The Stone Foundation, an international organization of stonemasons and stone artists who built the Japanese Castle Ramparts and the International Dry Stone Wall in Grant Park is returning to Ventura for Stonework Symposium 2018. This annual gathering of the Stone Foundation is being organized in collaboration with Art City Studios of Ventura.
The Symposium will consist of presentations as well as demonstrations, the installation of a communal public art project, and what the Rocknockers call their ‘Lithic Olympics’—stonework-related games such as a Wheelbarrow Steeplechase, Lithibolos (bocce with stone balls) and Stone-Stacking contests. The Presentations, by experts in the fields of stonework and stone art, will take place at the Ventura County Museum. For details about the Presenters and the subjects of their presentations visit https://stoneworksymposium2018.net/presentations.php.
Enjoying the great food, drinks, music and friendship at Pier Under The Stars were Diane Brown, Diane’s husband, Pam Baumgardner, Mark Brown and Richard and Rosemary Lieberman. The 25th annual benefit for the historic Ventura Pier was held on Saturday, October 7th. Each year more than 600 residents and visitors attend this beachfront culinary fair adjacent to the pier to sample the county’s best food and spirits provided by over 40 area businesses. This year marked the 25th anniversary of Ventura’s premier beverage and food event.
Farm to table produce is more flavorful and fresh.
Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer
The popular phrase “farm to table” literally refers to fresh produce — fruits and vegetables — that are picked straight from the field (or farm) and delivered to your table vs. having to be preserved or frozen and shipped long distances to reach your grocer and ultimately your table.
Not only is farm to table produce more flavorful and fresh, the dollars you spend close to home help local businesses. By checking out a site such as https://www.boggiattoproduce.com, you’ll start to understand the importance of fresh produce when it comes to restaurant standard. I’m sure you’d all like to know that the food you are paying for is only sourced from the best.
It’s estimated that the food purchased in grocery stores has to travel an average of 1,500 miles. The reduced travel distance required when you buy from local markets helps curb the consumption of fossil fuels used in transport making it a win-win for the environment as well as local farmers and retailers.
In Ventura County, we’re incredibly fortunate to have access to abundant, fresh, locally grown produce year round. One of the best ways to purchase this local bounty is at Certified Farmers’ Markets. On Saturday mornings from 8:30 am to Noon the Downtown Ventura Certified Farmers’ Market at 305 E. Santa Clara Street offers the community a delicious array of locally produced fresh fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, and other tantalizing items all at the peak of the season.
Talk to your local farmer
Have you ever wondered how your food is produced? Do the farmers use organic farming practices? What are (if any) the chemicals utilized? Don’t hesitate to get to know your local farmers and talk to them about their farming practices. You’ll also discover excellent cooking tips and learn their favorite recipes.
“For winter, we have a lot of citruses,” said Ed Etheridge from Etheridge Farm Organics at a recent Downtown Ventura Certified Farmers’ Market. “Fukumoto navel oranges, mandarins, and tangerines are abundant. We also have apples, kiwi, and Fuyu persimmons (a round fruit), which you can eat like an apple. Our Hachiya persimmons taste great when they get somewhat pudding-like; otherwise, they’re very astringent. You can also freeze them and when you’re ready to serve, eat them with a spoon as you would a bowl of sorbet.”
Some other local regulars you’ll find this time of year at the Downtown market include Oxnard’s Rodriguez Family Farms, which sells only strawberries that they pick fresh the morning of each market.
“We’ve been organic farming since the mid-80’s,” said Eric from Tutti Frutti Farms. “We specialized in all varieties of heirloom tomatoes. The Cherokee Purple tomato has a savory taste, and Marvel Stripe has a super sweet tropical flavor. This time of year, we also produce all types of peppers and squash.”
During winter months the McGrath Family Farms display offers an array of gorgeous radishes, winter beets, winter squashes, and a variety of leafy greens and more.
During a visit, you might also want to stop in and get a free sample of some pure, natural, raw honey from Blue Ridge Honey.
Once you visit the local Downtown Certified Farmers’ Market, you’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for — and more, so make sure you bring your reusable totes.
Here are a few of in season produce for winter:
Artichokes, beets, corn, eggplant, kumquats, lemons, lettuce and strawberries.
Visit, vccfarmersmarkets.com and for a what’s in season guide sfma.net/consumer/inseason.shtml.
A $3,000 check was presented by the Rotary Club of Ventura for the eye clinic.
Even though open for several months the community free Eye Clinic held a Chamber ribbon-cutting on Friday, Sept. 28, at the Salvation Army living center located at 155 S Oak St.
