THE PASSION CONTINUES

Passionate about Boarding

First-Ever ULTIMATE BOARDER (TM) Challenge in Ventura World-Class Surf, Skate and Snowboard Athletes to Compete in Triathlon Board Event. Join some of the biggest names in surf, skate and snowboarding competing at the first-ever ULTIMATE BOARDER (TM) sports event that takes crossover athletes on a week-long journey of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, to crown a new hero. Among the many highly talented athletes that have set their sights including Todd Richards, Omar Hassan, Mike Morrissey, Andy Finch, Aaron Astorga & Chad Shetler. The Ultimate Boarder is the only competition of its kind, and is open to both amateur and professional athletes. The ULTIMATE BOARDER (TM) takes place from April 13th to 19th (starting in Squaw Valley). The competition then moves to Ventura’s beachfront and the famous ‘C’ (California) Street surf break on April 16th. The remainder of the event, including skateboarding, vendors and the awards ceremonies, will take place at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. This dynamic event is free to all spectators. As a special bonus to families, AMTRAK has a special offer where up to two kids age 15 and under travel free with each adult traveling on a full fare adult ticket to the ULTIMATE BOARDER (TM)in Ventura. Valid from April 15th – 20th, the Pacific Surfliner® offers daily service from San Diego, San Luis Obispo and all stops in between to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. For rail tickets and reservations call 1-800-USA-RAIL. Reservations for this offer are unavailable online. Use the code H755 for the Ultimate Boarder Kids Ride Free. To register for the ULTIMATE BOARDER(TM) competition, and for event details, rules and eligibility, visit www.ultimateboarder.com

A Passion for Art

Ventura’s Spring ArtWalk Saturday, April 26, 1-10pm & Sunday, April 27 10-4pm The Ventura ArtWalk began as a small gallery walk about 15 years ago. The event now showcases more than 150 Southern California Artists in over 70 gallery for a day venues. These venues include salons, hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques and so much more. ArtWalk is also a place to celebrate Ventura’s talented musicians. Musicians playing digeree doos, flamenco guitar and even accordions can be found on street corners or on outdoor stages. Take a few more steps and you’ll find a ballet performance, followed by a multicultural story teller and musicians. Creativity spills onto the sidewalks in the form of belly dancing, pottery making and impromptu poetry readings. ArtWalk Weekend Line up: Saturday, April 26th 1-7pm Exhibits, Entertainment & Temporary Installations 1-7pm Ventura Charter School, Global Arts and Education Festival, Mission Park 3-5pm Poster signing with Featured Artist Stephen Schafer 7-9pm Exhibit Receptions at Businesses (Optional) 7-10pm After Party (free, all invited) at Bell Arts Factory and shuttle to Exhibit Receptions. Sunday, April 27th 10am-12pm Artist Brunch, details to be announced 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, & 3pm: Photography the old-fashioned way! A free demonstration for kids with ArtWalk Featured Artist Stephen Schafer. 12-4pm Continuation of Exhibits and Entertainment 12-4pm Guided Studio Tour curated by Donna Granata 2pm Don your mask and costume for contest judging at 2:30pm 3pm Parade of Masks in Mission Park. If you haven’t checked out the Ventura ArtWalk, it’s time. Downtown is alive with art! For more information please call 805-648-2075, 805-658-4760 www.venturaartwalk.org

Photography the old-fashioned way!

A free demonstration for kids with ArtWalk Featured Artist Stephen Schafer. Many of the world's best photographers began their careers after they seeing their first print appear "like magic" in the developing tray. That's just what will happen when Stephen presents this kid-focused, fast-paced, 45 minute tour of the camera, the photo shoot and the darkroom. Starting with a photo taken at the beginning of the hour with a large format camera, Stephen will develop the film, and then it's time to go into the red-lighted darkroom to make a big print. Everyone can gather around the smelly chemical trays, as the print appears before your eyes... For Kids, Ages 8 to 16, FREE with RSVP, very limited space. ArtWalk Featured Artist Stephen Schafer offers 5 free one-hour sessions at the Ventura Visitors Bureau at 101 S. California Street. Rain or Shine, RSVP in advance to 805-648-2075 Sunday April, 27 at: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, & 3pm start times. www.ventura-usa.com

Appassionata!

Passion: A growing sentiment swept Europe at the turn of the 19th century, ignited in the French and American revolutions: The common man was important. The common man became the subject of art with all emotions, beautiful or not, as long as they were real. Hearts were worn on our sleeves. The 2008 Ventura Music Festival will inspire your passionate soul with Appassionata! Come to Ventura for these concerts and find out! Friday, May 2, 3:00 pm & Friday, May 9, 3:00 pm: Tea & Trumpets Friday, May 2, 7:00 pm: Concertante Saturday, May 3, 8:00 pm: Giuseppe Albanese, Pianist Sunday, May 4, 2:00 pm: Pink Martini Monday, May 5, 7:30 pm: Rising Stars! Gonzalo Arias Contreras, Guitarist and Sara Daneshpour, Pianist Tuesday, May 6, 7:30 pm: Leila Josefowicz, Violinist Thursday, May 8, 7:30 pm: Concorde Ensemble & Tea & Trumpets II Friday, May 9, 8:00 pm: Turtle Island Quartet Saturday, May 10, 8:00 pm: The Festival Orchestra with Nicole Cabell, Soprano and David Lomeli, Tenor Call 805-648-3146 for tickets! or visit www.venturamusicfestival.org

Passion for Volunteering?

Join us at… Clean Ventura Beaches on Earth Day Volunteers Invited to Clean Ventura Beaches on Earth Day! Celebrate Earth Day and Keep California Beautiful Month by volunteering for our city's annual Beach Cleanup on Saturday, April 19, 10 a.m. to noon, at Surfers' Knoll Beach on Spinnaker Drive, across from Ventura Harbor Village. Invite your coworkers, family, friends and neighbors; community groups, students and all ages are welcome and community service hours available. The event is a great and easy way to get the whole family involved in improving our environment, with refreshments, giveaways and prize drawings for all participants. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Pre-registration is not required. Just show up to participate! The City of Ventura Department of Community Services, Surfrider Foundation and other environmental groups sponsor the event. For more information on this event please visit the volunteer pages of the city's website at www.cityofventura.net or contact Rosie Ornelas at 805-652-4555 or rornelas@cityofventura.net.

Travel and win $500 in GORE-TEX® gear!

The GORE-TEX® brand, with help from the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), identified the Top 10 GORE-TEX® Footwear Summer Travel Destinations where travelers can experience the diversity of both outdoor adventure and urban leisure travel. Go to www.gore-textravelfootwear.com to find out which destinations made the Top 10 GORE-TEX® Footwear Summer Travel Destinations listing, and participate in the ‘GORE-TEX® Footwear Diamond in the Rough’ contest, which challenges U.S. travelers to uncover a hidden GORE-TEX® brand game piece in participating destinations. The first traveler to find the hidden game piece will win $500 in GORE-TEX® gear! The VENTURA VISITORS CENTER is located at 101 South California Street in downtown Ventura. Just an hour north of Los Angeles on the beautiful Central Coast of California. Phone: 1-800-483-6214 Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.