Photos by Michael Gordon and others
The Rotary Club of Ventura once again hosted the 4th of July Fireworks Show and Family Picnic at the Ventura College athletic fields. The event was held on Tuesday, July 4th with the fireworks
show beginning at approximately 9 pm. Begun in 1994, the Ventura Rotary Fireworks event marked its 30th Anniversary in 2023.
Drones are much more pet-friendly than fireworks.
400 drones will take flight on July 20, 21, and 22 to amaze and dazzle Ventura community members and X Games fans for the city’s first-ever drone show. The show is presented by Visit Ventura, in partnership with Go Drones, and will include 3D images to celebrate the X Games in Ventura.
Offering community members something fun, free, and sustainable they can participate in has always been a priority — it’s a happy coincidence that the Visit Ventura Drone Show fits all three categories.
“It’s going to be amazing to see 400 drones light up our sky,” said Marlyss Auster, President and CEO of Visit Ventura. “So much of the X Games is a celebration of Ventura, our beach town community. We’re excited to bring everyone together for such a cool event that’s also eco-friendly.”
Drone shows are entirely customizable to the event unlike other air spectacles. Because each drone is individually illuminated, virtually any image created on a computer can be replicated in the sky during a drone light show.
At the size of a football field and a half, viewers can see the show up to five miles away depending on weather. Coupled with 3D imagery in the sky, the Visit Ventura Drone Show will immerse viewers like nothing else the community has seen before.
Not only are drone shows a beautiful spectacle in the sky, they are also more eco-friendly than fireworks. Drone shows eliminate fire concerns and other negative impacts on the environment. Plus, they are much more pet-friendly than fireworks; there are no loud booms during the show that would upset animals.
“In the dance of innovation, Go Drone Shows is excited to collaborate with the visionary spirits of Ventura and the X Games to continue to push the envelope of sustainable entertainment, uniting adrenaline and artistry in an unforgettable partnership,” said Eddie Fernandez, VP of Business Development at Go Drones. “Each show will be different from the night before, telling a story that is authentic to the story and spirit of both the X Games and Ventura. We look forward to bringing this unique experience to such a historic event.”
The Visit Ventura Drone Show will last approximately 15 minutes and will occur Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at around 8:45 pm during the finals weekend. The drones will launch behind Ventura City Hall on Thursday and beyond Surfers Point beach on Friday and Saturday.
Thursday night’s drone show directly follows the free, all-ages community event in Downtown Ventura. The Kickoff Skate Jam on July 20 will transform the intersection of Main and California streets into a unique, fan-friendly obstacle course and include music, X Games athlete meet and greets, and other family-friendly activities.
Catalina Linn
The 2023 Ventura County Fair Youth Poster Contest Winning poster have been announced.
They are Catalina Linn of Westlake Village; 13 years old 1st place: Aarna Dalsania of Camarillo; 11 years old 2nd place: Briceida Lopez of Oxnard; 18 years old 3rd place.
The judges were:
Judging Panel: • Greg Wray – Rotary Club of Ventura & retired Master Illustrator for Disney • Neal Lassila – President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Ventura & 20-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company • Dr. Cesar Morales – Superintendent of Ventura County Schools • Chief Dustin Gardner – Ventura County Fire Department • Chief Darin Schindler – Ventura Police Department • Asst. Sheriff Andrew Salinas – Ventura County Sheriff’s Office • Mayor Joe Schroeder – City of Ventura • Carley Logue – Visual Communications Expert for the Department of Navy / Naval Base • Mark Spellman – Radio Lazer • Peggy Kroener – Ventura County Youth Department Superintendent.
The poster will be used on merchandise, in advertising, and featured around the 2023 Ventura County Fair from August 2-13.
Recently 130 new trees were planted along the River Trail bike path on the Westside, between Park Row and Ramona St trail access. Native and drought-tolerant species were chosen, including five different oak species, two pine species and 40 Cercis Occidentalis (western redbud). A grant covers maintenance for one year, such as watering using Gator bags and stake repair. These trees will be a beautiful buffer between the freeway and the path, and help mitigate air pollution and noise.
