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Community Memorial Healthcare Earns Specialty Pharmacy Designation

Community Memorial Healthcare is proud to announce that Community Memorial Pharmacy has received accreditation as a “Specialty Pharmacy” from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). This accreditation demonstrates that the pharmacy consistently meets high standards for providing comprehensive, high-quality care to patients who take complex, specialty medications.

“I am incredibly proud of the work our pharmacy does to support the patients in our community who are managing chronic or life-threatening illnesses,” said Mick Zdeblick, President & Chief Executive Officer of Community Memorial Healthcare. “This Specialty Pharmacy accreditation is another example of how our patients can expect more from the services we provide at Community Memorial.”

Specialty pharmacy accreditation is a voluntary process in which pharmacies are evaluated by the ACHC on their ability to meet rigorous standards in patient management, drug quality management, and regulatory compliance. Accreditation recognizes the pharmacy for being committed to delivering safe, effective, and coordinated care.

Specialty pharmacies dispense injectable, intravenous, or oral medications to patients’ homes, physicians’ offices, or clinics, and offer disease-specific clinical monitoring and help make sure patients take their medications as directed. Accredited specialty pharmacies must have organizational infrastructure in place to support these services, provide clinical management and benefits coordination, and implement continuous quality improvement.

“Obtaining our specialty pharmacy accreditation means we have access to limited-distribution medications that other pharmacies can’t get but that are vital for many patients,” said Jack Tretko, Pharm.D, Director of Outpatient Pharmacy & Pharmacy Purchasing at Community Memorial Healthcare. “It also gives us the ability to work with more insurance companies. These benefits of accreditation mean our patients have better access to a higher level of care.”

Community Memorial’s outpatient pharmacy is conveniently located at 2790 Loma Vista Road in Ventura. The pharmacy fills and refills retail and specialty medication prescriptions, and patients have the option to pick up their medications in person or have them delivered. Same-day delivery service is available in the cities of Camarillo, Carpinteria, Fillmore, Port Hueneme, Newbury Park, Ojai, Oak View, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, and Ventura. Delivery is free of charge to patients of the Community Memorial Health Centers of Community Memorial Hospitals in Ventura or Ojai. For more information, visit mycmh.org/pharmacy.

Vol. 17, No. 18 – May 29 – June 11, 2024 – Community Events

Ventura Events:

Spring 2024 Patchwork Show: Saturday, June 1, 11am- 5pm. Downtown.

The palm tree-lined downtown streets of Ventura features over 50 vendors at California and Main. https://dearhandmadelife.com/patchwork-show/ventura/

Mental Wellness Festival Ventura Event: Saturday: June 1, 10:30am – 4:30pm, Ventura Harbor Village Lawn. 2nd Annual Mental Wellness Festival Event. Art Show, Native Plant Exhibit, Live Music, Yoga & Meditation, Vendors & Info Booths. mentalwellnessfest.com

1892 Dudley Museum Open House Tours: Sunday, June 2, 1 – 4pm

We will also have a drop-in, drop-out “Plumerias 101” demonstration under the pergola given by professional plumeria grower Charlie Uvari. Admission is free. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood Streets (197 N. Ashwood) in Ventura. For information call (805) 642-3345 or visit dudleyhouse.org.

Olivas Adobe House Tours: Sunday, June 2, 11am – 3pm.

The Olivas Adobe historic site features the original two-story adobe home of Don Raymundo Olivas built in 1847. Celebrating Ventura’s Rancho and Latino heritage. Tours are $5 for Adults and $3 for children and Seniors. Located at 4200 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura. More Information is available www.cityofventura.ca.gov/648/Olivas-Adobe-Historical-Park.

Olivas Adobe Brides & Bell Towers: Sunday, June 9, 11am – 3pm.

View wedding dresses through the ages! From Victorian to mid-century modern to 1970s, many donated by Ventura brides of all ages! Also an artist exhibit featuring our own Olivas Adobe Bell Tower. Visitors can enjoy historic tours of the Olivas Adobe grounds and browse the site’s unique gift shop. More Information is available www.cityofventura.ca.gov/648/Olivas-Adobe-Historical-Park.

Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc: Sunday June 2, 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Poinsettia Pavilion.
Live Music on stage. Jamming in the Canada Room. Free Admission. Free parking
Open to the Public. 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura, CA 93003. For more information
call 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA

Kayaking and Protecting the Channel Islands Talk: Saturday, June 6th, 6:30pm. Pierpont Bay Yacht Club.

Los Padres Ski and Social Club will host a noted author, Chuck Graham, who will give a talk on kayaking the Channel Islands and conservation efforts to protect the island. The general public is invited as the Club’s guests. Pierpont Bay Yacht Club, 1363 Spinnaker Dr. Starts with a free BBQ followed by the presentation at 7:30pm. Guests are encouraged to bring a dish to share. You can learn more about Chuck Graham at www.chuckgrahamphoto.com and Instagram @chuckgrahamphoto.

The Los Padres Ski Club is a four-season sport and social club that plans snow ski trips and many year-round activities including happy hours, outings to local attractions, nature walks/hikes and other parties. Learn more about the Club at https://lospadresskiclub.net

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast Annual Food, Wine & Beer Festival: Saturday June 8th, 3:00 – 7:00pm. Camp Arnaz.

An evening of culinary delights, exquisite wines, and craft beers. Nestled in the heart of nature, Camp Arnaz provides the perfect backdrop for an evening of indulgence. Immerse yourself in a world of flavors as you sample gourmet dishes, sip on fine wines, and savor craft beers. With a capacity for 300 people, this event promises an intimate and delightful experience for all. Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast is partnering with Rotary Club of Ventura-East to host the third annual event to aid the Monarch butterfly population. Proceeds of this festival will aid in the establishment of the Monarch Breeding and Research Institute at Camp Arnaz which will promote the replenishment of the monarch population. 155 Sulphur Canyon Rd. www.girlscoutsccc.org/en/discover/activities/special-events.html

“Arbol de la Vida”: Saturday, June 15th, 1, 1:25, 3 and 3:25 pm. Downtown Ventura.

Follow dancers through new pathways and engage with the rich history of Ventura. This traveling performance will take the audience on a short walk through several iconic landmarks of Ventura. Free all-ages event. Donations are strongly encouraged to support the artists. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Mission Park, 211 E Main St. Meet by the tile mural on Main Street in front of the San Buenaventura Mission. Please leave your furry friends at home. RSVP and Donate: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arbol-de-la-vida-dance-performance-tickets-894686460287

Ongoing:

Ventura Senior Men’s Group – First and Third Tuesdays each month: 11:30am – 1:30pm – Poinsettia Pavilion.

Any man who considers himself in the “senior” category (and many who don’t) might benefit from a visit to the Ventura Senior Men’s Group. Buffet luncheon with interesting speakers and good friends. Your first lunch is free. We talk about everything except religion and politics. Eligible to all men 50 plus. Call Tom at 805-657-1071 for more information or visit VSMG.net to find out who our speakers will be.

Play Bridge: Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday – 12:30pm.

ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Tuesday, Wed and Thursday games are held at Temple Beth Torah, Foothill & Kimball Rd, Ventura. Every Saturday at the Ventura Townhouse. For additional info visit our website at www.vcbridge.org. Contact Rose at [email protected].

Ventura County Philatelic Society: First and third Monday’s each month – 7:30pm.

Church of the Foothills, Ventura. For more information, visit https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Beach Cleanup: First Saturday of every month – 8:30 -10:30am.

Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St). Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided – BYO water.

Out & About

Ojai:

Forestwatch’s 16th Annual Ojai WILD! Benefit: Sunday, June 2, 4 – 7:30pm. Thacher School’s beautiful Pavilion Lawn.

The benefit event celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Los Padres ForestWatch and raises critical funds for the protection of wild lands and wildlife in the Los Padres National Forest. Ojai WILD! is Ventura County’s longest-running fundraiser for land and wildlife conservation. Open to the public. More than 300 conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts, and community leaders will enjoy a fun afternoon with local wines, craft brews, delicious dinner and dessert, and exciting silent and live auctions. Tickets are $200, and tables for eight can be reserved for $1,600. Reservations may be made at OjaiWild.org, or call Camden at 805-617-4610 ext 4.

Ventura County Pottery Guild’s Annual Ojai Pottery Market: Saturday June 8, 10am – 6pm and Sunday, June 9, 10am – 5pm. Libbey Park.

The Ventura County Potters’ Guild invites the public to its annual Ojai Pottery Market at Libbey Park. This marks the 66th year of the event along with the incredible Ojai Music Festival. Over 30 local potters will display handmade functional and decorative work. \ The Pottery Market is family friendly and free to the public. The Guild is a non-profit organization \, and this is a major fundraiser, supporting ceramic education and venues for local artists. Work can also be seen year-round at the gallery store in Ventura Harbor at 1567 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 105, or online at www.venturapotteryonline.com. More information can be found at www.vcpg.org.

