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Heroes needed now: Give blood or platelets

The American Red Cross wants everyone to enjoy a safe and fun Fourth of July, which includes ensuring a strong blood supply for patients in hospitals across the country. There has been a concerning shortfall in blood donations in recent weeks, and the upcoming holiday could put a further strain on donations, as millions celebrate with family vacations and other seasonal activities. Donors of all blood types, especially those with type B negative or O negative blood as well as platelet donors, are needed to make an appointment to give now to ensure blood remains available for patients this summer.

To encourage blood donations, the Red Cross is offering the following to those who come to give in the coming weeks:

All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma through June 30 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice. Those who come to give in June will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a backyard theater package. Details for both offers can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/June.

All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma July 1-11 will receive an exclusive Red Cross dry bag, while supplies last. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/gifts.

By scheduling and keeping appointments right now, donors can help ensure patients relying on blood donations also get to enjoy their summer. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we approach the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters.

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

To find blood drives in Ventura, visit RedCrossBlood.org and type in the zip code.

Business Profile: Somis Nut House

The Somis Nut House opened in 1959 as the Ventura Walnut Shelling Co., a walnut processing plant. Morris and Annette Resnik, and their son, Stephen Resnik, arrived in the area from Los Angeles and quickly made connections with local walnut farmers. They hand built the machinery required to crack, sort and pack them for sale to wholesale nut distributors all over the USA.

Soon after the walnut business began, they opened a small retail store in front of the plant and sold freshly cracked walnuts to the public. The retail store grew as more products were added at the request of family and friends. The expansion included all types of nuts, dried fruit, and candy. In the mid 1980’s most of the walnut orchards were replaced with lemons, avocados, row crops and housing development. This led to the gradual fading out of the walnut processing business here in Ventura County.

The store became a popular place to visit for residents of the local area and the surrounding counties. Customers would refer to us as “the nut house in Somis” which led us to change our store name to The Somis Nut House. Two of Stephen’s three children, Jeremy Resnik and Rebecca Pecsok are third generation co-owners of the store and are proud to carry on the traditions learned from their father and grandparents.

The store stocks a full array of nuts, including almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts, Brazil nuts, filberts, and pistachios. There is also a wide selection of dried fruits, including apricots, peaches, pears, papaya, mango, pineapple, apples, dates, and figs. Many delicious chocolate candies are available, including nut clusters, chocolate creams, honeycomb, malt balls, and more! In addition, there is a wide variety of old fashion candies, jams and jellies, salsas, olives, local honey, soup mixes and novelty items. make Gift boxes and gift baskets of many sizes are perfect for birthdays, graduations, teacher gifts, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Christmas, client gifts and employee gifts. Gifts and other products can be shipped directly anywhere within the USA.

We are open from 9:00am to 5:00pm seven days a week (closed on Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day).

Website: www.somisnuthouse.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 805-386-1211

The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Mary Olson

Ventura County Library encourages families to “Find Your Voice” and participate in Summer Reading! Participants may register at vencolibrary.beanstack.org and record their reading with opportunities to win prizes for reaching reading goals. Registration continues through August 4th
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This summer, Ventura County Library hosts Lunch at the Library Farm to Summer Program at 3 locations (Avenue, Saticoy, and Albert H. Soliz libraries) for children and teens 18 years and under. Local youth will be served healthy meals and are invited to participate in a series of Summer Reading Program activities, including daily fun activities, book giveaways, and performers. Lunch is offered Monday through Thursday, noon to 1:00 pm, June 20 through August 10. Speakers will visit each location and encourage youth to learn about local agriculture and the food cycle, how to garden at home and practice healthy eating, as well as share information on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers in agriculture.
This program is made possible in collaboration with the Ventura Unified School District and the Ventura County Library Foundation. VCL is an equal opportunity provider. The summer Food Service Program is a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administered in California by the California Department of Education. Lunch at the Library is a project of the California State Library, supported with funds from the State of California.

