It’s that time of year, folks…strawberry time!  The 2013 Ventura County Strawberry Festival comes to Oxnard this weekend, May 18th and 19th.  For two days only, Southern Californians will be celebrating the succulent nectar of life that is the strawberry.

From 10am to 6:30pm this Saturday and Sunday, Strawberry Meadows of College Park (located at 3250 South Rose Ave. in Oxnard) will be filled with the sights and smells of strawberries.  Nosh on traditional strawberry dishes like strawberry pie, strawberry jam and chocolate covered strawberries.  But, save room for the strawberry pizza and strawberry nachos!  If you feel like you need a break from the juicy goodness, there will more than 50 food vendors of all kinds on the premises for the weekend.

Stop in for one of the cooking demonstrations by local Ventura County chefs.  Feel like a kid again on the carnival rides.  You’re sure to find something you absolutely “must have” at one of the 250+ arts and crafts booths.  There’s even some sweet strawberry beer!  Dance off the calories at the Berry Best Dance Contest.  Dress up your favorite hat for the Berry Best Hat Contest.  Even the wee ones can get in on the action with the Berry Best Dressed Baby Contest.  This year, there is a Berry Zipline and Navy Seals Underwater Dive Tank that you don’t want to miss!

General admission is just $12 per day.  Seniors (ages 62+) and active military members and their dependents (with valid ID) can get in for just $8 each.  Kids ages 5-12 are just $5 and all kids ages 4 and under can get in free.  Click here to purchase your tickets online.  The military discount is only valid at the gate.

Make it a point to attend the Ventura County Strawberry Festival this weekend.  It’s going to be a sweet time!

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists

Sunny weather makes you want to head outside, especially here in Southern California.  The kids are probably getting antsy waiting for school to end and summer break to begin.  Take them to the 10th Annual Ventura Family Festival in the Park on Saturday, May 11, 2013.

Barranca Vista Park in Ventura is going to be full to the brim with tons of family-friendly fun.  From 9am to 1pm is the Kids Swap Meet, where kids bring their old toys, books, video games, etc. to sell to other kids.  From 12pm to 4pm is the official Ventura Family Festival in the Park, with local organizations introducing themselves to the community by showing off their entertainment skills.  Some of these include performances from the Ventura USD and Ojai Raptor Center as well as other musical, dance and theatrical performances by local artists of all ages.  There will also be informational booths set up around the park, hands-on activities and face painting available.  Of course, food vendors will be on hand to tempt your taste buds.

Gypsies in a Trunk begin their Fairytales in the Park season by concluding the day’s festivities at 4pm.  Their interpretation of The Little Mermaid is something your little ones won’t want to miss.  Admission to all of this is absolutely free of charge.  For more information, please contact Kathryn Dippong-Lawson at (805) 644-6542 or via email.

Get yourself and the kids out of the house.  Take them to the 10th Annual Ventura Family Festival in the Park on Saturday, May 11th.  It’s a day of fun for everyone!

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists

Although Earth Day is officially Monday, April 22nd, Ventura will be celebrating it on Saturday, April 20th.  And they are inviting you to join in on the fun.  For it’s sixth year, the Ventura Earth Day Eco-Fest brings environmental awareness to the masses in a fun, creative way.  One visit and you’ll see why they’ve won awards for this celebration.

From 10am to 6pm, Promenade Park in downtown Ventura will be host a party for 6000+ people.  As part of the festivities, there will be live music, face painting, low waste food choices, green project exhibits, arts and crafts, games and scavenger hunts.  A free bike valet is available for those who arrive via pedal-power.  For just $1 per ticket, you can enter into the Eco-Fest raffle, with more than $6000 worth of goods and services up for grabs from local businesses in Ventura County.  The silent auction includes amazing items donated by local artists and organizations, including a customized surfboard, Channel Island trips, original artwork and more.  All profits from the entire day’s festivities will help fund programs for the Ventura Charter School for Arts and Global Education (VCS), a tuition-free public school for students in grades K-8.

Ventura Earth Day Eco-Fest is absolutely free to attend.  Learn how you can reduce your carbon footprint to help preserve this beautiful way of life we in Ventura County enjoy every day.  Promenade Park is THE place to be this Saturday, April 20th.  Bring the family, have a fun time and learn how to be more environmentally responsible all at the same time!

