Easter Bunny Visits Ventura Harbor
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
Ventura Foodie Spring Break
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
Spring Forward at Ventura St Patrick’s Day Parade
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
Ventura Tree Lighting
Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s official, folks. We have stepped into the holiday zone. Tomorrow, November 30th, the City of Ventura will be holding its official tree lighting ceremony to ring in the holidays.
Beginning at 5pm, visitors and residents of the city are invited to gather in front of the Mission trees in downtown Ventura (211 E Main St) for live entertainment, including a choir singing traditional holiday favorites and a sing-a-long with spectators. This year, the 20 foot tall tree has been decorated with new LED lights. Thanks to the generous donations of Ventura citizens, the Mission’s trees will be decked out in beautiful, multi-colored lights for the entire year, not just Christmastime. You can even enjoy some light snacks and other goodies for free.
The mayor and other government officials will give a few brief words before the Ventura holiday tree is lit at 6:15pm. After that, Santa is scheduled to ride in on a Ventura fire engine. He’s given the reindeer the night off. Free parking will be available surrounding downtown Ventura.
Start the holidays off right. Come to the official Ventura tree lighting ceremony in downtown Ventura tomorrow, November 30th. Festivities begin at 5pm but the fun lasts much longer. Happy holidays!
Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists
Ventura Restaurant Week
It seems that America has an absolute love affair with food. In Ventura County, we are lucky enough to be exposed to a wide variety of foods from all over the world. Chances are, if you want it, there’s a restaurant nearby that serves it. To that end, the 3rd Annual Ventura Restaurant Week comes to the City of Ventura November 4-8, 2012.
This year’s theme for Ventura Restaurant Week is “Farm to Table”. Locally grown and produced food means less stress on the environment and more money into the local Ventura economy. Throughout the week, Ventura area farmers will be visiting the different restaurants participating in Restaurant Week to meet with diners as well as discuss the benefits of shopping locally. During Restaurant Week, patrons will have the opportunity to dine at some of the area’s finest restaurants for a discounted price: either $25 per person for a multi-course meal or $25 for two people. This year, a lunch option has been included for the first time. For just $15 per person, diners can enjoy an entree plus an appetizer or dessert at participating restaurants.
To kick things off, the Ventura Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Taste 2012 party on the evening of November 1st. Guests will get to sample some of the fine delicacies being offered by Ventura restaurants that will be participating in Restaurant Week. There will also be live entertainment, demonstrations from local chefs and much, much more. The cost to attend is $50 in advance or $60 at the door. Chamber members can purchase their tickets at a discounted price of $35 per person. To secure your tickets now, please call Charleen at (805) 643-7222.
Ventura Restaurant Week is not only about promoting local food. It’s also about helping those who struggle to put food on the table. While you are enjoying your lunch or dinner, you can feel good in the knowledge that $2 of every meal served will benefit Ventura County FOOD Share, a non-profit organization that distributes more than 9 million pounds of food to individuals and families in need.
For a complete list of restaurants participating in the 2012 Ventura Restaurant Week, please visit their website. If you enjoy good food and dining out, make it a point to visit a Ventura restaurant November 4th through 8th. You’ll have a great time and get to help an amazing organization. You may even get to meet the Ventura farmer who produced the food that is being served to you as well!
Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists
Ventura Fire Department in the Pink
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Chances are you or someone you know has had to deal with this disease at one time or another. The good news is that advances in treatment through years of research means a diagnosis is not always a death sentence. Early detection is key for both women and men. To support and promote breast cancer awareness, the Ventura Fire Department is in the pink and wants you to be, too.
Since October 6th, members of the Ventura Fire Department have switched from their regular gear to pink uniform shirts to show their support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. After tomorrow (October 19th), they switch back to their regular uniforms. But you can show your support for breast cancer awareness by buying a special pink T-shirt at one of the many participating Ventura businesses. Shirts will not be available for sale at the fire station, but they do have a list of local businesses that will have them available for purchase if you are interested. Shirts are just $17 each. But breast cancer survivors can pick them up for $13. All proceeds benefit the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation is a grassroots organization that was founded by members of the Ventura County community to help promote women’s health and disseminate valuable information related to breast cancer. They were established in 2008. Their efforts have helped many breast cancer fighters, survivors and their families through their trials and tribulations with the disease.
Help the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation as well as show your support for breast cancer awareness, research and treatment by buying a special pink T-shirt today. The Ventura Fire Department is in the pink. You can think pink, too!
Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists
Vote for Ventura Short Film Winner
The Ventura Water Department has partnered with Limoneira’s Limco Del Mar, Patagonia and iThentic to create a contest for films that focus on the importance of water in our everyday lives. This is a topic especially close to those of us who live in Southern California. Water Take 1 put out a call for aspiring filmmakers to create a short online video (five minutes or less) discussing water’s influence, including the effects of water shortage and an aging infrastructure. It has narrowed down the 35 films that were submitted into 10 top finalists. Now, it’s your turn to vote for the Ventura short film winner.
The ultimate grand prize winner of the Water Take 1 will receive $1500 for their efforts at a dinner to be held on November 6th at the Ventura campus of the Brooks Institute. The Brooks Institute specializes in the visual arts, including photography, screenwriting, graphic design, photo-journalism and, of course, film-making. Other prizes include gift cards and professional consulting for the Best Student Short Film and a Canon EOX 7D Digital SLR camera for the Audience Choice Award, which is what you will be voting on.
You can access all the finalists’ films by visiting the Water Take 1 website by October 4, 2012. You must view a film in its entirety before the voting will be enabled. Only one vote is allowed per computer. But, please feel free to share the link to the website on your Facebook or Twitter accounts to encourage others to vote as well. The more, the merrier!
