All posts by admin

Brennan has been on the forefront of coastal and wetland protection policy

Brian Brennan joins Ventura Port District Board

Former Ventura Mayor Brian Brennan is the newest member of the Ventura Port District Board of Commissioners and is a welcome addition to the team. Brennan served as a Ventura city councilman from 1998-2013 and mayor from 2003-2005.

Born and raised in Galway, Ireland, Brennan became a United States citizen in 1966 and is an advocate for the environment, sustainable communities and social justice. A professional restaurateur for over 25 years, he has opened and operated restaurants in coastal California, Hawaii, Florida and the Virgin Islands.

While serving as chairman of the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau, Brennan was one of the founding members of the Ventura County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. He is an avid sailor and surfer.

Brennan has been on the forefront of coastal and wetland protection policy both locally, regionally and statewide for all of his adult life, which culminated in an appointment by Gov. Jerry Brown to the California Coastal Commission in 2011. Brennan presently serves as Executive Director of BEACON, a California Joint Powers Authority that advocates for adaptive living shorelines and coastal resiliency in the face of rising sea levels. Its members include Ventura and Santa Barbara counties as well as the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria.

 

 

Social Security is always evolving

“Looking at www.socialsecurity.gov is really helpful in answering our questions.”

by Essie L. Landry, Public Affairs Specialist Social Security Administration
Sierra West Area

Harness the Power of Our Top Ten Blog Posts – At Social Security, we’re always looking for ways to improve how we communicate with you. It’s been a year-and-a-half since we joined the blogosphere, and we couldn’t be happier with the content we’ve been able to provide! This blog is exactly what we envisioned: an honest conversation with you about our programs, the topics that matter to you, and how our agency can better serve you.

Social Security Continues to Innovate with New Features – Social Security is always innovating and improving our technology to better serve you. In an effort to meet our goal to deliver innovative, quality services, we are improving how you can check the status of your Social Security benefit application online.

We Are Here to Help Your Realize Your Dream – Many people commemorate January 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by serving their community and giving to others who may be less fortunate. In many ways, this is what Social Security does every day, all year long. A great way to be of service to others is to help someone you know who may need assistance applying for Social Security, Medicare, or Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs. This is easy to do at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Social Security is Always Evolving – Social Security is always evolving to meet the needs of the American public. We’re optimistic about the future and the limitless possibilities for progress. Much of the progress we’ve made together, as a nation, is through the shared responsibility of paying Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax. This federal payroll tax funds Social Security— programs that provide benefits for retirees, the disabled, and children of deceased workers. You help us keep millions of hard working Americans out of poverty.

A Fulfilling New Year’s Resolution: Retirement Planning – It’s 2017, and that means you might be one more year closer to retirement. Whether you’re at your very first job or wrapping up a successful career, there are always new things to learn about when it comes to saving for the future. So why not make retirement planning part of your New Year’s resolution! Putting money in a high yield savings account (if you can find one) is always smart, but you can do even more. The U.S. Department of the Treasury now offers a retirement savings option called myRA. There’s no minimum to open the account, you can contribute what you can afford, and you can withdraw funds with ease. To learn more about myRA, visit www.myra.gov/.

Questions and Answers Segment – Answers questions ranging from what you can do at www.socialsecurity.gov to the purpose of the Supplemental Security Income program.

 

Gold Coast Transit District announces partnership with the Department of Homeland Security

Gold Coast Transit District, Ventura County’s largest public transit provider announced their partnership with the public awareness campaign of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), “If You See Something, Say Something™.”

“If You See Something, Say Something™” posters and signs will now be visible on buses, transit centers and public spaces in the Gold Coast Transit District service area .

The posters advise citizens in the GCTD’s service area to contact the Department of Homeland Security at 888-705-JRIC (5742) or call 9-1-1 if they see any suspicious activity in or around buses or bus stops.  Citizens and Community Organizations may download a poster, by visiting www.GoldCoastTransit.org.