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists

Residents of Ventura County know how lucky they are to be living in such an incredibly beautiful place as we do.  Our beaches are part of what makes Southern California the destination of choice for vacationers around the world.  We want to keep this natural beauty going for generations to come.  Volunteer Ventura! is asking for your help in joining them on Earth Day this year to clean up our beaches.

Join fellow Ventura citizens at Surfer’s Knoll on Spinaker Dr Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 9am to 11am.  All ages are welcome to participate.  However, any youngster under 12 years old must have their parent or legal guardian with them.  Social groups, church groups, community volunteers and individuals are welcome to join in.  While cleaning supplies will be provided by Volunteer Ventura!, participants are encouraged to wear work gloves to protect your hands and bring a plastic bucket from home to make collecting debris easier.

Luckily, we have so many people who appreciate our beaches.  Spaces for participants in this annual beach cleanup tend to fill up quickly.  Pre-registration is required.  Please register by visiting Volunteer Ventura’s Earth Day Cleanup on-line registration site here.

Volunteer Ventura! believes that together, we can make a difference.  Let’s band together and volunteer our time to clean up one of the busiest Ventura beaches on Earth Day.  Embrace the beauty that is living in Southern California!

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists

Easter Sunday is just a few days away.  After you are done searching for all those colorful eggs the Easter Bunny has hidden away at your home, come to Ventura Harbor to continue the Easter celebration.  The Easter Bunny himself will hop on over for a visit Sunday afternoon!

Ventura Harbor is celebrating Easter in full force this Sunday, March 31st.  Dixieland Jazz will fill the air courtesy of the Main Street Band from 12pm to 3pm.  Once he’s rested a bit, the Easter Bunny will be ready for hugs and salutations from 12pm to 3pm.  Make sure you bring your camera so you can capture this moment for yourself.  Kids will also have the opportunity to create special Easter crafts at the Ventura Harbor Village Booth.  Take some time to visit the Ventura Harbor shops and enjoy a tasty treat at one of the Harbor’s many fine dining establishments.  You might even want to take a cruise around the harbor to really create a lasting Easter memory.

Spend this Sunday at Ventura Harbor with the Easter Bunny.  There will be plenty to do even after you visit with the handsome hare of the Harbor.  Happy Easter, everybody!

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists

Spring break for students in the Ventura Unified School District doesn’t take place until the first week of April.  But, “foodies” can enjoy Spring Break every weekend in Downtown Ventura.  That’s when Ventura residents and visitors can embark on a tasting tour of area restaurants.

Every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 2:30pm, Ventura Food Tours conducts Downtown Ventura Tasting Tours.  On these tours, guests will visit six different restaurants and shops.  While they sample some of each establishment’s wares, they get to chat with the chefs and owners for a more intimate look at what is prepared for them, their backgrounds and how they came to be in this business.  You’ll even get a bit of a history lesson while you venture from place to place.

It IS a walking tour.  Make sure you dress for comfort.  The entire tour typically takes 3 to 3 1/2 hours to complete.  This is a great opportunity to try out something new or meet the people behind your favorite Downtown Ventura haunt.  Tickets are $59 per person (includes the cost of food, tax and tip at six different restaurants).  If you purchase two or more tickets at a time, the cost drops to $49 per person.  Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance.  You can purchase your tickets for the Downtown Ventura Tasting Tour online by clicking here.  Just make sure to mention any allergies you have when making your reservation so they can make sure you enjoy your tour to the fullest.

Those of us who live in Southern California are extremely fortunate to be exposed to all aspects of different cultures.  This includes art, music and, of course, food.  You don’t have to be in school to enjoy Spring Break.  Take a ”foodie” Spring Break any weekend by enjoying a Downtown Ventura Tasting Tour.  Sign up today!

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists

Sure, we’ve been dealing with some rain lately.  But it looks like the sun will be poking its head out again soon and just in time for spring.  Our clocks aren’t the only things springing forward this month.  You can spring forward, too, at the Ventura St Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16th.

Beginning at 10am, Ventura residents and visitors can watch as local businesses, marching bands, cheerleaders, non-profit organizations, dance troupes and more parade through downtown Ventura.  The parade will start its journey right out in front of the San Buenaventura Mission and up along Main St to their final stop at North Ann St.  Participants will make a brief stop in front of the viewing stand (at Chestnut and Main) to perform for the judges as they compete for trophies in several different categories.

After the parade is over, many restaurants and businesses in the local Ventura area will be offering St Patrick’s Day specials. So, plan on spending the day celebrating the Irish culture and traditions.  Spring forward at the Ventura St Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16th. Everyone’s Irish on St Patrick’s Day!

