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Arts & Entertainment music

What’s In Your Headphones?

As college students, we tend to get ahead of ourselves when it comes to having stress while trying to deal with anything college-related, but from experience and many friends/peers of mine, music is the number one way to destress, focus, or even just to walk around campus. I wanted to get different people’s opinions and find out their way of thinking when it comes to using music to help, so I interviewed three students to understand why they listen to the music that they do. I asked them the same five questions and got very different but interesting answers.

Interview 1: Leslie

1. Is there a certain artist that you like to listen to when you want to destress?

– Tame Impala 

2. How does that artist help you focus?

– The message in their songs, along with the beats, keeps me in the zone. The lyrics aren’t too distracting.

3. What genre of music helps you get into the focusing zone and why?

– Techno or house music. The beats keep me in a constant though instead of having lyrics steering me away from my assignments.

4. What song would you describe your college life right now and why?

– Passionfruit by Drake. It’s good vibes and I feel like I’m flowing through the school work taking it day by day.

5. What song plays in your head when you submit an assignment at 11:59?

– Only Angel by Harry Styles. It had a good mix of buildup and intensity then relief when submitting the assignment.

Interview 2: Alyssa

1. Is there a certain artist that you like to listen to when you want to destress?

– Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish 

2. How does that artist help you focus?

– Ariana Grande tends to make songs that hit emotionally, Billie Eilish makes melodies that ease my stress and calms me down. 

3. What genre of music helps you get into the focusing zone and why?

– Usually girl pop, but if I really want to get into my zone, I usually put on a lo-fi radio station, and I usually tend to put that on for when I study or do my assignments/homework.

4. What song would you describe your college life right now and why?

– My Future by Billie Eilish because It really has you thinking about not only school but life. 

5. What song plays in your head when you submit an assignment at 11:59?

– Count Contessa by Azealia Banks. It has good vibes all around and makes me feel like I’m that girl because I got it done before the deadline.

Interview 3: Ashley

1. Is there a certain artist that you like to listen to when you want to destress?

–  Taylor Swift because she has a song for every feeling. If I’m feeling stressed, I usually put on Evermore or Folklore. If I want an album to hype me up, I’ll put on Fearless because that is just such a good pop album.

2. How does that artist help you focus?

– Her music helps me focus because it creates a certain mood.

3. What genre of music helps you get into the focusing zone and why?

– Pop music for sure because it’s upbeat and motivating.

4. What song would you describe your college life right now and why?

– This Is Me Trying by Taylor Swift because I feel as though anybody can relate no matter what stage of life you’re in.

5. What song plays in your head when you submit an assignment at 11:59?

– Time Of Our Lives by Pitbull feat Ne-Yo because it’s such an uplifting song.

Quote from my interview with Leslie

“The way music has the power to transport you back to a certain feeling or time is beautiful.”

For context, this playlist is one of my favorite playlists to listen to because it’s calming music to help you focus.

Final Thoughts

After taking the time to interview these students, I reviewed everyone’s answers, played all the requested songs, and sat down with them as I listened to everyone’s choices. Even to understand the way a song can mean so much to a person. It’s crazy to think how different each person answered and the type of music each one uses to focus.

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Advice Arts & Entertainment Business Food & Beverage Food & Dining Local Business Spotlight Nature & Outdoors Student Life at VC

Livin’ Large on Laundry Money

Broke… but romanticizing it.

You might be like most college students, experiencing a specific type of broke that comes in the form of realizing that you have exactly enough money for gas… and maybe laundry. Between classes, textbooks, and trying to have some sort of social life, “fun” starts to feel like a luxury you might not be able to afford.

So I decided to test something: Could I spend and entire day exploring Ventura with just $20?

In the words of Sia, “I love cheap thrills.” This challenge felt like the perfect way to find them. The day started as a budgeting experiment but became a reminder that Ventura is uniquely suited for inexpensive fun. We’ve got ocean views that don’t cost a thing, locally owned coffee shops that still feel personal, and small businesses that remember your face.

Preparation: What you actually need

Before setting out, I kept it simple- A $20 bill, a jacket (because Ventura is a bit unpredictable sometimes), a water bottle, and a small packed sandwich to hold me over.

