It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Ventura City Hall (formerly the Ventura County Courthouse - California Historical Landmark #847) gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Ventura, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I have partnered with Tom in Thousand Oaks for a couple years now, I can”
“Caring and sensitive. David is so focused on helping families. He is such an asset”
“Always Best Care has been helping my 94 year old Mother very much! The Caregivers”
“Been with the company for approximately like 6 months ,love it , great supervisors n”
“I’ve worked with a few agencies and my experience with Always Best Care has been”
“I've worked with ABC for over a year now. I've worked for other organizations”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa was a great friend to my father and”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa is the best. Upbeat, knows what she’s”
“After researching several Home Health Care companies in my area, I choose Always Best Care”
“First let me say that this review was not solicited by any one at Always”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does”
“I am a current client of this provider We are with Always Best Care. We have”
“Tom and his team of caregivers do a great job. I highly recommend Always”
“I’m a registered nurse and having Erin help me with this process was seamless. She”
“I've been with the company a lil over 3months maybe longer and love the respect”
“This is the finest company in home care, I would highly recommend it for your”
“Stellar service and care! Highly recommend!”
“This is truly a team you can trust to take care of your loved one.”
“I have partnered with Tom in Thousand Oaks for a couple years now, I can attest that he strives to provide the best quality care for his clients and a positive work environment for his employees. Great agency! Highly recommend!”
“Caring and sensitive. David is so focused on helping families. He is such an asset to our hospital. Families don't know where to start and David gets the ball rolling and smooths the way. What a blessing to these families.”
“Always Best Care has been helping my 94 year old Mother very much! The Caregivers are wonderful and helpful and willing to go the extra mile. I am so happy to have their team a part of our lives! Thank you!”
“Been with the company for approximately like 6 months ,love it , great supervisors n boss , overall great company for work for , great communication from supervisors ,n always a pleasure to work with wonderful clients”
“I’ve worked with a few agencies and my experience with Always Best Care has been phenomenal. The professionalism.and respect they show to us caregivers makes me feel appreciated as well as giving me opportunity to learn and grow in my services I provide to my clients with the workshops they provide every month.”
“I've worked with ABC for over a year now. I've worked for other organizations that provide senior care services but the Always Best Care Thousand Oaks location has been a wonderful place to work. The working relationship between staff, client and ownership/management is that it's important for us all to be happy. I've been placed with so many wonderful people that I can say are not only my clients but also my friends. They really try to provide the right client with the right caregiver and with me it has been a wonderful experience and a great place to work.”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa was a great friend to my father and treated him like family. It was reassuring to us to know he was looked after by a loving and caring person. She was always available to us and she was able to adjust her schedule to his needs. Nisa allowed my father to stay in his home longer and provided him new freedom he had not had previously.”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa is the best. Upbeat, knows what she’s doing, was great with my mom. We all felt very comfortable when she was caring for mom.”
“After researching several Home Health Care companies in my area, I choose Always Best Care and was extremely pleased with the decision I made. Always Best Care checked every box on my list and was the absolute best choice for my post-surgery needs. Start to finish, the entire organization was professional, responsive, and provided the services I was in need of. Caregivers were exceptional in responding to my needs in addition to providing warm companionship that aided in a worry free recovery. Always Best Care delivered as promised and I highly recommend them for Home Health Care needs. MMD”
“First let me say that this review was not solicited by any one at Always Best Care Senior Services. The services provided by Always Best are both personal and professional. All of my calls were always answered by Tom ( the owner). Never was I left to wonder if I was going to get assistance for my mother and her significant other. From the top down I found everyone to be patient, kind, attentive, accessible, problem solvers, with an “I can get it done” attitude. The services provided by Always Best, required end of life care. The care givers worked seamlessly with Hospice. Every step of the way I could see both my mother and the patient were lovingly cared for. I look forward to using this agency as needed for my mother. Thank you, Tom and all of your care angels!”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does not currently have a Gmail account. Always Best Care has been a true blessing with providing a wonderful caregiver who is kind, patient and supportive with my 95 year old mother's needs which include a downward cognitive slide. My mom enjoys the support and care too. I've heard horror stories about such services, but have been beyond pleased with Tom and his caregiving agency. Lori Robinson- Ventura County”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does not currently have a Gmail account. Always Best Care has been a true blessing with providing a wonderful caregiver who is kind, patient and supportive with my 95 year old mother's needs which include a downward cognitive slide. My mom enjoys the support and care too. I've heard horror stories about such services, but have been beyond pleased with Tom and his caregiving agency. Lori Robinson- Ventura County”
“I am a current client of this provider We are with Always Best Care. We have been with them for two weeks now. They were great, and we have had a good experience so far. The caregiver is great. She has been like a lifeline for us; she has been nice. The scheduling has been fine, and everything has been working great.”
