Category Archives: Home Page Links

City of Ventura and partners provide meal kits to community members

Blanca Lopez, Omar Amaya, Gricelda Navarro, and Jamin Navarro receiving meal kits.

The City of Ventura, Aera Energy, and the Downtown Lions Club partnered together to host its 19th annual Thanksgiving basket donation event. More than 100 low-income families received Thanksgiving meal kits that were prepared in to-go baskets, and included a turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, stuffing, rolls, yams, and a pie.

“Due to the challenges presented this year by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City wasn’t sure it would be able to fulfill its annual commitment to local families,” said Nancy O’Connor, City Parks and Recreation Director. “Thanks to the generosity and support of Aera Energy and the Ventura Downtown Lions Club, the City was able to buy, pack, and distribute Thanksgiving meals to local families living near our Westpark Community Center.”

Thanks to $2,500 donations from Aera Energy and the Downtown Lions Club, the City was able to purchase ingredients for the Thanksgiving meal kits. The Downtown Lions Club provided volunteers to help pack the baskets, which were distributed to low-income residents at the Westpark Community Center on Tuesday, November 24, 2020.

“Ventura’s westside community is made up of predominately low-income residents,” said Anita Diaz, Parks and Recreation Youth Program Coordinator for the City of Ventura. “Right now, is an exceptionally difficult time for our families. They are struggling to keep their jobs, and their children are distance learning all in the middle of a pandemic. The Thanksgiving meal kits meant a lot to them.”

In addition to Aera’s donation sponsoring Thanksgiving meals, Aera also provided an another $2,500 to support Westpark holiday events including the annual Spark of Love Toy Drive, which provides holiday gifts for families who could not otherwise afford them.

“COVID-19 has impacted life for so many local families who are struggling every day just to put food on the table. Our donation alleviates the worry around the Thanksgiving meal and holiday gifts and allows our neighbors to focus on the things most important to them,” said Michele Newell, Aera Energy’s Public Affairs Representative. “The holidays are a time when many local families need help and Aera is happy to provide the means to support them. Our community is stronger when we come together and help those that need it most.”

For more information about the City of Ventura’s Parks and Recreation Department, please visit https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Parks-Recreation.

Ventura County now offering on-site COVID testing

The Testing Trailer can come to your business.

Mobile testing team onsite testing requirements

Business or organization must have at least 100 people that would like to get tested for the COVID-19 virus.

Outdoor location must include 100′ x 50′ open space suitable for parking a truck and 28′ trailer for our testing team.

Host location must provide access to restroom facilities within 200′ walking distance of the testing location.

Set up begins one hour before opening for testing.

COVID-19 testing is offered at high volume sites 7 days a week.

The County of Ventura’s new Mobile COVID-19 Testing Trailer can be requested at the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/covid-testing.

The annual Spark of Love Holiday Toy Drive!

You can drop off new unwrapped toys.

In partnership with Ventura County Fire Dept the Local Love Project will be taking part in the annual Spark of Love Holiday Toy Drive! With so many impacted this year we need your help more than ever.

The Local Love Project is honored to be partnering up with our local business partners and Ventura County Fire on the Spark of Love Toy Drive.

You can drop off new unwrapped toys to the following wonderful businesses.

Winchesters Grill https://www.winchestersgrill.com/
632 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001

Salzer’s Records http://www.salzers.com/
5777 Valentine Rd, Ventura, CA 93003

Beacon Coffee http://beaconcoffee.com/
5777 Olivas Park Dr r, Ventura, CA 93003
211 W Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023

LIV Sotheby’s International Realty http://livsothebysrealtyca.com/
554 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001

Ventura Botanical Garden https://www.venturabotanicalgardens.com/
567 South Poli St, Ventura, CA 93001

La Dolce Vita http://www.ladolcevita1901.com/
740 S B St, Oxnard, CA 93030

Rincon Brewing http://www.rinconbrewery.com/
4100 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, CA 93003
205 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
5065 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013

And our wonderful partners at @Del Monte !

For more information go to https://vcfd.org/spark-of-love-toy-drive/

Want another fun way to drop off toys?

The Local Love Project Team will be out at the Holiday Drive Through Light event at the Ventura Fairgrounds through the 20th collecting toys. Bring an unwrapped new toy and help us to give back this holiday season.