Summer Reading Program Special Event: Wildlife Presentation with Saving Wildlife International Explore, discover, and learn about the natural world through Saving Wildlife International’s unique live animal presentation. This exciting presentation is sure to entertain and educate! This free event is sponsored by the Ventura Friends of the Library.
Thursday, July 13th at Saticoy Library, 1:30 pm Thursday, July 13th at Avenue Library, 4:00 pm
Tuesday, July 25th at Hill Road Library, 2:00 pm Tuesday, July 25th at E.P. Foster Library, 11:00 am

Find Your Voice! Family Musicals Film Fest and Coloring at Hill Road Library offers fun family musicals, drawing, and coloring for all ages.
Tuesday, July 11, 3:00 to 5:00 pm: Soul
Tuesday, July 18, 3:00 to 5:00 pm: Trolls World Tour
Foster Library’s Young Readers Book Club
Saturday, July 22 @ 1:00 to 2:00 pm: Discuss Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi & create a graphic novel character.

Wise Owls Book Club, a quarterly book club for adults who enjoy reading children’s literature. Hill Road Library, Tuesday, July 11, 5 to 6 pm Summer selection: Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman To join the mailing list for this Book Club please email [email protected].

Ventura Rotary’s 4th of July Fireworks is back

Funding challenges nearly put a stop to the event. Photo by Michael Gordon

The Rotary Club of Ventura is proud to once again host the 4th of July Fireworks Show and Family Picnic at the Ventura College athletic fields. The event will be held on Tuesday, July 4th with gates opening at 5 pm and the fireworks show beginning at approximately 9 pm. Begun in 1994, the Ventura Rotary Fireworks event marks its 30th Anniversary in 2023!

Rob Van Nieuwburg, longtime Rotarian and past president shares, “We began the event in 1994 after the City had stopped hosting a fireworks event in order to provide a safe, patriotic and family-focused July 4th celebration. Back then we never really envisioned that we’d be doing this 30 years later, but we sure are proud and excited to do so.”

Funding challenges nearly put a stop to the event. Ken Leandro, the Rotary event chairperson, explains, “Costs to hold the event have skyrocketed over 38% since pre-covid years, and we are committed to keeping ticket prices affordable while also hiring the finest pyrotechnic company for a world-class fireworks show. This means corporate sponsors are critical to the event. We really can’t do it without them.”

This year’s major sponsors include the Ventura Auto Center, Hofer Properties, Community Memorial Healthcare, and the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas).

“When we approached SoCalGas about the event, they really appreciated that it’s community and family focused,” says Leandro. Maria Ventura, SoCalGas Senior Public Affairs Manager, adds, “SoCalGas is proud to partner with the Ventura Rotary in support of the 4th of July event where we celebrate our Independence Day.  We believe in the power of community and the Ventura Rotary embodies a deep commitment to Ventura which is why we are so excited to be a part of the festivities this year.”

As in past years, the event will have a Kids Zone featuring bounce houses and organized games like potato sack races and three-legged races, plus fun surprises like temporary tattoos in patriotic designs.

Families can bring a picnic, a blanket and soft low back folding chairs, and there will also be delicious food available from several Food Trucks. (No glass. No alcohol. No pets.)

“This year we have increased the number of food trucks, based on feedback received last year,” says Leandro.  The main stage will welcome back live music from Soul Infusion, a Ventura/LA-based band.

Tickets are available for online purchase via Eventbrite, linked at www.VenturaFireworks.com  Adults tickets are $10 each (age 13+), Childs ticket $5 (ages 4-12), and kids 3 and under are free. A special “Family-of-4” ticket is $28 and sold online only. Tickets can be purchased at the event gates. (Cash only at the gates.)

For more information, please visit www.VenturaFireworks.com where details are updated regularly.

CAPS congratulates 2023 graduates

ECTV students Saadiya Islam, Sarah Briggs, Daryan Barati, Arslans Barati, Shayan Barati and graduate Luca Falco, CAPS staff Gary Roll, Elizabeth Rodeno, ECTV mentor Phil Taggart and Manny Reynoso covering the 2023 high school graduations.

CAPS crew members, including students in the CAPS/ECTV program (El Camino high school program) were very busy the week of June 12 recording and live-streaming graduation ceremonies for Buena, El Camino, Foothill, Pacific, Ventura and VACE. Everyone at CAPS congratulates all of the 2023 graduates.

CAPS is also extremely appreciative of the tremendous support received from the Ventura City Council and members of the community at a recent council meeting. On Monday, June 12 the City Council voted unanimously to continue funding CAPS for the foreseeable future.

