Vol. 13, No. 11 – Feb 26 – Mar 10, 2020 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

The Ventura Music Festival announced their 2020 lineup recently. Most of the events will be held at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center (VCPAC); but the ever-popular Tea & Trumpets will once again be held at the Pierpont Inn on July 23, and their annual free event will be held at Mission park on July 30 featuring Adaawe, seven women of the voice and drum featuring music from West African roots with Gospel harmonies and American funk. The other performances at VCPAC including Aubrey Logan, an American pop and jazz singer and trombone soloist; Time for Three; Andrea Roberto, Django Festival Allstars, Tom Scott & LA Express and Sean Chen. Tickets go on sale April 13 at www.VenturaMusicFestival.org.

Meanwhile, the Ventura Music Festival has a special event on March 22 featuring seven gifted musicians from Austria called Mnozil Brass, noted as “the Monty Python of the musical world.” This concert will be held at Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center in Camarillo.

Formerly known as Champagne on Main, the Spring Wine Walk & Street Fair will be here before you know it. The street fair is always open and free to the public, but to be a part of the wine walk you will need to buy tickets. The event falls on Saturday, March 28. Get your tickets at www.SpringWineWalk.com.

Quick Notes: enjoy some pub rock with Sock Monkey at Red Cove, on Thursday, February 27;
Grady’s Records has an in store performance on Friday, February 28, with Eugene Chadbourne and Daniel Masiel; the Vonettes with the Swizzlers play an early show (6 pm) at Bombay’s on Friday, February 28; Solvang’s La Grimas plays a punk show with Up Your Gut and Defeating the Purpose at the Garage on Friday, February 28; Concrete Jungle Brewing is hosting an “Into the Wild” art show on Saturday, February 29, with Omega Nova playing; you can catch Cinnamon Whiskey at Duke’s at the beach on Saturday, February 29; the Midtones play Peirano’s on Saturday, February 29; Caffrodite Community Collective has a songwriter’s showcase on Sunday, March 1 with Liz Nash, Kathy Kamath, Don Horn and others; check out Sunday Funday, March 1, at Four Brix Winery featuring Mark Masson; Rachel Flowers returns to Ventura for a jazz show at the Winery Ventura on Sunday afternoon, March 1; Los Cool Arrows plays the Ventura Theater on Saturday, March 7; and finally, Second Sunday Supper on March 8 has Shaky Feelin’ at Plan B Winery.

The Jazz community lost a good one this past month when Ken Winter passed away. A former jazz writer and a World War II veteran, he was a gem and a gentleman and I always enjoyed hearing his tales of the many jazz shows he had seen over the years.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected]. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Vol. 13, No. 11 – Feb 26 – Mar 10, 2020 – Music Calendar

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com
All Venues Ventura, unless otherwise noted.

Blue Agave
185 E. Santa Clara
Fridays: Mariachi Band; DJ
Saturdays: DJ

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesday-Thursday 6 pm, Friday & Saturday 7 pm
Mondays: Milo Sledge
Thursdays: Jim Friery, Bluegrass Jam
Wed 2/26: Karen Eden
Fri 2/28: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Sun 3/1: Oleanderfalls
Tues 3/3: Frank Barajas
Wed 3/4: Finnhead Dave
Fri 3/6: Two’s Company
Sat 3/7: Epitome of Dreams
Sun 3/8: Jon Gindick
Tues 3/10: Shoebreak

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Thursdays, Friday & Saturdays: DJs
Fri 2/28: The Vonettes, The Swizzlers (6 pm)
Sat 2/29: Herbal Rootz, Lay Low, BombaFiya (6 pm)

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
Wed 2/26: Big Adventure
Fri 2/28: Instone
Sat 2/29: Otis Hayes

Caffrodite
1987 E Main Street
Sun 3/1: Liz Nash, Kathy Kamath, Don Horn, Carlo Logan (11 – 1 pm)

Camarillo Barrelworks
126 Wood Road, Suite 104
Camarillo, CA
Music 7-10 pm
Sat 2/29: Vinyl Rendition
Sat 3/7: Sandy Haley

Cantina 31
Limon y Sal
598 E. Main Street
Saturdays: DJ
Sundays 1-4: Instone

Casa Bella
391 E. Main Street
Thursdays: Danny D.

