The James Irvine Foundation Arts Regional Initiative, Phase Two, has awarded over two and a half million dollars in grants for 805 regional arts institutions committed to broadening and diversifying their audiences and strengthening their financial sustainability. The organizations represent a mix of artistic disciplines, including music, dance, opera, theater, visual arts and multidisciplinary arts.
Julie Tobiason and Timothy Lynch of Seattle Dance Project
Getting ready for another school year, Executive C is prepared and awaiting the first day of school at the Faculty Club on the campus of University of California Santa Barbara. Although busy throughout the year, Chef Studds still finds down time with a less stressful schedule than most executive chefs have. Whipping up delicious and fresh soups, salads, risotto, and seafood everyday, these students and faculty are experiencing five star lunches, that are so affordable!
Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground. Photo:Hayley Young Photography, courtesy of
Meadowlark Service League presented their Annual Wine Auction Gala Saturday July 30th, 2011 and their Wine & Food Festival on Sunday July 31st, 2011 to raise money to benefit local Ventura County charities.
Buffalo Records finds its new home in a white adobe building topped with a Spanish-style roof. When you enter the record retailer nestled in residential Ventura, you may catch a slight, musty aroma possibly emanating from the old vinyls. Flanking the walkway to the register are rows of boxes on the floor, filled with un-shelved "2 for $1" vinyls, the shop’s recession special.
On the 22nd of July , at the closing general session of their 97th Annual convention in New Orleans, the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) announced that Ventura, California, along with Miami, Florida, have been selected as the winning destinations for the first Arts Destination Marketing Award for “their innovative collaboration with local art agencies to market their communities as a travel destination.”
Vanessa Rivers, founder/designer for Happy Endingz® Eco Swimwear, grew up on an eco-ranch in Central California and attended college at UC Santa Barbara where she fell in love with surfing. The line's green concept was born out of Vanessa's passion for protecting the environment and her bikini's signature "butterfly cut" bottoms with minimal back coverage are inspired by the Hawaiian Islands. Despite having a celebrity lineage including father,singer Johnny Rivers, grandma, actress Debbie Reynolds, and aunt, Carrie Fisher, (aka Princess Leia), she has managed to stay grounded and dedicated to her goal of helping green become mainstream. Vanessa also spends her time teaching surf lessons when she is not busy designing swimwear.
"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning. “--J. B. Priestly
Tucked away in Old Moorpark, off the beaten path, Carli's Bistro is found with a feel of a beach house; frayed bamboo looking umbrellas contributes to this feel on their outdoor front patio. I love how they have their patio in the front because they are right across the street from the AMTRACK train tracks and can catch that every once in awhile, as well as just be entertained from the people walking by. It's very low key and quaint so you get a feeling of "kick off your shoes and stay awhile" eating in the historic area; being in a rush is not what Old Moorpark is about. 
It was a classic case of June gloom today as my fiancé and I headed up the coast, on the 101 freeway, to La Super Rica in Santa Barbara. Despite the gloomy weather, there was nothing but smiles and excitement from not only us, but the other customers in anticipation of the delicious Mexican food. Only a 45 minute drive from our starting point of Newbury Park/Thousand Oaks, we arrived at 10:45 am, 15 minutes before La Super Rica opened. We snagged a parking spot right in front and got in line because one was already forming! We were soon followed in line by two more parties and 15 minutes after La Super Rica had opened, there was a mix of 15 people, from families to local workers on their lunch break, chowing down while a line continued out the door.
Our very first fashion editorial by Jaclyn Szabo.
Strolling along the streets of Ventura during one of the art walks, Janet Lamb happened upon a kiosk with wonderful brochures advertising a new living and working space. It was called the WAV (Working Artists Ventura) project and its goal to blend art, community, and environment--instantly she thought, "That is for me!"
Luce Patricolo, the Glass Alchemist
My interview with Luce Patricolo was unfortunately held to phone conversation and email. But I could tell from the brief communication, that Luce was an individual full of passion and life. When speaking of the WAV, Luce’s passion is felt though the computer screen. “The WAV’s intent and Chris Velasco’s dream is to keep artists in Ventura who have all but been driven away by lack of affordability, vanished endowments for the arts, and virtual risk of extinction within our current society. Raising the consciousness of Americans that art is essential to humanity and the feeding of ones soul. Where Europe has always been aware of the worth and contribution of the artists role in society, America, I feel is in need of an awakening of its value”.
Catlin Harvey Blair: The Interconnectedness of Art and Nature