It is Fair time in Ventura. The Ventura County Fair opens today. today is also dollar day, only $1 to get in, so, I am sure, today is going to see great attendance numbers and the weather will cooperate with moderate temperatures,  may even be a bit cool on the Ventura coast where the Ventura Fair venue is located, those attending may want to bring jackets.The poster above won first place in the 2012 Poster Contest...winner is Sam Coultas, congrats Sam and all the finalists.The Fair runs for 12 Days: August 1-12, 2012 and the times are listed below: Weekdays: 11:00am – 11:00pm Weekends: 10:00am – 11:00pm Ventura County Fairgrounds 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001 ADMISSION Adults: $12 Seniors (62+) & Children 6-12: $9 Children 5 & under: Free. PARKING  FREE SHUTTLES On-site Parking... 08/01/2012

Lennar began building two phases of Townhomes and Condos in 2005-2006. The first phase or grouping was called Harmony, which is on the easterly side of Saratoga Avenue and Melody was the second phase which is on the westerly side of Saratoga Avenue and some of the Melody Townhomes and Condos have views of Thille Park. These Lennar Townhomes and Condos were originally sold with all GE stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops convenient under-cabinet task lighting.  Moen polished chrome pull-out kitchen faucet combined with a Kohler stainless-steel sink, make these kitchens extremely appealing. The majority of the now resale Townhomes and Condos have been maintained well and still show nearly new. Here are just a few more features or amenities, homebuyers can find at the Lennar Tow... 07/30/2012

The Ventura Westside Artwalk will take place this weekend from noon to 9pm on Saturday and noon to 5pm on Sunday in the Westside Cultural District and downtown area. Westside Artwalk is a free, self-guided tour of dozens of galleries, studios and pop-up venues in Ventura's Westside Cultural District and Downtown. A signature event for Ventura for many years which brought in cultural tourists from all over, it is now being run by an all-volunteer group which has added new life to the event.This year the the event will include a Bowl Hop, where visitors can purchase a handcrafted ceramic bowl for $25, which one then can take the bowl to the list of participating restaurants and get it filled with food. Proceeds will go to Project Understanding of Ventura.These ceramic bowls for the Bowl H... 07/20/2012

There will be some Swashbuckling good fun for all ages as the Pirates invade Ventura Harbor Village this weekend. Here is just a sampling of what will be taking place at the Pirates Marketplace & Encampment 10-5 pm Port Royale Privateers Historical Encampment 1-4 pm Pirates for Hire Professional Sword Fighting and Pirate Shows 2:30 pm Kids Pirate Costume Contest for a chance to win a Disneyland Ticket (Kids 0-7) & (8-15) 3:30 pm Adult Pirate Costume Contest Shipweck Cove Noon-5 Hourly Arrgh-bor Boat Tour at Ventura Boat Rentals 1-4 pm Live Music, Nautical Knot Tying, Pirate Lore, Photos with Pirates, Kids Treasure Room ($2), 3 pm Pet Pirate Costume Contest (Saturday Only) 4 pm Announcement of Winners of the $100 GOLD COINS Shop for Pirate Gear at These Participating Harbor StoresSpend $... 07/20/2012

Below is a graph illustrating the Real Estate Activity for Ventura Single Family Home, excluding the Ventura Beach Area Homes. The sold numbers represent Ventura Single Family Homes that sold in June 2012.As you can see, the inventory levels, especially in the lower price range is very low.  This low inventory often creates multiple offers.  Buyers should be prepared to bring their highest and best offer price when looking at purchasing homes in the lower price ranges.In Ventura, we are seeing less bank owned properties coming on the market and this trend should continue for the foreseeable future.The good news, is most of the lenders and or servicers of short sales have streamlined their short sale process, however it still does take upward of several months, which is why the “under co... 07/19/2012

CBS' The Amazing Race is a show that pits several two-person teams against each other in a global obstacle course/scavenger hunt-type of competition.  It's always interesting to see how these teams react to the situations they are put in.  If you think this is something you'd like to do, you don't have to worry about going through the long, arduous audition process involved in becoming part of the TV show.  Instead, join Ventura's own Amazing Race. The Ventura Dare and Dash is Ventura's take on The Amazing Race TV show.  Instead of the competition taking place over several weeks in foreign countries, it is a local competition taking place over the course of just one day, August 11, 2012.  Each two-person team will be given the chance to complete up to 18 objectives at checkpoints throug... 07/19/2012

