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Arts & Entertainment Student Life at VC

The Most Analytical Love Letter to Theater Ever

Dear Audience…

We all have our own areas of expertise, and to my parents’ playful displeasure (they always joked about me becoming a lawyer), my area of expertise is theater. I have spent most of my life being involved in some sort of way, though it’s only recently that I’ve gotten to be properly involved in theater projects, from earning more substantial acting parts to even directing a short play. And with my extensive love for all things performing arts, I could gush and rant about every theater show I see. Being in shows as a full time student are difficult and opportunities are rare, so I have found solace in simply watching shows as I fantasized about my future career paths. Sitting in the audience, I would often think, theater is so wonderful, there’s nothing like a live performance to connect an audience to a story, this show could be so impactful to others my age or younger, and other wistfully naïve thoughts that made me reflect: what made theater so wonderful to me? Do others see it the same way? After hearing from the community, I have decided to try to see why those matinees I’ve been going to have had more and more open seats.

A young, naïve version of myself, performing in two different shows in high school. Apparently, I had some range back then.

The Data

I sent out a survey trying to make sense of the theater community in Ventura County and the biggest reason people go to the theater is to support people they know working in/on the show. That makes sense. I’m sure that along the way of seeing high school shows for younger siblings or community shows for friends, there was something to be gleaned from the techniques, the story, the art of live theater. But sadly (and obviously), I am alone as I wax poetic about the artistic impact of theater shows. Once an outcast, I suppose. Still, I found solace in the fact that the majority of people who saw shows were able to appreciate them, regardless of the reason they bought a ticket. Their reasoning for seeing a show and their takeaways were different than my own. But when we’re in the moment, the only thing we need have in common are the wonder and fantasy we feel as the audience is thrown into a story.

Samantha still remembers the “great actors and an amazing set” from Mamma Mia! at the Pantages. Leila remarked on the music and lighting from A-Train at the Rubicon (lighting is always the unsung hero of any show). Brooke talked about the “vibrant community, theatrics, and comedic effects in [The Book of Mormon]” at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Theater is impacting and shaping our community not because of profound stories with insightful metaphors. I had forgotten about the fun of theater; entertainment is an art! I cannot impart a deeper understanding of society or some high concept idea to anyone from any show. Art is what the audience makes of it. And I’m just thankful that others could enjoy it alongside me, even if not in my analytic ways.

Hurray, I’ve proven people enjoy theater! Now what? Well, I wish I could say that my job here is done, having evidence of theater’s impact as a source of community engagement and entertainment. But the survey brought up a problem with theater bigger than just the impression of a show. Over half of the survey respondents had only see between one and three shows in the past year, with 15% having seen none recently. And with the price of some theater tickets, that is very fair. I’ve seen shows cost upwards of $180 for some seats. Theaters, especially professional ones, have always been advertised as an old-world luxury, a place for the wealthy older generation to go on weekends (this is evident enough by the amount of octogenarians I see at matinees in LA). Though, I’ll admit that local doesn’t always equal cheap. But do you know the one thing Ventura County has that LA doesn’t? Free parking at their theaters.

More analytics from the survey.

The Love

This is to say, I have seen shows in LA that have left me wanting and I have seen local shows that have blown me away. The area, price of tickets, and level of the company have nothing to do with a good show. SO GO TO THE SHOW. See that local high school’s rendition of The Addams Family. Support your friends’ siblings in The Nutcracker. Go to the premiere of a brand new play at the local theater written by a local playwright, no matter how odd the plot may sound to you. Go for date night, go for family, for friends, for yourself. Go to support art programs in schools. Go to meet people in your community. Go for a night out of silly stories. If you are able to, then go and enjoy what you can. Some local theater companies may surprise you.

A show I saw recently that I absolutely loved: American Idiot at the Mark Taper Forum. No thoroughly studied critique to be shared, just the love of a good rock opera.

I’ve always considered myself lucky to be able to see professional shows in LA, whether at the grand Pantages, the intimate Mark Taper Forum, or the surprisingly huge Ahmanson. But anyone who can go see any show at any level is lucky to be apart of both the art and its audience. Live theater is special because it’s fleeting. When was the last time that character that pulled you in was physically right in front of you? Can you say that a main character tossed you a handkerchief stained with their makeup, for you to keep? Has a character roasted you on your choice of clothes? Have they walked past you, brushing your shoulder, blowing you a kiss? Not a camera like a POV shot in a film, but you, physically you.

The audience is a part of every show, a part of every theater experience. Sure, sometimes you sit next to a family with young kids who are a little too enthusiastic. But sometimes you sit next to a stranger, shedding tears alongside them at the bittersweet climax of the play. Sometimes you go with your friend and discover they have a soft spot for criminally misunderstood (and chaotic) characters. Sometimes you just discover something small about yourself, a new insight unlocked. But that discovery is shared live with actors, crew, ushers, and audience. Each laugh, gasp, and clap has an impact on how the show plays out. That collaboration between art and audience is what makes live theater such a unique event. But that’s simply how I see it, the view of a theater major, slightly pessimistic but still painfully hopeful for my (and many others’) future theater career. May we all keep telling and hearing each others stories.

Become a Part of the Art

To help you on your way of discovering art, stories, people, and any enjoyment one may get from theater, here are just a few of the theater companies local to Ventura County (and some that are a bit father away, just for good measure).

Ventura County:

Los Angeles County:

Santa Barbara County:

And as a special treat for those who have made it this far, here are some super secret special programs for students to get free or discounted tickets!

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Nature & Outdoors Student Life at VC

Do You Think You Got What It Takes to Solo Travel?

Have you ever wanted to travel but felt like something was holding you back? Maybe you want to go with friends or significant other, but there is always an excuse. Do you want to prove that you can be independent? Or maybe you want to take a break from people and the drama. Well, how about I share what I have learned from my time abroad? Within the last seven years, I have completed twelve countries alone. I will share the pros and cons, smart and dumb choices and decisions that I have made, and finally, some tips and tricks. Traveling by yourself is not easy and can be very stressful, but it can be very rewarding and exciting. But this is why you have me, and in this article, I’m going to share the nitty and grittiness of solo adventures. Now, let’s see if you got what it takes to be a solo traveler! 

