Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

VPD helps with birthday celebration

No, these kids aren’t being arrested for being too cute. Logan Dawson accompanied by his cousin Aria Dawson, celebrated his third birthday and the Ventura Police Department happily drove down his street wishing him a Happy Birthday over their loudspeaker to help him celebrate.

Lemon Grove neighbors gather

Lemon Grove neighbors came together on Saturday, April 25, with a treat for everybody. Since families can’t go to the zoo, a zoo was created in the neighborhood.

Not your average zoo, this one had no roars or animals running around. In fact, the animals were all still and quiet. That’s because they were toys!

Families made scenes and panoramas with their stuffed animals, and displayed them in the front yards. There was a map, and many residents came walking, on bikes, in cars to see the presentations, greeting folks they hadn’t seen, smiling and laughing, talking about the “exhibits.” It was a special afternoon.

Ventura County Earth Day Awards

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors honored five recipients for Earth Day Awards in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

In District 1 of Supervisor Steve Bennett it was the Ventura Land Trust.

Ventura Land Trust (VLT) is an accredited land trust and 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been protecting and preserving open space in Ventura since 2003. VLT is currently working on the purchase of 2,100 acres of prime hillside property with the goal of opening the first large-scale, publicly accessible hillside nature preserve in Ventura. VLT together with their extensive volunteer base has diligently removed trash and invasive plants in the watershed, planted native trees, plants and flowers and built trails creating much-needed public access to green space. In partnership with Once Upon A Watershed, each year they host hundreds of local students on free outdoor environmental field trips. VLT also presents a community Environmental Speaker Series of lectures and host an array of volunteer and community activities. To date VLT has permanently protected 30 acres of open space in the Ventura River watershed and manages an additional 60 acres.

Girl Scouts welcome new board member

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast welcomes their newest board member, Maria Ventra.

In her role, as the local SoCalGas representative of Ventura County, she serves on several community boards, BGCGV, El Concilio, American Red Cross of Central California, United Way of Ventura County and the Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA). She is deeply rooted in the Ventura County community.

She has received prestigious recognitions for her professional accomplishments and commitment to the community over the past few years, a few of those including the Pacific Coast Business Times’ “Top 50 Women in Business” Editor’s Choice and Hispanic Lifestyle recognized her as a Latina of Influence.

Maria says, “As a young girl, I always wanted to join Girls Scouts and now I am finally one! Removing obstacles of joining the Girls Scouts and broadening its reach for all girls and teens along the Central Coast is of paramount importance.”

A complete listing of Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast Board Members can we found at www.girlscoutsccc.org/board.

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast serves over 9,000 girls across six counties and is committed to making the Girl Scout Leadership Experience available to girls in ways that impact their lives both in the moment and into the future. To join or volunteer in Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Ventura County, visit: girlscoutsccc.org.

We were all ‘Home Schooled’ whether we realized it at the time or not…

Submitted by Mike Tracy

Most of us over 65 were Home Schooled in many ways…

My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.

“If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.”

My mother taught me RELIGION.

“You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”

My father taught me about TIME TRAVEL

“If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!”

My father taught me LOGIC

“Because I said so, that’s why

My mother taught me MORE LOGIC

“If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.”

My mother taught me FORESIGHT

Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.”

My father taught me IRONY

“Keep crying and I’ll give you something to cry about.”

My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS

“Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”

My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM

“Just you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”

My mother taught me about STAMINA

“You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”

My mother taught me about WEATHER

“This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.”

My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY

“If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times, don’t exaggerate!”

My father taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE

“I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.”

My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

“Stop acting like your father!”

My mother taught me about ENVY

“There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.”

My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION

“Just wait until we get home.”

My mother taught me about RECEIVING

“You are going to get it from your father when he gets home!”

My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE

“If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.”

My mother taught me ESP

“Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?”

My father taught me HUMOR

“When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”

My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT

“If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”

My mother taught me GENETICS

“You’re just like your father.”

My mother taught me about my ROOTS

“Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?”

My mother taught me WISDOM

“When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.”

My father taught me about JUSTICE

“One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!”

Ventura Breeze Photo Contest Winners

First place went to Michael Hoffman.

The Ventura Breeze photo contest has been completed. Thanks to all who submitted their
wonderful photographs. The six Breeze staff members who selected the winners had an
extremely hard time with their selections because of the high quality of the submissions
In the color category:

Michael HoffmanTwo of his photos were tied for first so we selected both of them for first.

Karen Ruff

Second place went to Karen Ruff.

Dr. Mark Babbitt

Third place went to Dr. Mark Babbitt.

Aubrey Jenson

For black and white only first place was selected: Aubrey Jenson.

The Museum of Ventura County collecting history today

The Central Coast of California offered an obvious appeal to followers of modernism.

As Ventura County residents react to new policies and recommendations aimed to restrict the virus’ spread, the Museum is working to document and preserve the materials and stories that demonstrate how our county is continuing to communicate, work, commute, learn, teach, create, pray, celebrate, mourn, and give aid to others.

Tell us your story or consider what objects or recordings best represent the experiences and observations that have stood out to you most. How are you and your family members spending your time? What do you regard as your biggest challenges? Was there a moment when you realized a historic event was taking place?

