Sea Breezes, Views, Picnics and a Mermaid at Soter Point, Marina Park in Ventura

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Dedicated in 2011, Soter Point at Marina Park in Ventura consists of a shaded picnic area, benches, attactive landscaping and a 15 foot mermaid statue. Soter Point is the result of a private/public partnership between local Ventura residents and the City of Ventura.

The inscription on a plaque on the Mermaid of Soter Point tells the story:

This stunning landmark overlooking the Ventura Harbor represents a trailblazing cooperative effort to beautify our community through private citizens working with public agencies. Andy Soter developed and landscaped the area in memory of his daughter Andrea, a successful and much admired investment manager. The mermaid sculpture and its foundation were donated by Russian emigrants Alec and Tatyana Benke, as an expression of love for their new country, America. Samuel Povar created the first collaboration of this nature in 2007 as a tribute to his late wife Orianna and worked tirelessly to make this Marina Park project a reality. And, the Ventura City Council and the Coastal Commission gave their enthusiastic blessing. Now Povar, Soter, and Benke, all Ventura residents, hope to inspire others to use private capital along with public cooperation and support…to envision something beautiful and make it happen.

Soter Point is located at the southernmost point of Marina Park, a short walk from the main playground area of the park. With beautiful views looking out toward Ventura Harbor and a picnic area cooled by sea breezes, Soter Point does not Disa-Point.

Bench faces south toward Ventura Harbor Village.

Bench faces south toward Ventura Harbor Village.

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Ventura County Area Public Agencies Auction Off Surplus Items at PublicSurplus.com

Shh, don't tell anyone about this little secret...many local Ventura County public agencies auction off stuff they don't need on a website called www.PublicSurplus.com!

Public Surplus is an auction website that was designed specifically for public agencies, enabling agencies to manage their surplus inventory, while  maintaining compliance with State regulations and policies. The system's specific features allow for the reallocation or auctioning of surplus items without actual, or the appearance of: waste, favoritism or collusion.

I happened to come across the site through the County of Ventura website but it took a little digging to find. But a quick search of the site indicated that a number of other Ventura County agencies are signed up to auction items off on the site, including:

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Beautiful Rainbow Brightens This 1st Day of August 2017 in the Conejo Valley

It was cloudy and relatively cool this morning and then we saw hot and humid monsoonal weather the rest of the day, this first day of August 2017 in the Conejo Valley.

The temperatures gradually cooled as the clouds built up again in the late afternoon to early evening, when we were greeted by this beautiful rainbow around 7pm tonight.

Rattlesnake Combat Dance in Rancho Sierra Vista in Newbury Park on August 1, 2017

What a way to start out the month of August! Avid local runner and prolific age group top placer Susan Kielsmeier caught this rare sight this morning on a trail in Rancho Sierra Vista in Newbury Park.

Although the initial thought was that this was a mating dance, I believe this is actually a "combat dance" between two males to win the heart of a nearby female.

HIKES AND TRAILS IN AND AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

2017-2018 Ventura County Area School Year Start, End and Winter/Spring Break Dates

Everyone is on different school schedules...from Conejo Valley to Moorpark, Camarillo, Ventura, etc. Let's take a look at the first/last days of school as well as extended days off from school over the 2017-2018 school year.

Note: This list is for informational and amusement purposes only.  Please be sure to double-check school start dates with your local school to be sure! This list does not include minimum school days and other single days off.

The first day of school for the 2017-2018 school year ranges from August 8th in the Oak Park Unified School District to August 30th at Camarillo schools that are part of the Pleasant Valley School District.

Schools listed below by order of first day of school.

Oak Park Unified School District

  • 1st Day of School: Tue, August 8
  • Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Friday, November 24 (1 week)
  • Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (11 days - elementary) and Mon, January 8 (12 days - secondary)
  • Spring Break: Fri, March 30 to Fri, April 6 (6 days)
  • Last Day of School: Fri, May 28

    Santa Paula Unified School District (Elementary)

    • 1st Day of School: Wed, August 16
    • Fall Break: Mon, November 20 to Friday, November 24 (1 week)
    • Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (11 days)
    • Spring Break: Wed, March 28 to Friday, April 6 (8 days)
    • Last Day of School: Thu, June 7

    Santa Paula Unified School District (Middle, High Schools)

    • 1st Day of School: Wed, August 16
    • Fall Break: Mon, November 20 to Friday, November 24 (1 week)
    • Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Monday, January 8 (12 days)
    • Spring Break: Wed, March 28 to Friday, April 6 (8 days)
    • Last Day of School: Thu, June 7

    Simi Valley Unified School District

    • 1st Day of School: Wed, August 16
    • Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Friday, November 24 (1 week)
    • Winter Break: Thu, December 21 to Monday, January 8 (13 days)
    • Spring Break: Fri, March 30 to Friday, April 6 (6 days)
    • Last Day of School: Fri, June 8

    Oxnard School District (Elementary/Middle Schools)

    • 1st Day of School: Wed, August 16
    • Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24 (1 week)
    • Winter Break: Mon, December 18 to Friday, January 5 (3 weeks)
    • Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Friday, April 6 (2 weeks)
    • Last Day of School: Thurs, June 14

    Oaks Christian High School and Middle School

    • 1st Day of School: Wed, August 16
    • Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Monday, January 8 (11 days)
    • Easter Break: Fri, March 30 to Friday, April 6 (6 days)
    • Last Day of School: Thurs, May 31

