Category Archives: Community Events

Tournament celebrating 85 years of golf in Ventura to be held April 1st

Buenaventura is an award-winning 18-hole golf facility.
Photo by Michael Gordon

Coinciding with the City of Ventura’s 150th year celebration, Buenaventura Golf Course will host a golf tournament in celebration of 85 years of golf in Ventura. The tournament will be held on Friday, April 1st, at 1:00 in the afternoon. Take a step back in time to the way golf used to be, with knickers and hickory sticks. A fun afternoon is planned and golfers are encouraged to dress in 1930’s golf attire. An award will be given to the best dressed as well as many other awards and prizes. Food and beverage will also be provided to all participants before and after the round. For more information and to register, please visit www.buenaventuragolf.com/85years.

“We are looking forward to a great day on the golf course in celebration of the long-standing history of golf in the city of Ventura.” said Carl-Van Vallier, General Manager of Buenaventura Golf Course.

Fans of the sport will most definitely enjoy this celebration of the course. Fans may also be interested in FanDuel’s fantasy golf to switch up the way they view the sport.

About Buenaventura Golf Course

Owned by the City of Ventura, and managed by KemperSports since 2010, Buenaventura is an award-winning 18-hole golf facility originally designed by William F. Bell and redesigned by Forrest Richardson. The parkland-style design of the 6,054-yard golf course incorporates mature trees, subtle undulations and rolling contours suitable for all playing abilities. Buenaventura has previously been rated 4 Stars by Golf Digest “Best Places to Play.” For more information visit www.buenaventuragolf.com

Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports builds, owns and manages golf courses, resorts, athletic clubs and lodging venues across the U.S., Caribbean and Central America. The company’s award-winning portfolio includes nationally-ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, named the No. 1 Golf Resort in North America by Golf Digest and GOLF magazine; The Glen Club; Desert Willow Golf Resort; Harbor Shores, site of the 2012 and 2014 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid; and Chambers Bay, host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open. For more information about KemperSports, please visit http://www.kempersports.com.

U.S. Navy Seabee Museum Brown-bag Luncheon Learning Series Mar. 4

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum will hold a Brown-bag Luncheon Learning Series on Friday (March 4th) at noon.  The topic is “More than just roads and commodes:  The history of the Naval Shore Establishment 1800-1941, Part One.”  Join museum archivist Gina Nichols for the first installment of a two-part series on the history of the Bureau of Yards and Docks.  This event is FREE and open to the public.  No RSVP required.  Feel free to roam the galleries as well and learn about Seabee history.

Ventura County Community College District holding Public Policy Hearing on Accreditation Mar 2

The Ventura County Community College District plans to hold a Public Policy Hearing on Accreditation at the Ventura County Office of Education (5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo, CA), Wednesday, March 2.  The three colleges in the District (Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura) are preparing required self-study documents in anticipation of their accreditation site visits from the Association of California Community and Junior Colleges planned for late September/early October.

 

The invitation is extended to members of the Citizens Advisory Council, students, college constituents, and the general public. All are welcome. The hearing will cover the current ACCJC accreditation standards, reports from members of the VCCCD District Council on Accreditation and Planning, and public discussion on the District’s service to the respective communities.  A brief reception is planned for 5:30 p.m. and the public hearing will follow at 6:00 p.m.  Light refreshments will be served.

 

“This invitation is extended to the public, because the District values the opportunity to share the accreditation process and timelines with our community stakeholders,” said Larry Kennedy, Board Chair.  “We want to provide important information on how we are meeting the accreditation standards to maximize service to our students and the community.”

 

“The District’s Accreditation Committee (DCAP) Co-Chairs and their teams have been working diligently to ensure the District is in good standing and each college is prepared for its accreditation visit,” said Bernard Luskin, Chancellor.  “We look forward to a robust and productive discussion that includes members of our Citizens Advisory Committee, staff and students.”

 

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 113-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 50,000 students annually.  The District’s three colleges- Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura- offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities.  For more information, please visit www.vcccd.edu.

 

Public Invited to Mayor Erik Nasarenko’s State of the City Address February 29

Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko will present the annual State of the City address in Council Chambers at City Hall, 501 Poli Street, on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 6 pm.  A brief reception will be held after the address, followed by the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

The address, titled “Invest in Ventura, Now and For a Strong Tomorrow,” will focus on themes related to investing in our community and a proposed sales tax measure.  “The City of Ventura responded early and decisively to the economic downtown by implementing cost-saving measures, eliminating and reducing programs, and deferring much needed maintenance. Protecting our most essential city services like infrastructure, crime prevention and programs for seniors and youth with a stable funding source that is guaranteed to be spent locally will ensure a strong tomorrow for Ventura,” said Mayor Nasarenko.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.  The State of the City address will be broadcast live on Channel 15 within Ventura city limits, and rebroadcast thereafter. It can also be accessed online by visiting the City’s website at www.cityofventura.net and clicking “Videos.”

