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FOTM presents two Learning To See Outreach student exhibits at local libraries

FOTM is proud to present two
Learning To See Outreach
student exhibits at local libraries:

The Ojai Library
Through August 31, 2022
111 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai
Hill Road Library
June 13 – August 15, 2022
1070 South Hill Road, Ventura

Mama Bird and Baby by Fletcher
Grade 5, Topa Topa Elementary
The creative spirit is on display!
Learning To See Outreach (LTS) professional artists taught students in lessons that focused on creative individuals whose indigenous roots inform their artwork with special attention to inspiration from the Earth.

The Ojai Library is hosting an exhibit of Meiners Oaks and Topa Topa Elementary students. Middle school students from Anacapa, Isbell and Rio del Valle are exhibiting at Hill Road Library.

Vol. 15, No. 20 – June 29 – July 12, 2022 – Music Calendar

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 7/1: Teresa Russell
Tues 7/5: Karen Eden w/ Bill Macpherson

Café Fiore
66 California Street, Ventura
Sundays 5-9 pm
Sun 7/3: Intent
Sun 7/10: Babylon Rockers

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 7/1: Ignition
Sat 7/2: Ray Jaurique and the Big Band
Sat 7/9: Soul Machine w/ Laura Cozzi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Fri 7/1: Heart and Soul
Sun 7/3: Dean & Lisa
Fri 7/8: On Tap
Sat 7/9: Mark Masson

The Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Wednesdays: Blues Wednesdays
Thurs: 6/30: Katie Leigh & Joe Henry III
Fri 7/1: Buena Onda
Sat 7/2: Illunis
Fri 7/7: River Ripley
Sat 7/8: Bombafiya

The Grape
2833 E. Main St., Ventura
Tuesdays Jazz Jam
Most Saturday afternoons: Fausto Cuevas y La Moderna
Wed 6/29: Dan Zimmerman Band
Thurs 6/30: Tom Etchart & Friends
Fri 7/1: SicNarf
Sat 7/2: Dan Schnelle Band
Wed 7/6: Adam Clark Trio
Thurs 7/7: Guil Juliao Band
Sat 7/9: Nick Mancini Quartet

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Sat 7/2: Heart and Soul
Fri 7/8: Pull the Trigger
Sat 7/9: Caliente
Fri 7/15: CRV
Sat 7/16: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 7/23: Sin Chonies
Fri 7/29: Zepp Heads
Sat 7/30: The Balance

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 6/30: Vinny Berry
Fri 7/1: Mike Beers
Sat 7/2: Mark Masson
Sun 7/3: Morie and the Heavy Hitters (pre 4th party)
Thurs 7/7: Dylan Cunningham
Fri 7/8: Jacob Marquez and the Good Vibes
Sat 7/9: Heavy Rotation
Sun 7/10: Levi acoustic

Libbey Bowl
210 Signal St., Ojai
Sun 7/3: Independence Day conert
Fri 7/8: Stephen Pearcy (Ratt)

Lucas Sellers Wine
330 Zachary St., Moorpark
Sat 7/2: Singular Nature
Sat 7/9: Natalie Wattre

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri & Sat 8-11 pm; Sun 5-8 pm
Fri 7/1: Whiskey Business
Sat 7/2: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 7/3: DRB – Doc Rogers Band
Fri 7/8: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 7/9: 80 Reasons 2 Dance
Sun 7/10: Corsican Brothers

Peirano’s on the Terrazzo
204 E. Main St., Ventura
Wed 6/29: Jodi Farrell’s Singer/Songwriters’ dinner event
Fri 7/1: San Antonio Creek

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri 7/1: Doc Rogers Band
Sat 7/2: Bulldawg Blues
Fri 7/8: Jetlemons
Sat 7/9: Jayden Secor

Surfer’s Point Live
Ventura Fairgrounds
10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Sat 7/9: Tequila & Tacos Fest w/ Sugar Ray, Adelaide, Smooth Sounds of Santana
Sun 7/10: Tequila & Tacos Fest w/ Bone Thugs n Harmony, La Sonora Dinamita, Sambada

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Wednesdays: Americana Night
Thursdays: LA Jazz Connection
Fri 7/1: Tossers
Sat 7/2: Bella Lucareli; Zepp Heads
Sun 7/3: Dave Parsonage; War in the West
Mon 7/4: Steve and Sally Williams, Dive Bar Steve Trio
Fri 7/8: Cinnamon Whiskey
Sat 7/9: Karen Eden; Out of the Blue
Sun 7/10: Joe Delia; Ava Grace Trio