The Cave
4435 McGrath Street
5:30 – 8:30 pm
Weds & Saturdays: Varon Thomas
Thurs & Fridays: Warren Takahashi

Concrete Jungle Brewing
4561 Market Street
Sat 2/29: Omega Nova (6 pm)

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Music 7 pm; Sat 11 am; Sundays 3 – 6 pm
Tuesdays: The Jerry McWorter Trio
Thursdays: The Gypsy Blues Band
Sun 3/1: Brandon Ragan
Sun 3/8: House Arrest

Dargan’s Irish Pub
593 E. Main Street
Music: 4pm
Sun 3/1: The Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Fri 2/28: Nearvana
Sat 2/29: Twisted Gypsy
Sat 3/7: Dr. Know, IDecline, Nothing Special

Duke’s Griddle n Grill
1124 S. Seaward
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Sat 2/29: Cinnamon Whiskey (6:30 pm)

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays & Saturdays: DJ
Sat 2/29: Uproots

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Avenue
Fridays 6 pm; Sundays 1 pm
Fri 2/28: Johnny & the Love Handles
Sun 3/1: Mark Masson
Fri 3/6: Doc Ventura

The Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Thursdays: Open Mic w/ Spencer
Fri 2/28: La Grimas, Defeating the Purpose, Up Your Guts
Fri 3/6: Disrupted Euphoria, Anti-Hero, Deified, Pain of Ruin, CFTC

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Avenue
(805) 642-2411
Thurs, Fri & Sat: Karaoke

Grady’s Records
2546 E. Main Street
Fri 2/28: Eugene Chadbourne, Daniel Masiel

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed 6-9, Fri & Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm
Tuesdays: Tango Tuesdays
Thursdays: Vinyl Night
Wed 2/26: Bluegrass Jam
Fri 2/28: Mark Masson & Friends
Sat 2/29: Morganfield Burnett & da Blues
Fri 3/6: The Tossers
Sat 3/7: Brian Faith Band
Sun 4/1: Bob Bishop
Fri 3/6: The Tossers
Sat 3/7: Brian Faith Band
Sun 3/8: Mood Swing

The Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Open mic (6-10 pm)
Wednesdays: The Get Down Jam
Fri 2/28: IDecline, The Hell Toupees, Nothing Special
Sat 2/29: Change Today, Detoxi, The Wraith

Keynote Lounge
10245 E. Telephone Road
Tues, Wed and Sun: Karaoke
Thursdays: Open mic night
Fri 2/28: Whiskey Business
Sat 2/29: Sin Chonies
Fri 3/6: Crooked Eye Tommy
Sat 3/7: Red Rhythm

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd.
Tues: Open Mic, The Listening Room
Fri 2/28: Kyle Smith
Sat 2/29: Jeff Joslin
Fri 3/6: Jacob Marquez
Sat 3/7: Same Mother, Same Father

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street
Thurs 6 pm; Sat 11 am – 9 pm; Sun 1 – 7 pm
Thurs 2/27: RJ Bloke
Sun 3/1: Ben Schneid
Thurs 3/5: Lauren Hall
Sat 3/7: The Collective
Sun 3/8: Alec Ledbetter

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Sat 3/7: Cool Arrows, Grupo Taxi, Los Mixos, Alex Arriaga

Margarita Villa
1567 Spinnaker Drive
Fri 2/28: John Young
Sat 2/29: Freedom of Expression
Sun 3/1: Blue Motel Room
Sat 3/7: Vinyl Gypsies

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wed: Karaoke
Fri 2/14: Live Band Karaoke

Orozco’s de Ventura
839 E. Front Street
Fri & Sat 5 pm: Victor and Artis

Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs

Peirano’s Delicatessen
204 E. Main Street
Music: 6-8, Sundays Noon – 2
Sundays: The Swillys
Sat 2/29: The Midtones

Plan B Winery
3520 Arundell Circle
Sun 3/8: Shaky Feelin’

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
Mon 3/2: Dick Parent Band

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D.