Photo by Michael Gordon
Chamber ribbon cutting at J. Henderson Law, 255 Maple Court Suite 120, Ventura. “My services are comprehensive, personalized, and handled with care.”
Trains to take fans to the X Games.
The X Games has announced more detailed information about its partnership with Visit Ventura and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner – an unprecedented partnership which will provide access from key Southern California cities to the X Games event, bringing ticket-holders to and from Ventura this summer.
“Fans will be coming to X Games from all over Southern California and we wanted to provide them with a more sustainable way to travel to Ventura for the event,” said Valerie Ryan, X Games Vice President, Fan Experience & Hospitality.
The Ventura stop is part of the Fairgrounds parking lot, a few feet from where X Games three-day event will take place.
A total of 10 Pacific Surfliner trips operate to Ventura daily, from as far north as San Luis Obispo and as far south as San Juan Capistrano. During the event, an additional trip will be added to the schedule to provide customers with a late-night departure option from Ventura back to Los Angeles. With approximately 500 seats on board each Pacific Surfliner train, there is a potential to carry more than 16,000 passengers to and from the event over the three-day period.
“Sustainable travel has been at the forefront of our conversations since the very beginning,” said Marlyss Auster, President and CEO of Visit Ventura. “We have been in weekly transportation meetings for months with LOSSAN and the X Games team to create a sustainable travel plan that would benefit our city. The truth is train travel is not only better for our local community, but it’s also better for the environment and the guest experience too. It’s a win-win.”
The train is expected to depart Los Angeles Union Station around 7 a.m., traveling to San Luis Obispo and the second train will make its way back later in the day and evening.
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On May 30, 2023, Angel A1 threading opened its doors on the corner of E. Main St. in Ventura. Anju also known as Angie is one of the owners and managers of Angel A1 Threading.
Anju is an immigrant who came to United States and has opened her shop. Angie stated “I take full pride in saying it’s an ancient technique, it’s an Indian technique, because that’s where it all started. I am your expert for Brow Threading! I have eighteen years of experience and believe that threading is the best way to treat your brows and skin.”
Threading, which is a hair removal process that involves twisting thread into a loop which is used to remove excess body hair, has its origins in the Middle East and South Asia. The method has been used for centuries in beauty routines of both men and women throughout the region and in some countries it has ties to rites of passages or significant milestones. For example, in India soon-to-be-brides would traditionally hold off on getting their eyebrows threaded until marriage, when they would hold a threading party before the ceremony, threading has remained popular overseas, and is becoming a go-to hair removal method in the U.S.
We, at Angel A1 Threading feel delighted to serve our guests by precision threading and Henna tattoo arts. We have trained artists who excel in threading, designing and Henna tattoo making.
Mark your presence to shape your eyebrows and let your eyebrows do the talking. Also, get the best-designed tattoos on your body to flaunt your style. Getting the best services at a budget price is not always easy.
We offer special discounts and deals making it easier to get your favorite Henna Tattoo and full threading services. You can also get in touch and book appointments through Facebook and Instagram.
Alan and Kathy Hammerand brought the Ventura Breeze to the Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Turkey. The library refused to put it in their permanent collection.
Feel free to bring your dog but they need to be on a leash.
by Hadie Tobar
Whether you are in need of a quick nature walk with your furry friend, getting a workout on a trail run or simply enjoying some fresh air to decompress, Arroyo Verde Park hiking trails provide different ways to experience the peacefulness of its environment.
After a few minutes of warming up on the trail, I begin to feel much better and it keeps me motivated during my weekend hikes. It takes me about an hour and fifteen minutes to hike roughly two miles of the trail loop. But it can also be a short hike if you choose to go on the trails on the lower part of the mountains. Sometimes I like to explore through other connecting paths that add to the adventure – which also means it adds more time to complete. It’s fun going around the hills. I’ve caught different kinds of small birds playfully flying in and out of trees and shrubs. They’re a source of natural entertainment.