CAPS, which stands for Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura, is a non-profit agency that is funded primarily by fees paid by local cable subscribers. The franchise fees are collected by the cable company, passed along to the City, where a portion of the revenue is earmarked specifically for CAPS.

At the City Council meeting CAPS executive director Patrick Davidson’s spoke on behalf of the CAPS board of directors, community members and the CAPS staff requesting continued funding by the city. The presentation included a brief summary of many of CAPS’ services to the community including programming, broadcasting, and streaming Ventura’s public programs on channel 6 which include faith-based programs, talk shows, educational programs and more, recording and live streaming City Council and other City meetings on channel 15 and online, producing dozens of video productions for the city, county and nonprofit agencies, and training members of the public in the use of media tools including cameras, editing programs and more. Among the many informative facts Davidson included in the presentation to the council members was that the CAPS staff members – Donald McConnell, Manny Reynoso, Elizabeth Rodeno, Gary Roll, Phil Taggart and Alex Uvari, individually average more than fifteen years of continuous service to the Ventura community.

CAPS is the educational center for ECTV – the student internship and career pathways program at El Camino high school, where teenagers receive hundreds of hours of hands-on training in the award-winning media and communications program.

CAPS is also the home of CAPS Radio – KPPQ at 104.1fm, where CAPS staff members have trained more than 100 local DJs and produced hundreds of hours of original programming. KPPQ Producer of the month Craig Rosen is the producer of Teen Centric and a longtime member of CAPS Media and KPPQ. He is the Interim Executive Director at the Ventura County Arts Council and manager of the Arts & Youth Justice program which is funded primarily through a grant from the California Arts Council that supports arts instruction for at-risk youth from juvenile hall, foster homes, county reporting centers, and continuation high schools including under-represented youth that are marginalized due to their undocumented status. Teen Centric offers youth a platform for their voices to be heard through discussion and poetry. Craig and his students share their stories and poems and interview other teens, like our county’s first three youth poet laureates, and while several are not system-engaged they all bring a lived-experience that involves some adversity. This program also seeks to celebrate youth and their successes.

He trains the students in the KPPQ studio located at the CAPS Media Center as well as on-location in Juvenile Hall and at other centers. Listeners are impressed with the compelling stories that the youth share. You too can listen to Teen Centric Tuesdays at 8a, Thursdays at 1p, Fridays at 9a and Saturdays at 2p at 104.1fm, on myTuner and on the KPPQ podcast network.

Business Profile: Quality Windows and Doors

Erick uses a team approach with his workforce.

by Patricia Schallert

Erick Karlsen, is the owner of Quality Windows and Doors in Oxnard, Santa Barbara and Ventura. As he was living and growing up in Oxnard at 17 years old, he was looking for a way to occupy his free time.  So, he joined the Navy Seabee Reserves in Port Hueneme. His father, knowing that Erick needed something more to do during the summer break, asked his neighbor if Erick could work with him.  Erick’s neighbor installed, repaired and replaced windows within their neighborhood and outlining community and Erick spent the summer of his 18th year learning the window and door trade out of his neighbor’s garage. 

Erick’s neighbor became his mentor and when the time came for his neighbor to sell his business, Erick was the first one on the list. With the support of his grandfather and father, Erick became the sole owner of Quality Windows and Doors.  

Hard work paid off for Erick. He had a plan, vision, and commitment to what he believed his business and his employees would look like and what the business would be able to do within the Ventura community. He was able to articulate that plan by writing it down, and being clear so his support teams could understand it and make it happen. His plan shaped itself to reality, both the reality of success in the community and his own reality within. With hard work, patience and three storefronts later, he has become the sole owner of all three stores, with one in Oxnard, and Santa Barbara and his third store is in Ventura.

Erick uses a team approach with his workforce. His employees begin with training in installation for several months, window repair and replacement and then they will move into the sales force when they are ready. He provides an honorable service and works along with his team and his customers in completing final installations and inspections.  Over the years, he has built positive relationships with his customers and employees as he continues to demonstrate expertise and commitment to his business. Quality Windows and Doors is a success and works not only because of Erick but because of he envisioned the business in its entirety. 

