A Weekend Of Music In Ventura!

Enjoy a weekend full of music in beautiful Ventura! Head to Discovery Ventura (1888 East Thompson Boulevard, Ventura) on Saturday and Sunday for not one but TWO incredible music festivals! Whether you want to chill out to some reggae or sing along to some classic rock, there is a band for you to enjoy. Both events are open to all ages!

Backyard Bash

Date: Saturday, April 7, 2018

Time: 11:30 am – 7:00 pm (Backyard Bash) | 7:00 pm – 1:00 am (After Party)

Cost: $35 General Admission | $45 General Admission + After Party | $85 VIP

Purchase tickets HERE!

Entertainment Lineup

West Beach Main Stage

Bashment Stage

  • 1:00 PM | RITAL MOVEMENT
  • 2:00 PM | AFTER THE SMOKE
  • 3:00 PM | DIEGO’S UMBRELLA
  • 4:30 PM | KROOKED TREEZ

After Party

TRIBOO Music Festival

Date: Sunday, April 8, 2018

Time: 11:30 am – 8:00 pm (Music Festival) | 8:00 pm – 1:00 am (After Party)

Cost: $25 General Admission | $35 General Admission + After Party | $75 VIP

Purchase tickets HERE!

Entertainment Lineup

Main Stage

Indoor Stage

  • 1:45 PM | SGT PEPPER (A Tribute to the Beatles)
  • 3:30 PM | HOLLYWOOD STONES (A Tribute to the Rolling Stones)
  • 5:15 PM | HIGH VOLTAGE (A Tribute to ACDC)

After Party

Both of these events will be held indoors and outdoors at Discovery Ventura. Parking is not available on site. Please utilize the free shuttle from 125 Hartman Drive. The shuttle will run throughout the day and drop off and pick up right in front of the festival gates.

Images Credit: Discovery Ventura

Celebrate Easter In Ventura County!

Easter is here! Celebrate the holiday all weekend long throughout Ventura County! Check out these fantastic community events that the whole family will enjoy!

36968003 – happy easter chocolate hamper of eggs and bunny rabbits in large basket with yellow and pink purple silk tulip flowers on dark wood table, with gift tag.

Photos with the Bunny

Dates: Thursday, March 29th – Saturday, March 31st

Times: 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Thursday & Friday) | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm (Saturday)

Location: The Collection at RiverPark (2751 Park View Court, Oxnard)

Cost: Varies based on desired photo size and quantity

Have your photo taken with the Easter Bunny in the Annex. Afterwards, search for the coveted golden egg that has been hidden at The Collection. The egg can be redeemed for incredible prizes, including gift cards, movie passes, and passes to the Santa Barbara zoo.

Spring Fair

Dates: Friday, March 30th – Sunday, April 1st

Times: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Friday) | 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Saturday) | 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Sunday)

Location: Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 West Harbor Boulevard, Ventura)

Cost: $6 for admission

It’s “a County Fair with Springtime Flair”! Have a fun filled Easter weekend at the fair. Enjoy carnival rides and games, arts and crafts, egg hunts, petting zoo, face painting, Kids zone, live entertainment, and delicious fair food.

Easter Egg Hunt

Date: Saturday, March 31st

Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Location: Arroyo Vista Community Park (4550 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark)

Cost: $5 for general admission | $10 all access (includes unlimited attractions & games)

This great event features an egg hunt, fun attractions and carnival games, food trucks, and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny.

Easter EGGstravaganza & Spring Craft Fair

Date: Saturday, March 31st

Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Community Center Park (1605 East Burnley Street, Camarillo)

Cost: FREE!

Find 20,000 eggs filled with toys or candy. Afterwards, enjoy visits with the Easter Bunny, entertainment, carnival games, petting zoo, craft and food vendors, and so much more!

Family Spring Fling

Date: Saturday, March 31st

Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Museum of Ventura County (100 East Main Street, Ventura)

Cost: FREE!

Head to the Museum for some fun family activities. Come create some beautiful springtime crafts. Decorate a bag to use at the egg hunt in Mission Park. Make a bouquet of tissue paper flowers and a mosaic card.