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists

Who needs Superman or Batman when we have real life superheroes like our firemen?  The Ventura City Firefighters Auxiliary will be hosting their Casino Night fundraiser at the Museum of Ventura County this Saturday, February 23, 2013. All proceeds from Casino Night will benefit both the Auxiliary and Kids & Families Together – Alice’s House.

From 6pm to 10pm, Las Vegas takes over the Museum of Ventura County (100 E Main St).  Attendees will have the opportunity to play fun casino games, like Aces & 8s, roulette, craps and blackjacks.  Ottavio’s Italian Restaurant will be preparing dinner while guests enjoy cocktails of beer, wine and other spirits.  Marie Shannon Confections will be providing some sweet treats for guests.  Live music, dancing and a silent auction will complete the evening’s festivities.

Tickets are just $40 each.  You must be at least 21 years old to attend.  Tickets can be purchased only by visiting their website here.  For more information, please call (805) 402-6135 or email the Ventura Firefighters Auxiliary.  The Ventura Firefighters Auxiliary provides support to city firefighters as well as their families. Kids & Families Together help traumatized children and the people that care for them by providing education, support and counseling.

You don’t have to travel 300 miles to Vegas for some gambling fun.  If you are at least 21 years old, attend the Ventura Firefighters Casino Night on February 23, 2013. Proceeds from the evening’s festivities will benefit two very worthy charities: Ventura Firefighters Auxiliary and Kids & Families Together.

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists

Valentine’s Day is only a week away.  How are you planning on spending it with your sweetie?  If you’re in the Ventura area, you’re in luck.  There are several romantic ways to show the love of your life how much they mean to you when you celebrate a Ventura Valentine’s Day.

71 Palm (71 N Palm St, Downtown Ventura) – Chef Didier prepares a special 3-course meal for lovers.  Three dinner times to choose from: 5:30pm, 7pm and 8:30pm.  (805) 653-7222.

Busy Bee Cafe (478 E Main St, Downtown Ventura) – King Cut Prime Rib is the order of the day at Busy Bee.  They’re open from 4pm to 10pm on Valentine’s Day.  (805) 643-4864.

Island Packers’ Valentine’s Cruise (1691 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura Harbor) – Take a cruise around the Harbor on a 64′ catamaran with live onboard music performed by guitarist Steven Sunnarborg.  (805) 642-1393.

Love Train Murder Mystery (351 Santa Clara St, Fillmore) – How about a bit of romance, mystery and “murder” for Valentine’s Day aboard the Fillmore & Western Railway Co’s Love Train? (805) 524-2546.

Milano’s Italian Restaurant (1559 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura Harbor) – Dine on saucy Italian fare and get a free chocolate mousse for two.  Reservations are recommended.  (805) 658-0388.

Pierpont Inn (550 Sanjon Rd, Ventura Waterfront) – Their Sweetheart Package is a special 3-course meal with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries.  (805) 643-6144.

Sweetheart’s Dinner and Dance (40 Presidential Dr, Simi Valley) – 5pm to 9:30pm.  Want a unique way to spend Valentine’s Day with the one you love?  The Ronald Regan Presidential Library is offering a 3-course meal underneath Air Force One as well as a tour of the facilities.  (805) 577-4057.

Most restaurants in the Ventura area will be holding some kind of special Valentine’s Day menu. If your favorite isn’t listed above, simply contact them now to inquire and make reservations.  Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Ventura with the person you love.

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists

Are you always on the hunt for a good bargain?  Does your Ventura home need a makeover but you’re on a budget?  Then, you simply must visit the Ventura Flea Market.

Held only a few times a year, the Ventura Flea Market offers everything from plants to furniture and clothes to crafts.  The next Ventura Flea Market will be held on Sunday, January 27th from 9am to 2pm at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.  Whether you’re looking for artwork to decorate your living room, need to pick up some new or gently used clothing for growing children or want to find a piece of jewelry that is as unique as your honey for Valentine’s Day, the Ventura Flea Market will have something for you.  That’s why thousands of buyers flock to the fairgrounds every time the flea market is held.

Admission is just $5 per person.  Just like the Post Office, neither snow nor rain nor heat nor whatever will keep the Ventura Flea Market from its appointed rounds.  Bundle up if you have to and be ready to do some serious shopping!

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists