Mayor Sofia Rubalcava reading a story to young West Ventura resident, Cosmo, while Shannon López looks on.
City of Ventura Mayor Sofia Rubalcava participated in the Ventura Really Really Free Market (RRFM) on the 4th of July, 9 am-1 pm at Kellogg Park in West Ventura. Organized by the Ventura County chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSAVC), the event brought the community together to share their talents and lightly used items with one another. Rubalcava shared her talents for Spanish translation and children’s storytelling. Other community members offered free workshops: yoga instruction with Sarah Aspell, a Privilege Walk with Nicollete Walker of Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ), a Medicare For All talk with RN & activist Gina Currie.
“RRFMs are a chance to reimagine sharing in our community. Be it home goods, backyard veggies, or knowledge of gardening or knitting, we all have something to share and we all have something to gain,” said Event Organizer, Alyson Warner.
Other talents shared included a collaborative art station with John Caravello, professional chair massage from Allen Chinn, a Tea Ceremony with Taylor Buck and Julie Marie, seed plantings with Shannon & Tomás López, and more.
This event was made possible with support from the Ventura chapter of Black Lives Matters, Bike Ventura, Westside Community Development Corporation, Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Ventura Tenants Union, and the Diversity Collective.
For more information on Ventura RRFM, follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RRFMventura.
