Ojai events

“Elemental,” An art exhibit featuring the work of six talented Ojai artists will run from April 2nd to April 30^th with an opening reception Sunday, April 16^th, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at The Ojai Art Center.

The “Elemental” art show promises to be a must-see exhibition for art lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. In addition, a Patio Pop-Up Show of recent work will be featured Sat. & Sun., April 15th & 16th, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The exhibit and pop-up show will feature a wide range of artwork for sale.

For more information about the “Elemental” art show or to schedule an interview with any of the featured artists, please contact Helen Solomon, (805) 317-1504.

The Ojai Art Center is proud to announce that local artist Rick Sharp’s vintage artwork will be featured as the official image for this year’s 46th Annual Art in the Park fine art event.

Art in the Park is an annual event that celebrates the beauty of fine art and nature. This year’s event will take place on Memorial Weekend (Saturday and Sunday, May 27th and 28th) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Libbey Park (downtown Ojai) and will feature a wide variety of art exhibits. The event is free, open to the public, and is a great way to spend a day enjoying the outdoors while supporting local artists.

Exhibitor applications are being accepted through the end of March. For more information about Art in the Park, please visit www.ojaiartcenter.org.

It is our utmost goal to provide this programming for low or no cost, to students- public, private, and homeschooled” says Kara Lakes, Executive Director, about the mission of Performances To Grow On and The Ojai Storytelling Festival. When representatives of the Ventura County non-profit reached out to local public schools to offer The Mitzvah Project, an acclaimed 75-minute, three-part Holocaust/social justice-themed educational program, for free, the lack of interest was surprising. Only Nordhoff High School, in PTGO’s home city of Ojai, accepted the free educational programming.

The Mitzvah Project, PTGO decided to open up their community shows to reach as many students, teachers and administrators as possible. Both community performances, March 18th at the Ventura Center For Spiritual Living and March 19th at the Jewish Community Of Ojai, will be free to ages 14 through college, administrators, and teachers.

To reserve your free tickets go to- https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/ojaistoryfest/6604/event/1314168

The Mitzvah Project is a moving and immensely important three part presentation that dramatically explores the nature of prejudice through the interconnected lives of three unique characters from different backgrounds who cross paths during the darkest days of the Holocaust.

The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts is pleased to present a performance and release party for Ojai residents Alyse Korn and Robert Kyle’s new CD Tuesday’s Child on Sunday, March 26th at 5 pm. They will be joined by musicians Kevin Winard and Ahmet Turkmenoglu.

The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts is located at 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Road in Upper Ojai.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at https://www.beatricewood.com/alyse_korn_robert_kyle.html

or by calling the Center at 805-646-3381

Topa Topa Brewing Co.’s headquarters in Ventura, is hosting a dance party, “Bash for the Birds” on Friday, March 31 from 7 to 11 pm to benefit Ojai Raptor Center (ORC).

The event will be held in the Sagebrush Garden of Topa Topa Brewing Co.’s 4880 Colt Street location.

Advance tickets are $10 at https://donorbox.org/events/415896. Tickets at the door will be $15. 21 over and only.

100% of ticket sales benefit ORC.

The City of Ventura’s Public Works Department received a $52,588 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) that will fund activities emphasizing the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.

“Active modes of transportation like biking and walking are great ways to explore our beautiful community,” shared Public Works Director Phil Nelson. “We are grateful for the support from the Office of Traffic Safety to help continue enhancing the safety and comfortability for those using our streets and sidewalks outside of cars.”

Grant funds will support a variety of activities focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety:

Bicycle training courses that educate youth on safe riding behaviors.

Helmet fitting inspections and distribution of helmets to those in need.

Community and school education presentations.

Community bike rides that encourage and teach riders safe riding skills.

Pop-up events that promote road visibility with safety equipment such as reflective armbands/leg bands and bicycle headlights/taillights.

“Every bicyclist and pedestrian should feel safe on the road,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “Education is one of many important tools that collectively work to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely, regardless of how they travel.”

The grant program will run through September 2023.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information about active transportation in the City of Ventura, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ActiveTransportation.

Leonard aka Lenny is 8-years-old. He likes to sleep, get brushed and look for food any where he can.

Unity of Ventura has named Rev. Heidi Alfrey as its new senior minister. Alfrey was previously senior minister at Unity of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

After its previous minister retired in 2019, Unity of Ventura started its search for a replacement. Soon after, COVID hit and the search was suspended. Alfrey applied at the end of August and met all the criteria.

“We were looking for someone with a strong sense of community,” says Sharie Lieberg, president of Unity of Ventura’s Board of Trustees. “Rev. Alfrey brings energy and enthusiasm and was very well received by the congregation when she was a guest minister. She gives lessons that are very relevant to the congregation. People feel they can relate to her.”

