On Feb.18, at 11am, Colin Jenkins will be holding a Grand Opening Event for her new fitness gym/studio “Lighthouse Fitness” located at 2128 Knoll Drive. Unit F.

Colin owned a CrossFit facility here in Ventura for 6 years, before selling it a few years ago, and just recently decided to open a new gym that takes the same concept of CrossFit, but with changes to make it a more effective and safe program for the every-day person.

72 WEV Self-Employment Training graduates were recognized during graduation ceremony held at Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Barbara the evening of December 15th.  The graduates are from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. During the ceremony, each graduate shared their business venture with a pitch they crafted and perfected throughout the course. Graduates include new and established entrepreneurs with a range of businesses such as: aerial photography and surveying, personal development coach for women, language tutoring sessions in English and Spanish, and a milk and cookie truck.The next Self-Employment Training (SET) course begins the week of February 13th.  Participants are required to attend a free orientation to enroll in the course. www.wevonline.org

The Joint Chiropractic – Ventura Village located at 5722 Telephone Road, Suite 19, at the southwest corner of Telephone Road and Victoria is now open. The Joint® is a national chiropractic brand with more than 360 locations in 30 states.

The Joint® offers an innovative, patient-friendly model that allows guests access to affordable, quality chiropractic care on their terms. Appointments aren’t necessary, the clinic offers extended hours that include evenings and weekends and the need for insurance is eliminated as The Joint’s membership plans and packages are typically less costly than most insurance copays.

In honor of its grand opening, The Joint Chiropractic – Ventura Village is offering an introductory offer of a $29* initial visit for new patients that includes a consultation, exam and adjustment.

The lead chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic – Ventura Village are Dr. Shannon Parisi and Dr. Clay Guthrie. Both received their Doctorate of Chiropractic from Life University in Marietta, Georgia. Dr. Parisi realized early that she wanted to be a healer and believes that she truly comes alive in her work with patients. Dr. Guthrie has been practicing for more than 15 years. His experiences have enabled him to implement a wide variety of chiropractic techniques and have also further sharpened his expertise in individualizing patient treatment plans.

Guests can visit Dr. Parisi, Dr. Guthrie and the rest of the wellness staff at The Joint Chiropractic – Ventura Village location six days a week: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, please call 535-4460 or visit www.thejoint.com.

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, The Joint is reinventing chiropractic by making quality care convenient and affordable for patients seeking pain relief and ongoing wellness. A no-appointment policy and convenient hours and locations make care more accessible, and affordable membership plans and packages eliminate the need for insurance. With more than 3 million patient visits annually, The Joint is an emerging growth company and key leader in the chiropractic profession. For more information, visit www.thejoint.com or follow the brand on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Downtown’s latest restaurant the Rumfish y Vino (AKA Rumfish) has opened at 34 N. Palm in the Livery Stable. The owners are John and Pamela Solomon.

The menu includes an eclectic mix from Arugula Salad, Wagyu Burger, Rumfish Lasagna and Yucatan Chicken all influenced by  South American flavors  from its sister restaurant located in Belize.

The beautiful and comfortable patio features a wonderful  fireplace.

Their happy hour is from 3-6 p.m. and includes rotating flatbread with different toppings, Queso Fundito and several variety of tacos.

Open from 3-10pm with dinner starting at 5pm. 667-9288.

by Richard Lieberman

Ed Sanchez provides window restoration services for historical private homes, and public buildings. Owner of Home Window Repair located in Ventura. Sanchez started out as an engineering student at Cal Poly. He went to work at JPL as an Electronic Technician, but after a while he realized that he just didn’t like it. “After working at Jet Propulsion Laboratory for a year I realized I just didn’t want it” said Sanchez”. Eventually Sanchez went to work for a windows manufacturer, “I found I liked being in people’s homes, it was just the best” added Sanchez.

After a few years, he went into business on his own in Orange County “I became the only Window Restorer in the OC” stated Sanchez. Uncomfortable with replacing wood windows with aluminum Sanchez said “I saw how well-made some older windows were, and some that were kind of goofy, but it was exciting, I looked forward to the challenge of restoring windows to their original glory”

Moving to Ventura last January after selling his Orange County business he decided he would retire, but he wanted to continue performing window replacement for your home along with something more, and he began Home Window Repairs. The company specializes in restoration which fits his passion for engineering and his mechanical aptitude. “I have a great appreciation for historic objects, and an ability to see problems as opportunities” added Sanchez.

“As an engineer, you learn to think outside the box when you’re faced with a problem,” he said. “When you work with older windows, you have situations where the parts you need to fix them aren’t readily available. So, you either have to look very hard to find them, or build your own; you create your own solution” added Sanchez. He talked about the joy he got from doing his own DIY projects stating that it was always exciting to get the best supplies at trade prices so he can finish a project without issue.

“Most of all you need to be patient. You need to enjoy the process, enjoy the challenge of solving a problem. Some guys if they break something they curse. If I break something, I think, OK, now I have something else to do, another problem to solve; let’s get to it It’s a different way of looking at a problem, to see it as a learning experience.” Sanchez said.