37th Annual Ojai Wine Festival: Saturday, June 15th, 12 – 4 pm. Lake Casitas.

Organized by the Rotary Club of Ojai West Foundation, Inc., this event has grown to become a cornerstone fundraiser, attracting over 2,000 attendees from across Southern California each year. Lake Casitas Recreation Area, 11311 Santa Ana Rd, Ventura. https://ojaiwinefestival.com.

Oxnard:

Redbird’s 2024 Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow: Friday – Sunday, June 7 – 9, 2024. Oxnard College Gymnasium Field (outdoors, on the grass).

Friday evening 6 PM Open flute circle and vendor preview (All wind instruments and their players welcome, open mic, all experience levels welcome).

Free admission, free parking, everyone welcome. Native American singing, dancing, arts, crafts and food. Saturday 11am – 8pm Native American Powwow. Sunday 11am – 6pm Native American Powwow. (Veteran’s Honoring Sunday 11:30 AM approximate, all Veterans welcome). Visit www.RedbirdsVisions.org.

Santa Barbara:

Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara (ETC): Thursday, May 30 – Sunday, June 16.

Santa Barbara’s only professional theatre company is proud to announce the capstone production of its 45th season, the world premiere musical, ALICE, FORMERLY OF WONDERLAND, written by seven-time Emmy Award winning writer Mark Saltzman (Romeo and Bernadette) and directed by Jim Fall (Trick), with musical arrangements by Jack Lipson. This enchanting new musical tells the true story of the secret romance between the real-life Alice, and Prince Leopold, son of Queen Victoria and great-granduncle of Prince Harry. As a child, Alice was Lewis Carroll’s inspiration for the girl who fell down the rabbit hole, but now Alice is falling in love, despite the furious objections of the Queen. To honor the a cappella traditions at Oxford, the music of ALICE, FORMERLY OF WONDERLAND is performed without accompaniment. The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria Street. www.Ensembletheatre.com

Ventura County Grand Jury Announces Release of its Report “Linking First Responders: Ventura County Regional Radio System”

The ability of first responders to communicate on a common radio system is critical when coordinating a response to a major event. The lives of first responders and the people they serve may be at risk if first responders are unable to call for assistance.

The 2023-2024 Grand Jury researched the readiness, interoperability and use of the radio communication systems first responders employ in the event of emergencies affecting Ventura County.

The Grand Jury learned that significant improvements have been made in the ability of first responders to communicate with each other. This report highlights those improvements as well as the remaining challenges.

The Grand Jury finds that:

Portions of some systems currently in use lack upgraded features, cannot penetrate some buildings, have reception issues in some areas and are not able to provide encryption as needed.
Without integrated training, inaccurate or incomplete information could be transmitted.
Two cities have not completed nor presented a Memorandum of Understanding to their city councils to adopt the Ventura County Regional Radio System.
One city can only communicate with other Ventura County agencies’ dispatch using a “patching” system, rather than by direct communication.
All county and city fire departments have adopted common technology, providing interoperability regardless of city boundaries. The Ventura County Regional Radio System can communicate with all fire departments.

The Grand Jury makes recommendations to remedy these deficiencies and to continue the work toward optimal implementation of the Ventura County Regional Radio System.

To read the entire report, please go to https://www.ventura.org/grand-jury/fiscal-year-2023-2024/

The Ventura County Civil Grand Jury is a panel of 19 local citizens established to investigate public complaints about county, city or special districts management, policies, practices and processes. More information about the Grand Jury can be found at: https://www.ventura.org/grand-jury/

Vol. 17, No. 18 – May 29 – June 11, 2024 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

Tuesday, 5/14
12:26pm – Briefing with Fish & Wildlife officers regarding their vessel at the
patrol dock. The vessel is taking on water, working to mitigate the source.

Wednesday, 5/15
3:27pm – Officers checking in on Rescue Boat 19 at the Ventura Boatyard. The
vessel was taken out of service because of a strong odor of gasoline in the bilges.
A new gas tank was recently put in and mechanics were inspecting the work.

Thursday, 5/16
4:00pm- Dispatched to an Ocean Rescue, a kite surfer in distress at Surfers point.
Officers responded in the Fireboat to the call. Once on scene, officers assisted
two State Parks Lifeguards with transporting the victim to the shore.

4:55pm – Picked up Rescue Boat 19 at the boatyard. While conducting a sea trial
the engines stalled. Officers responded in the Fireboat to tow the vessel at the
Harbor Entrance, but the problem was corrected, and the vessel continued.

9:00pm – City and Ventura Pure Water construction will do major work at the
intersection of Schooner/Anchors Way to repair a broken water main.

11:55pm – While on patrol in the truck, observed a 15ft broken pier pilling that
was erected near the shore at Harbor Cove. Officers removed the hazard.

Friday, 5/17
8:00am – Observed a brown Suburban that normally parks in Surfers Knoll and is
the cause of daily complaints, driving erratically and dangerously on Spinnaker
Drive. Officers relayed information to Ventura PD dispatch.

2:58pm – Dispatched to an assault at Anchors Way/Schooner intersection.
Officers responded with VPD, patient refused assistance, VPD took over call.

5:26pm – Dispatched to chest pain in the Ventura Marina Community. Officers
responded with VFD/AMR to assist the patient with assessment.

Saturday, 5/18
7:46am – Dispatched to difficulty breathing at the Harbortown timeshare.
Officers responded on foot to the room. Treatment was provided to the patient.

8:33am – Officers creating temporary launch ramp parking permits for the United
States coast guard auxiliary to hand out to skippers willing to let them conduct
an informational safety inspection of their vessel before they depart.

9:52am – Dispatched to cardiac arrest initially in the water near VWM. Officers
responded in the truck and Fireboat. After arriving on scene, the victim had
fallen off their boat last night, and unfortunately resuscitation was not possible.

1:51pm – Observed a “boat club” vessel speeding/waking in the main channel of
the harbor. Contacted via VHF16, gained compliance for the violation.

2:05pm – Received request for a tow from a disabled motor vessel near the #4
buoy outside the harbor. Officers responded in Rescue B19, passed tow line and
towed the vessel into the harbor, where TowBoat US took over in a side-tie.

Sunday, 5/19
8:10am – Received request to open gate at end of Spinnaker for canoe club.

1:21pm -Dispatched to an unconscious person in the Ventura Marina
Community. Officers responded with VFD/AMR to assist with the patient.

Monday, 5/20
7:00am – Contracted company conducting sand removal at Harbor Cove after
Coastal Commission permit approved for the work.

Search Dog Foundation Named One of the Best Nonprofits to Work For 2024

The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation announced it was recently selected as one of the 2024 Best Nonprofits to Work For. The NonProfit Times, the leading national business publication for nonprofit managers, has partnered with Best Companies Group to identify nonprofit organizations where leaders have excelled in creating quality workplaces.

Founded in 1996, Search Dog Foundation (SDF) is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization based in Santa Paula, CA. Its mission is to strengthen disaster response in America by rescuing and recruiting dogs and partnering them with firefighters and other first responders to find people buried alive in the wreckage of disasters. SDF pledges to support each of these teams through training and medical coverage for the entire life of each canine, all provided at no cost to their task forces and departments. The organization was founded by Wilma Melville, a retired schoolteacher who was deployed to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 with her FEMA-certified search dog, Murphy. Returning from the deployment, she was determined to do something about America’s severe shortage of canine disaster search teams and created SDF to address this problem. Since then, SDF has recruited hundreds of rescued dogs and trained over 180 certified search teams deployed to over 260 disasters and missing person searches.

The survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize, and honor the 50 best employers in the nonprofit industry, benefiting the industry’s economy, workforce, and businesses. Nonprofits from across the United States entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Nonprofits to Work For. The first part evaluated each nominated organization’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics and was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation.

The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top nonprofits and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process, analyzed the data, and determined the ranking.

For more information on The Nonprofit Times’ Best Nonprofits to Work For program, visit www.BestNonprofitstoWorkFor.com.

How the bats saved Mission San Buenaventura

by Richard Senate

Fr. Rubio was the rector of the old Mission in Ventura in the mid 19th Century. He saw it as his goal to modernize the church and make it up to date. There was even talk of demolishing the Mission Church and replacing it with a wooden Gothic monstrosity so beloved by Victorians. Fortunately for history, there wasn’t enough money for such an ambitious project.

So, Fr. Rubio, did his best to disguise the historic nature of the church. He took out the small windows in the chapel and replaced them with long stainedglass windows that did little to illuminate the interior. Then, he installed a wooded floor over the titles put in by the Chumash and painted out the designs the Native Converts used on the walls. The high ceiling was hidden by a false ceiling (to better heat the chapel). In all ways he tried to eliminate the humble beginnings of the church. When he demolished the fountain, some in Ventura protested that it should be preserved. The good father said, “Why? We have older things in Spain.”

The “modernized church” stood for many years in this way until a grant from the Hearst Foundation in 1952 permitted the church to be restored to something like the way it was in the days of Imperial Spain. When the wooden floors were removed, the old tiles were preserved where the Chumash prayed long ago. The stainedglass window removed and the spaces filled in. The renovation of the paintings of the Stations of the Cross, used all the allotted cash. They could do no more. But they did start to removed the false ceiling so that visitors could at least see the powerful beams that hold the roof. When they did, they discovered that bats had been roosting in the space! The false ceiling was filled with piles of bat droppings! As you may know, Guano, bat poop, is one of the richest of all fertilizers. The good ladies of the church made little cotton bags, stuffed in the guano and sold it! They made enough money to finish the restoration of the Mission Chapel. So, in a humble way, the bats help to restore the Mission.

Vol. 17, No. 18 – May 29 – June 11, 2024 – Movie Review

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
The Beautiful Game – Netflix

3 out of 4 palm trees
Breeze rating from 1 to 4 palm trees, 4 being best.

“The Beautiful Game” is based on true events involving the Homeless World Cup, where homeless teams from around the world compete annually in a global street soccer tournament. Retired legendary professional football scout Mal Bradley (Bill Nighy) was the manager of England’s homeless football team for the twelve season and was training a group of five men to go to this year’s tournament in Rome, all expenses paid.

Through a chance encounter at a public park, Mal found ex-pro footballer Vinny Walker (Michael Ward) and hoped he could encourage Vinny to join the team. Vinny didn’t recognize Mal, but Mal recognized Vinny and had a connection to his past as well as knowing about his current life situation creating an ideal scenario for Vinny to join the team. Mal said it wasn’t about winning, that everyone cheered for everyone and that it was mainly about the individuals’ stories and second chances in life.

Mal invited Vinny to join them for some food and though a bit hesitant Vinny followed along. Mal was somewhat of a father figure to the five team members he chose to represent England, spending time with them eating at a local shelter and reminding them of basic things to keep their lives on track. Vinny felt joining the team could help get his life back on track with his wife and daughter, so headed to Rome with the rest of the team.

The 20^th Homeless World Cup in Rome had teams from Mexico, Nigeria, Sweden, Germany, Kenya, Argentina, Austria, Greece, Brazil, Pakistan, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Japan, USA, England, South Africa and Italy. Players could only play one year and were not only there to represent their individual countries, but to represent homeless people around the world and bring awareness to the global issue of homelessness and how hope can transform lives.

Due to South Africa not arriving by the start of the tournament, they had to forfeit giving England three points and putting them in the lead. The next team that England faced was Portugal and Mal reminded the team to play with dignity, sportsmanship and discipline, though Mal himself was quite hot tempered with the ref and ended up getting a red card, resulting in him having to leave the game and have Vinny coach. England ended up winning against Portugal, but graciously allowed South Africa back in the tournament and was beaten by them.

England’s next opponent was Japan, but they had to win by eight points or more to get into the quarterfinals, which they did, where they would face Mexico, then Italy. If England won both those matches, they would get a rematch with South Africa in the finals. Between matches all the team members were given opportunities to explore Rome’s famous tourist destinations, something that would normally have been impossible due to the extreme limitations of homeless life.

The 2024 Homeless World Cup will be held September 21-28 in Seoul, first time in an Asian country, and will include 50 countries and over 500 participants. For more information about the actual Homeless World Cup visit www.homelessworldcup.org

Runtime: 2h 4m

The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Mary Olson

Ventura County Library launched its Read, Renew, Repeat summer reading program on May 15.

Participants — kids, teens and adults – may register at vencolibrary.beanstack.org and record their reading with opportunities to win prizes for reaching reading goals. Each branch has a set of 4 Disneyland tickets to give away as a grand prize. Youth may visit their local branch to choose a free new book to add to their personal collection when signing up, a special sustainable prize for completing 500 minutes of reading and another free book for completing 1000 minutes. During the next few months, the library will host a range of free activities for children and teens to support a love of reading.

Saving Wildlife International is the featured performer this summer, showcasing a commitment to wildlife conservation, which ties in with the Summer Reading theme: Read, Renew, Repeat.
Saving Wildlife International brings its unique live animal presentation to
– Avenue Library, Saturday, June 15, 11am to noon
– Saticoy Library, Saturday, June 15, 2 to 3 pm
– E.P. Foster Library, Tuesday, June 18, 11am to noon
– Hill Road Library, Tuesday, June 18, 3 to 4 pm

Storytimes for children birth to 5 years are held at E.P. Foster Library MONDAYS at 10:30 am on the 2nd Floor; At Avenue Library, TUESDAYS at 4 pm in English and Spanish, n the children’s area and at Hill Road Library, Wednesdays at 10:30 am.

Maker Lab is open at Hill Road Library on Thursdays at 3:30 pm. Participate in a Lego Challenge on May 30 and June 20; create California native wildflower seed bombs and garden fairy wands to beautify your outdoor space on June 6; arrive no later than 3:35 pm for Slime Time on June 13 (space limited to 30 participants).

Movie Mondays! Family Film Fest and Coloring begins at Hill Road Library on Monday, June 10, 3:30 pm with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem. Hill Road Library offers Game On! Board Games for all ages on Sundays, 11 am to 1 pm. Drop by and choose from over 35 games to play! For all ages. Fun for families or a great reason to meet with friends.

Avenue Library invites all to Stay and Play. Families are welcome to free coloring pages for all ages. Crayons and colored pencils are provided for in-house use. Board games, card games, puzzles and more are available during open hours.

For additional information about the summer reading program, contact Molly Krill, Ventura County Library Youth Services Manager at (805) 677-7170. For questions about what’s happening at individual branches, call (805) 626-READ.

The Ventura Friends of the Library Bookstore in E.P. Foster Library 2nd Look Books is now open 7 days a week, Monday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sundays, 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

Find your beach books, jigsaw puzzles and more summer reading for kids! New donations arrive every week and the stock in our store is regularly refreshed.

With extended hours, the library could use more volunteers to staff the store. If you would like to help, please stop by the store and speak to a volunteer or email [email protected].

Vol. 17, No. 18 – May 29 – June 11, 2024 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

With Memorial Day behind us, we’re looking at the summer season with so many special events involving live music from tribute bands, to classical music to rock, rap and more. You may want to schedule vacations around these happenings, many of which reoccur every year.

The Ojai Blues fest returns to the Ojai Art Center with a Friday night kick-off party featuring Deb Ryder and RJ Mischo, then on Saturday, June 1, it’s a full afternoon of blues with Crooked Eye Tommy and Friends, Dianne Miller, Red-Headed Stepchild, Blues Bullet and more! Tickets for this one available through EventBrite.com.

The Ojai Music Festival features classical and contemporary music and will run Thursday, June 6, through Sunday, June 9, at a couple of different venues starting with a free concert at the Libbey Park Gazebo on Thursday at 6:30 pm followed by the official opening concert at Libbey Bowl at 8 pm. The entire line-up including programs and ticket availability can be found at OjaiFestival.org.

Surf Rodeo released a poster highlighting artists playing Friday, July 5, and Saturday, July 6, though I can’t decipher who is playing when and which day. The lineup includes Chris Janson, Iam Tongi, Denm, Jim Lindberg from Pennywise, The Aquadolls and more plus several local bands such as Shaky Feelin, Looking West, Jayden Secor, Tribal Me, Honey Owl and of course the obligatory set from Raging Arb and the Redheads. You can get the lowdown at SurfRodeo.org.

Happy to report the X Games will feature live music all three days which will be included in the price of admission. Their schedule has been posted with Oxymorrons, AG Club and Wiz Khallifa on Friday, June 28, Mija, Devault and Kaskade on Saturday, June 29, and Metalachi, Blame my Youth and Fever 333 on Sunday, June 30.

I’m seeing mixed responses on social media to the Ventura County Fair’s lineup as well as their new VIP section located in front of the stage. They’re branding it as “Go free, or go VIP,” but not everyone is happy to have to pay to be in front of the stage now. All concerts will continue to be included in the price of admission, but if you want to be up close, you will need to buy a VIP ticket for that specific concert. Rolled out so far, I Love the 90s tour, Sublime with Rome, Dustin Lynch, Ludacris and Gary Allan. Tickets go on sale May 30 at VenturaCountyFair.org.