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunters

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 7/1: Blackstar
Sat 7/2: Mighty Cash Cats
Sun 7/3: Guttermouth, Ignite, False Confession, Romper
Sat 7/9: Greer, Disq

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Saturdays: Smitty and Julia and Friends
Sundays: Austin Vallejo
Fri 7/1: Van Allen Twins

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 2 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 6/30: Sean Wiggins
Fri 7/1: Ray Jaurique Trio
Sat 7/2: Moxie Raven
Sun 7/3: Soul Machine
Tues 7/5: Open mic w/ Jenna Rose
Fri 7/8: The James Bros.
Sat 7/9: Preston Smith
Sun 7/10: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples

Ventura Police bring back Neighborhood Watch

The Ventura Police Department (VPD) encourages residents to take an active role in crime prevention, reduction, and reporting by starting a Neighborhood Watch group.

The Ventura Police Neighborhood Watch Program is a crime prevention effort that relies on an active partnership between residents and the officers who patrol those neighborhoods. The goal of the program is to reduce crime through education, increased neighborhood reporting, and improved communication among neighbors.

“Many criminals are opportunists,” said Police Chief Darin Schindler. “Neighbors that are willing to communicate and interact with each other are better able to identify and report suspicious activity and safeguard their homes, ultimately preventing criminal activity.”

By forming a group and participating in Neighborhood Watch, residents will get to know neighbors who live nearby as well as learn how to:

  • Recognize and report crimes and suspicious activities
  • Better protect their homes and those of their neighbors
  • Identify quality of life concerns and crime in the area and work proactively with VPD staff to solve issues

Neighborhood Watch does not give residents the power to take law enforcement action when observing suspicious activity. The Ventura Police Department does not encourage residents to “patrol” neighborhoods or put themselves at risk. Community members are the extra eyes and ears of the Ventura Police Department and should report suspicious activity.

To learn more about the Neighborhood Watch Program, please visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/NeighborhoodWatch.

Vol. 15, No. 20 – June 29 – July 12, 2022 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

Wednes 6/08

 5:05pm, while on patrol in Fireboat, officers contacted and escorted a long distance swimmer outside the breakwall back to shore.

Thursday 6/09

 9:20am, dispatched to an Ocean Rescue, swimmer caught in a rip current. Officers responded in Fireboat along with State Parks, VFD, AMR. The swimmer was assisted and safely returned to shore.

9:45am, received report of a vessel sinking in slip VWM D-dock. Officers responded in Fireboat with portable pump to dewater a 28ft Columbia. The boat was nearly full, dewatering was successful and the vessel towed to boatyard.

Friday 6/10

 12:06am, received report of vehicles “burning-out” at the Launch Ramp lot. Officers responded, observed vehicles in violation. Issued warning, all left area.

8:15pm, received report of an injured pelican at VWM A-dock. Officers responded and captured the bird for rescue volunteers, to rehabilitate.

Saturday 6/11

 8:00am, while monitoring out rigger canoe race in the fireboat, officers ran the fire monitor to honor a recently deceased paddler from the Hokuloa club.

1:13pm, received dispatch to stingray strike at Harbor Cove. Officers responded with hot water to assist State Parks lifeguards with the patient.

Sunday 6/12

 3:25pm, observed and received multiple reports of Personal Watercraft in violation of speed and wake ordinance throughout the harbor. Officers contacted many operators at the launch ramp and from the Fireboat. Issued warnings and educated multiple operators on ordinances and operations.

Monday 6/13

 1:22pm, dispatched to a stingray strike at Harbor Cove. Officers responded with hot water to assist State Parks lifeguards with the patient.

Wednes 6/15

 2:15pm, dispatched to a stingray strike at Harbor Cove. Officers responded and assisted State Parks Lifeguards with victim, brought hot water for treatment.

2:55pm, dispatched to a stingray strike at Tower 3 Harbor Cove. Officers responded and assisted State Parks with victim with hot water for treatment.

