We’re excited to announce a new, regular feature: “Local Legends: Stories of Service and Impact.” This section will spotlight local seniors who have contributed their time, skills, or talents to the betterment of our community. Local Legends don’t have to have been born here nor be life-long residents – our aim is simply to share the inspiring stories of senior Venturans who have made a positive impact on our city. These individuals may have been or continue to be local environmental activists, medical professionals, volunteers, artists, business owners, first responders, veterans, or anyone who has dedicated themselves to making Ventura a better place. Through this feature, we hope to honor their achievements and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Local Legends: Stories of Service and Impact
Our very first Local Legend is a familiar face to Breeze readers: Sheldon Brown, publisher emeritus of the Ventura Breeze. Earlier this year, the city of San Buenaventura honored Sheldon with a city proclamation recognizing his outstanding contributions and remarkable achievements as founder and publisher of the Ventura Breeze newspaper. The proclamation also designated May 14 as “Sheldon Brown Day” in recognition of his exemplary service, outstanding leadership, and enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
Sheldon previously lived and worked in Southern California. He attended USC’s School of Architecture and ran a successful practice for 30 years. He also taught architecture at the college level. After moving to Ventura in 1998, he continued to work as an architect for several years, eventually designing and building a Craftsman-style home in the historic downtown district with the interior design expertise of Diane Brown, his multi-talented wife of 30 years. Disturbed by the absence of a local, community-based newspaper to inform residents about events and news, Sheldon launched the Ventura Breeze in October 2007. He continued to publish the paper for 17 years until his retirement in May 2024.
A staunch advocate for mental health services, Sheldon was appointed to the Citizens Advisory Council overseeing the California Department of Mental Health by Governor Jerry Brown (no relation). In the Ventura Breeze newspaper, he frequently included commentary of local and statewide initiatives on mental health and homelessness, lamenting the lack of proper funding and calling on the legislature to provide enhanced mental health services. He and Diane are currently enjoying a well-earned retirement at Portside Ventura Harbor. Sheldon continues to contribute to the Ventura Breeze, enjoys playing tennis, and regularly participates in local events and activities.
Want to nominate a Local Legend? Email a brief, 400-word description along with a high-resolution photograph to [email protected] and use “Local Legend” in the subject line. Please note: Due to the high volume of submissions, we will not be able to publish every nomination received.
X Games, the leading action sports competition and lifestyle brand, returned to the beaches of Ventura from Thursday, June 28, through Sunday, June 30. The festival featured three days of non-stop action sports and music.
In addition to watching some of the world’s best action sports athletes, X Games Ventura showcased musical guest performances, art installations, cultural activations, brand experiences, and a variety of California’s favorite food trucks. The music lineup included:
Friday, June 28: Wiz Khalifa, AG Club, and Oxymorrons.
Saturday, June 29: Kaskade, Devault, Mija, and Emo Nite with a special guest appearance by Machine Gun Kelly.
Sunday, June 30: Fever 333, Blame My Youth, and Metalachi.
Image by Mark Brown
From world-class competitions to lifestyle and culture, X Games has been at the forefront of action sports for 30 years. X Games debuted in June 1995 in Rhode Island. Known that first year as the Extreme Games, the event was devised, owned, and operated by ESPN. The name was changed to X Games for the 1996 summer games.
The X Games are an international sporting competition featuring sports like skateboarding, snowboarding, BMX, and freestyle motocross. Competitors compete for bronze, silver, and gold medals. X Games California 2023 returned to Southern California after a 10-year absence from the region.
Jim White, a member of the Board of Directors for the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau, said, “X Games participants were outstanding! There was so much talent and dedication from everyone who competed. There were a lot of positive reactions from attendees, and it seemed even better overall than last year with the expanded space.”
Marlyss Auster, President & CEO of Visit Ventura, added, “Visit Ventura was thrilled to coordinate with X Games to donate tickets to our local nonprofit organizations, giving hundreds of children who wouldn’t have had the means to see a world-class event the opportunity to see X Games Ventura right here in their own hometown. You never know — maybe seeing athletes at the X Games inspired one of our local skateboarders or riders to become the next X Games gold medalist!”
