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Vol. 16, No. 03 – Nov 2 – Nov 15, 2022 – Ojai News & Events

The Ojai Film Festival returns November 3-20, 2022 for its 23rd year with both in-person and virtual events, celebrating the works of filmmakers from around the world. The official festival schedule includes 84 selected films (varying from features, shorts, documentaries, and animated films), over a dozen seminars, panels, and receptions with filmmakers, live music from local artists, and the Awards Brunch.

For the second year in a row, the festival will run in hybrid form, screening all films in person from November 4-7 at the Ojai Art Center, and virtually from November 8-20 via the Eventive.org festival hosting platform, doubling last year’s length of virtually available stream times.

This year’s festival features an expanded selection of conversations with filmmakers and creatives that delve deeper into the world of film, production and post-production, from the Emmy-nominated director and producer team, Michael Milano and Noémie Dumont  (137 Shots, Ojai Burning) to VFX Specialist, Bill Mather (Star Trek: Generations, Men in Black and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope), and more. This year’s World Music in Film seminar, designed to raise awareness of the many world cultures that are presented to us through a variety of mediums, will focus on the music in film tracks.

Two Lifetime Achievement Awards, now known as Distinguished Artist Awards, will be presented to audio engineer Paul Massey (Moonage Daydream, Deadpool, 007: No Time to Die) and actress Jacqueline Bisset (Loren and Rose, La Ceremonie, The Deep).  For the second year in a row, there will also be two dynamic Diversity in Film panels, and a special Diversity Film Award, sponsored by Panavision.  All awards and trophies will be presented at the Awards Brunch on Sunday, November 6, to which all are invited.

The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts in Upper Ojai is pleased to present BeatoFest, an art fair featuring live music, tours, and demonstrations on the back patio of the Center. A wine bar and vegetarian fare will be among the offerings. The event is free to the public. On Sunday, Nov. 6, from 11am-4pm.
“Beato” is the nickname of Beatrice Wood, and the event celebrates Wood leaving her home, studio and art collection for the creation of an art center in Happy Valley, in honor of Annie Besant’s 1927 vision for the land.
Live music begins at 11 am with Francisco Leon, followed by the RubySky Music from Noon to 2 pm. Jill Martini & The Shrunken Heads take the stage from 2 – 3 pm, and singer/songwriter Kimberly Lee performs at 3 pm.
The film Special People: Beatrice Wood, directed by Gail Cottman, will be screened throughout the day, and the Center will be open for self-guided tours.
For more information, contact the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts at 805-646-3381 or [email protected].
A special event coming up at the Ojai Library. California State University Channel Islands Professor of History Rainer F. Buschmann, Ph.D. will visit the Ojai Library at 1pm on Saturday, November 19, 2022, to deliver a talk titled “Primitive Art in Civilized Places: Oceanic Art between the West and the Pacific.”

Teacher wins Chris Prewitt Eternal Optimist Award

Superintendent Dr. Antonio Castro, Ms. Julie Blevins and Mound Principal Ms. Bobbi Powers celebrating the award.

Julie Blevins, a kindergarten teacher at Mound Elementary School in the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD), has received the “Chris Prewitt Eternal Optimist Award.”. The “Chris Prewitt Eternal Optimist Award” was created after Chris Prewitt, beloved VUSD Assistant Principal, who passed away in 2014 after a woman under the influence hit and killed Prewitt while he was out jogging. 

Chris was an incredible teacher, water polo coach, administrator, and friend to all lucky enough to spend time with him. Chris’ unrelenting passion for life inspired the staff and students of his schools and the community.

Each year a recipient is honored with this award. The honorees of this award show the same spirit and passion that Chris carried with him daily and have positively impacted their school sites in the same way that Chris affected his.

This year’s winner, Ms. Julie Blevins, is the epitome of an eternal optimist. She teaches kindergarten at Mound Elementary School and wears a constant smile on her face. In addition, she volunteers for School Site Council and the Parent Teacher Organization in her free time. Others describe her as always proactive and positive. She always has a kind word for those she meets. 

“Julie remained positive and a bright light through the complications of COVID-19 for Mound and its students. She is loved by students, colleagues, and parents alike. Anyone who meets her would agree that she deserves this recognition,” stated Principal Bobbi Powers. 

“I am humbled and honored by this award. Chris Prewitt was an amazing man,” stated Ms. Blevins.

Superintendent, Dr. Antonio Castro, presented Ms. Blevins with the award in front of her kindergarten class, who gave her a standing ovation.

Norm Lewis helped raise funds for the Rubicon

The event launched the organization into its 25th year.

On October 8, under a beautiful Ventura evening, A Starry Soirée fundraiser was held for the Rubicon Theatre Company at the wonderful Ventura home of Julia Campbell. It featured the wonderful singing of Emmy, Grammy, Tony and SAG Award Nominee Norm Lewis.

The event launched the organization into its 25th year. Attendees were treated to a concert of musical theatre hits sung by Lewis, Broadway’s first African-American Phantom and one of the most acclaimed artists of stage and screen.

Along with pre-show drinks and hors d’oeuvres, silent auction (including 10 spots at an exclusive luncheon with Mr. Lewis), and a post-concert talkback with the Broadway Star, audience members provided generous philanthropic support to the Rubicon as it heads into the final year of its first quarter century.

Between his songs Lewis reflected on his music career. As a youth he wanted to be a professional tennis player until his junior high school year when his choice of electives were home economics or chorus and he chose chorus which was the beginning of his most successful stage career.

Besides starring in many many Broadway hits Norm Lewis recently starred in Spike Lee’s critically acclaimed, “Da 5 Bloods,” and in the groundbreaking FX series, Pose. Additionally, Mr. Lewis can be seen starring in ABC’s newest series, Women of The Movement, and offscreen, his voice can be heard in the latest season of Apple TV’s animated series, Central Park. He was also seen as ‘Caiaphas’ in the award-winning NBC television special, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!,” alongside John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Alice Cooper.

Congratulations to the graduates of Project SEARCH at Cypress Place Senior Living

“You will be able to move forward with passion.”

by Carol Leish, MA

On October 7, Nicholas (Nick) Riesgo, Maria (LuLu) Martinez, and Jeremy Moore graduated from a 10-month internship at Cypress Place. They interned in the areas of dietary, laundry, and housekeeping.

By getting involved in the Project SEARCH program, Executive Director of Cypress Place, Gina Salman said, “We wanted our interns to gain independence, work as a team and interact with our residents. They have been a tremendous support to the community. Our staff and residents have enjoyed their presence. We as a community have learned patience, empathy and humility from them. There is a mutual respect between all of us.”

In her remarks congratulating the graduates, Salman said, “You will be able to move forward with passion, while not being afraid of change. We appreciate that you have been a part of our community.”

India Lakoda, Program Manager, and Ricardo Castellon, Direct Support Staff, both at Project SEARCH, guided the interns during their 10-month internship.

Lakoda said, “I am so excited to celebrate our graduating class today! One of the qualities that I love about interns participating in Project SEARCH is that the amount of growth they curate in just 10 months. Through this journey the interns have learned another quality—to be courageous.”

Of her internship, Lulu Martinez said, “Thanks for all the kindness you have all given to us, like a family. I will say, ‘See you later,’ instead of saying goodbye.”

Regarding his internship, Nick Riesgo said, “I will be missing the residents at Cypress Place. I would like to thank Ricardo for keeping things under control, and giving all of us support.”

Of his internship, Jereme Moore said, “I am thankful for having gone through this program. I’m also thankful that Ricardo made the program work out for me.”

Lakoda also mentioned that, “Your commencement today is a celebration of your commitment to growth and readiness to embark on this new journey into the workforce. My wish for all of you is to continue to hold onto the courage within you and allow it to guide you. While you are no longer an intern of Project SEARCH, you will always be part of our PathPoint family.”

805 Writers Conference returns with Book Expo

Speakers NY Times bestselling mystery author William Bernhardt, Edgar Allen Poe winner Wendelin Van Draanen, Penny Sansevieri and Desiree Duffy.

