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Vol. 16, No. 02 – Oct 19 – Nov 1, 2022 – Opinion/Editorial

Our first issue October 24, 2007.

 

∙ Wow, this is the 15th anniversary of the Ventra Breeze. Very hard to believe that it’s our 15th year. A big thank you to our dedicated staff, wonderful readers, much needed advertisers and donors who keep us going.

∙ The Ventura Christian School is getting closer to final eviction. It has leased the MacMilllan Avenue building from Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) for the last 20 years. The district has filed court documents for its removal. The building is over 100 years old.

The VUSD stated that the school’s lease was never renewed after expiring in June. The building has been determined to be of a “potentially unsafe condition” by a building inspection, which is being disputed by the school along with religious discrimination.

∙ Controversy over how rent increases are determined for Ventura mobile home parks has always been very controversial. Residents of mobile home parks are upset they can’t challenge the costs of capital improvements that could increase their rent.

Under the current ordinance, when a capital improvement is made rent can be increased based on the cost of the improvements.

The city council is concerned that if it allows for challenges to proceed it could put the entire existing mobile home park ordinance at risk of a lawsuit if it was amended.

Councilmember Jim Friedman said, “I’m fearful that what we do may cause you to lose something that is extremely important, which is rent control.”

This is a tough one. If improvements are really necessary to maintain a park in a proper living condition the owners might not make necessary improvements if they can’t increase rent to cover their costs. In this case, residents might then complain about the conditions at the facilities.

∙ Mayor Sofia Rubalcava delivered the annual State of the City Address at the City Council Meeting on October 10, as well as at an event hosted by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce on September 22. A recording of the event, including presentation slides in English and Spanish are available at https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/2126/State-of-the-City.

Topics highlighted during the 2022 State of the City presentation included:

  • Overview of the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget.
  • Community Survey 2022 Results.
  • Overview of the seven-member City Council.
  • Overview of the City’s team of department directors.
  • Highlights of recent City and partnership successes
  • Economic Development updates.
  • Encouragement to get involved in the City’s General Plan Update and background on the process.

∙ The U.S. House Jan. 6 committee has voted to subpoena former President Donald Trump to testify. It presented interviews with his aides and new documents detailing his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss.

The vote seeking Trump’s testimony comes as the panel produced many new details and evidence of Trump’s state of mind as he refused to concede his election loss to Joe Biden, resulting in the 2021 attack at the Capitol.

Trump did not say whether he would comply with the subpoena. Instead, he repeated various long-debunked election claims that he makes in public that he won while privately admitting that he lost the election.

If he has indeed broken the laws of this country, he must be held accountable, just as you and I would be (maybe I could plead freedom of the press).

∙ Most American’s are disturbed that some countries have morality police that arrest women for how they dress. Doesn’t this country also have morality police?

It wasn’t that long ago that police raided “gay” bars and arrested men who were present even though they did not create any crimes or harm anyone. They have the same rights to be happy that we all have.

And, today doctors who provide abortions and recipients of abortions are being (or will be) arrested for what some perceive as immoral acts.

∙ Scores on the ACT college admissions test by this year’s high school graduates hit their lowest point in more than 30 years, the latest evidence of the enormity of learning disruption during the COVID pandemic.

The class of 2022’s average ACT composite score was 19.8 out of 36, marking the first time since 1991 the average score was below 20. And an increasing number of high school students have failed to meet any of the subject-area benchmarks set by the ACT, showing a decline in preparedness for college-level work.

This could set back our education system for many years because it will be very difficult for students to catch up.

According to a 2017 UNESCO report, the number of students worldwide attending higher education institutions increased from 100 million in 2000 to 207 million in 2014. But which countries are the most educated? This is not as easy a question to answer.

Despite the vagueness of the concept, multiple surveys and studies have done their best to determine which countries have the most-educated population. One of the most highly regarded analyses comes from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, which released its list of the world’s most educated countries in 2018.

The Top 10 Most-Educated Countries does not even include the U.S. so we are behind to begin with. The top 3 are Canada, Japan and Israel.

