Tuesday Dec 3 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Virtual Reality – Tuesdays @ 3:30-5:30 pm on the 2nd Floor. Explore the virtual world with these different gaming VR platforms: Gear VR, Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive. All VR Platforms are for ages 13 and up.

Thursday Dec 5 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Open Mic Night – Free and open to the public! Open Mic night hosted by Phil Taggart. Enjoy a featured poet, then share your own work with the group. All are welcome to just sit and listen as well.

Monday Dec 9 7:00 – 10 pm

Ukulele Jam – Join folks of all ages and experience levels to jam out on your ukulele! Beginners welcome, every 2nd and 4th Monday.

Tuesday Dec 10 10:00 – 12:00 pm

HomeShare – HomeShare is a housing program that matches people looking for housing with people that have extra space and are looking for a roommate. The process includes an application, an interview, inspection of a home provider’s property, background checks and follow-up. Home sharing is an alternative way of meeting housing needs that benefits renters and homeowners alike. Some reasons people share include: companionship, help with chores and light housekeeping, or financial assistance with taxes, utilities and maintenance. A HomeShare Volunteer is here the 2nd Tuesday of the month to discuss this amazing program.

Tuesday Dec 10 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Virtual Reality – Tuesdays @ 3:30-5:30 pm on the 2nd Floor. Explore the virtual world with these different gaming VR platforms: Gear VR, Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive. All VR Platforms are for ages 13 and up.

Thursday Dec 12 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Open Mic Night – Free and open to the public! Open Mic night hosted by Phil Taggart. Enjoy a featured poet, then share your own work with the group. All are welcome to just sit and listen as well

Tuesday Dec 17 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Virtual Reality – Tuesdays @ 3:30-5:30 pm on the 2nd Floor. Explore the virtual world with these different gaming VR platforms: Gear VR, Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive. All VR Platforms are for ages 13 and up.

Thursday Dec 19 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Open Mic Night – Free and open to the public! Open Mic night hosted by Phil Taggart. Enjoy a featured poet, then share your own work with the group. All are welcome to just sit and listen as well.

Monday Dec 23 7:00 – 10:00 pm

Ukulele Jam – Join folks of all ages and experience levels to jam out on your ukulele! Beginners welcome, every 2nd and 4th Monday.

Tuesday Dec 24 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Virtual Reality – Tuesdays @ 3:30-5:30 pm on the 2nd Floor. Explore the virtual world with these different gaming VR platforms: Gear VR, Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive. All VR Platforms are for ages 13 and up.

Mohammed A. Hasan, a veteran environmental leader in Ventura county with 45 years of experience dealing with various environmental issues and projects, has joined the MERITO Foundation board.

MERITO Foundation is a 501c (3) organization dedicated to protecting the ocean by facilitating education, conservation, and scientific research opportunities to multicultural youth and their communities.  

Hasan is the principal engineer and owner of the civil and environmental firm Hasan Consultants in Ventura. He was an engineer with the Ventura Regional Sanitation District, and the utilities superintendent of the city of Oxnard. He holds dual M.S. degrees from the University of Iowa. He’s fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, a leadership fellow of the American Public Works Association, and a distinguished life member of the American Water Works Association. Further information about his company is available at hasanconsultants.com.

Hasan is a co-founder of OceanForesters, Inc., with offices in Ventura. OceanForesters helps coastal communities build and manage their own flexible floating fishing reefs. The complete ecosystem on the reefs restores ocean bounty and biodiversity. In two years, the local community team will gain the experience and expertise to independently continue and expand operations in their country. After the coastal communities feed everyone, more reefs will provide seaweed-for-energy and eventually reverse climate change globally. More information about the organization is available at OceanForesters.org. Previously, Hasan served as the chief engineer and general manager of the bio-energy startup company, PODenergy. There he helped develop theories for the reduction of global carbon dioxide via ocean afforestation.

On November 7, friends and ex-employees gathered at the Main Street Restaurant & Steakhouse to spend a few hours visiting with Jolene McBee and remembering the good times and food they had with her at the now closed Vagabond Coffee Shop. Breeze publisher Sheldon was there to honor his good friend Jolene. The restaurant is located at 3159 E. Main St.

