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The Seaside Highland Games returning to the Fairgrounds

The Seaside Highland Games, Ventura’s very own Scottish/Celtic Festival, will return to their home on California’s Central Coast this October 8 & 9, 2022. The Ventura County Fairgrounds is the ideal spot for this many-faceted Festival. Every Games activity from bagpipe bands to sheepdog demos is within easy access of the Fairgrounds’ Main Street—our “Clan Row.”

Beginning in 2002, the Organizers believe that a proper Highland Festival must have as its backbone a good representation of Scottish Clans and Societies. Still true, you will find over seventy (70) such Societies ready and able to discuss their strong connection to true Scottish soil. And to welcome you as either a newcomer or old friend—and direct you to someone best able to help you trace your family lineage.

Perhaps you just came for the music? Well, do not dismay my friend. We are so pleased to offer a fine array of artists starting with the our amazing regulars the Browne Sisters and George Cavanaugh on the Alex Beaton Center Stage, the always fine music of Sligo Rags–taking a break from Disneyland appearances. The popular Plougboys led by Mark Romano and The Angry Brians (who are not at all angry) will headline the Celtic Rock Stage.

Dancing has always been a huge part of Seaside’s stage presentations from youthful Scottish Highland Dance to the more mature Scottish Country Dance (and, yes, you can most certainly join in)! And the amazing Harp Glen sponsored by the venerable St. Andrews Society of Los Angeles!

But no Festival is complete without the huge and talented Scottish Heavy Athletes. Look to Morgan Arena for these talented fellas and gals tossing, throwing, heaving impossibly heavy implements to new height and distance records! And, yes, the long pole-like cabers are there to be turned as well. That event, like the stage shows, continues nonstop throughout the weekend.

If you can’t do without bagpipes—and which of us can—you are in the right place! Plan your weekend to arrive at Saturday’s Noon Grand Parade and Opening Ceremonies

which will dazzle your eyes, ears and cellphone cameras!! All the guest pipe and drum bands will march interspersed with Clan/Family groups past the Alex Beaton Stage to officially open the Games to all comers! Grab a chair or bleacher seat for this spectacularly bright and colorful event.

If you don’t have your very own kilt or tartan garb, look no further than the many high-quality vendors to find exactly what you need. And while there, why not sample some delicious Welsh Cakes or the wonderful Scottish meat pies or fish & chips and so much more…perhaps a Scottish Cerveza??!!

Many of the young folks at Seaside will be competing for prize money and honors in dance, piping & drumming, and athletics. Be there to cheer them on as we grant them their well-earned prizes!

Classes in genealogy, Gaelic speaking, Scottish history and Scotch! So much to be learnt!

Friday night before the big weekend is a lively evening you are welcome to enjoy including a great Single Malt ScotchTasting followed by a fine buffet supper and Scottish Fashion Show! These events—A Scottish Evening—kick off the weekend at the beautiful Four Points Sheraton and are not to be missed!

Make your plans to join us on the Fairgrounds in October. Lovely Buenaventura awaits! For more information visit Seaside-Games.com.

Ventura’s Key Campaign Issues In 2022

by Res Publica

We want to outline the critical campaign issues facing City Council candidates in 2022.

If you live in Districts 1, 4, 5 or 6, you have a critical decision to make in this election. Your choice for City Councilmember will shape Ventura’s future for decades. How the candidates address the current campaign and the issues that confront our community today should guide your selection.

What campaign issues do you want your candidate to address? Your answer may depend on the district you live in but, regardless of your district, there are some citywide issues every candidate must address.

Water Is Among The Top Campaign Issues

Water and wastewater treatment will be among the costliest issues the City Council and, ultimately, you will face in the next four years. Ventura Water is asking the Council for over $259 million to complete VenturaWaterPure.

Ventura Water convinced the City Council to raise water and wastewater rates by 43% to pay for the project. They claimed the benefits would be another reliable water source by 2025 and, by doing so, we would comply with the Wishtoyo Consent Decree of 2012. Their message was that “your wastewater” would be the “reliable water source.”

Since the Council agreed to the rate increase, the project has had several significant changes. First, the city relieved the supervisorial duties over VenturaWaterPure from then-Ventura Water General Manager Susan Rungren and turned them over to Linda Sumansky inside the City Manager’s office. Placing VenturaWaterPure under the oversight of the City Manager’s office takes water and wastewater decisions away from trained engineers and water employees and turns them over to politicians.

Second, Ventura Water reduced the scope of VenturaWaterPure significantly. Ventura Water will no longer build a state-of-the-art water treatment plant by 2025. Instead, they will treat the wastewater and dump it into the ocean. As a result, what’s known as the Ocean Outfall will be completed by 2025 to fulfill the 2012 Consent Decree. The advanced water treatment plant will be completed by 2030 if all goes according to the revised plans.