Red Cove
1809 E. Main Street
Thurs 2/27: Sock Monkey
Sat 3/7: When the Broken Burn, Legends Shall Fall, Eyes Out, Senior Year, New Leaf

Saloon
456 E. Main Street
Fridays: Disco Soul Club w/ DJ Cid Hernandez

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 2/29: Tyler
Sun 3/1: Eric & Friends
Sat 3/7: Andre Flores

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke w/ Brian Parra
Tuesdays: DJ Nick Dean
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 2/28: Seaside Band
Sat 2/29: Focke Wolves, The Overrides, Transers

The Shores Restaurant
1031 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard
Thursdays: Karaoke
Fri 2/28: Bad Habits
Sat 2/29: A Shore Things

The Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Thursdays: DJ Terry
Fri 2/28: Reign
Sat 2/29: Vanise Terry Band

The Sushi House
1127 S Seaward Avenue
Music 1 – 3:30 pm
Saturdays: Gary Ballen

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sundays: DJ
Thursdays: Get Right DJ
Sat 2/22: The Black Stripes

Topa Mountain Winery
821 W. Ojai Avenue, Ojai
Music: 3-5 pm
Sat 2/29: Brandon Ragan Project
Sun 3/1: Conner Cherland
Sat 3/7: Rich Sheldon
Sun 3/8: Karen Eden

Ventura Harbor Comedy Club
1559 Spinnaker Drive
(Music follows comedy show, around 9 pm)
Fri 3/6: Brian Faith Band
Sat 3/7: Johnny & the Love Handles

Winchester’s
632 E. Main Street
(805) 653-7446
Music at 7:00 pm; Sundays at 5 pm
Fri 2/28: Sean Wiggins
Sat 2/29: James Broz
Sun 3/1: Acoustic DNA feat. Dave Rea
Fri 3/6: Mark Masson
Sat 3/7: The Tossers
Sun 3/8: Acoustic Crossroads w/ Tommy Marsh

The Winery Ventura
4756 Market Street
Thurs – Sat 7-10; Sundays 1 pm
Wed 2/26: Beers Brothers Open Mic
Thurs 2/27: Molly Miller Trio
Fri 2/28: Barrelhouse Wailers
Sat 2/29: Bejammington (2 pm); Fred Kaplan Band (7 pm)
Sun 3/1: Rachel Flowers & Friends

1901
Speakeasy
740 South B Street, Oxnard
Tues – Thurs 6 pm; Fri & Sat 7:30 pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays: Mark McKinney
Wednesdays: Open mic
Fri 2/28: Isla Vista Jazz
Sat 2/29: Karen Eden
Fri 3/6: Tex Pistols

Vol. 13, No. 11 – Feb 26 – Mar 10, 2020 – Mailbox

Dear Editor:

Trump never ran for President. He ran for Dictator. He has always envied and admired Putin.

Trump is not just trying to take over the Justice Dept. and all other Government functions. He wants to be anointed. He wants his own country, ala Putin.

He not only admired Putin, he envies Putin. He wants what Putin has. Trump wants to own the United States of America. And every day, in every way, he gets closer and closer.

And his flunkies and followers and enablers, day by day, gleefully give up hunks of our –our — Country. It still belongs to us, but we’d better be on the lookout, for sneaks, taking big hunks out of what we think we own.

Es Cool Ventura


Editor,

I support Mayor Matt LaVere for County Supervisor.  He was elected to the Ventura City Council in 2016, and has served our community with energy and responsiveness. After the Thomas Fire, LaVere showed leadership and compassion as he worked with impacted residents and Ventura city staff to ensure communication and effective policies to assist fire victims. Working with Mayor LaVere, I have been impressed with his depth of knowledge and ability to bring consensus on complicated, sometimes controversial, issues. I admire his respect for Ventura’s heritage, our coast and rivers and hillsides, and his understanding of environmental sustainability factors in decision-making. Matt’s intelligence and enthusiasm and deep commitment to our community will have a positive impact on Ventura County government and our quality of life.

Christy Weir
Ventura City Councilmember

 

Dear Sheldon,

In regards to your mention of the conversion therapy for minors, please know that this is not a choice as you say at the end. This is not a preference either. It is how we are born. It’s in our DNA. The only choice involved is whether we are going to be open about being gay to our family and friends, or not. 

