Ventana Monthly

21/06/2024

Taking care of our skin is a big part of self care, for reasons that go way beyond aesthetics. And for Daron Hope, the founder of Earthtonics Botanical Skincare, self-care begins with the healing power of nature and its ability to stimulate “your skin’s innate healing intelligence.”

LifestyleCulture Skintelligent Design: Daron Hope practices herbal alchemy with EarthTonics. By - 1 167 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp Hope, James and Privett at the EarthTonics Apothecary. By Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer | Photos by Viktor Budnik The skin is the largest organ in the human body, and it...

18/06/2024

Editor’s Note: I feel particularly fortunate to feature the people who make up this month’s Made in Ventura County issue.

Editor's Note Editor’s Note: Creative Spirits By - 0 140 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp Photo by Viktor Budnik One of the things I love about my job is the opportunity to connect with creative and talented individuals in our area. The people we write about are endlessly fascinating and unfailing...

13/06/2024

Made in Ventura County: Lyndsie Harris, Earthtonics, TIGEROWL and RAT BOI! Pick up a copy of our new issue or go to ventanamonthly.com for full stories. Sign up to receive a digital copy delivered directly to your inbox monthly at ventanamonthly.com/subscribe.

06/06/2024

Travel feature: The arid landscapes, Indigenous people, culture and wildlife are astounding and continue to draw me back to Namibia.

Travel Hooligans of the Kalahari Desert: Meeting meerkats and more in Namibia. By - 0 204 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp HUG IT OUT Cuddling is common for the super-social meerkat. Story and photos by Chuck Graham Our 4×4 vehicle was taking a pounding on the gritty washboard-riddled road toward t...

03/06/2024

Sierra Railroad dubbed its Southern California home the Sunburst Line, and brought fun back on track with a new way to explore the Heritage Valley.

About Town In The Rolling Groves: The Sunburst Railbike experience brings riders up close and personal with ag country. By - 1 258 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp PEDAL POWER with a bit of electric assist makes it fun and easy to ride the rails through the Heritage Valley citrus groves. By Nancy D....

29/05/2024

The Channel Islands off the Ventura County coast offer a myriad of adventures to be enjoyed by land and by sea.

A Rare Look at the Islands: Special excursions offered by Island Packers give nature lovers a new way to explore Channel Islands National Park. By - 0 113 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp ANACAPA ISLAND is small and close to the mainland, but teeming with wildlife. Photo by Dan Harding By Nancy D. L...

24/05/2024

Students at Moorpark STEM School Flory Academy enjoyed a rare treat on April 23. Engineers from AeroVironment demonstrated a working replica of the autonomous helicopter Ingenuity, developed by AeroVironment, NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Community Mars Helicopter Model Demonstration: Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology By - 1 143 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp AeroVironment Engineer Matt Keennon pilots Ingenuity, a replica of the helicopter flown on Mars, for students at Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology during an asse...

21/05/2024

One of the oldest, largest and arguably the best of the wide variety of festivals that cater to foodies is the Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival, taking place this year on June 2.

Dining Epicurean Extravaganza: Kick off a savory summer with the Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival. By - 0 153 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp Magnavino Cellars of Oxnard has been a longtime supporter of the festival, and proudly pours out fine wine in the VIP Lounge. Photo by Trinity...

15/05/2024

Editor’s Note: Okay. Yes. Technically, the solstice isn’t until June 20. And for those of us closer to the beach, there’s still plenty of cloud cover. And temperatures are less than balmy at the moment. But I am stubbornly refusing to keep that from dampening my excitement for the season ahead.

Editor's Note Editor’s Note: Welcome Summer! By - 0 79 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp Sunburst railbikes in Santa Paula. Okay. Yes. Technically, the solstice isn’t until June 20. And for those of us closer to the beach, there’s still plenty of cloud cover. And temperatures are less than balm...