Let’s start with the pros and cons of solo traveling: 

For the pros, individuals can go at their own pace. Maybe you want to do something relaxing and lounge at the beach, or you might want to go sightseeing and see as much as possible while being fast and efficient. This can help you realize what is important to you personally and do what you want. Continuing to gain more insight about yourself, if you do your research and figure out the logistics, you can get more of a feel of what it can be like to be a local. 

Now, to move on to the stressors of traveling, AKA the cons:

I want to point out or remind you that things do not always go to plan, so be prepared to have a backup plan or two! An example might be how you thought about the logistics of how to get from one place to another. What if you missed that train, or what if your phone is not working because your phone is not covered in that location? The moral of the point is that things can be very stressful, so be open-minded and try to think ahead! This is something that I have learned the hard way. Another lesson I learned is that not every situation is black and white. If you only focus on the negative outcomes, you’ll miss out on many things. Maybe you might get distracted and get lost, or maybe you might miss an opportunity to do something unique. 

To help you change your mind frame, think about the moral of the story. Try to see if there is a lesson that can be learned, that way you can prevent it from happening again. I know this is easier said than done, but it is possible, you just need to be patient with yourself. Try to think that something can always be learned from any stressful situation. I now tend to think about what opportunity this frustrating event created in a positive manner. 

Here, let me give you an example!

I went to Europe for the first time by myself. The first place I went to in Europe was Paris, France. Things went smoothly until there was an issue with the plane, and the flight landed at Heathrow Airport in London, England. I had no idea what to do or where to go. I had to figure out how to get from Heathrow Airport to London St Pancras International Station to take a high-speed train to Paris Gare du Nord station within four hours! 

I dealt with two additional issues I did not expect. First, my phone was not working, so I considered it a “paperweight” because it did nothing. I knew my cellphone provider worked there, but I had no idea what was wrong with it. But I made due by asking employees how to get to the next place. My second issue was that I had to make the last train from London to Paris, or I would have to wait until morning to get the next train. To make things even more stressful, the only tickets left were for business class seats and I had to run to make that train. Along the way, my backpack somehow got unzipped while running to make the train, so I lost half of my things on the train track. Luckily, an employee saw this and delayed the train since objects were on the track. I ended up getting all of my things back and making the train.   

Although this was very stressful, and to be honest, I cried a lot once I got to my seat and sipped on my complimentary business class champagne… But this is where I realized I needed to find the positive out of the negative moments. Without this event, I would never have gone through the English Chunnel. Yes, “Chunnel,” not “channel.” This is because the channel is the water above, and the “chunnel” is the tunnel under the channel. Here’s a diagram of the tunnel!

Now, going back to other cons, I learned how traveling alone can be lonely. I knew this going in, but I knew I needed it. This might sound odd, but I needed to learn how to not depend on others, and I also needed to have some self-discovery. If solitude is not something that might not phase you, you need to remember that being alone can make you a target. What I mean by being a target is not just about taking the risk of being kidnapped, but even things such as scams. So don’t wear your earbuds when you’re bored, you will seem distracted and honestly will be with the loud music. Knowing this, you must always be careful and “stay on your toes” even if you are bored. 

It is easy to make a bad choice when making decisions abroad. So, let me tell you what I learned about decision-making. To start, here are some smart choices to make and why. 

It should be safe to say that not every place will be the same. So, it’s good to do your research to determine the local scams and crimes. Let’s use Europe again as an example. It is well-known that in Europe, there is a lot of pickpocketing and people stealing purses. Some not so well known scams are when locals try to give you, whether that be a bracelet or flowers, trick you into thinking that is a kind gift they are giving you, but once you take the object, they demand that you give them money for it or they will get the police.

Another example is when you mind your own business walking in the city, and you have to be careful of where you walk, or you might step on someone’s artwork; this is another cause of scam because if you step on the artwork, you then have to pay for it.

Here’s one last example: have you ever heard of throwing the baby? This scam is a common scam among gypsies in Europe. What they will do is they will literally throw their child at you in hopes that your reaction is to catch the baby to prevent them from falling onto the floor. If you do have that reaction of grabbing the child, this is when another person will pickpocket you because you got distracted saving the baby. 

Moving onto dumb decisions, One of the dumbest things I did and immediately learned from was not looking at what was going on at the place I was planning to travel to. This can include different things such as holidays, religious events, sports, political conflicts, Etc. 

My example is when I was in  Brussels, Belgium, in 2022. I did not consider if any significant events were going on, such as when Belgium was against Morocco for the World Cup for football, AKA soccer. The day this tournament was held was my first day in the city. Morocco won the game, and anyone celebrating this victory got way out of hand. There were many riots and many different types of violent behavior. The city became very scary as people were driving on the sidewalks, throwing bottles, shooting fireworks, and many other behaviors that ended up resulting in a gas line blowing up. This crazy behavior obviously needed local law enforcement and their K9s to be deployed. It got to a point where the police ended up using teargas and water cannons to break up the violence. 

So please learn from this scary and dumb mistake and research what is going on before going.

Now moving on to some tips and tricks to make your adventures easier. Let’s start by having apps pre-downloaded and set up so you’re good to go. Some beneficial ones I constantly use are Google Maps, Google Translate, Currency Exchange, Uber, Expedia or Viator, the airlines I would be using, and Fountain Finder.