Allen Chinn

Ventura

Allen: I apologize for not making my thoughts more clearly. I absolutely agree with you. I didn’t make the decision one day to be heterosexual it was the way that I was born exactly the same as a gay(or any other) person is.

Sheldon



OOOOPS: In our last issue we stated that Steve Bennett was running for Ventura County Supervisor a position he now holds. He is running for State Assembly in the 37th District. Other candidates are: Cathy Murillo, Charles Cole, Jason Dominguez, Jonathan Abboud, Elsa Granados and Stephen Blum.


The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.
~ Henry Ward Beecher

Vol. 13, No. 11 – Feb 26 – Mar 10, 2020 – Movie Review

Movie Review by Cindy Summers
Call of the Wild

2 out of 4 palm trees

Based on the book written by Jack London, “Call of the Wild” chronicles the wild adventures of a special St. Bernard/Scotch Collie named Buck, who’s both big in size and in heart, and how he went from a cushy California life, to leading a sled dog team and later becoming leader of the pack and his own life as well. Released by 20th Century Fox, Directed Chris Sanders, written by Michael Green and Starring Harrison Ford as John Thorton.

Buck was a very large, rambunctious dog owned by the local judge in a small California town. He got into trouble and was sent to sleep out on the porch where he was dognapped due to a big bounty on big dogs used in the Yukon to haul gear for gold miners. It was a long confusing journey for Buck, first on a boat, then a long hike in snow, which he had never felt before, to reach a settlement in the Alaskan Yukon during the 1890s Gold Rush. The outpost was Buck’s first interaction with John Thorton (Harrison Ford) when Thorton unknowing dropped his harmonica, which Buck saw and followed to return to him.

Buck’s next owner, Perrault (Omar Sy), was kind and patient with Buck’s transition to becoming part of a sled dog team that carried mail to remote outposts. Buck was a natural leader, but not leader of the sled dog team, though after a challenge took on that role. Buck was brave and caring for the other sled dogs and his caretakers, even saving Perrault’s girlfriend when she fell through the ice and was trapped under a frozen lake. Due to the telegraph coming to the Yukon, Perrault lost the mail route and Buck’s team was sold.

Unfortunately, a rich jerk, Hal, who brought a ton of stuff for convenience living to search for gold bought Buck’s team to carry the heavy load. Hal ran the sled dogs to exhaustion, and abused them until they could go no further. This is when Buck crossed paths with John Thorton again, who took him back to his cabin where Buck slept for two days to recover.

Thorton had come to the Yukon because he has lost his son and just wanted to be away from people and experience the adventure of the outdoors, so they set off to find places not on the map. They came across an old miner’s cabin and claimed it as their own, though after a while Buck became bored with human interaction and decided to go off into the woods to spend time with the wolves, spending more time away with each passing day.

One day, while Buck was away, Hal found their cabin and thinking he had been fooled ambushed and shot Thorton, also causing the cabin catch fire. Buck heard the gunshot and rushed to the cabin and attacked the bad guy, pushing him into the blazing cabin and killing him. Thorton succumb to his injury and passed away in Buck’s arms, and though Buck was sad he now had a new family with the timber wolf pack and became a legend.

Call of the Wild” is quite a thrilling adventure story about a special dog, however the CGI is seriously distracting, often unrealistic and a surprise to seemingly most movie goers hearing their comments leaving the theater. Given the fact that there have been several successful films with similar storylines using actual live animals such as “Eight Below” and “Snow Dogs”, choosing CGI seems a disappointing, lazy waste.

PG (for some violence, peril, thematic elements and mild language)
110 minutes

Vol. 13, No. 11 – Feb 26 – Mar 10, 2020 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine

Viva La Femmes en Révolution!

Santa Paula Theater Center opens its new season of thought-provoking staging with The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson. Now hailed as the current most produced living playwright, Gunderson’s writings have garnered many awards. SPTC’s season offerings all fall under the heading of “that’s what she said” featuring works by outstanding female playwrights.

