In a recent issue we had this photo with the wrong name. This is Irma Munguia and not Jane Stow holding a photo of her late husband. We apologize to both of these lovely ladies who live at the Ventura Townehouse
Few people know the meaning more than the spouses of military warriors, waiting, worrying, and praying for a safe return home. More than 40 spouses were honored at a ceremony held on May 12.
To be found in this issue what does “CAH” stand for ?
The first correct entry will receive two tickets to the Ronald Reagan Library (value $58.00).
Send your answer to [email protected].
• At a recent City Council meeting, one of the council members didn’t say a single word during the deliberation of an item to be voted on. When it was his time to vote, he said no without comment, which is his prerogative. This bothers me. I think the citizens, need to know what councilmembers are thinking about items on the agenda if they expect us to vote for them in the future.
• The Thousand Oaks City Council has taken the first step to possibly allow one medical marijuana dispensary and one marijuana testing facility to open in an industrial part of town. This comes after very positive reports are being published by locations that have already legalized marijuana. For example, in D.C. there are lots of dispensaries bringing in money for the economy. Just take a look at this Urban Aroma article and you’ll find lots of ways to buy legal weed as well as plenty of shops selling marijuana merch and paraphernalia.
The council directed the city staff to write a proposed amendment to the city’s Municipal Code chapter on marijuana, establishing a regulatory framework for the dispensary and the testing facility.
I think that it is time for our City Council to take a similar action. This could bring in additional tax dollars and keep Venturan’s who really need medical marijuana from leaving the city to obtain it.
• 7% of all American adults believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows (no kidding), according to a nationally representative online survey commissioned by the Innovation Center of U.S. Dairy. I would assume that these people also think that brown eggs come from brown chickens and are cheaper because they are plain wrapped.
• By a 5-0 vote, two future projects have been approved by the Ventura Port District to be located on Spinnaker Drive in the Harbor “For development of visitor serving uses”. The Ventura Port Board of Commissioners unanimously chose the developer and management company, H. Parker Hospitality (who partners with the Fess Parker Brand H. Parker Hospitality), to develop the two parcels that the district owns.
One is at the end of Spinnaker Drive next to the Channel Islands Visitor Center (on the dirt lot). The other site is the large grass next to the former Blackbeard’s BBQ (soon to be a beer and sausage restaurant).
Parker proposed a 64-room upscale facility and spa, with a beach cafe and a high-end restaurant with live music for the dirt lot and a hostel offering 12 shared rooms and 28 private rooms for the grass area. They would manage both.
I think that these projects would be wonderful for the Harbor even though they are many-many years away from fruition. These, along with the large development in the early stages of grading across from the Harbor, will have a large economic impact for the Harbor, its businesses, and the City of Ventura.
My concern, of course, is the large number of additional cars that would come to the Harbor. Parking is almost impossible now when events are held there, and during the summer months especially. The two projects will have their own on-site parking, and I certainly hope that will be sufficient.
Many great events (art, auto shows, etc.) are presented on the open grass area. Hopefully, some grass will remain, so that the many annual events held there can continue.
Likely later this fall-winter they would start the permit entitlement process which will require going to the Coastal Commission for approval.
The Ventura Port District is governed by a five-member Board of Port Commissioners, serving four-year terms without compensation. The current members of the Board are James J. Friedman, Everard G. Ashworth, Bruce E. Smith, Brian Brennan and Nikos T. Valance.
• The Ventura Planning Commission have approved the staff recommendation regarding making revisions to the Ventura Auto Center Specific Plan. They will be sent go to the City Council which will have the final approvals.
The Auto Center Plan is part of Focus Area One, which includes property behind the auto mall. This property could also contain large big box businesses bringing more people to the auto center area.
Other improvements would include extending Olivas Park Drive and widening the street in front of the dealerships.
Commissioners had extensive discussions regarding the proposed signage that the dealers wanted so the center would be more visible from the freeway. They eventually approved the signs by a 5-2 vote but added that the Design Review Committee retain approval rights of all signage at the center, instead of the Community Development Director as recommended.
A sign roughly 82′ tall and 218′ from the freeway was approved. The sign would sit below the freeway height. There were several community speakers who were opposed to the sign. Part of the approval is that the City has occasional use of the sign to showcase events and happenings in Ventura.