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association’s “Light Up a Life” event provides comfort, solace and an opportunity for those who have lost someone to honor their loved one’s memory. For those we’ve lost near or far, recently departed or long gone, “Light Up a Life” is a thoughtful and heartfelt way to honor their memories and spread some joy this holiday season. And for the first time this year, the Oxnard Community will have their own ceremony, joining annual traditions already established in Ventura, Ojai and Camarillo. Dates and times for Light Up events are:

Camarillo: Constitution Park, Saturday, December 7th from 4:30 – 5:30pm
Ventura: Pacific View Mall, Tuesday, December 10th from 6:30-7:30pm
Ojai: Soule Park Golf Course Clubhouse, Thursday, December 12th from 5:30-6:30pm
Oxnard: Heritage Square, Saturday, December 14th from 4:30-5:30pm

Light Up a Life is for everyone. It’s an opportunity to remember and celebrate the life of someone dear to you. Each event features readings, acts of remembrance and music. All events are free to attend. With your gift of $25 or more, a star with your loved one’s name will be displayed throughout the holiday season on our online memory listing and at the Pacific View Mall. Each fully tax-deductible gift supports and ensures the continuation of our hospice and bereavement programs throughout Ventura County. To purchase a star visit www.lmvna.org/LightUpALife.

Since 1947, Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice has provided home health, palliative care, hospice, non-medical home care, and grief and bereavement services to Ventura County residents. They provide equitable and inclusive access to home health and hospice services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Learn more at www.lmvna.org.

The Ventura Port District is pleased to announce the recent addition of Todd Mitchell as Business Operations Manager.  Mitchell comes to the Port District with a Bachelor of Science degree, a diploma in surveying, 18 years of project management, and 12 in business development. Mitchell’s extensive experience is anticipated to facilitate key project growth in the years ahead.

“We are very fortunate to have Todd join the Harbor’s leadership team,” states Brian Pendleton, Ventura Port District’s General Manager.  “His education, experience, and skills are proving to be a significant asset to the Port District’s mission and goals.”  Having served as a Board Member of the California Maritime and Navigation Conference (CMANC), an advocacy consortium of California ports and harbors, Mitchell’s continued involvement will play an important role in ensuring that Ventura’s port receives representation and support from federal and state governments.

“I thrive on opportunities that demand self-improvement and anticipate applying my business development and consultancy experience to the Harbor’s commercial real estate, marinas, commercial fishing, and business partnerships,” states Mitchell.

Participating on several committees of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Coasts Oceans Ports and Rivers Institute (COPRI) including the Vice-Chair for Ports and Harbor sub-committee on Sea Level Change for Marine Civil Works, Mitchell also frequently speaks and authors articles to advance the “Blue Economy.”

This expertise compliments the Ventura Harbor’s mission to provide a safe and navigable harbor and a seaside destination that benefits residents, visitors, fisherman, and boaters.  He and his wife, Heather Manheim, reside in Ventura.

The Museum of Ventura County announces the appointment of three new members of its Board of Directors, as well as the full slate of board members for 2019-2020.

Joining the Board of Directors are Jessica Arciniega, Oxnard, David Fukutomi, Camarillo, and Tom Pecht, Oxnard. “We feel incredibly fortunate that Tom, Jessica, and David have chosen to join the Board of Directors. Their combined experience and expertise in building stronger communities will be a tremendous help in the Museum as it works to inspire vibrant communities by connecting the past, present, and future.”  stated Elena Brokaw, Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director.

Jessica Arciniega, formerly an associate at Wasserman, Comden, Casselman and Esenten, LLP, has now been an Assistant General Counsel at the Agricultural Labor Relations Board since 2012. Jessica is also formerly a board member of MICOP (the Mixteco Indígena Community Organizing Project).

David Fukutomi is a prominent government and private sector consultant specializing in security and emergency management. His government service has included stints with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. He has served as a consultant to various government agencies including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S Department of Veterans Affairs and State of California.

Tom Pecht is the co-owner and operator of Pecht Ranch, a family business that grows avocados and citrus. He is part of a multi-generational County family. Tom is involved with numerous other regional non-profits. He serves on the board of directors for Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association and the Leadership Advisory Council for Interface

The Museum is also pleased to announce that three board members have committed to remain serving on the board through June 2022: Al Lowe of Camarillo, Mike Sedell of Simi Valley, and Leslie Leavens of Ventura.