The Hunt!

Date: Saturday, March 31st

Time: 11:30 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Mission Park (185 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura)

Cost: FREE!

Come to Ventura’s biggest holiday egg hunt! Join the Easter Bunny as this hunt kicks off the spring street fair. Enjoy live entertainment while you shop from local art and craft vendors.

Easter Lunch Train

Date: Sunday, April 1st

Time: 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Location: Fillmore & Western Railway Co. (364 Main Street, Fillmore)

Cost: $50 per adult | $29 per youth (ages 4-12) | $25 per child (2-3)

On Easter Sunday, enjoy a relaxing ride through the beautiful Heritage Valley. Dine on a delicious lunch and receive treats from the Easter Bunny himself! Register HERE.

The Blake Mashburn Group wishes you and your family a very happy Easter!

Ventura Restaurant Week!

Fill your bellies with mouthwatering food during Ventura Restaurant Week!!! From Sunday, March 25th through Sunday, April 1st, check out 20 restaurants in beautiful downtown Ventura for some deliciously spicy good deals! This year’s Restaurant Week is honoring Ventura’s rich history by featuring the fire roasted Ortega Chili. Learn more about the Ortega Family and their delicious chili HERE. We wish you happy dining throughout Ventura for this great annual event!

Participating Ventura Restaurants

Aloha Steakhouse | 364 South California Street

Busy Bee Cafe | 478 East Main Street

Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant | 593 East Main Street

Jimmy’s Slice | 585 East Main Street

Limon Y Sal | 598 East Main Street

Paradise Pantry | 222 East Main Street

Rookees | 419 East Main Street

Snapper Jack’s Taco Shack | 533 East Main Street

Sub Zero Ice Cream & Yogurt | 607 East Main Street

VenTiki | 701 East Main Street

Winchester’s Grill & Saloon | 632 East Main Street

AND MORE!!!

With Easter right around the corner, this year’s Restaurant Week features a fun, adult Easter Egg hunt. There will be an Easter Egg hidden within each of the participating restaurants listed above that contains a gift certificate to another participating restaurant. Begin your search on Wednesday, March 21st, to find one of these lucky eggs. Please note, you must be a customer at the restaurant in order to search for the egg. Hoppy searching!

Image Credit: Downtown Ventura

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations In Ventura County!

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh! St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner! Celebrate your Irish pride throughout Ventura County ​for the holiday! You do not even need to wait until Saturday, March 17th, to begin the celebration! There are great events going on all weekend long for you to enjoy!

36876669 – st. patricks day greeting. vector illustration eps10

St. Paddy’s Day Celebration

Dates: Monday, March 12th – Saturday, March 17th

Time: Full Schedule

Location: Brendan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant (1755 East Daily Drive, Camarillo)

Celebrate the holiday all week long at Brendan’s Irish Pub! Enjoy traditional Irish music, Claddagh dance performances, trivia, Irish whiskey and beer tastings, and so much more! Do not miss out on these fun festivities throughout the week that culminate in a spectacular St. Paddy’s Day event on Saturday!

Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Date: Saturday, March 17th

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Downtown Ventura (East Main Street from the San Buenaventura Mission to North Ann Street)

Come see the 30th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade presented by the Ventura Elks Lodge #1430. This year’s theme is Ventura Strong: Honoring Thomas Fire First Responders. Wear your best green outfits and find the perfect spot along the route to see the festive floats, fun marching bands, and so much more!

Beer March

Date: Saturday, March 17th

Time: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Location: Camarillo Old Town | Check in at Studio Channel Islands Art Center (2222 Ventura Boulevard)

Cost: $35 in advance | $40 at door | Buy tickets HERE!

“Get Your Irish On” at 15+ stops. This 3rd annual event features delicious local craft breweries and fantastic live music.

The Blake Mashburn Group wishes everyone a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day throughout Ventura County!

Tall Ships Ventura Harbor 2018!