For more info and tickets got to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holidays-in-your-car-ventura-tickets-125507922575

Drop Off A Toy: Now through Christmas Eve, you can drop off new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment at any participating location

Donate Online: https://www.vcpfa.org/spark-of-love-2020/

To make a donation via credit card to the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association Charity Fund, click the ‘Make a Donation’ button. All proceeds will go to buying toys or sports equipment for the children and are tax-deductible. TIN # 47-2253294

Buy A Toy: Myregistry.com/giftlist/sparkoflove

All purchases made online will be delivered to Toy Central for distribution.

Food Share of Ventura County joins NBC4’s Annual ‘Help 4 The Hungry’

Food Share of Ventura County is joining NBC4/KNBC’s ‘Help 4 The Hungry’ donation drive, returning for a third consecutive year to support food banks facing a greater than ever need this holiday season to help feed families in need. Demand has skyrocketed during the pandemic leaving neighborhoods and people across Southern California struggling with economic hardships, job losses and homelessness.

Until December 24, individuals can donate $1, $5, $10 or more at Ralphs and Food 4 Less stores upon checkout. People can also make donations by texting H4H to 41444 and follow the prompts.  Donations of any amount are welcomed. All donations collected locally will benefit Food Share of Ventura County and other regional food banks in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.

Commenting on the ‘Help 4 The Hungry’ donation drive, Monica White, President & CEO of Food Share said, “We’re feeding double the number of people we were this time last year – many for the first time. A donation of just $1 dollar allows us to provide 3 meals for our hungry friends and neighbors.”

“NBC4’s ‘Help 4 The Hungry’ returns at a critical time when many across our area are facing overwhelming challenges. We are proud to step up and do our part to ensure millions of meals across Southern California are available to those who need it the most and during these unprecedented times,” said Steve Carlston, NBC4 President and General Manager.

Since 2018, NBC4’s campaign has raised nearly $1 million dollars in cash donations and provided four million meals across the region. This year, the station and Food Share of Ventura County hope to build on the success and make a greater impact.

Throughout the Help 4 The Hungry campaign, NBC4/KNBC will report about food insecurity in Southern California and how donations can make a difference in people’s lives. Audiences can watch the reports during the station’s newscasts that air from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m., at 11:00 a.m. and at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.  Audiences can also watch the reports through the station’s digital, mobile and OTT platforms.

For more information about how to donate, visit nbcla.com/helpthehungry and follow @nbcla on all social media platforms.

Seasons Catering serves up a healthy portion of Good2Go

Gaby preparing Good2Go heat and serve meals.

In the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, Gabrielle Moes demonstrates how to succeed in business

Seasons Catering began 2020 celebrating its 20th year in business. It was to be a big year with many caterings booked for weddings, corporate events, premieres, and more. Then COVID hit and changed everything. Not one to let herself fall victim to her circumstances, Gabrielle Moes, Founder and CEO of Seasons Catering quickly pivoted, at a time when events and catering were temporarily shut down, to launch Good2Go heat and serve meals, available at www.thegood2go.com.

“I grew up in Ventura and I am deeply connected to this community. We have been through so much already with the Thomas Fire and now COVID,” shares Gabrielle. “I could see in March this was going to be serious and started meeting with my team immediately to begin putting an action plan together. We were ahead of the health standards and have consistently ensured our kitchen exceeds the new COVID regulations.” Then Gabrielle, aka Gaby, turned her attention to keeping her doors open.

She needed to generate a new stream of income. A Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) graduate, 2018 WEV Business of the Year honoree, and recent inductee into the nonprofit’s Million Dollar Club, having reached $1 million in annual revenue – a milestone achieved by less than 2% of woman-owned businesses and less than 4% of male-owned businesses in the United States – Gaby knows how to visualize opportunities.

She started partnering with local non-profits, World Central Kitchen (WCK) and Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA). Her team began preparing and delivering 1,400+ hot and healthy meals weekly for homebound seniors and frontline workers at a variety of county hospitals including Ventura County Medical Center. “From the beginning of COVID, Seasons Catering was there when we needed them most, delivering quality meals to our tireless medical staff,” said Amy Towner, Chief Executive Officer for Health Care Foundation for Ventura County. “Entrepreneurs like Gaby are how America was built. Gaby’s creativity and grit alongside her business acumen has debuted the heart of Ventura County businesses ability to navigate such a tumultuous disruption like COVID,” continued Towner.

As Seasons Catering continued to deliver community meals, Gaby began thinking about how to get her food into her neighbor’s homes. “As I saw more and more ordering take-out, I thought, ‘how can we provide our locally farm fresh, chef-crafted meals to people in a way they can enjoy our food at home with minimal preparation?’” Enter, Good2Go heat and serve meals.

