30th Annual Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival in Camarillo on Sunday, June 2, 2024

One of Ventura County’s premier celebrations of gastronomy, fine wines and community spirit will mark its 30th anniversary as Casa Pacifica presents the annual Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at California State University Channel Islands. General admission tickets are now available at www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com.

This year’s milestone event is hosted by Bank of America; Conico and MacValley Oil; Mission Produce; Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PC; and the Van Huisen family.

Voted the Best Food & Drink Festival and Best Charity Event for the past 12 years, the Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival brings together the pinnacle of talent of Ventura County’s food and wine scene, including renowned restauranteurs, chefs, vinters and breweries. Owners, chefs and artisans will be on hand to pour, serve and interact with attendees, making the Festival one of the most personal and convenient ways to discover the region’s delicious bounty. Admission includes access to a diverse selection of delicious food, premium wines and tasty craft brews from more than 100 exhibitors, along with live musical entertainment from the VIP Lounge and main stage.

Attendees can also take in the popular Yummie Culinary Competition, which pits top chefs against one another in a blind tasting competition judged by media personalities, food and wine editors and chefs. Judges crown winners for the best of two categories – Savory and Sweet – based on flavor, presentation, innovation and quality.

The Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival is Casa Pacifica’s largest annual fundraiser and supports the agency’s life-changing mental health programs for children, young adults and families.

More info and tickets at www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com.

Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families is a crisis-care and residential treatment facility for abused, neglected, or at-risk children in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The agency is the largest non-profit provider of children’s mental health services in both counties and along with its campus-based programs administers a number of community-based programs which are designed with the intent to strengthen families and keep children in their homes. For more information about Casa Pacifica, visit www.casapacifica.org.

38th Annual California Strawberry Festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds May 18-19, 2024

The 38th Annual California Strawberry Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, 2024 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura). Festivalgoers can indulge in strawberry treats from over 50 food and beverage booths. The festival features artists and crafters, a Ninja Nation obstacle course, live entertainment on two stages, "build-your-own" strawberry shortcake and more.

Since its inception, the nonprofit California Strawberry Festival has donated over $5 million to Southern California charitable organizations. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $15, active military with ID and family and seniors 62 and over, $10, youth ages 5 to 12, $8, children 4 and under, free. Limited parking onsite is $20 per vehicle. Visitors are encouraged to use the free shuttle service at the 6 locations nearby. Amtrak station across the street. For more information, go to www.CAStrawberryFestival.org.

36th Annual Senior Concerns Ultimate Dining Experience at Hyatt Westlake on March 23, 2024

Senior Concerns is pleased to announce the 36th Annual Ultimate Dining Experience on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Westlake. Building on the exuberant spirit that has made Ultimate Dining an annual highlight, this year’s theme is A Night at the Moulin Rouge! As guests arrive, they will be invited to enjoy a signature cocktail, browse the silent and wine auctions, and sample delightful food and wine pairings from celebrated local restaurants, breweries and wineries. The evening’s festivities will continue with a gourmet three-course dinner and a high-spirited live auction.

A highlight of the event will be the presentation of Senior Concerns’ 2024 Philanthropist of the Year. Senior Concerns’ Board of Directors has chosen to honor Sherwood Cares, the charitable foundation of the Sherwood Country Club. Founded in 2013, Sherwood Cares provides tremendous support to local community nonprofits. Senior Concerns has been honored to receive consistent grant funding from Sherwood Cares every year since its inception.

“The support we receive from Sherwood Cares has made a tremendous impact and has helped enable Senior Concerns to serve a growing senior population here in the Conejo Valley,” says Andrea Gallagher, President of Senior Concerns.

Reservations are required to attend Ultimate Dining. To learn more and reserve your seats, please visit www.seniorconcerns.org/ultimate-dining. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Any questions about event reservations or to learn more about sponsorship, please contact Janet Young, Director of Development, at 805-497-0189 or via email at jyoung@seniorconcerns.org.

Conejo Valley Restaurant Week is February 19-28, 2021

Visit Conejo Valley is excited to be hosting its 2nd annual Conejo Valley Restaurant Week scheduled from February 19-28, 2021. Locals and visitors alike will have the chance to explore special menus and limited time offers at some of the best restaurants in the area. Conejo Valley is the perfect foodie destination with over eighty-five unique and delicious restaurants, six local craft breweries, amazing deserts and one of Southern California’s best undiscovered wine regions. The state of California has lifted its stay-at-home order,allowing hotels to now accept leisure travelers and restaurants to serve customers outdoors starting January 29, 2021.