Declaring the Covid hiatus over, the 805 Writers Conference returns from hibernation on November 5 & 6 to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ventura, with in-person and virtual sessions, a Book Expo, and half-day workshops. This will be the tenth annual conference, which started in 2011.

“No more hiding behind our keyboards,” said Kathleen Kaiser, president of the Writers & Publishers Network (WPN), a national literary nonprofit based in Ojai, California, and sponsor of the conference. “By November, everyone can be boosted against Covid, a virus that is becoming the new flu. We must learn to live and thrive with Covid, and coming to a writing conference is a great way to get out and back on track.”

For book lovers, there will be a free Book Expo on both days from 10 am to 5 pm, with regional authors selling their books and various speakers available to sign their books. A author speakers will be in and out of the expo through the weekend, chatting with everyone and signing their books.

The Book Expo is free for the public to attend, making sure you can go pick up your winter TBR stack. So even if you haven’t bought a ticket to the conference—there is still a way to meet all these amazingly talented humans at the Book Expo. Register in advance for the expo and have a chance to win one of four Bags of Books worth over $100 each.

Every writer needs community, and attending writing conferences is the best place to build one by meeting other writers and learning from successful authors, agents, editors, and book marketers. Face-to-face meetings, talking during breaks, and finding like-minded people—it’s the best way to keep on track, learn new ways to market your book, finish your book, and get published.

The 805 brings together top authors from all genres to discuss their process or specific craft elements all writers need to know. In addition, book marketing experts discuss how to launch a book and understand how to sell books on Amazon. Small publishers looking for direct submissions will discuss their search for new writers and be ready to meet them at the conference. Plus, there will be literary agents, book editors, and more. And one session showcases successful indie authors from the 805 area code.

“As the conference director,” said Kaiser, “I’ve found the best experts to talk with writers of all ages. Hear how they started, the obstacles they overcame, their process, and the joy of writing, which should inspire everyone to go home and get back to work on that manuscript.”

Learn more about the conference and how to register for the Book Expo at https://805writersconference.com.

Build a home fire escape plan

The Ventura Fire Department urges residents to build a home fire escape plan and start conversations about fire prevention with loved ones.

“Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape!” was the theme for the 100th anniversary of National Fire Prevention Week. This theme serves to help residents understand the simple, but important actions they can take to keep themselves safe from home fires.

“You may have as little as two minutes to safely escape a home fire. Your ability to get out fast depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning,” said Fire Marshal Brett Reed. “During Fire Prevention Week, please check that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly, practice your home escape plan, and make sure your loved ones know how to quickly respond if an alarm sounds.”

In celebration of Fire Prevention Week the public is invited to download a home fire escape plan activity at www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/FirePreventionWeek, complete the activity with their household, and submit it for a chance to win an emergency go-kit and a visit with Ventura firefighters. Submit your completed home fire escape plan via email at [email protected].

The Ventura Fire Department shares the following home fire escape plan tips:

Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities. Visit www.VenturaCityFire.com to download the Ready Ventura County Emergency Preparedness Guide.

Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home.

Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.

Establish an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home.

Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and once at night.

To learn more about the fire prevention and Ventura Fire’s educational resources, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/FirePrevention. For more general information about the National Fire Prevention Week, visit www.FPW.org.

Field truck purchase advances Ventura Land Trust’s Land conservation efforts

“This truck replaces a field truck that was 20 years old.”

Ventura Land Trust purchased a 2019 Toyota Tacoma to replace a field truck lost last year in a traffic collision, bringing the number in the organization’s fleet of field trucks to two. The truck was purchased with support from community donations, corporate support, and a lead gift from Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas).

The four-wheel drive field truck is used daily to transport Ventura Land Trust staff, tools, water tanks, and other gear necessary for conservation work and preserve management. The truck is also used to haul thousands of pounds of trash from the Ventura River.

“This truck replaces a field truck that was 20 years old,” says Ventura Land Trust Executive Director Melissa Baffa. “It feels good to have a vehicle that can safely carry our staff and partners, and that is capable of meeting the demands of land stewardship.”