As someone who attended his first X Games almost 20 years ago, I can say X Games Ventura was one of the best I have seen. The X Games are the “Olympics” of action sports, according to several of the families and athletes I spoke with. Each day, fans watched the world’s best action sports athletes competing for gold.
Image by @jseemayerphoto
Here are some highlights from X Games Ventura:
Pacifico Men’s Skateboard Vert Final In a thrilling Skateboard Vert final on Friday, June 28, longtime X Games competitor Tom Schaar earned his first gold medal in Vert at the age of 24. With seven-time Vert gold medalist Jimmy Wilkins sitting in first place in the fourth and final runs, Schaar executed a flawless run in the last 10 seconds of the competition. Moto Shibata, who was just off the podium heading into his fourth run, landed a nearly perfect run to knock Wilkins into bronze.
Moto X Best Whip Final In the final competition of the day on Friday, June 28, American Patrick Evans earned gold in just his second X Games appearance, surpassing 2022 gold medalist Julien Vanstippen. Riding an electric Stark Future bike, Evans defied gravity with his corked-out whip.
Image by @jseemayerphoto
Skateboard Park on the SONIC Park Course On Sunday, June 30, the world’s biggest stage featured a field of eight finalists, all under 18 years old. Among them was defending champion, 14-year-old Arisa Trew, aiming to uphold her title after a perfect rookie year where she clinched two gold medals in park and vert disciplines. Trew impressed from the start, unleashing a series of intricate combos, including a backside air on the extension, McTwist, and backside Smith, nosegrind to fakie. After a dominant first run, Trew outperformed the rest of the field with an 11-point lead and maintained her edge throughout, displaying a relentless drive to push the progression of what was possible. Even in her victory lap, she continued to challenge herself, highlighting her commitment to progression in her sport.
Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street Final In his 24th X Games appearance on Sunday, June 30, Nyjah Huston again reigned supreme in skateboard street, winning his second gold this weekend, his 23rd overall X Games medal, and his 15th gold medal, tying Shaun White in the Skateboard Street Final. With his win in Saturday’s Street Best Trick event, Huston earned his first on-site gold medal since X Games Minneapolis 2019 and surpassed Bob Burnquist’s record for the most skateboard golds at X Games.
Image by @jseemayerphoto
Samsung Galaxy Moto X QuarterPipe High Air It was a showdown between the two favorites for this event on Sunday, June 30: Australian competitor Corey Creed and USA’s four-time X Games gold medalist Colby Raha. Raha, who won last year with a 56’3” jump and is a four-time MTX QuarterPipe High Air champ, was edged out by Creed by two feet at 53 feet and seven inches. Now, both rivals own four X Games gold medals apiece.
Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street Best Trick On Saturday, June 29, 22-time X Games champion and favorite Nyjah Huston matched legend Bob Burnquist’s record for the most skateboard gold medals of all time. Huston is the most decorated skateboard street medalist of all time and just one gold behind Shaun White and Garrett Reynolds for the most overall gold in history.
Image by @jseemayerphoto
Pacifico Women’s & Men’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick In the debut of Pacifico Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick on Saturday, June 29, nine-year-old Mia Kretzer earned her first X Games gold. In a field where the oldest competitor was just 20 years old, Kretzer became the youngest athlete and medalist in X Games history, beating out Ema Kawakami, who held the record for one day. Kretzer landed a cab 720 on her second try.
In the men’s competition, Gui Khury added his ninth overall gold medal and third Vert Best Trick gold medal with a body varial 900 on his first try. On the 25th anniversary of Tony Hawk’s 900, both Khury and newcomer Kawakai landed 900s.
Stephen Gregory Reid, 61, known as “Racer,” from Ventura, California, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for his role as a prolific fentanyl distributor, announced the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Los Angeles Field Division last week.