For more information on the campaign, visit www.dhs.gov/See-Something-Say-Something.

Christmas lunch at Ventura Avenue Adult Center

On Dec. 15 a Christmas lunch and celebration was held at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center (VAAC) located at the Silvercrest Senior Residence, home of the new Eastside Café (750 S. Petit Ave. East Ventura). City Manager Mark Watkins was one of the servers and is available for weddings and Bar Mitzvahs.

Photos by Michael Gordon

Vol. 10, No. 6 – December 21, 2016 – January 3, 2017 – Music Calendar

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: Open mic w/ Beers Bros.
Tuesdays: Musicians Night Out
Wed 12/21: Live Band Karaoke
Thurs 12/22: Dylan Schmidt & the Rhythm Souls
Fri 12/23: Pull the Trigger
Sun 12/25: 5 pm St Pierre Christmas Show
Wed 12/28: Musician’s Brew
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ Wax Off
Sun 1/1: 5 pm The Tossers; 9 pm Karaoke

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Fridays: DJs – College Night
Saturdays DJs

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
(805) 653-1266
Wed 12/21: Donna Butler
Thurs 12/22: Donna Butler
Fri 12/23: Ricky Coz
Tues 12/27: Bernie Meisinger
Wed 12/28: Bryan McCann
Thurs 12/29: Jade Hendrix
Fri 12/30: Alex Nestor
Sat 12/31: NYE Party: Instone & Big Adventure

The Cave
4435 McGrath Street
Weds & Saturdays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Varon Thomas
Thurs & Fridays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: The Down Home Trio
Fri 12/30: Jason Ho
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ Artis Ford

Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
593 E. Main Street
(805) 648-3001
Sun 1/1: 4 pm The Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Fridays: Flashback Fridays
Saturdays: Disco Bowl
Fri 12/23: DJ Alex & Friends
Thurs 12/29: Rital Movement
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ One More Time

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: 4 pm Xoco Moraza and Friends; 9:30 DJ/Karaoke by DJ Gold Dust
Saturdays: DJ Erock

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
Wednesdays: The Swillys
Fri 12/23: TD Lind
Sat 12/24: Christmas Carols
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ Shawn Jones

The Greek Mediterranean
Sat & Sun 7:30 pm
Belly Dancing, Greek music and show
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/DJs

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 12/23: Hi Hat Entertainment Christmas Celebration
Fri 12/30: Hi Hat Entertainment Alastair Greene, RJ Mischo & Debbie Davies
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ The Bomb

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 12/23: Brandon Ragan Project
Fri 12/30: Karaoke w/ Crazy KT
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ Black Canyon Band

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Thurs 12/22: Live Band Karaoke
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/Live Band Karaoke

Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ DJs – Two dance floors

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 1/2: Monday Night Dance Club with Dick Parent 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

Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Fri and Sat: Rotating DJs
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ Wiz Kid Masquerade theme

Saloon BBQ Co.
456 E. Main Street
Music starts at 10 pm
Fri 12/23: Whesli
Fri 12/30: Moonily
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ DJ Acer

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 12/31: Dennis Russell

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Twisted Tuesday w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 12/21: Colin Bailey Trio
Thurs 12/22: Tilford Jackson Christmas show
Fri 12/23: Ventura Jazz Collective
Fri 12/30: Doug Webb & Friends

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Tues & Thurs: Karaoke
Fri 12/23: Big Adventure
Fri 12/30: Pull the Trigger
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ Brandon Ragan Project

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Metal Wednesdays
Get it Right Thursday DJs
Wed 12/21: Snakefist, Hellfunk
Fri 12/23: DCMOFO
Fri 12/30: Rubberneck Lions
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/DJ Steezy Steve

Topa Topa Brewing Co.
104 E. Thompson Blvd
(805) 628-9255
Tuesdays: 6-9 pm Jeff Uzzel

Traveler Café
1070 E Front Street
Fridays 5-7 pm: Bernie Larsen
Sundays 11-1 pm: Bernie Larsen

