Ventura County CA 1

VENTURA COUNTY CALIFORNIA |

VOL. 1

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RECOMMENDED SERVICE DIRECTORY FEATURED ARTICLES

RETIREMENT • INVESTING • VACATION

TRAVEL • LIVING • HEALTH • DINING

11

FENG SHUI

IN COLOR & DESIGN

Feng Shui, which literally means wind and water, is an ancient Chinese practice rooted in the theory of Yin and Yang. It is the ancient Chinese practice of using energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment by organizing furniture, art, plants, and other objects within any given space or room to create peace and harmony.

It has been used for centuries to determine building sites such as the Forbidden City in Beijing, which is built on a north-south axis with the main entrance facing south. It was believed to be the most propitious direction according to the feng shui masters. Additionally, the pyramid addition to the Louvre in Paris, Trump Tower in Manhattan, and the Sydney Opera House in Sydney have all been influenced by feng shui principles.

In interior design, feng shui is a tool to help design a room that makes you feel good and enhances health, prosperity, harmony and balance for a joyful life.

Chinese philosophy is all about opposites - masculine and feminine, dark and light, warm and cold. Additionally, there is a focus on the 5 elements which are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These symbolize qualities such as stability, wisdom, growth and creativity. Decorating with the five elements is meant to bring joy and balance to your life.

According to Better Homes and Gardens, you can feng shui your home with a few simple tips:

Clear your home of clutter and open up the flow of traffic. This will create an atmosphere of calm by creating a welcoming entryway. Adding feng shui plants and positioning furniture in relation to the door will give a feeling of

control and empowerment, creating balance. And don’t forget to use feng shui with your color selections.

The bedroom is the most important room for applying the principles of feng shui since we all spend so much time there. It is important to have the bed face the door but not straight-on. It is preferable to have a wall behind the bed so that you are aware if anyone is entering your space. This is referred to as command position. Use soft and muted pastel colors or earthen tones that you’d find in nature. Plants are not recommended for the bedroom as they are active and produce energy which is not conducive to the calm environment required in the bedroom. However, they are desirable throughout the rest of the home. Some of the best plants include lucky bamboo, orchids, jade, snake or rubber plants.

Although there is no scientific basis for the use of feng shui in design, it is about making your environment a healthy and happy one for your family, so why not give it a try.

NEW TRENDS FOR Weddings

After the thrill of an engagement, all attention moves to the upcoming wedding. It is a happy and exciting time for any couple and one filled with many choices and decisions. It can also be a stressful time if not properly organized. To make it a joyous event, a plan is essential and it starts with making lists of things to accomplish. Technology has made it much easier. There are on-line wedding planning tools for couples to use. Not only do they simplify wedding preparation, they save time and keep everything organized and in one place as opposed to old fashioned methods.

Post-Covid backyard weddings are out and luxury is in. Couples want their venue to be special, whether it is the country club, a spectacular garden, a historic estate, or a clear top tent for dancing under the stars. They want it to reflect who they are and their own personal love story and even their cultural heritage.

Oftentimes, couples are going for smaller, more intimate affairs. This allows more time to spend with people they care about most. It also helps with the budget and allows for spending on special effects or treats. Decor has shifted from traditional white to brighter, bolder colors. Couples can now more easily express their personalities. Food and flowers are often designed to be environmentally friendly using locally sourced products. Champagne towers add a touch of elegance and they have made a big comeback.

Hanging florals are a new and dramatic trend along with decorative ceremony aisles. Special effects lighting is another new trend. For a really unique look, go for a custom dance floor as the dance floor is often the center of the action at the wedding party. A new special effect is called cold sparks. The best explanation is indoor fireworks which add drama and sparkle to any event. They can be used in a variety of ways. Use them to light up the bride and groom’s entrance to the party, for first dances, or for the couple’s departure.

It is all about creating a memorable experience unlike any other. If you don’t have a lot of time to plan and implement all that is required for your wedding, consider hiring a wedding planner or pick a venue that coordinates the details for you. Country Clubs and Hotels are good at that as they often have excellent party planners on staff. Although a private wedding planner will add to the expense, they make sure the entire process runs smoothly from design issues, overseeing the budget, sending invitations, tracking RSVPs, managing vendors, and coordinating the schedule of the wedding. At a minimum, be sure to have someone in charge on the day of the wedding for any last minute issues that arise.