The sentencing marks the culmination of a multi-agency investigation that began in fall 2022 and concluded in August 2023 with a search warrant executed at Reid’s Ventura residence. Law enforcement seized over one pound of fentanyl powder, nearly one pound of crystal methamphetamine, and a small quantity of M-30 fentanyl pills. Reid’s residence is located just one block north of an elementary school.
The investigation, led by the DEA Ventura Resident Office in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Ventura and the Ventura Police Department (VPD), identified Reid as one of Ventura’s primary fentanyl traffickers. Reid, with a history of prior convictions for state drug offenses and lengthy prison terms, was a significant distributor of the dangerous drug within the community.
DEA Ventura Resident Agent in Charge Ryan Olson praised the joint efforts of all involved agencies, emphasizing their commitment to eliminating fentanyl distribution in Ventura. “This investigation underscores our relentless pursuit to rid our streets of lethal drugs like fentanyl and hold offenders accountable,” Olson stated.
Ventura Police Chief Darin Schindler echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the collaborative efforts that led to Reid’s sentencing. “Reid played a major role in the spread of fentanyl in our community. This sentencing underscores our commitment to safeguarding Ventura from the devastating impact of this deadly drug,” Chief Schindler affirmed.
John Pasciucco, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of HSI Los Angeles, highlighted the critical partnerships essential to combating the nationwide fentanyl crisis. “Collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies is vital to ensuring the safety of southern California residents,” Pasciucco remarked.
Fentanyl, known for its potency and lethal potential, has become a leading cause of death among young Americans. With its high potency compared to morphine and heroin, even minuscule amounts pose significant public health risks. In 2023 alone, DEA seized over 80 million fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, equivalent to more than 381 million lethal doses.
Assistant United States Attorney Suria Bahadue of the General Crimes section is prosecuting Reid’s case.
Mayor Joe Schroeder hailed the pier’s return as a “remarkable comeback.” Photo by Patricia-Schallert and Yana Khynod
by Patricia Schallert
Residents were excited to have the pier open again. Photo by Patricia-Schallert and Yana Khynod
Nestled along Ventura’s picturesque coastline in California, Ventura Pier holds a cherished place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Beyond its role as a scenic landmark, this historic pier has witnessed countless milestones—first kisses, engagements, and anniversaries—making it a timeless backdrop for cherished memories.
In 2023, Ventura Pier faced a formidable challenge when a powerful storm swept through, causing significant structural damage and necessitating its closure for essential renovations. The safety of visitors was paramount, prompting a united effort within the community to support the pier’s restoration. Recognizing the pier’s profound cultural and historical value, Ventura rallied together to ensure its preservation for future generations.
Ronda Holden President of Pier Into the Future welcomes residents. Photo by Patricia-Schallert and Yana Khynod
Leading the charge in the pier’s reconstruction was Jilk Heavy Construction Inc., renowned for their impeccable safety record and expertise in coastal infrastructure. Under the stewardship of Barbara McCormick, Fleet and Facilities Manager, alongside Joe and Jim Jilk, the company spearheaded meticulous repairs and upgrades.
The culmination of these efforts came to fruition on June 29th, 2024, as Ventura Pier proudly reopened its gates to the public. The grand reopening was a testament to resilience and community spirit, drawing enthusiastic crowds eager to once again savor its panoramic ocean views, fishing opportunities, and leisurely strolls along its storied planks.
Mayor Joe Schroeder hailed the pier’s return as a “remarkable comeback,” embodying the enduring spirit and unity of Ventura’s coastal community. Ronda Holden, President of Pier Into the Future, emphasized that Ventura Pier transcends its physical structure—it symbolizes the very essence of coastal California living.
A group effort: The City Council, Jilk Heavy Construction Inc. and others were excited about the Pier’s reopening. Photo by Patricia-Schallert and Yana Khynod
On June 25th, Mayor Schroeder expressed gratitude to the collaborative efforts of community partners, including Barbara McCormick, Josh Jilk, Jim Jilk, Tio Larios, Ronda Holden, and Bill Ayub. Their dedication, alongside the city council and numerous individuals, ensured that Ventura’s heritage remains safeguarded for generations to come.