Crafted by chefs, Good2Go is built on the principle that food is meant to be loved and shared. The company’s generously portioned meals, prepared with local farm-fresh ingredients and eco-friendly packaging, offer an easy heat & serve solution for your table at a great value. As a local woman-owned business, Seasons Catering proudly shares its love of food through Good2Go’s curbside pick-up and supportive community-based programs. Client favorites include pork-katsu ramen, chicken pot pie with a flakey cream cheese crust, and our seasonal berry shortcake with whipped cream, all made from scratch. “It is going very well,” commented Suzzi Koenig, Seasons Catering General Manager. “I’m excited that soon we will offer doorstep delivery of Good2Go heat and serve meals, which our clients have been asking for.”

Seasons Catering with unwavering leadership from Gabrielle Moes is winding down their 20th anniversary year. It’s certainly one they’ll always remember. And we’ll remember that when the chips were down, Seasons Catering saw the glimmer of hope that makes American businesspeople such a force. To learn more, please visit www.seasonscateringca.com.

SEEAG launches $15,000 “Give The Gift of Agriculture Challenge”

Teaching a class at Petty Ranch to elementary school students.

An anonymous donor has stepped forward and will match all donations up to $15,000 for every dollar donated to Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG). The “Give the Gift of Agriculture – Double Your Impact Challenge” runs through December 31 with a total fundraising goal of $30,000.

SEEAG’s agricultural education programs have reached over 54,000 elementary school students in Southern California through classroom learning and free farm field trips to SEEAG’s Farm Lab in Saticoy. The programs teach schoolchildren about the origins of their food and the importance of local farmland.

Donations will go to support Farm Lab, which has now moved to live online presentations. The Zoom classes are in three, 45-minute modules: an introduction to agriculture, plant and insect science, and water and soil science. The presentations are for third grade classes and are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

“We hope to return to in-class learning and begin offering our farm field trips later this year. Until then, we are very grateful to our donors and their support as SEEAG creates new ways to reach children with our message despite COVID restrictions,” says Mary Maranville, SEEAG founder/CEO. “Understanding the impact of eating healthy is more important than ever as kids spend more time at home and exercise less. It’s all about making healthy choices.” To date, nearly 800 third graders and 26 teachers have signed up to participate in online Farm Lab this school year.

Donors of $100 will receive a jar of Bennett’s Honey. Donations can be made by going to seeag.org/give.

To learn more about SEEAG, go to www.SEEAG.org, Facebook www.facebook.com/SEEAG.org or contact Maranville at [email protected], 805-901-0213.

Founded in 2008, Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) is a nonprofit organization that aims to help young students understand the origins of their food by bridging the gap between agriculture and consumption through its agricultural education programming. SEEAG’s “The Farm Lab” program based in Ventura County teaches schoolchildren about the origins of their food and the importance of local farmland by providing schools with classroom agricultural education and free field trips to farms. Through this and other SEEAG programs, over 54,000 elementary school students in Southern California have increased their understanding of the food journey. For more information, visit www.seeag.org or email Mary Maranville at [email protected].

SEAson’s greetings from Ventura Harbor

Foto: Santa gave the reindeers the day off.

Ventura Harbor tops the list of magical, coastal destinations you’ll want to visit with your loved ones this holiday season. Not only are the seaside views stunning, but also there is an array of safe activities and SEAsonal experiences the whole family will enjoy. 

Dine along the waterfront on scenic covered patios and enjoy quality cuisine offerings from around the world. Meander the vibrant Ventura Harbor Village with unique shops and find one-of-a-kind art from Ventura’s local creatives. Take an electric boat across the calm waters of the marina and try to spot a barking sea lion. Cozy up to watch the sunset on one of three sprawling Ventura Harbor beaches.

The already picturesque harbor will shine even brighter with its’ display of ocean-inspired holiday decorations decking the halls from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. See sparkling blue, aqua, and green beachy hues, spiraling sea pearls, whimsical colorful trees, bountiful wreaths, and other dazzling décor that bounces off the marina waters. After a fresh seafood dinner or a warm cup of handcrafted clam chowder, dusk is the prime time to stroll through Ventura Harbor Village’s twinkling courtyards. 

