Blogs

Recently in East Ventura Category

A gift for local veterans

By
Marie Lakin
on December 4, 2009 8:21 PM Share: Share on Facebook submit to reddit StumbleUpon Toolbar
 
arnold.jpgFACING A SHORTAGE of veterans' facilities, our state just took another step at helping to meet the needs of our servicemen and women with the opening of the Veteran's Home of California - Ventura today.

The facility is just a mile from my East Ventura home and I attended the event today along with many other folks eager to get a look at the new facility as well as Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggger, who announced just yesterday he would attend. I am not sure when I've seen that many camera crews in one place before in Ventura.

But I was glad to see the attention drawn here because our state really does need more of these facilities, especially those with skilled nursing services. While the Ventura facility doesn't offer these particular services, there is room to expand the $26-million home and add them if money becomes available. The Telephone Road home has room for 60 residents who are 62 years or older.

flag2.jpgOther facilities are expected to open in W. Los Angeles, Fresno and Redding.

"It's an especially great day to be a veteran living in Ventura County," said Roger Brautigan, the secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. "It's all about promises made and promises kept."

For video of the event including a ribbon cutting with our Mayor Christy Weir, go here.

P.S. Just for fun, see if you can name the Who's Who of local Republican politicians up on stage in the photo at top.

At right is the largest flag I have ever seen.

Tags:

Continue reading A gift for local veterans.

East of Eatin'

By
Marie Lakin
on March 3, 2008 3:31 PM Share: Share on Facebook submit to reddit StumbleUpon Toolbar
 


I LIVE IN THE UNFASHIONABLE East End of Ventura. It's an area of newer tract houses bordered by older tract houses and dotted by the occasional gas station and mini mart. In short, it's a cultural wasteland. It's a great place to raise a family but if you want a good meal, you have to drive a long way to find it.

In a town being revived by the idea of Smart Growth with walkable neighborhoods meshed with business areas and tree-lined boulevards, we are in the Stone Age. So I was intrigued when I read the report on the city's new Saticoy Wells Community Plan from Economics Research Associates:

Presently, the "Saticoy Village" on the southeast corner of Wells Road and Darling Road, already within the City's jurisdiction, could go forward. It has a letter of interest from TESCO (Fresh and Easy) and further intentions and has been exploring a wide variety of potential tenants. Some 30 possible tenancies are shown on the Concept Plan, dated September 5, 2007. The mix includes TESCO, a drug store, a hardware store, potential restaurant, and a coffee shop. Indeed, the concept demonstrates three restaurants, if the market is there.

I say BRING IT ON!

I believe I can speak for all of us out here in the East End when I say we are starved for attention. TESCO opened its first Ventura County Fresh & Easy store recently in Simi Valley. The stores, about the same size as Trader Joe's, offer prepared foods with a minimum of processing, plus regular grocery items. (I have added a video tour of the Simi Valley store above. Click on the arrow to play it.)

According to Maggie Ide, from the city's planning department, there is a "high probability" that TESCO will open a store in the Saticoy Village location. I am looking forward to this and the three new restaurants, if they are forthcoming.

With Oxnard's RiverPark (a short drive for us East Enders) opening a new retail center and a Whole Foods Market, I hope the City of Ventura can jumpstart this project as well as other retail projects planned for the Saticoy Wells area. We need to keep our tax dollars in Ventura.

The City Council will take up the Saticoy Wells Community Plan tonight in a joint session with the Planning Commission.

« Downtown | Main Index | Archives | Education »
Making Waves
waves logo.jpg
This space is devoted to thoughtful and lively discussion about the events, people and politics which shape Ventura and our state. If you would like to suggest blog topics, email me.

About the author

Marie Lakin, a long-time resident of Ventura, is a community activist and writer/editor.
  • Doudoune Moncler: I do notknow about these conclusions but I was glad read more
  • moncler jacket on sale: Excellent weblog, thanks for writing th is post read more
  • moncler sales: how previous is th is submit? read more
  • moncler usa fashion: Please replace the phrase ??the bulk of??? together with the read more
  • moncler everest black: yeah, what about killington? read more
  • moncler mens vest: I agree, ty for posting th is.. read more
  • moncler jacket on sale: Loved the document!And eps. liked the new Nickelodeon logo! read more
  • Moncler Jackets: Would you mind if I reference a handful of sentences read more
  • ghd-style.com: Do notforget Union Financial institution as a person from the read more
  • moncler jacket on sale: Sorry to alter the subject, but what is the identify read more