Sanchez enjoys historical restorations and for maintaining a buildings historical integrity. Often restoration is less expensive than replacement. Although when homeowners are looking for Replacement Windows Toronto companies may look to see if restoration is possible and if it isn’t would look at replacing them.
Some cities even require home owners to keep the old windows especially on front of their homes. “Residents often don’t know that they can have these windows work,” Sanchez said. “The windows can be weather-stripped, and restored so they don’t stick, leak or rattle. It is cheaper than buying new windows, and greener, since the homeowners won’t be filling landfills with their windows or buying new, out-gassing vinyl windows”. Places like Window World Oahu are able to offer customers the options of purchasing new windows especially when a restoration project would not be suitable for the property.

“Many people don’t know that total window replacement isn’t always necessary,” he said. “I’m hoping I can help people realize they don’t have to spend as much as they think to have windows that are beautiful, energy-efficient and preserve the character of their building and community.”

by Rebecca Wicks

Beth Sutherland has worn many hats in a storied career that stretches from an education in spiritual psychology to jobs in environmental project management and event planning in both the public and private sectors. She believes it has all been in preparation for what she does now. Today, Sutherland is the founder and owner of Your Estate Assistant, a company that offers dissolution services and aging adult transition solutions. Sutherland considers her job the perfect combination of everything she has experience in with the added bonus of feeling fulfilled at the end of each project – something, not always easily found.

Over the years and before officially starting her business, Sutherland had helped a handful of friends and family members with cleaning out the house of a deceased loved one.

“I realized the skill of sorting, itemizing, organizing and all the planning involved for either downsizing or to sell a house was actually not something the average person comes equipped with,” said Sutherland. Saying this though, choosing to use services such as a Man And Van Hire In London (if you live in this area of the UK) could save you time when it comes to moving your items from your old to new home. Plus, there is no harm in asking for help, especially if it makes the moving process a lot less stressful.

Moreover, Sutherland realized she was good at it. And, it became clear to her that people didn’t always have someone to turn to with these activities. Sutherland, previously a personal coach, also recognized her unique ability to be with people when there is chaos and crisis was a huge asset.

“It’s hard when people are not necessarily at their best, but are asked to be,” said Sutherland. “Having that experience as a personal coach helps, especially after a loved one has died, when someone is in the midst of a divorce, or when other big life changes are occurring.” If it’s the case of a divorce you may want a specialist divorce lawyer so you know no stone has been left un-turned and everything has been sorted legally and correctly.

Sutherland moved to California almost 30 years ago to work in wellness, specializing in helping post stroke and brain injury patients. She later moved to Ventura in 1994 and worked with the City of Ventura on the area’s first “adopt a beach or park” program and has remained close by ever since.

“We are blessed to have incredible climate and I love to hike and be outside,” said Sutherland.

Sutherland receives the majority of her business via word of mouth and is commonly called upon by family lawyers and attorneys to help with dissolving an estate after someone passes away. She stresses she is not an estate planner or lawyer.

“I focus on the contents of a household,” explained Sutherland who oftentimes works with family members who don’t live in the area. “Some houses have literally thousands of items and I have a process that includes taking inventory and creating a catalog with images.”

Sutherland commonly secures valuables including documents and will work to keep, sell or even ship items according to family members’ desires.

She also works to assist seniors who need to downsize their life. And, while her skills at planning, organizing and being detailed-oriented fold nicely into these types of tasks, she believes her background in spiritual psychology is what sets her apart.

“When you go from a 5,000 square home you’ve lived in for 40 years to 900 square feet, it’s not easy,” said Sutherland. “My role is much larger than organizing an estate sale, I’m there to help be an advocate for a client.”

Helping seniors to downsize often comprises of overseeing a move from start to finish. This includes examining floor plans and measuring furniture with the client to ascertain what will work in their new life all the way through helping them get set up in their new place.

“My clients and this work are very precious to me,” said Sutherland. “In fact, it’s the most honorable work I have ever done.”

Can you escape?

What is an escape room you ask? The fun comes in the form of improving your teamwork skills. The challenge is to use what is in the room in order to solve puzzles. The answers to the puzzles lead you to the code your team needs to unlock the door, allowing you to “escape”. The rooms are not scary, and are family friendly. Don’t worry, there is an unlocked emergency exit available at all times.

Escape rooms are popular all over the world and each location is filled with unique puzzles. If you ever go to Germany, you could check out this one in Berlin: https://labyrintoom.berlin to see how it compares.

Take an hour and see if you are up for the challenge. Each group is allowed 60 minutes to play and there are up to 8 people in a room. You may book all 8 spots for your group or only a few spots and share the experience with others you have not yet met.

The Ultimate Escape Rooms does offer private parties, and team building corporate events. Please e-mail your inquiry to [email protected] or call 256-6600 for more information.

The Ultimate Escape Rooms will be open for play as of December 1, 2016. Visit the web site to get more information and book a time to play. www.theultimateescaperooms.com