How to January in the Santa Clara River Valley

Anyone who knows me or has read this blog knows that the month of January has long been my foe. With all that January has to (ahem) “offer” — from long nights to winter illnesses, crap weather, and tax prep — it’s no wonder that the first month of the year comes in at roughly 700 days long.

As the start of a new year, January also gives me a low-key case of dread. There’s a niggling sense of: “What’s going to roll in with the tide this time? An unexpected bounty? A call to adventure? Or are we just stuck on the beach picking up last year’s garbage?”

This is when being a planner helps. I sit down with a new calendar and plot out at least one vacation, one new project, and any unfinished business carried over from the last year. I like calendars — they help break up an endless unknown into manageable bits and events to look forward to.

This year, our local favorites are also helping to cut the gloom with glimmers of cheer. Check out the local happenings, well, happening over the next few weeks. Refer to their websites or Instagram feeds for more details.

January 17 at 3:00 PM: Parque turns one!
Parque is celebrating their first anniversary with live music, raffle prizes, and complimentary drinks and bites.

861 E. Main Street
Santa Paula

January 16 at 6:00 PM (Dinner service starts at 5:00): Winter Whiskey Tasting. Expand your whiskey palate or revisit old favorites at your leisure. Hosted by Sean Riley. No reservations required.

134 N. Mill Street
Santa Paula

February 13 at 6:00 PM: Paranormal Pajama Party — Girls Only!
This promises to be the coziest of haunted sleepovers, with ghost hunts and aura photos, plus magic, movies, and margaritas. Tickets available at paranormalpajamaparty.eventbrite.com.

I can just imagine getting my aura photo taken:
ME: What’s the color of my aura?
PHOTOG: Drunk.

February 14 at 6:00 PM: Roses Are Red Murder Mystery Dinner.
Join in some “deadly” hijinks at this dinner theater experience. Tickets available at rosesarereddinner.eventbrite.com.

691 Main St
Piru
(805) 398-5059
info@piruinn.com

January 24 & 31, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Mansion tour, BBQ, and wine tasting. Long used as both a Hollywood shooting location and an event (wedding) venue, the mansion will be open to the public (or to confirmed ticket holders, at least) for the first time in decades. If the name “Newhall” doesn’t quite a ring a bell, perhaps you knew it as the Cook Mansion, named for Piru’s founder, David C. Cook. Cook built the mansion, along with the Inn, and helped establish Piru as a major agricultural area.

While you’re there, be sure to make time for a tour of the Inn as well, which will give you a fuller picture of area history.

More details and ticket information are forthcoming.

February 7 at 2:30 PM: Wine tasting!
Ladies, gentlemen, start your palates for the bestest wine tasting around. Sip from a selection of 8+ wines and pair them with charcuterie cuts and small bites. Free. No reservations required.

Tasting Room
4187 Carpinteria Ave. Suite #1-2
Carpenteria
(Just off the 101)

If you’re not yet a member, now is a good time to sign up. Jill and Edward Darren (and the kids) have just returned from a recent vacation, so the tasting room and winery are back open and ready to tickle your tastebuds.

January 17 at 7:00 PM: Library Tasting
I’ll let Jill explain this one: “Once a year, Darren and I open library wines to taste through past vintages, make notes, and see how the wines have evolved—and how we can continue to improve. By the end of it, we’re usually left with dozens of bottles with only a few sips consumed.” That’s where we come in, getting to sample 12 wines that are no longer available otherwise — and giving them a hearty send-off. Attendees are encouraged to get in the spirit by dressing like librarians. $35 per person.

January 24, various times starting at 12:30 PM: Winter on the Mountain
Meet at the tasting room and prepare to be shuttled up Rincon Mountain to their scenic winery location. With tasting flights, bottles for sale, and breathtaking views of the valley and the ocean, this is the perfect antidote to the winter blues. $21 per person.