Conejo Valley has something everyone will love, from American to Singaporean. You can discover something new or try an old favorite, taste wine or enjoy a juicy burger.

Restaurant Week is offering the best deals from restaurants in the region:

Bagelicious Café Agoura Hills

• Free pecan cookie plus 10% off the entire meal.

Bandits’ Grill and Bar

• 10% off your outdoor dining order of up to $100 (discount valid on food only).

Barone’s Pizza

• $5.00 carry out small pizza and half off all carry out wine.

Blue Table

• A cheese &charcuterie special for two with bubbly only for $31.

Chocolatine

• One free coffee drink with a $15 minimum purchase.

Country Harvest Restaurant

• 15% off any entrée.

Domino’s

• Two medium two topping pizzas for $5.99, plus tax and delivery.

El Pollo Loco

• Free order of churros with $5 purchase or free chips and guacamole with $10 purchase.

Fresh Brothers

• A $25 menu for two! It includes a Fresh Garden Salad (an entrée size to share), a large Heart-Shaped cheese pizza and an order of Sweet Knots (3 pieces).

Green Onion Chinese Cuisine

• A special offer of a soup, appetizer, rice and one entrée.

Harvest Kitchen & Bar

• Enjoy a Winter Harvest Beet Salad (Santa Barbara Bebe Farms organic Tuscan kale, tri color baby beets, shredded Brussels Sprouts, candied hazelnuts, and Point Reyes Bay Blue, paired with a Canvas Chardonnay for $19) and/or Grilled Shrimp Cocktail (freshly grilled Mexican shrimp served with house made spicy cocktail sauce on bed of Napa cabbage paired with our Canvas Pinot Noir for $22).

Hatch Café and Market

• Family take-out meals including choice of two wraps, sandwiches, bowls, or salads and choice of one Hatch side dish (serves two for $28) or choice of four wraps, sandwiches,bowls or salads and choice of two Hatch side dishes (serves four for $50).

Himalaya Thousand Oaks

• Buy one get the second entrée 50% off.

Hummus Bistro

• $5 off any order of $20 and more or 10% off entire meal or catering.

Ma Dukes

• 10% off entire meal

Mouthful Eatery

• Prix Fixe Menu ($25/per person) featuring:

• 1stCourse: Tomato Basil Bisque w/Parmesan crostini

• 2ndCourse: Stuffed Chicken w/spinach & Gouda, served with Israeli cous-cous and cranberries

• 3rdCourse: Pear Caramel Bread Pudding a la carte

Paul Martin’s American Grill

• Offering the Ultimate Burger Pairing ($50 for two) featuring to Classic American Burgers with fries and your choice of one of three incredible bottles of wine.

• Family Meals Togo featuring one of eight different family meals starting at just $39 that serve four guests.

• Try the dinner package for four, with the dinner special for two (choice either chicken, ribs, tri-tip, or salmon), two kids basic pizzas or one build it yourself pizza, and an order of beignets for$50. This serves four at a $62 value.

Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen

• 10% off your entire meal.

Social Monk Asian Kitchen

• A special 4-person family meal for $42, with a choice between two shareables, three entrees, and a side of brown or white rice.

Szechuan Place

• 10% off your order.

Tabu Shabu

• 10% off all entrees and free edamame.

The Grill on the Alley

• A “Happy Hour at Home” including exclusive appetizers in the comfort of your own home. Menu features mini lobster & shrimp rolls, cheese toast, crab & corn fritters, mac & cheese, truffle fries and wood-grilled cheeseburger sliders.

Urbane Café

• Free warm cookie with the purchase of a sandwich, salad, or bowl.

Winners NY Pizza

• Pizza specials such as the Jumbo three topping deal, is a 16” pie with three of your favorite toppings for $20.99.

“This is an opportunity for our community to experience the unique offerings from our eateries in the Conejo Valley while supporting an industry that has been highly impacted over the last 12 months,” said President/CEO of Visit Conejo Valley, Danielle Borja. "We are offering a safe way for visitors and local residents to enjoy Conejo Valley Restaurant Week by dining outdoors or ordering take-out."

Conejo Valley has many things to discover and explore only 30 minutes from the beaches of Malibu and 45 minutes from Los Angeles. Conejo Valley hotels are open for leisure travel, and please call ahead for specific details.