10/05/2024

With the hotter months approaching, we’re on track for fun… It’s the Summer Issue! Pick up a copy or go to ventanamonthly.com. Be sure you sign up to receive a digital copy delivered directly to your inbox monthly at ventanamonthly.com/subscribe.

03/05/2024

The Mother’s Day Mariachi Festival celebrates its 34th year in 2024.

LifestyleCulture Family Fiesta: Moms and music come together for Oxnard’s Mother’s Day Mariachi Festival By - 0 80 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp Mariachi Jalisco ES Mexico will go “mano a mano” with the Estrellas in a mariachi “battle of the bands.” By Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer Rorberto...

10/04/2024

Ascending Mount Whitney in a day is a big day, with just over 6,000 feet of elevation gain.

Travel Mountain High: A guide to getting up Mount Whitney in a single day. By - 0 680 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp Guitar lake at 11,500 feet, here surrounded by snowy hillsides. Story and photos by Chuck Graham I left the Whitney Portal Trailhead right at midnight, the sheer granite gorge brigh...

05/04/2024

Martha Cantos has proven herself as a successful downtown Ventura business owner with her charming and colorful boutique Ecugreen since opening in 2017.

About Town Showing the Way: WEV helps women business owners overcome systemic barriers to entrepreneurship By - 0 116 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Martha Cantos (right, with her dogs, Grogu and Mando, and Nicki Parr) took business classes at WEV before opening her Ecuadorian imports store, Ec...

02/04/2024

For more than 30 years, Marta Alvarez and her staff at YEMMA Consulting Engineers (YCE, Inc.) have been providing services such as lot line adjustments, easements, maps and more for residential customers as well as developers, contractors and agriculture industry professionals.

Conversation “My desire was bigger than my fears”: Civil engineer Marta Alvarez talks about overcoming challenges, life in STEM, mentoring the next generation and more. By - 0 63 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp Marta Alvarez, founder of YCE Inc. By Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer | Photos by Viktor Bud...

27/03/2024

LaToya Coats, the energetic founder, owner and CEO of PARK2FILM.com Crew Parking, spends her life on call, 24/7 when necessary, finding and arranging parking spaces and base camps for Hollywood production companies.

Cover Story Park Place: Film industry parking sends LaToya Coats’ career into overdrive. By - 0 59 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp latoya coats of Park2Film with her children Jaide (left) and Aj Nowling-Coats. By Mike Nelson | Photos by Viktor Budnik It’s not unusual, driving around greater Los...

20/03/2024

Now that she knew what was in demand, Anja's Boutique became busier than ever. Sosnicki’s fashion sense extended to interior design and she was able to showcase her sophisticated European apparel in an attractive and appealing shop.

Fashion Passion for Fashion: Anna Sosnicki specializes in fine European style with Anja’s Boutique. By - 0 20 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Anja’s Boutique in picturesque Ventura Harbor Village. By Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer Comfortable, casual and beachy — that’s very much the vibe of th...

14/03/2024

STEM | film | style | empowerment… It’s the Women in Business Issue! Pick up a copy or go to ventanamonthly.com. Be sure you sign up to receive a digital copy delivered directly to your inbox monthly at ventanamonthly.com/subscribe.

27/02/2024

Martino’s Catering has always been a family affair, which might help explain why it’s grown from humble beginnings to now serving about 80 happy couples and their families at weddings every year.

About Town Family Feast: Great taste and exceptional service make it easy to say “I do” to Martino’s Catering By - 0 217 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Team MARTINO'S includes Office Manager and Event Coordinator Odalis Cardenas-Linville (left) and President Vanessa Nunez. By Alex Wilson ...

20/02/2024

Simply put: Quebec City is magical. Check out our travel feature:

Travel Bienvenue! Quebec City: North America with European flavors By - 0 280 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Providing breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and the fortified old city, Fairmont Chateau Frontenac is worth a visit. Story by By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski and photos by Dave....

14/02/2024

Let us be your guide to getting up Mount Whitney in a single day:

Travel Mountain High: A guide to getting up Mount Whitney in a single day. By - 0 289 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Guitar lake at 11,500 feet, here surrounded by snowy hillsides. Story and photos by Chuck Graham I left the Whitney Portal Trailhead right at midnight, the sheer granite gorge br...

