The Ventura Chamber of Commerce Taste of Ventura is back! On August 17, it was a night of Ventura’s finest food, drinks and live music under the stars. Featuring more than 35 restaurants, caterers, breweries, wineries offering small bites and drink samples.
Taste was held at the Museum of Ventura County.
About 60 guests attended this exclusive event. Photos by Randy Encinas
On July 25th, Water’s Edge Restaurant hosted the first “Dine & Delight” – a private Winemaker’s Dinner, benefiting Rubicon Theatre Company, Ventura County’s leading not-for-profit professional theatre company.
The special 5-course dinner by award-winning Executive Chef Alex Montoya was expertly paired with wines from one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated vintners, Caymus Vineyards.
Chef Alex took pride in locally sourcing ingredients to provide the freshest products while supporting Ventura’s local fishermen, farmers, and ranchers. The perfect harmony of flavors elevated the dining experience, delighting wine enthusiasts and food connoisseurs alike, leaving them talking about the evening long after the final glass of wine was served. From oyster delight, sweet & sour pork belly and mango halibut aguachile to grilled Korean short rib before topping off with apple tarte tatin, diners were wowed by the expertly paired exquisite wine with each course.
About 60 guests attended this exclusive event, some Ventura locals, and some drove in from Ojai, Thousand Oaks and Santa Barbara. During the main course, guests enjoyed a live musical performance by Broadway veteran and Rubicon artist Jennifer Leigh Warren (Big River and Marie Christine on Broadway, Dark of the Moon and Lonesome Traveler at Rubicon) accompanied by Musical Director Gerald Sternbach.
This exceptional culinary event was a successful evening of exquisite flavors, delightful wine pairings, live musical entertainment, and an opportunity to support the artistic and educational programs of Rubicon. It marked Rubicon’s first of many fundraising events to come!
Guests who attended “Dine & Delight” directly contributed to the growth and success of Rubicon’s artistic and educational initiatives, enabling the theatre to continue inspiring and enriching the Ventura County community through the transformative power of theatre.
Rubicon Board President Doug Halter stated, “Guests not only savored the local culinary delights but also enjoyed musical entertainment, creating an immersive experience that celebrated the intersection of gourmet cuisine, exceptional wines, and the arts.”
Photo by Michael Gordon
Only 3 more concerts at Music Under the Stars at the Olivas Adobe that the Ventura Breeze helps sponsor. They are on Aug.12,19 and 26 and might be sold out so don’t just show up before checking their site for availability of tickets.
by Richard Senate
In the mid 1870s a man named E. Tapia was traveling though California and paused in Ventura. In his journal he kept notes and, as photography at the time used large cameras, with heavy glass plates, he documented his travels by painting small watercolors of the things he saw.
In his journal is the painting of an adobe building, clearly abandoned, shingled roof with holes, door open. This image resembled nothing photographed in historic Ventura. The caption is even more curious: ” This dance hall of Don Ramundo (Sp) Olivas was situated on the Santa Clara River, six miles from the town of Ventura. Robbed by Joaquin Murieta on June 17th 1850 and (he) obtained sixty thousand dollars in gold from this robbery. Joaquin Murieta and his gang, Botello, Jose Reyes, Carillo, Caudio, Three Finger Jack (Manuel Garcia), and Reyes Felis. This (is) the hall where drinking and dancing, gambling, bear fights, and bullfights and horse racing took place.”
The building is clearly on The Olivas Ranch, six miles from Ventura, but why is there no reference to such a building or enterprise of this type linked to Don Raymundo? At that time owning a saloon was not a thing to be ashamed of–Angel Escandon, the Mayor of Ventura, was a saloon owner. Raymundo did make wine and brandy, why not sell it to people? From the description lots of things went on here, dancing, gambling, bear and bull fights and even horse racing. Why is this the only reference to this place? Another question, why was it abandoned? It sounds lucrative and Don Raymundo was an astute businessman. Why would he close it down? Perhaps it was attracting all the wrong sorts of people, like outlaws and bandits. Maybe it was closed after the great robbery?