Packing something small ahead of time helps stretch the budget without taking away from the experience. We’re not trying to “go without”, just spending intentionally.

Morning: Donuts, Coffee, Views

First stop – KD Donuts on Telegraph Road. Not only are you getting what I will confidently call the actual best donut in town, but you’re also supporting a family-owned business that has been part of Ventura for nearly 40 years. It’s a win-win, you get an awesome treat, and you can feel good about where your money’s going. An insider tip: If you’re nice, she might throw in a few donut holes. And let me be clear — it is a requirement that you order the apple fritter. It’s massive. You won’t feel cheated once you feel the weight of it in that little paper sleeve. At $1.75, you kinda feel like you’re getting away with highway robbery. As soon as we drove up, the owner smiled and said,

“I haven’t seen you guys in a while. Did you move? How are you? Come back more often.”

That one comment says everything about why local businesses matter. It doesn’t feel like a transaction, it feels like building community. Our total came to $1.89.

Stop #2 – Daylight & Moon cafe on Loma Vista Road. The space is bright and clean, the staff are genuinely friendly, and they actually care about the quality of what they serve, even if it’s just drip coffee (which is what we’re getting). The coffee is strong and punchy which is perfect to pair with our sweet treat. My drip came out to $3.77.

Running total: $5.66

Stop #3 – With coffee and donut in hand, we set out for Cemetery Memorial Park. This might be one of Ventura’s most underrated spots. There’s something about the grass, sunshine, and island views (all completely free might I add). That’s the thing about this challenge: the best parts of the day were free. We sat, talked, took our time, and genuinely enjoyed it.

Afternoon: More Views, Treasure Hunts, Wandering

After our slow morning, it felt right to lean into another one of Ventura’s natural beauties. We headed up to the Botanical Gardens (which are free on Fridays). If you can time your visit right, it’s one of the best free experiences. The trails wind up the hillside with ocean views that will force you to come back at your earliest opportunity. And if it’s not Friday? I recommend Arroyo Verde Park. Still beautiful. Still completely free.

Stop #5 – The $3 thrift challenge. A challenge within a challenge. To keep things interesting, I added a rule: If you’re going to buy something, it has to be under $3, and it HAS to be something you love – not just something cheap. So you either get to walk out proud that you saved your money… or you find a hidden gem that you really treasure. After scanning shelves and digging a little, I found what I’m pretty sure is a shot glass. But for me, I will be using my $2.14 tiny mug to pot a succulent. If you aren’t as successful as me, you still get some great entertainment and to browse with a purpose.

Next was wandering through downtown. We continue the browsing- but window shopping only this time. Downtown is built for strolling, so you won’t feel like you stand out for not buying anything.

Running total: $7.80

Botanical Gardens.

Coalition Thrift.

Walking Downtown.

Evening: Tacos, Layers, and a Sunset Finale

Now’s a good time to bring out that jacket. We made our way down to Beach House Tacos along the promenade. Tacos and ocean views are always a winning combination for me, so this felt like the right place to close out the day. The menu has plenty of options, but this is where things got interesting. While we were in line, I mentioned the $20 challenge to another customer. She immediately leaned in and said,

“Order the kids street tacos. I got them for my kid once and they were so good I started ordering them for myself too. It’s the best deal on the menu.”

And she was right. The kids street taco plate was $6, simple, flavorful, and more filling than expected. Add a coke for $4, and dinner came out to $10.78. And best of all, it still felt like a real “going out” meal.

Talking to people, exploring your options, and staying open, will all help you find better ways to spend your money.

We took our tacos further out on the Ventura Pier and sat watching the waves roll in as the sun set. Tacos and ocean air. Not bad for laundry money.

The Final Tally

{Morning: $5.66} {Afternoon: $2.14} {Evening: $10.78}

Total spent: $18.58

Money left: $1.42

We stayed under budget and had so. much. fun.

Another great thing about this day was noticing how much Ventura offers when you slow down enough to look for it. Supporting family-owned businesses, talking to strangers, walking instead of rushing, hunting instead of impulse buying. If you’re a VC student who feels like fun is getting too expensive, I’d encourage you to try something like this, maybe not the exact same stops, but your own version. Pick a number, pick a jacket, bring a friend, see what you find. Ventura makes it easier than you think.

