They offer a selection of German, local and domestic draft beers. They of course have bratwurst and you can customize your brat-dog with over 30 different topping choices. In addition to that they offer a selection of appetizers. They are closed Monday but open 4 – 9 Tuesday – Thursday, 4 – 10 Friday and open at 11 AM on Saturday and Sunday. BierBrats is located at 325 S. Borchard Dr.
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Jazz vocalist helping community
Local Ventura jazz vocalist and social activist Toni Jannotta is on a mission. As the recipient of two Ventura arts grants, Toni now believes that music is for the benefit of society in ways she hadn’t realized before. With her 2007 Cultural Arts Fellowship Grant from the City of Ventura, Toni merely finished her 3rd album. But it was with her 2010 Artist in the Community Partnership Grant, awarded to her by the Ventura County Arts Council, that Toni found her groove and the meaning of music as a healing tool.
“Voices of the Homeless” was Toni’s first experience with producing music to help others. It was a live storytelling concert performed at Working Artists Ventura (the WAV) on August 21, 2010. “Voices of the Homeless” brought together jazz improvisers with members of our local homeless community. It was a concert where the focus was on the homeless themselves educating the audience on who they really were. At the same time this concert demonstrated the unique quality of improvisation. All the music was made up on the spot as the musicians listened and responded to the stories they heard. The performance later became a documentary. It won Toni the 2012 Earth Charter and the Arts Award given to her by Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions.
Now Toni is ready to release another musical project in an effort to help and heal. This project’s goal is to bring comfort to all those who have suffered abuse yet believe it was their fault.
The project is called “My Little Heart, Ruthie.” It is a picture book and album, that tells the story of a little heart in isolation that must learn to free itself. It is told as a children’s rhyme. The illustrations are by artist Jennifer Mones. Along with the book is a 22-minute jazz-inspired musical suite with narration, so that the reader can sit with the book, listen to the music, and be told a bedtime story. The album features jazz harpist Carol Robbins, L.A. drummer Paul Tavenner, bassist Granville “Danny” Young, and our own multi-instrumental Venturan, Jon Crosse, who plays trumpet.
Toni’s hope is that this project soothes the middle school child who has been bullied or has witnessed things no child should have to, helps the adult still working through past traumas and wishes to feel alive again, and heals anybody, whether young or old, who would like to be held and told a simple little story of hope. This project is for all those who need to be reminded that what they suffered was never their fault.
This project is in its finishing stages. If you would like to help, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/ruthieheart.
For more information on Toni Jannotta, please visit:
https://www.tonijannotta.com
Credit Union names new President/Ceo
The Board of Directors of Premier America Credit Union announced the appointment of Rudy J. Pereira as President/Chief Executive Officer, effective April 24, 2017. Pereira’s appointment follows the retirement of former President/CEO John Merlo, who served in the role for over 20 years.
Premier America Credit Union Board Chair, Larry Colson stated, “Rudy was selected for his commitment to member value, his strong ties to the community we serve and his proven track record.”
With 25+ years of leadership experience within the credit union industry, Pereira most recently served as the President/CEO of Royal Credit Union, located in Wisconsin.
“I’m truly honored to be selected as Premier America’s next CEO by the Board of Directors. Premier America Credit Union is a strong financial institution with a long history of providing exceptional member service. I look forward to carrying that tradition forward as we look for continual opportunities to provide the Premier America Member-Owners with the best in services, products and access,” said Pereira.
Pereira earned his undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Cal State Northridge and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Norwich University. Native to Southern California, Pereira and his wife look forward to returning home to the Conejo Valley.
Lilac Festival in Pine Mountain Club May 20-21
by Mark Bailey President PMCCPOA
One of the best kept secrets in California remains the quaint “Aspen like” village of Pine Mountain Club (PMC). Located in the Los Padres National Forest at a little over one mile above sea level and nestled between Mt. Pinos and San Emegdio Mountain, Pine Mountain Club is remarkably easy to get to. Just a comfortable and scenic 90-minute drive from Ventura, about 50 minutes north of Magic Mountain. Those in the know often refer to PMC as “the nearby faraway place”.
The Villagers of PMC are already busy preparing for their 35th annual Lilac Festival set for the weekend of May 20th and 21st. It has been estimated that around five thousand visitors join the approximately three thousand locals for a weekend of arts, music, food, fun and family play. About 100 artisan vendors will begin displaying their unique works of art and creations both days starting at 10am. This is followed on Saturday, by acrobatic skydiving daredevils due to land at 11:00 am. This kicks off our yearly parade through the village center after the singing of our National Anthem by guest talented artists.
Throughout the weekend there will be entertainment for all ages including live music, plays, kiddie shows, golf and horseshoe tournaments, great food, and a large children’s play area with state of the art slides, inflatable bouncy houses, wall climbing etc. Most restaurants will be featuring live music on their outdoor patios.
Climatology wise, as with anyplace the weather in PMC can vary. Typically, in late spring, we can expect blue sunny skies during the day with temperatures in the mid 70’s and crisp clear star filled nights with temperatures in the 40’s.
To get to PMC, take the 126 East to Interstate 5 north and exit at Frazier Park. Go west 18 miles following the signs to the Pine Mountain Club Village. For further information, including vendor applications, please go to our website at www.pmclilacfestival.com.