The Revolutionists is a generous mix of philosophy, history, equality entreaty and fantasy. The rapid-fire dialogue and energy of the characters, in addition to following the multi-layered action, kept me intensely focused. And sometimes confused.

Set during the French Revolution of 1793-1794, the play centers around activist and feminist playwright Olympe De Gouges. She is working on what she hopes is a definitive statement of feminist rights and encounters writers’ block.

As she struggles with her creativity, she is joined by several other women who each desire that De Gouges write something to secure their specific standing in history. Each wants to be remembered in a positive light for their accomplishments.

De Gouges is visited by Marianne Angelle, a Caribbean rebel/activist/spy who is fighting to end slavery. Angelle, a composite character, voices concerns for her people, mounting logical arguments and desiring the writer devise a pamphlet for her cause.

They are interrupted by Charlotte Corday, famous for murdering French political leader Jean-Paul Marat, an act that she considers she is doing “for the women of France.” She wishes a strong final statement written for her as she stands at the guillotine.

Joining them then is deposed Queen Marie Antoinette, portrayed in history in an indelicate light. She, recognizing that her historical legacy will be skewed, would like the writer to highlight her positive contributions before she, too, is beheaded.

De Gouges works hard to accommodate each, all the while expounding her own statements about the importance of theater and its influences. She is fierce in her appeals for women’s rights and is heartily booed at the National Convention for her convictions.

Each character is so different they are fascinating to watch as an ensemble. Sarah Broughton takes on the central role of Olympe De Gouges with panache. At times overly theatrical and pontificating, she maintains the focal point throughout.

Juliana Acosta plays Marianne. Her character appears the most level-headed of the four, stating her desires with purpose and logic. She presents an air of competent calm, giving a nice contrast to the flighty characterization of Marie Antoinette by Aileen-Marie Scott. Scott is resplendent in beautiful wig and gown, obviously having a ball with her outrageous depiction. She is a delight to watch.

The single-minded Charlotte Corday is embodied by Rosie Gordon, who gives a highly focused and chilling performance.

The actors are all outstanding. The piece itself is highly relevant at its core to today’s society (history does tend to repeat itself), recognizing the underplaying of women’s roles throughout history and the continual struggle for equality.

Direction by Jessi May Stevenson conveys the similarities in the characters’ challenges, while amplifying their differences.

This is a complex piece that bears introspection and scrutiny.

The Revolutionists plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through March 15. Santa Paula Theater Center, 125 S. Seventh Street, Santa Paula. Tickets available at www.santapaulatheatercenter.org, [email protected] or 805-525-4645.

Vol. 13, No. 11 – Feb 26 – Mar 10, 2020 – Ojai News & Events

On Sunday, March 15, at 2pm Moscow born pianist, Natasha Kislenko, returns as soloist to the Ojai Art Center to present an all Russian program. Featured composers are Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky and Alfred Schnittke. Come hear this Russian born pianist interpret the music of her native land! The Ojai Art Center is located at 113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai. Tickets sold only at the door: $15 general admission, $12 Art Center members and students. For further information, call (805) 640-1158.

website: www.ojaiartcenter.org

On Saturday, February 29th, the Ojai Mardi Gras returns to the Ojai Woman’s Club in downtown Ojai to celebrate their 30th Annual Masquerade Ball.The theme this year is “Naughty Gras…Leap into your Fantasy”.

Come dance to the sizzling music with R&B, Funk, Cajun & Zydeco rhythms performed by The Ojai Mardi Gras Band. Party goers will witness the Coronation of the King & Queen, Traditional Tossing of the Beads, and a Costume Contest. Take it all in as your eyes delight to the art installations and festive decorations by the Mardi Gras Art Fools directed by Lucy Roadarmel.

30 years ago, Lyle Matthews hosted the first public Mardi Gras party in Ojai. Lyle had moved to Ojai from New Orleans just two years earlier and she brought the joy of Mardi Gras with her. She knew she was sick from breast cancer and said, “I don’t know how long I will be here with you, but please keep the spirit of this party alive”. Sadly a week after that party, Lyle passed away, but every year since her friends have kept the party alive in her honor.
This year The Ojai Mardi Gras will be collecting donations for OjaiCARES to help care for local Cancer Patients in Ojai. Sponsored by the Ojai Concert Series.

