Up next, the CAPS staff is gearing up for an Open House at the CAPS Media Center.

In June the CAPS Media Center reopened on a limited basis, by appointment, for existing CAPS Members. Among the first to take advantage of the CAPS resources are the self-described “Artists in Exile.” Under the guidance of Phil Taggart, CAPS’ “Artist in Residence,” the eclectic ensemble of musicians, poets and other artists gather one evening per week to record live performances in the CAPS production studio.

The summer months have kept CAPS Media crews busy with a variety of productions, highlights include recording and live streaming graduation ceremonies for Ventura, Buena, Pacific, and El Camino high schools and Ventura College as well as recording and live streaming the Ventura Unified School Board meeting.

For the City of Ventura, CAPS crews continue to provide weekly coverage, broadcasting and streaming of meetings at City Hall including City Council, Design Review, Historic Preservation, and Community Development. In addition, videographer/editors Gary Roll and Alex Uvari recorded, edited, broadcast, and streamed public information meetings for the City at the Westside Community Center and Pierpont Elementary.

CAPS crews continue collaborations with the outstanding staff at the Museum of Ventura County on engaging productions commemorating Ventura County’s 150th anniversary. The diverse projects include Interviews with Innovators – informative discussions on current and past events with Lucas Zucker from CAUSE, Carlos Ortega the MVC curator, and Regina Crawford from the NAACP Ventura County. Feast or Flop is a savory series of tasty recreations of historic Ventura County recipes cooked up from the MVC archives by host Renee Tallent, the MVC collections manager with chefs throughout the county. Thus far the menu has included lima bean loaf, avocado soup and other local creations prepared by Adam Hart, director of the culinary arts program at Oxnard College, and Luis Sanchez, chef, and owner of Mouthful Eatery in Thousand Oaks.

The CAPS/MVC collaborations for the 150th celebration also include Voices of Ventura County a series of historic interviews selected from the MVC archives by Deya Terrafranca, the research and archives director at the museum. The fragile cassette recordings were restored, digitized, and formatted into programs by CAPS staff members Elizabeth Rodeno and Manny Reynoso.

KPPQ – CAPS Radio’s DJ of the month is Kevin Wallace. Kevin is director of the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts as well as a singer/songwriter. He says his interest in visual art, conceptual work, design, storytelling, and poetry can all be traced to the albums that he collected, listened to, and studied as a young boy, rummaging through the remainder bins at his local record stores in Detroit. A member of KPPQ from the start, he has produced 2 shows: an arts and music show and his current venture, Ojai Dream. Kevin shares his passion for the musical arts on Ojai Dream, airing Mondays and Fridays at 8pm and Saturdays at Noon on KPPQ-LP 104.1 FM and streaming on MyTuner.

Up next, the CAPS staff is gearing up for an Open House at the CAPS Media Center in the coming months. The Open House is an opportunity for the public to drop in and discover all the media resources and talent available for everyone in Ventura. More information on the upcoming Open House will be available in the coming weeks on the CAPS website at capsmedia.org, on KPPQ, on social media, and elsewhere.

CAPS Membership will be open to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Ventura. Annual membership fees are currently $40 for an individual or $100 for a nonprofit organization.

Approximately 900 riders participated.

by Patricia Schallert

The “Cool Breeze Century“ bike ride, took place on August 19th with approximately 900 riders from cycling communities throughout Southern California. “Channel Islands Bicycle Club” and the “Kiwanis Club of Ventura Foundation” have partnered for over 20 years to host the “Cool Breeze Century”. Channel Island Bicycle Club is a nonprofit, recreational organization for beginning and experienced road bicyclists, providing enjoyable and safe rides in and around Ventura, Santa Barbara, and LA Counties. They also provide grants to improve and heighten the biking community, promote bicycling, encourage youth cycling, support other cycling programs, while encouraging ridership growth, and promoting safe cycling.

The Kiwanis Club of Ventura Foundation is a group of dedicated volunteers serving the needs of Ventura with an emphasis on youth and vulnerable adults, while providing its members opportunities for fellowship, leadership, and business relations. The Kiwanis also support students with special needs, scholarships, volunteers while supporting the Salvation Army, Pier Under the Stars, and other organizations.

Additional supporting sponsors can be found on coolbreezecentury.com

The event began with registration April 1, and provided five rides, one for everyone. The Classic Century was a 100-mile ride, which had the right number of hills and plenty of ocean. Hilly Century had more hills. Double Century with more hills and more distance, but is considered a “reasonable” ride. Metric Century was rather flat and shorter for those not quite ready for a Century and the Mini was listed as a fun 30 miles primarily along the ocean.

Over 100 friendly volunteers along each ride provided support, popsicles and water. Riders finished in historic downtown Ventura’s Mission Park and were treated to an after-ride buffet from Peirano’s and a no-host beer drinks. DJ Joe provided the music.

James Sears, a first time rider in the Cool Breeze ride, took the 30 mile Mini bike ride to Carpenteria and back. James suffered from a stroke 15 years ago but prior to his stroke, he had been riding his bike for 30 years. He was tired but is ready to ride the more challenging Century rides next year.

Councilmember Doug Halter, Phil Foster Ranger and Doug’s crew working to remove the fountain.

The last remaining fountain E.P. Foster hand crafted has been sitting in front of the former Foster house at 2717 N. Ventura Ave.  Orpha (Pearle) Foster gifted the house and 7.5 acres to the school district.

Joa Cahill, VBG Executive Dirctor had been waiting for the right donor to come along and that person finally did.  The first canyon as you walk up into the gardens behind city hall will be a 3-stage site called “The Fernery.” 

After digging below the base of the fountain they separated it from the much larger base and transported it to Ventura Botanical Gardens.  The VBG Fernery site will require at least a year, if not two, to be completed, but it will eventually become a home where thousands of people walking through the gardens will be able to learn about the Fosters and all they did as philanthropists for the betterment of those living within Ventura County from the late 1870’s until 1932 when E.P. passed away. 

Claudia Hoag McGarry is a local playwright who taught English at VC for years. She has a play coming to Namba Performing Arts Space on September 9 named I Can Hear You,Damn It. It is presented at 3 and 7pm.

The director, Jordana Lawrence, lives in Ventura and works for the Alzheimer’s Association. Stage manager, Shannon Dalton, also lives in Ventura.

47 S Oak St,  (805) 628-9250

The Ventura Chamber of Commerce Taste of Ventura is back! On August 17, it was a night of Ventura’s finest food, drinks and live music under the stars. Featuring more than 35 restaurants, caterers, breweries, wineries offering small bites and drink samples.
Taste was held at the Museum of Ventura County.