 

Channel Islands National Park Comes “Ashore” to the Museum of Ventura County To celebrate National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary

On Sunday, February 28, from 11 am to 5 pm, the Museum of Ventura County, in partnership with the Channel Islands National Park, hosts a fun-filled day for families with the theme of “Island Chumash Traditions.”  This is one of four Sundays that the two organizations will jointly host in celebration of the Channel Islands National Park’s 36th anniversary, amid thousands of nation-wide commemorations of the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary.

Essentially ‘kicked-off’ by Grand Marshall Ken Burns at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, the 2016 centennial brings special attention and education to Americans about its National Park System.

And Ventura boasts one of the most beautiful —the Channel Islands National Park.  The wonders, traditions and lore of the Channel Islands National Park can be experienced at the Museum of Ventura County on Sunday, February 28th at the museum.

Activities include:

  • Learning about the Chumash culture through traditional demonstrations and ceremonies, led by Chumash elder Julie Tumamait
  • Cave painting and an archeological dig in the museum’s Chumash Garden
  • Group readings of the beloved children’s novel “Island of the Blue Dolphins” which is set in the Channel Islands
  • Traditional craftmaking, such as necklaces made with shells and beads, and crafting dolphin masks and tomols (small canoes)
  • Learning about the Junior Park Ranger Program
  • You can even dress up as a sea otter!

Park Rangers will be on hand with museum volunteers to teach children about the islands.  Refreshments will be available for sale from Aaron’s Tacos food truck and Kona Ice.  Adult admission is $5 each; kids under 18 are admitted free.

The Museum of Ventura County is located in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Paid events include free admission to the galleries, and the first Sundays of every month are free general admission for the public.

The Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomers Club meeting Mar. 2nd

The Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomers Club, (BCNN ) is a group of active women of all ages who live in Ventura, Oxnard, or Port Hueneme and enjoy activities such as hiking, bridge, dining, wine outings, reading, mah jong, cooking etc.For more information, please come to our monthly meeting on March 2, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 11AM…    Meeting will be held at the Ventura Museum Pavilion located at 100 E. Main Street, in historic downtown Ventura   No charge for meeting and no reservation is required.     Diane Sansen -Subject:Aging Gracefully
For additional information, please visitbcnnwomensclub.org . Or call:  805-988-0795

Local Entrepreneurs Join Forces to Host Free Community Event

Three recent graduates of WEV’s Self-Employment Training (SET) Program will join forces in a free yoga and coffee event for the community.

For those with a love for both yoga and coffee, three local entrepreneurs are hosting the perfect event. On Saturday, February 27th, WEV Self-Employment Training graduates Michelle Nouraei, Marilyn Hefferen, and Ashley Tindall will combine their passions to provide the community with a leisurely afternoon of yoga and coffee.

The event will kick off with a relaxing yoga class taught by Hefferen, an instructor at Yoga Rhythms. After the session, attendees can enjoy a delicious cup of hot coffee made from Tindall’s coffee and yoga business, Soul Bean, while shopping the latest trends in yoga apparel from Nouraei’s online yoga clothing store, Funk Zone Fashions.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: 1593 Santa Ynez Street, Ventura, CA
Cost: Free admission, RSVP encouraged but not required

For more information or to RSVP, contact Ashley Tindall at (303) 815-6265 or ashleytindall77@gmail.com.

About Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)
Women’s Economic Ventures is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. WEV provides training, consulting and loans to help entrepreneurs start, grow and thrive in business. WEV serves all of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties from offices in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Santa Maria. While WEV targets its services toward women, it serves men as well, and provides many services in English and Spanish.

Since 1991, WEV has provided business training and consulting to over 14,000 women and men throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, and made more than $4 million in loans, assisting over 4,000 local businesses. WEV is a U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center, and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).

A pioneer in the field, WEV was founded by Marsha Bailey, a nationally recognized advocate for women business owners. Marsha is the board president of the national Association of Women’s Business Centers, and sits on the National Women’s Business Council.

Vol. 9, No. 10 – February 17 – March 2, 2016 – City of Ventura Classes

City of Ventura Classes check out hundreds more on our web-site

Call  658-4726 or 654-7552 to register, if you already have an ACTIVENET account online, visit www.cityofventura.net

Classes/Events held the Barranca Vista Center ~ 7050 Ralston Street in Ventura unless otherwise noted

Explore with Me  2.5-5 years
2/19-3/25         Friday              10:30-11 am    $60 for one adult & one child  #5487
Discover the world of art through the eyes of your child with such hands-on activities as sculpture, painting, collage, drawing and gardening. Instructor Jennifer Benitez

Pottery and Ceramic Hand Building  14 year-adult
2/17-3/23         Thursday         10 am-12 pm $105+$10 materials fee                      #5566
Students create their own ceramic art as they pinch, coil and use slab construction methods, glaze and decorate. Creativity and self-expression are encouraged. Instructor Kim Clarke.

Mindfulness for Abundant Creativity  18 years-adult
2/18-3/24         Thursday         7-8 pm                         $85      #5539
Learn Mindfulness meditation and release your inner artist using this open-focused method as you creatively record your experience of each session. Intermediate level prerequisite: experienced concentration meditator.