09/02/2024

No need to travel far when this Central Coast gem awaits.

Travel SLO-cation: No need to travel far when this Central Coast gem awaits By - 0 53 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp VIEW FROM THE TOP of Cerro San Luis, looking east onto the charming Central Coast community of San Luis Obispo. Story and photos by Chuck Graham The sturdy coast live oaks gently...

06/02/2024

Martino’s Catering has always been a family affair, which might help explain why it’s grown from humble beginnings to now serving about 80 happy couples and their families at weddings every year.

About Town Family Feast: Great taste and exceptional service make it easy to say “I do” to Martino’s Catering By - 0 56 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Team MARTINO'S includes Office Manager and Event Coordinator Odalis Cardenas-Linville (left) and President Vanessa Nunez. By Alex Wilson |...

01/02/2024

Tracey Theys McHale, owner of Bella Mucci’s Bridal Couture in Ventura, understands the highs, lows and indecision every bride must face before saying “yes to the dress.

Conversation Getting to Yes By - 0 53 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp BEAUTIFUL BRIDE Model (and McHale’s daughter) Denielle Mucciacito Morrison looks dreamily romantic at the River Ridge Golf Club ballroom in a Bella Mucci’s-provided gown. By Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer | Photos by Viktor Budni...

29/01/2024

Looming high on the list for couples in search of a lovely and all-inclusive destination is River Ridge Golf Club.

Cover Story The Place Where Dreams Come True: Design the picture-perfect wedding at River Ridge Golf Club By - 0 51 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp GO GREEN Immaculately groomed grounds make a beautiful setting for any wedding. By Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer In Ventura County, picturesque locations....

25/01/2024

It’s the Wedding Issue! Pick up a copy of our new issue or go to ventanamonthly.com. Be sure you sign up to receive a digital copy delivered directly to your inbox monthly at ventanamonthly.com/subscribe.

15/01/2024

Simply put: Quebec City is magical. Check out our new travel feature.

Travel Bienvenue! Quebec City: North America with European flavors By - 0 98 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Providing breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and the fortified old city, Fairmont Chateau Frontenac is worth a visit. Story by By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski and photos by Dave K...

09/01/2024

Premium quality, completely customizable deliciousness awaits you at Top This Chocolate.

Cover Story Top of the Line: Premium quality, completely customizable deliciousness awaits you at Top This Chocolate. By - 0 191 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp NAME GAME Bars can be personalized by adding a name or message. By Mike Nelson | Photos by Viktor Budnik Need chocolate? Of course you....

03/01/2024

A guide to getting up Mount Whitney in a single day.

Travel Mountain High: A guide to getting up Mount Whitney in a single day. By - 0 100 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Guitar lake at 11,500 feet, here surrounded by snowy hillsides. Story and photos by Chuck Graham I left the Whitney Portal Trailhead right at midnight, the sheer granite gorge br...

28/12/2023

Oxnard’s Mandalay Beach is one of the prettiest seaside spots in Ventura County. The view seems to stretch on forever, the waves crash majestically against the shore, the wind brings a delicious crispness to the air, and the sand has (nearly) the consistency of sugar.

About Town An Oceanside Yuletide By - 0 134 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp tasteful tannenbaum The lobby's Christmas tree and other decorations are undeniably festive, but complement the resort's serene seaside color scheme. By Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer | All photos courtesy Zachari Dunes on Mand...

22/12/2023

At Ventura Harbor Village, you can stroll into Top This Chocolate, the world’s only customizable, make-it-on-the-spot chocolate store.

Cover Story Top of the Line: Premium quality, completely customizable deliciousness awaits you at Top This Chocolate. By - 0 2 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp NAME GAME Bars can be personalized by adding a name or message. By Mike Nelson | Photos by Viktor Budnik Need chocolate? Of course you do...