Another question is where was it located? The Santa Clara River was one of the three bounties of the Rancho San Miguel that was a large triangle. It could have been at the mouth of the river or where El Camino Real (Present Main Street) crossed The Santa Clara, Near the bridge to Oxnard today. Did someone just tell Mr. Tapia a story and there was no Olivas Dance Hall? Was it perhaps just an old, abandoned adobe building? That is possible.
Does this hint that something else was going on? Dance hall imply the presence of women and music. Such establishments used mechanical music makers and Raymundo collected them. There was no stigma in owning a saloon but there was to owning a brothel. Maybe he didn’t operated it and someone else did? One interesting tale is the first “ghost story” linked to the house. Women saw a white form floating on the road late at night. They thought it was a ghost but Raymundo was sterner stuff and investigated with a gun—waiting for the “ghost”. It proved to be his son (maybe Raimundo Jr?) stealing sheepskins to use in gambling. Its a six-mile hike to downtown Ventura on foot—maybe he wasn’t going that far and just going to the Dance Hall a quarter mile away to gamble? Maybe that’s why Raymundo closed the place? Many mysteries out there to be solved.
The Ventura Chamber held a ribbon cutting for Coastal Spa. They have moved from an older location to Victoria Ave.
They have 23 Years Of Experience installing & maintaining spas in Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties.
Coastal Spa Warehouse
1220 S. Victoria Ave, Ventura
Hours Tue-Sat 10-5 805-654-9000
Photo by Michael Gordon
Kamal Ahmad and Clint Sallee, new owners of Costal Spa thanking previous owners, Jim and Sally Vishnefske, for their continuous support and legacy of their spa business.
Owner’s of Crave LT and Karynsue bring satisfying and memorable gelatos and coffee.
Karynsue is renowned for her adventurous spirit, always embracing challenges and mastering her craft with unwavering determination. A lifelong learner, she continuously evolves her skills, constantly striving to elevate her creations to new heights.
Prior to founding Crave, she embarked on a transformative journey for three years, traveling, studying, and learning from like-minded artisans and esteemed chefs. This endeavor led to a delightful fusion of curated cold brews and delectable delights.
The path that led to the exquisitely designed Gelato Kofi Bar was nothing short of serendipity. The universe blessed Karynsue with meaningful encounters with like-minded artisans, forging connections that went beyond mere coincidence. These individuals became not just acquaintances but cherished friends and mentors. The same discerning approach was applied in selecting her current team of six employees, chosen from over 50 interviews, each bringing their heart, passion, wit, and dedication to serve the valued customers who grace their doors.
In July 2023, Karynsue and her husband LT fulfilled their dream by opening Crave Gelato Kofi Bar at the picturesque Portside Ventura Harbor. At Crave, every creation is crafted with purpose and passion. They meticulously select botanical ingredients, sourcing them organically to curate a delightful array of unique flavors.
Come and savor the experience of their handcrafted gelato, painstakingly made from scratch, and delight in their array of non-dairy options. Stay awhile to indulge in the spice-infused dolce and savor the variety of certified organic artisan coffee beverages, all served with love and care. Crave Gelato Kofi Bar promises an unforgettable culinary journey that will leave you craving for more!
The wall mural that perfectly interpreted their botanical lifestyle and organic plant based inspired craft was painted by Art is Passion, right here at Portside Ventura Harbor.
Additional information can be found: [email protected]
There are three generations of family here in this picture. All three generations are reading the Breeze and loving it, high in the High Sierras. Because there were only 3 issues they had to extend their vacation so all of them could read it.
Trio Manise will visit the Ojai Library at 2pm on Sunday, August 20, 2023, to deliver a special afternoon performance. The members of Trio Manise are David Singer (clarinet), Ann Erwin (flute), and Fred Beerstein (oboe). These talented musicians will play music by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Villa-Lobos, Malcolm Arnold, and Benjamin Britten. The performance will take place in the main library space, and is sponsored by the Ojai Valley Library Friends & Foundation.
This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146 or [email protected].
The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Avenue in Ojai, CA. Hours of service are 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday and 12pm to 5pm Friday through Sunday.