For more Conejo Valley Restaurant Week 2021 offers, visit: RestaurantWeek 2021 - Conejo Valley

For visitors looking for lodging, visit: https://conejo.com/stay/

ABOUT VISIT CONEJO VALLEY
Created in 2013, Visit Conejo Valley is the official tourism marketing organization for the cities of Thousand Oaks and Agoura Hills, Calif. With a mission to increase overnight visitation and improve the local economy, Visit Conejo Valley promotes the region’s diverse 16 lodging properties, unique outdoor recreation, bustling arts and culture scene, diverse dining and tasting experiences, providing visitors with helpful resources to make the best of their trip and “See Another Side of Southern California.” To learn more about accommodations, attractions and things to do in Conejo Valley, visit conejo.com.

See participating restaurants at https://conejo.com/restaurant-week-2021/

CANCELLED 6th Annual Chowderfest Event at Channel Islands Maritime Museum on Sunday, August 2, 2020

CANCELLED DUE TO PANDEMIC

Select local restaurants will again compete for the title of “Ventura County’s Best Chowder” at the 6th Annual CHOWDERFEST on Sunday, August 2, 2020, 2-6pm at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum.

A competition judged by both professional judges and guests, chowder tastings are complemented by wine tastings from local wineries and fine craft beer provided by Firestone Walker Brewery. Live music will create a festive mood with Kelly’s Lot and Friends. Local friends and visiting guests will gather at the summer’s most relaxing harbor-front garden party!

Chowderfest is an annual collaborative fundraiser hosted by the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, IOGB (International Order of the Blue Gavel), and local Yacht Clubs. Local restaurants will donate exceptional flavors to the Chowder Cook-off (clam, corn, Manhattan, potato, conch, veggie…) and support the Channel Islands Maritime Museum: a non-profit which celebrates Five Centuries of Art that Sails and gives back to the community nearly every day of the year.

Tickets will be sold on the museum website and at the museum for $25 pre-sale and $30 the day of the event. The price includes chowder, beer & wine tastings; a variety of side dishes; and free Museum admission. The museum welcomes the public and community to attend.

Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the Channel Islands Maritime Museum.

Tickets: cimmvc.org or at the Museum

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is open M/Th-Sat 10-4pm, Sun 12-4PM and closed Tues and Wed for group tours and private member events, also, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Located in Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor at 3900 Bluefin Circle. Explore galleries full of rare and beautiful maritime paintings dating back to the 1600’s, more than sixty world-class models of historic ships, rotating thematic fine arts exhibitions, and interactive exhibits that encourage visitors to expand their horizons about everything maritime. Museum entry is free for members and children under 6, $7 adults, $5 seniors/military, $3 children (ages 6-17), and free on the third Thursday of the month. Info: cimmvc.org or (805) 984-6260.

47th Annual Santa Barbara Greek Festival the Weekend of July 25-26, 2020

MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO PANDEMIC

Santa Barbara's 47th Annual Greek Festival is planned for July 25-26, 2020 from 11 am to 7 pm in beautiful Oak Park, 600 West Junipero Street. The festival evokes the sights, sounds and tastes that define the traditional Greek way of life. Stroll through Santa Barbara's beautiful Oak Park and experience the simple pleasures of life in a Greek village. Admission and parking is free.

Dozens of volunteers enthusiastically staff their booths, creating a convivial, welcoming atmosphere. Festival-goers return year after year for the food. — Delectable festival favorites like gyros and moussaka. And no Greek village would be complete without homemade pastries like baklava, melomakarona, and kataifi.

Listen to the distinctive sounds of the bouzouki and other exotic instruments played by authentic Greek musicians who perform traditional and popular songs. Delight in the beauty of the elaborate costumes worn by performers as they share their carefully practiced steps and intricate dances with the enthusiastic audience.

Take advantage of a free Greek dance lesson, and enjoy participating in the same dances you would perform in the traditional villages of Greece. Dance the afternoon away, eat a little (or a lot), shop in the Greek marketplace, relax and enjoy yourself under the oaks in the warm embrace of the best Greek culture has to offer.

More information at www.santabarbaragreekfestival.org.