∙ Saw an ad on TV for pants that have “a hidden phone pocket.” What if you need your phone and you can’t find it?

∙ Saw an ad “Express Hand Wax” $120. Seems like a lot to have your hand waxed. Maybe 2 would only be $200?

This year, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer celebrated its 30th anniversary

Photos by Patricia Schallert

Keri Bernstein and Deb Jeffers, the executive Director of American Cancer Society were part of the walkers.

On October 8, hundreds joined the campaign to celebrate survivorship and eliminate breast cancer this century at the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk for Ventura County starting at Ventura Harbor and continuing the promenade at Portside Ventura Harbor. The Harbor Village Main Lawn featured informative booths and more!

Since 1993, the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® (MSABC) campaign has united communities, companies, and individuals with a collective goal to end breast cancer as we know it. Over the past two decades, the 3- to 5-mile noncompetitive walks have collectively grown into the nation’s largest and most impactful breast cancer movement providing a supportive community for courageous breast cancer survivors and metastatic breast cancer thrivers, including caregivers, and families alike.

This year, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer celebrates its 30th anniversary and will take place in more than 150 communities nationwide.

TASTE of Ventura held at Museum of Ventura County

During a beautiful October 13 Ventura evening, one of the Ventura Chamber’s most popular events, TASTE of Ventura was held at the Museum of Ventura County (outside and inside). Partnering with “very” local restaurants, wineries, breweries, and bakeries/confectioners, guests enjoyed the very best Ventura has to offer in a festive, casual atmosphere.  Live music under the stars was also enjoyed.

Buenaventura Art Association closing out 2022

Buenaventura Art Association is closing out 2022 with a flourish, presenting six exhibitions of members’ works at three locations and wrapping up its monthlong Under $50 fundraising sale.

Two of the shows will be at Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts. The current fundraiser will be up until Nov. 7 and a members’ holiday show will run Nov. 8 through Jan. 10. The gallery is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m., seven days a week. The fundraiser features 8-by-8-in. original artworks created and donated by BAA members, selling for $49 each.

In Studio 99 at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., a display through Oct. 29 of members’ original works will be followed by one for the holiday season, Nov. 4-Dec. 24.

Two evening receptions are planned for the Studio 99 holiday exhibition, 6-9 p.m. on Nov. 4, opening night, and Dec. 2, in conjunction with Ventura’s First Friday celebration of the arts. Regular hours are noon-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

BAA, a nonprofit arts cooperative founded in 1954, welcomes additional business partnerships to expand its exhibit space and artist exposure. For more about BAA and its programs, call the gallery at 805-648-1235 or visit buenaventuraartassociation.org.

Museum of Ventura County making news

Museum of Ventura County announces the addition of two members to their Board of Directors, longtime Ventura County supporter Greg Monterrosa and Immigration Attorney Gabriella Navarro-Busch. The Museum’s 13-member board helps to guide the collections, exhibits, and educational programs, which collectively celebrate the rich history, art and culture of Ventura County.

Greg Monterrosa joins the Museum of Ventura County board with a history of dedicated work in supporting and advancing entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development in Ventura County.

Gabriella Navarro-Busch comes to the Museum’s board of directors with extensive experience as an immigration attorney. She also is a former president of the Ventura County chapter of the MexicanAmerican Bar Association, recipient of the 2004 State Bar of California President’s Pro Bono Service

To learn more about the Museum of Ventura County’s 2021-2022 Board of Directors, please visit: venturamuseum.org/board-and-committees

The Museum of Ventura County has received a grant from the National Archives’ National Historical Publications and Records Commission to make collections accessible to the public, one of just 37 grants awarded nationwide. This month marks the start of the Museum’s National Archives grant-funded project. The $95,000 grant will allow the museum to catalog the Martin & Associates collection, representing institutional records of one of the county’s longest-serving civil engineering firms. It includes records created by six civil engineers and their staff over nearly a century.