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Mondays: Open mic w/ Catfish Fry
Tuesdays: Keith Cain
Wed 12/21: Daniel Stacey
Thurs 12/22: Jon Gindick
Fri 12/23: Keith Cain
Wed 12/28: Bluegrass open jam
Fri 12/30: Mark Heyes
Sat 12/31: Paul Mars Black

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Fridays: 4 pm Kenny DeVoe

California Street Bridge enhancements pave the way to safety

Ernie Ferrer, City Civil Engineer, Loree Pryce , City Construction & Survey Division Manager and Mike Roberts, General Contractor were instrumental in the design and construction of the bridge. Photo by Richard Lieberman

by the City of Ventura

Why is the California Street Bridge being enhanced?
The enhancement project will improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists by replacing the existing low height railing with taller (six-foot high), 250-foot long decorative, lighted railing for a safer pathway. The new bridge enhancements will also help visually distinguish the California Street off-ramp — a highly-visible entry to our historic downtown and provide a more attractive connection between our downtown and beachfront.

What makes this bridge so important?
The link between our historic downtown and beachfront promenade is one of the most significant pathways in our city, and will be a signature bridge along US Highway 101. “This project connects two of Ventura’s greatest assets and economic drivers, our historic downtown and the Pacific Ocean. Creating a more walkable environment encourages pedestrians to explore downtown and patronize businesses,” said Mayor Erik Nasarenko.

According to Caltrans, more than 91,000 vehicles travel along U.S. Highway 101 under the California Street Bridge each day. For motorists traveling through and to Ventura, the CA Street Bridge is a distinctive welcome marker to our beachside community.

How is the project being funded?
More than half of the funding (57%) for this project is from transportation grant funding with 53% from Federal Transportation grant funding and 4% from local Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds. The balance of the funding is from state gas taxes (37%), and the City’s Public Art Fund (7%).

The estimated project cost is $2.7 million, which includes design, administration, public art, construction management/inspection, construction, labor compliance monitoring, Caltrans permitting fees and contingencies.

When did the construction begin?
Construction began in February 2016.

Why is it taking so long to complete?
With so many jurisdictions involved, each entity needs to perform difficult technical work safely and properly. Unforeseen issues during construction, such as shallow rebar, required additional structural review for safety reasons.

Railing installation was delayed because it was determined in the field that parts had to be adjusted at the fabrication factory and re-coated.

City staff and artist Michael Davis performed a fabrication visit prior to approving the decorative railing mock-up and determined the kelp panel powder coating sample was too light (did not provide enough contrast to the anodized aluminum). Using powder coating will extend the lifetime of the metal as it makes the metal more resistant to chipping, fading and any other damages that may occur because of the elements. Powder coating companies in Los Angeles like Power Coating Plus can clean parts of rust and grease before powder coating, prolonging the usage of the metals. It creates a long-lasting and durable colour, as well as being eco-friendly. There is a vast variety of powder coating types to choose from too. As there are different textures of powder coating, a new, shade darker color was identified while on site and the change order was submitted to make the modification. This correction resulted in a slight delay (less than two weeks) to order the new color.

When will it be completed?
All the structural bridge work has been completed and the new, lighted railing has been installed. In December, the contractor resurfaced the sidewalk, and removed the “falsework” (construction support fencing) which required US Highway 101 closures on both the southbound and northbound lanes. The sidewalk with lighted railing will re-open to the public this month.

Fabrication process of the overhead lighting is underway and installation is delayed until late spring 2017. CalTrans safety requirements for lighting poles over freeways necessitated that the fabrication vendor must be reviewed and audited. Currently, the welding quality control plan is in the approval process. Caltrans review is important to ensure that any safety-related issues are addressed. Part of this process will involve ensuring safety provisions such as a welding safety jacket are available for all members of construction site staff.

What will the new bridge look like?
Pedestrians and cyclists crossing the bridge will notice a safer environment with significantly improved lighting, and attractive decorative “kelp” railing panels designed by southern California based artist Michael Davis. Bridges are part of Ventura’s aging infrastructure. These enhancements make the California Street Bridge a stunning signature bridge for locals and visitors to our city.