As Ventura welcomes back its beloved pier, Mayor Schroeder eagerly anticipates the community’s return to create new memories under the sun that rises and sets upon this beloved coastal landmark.
Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) Shelter Beyond Capacity
Our local VCAS shelter is full and in desperate need of animal lovers willing to take a shelter animal into their home. Foster Parents in the VCAS Foster Care Program provide an essential role as a temporary home for shelter pets while they await adoption. Animals that make good foster care candidates may be experiencing anxiety, are shy, healing from medical problems, are pregnant, injured, older, terminally ill, or simply need a quiet place to rest and rejuvenate.
Foster Parent Requirements
Provide a safe, clean, and caring environment
Provide food, water, toys/enrichment, and shelter
Provide exercise and socialization if appropriate
Monitor their physical and mental wellbeing
Able to transport for vet appointments, adoption events, or evacuating them in case of an emergency
Actively marketing your foster dog for adoption – make regular AdoptMeApp diary entries.
Screen and meet with potential adopters; be responsive and courteous towards potential adopters; follow VCAS adoption protocols
Fostering is Flexible
The length of time you foster an animal is up to you. If you are having difficulty finding an adopter, you can reach out to VCAS, who will help you market them. You can also send photos or videos for VCAS to post on social media along with the best way you wish people to contact you. Timelines might differ depending on the type of animal you are fostering and their needs:
Adult dogs: From one day to several months. Foster parents can take dogs for day trips or weekend sleepovers. These experiences can be very beneficial for long term or stressed dogs. Fosters can also choose to foster dogs longer term; from a couple of weeks to even months. Some foster parents choose to foster dogs until they get adopted.
Adult cats: From one week to several months. Some cats are frightened or sick and may just need a week or two in a foster home to heal and feel safe. Other cats who have a very hard time living in a kennel, may need a foster parent who can keep them until they find an adoptive family.
Kittens: From one – eight weeks. Kittens only need to stay in foster homes until they are 1.5 pounds and/or eight weeks old. These are the two important requirements for spay or neuter surgery. Another requirement is health. Cats who appear sick cannot be placed under anesthesia for spay or neuter surgery.
How to Become a Foster Parent
Go to www.vcas.us/foster and fill out/submit an online application. If you have difficulty with the form or have questions, email [email protected]. Next, check your email for a link to the foster and volunteer orientation videos. If you don’t receive an email, be sure to check your spam folder. All prospective foster parents are required to watch all foster and volunteer orientation videos. These videos will cover the goals and policies of VCAS, as well as explain foster and volunteer opportunities. Please note: You do not have to become an on-site shelter volunteer to become a foster parent.
After watching the Adult Dog or Adult Cat videos, you will sign-up for a ‘Matchmaking Appointment’ with the Foster Care Coordinator to select your first foster animal! Those interested in fostering kittens must sign-up to attend the Underaged Kitten Training session with the Foster Care Coordinator. These appointments can be made through links you will have received in your welcome email. All VCAS Foster Families are required to follow all guidelines for animal handling set forth in the Foster Orientation Training and Volunteer Training materials.
If you also wish to become an on-site volunteer, please go to www.vcas.us/volunteer to access the VCAS Volunteer page.
Selecting Animals to Foster
The good news is, most shelter animals are excellent candidates for foster! The only caveat is that foster candidates are only animals who need foster care. VCAS doesn’t need foster parents for little fluffy animals who will likely get adopted quickly! The Foster Care Coordinator will assist you in selecting shelter animals who need placement.
Remember – “Goodbye” is the goal!
Fostering is a temporary situation and letting go of one foster animal means you’ll be able to help another. But it can still be hard to say goodbye. Thankfully, the VCAS foster team will be there to help you through it. Every adoption saves one life, but a dedicated foster parent can save lots of lives by caring for many animals who need extra help to find their own new homes. Goodbyes are tough, but oh-so-rewarding too!
For more information, visit www.vcas.us/foster, email [email protected] or call 805.388.4341.
