Social justice advocacy group Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CA– USE) will be releasing a report on the housing crisis affecting renters in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties at a press conference to be held on Tuesday, December 10th at 10:00am.

The report highlights the results of hundreds of surveys collected from the most severely impacted renters in working-class immigrant neighborhoods throughout the summer of 2019. Of those surveyed, 43% had experienced a drastic rent increase, 15% had been evicted, and 39% had experienced unsafe or unhealthy living conditions in the past five years. The report details issues like the root causes of the housing crisis, scarcity of affordable housing and rising rents, the increasing fear of evictions and fear of reporting housing violations to a landlord. The report also includes policy recommendations that local governments can act on to address the growing housing crisis in the region

The presenters will be Jorge Rivera, Tenants Together, Johnathan Nielson, NPN Law, Margarita De Escontrias, Cabrillo Economic Development, Gabby Basua, Oxnard City Council, Kay Wilson and Spirit Shelter Tania Reyes, CA– USE.

The event will be held at the Ventura County Government Center 800 S Victoria Ave. Ventura

CA– USE is a Ventura and Santa Barbara County based nonprofit organization dedicated to building grassroots power for social, economic and environmental justice for the people of the central coast region through policy research, leadership development, community organizing and advocacy.

On December 14th and 15th, in two full-length performances, they will perform with the Footworks Community Orchestra and singers from the Carpe Diem Chorus at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Family-friendly matinees on both days begin at 2 p.m.

While Tchaikovsky’s score remains the same, artistic director Kirsten Oakley’s twists to the story add freshness and whimsy each year. Enjoying the full-size scale of the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Footworks Youth Ballet’s performances feature a live orchestra and chorus that add depth to the dance artistry, not to mention the professional costuming and sets.

The two primary roles of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince are filled by young Venturans Brie Cheatham and Jonah Thomas. Brie is a 6th grader at Cabrillo Middle School who’s been at the Oakley Ballet Center for five years. Excited and surprised to be chosen as Clara this year, she says, “It’s been really fun working with all of the dancers. I am looking forward to the party scene where I have my first solo. I am very thankful for Oakley Ballet teachers and the older dancers who have been helping me. This experience has helped me not be so shy.”

Jonah Thomas, a 13-year-old Ventura Charter School student, repeats his performance as Clara’s nephew who eventually transforms into the Nutcracker Prince. It’s a unique role that goes with the Footworks Youth Ballet ethos—if a dancer is able to take on a principal role, they are given the opportunity to dance it! Jonah has been studying at Oakley Ballet Center since 2016.

Founded by Kirsten Oakley, Footworks Youth Ballet was created with the goal of providing a place for young people to thrive and grow through the joy of dance as they learn the art and discipline of classical ballet. Technique classes are offered through the Oakley Ballet Center in Ventura, for children ages 5-18.

In keeping with the mission of Footworks, many student dancers perform in principal roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy or Snow Queen, giving young artists the opportunity to take on classical ballet repertoire at its best. As Oakley explains, “Even if a student leaves ballet after high school, they take with them a great appreciation for the classics, having explored the art form to its utmost and seen the results of their dedication and effort.”

For each ballet production, Footworks Youth Ballet hosts a sold-out performance for over 3,000 school-aged children to see the ballet. Most of the tickets for the children are provided at the reduced fee of $5.00 each, and many of the students qualify for free tickets.

Join Footworks Youth Ballet for their Family Educational Hour one hour prior to each show to learn about the production, costumes, ballet history and music.

The Nutcracker, presented by Footworks Youth Ballet.
Sat. Dec. 14th, 2:00 pm
Sun. Dec. 15th, 2:00 pm
Oxnard Performing Arts Center
Tickets $19, $24, $29
Call 486.2424 to buy tickets, or order online at footworksyouthballet.org

Island Packer Cruises, established in 1968, will continue to operate its regular trips for day visitors and campers to the Channel Islands National Park. Visit www.islandpackers.com.

During construction, the park boat concessioner, Island Packers, will be offering alternative destinations for visitors to experience. The company will offer daily trips to Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island, weekend winter trips to Santa Rosa Island, and special day trips to lesser known island destinations. They plan to offer extended wildlife cruises including visits to the Painted Cave, one of the largest known sea caves in the world as well as multi-island day trips and inter-island camper shuttles to expose visitors to the great diversity of the Channel Islands. Rates below are for the day trips, for camping rates, regular schedules, rates and special trips.

Anacapa Island landing trips on selected dates

$ 59 for adult; $ 54 senior; and $ 41 for children.

Guided hike or on your own the 1 ½ mile loop on East End Anacapa Island.

Prisoners Harbor, mid Santa Cruz Island landing trips on selected dates

$ 59 for adult; $ 54 for senior; and $ 41 for children.

Options for the day visitor:

Guided hike from Prisoners Harbor to Pelican Bay are 2 to 5 miles. Ability to hike round trip or one way with a pick up or drop off via shore boat (Moderate to strenuous level).

Painted Cave cruise and two hours ashore at Prisoners Harbor for approximately 2 hours (Moderate)

Guided hike thru the Canada Del Puerto selected days (Moderate)

Hike the National Park roads towards east Santa Cruz from Prisoners Harbor (Moderate)

Kayak tours along shoreline with Channel Island Adventure Company or kayak rentals available through Channel Island Kayak Center.