“The Robert Martin and Associates Collection represents 89 years of civil engineering in Ventura County,” said Research Library and Archives Director Deya Terrafranca.

The collection began with the Waud and Ramelli firm in 1924. J.B. Waud was one of the earliest surveyors and civil engineers in Ventura County. He is responsible for much of the County’s early infrastructure such as roads and bridges. Milton Ramelli, born in 1893, worked for Waud in the county surveyor’s office before they started the company Waud & Ramelli in 1924. In 1928, Ramelli set up shop separately as M.E. Ramelli, until 1956, when he went into business with Robert Martin. Ramelli passed away in 1960 and in 1962, the firm became Robert Martin and Associates.

Bill Hale purchased the firm from Robert Martin in 1991. After his passing, his widow sold the company to Ventura resident Ed Campbell, who renamed the firm U.S.A. Architects.

The collection includes engineering and architectural drawings, maps, and planning files for residential, commercial, and government buildings from the 1920s to 2013. With the help of the grant, the Museum will be able to catalog 431 cubic feet of materials and digitize at least 1,000 items, including oversized maps and civil engineering plans.

The grant will also be used to offer paid internships, a critical accessibility initiative that makes internships and work experience available to students who would not otherwise be able to afford unpaid internship hours. Students will be paid the City of Ventura’s living wage. This initiative aims to help address a need in the archive’s community for more diverse students to gain experience in the field.

FOTM’S Learning To See Community Impact Project is here!

Immigrant by Elizabeth.

Please join us in giving voice to historically underrepresented populations in Ventura County.

Ventura County Government Center Hall of Administration Atrium Through November 14, 2022

The public is invited to join the Focus on the Masters Arts Archive & Library (FOTM) for a celebration of the creative spirit by underrepresented populations in our community through the Impact Project. With funding from the California Arts Council, this exhibit features collaborative artworks by members of the Immigrant, LGBTQ and Black communities of Ventura County.

Also on display is artwork by k-8 students who participated in our Learning To See Outreach (LTS) in-school art program and a selection of early photographic portraits of FOTM documented artists by Founder Donna Granata.

Rudd has to clear out Bank of Books by the end of the month

Rudd has to clear out Bank of Books by the end of the month. Photo by Patricia Schallert

It was in June 1974. that Clarey Rudd, age 22, first opened a bookstore in Ventura called Rudds. A second store for the family business. He grew up working in his parents’ bookstore in Oxnard. During Rudd’s time at CSUF, he was invited by the owner to work at one of the largest independent bookstores in the nation. A year later, after his Junior year at Biola University, he became manager of their bookstore. Being part of the staff, he had to complete his marketing and management degree back at CSUF. At that time, he decided he was going to open a bookstore in Ventura.

The family bookstores expanded to Ventura, Camarillo and Santa Paula. When his dad had an accident, he became responsible for the Ventura and Santa Paula bookstores. He then expanded to Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara and Bellflower. He did workshops and wrote for a trade magazine.

All of the family bookstores had been sold and Clarey bought Second Time Around bookstore in downtown Ventura. Rooted in 60 years of downtown Ventura’s history, he sold on the internet and became a vendor with Amazon. Second Time Around was renamed Bank of Books. Part of the books are from the 1700’s and 1800’s with many originally signed books.

Clarey became the founding chairman of the Downtown Ventura Organization (DVO) overseeing the goals of downtown Ventura. Bank of Books became a famous International Bookstore getting world travelers to the bookstore to buy books. Bank of Books has been voted number 1 independent bookstore for 19 years.

Sir Anthony Hopkins wrote “best bookstore I have ever been in, and I am a book geek” Over the years 300,000 books have been given away. Rudd has served on the International Board of Mission without Border for 32 years and ran for city council in 2021. Clarey organized all of the independent bookstores in Ventura to seek city council to declare Ventura an international book city.

Recently, Rudd expanded to Santa Paula which would have made three bookstores except for the unfortunate closing of Bank of Books due to a severe rent increase.