The Ojai Storytelling Festival returns October 26 – 29, 2023! Naughty Tales, Story Slam, Ghost Stories, Music – There’s something for everyone! Entries accepted till September 15th at ojaistoryfest.org/storyslam. Taking place at the historic Libbey Bowl and Ojai Art Center, Tim Lowry will be our Master of Ceremonies with featured storytellers Niall de Burca, Carmen Agra-Deedy, Noa Baum, Rev. Robert Jones, Vijai Nathan, and Peter Cook! Musical performances by Dan Navarro, Ted Lennon, and the Salty Suites. Experience the magic and joy of a good story. Get your weekend pass now. More info: [email protected]
Tickets & Volunteering: ojaistoryfest.org
A special program coming up at the Ojai Library. Popular storyteller, speaker, and author Bee Bloeser will visit the Ojai Library at 2pm on Saturday, August 26, 2023, to talk about her book, Vaccines & Bayonets: Fighting Smallpox in Africa amid Tribalism, Terror and the Cold War.
Bee Bloeser has lived in Africa, the Middle East, and Native American nations. A retired speech-language pathologist, she is a member of Toastmasters International and PEO, a philanthropic education organization that funds education for women and girls.
Her historical memoir, Vaccines & Bayonets, has been praised by Foreign Policy magazine’s deputy editor and by The Economist’s Midwest correspondent and former bureau chief in Johannesburg and Delhi. A percentage of net proceeds from Vaccines & Bayonets supports water wells for Africa.
This was one of the best days I have had in a long time.
by Amannda DeBoef
This was one of the best days I have had in a long time. My cousin, Steve, chauffeured my great-aunt, Ruth, my mother, Gail, and his girlfriend, Lea, on the most gorgeous drive from Granada Hills, just outside of Los Angeles to the San Buenaventura State Beach located in Ventura, California. The very locale Tom Petty wrote about in his classic rock song, ‘Free Fallin’. (My absolute favorite).
Being from southwest Missouri with fair skin and blue eyes, I am admittedly, more of a mountain girl than a beach girl (one day later and my beet red shoulders and chest will attest to that). However, the Southern California landscape is positively breathtaking. There are trees and flowers in every color imaginable. Just when I thought I had seen it all, another version of a colorful California native tree, bush, plant, flower, or succulent would ‘WOW’ me more than those I had seen previously.
The walk along the beach at San Buenaventura was at least 20 degrees cooler than in the city. The fresh, breezy air smelled of salt water and sunscreen. Kids played in the ocean waves. Children dug sandcastles and completed works of art on the sandy beaches. Adults rode bikes and jogged on the boardwalk that runs along the beachfront. There were dogs of every shape, size, and breed enjoying this picture-perfect summer day.
My mother made friends with two very social St. Bernard’s we met while walking the clean and tidy sidewalks next to the beach. The younger of the two dogs practically knocked my mother over when she invited them to come say, ‘Hello’. The owner was nearly as friendly as his two large companions.
We ate at a tasty ocean-side restaurant called Social House. I had a lavender lemon-drop that was positively divine, along with a fish sandwich that certainly satisfied my fully grown appetite.
I think I get it now. The wet sand. The calming sound of the waves rolling onto the shore. The distant laughter of children with not a care in the world. The sights and sounds that only a beachfront view can afford.
I saw a young girl lounging on a bench on the pier, reading a novel. I wanted to be that girl.
I saw several people biking down the boardwalk, taking in the entertaining sights and sounds of what can only be described as, ‘A Happy Place’. I wanted to be those cyclists.
I saw a friendly man walking his two large dogs. Stopping for nearly every passer-by to let them pet said dogs and engage in at least a 20-minute conversation. (That man must have a ton of friends).
I loved it all. I understand now. Why people move from the only home they have ever known. Why folks battle ridiculous city traffic day in and day out. Why young adults decide to ‘head west’ to see what the fuss is all about. While this western life may not be for me, those few minutes of beachfront, ocean wave, seagull-cawing time in the sand was truly invigorating, relaxing, therapeutic, and downright blissful. I get it now. I really do.
The mountains may call to my soul, but the beach. It truly has a magic all its own. I will be back. I cannot bear to say a final goodbye to such a timeless, faithful friend. The tides will one day lure me back to the shore. And I will come armed with a book, a bike, a dog, or simply a hat to shield my face, and a great appreciation for one of God’s most beautiful gifts this side of Heaven.
