School Resource Officer Matt Thompson spent time reading to local students in honor of Read Across America Day! The national effort kicked off 21 years ago. The day celebrates reading and the birthday of author Dr. Suess who published over 60 children’s books including classics like Green Eggs and Ham and Go Dog Go.
Ventura County Libraries offer free reading times and activities for our local kids throughout the year. Learn more at https://www.vencolibrary.org/youth/kids.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.” Stated Dr. Suess.
When the owners of Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura decided to create a scholarship fund for local high school students wanting to pursue a college degree, the Cypress Place Senior Living “Senior to Senior Legacy Scholarship” was created.
Cypress Place Senior Living is an independent, assisted, and memory care community for seniors. By awarding two $2500 scholarships to local high school seniors, residents at Cypress Place are attempting to pass on opportunities for young people in the community, according to Steve Spira, executive director at Cypress Place.
Applicants need to have a verified 3.2 or higher GPA and to have applied for fall 2019 admission to a college or university with the intention of obtaining a degree. Applicants are also asked to submit an essay about their reason for pursuing higher education along with a personal account of how a senior or seniors has affected their life, including specific examples of intergenerational experiences of the applicant.
Residents on the Resident Scholarship Committee at Cypress Place will read the essays, then hold oral interviews with the semi-finalists to determine the two award winners.
The scholarships are open to all City of Ventura high school students. The deadline for submitting a completed application packet is Friday, April 19, 2019 at 5:00pm. Qualified applicants will be invited to a mandatory oral interview on May 9, 2019. The presentation of the two scholarships will be held Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 6:00p.m. at Cypress Place Senior Living. The recipients must be available to attend the presentation event to receive an award.
For more information or to receive an application packet please contact Pam Staniland, Director of Sales and Marketing at Cypress Place Senior Living, 805-656-9500 x 201,or via email at [email protected].
Cypress Place Senior Living is at 1200/1220 Cypress Point Lane, Ventura. To learn m
As part of its new Ventura County Child Wellness Initiative, Students for Eco-Education & Agriculture (SEEAG) is bringing its message of healthy eating, proper nutrition and daily exercise to classrooms throughout Ventura County using its new 30-foot-long cargo van—the “Farm Fresh Mobile Classroom.”
Over the next three years, the mobile classroom van will visit over 120 schools, reaching 10,000 Ventura County second through fourth graders, many who are Title 1 low-income children. SEEAG will introduce hands-on activities to increase children’s knowledge and preference for fresh Ventura County fruits and vegetables. As part of the program, students will get a chance to prepare healthy snacks using locally grown crops. They will also learn how to incorporate healthy living practices, good nutrition and exercise into their daily activities.
The colorful van will carry free educational supplies, Ventura County-grown farm fresh produce and recipe cards and nutrition information that students can share with their families. In addition, SEEAG will be promoting oral health by supplying free toothbrushes and dental floss.
To help cover van and transportation costs, SEEAG is making available 11 positions on the vehicle for business/organization logo placement—four on each side and three on the back.
“We want kids to get excited whenever they see our van pull up at their school,” says Mary Maranville, SEEAG founder and CEO. “Our goal is to cultivate a deeper appreciation for our local agriculture, and healthy eating and wellness practices that will stay with these young students throughout their life,”
For more about how to add a logo to SEEAG’s Farm Fresh Mobile Classroom, visit www.SEEAG.org and click on “Support Us” (www.seeag.org/vccwi) or email SEEAG’s Emily Hidalgo at [email protected].