For $25 advance tickets go to: ojaiconcertseries.com or pick them up at Studio Sauvageau or Cardinali Bros. Music. The door price will be $30
Ojai Mardi Gras Hotline (805) 646-7843

The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts is pleased to present Sacred Deities of Ancient Egypt, an exhibition, lecture and booksigning with Jacqueline Thurston, on Saturday, March 14, 2020. The Opening Reception will begin at 2 pm, with the lecture presented at 4 pm.

Admission is free. For more information, visit www.beatricewood.com, or call 805-646-3381. The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts is located at 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Road in Upper Ojai.

California Lutheran University Community Counseling Services will visit the Ojai Library on Saturday, March 14, at 1pm to present a Mindfulness Workshop.

The California Lutheran University Community Counseling Services clinics provide therapy to children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families. They run the largest university-based, low-fee community counseling clinics in California, providing over 12,000 low-fee therapy sessions each year, primarily to Ventura County residents. All therapy sessions are provided by Master’s and Doctoral students who are supervised by licensed psychologists and marriage and family therapists.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146.

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday and 12pm to 5pm Friday through Sunday.

Vol. 13, No. 11 – Feb 26 – Mar 10, 2020 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

Free Adult Grief & Bereavement Support Groups
Every Wednesday, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Free for anyone who has lost a loved one. Receive emotional and educational support.

Free Joint Replacement Classes
2nd Monday of the Month (March 9), held from 4 – 5 p.m. Free informational class that teaches you what to expect pre and post-surgery.

Living with Type 2 and Pre-Diabetes Classes
1st Tuesday of the Month (March 3), from 1 – 2:30 p.m. Free informational class that teaches you how to manage your life with diabetes.

Held at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, 1996 Eastman Ave., Ste. 109. Call (805) 642-0239 for more information.

The Compassionate Friends of West Ventura County is a support group for those who have experienced the loss of a child. Parents, grandparents, and siblings (over age 14) are all welcome. The group meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, Canada Larga room, 3451 Foothill Road. For more information, contact Laura Lindsay at (805) 836-9100.

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets first 2 Monday nights of the month 7:30 p.m. Poinsettia Pavilion 3451 Foothill. Swing, line dance, waltz, Latin and more. First dance lessons are free 6:40 p.m. Call Rick (805) 415-8842 and www.poinsettiadancers.org for more information.

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 – 5:45 p.m. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Bring an interesting topic to discuss if you can.

Ventura’s ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club offers games for all levels of play.  Learn the game, play with your peers, and earn master points while you are having fun.  There is a game every day of the week.  Check out their website at www.vcbridge.org

Country Western Line Dancing every Tuesday 7 – 9 p.m. Instruction every night. Located at the Moose lodge, 10269 Telephone Road. More information at countrylovers.com.

Cross Town Hikers join in on Wednesday nights for a moderate-paced hike that includes views of Ventura from the cross, a walk out to the end of the pier, and a stroll along the Promenade back to the Museum. Four miles with an 800-foot elevation gain. Meet at 7 p.m. sharp at the fountain across the street from the Mission. Join Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/800215670039426/

The members of the Ventura Investment Group meet on Mondays for an informal discussion of recent economic events.  Topics cover current events that affect stocks, funds, real estate, and interest-bearing investments.  The meeting is from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Telephone Road and Main Street.  Visitors and potential members are welcomed.  There are no dues or requirements to participate, and all levels of experience are welcomed.

Brain Injury Center of Ventura County. www.BrainInjuryCenter.org
Support Groups for brain injury/ stroke survivors and their family/caregivers
Learn more about brain injury/stroke and available services. Meet others who are facing or have faced similar challenges. Meet new friends and connections, give and receive support.

Encounter Church 6950 Ralston St., Bldg. #300 (805) 482-1312
2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, 4-5:30 p.m.

Men are you retired and routine-tired? Ventura Retired Men suggest you visit a Social Lunch Meeting on the first or third Tuesday each month at the Poinsettia Pavilion. Stop in, say hello, have a sip at the bar if you like, they will buy you lunch, and you can sample the hospitality as they go through activities and hear the speaker of the day. Bob Likins can tell you more at 805-587-1233.

