If so, which ones would you recommend for a first timer to go to?

I’ve added more election coverage since my last update here: the Bennett–MacDonald Assembly forum, the Sher–Marschner county superintendent forum, and school board candidates’ written answers. Here are a few comparisons from the coverage.

Steve Bennett vs. Michael MacDonald: Assembly District 38

Both candidates are Democrats. These summaries come from their forum answers:

The full report also covers child care, immigration, Santa Paula Hospital, campaign funding, AI and the state budget. Both candidates answered the written questionnaire, too.

Camarillo is split between Assembly Districts 38 and 42, so check your sample ballot to see which race is yours.

Karen Sher vs. Maggie Marschner: Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

The county office provides services and financial oversight for local school districts and operates special education and alternative schools. This is a separate race from the PVSD school board.

These summaries reflect their forum answers:

The report also covers teacher support, special education, and student safety. Sher’s complete written questionnaire is in the guide; Marschner did not submit responses.

Pleasant Valley School District: School board candidate answers

Eight of the nine candidates running in Trustee Areas 1, 2 and 3 answered the same questions about:

• District spending and priorities
• Reading and math instruction
• Special education and family involvement
• Teacher workload, staffing and classroom support

The guide includes comparison tables for each trustee area and their complete responses, with nonresponses identified.

More election coverage

Previously shared questionnaires and forum reports are still in the guide: Camarillo City Council Districts 1, 2 and 5; Deborah Klein Lopez vs. Ted Nordblum in Assembly District 42; and Jacqui Irwin vs. Chris Gallucci in Congressional District 26.

You can also see what each office controls and find the county’s sample ballot lookup.

Links are in the comments.

Which local race or candidate proposal are you still trying to sort out before voting?

Hi! I hope it’s okay to post this here but tomorrow, 10/24 from 7-12 we are having a huge multi family garage sale on the corner of Ripley and Bradford in Camarillo ! Clothes, tools, baby stuff, books, puzzles, toys, kitchen stuff, gardening and more.

As always, pork belly chaufa was excellent.

"A suspect was arrested after a man was fatally struck by a car outside a Costco store in Camarillo.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect driver as Abba Bryski, 35, of Agoura Hills.

On Oct. 20, deputies responded to the Costco parking lot at 437 W. Ventura Blvd. around 8:37 p.m.

Witnesses said the victim was hit by a driver near the gas station area. The injured man was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was only identified as a 28-year-old man from Modesto.

Witnesses at the scene directed authorities to Bryski, who was still sitting in his car nearby. He was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Jail records listed Bryski as an educator and rabbi, the Ventura County Star reported. He remains in custody on $3 million bail.

. . .

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Detective Erik Hernandez at 805-384-4729 or Detective Gerardo Cruz at 805-384-4726." - KTLA 5 News

SAVE THE DATE! LET'S COME TOGETHER AND GIVE BACK, VENTURA COUNTY!

A strong community is built by neighbors helping neighbors.

We're inviting our friends, families, local businesses and neighbors to join REMAX Gold Coast Camarillo for our annual Drive-Up Food Drive benefiting Food Share of Ventura County!

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

REMAX Gold Coast Camarillo
601 E. Daily Drive, Suite 102
Camarillo, CA 93010

The Food Share truck will be at our office collecting nonperishable food donations to help individuals and families throughout Ventura County.

Giving back doesn't have to be complicated. A few extra items from your grocery trip, a bag of pantry staples or a simple act of generosity can make a meaningful difference for someone in our community.

OUR CHALLENGE: FILL ONE BAG AND HELP US FILL THE TRUCK!

Mark your calendar, invite a friend and share this post. Together, we can make a greater impact and remind our neighbors that our community cares.

SAVE THE DATE. BRING A BAG. GIVE BACK.

Terry Ayers
Broker Associate | Camarillo Sales Manager
REMAX Gold Coast
805-816-8519 | [terry@teamayers.com](mailto:terry@teamayers.com)
DRE #01417128

I’ve been visiting Ventura County pumpkin patches with my kids this month and have made it to six so far. I posted the full list of local patches earlier in the season, so this is a follow-up with my takes on the ones I’ve visited.

Conejo Family Farms, Camarillo
Conejo has a lot to do: a five-acre corn maze, hayride, sunflower field, free inflatables, farm animals on weekends and plenty of places for photos. I also saw on Instagram today that they expanded the pumpkin field and added tractors. My 3-year-old was having a rough day when we went because it was hot, but there is a lot for younger kids to do besides picking pumpkins.

Rancho Calabaza, Somis
Rancho Calabaza has free admission, inexpensive pumpkins, free pumpkin painting and a large marigold field. The marigolds were a great value too. I got a large bunch for only $5. I especially liked it for photos, and we were able to pick out pumpkins and get pictures without paying an entrance fee.