“Tom and his team of caregivers do a great job. I highly recommend Always Best Care of Thousand Oaks.”
“I’m a registered nurse and having Erin help me with this process was seamless. She is comforting, empathetic, and very knowledgeable. Thanks again Erin! Natalie Schauwecker, RN”
“I've been with the company a lil over 3months maybe longer and love the respect they give us caregivers and employees. We are a team as they say welcome to the team and it truly is a team more like a family here. They take our schedules and work with us and don't pay us low as all other places. You get what you pay for. I've worked for Disneyland Resorts and this is much like the atmosphere there very friendly and non judgemental and truly caring understanding team. Tom the owner is one of us he doesn't put himself above us neither does Erin. They are both friendly. Moving up in the company is possible as i have already and my kids are much happier because mommy actually loves her job. No one is paying me to write this i don't do reviews typically because the time it takes but i believe in our team amd if you want great care and affordable care please try us for a week and I personally guarantee you, you'll be the next to write a review.”
“This is the finest company in home care, I would highly recommend it for your family!”
“Stellar service and care! Highly recommend!”
“This is truly a team you can trust to take care of your loved one. It is obvious, Tom and his team have a passion for the work they do. They are so patient and kind and treated us and our loved one like one of their own members of the family. We are forever grateful.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Marina Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Rumfish y Vino or visit Ortega Adobe, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Ventura, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Ventura, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Ventura, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A bed bug-ridden stay at a Ventura hotel turned into a multimillion-dollar jury payout for two guests who were “massacre[d] from bed bug bites” during their visit, according to court records.A jury on Friday ordered the Shores Inn to pay $2 million to Alvaro Gutierrez and Ramiro Sanchez, in what may be one of the largest known bed bug-related jury awards.“The bed bugs latched onto the Plaintiffs while they slept, sucked their blood until they were gorged, and resisted eradication,” according to the compl...
A bed bug-ridden stay at a Ventura hotel turned into a multimillion-dollar jury payout for two guests who were “massacre[d] from bed bug bites” during their visit, according to court records.
A jury on Friday ordered the Shores Inn to pay $2 million to Alvaro Gutierrez and Ramiro Sanchez, in what may be one of the largest known bed bug-related jury awards.
“The bed bugs latched onto the Plaintiffs while they slept, sucked their blood until they were gorged, and resisted eradication,” according to the complaint.
A representative for Shores Inn did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An attorney representing the hotel in the suit declined to comment.
According to their complaint, Gutierrez and Sanchez were “exposed to painful and disgusting bed bug infestations,” and suffered physical, emotional, and mental anguish as a result of their Feb. 7, 2020, stay at the beachside hotel.
“The management was not taking good care of the place,” said Brian Virag, attorney for Gutierrez and Sanchez. “Turns out, they had experience with bed bugs at that hotel dating back a long time.”
March 15, 2025
The hotel, located near the 101 Freeway and just a short walk from Ventura Beach, touts easy parking and proximity to the Ventura Pier and the Ventura Harbor.