VIRTUAL EVENT California Honey Harvest Festival in Fillmore June 20-21, 2020

EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY THIS YEAR DUE TO PANDEMIC

The 2020 California Honey Harvest Festival is planned for the weekend of June 20-21 at Central Park in Fillmore from 9 am to 5 pm. Activities to include kid zone, live music, petting zoo, exhibits, BBQ tri tip sandwiches, train rides to honey farm tour, antique carousel rides, vendors, honey products and more! Free admission. Train rides “The Honey Bee Express” $28 for adults, $25 seniors, $16 youth, $12 child.for two hour event.

Event to be held at Central Park in downtown Fillmore, where you'll have free time to enjoy lunch on your own and browse the many vendors that are all about bees and honey. Then, step aboard the historic Fillmore & Western Railway for a short train ride to Bennett's Honey farm, located halfway between Fillmore and Piru.

You'll see demonstrations by California bee keepers along the way and take a one-of-a-kind tour at the honey farm, where you'll learn all about honey bees and how the honey is collected and processed.

californiahoneyharvestfestival.com

CANCELLED 34th Annual St. Joseph's Day Celebration at St. Paschal Thousand Oaks on March 22, 2020

EVENT CANCELLED AS A RESULT OF COVID-19 EMERGENCY

The Italian Catholic Federation (ICF) is hosting its annual St. Joseph’s Day festivities on Sunday, March 22, 2020 from 4-7pm at St. Paschal Baylon Church, located at 155 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks.

The event, now celebrating its 34th year, will feature an italian dinner with raffle prizes and live musical entertainment. Proceeds from the event benefit St. Paschal Baylon Church and other charitable organizations.

St. Joseph’s Day is a centuries-old Italian tradition honoring St. Joseph which began after rains ended a severe drought in Sicily. Each March, Italians worldwide celebrate this event with a procession, a beautifully decorated table or altar with flowers, fruit, candles, wine, fava beans and baked goods, and a large Italian dinner.

Dinner ticket prices are $15 for adults and $8 for children for general seating, or a limited number of reserved seating packages are also available and priced at $20 each. Tickets and event schedule are available online by visiting www.icfbranch380.org or by calling 805-368-3384.

About the Italian Catholic Federation The ICF was founded in San Francisco in 1924 by Italian immigrants keen to preserve their faith and pride in their shared heritage. Today, the ICF has nearly 10,000 members across the United States consisting of men, women and children of all ages. ICF members promote and support the Catholic faith and its values, family togetherness, fellowship, apostolic and charitable works, and celebrate Italian American heritage and all the heritages of their communities.

CANCELLED/POSTPONED 10th Annual Moorpark Beer & Wine Festival on Saturday, March 28, 2020

POSTPONED TO FUTURE TBA DATE AS A RESULT OF COVID-19 EMERGENCY

The Moorpark Morning Rotary Club announces the Moorpark Beer Tasting Festival from 5pm to 9pm on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Arroyo Vista Community Park. Last pour at 8:30pm.

Tickets available at www.moorparkbeerfestival.com beginning Monday, January 13th. Early bird special for one week only - $29 per ticket. $50 at the door.

Event will feature numerous craft breweries, wineries, live entertainment and great local food vendors.

This event is the annual fundraiser of the Moorpark Morning Rotary Club.  Started in 2009, the event has become a staple in the Moorpark community calendar and funds the Moorpark Morning Rotary Club’s philanthropic efforts throughout the year.  Proceeds will benefit the Moorpark Morning Rotary Club Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which uses the funds to support local schools and community organizations.

50th Annual Camarillo Rotary Viva La Comida Community Dinner on Monday, January 27, 2020

The 50th Annual Viva La Comida Community Dinner will be held on Monday, January 27, 2020 from 5 to 8 PM at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 Burnley Street, Camarillo.

Enchiladas, mariachis, magicians and an opportunity drawing! Dine-in, take-out or drive-through. The traditional enchilada dinner includes beans, rice, salad and a salsa bar. Soft drinks, beer, wine and margaritas will be available. Live entertainment includes a mariachi band, piñatas for the kids, opportunity drawings and more.

Tickets are $15, available from any Camarillo Rotarian, at Camarillo Plumbing on Ventura Blvd. or at the door. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club and other local charities. Call 805-312-5506 for more information.

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders providing humanitarian service and building goodwill. Rotarians have served the needs of communities worldwide since 1905. Camarillo Rotary meets Wednesdays at noon. For more information about Rotary and Viva sponsorship opportunities, see www.camarillorotary.org