The stories and materials we collect will allow all of us to study and share these experiences in the future. Learn more at www.VenturaMuseum.org.

The Museum of Ventura Count is excited to share an in-depth look at the California Cool: Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast exhibit online for the first time. Step back in time to a cooler and more sophisticated era of design with this online tour, offering a thorough look at many of the artifacts and artwork featured in the exhibit that was originally on display September 2019—February 2020. These artifacts include the Nelson Coconut Chair, pottery by renowned ceramicist Otto Heino, and special items from the collection of Eric Huff. Visit www.VenturaMuseum.org to view California Cool Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast and other virtual tours.

The Central Coast of California offered an obvious appeal to followers of modernism. The extensive access to the coast and higher elevations afforded by the region’s many beaches and foothills, and the mild Mediterranean climate, served as a central reason for indoor-outdoor living. But the Central Coast offered more than geography and climate. The different regions of the Central Coast offered other unique appeals, as well.

The Museum is also collaborating with CAPS Media, who are collecting stories from this time in video format for their #VenturaStories project. Do you have a great story to share? Something clever, funny or inspirational of your family, friends, kids, pets, neighbors or something else? Every week CAPS Media will air and stream locally produced videos sent in by the public. CAPS Media is looking for positive, feel-good stories that are entertaining, inspiring, enlightening and informative. This project gives you the special treat of seeing your masterpiece on television on Channel 6 and streaming online at capsmedia.org. Find out more at www.capsmedia.org/venturastories.

Junipero Serra statue wearing a mask

Just as it was during the Thomas Fire the Junipero Serra statue is wearing a face mask.

The statue is located across from the Ventura City Hall

Father Junipero Serra was the founder of nine missions including the San Buenaventura Mission in 1782.

The first statue was created by John Palo-Kangas in 1936. It was replaced in 1989 by a statue made from the wood carving by the late Wilbur Rubottom that is on display in City Hall atrium.

Photo by Bernie Goldstein

CAPS Media crews producing coronavirus updates

Are you ready for your television premiere?

CAPS Media crews are working closely with Ventura City and Ventura County officials to provide accurate and updated information on the coronavirus emergency. CAPS Crews are covering all County updates at the Government Center with videos posted at vcemergency.com/videos. CAPS is also creating Spanish language translations of the county messages for posting at vcemergency.com/covid19-sp/videos-sp.

CAPS crews are collaborating with the City of Ventura Police and Fire departments and with the Ventura County Fire department to create additional messages for the community and for internal use for emergency responders. Rest assured, CAPS Crew members are taking every precaution to be safe during these productions. All of the CAPS informational videos are being distributed on multiple platforms including City and County websites, CAPS Media, Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites.

The current emergency hasn’t slowed down the determined DJs and producers at CAPS Radio at 104.1fm. CAPS Media Radio Station Director Elizabeth Rodeno has launched a campaign to have listeners, DJs and producers record brief audio diaries about what their lives are like during the distance socializing era. Broadcasters from Australia to Ventura submitted audio shorts about local community organizations and activities. Kat Merrick, Pam Baumgardner, Kathy Good, Nadine Piche, Craig Rosen, Mary Egan and other KPPQ DJs are providing personal insights, public service information, fitness and health tips and more.

If you have a message to share on KPPQ, Ventura’s public access radio station, record your 30 to 60 second daily entry and email it to [email protected]. Tune into 104.1fm to hear the latest updates from the city and county.

Special thanks to everyone who submitted videos for CAPS Media’s #VenturaStories project – they’re great. In a week or so we will launch the first edition of the series.

Everyone has a Story to share. Be Creative – make #VenturaStories a family project with kids, pets, cooking, hobbies, sports, art, music, games and more. If you want to thank someone for a special act of kindness – #VenturaStories is a great way to do it. Teachers and students – do you have a fun or fascinating school project? Share it on #VenturaStories. Ventura Artists – demonstrate your unique talent with a #VenturaStories video. The series is also a place to share safety, health and shelter-in-place tips and messages during the current emergency. We’re looking for positive, feel-good stories that are entertaining, inspiring, enlightening and informative that we can share on television on Channel 6 and stream online at capsmedia.org.

For more info on #VenturaStories go to capsmedia.org/venturastories where you will find story ideas, production tips and other information. Keep in mind that #VenturaStories are best when they are short (3-5 minutes or less) and positive. Commercials and advertising are not acceptable and cannot be aired.

When you’re ready for your television premiere, submit your work of art to #VenturaStories online at capsmedia.org/venturastories where you will find simple instructions on how to upload your video. CAPS Media will determine which videos air and when they will air and stream. CAPS Media reserves the right to not air or distribute any videos for any reason.

Due to the Coronavirus emergency the CAPS Media Center is closed to Members and the public until further notice. CAPS Member/Producers can submit programming via the online portal at capsmedia.org for broadcast and streaming on CAPS public access television Channel 6 and on CAPS Radio KPPQ 104.1FM. All of us at CAPS Media hope everyone is Staying Safe and Healthy during this challenging time.