As sole owner of Quality Windows and Doors he is also committed to the community where his stores are located. He is a member of the Contractor’s Association, sponsors local school sports teams and has banners on several sports fields. Hard work, long hours and commitment to service, quality and the homeowner have led to the success of Erick’s business. 

Quality Windows and Doors new design center featuring Marvin, Milgard, Fleetwood Windows, Entry doors and hardware is located at 4051 East Main Street in Ventura.

This season has an exciting lineup of concerts

Miriam Schwab’s $10 million gift created the Academy named in her honor.

The Schwab Academy of Music returns with three weekends of performances at Ventura College running from July 8-23. Going into third season, the Academy offers high-level orchestra and chamber music concerts performed by student musicians in Ventura County and beyond. Featuring professional musicians playing alongside their student mentees, and low-ticket prices ranging from $5-15 (and with kids under 10 free!), The Academy is a justly beloved part of Ventura’s music scene and well on its way to becoming one of the premiere music festivals on the West Coast.

Miriam Schwab’s $10 million gift created the Academy named in her honor, and allows Ventura residents easy access to the power of music as both concertgoers and as participants. Many of the area’s student musicians of all ages have performed in the ensembles. Violinists Carlos Ozuna and Susan Philbrick describe the student experience in glowing terms: “It’s very friendly, very motivational – it’s just a good vibe.” says Carlos. Susan adds “It doesn’t matter how old you are, what your background is; we’re all together in the communal pleasure of music.”

This season has an exciting lineup of concerts beginning Saturday, July 8 when the Academy Orchestra gets things started with a program that includes Verdi’s Nabucco Overture, plus music by Brahms and Ravel’s popular, passionate Bolero. The weekend of July 14-15 will feature the chamber music performers, and an orchestral concert featuring Rimsky-Korsakov’s Spanish infused Capriccio Espagnol, Grieg’s Pyr Gynt Suite and Sibelius’s emotional, majestic Finlandia.

The final weekend will feature the 13th annual Violin & Viola Competition in which area string players compete for the annual concerto competition’s $2000 top prize. Noted violinists Mark Kashper (LA Philharmonic) and Melissa Phelps (who has appeared with artists including Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Andrea Bocelli, and Diana Ross) serve as guest judges.

This year’s talented finalists are Kyler Chu (Camarillo), Carlos Ozuna (Ventura College), and Leonora Vukovitz (Thousand Oaks), performing Saturday July 22 and Karl Baumgartner (West Ranch High School), Beatrice Jiang (Westlake High School), and Skyler Lee (Newbury Park High School), performing on Sunday July 23. All performances in the final round will be accompanied by the full Schwab Academy Orchestra.

Academy Music Director and conductor Ashley Walters encourages the Ventura community to come enjoy these concerts and support the community’s home-grown talent, “We’re only in our third year on the ground, and I already see Schwab Academy becoming one of the top music festivals of the west coast.”

Mental Wellness Festival

by Patricia Schallert

 

Breeze publisher Sheldon enyoying the festival with Josh

On June 3, a Mental Health Festival was held at the Ventura Harbor Village main lawn that celebrated the completion of National Mental Health Awareness month. A grass roots mental health and wellness celebration that included a unique (client-submitted) art exhibit and a native plant sale. The event was presented by the Turning Point Foundation.

Related vendors brought in uplifting music, yoga, meditation, activities along with community services and programs. Included in the festival was a blend of cultural, holistic, therapeutic and spiritual wellness professionals offering their expertise.

Reiki practioner Shannon Vaquez applying reiki to attendees.

The objective of the festival, as it celebrates 35 years of mental health and rehabilitation in Ventura County is “To provide exposure and expand awareness of mental health challenges and illness as a growing concern and stigmatization in our community and to expand awareness of local mental wellness programs and pathways available to help treat, maintain and/or improve our mental health.”

Josh Carsman is the Marketing, Events & Fund Development Manager at Turning Point and told the Breeze “Regarding the event, I was nervous about trying something new like this for the first time.  But once it began I didn’t want it to end!  So many great people helped support and participate in this event to make it a success.  It was an honor to facilitate, and I hope for us all to have a second annual festival.  Thank you to everyone involved who helped make it a success.”

Sponsor the Ventura Breeze was there with Mary Thompson (and Gl_enda), Sheldon and Carol Leish.