Founded in 2008, Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) is a nonprofit organization that aims to help young students understand the origins of their food by bridging the gap between agriculture and consumption through its agricultural education programming. SEEAG’s “The Farm Lab” program based in Ventura County teaches schoolchildren about the origins of their food and the importance of local farmland by providing schools with classroom agricultural education and free field trips to farms. Through this program, over 25,000 elementary school students in Southern California have increased their understanding of the food journey. SEEAG also hosts annual Farm Days—Santa Barbara County Farm Day, September 28, 2019 and Ventura County Farm Day, November 9, 2019 For more information, visit www.seeag.org or email Mary Maranville at [email protected]
Perry Mason is perhaps the best known legal attorney on the planet today, but few know he was created in Ventura by lawyer, Erle Stanley Gardner. This special tour will focus on his fifteen years in Ventura, the cases he tried and the people he influenced and how the city and events influenced his many mystery novels of Perry Mason. He would go on to write over 150 books, 86 of them about his popular Perry Mason character. It was in Ventura that won his best cases and made a mark as a formidable lawyer known for breaking down witnesses on the stand, a skill he transferred over to his fictional Perry Mason.
Richard Senate who will lead the tour is a long time Ventura Historian, managing both the Olivas Adobe Historic Park and the Albinger Archaeological Museum in Ventura. Mr. Senate wrote a biography of Gardner titled Erle Stanley Gardner’s Ventura: the birthplace of Perry Mason. This tour will focus on Gardner’s Ventura Years and how he came to write his first books.
March 23, 1-3pm The tour starts at the steps of City Hall, 501 Poli Street at 1 pm.
For tickets call the Recreation Department at 805-658-4726
For questions on Mr. Gardner and this tour e-mail Richard Senate; [email protected].
On March 30th, Mr. Senate will offer a unique walking tour and talk about a horror film made in Ventura in 1961. The brain child of B-Picture director William Castle it was a film loosely based on Hitchcock’s Psycho. It was filmed in downtown Ventura and Solvang. A rather grim film of madness and murder–it turned out rather good. The tour will discuss the movie, and show some clips that depict Ventura as it was in the 1960s. After the talk a short walking tour will be offered to view locations used in the movie. Tour starts at the Bank of Books on 748 E. Main Street in Downtown Ventura. Tickets are a modest $6 per person. Talk starts at 7 pm. For an interview or questions e-mail Mr. Senate at [email protected].
The CAPS Media Crew will be “wearing the green” on Saturday, March 16th broadcasting and live streaming Ventura’s 31st annual St Patrick’s Day Parade starting at 10 AM on channel 6. The festive event, sponsored by Ventura Elks Lodge #1430, is a community wide celebration with dancers, classic vehicles, music performances, and much more. Former City Mayor and longest serving councilmember Jim Monahan will be honored as this year’s Grand Marshal along with other grand marshals of yesteryear. The parade will be live on Saturday morning and repeat throughout the following week. Check https://www.capsmedia.org/channel-6/ to find the specific days and times.
The following Saturday, March 23rd, the CAPS Media Crew will record the Festival of Talent for Ventura Education Partnership. Under this year’s theme, We’ve Got The Beat, the annual talent show showcases the wide range of talented students in the Ventura Unified School District. Now in its 18th year, Festival of Talent is the largest fundraising event for Ventura Education Partnership. Proceeds support innovative classroom grants through the VEP Grants program. The majority of the crew members for both productions are students in the El Camino High School media program at CAPS (ECTV). All volunteer their time and expertise for these worthwhile and entertaining events.
The award-winning El Camino High School at Ventura College production team (ECTV) is in the midst of producing an extensive media series on a topic of great importance to the students: immigration. The crew has conducted personal interviews and recorded life histories with multiple émigrés from Mexico including Gabino Aguirre, the former mayor of Santa Paula, and a woman who fled Europe as was part of the WW2 Jewish diaspora that, turned away by the US, took refuge in Uruguay. The series also includes immigrants from Germany, Belgium, Canada and Franco Spain. All of the stories are part of the ECTV series of programs that air on CAPS Channel 6. Go to www.capsmedia.org/channel-6/ for specific days and times.
Also, all of the ECTV programs are archived on the CAPS Media website under www.capsmedia.org/videos/
CAPS Media continues the important collaboration with Ventura Police Department by producing an ongoing series of community awareness and information projects. Coordinated by Ashley Bautista, VPD Community Outreach Specialist, the series includes regular community updates, crime prevention tips for the public and engaging profiles on officers on the force.
