Saturday September 13, 1 p.m.6th Annual Ventura Hillside Music FestivalArroyo Verde Park, 5000 Foothill RoadThe sixth annual Ventura Hillside Music fundraising festival, featuring Little Feat, Taj Mahal, Mason Jennings and Todd Hannigan and the Heavy 29's.  Tickets are available at Salzer's Music, Great Pacific Iron Works, Simone's Coffee and Tea in Ventura.  General admission is $45.  Special $150 Gold Circle Seating packages are available only at http://www.venturahillsides.org/. Children younger than 6 accompanied by parents are free.  For more information contact Ventura Hillsides Conservancy at (805) 643-8044. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is a land trust operating in the City of Ventura for the purpose of acquiring open space through gift, sale, or other lawful means. The orga... 09/09/2008

There are so many things happening around Ventura each weekend.  Here are just a few planned for this upcoming weekend: Saturday September 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Main Street Mini Fair300 block of Main Street, mini park.Volunteer artists and musicians offer live music, arts and crafts and children's activities to promote downtown as a cultural destination.  Free. For more information: (805) 648-1902 or email: MainStreetFair@yahoo.comSaturday September 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Lemon FestPacific View Mall Community Plaza, East Main Street and Lemon Grove AvenueLemon Fest featuring live music, lemon-themed cooking demonstrations and contests, children's activities.  Free admission. For more information go to http://www.lemonfest.com .Sunday September 7, 1 to 5 p.m.New Orleans JazzThe Piper's Winery... 09/03/2008

I was looking back over previous posts to my blog and found last years Labor Day post.  How soon we forget!  Last year we were having a heat wave and temperatures were in the triple digits in Ventura County.  This is extremely rare for Ventura County.  Everyone was flocking to the beaches where the weather was a perfect 75 degrees.  It was a nightmare to find parking, most had to park about 4-6 blocks away, but the cool breezes were well worth the walk!  I glanced at the weather predictions for this weekend and it looks like the weather will be perfect!  I'm sure the beaches will still be "the place to be", though.  Have fun and ejoy your last days of summer! www.VenturaRealEstate.org   08/29/2008

Monday August 26, 6 to 8 p.m.Green Building Council monthly meetingPatagonia Firehouse Building, 280 W. Main St.California Central Coast Chapter of the U. S. Green Building Council monthly meet.  Joel Barai and Jeff Bricmont, principals of Modern Earth Finance, will discuss residential loan financing with an emphasis on sustainability.  For more information contact (805) 648-2394 or http://www.usgbcc4.org .Monday August 25, 7:30 to 10 p.m.Weekly ballroom dancePoinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill RoadThe Poinsettia Ballroom Dancers invite singles and couples to the group's weekly ballroom dance. It features a live band playing traditional ballroom music. Refreshments provided. Coast is $7 for members, $8 for others and free for single men on their first visit.  For more information contact... 08/26/2008

Workforce Investment Board Announces Recipients of the 2008 WIB Awards at their annual meeting. The awards recognize individuals and organizations exhibiting exemplary dedication to advancing workforce development in Ventura County."Our award recipients work hard each day so others have the opportunity to succeed," says Alex Teague, Chairman of the Ventura County WIB. "They have touched the lives of hundreds of individuals who are seeking to better themselves. The awards are a way of saying thank you from the Ventura County community."...Lifelong Learning - Cindy Adams, owner of Denny's Electric and Home Services in Ventura. For the past three years, Adams' company has sponsored an electronics job-training program for employees who want to learn trade skills. Electronics apprentices fro... 08/22/2008

It's back to school day for Ventura parents!  Remember that commercial a few years ago for an office supply chain where the parents were skipping happily through the isles and the kids had sour looks on their faces?  Love, love, love that commercial.  Don't get me wrong, I look forward to school letting out for the summer every year.  It's great to plan trips to the lake, and camping at the beach, and pancake mornings, and all that.  BUT, like everything good in life, moderation is the key.  SO, here's the schedule for all you parents with beautiful children attending schools in the Ventura Unified School District: August 19    First Day of School October 20-24    Fall Vacation November 26-28    Thanksgiving Holiday December 22 - Jan 2    Winter Vacation March 30 - Apr 3  Spring Vacatio... 08/19/2008

Tuesday August 19, 6 p.m.Foreclosure solutions workshopCLDC's NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center, 702 County Square DriveThe Cabrillo Economic Development Corp is putting on a foreclosure solutions workshop. Attendees will learn about strategies to preserve homeownership.  The workshop will be held in English and Spanish.  For more information contact (805) 672-2580. The cost is free!Thursday August 21, 7 p.m.East Ventura Community Council meetingFirst Assembly of God Church, Room E-3, 346 N. Kimball RoadMembers of East Ventura Community Council, representing areas east of Victoria Avenue, will select two representatives for the city's newly formed view protection task force and review east Ventura housing plans.  For more information contact (805) 647-5422.Friday August 22, 7:30 p.m.Ba... 08/19/2008

You've heard the news, prices are down, rates are near historical lows.  Boy, are prices down!  Check out some of these recent Ventura sales: 2 Bed 1 Bath Peppertree Condo closed 7/30/08 for $139,600 4 Bed 2 Bath Peppertree Condo closed 6/20/08 for $153,000 2 Bed 2 Bath Seneca Gardens Condo closed 7/15/08 for $165,000 (this one had views!)   Check out the available bargains right now: 2 Bed 1 Bath Peppertree Condo for $94,900 (this one is a fixer) 2 Bed 1 Bath McKeon Condo for $164,900 2 Bed 2 Bath BuenaVentura Gardens Condo for $199,500 If you are thinking of investing in Ventura Real Estate, buying when prices are down makes the most sense.  Do your own MLS Search at www.VenturaRealEstate.org or give me a shout and I'll send you some ideas! 08/18/2008

Another Staging Success! Ventura, CA This Home Owner knew that over 87% of buyer's shop the Internet first, before ever requesting a personal viewing. Platinum Home Staging, Inc. chose paint colors, flooring, Staging as well as assisted with exterior and landscaping. These Happy Home Owners opened escrow within 3 weeks! (Aug 2008) Let us help you SELL your home or listing. Our Professionals are ready to serve you! (805) 553~9952 Contact InfoPlatinum Home Staging, Inc Dir 805-553-9952 Email | Website 08/10/2008

Last week our friends invited us to spend a few days with them at their beach house located on one of Ventura County's best Beaches, Faria Beach. The days we visited this serene and majestic beach the weather was at its best. We woke up at dawn, 5:15 am, to take a peaceful walk on the beach. We watched our children play in the sand, surf, dig, kayak all day and discover a new window to look at the beauty of life. At night time we took another stroll on the beach under the moonlight.          There are many beach communities in Ventura County where home owners either live at their property all year long or rent out their home for parts of the year. As I was showing homes to a client in Silverstrand Beach this weekend I met a gentleman who informed me that he has lived in his beach house ... 07/30/2008

We're all settled, the new furniture that was ordered from Ethan Allen finally arrived, the signs are up, even my desk has stacks of paperwork all over it!  It's time to party!  Ventura Property Shoppe in downtown Ventura, Ventura's newest boutique realty, will celebrate it's Grand Opening this Friday night.  There will be music, food, a Mojitos bar, and lot's of friends.  Ventura Property Shoppe 973 E. Main Street Ventura, CA  93001 Search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate at: www.VenturaRealEstate.org   07/23/2008

   Bedrooms  Baths  Square Feet  List Price    Minimum  1   1.00   777   $124,000        Average  2   1.92   1,212   $346,772       Median  2   2.00   1,169   $299,450       Maximum  4   3.00   1,959   $925,000                        There are a total of 108 condos available in the city of Ventura as of this morning.  The lowest priced condo is $124,000.  This condo is located in the center of Ventura on Saratoga and it's a 2 bedroom, 1 bath with 873 square feet.  The highest priced condo right now is a view condo on Vista Del Mar for $925,000. Search for Ventura Condos at www.HopeGoss.com   07/22/2008

Tuesday July 22, 8:30 a.m.County Board of Supervisors meetingCounty Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave.For more information contact http://www.ventura.org.Friday July 25, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.Ballroom dance partyHouse of Dance, 3007 Bunsen Ave., Suite EThere will be lessons at 7:30 p.m. and dancing from 8 to 10:30 p.m. every third, fourth and fifth Friday of the month.  For more information contact (805) 650-2719 or http:///www.pmhouseofdance.comSaturday July 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Continuing every Saturday of the summer!Main Street Mini Fair300 block of Main Street, mini park.Volunteer artists and musicians offer live music, arts and crafts and children's activities to promote downtown as a cultural destination. Free. More information: (805) 648-1902 or email: MainStreetFair@yahoo.com S... 07/22/2008