“We know that people will see this truck driving around town with the water tank we use to care for young plants, or piled high with trash bags from a clean-up. It’s really a moving symbol of the work we do every day to protect and preserve local open spaces. We’re pleased to have the support of the community and partners like SoCalGas, who understood the urgent need to add to our field truck fleet and came through with the support we needed to do so.”

The field truck is used in land management in Harmon Canyon Preserve, Big Rock Preserve, and Willoughby Preserve, which are open daily to public for free, as well as other properties that Ventura Land Trust owns and manages. It will be instrumental in preparing Ventura Land Trust’s newest conserved property, Mariano Rancho Preserve, to open to the public in the next two to three years.

The exterior of the truck is outfitted with an acknowledgement to SoCalGas, as well as a QR code to information about Ventura Land Trust membership. Learn more about Ventura Land Trust at www.venturalandtrust.org.

10th Annual Ventura County Farm Day

Hear the stories about our local farms.

On Saturday, November 5, more than 15 Ventura County farms, ranches and agricultural organizations will invite the public to experience a day of free agricultural activities and tours during the 10th Annual Ventura County Farm Day. This year’s theme is “Meet All The Hands That Feed You.” 

Visitors can map out their day by selecting locations from the Farm Day Trail Map at https://venturacountyfarmday.com/map. Each site offers tours and produce and other giveaways. Tour hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some locations require reservations. 

“Agriculture is Ventura County’s largest industry. Farm Day is the opportunity to see how fruits and vegetables are grown, harvested and then shipped to stores for sale,” says Mary Maranville, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), which puts on Ventura County Farm Day each year. “You’ll come away with an appreciation of the hard work that goes into growing each piece of produce.” 

Participating in Farm Day include Reiter Affiliated Companies (berries), Driscoll’s (strawberries), Duda Farm Fresh Foods (row crops), Alpacas At Windy Hills (Alpaca fleece), Good Farms (strawberries), Oxnard Historic Farm Park (antique farm equipment, vegetable crops, talks about the agricultural heritage of the Oxnard Plains), Prancer’s Farm (strawberries, tomatoes, avocados), Agromin (organic compost, mulch), The Abundant Table (nonprofit farm), Sow A Heart Farm (regenerative agriculture), McGrath Family Farm (organic farming), SEEAG’s Farm Lab (hands-on farm-related kids activities) and Petty Ranch (also the Farm Day hub). The Ventura County Farm Day Trail Map list of participating locations is updated daily. 

 Ventura County Farm Day sponsors include The Wood-Claeyssens Foundation, Driscoll’s, Gene Haas Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Bobalu Berry Farms, Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner, The Port of Hueneme and Reiter Affiliated Companies. 

SEEAG’s mission is to help children understand the farm origins of their food through classroom agricultural and nutrition education and free farm field trips. Through this and other SEEAG programs, over 60,000 elementary school students in Central and Southern California have increased their understanding of the food journey since SEEAG’s founding in 2008. 

For more information about Ventura County Farm Day, visit www.VenturaCountyFarmDay.com or call 805-901-0213.

Theatre season opens with Carmen Jones

Christopher James Hester, Desmond Newson, Fredericka Meek, Constance Jewell Lopez and Nataley Carter star in Carmen Jones.

by Sheli Ellsworth

The musical Carmen Jones, Oscar Hammerstein’s take on Bizet’s 1875 opera, opened on October 8 and will run through October 23 at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara. A talented, all-African American cast detonates the operatic spirit into the launching of Ensemble Theatre Company’s 44th season.

Carmen Jones is set in an American, 1940s WWII parachute factory and chronicles a love triangle between: factory worker Carmen (Fredericka Meek) who plays the seductress; Corporal Joe (Chauncey Packer) a handsome young soldier who guards the plant; and his small-town girlfriend, the ever-true Cindy Lou (Zelda Carmen).

The ambitious Carmen is an adept social climber. She flaunts her sexuality with the shamelessness of a modern-day pop diva. After she finally convinces Joe that they belong together, he turns his back on Cindy Lou and his dying mother to be with Carmen. Joe, whose ambition is to become an airplane pilot, leaves the army and goes AWOL to be with Carmen in Chicago.

Once in Chicago, Carmen finds the champion boxer, Husky Miller (Troy D. Wallace), to be a higher rung on the social ladder and dumps Joe for the fighter. Joe’s life is destroyed against the backdrop of Miller’s success. The popular song “Stan’ Up and Fight” brings back visions of a great united country determined in its war effort to “fight like hell.”

The live musical accompaniment to this adaptation of Carmen Jones was flawless. Positioned above the stage, theatre goers were impressed not only with the talent of the musicians but their visibility during the performance. The baby grand piano appears to almost float in the air along with the music and the mellifluous arias.

Fortunately, we go to operas for the music. But Carmen Jones is more than an opera. It is part of America’s heritage and in many ways the performers made being an American feel noble again. However, every time one of the performers were positioned on the tiny stage tables, the audience teetered with them. And when the Sergeant called Corporal Joe, “boy,” I hoped that Oscar Hammerstein’s language hadn’t offended anyone. Then when the scenes of domestic violence became a theme, there were audible sighs in the audience. Should we keep these archetypal opera plots or find fresh ones? If you have ever been to the opera, you already know how it ends.

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. There will be no performance on Saturday, October 22 at 8:00 p.m. or Sunday October 23 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets prices range from $40-$84. Visit www.etcsb.org or call 805.965.5400.

Vol. 16, No. 02 – Oct 19 – Nov 1, 2022 – Mailbox

Hi Sheldon,

Just a quick note to tell you how much I have enjoyed reading the Breeze during the year and a half since I moved to Ventura.

I never miss scanning the Opinion/Editorial section as I always find it informative, and appreciate your often pithy humor.

Keep up the good work, and don’t let any bad tempered readers get you down!

Sincerely,
Fereva May Lawrence
(Former Editor of the Outlook newspaper in La Canada Flintridge)

To Patricia at the Ventura Breeze

(From Sherry): I wanted to express our appreciation for your helpfulness on Saturday, September 3rd, at the 2022 Aloha Beach Festival. My husband Don, was having trouble getting up and so you and another lady as well as some volunteers helped him out. Also you provided him with bottled water, which was very much appreciated on such a hot morning. I’m not sure of the name of the lady who was with you, also from The Breeze, who was very helpful, too. 

(From both of us): We’ve lived in Ventura for decades and before that we were regular visitors here. We’ve always found it to be the friendliest town out of the various places that we’ve lived. We also wanted to express our condolences to you and your colleagues in regards to the recent passing of your Breeze staff member Breezy Gledhill. It seems that this has been a year  of losses of people who we have heard about like Breezy or others who we knew somewhat like Suz Montgomery. We also lost someone who we knew who was the leader of  the Santa Monica Astronomy Club who recently died of complications from cancer. Your cousin, William Schallert, and his grand nephew sometimes liked to attend the meetings there. We belonged to the Club a long time ago but still keep track of their activities through Zoom.

Again, thanks for your help,

Sincerely,
Donald A. and Sherry L. Berry

Patricia- Thank you for your kind words. The other Breeze staff member was Yana Khiyod.

Breeze:

I am much in favor of education, but in the face of falling enrollment and already high housing prices, it seems wrong to me to be asking the public to support this bond measure which is not an insignificant amount and will add to inflation and increased housing costs when we already have a housing affordability and supply issue. The school district holds so much land, much of which is not in use, and could be sold to finance needed building upgrades. (Do we really need air conditioning in our moderate climate, with school out during summer? I don’t have AC at our home and do ok with just fans)

I am open to other views, but with nearly ½ of our population being renters who unrealistically may expect owners to bear this cost without passing it on, I think renters and policy makers need to consider the ramifications

Now if it were a bond issue to support new housing on school land for teachers or staff , that would be another matter

Mike Merewether

Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.
~ John Lennon