    Fillmore Unified School District

    • 1st Day of School: Thurs, August 17
    • Fall Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24
    • Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Fri, January 5 (11 days)
    • Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Tue, April 3 (7 days)
    • Last Day of School: Not posted as of 7/30/17

    Santa Monica-Malibu School District

    • 1st Day of School: Tue, August 22
    • Winter Break: Mon, December 25 to Friday, January 5 (2 weeks - elementary) and January 8 (secondary students)
    • Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Fri, April 6 (2 weeks)
    • Last Day of School: Fri, June 8

    Carpinteria Unified School District

    • 1st Day of School: Tue, August 22
    • Winter Break: Mon, December 18 to Friday, January 5 (3 weeks)
    • Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Friday, March 30 (1 week)
    • Last Day of School: Fri, June 8

    Rio School District (El Rio, Riverpark, portions of Oxnard)

    • 1st Day of School: Tues, August 22
    • Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24 (1 week)
    • Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (11 days)
    • Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Friday, April 6 (2 weeks)
    • Last Day of School: Thurs, June 14

    Conejo Valley Unified School District

    • 1st Day of School: Wed, August 23
    • Fall Break: Mon, October 16 to Fri, October 20 (1 week)
    • Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (11 days)
    • Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Mon, April 2 (6 days)
    • Last Day of School: Thurs, June 7 (Elementary) and Fri, June 8 (Middle/High School)

    Ventura Unified School District

    • 1st Day of School: Wed, August 23
    • Fall Break: Mon, October 23 to Friday, October 27 (1 week)
    • Winter Break: Mon, December 25 to Friday, January 5 (2 weeks)
    • Spring Break: Fri, March 30 to Friday, April 6 (6 days)
    • Last Day of School: Thurs, June 14

    Ojai Unified School District

    • 1st Day of School: Wed, August 23
    • Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24 (1 week)
    • Winter Break: Mon, December 18 to Mon, January 1 (11 days)
    • Spring Break: Mon, April 2 to Friday, April 6 (1 week)
    • Last Day of School: Thurs, June 14

    Las Virgenes Unified School District (Agoura/Calabasas)

    • 1st Day of School: Wed, August 23
    • Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Friday, November 24 (1 week)
    • Winter Break: Mon, December 18 to Monday, January 1 (11 days)
    • Spring Break: Fri, March 30 to Fri, April 6 (6 days)
    • Last Day of School: Thu, June 14

    Moorpark Unified School District

    • 1st Day of School: Wed, August 23
    • Fall Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24 (1 week)
    • Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (2 weeks)
    • Spring Break: Fri, March 30 to Friday, April 6 (6 days)
    • Last Day of School: Fri, June 15

    Oxnard Union High School District

    • 1st Day of School: Tues, August 29
    • Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24 (1 week)
    • Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (11 days)
    • Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Fri, March 30 (1 week)
    • Last Day of School: Not specified on calendar; graduation is Fri, June 16

    Hueneme Elementary School District

    • 1st Day of School: Tues, August 29
    • Winter Break: Mon, December 18 to Tues, January 2 (12 days)
    • Spring Break: Mon, April 6 to Friday, April 17 (2 weeks)
    • Last Day of School: Thurs, June 21

    Pleasant Valley (Camarillo) School District

    • 1st Day of School: Wed, August 30
    • Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24 (1 week)
    • Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (11 days)
    • Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Fri, March 30 (1 week)
    • Last Day of School: Fri, June 15

    La Reina High School

    • 1st Day of School: Not posted
    • Winter Break: Not posted
    • Spring Break: Not posted
    • Last Day of School: Not posted

    Looking for an Inexpensive Date in Ventura County? Here are Some Ideas!

    "Perfect Match" by Local Artist Chuck Trunks

    "Perfect Match" by Local Artist Chuck Trunks

    Yes, most of us know that, living in the Conejo Valley and it seems most of Ventura County, many places seem to close by 10 pm.  So why not get to bed early and check out some of these great daytime activities around the area!  Most of these make for a great "cheap" date!  Others are not so inexpensive but worth checking out!

    Boats, Bikes, Biplanes and Other Speedy Activities

    Landmarks and Local History

    Theater, Music and Art Activities

    Comedy and Improv

    More Music as Well as Fine Arts and Dance Groups

    Museums

    Outdoor Fun

    Bowling

    A Grab Bag of Other Fun Activities (Indoor Rock Climbing, Fencing, Kayaking, etc.)

    Local Movie Theaters

    Go Running or Cycling

    Have Fun With Some of These Local Hobby/Social Clubs

    The of course there's all sorts of upcoming events in the area! Check the Events Calendar or check out upcoming events by "type" by CLICKING HERE.

    HERE'S A COMPILATION OF LOCAL VENUES WITH LIVE MUSIC AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

    This covers many, but not all things to do in Ventura County!  Explore the site for more ideas and LET US KNOW if we're missing something you think should be in here!  We're always adding new stuff to do!!  Now go out and HAVE SOME FUN!!

    Premiere of "Westlake Village Rocks" Group

    A Westlake Village Rocks group has been launched by CReATE STUDIO and Girls Club Strong to spread the joy of painting, hiding and finding cheerful rocks in the City of Westlake Village. And of course, you are encouraged to post photos of the inspirational, comical and/or beautiful rocks you have discovered, and perhaps re-hid, on the Westlake Village Rocks Facebook page at www.facebook.com/westlakevillagerocks.

    There is also a Newbury Park Rocks group and others around Ventura County.