Are you a stamp collector? The Ventura County Philatelic Society meet on the first and third Mondays each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Rd.
Admission and parking are free. Come for a great evening.
Contact: Bill Garner (805) 320-1601 or [email protected]

The Channel Islands Bicycle Club (CIBike) is a non-profit recreational organization. The club’s purpose is to promote bicycling for recreation, health, sport and transportation. The meetings are free and open to the public and will be held on the second Wednesday of March, April, May, September, October and November. Museum of Ventura County, Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a refreshment social and the presentation begins at 7p.m. The March meeting will feature an informative heart health presentation by a professional from Community Memorial Hospital. For more information, please visit www.cibike.org or contact [email protected].

Feb. 26: The College Area Community Council will meet on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. A representative from the VC Area Agency on Aging will provide information on programs and services available. As always, representatives from Ventura College and the police department will give brief updates. The Council meets in the Wright Event Center at 57 Day Rd. Free parking is available adjacent to the Event Center. CACC represents citizens in Council District 3, neighborhoods between Dunning/Lemon Grove and Hill Road, north of Hwy. 126. collegeareacouncil.com/map Call (805) 644-8695 for more information.”

March 1: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. Sunday, 2-4 p.m.  First Sunday of every month at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. Music on stage. Jamming room open. Free admission and free parking. Open to Public. For more information call 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA

March 1: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets (197 N. Ashwood). For information please call (805) 642-3345 or visit the website at www.dudleyhouse.org.

March 4: Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomers (BCNN) -women’s social organization serving Oxnard, Ventura, Port Hueneme. 9:30-11:15 am. Coffee, socializing, program. Jerry Clifford will discuss Osher Lifelong Learning Program (OLLI,) college level classes for adults over 50. Knights of Columbus, 36 Figueroa St. Parking via Santa Clara. Free for guests first time. See www.bcnnwomensclub.org.

March 7, 8: The 58th Annual Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society (VGMS) takes place March 7 and 8, (10 – 5 p.m., Saturday; 10 – 4 p.m., Sunday) at the Ventura County Fairgrounds 10 W. Harbor Blvd. The show is open to the public and admission is free, although the Fairgrounds charges a parking fee if using the Fairgrounds lot. This is a great kid-friendly, family event.

March 12: Annie Goyal will visit the Saticoy Library at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, to deliver the talk “Autism Through the Eyes of a Parent.” Ms. Goyal has been working actively with kids on the Autism Spectrum and other disabilities since 2008. She holds a master’s degree in social work and a graduate degree specializing in Child Development. She has gained experience working with several school districts such as VUSD, SVUSD LAUSD and Charter schools. She has provided home services with Star of CA in Ventura County and has worked with children in the age range of 3-17.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Mary Birch, Librarian, at (805) 671-5148.

March 15: California Lutheran University Community Counseling Services presents a Mindfulness Workshop at the Hill Road Library on Sunday, at 10:30 a.m. Life is a struggle at times. Everyone must manage difficult thoughts, emotions, and stressors. Sometimes we get so caught up in our difficulties that they consume our life. Life can also be magnificent. This workshop teaches participants the practice of mindfulness. The California Lutheran University Community Counseling Services clinics provide therapy to children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families. All therapy sessions are provided by master’s and Doctoral students who are supervised by licensed psychologists and marriage and family therapists.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Linda Cherry, Librarian, at (805) 677-7180. The Hill Road Library is located at 1070 South Hill Road. Hours of service are 10 – 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 2 – 6 p.m. Thursday, and 10 – 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

March 18:The Sespe Flyfishers of Ventura will be conducting their Annual Fund Raising Auction Event. Hundreds of new, used, fresh and saltwater items, including rods, reels, wading gear, lines, books, flies, trips, and much, much more of everything needed for fly fishing. This event takes place on Wednesday evening at The Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road, starting at 6:00 PM. All are welcome.

Enjoy Coffee with a Cop

A previous Coffee with a Cop brought out many police officers.

