by Ross Williams

After almost two years, the gates of Juanamaria Elementary are finally open to parents. I’ve had the pleasure of walking my children to the doors of their classrooms. I’ve seen the hooks lined with colorful backpacks in the halls and the happy children running to the playground as we parents all said our goodbyes. My wife and I were even able to sit at our daughter’s desks during Back to School night and have a quick chat with their teachers. School is back to normal and it’s fantastic.

The first few chaotic days of school are done and everyone has settled into the rhythm of the new school year. But there is a part of the school community that has been hard at work for months. The PTA/PTO Parent Teacher partnerships at our schools have been busy preparing all summer long. These hopeful parents are excited to be a part of their children’s academic lives and happily volunteer their time, energy, resources and patience.

I didn’t understand the amount of time and real focus that the parents who volunteer regularly put in. It truly is a “80-20 rule” relationship with a small percentage of the parents doing most of the heavy lifting. The PTA is run as an all-volunteer community program and these parents put in time and energy in exchange for their children to be able to participate in core memory, building fun activities and programs.

A field trip? A dance? A fun hula hoop assembly? All put together by the PTA and funded by programs such as the Sport A Thon, sales of T-shirts and candy, dining out collaborations with local restaurants and so much more. Each activity is made possible by the school children and their families. The work that they put in and the money that they collect make every single event possible.

With the PTA at the forefront, this is a community at its finest. All coming together for the good of their school and their children. And it’s hard work. There’s insurance and taxes, logistics and scheduling. Not to mention the long hours and hard labor involved in the design and decor.

I’ve always felt a little awkward hawking candy at Christmas for my kids and pushing for financial contributions for various school activities. My wonderful wife, a dedicated PTA volunteer and Girl Scout Troop Leader never had such qualms. Because she’s seen how the sausage is made. That every wonderful activity throughout the school year is made possible by our donated dollars and the wonderful people that roll up their sleeves.

We should all be so proud of our communities’ programs. They are all made possible by us as a whole. They are the definition of community.

American Book Fest, an online publication providing coverage for books from mainstream and independent publishers, has announced the winners and finalists of its 2022 American Fiction Awards. Now in their sixth year, the latest American Fiction Awards are for titles published between 2020-2022, in over 70 genre specific categories. These books, reviewed by a distinguished panel of industry judges, represent a phenomenal mix of storytelling skills from a wide array of publishers throughout the United States.

“HOUSE BOY”, winner in the “Multicultural Fiction” category, is an urban thriller with socio-political and racial overtones, a fact-based tale that Lorenzo first read about in the UK in the mid-90s and has been working on ever since, between his many other film, theater and literary projects.

His novel inhabits a shadowland where ancient traditions take root and prosper in our so-called modern world. In the polite suburb of Hendon, North London, behind the windows of an undistinguished house at 321 Finchley Lane, exist domestic horrors performed by desperate human beings upon their chosen victim, such as passersby could scarce imagine. In this house, the lives of a young Dalit man, Vijay Pallan, and an older Brahmin woman and her son, Binda & Ravi Tagorstani, intersect as if decreed by history. Through the increasingly disturbing encounters between these three characters, the reader is exposed to the harsh realities of the caste system and modern slavery, the boundless capacity for human pain, and the ultimate blessing of even one man’s survival.

Published June 7, 2022 by Atmosphere Press, the book has received glowing reviews, including…

“Evocative imagery, sociopolitical relevance, and a compelling storyline. Vijay’s traumatic experiences transcend fiction and read like an authentic, contemporary depiction of the effects of the caste system and human trafficking.” – Kirkus Reviews

“HOUSE BOY offers quite a different focus and insights than most as it traverses the human psyche and its ability to perform, accept, or defy grave injustices. …rewards its audience with gripping moments and surprising revelations.” – Midwest Book Review

Lorenzo’s book features jacket design by the Breeze’s own Alfred J. Lewis of Studio Nothing.

Lorenzo thanks the Ventura Breeze and all his other friends in the Ventura community for their longtime support. He also thanks everyone at American Book Fest & Atmosphere Press for their belief in this novel, and to EMG, the young Indian man whose traumatic life experiences inspired this book.

“HOUSE BOY” is available as a Trade Paperback or eBook and can be ordered from your local bookstore, or from many online retailers.

When the PRC first opened its clubhouse doors 45 years ago this October 1^st it was one of the first multi-purpose clubs in the United States. Tennis and swim clubs were common and racquetball was growing in popularity throughout the country. Yet the Garrett brothers were among the first to combine tennis, racquetball, swimming and a workout room to create a private membership club. Fourth generation Venturans, Scott and Spencer Garrett returned to Ventura in the summer of 1975 and started developing the Club on 5.5 acres leased from the Pierpont Inn. With the backing of their parents Betty & Joe Garrett they attracted a few investors and secured a loan from the Bank of A Levy. Over the years the Garretts have continued to make improvements to the Club to keep pace with the changing needs of its members.

There aren’t many businesses that make it through 45 years. When asked what gives him the greatest satisfaction, Spencer Garrett said “I think what we have done well and still do is to create an atmosphere where people can meet and make life-long friends.” There are still 32 people who have been members ever since the clubhouse opened in 1977. As they did for the 40^th Anniversary in 2017, the Garretts have invited the Charter Members to a special reception the afternoon before the club wide party. On tennis court #1 on Saturday, October 15^th, this year’s party, “Retro 70s”, will feature desserts, drawings and dancing to the tunes of D.J. Scott Christopher. Once again party proceeds will go to benefit a local non-profit. This year the Food Share of Ventura County is the beneficiary.

Club Manager Kerrie Anderson, who first started at the Club in 1986 as a Fitness Director, is excited about the planned renovations to the Pierpont Racquet Club. “Like so many other small businesses we have been challenged the last couple years by the pandemic. We are thankful to all our members who stuck with us during periods when operations had to cease. Today our tennis and swim programs are as strong as ever and many of our members are now into playing pickleball. Our gym and fitness classes continue to see more and more members getting back into their routines. We also have seen a influx of new members, especially young families. It is great to see so much activity at the Club again” added Kerrie.

When asked about future plans, Spencer Garrett said, “Scott and I never gave much thought to what was in store 10 years after we opened let alone 45. We’ve been blessed with so many great employees and members that this has never felt like a job. It’s been a privilege to see all that we have created and I know the future will be even brighter. I look forward to 2027 when we will host a party to celebrate our 50^th year.”

Pierpont Racquet Club 500 SanJon Road Ventura, CA 93001

(805) 648-5161 www.pierpontrc.com

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. Jewish Year 5783 begins at sunset on Sept. 25. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American New Year.

There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one. Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making “resolutions.” Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year.

The shofar is a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue.

No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Much of the day is spent in temple, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. There is a special prayer book called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for these holidays.

The common greeting at this time is L’shanah tovah (“for a good year”). This is a shortening of “L’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem” which means “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”

On Oct. 4, Yom Kippur also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Some Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.

Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora’im (“Days of Awe”) that commences with Rosh Hashanah.