On Wednesday March 27 join DJs, producers and engineers of CAPS Radio KPPQ at our open house and community meeting at 6pm at the CAPS Media Center. Learn about Ventura’s community radio station and let us know what you think.
If you have an interest in community television or are just curious, drop by the CAPS Media Center on the first Thursday of the month and learn how to become a member of CAPS and join our community of enthusiastic and engaged member/producers. For a low membership fee of $25 you will receive hands-on instruction in videography, video editing, radio production (additional fee required) and more. You will have access to our state-of-the-art facilities including our fully equipped studio and will receive invites to special events including our Producers Caucus. Don’t miss out. Go to capsmedia.org for information or call 805-658-0500.
Hundreds of locals and visitors alike turn out for this week-long event.
Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer (@MaryannRidiniSpencer)
Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation presents its third annual “Ventura County Ag Week,” a celebration of Ventura County Agriculture from March 25 through March 31, 2019.
“Hundreds of locals and visitors alike turn out for this week-long event, and the crowds get larger every year,” said Kat Merrick, Totally Local VC Founder. “The agriculture industry is so vital to our local economy. Considering this, Totally Local VC felt it would be great to introduce the community to its local farmers as well as ag organizations. Throughout the week, through a series of entertaining and educational events, attendees will get the chance to learn more about the economic role agriculture plays in our community as well as the jobs available in farming, and exactly what happens from field to fork.”
In 2014, Ventura County ranked No. 10 among California counties in total crop value according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The most recent national data put Ventura county at No. 11 among all counties in the United States.
Week-Long Celebration Schedule:
The “2019 Excellence in Agriculture Awards Luncheon” on Monday, March 25 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm kicks off the week-long celebrations. Honoring
agricultural leaders from farmers, ranchers to chefs and Ag educators, the event will be held at Limoneira Ranch Visitors Center in Santa Paula. Keynote speaker is Ag Commissioner Ed Williams. Chef Jason Collis of Plated Events is luncheon caterer. Reiter Affiliated Companies and the California Strawberry Commission host the build-your-own-strawberry-shortcake dessert bar. The event is open to the public and tickets can be purchased online at totallylocalvc.com.
“Meet-the-Farmer-and-Rancher Mixer Night” will be held Wednesday, March 27 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at McGrath Ranch & Garden, 5100 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura. Attendees are invited to mix, mingle and taste the flavors of Ventura County while listening to the music of Karen 805 and participate in a silent auction hosted by the Ventura Chapter of (CWA) California Women for Agriculture. The event is free and open to the public (no-host bar).
Saturday, March 30, families are invited to enjoy a fun-filled day of music and a locally-sourced barbecue luncheon at Oxnard Historical Farm Park, 1251 Gottfried Place, Oxnard. Admission is free. Check time details at totallylocalvc.com.
Ag Week, along with help from its sponsors, also hosts private Career Exploration Day, which, held at the Museum of Ventura County’s Agricultural Museum for some 600 pre-registered students and their teachers, showcases job opportunities in the field of agriculture, food science, and culinary arts.
“One of our main goals for this week is to work with area schools to educate the youth of our community,” said Merrick. “Students will hear firsthand from local farmers and chefs about the important role agriculture plays locally and hopefully open up a new world to them in terms of future job opportunities, mentorship programs, and valuable friendships.”
Students had the opportunity to chat with Ventura’s Mayor Matt LaVere (he’s the bigger one). Photo by VCS parent Manjula Perera
On Thursday, February 21st, 50 third graders from Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education (VCS) walked two miles to Ventura City Hall for a highly anticipated field trip. This journey was a celebration of the unveiling of their “Spread Peace and Love” mural on display in City Hall. The spirit of this peaceful mural is to be a traveling art peace around the city. When third-grade VCS teachers Emily Noel and Kim “Flow” Hansmeier reached out to Ventura City Hall to be the first hosts of the art piece, City Hall was instantly supportive and excited.