The Unity movement was founded in 1889. The founders researched all the world religions looking for similarities. Unity has become known worldwide as a spiritual community that welcomes all lifestyles, faiths, genders and ethnicities, and believes positive prayer makes a difference. Unity of Ventura was established in the 1950s. Alfrey is only its third minister in the last 30 years.

“So many people feel their early religious upbringing doesn’t fit for them today and don’t know where to go to feel spiritually connected,” says Alfrey, who, besides being an ordained Unity minister has a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. “When I first attended a Unity center 38 years ago, I experienced an immediate sense of welcome, acceptance and peace. Unity teaches that every person is a spiritual being, it is the essence of being alive. Life doesn’t happen to us; it happens through us. One doesn’t need to look outside of one’s self for validation.”

Alfrey hopes to expand Unity of Ventura’s spiritual community by offering a series of ongoing Sunday morning teachings that offer relevant and practical solutions to navigate the ups and downs of life. Community events and wellness classes in 2023 will focus on creating and sustaining fulfilling and joyful lives. Unity will continue to be involved and support local non-profits.

“Especially in the current-day world, people are looking for a spiritual place where they can be inspired, be valued and be celebrated just the way they are,” says Alfrey. “Unity of Ventura is that place.”

Unity of Ventura holds services on Sundays at 10 a.m. at Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura. For more information, call 805-653-1059 or go to www.UnityofVentura.org.

The Ventura Halloween Regional duplicate bridge tournament is rapidly approaching.   It will be held Oct 24-30, at the Ventura Beach Marriott Hotel on Harbor Blvd.   There will be morning games starting at 10, afternoon games starting at 2 and Monday evening games starting at 7 for all levels of play. 

There will be daily team games which are always fun.  Partners are guaranteed.  There will be some experts playing as well as a daily lecture / lesson by Majorie Michelin who not only is an expert player but a well-known teacher of bridge.  There will also be guest speakers daily.

This Halloween Regional is sponsored by District 22 of ACBL – website www.d22acbl.com/ventura-regional. 

Questions?  Richard  805-659-801 or Rose  805-659-9223 [email protected].

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Aloha Beach Festival
Promenade Park, Ventura
Sat 9/3: Warren Takahashi, Free Love Project, Jacob Marquez & the Good Vibes, Morie & the Heavy Hitters
Sun 9/4: Warren Takahashi, Jill Martini & the Shrunken Heads, Keyth & the Universouls, The Question, Rising Son

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam

Café Fiore
66 California Street, Ventura
Wed 8/24: Donna Butler
Fri 8/26: Rick Whitfield
Sat 8/27: Otis Hayes
Sun 8/28: Urban Dread
Wed 8/31: David Patt
Sun 9/4: Free Love Project

Channel Islands Harbor
3600 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Free concert – 4-6 pm
8/27: Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers
9/3: Ignition

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 8/26: Johnny and the Love Handles
Sat 8/27: Fantastic Diamond
Sun 8/28: Moxey Raven Band
Fri 9/2: Oleander Falls
Sat 9/3: Katie Shorey

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays
Thursdays: Glenn Bennet

Copper Blues
The Collection, Oxnard
Fri 8/26: Raw Honey
Sat 8/27: Fallen Saints

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai
Fri 9/2: The Late Knights
Sat 9/3: Devon Thompson

El Rey Cantina
2302 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
Sat 9/3: The Robot Uprising, Out of Trust, RAW

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Fri 8/26: Inna Rude Mood
Sun 8/28: Déjà vu Three
Fri 9/2: Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers

The Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Sat 8/27: Emily Coupe with full band

The Grape
2833 E. Main St., Ventura
Tuesdays Jazz Jam
Wed 8/24: Nick Gomez Trio with Teryn Re
Thurs 8/25: Water Seed
Fri 8/26: Barrehouse Wailers
Sat 8/27: Doug Webb and Friends
Mon 8/29: Derek Sherinian – Simon Phillips (two shows)
Wed 8/31: Jazz Quartet
Fri 9/2: the Guil Juliao Quartet
Sat 9/3: Doug Webb Group feat. Danny Carey of Tool

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Sat 8/27: Breaking Bored

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 8/25: Andrew Hart
Fri 8/26: Jayden Secor
Sat 8/27: Animo Cruz
Sun 8/28: Spring Loaded

Libbey Bowl
210 Signal St., Ojai
Sat 8/24: Michael Feinstein
Sun 8/28: Tuxedo Junction Jazz Band
Sun 9/4: Starship feat. Mickey Thomas

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri & Sat 8-11 pm; Sun 5-8 pm
Fri 8/26: Colette Lovejoy Band
Sat 8/27: Vinyl Gypsies
Sun 8/28: CRV
Fri 9/2: Whiskey Business
Sat 9/3: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 9/4: DRB – Doc Rogers Band

