaking. All we wanted to do was get back home and help.” I also hear more acts may be added, so keep tuned!
And yet another Thomas Fire benefit will be held this month at Discovery on Friday, January 19, with The Delgado Brothers, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps, Guy Martin and Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers. 100% of the funds raised will go to Ventura County Food Share Food Bank, The United Way Thomas Fire Fund and the Red Cross Thomas Fire Fund.
Quick notes: The Boatyard Pub now offers live music Tuesday through Saturday, Yachtley Crew continues their Thursday night residency at Bombays, Cubensis returns to Ventura for a show on Saturday January 20 at Discovery, Tariqh Akoni and Curt Bisquera play Grapes and Hops on Thursday, January 18 as The Groove Lounge; Made West celebrates their 2-year anniversary Saturday, January 27 with Skin & Bones; and the Ventura County Concert Band has a free concert for the family on Sunday, January 28 at Ventura High School’s auditorium.
I’ll be spinning new music over the next few weeks from Karyn 805, Anchor & Bear and Brent Franklin on the Pam Baumgardner Music Hour which airs weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays at 5 and Sundays at noon) on KPPQ-LP 104.1 FM here in Ventura, and worldwide on the internet, at www.CapsMedia.org/Radio. Help support real local radio supporting local artists in the 805.
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.
Fire/storm updates by City Council
by Burris DeBenning
While a strong, rainy cold front descended on Ventura, city staff provided updates at the Monday, January 8 City Council meeting on preparations underway for possible storm debris flows and the latest efforts with the Thomas Fire recovery. A very positive and articulate interim City Manager, Dan Paranick, conducted a presentation in conjunction with Public Works on Ventura’s preparations for this and future rain events and how the recovery process is on-track.
Mr. Paranick emphasized that city staff took this storm and future winter fronts very seriously by opening the city emergency operations center, coordinating with the Red Cross on an overnight evacuation center at Ventura College and notifying Westside, Downtown and Midtown residents of a voluntary evacuation that would be followed up by mandatory notices via VCAlert if necessary. Prescient news, especially since many people died in mudslides in Montecito.
“The watershed here is Priority 1A due to the potential rain impact,” said Mr. Paranick. The city has five key goals to meet this challenge: evacuation, response, emergency protective measures, long-term mitigation and protective measures “Sandbags ran out, so we made sure these were immediately replenished before the rain arrived later Monday evening,” he said. Residents in specific neighborhoods who may face debris flows because of the Thomas Fire were contacted by the city.
Clifford Tully, Public Works Director, presented a comprehensive storm mitigation plan along with engineering models that consider several scenarios, such as a 100-year or 10-year storm. Mr. Tully conveyed to several council members who asked about the areas of concern in the model, such as Ondulando and Clear Point storm drains, that the city and county are working together on preventative and recovery actions and even have storm patrols out at city hot spots to warn residents and officials about clogs and flooding.
Thomas Fire recovery has completed important milestones, according to Mr. Paranick, the highlight being President Trump’s declaration of the burn zones as a major disaster area, which opens the door to well-needed FEMA federal funding. The toxic substance removal phase is now 75% completed and the collection and dispensing of recyclable materials will begin on January 15.” We’ll also have town halls after the recycle assessment after the 18th of January,” said Mr. Paranick.
In addition, the City Attorney Greg Diaz reminded council that a curfew is still in effect in hillside burn areas until dangers have been removed by official personnel. For rain emergency issues, log onto www.vcemergency.com and for recovery information, the website is www.venturacountyrecovers.org.
McGrath State Beach to temporarily close due to flooding
McGrath State Beach temporarily closed on January 5, until further notice due to the recent increased flooding caused by the Santa Clara River Estuary. The beach will close for the security, safeguarding, and preservation of resources.
The flooding is caused when the waters backs up behind the naturally occurring sand bar blocking the mouth of the estuary until the estuary breaches with regular rainfall. Seasonally, McGrath State Beach enjoys cool summers and mild, wet winters.
Ventura Sector Superintendent, Tyson Butzke, said, “The park will remain closed until the floodwaters recede and cleanup and repairs to the entry road and campsites have been made.”
“It’s a classic irony,” said Tyson he’s used to the strange looks he gets when he tells people the worst flooding typically comes during the driest years. That happens because a sandbar builds up between the ocean and the mouth of the Santa Clara River, trapping water in the estuary.