2024 PGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Arnold Palmer Invitational

* Schedule subject to change

MAR 4 - 10

MAR 4 - 10

MAR 11 - 17

MAR 18 - 24

MAR 25 - 31

APRIL 1 - 7

APRIL 8 - 14

APRIL 15 - 21

APRIL 15 - 21

APRIL 22 - 28

APRIL 29 - MAY 5

MAY 6 - 12

MAY 6 - 12

MAY 13 - 19

+ Signature Event

presented by Mastercard +

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida

Puerto Rico Open Grand Reserve Golf Club, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

THE PLAYERS Championship

TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

Valspar Championship

Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), Palm Harbor, Florida

Texas Children’s Houston Open Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas

Valero Texas Open

TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course), San Antonio, Texas

Masters Tournament #

Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia

RBC Heritage +

Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Corales Puntacana Championship

NBC, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

GOLF

NBC, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

NBC, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

NBC, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

NBC, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

CBS, ESPN+

CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

Puntacana Resort & Club (Corales Golf Course), Punta Cana, Dominican Republic GOLF

Zurich Classic of New Orleans TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana

AT&T Byron Nelsons

TPC Craig Ranch, McKinney, Texas

Wells Fargo Championship +

Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina

Myrtle Beach Classic

CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

Dunes Golf & Beach Club, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina GOLF

PGA Championship #

Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky

# Not PGA TOUR Co-sponsored

^ Co-sanctioned with DP World Tour

CBS, ESPN+

2024 PGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

* Schedule subject to change

DATES TOURNAMENT COVERAGE

MAY 20 - 26

MAY 27 - JUNE 2

JUNE 3 - 9

JUNE 10 - 16

JUNE 17 - 23

JUNE 24 - 30

JULY 1 - 7

JULY 8 - 14

JULY 8 - 14

JULY 15 - 21

JULY 22 - 28

JUNE 29 - AUG 4

AUG 5 - 11

Charles Schwab Challenge

Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas

RBC Canadian Open

CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

Hamilton Golf & Country Club, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday + Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio

U.S. Open #

Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina

Travelers Championship + Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut

Rocket Mortgage Classic Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, Michigan

John Deere Classic TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois

Genesis Scottish Open ^ The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, Scotland

CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

NBC, USA NETWORK, PEACOCK

CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

TBA Event TBA, TBA GOLF

Barracuda Championship

Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood), Truckee, California GOLF

3M Open TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minnesota

CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

Olympic Men’s Golf Competition # Le Golf National, Paris, France GOLF

Wyndham Championship

Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, North Carolina

CBS, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

+ Signature Event

# Not PGA TOUR Co-sponsored

^ Co-sanctioned with DP World Tour

2024 PGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

* Schedule subject to change +

AUG 12 - 18

AUG 19 - 25

AUG 26 - SEP 1

FedEx St. Jude Championship

TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee

BMW Championship

Castle Pines Golf Club, Castle Rock, Colorado

TOUR Championship

East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Georgia

NBC, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

NBC, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

NBC, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM

2024 LPGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

*

2024 LPGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE VENTURA COUNTY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

MARCH

MARCH 17 | BEER MARCH

Join in on the FUN! Come on down to Old Town and join us for a Beer Marching time!!! Come and show your support for the Camarillo Old Town Association as you stretch your legs while dropping into our participating Restaurants and Retail locations for a taste of Local Craft Brew and specialty cocktails! Live Music will grace our Blvd from many local bands! For more info visit: camarillooldtown.org

MARCH

24 | THE WINE WALK

The Wine Walk will showcase Wine, Sparkling Wine, and Craft Beer sampling in your favorite downtown businesses. Plus, the Vendor Fair will feature hundreds of local vendors and crafters lining the streets of downtown with goods available for sale! For more info visit: springwinewalk.com

APRIL

APRIL 7 | WHALES FESTIVAL

The Celebration of the Whales Festival has become a fun Harbor tradition, with plenty of activities scheduled throughout the day. This year’s event will feature a concert in the park, a community “paint a whale” mural project, chalk art, shopping, a children’s fun zone, and more.

