In Southern California, as in most of the United States, much of the merrymaking that takes place this time of year is centered around Christmas. But many cultures and religions have their own winter celebrations. The reasons for these...
There’s so much history wrapped up in our 2022 Food and Drink issue! We didn’t plan it that way; it’s purely a happy accident. But as I read the stories, it strikes me that there’s a certain regard for...
Happy Solstice, Ventana Monthly readers!
Yes, it’s June, and that means another beautiful Central Coast summer is upon us. We celebrate the season and our local environs with an issue devoted to our outdoor spaces and the people that have...
For me, the holidays are all about the pie.
From pumpkin and apple at Thanksgiving to
chocolate cream and boysenberry at Christmas to lemon meringue on New Year’s Eve, a flaky crust with a delicious filling is my favorite part of...
Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer
Live music is filling auditoriums, theaters are turning on the lights, festivals have resumed, films are back on the big screen and galleries are inviting the public in for art shows, workshops and classes . ....
Every October, when I put together the annual Arts Issue for Ventana Monthly, I am struck by the level of talent that flourishes in Ventura County. From ceramicist and “Mama of Dada” Beatrice Wood to contemporary artist Hiroko Yoshimoto;...
The heat and humidity that have made the last few weeks so uncomfortable finally seem to be abating. And while raindrops may or may not fall this weekend, I’m grateful for lower temperatures, the approach of autumn — always...
Dreams deferred, when finally realized, are often the sweetest.
Or so Sylvana Guidotti and Kevin Wells discovered.
The house they owned in Ventura’s Skyline neighborhood had a lovely hillside location, but its architecture was much less inspiring than its views. The...
In 2024, women owning their own businesses is neither surprising nor uncommon. The National Association of Women Business Owners finds that of the 33.2 million small businesses in the United States, 43.2% are owned by women. And according to...
One of the things I love about my job is the opportunity to connect with creative and talented individuals in our area. The people we write about are endlessly fascinating and unfailingly impressive, and my life has always been...