For fine wine enthusiasts considering visiting PMC, please visit our wine website www.wineinthepines.com for details on our world class wine tasting event taking place this June 10.
Prospect Coffee Roasters now open in Ventura
Prospect Coffee Roasters has opened its doors! Established by the two Ulrich brothers in Ventura, their small team is dedicated to sourcing and roasting coffees that stand out due to their complexity and flavor.
They focus on offering what they believe are the most memorable coffees that they can find. Prospect Coffee Roasters is located at 92 S. Laurel Street in downtown Ventura. For more information check out their website: ProspectCoffee.com or call 667-8115
Catch some “Rising Stars”
“Rising Stars” is the Ventura Music Festival’s most popular free concert every year! Experience a mix of extraordinary young choral, classical and jazz performers at this free event open to everyone, thanks to generous underwriting by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Donations are welcome but no RSVP is required, just show up at the First United Methodist Church, 1338 E Santa Clara St.
Friday, May 12 @ 8pm – free The Rising Stars Concert includes the nimble and elite 15-member Ventura College Chamber Singers under the direction of Brent Wilson performing contemporary classic choral pieces.
Gary Schoeffler Team in Ventura earns prestigious Chairman’s Circle Platinum award
For the second year in a row, the powerful Gary Schoeffler Team at the Ventura office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties has earned the prestigious Chairman’s Circle Platinum award, an honor reserved for real estate agents and teams who rank at the top 1 percent for sales production in a given year, out of the brokerage’s vast national network of 42,000 sales associates. The Schoeffler team also was No. 1 in production within the Ventura office for the fourth consecutive year.
Branch Manager Lyle Elliott and Regional Vice President John Closson honored team members Gary Schoeffler, Lisa Schoeffler, and Lindy Matheney recently at an invitation-only celebration.
Gary and Lisa exceed their clients’ expectations and deliver results. Contact the team at 805-320-4472 mobile, 677-7300 office, or [email protected],
Tai Chi training to lead new classes scheduled in May
Volunteers are needed for a senior Tai Chi program recently started in the four west county cities served by Oxnard RSVP. No experience is needed. Volunteer instructor training will be provided in mid-May. A six-month commitment to teaching the program is requested of volunteers.
Free exercise classes are being offered in partnership with the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging. Those interested in teaching should attend one of these classes to become familiar with the program.
Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance follows curriculum developed at the Oregon Research Institute. Studies showed improved strength and balance, increased mobility and reduced incidence of falls among seniors who participated in the classes.
The classes are intended for adults age 55 and older who can walk easily with or without assistive devices.
RSVP is currently recruiting volunteers to lead classes in Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo and Port Hueneme. A two-day training with the Master Trainer is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20, in Ventura. At least 30 hours of practice with other trained volunteers will follow before volunteers can be certified to lead a class
All RSVP volunteers must be age 55 or better. For more information on the instructor training, please call 385-8023.
Those interested in taking the 12-week class should call the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s fall prevention program at 477-7347.
RSVP is a volunteer recruitment and placement program, helping people 55 and older find volunteer positions that match their interests, talent and available time. The Oxnard RSVP has almost 600 members and is sponsored by the City of Oxnard. To learn more about being an RSVP member or to discuss other volunteer opportunities call 385-8023.
“Spring On” student exhibition at Ventura College Santa Paula through June 1
Ventura College Santa Paula and Santa Paula High School are proud to announce their partnership in curating a spring semester student exhibition, Spring On. The student exhibition opened earlier this month at the Ventura College Santa Paula site (957 Faulkner Road 106, Santa Paula).
Created to celebrate and showcase art work created by students, faculty, and alumni, the collaborative exhibition capitalizes on the strong partnership between Ventura College Santa Paula and the Santa Paula High School. “We remain committed to the arts in education,” stated Ventura County Community College District Board Chair Bernardo Perez. “We value our partnership with the Santa Paula High School and look forward to participating in this exhibition.”
Spring On… shows at the Ventura College Santa Paula site through June 1. Gallery Hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 8:30 pm.
Arbor Day tree planting held at Westpark Community Center
In celebration of National Arbor Day, the City of Ventura Parks Division invited the public to a tree planting event Wednesday, April 26 at the Westpark Community Center.
Students from PEAK (Program Enrichment for After-school Kids) assisted the City’s Urban Forestry staff in planting three different species of trees. Each year, more than 500 elementary and middle school children participate in PEAK activities where they receive safe and supervised after-school homework assistance, nutritional snacks, art, music, computer science, fitness and sports programs. PEAK is a partnership between the City of Ventura, the Ventura Unified School District and the Police Activities League (PAL).
The City of Ventura’s Urban Forestry Division is responsible for approximately 30,000 City trees, and regulates all planting, pruning and removal of trees in the public right-of-way. City trees are an important part of our community – they produce oxygen, help reduce air pollution, cool our streets by lowering temperatures in the shade, provide sound dampening and wind buffers, provide a habitat for animals and improve the aesthetic quality of life.
According to the National Arbor Day Foundation, Arbor Day started in April 1872 when more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska at the urging of J. Sterling Morton who first proposed the tree-planting holiday at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture.
For more information about the City of Ventura’s Urban Forestry Division, visit www.cityofventura.net/urbanforestry or call the Tree Hotline at 667-6519.