Here’s a fun tip for you to stay safe: lie. Yes, lie. Growing up, you get told that lying is bad, but not this time. For me being a young solo female traveler, people have asked me where my group is. Lying that you are meeting up with someone means you are to be expected soon, and if you don’t show up, people get involved. More than likely, these people don’t need to know your business. So, in this case, lying can keep you safe. So, the trick to making lying work is to have a loose story planned out in advance. I do not like to give out my first and last name when traveling, so I come up with a different last name and use my middle name as my first name. Then, to top it off, I changed how I talk by using an accent and changing my terminology and phrasing. You might wonder why I would do this and make things even more complicated versus just telling the straightforward truth because I do not want to sound American. I do not want to sound like a tourist and have others use stereotypes against me, like being naive and stupid, and so on. Not every culture likes Americans. I learned it is best not to act and look like an American. You can end up being perceived as naive or be targeted for a list of many reasons.  So this trick is not to look so American. So smile rarely, have a stern and confident demeanor, be careful of what you say and how you say it, respect customs, and finally, don’t wear your athletic wear and flip-flops everywhere.  

Now, let’s move to the fun stuff, shall we? Why is going traveling alone actually awesome!

Well,I love how I get to customize my adventures. I greatly enjoy history, nature, interacting with different customs, seeing museums with all the art, and trying different food. You can say that I like to do a lot of everything. I like to learn, which sometimes means I must get out of my comfort zone. The empowerment I have gained has helped me immensely because of the unforgettable memories and valuable life lessons I learned. One goal of mine is to improve myself constantly. I change myself for myself, not for others. I want to create my happiness and realize that solo traveling has helped me. When I am alone, I do not have to deal with the drama in my life, and I can gain peace. I love staying in a state of “aw” and “wow”!

For example, last September, I was in Europe. Who would have thought that I would be back in Europe? Isn’t this so shocking?! Moving on. So the plan I had made with friends ended up getting canceled when I was already there in Europe. Instead of being mad, I went into a rapid brainstorming session about what I could do. So I decided to do a “holiday within a holiday,” one might say. I learned in that research binge that the Aurora borealis season had just started, and I knew right away that I had to go to Norway to see them. So I did just that and saw them!

I felt like I was in heaven because this whole experience happened because of canceled plans. If it weren’t for the change of plans, I would never have gotten to check another thing off of my bucket list. I am so grateful for the cancellation because I would never have gotten this! Never did I think that I would get this beautiful opportunity. 

I can easily keep going and share more experiences with all of you, but I will save them for another time. I hope this was helpful and made you consider if this is something you want to explore! The world is exciting and oh-so beautiful because of all the many cultures and what makes them. So don’t let anything hold you back if it is something you really want, just remember to be smart and stay safe! 

If you have any comments, questions, or just want to hear more. You can contact me at:

sara_bowman1@my.vcccd.edu
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Local Business Spotlight

Where Do These Ventura County Thrift Stores Donate?

In recent years, secondhand shopping has become increasingly popular. Whether it’s thrift, consignment or vintage stores, there are multiple options for anyone trying explore second hand style or cut back on their carbon footprint. Many people use the term “thrifting” interchangeably, however there are some key differences. One of these differences is whether or not they donate. Here are some of my favorite local thrift stores and what cause they choose to donate to.

Super Thrift

This thrift store is Located on 815 N Oxnard Blvd and is a Christian non-profit organization. It is a part of a larger group of thrift stores that make up the Rescue Mission Alliance family. Super Thrift focuses on donating to the Lighthouse for Women and Children. The Lighthouse has a capacity of 112 beds. Besides providing shelter, the Lighthouse also offers services such as life skills education, substance abuse counseling, Christian discipleship, and even transitional housing.

At Super Thrift, you can expect to have a wide variety of clothing options whether you’re shopping in the men’s, women’s, or even the children’s section. You can also find yourself browsing the electronics and home goods sections for a great find. You can even find your new favorite accessory or buy a bike to carry you home.

Avenue Thrift

Avenue Thrift is located on 22 N Ventura Avenue in Ventura, California. This thrift store has been staple in the secondhand community for 15 years. It was started by JD and Amber Drury, who felt passionate about helping children in their community. Due to this passion, the two decided to donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Ventura.

Avenue Thrift has a multitude of departments to shop in. From clothing for everyone, home decor, or even furniture, just about anyone can find something they like. They have deals almost every day of the week! Check out their location and website for more information! Avenue Thrift accepts drop off donations and will pick up donations for free!

CAAN

The CAAN, which stands for The Child Abuse and Neglect thrift store is located on 340 E Main Street. The CAAN is a family owned business that has been serving the city of Ventura since 1985. The business donates its proceeds to the C.A.A.N division of Interface Children and Family Services. This particular organization aims to protect those who are vulnerable to domestic violence and seeks to end this cycle. As a part of their efforts, Interface Children and Family Services offers 24/7 advocacy and response, as well as an emergency shelter and a transitional shelter.

CAAN accepts and sales the usual thrift. departments such as men, women, and children’s clothes. They also accept records, books, accessories, and more! While they do not do pick ups at this moment, you can drop off donations at the allotted times.

Consignment and Vintage Stores

It is not uncommon for people to call a consignment store, or even a vintage one, a thrift store. These stores may share similarities, but there is a key difference. Consignment and Vintage stores are for profit, unlike thrift stores, which are non-profit. The formers get their inventory from sellers, unlike thrift stores who rely on donations. These stores allow the sellers to gain a profit from their items. Also, the cheap prices that are expected to be found at thrift stores, may not be present at a consignment or vintage shop. Even though these stores may not a non-profit, they are still second hand stores and are worth checking out.

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Food & Beverage Local Business Spotlight

Ventura County’s Best Local Coffee Shops

With a new Starbucks location popping up on every corner, it can be easy to miss out on what local coffee shop gems Ventura County has to offer. Though I often spent money at chain coffee places while in high school, I noticed a shift once I got my first drink-making job, and I’ve only had barista jobs ever since. Through learning the craft behind making a drink, I learned to appreciate sitting down and truly savoring it. When I started frequenting local coffee shops, I simply never looked back because of the difference in quality, price, and even the overall experience. Although it may be convenient for many people to succumb to large chain coffee places, I would urge them to give some of these places a try, because they just might surprise you!