Thursday 6/16

 5:51pm, dispatched to an Ocean rescue low at VIM K&L docks for a vessel colliding with vessels. Officers responded in Fireboat to the call. The vessel collided with one vessel and no injuries were sustained. Minor damage occurred

Friday 6/17

 3:37pm, received report of a large peddle boat beset by strong winds in the A-basin near VIM G-dock. Officers responded in the Fireboat to assist. The vessel was found in area reported with 1 POB & towed back to Dreamer rental dock.

Saturday 6/18

 7:35am, dispatched to a 90 y/o male unconscious/unresponsive. Officers responded with VFD/AMR to the Ventura Marina Community. Unfortunately, the patient was deceased for awhile and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

Sunday 6/19

 11:13am, while on patrol, officers observed a female passed out in a vehicle. After repeated attempts, the individual was awakened and appeared under the influence. She refused any medical treatment and went back to sleep.

5:18pm, received a mayday call via VHF 16 from a disabled 40ft sailboat just outside the harbor, near #4 buoy. Officers responded in the fireboat along with Tow Boat US. The vessel was taken en tow to their slip in VIM C-dock.

Monday 6/20

 4:40am, dispatched to a carbon monoxide alarm at Portside complex. No injuries occurred, firefighters explaining functions of the alarm to owners.

7:33pm, dispatched to chest pain in the Ventura Marina Community. Officers responded with VFD/AMR to a 77 y/o female, she was transported to hospital.

 

 

Ventura Fire Department announces Brett Reed as Fire Marshal

As the City’s Fire Marshal, Brett will oversee community risk reduction programs.

After a highly competitive, open recruitment process, the Ventura Fire Department has selected Brett Reed as its new Fire Marshal.

“Brett is a lifelong student of fire prevention, risk reduction, and leadership,” said Fire Chief David Endaya. “He has a proven track record of developing, implementing, and leading progressive change and holds himself and those around him to the highest standards.”

As the City’s Fire Marshal, Brett will oversee community risk reduction programs in the department’s Fire Prevention division. These programs include development plan review and inspections, state-mandated occupancy inspections, defensible space inspections, and fire cause investigations.

“I am incredibly excited to continue my service to Ventura as the fire marshal,” said Brett. “It’s an honor to serve a city that I love, and in a role that is vital to ensuring community safety. I look forward to continuing to provide the preventative, high-quality service to our community members.”

Brett has a strong background in risk reduction and has completed State Fire Inspector Training, National Fire Academy fire inspection principles, fire and arson origin, and cause determination courses, and is a certified International Code Council Inspector and Plans Examiner.

Prior to being selected as the fire marshal, Brett served as a fire prevention specialist and the fire prevention supervisor with Ventura Fire. He has also worked in Mono County as a firefighter, fire engineer, emergency medical technician (EMT), inspector, and hazardous materials specialist.

For more information about the City’s Fire Prevention Division and programs, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/FirePrevention.

Celebrate the 4th of July at Ventura’s Annual Parade & Street Fair

Ventura’s annual 4th of July Street Fair and Pushem-Pullem Parade returns to the Downtown District on Monday, July 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This year’s event theme is “2022: Red, White & Blue!”

The Pushem-Pullem Parade, presented by the Rotary Club of East Ventura, will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Main Street in front of Cemetery Memorial Park and continue into Downtown Ventura, leading into the Street Fair.

Both events are free to attend. Bikes, scooters, strollers, and wagons are welcome to participate in the parade. Motorized vehicles are not allowed.

The street fair features arts and crafts booths, live entertainment, a car exhibit, and family-friendly activities. Downtown businesses and restaurants will also be open as part of the Main Street Moves program.

The Downtown Ventura Partners Organization presents live entertainment stages with local bands and community group performances at Mission Park and at the intersection of California Street and Main Street. Several smaller stages will also be placed throughout the event featuring acoustic artists.

Visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/StreetFair for more details. For event questions, contact Recreation Coordinator Allyson DesBaillets at [email protected] or (805) 654-7749.

Vol. 15, No. 20 – June 29 – July 12, 2022 – Community Events

Events by Ana Baker

If you have experienced the loss of a loved one due to suicide, do not hesitate to join our Survivors of Suicide Loss grief support group. Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program are committed to maintaining an open, accepting, confidential atmosphere, meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 6:30 – 8 p.m. If you would like to register this support group or would like more information on other bereavement groups that we offer, please contact Stacia Sickle at 805-389-6870 x452 or at [email protected]. Visit www.LMVNA.org for more information.

The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcomed to stop in to sample our shenanigans.  Bob Likins at 805-587-1233 or Rick Follenweider at 650-520-1098 can supply details.