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Local Business Spotlight Nature & Outdoors

A Blooming Legacy: The Family Behind a Thriving Local Flower Business

Here at home in Ventura County, a family-owned flower distribution company has grown into one of the largest companies of its kind in California. What some may not realize is that behind the warehouses, cold storage units, and daily shipments is a former nursing student whose career path did a complete 180 in 2020. 

Channel Islands Flowers began in August of 2020 during a time of extreme uncertainty for Manuel Ayala and his family. After the company where he had been working for many years shut down, Manuel Ayala, my best friend’s father, was suddenly left without a job. When his former boss offered him the opportunity to purchase the suffering business, it was a major risk, but one he was willing to take. A few months prior, his daughter, Valerie, had moved back home from Santa Barbara, where she had been studying nursing at Santa Barbara City College. As the pandemic completely interrupted her education, she enrolled at Ventura College to continue nursing while also nannying full-time. At the same time, she began helping her father rebuild the newly purchased business from the ground up, a decision that would ultimately alter the entire trajectory of their lives. 

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 Reflecting on those early days, she describes the company as something that needed to be rebuilt almost entirely. “We had about 11 employees at the time, and we rebuilt and expanded completely,” she said. “Now we have over 100 employees, multiple field locations, and a warehouse. Back then, it felt like we were gathering the marbles that were dropped everywhere.”

For the Ayala’s, their growth came about from years sacrifice. “When they got here, they started working super young,” she said about her parents’ immigrant journey from Michoacan to the United States. “They have always had a strong work ethic, and without that, they wouldn’t have been able to accomplish anything they have so far.” That same mindset shaped her own turning point in early 2022. While balancing nursing school, nannying from 7AM to 3:30PM, evening classes at Ventura College, and late nights working for her family business, she realized that she was no longer able to spread her time. “My workload with the business became so much that I had to quit my nanny job and shortly after, I dropped out of school,” she said. “That’s when I realized, this is what I am doing now.” 

Today, Channel Islands Flowers is recognized as one of the largest distributors in California. On a scale of one to ten, she rates the company at an eight. The business supplies florists and other flower companies with stems like Ranunculus, Calla Lilies, Lisianthus, Delphiniums, Hybrid Lilies, and a variety of other seasonal flowers. A majority of their products are sold throughout various sellers in the Los Angeles Flower Market, one of the largest wholesale flower markets in the country. Additional distribution is sold in major grocery stores like Trader Joes and Vons. Despite the company’s scale, Valerie remains very humble about her position. “It’s very eye-opening,” she said. “I think we’re still in the stage of imposter syndrome… but our family is very supportive, which allows us to continue to do what we do.” 

What started as a risky decision during the pandemic has grown into one of Ventura County’s most successful distribution companies. From balancing nursing school and long workdays to stepping fully into leadership, her journey reflects the unpredictable nature of growth. Channel Islands Flowers continues to bloom each day because the Ayala family chose to plant those roots. 

Visit their Instagram & Website above!

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Arts & Entertainment Local Business Spotlight

5 Must-Visit Indie Bookstores in Ventura County

Are you planning on traveling to or are currently living in the Ventura County area? Are you searching for book bliss? Then you have come to the right place! This is your guide to the five bookstores in Ventura Country that you must visit. And hey, if you only go to one because it fits your niche, that’s fine! I’m not here to judge you, I’m only here to inform you. I’ll save the judgment for another time.

Bart’s Books

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302 W Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023

4.8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you love basking in the sun as you browse, if you love fresh air while you read, Bart’s Books is the place to be. According to their website, “Bart’s Books is the world’s largest outdoor bookstore, serving the Ojai community since 1964. Bart’s hosts a collection of over 130,000 used and new books, ranging from rare out-of-print gems to well-loved paperbacks.” Before you enter the main area, you will find books on shelves lining the outside walls. Both used and new books can be found at Bart’s making it affordable for many budgets. Bart’s hosts events and offers a fun book-buying program. Bring a book, they buy it, and you leave with cash (or a new book).

