Kids Bowl Free This Summer at Various Ventura County Bowling Centers

Here's a great summer deal that will bowl you over! Bowling alleys across the country are offering Kids Bowl Free deals during the summer months once again this year!

Up to two games per kid on designated days and times, subject to lane availability. Note that applicable ages for Kids Bowl Free vary from 2 up to 15 to 18.

The deal also does not apply to parties, camps and other organized events. And lastly, the deal does not include bowling shoe rental. With no further ado, here are local alleys in Ventura County and nearby areas that are participating in Kids Bowl Free!

NOTE: You first must visit www.kidsbowlfree.com and register with specific bowling alleys. After registering your children, you will receive coupons via email or through mobile devices, and in turn redeem them at the time of purchase. In addition to the 2 FREE Games, you may be able to purchase a family package (at participating centers) and generally must pay for standard shoe rental rates at the time of bowling.

Harley's Camarillo Bowl offers Kids Bowl Free Monday through Wednesday from 9:30am to 4pm for kids 2 to 17, from June 2 to August 29, 2025.

Harley's Simi Bowl offer Kids Bowl Free Monday, Wed, Thurs and Fri from 9am to 4pm for kids ages 2 to 16, from May 28 to August 29, 2025.

Harley's Valley Bowl offers Kids Bowl Free Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 4pm for kids ages 2 to 18, from June 2 to August 29, 2025.

Click this link to pin down information about all the local Ventura County area bowling alleys.

Topa Topa Brewing Co. Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary on June 14th

On June 14th, Topa Topa Brewing Co. invites fans for a carnival-themed party at their Ventura HQ & Brewery (4880 Colt Street), followed by a very special after-party concert at their downtown Ventura taproom (104 East Thompson Blvd) headlined by Vetiver and Sam Blasucci (of Mapache). The day and night parties each have their own special offerings, created in partnership with Tierra Sol Institute, the event’s 1% for the Planet nonprofit beneficiary.

Topa has grown from its humble beginnings at its original location in downtown Ventura into an expansive, state of the art production facility, packaging hall, taproom, event venue, and beer garden just a few miles south on Colt Street. Topa now has five locations in Ventura & Santa Barbara counties, and distribution across Southern California and the Bay Area.

Since 2015, Topa has packaged over 12 million cans of beer and donated nearly half a million dollars to 1% for the Planet partners. This, and other cumulative factoids, are featured on the can labels of their limited release 10th Anniversary IPA, named “Topa Is Ten” which will be available exclusively at the anniversary event.

The beer is the first of its kind for Topa, carefully blended with select hop-forward projects to make Topa is Ten a veritable brewmaster’s cuvée. Topa is Ten combines Chief Peak IPA, Blue Heaven IPA, Level Line Pale Ale, and Huckster Double IPA into one bold, celebratory, expressive IPA with layers of zesty grapefruit and tangerine up front, a floral mid-palate, and a dank, slightly tropical finish that lingers just long enough.

Anniversary attendees will have a chance to learn more about this beer during the Founders Session Tour & Tasting, a ticketed special activity within the anniversary celebration that includes a tour of the production facility with co-founder Jack Dyer, a guided tasting of rare archive beers with co-founder Casey Harris, and a take-home goodie bag that includes a 4 pack of the anniversary IPA.

Festivities will include:

• Food & dessert ranging from fair food to fancy, including funnel cake & frozen yogurt, oysters & dumplings, and family-friendly options

• Carnival-themed attractions & activities benefitting select 1% for the Planet partners - petting zoo, dunk tank, climbing wall, face painting

• Live music & DJs from noon til 5 PM at the Ventura HQ & Brewery outdoor garden

• An after-party benefit concert with Vetiver, Sam Blasucci (of Mapache), and Farmer Dave & the Wizards of the West - Doors 6P, Show 7P. Tickets $15 available at topatopa.beer/products/pre-sale-anniversary-after-party-at-thompson.

• Founders Session Tour & Tasting - a ticketed, behind-the-scenes experience led by Jack & Casey. Spots are limited and guarantee a 4-pack of Topa Is Ten anniversary IPA. Presale tickets now available at topatopa.beer/products/topa-is-ten-vip-ticket.

• Brand new Topa Taproom merchandise, including collectible glassware, regional hats, and customizable Father’s Day gift bundles

ABOUT TOPA TOPA BREWING CO.