$3000 PRIZE! Ventura College will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025. The Ventura College Art Department is excited to announce a call for artists to design the painting of a mural for the campus. The mural will be painted by students and Muralism.org with supervisory assistance from the artist whose design is selected
Submissions must be emailed to: [email protected]. Include your full name and cell phone number for contact.
Submission Details
File size must be no larger than 20mb
Format must be either a JPEG or PDF
Include short description of the work presented and how it meets the Mural Details section
Eligibility: Artists residing in Ventura County
Mural Details
Mural must include elements celebrating:
Ventura College and its history
Ventura College’s 100th anniversary
Diversity and inclusivity of our students
Project Specs
Location: VC New Media Gallery exterior wall
Mural size: 16′ high x 20′ wide
Due Dates
Submission Deadline: Friday, August 2nd by 5:00pm
Date of Mural Completion: October 2024
For any questions about the project, contact: Sharla Fell at [email protected] or 805-289-6265
Reasons to get involved with your Neighborhood Community Council:
Connect with your neighbors
Learn what’s happening in your area
Get updates and information from City staff
Participate in projects that make a difference in your neighborhood
College Area Community Council: https://caccventura.com
Next meeting: Wednesday, July 24 at 7 PM at CAPS TV, 65 Day Road (east side, Ventura College Campus). CACC will be hybrid (face to face and on Zoom) quarterly in January, April, July and October each year. The remaining months will be on Zoom.
East Ventura Community Council: https://eastventura.org
The East Ventura Community Council (EVCC) will meet virtually on July 18 at 7 PM. Visit the EVCC website for the Zoom meeting link. The agenda includes the East Ventura police report, followed by a presentation from Jeff Hereford, the City Transportation Engineer, on project details of grant funding to design and construct a “neighborhood greenway” along Thille/Medford/Waco and Darling. This project was identified as a high priority project in the city’s recently adopted Active Transportation Plan.
The purpose of the EVCC is to encourage residents to understand East Ventura problems, needs and expectations, and to recommend, initiate and/or participate in the development and implementation of programs or solutions. The EVCC facilitates communication between the community and government or other service agencies.
Midtown Community Council https://www.midtownventura.org/
Next Meeting: July 11, 2024, 7PM, Cooper Hall at Grace Church, 65 MacMillan Ave.
Pierpont Bay Community Council: https://pierpontcouncil.org
Meeting times: 7PM, Ventura County Credit Union, 2575 Vista Del Mar Dr, Ventura, CA 93001, 7:00 PM Pacific. Meetings will also be live on zoom – see website.
Westside Community Council: www.westsidecommunitycouncil.org
Meetings: First Wednesday of every month. Bell Arts Factory – Community Room, 432 N. Ventura #101, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
Front L to R: Kei Glavovic, Skyler Chaffey, Jackson Wallace, Brett Stein–filling in for Sophia Flosi. Back Row L to R in the Coach boat: Brookelyn Roelling, Braedon Baum, Logan Nordahl. Image by Janie Tran.
by Janie Tran
L to R: Sophia Flosi – VYC Coach and Nationals attendee, Brookelyn Roelling – VYC Coach and FJ Team Member, though not attending nationals. Image by Janie Tran.
Ventura Yacht Club, located in Ventura Harbor, is making history for the county by sending four of its sailors to the 2024 CFJ Nationals at Mission Bay Yacht Club in San Diego from July 25-28. Coached by VYC’s Waterfront Activities Manager Braedon Baum, a former student of VYC’s Youth Sailing Program, the four students, aged 14-18, will compete against the top 60 youth sailors in the CFJ class.
The Club Flying Junior, or “CFJ,” is a doublehanded racing dinghy extensively raced at both the youth and collegiate levels nationwide. This small boat is the backbone of many yacht clubs’ programs. VYC had a CFJ race team composed of half a dozen sailors in the early 2010s, but the team, along with other VYC teams, took a hiatus as its core sailors began to age out of the program. Under Coach Braedon, VYC reintroduced its traveling race teams to Ventura in 2022 and now hosts two dozen youth sailors in the Optimist (“Opti”) and CFJ classes.
