Palmer Observatory Star Party, March 9, 7:30 – 10:00 pm

Carol A says “Let’s shoot for the stars” and on Saturday, March 9, 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm, go to the Palmer Observatory at the Natural History Museum of Santa Barbara, located at 2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara. Because reservations aren’t needed and there is no cost, we will not be taking signups. We will be asking at the general meeting on Thursday, March 7th, how many people are planning to attend, so that you can arrange carpools if you wish.

The Palmer Observatory will open its doors and its roof to share a remarkable view of the wonders of the night sky through their state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope. Join Museum Astronomy Programs staff and members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit for an evening of craters on the Moon, nebulas, galaxies, and more.

This event is free and appropriate for all audiences. No tickets or registration required.

The Star Party may be cancelled due to cloudy skies or rain. Because weather has been so unpredictable, we suggest that the day of or the day before, you check to see if it is cancelled because of rain or clouds.  Feel free to check their website: https://www.sbnature.org/visit/calendar/7776/star-party 
or contact Astronomy Programs Manager John Winckowski at 805-682-4711 ext. 164.

If you plan to go, let Carol A or Carol S know. Car pools are suggested.

TGIT Happy Hour, Feb 15, The Raven Tavern

Please join us at The Raven Tavern, which is located at 1651 Victoria Ave, Oxnard, CA 93035, from 4- 6 pm on Thursday, February 15, for TGIT. The Raven features a Happy Hour that includes:

  • $4 Coors Lite and $5 House Beers, Wines and Well drinks,
  • $6 – $8 Specialty drinks,
  • $4 Raven Fries, Raven Rings, Chips & Salza, and Cheese Dip and Chips,
  • $5 Garlic or Curry Fries, Potato Skins, Cheese Pizza, and Chick Skewers,
  • $6 Cheese Fries, Steak Skewers, Pepperoni Pizza, Pretzel, and Pan seared Cauliflower,
  • $8 Tacos (3),
  • and much more!

Friendliness, humor, hospitality, fine food and drinks: all these combine to create The Raven Tavern experience. There is nothing to equal the ambience of a great tavern, nothing to match its casual and attractive sociability. Our goal is to allow you to relax and be yourself, to take pleasure in company and enjoy the art of conversation; to enjoy good wholesome food with satisfying and distinctive drinks.

Hospitality that exudes naturally from our staff; with a good-natured mixture of gossip, wit, conversation, debate and information, proffered with friendly and efficient service.

The Raven Tavern Happy Hour menu can be found at Raven Happy Hour.

General Meeting, Thursday, Feb 1, 7:00pm

Please join us for our monthly General Meeting on Thursday, Feb 1, 7:00pm, at the Pierpont Bay Yacht Club, 1363 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura. We plan to have a Trivia Competition, with first prize being a $10 gift certificate for each member of the winning team. We will also be having a raffle for an Island Packers Trip for 2, a $130 value! So bring your thinking caps and a snack or dessert to share!

CANCELLLED – Goleta Butterfly Preserve Hike, Feb 3rd 1100 am – CANCELLED

AS IT WILL BE RAINY AND THE BUTTERFLY PRESERVE ASKS NOT TO HIKE AFTER RAINS, THE HIKE AND LUNCH ARE CANCELLED. Carol A is arranging for a hike to the Goleta Butterfly Preserve Hike on Feb 3, 1100am. We will meet at the Ellwood Mesa Open Space & Sperling Preserve parking area, 7729 Hollister Avenue, across from Ellwood Elementary School (see map at: 7729 Hollister Ave, Goleta).  The hike will be through the Monarch Butterfly Preserve, then over to the bluffs for a walk along the beach.  Whether or not there will be a ton of butterflies, we will still have a nice hike!

Following the hike, we’ll have a late lunch at the Padaro Beach Grill, 3765 Santa Claus Ln, Carpinteria, CA 93013. Padaro Beach Grill has great food, spectacular views, friendly service and a family-style atmosphere. We can eat inside the restaurant or outside on the ocean side lawn. Their menu can be found here: https://www.padarobeachgrill.com/menu.