Topa Topa® Brewing Co. was founded in 2015 in Ventura, nestled between the Topa Topa mountains in Ojai and the salty shores of the Pacific Ocean. With five taprooms along California’s southern central coast, Topa Topa is upheld by a trifecta of values: quality, craftsmanship, and community spirit. This means using the freshest ingredients, working with the most skilled brewers around, and thriving on uplifting and unifying our community. Topa Topa is a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating at least 1% of annual sales to local, approved environmental partners.

The Yard Bar & Grill Opened Last Month in Downtown Ventura

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A post shared by Yard Bar & Grill (@theyardbarandgrill)

The Yard Bar & Grill opened in late January at 328 E. Main Street in the heart of Downtown Ventura. Yard Bar & Grill is the latest venture of the Cronies Sports Grill team, bringing gourmet burgers, sandwiches, salads, wings and more. Learn more at yardbarandgrill.com. This was previously Stout Burgers, which closed in January 2024.

The Loose Cannon Bar, Restaurant and Arcade Now Open at Ventura Harbor Village

The Loose Cannon Bar, Restaurant and Arcade is now open at Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura, in the spot formerly occupied by the Ventura Harbor Village Carousel and Arcade that closed in April 2022.

The Loose Cannon offers over 20 games to choose from, including a couple bowling lanes, 20 draft beers, pizza, burgers, pretzels and more.

Follow them for updates on Instagram at @theloosecannonventura.

Rolling Pin Donuts to Open 2nd Location in Ventura on Wednesday, August 28th

Rolling Pin Donuts announced on Monday that its second location - at 4726 Telephone Road in Ventura (previously Baja Fresh) - will be opening to the public this Wednesday, August 28th, at 5am. More details at www.facebook.com/RollingPinCamarillo

Rolling Pin's original location, still going strong, is at 2152 Las Posas Road in Camarillo.

Proposed Merger of Kroger and Albertsons Could Change Ownership of Four Local Grocery Stores

Vons at 5671 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills

A number of folks have messaged us regarding the list of local grocery stores that would be divested if Kroger's proposed acquisition of Albertsons is approved by federal regulators. The list of 579 stores includes 63 in California.

The merger was first announced in October 2022. It would combine Kroger (which owns Ralphs and Food 4 Less, among others) with Albertsons (which owns Pavilions, Safeway and Vons, among others). Kroger/Albertsons say the merger would better help them compete with Amazon, Walmart and Costco. The fate of the merger will be decided in a trial set to start in Portland, Oregon on August 26th. The trial may last 2 to 3 weeks.

Local stores that would be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers include Vons stores at 5671 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills, 820 Arneill Road in Camarillo, and 6040 Telegraph Road in Ventura, and Albertsons at 541 S. Reino Road in Newbury Park.

As part of the acquisition, C&S retains the Albertsons brand name in California. Does that mean these stores will retain their existing Vons/Albertsons names if the acquisition goes through? Perhaps, but we shall see.

Copa Comedy Club, Copa Cubana and 805 Bar & Grilled Cheese at the Ventura Harbor Closed Its Doors on December 19th

Letter from Copa Comedy Club website at www.copacomedyclub.com

The owner of the Copa Comedy Club (formerly Ventura Harbor Comedy Club), Copa Cubana and 805 Bar & Grilled Cheese announced that its final day of operation was Tuesday, December 19th. www.copacomedyclub.com

Urbane Cafe To Open 2nd Ventura Location on November 30th

The popular Urbane Cafe will be opening a 2nd location on Thursday, November 30th in the city of Ventura soon at 811 E. Thompson Blvd. (cross street S. Ash), directly across the street from Spencer Makenzie’s.

Urbane Cafe has been offering delicious salads and sandwiches with its made from scratch Focaccia bread since 2003. A true local Ventura County success story, the eatery has grown to several dozen locations in California and Nevada, including locations in Ventura (soon to be two), Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Simi Valley.

Learn more at urbanecafe.com

Crave Gelato Kofi Bar Opened Recently in Portside Ventura Harbor

Crave Gelato Kofi Bar opened in July in Portside Ventura Harbor, coastal apartment community on Pierpont Bay at 947 Schooner Drive, Suite 105, Ventura. Crave offers hand-crafted, slow-churned gelato using scratch-made oat milk and organic coconut milk. They also offer organic drinks and sweet olive-oil dulce cakes. Learn more at www.gelatokofibar.com.