The complaint, filed in December 2021, alleges the two men rented a room at the hotel and immediately began experiencing bed bug bites.
The suit also alleged that management at the hotel must have been aware of bed bug problems because several online reviews on Google and Yelp warned guests about bed bugs at the hotel, located at 1059 South Seaward Ave. in Ventura.
Despite knowing about the problem, the suit alleges, management failed to eradicate the pests from the hotel, exposing guests to harm.
Gutierrez and Sanchez left the hotel after one night, Virag said, and had to seek medical treatment as a result of the bites.
On May 23, a jury awarded Gutierrez $400,000 in damages for past and future pain, disfigurement, grief, and emotional distress as a result of the injuries. Sanchez was awarded $600,000 in damages, according to court records.
The jury also awarded $500,000 each to the two men in punitive damages.
But Wendy Lascher, an appellate attorney recently hired by the hotel owners, said her clients were considering the possibility of appealing the decision, or moving for a mistrial or new trial.
“There’s unusual factors that go beyond the initial facts of the case,” she said.
After the verdict was issued and the jury was dismissed, court records show that a note was found inside one of the notebooks given to jurors, suggesting two of the jurors had been near the Shores Inn hotel during the trial.
The note also stated that one member of the jurors, in chambers, told other jurors that the hotel was “an eyesore & should be tore down.”
“I just need to clear my conscious,” the note read.
Virag said the note did not change the facts of the case.
“It is not uncommon that the losing party will attempt to appeal the decision of 12 members of the community,” he said. “We will let the courts handle that.”
In 2022, the Disneyland Resort agreed to pay $100,000 to a resort hotel guest in a lawsuit settlement addressing claims she was bitten by bedbugs during a visit in 2018. The following year, a British tourist represented by Virag won a $375,000 award after being attacked by bed bugs during a stay at a Hollywood Hills home.
Virag, an Encino-based attorney who has specialized in bed bug cases filed against hotels and apartments, said the $2-million jury award is the largest one he’s seen in bed bug-related cases in his career.
Antique Adventures Classic Car Cruise is a cars and coffee event that takes place every Sunday morning.And it’s a smaller, more intimate gathering. But it’s conveniently just off the CA-101 highway in Ventura. So if you’re coming from the Los Angeles area it’s a great opportunity for a scenic drive up Pacific Coast Highway.Plus what’s better yet is that if you target your arrival time on the earlier end traffic is a non-issue! Additionally, the antique shop is not only open during ...
Antique Adventures Classic Car Cruise is a cars and coffee event that takes place every Sunday morning.
And it’s a smaller, more intimate gathering. But it’s conveniently just off the CA-101 highway in Ventura. So if you’re coming from the Los Angeles area it’s a great opportunity for a scenic drive up Pacific Coast Highway.
Plus what’s better yet is that if you target your arrival time on the earlier end traffic is a non-issue! Additionally, the antique shop is not only open during the meet but it’s legit. Because they’ve got some cool stuff in there – for the antiquing set.
So, when I visited all the cars were in front of the shop. But they have a parking lot in the rear of the store where there’s room for many more.
It’s definitely family-friendly. But when I went it was mostly older dudes showing off their classic and antique cars in various stages of development.
Nevertheless, the group is friendly and welcoming. Quick to crack jokes and plenty of support for that Brandon guy that everyone is saying ‘Let’s Go’ to.
Dates: Every Sunday morning Location: 6587 Ventura Boulevard, Ventura, California 93003 Starts: 8 AM Ends: 11 AM Admission: Free Vehicle Registration: Free
*Please note: iDriveSoCal is not hosting this car show. To learn more about the event please contact Antique Adventures Classic Car Cruise car meet organizers HERE . Including details about attending and displaying your vehicle. Also about becoming a vendor or sponsor.
NeighborhoodsWatch Esther RoseThe New Mexico–based songwriter gives an acoustic performance of “Had To” from her newly released fifth album Want. Magazine 12 The Los Angeles Issue With 232 pages and an expan...