The community is invited to come together with Ventura Police Officers in a friendly, informal environment to discuss community issues, build relationships and enjoy a good cup of coffee, or Italian sub, for Coffee with a Cop which will be held at Peirano’s Market & Delicatessen located at 204 E. Main St. on February 26 from 12:30 pm to 2:00pm.

Engaging the community in public safety efforts is a top priority of the Ventura Police Department. Coffee with a Cop is a unique opportunity for residents to get to know the officers who serve their community. The majority of contacts with law enforcement happen during emergency or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop seeks to break down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

The Coffee with a Cop effort is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the country as police department strive to make lasting connection with the communities they serve.

“At the heart of community policing is building positive relationships and problem-solving with the people we serve,” said Assistant Chief Darin Schindler. “In a few hours at Coffee with a Cop, we are able to have meaningful, face to face conversations with residents about community concerns and mutual goals, it’s extremely valuable time together.”

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members, one cup of coffee at a time. Coffee with a Cop provides an opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s service. There is no formal agenda, just a casual opportunity to voice concerns and share ideas. This is a no host event.

All businesses will remain open during the enhancement project

Painting project now underway at Ventura Harbor Village.

The Ventura Port District is pleased to announce the recent ReFresh Painting Project at Ventura Harbor Village that is now underway with a scheduled completion date between eight and ten months, dependent on winter and spring weather. All businesses will remain open during the enhancement project, according to Ventura Port District’s General Manager Brian Pendleton of the Port District.

The new 2020 painting project will encompass all of Ventura Harbor Village’s exterior buildings as well as two additional buildings which house Island Packers and the offices with the Channel Islands National Park. Contracted to complete the approximate $1.2 million Ventura Harbor Village Refresh Painting Project is prime contractor Garland/DBS whose mission is to provide each client with personalized management for long-term project success. Ventura Board of Port Commissioners and the City of Ventura Design Review Board also approved the paint pallet as prepared by Coastal Architects. The firm was commissioned by the Port District to integrate colors that reflect the sea-inspired hues that are predominant of the seaside enclave and is consistent with the new Portside Ventura Harbor development.

“The Ventura Port District is committed to continuous improvement with multi-phases of enhancement set for 2020 that will make Ventura Harbor an even more attractive, pedestrian-friendly destination for boating, and leisure recreation that encompasses dining, shopping and coastal attractions,” states Pendleton.

In addition to the first and second quarter Ventura Harbor Village Refresh Painting Project, Ventura Port District welcomes the opening of the newly constructed $200 million Portside Ventura Harbor, Southern California’s premier mixed-use development and Ventura’s newest oceanfront community.

In keeping with Ventura Port District’s goal of continuous improvement of Ventura Harbor, in 2019, Ventura Harbor completed a $4.5 million Ventura Harbor Village Marina Dock Improvement Project aimed at greatly bolstering the Harbor’s commercial fishing industry as one of the largest commercial marinas on the West Coast. On the heels of this project, Ventura Harbor invested $61,000 in reopening the Harbor’s Dry Boat Storage that was resurfaced with 88 dry storage spaces accommodating 14 to 43-foot size boats year-round.

“The Ventura Port District revitalization projects now provide a greater sense of place to stimulate future economic growth for the benefit of our tenants, visitors, fishermen, residents, and the local community,” says Pendleton.

In addition, Ventura Harbor Village’s revitalization and beautification project completed in 2018 has further established the Ventura Port District’s visitor-appeal. The beautification project now highlights a Channel Islands Plaza, a Kelp Corridor, a waterfront Promenade Stage area, and a seaside fire pit as the ‘front door’ of the bustling Harbor Village that saw more than 1.5 million pedestrian visitors in 2019.

Rich in details, the project included award-winning decorative concrete finishes with more than 68 feet of giant sea kelp. The project features color-changing LED lights, a 70-foot inlay of the Channel Islands National Park’s five islands, 6 kelp sculptures,new landscape and palm trees, and sea-themed decorative elements along the meandering pathways which adorn the entrances to the many Harbor Village boutiques and galleries.

Future projects identified in the master plan include areas for public art, improved outdoor patios, informational signage, family elements, and a series of upgrades to paseos throughout the five-acre Harbor Village. Live music on the seaside Harbor Village Promenade stage entertains guests on weekends throughout the year.