Downtown Ventura Farmers' Market 30th Birthday Celebration on Saturday, June 4th

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The Downtown Ventura Farmers’ Market will celebrate its 30th birthday on Saturday, June 4, 2016 with a community event complete with all types of fun activities for all ages.  The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the farmers’ market area and also throughout the Main Street Mini Park, located on the corners of East Santa Clara and Palm Streets, south of the 300 block of Main Street.  A special presentation will beheld at 8:30 a.m. to thank the original visionaries and participants who brought the market into Downtown Ventura.

One of the main highlights of the event is a chef demonstration by award winning chef, author and farmers’ market advocate, Amelia Saltsman who will demonstrate recipes utilizing the theme, ‘Making the Most of the Summer Market’.  Saltsman is the author of the award-winning ‘The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook:  Simple Recipes, and Stories from the Market and Farm’ and ‘The Seasonal Jewish Kitchen,’ her latest release.  She will use recipes from both books in her cooking demonstration.  Saltsman is passionate about helping everyday cooks make the connection between small-farmed foods and real-life meals.  In her warm style, she streamlines today’s desire for healthier, sustainable foods.  The chef demonstration will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Mini Park.

Along with the chef demonstration, the celebration will feature a customer appreciation booth with free giveaways, a children’s area with face painting and activities, community information booths and tasty birthday cake, which will be given out while supplies last.  Special food offerings will include a tri-tip BBQ from the Busy Bee Café and several food trucks including Scratch, a local favorite.

Gene West, toy maker will also be on hand to share his handmade wooden toy creations.  Now 85, West, known as the ‘Toy Man’ has allowed children all over the county to play with his nearly 700 handmade wooden toys.  A retired mechanical engineer and an Oxnard resident for more than 40 years, West started his toy making during his retirement and continued delighting young and old alike, still active today.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Jerry McWorter and the Hot Roux Band from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Hot Roux is very well known in southern California with a Louisiana flavored blues and swampy rock & roll sound.  Musician and band leader, Jerry McWorter comes from a rare tradition of ‘singing drummers’ such as Levon Helm, Sam Lay and Buddy Miles.  The Ventura County based band features Jerry McWorter on drums/lead vocal, Brent Harding on bass/backup vocals, Ed Berghoff on guitar/backup vocals and Frank Goldwasser on guitar.

The Environmental Sustainability Division for the City of Ventura’s Public Works Department will provide attendees with information on food waste prevention, edible food recovery and backyard composting.  In addition, the community can also learn how the farmers’ are adapting to the drought by viewing a continuous screening of ‘Water Woes:  We Plan for Your Eating’, a film by Diana Rodgers, a small farmer and farmers’ market manager.  The film will provide a look at the implications of the drought for both farmers & consumers and provide information on how the drought is affecting the local food supplies.

About the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association

The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association serves the community of Ventura with two weekly markets -- Wednesdays at the Pacific View Mall, front west parking lot on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Saturdays in Downtown Ventura on the corners of East Santa Clara and Palm Streets from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon.  The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market is held Thursdays at The Oaks Shopping Center at the east end parking lot, Wilbur Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard from 1:30 to 6:00 p.m.  Santa Clarita Farmers’ Market is held on Sundays at the College of the Canyons, parking lot 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon.  

For more information on the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association, visit www.vccfarmersmarkets.com or call 805-529-6266.

Ojai Earth Day Event Planned for Saturday, April 23, 2016

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In celebration of sustainable living, global awareness, and the joy of nature Food for Thought, Oak Grove School, Ojai Valley Green Coalition, and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy are teaming up again to host this once-a-year community event – Earth Day 2016 – Trees for our Valley – 11:00AM – 4:00PM. Speaking at this year’s celebration is world-renowned eco-activist Vandana Shiva. The day will include local school involvement, environmental exhibits, arts and outdoor activities for all ages, live entertainment, world foods and more. Everything takes place under the trees on Oak Grove School’s 150-acre campus, 220 W. Lomita Avenue, Ojai. Admission is free. Visitors will also have ample opportunities to find ways to live greener and appreciate the natural wonders we all share. Earth Day 2016 will be filled with color and creativity. Exhibitors will share their earth-friendly products and services, provide hands-on activities, and present informational and interactive displays. Free rides available from Ojai Trolley to the event. See you there! www.ojaiearthday.org.

Fundraiser for Gull Wings Children's Museum in Ventura on Saturday, May 14th

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 Join us on May 14th for our exciting fundraiser hosted by Blue Moon Betties!