Looking for a relaxed beachfront home to buy, well the Pierpont Beach Front an the variety of homes for sale maybe just what you are looking for. The Pierpont Beach Front Community is located off the 101freeway at the Seaward Avenue exit, the ocean side of the freeway.This Pierpont Beach Front Community is a series of lanes that lead to the ocean.   Some homes are original beach bungalows, other homes are newer homes built where there was once a small beach bungalow. It is a relaxed beachfront community.Homes in this Ventura Beach Front Community range in price from $525,000 to $2,900,000.Located in this Pierpont Beach Front Community is Seaward Village which is probably one of the few remaining authentic California beach communities that cater to the locals more than the tourists. It’s... 07/16/2012

Located in the lush hillside of West Ventura, Brock Hills is a community of 2 story conventional homes.  This fabulous location provides picturesque views of the mountains and ocean. These Brock Hill homes were built circa 1986. The landscape is now mature and adds beauty to this enclave of homes. There are 4 models of homes built in Brock Hills. The size of the homes range from 1458 sq ft to the largest model at 1776 sq ft.     Some homes have 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, others have 4 bedrooms.     All the homes have 2 car attached garages, tile roofs and many have garden windows in the kitchen.   Brock Hills is a PUD (planned unit development) and there is an HOA in place to maintain the lush common areas, however there is no community pool. There are fruit trees and hiking paths that home... 07/05/2012

Paseo Del Mar Condo complex is located in the West end of Ventura.  There are 231 condos that make up this condo complex. There are single story end units which are 2 bedrooms with 1 bath, approximately 908 square feet. This model has back and side yards, 2 car attached garage with laundry area located in garage. The other Paseo Del Mar condos range are 2 stories with some having 2 bedrooms, 1 ½  baths, some are 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and some have 2 master bedroom suites, 2.5 baths.  These condos range range in size from 1060 square feet to 1264 square feet, some have side yards, all have backyards with attached 2 car garages. The Paseo Del Mar complex has a pool and spa area and a children’s play area with BBQ area.   This complex has mature trees and is located next to a city owned pa... 07/05/2012

Sycamore Village homes and condos are located on the West end of Ventura.  This newer enclave of single family homes and condos was built in 2000.   Upon entering Sycamore Village, you will see the condos on the right and D Jango’s coffee shop and El Sitio restaurant on the left.   As one moves past the condos, the detached single family homes will be seen. There are 105 detached homes and 52 condos.   The single family homes have their own pool area and the condos have their own pool area.The Sycamore Village condos range in size from 1061 sq ft to 1471sq ft.  Some condos have 2 bedrooms 2 baths others have 3 bedrooms 2.5 baths. Each condo comes with a 2 car attached garage. The single family homes in Sycamore Village range from 1276 sq ft to 1821 sq ft. Some of the homes are one story... 07/02/2012

Don’t miss the Fourth of July Street Fair and Parade in Ventura this Wednesday.  Ventura’s popular 4th of July Street Fair, founded during our nation’s Bicentennial is now 37-year-old tradition that regularly draws 40,000 residents and visitors with six stages of live entertainment, a showcase of handmade arts and crafts by more than 300 artisans, environmental displays, children's activities and savory foods from booths sponsored by local organizations and businesses along nine blocks of Main  Street from Fir Street to Mission Park. Starts off at 10 am with the Pushem-Pullem Parade for children.  This parade begins at “Cemetary Park” (Main Street and Crimea) and heads towards the Ventura downtown area. The theme this year is "Happy Birthday, Lady Liberty". The East Rotary Club sponsors... 07/02/2012

Palermo Coffee, Gelato and Gifts in Downtown Ventura will be the venue for a reception welcoming International artist Guillermo Figoli. On Thursday, June 28th The Ventura Botanical Gardens folks will be welcoming international artist Guillermo Figoli at Palermo’s in Downtown Ventura from 6 pm - 9 pm with a reception where all can meet Guillermo and purchase his paintings.All paintings will be 50% off at this event only! Guillermo, who has exhibited in Los Angeles, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Miami, and Puerto Rico, has recently relocated to Ventura, home of his first U.S. based show. He is excited to be back with the community and share some new mixed media paintings. Join the Ventura Botanical Gardens folks  for some wine and a chance to meet this exceptional artist. Palermo’s has a wonde... 06/27/2012

Looking for a great place to meet friends and have great food and great views of the harbor in Ventura as well, then you must go to Brophy Bros. which is located in the Ventura Harbor. One can sit inside, at the bar and look out over the harbor or sit on the outside patio area. If we have friends visiting us from out of town, Brophy Bros. is a definityly on the list of places we must take them to.   My favorite entree is the fish and chips, but over time we have sampled almost all of the menu items as well. Brophy Bros. open their Restaurant and Clam Bar in the Ventura Harbor in July of 2007 and has been a big hit ever since. The original Brophy Bros. is located in Santa Barbara,  where we would go for our “fish and chips” cravings and still go there when we are in Santa Barbara, but n... 06/25/2012