  1. Tatiana’s Coffee and Tea

Tatiana’s is located at 2470 E Main Street and serves a variety of drinks and food with an Argentinian twist. They offer teas, coffee, smoothies, bagels, pastries, and, notably, empanadas! Upon entering, there is an immediate homey, cozy, “mom and pop” feel. There is endless art and photography displayed throughout the shop. Some of these pieces are local and available for sale, along with a selection of used books and jewelry. The eclectic decorations were beautiful and helps to differentiate them from other coffee shops, making the experience unique and memorable.

I ordered a dirty chai with soy milk, a spinach and feta empanada, and a guava pastelito. The chai was comforting and tasted complexly spicy. It was not too sweet and the spices lingered as I sipped it. Though the soy milk did not foam as well, that is to be expected, and tasted amazing nonetheless. The empanada was generously filled to the brim with feta and spinach, flaky, and paired delightfully with their spicy chimichurri sauce. I could not help but try their guava pastelito and it did not disappoint. The ratio of cream cheese and guava was perfect and was not too sweet, as the buttery puff pastry base and tangy cream cheese counteracted the sweetness of the jam.

I believe Tatiana’s offers a distinctive experience due to the Argentinian food offered as well as the staff. Though it was my first time there, they treat you like regulars by cracking jokes and making you feel welcome. They also offer punch cards which allows you to get up to $3.50 off your 11th order. Though it was moderately noisy in there, being next to a road, I could definitely see myself studying there when it is not busy or grabbing a quick bite in the morning with friends.

2. Beacon Coffee

Beacon is located at 5777 Olivas Park Dr with a smaller menu and a few rotating pastries available. It is minimalistic and calming in there, with instrumental music playing. They sell lots of coffee-related gear such as a Chemex, their own coffee beans, and even offer barista training or latte art classes to take. Furthermore, Beacon effectively bridges the gap between the grower and the consumer. There are photos of people they work with on the walls, which adds credibility to their craft because they emphasize working closely with their growers to ensure the best quality and taste possible. There is even a roaster in the back that is visible to customers through a large window! The atmosphere there was so relaxing, making it the perfect place to study, work, or read for fun.

I ordered a dirty matcha with oat milk as well as a blueberry muffin, and I was truly blown away. The oat milk was frothed to perfection and tasted just as light, airy, and creamy as whole milk would have. I did not get my drink sweetened but it was not bitter at all. Their matcha and espresso was a stunning combination that not every place can do correctly. Most of the time, I am met with a green-ish, brown drink where the flavors fight against each other. At Beacon, however, the flavors were holding hands in harmony. The dirty matcha almost tasted savory in the best way possible due to the vegetal, grassy flavor of the matcha paired with the nutty, smooth espresso. As for the blueberry muffin, it tasted homemade and was filled with so many blueberries inside. It was fluffy, moist, and not too sweet which made for a lovely snack that did not sit heavy afterward.

In my opinion, Beacon is the place to be for anyone who is a bit of a coffee connoisseur looking to level up their coffee game at home or looking for quality espresso-based drinks that do not require heaps of sugar to make them taste good. Personally, this is a place I would rather go to alone than with friends because it is small and quiet in there which makes it a perfect place to focus or get some alone time.

3. Daylight and Moon Cafe

Daylight and Moon Cafe is located at 2991 Loma Vista Rd C and offers coffee, tea, toast, pastries, and empanadas. A selection of their pastries are gluten-free and vegan. The interior is bright, clean, and modern with a few colorful accents on the wall; a nod to their orange logo. There is a plethora of indoor and outdoor seating available with lots of charging outlets. Apart from the usual, they have a few games available such as Uno, Connect 4, and Scrabble to play. Though their menu is small, they offer many syrups or flavor combinations to go off of and even use local honey in their drinks.

I ordered a seasonal cherry latte with oat milk as well as a smoked salmon toast. The smooth espresso was made perfectly sweet with the cherry. I’ve never had a cherry latte before, but it was genuinely such a delicious and unique combination not available everywhere else. The oat milk itself was so foamy and clung to the side of the cup even when I finished the drink. As for the toast, it was refreshing and filling, though I could have used more smoked salmon given the price point. However, I loved the capers and balsamic glaze which took it up a notch for me! I had to wait over 30 minutes for these two items while it was slightly busy, so beware if you are tight on time like I was or opt to go during the week instead of a Sunday.

Overall, Daylight and Moon Cafe is a great place to grab breakfast or a light lunch with some coffee. It could interchangeably be used as a place to study or play some games with friends depending on the circumstances. Though the location is a bit random with not much to do nearby, it is close to Ventura College, which could make it a fun place to go after class for a caffeine pick-me-up or, perhaps, a competitive game of Uno.

4. Palermo

Palermo is located at 321 E Main St with a huge selection of drinks such as locally roasted coffee, teas, specialty lattes and mochas, smoothies, variations of chai, etc. Apart from their many drinks, they also offer 18 flavors of gelato, locally baked pastries and desserts (gluten-free options available), gourmet truffles and chocolates. Near the back, there is a fairly big gift shop/retail section with a diverse array of items such as candles, greeting cards, kitchenware, journals, and Jellycats!

I’ve been to Palermo many times and my go-to order is a lavender mocha with soy milk. I will be honest and say this place can get extremely busy, so at times, the drinks can be a miss if you go at the wrong time. Most of the time, however, my drink is not too sweet and delectably floral with a rich chocolatey backbone that pairs well with the espresso used. I also had a lemon poppyseed scone that was quite dense, but then again, I may not just be used to eating gluten-free pastries. It was okay, but I would much rather opt for their gelato. I love the honey lavender one they offer!

I believe that Palermo’s location and vast menu helps to set them apart from the other coffee shops I listed because there is so much to do in downtown Ventura. I love stopping by here while thrifting or before grabbing dinner with friends. Even when it is busy, there is so much retail to shop through in the meantime which keeps me entertained and content while waiting. Though they do offer wi-fi, Palermo is a place that I enjoy going to when I am out and about with people as opposed to studying or working; it can get quite noisy when it is busy!