Hope and Help for Overeaters. Is your eating out of control? Are you feeling fat? Overeaters Anonymous can help. Saturdays, 10-11a.m. at 133 S. Laurel Street, Ventura (building next to the church). For more information, call Amy at (805) 340-5882. Donations only.

July 2: Sespe Fly Fishers of Ventura will be conducting our monthly “First Saturday” introductory Fly Rod Casting and Intro to Fly Fishing clinic. There is no charge and all are welcome. Chumash Park, Petit and Waco. 9-11a.m., in East Ventura, off Telephone Rd.
For more information: Casting Program Coordinator Thomas Hall (805) 377-5249 www.sespeflyfishers.org

July 3: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. will be playing at the Poinsettia Pavilion 3451 Foothill Road, Sunday, 2-4 p.m. Live Music on stage. Jamming in the Canada Room. Free Admission. Free parking and open to the Public. For more information call 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA

July 6 & 20: Parent grief support group. The Compassionate Friends (TCF) of West Ventura County provides free grief support for families after the death of a child. Parents, grandparents and siblings over 16 are welcome to join us on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. First-time attendees join the call at 6:45 pm. We provide peer-led support where you can openly grieve without being judged. If interested, please contact (805)-835-9100 and leave your email address so we can forward the Zoom link via email a few days before the scheduled call. For more information, visit TCFVentura.org or contact Laura Lindsay at (914) 610-8918. We welcome you to this club no one ever wants to join. We understand grief and are here to help you take the next step in your healing journey.

July 8, 9, 10: NAMBA Performing Arts Space is thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual Women’s Voices Festival July 8, 9, and 10th. In the spirit of Hollywood Fringe, Solo Fest, and LA Women’s Theater Festival, Namba Arts, in collaboration with Producer Robyn Migel, brings three unique stories illuminating women’s voices. With over 30 shows being vetted, only three will be nominated for NAMBA’s prestigious “Splash” award.
Nominees will be announced on Saturday, June 25; the winner to be announced Sunday, June 26 at the Hollywood Fringe Awards Ceremony. Stay tuned or visit Nambaarts.com for more details!

July 12: The Ventura peer support group of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) will resume its free weekly meetings on Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 5654 Ralston St. Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura. Enter by way of the main door. Please bring your own N95 mask.
For more information, go to the website DBSAlliance.org or Wendell Jones at (805) 640-6472, or email him at [email protected].

July 12: The Ventura County Writers Club is offering a class at the Pleasant Valley Parks and Rec facility at 1605 Burnley in Camarillo. Noreen Lace will speak on the legal liabilities of memoir writing. Lace is an educator at CSU Northridge where she earned her MA and MFA.  The class will begin at 7 p.m. and is free and open to all interested parties. Call (805)-300-1365 for more information.

July 17: The Ventura and Santa Barbara County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) will meet Sunday, in the Campus Student Center of Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Rd. at 11a.m. There will be a mart where items will be for sale followed by lunch. An informational meeting and a presentation on a topic on clocks or watches will start at 1p.m. More information about chapter 190 can be found at www.nawcc-ch190.com.

Ventura police officers carry the torch for the Special Olympics

Photos by Michael Gordon

Over 30 Ventura Police officers and staff participated in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Tuesday, June 7, from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. as the “Flame of Hope” made its way through Ventura. The run started at the steps of the Ventura City Hall.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest awareness and grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics. In Southern California, it consists of nine different legs, ranging from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. Legs are completed in conjunction with Special Olympics athletes and various members of law enforcement agencies from throughout the region.

“This is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Corporal Ryan Reynosa, Special Olympics Liaison with the Ventura Police Department. “I run each year for inclusion, awareness, fundraising, and camaraderie. “It’s just icing on the cake when community members come out to cheer us on.”

Community members interested in supporting the cause can support financially by making a donation to “Team Ventura PD” at www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/LETR.

Ventura County Fair launches 2022 Fair Season

VC Fair Rides Again! That’s the tagline for this year’s Ventura County Fair, coming to your favorite seaside fairgrounds Wednesday, August 3 through Sunday, August 14.

The wheels are in motion, preparations are being made and the highly anticipated time has come to invite VC Fair Lovers to start planning for their 2022 Fair experience.