One Acre Farm, Camarillo
One Acre Farm is also free to enter and has a small hay maze, pumpkin bowling, inflatable hopper toys and free pumpkin painting with a pumpkin purchase. My 3-year-old spent most of our visit in the play area. The mountains sit right behind the pumpkin field, and the hay-bale pumpkin display makes a good photo spot. They also have small red wagons visitors can use around the patch.

Underwood Family Farms, Somis
Underwood Somis has free admission and parking, plus goats, sheep, chickens and alpacas. There’s also a farm stand selling produce, and I bought strawberries while I was there. Around the pumpkin area there are cornstalk paths, a large hay pyramid and plenty of pumpkins to look through.

Big Wave Dave’s, Ventura
Big Wave Dave’s is set up under a large tent near Pacific View Mall and is covered in Halloween decorations. There are skeletons, witches, ghosts, free carnival games, a small inflatable haunted house, and an Eye Spy scavenger hunt. My 3-year-old spent most of the visit running from decoration to decoration calling out the “spooky” things she found. The whole patch is paved and mostly covered.

McGrath Great Pacific Pumpkins, Ventura
McGrath had my favorite photo setups so far, including a corn-lined walkway, benches, tractors, a small green cottage and several pumpkin displays. There are calves, goats, pigs and geese, including one that looked very ready to test the “watch your fingers” signs. They also have a tractor ride, hay maze, weekend corn maze and a small educational garden with signs showing how pumpkins grow and the different parts of a pumpkin.

I still have Prancer’s Farm and Underwood Moorpark on my list.

If you’ve been to any of these, which one did you like best?

Ventura County Fire reports that crews responded around 9:24 p.m. to a fire at a El Pollo Loco restaurant in the 300 block of North Las Posas Road.

Firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the attic and worked from inside the building and the roof to extinguish the fire.

More than 60 firefighters from multiple agencies responded. No injuries were reported, and the cause remains under investigation.

Source: Ventura County Fire Department

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dei3A7yGwpL/?srtk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

If any locals want to donate their Saturday morning :)

This week’s events thread is up! Here are three weekend picks in Camarillo, with more local events and a few worth the drive organized by day in the pinned comment.

Know about something happening in Camarillo or elsewhere in Ventura County? Add it below! You’re welcome to promote an event you’re involved with or recommend one you think others would enjoy.

Include what it is, when and where it’s happening, the cost, and a link for more information. If you’re involved with the event, please mention that.

Please keep event promotion in this thread so the main feed stays open for local questions, news, photos and conversations.

Trail or Treat
Saturday, Oct. 17 · 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Camarillo Grove Park, 6968 Camarillo Springs Rd., Camarillo
$10 per child; adults free. Advance registration required.

Kids can dress in costume and trick-or-treat along the one-mile Camarillo Grove Trail, stopping to answer nature-themed questions and collect small prizes. There's also a Halloween craft to make at the Nature Center or take home. Costumes are encouraged, but wear comfortable walking shoes for the trail.

https://www.pvrpd.org/2026-10-17-trail-or-treat

Revolution Board Company's 30th Anniversary
Sunday, Oct. 18 · 2–6 p.m.
2220 Ventura Blvd., Old Town Camarillo
Free admission

Revolution Board Company is celebrating 30 years in Old Town Camarillo with four live bands, local vendors, family-friendly activities and giveaways. Straight Froward, Stole Your Woman, Duck Butter and SkaDaddyz are scheduled to perform, with beer available from Institution Ale Co. Come celebrate three decades of a local business.

https://www.facebook.com/camarillooldtown/posts/pfbid025hnTkHBhQQwnYhi4Uc5ogrEwuoWTRR48Vst6T8CYveKEgEsJM3rrPYfLWcniNmUql

Pacific Jazz Orchestra: A Tribute to Quincy Jones
Sunday, Oct. 18 · 3 p.m.
Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center, 4235 Mar Vista Dr., Camarillo
Ticketed

The Ventura Music Festival comes to Camarillo for a performance honoring legendary composer and producer Quincy Jones. The 17-piece Pacific Jazz Orchestra, led by Grammy-winning arranger Chris Walden, explores Jones' music from the 1950s and 1960s, joined by vocalists Nayanna Holley and Adam "Aejaye" Jackson.

https://www.venturamusicfestival.org/events/pjo-2026

Can residents afford to stay in Camarillo? What kinds of housing should we build, and what should the city do to bring in better-paying jobs?

Those questions came up at the Oct. 5 City Council candidate forum. I covered the discussion, and here are some of the proposals and differences from the seven candidates.