Drawing & Painting for Youth  8-18 years
2/18-3/17         Thursday         3:30-4:45 pm   $64      #5516
Explore relevant artists and their styles to create your own acrylic paintings and pencil and charcoal drawings. Instructor Catherine Broger.

Chakras 101  18 years-adult
2/21     Sunday                        1-3 pm                         $28      #5542
Chakras are energy receivers and givers in your body that greatly effect health, organ functions, emotions and cognitive functioning. Learn the signifi cance of the seven chakras and how to open them more fully. Concludes with a guided charka meditation you can practice at home. No meditation experience is needed.

Canine Body Language Seminar  18 years-adult
2/21     Sunday                        10 am-12 pm $20      #5722
Tail wagging doesn’t always mean “happy.” Learn to identify signs of anxiety versus playfulness as you open new lines of communication with your dog. No dogs at seminar, please. Instructor Registered Veterinary Technician Certifi ed Professional Dog Trainer Shannon Coyner. Classes held at the Ventura Pet Wellness Center, 3521 Arundel Cir. #B in Ventura.

The ABCs of Estate Planning  18 years-adult
2/27     Saturday         1-3 pm                         $25      #5718
Learn about wills, living trusts, planning for incapacity, the probate process and common pitfalls. Instructor Attorney Jef Coyner.

It’s a “Brand New Day” for this year’s Festival of Talent

On Saturday, February 27th, Ventura Education Partnership (VEP) proudly presents the 15th Annual production of the Festival of Talent – A Brand New Day. This memorable evening, supported in part by the Kiwani’s Club of Ventura, will showcase over 200 performers in 24 show-stopping acts featuring the best and brightest students, parents and faculty throughout Ventura Unified School District’s (VUSD) 28 schools.

This year’s theme, “A Brand New Day” honors the District’s new superintendent, Dr. Michael Babb, who word has it, will be joining former Superintendent Dr. Trudy Arriaga on stage for a truly unforgettable performance. Once again the show is being directed by multi-talented, award winning actor and director Brian McDonald of the Rubicon Theatre Company. Miriam Arichea is leading musical direction.

The show kicks off at 7:00 pm in the Ventura High School Auditorium. Doors open at 6:15pm where guests will be greeted by the stylings of the Ventura High School Jazz Band. For those looking for dinner before the show, the Ventura Unified Leadership Council, a joint-effort of VUSD high schools’ leadership classes, is holding a pasta dinner fundraiser, courtesy of Milano’s Italian Restaurant. Dinner reservations may be made at any high school associated student body office or by calling 641-5116 ext. 2312.

Festival of Talent tickets are available online at www.venturaeducationpartnership.org. Exclusive VIP Reserved Seats are going fast at just $25 per ticket. Open seating, general admission tickets are $10 and may be purchased online or with cash/check at any VUSD school site. Tickets will be available at the door for $15, as long as this popular event does not sell out in advance.

“Festival of Talent is our chief fundraiser for VEP Grants — small infusions of funds that allow teachers to provide enriching activities and much needed materials,” stated Sabrena Rodriguez, President of Ventura Education Partnership.

Ventura Education Partnership is the all-volunteer, community-based, non-profit foundation that supports and enriches education within Ventura Unified School District through grant funding for teachers. In 2015 VEP raised nearly $100,000 for grants to teachers providing educational enrichment programs in the classroom.

VEP would like to thank the VUSD community, the Rubicon Theatre and its many supporters and sponsors who make Festival of Talent happen every year. A special thank you goes out to the event’s Title Sponsors – Kiwanis Club of Ventura, the Summer Enrichment Academy, and Karen Reynosa. The Kiwani’s Club has been the Title Sponsor since Festival of Talent began in 2001. Bart Bleuel has chaired the committee for that entire time and serves on the Boards of both the Kiwani’s and VEP.

Team VFD will be climbing to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Greek Restaurant will host a fundraiser for Team VFD

For the fourth year, Team VFD and the Ventura Fire Foundation will be participating in the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb. 14 members of Team VFD will be climbing the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle, Washington to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. All 14 members will have the grueling task of climbing 69 floors, 1356 steps, and 788 feet of vertical elevation in full firefighting safety equipment to bring awareness and raise money for this great cause.

This year, Team VFD has partnered with The Greek Restaurant in Ventura Harbor to host a fundraiser. The fundraiser will be Feb. 20,  from 12:00 to 3:00pm. Your $20 donation will include buffet style lunch, Greek dancers, silent auction, raffle prizes and a performance by the Ventura City Firefighters Pipes and Drums.

This year Team VFD will be climbing in honor of Shaloma McCay. Shaloma is a beautiful 10 year old girl who just finished her 8th round of chemo, which means if all of her tests come with good results, she only has one round left. She cannot wait to get her IV’s out so she can go swimming again. All proceeds from this event will go to support Shaloma and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Please come show your support for Team VFD and Shaloma. This great event will sell out quickly. Tickets will be sold at the door or Pre-sale tickets may be purchased at www.venturafirefoundation.com