Neighborhoods
Watch Esther Rose
The New Mexico–based songwriter gives an acoustic performance of “Had To” from her newly released fifth album Want.
Magazine 12 With 232 pages and an expanded 12″ by 12″ format, our biggest print issue yet celebrates the people, places, music, and art of our hometown, including cover features on David Lynch, Nipsey Hussle, Syd, and Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records, plus Brian Wilson, Cuco, Ty Segall, Lord Huron, Remi Wolf, The Doors, the art of RISK, Taz, Estevan Oriol, Kii Arens, and Edward Colver, and so much more.The Los Angeles Issue
Reviews Another collection of relentlessly charming and eccentric garage rock, this fifth album doubles down on the Welsh band’s signature stylized-raw production and unusual lyrics. The third LP from the pigeonhole-proof Brooklyn collective proves just how far they can stretch the boundaries of indie rock with this radically diverse set of songs. Dedicated to his late son, the former grunge-pop wunderkind crafts something both touching and infectious as it moves through the stages of grief like landmarks on an epic summer tour.The Bug Club, Very Human Features
Activity, A Thousand Years in Another Way
Ben Kweller, Cover the Mirrors
This week, New Mexico–based songwriter Esther Rose is celebrating last Friday’s release of her fifth full-length collection of sentiment-filled alt-country, Want, with a European/UK tour kicking off in the Netherlands. Both more personal in its lyricism and more collaborative in its sound, the project continues to chart the artist’s growth nearly a decade since she emerged on the Americana scene.
While she was still here in the States, Rose filmed a “Neighborhoods” performance video for us between gigs on a West Coast tour. Filmed by Anthony Simpkins in Ventura, California between stops in LA and San Francisco, she performs an acoustic version of the Want cut “Had To” in front of a foggy beach backdrop. “In ‘Had To,’ I examine my relationship with alcohol, and also my relationship with touring,” she reflects. “A long time ago, I heard New Orleans legend Washboard Chaz say this: ‘People are always offering musicians exposure. But you can die from too much exposure!’ Since writing this song, I have stopped drinking, but I have not stopped touring.”
Check out the performance below, and stream Want—out now via New West—here.
The endless font of passion and creativity that is the Build-Outs of Coffee refreshes and restores us each and every season, and its features like this one that feel truly emblematic of that energy. There is so much to dig about this story: a husband and wife duo who have spent their lives in the specialty coffee industry, who actually *met* and got together while both working at a coffee company, before setting out to run their very own successful roasting business. Now they’re taking that knowledge and know-how and turning it into th...
The endless font of passion and creativity that is the Build-Outs of Coffee refreshes and restores us each and every season, and its features like this one that feel truly emblematic of that energy. There is so much to dig about this story: a husband and wife duo who have spent their lives in the specialty coffee industry, who actually *met* and got together while both working at a coffee company, before setting out to run their very own successful roasting business. Now they’re taking that knowledge and know-how and turning it into their dream cafe, with a serious bakery program at the forefront.
Please allow us to flag this one with big bright lights: Room Service Coffee is doing something really exciting in Ventura, California, and they’re ones to watch here in 2025.
The 2025 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, La Marzocco, Ceado, and Dona.
As told to Sprudge by Carrie Medina.
For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?
Our company is founded and owned by husband and wife duo, Carrie and Dennis Medina. We’ve been working in coffee together for over a decade, ever since we met at Sightglass Coffee in 2014—Dennis was the head roaster and I was in accounting. From there, we worked together at several notable roasters, including Dune Coffee and Low Pigeon, before launching our own wholesale roasting company, Coastal Coffee Collective, in 2020.
Since starting CCC, we’ve focused on building custom coffee programs for our wholesale partners—helping shape their menus, bar setups, and training systems. We loved being behind the scenes, but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t miss the cafe life. About two years ago, we shared our vision for Room Service with our now-financial partner, and things quickly took shape from there.