Spoil yourself with sweet treats, like chocolates, baked goods, and pastries – all hand-made from scratch daily! When the sugar rush hits, zoom around the Village to take care of shopping for everyone on your gift list. From creative socks, hats, soaps, mermaid merch, and winter sweaters, to gift certificates for dive lessons, handmade pottery, and escape room experiences – there is a little bit of everything for every personality. Tis’ the season pamper yourself and loved ones with a modern nail studio, hair salon, hair extension services, as well as message therapy. 

Once you step foot in Ventura Harbor Village, the illuminated outdoor attraction will bring so much joy that you will not want to leave. 

Celebrate the SEAson seaside at Ventura Harbor! For more information Visit VenturaHarborVillage.com and follow along on social media @venturaharbor!

Ventura’s independent bookstores

Megan and Kyle Murai just opened Timbre Books. Photo by Kerri Ducote

by Jill Forman

The demise of the book has been predicted for over a hundred years: first with the popularity of radio, then the prevalence of television, and lastly with the widespread usage of electronic devices.

So far, the book has proved to be remarkably resistant to all these innovations. There is a resurgence of independent bookstores throughout the country, libraries are busier than ever, and “reading” is always at the top of any list of hobbies. Many readers love their e-books, but there is just something about physical books that has a lasting appeal.

Ventura has four independent bookstores; three have been in town for up to 50 years, and one is brand-new. Here they are:

Calico Cat
405 East Main Street
Owner: Peter Margenap

Used, antique, vintage, collectible books in good condition, maps, and prints in a building well over 100 years old that has been a bookstore since 1972.

“People love books and what they represent,” says Margenap, “They love handling books.” Books can be beautiful as objects with fine covers, bindings, paper and illustrations. Books can be handed down through generations. One customer might collect all works by a particular author.

Often booklovers appreciate original fine art done for a particular book, whether pen and ink or watercolor or even pencil sketches. He picks up books and shows the fine paper quality in one, a handwritten dedication in another, gorgeous illustrations in one more. His handling of the books is almost reverential.

Not all books, he points out, are available online.

What keeps him going is the love of books and the interaction with people who feel the same

Bank Of Books

748 E. Main Street

And Abednego Book Shoppe

2682 East Main Street

Owner (of both): Clarey Rudd

Three categories of books: new, used, rare (have books dating back to the 1600’s); the stores also ship world-wide.

Rudd focuses on the joy of helping people. “It is so satisfying to help folks find the book they want,” he says. “Books help people, and they are especially important during the pandemic.” He also credits his “great staff” as one element that keeps him going through 14-hour days.

His parents opened a bookstore in Fresno in 1954, he started working in that store, and he has never wanted to do anything else. He has visited over 1000 bookstores around the country so he has a good grasp of how they work and what he can do to best serve Ventura. He has had several bookstores himself in various areas.

He is happy to have helped the book community it several ways. His stores have given away over 300,000 books. When other stores are damaged or destroyed by natural disasters he will help replenish their stocks at no charge.

He is also proud of his Book Trade program. Customers bring in books and get credit for books at half-price and discounts on new books. This is very helpful to folks on a limited budget, especially these days when so many are having financial hardship.

Independent bookstores are opening up all over, he says. Which is illustrated by Ventura’s newest bookstore:

Timbre Books – Grand Opening October 17, 2020

1924 East Main

Owners: Megan and Kyle Murai

New books, individually chosen by the owners for their clientele.

“For people who love books!”

Megan Murai sees a resurgence of interest in physical books, and wants to take that farther into making a community space for readers. “We want to be a community space for people to read and talk about reading, come in and chat, immerse themselves in the literary world.”

“We hope to carry a selection of well curated new books…that are of high literary quality, diverse in subject, author, and region, and ranging from classic to contemporary titles.”

They currently have a small seating area which they plan to expand when it is safe and have events such as readings, groups, live music, etc.

“We want everyone to be comfortable, from the avid reader to someone who seldom reads. All are welcome to ask questions, talk to the owners, and find what they might like.”

Four stores, four different styles, same sentiment: “We love books!”

 

Ventura awards community beautification grants

Founder of Midtown Merchants Christine Burke, Ventura business owner Cherie Egbert and Councilwoman Christy Weir receiving beautification grant. Photo by Bernie Goldstein

The City of Ventura has awarded community beautification grants to seven local groups and nonprofit organizations. These grants support projects designed to enhance neighborhoods and public areas. Project examples include mulching events, median plantings, neighborhood clean-ups, general beautification improvements and blight reduction projects.

