When visiting Olivas Adobe, Docent Mary Thompson can show you the wonderful living quarters and provide a historical overview of the families who lived there. Enjoy an afternoon filled with California history, art, and see Ventura County’s only remaining Monterey style adobe home from the Rancho-era. Olivas Adobe will open to visitors the second Sunday of each month, May-August 2021, from 11am – 3pm.

by Richard Senate

I was working giving tours at the Albinger Archaeological Museum that summer in the 1980s. It was a fun job and enabled me to meet people from all over the world and tell them the history of our city, as interpreted in the archaeological finds at the small museum. It was a slow day I recall when a couple came in, as was my job, I started to give them the tour pointing out the significant artifacts from the Chumash and Spanish Colonial periods. The man, had short hair, cut in a military fashion but he looked familiar. I racked my brain trying to figure out where I knew the man from. Did I go to school with him? Did we work together on some project? But, being a professional, I didn’t interrupt my tour to flat out ask him who he was. He didn’t ask a lot of questions and toured the grounds with his lady friend. Then, as he left, he signed the quest book. When he left I checked the log only to discover the familiar face belonged to the actor Tom Cruise! I walked outside to see him drive away in a big black car, with a gold grill. He waved at me as he passed. I later learned he was filming Top Gun at the time and that accounted for his haircut. But Ventura has always been a place where movie stars have visited over the year. It is a place to unwind from the rigors of Hollywood.

A list of the greats and near greats who have stopped over in our community is long.

This is but a sample:

Kevin Costner He grew up in Ventura and attended Buena High School. He considers Ventura his home town and returns from time to time.

Fatty Arbuckle, Silent clown and controversial star drove though Ventura, and on Main Street was given a ticket for speeding. He told the policeman he had once lived in Ventura for a time.

Red Grange Football hero made silent films too making his race car movie Racing Romeo at the Ventura fairgrounds. Sadly this film is now lost.

James Cagney The popular star of Hollywood’s Golden Age stayed at the Mission Hotel while doing pick up shots for the race car film The Crowd Roars They filmed this at the Ventura County fairgrounds.

Clark Gable, the uncrowned king of Hollywood’s Golden Age had dinner at the Olivas Adobe after poaching ducks on owner Max Fleishmann’s property in 1939.

Jessie “The Body” Ventura, AKA… James George Janos, Took his wrestling name from a visit to John’s at the Beach. He later became an actor and was elected Governor of his home state of Michigan

Larry Hagman also visited Ventura. Best known for his role as JR Ewing in Dallas.

John Travolta. He had his action thriller Swordfish On Main Street, downtown Ventura.

There are many others that could be listed. You may have met one or two?

Many of Ventura’s trees are drought-stressed. If you have a young tree in your yard or a city street tree in front of your house, a few buckets of water each week will help it survive.

There are over 30,000 street trees in the City of Ventura, so the city’s urban forestry crew appreciates each resident who can provide water for thirsty trees.

Mayor Sofia Rubalcava and the Ventura Tree Alliance encourage you to help our urban forest stay healthy during the dry summer months!

www.venturatreealliance.com

by Jill Forman

Apology and Correction

The Barbecue for the July 31 book sale will be provided by the Ventura Downtown Lions. The Lions have been so helpful to the Ventura Friends of the Library at book sales for years, providing “person power” when we need it most. My apologies to the Lions for misstating the organization in my last column, and thanks for all the hard work!

Bookstores back in business

The Foster Friends of the Library bookstore has moved to a larger area on the first floor of the library. Open 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. More books, great bargains, nice open shelves.

Hill Road Friends of the Library used book sales are also open. Gently used books of many genres, low prices with an honor box for payment. Open all library hours.

Online bookstore still going with a more selective inventory. Pickup for now will be at the Foster bookstore.

Remember that all purchases support your Ventura libraries! The Friends of the Library help with book purchases and programs.

Volunteer opportunities: We need folks to staff the Foster bookstore. We would also like to have someone at Hill Road for a couple of hours once a week, to hand out online orders. If you are interested: [email protected].

Summer Friends of the Library Book Sale and Community Event

Saturday July 31, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday August 1, noon-3 p.m.

Dudley House Museum, 197 North Ashwood Avenue (at Loma Vista.)

On Saturday there will be a plant sale 8 a.m.-2 p.m., and a hot dog barbecue provided by the Ventura Downtown Lions 11 a.m. – 2 p.m ($5 for hot dog, chips and bottle of water.).

On Sunday 1 p.m.-4 p.m., free tours of the Historic Dudley House and Museum.

Lovely setting, great book bargains, summer food, museum tour, plants…be sure to join us. Even if you just want to come by and join the community in celebration.

Book groups at Foster and Hill libraries

Both are returning to in-person discussions.

Foster meets the first Saturday of the month 10-12. August’s book is The Roundhouse by Erdrich. Information: [email protected].

Hill Road meets the last Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. August’s book is I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by McNamara. Information: [email protected].

Summer Reading Challenges

Register: https://vencolibrary.beanstack.org/reader365
Create a profile for each family member.
Log reading minutes or books, complete activities, earn badges, and become eligible for prizes.

Ongoing Library Events

Minecraft Mondays – 4:00 to 5:30 pm. [email protected]

Storytimes – Stories and songs every Monday and Saturday at 10:30.  Visit Ventura County Library’s Facebook page and the live video will automatically start.

Globetrotting Storytime – Mondays for stories and songs with an emphasis on world view.

Bedtime Stories Live Join Ms. Mayra for bilingual bedtime stories Mondays, 7 pm.

Art Lessons Live – Wednesdays, 3:00 p., Miss Kat will show you how to draw a different children’s book character. Bring your favorite drawing tool and a piece of paper. Visit the library’s  Facebook page and the video will automatically start.