Where? Bombay Bar & Grill (143 S California St. Ventura)

When? May 14th 11 am – 2 am 

Tickets? Tickets at the door/all ages!

What? There will be music performances (daytime children bands and nighttime entertainment), cars, children’s activities, exhibits, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, and much more yet to be announced! 

Ventura County Sheriff's Foundation "Salute the Stars" Gala on April 30, 2016

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The Ventura County Sheriff’s Foundation will be hosting their 2016 gala, “Salute the Stars” at the Hyatt Regency in Westlake Village on Saturday, April 30, 2016. The evening will feature entertainment as well as a reception, dinner and silent and live auctions. Come out and meet, mingle and play with members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s SWAT Team, Search and Rescue Team, Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Bomb Team, K9 Units and others.

This year, the Foundation will be honoring Ventura County Deputy Sheriff Mario Molina. Deputy Molina has proven to be instrumental in the success of many community programs including the “Shop with A Cop” program allowing kids without the resources to shop with a deputy for Christmas gifts. Community partnerships are paramount to the Foundation’s mission and as such, the selection committee sought to recognize someone who truly embodies the philosophy of building those partnerships with the community.

The Foundation is a qualified, non-profit 501C (3), which means that your donations qualify as tax deductions. All money contributed goes directly to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Foundation’s programs and operations, and stays in Ventura County. Funds raised will allow the Foundation to continue to support the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

For more information about the Foundation and to purchase tickets to the event, go to www.vcsheriffsfoundation.org.

19th Annual Relay for Life of Thousand Oaks Planned for May 21-22, 2016

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Have you vowed to make 2016 the year to make a difference? Well now you have your chance to follow through on your resolution and participate in the American Cancer Society's 2016 Relay For Life of Thousand Oaks event.

This year’s event marks the 19th year anniversary of Relay For Life in the Conejo Valley area.

The American Cancer Society is looking for anyone who wants to honor cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer) and caregivers, or pay tribute to those who have lost their battle with cancer.

For those unfamiliar with Relay For Life, it is an overnight community effort where individuals and teams camp out, socialize and take turns walking around a track relay style to raise funds to fight cancer. As day turns to night, participants will light hundreds of luminaria around the track in an inspiring ceremony to honor cancer survivors as well as friends and family members who have died from the disease. The Relay For Life event represents hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.

Relay For Life of Thousand Oaks will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016, starting at 9:00 am to Sunday, May 22, 2016 at Conejo Creek Park South, Thousand Oaks.

For more information about this event visit www.relayforlife.org/thousandoaksca.

2016 Ventura Earth Day Eco Fest on Saturday, April 23rd

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The Ventura Earth Day Eco Fest brings fun, live entertainment, children’s activities, exhibitors, and education to Promenade Park in Ventura on Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 10am to 5pm. Each year this successful community event is attended by over 6,000 community members and over 80 exhibitors. Visit www.venturaearthday.org for details.

The event is coordinated by the Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education (VCS). VCS is a tuition-free public school, organized as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, serving 350 students from Kindergarten through Eighth grade. Our school’s progressive, high-quality, student-centered educational program expands educational choices for parents and their children in the public school system, supports a nurturing community of learners, and improves student achievement.

All net proceeds from the Earth Day Eco Fest fund Ventura Charter School’s enrichment programs for students ages K through 8th grade.

4th Annual Ventura Eco-Extreme Mud Challenge on Saturday, April 23, 2016

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The 4th Annual Ventura Eco Xtreme Mud Challenge presented by the Ventura Police Officers Association is planned for Saturday, April 23, 2016 starting at 10:30 am. The goal of this event is to create a fun and challenging adventure while raising money for the Dee Dowell Foundation.

The course, approximately 3 miles of obstacles, steep hills, and mud, will take place in downtown Ventura just above Grant Park at the training grounds for the Ventura Police Department. This location will provide exceptional views of the city and ocean in a unique and natural environment. The course terrain is primarily on trails and fire roads with extreme hills, killer steps, professionally built obstacles and several places where you will get extremely muddy. You will get wet and you will get muddy. Be sure to bring towels and a change of clothing. This event is certain to test both your physical strength and mental toughness!

The Kids 1K is for kids 14 & under and features many of the same obstacles found in the full 5K mud challenge such as the mud pit bottle neck, cargo net climb, and the traverse of death. All registered kids who finish will receive a prize.

To learn more and register, visit www.venturaecox.com.