Kathryn Dippong Lawson, Ventura City Hall’s Cultural Arts, Education & Historic Supervisor, helped coordinate this special event. The day involved a glance at Ventura’s historical art pieces within City Hall on a guided tour from Tobie Roach, the City of Ventura’s Public Art Specialist. Students had many opportunities to learn about famous, local artists and to connect with art through reflection, observations, and questions.
The field trip concluded with a “Mayor Meet Up” as students had the unique opportunity to chat with Ventura’s Mayor Matt LaVere. Mayor LaVere then concluded the incredible experience by unveiling the student’s art piece of peace. Many high fives, cheers, and peace signs were given and joyful pictures were taken with the Mayor.
Quotes from VCS third grade artists reflecting on their big day at Ventura City Hall:
“At City Hall, we met awesome people! Kathryn and Tobie seemed very passionate about the City Hall art and they wanted to share it with us. City Hall inspired us to do more. The Mayor was much different than I thought he’d be. I thought he’d be really old. He was so fun and cool! We learned that the Mayor’s job is important. The Mayor makes Ventura a better community. He’s a kind person. Meeting him was an exciting opportunity. Maybe I can be the Mayor one day. The Mayor said that every day he walks into City Hall and the first thing he sees is our mural saying, ‘Spread Peace and Love’ and it reminds him to do that. He said the best Mayors spread peace and love.”
“This mural was about kindness, spreading peace, and love to others. We went to be representatives of kindness. We went to show ourselves being a part of the community. Spreading peace, love, and kindness is all that we want to do and are going to do; all that we are. We want our community to be peaceful and kind. We are all pieces of the mural. There are 50 parts/bones of the mural.”
“Our mural is a chance to express ourselves and the work we’ve done. Our peaceful family is open for others to join. We can all be one and bring others together. When you’re kind to yourself, it makes being kind to others easier. The mural is a reminder you can be peaceful and you can set the example; it’s something we don’t want people to forget.”
Annabelle Augustine interviews Allison Villas and Grace Johnston-Glick about their Thomas Fire experiences.
CAPS Media continues to broadcast great member programming including a fascinating travel show and one covering environmental topics, current event programming and even short form dramatic films. Our members also cover many local events and performances. We continue to broadcast our award winning Thomas Fire Stories program with new episodes on the way.
There are some exciting annual events coming up that CAPS Media supports. These community events include the 31st Annual County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Ventura Education Partnership’s 18th Annual Festival of Talent. Both events showcase the best of what the Ventura community has to offer. Performers, artists, groups, non-profits and businesses are many of those who embrace and represent civic pride.
More screenings of The Perfect Firestorm – The Thomas Fire Story documentary will be held in Santa Paula on Saturday, March 9th at 1pm & 3pm at the Ventura County Agriculture Museum. This is a free event, open to the public, no reservations are required. The documentary is available for viewing on the CAPS Media website homepage at capsmedia.org.
Look for new videos on the channels from the Fire and Police Departments addressing safety and preparedness and job recruiting. Videos covering Sandbag Basics, Ready for the Rainy season, Fire Safe Council as well Ventura Police recruitment videos and Crime and Safety Update.
If you have an interest in community television or radio production, or are just curious, drop by the CAPS Media Center on the first Thursday of the month and learn how to become a member of CAPS and join our community of enthusiastic and engaged member/producers. Attend the March orientation class and become a member. For a low membership fee of $25 you will receive hands-on instruction in videography, video editing, radio production (additional fee required) and more. You will have access to our state-of-the-art facilities including our fully equipped studio and will receive invites to special events including our Producers Caucus. Don’t miss out. Go to capsmedia.org for information or call 805-658-0500.
CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media.
The Museum of Ventura County and the American Institute of Architects Ventura County (AIAVC) present Design in the Making, a community Architectural Exhibit exploring the dynamic role of architects and designers in affecting positive change in our community through the creative design process. Admission is Free for museum and AIA members, $5 for non-members. For more information, visit venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.
Design in the Making runs through May 19, 2019 and will feature the Museum of Ventura County’s architectural archives opened to the public for the very first time, and local built and un-built projects highlighting the evolving conversation inherent within the design process with a window into the future.