Third, the Water Commission approved none of the changes to the plan for VenturaWaterPure. Ventura Water is taking the changes to the City Council, circumventing the Water Commission’s input.

Any discussion about water in Ventura should be about the cost of producing and delivering water to the citizens of Ventura. And that cost is rising. Ventura Water presented to a VenturaWaterPure Ad Hoc committee in August 2022. Ventura Water stated the planned expenditures would increase another $76 million, bringing the entire project to over $373 million.

Find out from your candidates where they stand on VenturaWaterPure.

Homelessness increased by a staggering 34% between 2020 and 2022. The city’s homeless count is 713 people. Only Oxnard, with a population twice the size of Ventura, has more.

Shouldn’t the Council and Ventura’s citizens know how much homeless services cost and how they get allocated? What should Ventura do for those not housed in the shelter? Some of the remaining homeless are vagrants. They choose to live the lifestyle and panhandle. How do candidates plan to combat vagrancy, so Ventura is more welcoming?

Public Employee Pensions Is The Toughest Campaign Issues

Ask the candidates running in your district if they will work with the city’s unions to reform public employee pensions. The last time the City Council modified pensions was 2010, and those changes were modest.

The city staff believes pensions will level out in six or seven years. Yet, the bill came from CalPERS for this year’s contribution to the unfunded pension liability, and it was staggering. Ventura will pay $19.9M to CalPERS. Can Ventura last that long amid its other financial burdens?

Campaign Finances

The elections in 2020 were the costliest in history. Since district elections began, candidates have been spending more each election cycle.

The rising expenditures seem odd. By moving to districts, each candidate needs to reach a smaller number of potential voters (15,000 instead of the entire city). City officials intended district voting to help candidates spend less to be elected. Rather, district voting has had the opposite effect.

Growth Is Always Among The Key Campaign Issues

Growth means different things to different people. Yet, it’s inescapable that Ventura needs to grow.

Ask if your candidates acknowledge that growth, jobs and water availability are inseparable. They also need to recognize and respect the opposition to building more houses with greater density and height throughout the community. Forward progress on growth means accommodating, integrating and compromising.

Voting works best when people take the time to learn about campaign issues. Educate yourself on the candidates’ positions on the campaign issues for 2022. We’ve provided a framework to ask pertinent questions.

Don’t succumb to the political feel-good clichés candidates use to attract your vote. Ask yourself, “Do these candidates have the capabilities to solve these problems?”

Disability equity in workforce during National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Dani Anderson is the new County first-ever Disability Access Manager.

by Carol Leish, MA

October, 2022, will be recognizing the importance of disability equity in the workforce. ‘Disability: Part of the Equity Equation’ has been chosen as this year’s theme. This includes realizing the contribution to the nation’s economy made by workers with disabilities. Also included are the inclusion policies and practices benefiting workers and employers (www.dol.gov).

“A strong workforce is the sum of many parts, and disability has always been a key part of the equation,” said Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “People with disabilities make up a wonderfully multifaceted group. By recognizing the full complexion of our community, we can ensure our efforts to achieve disability inclusion are, in fact, truly inclusive.”

Recently the County of Ventura selected their first-ever Disability Access Manager, Dani Anderson, just before National Disability Employment Awareness Month. She will be expanding community engagement efforts and improving services delivery for individuals with disability access and functional needs.

“We are thrilled to have Dani Anderson join our team. She brings extensive professional and lived experience that will help us build upon efforts to ensure county services are accessible and inclusive of people with disabilities and other functional needs, particularly in emergency response,” said County Executive Officer Dr. Sevet Johnson. “Ensuring that our services align with the needs of our community members is critical, and we believe Dani is the perfect person for the new role.”

Anderson will be responsible for overseeing the County’s accessibility efforts and will work closely with the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services on emergency response, preparedness, and recover efforts, and will oversee county efforts to improve service delivery to individuals having disabilities. She will also manage various grant and disaster assistance programs and coordinate with multiple agencies and stakeholders.

As a disability advocate and public affairs professional, Anderson recently served as Senior Manager of Access and Functional Needs and Customer Care at Southern California Edison. She also has seven years of non-profit experience, previously serving as the Executive Director of the Independent Living and Resource Center. In 2016, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from California State University Channel Islands.

Anderson said, “Through working within the County of Ventura and with community partners, we will be able to enhance awareness, accessibility, programs, and services to contribute to an even more inclusive community. I believe my lived experience (being a wheelchair user) and my eagerness to create change in the County where I was born and raised will provide me with a unique perspective leading to successful results.”

Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation announces 2022 Benefactors’ Ball

Two local physicians along with a pair of leading community philanthropists will be honored at the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s 48th Benefactors’ Ball, which takes place this year on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Commemorative Air Force Museum in Camarillo. The public is welcome to attend. Tickets are available online at https://www.benefactorsball.org.

The Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation is excited to host this year’s event, which is the first Benefactors’ Ball since 2019; the event was on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Honored this year as Physician of the Year with the Cephas Bard Awards is Dr. Thomas Brugman. He is a leading pulmonologist and has been an integral member of the CMH Critical Care Team since starting his practice in 1984. Dr. Brugman is a strong advocate for community-based healthcare in Ventura County.

The honoree for Retired Physician of the Year is Dr. Mel Cheatham, a neurosurgeon, professor and author. Dr. Cheatham has served the community since 1966 and has shared his healing talents worldwide by conducting lifesaving medical missions in many war-torn and poverty-stricken countries.

The Community Leaders of the Year honorees are Jim and Tish Harris, longtime philanthropists in Ventura County. Their numerous gifts over the years to Community Memorial Health System have supported the health system’s mission of providing exemplary care.

The Benefactors’ Ball begins at 5 p.m. with cocktails followed by dinner at 6 p.m. with dancing, a live auction and awards presentations. The Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that helps to improve the quality of healthcare locally by supporting Community Memorial Hospital with state-of-the-art facilities, industry-leading programs and comprehensive, accessible health services. The Benefactors’ Ball has a rich history of supporting the hospital’s greatest needs. Contact the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation at 805-948-2881 or email [email protected].

BOO! The Halloween Duplicate Bridge Tournament is great fun

Partners are guaranteed.

The Ventura Halloween Regional duplicate bridge tournament is rapidly approaching.   It will be held Oct 24-30, at the Ventura Beach Marriott Hotel on Harbor Blvd.   There will be morning games starting at 10, afternoon games starting at 2 and Monday evening games starting at 7 for all levels of play. 

There will be daily team games which are always fun.  Partners are guaranteed.  There will be some experts playing as well as a daily lecture / lesson by Majorie Michelin who not only is an expert player but a well-known teacher of bridge.  There will also be guest speakers daily.

This Halloween Regional is sponsored by District 22 of ACBL – website www.d22acbl.com/ventura-regional. 

Questions?  Richard  805-659-801 or Rose  805-659-9223 [email protected].

The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Mary Olson

October is the month of One County, One Book throughout the Ventura County Library system. This year’s selection is Taste Makers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America by Mayukh Sen.

Copies of the book will be available to borrow from all Ventura County Library branches. Discussions of the book will be hosted at:

Oak Park Library on Sunday, October 16, 12:00 to 1:00 pm

Ojai Library on Tuesday, October 18, 6:00 to 7:00 pm

Hill Road Library on Tuesday, October 25, 5:00 to 6:00 pm (Hill Road Library Book Club)

Oak View Library on Tuesday, November 1, 4:30 to 5:30 pm (Reading Society Book Discussion

One County, One Book culminates with a special author event with Mayukh Sen at 2 pm on Saturday, November 12 at California State University, Channel Islands’ Grand Salon.

Registration for the Author Talk with Mayukh Sen is free but required.

To offset the travel and venue expenses of the free author event, the Ventura County Library Foundation is hosting Passports, a lively discussion with local food influencers on topics ranging from County food trends to local and worldwide food issues followed by small bites representative of the food cultures in Ventura County. Passports will begin at noon in the Grand Salon.

For more information and to register for both events, go to www.vclibraryfoundation.org. Tickets are free for the author event and $75 for Passports.

This Fall also brings a California University Channel Islands Lecture Series

 

Ojai Library Saturday, October 15, 1 pm

Assistant Professor of Art Simon Quiroz introduces concepts and tools on how to go from recording images that on the surface look flat and deprived of color to finish them looking vibrant and colorful for TV, cinema, and beyond, enhancing quality and strong emotional responses from viewers.

Chumash Presence Past and Present

Hill Road Library Saturday, November 5, 11:30 am

This archaeology focused presentation covers the unique history and culture of the mitsqanaqan̓ (Ventureño)

Chumash and their adaptations to the natural environment of the Santa Monica Mountains, the ocean, Mugu

Lagoon, and the Oxnard Plain, including Chumash activities in Ventura County today.

Primitive Art in Civilized Places

Ojai Library Saturday, November 19, 1 pm

For more information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146 or [email protected].

Ventura Friends of the Library Book Sale

Saturday, October 22, 10 am to 3 pmat the Vons at Telegraph and Victoria.

Quality used books at bargain prices. Music on CD and Vinyl and Audiobooks.