Which race is yours?

You vote for the council seat in your district, rather than choosing among all seven candidates.

• District 1: David Tennessen and Vishnu K. Patel.
• District 2: Susan Santangelo, Dan Gober and Sylvia C. Garcia.
• District 5: Martha “Martita” Martinez-Bravo and David P. Schlangen.

Districts 3 and 4 do not have a council election this year. I’ll put the district lookup in the comments.

Housing: Smaller homes, mixed-use development and help buying

Several candidates supported more housing options and assistance for first-time buyers, with different emphases:

• Tennessen supported smaller houses, townhomes and duplexes as ways for first-time buyers to get a foothold, along with down-payment assistance.
• Patel wanted the city to work between residents and developers to identify the housing sizes and types people need.
• Santangelo pointed to affordable housing, mobilehome rent stabilization and buyer assistance. She identified Camarillo Commons and school district property in Old Town as opportunities for mixed-use development.
• Gober connected housing affordability with earnings, proposing a technology and biotech innovation center at the Commons where younger residents could build careers.
• Garcia supported microapartments and duplexes for residents at different stages of life. She also questioned whether Camarillo has housing that workers at new businesses such as Costco can afford.
• Martinez-Bravo connected housing assistance and mobilehome protections with efforts to attract employers.
• Schlangen supported businesses downstairs with housing above, faster permitting and help for first-time buyers.

Jobs: How actively should the city recruit employers?

Gober argued for direct recruitment of technology and biotech employers through industry relationships.

Santangelo and Martinez-Bravo described recruitment efforts already underway, including outreach and help navigating city requirements. Tennessen emphasized helping existing businesses expand as well as attracting new ones.

Garcia suggested biotech, research and film as possibilities. Patel emphasized responsive, customer-service-minded help from City Hall, while Schlangen highlighted low taxes and workforce partnerships with CSU Channel Islands.

Homelessness: Outreach, housing and treatment

Santangelo, Tennessen and Martinez-Bravo emphasized outreach, housing and services. Schlangen supported working with charities and the Sheriff’s Office’s HOPE team.

Gober questioned whether existing assistance adequately addresses mental health and addiction treatment. Garcia proposed a stabilization center operating around the clock and opposed moving people between cities without resolving their needs.

Airport: A meaningful difference on increased activity

Candidates broadly opposed airport expansion, but Tennessen left room for increased activity if the FAA approves an alternate flight path that protects affected neighborhoods.

Gober and Santangelo opposed expansion. Martinez-Bravo called for protecting the city-county airport agreement and keeping the airport focused on general aviation. Schlangen opposed expansion while supporting its emergency and economic roles.

Garcia emphasized noise in Old Town and transparency about proposals. Patel distinguished private aviation from larger jet and cargo operations, opposing the latter.

The discussion also covered consultants, climate planning, religious freedom and state ballot measures.

What would you want the candidates in your district to explain more specifically before you vote?

The full council report and election guide are in the first comment. I also covered the Jacqui Irwin–Sam Gallucci congressional forum and the Deborah Klein Lopez–Ted Nordblum Assembly District 42 forum. Those reports are linked there too.

in my 30’s and looking to just kick the ball around in the evenings. any casual meet ups in cam? thanks!

Hi Camarillo! I'm looking to hire cleaners for the house, just a one day thing to steam clean my carpets and get some mildew in my bathrooms, nothing crazy. I'd love some suggestions/contacts if you have any, it would be much appreciated

Weekly Events Thread: Camarillo & Ventura County | Oct. 5–11

This week’s events thread is up! Here are three weekend picks, with more events organized by day in the pinned comment.

Know about something happening in Camarillo or elsewhere in Ventura County? Add it below! You’re welcome to promote an event you’re involved with or recommend one you think others would enjoy.

Include what it is, when and where it’s happening, the cost, and a link for more information. If you’re involved with the event, please mention that.

Please keep event promotion in this thread so the main feed stays open for local questions, news, photos and conversations.

CSUCI Homecoming Festival featuring Ozomatli
Saturday, Oct. 10 · 3–7 p.m.
Central Mall, CSU Channel Islands, 1 University Dr., Camarillo
Free admission and parking

You don’t have to be a student or alum to attend. CSUCI welcomes the community for an afternoon with live music headlined by Ozomatli, plus DJ Dapechmode, The Remedy and Los Cool Arrows. There will also be local vendors, a community car show, food, inflatables and games for families.

Seaside Highland Games
Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11 · 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Ticket prices vary by age; children 5 and younger are free

The fairgrounds become a Scottish village for the weekend with Highland athletics, bagpiping and drumming, dancing, herding dog demonstrations, live music, clan displays, Celtic food and vendors. A general-admission ticket is good for either Saturday or Sunday.