From its warm-toned, brick red, and velvet green bookshelves adorned with foliage, to housing books from every major genre, Bart’s is truly for the outdoorsy bookworm.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 22 – A. Kendra Greene No Less Strange or Wonderful: Essays in Curiosity

April 5 – Michael Arkush The Golf 100

April 26 – Indie Bookstore Day

The Bookworm

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93 E Daily Dr, Camarillo, CA 93010

4.9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

With a porch-style reading nook and rows of children’s books, this is the place for parents looking to find a book for themselves and their little ones. Bookworm has a sizable collection of Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction. However, the children’s section is where it truly shines. From board books to picture books, all the way to chapter books, any kid of any age can find something they love! So, if you’re looking to get a book for a child in your life it’s a must-visit bookstore.

The Bookworm also occasionally hosts events, so make sure to keep an eye on their socials. Although on the smaller side, Bookworm packs a punch, carrying books in the major genres most would be interested in. If you’re looking for a fun family outing, visit Bookworm because it is truly for the parenting readers.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 8 – Drew Daywalt Reading

Calico Cat Bookshop

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495 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001

4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you love a challenge, I toast to you! This bookstore is not for the claustrophobic. You are surrounded by literature the moment you step through the door. If you do venture inside, Calico is going to be your new home for the next few hours. Thousands of used, rare, signed, and collectible books flow from the shelves to the ground and all around. Although they don’t have events, they update their website with new arrivals, so you can browse online before you head over (if that tickles your fancy), but being there is an experience you won’t want to miss.

It takes a special kind of book enthusiast to love and respect a bookstore like Calico. It’s welcoming and sweet and demands that you take your time and browse slowly. Although there is organization and tables with labeled genres, Calico is truly for the patient book hunters.

RECENT ARRIVALS

Responsibilities: Poems and a Play by William Butler Yeats

Theosophy by Rudolf Steiner

21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari

Point Omega by Don DeLillo

Smitten Bookstore

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365 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001

4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

While other bookstores on the list offer many genres, Smitten knows love and intimacy only. The colors are bright and the name is cute, but this is not the most child-friendly of bookstores. Though many of their books have cartoon couples on the covers, what lies within the pages is much less PG. That said, there is a small children’s section for the little ones to browse, just be cautious.

The bookstore offers the typical modern romance, classic romance, romantasy, and academic books on modern sexuality. You can also find tarot cards, tote bags, bookmarks, and so much more. The bookstore has an active event calendar that is definitely worth checking out.

As Jane Austen once said, “My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” That is exactly what a romance connoisseur will feel about the book oasis that is Smitten Bookstore. Smitten is truly for the romantic book lovers.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 8 – Rebecca Thorne – Tea You at the Altar Book Release

March 9 – Book Swap

March 15 – Kate Tilney Author Signing

Timbre Books

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1910 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001

4.9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

With a bright reading room attached to a robust children’s section, Timbre is the perfect place to pick up a book and stay for a while. There is outdoor seating if you are interested, but a seat by the window indoors is just as appealing.

If you are looking for a new release, check with Timbre. Their shelves are filled with new releases and incredibly popular BookTok books. That being said, they also sell books that aren’t targeted just toward the BookTok audience. They have older and newer memoirs, books on music, books on art, etc. They also have two full bookshelves that display Timbre employee book recommendations, some even have notecard descriptions.

The space is warm, inviting, and aesthetically pleasing, with new events held each month. Timbre is truly for the modern bibliomaniac.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 8 – Pierpont Book Fair @ Timbre

March 13 – Poetry Book Club

March 18 – Lewis Robinson in Conversation with Antoine Wilson

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This has been your guide to the five bookstores in Ventura Country that you must visit. Thank you for spending part of your day with me and I hope you are eager to get outside and into the community.

As an active reader and an employee of a book publishing house, I like to think I know a thing or two about bookstores. So, if you read through this entire article and are not convinced to visit at least one of these incredible spots, know that I am judging you quite heavily. See, I told you I’d save the judgment for another time.

Until next time, I’ve been me, and this has been lovely.