We can always use volunteers to help at sales – if you’d like to help, email [email protected]

Operation School Bell® event is hosted by Tierra Vista Elementary School

Assistance League distributes clothing and supplies for the new school year. Photo by Brendan Daly of Brendan Daly Photography

On Monday, August 15th the Assistance League® of Ventura County brought their Operation School Bell® program to Tierra Vista Elementary School in Oxnard to distribute clothing and supplies for the new school year. This program has been going strong since 1993, providing the necessities for children and families in the community. As President Lori Nasatir expressed, “The goal of this program is to make sure children are going into their year equipped with not only clothing and supplies, but hopefully a new sense of confidence as well”. On this occasion they provided clothing, books, and school supplies to over 450 students and family members. The success of this event couldn’t have happened without the school staff and the many Assistance League® volunteers, including members from the Assisteens® and the Nancy R. Brandt groups (two auxiliaries within the organization).

For more information about this program or the organization please contact The Assistance League® of Ventura County at 805.643.2458 or [email protected]. You can also find them at www.assistanceleagueventuracounty.org as well as on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) presents the first show of its 2022-23 Season

Carmen Jones, music by Georges Bizet with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, choreography by Lisa Ruffin, musical direction by William Foster McDaniel, and directed by Jonathan Fox begins previews on Thursday, October 6 at 7:30pm, opens on Saturday, October 8 at 8:00pm and runs through Sunday, October 23, 2022 at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara.

Carmen Jones is a thought-provoking adaptation of the beloved opera, CARMEN, by Geogres Bizet with new lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The classic story of the bewitching Carmen is reset in a parachute factory during 1940’s World War II. Featuring an African American cast, in this revised version, the most provocative (and trouble-making) employee at the factory is Carmen Jones who is arrested by the military for once again causing trouble. She uses her seductive ways on the corporal assigned to guard her, Joe, who soon forgets his local sweetheart, Cindy Lou, and runs off to Chicago with Carmen. Husky Miller, a champion boxer on the military base, is also in Chicago for a major bout in the ring and a dangerous love triangle ensues when Carmen finds herself quickly drawn to the boxer . Several memorable musical numbers have come from this rarely performed new score, including “Dat’s Love,” “Dere’s a Café on de Corner,” “Stan’ Up and Fight,” and “Beat Out Dat Rhythm on a Drum.”

Santa Barbara’s professional theatre company, Ensemble Theatre Company, invites you to back to the theatre for this highly anticipated performance and to, once again, enjoy live theatre as only ETC can present it in the beautiful New Vic theatre.

The cast of Carmen Jones features Fredricka Meek as “Carmen Jones,” Chauncey Packer as “Joe,” Zelda Carmen as “Cindy Lou,” Troy Wallace as “Husky,” Nataley Carter as “Myrt,” Ashli Ferguson as “Sally,” Christopher James Hester as “Rum,” Michael Howard-Dossett as “Sergeant Brown/Higgins,” Constance Jewell Lopez as “Franky,” and Desmond Newson as “Dink.”

Carmen Jones is made possible through the generosity of ETC’s 2022-23 Season Sponsor Dana White and show sponsors Dana White and the Zegar Family Foundation. Additional Sponsorship from Eve Berstein, Helene Segal and George Konstantinow.

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm and 7:00pm; with added performances on Tuesday, October 11 and October 18 at 7:30pm and Saturday, October 16 at 4:00pm. There will be no performance on Saturday, October 22 at 8pm and Sunday, October 23 at 7pm.

Ticket prices range from $40 – $84. Single tickets are available through the ETC box office at (805) 965-5400, or online at etcsb.org. Prices subject to change.

Ed Sullivan came to Ventura.

The many many weeks of rehearsal paid off.

On Saturday, September 17th, and Sunday, September 18th, the Ventura Marina Community Theatre presented the Ed Sullivan Show starring Alan McIntosh as Ed Sullivan. It was presented in the clubhouse.

It featured the talents of the members of the senior Ventura Marina Community. Performers and crew were from all walks of life, some still working and some retired. It was held in their large multi-purpose room to an enthusiastic full crowd. It took those attending back to Sunday nights when families gathered together in front of their television sets to watch Ed Sullivan.

They enjoyed Elvis Presley, Phyllis Diller, Sonny and Cher, Abbott and Costello, The Mamas and the Papas, The Beatles, Tiny Tim, The Great Donzini and Bambi, Patsy Cline, George Carlin and The Ike and Tina Turner Revue. The many many weeks of rehearsal paid off as seen in the quality of the performances and the approval of the crowd.

The Ventura Marina Community has 310 manufactured homes and was built in 1965. It is located at 1215 Anchors Way Dr, Ventura.