Rudd has to clear out Bank of Books by the end of the month. He and the bookstore are Ventura icons, and he has done a lot for this community. Please go to Bank of Books and buy some books for 60-90% off before they close and be sure to visit Abednego and Bank of Books Santa Paula.

Bank of Books is located at 748 E. Main.

General Manager’s Message

by Gina Dorrington Ventura Water

I am pleased to announce that Ventura Water customers continue to conserve at record levels. These efforts are helping to keep our local water supply sustainable. We appreciate our community members’ concerns for the City’s water resources and value the input you provide. We are fortunate to have skilled and knowledgeable staff that are just as passionate as you, and assess water supply and demands through various planning efforts including the annual Comprehensive Water Resources Report and the Urban Water Management Plan. These assessments consider new development projects and the anticipated increase in water demands and impact on water supply, to ensure a balanced and stable water future. We utilize additional tools to manage our water resources including the Water Shortage Event Contingency Plan and Water Waste Ordinance. You can learn more about these efforts at the Water Commission meetings held every fourth Tuesday of each month. A lot of work goes into ensuring a secure water supply for existing and future customers.

I had the privilege of being a panelist at the September 8th Forum on Ventura County’s Water Crisis and California’s Drought, hosted by Assemblymember Steve Bennett. This was a great opportunity to talk about Ventura’s water supply reliability and to showcase how conservation has allowed Ventura to meet its water demands. Many questions were submitted at this forum, as well as at other community meetings, regarding why the City allows development projects and how it impacts water supply.

The City’s Ventura Water and Community Development departments are working together to bring you those answers and assist in moving the City forward in the development of the General Plan. We plan to host a community workshop in mid-October to address the community’s concerns and provide more information on the City’s water neutral development policy and future water supply projects.

Olivas Adobe–an official Haunted House?

Could this be an Olivas ghost?
Photo by Yana Khiyod

by Richard Senate

The State of California has two official Haunted Houses, sanctioned by the State Legislature; The Whaley House in Old Town San Diego and the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose.  The Winchester Mansion, built by Spiritualist Sarah Winchester (of the Winchester firearms fortune)  is more an attraction than anything else . I spoke with workers there and they have seen the shade of Mrs. Winchester wandering the elaborate pile, so it is haunted.

But, I contend that after years of research the historic 1841 Olivas Adobe in Ventura should be recognized as number three haunted house for our state.  Why? Because visitors and staff have repeatedly encounter ghosts at the two-story adobe home of Don Raymundo Olivas.

The wealthy Don is never seen but a number of phantom women are–they are now joined by ghostly children.  When the site opened as a historic house museum in 1972 people began to see a phantom woman in a black dress looking out the windows and walking on the balconies of the casa.   They called her “The Lady in Black” and it was thought she was the specter of Mrs. Teodora Lopez Olivas, the wife of the builder and the mother of his twenty-one children (Thirteen boys, eight girls).

As the years passed other ghostly women were seen by visitors and staff, a woman with a gray skirt and apron, A young woman in a white wedding dress, as well as the Lady in black who was seen now on the grounds and first floor.   Years ago a new apparition was added to the phantom population; that of a little girl in a white nightgown.   She was seen by well over one hundred visitors over a period  of two years–then she simply stopped showing up.  Now a little boy in short pants, jacket, tie and leather shoes has been seen. At least the ghost girl has someone to play with.  They have been joined by a ghost dog, a black hound with white forepaws.

Besides seeing the haunts, people have heard their footsteps, as well as voices and singing!  One ghost hunting group even recorded the strains of a song being sang by a little girl.  The number of events documented indicates that this site is one of the more haunted places in the Golden State and should be recognized by the state assembly as truly a haunted house.  People have even photographed apparitions at the site and felt touched by unseen hands. Not everyone who visits sees or hears a ghost but, many do. As the Halloween season approaches us in Ventura its natural to turn to the supernatural and places rumored to be haunted. What are ghosts? No one knows for certain but in the words of Mark Twain: “I don’t believe in ghosts but I am scared of them all the same.”