I had such a great time visiting these places and hope it inspired you to check out some local coffee shops whether you want to get some work done, enjoy quality time with friends, or spend some time alone, enjoying every sip and bite each shop has to offer!

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Food & Beverage Local Business Spotlight

Local Libations: Ventura County’s Best Craft Cocktail Bars

As we begin slipping into spring, and later summer, sooner than later that first real heatwave will hit and the only thing to counter the muggy swelter will be something cold, lubricating, and easily accessible. Thankfully, Ventura County has seen an explosion in local bars and restaurants that have stepped up their mixology game and are slinging some serious cocktails that are sure to beat that mid-afternoon heat.

These places are pushing the envelope of mixed drinks and going further than a standard Old Fashioned or Cosmo by including locally sourced produce and spirits, to not just make a delicious drink, but one that shows what our beautiful county has to offer. I’ve taken the liberty to sacrifice some liver functionality in the search for the best places to visit on a weekend afternoon (or weekday, I won’t judge) that you can add to your Ventura vacation itinerary.

Bank of Italy – Cocktail Trust

Bank of Italy Cocktail Trust has been a Main Street institution for quality craft cocktails ever since it opened. Situated inside the historic 1920’s Beaux-arts style building on the corner of Main and Oak, the warm, hip atmosphere and intimate seating juxtaposes the stern Art Deco-esque facade, and the attentive bartenders are happy to whip up any of their extensive offerings. With many of the drinks taking inspiration from Italian classics, the BOI puts a modern twist on their drinks with unique ingredients and some local liquors. The drinks we settled on were the Gin Fix and Montenegro Daiquiri, both featuring Ventura Spirits liquors. The Gin Fix balanced VS’s Wilder Gin’s herbaceous vigor with pineapple and vanilla and gave off matured Piña Colada vibes. The Montenegro Daiquiri’s pairing of rum, pineapple, citrus and Ventura Spirit’s Angeleno Amaro’s orangey spice made for a very simple yet complex take on the 19th-century Cuban classic.

The Dutchess

The Dutchess has quickly become on of the flagship restaurants and bars in the Ojai valley, and has been popular with locals and tourists alike since its opening. With an inspired, modern take on drinks and Burmese cuisine, The Dutchess is a vibrant and cozy establishment that takes pride in working with local farms, breweries, and distilleries. Their cocktail menu rotates with the season, so other than a few staples don’t expect to order the same thing twice. After conversing with one of their bartenders and friend of mine, Eric, we volunteered as guinea pigs to try some drinks he had been working on. The first, a take on an Amaretto Sour sans egg white, used their house-made Amaretto with local botanicals and a persimmon simple syrup to balance the bite of the bourbon. The second drink, his spin on a Paper Plane, subbed the standard lemon juice for Pixie tangerine juice to give the modern classic its own Ojai twist. Both drinks were fresh, vibrant and packed a serious bourbon punch, qualities shared with all The Dutchess has to offer, cementing it as my #1 recommendation for a cozy drink in Ojai.

Jaguar Moon

One of the newest additions to Ventura’s collection of cocktail lounges, Jaguar Moon opened November of 2024 and brought a slew of Yucatánian flavors to the county. The bright, open space with vibrant colors and welcoming staff boasts a large collection of innovative drinks highlighting the many flavors and ingredients of the Yucatán, and their kitchen, Cocina Jaguar, offers Mexican dishes you can’t find anywhere else in Ventura.

For our visit, we started off with their smoky mezcal margarita and the tropical Oaxacan Cobbler, the latter truly being an adult fruit smoothie with a punch. To maintain sobriety we opted for some small plates, and decided on the Peruvian scallop crudo, their traditional guacamole with chicharrónes and salsa macha, and one of their cochinita pibil tacos. The food was incredible, with bold flavors and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. If you plan on a visit, I highly recommend the guacamole to share, and the cochinita tacos for yourself.

Bonus – Ventura Spirits Pixie Collins

Although not a cocktail bar, Ventura Spirits is our local distillery whose liquors and canned options are perfect for your home bar or fridge. And nothing screams local more than their take on classic Tom Collins. Using their Wilder Gin (that is made with local botanicals including purple sage, sagebrush and pixie peels) and Ojai Pixie-cello, the Pixie Collins is perfect for a weekday afternoon when there’s not enough time for a bar, but enough daylight to sit outside and wind down.

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Local Business Spotlight Student Life at VC

Thrifting in Downtown Ventura

When it comes to shopping in Downtown Ventura, many people stop by the thrift stores on Main Street. There are an assortment of different types of thrift stores a person can find when they visit Main Street. There are thrift stores that support different organizations or charities, resell thrift or “vintage” store, and up-cycle second hand clothes. Each of these thrift stores offer something to different people depending on what they are looking for. I took a couple of people with me, Devonte Stepter and Ahmad Albanez, to go thrifting in order to find out what thrift store is the best overall.

The first thrift store we went to was one that everybody has gone to at least once in their life, Goodwill.

When we walked in they had recently changed the layout of the store. Ahmad looked at the clothes first while Devonte browsed the T- shirts. Nothing was found in the clothes. While looking at what other items Goodwill had out on the floor Ahmad found a purple ceramic bowl he decided he wanted to purchase. After leaving with just a ceramic bowl Ahmad and Devonte were asked their opinion on what they thought about their visit to Goodwill. Devonte said, “The organization of the store was up kept but they did not have much to offer. This store is a good one for buying knick knacks.” Unfortunately nowadays goodwill picks through their inventory and pulls their higher end items and the more sought out pieces. They do this in order to send it out to their e-commerce website which is like an Ebay for Goodwill items. Ahmad also had some input saying, “I found a cool purple ceramic bowl that I can place my chopsticks in. Other than finding the bowl the store seemed grey and cold, there wasn’t any clothes that stuck out to me and that is a good majority of the stores space. I don’t think I would not revisit the store unless someone I was with wanted to explore it then I wouldn’t be opposed to it.” After talking about what they thought of the store both Devonte and Ahmad agreed Goodwill would be a 4/10 rating on their scale.

