The Laby’s passion, along with their philanthropy, has enriched many lives.

On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 a Harmony Project of Ventura County Celebration Lunch “For The Love of Children, Community and Music” was held at the Marriott Ventura Beach. The lunch was presented by the New West Symphony League to award Sandra and Jordan Laby the 2016 Humanitarian Award of the Harmony Project.

Harmony Project of Ventura County is a tuition free after school youth development program that provides high quality music instruction to students from low-income families. It serves students from third grade through high school. TheHarmony Project of Ventura County was started at Sheridan Way School in Ventura with 15 students who would not otherwise have had access to musical instruments and lessons.

In 1979, Jordan and Sandra Laby moved to Ventura after falling in love with Ventura’s beauty and arts.

They made it their mission to unearth the artistic talents in Ventura.  This passion, along with their philanthropy, is the reason the New West Symphony selected them for its 2016 Humanitarian Award.

Diane and Peter Goldenring presented the 2016 Humanitarian Award to the Laby’s. In presenting the award, Peter Goldenring stated, “I want to thank all of you for being here today.

We are all here honoring Jordan and Sandy for being bright lights and leaders in philanthropy and for making a huge difference in people’s lives. Some would call what Jordan and Sandy do quiet acts of generosity. When done they never know whether or not it will change a life, be something big or be small. It doesn’t matter.”

Sandra, who loves to dance and has performed Flamenco, ballroom and other types of dancing in shows as a hobby,  was one of the ladies of the “Hot Dames” 2010 Calendar celebrating the Rubicon’s year of shows. She has also performed in the Ventura County Ballet Company’s annual Nutcracker.

Her accomplishments are many including President of the National Council of Jewish Women Ventura County, named the Jewish Federation “Woman of Valor”, honored as the Mayors Arts Award, the Ventura Music Festivals First Founders Award, the Ventura Interfaith Ministerial Award as “Woman of Vision”, Ventura Chamber of Commerce “Shining Stars” and Ventura County Ballet Company “Partner in Dance Award.

The way Sandra sees it – art and life are intertwined.  A local visionary, Sandra helps keep that gift alive. These gifts are rich in more than finances; as she has been instrumental in the startups of key cultural venues like the Rubicon Theatre Company, Ventura Music Festival, and many others.

Another unique facet of Sandra’s local contribution is the San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts which she and Jordan, founded in 1999 to bring various artists and arts organizations together.

The Laby’s have given scholarships through the “Phoenix Program” at the Ventura College Foundation.  And she was one of the producers of a Ventura Music Festival film about our very own home grown opera singer, Nicole Cabell.

The lunch ended with the Harmony Project of Ventura County orchestra entertaining the attendees with some wonderful music.

Portion of the Pierpont Inn “red tagged” by the City.

The city of Ventura has declared a portion of the historic Pierpont Inn not safe to enter and has “red tagged” it. This includes the lobby, restaurant and bar. The Inn has done un-permitted renovation work in these areas and in some of the guest rooms.

This letter by Stephen Schafer, of the San Buenaventura Conservancy tells it all.

Open Letter to City of San Buenaventura Historic Preservation Committee
San Buenaventura, California. Feb 22, 2016.

It has come to the attention of the San Buenaventura Conservancy that the Pierpont Inn lobby has been demolished without permits and without Historic Preservation Committee review or any kind of public process.

The Pierpont Hotel is City of San Buenaventura Landmark Number: 80 (Address: 550 San Jon Road, designated on February 1, 1993).

In 1910 architect Sumner P. Hunt designed this craftsman bungalow-style hotel for wealthy Ojai socialite Mrs. Pierpont-Ginn. Herson, Austen Pierpont, managed the hotel and later became a notable local architect himself; he added guestrooms and English Tudor cottages to the inn over the years. It served the motoring public along the Pacific Coast Highway long before Interstate 101 came through Ventura in the 1960s. Since 1928, two branches of the Vickers family have owned the inn.

The Gleichmanns operated and expanded the property for seven decades. Then in 1999, the Garretts purchased and operated the inn. In 2003, The Pierpont was accepted into the Historic Hotels of America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Pierpont is historic for its strong association to thePeirpont-Ginn, Vickers and Gleichmann families.It appears eligible for the California Register and National Register of Historic Places as well as being listed locally.