Growing Works plants is an innovative, wholesale plant nursery and mental wellness program within the Turning Point Foundation. This program provides job training, employment, volunteer opportunities, recovery services, and hands-on horticultural work experience to people with mental health challenges. A variety of client-cultivated plants were on display and were available for purchase at the festival.

Orchard Bluegrass Band (From the Orchard Community Church) provided entertainment which began at 3:00 PM and played for 2-hours without a break. They have  been entertaining audiences of all ages in Southern California for seven years with a unique blend of bluegrass, gospel, country and western music and had the attendees singing along.

The Orchard Bluegrass Band

A Walk On Water took advantage of the Ventura Pier

AWOW couples life-changing surf therapy and children that have unique needs.

by Joseph Seemayer

The Ventura Pier, built in 1872, formerly known as the San Buenaventura Wharf is one of California’s oldest wooden piers and is a favorite destination of California visitors. On the weekend of May 9th, A Walk On Water (AWOW) took advantage of the Ventura Pier and its surf for their Ventura event.

AWOW couples life-changing surf therapy and children that have unique needs. With the assistance of experienced instructors, the children are able to stand up on a surfboard and experience surfing for the very first time.

If you’re not familiar with AWOW, its Vision and Mission are described on their website awalkonwater.org: “Harnessing the ocean’s transformative powers, we deliver life-changing surf therapy to children with unique needs and their families. We constantly strive to enhance our programs, strengthen our community and provide access to more children in need and their families, while remaining true to our core values— Empowering children with a feeling of pride and accomplishment, as they unlock their inner athlete through the emotional and incredibly transforming experience of surfing.”

At the event, I had an opportunity to speak with A Walk on Water’s cofounder Steven Lippman. I asked Steven what was the inspiration for A Walk on Water and the when and where did the organization begin.

“Founded in 2012”, Steven answered, “our profound inspiration stems from the heartfelt desire to uplift families with special needs children. We are driven by a singular idea: to forge enduring connections, instill unwavering trust, curate transformative experiences, and foster unbreakable bonds.”

“With our groundbreaking inaugural event in 2012, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to host two impactful events per year in the transformative setting of Ventura. Our unwavering dedication fuels our inspiration to continue creating life-changing moments for families in Ventura, striving to extend our meaningful presence for as long as humanly possible.”

Surf industry executive Dale Rhodes, an AWOW Surf Therapist and Board-member, shared with me his thoughts from his time on the beach, during the event, with the new surfers and their families. “We had a wonderful day on the beach with sun and great surf, filled with lots of smiling faces from our athletes and their families. We call our children of unique needs “athletes” as they’re surfers too. It’s also a great day when the parents of their athletes can come to the beach, let their hair down and enjoy their day of watching their kids surf. There’s healing elements in the salt water along with riding these waves that help build strong confidence in these athletes.

AWOW offers these athletes an experience that’s most likely would be beyond their reach without the help of the AWOW organization and their highly skilled, compassionate instructors. Watching the expressions of shear joy of the athletes and new surfers is truly addicting. Attend the next AWOW event on October 14th from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm PDT at the Ventura Pier to share in the experience.

School staff honored

Emily, Hector and Holly were recognized by the Ventura County Office of Education.

Four Ventura Charter School staff were honored with 2023 Ventura County Office of Education Impact II Awards and will receive $1,500 in funds to continue innovative curriculum practices. The Awards were presented on May 23rd during the Impact II Awards ceremony in Ventura.

Kindergarten teacher Holly Johnson was recognized for her lesson plan “A World of Feelings: Understanding Our Emotions to Help Ourselves and Others Thrive” and third grade teachers Emily Noel, Hector Rodriguez, and Michelle Wilson were recognized for their lesson plan “Mini Libraries: Access to Books for ALL!”

The Impact II awards began 30 years ago with the purpose of spreading excellent teaching ideas throughout Ventura County. This year, twenty-three Ventura educators submitted seventeen team and individual applications for their innovative curriculum to be judged by a group of educators and community business leaders. Fifteen educators across the county were selected from the individual and team categories for nine awards totaling $6,500.

Starting as Open Classroom in the 1970’s, Ventura Charter School of Global Arts & Education launched in 2006 as a tuition-free public charter school within the Ventura County Office of Education.