The city of Ventura has a permit to discharge treated wastewater into the estuary and has done so for decades. As the water rises, it spills into the campground.
Most years, winter rain forces enough water down the river to break through the sandy berm, letting the water drain into the ocean. The campground then reopens in the spring.
But with little rainfall during dry years(up until a few weeks ago), the berm and flooding stuck around longer. Before opening this past Labor Day weekend, McGrath was closed for nearly three years.
The berm had breached that winter, and staff and volunteer groups repaired flood damage and cleared away dead trees and brush. In all, Butzke said they were able to open 47 of the 170 campsites.
According to Danette Delgado -Marketing and Public Relations Specialist for the Channel Coast District, California State Parks “Our mission is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. With over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites and 4,500 miles of trails, the State Park System provides wonderful recreational, educational, and inspirational opportunities for over 67 million visitors a year.”
“McGrath State Beach is one of the best bird-watching areas in California, with the lush riverbanks of the Santa Clara River and sand dunes along the shore. This is why we always try to re-open McGrath, for the pleasure it brings to those camping there.”
For the current conditions and status of McGrath please call 968-1033 or 5851850.
Additional information meetings set in Ventura for CalRecycle debris removal services
Two additional informational meetings have been scheduled in Ventura for residents in the city of Ventura and the unincorporated areas of the county affected by the Thomas Fire who are seeking debris removal services from CalRecycle for severely damaged or destroyed property. The information to be presented in these meetings is identical, so residents can attend the most convenient meeting for them.
The meetings will be held:
Saturday, January 13, at 11:00 a.m.
Ventura Baptist Church
5415 Ralston Street, Ventura.
Tuesday, January 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Ventura Baptist Church
5415 Ralston Street, Ventura.
At the meetings, residents will hear information from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) and the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) about the second phase of the debris removal. After the presentation, representatives from CalRecycle and CalOES will be available for breakout sessions with residents to answer individual questions. Spanish translators and sign language interpreters will be available at both meetings.
CalRecycle teams are already out in neighborhoods visiting residents who have signed up for the program and submitted their Right-of-Entry forms. The actual removal of debris from those properties will begin very soon. And, CalRecycle will continue to add debris removal teams as the number of program participants increases.
There is no cost to the property owner for this phase of the work, however residents will need to provide right-of-entry (ROE) forms, insurance information and other important paperwork to allow the clean up their property. It is strongly suggested that residents sign up for this service as soon as possible and submit the proper paperwork to facilitate the safe removal of the debris and ash by CalRecycle.
The final deadline to submit the paperwork is January 22, 2018. Copies of the ROE and other forms are available at www.venturacountyrecovers.org and the informational meetings. CalRecycle has opened an Operations Center at 290 Maple Court, Suite 120 in Ventura. Forms and information will be available there as well as the Hall of Administration at the County Government Center and Ventura City Hall.
Seminar on Local Investment in Energy Generation Jan. 11
The Ventura County Climate Hub invites the public to a panel discussion about localizing sources of energy for our region. Topics will include the progress for cities joining Los Angeles Community Choice Energy, the challenge from the CPUC that may delay participation, So Cal Edison’s plans for a 4th power line into our region, and the status of a grant application by Ventura County to fund accelerated residential energy efficiency. The implications of the upcoming So Cal Edison Request for Proposals for regional energy generation and storage will be explored, along with the feasibility and funding of an independent analysis of the power grid for the Moorpark-Goleta region.
Ventura County Climate Hub is a grassroots, non-partisan local affiliate of 350.org with 26 local partner organizations and hundreds of people engaged in the full spectrum of ways to reverse climate change. Partner organizations like CFROG and World Business Academy report on their actions and campaigns.
Thursday, January 11, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Unitarian-Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St, rear parking lot to Fellowship Hall.
Ventura County residential and commercial taxpayers can do more to develop renewable energy projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create local jobs and stimulate our economy. The California Public Utilities Commission is proposing to seriously delay the development of those opportunities. We will discuss in particular the CAISO analysis of the 4th power line proposed by SoCal Edison and the need for an independent analysis that explores the potential to localize generation in the Moorpark-Goleta region of the grid. We will learn more about the potential for 100% localized Distributed Energy Generation with solar and other sources from rooftops, parking lots and battery storage. A limiting factor for localization of the regional grid is the willingness of commercial property owners to support and participate in projects. The potential for more generous feed-in tariffs under Los Angeles Community Choice Energy is of great importance in motivating property owners to invest