June Gloom is in full force right now, but I hope it is not dampening anyone’s summertime spirits. I, personally, am grateful for the clouds and marine layer which continue to add moisture to a landscape that was parched...
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...
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...