The next thrift store we stopped at was called the C.A.A.N Thrift Store. The name C.A.A.N stands for Child Abuse And Neglect. This thrift store proceeds go to helping support children who are victims to abuse, the Safe Haven Emergency Shelter, and the Safe Journey Transitional Shelter.

As we walked in we were greeted with the sound of the radio playing throughout the store on the store speakers. As Ahmad and Devonte browsed the different sections of the store they did not seem too thrilled when looking around the store. By the end of the visit to this thrift store neither one of them found a single item they were interested in buying. When asked what they thought of the store Ahmad commented, “The atmosphere in the store is cold and grey. There is nothing that is catching my eye but the cassette collection is enjoyable. I like seeing the old cover art for albums and the recordings of old comedy shows was interesting.” Afterward, Devonte said, “I’m not a big fan of this thrift store due to how unorganized it is. it makes it harder to locate anything I had on my mind.” At the end of the visit they decided that this thrift store would be given a 3/10 rating.

The third thrift store we went to was The Coalition thrift store. This thrift store used to be more of a thrift store before than it is now. Nowadays if you go to The Coalition do not expect to be paying thrift store prices because this “thrift store” specializes in selling vintage clothes at resell prices.

As we walked in we noticed that this store was way more busy than the other ones that we had been to that afternoon. There were people in every aisle searching through the racks trying to find the next vintage piece to add to their collection. There was clothes, media, furniture, hats, accessories, and old quilts. We all spent a good amount of time looking through everything because there was so much that would catch our eyes. When asked about what they thought of the store, Devonte said, “I instantly fell in love, the store is so well kept which seems to be important to them as well as how they keep it all so organized. it was very easy to find my size in shirts and pants which also made my shopping experience more enjoyable.” Ahmad also seemed excited to share his thoughts and said, “The Coalition is probably my favorite store that we’ve gone to so far. They offer a wide selection of clothes to household goods. Their media section is a good spot where I spent my time looking at their DVD’s. I bought “The Devil Wears Prada” and I’m so excited to watch it. I really enjoy physical media such as DVD’s. The employees are very friendly and helpful. The only downside is that due to the store selling a wide selection of goods it can be hard getting through the aisles when there’s a large amount of people shopping.” Unfortunately after this thrift store visit Devonte had to leave early but before he left he and Ahmad gave the Coalition a 7/10 rating.

The final thrift store that was on the list was Buffalo Exchange. Buffalo Exchange is more of a second hand/up cycle store. Customers can come in to buy or sell items that they have. The way it works is if you sell your old items to Buffalo Exchange you can get 50% of the total sold in store credit or 30% cash.

When coming into Buffalo Exchange it was a different vibe than the other thrift stores. The workers greeted Ahmad and I, they had a store playlist that played up to date music, and the demographic was people between their early 20’s to mid 30’s. As we looked around nothing seemed to catch Ahmad’s eyes too much to want to purchase. There were a few things he hatred on but decided not to purchase. When asked about Buffalo Exchange Ahmad responded, “The atmosphere felt welcoming and warm compared to the other shops. The only thing that I could see being an issue is maneuvering around the store can feel a bit like I’m a running back trying to find a gap in the O line. It doesn’t bother me though.” Ahmad also shared one of his favorite finds from Buffalo Exchange, “One time I found a dope Minnesota Viking’s Starter Jacket here and now it’s probably my most reliable thrift store that’s local. I love that jacket!” After our trip Ahmad decided the rating on this saying he would give Buffalo Exchange a 7/10.

Below are Ahmad’s and Devonte’s finds:

Ahmad found the ceramic bowl at Goodwill and “The Devil Wears Prada” Blu-ray DVD at The Coalition.

Devonte found both pants and the Don Jon Bluray DVD all at The Coalition.

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Arts & Entertainment Student Life at VC

Feeling Moody? Just Hit Play!

Music has always been the universal language. No matter what country of origin, listeners are able to distinguish an emotional presence and overall feeling from the melodies, rhythm, and movement of the song. So this got me thinking about the overlooked behavior of choosing music when we have those emotional moments. What makes people put on certain songs? Specifically, when you are feeling sad, happy or angry, does the listener choose music to lift them out of that emotion or stay present in that mindset. I decided to set out get some answers!

The Psychology behind music selection

A lot of different choices can be made based on mood. Picture this, two people are having the exact same awful of a day then return to their respective places of living. They decide they want to decompress their day by turning on their speaker and putting on some music. Regardless of them going through the same awful day, even then, they would still most likely choose music from opposite sides of the spectrum. One might put on more of a Midwest Emo/EmoViolence/ Emo Hardcore and sit in their respective emotions and ride it out. The other might put on more 80s New Wave/ Synth Pop/ Goth Rock and dance it out right there in their living rooms to exert that awful day away. Why does this happen? I wanted to find out what music listeners choose based on their moods.

Instagram poll results

I took to my instagram, posted some polls on my story, and gathered my own data. These polls were centered around 3 major emotions. Sadness, Happiness, and Anger. Respondents were asked about their music choices when experiencing any of those three emotions. Do they choose music that matches the mood or do they choose music that pulls them out of that given emotion. About an average of 50 users participated in the research below. Heres what I found.

Sadness

First up, we have everyone’s good old companion, sadness. When asked about what music they choose, most people chose music that matches their mood. This means they are pressing play on the tunes that make them shed a tear or amplify those sad thoughts. In this way, they’re riding the wave and getting off it when they feel ready to. I think it is important to think about how a lot of the music in the mainstream, regardless of the genre, has a reoccurring run in with sadness. Whether this would be with an Electronic Pop hit about a breakup or a Indie Rock song about hating your 9-5, that all point to the same baseline of sadness. It’s a more normalized emotion within the music sphere and in our everyday and one to be processed, this is where music is often the helpful tool. When in comes to the other 19 percent in the poll, they are the ones to put the tunes to get them out of the pit of sadness. This would consist of upbeat, pop, bright songs to pump up the energy to move through it.

