Ventura Harbor Village tops the list of magical outdoor shopping centers you’ll want to visit with loved ones this holiday season. Not only does this seaside enclave have your safety and comfort in mind, but there is an array of activities and SEAsonal experiences the entire family can enjoy. The picturesque Village shines even brighter with its colorful ocean-inspired SEAson’s Greetings holiday display dazzling the shores now through New Year’s Eve. Witness thousands of sparkling beach-hued lights of blue, aqua, and green, spiraling sea pearls, whimsical colorful trees, lush wreaths, and other magical decor that bounces off the marina waters. Once you visit, the illuminated outdoor attraction inspires joy for all.

Sunset is the prime time to stroll through Ventura Harbor Village’s twinkling courtyards and catch the stunning winter sunsets. Dine for takeout and pick-up with quality cuisine from around the world, as well as seafood dishes.

Spoil yourself with sweet treats like chocolates, baked goods, pastries, and ice cream. When the sugar rush hits, take a stroll through Ventura Harbor Village and shop for everyone on your gift list, and enjoy a fun and festive Holiday Shopping Passport now through December 20, 2020. Ask for a Holiday Shopping Passport, visit six unique coastal boutiques or art galleries, get a stamp and enter to win prizes such as winter whale watching from Island Packers.

Visit the FA-LA-LA-LA Holiday Marketplace on weekends before Christmas, with more than 16 stores and galleries open safely at 20 percent capacity. Support local-owned and operated merchants this holiday season and meander the vibrant Village with unique shops to discover one-of-a-kind finds and fashion trends. Pick up a gift card – which make perfect stocking stuffers too! Retailers will be offering specials, such as Ventura Pottery Gallery offers a free gift with all $25 purchases in December.

by Unitarian Universalist Church

For the first time in 14 years, the interfaith community will not hold a memorial service at which we remember, by name, all of our neighbors in the county who died without a home in the past year. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura coordinates the Memorial. This service is traditionally held as close as possible to the Winter Solstice, the longest night, in recognition of all those still sleeping out in the cold.

Due to county restrictions during the pandemic, no event permits are being issued for Plaza Park, and no one is sure our usual event could be held safely this year. However, it is right that we remember those who died without a home this year in some way.

As of early November, and at the time of this writing, we are aware of 75 people who died without a home in the county this year. We expect that number to increase as we hear of more names from our sources at the Coroner’s Office and social service providers throughout the county.

It is right that their names be read — even if they are not read aloud.
This is just about ¼ of them.

Don Akers
Gregory Alcozar
Rev. Donald Baker
Alexander Benavidez
Michael Berry
Linda Boggess
William Boyd
Joe Bracamontes
Kip Brill
Aaron Brooks
Michael Bugg
Clint Cachola
Jewell Campbell
Jennifer Cardinel
Randel Castleberry
Barbara Chamberlain
Rodney Clark
Rudy Cortez
Stephen Crane

by Carol Leish

Tina Bolton said that she and her husband, Butch, who are both age 73, will be getting the upcoming vaccine. Tina is a retired assistant to an occupation therapist who worked in the pediatric and neonatal unit of a local hospital, for 10 years. Butch worked locally in the metal fabrication business.

According to, Tina Bolton, “Butch and I are concerned with our underlying health issues, especially since I’m a breast cancer survivor. We are both encouraged to take it since the COVID-19 Vaccine is 94% effective. The flu vaccine is only 60% effective. And, with money and various organizations that have helped to accelerate the production of the vaccine, we both realize that it is safe to take.”

Patrick Pothier, age 65, said that he and his wife, June, age 64, said that, “We will be getting the vaccine, once it has gone through FDA approval, and has become officially approved.” Patrick is a hypnotherapist. June is a counselor at Vista del Mar Hospital.

According to, Patrick Pothier, “It’s important for both me and my wife to be getting it since we both have compromised immune systems. I’m diabetic, and June is a breast cancer survivor. We understand that it’s coming out this month (December, 2020). June will be getting it first, as a first responder. I’ll be looking forward to it when I will be getting the chance to take it.”

Julia and her husband, Omar Dominguez, who are 36 years old and 47 years old respectively, said that she and her family (Dylan, 10, and, Marlin, 12), will not be getting the vaccine. Julia is a massage therapist. Omar is a Class A Driver.

Julia said that both she and her husband feel that her and her family don’t have the need to get the vaccine. She said, “There is an over a 99% survivor rate of recovery. Thus, I don’t feel like it is necessary for us since our family is young all have strong immune systems. And, it’s my hope that it won’t become a requirement to take it, since health choices are personal. We’re also speculative of the safety of the vaccine because it’s been rushed compared to other vaccines.”

2021 will be a year of many different choices and decisions regarding perspectives on health. May everyone continue to stay healthy.

Celebrate our beautiful city and give a gorgeous gift all while supporting Rotary Club of Ventura’s service projects. Internationally acclaimed photographer and Rotarian, Dan Holmes lent his talents to curate the piece. He said “San Buenaventura – A Story in Photographs is a compilation of landscape, cityscape, and nature photographs from 17 local Ventura photographers. It tells a story of why we love living in our town.” The book vividly depicts why Ventura is such a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

“For more than 100 years, Rotary Club of Ventura has been serving the Ventura community. I am very thankful to our Club members and the photographers for their support in bringing this project to fruition,” said Saurabh Bajaj, Rotary Club of Ventura President. “Not only does the book capture the special moments of our beautiful city of Ventura, it also helps raise funds that we invest right back into our city through programs that address education, food insecurity, health, job training and more.”