The space we found was big—bigger than what made sense for coffee alone. Dennis and I are coffee people, not food people, and we’ve always believed in collaborating with experts in areas outside of our wheelhouse. We knew we needed the right partner to bring a food program to life. We met with several bakers but knew Skylar Bryce was the one immediately.
Dennis and Skylar actually worked together a decade ago at Dune—he was running the roastery and she was baking and managing the cafe. After that, she moved to Portland, where she worked at Heart Coffee Roasters while exploring her true passion: baking. She’s been baking professionally since 2012 and always had a love for pairing great coffee with exceptional pastries. While in Portland, she also grew a modest following through her Instagram, @skylarbryce, which she used as a creative food blog.
When we reconnected, we saw a bit of ourselves in her—passionate, driven, and insanely talented, just missing the right platform. The timing felt serendipitous. We’re so excited to give her that platform through Room Service.
Can you tell us a bit about the new space?
Room Service is located in our little beach town of Ventura, inside a new adaptive reuse project called GasWorks. The space is about 2,000 square feet, with soaring industrial ceilings and floor-to-ceiling roll-up doors that let in tons of light and open up to bar seating along the front. It’s a beautiful blend of old and new—the project is restoring and reimagining the historic 1927 Southern Counties Gas Company buildings into a vibrant, mixed-use space.
We’re especially excited about our open bakery concept—you’ll be able to peek through a large glass window and see Skylar in action, baking everything fresh on-site. It brings a sense of transparency and energy that we love.
What’s your approach to coffee?
In today’s coffee scene of 2025, I sometimes feel like an old head. I was trained by what I like to call the “old guard” of coffee roasting. The person who taught me was Adam Kohler, who came up in the early Stumptown world. We met while working for Sightglass in San Francisco around 2011 or 2012. Back then, Cropster was barely a thing—we relied heavily on sensory roasting and some pretty rudimentary Excel sheets. We’d mark certain times and temperatures to manually build roast curves.
I’ve definitely stuck to my roots in some ways and still rely on sensory cues, but I’d be foolish to ignore the amazing tools we have today. Programs like Cropster have been huge for our business—especially on the backend with data and consistency.
As we grow and bring new team members into the roastery, I try to pass on the methods I was taught: constant cupping, triangulation cupping, and hands-on experience. I want our roasting apprentices to understand not just what’s happening in the machine, but what’s showing thru in the cup and how everything ties together.
Overall, our approach is a mix of old-school and new-school—always keeping in mind that coffee is all about personal preference. Taste can be subjective, and people like different things. That’s why we aim to offer a wide range, from directly sourced single origins from amazing farms like Las Lajas in Costa Rica, to the more approachable (and sometimes frowned-upon) dark roast, funky processed coffees, and straight forward washed.
Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?
We’re die-hard Slayer fans, so we’ll be using a Slayer Steam EP for espresso. We’re excited to use the Weber Workshops EG-1, which will allow us to offer multiple single origin offerings on both espresso and pour over. On the coffee side, we’ll be sourcing exclusively through our roastery, Coastal Coffee Collective. Over the years, we’ve built strong direct trade relationships with producers, and Room Service will showcase exclusive single origins sourced specifically for this space.
How is your project considering sustainability?
Sustainability is something we think about constantly—both in big decisions and small daily practices. We work exclusively with our roastery, Coastal Coffee Collective, which sources coffee through long-term, direct trade relationships. This not only supports producers more equitably but also helps us reduce unnecessary intermediaries and freight impact.
At the cafe level, we’ve invested in energy-efficient equipment and built our bar layout to reduce waste and improve workflow. We’re also using recyclable takeaway materials wherever possible and offering incentives for customers who bring in their own cups.
As we grow, we’re committed to continuing to make responsible choices, partner with like-minded vendors, and stay accountable to our impact.