L to R: Chase Shockley – CSUCI CFJ Race Team Member and Coach at VYC, Skyler Chaffey – Coach at VYC. Image by Janie Tran.
The interest in attending CFJ Nationals was sparked earlier this month by 16-year-old Sophia Flosi, another student-turned-coach at VYC, who gathered a crew of students-turned-coaches like Jackson Wallace, and in another boat, Skyler Chaffey and Kei Glavovic. Practicing three days a week, with post-practice skirmishes built into the decades-old “Friday Night Races” hosted in Ventura Harbor, the four teenagers hope to make the most of this experience by taking all that they learn at practice and competition and passing it along to the next crop of youths joining the sailing ranks.
Sailors practicing for the event. Image by Janie Tran.
When asked about sailing, 14-year-old Jackson Wallace said he started the program at 10 years old with no desire for team sports. This program not only ignited his competitive spirit but also brought him immense joy and significantly built his confidence. Sailing has taught him to think on his feet and has fostered both his emotional and physical growth.
Representing more than Ventura Yacht Club, these teens help constitute the resurgence in the sport of competitive sailing, embody the Corinthian spirit of all sports, and symbolize all that Ventura County has to offer to youths.
Updates on their experience at Nationals and more information on VYC’s other programs can be found online at vycyouthsailing.org, on Instagram @vycyouthsailing, and on Facebook as Ventura Yacht Club Youth Sailing.
I’m Lucky, an outgoing 12-year-old Boston Terrier in need of a new home as my owner can no longer care for me. I’m grateful CARL has accepted me into their program and will help me find my forever home.I’m an older gal, but I’m still very active. I love walks, treats, sitting in your lap and of course belly rubs. I know basic commands and walk great on leash. I’m used to a single older adult companion, but I’m super adaptable and very friendly. I’m good with other dogs and older children. It’s unknown how I would do with cats or younger children.
Hi, I’m two-year-old Stella Luna, a sweet Beagle-mix found abandoned in the mountains. No surprise, no one came to claim me so I’m up for adoption and hope to be a cherished member of a loving family very soon. I’m good with other dogs, if you have a fur baby in the home already, please bring him/her along so we can do a meet and greet.
If you have room in your heart and home for Stella Luna or Lucky, please fill out an online application with Canine Adoption and Rescue League (CARL): www.carldogs.org/adopt/application or call 805.644.7387.
Angel Escandon, born in Spain and a resident of Peru before arriving in California in 1854, settled in what was then a cluster of adobe buildings around the Old Mission Church. Trained as a lawyer, he quickly became a prominent figure in the burgeoning community of Ventura. He married Francesca Sanchez, and as part of her dowry, he acquired a large adobe on Main Street near the Mission. During the Gold Rush era, when demand for cattle enriched ranch owners, Angel seized the opportunity and opened a saloon catering to local cowboys. It distinguished itself with amenities like a billiard table, the town’s first. He also produced wines and brandies from grapes grown on his land along the Ventura River.
The saloon, strategically located next to the polling place, likely thrived during the pivotal presidential election of 1860, where all voters at the location cast their ballots for Abraham Lincoln, contrasting with the rest of Santa Barbara County’s support for Stephen Douglas. In 1863, Angel Escandon was elected to the State Assembly. He championed the cause of Ventura’s incorporation as a city, which was granted in April 1866. In 1870, he introduced AB 442 to establish Ventura County as an independent entity from Santa Barbara County. The bill passed, and Ventura County was officially formed on January 1, 1873. Angel played a pivotal role in organizing the county’s first government.
After his tenure in the Assembly, Angel Escandon served as mayor of Ventura in 1875, when it was still known as San Buenaventura. He continued to serve the community as a member of the city council. Tragically, he passed away suddenly on Thanksgiving Day in 1884, at the age of 51, shortly after playing cards at the Tico Adobe, located where the Burger King now stands on Ventura Avenue.
Perhaps our community should consider erecting a statue or plaque in honor of this overlooked founder, Angel Escandon.
Local Legends: Stories of Service and Impact