Get ready for the grand arrival of Tall Ships Ventura Harbor 2018! The spectacular Tall Ships, Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington, will be sailing into Ventura Harbor at Noon on Tuesday, February 13th, and docking through Monday, March 5th, before commencing on their annual voyage up the beautiful California coast. Head to scenic Ventura Harbor Village (1583 Spinnaker Drive) to explore this magnificent ships and check out all the fun events being offered.

Dockside Tours

Get an authentic 18th century sailor’s view during this living history experience. Tall ship tours are available Tuesdays through Sundays (closed on Tuesday, February 20th). The tall ships are open for Dockside Tours from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Tuesday – Friday) and 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Saturday & Sunday). Although the Dockside Tours are FREE, a $3 donation to Grays Harbor Historical Seaport is recommended.

Presidents’ Day Festivities

Enjoy special activities and entertainment during the long weekend

Saturday & Sunday

  • Tall Ship Dockside Tours | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | $5 Suggested Donation
  • Tall Ship Battle Sail | 2:00 pm (Saturday Only) | Tickets Required
  • Live Music on Seaside Promenade Stage | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Kids’ Scavenger Hunt | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | FREE
  • Pirates Roaming the Village | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Tall Ship Visitor Booth | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Parrot Photos (Saturday Only) & Henna Tattoos

Monday

  • ​Special Tall Ship Dockside Tour | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | $5 Suggested Donation

Sweethearts Valentine’s Day Sail

Enjoy a romantic sailing experience aboard the Lady Washington this Wednesday, February 14th, at 4:00 pm. Passengers must be at least 21 years of age. The cost is $55 per person or $100 per couple. Purchase Tickets HERE!

Adventure Sails

Have the ultimate seafaring adventure with your family aboard the Lady Washington. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $49 per adult and $42 per child. Purchase Tickets HERE!

Dates

  • Sunday, February 18th | 11:00 am
  • Sunday, February 25th | 11:00 am
  • Sunday, March 4th | 11:00 am

Battle Sails

Check out a battle on the high seas! These popular 3 hour sails allow passengers to experience a mock battle aboard the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain (vessel selection is first-come, first-served. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $79 per adult, $69 per student/senior/military personnel, and $42 per child. Purchase Tickets HERE!

Dates

  • Saturday, February 17th | 2:00 pm
  • Sunday, February 18th | 2:00 pm
  • Saturday, February 24th | 2:00 pm
  • Sunday, February 25th | 2:00 pm
  • Saturday, March 3rd | 2:00 pm
  • Sunday, March 4th | 2:00 pm

Ventura Harbor Village Special Events

Children’s Art Activity

  • Saturday, February 17th & Sunday, February 18th | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
  • The Courtyard at Building 1567 in Ventura Harbor Village

Sailor’s Tea

  • Tuesday, February 20th | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
  • Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts

Plein Air Art Event

  • Tuesday, February 27th | 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
  • Docks at Ventura Harbor

The Blake Mashburn Group wishes everyone happy sailing in this month in beautiful Ventura!
Image Credit: Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau

Valentine’s Day Wine N’ Roses

Romance is in the air in Ventura County! Valentine’s Day is almost here! There are so many ways to celebrate the holiday in our beautiful area. With endless delicious restaurants to stunning beaches, there are many perfect spots to bring your sweetheart. For a truly unique experience, check out Valentine’s Day Wine ‘N Roses!!!

50980639 – st valentine’s setting with red roses bouquet, present and red wine bottle. copy space

Come to the 3rd Annual Wine Tasting Weekend on Saturday, February 10th, and Sunday, February 11th. Receive one red long stem rose with each tasting. Make it to all 7 participating wineries and finish your weekend with your own bouquet of roses (while supplies last)!

Find the locations and operating hours for each of the participating wineries below.

Sunland Vintage Winery

1321 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard #108, Thousand Oaks  

Saturday & Sunday | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

ALMA SOL Winery

1321 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard #108, Thousand Oaks

Saturday & Sunday | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

NABU Wines

2649 Townsgate Road #200, Westlake Village

Saturday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

DeLiese Cellars

1850 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks

Saturday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Giessinger Winery

3059 Willow Lane, Westlake Village

Saturday & Sunday | 12:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Cornell Winery & Tasting Room

29975 Mulholland Highway, Agoura Hills

Saturday & Sunday | 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

San Vicente Cellars

537 Constitution Avenue Suite D, Camarillo

Saturday & Sunday | 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm

The Blake Mashburn Group wishes everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day!