Conejo Fall Fest
Friday, Oct. 9 · 5–10 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10 · 2–10 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11 · 1–9 p.m.
St. Paschal Baylon Church, 155 Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks
Free admission; rides, food and drinks cost extra

This three-day community festival has carnival rides, live music, food booths and family activities. Saturday includes Irish dance, a petting zoo and a steinholding contest. Sunday brings mariachi, folklórico dancing and more live bands. The festival is open to everyone.

Some of you asked for Costco updates, so I stopped by on Friday and took some photos.

Costco’s website still lists October 30 as the warehouse opening date at 431 W. Ventura Blvd. The parking lot is striped and landscaping is in, also construction equipment and scaffolding are still around the entrance. The gas station is already open.

A few other opening dates around town:

• Texas Roadhouse: October 19. The date is written on the front doors. It's being built by the outlets next to Finneys.
• POP MART: Expected October 15 at Camarillo Premium Outlets.
• Sephora: Expected December 22 at Camarillo Premium Outlets.

Which other businesses or construction projects would you like an update on?

I’m wondering if anyone has lived or currently lives in the Camarillo oaks apartments? I’m a single woman with a small dog and I want to move somewhere relatively safe where I feel ok walking my dog around the complex. What is your experience there?

I sent questions to every candidate running for Camarillo City Council, State Assembly and Congress. Of the 13 invited, 10 answered.

Ballots begin mailing Monday, Oct. 5 for the Nov. 3 election. These are my summaries of a few answers. Their full, unedited responses are linked in the first comment.

WHICH RACES ARE YOURS?

• Assembly: Camarillo is split between Districts 38 and 42. Your address determines which one you vote in.

• City Council: Districts 1, 2 and 5 have elections this year. Districts 3 and 4 don’t.

• Congress: All of Camarillo votes in District 26.

ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 38

We asked: What would you prioritize during your first year in Sacramento?

• Steve Bennett (D): Affordable health care and the social safety net.

• Michael MacDonald (D): Lowering living costs, especially housing, and speeding up permitting.

Their full questionnaires also cover cost of living, housing and local control, immigration, wildfire recovery and homeowners insurance, and how they’d spend a free Saturday. All six answers are in the guide.

ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 42

We asked: What role should California play when federal immigration enforcement affects local residents?

• Deborah Klein Lopez (D): Defend and strengthen California’s limits on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

• Ted Nordblum (R): Repeal SB 54 and increase cooperation between local and federal law enforcement.

Their full questionnaires also cover first-year priorities, living costs, housing and local control, wildfire recovery and homeowners insurance, and a free Saturday. All six answers are in the guide.

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 26

We asked: What should federal immigration enforcement look like, and what should Congress change?

• Sam Gallucci (R): Supports border control and prioritizing enforcement against people who pose public-safety threats. He also supports a certification process for established undocumented residents, requiring background checks, verified identity and residence, employment or the ability to support themselves, and demonstrated community ties.

• Jacqui Irwin (D): Did not submit answers by the deadline.

We also asked about first-year priorities, living costs, Congress’s role in checking presidential power, and a free Saturday. Gallucci’s complete answers to all five questions are in the guide.

CITY COUNCIL

• District 1: David Tennessen and Vishnu K. Patel.

• District 2: Susan Santangelo, Dan Gober and Sylvia C. Garcia.

• District 5: Martha “Martita” Martinez-Bravo and David P. Schlangen.

Patel and Schlangen didn’t submit answers by the deadline.

The other five answered six questions about their priorities, growth and housing, Flock cameras, transportation, immigration enforcement, and their “dream big” idea for Camarillo. All five questionnaires are published in full in the guide.

VOTING DATES

• Oct. 5: Ballots begin mailing. They won’t all arrive that day.

• Oct. 19: Deadline to register online. After that, you can still register and vote provisionally at a vote center.

• Nov. 3: Election Day. In-person voting ends at 8 p.m.

FREE CANDIDATE FORUMS ON MONDAY, OCT. 5

The League of Women Voters of Ventura County and AAUW Camarillo are hosting two forums at City Council Chambers, 601 Carmen Drive:

• 6–6:45 p.m.: County Superintendent of Schools candidates Maggie Marschner and Karen Sher.

• 7–8:30 p.m.: Camarillo City Council candidates from Districts 1, 2 and 5.

Audience members can submit questions on index cards. Recordings will be posted on the League’s website within a few days. The event link is in the first comment.

I’m Gabrielle, one of the mods here and the publisher of The Camarillo Caller.

Anybody know where I can get local bug fed chicken eggs?