Quick Notes: The Rubicon’s “Ventura Live” concert series continues through the middle of June; TD Lind and the Aviators play June 1 at the Santa Paula Theater Center; and there will be a special Sunday matinee show at the Garage on June 9 with Nocturnal Drifters along with special guest, Hard Rooster.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Oceana and Blancpain Launch Ocean Expedition to Explore and Document Ocean Biodiversity

California Aglaja (Navanax inermis) – a predatory sea slug we found in Santa Barbara Island State Marine Reserve. Photo by Oceana/Blancpain.

Beginning April 29, Oceana – in partnership with prestigious Swiss watchmaker, Blancpain – embarked on a five-day ocean expedition around the Northern Channel Islands off California to explore and document biodiversity that makes ocean waters off the state globally important. The expedition will further Oceana’s campaigns to restore ocean abundance and Blancpain’s commitment to ocean exploration and conservation.

Oceana diver conducting research.
Photo by Oceana/Blancpain.

Southern California boasts undersea geology unlike any other off the U.S. West Coast, marked by a series of faults, banks, and underwater mountains (seamounts). This geology, combined with cold nutrient-rich waters that upwell from the deep make this region a global biological hotspot supporting diverse ocean life and habitats. These ocean waters include migratory routes for large whales – including endangered humpback whales – nurseries for great white shark pups, breeding and foraging habitat for California sea lions and giant seabass, gardens for colorful deep sea corals, and canopies of giant kelp forests to name a few.

Oceana and Blancpain intend to undertake a variety of research elements that include:

Partnering with a San Diego-based company that uses a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for military purposes, that for the first time will be used for ocean conservation. We will be using the ROVs side-scan sonar technology to map the seafloor and explore how this technology may be able to help detect the presence of deep-sea corals in addition to seafloor substrate data, and lost fishing gear.
Collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) water samples that will be later analyzed in a lab to detect what ocean animals inhabit and traverse these waters by the DNA “footprint” they leave behind in the water column.
Conducting scuba dive surveys documenting the diversity of ocean fish and their habitats to provide a comprehensive glimpse into the biodiversity at risk.
Identifying individual giant seabass and their aggregation sites – a fish that can weigh more than 500 pounds and once reigned over California’s kelp forests until it was overfished in the 1900’s. Individual fish are identified by their unique spots – like a fingerprint – and documenting them can provide new insights into their movements and conservation. We are partnering with the scientists at UCSB to advance their “Spotting Giant Seabass” research project.

The groups plan to utilize the imagery and scientific information gathered at sea in support of protecting ocean biodiversity by reducing entanglement of ocean animals – including whales, sea lions, sharks, and other fish – in set gillnet fishing gear. These fishing nets used to catch California halibut and white seabass can be 20 football fields long. Despite action by California voters more than 30 years ago, set gillnets are still allowed in federal waters (3-200 miles from shore) off Southern California’s mainland, offshore banks, and in state waters around California’s Channel Islands. Oceana is urging the California Fish and Game Commission and the state legislature to reduce bycatch in the set gillnet fishery.

This scientific expedition is the first of three voyages Oceana and Blancpain have planned in partnership to explore ocean biodiversity off California through 2025.

Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 300 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.

Founded in 1735 in the Swiss Jura, Blancpain is known as the world’s oldest watch brand. Loyal to its tradition of innovation and confirmed by countless horological complications invented over the years, the Manufacture is constantly pushing the boundaries of watchmaking to take this art to places where it has never been before.

Exploration and preservation of the world’s oceans is at the core to Blancpain. With its legacy of the Fifty Fathoms – the first true diver’s watch – extending over 70 years, Blancpain has become close to the explorers, photographers, scientists and environmentalists who treasure the precious underwater resource. With that affinity has come a determination to support important activities and initiatives dedicated to the oceans.

To date, Blancpain has co-financed dozens of major scientific expeditions, celebrated its role in significantly extending the surface area of marine protected areas around the world, and presented several award-winning documentary films, underwater photography exhibitions and publications. This dedication to supporting ocean exploration and preservation is called Blancpain Ocean Commitment.

For more information about the expedition visit Southern California Expedition 2024 – Oceana USA. To learn more about ocean biodiversity at risk from set gillnets visit www.oceana.org/KeepCAOceansThriving

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