Some trails have an incline that gives you a good challenge up the hills. Then there are other trails I take to cool down while heading towards the back parking lot. In the summer, it gets very hot on the open trails so it feels refreshing to walk under the tree’s shady sections. I enjoy hiking through the Arroyo Verde trails because it feels good to get away from the city rush and take in the respite that nature provides.
The cool ocean breeze is very soothing while walking under the sun’s warmth. It’s especially wonderful to stop and rest on the bench at the top of a hill. It has a beautiful view of the sea to the west where the afternoon fog makes its way inland over the city. On the other side behind the hill, you can see so much greenery surrounding the area. And, just as beautiful wildflowers are blooming after a super rainy winter, so is poison oak. Watch out for its leaves-of-three when stopping to smell the flowers. Hiking is supposed to be good for your well-being but getting an uncomfortable reaction from something of nature can affect your health. Have fun on hikes but be safe.
Typically, on the weekends or later in the weekday afternoons, there are more hikers sharing the trails. Since the trails are open all year long that means you can plan your hiking routine to any day that works best for you. And you can start anytime between 7:00am and 6:00pm seven days a week.
Feel free to bring your dogs but they need to be on a leash when they’re with you on a trail. If you plan to have your dogs off their leash, the big grassy area is designated for that on Tuesdays through Sundays between 6:00am and 9:00am, but not on holidays or if the park has a special event happening.
The main entrance to Arroyo Verde Park is at Foothill and Day Road. It’s free to park your vehicle inside the lots Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, Sundays and on holidays, parking is $2 per hour or $5 maximum for all day. There’s also free parking outside on the nearby side streets, which in some cases provide a bit of a warmup while you walk from your vehicle to a trailhead just a bit north of the main entrance.
It’s a good thing the city of Ventura turned this land into recreational use more than 60 years ago. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have the chance to experience this nice green landscape near my favorite blue tides.
by Mary Olson
Ventura County Library Summer Reading Program continues with — Musician Craig Newton presenting Voice of America’s Fun Songs. Get ready for foot stomping, toe tapping, hand clapping, sing-along fun as musician Craig Newton brings a variety of instruments to the library. This free event is sponsored by the Ventura Friends of the Library.
For more information, contact Sienna Sydlaske, Youth Librarian Specialist, at (805) 648-2716.
Wildlife Presentation with Saving Wildlife International
Explore, discover, and learn about the natural world through Saving Wildlife International’s unique live animal presentation. This exciting presentation is sure to entertain and educate! This free event is sponsored by the Ventura Friends of the Library.
Find Your Voice! Family Musicals Film Fest and Coloring at Hill Road Library offers fun family musicals, drawing, and coloring for all ages.
Foster Library’s Young Readers Book Club
For children ages 9-12 (4th or 5th grade reading level). E.P. Foster Library, Saturday, July 22, 1:00 to 2:00 pm: Discuss Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi & create a graphic novel character.
Summer STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art and math):
E.P. Foster Library: Summer STEAM, Wednesdays, July 12 & 26, 2:00 to 4:00 pm; Maker Lab 3D Printing, Tuesdays, July 18 & 25, 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
Hill Road Library: Maker Lab, Thursdays, July 13, 20 & 17, 3:30 to 4:30 pm; Little Lab for ages 3 to 7, Tuesdays, July 18 & 25 & August 1, 10:30 to 11:30 am.
Hill Road Library Book Club: Tuesday, July 25, 5 to 6 pm: The Unlikely Adventures Of The Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal. To join the mailing list for this Book Club, please email [email protected].
Looking for a beach book? Or an audiobook for that long drive ? Or a jigsaw puzzle for your staycation?
Ventura Friends of the Library Bookstore in E.P. Foster Library is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 pm
We also invite you to browse anytime at our Online Bookstore for local sales. https://venturafol107753.square.site/s/shop We are in the process of remodeling our online store, adding new categories such as Just Added! and Art, Architecture and Photography. Just order and pick up at the bookstore in E.P. Foster in as little as two days. Look for new arrivals of art books in the store in E.P. Foster, as well!