In attendance were Ventura Chamber members, friends, members of the Ventura Rotary Club, Ventura Downtown Lions Club and the Salvation Army of Ventura, the 3 groups that have partnered to bring the community a free Eye Clinic. Their goal and vision is to provide free eye glasses for those in need. Patients are seen each Thursday from 7:30- 9:30 except holidays. Walk-Ins are welcomed as well, just arrive early and ring the bell!
Clerici is the executive director of Downtown’s nonprofit improvement district.
Candidate statement
Kevin Clerici, Candidate for City Council Dist 1
Ventura Firefighters, Police Officers, local labor leaders and small business owners all agree that Kevin Clerici is the experienced choice for Ventura City Council District 1.
“I’m running for City Council to ensure we have safer neighborhoods, protect our environment, address our homeless/vagrancy challenges, improve traffic infrastructure and expand our parks and open spaces so our children, seniors and working families can thrive,” said Kevin, 41, an Avenue homeowner.
Since 2011, Kevin, a former local journalist, has served as executive director of Downtown’s nonprofit improvement district, which is independent of the City. He is the only candidate who lives and works in District 1.
During his time downtown, Kevin has forged a reputation as an informed and accessible leader who is quick to help others and is known for getting things done. Kevin is on the front lines of addressing the City’s homeless and housing challenges and sits on the countywide Mental Health Advisory Board and city’s homeless task force, among others. He’s endorsed by Ventura’s Police & Firefighters Associations.
“I have spent 20 years in public service and believe in bringing people together to solve problems,” he said, noting that the Westside has not had an elected local resident in decades. “No candidate will be more devoted, accessible or prepared. District 1 deserves an experienced, trusted leader. A real champion to make sure the Westside and Downtown get the attention and resources it deserves.”
Website is www.KevinforVentura.com.
I am not sure of the name of this mall other than Burlington Coat Factory is located there at the corner of Main and Telephone Roads. Do you know what construction is going on there and what they have planned to build there?
Thank you.
Marsha Moreland
Marsha:
We reached out to Dave Ward Ventura Principal Planner to get an answer.
The center, which has separate property owners (not just one which would be more typical), is undergoing overall updates: new facades, landscape and circulation components and new uses:
New Starbucks with drive thru visually at Main/Telephone corner but access is by Chucky Cheese,
Old Hudson, demolished now, becomes a parking lot area
Next to Baja Fresh a new possible drive thru use…don’t think the operator yet decided.
Tuesday Morning moved to an expanded suite (new addition popped out on backside) next to Burlington. This part completed.
Quite an upgrade to the center indeed!
And an aside note… Aldi is proposing store in suites that include existing Starbucks and two suites next to Lamps Plus across the street, plus upgrades to parking lot and landscape and maybe some other facade changes. So that shopping center is going to see changes too!
Best
Dave Ward
Do you have a question? Send it to [email protected] and we will try to get an answer.
The Walk is a tradition that provides an opportunity to raise awareness about mental illness.
The 14th Annual NAMI Ventura County Walk – NAMI Ventura County Mental Health Hero’s Remaining Strong benefiting the National Alliance on Mental Illness will be on Saturday October 13, at the San Buenaventura State Beach Parking (near the Pier). Check in and registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the start time for the 5k walk beginning at 10:30 a.m. The Walk will be held rain or shine. There will be a pre-walk program from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. which will feature speakers from the Ventura County community.
The Walk is a tradition that provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the facts of mental illness, to erase the stigma associated with mental illness, and to raise funds so that NAMI Ventura County can continue to offer all their programs and services at no cost to persons who can be helped by those services. It gives everyone a chance to show their support for the efforts put forth by NAMI Ventura County.
NAMI bases their mission on the principles of support, education, and advocacy for persons impacted by mental illness. They provide classes for family members, providers, and persons with a lived experience of mental illness. They also present in schools, hold support groups for family members, and provide outreach to persons who come to see persons who are in the inpatient psychiatric units in Ventura County. NAMI Ventura County also has a Peer to Peer class for persons in recovery and a Connections support group for persons in recovery as well.
The Walk in Ventura County is a fun family event with activities for children and opportunities to socialize. It also provides our community with a way for us all to come together to show our support for needed services for all persons impacted by mental illness.
To register as an individual walker or to form a team and/or to find information about sponsorships please call 805.641.2426 or visit www.namiventura.org.
If you want to participate, it takes some preparation! Photo by Bernie Goldstein
Ventura Harbor Village welcomes wee pirates and costumed mermaids (along with spooktacular parents) waterfront for a Seaside Trick or Treat on Saturday ,October 27, from 1pm-3pm. Dress up and navigate through the waterfront Village with over 20 treat stops at participating Harbor boutiques and restaurants. It will be an afternoon full of Halloween sweets, face painting, and fun!