The Museum of Ventura County celebrates, preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of Ventura County, the California Channel Islands and the surrounding region through its collections, exhibitions, events, educational programs, publications and its research library, and serves as a gathering place for the community. The Museum has two locations. The main museum is located at 100 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001 and is open Tuesday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., 805-653-0323. The Agriculture Museum is located at 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula, CA 93060 and is open Wednesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 805-525-3100. For more information, visit venturamuseum.org .

Dec 7, 8:30 a.m. Ojai Meadows Field Trip.Leader: Linda Easter 818-519-2833

This beautiful preserve is a birding hotspot and includes a restored wetland and native plantings. Target birds will include: Western Bluebirds, Sora, White tailed Kites, Western Meadowlark, Merlin, Lark Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrows.

Dec 9, 8:30 a.m. Lake Casitas Field Trip.Leader: Adele Fergusson 805-415-4304

Join us for a walk by the lake, We will be looking for hummingbirds, grosbeaks, gnatcatchers as well as ducks, geese and waterfowl. Hopefully we will see the Lewis’s woodpecker and the Bald Eagle. Plans are to enter Lake Casitas by car so walking will be less than usual

Dec 10, 7:30 p.m. Ventura Audubon Monthly Program at the Poinsettia Pavilion – 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura (Free to the Public).

From high seas to intertidal mudflat: Audubon protects birds on the west coast. Speaker: Anna Weinstein is the marine conservation director for National Audubon and Audubon California.

Audubon’s chapter network is a unique and powerful force for conservation. Anna will share stories of my collaboration with many of our 19 coastal California chapters to win conservation fights, shed light on the ecology and status of charismatic coastal species including the brown pelican and black oystercatcher, and inspire the public to love and care for our coast and ocean.

Dec 14, 8:00 a.m. Hedrick Ranch Nature Area Work Day.Leader: Sandy Hedrick 805-340-0478.

Arrive at 8:00 for self-guided birding which usually yields some interesting birds. Work from 9am – noon. Long pants and boots or closed shoes are required. Bring water, gloves & sun protection.

Dec 15, 8:00 a.m. Santa Clara River Estuary/ Surfers Knoll Field Trip.Leader: Tevin Schmitt 661-904-1563

We will walk along the beach from Surfers Knoll parking lot to the estuary. We hope to see a variety of shorebirds including Snowy Plovers, Ruddy and Black Turnstones and hopefully Surfbirds which are always an exciting treat. We will also tackle some gull and tern identification, so bring your field guides!

Dec 21, 8:00 a.m. Ojai Valley Sanitation District and Ventura River Field Trip. Leader: Kay Regester 805-258-1025

We will walk around the plant and census the birds there, and in the surrounding area. We will also check out Ventura River and Big Rock Preserve, as well as the bridge at Foster Park. Expect Mew Gulls, sparrows, woodpeckers, Blackbirds, and hawks. Maybe Hooded Mergansers. We may be in that area 3 hours, but you can leave anytime.

Jan 4, Ventura Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count – Organizer/Compiler: Frank DeMartino 856-906-8733 or ([email protected])

Our Christmas Bird Count is Saturday, January 4, 2020. The CBC is the longest running citizen science effort in existence. Bird counts take place all over North America with a few in the Caribbean and Latin America as well. This will be the 120th Christmas Bird Count conducted by National Audubon.

Does the thought of overbooking your December calendar with holiday parties make you feel a bit stressed? The Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO VC) is giving you the gift of time this holiday season! No NAWBO VC holiday party to add to your already overflowing December calendar

Instead, relax with us on Wednesday, November 13th for a festive Pre-Holiday Mix & Mingle and ring in the holidays at Four Brix Winery in Ventura over light snacks, wine and WINGO (women networking over bingo). Admission is just $10 for members and $15 for guests if you grab your tickets before November 8th. After that all tickets are $20 per person.

This Pre-Holiday Mix & Mingle is open to our large community of women business owners and entrepreneurs and those who support them. Spouses, significant others, colleagues, employees, and friends are all welcome.