Happiness

When respondents were asked about they hit play on when it comes to happiness, there was also a huge gap that presented itself across the data. It appears that when users felt that they were having a good energy in their day where they felt energetic, happy, and joyful most users wanted to continue that vibe with some tunes to encourage rather than mellowing themselves out. In this instance more fast paced, high energy, bright songs would be in the rotation rather than some stripped back, calm, and grounded songs. This again would be another emotion that would be normalized in our mainstream with songs being used to get us hyped up and happy. This would be considered a more accepted emotion alongside sadness to be able to process through music in a healthy way. Feeling warm, joyful, and excited? Great put on some ABBA!

Anger

Here’s where it gets interesting! Given that the previous polls had a rather huge gap between the answers, this one was actually cutting it quite close. When users were asked about moments where they felt Angry, 55% of them said they would much rather choose music to continue on the rage. 45% said they wanted to put something on that would help them calm down and get to a better headspace. I think with the other emotions in the study, I can’t help but notice how Anger is more of the emotion that is not as easily accepted in the mainstream and in our everyday. It’s violent, its dark, and it can be visceral. As we should know, Anger can and is a healthy emotion to experience yet many user were wanted to choose music to calm them down and contrast the anger overall. When it comes to the choices for matching the mood this could consist of Hardcore, Metal, and maybe even a sprinkle of something Punk adjacent. Those wanting to calm themselves down are going more for the soft and mellow tones of Jazz, Acoustic, or Folk.

Let’s Rewind

At the end of the day, music choice is all subjective and changes from person to person! As mentioned previously, but two people feeling the same emotion and going through the same type of day, won’t neccessarilay mean that they will end up choosing the same music to decompress after a long day. That in of itself is really interesting! The main take away from this study was really the curiosity of how people make their moody music choices and present the findings. This is to get us to be a bit more aware of what we hit play on when we are feeling emotional. Do we go with the flow or go against it?

Moody Playlists

To finish things off here are some of some playlists of songs from my personal library that I would put on for when I fell Happy, Sad or Angry. When comparing myself to the results, I am definitely more of the listener to choose music that matches the mood entirely. I think this is a pretty good representation of myself but I encourage you to make some playlists to have ready when those emotional moments happen!

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Local Business Spotlight

Fun places for adults

Hello college students, here are the places to go to have fun, get together and have a great time.

The Varsity Club

Varsity Club is a new place for adults to go play and have fun. It is a good place to hangout at night with your friends or family. The Varsity Club is in Ventura.

There are indoor golf simuators and baseball that you can play and enjoy.

On Thursday night there is a DJ, there is an area where you can dance. Also, a band comes to play and you can enjoy the music.

Playing golf

The Loose Cannon

The Loose Cannon is a restaurant, bar and arcade at the Ventura Harbor. There are 20 games and food and drinks to enjoy. Loose Cannon has pizza, pretzels and hamburgers. They have bowling lanes and basketball that you can play. It’s a place to have fun and have a good time.

They have VIP to sign up for to recive discounts and loyalty rewards and more.

playing bowling

Bowlero

Bowlero is so big they have 28 bowling lanes and a lot of arcade games. It’s a place to have lots of fun and have a great time. They have a bar and food to eat to enjoy while you are playing. Bowlero is at The Collection in Oxnard.

On Wednesdays, they have discount day on the games.

The Mighty Axe

The Mighty Axe is in Oxnard at The Collection, across from Bowlero. There is an outside area where you can sit and relax by the bar. Inside there are areas where you can play with the axes. There are snacks that you can buy.

There are happy hours Monday-Friday 4:00pm-6:00pm for craft beer.

Categories
Beauty & Wellness

Why You Need Project Pan ASAP!

What is Project Pan?

Are you ready to declutter your space and mind? Look no further. Project Pan is a trend that focuses on de-influencing the need to overspend, overbuy, and overconsume. Project Pan has been inspiring TikTok users since 2021 to finish your products before splurging on the newest “it girl” products at Target.

This challenge motivates individuals to “hit the pan,” or in other words, finish their products before buying more. Project Pan pushes beauty users to steer from the current societal norms that influence them to buy every new product that hits the shelf. It’s time to not purchase beyond what is necessary. Not a makeup user? Project Pan is bigger than just makeup. Even though it’s aimed towards beauty, it can be applied to any consumables in your life. You can overbuy craft supplies, clothes, or even books.

7 Reasons Why You Should Participate in Project Pan

  • Helps Save Money – Think about it. If it takes you 4 months to finish your stash of products, that’s approximately 121 days of no spending.
  • Organization – We’ve all seen the overstocked shelves at Ross, Marshalls, or TJ Maxx. When you try to look at one bottle, you knock over four others in the process. Let’s not bring the entire store home with us. Our bathroom cabinets deserve better than that. Plus, it’s aesthetically pleasing to look at an organized space.
  • Reduces Waste – Throwing away half-used products or forgetting about them until expired is wasteful. Using up products completely will minimize product and packaging waste.
  • Encourages Mindfulness – Once you start, you soon realize how much surplus you have and wonder how it got to that point. Project Pan encourages mindful consumption, creating more thoughtful and intentional spending habits.
  • Mental Health – It’s time to de-stress! Having to rummage through a clutter of products daily is exhausting. So is having the pressure to always buy new products. Fully consuming products will help alleviate the overwhelming burden of overconsumption.
  • Rediscovery – Have a favorite product you forgot about? Starting Project Pan and working through your products helps to rediscover your holy grails. I remember the feeling of finding my ol’ reliable hair serum stuck behind a drawer that wouldn’t shut. Made my entire morning. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it!
  • Sense of Accomplishment – There’s no better feeling than knowing “Yeah… I did that.” That’s how I felt hitting pan on a product. Seeing the progress you’ve made is not only satisfying, but also rewarding.