A Fresh Start After Loss

The death of a loved one is never easy and can be one of the most painful events in your life. Each person grieves in his or her own way. Grief can look sad, it can look happy, it can look angry — it can look like any emotion felt by the loss of a family member or close friend. Whatever faces bereavement wears, it almost always propels the grieving person forward — sometimes quickly, sometimes a bit more slowly — into the future.

Making decisions and plans for the future is an important part of the grieving process and can be  healing: What do we do now? Where should we live? How much do we have in our savings account?

Some people want to remain in their homes and feel no reason to move, but others feel that making a fresh start by moving to a new location is what they need or want to do.

If you’re in a similar situation and are thinking about selling your home, relocating and buying a new home, there are some things you can do to make this life-changing transition as easy, affordable and stress-free as possible.

THE BENEFITS OF MOVING

1. Financial stability Perhaps the death of your loved one has left you and your children in a financial bind. If he or she has been the sole breadwinner, you may have to find work and downsize to a more affordable home. Buying a cheaper home will give you peace of mind and be a help to your budget.

2. Lifting your spirits Doing something as practical as buying and selling a home and relocating can help you move positively through your grief. If you’re the type of person who handles bereavement by staying busy and proactive, then this can be healthy for you.

3. Change of scenery. Starting over after the death of a loved one by moving can be a little scary for some, but others find it necessary to the grieving process. Moving can help put the past and the pain behind you and can give you reasons to become active and excited again.

MANAGING THE MOVE

To help make the move easier, it helps to be open to help. This could mean family, friends or moving professionals to help you pack. It could mean hiring a real estate agent to make the selling/buying process easier. It could mean joining a support group for parents in bereavement who have undertaken the same tasks. It could mean accepting financial assistance for home loans.

When it comes to your children (especially if moving during the school year), you’ll want to make the change as smoothly as you can by:

–Checking out the schools with your child to see if they meet your expectations and meeting teachers and principal, if possible.

— Visiting the neighborhood with your child beforehand to preview playgrounds, places of entertainment and shopping.

— Taking your child on tours of the homes you’re interested in buying.

–Involving your child in the home buying/selling process by doing things together such as placing ads in the local paper and social media, browsing real estate sites to look at homes, choosing a new look for a new bedroom, etc.

MANAGING THE TOUGH STUFF

During the moving process, you may find that buying and selling a home is the easiest part.

The hard part may be involve things such as packing up belongings, letting go of cherished items that belonged to your loved one, moving during the middle of the school year and saying goodbye to a home that held so many memories.

You can’t keep everything that belonged to your departed loved one, so base your decisions on the things that meant the most. You can donate or sell the rest. Involving your child in these decisions will help him or her move forward, too.

Losing a spouse or loved one is difficult, but preparation, good advice from others and a willingness to accept change and move forward helps make the loss easier to manage.

Photo credit Pixabay

Thomas Fire Benefit Festival

Come support those in our community that were affected by the Thomas Fire. Mark your calendars for the Thomas Fire Benefit Festival on Saturday, February 3rd. 100% of ALL proceeds will go to the victims of the Thomas Fire, namely: The Ventura County Community Foundation, World Central Kitchen, and the Downtown Ventura Organization’s Wildfire Victim Fund. After we all dealt with the ravaging affects of California’s largest wildfire in history, it is time to come together and support another at this fantastic event.

Head to Plaza Park in Downtown Ventura to celebrate the beauty and strength of our communities and support all of our friends and neighbors. Along with being a great cause, this is one event you do not want to miss!

The Festival will start with a VIP Chef Experience from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Join World Central Kitchen founder and Michelin-Rated Chef, José Andrés, along with other local and Michelin Starred Chefs for some wining and dining. Guests to the VIP event will enjoy unlimited sampling of wine, beer, and specialty dishes.

Starting at 4:00 pm, the festival opens to General Admission ticket holders. Enjoy incredible live music throughout the evening.