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak Street, Ventura
Sat 9/3: Esteban Ramirez

Ojai Underground
616 Pearl Street, Ojai
Fri 9/2: Nathan McEuen
Sat 9/3: Little Days

Poseidon Brewing
5777 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura
Sat 8/27: Zeke Berkley
Sat 9/3: Dean & Lisa

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri 8/26: Operation 90s
Sat 8/27: Rewind (5 pm); Free Love Project (8 pm)
Sun 8/28: Karen Eden
Fri 9/2: Jayden Secor
Sat 9/3: Brandon Ragan Project
Sun 9/4: Mack & D

Spencer Makenzie’s Music Festival
Ventura Fairgrounds Parking Lot
Fri 8/26: A.D.D.
Sat 8/27: Mandex, Sunny Lefurd
Sun 8/28: Morie & the Heavy Hitters, Rey Fresco

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Wednesdays: Americana Night
Thursdays: LA Jazz Connection
Fri 8/26: Littlefish
Sat 8/27: Dive Bar Steve (2 pm); Guy Martin Band (8 pm)
Sun 8/28: 80R2D (12:30 pm); Aaron Burch (5 pm)

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 8/25: Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners (sold out)
Sat 8/27: She Wants Revenge
Sun 8/28: Switchfoot
Tues 8/30: Jerry paper,
Fri 9/2: Jesse Daniel
Sat 9/3: Cubensis

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Saturdays: Smitty and Julia and Friends
Sundays: Austin Vallejo

Water’s Edge
1510 Anchor’s Way Dr., Ventura
Sun 8/28: Dean & Lisa

Waterside Restaurant and Wine Bar
3500 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sun 8/28: Sean & Colin

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 2 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 8/25: Blown Over
Fri 8/26: Steve and Sally Williams
Sun 8/28: Jayden Secor
Fri 9/2: Cinnamon Whiskey
Sat 9/3: McGuire/Moffet Band
Sun 9/4: Brandon Ragan Project
Tues 9/6: Open Mic w/ Jenna Rose

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 7/29: Two’s Company
Fri 8/5: Teresa Russell

Café Fiore
66 California Street, Ventura
Wed 7/27: Donna Butler
Sun 7/31: Urban Dread
Sun 8/7: Intent

Channel Islands Harbor
3600 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sat 7/30: Decadent Decades

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 7/29: Kelly’s Lot
Sat 7/30: Caliente 805
Fri 8/5: What the Funk
Sat 8/6: the Paulie Cerra Band

The Collection
2751 Park View Court, Oxnard
Wed 7/27: Twisted Gypsy

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays
Thursdays: Glenn Bennet

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai
Sat 7/30: David Palmer and Friends
Sun 7/31: Tobacco City, Brendan Willing James
Fri 8/5: Katie Skene Band
Sat 8/6: Cole Gallagher & the Lesser Saints

Fatty Vegan
325 S. Borchard Dr., Ventura
Sat 7/30: Backhand, Cardboard Boxer

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Fri 7/29: Heathers on Fire
Sun 7/31: Clear Sky
Sun 8/7: Dean & Lisa

The Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Thurs 7/28: Mike Beers unplugged
Fri 7/29: Morie and the Heavy Hitters
Sat 7/30: Brittney and the B Sides
Thurs 8/4: Danny Moa acoustic
Fri 8/5: Jayden Secor
Sat 8/6: The Late Knights

The Grape
2833 E. Main St., Ventura
Tuesdays Jazz Jam
Most Saturday afternoons: Fausto Cuevas y La Moderna
Wed 7/27: Fred Kaplan Quartet
Thurs 7/28: Tom McMorran Quartet
Fri 7/29: Matt Harris Band
Sat 7/30: Charles Ruggero plays Monk
Wed 8/3: Jason Fabus Trio
Thurs 8/4: Chieli Minucci & Special EFX
Fri 8/5: Michael Falcone Quintet
Sat 8/6: Brad Rabuchin & Cats have Edge

Heritage Square Summer Concert Series
715 S. A Street, Oxnard
Fri 7/29: Myst
Fri 8/5: Soul Machine

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Fri 7/29: Zepp Heads
Sat 7/30: The Balance

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 7/28: Christopher Hawley
Fri 7/29: Illunis
Sat 7/30: Blues Bullet
Sun 7/31: Tribe Devine

Libbey Bowl
210 Signal St., Ojai
Wed 7/27: Ojai Band
Sat 7/30: Grateful Shred
Sun 7/31: Grate Shred
Wed 8/3: Ojai Band
Thurs 8/4: Jake Shimabukuro
Fri 8/5: Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers
Sat 8/6: Mark Farner’s American Band