Ventura County Leadership Academy names new board leaders

Mike Paule is the new president and a 30 year resident of Ventura County.  He owns a video production and marketing consulting firm and is an elected director of Triunfo Sanitation District.  Mr. Paule also serves as president of Ventura County Special Districts Association and as trustee on the Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation.

Melissa Baffa will serve as the vice president.  Mrs. Baffa works as the Development Officer at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.  She also serves on the board of directors of the Ventura County Women’s Political Council.

Sharon Cromartie will serve as the Treasurer.  Ms. Cromartie is the VP of Administration at Kids and Families Together, a not-for profit organization serving foster, adoptive, kinship and birth families. She is also a member of the Downtown Ventura Rotary Club and volunteers with the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation.

James Mason will serve as the Secretary.  Mr. Mason has over eighteen years of service in as a public administrator.  He also serves on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Ventura.

The Ventura County Leadership Academy began as an initiative of the United Way of Ventura County, designed to develop leaders through a curriculum of fifteen full day focus sessions over nine months exploring critical issues and industries in the region.  Ventura County Leadership Academy is in its twenty second year, with over five hundred graduates of the program.

Ventura County Leadership missions to provide unique opportunities learn about Ventura County and to enrich ones leadership capabilities that will ultimately enhance his/her participation in the community.

For more information Ventura County Leadership Academy please contact: Pattie Braga 797-3985 or email [email protected].

 

 

 

Vol. 10, No. 6 – December 21, 2016 – January 3, 2017 – Ventura Music Scene

To another rockin’ year!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Here we are ushering in another year. It’s when we take time to reflect back and it’s when we take time to look forward. If you know me at all, then you know that I’m a “glass-half-full” sort of gal. So, I’m looking forward to and postulating a year of growth, a year of success, a year of new music and a year of harmony for all.

Before we hit the ground running in 2017, we have to send off 2016 with a bang!  So here we go with New Year’s Eve parties in and around Ventura.  You’ll want to do your own due diligence with reservations and keep in mind that a number of venues who typically don’t, will be charging a cover for the night; most everyone will have specials and party favors. And if I may suggest, be sure to have a designated driver or a well-thought out exit plan on getting home safe.

Amigos will feature the pop 80’s band Wax Off; Café Fiore has two bands in the front room, Big Adventure and Instone with Colette Lovejoy in the Treehouse; Chinaland in Oxnard has the Grooveline featuring Dora Sanchez and guest DJ Frank Ramirez; the Copa Cubana in the harbor will have Artis Ford; The Crown Plaza has their popular annual event with DJ Bruce Barrios; Discovery features One More Time, a Daft Punk tribute band; Gigi’s has a Karaoke countdown; there will be a masquerade party at Grapes and Hops with the Shawn Jones trio; the Greek Mediterranean will have a Great Gatsby theme party with a DJ; The Hong Kong Inn has The Bomb; The Hut in Ojai has Wishbone with special guest Alastair Greene; there’s definitely no cover at the Keynote Lounge with the Black Canyon Band; O’Leary’s has a Roaring 20’s party with Live Band Karaoke; Paddy’s has DJs with two dance floors all night; Rookees will also feature a masquerade theme with Wiz Kid at the helm; Saloon BBQ Co has DJ Acer; Brain Faith & Friends will be at the Sportsman in Camarillo. The Tavern has DJ Steeze Steve; and former LA Guns singer, Paul Mars Black will be at the Wine Rack.

And finally, if you’ll be ringing in the New Year anywhere near a television, then be sure to tune in to Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2017 with Ryan Seacrest. I realize that’s an odd recommendation from me, but you won’t want to miss seeing the newly Grammy nominated Mike Posner Band with local artist, Jacob Scesney on saxophone in his band.  I can’t even express how proud I am of Jacob, he’s truly living the dream!

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.