The lobby has now been stripped bare. There are rumors that alterations have also happened on various guest rooms. While the lobby may not have dated back to the original construction, the lobby was a compatible and viable addition to the inn that was built with city and HPC oversight which met the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

No further work should proceed on the Pierpont Inn property without proper permits, review and oversight from the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC). The city should set up an HPC tour of the site and the damage. Since this would be a public meeting, representatives from the San Buenaventura Conservancy would like to attend and comment. Members of our board have deep and specialized knowledge about the Pierpont Inn and the history of the spaces. The upstairs rooms, where administrative offices were located until recently are the most precious and were still in original 1910 condition last time we toured the site. The original fireplace, if salvageable, should be restored. Original beams and brickwork may also be visible and should be integrated into the compliant rehabilitation plan. The current owners have damaged and defiled an important part of Ventura’s legacy for their personal (or corporate) profit. They know it is a landmark.

They know permits are required. Were they assuming nobody cared? We do! In light of current events, there should be stringent oversight every step of the way on any new work at the inn. The lobby rehabilitation should adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards just like the lobby that was destroyed. Anything less is a CEQA environmental impact and a local travesty.

Regards,
Stephen Schafer,
San Buenaventura Conservancy Advocacy Committee Member.

Even though the Inn owner’s, Irvine-based DKN Hotels met with the City in advance, they stated that it would just be doing minor cosmetic work.

In addition to what might be considered cosmetic work, the contractor – since removed from the project – actually removed posts and beams that were supporting the second floor because of dry-rot.

The owners could face fines or other penalties and the project will be held up for some time.

Lani Farm, Assistant General Manager of the Inn, told the Breeze, “Rest assured that we are open for business! The only areas affected is the Historic Main Lobby area. Our lobby and restaurant have been functioning out of temporary spaces since December when the construction began and both are fully functional. DKN Hotels is working closely with the city to resolve the situation.”

City Hall North will house Brooks Institute.

Brooks Institute and the City of Ventura have announced a strategic partnership that will result in a new home for the campus and a catalytic boost to the local economy of Downtown Ventura. All campus functions will relocate to Downtown Ventura by the end of 2016. Brooks Institute is currently located off Highway 33 in unincorporated Ventura County.

This relocation, which is part of Brooks Institute’s strategic plan, supports the school’s evolution from a respected photography school to a national and international resource for today’s creative global economy. As Brooks prepares its students for careers in the visual arts and media, the relocation to Downtown Ventura will offer new opportunities for students and for Brooks to become a cornerstone of arts and culture activities in the Downtown area.

The Brooks campus transition to an urban setting will provide a safe and walkable campus environment with access to restaurants, arts, culture, recreation, shopping, housing and public transportation. All classes and student support services will also be located in the Downtown area.

“We want to thank the City of Ventura for offering a new home to Brooks Institute,” said Edward Clift, President of Brooks Institute. “We are excited about the many possibilities this relocation will bring, including partnering with Ventura to become an increasingly vibrant arts and media hub in the region. It is a bold step and true testament to the innovative spirit of this city. We are looking forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship.”

“We welcome Brooks to Downtown Ventura and recognize the value that this move will have in stimulating the local economy of our historic downtown,” said Mayor Erik Nasarenko. “Not only is this a unique collaboration between public and private institutions, it also marks a significant accomplishment for the City of Ventura in terms of business attraction. Bringing more than 340 students and 80 faculty members into Downtown Ventura on a daily basis will stimulate the local economy and our city as a whole.”

Brooks Institute will begin moving key offices and classes to Downtown Ventura this spring, occupying the first and second floors of the historic Erle Stanley Gardner Building, located at 21 California Street, and the building known as City Hall North, located at 505 Poli Street, which is immediately adjacent to Ventura’s historic City Hall. The Gardner Building will serve as the new welcome center for Brooks’ prospective students and their families. This historic building will also be the location of the Brooks Institute’s 70th anniversary celebration this year. The building will open mid-2016.

Non-profits now located in the City Hall North floors that Brooks’ will occupy will either locate to a different floor or will have to seek new locations, perhaps in Ventura.

For more information about Brooks Institute and the school’s programs, visit www.brooks.edu or call 585-8000.