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!”

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.

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

by Carol Leish

The topping choices are endless at Top This Chocolate! Start by choosing luscious dark, milk or white chocolate. Then, pick the nuts, fruit, candy, cookies and salty snacks that you want on your custom creation. Have your unique combination made into a bar, snacking squares or hearts. Fair Trade Certified non-GMO, glutton free couverture chocolate is used, which is made with 100% cocoa Butter, with no chemicals or partially hydrogenated.

Chocoholic owner, Shana Elson, wanted to follow her passion of baking, and making her creations with chocolate while still, initially, continuing her work as a real-estate lawyer. She said, “I was taking pastry and chocolatier classes on the weekends. I was also getting bored with the options that were available for my nightly chocolate fix. The lack of variety inspired me to innovate at home by experimenting with bold new topping combinations like coconut, banana chips and spicy mango.”

After the idea for Top This Chocolate was born, Elson attended USC Marshall School of Business to combine her confectionary expertise with real world business entrepreneurship. While at USC, she won $25,000 in seed money in the Women’s New Venture Pitch Competition. She said, “Even though I launched the idea in Los Angeles in 2014, by 2019 I had found the best location for the shop at the Ventura Harbor! Now, along with chocolate pouring from machines, like in the movie, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate,’ I’ve been able to fulfill my cravings and dreams. Thus, I’ve been able to, “Cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two (Candyman),” in order to have others be able to fulfill their cravings, too.

You can come in to order, or order online. Visit: www.topthischocolate.com; or, call: (805) 535-4167.

Lemon & Lei is a wonderful clean-living bath and body collection place created by Katie Adams, who is a native of Ventura County. She started Lemon & Lei after having her daughter, Leighton, who is now six years old.

Adams said, “After my daughter was born, I became more aware of the ingredients in baby products/lotions. I started using essential oils, and experienced with various organic ingredients. I was happy to be able to make a business out of what I had become passionate about. It allowed me to stay home with my daughter until she had started Kindergarten.”

Based on her own research, Adams was inspired to create a bath & body care line that is healthy for your skin, environmentally safe, with no harmful ingredients. “At Lemon & Lei,” according to Adams, “We understand how important proper skin care is because our skin is our protective cover and the first barrier to fight off illness and diseases. The difference between neglected and venerated skin is remarkable! The whole-body benefits when our skin doesn’t have to fight to perform its natural function. The results will have you hooked!” And, ‘Everything will be alright.’ (Splish, Splash).

Please come by the Ventura Harbor and/or visit the website at https//lemonandlei.com; or, call: (805) 535-4036.