The commissioners also approved the auto dealers’ request that used vehicles sold there must be five years old or newer. Lots selling only used cars are prohibited.
The plan now goes to the City Council for a final vote. It will be an agenda item at the July 10 meeting.
The Ventura Auto Center is the biggest sales tax generator for the city. These conditions could help it bring in even more revenue and taxes.
Unlike Oxnard’s Auto Center, there is little reason to drive by our dealers unless looking for a car (or RV) or going to plays cards at Players Casino. To visit several big box stores in Oxnard, it is necessary to drive through their auto center, so they have much greater exposure. How great would it be to have the only IKEA on the central coast, for example? Imagine how many people from the region would visit Ventura.
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
YAY!!! It’s time for Surf Rodeo with two days of fun in the sun at the beach and featuring not only a surf competition, but cool bands playing on two stages over the weekend of July 15th and 16th. There will be tons of music featuring artists like Rey Fresco, Thee Commons, Stoneflys, 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Bird Brain, The Rouse, Honey Owl, Mariachi El Bronx, and Super Duper Kyle who will be performing on Sunday (he’s been selling out shows in Chicago, Detroit, etc…). Be sure to swing by the VenturaRocks.com and Ventura Breeze booth on Seaward while you’re out having fun and say hello!
You won’t want to miss Women in the Round, “Voices”, at the Bell Arts Factory on Saturday, July 15 with performances from Andrea Landin, Michelle Rosenblum (aka Melody Bird), Donna Lynn Caskey, Shelby Figueroa and Amber Bassett. Show starts at 7 and it would be awesome of you to make a donation at the door to support their efforts.
Throwing Oxnard some love, the Collection at River park is offering free summer concerts on Thursday nights beginning with Dirty Rice on July 6 followed by Led Zepagain on the 13th, and Southbound and Company on July 22.
Congratulations to Jan for opening her third restaurant (she also owns Prime here in Ventura), this one is right smack dab in the middle of downtown Ventura at 391 E. Main Street. She named it Casa Bella and will be providing live music three nights a week: Tuesdays with Adam Tunney and “Rat Pack” type music, Encore on Fridays with R&B Motown sound, and cool jazz on Saturdays with Ricky Williams. All music is expected to get underway by 7 pm.
If you’re a TOOL fan, then you know the band just wrapped up a tour (yeah, no new album yet) which means drummer Danny Carrey has some extra time on his hands so he’ll be once again joining the Doug Webb Group at Squashed Grapes when they play on Saturday, July 8. Be sure to secure tickets at (805) 643-7300.
Quick notes: The Queens of the Stone Age concert at the Ventura Theater has been canceled, Kelly’s Lot is opening for Junior Brown at the Canyon Club on July 9, Music Under the Stars kicks off their summer concert season July 15 at Olivas Adobe with WhosNext; Tim Curran and The Brambles will be at Beach House Tacos on the Ventura Pier, Sunday, July 16 4-7 pm; and finally the 2017 Ventura Music Festival kicks off their “An American Season” featuring 23 performances this year including Perla Batalla’s tribute to Leonard Cohen on Friday, July 21, and Simply Three on Saturday July 22 at Ventura College Performing Arts Center, all of their events and ticket information can be found at VenturaMusicFestival.org.
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.
by Jayson Cohen, American Legacy Solutions
As our healthcare landscape continues to broaden and change so do the terms that services are referred to as. As we know that none of us were born speaking insurance, we have identified some main questions we have gotten over the years and included the definitions* for your benefit below.
Critical Access Hospital (CAH) – A small facility that provides outpatient services, as well as inpatient services on a limited basis, to people in rural areas.
Deductible – The amount you must pay for health care or prescriptions before Original Medicare, your prescription drug plan, or your other insurance begins to pay.
Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) – A type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits. Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-For-Service Plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, most Medicare services are covered through the plan and aren’t paid for under Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer Prescription Drug Coverage.
Medicare-approved amount – In Original Medicare, this is the amount a doctor or supplier that accepts assignment can be paid. It may be less than the actual amount a doctor or supplier charges. Medicare pays part of this amount and you’re responsible for the difference.