Island Packers is the authorized concessionaire servicing the Channel Islands National Park and has been family-owned and operated since 1968

Seeking a holiday gift for an adventuresome person? From half-day whale watching and wildlife cruises to holiday caroling cruises and all day trips that land on Anacapa, Santa Cruz or Santa Rosa to the Channel Islands, Island Packers, the official boat concessionaire of the Channel Islands National Park, invites shoppers to give the gift of cruising for the holidays ahead.

Shoppers can now purchase the experience of cruising by Island Packers cruise when they buy a gift certificate via phone now through the holiday season. With a quick call, gift givers can make the purchase using a bank debit card or any major credit card, and the gift certificate is mailed directly to the gift recipient. Island Packers cruises can also be booked online for family and friends throughout the holiday season and throughout the New Year.

For a complete list of what is scheduled via Island Packers from both Ventura Harbor Village and the Channel Islands Harbor beginning this month, visit www.IslandPackers.com.

Campers have the option to camp on all the islands, as part of Islands Packers scheduled visits, as well as some inter island camper shuttles to one or more islands while camping. Visit the company’s website for schedules and dates.

Advanced reservations are advisable. For information, reservations or to purchase gift certificates, call 805-642-1393, or visit Island Packers at 1691 Spinnaker Dr., Suite 105B, in Ventura Harbor Village. Also available in the Ventura location are souvenirs, books, t-shirts, sweatshirts for sale that make for great holiday gifts.

Rubicon Theatre audiences are invited to “rejoice and be plaid” this holiday season as Ventura’s non-profit professional theatre company presents the hilarious and heartwarming musical comedy Plaid Tidings, which begins previews December 11 and continues through December 29 at the theatre’s home in Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District. The production is directed by the original creator Stuart Ross, a beloved member of the New York and L.A. theatre community whose vast credits include Broadway and work with Manhattan Theatre Club, Radio City Music Hall, the Public Theatre, York Theatre, San Diego’s Old Globe, and Pasadena Playhouse, where Plaid Tidings originally premiered.

Plaid Tidings is a heavenly holiday hit. It tells the story of a loveable, nerdy “guy group” from the 50s and 60s ( in the style of the Four Lads, The Four Freshman and The Crew Cuts) who were struck down in the prime of life and are now sent back to Earth to perform the big holiday concert they never got to perform in life. The show includes holiday favorites such as “Cool Yule,” “Let it Snow,” and “Joy to the World”; a hysterically funny speed-date version of “The Ed Sullivan Show” featuring the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir; and other memorable hits from the era, like “Sh-Boom,” “Fever” and “Hey There.”

The Los Angeles Times called the play “a many splendored thing.” Variety described the show as Musical utopia…the perfect show. And the Daily News called the show “heaven-sent holiday fare.”

Tickets and Pricing

Regular ticket prices range from $39 to $74, with discounts for students, seniors and military. Discounts are also available for groups of 15 or more, with free tickets for group organizers, waived processing fees and other benefits. The show is appropriate for all types of groups – church, temple, social and civic club, corporate, neighborhood, school, etc.; and recommended for ages 8 and older.

Plaid Tidings opens on Saturday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District, with a party following at Water’s Edge on the Harbor. Low-priced previews are Wednesday, December 11 at 7 p.m., Thursday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. and Friday, December 13 at 8 p.m. The production continues Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays and 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through December 29, 2019. There is no performance on Christmas Day. An additional matinee has been added on Saturday, December 14. Talkbacks are scheduled following the all Wednesday performances except the first preview. For tickets, go to www.rubicontheatre.org or call (805) 667-2900.

Ventura Land Trust (VLT) has achieved national accreditation recognition, joining an esteemed network of more than 400 accredited land trusts across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in their work. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded accreditation to Ventura Land Trust on November 6, 2019, signifying its confidence that VLT’s lands will be protected forever.

Becoming nationally accredited was a rigorous 2-year process that required Ventura Land Trust to fine tune its fiscal and organizational policies, programs, and procedures; provide extensive documentation, and undergo a comprehensive third-party evaluation.

“Since 2003, VLT has been fully committed to preserving and protecting Ventura County’s natural areas,” “said Derek Poultney, VLT Executive Director. “We undertook the lengthy accreditation process to demonstrate to our community that VLT operates under the highest professional standards.”

National accreditation helps to maintain the public’s trust and confirms that the accredited land trusts across the country are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship. Accredited land trusts steward almost 20 million acres of land in the U.S. – the size of Denali, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Everglades and Yosemite National Parks combined.

“It is exciting to recognize Ventura Land Trust with this national mark of distinction,” said Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Commission. “Accredited land trusts demonstrate fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership and lasting stewardship of conservation land.”

Ventura Land Trust is one of 1,363 land trusts across the United States according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census. A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

The nationally accredited Ventura Land Trust (formerly the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy) is dedicated to permanently protecting the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Founded in 2003, the 501(C)(3) non-profit organization is supported by over 650 members, local businesses and government partners. The land trust owns and manages nearly 80 acres of land along the Ventura River and is negotiating the purchase of its first hillside property. VLT’s office is located in the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura, CA 93003. For more information, visit www.venturalandtrust.org

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission inspires excellence, promotes public trust and ensures permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and strive for continuous improvement. The Commission, established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts. For more, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents 1,000-member land trusts supported by more than 200,000 volunteers and 4.6 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices.

The Alliance’s leadership serves the entire land trust community. Its work in the nation’s capital represents the policy priorities of land conservationists from every state; our education programs improve and empower land trusts from Maine to Alaska; and our comprehensive vision for the future of land conservation includes new partners, new programs and new priorities. Connect with us online at www.landtrustalliance.org.