That very same day, Zombies will roam the promenade and come together for a World Record breaking flash mob to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. Spectators should be sure to show up by 3pm to catch the dance in action. Dancers around the globe convene at to try and beat the World Record of dancers at one time to Thriller. However, if you want to participate, it takes some preparation!
Learn the dance, by joining Molly at FitZone in Ventura for classes and get creative with zombie costumes and make-up. To sign up, email [email protected] or call 805-766-4480. Ages 6 and up are welcome to join in on the fun. There is a $20 Dancer Registration fee (all proceeds go to “Make a Wish Foundation”.)
Participants in the Seaside Games travel from all the western states.
Southern California’s Seaside Highland Games – the premier Scottish festival on the Pacific Coast – will launch their 16th outing on October 13 & 14. Staged on the Ventura County Fairgrounds the venue is transformed into a virtual Scottish village of this or any age. Set on the Pacific shores, the festival is fortunate to enjoy the ocean breezes in virtually every year. And October it the optimal time to enjoy the ‘twixt’n tween” time between summer and fall.
Participants in the Seaside Games travel from all the western states to take part – Washington and Oregon to the north and Arizona, Utah and Nevada to the east. This year, because our honored clan will be Clan Graham Society of North America, we will be flooded with Grahams from all across this nation as well as our neighbors in Canada. There could be a new native Scots thrown into the mix as well!
The special guests this year will be the Honorable Ms Joni Smith, Scottish Counselor for North America from her Washington DC offices. And the World Champion Grade 3 pipe band …the Pasadena Scots!
On Friday night of games weekend there is the “A Scottish Evening”, which consists of a sumptuous buffet supper, great Scottish music and a Scottish fashion show! A Single Malt Tasting precedes the dinner with a dozen plus premium Scotch brands to taste!
Saturday brings the gala opening ceremonies and grand parade at noon in front of the Alex Beaton Stage. Clan names and mottoes will be called out by the Voice of the Seaside Games, Bill Graham, as clan members march by, interspersed with all the fine bagpipe and drum bands in attendance. A true color spectacle! Four stages of wonderful music will be playing continuously throughout the weekend, while nearby the Highland heavies, the braw Scottish athletes, will amaze you. The herding dogs demos will amuse and thrill you and the dancers of all ages will enthrall you! The St. Andrew’s Society of Los Angeles Harp Glen is an awesome stop and the World War II military encampment will teach you a thing or three about our tremendous history. Fine vendors, tasty Celtic food and drink when the need arises, and a precious Children’s Glen for the wee ones add to the amazing offerings.
Come to Seaside and see it all! October 13 and 14 on the Ventura County Fairgrounds! For more information [email protected] or call John and Nellie at 818-886-4968.
Getting a tree to plant in your garden to add to your landscape is a big decision. First, you need to find the right type of tree that will work with your existing foliage. Thankfully, you can look at these mount pleasant tree images to see what all sorts of trees look like when they’re grown. Then, you need to consider how easy maintenance will be — how often will it need to be trimmed? How much water do they require? How fast do they grow? And this is definitely an important thing to consider because you don’t want to buy a tree that isn’t able to stay alive during the droughts we have. This is where the free gardening class comes in helpful.
During times of drought, there are water efficient tips you can employ to keep the trees in your landscape healthy and thriving. At Ventura Water’s September 8th free gardening class held at Green Thumb Nursery, Certified Nursery Professional Richard Flowers shared his expert tips.
Flowers encouraged customers to understand their soil type, “If your soil is hard, dry and compacted you may have a clay soil which needs to be watered slowly and less often, rather than sandy soil which can be watered more frequently for not as long.”
Flowers provided recommendations for maximizing soil moisture and improving soil health. “When you first plant a tree, I always suggest creating a basin around the base and filling it with mulch. Avoid mulch touching the main trunk. Incorporating an organic soil mix under the tree’s canopy or by the tree’s drip line (the area located outside the boundary where rainwater would flow off the leaves to the ground) is beneficial because the organic material helps feed the soil biology improving water uptake, and reducing soil compaction.”
To test your soil’s moisture, Flowers suggested using a screwdriver and inserting it approximately 6-8 inches deep at the tree’s drip line. For watering best practices Flowers suggested, “early morning or dusk which limits water loss due to evaporation.” He explained a newly planted tree requires more frequent watering when compared to an established tree which may only need to be watered once a month being careful not to water in one place.”
“Segment your tree watering into zones. Like the face of a clock, water at positions12, 3, 6, and 9 for a total of 100 gallons of water. If you’re watering with a sprinkler system, use a soup can or something similar to measure when approximately 2 inches of water has been applied. A watering hose on a timer can also work well. Just remember, it’s important to water slowly.”
To find out more about the City of Ventura’s free Gardening classes, visit venturawater.net.