Whether you are into cats, dogs, birds or horses, the Wharf in Ventura is the place to go for food, toys, brushes, shampoos, cages, beds, horse blankets, halters, bridles, and the list goes on and on.This Saturday the Wharf in Ventura is holding a Pet Fair from 11 am to 3 pm. There will be hourly drawings, vendors sampling their goods and giving away free samples, free pet photo ops, fund-raising BBQ, dog agility demos and the ever so talented search and rescue team doing demos.   The Wharf is where we shop for our multitude of animals and I think we will be making this event a must stop this Saturday.Even if you do not have any animals under your care, the Wharf has a wonderful gift shop, next to the pet store, just filled with unique items you do not see everywhere. The Wharf also has... 06/21/2012

Independence Day is less than two weeks away.  That means that it's almost time for downtown Ventura's 4th of July Street Fair.  For 37 years, Ventura residents have been saying "Happy Birthday, America" at this annual day of patriotic fun along Ventura's Main Street (encompassing Fir St, Ventura Ave, Chestnut, Oak and California).  Best of all, it's absolutely free! From 10am to 5pm, residents from all throughout Ventura County descend upon the downtown Ventura area to listen to great live music, visit the arts and crafts vendors and dine on fabulous food from one of the fair's food vendors.  The kids' Pushem-Pullem Parade begins at 10am.  There's even a free shuttle service to take you from the parking lot at the Ventura County Government Center.  Shuttles run from the Center to the f... 06/21/2012

Starting July 1, 2012, CA State Assembly Bill 3.41 makes recycling mandatory for multi-unit residential properties and commercial businesses in California.  This legislation applies to all multi-family residential properties with five or more units regardless of the amount of trash generated. To help property owners comply with this new legislation, the City of Ventura and E.J. Harrison $ Sons will provide free assessments and resources to help residents improve their recycling efforts.  The City also has a limited number of “recycling totes” that make it easier for residents to collect and take recyclable items to the white recycle bins. Although most multi-unit properties in Ventura already have some recycling in place, there is often confusion about what can be put into the container... 06/18/2012

You know when you go on vacation and you wonder where the locals go to eat, because you know they know where the great food is. Well Meridians Café & Pizzeria is one of those places Ventura locals go to and unless you know about it, you are sure to miss it because there is no big sign, it is not a fancy smancy black tie attire place at all. Just casual and comfortable. So, I would like to share this gem with everyone. It is located in a commercial strip mall on Seaward Avenue and Harbor Boulevard in what is called the Marina Village Shopping Complex or what I might call the Vons shopping center, for obvious reasons that a Vons grocery store is located there. As I said, nothing fancy about this, but consistently good food at reasonable prices. Check out their menu.My husband and I have t... 06/17/2012

For homeowners in Ventura that have illegal units, the time for applying for amnesty isDecember 21 with final approval required by June 30, 2013. Launched last summer, the Second Unit Amnesty Permit Program allows those with unpermitted units to bring what are often called granny flats into compliance with the city’s code and zoning regulations.The program in many cases costs homeowners a fraction of what it would cost otherwise to make the units legal. Ventura City is hosting a Lunch and Learn workshop Monday, June 18, 2012 to provide details of the program to contractors.  The meeting will be from 11:30am to 1pm at City Hall 501 Poli Street.The older the construction, the less expensive it is to go through the amnesty process.  For example, if a unit was built before 1978, it would c... 06/16/2012

Below is the illustration of the Ventura Real Estate Market Absorption Trend for period ending May, 2012.  This illustration shows that the average list to sales price was consistently in the high 97% range from 2010 to present.The average sales price did appreciate by approximately 1.4% in the last 3 months from the prior six months.  And the average list price appreciated 1.2% in the same period.The most startling fact presented by the data is the amount of Ventura Single Family Homes for sale, excluding the beach area homes.  Currently, there are only 83 Single Family Homes for sale in  Ventura , and that translates to approximately 1.5 months of inventory which by definition of the Market Absorption Analysis model would put  Ventura  Single Family Homes in a sellers market. This low... 06/12/2012

If you have not been to the Rubicon Theatre located in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District for any of the past productions, you owe it to yourself to see a production, I think you will thoroughly enjoy the venue of the Rubicon Theater. Here is the 15th Anniversary line-up. Pal Joey Joey has the voice of an angel, a charismatic personality and swagger to spare.  He is hungry to headline his own club, but it is 1948 and Joey is held back by the prejudices of the time and his own restless nature.     2.  Little Miss Scrooge This story follows a young Wall Street tycoon who goes to Pickwick, Ohio on Christmas Eve to foreclose on the Harthouse Hotel.    3.   Extras A side-splitting funny social satire, this is story of a quiet Mexican community     unalterably changed by the cast and crew o... 06/09/2012