For more info visit:

https://tinyurl.com/yzzkbph4

APRIL 10 - 28 | A-TRAIN

Told with humor, insight and a few choice expletives, this courageous play, based on a true story, follows a family as they learn to accept the unexpected and live in the moment, meeting the joys and hardships of raising a child with autism. For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/34vfs532

MAY

MAY 18 - 19 | STRAWBERRY FEST

The highly-anticipated California Strawberry Festival is making a

LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE VENTURA COUNTY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

grand return, and this time it’s bigger and better than ever before! Get ready to indulge in everything strawberry. For more info visit: castrawberryfestival.org

JUNE

JUNE 12 | WINE, FOOD, & BREW FESTIVAL

If you love gourmet foods, great wine, and craft brews then you won’t want to miss this special event. This all inclusive festival features sweet and flavorful delicacies from the finest restaurants, catering companies, bakers, and specialty chefs from the Ventura County and Santa Barbara areas. Groove to live music from the VIP lounge and center stage. For more info visit: winefoodandbrewfestival.com

JUNE 28 - 30 | GREEK FESTIVAL

For the families of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, the annual Ventura County Greek Festival is much more than a cultural event. It is an opportunity to share a part

of ourselves with the community. Who we are. Where we come from. What we believe. For more info visit: vcgreekfestival.org

JULY

JULY 10 - 14 | BLOCK PARTY

Get into summer festivities at one of Old Town Camarillo’s most popular festivals. Bring your friends and family to celebrate Camarillo’s rich heritage. Experience Camarillo with local food vendors and trucks, live music, art, car show, and carnival rides. For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/3yytmjb7

JULY 26 - 28 | MUSIC FESTIVAL

The mission of the Ventura Music Festival is to bring world-class music to the community, foster audience-artist relationships, and enhance the joy of music through diverse offerings for all ages. For more info visit: venturamuicfestival.org

JULY 27 - 28 | SALSA FESTIVAL

The annual Oxnard Salsa Festival

LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE VENTURA COUNTY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

is a weekend celebration of all things salsa – the food, the music and the dance! Event highlights include main stage entertainment with salsa and Latin bands, salsa tastings and more than 100 vendors in an eclectic vendor marketplace. For more info visit: oxnardsalsafestival.com

AUGUST

AUG 1 - 11 |

COUNTY FAIR

The Ventura County Fair is one of California’s most popular seaside attractions. Enjoy exciting rides, attractions, and free concerts featuring top artists. Use this travel guide to inspire you with recommended restaurants, breweries, the best beaches, hotels, and fun things to do. For more info visit: venturacountyfair.org

AUG 17 - 18 | AIR SHOW

Experience the Thrills of California’s Premier Air Show! Witness high-speed aerial acrobatics, live performances, captivating displays, and exhilarating helicop-

ter and airplane rides. But wait, there’s more! Enjoy a spectacular car show, explore the veterans hangar, witness historical reenactments, marvel at a robotics demonstration, and much more! For more info visit: ingsovercamarillo.com

AUG 23 - 25 | CORNHOLE FEST

The Throwdown Cornhole Festival is back, this time bigger and better than ever! As the largest cornhole tournament in the world, finalists will get a chance to win huge cash prizes as well as festival goers. The cornhole tournament will feature live music, a carnival, fun activities, brews and good grub. For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/2cn9bayu

SEPTEMBER

SEPT TBA | TASTE OF LOCAL FESTIVAL

Over50 area chefs, wineries, brewers, farmers and purveyors are expected to showcase their culinary expertise during the Annual Taste

LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE VENTURA COUNTY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

(. . .continued from 22)

of Local event. All food and samples are included in the admission price. For more info visit: totallylocalvc.com

SEPT 1 | ALOHA BEACH FESTIVAL

The Aloha Beach Festival hosts a fun aloha-style surfing event, paddle-board race, outrigger canoes, along with local Hawaiian dancers, local surf reggae, and really cool vibes. For more info visit: alohabeachfestival.us

SEPT

13 - 15 | JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Oxnard Jazz Festival Weekend is back with 3 full days of festivities and music! For more info visit: oxnardjazzfestival.com

OCTOBER

OCT

4 | ART & CRAFT SHOW

Family-owned and operated, we take pride in upholding the tradition of excellence that has been enjoyed for 50 years. Our goal is to provide you a one-of-a-kind shopping experience! For more info

visit: harvestfestival.com

OCT 22 | WINE WALK

Stroll and sip the best wines and craft beers in Old Town Camarillo. Get your vibe on with live music, food, wine, and beer pairings at 20+ local businesses up and down Ventura Blvd. Get your tickets online and check the two check in locations in Old Town Camarillo. You are guaranteed to get good vibes at this wine and brew tasting event. For more info visit: camarillooldtown.org