“Ventura County’s architectural diversity creates a landscape of historic relevance that defines the vernacular of our culture,” said Anna Bermudez, curator for the Museum. “The exhibit will present a cross-section of styles that reflect the influences of immigration and its cultural impact on housing and community buildings throughout the decades and throughout the county.
Accompanying the exhibition, programs throughout the duration of the exhibit include live interactive design charrettes where Designers-In-Residence and Community will come together to create solutions to local place making issues. The AIAVC will host a Scholarship Fundraiser to benefit students planning on pursuing careers in architecture, and to announce the 2019 Scholarship Recipients, Friday, May 3, 2019 from 6-9 p.m. followed by a free activity, “Kid Draw Architecture,” on Sunday, May 5, 2019 from 2-4pm. For more information visit AIAVC or call 805-749-6809.
This exhibit is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Ashley & Vance Engineering, Coast Reprographics, Mary Follenweider AIA, Neel Lighting, and Staples Construction. Additional support provided by the City of Ventura, Ventura County, and private funders.
Established in 1965, the AIAVC is a member-driven organization providing advocacy, leadership, and resources for architects. Its mission is to promote personal and corporate growth, strength and sustainability of the membership as architects and citizens of Ventura County. This is done by Engaging, Encouraging and Educating the membership and the community at large. For more information visit AIAVC or call 805-749-6809.
Veronica Slavin, Dan Feliz, George Alger, Sandra Siepak and Michelle Hoover are all part of the Our Ventura TV team. In-studio interview productions are done in association with CAPS Media Center
Our Ventura TV is an award-winning, weekly talk-show television series broadcast on Ventura cable channel 6 TV and also published on OurVentura.com as well as on social media networks. For over ten years the programs have been, and still are, primarily about nonprofits, local leaders, artists and organizations who contribute in some way to the Ventura County community. Anyone who contributes to the theme of “People doing good things in Ventura County” and the surrounding area is welcome to be interviewed as a guest.
The show’s executive producer, George Alger, stated, “We started producing in-studio cable TV segments in 2008. In 2010 we also posted them online. Since then, we’ve posted over 900 segments that were created in and out of the studio and each week a new show is broadcast on Ventura cable channel 6 and posted online.”
In-studio interview productions are done in association with CAPS Media Center in Ventura, which broadcasts the programming for channels 6 and 15 cable television.
The Our Ventura TV production team includes on-air hosts and a behind-the-camera crew who bring the interviews and other segments onto local TV as well as online. Our Ventura TV Host, Sandra Siepak stated that the mission of the series is to “Connect our viewers with those making a difference for the better here in Ventura County.”
Show Director, Michelle Hoover, added that, “There are no fees for guests who speak about nonprofit or noncommercial messages.” The weekly cable TV series is sponsored by Nonprofit Fire, Skyworks Marketing and GWC Productions. The Our Ventura TV team, including interview hosts and behind-the-camera technical crew contribute to the show’s success.
Additionally, the production team also creates video and TV segments for commercial messages and businesses in the community. Paid video and TV production services include:
* TV Commercials * Business Interviews* Facility Tour Videos* Product Videos
* “How To” Videos* Public Service Announcements* Infomercials* Documentaries
Our Ventura TV shows are broadcast every week on Ventura cable channel 6. The majority of shows feature guests who are interviewed about their expertise and/or community activities. Additionally, there are music, theatrical and other entertainment productions.
To become a guest on Our Ventura TV, just visit OurVentura.com and click “Contact.”
Visit OurVentura.com for more information or email George Alger at [email protected]
Photo: left to right: Veronica Slavin, Dan Feliz, George Alger, Sandra Siepak and Michelle Hoover are all part of the Our Ventura TV team.
School Resource Officer Matt Thompson spent time reading to local students in honor of Read Across America Day! The national effort kicked off 21 years ago. The day celebrates reading and the birthday of author Dr. Suess who published over 60 children’s books including classics like Green Eggs and Ham and Go Dog Go.