How do I participate in Project Pan?

This is how I Project Pan. It’s simple! Start by looking through your overfilled drawers, cabinets, and counter-space. Then, organize your products into their respective categories. Currently, I have a stash of perfumes, body lotions/scrubs, candles, and makeup products. I singled out products I’ve held onto for a while or ones nearing their expiration date. This will give you the kickstart needed for Project Pan ASAP. Get ahold of a box or container lying around, or an empty drawer space will work if you have one. This is what you’re going to use to house your products. Attached are photos of my future Project Pan products and my current Project Pan box. I’m loving how it has all panned out. Happy Project Panning everyone!

Categories
Food & Beverage Local Business Spotlight

Lovewell Tea & Coffee

This awesome little coffee and tea spot is located in our beloved hometown, Ventura, at 2271 N. Ventura Ave, where it has been spreading joy for 5 fantastic years! They have just opened an exciting new location in Oak View at 485 N. Ventura Ave. Lovewell is all about sharing smiles, creating memorable moments, and providing a warm and welcoming space for everyone to connect. With their unique hours—Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 2 PM—they’re making sure there’s plenty of time for you to enjoy their delicious offerings, even if they’re closed on Sundays. If you’re seeking amazing coffee, tea, and fresh pastries, this is the perfect destination, and I can’t wait to share with you all the reasons why it’s a must-visit!

My next interview was with a Lovewell enthusiast, mother, and teacher, Dolores. Even though Lovewell isn’t a short drive for Dolores and her family, their frequent visits have made them a beloved member of the community, recognized by the staff, owners, and fellow regulars. Her first visit with a close friend in the summer of 2021 marked the beginning of her delightful journey there. Dolores describes the atmosphere as incredibly friendly, vibrant, and reminiscent of a family gathering. She appreciates how the staff genuinely care about their customers rather than merely pushing their products. Dolores was drawn back in by one of the specialty drinks she had found delicious. After exploring a variety of coffee shops around Ventura, she confidently favored Lovewell for its exceptional quality and smooth coffee. She highly recommends the Marble Mocha (a delightful mix of white chocolate and mocha) and the CJ special (a heavenly white chocolate mocha with caramel drizzle). Her enthusiasm extends to their Ginger Turmeric tea, which she also highly recommends. Dolores describes their fresh pastries as “Bomb Dot Com,” delightfully baked every morning. When asked to describe Lovewell to someone unfamiliar with Lovewell or to encourage a visit, she vividly recalls the scene from the movie Elf where he bursts into the coffee shop exclaiming, “Congratulations, World’s Best Cup of Coffee!”

If you’re curious to learn more about Deloris’ inspiring insights, she shared an amazing review and images on Yelp that is sure to uplift your spirits! Additionally, she has launched an Instagram account dedicated entirely to Lovewell, showcasing all the positivity and joy it brings.

I interviewed a fellow classmate, Mae, and her fiancé, Jared. Mae enjoys tea while Jared loves coffee. They enthusiastically support this local business for many wonderful reasons. They fondly remember the previous coffee shop, Django’s, and appreciate how convenient Lovewell’s location is for picking up their favorites on the way to school, visiting a few times a month. The cozy atmosphere instantly puts them at ease. Jared remarked on its delightful mix of modern touches and an industrial look. They both love admiring the beautiful pictures and drawings of Ventura that adorn the walls. Mae and Jared spoke glowingly of the baristas, who made them feel warmly welcomed when recognized as regulars. It’s heartwarming to see how the baristas effortlessly create a friendly environment, taking the time to connect with their customers. It’s clear that the baristas set a positive pace and atmosphere. The seasonal and special menus elevate their beverages, making them stand out from traditional coffee shops. I asked both of them to describe Lovewell place in one word or a sentence to encourage someone new to visit. Mae joyfully said, “they got good food and good people,” while Jared simply stated, “the community.”

I had the pleasure of interviewing one of their fantastic managers, Rachel. She passionately believes that customers return because they are treated as valued individuals rather than mere “transactions,” and have a connect relationship on a deeper level. Lovewell sources their coffee from a remarkable farm in Tennessee called “The Well,” which proudly provides clean water to the community. Rachel feels that the coffee at Lovewell is special for its smooth, non-burnt flavor, offering a delightful experience. Lovewell features an impressive selection of 22 different teas, from “Fraser Tea.” For tea lovers searching for a diverse range of options, Lovewell is the perfect destination. Additionally, Lovewell presents an exciting variety of special menus throughout the year, and when their seasonal offerings return, they always aim to keep things fresh and unique.

I had the delightful opportunity of interviewing one of their fantastic baristas, Steven. He firmly believes that Lovewells coffee not only draws customers back but also that they return for the exceptional customer service. As a passionate barista, his goal is to ensure that every customer has an amazing experience. They offer a little bit of everything to cater to a wide variety of guests. The menu at Lovewell features familiar beverages that new visitors will love, as well as exciting and unique options for those seeking something different. Steven enthusiastically recommends the “Earl Gray Tea Latte with simple syrup.” When it comes to pastries, he is particularly excited about the Cheese Jalapeño Bagel and Nutella Croissant. He describes the cheese jalapeño bagel as “cheesy, a little spicy, and customizable with a variety of cream cheese options,” while the Nutella croissant has “the perfect crunch on the outside with a soft, layered interior filled with Nutella.” When asked to describe Lovewell to someone who has never heard of it or to encourage a visit, he joyfully said “welcoming” a place where customers can sit back, relax, and enjoy their time without any interruptions.

After reading and enjoying to know more about Lovewell’s community, make sure to stop by at Ventura, at 2271 N Ventura Ave or Oak View at 485 N. Ventura Ave or visit their website to make an order online, using this link LoveWell. You can always find them on Instagram and YouTube