Medicare Summary Notice – A notice you get after the doctor, other health care provider, or supplier files a claim for Part A or Part B services in Original Medicare. It explains what the doctor, other health care provider, or supplier billed for, the Medicare-approved amount, how much Medicare paid, and what you must pay.
Original Medicare – Original Medicare is a fee-for-service health plan that has two parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). After you pay a deductible, Medicare pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount, and you pay your share (coinsurance and deductibles).
As we know there are many terms used on a regular basis that were not covered in this article please feel free to email us and let us know what other terms or questions that are needed to be addressed. Please check back regularly as we will be addressing different questions and concerns in this section.
*All definitions are taken from CMS product number 11021, revised march 2016
The Ventura County Concert Band, conducted by Miss Julie Judd, will open the Ventura Music Festival’s 23rd season with a free public concert on Tuesday, July 11th, from 6 to 7pm at the Mini-Park on Main Street, between Oak and Palm.
“Julie tells me the Band is excited about playing, and I know they’ll give us a rousing start to the Festival with American music favorites ranging from Gershwin to Disney and Ray Charles,” said VMF Executive Director Susan Scott.
The Festival lineup includes nine more concerts between July 13-16 and July 21-23:
Events by Ana Baker
Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $10, non-members $12. Call Rick at 415-8842 for more information.
DBSA Ventura, the local chapter of the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) hosts two regular, confidential, peer-led, self-help support groups in the County. Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church at 6950 Ralston Street in Room 301 of Building 300. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or call 253-3289 for more information. 1p.m. to 3p.m. at the New Visions Center on the first and third Saturdays of the month. At 1065 E. Main. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or 746-3106 for more information.
There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 p.m.to 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 Life is Better with Bridge.
The Ventura Retired Men’s Group welcomes interested men to their semi-monthly Tuesday lunch ($15) meetings at the Ventura Elks lodge. This regular congenial social event, besides a healthy, satisfying meal, supplies a welcome atmosphere to talk and joke, hear a speaker on a variety of relevant topics and brighten your week. Hear more from Steve at 642-1359
Country Western Line Dancing every Tuesday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Instruction every night. Located at the Mooselodge, 10269 Telephone Road. More information at countrylovers.com.
July 5: Historian Connie Kornstein presents a living history of early Oxnard through the eyes of Frances Kaufman Petit. Frances tells exciting stories of Oxnard in the Wild West days and the coming of the Sugar Beet Factory. The Tales of Early Oxnard will be held at the Olivas Adobe Exhibition Hall, 4200 Olivas Park Dr., at 6 p.m. and is sponsored by the Olivas Adobe Historical Interpreters.
July 10: Justice For All invites you to attend their Summer Social for Justice to connect, share and build community to keep the human and environmental rights movement marching forward towards a better future for all on Monday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Tavern – 211 E Santa Clara St. The gathering will be a relaxing evening with a chance to reconnect and feel inspired again — a way to recapture the energy of the March for Justice. Participants will hear success stories and learn how to become involved in shaping the future of Ventura County. The mixer also marks the six month anniversary of Justice for All’s inaugural event, the March for Justice. RSVP to [email protected]
July 12: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a critique meeting on Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. A professional photographer from the area will critique member’s prints and digital images. The topic for July is “Speed”. Chris Zsarney will be the judge for July. Anyone with an interest in photography is welcome and admission is free. Only members may submit images for critique. See the club’s web site for more information about the club and examples of member’s work or call 908-5663. WWW.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com
July 14: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution July luncheon meeting will include a special program presentation “Samuel Gorton – My Colonial Ancestor and Religious Maverick “, presented by Eric Stassforth. The luncheon event will take place at 11:30 a.m., Friday, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant. All SAR & DAR Compatriots, friends, and visitors are welcome to join us. If you choose to join for lunch, cost is $20. For additional information or for assistance in determining your possible Revolutionary War genealogical roots, please call Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992. For information regarding SAR membership and chapter activities, please visit http://pattonpatriots.org.
July 15: Cellist Andrea Landin, guitarist Michelle Rosenblum aka “Melody Bird,” banjo player Donna Lynn Caskey, pianist Shelby Figueroa, and multi-media artist Amber Bassett will combine their diverse talents in a collaborative concert entitled Women In The Round: VOICES. Event will be held at the Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show. Admission is by voluntary suggested donation of $15 to $20 at the door with a portion of proceeds supporting Bell Arts’ community, education, and youth programs.