Exhibits are the heart of the Fair and the VC Fair offers the chance to show off your creativity in a variety of competitive exhibits from baking, wine making, photography, art and more! You can win the bragging rights and cash prizes by entering your masterpiece in one of our many competitive departments including Agriculture, Amateur Art, Floriculture, Gems & Minerals, Hobbies & Collections, Home Arts, Horse Shows, Large Livestock, Photography, Pro Arts, Small Livestock, Uncle Leo’s Barn and Youth Expo.

In Ventura County, our competitive spirit is a big part of who we are – and in few places is it more evident than at the VC Fair. Each year, thousands of participants cater to their competitive side by entering in competitions spanning a full range of categories including culinary, fine arts, photography, livestock and more. From delicious desserts to champion cattle, the Fair hosts competitions for nearly every interest and age group. Whether it’s a premium cash prize, a coveted blue ribbon, or just good old-fashioned bragging rights at stake, we wish you the best of luck!

“If you think competition is fun… then you’re in the right place,” said Barbara Quaid, VC Fairgrounds CEO, adding “The VC Fair is the epicenter of spirited competition. Call it a throwback to simpler times if you like. What we know for sure is this: Fairgoers flock to see the entries year after year. And that feels good for everyone involved.”

All of the entry information is available on the brand-new Fair website: www.venturacountyfair.org where you will also find ways to participate including how to volunteer, contest entries for kids and more. Important Fair information such as directions, hours, admission, and schedules of events, including contests and entertainment, that are being planned for the Fair will be found on the new colorful, fun and easy-to-use website.

 

New enhanced viewer for color blind visitors installed at Ventura Botanical Gardens

Flowers at Ventura Botanical Gardens. Color blind conversion courtesy of EnChroma Photo by Barbara Brown

The Ventura Botanical Gardens and EnChroma® (creators of glasses for color blindness) announced this week the installation of a special viewer for colorblind visitors. The Gardens will be the first botanical gardens in California to have a viewer for color blindness onsite.

Installed at the Merewether site in the California Native Garden, this special scope, made by SeeCoast Manufacturing and fitted with EnChroma lenses, is for guests who are red-green colorblind. Many colorblind visitors cannot see the brilliant reds, yellow and oranges in the flowering plants of, for example, the aloe or California poppy. With this special viewer, those colors can be seen more like non-colorblind visitors see them. Additionally, visitors with color blindness will soon be able to borrow a limited number of EnChroma glasses at the Merewether Welcome Center and experience the colors in scenic vistas and vibrant, chromatic flora for the first time.

Sponsored by Mike and Loretta Merewether, the special viewer honors their young granddaughter, Carlie. “We wanted colorblind youngsters and oldsters alike to experience the Gardens in a new way, and to share the way we see it, full of color and drama.”

The installation of the viewer is part of the Ventura Botanical Gardens interest in accessibility and inclusivity for visitors. “This new viewer offers a wider range of visitor experience and opens the door for guests who previously could not see many of the colors of the Gardens,” explains Joe Cahill, Executive Director.

“We’re so thankful for the Merewether family’s generous support and their desire to bring the Gardens alive for those with color vision deficiency,” said Erik Ritchie, CEO of EnChroma. “With both the viewer and EnChroma loaner glasses now available to color blind guests, visits to the Garden will be even more memorable. We encourage gardens, museums, and attractions to incorporate EnChroma into their accessibility plans.”

One in 12 men (8%) and one in 200 women (.5%) are color vision deficient; an estimated 13 million in the United States and 350 million worldwide. While people with normal color vision see over one million shades of color, those with color vision deficiency only see an estimated 10% of hues and shades (see images attached). As a result, colors can appear dull, indistinct, and difficult to discern.

A live press event is planned for later this year.

Located at Grant Park in the City of Ventura, the Ventura Botanical Gardens’ goals include conserving plant species and encouraging visitors to strengthen their connection to nature.

To find out more, visit the VenturaBotanicalGardens.com and join us on Facebook.

Based in Berkeley, Calif., EnChroma produces leading-edge eyewear for color blindness and low vision, and other solutions for color vision, sold online and through Authorized Retailers worldwide. Invented in 2010, EnChroma’s patented eyewear combines the latest in color perception, neuroscience and lens innovation to improve the lives of people with color vision deficiency around the world. For more information, call 510.497.0048 or visit enchroma.com.

Kent Streeb, Vice President of Communications & Partnerships, [email protected], 530.908.9225.