Lucas Sellers Wine
330 Zachary St., Moorpark
Sat 7/30: Jon Ranger

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street, Ventura
Sat 8/6: Third Eye Blind

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri & Sat 8-11 pm; Sun 5-8 pm
Fri 7/29: Colette Lovejoy
Sat 7/30: Vinyl Gypsies
Sun 7/31: CRV
Fri 8/5: Operation 90s
Sat 8/6: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 8/7: Doc Rogers Band

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak Street, Ventura
Fri 7/29: Aaron Burch
Sat 7/30: The Dennis and Laura Show

Poseidon Brewing
5777 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura
Sat 7/30: Mitch Bradford
Sat 8/6: Muleskinner Revival

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri 7/29: The Remedies
Sat 7/30: Red Rhythm

Topa Topa
104 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sat 7/30: Spurts, Dry Goods
Sun 731: Illunis

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Wednesdays: Americana Night
Thursdays: LA Jazz Connection
Fri 7/29: Masters of the Past
Sat 7/30: Jayden Secor; Crosscut 805
Sun 7/31: Danielle Stacy; Austin Vallejo

Ventura Music Festival
Mission Park, Downtown Ventura
Wed 7/27: ADAAWE
Ventura College Performing Arts Center
Fri 7/29: Django Festival Allstars
Sun 7/31: Sean Chen
Fri 8/5: The Moanin’ Frogs
Sat 8/6: Veronica Swift
Sun 8/7: The Crossing

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thur 7/28: Tropidelic, Kash’d Out, Joe Samba
Fri 7/29: Jerry’s Middle Finger
Sat 7/30: gimme gimme Disco
Sat 8/6: Arcy Drive, Oliva Willhite, Late Bloomers, Sour Fin

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Saturdays: Smitty and Julia and Friends
Sundays: Austin Vallejo
Fri 8/5: TD Lind and the Aviators

Waterside Restaurant and Wine Bar
3500 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Thurs 7/28: Two’s Company
Sat 7/30: GoletaSound
Sun 8/7: Teresa Russell

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 2 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 7/28: Big Adventure
Fri 7/29: Robert Heft Band
Sat 7/30: Steve and Sally Williams
Sun 7/31: Freddy Castro & Friends
Fri 8/5: Illunis
Sat 8/7: Mack & D
Sun 8/8: Debbie Davies

Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), a nonprofit organization that aims to help young students and the community understand the farm origins of their food and the importance of local agriculture, spread its message to more than 15,000 students and community members in 2021.

“One of SEEAG’s goals is for the public to better appreciate our local farmers, ranchers and farmworkers who grow the food we eat,” says Mary Maranville, SEEAG founder and CEO. “The food supply chain from farms to our tables is a journey we don’t often think about, but we should.”

SEEAG’s Farm Lab at Petty Ranch in Saticoy welcomed over 1,600 second graders, including low-income, Title 1 students, for a hands-on farm experience. “In addition to the wonderful experiential education benefits that Farm Lab gives students,” says Maranville, “it also gets kids outside off their devices and tech, which improves their mental health and wellbeing.”

Another 1,300 students in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties took part in SEEAG’s Child Wellness Initiative designed to educate and inspire children to eat healthy by adding locally-grown fruits and vegetables to their diet. Each student received a bag of fresh produce, recipes and other educational material. Another 200 middle and high school students attended SEEAG’s STEM Career Pathways in Agriculture presentations to learn about technical careers in the industry.

“SEEAG wants to cultivate the next generation of agricultural ambassadors and farmland stewards,” says Maranville. “We’re hoping that learning about the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables will create life-long healthy eating habits. We did much of our instruction remotely during the first part of 2021. We were able to return to in-classroom instruction in October.”

After a year off because of the pandemic, SEEAG held its Ventura County Farm Day and Santa Barbara County Farm Day in 2021. More than 12,000 people attended, visiting growers and other agricultural sites to see firsthand how food is grown, harvested and transported to local markets. Visitors experienced a day of agricultural activities, farm tours, tastings, and fruit and produce giveaways.

“SEEAG was able to engage with a large number of kids and adults even during a challenging year,” says Maranville. “We are currently expanding our STEM Career Pathways in Ag outreach to middle and high school students throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and our Ventura County Child Wellness and Santa Barbara County Child Wellness elementary school presentations.”

All SEEAG programs are free to schools and participants. It provides free bus transportation for students attending SEEAG’s Farm Lab.

Major 2021 donors included Haas Automotive Foundation, Gill’s Onions, Sprout’s, Ed and Jeanne Woods Family Foundation and Wood-Claeyssens Foundation.

For more about SEEAG, go to www.SEEAG.org.