Brenda Allison, Rotarian who oversaw publication and logistics said, “The selfless collaboration between Rotarians, photographers and the community is inspiring. I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation for each of the talented artists who submitted. These photographs tell the greatest story of Ventura where words would fall short of the sentiment.”

Bajaj added, “This would make a wonderful personal gift for that hard to shop for person who loves Ventura and a perfect corporate gift for the holidays, with special discounts for those wanting 20 or more books.”

This gorgeous keepsake book is $40 with free delivery in Ventura County! The books will be available for delivery by mid-December 2020.

For complete details and to order online, visit VenturaRotary.org where you can also view a short video preview or contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Note: We ran this article in last issue but part of it got cut off. Sorry Seasons Catering.

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.

by Richard Senate

Years ago, when I was managing the Olivas Adobe historic site, one wintry afternoon. The house was open but we had few people visiting that day. Besides that I was working on the budget and very busy because I had put off this important paperwork and now the deadline was staring me in the face. I was too busy to greet visitors that day.

I had a middle-aged man come to the office (now the gift shop) and knock on the door. He had on photographers vest and a big camera. He asked if he could take a few pictures. He had a long legged, very blond model with him. As many people come to take pictures here, I told him it was okay and went back to work with the adding machine and forms. Hours passed and I was almost time to lock up. I planned to close the adobe and hunker down to finish the paperwork for an hour or so before going home.

It was about 3:40 I recall now, and when I walked out of the adobe I saw the photographer taking a picture at the fountain of his model, who was now very nude sitting on the fountain! I went back into the office wondering what to do. In about ten minutes I saw the photographer in his VW with a now fully clothed model, pull away. I left the adobe, locked up but when I checked the donation box I discovered two twenty dollar bills! Years later I was at the swap meet in Ventura and found a black and white photograph, in a wooden frame, depicting that same model, nude, in the bathtub we have in the kitchen. It was clearly the Olivas Adobe. I had to laugh. I pass on this story to warn people that when someone wants to take pictures, best to keep an eye on them. These pictures may well be floating around in swap meets today.

Marines with Recruiting Station Los Angeles will be collecting toys for the local Ventura community at the Pacific View Mall as part of their Toys for Tots Toy Drive.  All toys should remain unwrapped for donation and gifts are accepted for children up to 16 years of age. Drive-up service is available to keep everyone safe this holiday season.

The Toys for Tots Toy Drive will be hosted at Pacific View Mall, 3301 E. Main St. from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, December 19.

Toys for Tots was founded in 1947 to assist the United States Marine Corps in providing gifts to economically disadvantaged children during the holidays. For more information on the program, visit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation website at www.toysfortots.org.

Ventura College is on the forefront of providing students in California access to education with its fully online associate degree for transfer (ADT) program. Though California community colleges have transitioned to online learning due to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, Ventura College offers approximately 35 programs fully online. The college also provides Promise program grants ($0 tuition) to qualified online students and 30 percent of classes have zero textbook costs. 

To facilitate student success with online learning, Ventura College has certified its faculty to teach effectively online so all students have access to engaging online classes. In addition, all student services are available online, including tutoring, financial aid and academic counseling.

 Ventura College serves as the flagship campus for the online programs within the VCCCD. Students can choose high-demand majors in Business Administration, Early Childhood Education, Sociology and Psychology, among others. Students can also obtain degrees in specialized fields of study, including Chicano Studies, Social Media and Marketing, and Agricultural Business. 

Ventura College has developed exceptional science labs for the online environment in Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics and Astronomy to further enhance students’ learning experiences. Students throughout the state and beyond seek out VC’s virtual labs, even as students are primarily online. 

“One of the most exciting aspects of the online associate degree for transfer program is that people who didn’t think college was an option can now pursue their degrees in a very affordable way that takes into account work, school and life balance,” said Dr. Jennifer Kalfsbeek-Goetz, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Ventura College.

 Students throughout the state can begin their fully online programs this spring semester, which starts Jan. 11, 2021. VC also offers classes starting in February and March to help accommodate students’ schedules. 

After completing an online ADT degree, students can continue their education through online, hybrid or traditional university degree programs at several California State Universities, as well as University of California and private university campuses. 

Students in the online program pay in-state tuition rates as California residents – just $46 a unit! They are also eligible for financial aid and the Promise grant, which covers enrollment fees for first-time, full-time students. 

“An online community college degree is an affordable option that makes sense for working adults. It is for adult learners who want to expand their skills to advance their careers or who weren’t able to attend earlier in life. Because of the program’s flexibility, it’s also an excellent option for adults who have work and family commitments,” said Chancellor Greg Gillespie. 

“It is rewarding to know that we can provide these opportunities for students of all ages, backgrounds and learning styles, no matter where they live in the state,” added Board Chair Bernardo M. Perez. 

For more information on Ventura College’s online ADT program, contact the Office of Academic Affairs and Student Learning at [email protected] or 805-289-6000, or visit VenturaCollege.edu/onlinedegrees.