Please let Carol A know if you are attending so she can notify you if the weather does not cooperate!

TGIT January 18 5 – 7 pm

Rebecca is having us revisit a popular site for our next TGIT, Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, 2009 East Thompson Blvd, Ventura, CA on Thursday, January 18 from 5 – 7 pm. Prime Steakhouse’s famous happy hour features small plates and specialty cocktails. Small plates include:

  • Shrimp & White Fish Ceviche,
  • Fried Ravioli,
  • Lobster Tacos,
  • Seared Ahi,
  • Kobe Beef Bacon Burger,
  • Bruschetta. and much more.

Specialty Drinks include:

  • Signature Martinis $10,
  • Draft Beer $5,
  • Wines $5, and
  • Well Drinks $6.

The full Happy hour menus can be viewed at: https://www.primesteakhouseventura.com/current-menus

85th Anniversary Celebration and General Meeting!

Come help us celebrate our 85th Anniversary at our General Meeting on Thursday, January 4th, 7:00pm. We will have Champagne and Cake, and every member who attends gets a free raffle ticket with the chance of winning one of two Island Packer’s Trips for 2 (at least an $80 value!!). Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase. We will also have a slide show and encourage members to share stories of past skiing escapades!

The celebration is at the Pierpont Bay Yacht Club clubhouse at 1363 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura Harbor. As the club is providing cake, please bring an hors d’oeuvre to share. Members are also encouraged to wear ski or après ski apparel to help buoy the ski club celebration spirit.

We look forward to seeing you there!

TGIT December 14th at The Greek, 4 – 6 pm

Just like last year, we are having our December TGIT Happy hour at The Greek, 1583 Spinnaker Dr #101, Ventura, CA 93001 (In the Ventura Harbor). The TGIT Happy Hour runs from , 4:00- 6:0pm on THURSDAY, December 14th. After the Happy Hour, you may wish to stroll along the harbor and check out the festive decorated Boats!

The Greek has an excellent happy hour that includes specially priced cocktails, wine and beer as well as appetizer specials. See the Happy Hour menu at: The Greek Menu

Hope to see you there!

Parade of Lights, December 16

We are invited guests of the Pierpont Bay Yacht Club (PBYC) to the Ventura Harbor Annual Parade of Lights And Potluck Dinner. The event starts at PBYC on Saturday December 16th with the Bar opening at 5:00PM and the potluck dinner following.

This year’s theme is Hula Holiday! We’re looking forward to a colorful boat parade, with a tropical island vibe, which we can view from the club or down on the docks. We’ll SEA you there!

And remember, please bring a dish to share!

General Meeting and Holiday Gift Exchange, Dec 7

Our General Meeting will be Thursday, December 7 at 7 PM at the Pierpont Bay Yacht Club in Ventura Harbor. The club is providing pizza, so please bring a festive snack or dessert to share. We will have our annual Holiday Gift Exchange. All participants should bring a nicely wrapped gift (new and valued at ~$20). Each participant will get a number and then the fun begins as we choose gifts from the table of wrapped gifts or gifts are “stolen” from those who have already chosen one. Don’t worry, rules will be explained at the meeting. Also the bar will be open for purchases and a LPSC signature drink!

TGIT Happy Hour, Nov 16, 3:30pm – 6:00pm, BJ’s Oxnard

We’re trying out a new location for TGIT Happy Hour on Thursday Nov 16, from 3:30pm to 6:00pm and it should be great fun! Meet us on the inside patio at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in the Oxnard Esplanade shopping Center. BJ’s is located off of Oxnard Blvd across the freeway from The Collection at 461 W Esplanade Dr, Oxnard, CA 93030, in front of Home Depot.

BJ’s has a super Happy Hour Menu including:

  • $5 Draft Beers and Wines,
  • $6 Margaritas and Call drinks, and
  • $7 Appetizers (Sliders, Avocado Egg Rolls, Pot Stickers, etc) and Mini Deep Dish Pizzas.

My daughter and I love to go there for happy hour then shop for bargains at the nearby Nordstrom Rack, T J Maxx, and World Market. We look forward to seeing you there!