One of my lucky clients just got a screaming deal on a west end condo!  Granted, it needed some work.  When the previous owner vacated, they didn't cap off the ice maker hose and it leaked and caused a bit of damage to the flooring.  All the flooring was pulled up, and a restoration company had removed the drywall partway up the walls in a few of the rooms, but there was no evidence of mold.  By the way, did I mention that it had ocean and island views? 707 Seneca Street Ventura, CA  93001 Sold for $165,000 Search the MLS for homes at: www.HopeGoss.com 07/18/2008

Thursday July 10, 7 p.m.Adoption Information2421 Portola Road, Suite AAdoption information session held by Family Connections Christiam Adoptions. Free. For more information contact Gwen Addison at 805-477-7400  Thursday July 10, 7:30 p.m.Lipizzaner stallionsPaficif Arena at Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd.Lipizzaner stallions will perform leaps and other maneuvers. $22.50 for adults, $20.50 for children 12 and younger and seniors older than 60. For more information contact 805-648-3376 or on the web at http://www.tickets.com Saturday July 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Community blood drive1413 S. Victoria Ave., Suite BDream Dinners Ventura marks its first anniversary with a community blood drive. For more information contact Lisa Corbett aat 805-644-4478.   Saturday July 12, 10 a.... 07/11/2008

Last night, as the fireworks show was about to start, a gentleman came to the microphone and announced that a 2 1/2 year old little girl was missing in the crowd.  My heart was sinking as the announcer described the little white dress she was wearing and her shoulder length hair.  Then the announcer said they would turn up the lights as soon as the show was over.  I screamed, in my head, TURN ON THE LIGHTS NOW!!!!!  Well, as I was screaming that to myself, the crowd started screaming in unison, TURN ON THE LIGHTS NOW!!!!  They didn't stop until the announcer relented and said they would turn on the lights before the show.  The crowd cheered louder than I had heard them cheer all night.  A singer came on stage to sing the national anthem.  We all stood and sang along, but you could feel ... 07/05/2008

If you haven't been to Ventura's summer street fair, you have to check this out.  Held on Independence Day, this popular annual event attracts up to 50,000 people to Downtown Ventura.  With a children's Pushem - Pullem Parade at 10:30am., followed by nine blocks of Main Street and several side streets filled with 300 artisans, food booths, nonprofit organization displays and four stages of continuous live entertainment. Official Street Fair start time is 10:00am. until 5:00pm. Free events to the public and free shuttle service the event from the Ventura County Government Center. For Information call 805.654.7749 Pushem-Pullem Parade Application www.VenturaRealEstate.org     07/03/2008

Friday July 4th, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Fourth of July Street Fair and 33rd Pushem-Pullem Parade for kids.Main Street, downtown.For more information go to http://www.cityofventura.net/community.services   Friday July 4th, 5 to 9:30 p.m.Fourth of July celebration featuring fireworks and live music.4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura College.Ventura College's Fourth of July celebration, featuring fireworks and live music.For more information call (805) 654-6462.    Saturday July 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Continuing every Saturday of the summer!Main Street Mini Fair300 block of Main Street, mini park.Volunteer artists and musicians offer live music, arts and crafts and children's activities to promote downtown as a cultural destination. Free. More information: (805) 648-1902 or email: MainStreetFair@yahoo... 07/01/2008

  Just Sold!  Awesome Ondulando Home with views!  This home has 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, a big lot, and gorgeous mountain, valley and ocean views.  Over 2500 square feet.  Ondulando is located in the foothills of beautiful Ventura and feature large, private home sites as well as a community pool, spa, and tennis courts.  This home is located in the much sought after schools of Poinsettia, Cabrillo, and Ventura High.  Sold for $875,000 Search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate at www.HopeGoss.com 06/26/2008

4429 Sweetbriar Street Ventura, CA 93003 Beautiful Ventura Home Absolutely gorgeous home in a wonderful location above the college. Interior Features: Forced Air, Central Air, Hardwood Floors, Main Floor Bedroom, Fireplace, Family Room, Main Floor Bathroom, Appliances. Exterior Features: Landscaping, Deck/Patio, Grill/Barbeque, Fenced Yard. Price: $665,000 Type: Single Family Residential for Sale Floors: Single Parking/Garage: 2 Bedrooms: 3 Baths:2 Square Feet: 1530 Year Built: 1962 www.hopegoss.com/listings/AF24926E-BBCB-E126-A63350A1532DEF64.shtml www.hopegoss.com For more information contact: Hope Goss Ventura Real Estate Consultant Phone: (805)320-HOPE Hope@HopeGoss.com www.hopegoss.com Copyright © 2008 Hope Goss. All rights reserved. 06/26/2008