NOVEMBER

NOV

20 - 23 | FESTIVAL OF TREES

During the week, see the beautiful trees and wreaths to bid on, shop the Elf Emporium for hand-made gifts, get sweet treats at Frosty’s Sweet Shoppe, Santa photo ops, and experience Ventura County community entertainment! For more info visit: festivalofthetrees.org

LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE VENTURA COUNTY

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

DECEMBER

DEC 7 | TAMALE FESTIVAL

Get the tastiest tamales in town –from sweet to savory, traditional to gourmet. Enjoy the holiday crafts fair, kids activities, and live music. The festival will feature a selection of family-friendly activities, tamales and other delectable dishes, and live music. Join us as we ring in the holiday season!

For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/4fwrmbd7

DEC 8 | SANTA TO THE SEA

In 2008, we started our half-marathon that raises money to give Christmas gifts, food, college scholarships, and more to the underserved in Ventura County. Each year, around 3000 toys are given out, $500,000 in scholarships have been awarded, and basic needs like food have been given through Santa to the Sea. If you are looking to make a difference this year, we would like to personally invite you to join us this year for our Santa to the Sea races! For more info visit: santatothesea.com

2024 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

* Schedule subject to change

2024 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

2024 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

* Schedule subject to change

2024 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

BANANA DATE NUT BREAD

• 3 ripe bananas mashed

• 2 eggs

• 1 stick butter

• 1 cup unbleached flour

• 1 cup whole wheat flour

• 1/2 cup shelled walnuts chopped

• 3/4 cup Medjool dates chopped and pitted blitzed with 1/4 cup water in a blender ( or 3/4 cup of sugar without water)

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

• Grease a 9x5x3 bread pan

• Cream butter and date mixture

• Add eggs one at a time, beating well

• Sift flour, baking soda, and salt and add to creamed mixture

• Fold in mashed bananas, vanilla and walnuts

• Pour mixture into the bread pan

• Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean

• Cool for 10 minutes and then put on a rack

TRAIN EXPERIENCES Wonderful

If you haven’t traveled by train, you might like to try it. There are so many fantastic train trips available across the world. They offer opportunities not available any other way. There’s never the hassle of driving and missing the beautiful and scenic countryside. They are eco-friendly,

comfortable, relaxing and also offer refreshments. Trains start and end their journeys in cities and will transport you through diverse and incredible landscapes.

Here are a few amazing train trip options:

JACOBITE TRAIN BERNINA EXPRESS

If you are traveling in Scotland, be sure to check out the Jacobite. This journey is often described as the greatest rail journey in the world. It takes you 84 miles in total from Fort Williams in the highlands of Scotland to the most westerly stop in Arisaig. It passes by lakes and rivers including Lake Nevis, the deepest in Europe and through charming villages. There is a stop in Glenfinnan which was made famous as the site of the Harry Potter films. Then it is on to Mallaig which was founded in 1840 and is now a busy fishing port. It is a great spot for a walk or some shopping and dining. Try the fish and chips! Then take the return trip or consider taking the ferry to Skye and the Small Isles.

In Switzerland, be sure to check out the Bernina Express which is a 90 mile journey from Tirano in northern Italy to Chur in southeastern Switzerland. Highlights include unparalleled panoramic views of the steep peaks of the Swiss Alps, charming villages and shimmering lakes. With 55 tunnels through the mountains and numerous bridges and viaducts, the vistas are stunning. Chur is the oldest city in Switzerland and the old town is actually car-free. The train has earned UNESCO World Heritage Designation due to its architectural features and long history.

SKAGWAY RAILROAD RAILROAD MUSEUM

In Alaska, don’t miss the Bennett Lake Scenic Journey. A trip through history that began with the gold rush of 1898 when men sought routes to the Klondike and the White Pass. It began in Skagway and continued to British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. The train climbs from sea level to 3,00ft - a true marvel of engineering. Travel in a vintage train from Skagway to Carcass in the Yukon Territory. See snow capped peaks, forests, sparkling lakes, and amazing waterfalls. Visit Bennett Station and the White Pass Museum. You can do a walk through an old gold rush town. Then ride through remote sections of the lake that are otherwise only available by hiking the Chilkoot Trail.

In Parrish, Florida, visit the Museum and see the historic trains of the old South. Or take the 6-mile ride on an early 1900s train from Parrish to Willow to see a rail collection and exhibition. Also they host special train events including a train robbery experience.