Live Performances By

​​

Help us restore our community and show that we are #VenturaCountyStrong!

Event Details

Date: Saturday, February 3rd

Time: 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Location: Plaza Park (Downtown Ventura)

Tickets: $50 General Admission (4:00 pm – 10:00 pm) | FREE for Children 10 & Under (4:00 pm – 10:00 pm) | $200 VIP Sampling (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Must be at least 21 years old)

Buy tickets HERE. 100% of proceeds benefit those affected by the Thomas Fire.

All sales are Final.

The Blake Mashburn Group sends our thoughts to all residents in Ventura County.

Image Credit: Thomas Fire Benefit Festival

Mark Your Calendars For Restaurant Week!

It’s time to fill your bellies with the most delectable food available in the Ventura area! Restaurant Week is fast approaching! Mark your calendars for the Restaurant Weeks taking place in 2 of our communities later this month. Enjoy incredible deals and discover great new restaurants! Bon appétit!

Oxnard’s Dine, Wine & Beer Week

Friday, January 19th – Saturday, January 28th

Find delicious food and beverage deals at your favorite dining establishments throughout Oxnard.

Participating Restaurants

 

Camarillo Restaurant Week

Monday, January 22nd – Sunday, January 29th

Discover the best eating Camarillo has to offer during restaurant week. Participating restaurants will be offering price-fixed menus for lunch (under $20) and dinner ($33) throughout the week

Participating Restaurants

 

The Blake Mashburn Group wishes everyone happy dining throughout Ventura County!

Renovations That Pay Off When Selling!

After years in your Ventura County, you are ready to Sell! Now it is time to make sure your home stands apart from the crowd, allowing you to get top dollar for it and sell it quickly. Although the last thing you probably want to do is invest more money into this home, there are some renovations that have been proven to have a high Return on Investment (ROI). To find the most profitable home renovations for sellers to make, the data team at Realtor.com® data team examined a wide variety of home amenities to find the ones that helped homes sell for the highest value and quickly. Check out their list of hottest home features in 5 categories: Electronics, Amenities, Exteriors, Interior Design, and Rooms.

39379395 – do it yourself, home renovation and construction concept with diy tools, hardware and swatches on wooden table, top view

  1. Smart Home Features
  • Average Days on Market: 80
  • Median Listing Price: $575,000
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 82.6%
  1. Finished Basements
  • Average Days on Market: 107
  • Median Listing Price: $289,000
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 13.3%
  1. Patios
  • Average Days on Market: 108
  • Median Listing Price: $309,000
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 12.4%
  1. Walk-In Closets
  • Average Days on Market: 110
  • Median Listing Price: $329,500
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 9.9%
  1. Granite Countertops
  • Average Days on Market: 112
  • Median Listing Price: $329,000
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 1.2%
  1. Eat-In Kitchens
  • Average Days on Market: 113
  • Median Listing Price: $235,000
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 17.5%
  1. Hardwood Floors
  • Average Days on Market: 113
  • Median Listing Price: $287,000
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 14.8%
  1. Laundry Rooms
  • Average Days on Market: 115
  • Median Listing Price: $289,000
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 15.6%
  1. Open Kitchens
  • Average Days on Market: 118
  • Median Listing Price: $299,500
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 11.3%
  1. Front Porches
  • Average Days on Market: 119
  • Median Listing Price: $224,900
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 21.0%
  1. Dining Rooms
  • Average Days on Market: 119
  • Median Listing Price: $289,999
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 11.6%
  1. Energy Star Appliances
  • Average Days on Market: 121
  • Median Listing Price: $328,950
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 26.6%
  1. Two-Car Garages
  • Average Days on Market: 123
  • Median Listing Price: $313,350
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 16.1%
  1. Fireplaces
  • Average Days on Market: 126
  • Median Listing Price: $329,900
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 11.9%
  1. Security System
  • Average Days on Market: 127
  • Median Listing Price: $340,000
  • 2-Year Listing Appreciation: 11.5%

Consider adding some of these hot home features to your Ventura County home before selling!

Data source: realtor.com