Finalists include:
- A Salton Soul
- Drop Drop
- Ocean Friendly Gardens
- Storms End
- The Forgotten Cycle
- The Journey of Water
- The Sea
- Water (directed by Peter Jansen)
- Water (directed by Ramesh S)
- We Are H2O
Please visit the Water Take 1 website before October 4th so you can vote for the Ventura short film winner for the Audience Choice Award. After you’ve voted, help get the word out by sharing the link on your social media accounts so others can vote for their favorites as well. Keeping our waters clean and available for future generations is a concern every Southern Californian should be thinking about. Water Take 1 is a unique way to get this message out to everybody.
THE Z TEAM’S FEATURED HOME OF THE WEEK
For more information on this and other great homes for sale in the Ventura County area, please click here.
Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists
Fixed Mortgage Rates for Ventura Homes
Good news! Home mortgage interest rates remain at historically low levels. In the not so distant past, most Ventura home buyers had to finance their homes with a 30 year adjustable rate mortgage just to be able to afford the initial payments. Of course, after a couple of years, these payments went up so much that thousands of homeowners across the country ended up losing their properties to foreclosure. Nowadays, fixed mortgage rates for Ventura homes are so affordable that a 15 year FRM is a possibility.
According to Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, a 30 year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.59%, down 0.63% from the same time last year. A 15 year FRM averaged 2.86%, down 0.53% from the same time last year. That means that someone who bought a Ventura home just last year is paying hundreds more in interest per year than someone who buys one today.
You’ve found the perfect Ventura home for you and your family. You need to finance $250,000. You qualify for the latest average interest rates. Which loan should you consider? A 30 year FRM will give you a lower monthly payment ($1135 per month vs $1710/month). However, you will be paying twice as long as a 15 year FRM and end up paying almost three times as much in interest over the life of the loan ($158,675 vs $57,741). That’s a lot of money!
Fixed mortgage rates for Ventura homes remain at amazingly low levels. That’s why now is as good a time as any to pursue your dreams of homeownership in Ventura County. When you’re ready, please contact us.
THE Z TEAM’S FEATURED HOME OF THE WEEK
For more information on this and other great homes for sale in the Ventura County area, please click here.
Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists
End of Summer Block Party in Ventura
It’s hard to believe, but summer is almost over. To celebrate, Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Co will be hosting their annual End of Summer Block Party in Ventura August 25th and 26th. That’s two whole days of live music, games, beer, wine, food and so much more.
Southern Californians know how to throw a party! From 12pm to 10pm on Saturday and 12pm to 7pm on Sunday, Ventura visitors and residents will be able to enjoy great food from Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Co restaurant, as well as beer and wine (for those people 21 and older with a valid ID). There will be a corn hole tournament, sandcastle building contest, kids’ activities and plenty of vendors on hand. Live music sets the backdrop throughout the entire two day event, including the classic Southern California sounds of the legendary Dick Dale.
Saturday, August 25, 2012 Musical Acts
- Big Band (10 man all star cover band)
- Dirty Rice
- New Liberty
- Army of Freshmen
- Shoemaker Brothers
- Kyle Hunt & The King Gypsy
- The Pullmen
- 8STOPS7
- Carlism
- Zachary James & The All Seeing Eyes
- Black Action Suits
- Aaron Orbit
Sunday, August 26, 2012 Musical Acts
- Dick Dale
- Jeff Hershey & The Heartbeats
- Shawn Jones
- The Privateers
- Alexandra & The Starlight Band
- Dusty Bottom Girls
- Birdfeeder
- Sarah Ashleigh & The Boys
Celebrate the last of summer at the End of Summer Block Party in Ventura on August 25 & 26. There will be fantastic food from Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Co, great music and lots of fun for all ages. Admission is just $10 per person per day. Say good-bye to summer in classic Southern California fashion.
THE Z TEAM’S FEATURED HOME OF THE WEEK
For more information on this and other great homes for sale in the Ventura County area, please click here.
Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists
2012 Ventura County Fair
It’s here! The country fair with ocean air is back. The Ventura County Fair is going on now through August 12th at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W Harbor Blvd). There are arts, crafts, farm animals, a petting zoo, carnival rides, games and, of course, fair food!
The Ventura County Fair Parade takes place on Saturday, August 4th at 10am in downtown Ventura. Free musical acts will be performing almost every evening of the fair. Watch cowboys compete at the PRCA Rodeo on August 11th and 12th. Fireworks end every evening of the fair as well. All concerts and rodeo events are free with the purchase of your fair admission ticket.
VENTURA COUNTY FAIR CONCERT SCHEDULE
- Friday, August 3, 7:30pm – Bret Michaels
- Saturday, August 4, 7:30pm – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
- Sunday, August 5, 3pm – Lupillo Rivera, Banda Machos, Grupo Pesado
- Monday, August 6, 7:30pm – Creed
- Tuesday, August 7 – Frankie Avalon at 1pm and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at 7:30pm
- Wednesday, August 8, 7:30pm – Cobra Starship with This is She
- Thursday, August 9, 7:30pm – Martina McBride
- Friday, August 10, 7:30pm – Boyz II Men and En Vogue
Parking is extremely limited. However, free shuttle buses are provided. For a complete list of parking and shuttle availability, please visit the Ventura County Fairgrounds’ website here. The fair is open from 11am to 11pm Monday through Friday and 10am to 11pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is just $12 for adults (ages 13+), $9 for seniors (ages 62+) and kids (ages 6-12) and free to kids under 6. Don’t miss out on any of the fun at the Ventura County Fair!
THE Z TEAM’S FEATURED HOME OF THE WEEK
For more information on this and other great homes for sale in the Ventura County area, please click here.
Dave and Pat Zumbrun, Your Ventura County real estate specialists