In the photo is Deya Terrafranca, Research Library and Archives Director and a copy of The Daily Free Press from Dec.14, 1887. Photos by Patricia Schallert

The Research Library and Archives at the Museum of Ventura County houses a vast collection of resources pertaining to the history of Ventura County and its outlying regions. The collection spans the Chumash Indians, the Mission and Rancho periods, early settlement, commercialization, industrialization, to present times. The collection includes books, newspapers, clipping and ephemera files, maps, oral histories, ledgers, microfilm, manuscript collections, and photographs, just to name a few. Currently open Wednesday through Friday from 11 am to 5 pm, the public can visit by making an appointment online (https://venturamuseum.org).

Staff and volunteers are available to assist researchers to conduct historical and genealogical research on any number of local subjects and families. The Museum is currently requiring masks in all indoor spaces, including the Research Library and Archives.

Feel Good Fridays” have highlighted local businesses of every ilk. Photo by Visit Ventura

by Visit Ventura

Kindness feels good. It is as small as a smile, and a power without limits. Kindness can change a day, a life, a world. Each equally magnificent.

Think back to the last time someone did something kind for you.

“Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people,” said Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Perhaps kindness matters now more than ever, as we continue to navigate a shape-shifting pandemic.

For nineteen months, Visit Ventura has made kindness a cornerstone of our efforts to help Ventura get through the pandemic. It’s been part of every program we’ve created to help our businesses and our hometown during the pandemic. “Shop Ventura, Save Ventura,” “Takeout Tuesdays,” “Thirsty Thursday,” and “Feel Good Fridays” have highlighted local businesses of every ilk. And asked people to perform a simple, but critical, kindness. Please support local.

We’ve also asked folks to perform simple kindnesses. Buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you in line. Buy takeout from a Ventura restaurant. Buy a sandwich, and hand it to the first person who looks hungry. Right now we’re distributing kindness cards – actually we’re asking you to, well, kindly do it. We created the cards (which you can pick up at the Ventura Visitor Center, 101 South California Street) for a simple, not-so-simple reason. To pass along kindness. Pick your cards up at the Visitor Center. Keep them handy. Then pass them on, spontaneously or no, to someone who deserves a thanks. Someone who is a model of kindness. Someone who gave you great service. Someone who inspires you. Someone who just makes you smile.

Your turn to make them smile.

Because we all need a boost.

Kindness isn’t just about warm fuzzies. It has serious underpinnings. Early in the pandemic the Ventura Chamber of Commerce took a poll of local businesses. About a third said they didn’t expect to make it through the pandemic. As you read this, nearly 90 percent of those businesses are still in business. Why? Because Venturans stepped up to the plate, supporting local as only we can.

And kindness is still seriously required. Ventura’s businesses, so many of them locally owned, continue to face ever-changing challenges. Ripple effects of every kind. Now many businesses are short staffed, struggling to do a lot more with fewer people. From hotels, to restaurants, to retail, they are working hard to hire staff, but sometimes waits are a little longer and phones ring a little longer. Necessitating simple kindnesses like patience, an understanding smile, a kind word.

And maybe handing over a kindness card.

We are all walking through this time together. Who wouldn’t want to make it more pleasant? And it requires pretty much nothing. No effort (how hard is a smile?). No real inconvenience (how hard, a few extra beats of patience?) No timetable.

“Be kind whenever possible,” the Dalai Lama once said. “It is always possible.”

Kindness is no pushover. It is a lot tougher than it looks. Ventura knows the power of kindness. Kindness has proved we won’t be knocked down. Not by a fire. Not by a pandemic. Not by anything.

Nothing beats invincible spirit, community, and simple kindnesses .

It’s not rocket science.

That may be the greatest power of kindness.

Anyone can do it.

by Mira Reverente

For some very fortunate Ventura children, Santa arrived a bit early this year.

Upon the recommendation of the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD), 22 school-aged children from local schools recently participated in the annual “Shop With a Cop” sponsored by the Ventura Police Department (VPD) at Wal-Mart on Victoria Avenue.

Among the participants was Jasmine, 8, who had a small notebook with her, complete with a wish list and notes from her mother. “I’m going to get my mom size 9 slippers and some arts and crafts supplies. She really wanted those,” said the second-grader.

Jasmine’s 14-year-old sister Arielle specifically asked for perfume, lotion and some belts. Grandma, who also wears a size 9, wanted shoes. “I think that’s it plus maybe something for my furry brother – our dog and some clothes for me,” said Jasmine, smiling widely and giving her list a once-over before turning to Officer Taylor Beacham.

Beacham, a three-year veteran at VPD, volunteered for the event for the first time and was paired with Jasmine. The pair hit it off right away, going over Jasmine’s shopping list, and checking it twice and were bantering like old friends before the evening was over.

Chief of Police Darin Schindler was pleased with that evening’s turn-out. “I know we’ve been doing this event for at least 10 years now, even before I became chief. I’m really proud of how much it has grown and how many officers and staff volunteer on their own time,” said Schindler, a 27-year veteran at VPD.

According to the chief, the size of this annual event largely depends on the department budget and involvement of the community. This year, donations poured in from the Police Community Foundation, the Optimist Club and other service clubs who are passionate about supporting youth in the community.

“Typically, we have 20 to 30 children participating every year, except last year due to Covid concerns,” said Emily Graves, community outreach specialist of the City of Ventura, Police and Fire Departments. “However, VPD officers still “played” Santa last year and delivered toys and gift cards to families in need.”

This year, every child was given a $175 “budget” to spend as they wish at Wal-mart. “Sometimes, the officers even pitch in when their shopping buddy goes over a bit,” said Chief Schindler.

Treats and snacks like cookies and hot cocoa were abundant as the children, officers and support staff assembled and “strategized” before hitting the aisles. Some officers and staff came with their spouses or significant others and tag-teamed as they shopped and helped wrap presents before sending the children home.

For children like Jasmine, the joy of shopping, wrapping and giving presents to their loved ones was sheer happiness and something they’ll never forget. Santa does come early in some parts of the world.