July 16: The Ventura and Santa Barbara County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) will meet Sunday, in the Campus Student Center of Ventura College. The regular meeting starts at noon and at 11 a.m. there will be an informal workshop where a topic on clocks or watches will be demonstrated and discussed. This month’s program will be a presentation by Matt Bonaccorso on his Mayer Brothers Street Clock. There is a $3 admission charge. Lunch is available for $5. Watches & clocks will be on display. More information can be found at www.nawcc-ch190.com.
July 17, 31 August 7, 21: Toastmasters bi-Monthly meeting of the Poinsettia Club focuses on public speaking, presentation fundamentals and leadership skills. Work with gestures, vocal variation, awareness of um’s and ah’s, visual aids such as power point, delivery of inspirational speeches, and giving meaningful evaluations. The small group permits plenty of speaking opportunities for all. Free to guests. Held from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Community Partners Room 801 S. Victoria Suite 201.
July 29: Join the Ventura Family YMCA at their 18th annual 5k run/walk and one-mile survivors’ walk for LiveSTRONG at the YMCA. 7 a.m. check-in, 5K starts at 8 a.m. Registration/Race Start Location Ventura Family YMCA, 3760 Telegraph Rd. All proceeds benefit the community through the Y’s Open Doors scholarship program. For more information, contact Sherry Gutsch at 642.2131 x20 or [email protected]
by Jennifer Tipton
Project Understanding, founded in July 1977 is Ventura’s own nonprofit organization providing food, housing and tutoring to our less fortunate neighbors.
This Friday July 7, Project Understanding will be celebrating their 40th anniversary at The Poinsettia Pavilion from 6-10pm. The event will highlight testimonies from some of the individuals served by Project Understanding along with past Executive Directors and volunteers sharing their inspiration.
Admission to the event is $19.77 and includes dinner.
There will also be dance performances and salsa lessons followed by an open dance floor for all to join in.
Tickets (at $19.77)are available at: www.projectunderstanding40.eventbrite.com.
‘A Whole New World’ kicks off the summer youth program with Aladdin JR., based on the iconic animated film and featuring an Academy Award-winning score by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Soar to new heights on a magical, flying carpet ride filled with romance, adventure and hilarious hijinks. When street urchin Aladdin vies for the attention of the beautiful princess, Jasmine, he uses a genie’s magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. In Agrabah, City of Enchantment, every beggar has a story and every camel has a tail. Aladdin, a kind but wily street urchin, falls in love with beautiful Princess Jasmine.
Associate Artistic Director and Director of the Education and Outreach Programs Brian McDonald describes Aladdin JR., as “a delightful one-hour version of the Disney musical that is certain to entertain the entire family. We are having so much fun putting this show together and look forward to sharing it with our audiences.”
Aladdin JR. features an uplifting, award-winning musical score, puppets, and a cast of 24 elementary and high school students ranging in ages from 9 to 14.
Rubicon Summer Education Program Sponsors are The Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Foundation, Janet and Mark L. Goldenson, Sandra and Jordan Laby, Barbara Meister, and Loretta and Mike Merewether.
The dream of a community resource center here in Ventura County serving the LGBTQ community is no longer a dream but a reality. After years of hard work, DCVC (Diversity Collective Ventura County) with community partners found a 4200 square foot location in the industrial area of Ventura at 2471 Portola Road. The facility is easily accessible from the 101 freeway with public transportation nearby. It features confidential office space, a large community room, large conference room, a kitchenette, and a large suite for programs.
Diversity Collective took occupancy of the building June 1st and relocated their offices. The first of the partners to move in was the Free 2 Be Me Foundation which provides transgender and non-binary services here in the county. Rainbow Umbrella which provides youth services and support and HOPE Counseling Center also moved in on July 1st.
Diversity Collective will launch its HIV-AIDS Education and Prevention Program in partnership with the County mid-July.
Join them on August 3rd for a grand opening and ribbon cutting with the Ventura Chamber of Commerce. Free appetizers and bubbly will be provided.