What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?
August 2025… hopefully ;)
Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?
My husband Dennis handles all things coffee—from bar flow and equipment to retail operations—while I focus on the backend and creative side: design, branding, marketing, and overall vision.
We feel incredibly fortunate to have partnered with Becker Studios for the design and architecture of the space. While our project was smaller in scale compared to what they typically take on, they brought so much experience and thoughtfulness to the process—we’re truly thankful for the opportunity to work with such a talented team.
Thank you!
THANK YOU! SPRUDGE 4EVER <3
Room Service Coffee is located at 1155 E Thompson Ave #101, Ventura. Visit their official website and follow them on Instagram.
The 2025 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, La Marzocco, Ceado, and Dona.
“It’s not just about restaurants. This is our entire country’s agricultural system that’s under attack.”On Tuesday, June 10, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) expanded its immigration sweeps throughout Southern California to the farmlands of Ventura County.The Los Angeles Times reports that ICE agents were p...
“It’s not just about restaurants. This is our entire country’s agricultural system that’s under attack.”
On Tuesday, June 10, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) expanded its immigration sweeps throughout Southern California to the farmlands of Ventura County.
The Los Angeles Times reports that ICE agents were present at farms and packing house distribution centers in Ventura, Kern, and Tulare counties. More than 50 percent of the country’s produce hails from these California regions, including livestock and produce for restaurants in Los Angeles and the entire country. Farms have previously been a site of ICE raids, including in January 2025 when Border Patrol agents were spotted at Bakersfield agricultural fields. ICE’s presence in Ventura County farms is part of the current large-scale immigrant sweeps throughout Southern California, which began June 6 when federal agents conducted arrests at commercial businesses and in residential neighborhoods.
On June 11, 28 Southern California mayors, including Ventura mayor Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios, shared a statement with Eater condemning the ongoing raids.“We are outraged and heartbroken by the recent and ongoing ICE activities targeting immigrant families in our community,” the statement reads. “These actions are not only inhumane, but they are also an affront to the values we uphold in Ventura and throughout the state of California.”
The Los Angeles Times reports that Ventura County Farm Bureau chief executive, Maureen McGuire, alleges that immigration agents visited five Ventura County packing facilities and at least five farms in the Oxnard Plain near the coastline on June 10. McGuire also told the Times that ICE attempted to enter a cannabis greenhouse, but the owners refused entry, citing protections under private property. McGuire alleges that the operation moved on to the surrounding areas — without judicial warrants — to stop residents on their way to work and loiter around schools. She also claims that agents targeted Latinos in older cars. ABC-7 shared footage of the raid — according the report, witnesses present allege that ICE agents chased farmworkers through the fields.
“It’s not just about restaurants. This is our entire country’s agriculture that’s under attack.”
Michael Brombart, who has worked in the produce and food distribution business for more than 20 years and owns his own independent distribution company, Community Provisions, expressed dismay about the treatment of farmworkers by federal agents. He tells Eater restaurants and the general public will be deeply impacted if farmworkers do not harvest or process crops. “These raids are definitely going to impact restaurants and our overall supply chain when it comes to produce,” says Brombart. “It’s not just about restaurants. This is our entire country’s agriculture that’s under attack.”
In response to the immigration raids, protests have struck up throughout Southern California since Friday, June 6. The Trump Administration dispatched National Guard troops and, later, around 700 members of the U.S. Marines to confront protesters who remained mostly in the core Civic Center near Downtown courthouses, federal buildings, and LAPD headquarters. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass instituted a curfew limited to a small section of Downtown LA and the surrounding neighborhoods on June 10 and 11; it is expected to continue for an unspecified amount of time. Bass and billionaire developer Rick Caruso, who was a candidate in the 2022 mayoral election, decried the Trump administration’s actions. On X, formerly Twitter, Caruso said, “There is no emergency, widespread threat, or out-of-control violence in Los Angeles.”
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