In 2019, the City developed a beautification granting pilot program funded by Measure O. The purpose of the grant program is to help community groups and nonprofit organizations complete projects that meet the City’s aging needs and enhance Ventura’s environmental, social, and cultural experiences for residents and visitors.

“The City is committed to improving Ventura’s quality of life, and that’s why we created an opportunity for residents to partner with us in this effort,” said Mayor Matt LaVere. “We are grateful for the responses from these locally-based organizations to help beautify our neighborhoods. I look forward to seeing these grant funded projects come to life for everyone to enjoy.”

Founder of Midtown Merchants Christine Burke stated, “Midtown E. Main Street currently still struggles with a reputation of being a place you drive through and not stop at unless you have a destination to attend to. With this potted plant project, we desire to create stimulating visual interest to Midtown, which will bring enjoyment to all who walk, bike or drive by.”

The group was started in 2018 by Christine Burke [Caffrodite]) and Lynne Dralle [Lynne’s Consignment]. She stated, “We were meeting regularly until the Corona Virus shut many of the businesses down in Midtown (as with elsewhere). Part of our mission is to bring beauty, walkability and business to this diamond in the rough area we all love so much. “

Grant recipients and awarded projects include:

Ventura Community Council: Project to include native ground cover and six trees at the corner of Main Street and Emma Avenue

CLEAN International: Project to include seven new tree plantings in empty tree wells, located between the five points intersection and Loma Vista Road

San Buenaventura Heritage Inc.: Project to include improvements at the Dudley House Museum

Midtown Merchants Group & Friends: Project to include 30 planter pots and 6 tree plantings in Midtown Ventura between Santa Rosa and Catalina Streets

Montalvo Community Council: Project to include a mural on the east end of Ventura

Downtown Ventura Organization: Project to include recycled plastic, self-watering pots, planted with native and Mediterranean species along the 700 block of Main Street.

Pierpont Bay Community Council: Project to include welcome signage and lighting along the south end of Seaward

Applications were reviewed by a panel of community members knowledgeable in beautification projects and city staff from Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and the Community Development Department. Projects were evaluated and scored based on grant criteria, the number of residents served, and how closely the project aligned with City priorities. Available funding ranged from $1,000 to $10,000 for each project.

Visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov to learn more about the City of Ventura’s Beautification Grant Program.

New Virtual Shop Local Market makes it easy to support women-owned and minority-owned small businesses

Local businesswoman Caleigh Hernandez is participating in WEV’s Virtual Shop Local Market.

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) annual Celebration of Small Business is launching a Virtual Shop Local Market to safely bring shoppers to local small businesses this holiday season. The marketplace will feature more than 50 local, women-owned and minority-owned small businesses who are part of the WEV community. The 26-day, dynamic online shopping portal will be open online from November 17 – December 13 and can be accessed by visiting WEV’s website at www.wevonline.org .

Holiday shopping this year is expected to start earlier, generate more online purchasing activity, and focus on non-traditional gifts for home, health, and beauty. WEV CEO Kathy Odell says, “Small business owners in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties need our community’s support this holiday season more than ever because Q4 sales may determine which of our favorite local shops will survive into the new year.”

Support from WEV sponsors, including LinkedIn, have also been key to the local business economy. Joey Zumaya, Public Sector Manager at LinkedIn said, “LinkedIn believes that helping create economic opportunity for local business makes us all stronger. We applaud WEV’s ability to educate, empower and elevate small business owners in our community.”

Local businesswoman Caleigh Hernandez, Founder of RoHo, is participating in WEV’s Virtual Shop Local Market and says, “Shopping small and locally is so important, this year especially. Consumers can buy unique, handmade and intentional gifts that support a community.” Her passion for social change on the African continent led her to develop RoHo, offering one-of-a-kind Kenyan beaded leather sandals, bags, African beaded jewelry, Binga Baskets, and home goods. Through her partnership with artisan groups across Kenya, RoHo creates consistent, fair paying work for their artisans, most of whom are women. “We are grateful for our WEV community who has showed up and continues to support us during this challenging time,” added Hernandez.

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 Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. While WEV targets its services toward women, it helps men as well. Services are provided in both English and Spanish.

Since 1991, WEV has provided business training and consulting to more than 17,500 women and men throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. WEV has made over $6 million in business loans and helped more than 5,000 local businesses start or expand. WEV-supported businesses generate more than $300 million in annual sales revenues and have created nearly 9,400 local jobs. WEV is a U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center, and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). www.wevonline.org