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Vol. 12, No. 18 – June 5 – June 18, 2019 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

First Tuesday of the month from 1– 2:30 p.m. Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice offers free classes on managing life with Type 2 and Pre-Diabetes. Learn about meal planning, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, medication management and new developments for living with diabetes.

Second Monday of the month from 4– 5 p.m. they invite you to join a free joint replacement classes and learn what to expect pre and post-surgery. Learn about home safety, rehabilitation, medication and recovery.

Wednesdays evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. they offer free adult bereavement support groups to individuals who have experienced a loss within the last 2 ½ years. The support groups help improve understanding of the grief process, decrease emotional pain, provides emotional and educational support, and rediscover a sense of hope. Classes takes place at the Community Room 1996 Eastman Ave.

The Compassionate Friends of West Ventura County is a support group for those who have experienced the loss of a child. Parents, grandparents, and siblings (over age 14) are all welcome. The group meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 at the Poinsettia Pavilion, Canada Larga room, 3451 Foothill Road. For more information, contact Laura Lindsay at 805-836-9100.

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club Monday nights 7:30 – 9:45 p.m. Poinsettia Pavilion. Ballroom, swing, Latin and line dancing. $10 members, $12 non-members. Free dance lessons 6:45 – 7:15p.m. Call Rick 805- 415-8842 for more information.

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 – 5:45 p.m. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Bring an interesting topic to discuss if you can.

 

Ventura’s ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club offers games for all levels of play.  Learn the game, play with your peers, and earn master points while you are having fun.  There is a game every day of the week.  Check out their website at www.vcbridge.org

 

Country Western Line Dancing every Tuesday 7 – 9 p.m. Instruction every night. Located at the Moose lodge, 10269 Telephone Road. More information at countrylovers.com.

 

Cross Town Hikers join in on Wednesday nights for a moderate-paced hike that includes views of Ventura from the cross, a walk out to the end of the pier, and a stroll along the Promenade back to the Museum. Four miles with an 800-foot elevation gain. Meet at 7 p.m. sharp at the fountain across the street from the Mission. Join Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/800215670039426/

 

The members of the Ventura Investment Group meet on Mondays for an informal discussion of recent economic events.   The meeting is from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Telephone Road and Main Street.  Visitors and potential members are welcomed.  There are no dues or requirements to participate, and all levels of experience are welcomed.

 

 

Musicians’ Sober Support Meetup @ FIND (A Friend in Deed) every Monday night 7-9 p.m. Bring acoustic instrument(s) for jamming after sharing support for sobriety.

Bell Arts-Studio 39-432 Ventura Ave. For further information [email protected].

The Ventura County Philatelic Society meet on the first and third Mondays each

month at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Rd.

Admission and parking are free. Come for a great evening.

Contact: Bill Garner (805) 320-1601 or [email protected]

 

Mended Hearts of Ventura. Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. Group meets the first Tuesday each month at Lemon Wood Mobile Park, 850 Johnson Dr. They have excellent speakers, leading cardiologists, nutritionists, dietitians from our area. Contact Richard Hatcher at 805-644-2733.

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDa) is a 12-step fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is recovery from codependence in the development and maintenance of healthy relationships. Every Friday at 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 5654 Ralston (enter through side door off parking lot). Further information Deva 805-814-5650 or Maryann

The Ventura Retired Men’s group meets on the first and third Tuesday each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Elks lodge on Knoll Dr. Drop by to introduce yourself and they will treat you to lunch so you can sample our activities and banter and hear our program/speaker of the day. Got a question? Call Bob Likins at 805-587-1233.

BCNN (Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomers) is a non-profit women’s club open to ladies who reside in Ventura, Oxnard and Port Hueneme. A purely social club to provide a venue by which women in our area can meet each other. You can see a listing of some of the activities at http://www.bcnnwomensclub.org/. Meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of each month from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 36 Figueroa St. Parking is on Santa Clara Avenue. dues are $30 per year.

The Ventura Rotary Club, Ventura Downtown Lions Club and the Salvation Army of Ventura have partnered to bring the community a free Eye Clinic. The goal and vision are to provide free eyeglasses for those in need. Patients are seen each Tuesday from 9-11a.m., walk-ins only first come first served. The Eye Clinic is located inside the Salvation Army Hope Center. 155 S Oak St.

The Ventura County Camera Club holds its monthly meeting on the second Wednesday of each month January to November (no meeting in December)at 6:30 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. The first part of the meeting will be an instructional workshop.  This will be followed by the showing of member images. A professional photographer from the area will critique member’s prints and digital images. This is not a competition but rather an anonymous discussion of the images. Only members may submit images for critique. See the club’s web site for more information about the club and examples of member’s work or call 908-5663. WWW.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com.

June 8: Saturday, 1-4 p.m., Family fun at Mathnasium of Ventura! Come join as they officially introduce themselves to the community and show off what they are all about. There will be plenty of family friendly fun and of course plenty of math. Don’t miss out on games, food, music and prizes. Win some cool swag or even a free month of enrollment (a $300 value). At Mathnasium, they make math make sense. Mathnasium have been the math experts for over 15 years and are so excited to open their doors in Ventura. Check out www.mathnasium.com/ventura/events for more info. 1746-B S. Victoria Ave. 805-525-MATH (6284)

June 12: The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group and Abbott are pleased to host UCLA neurology and neurosurgery specialists Adrienne Keener, MD, and Ausaf A. Bari, MD, PhD, on Wednesday, from 1-3 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton in Ventura. For more information see the full article in the Breeze Senior Living Section. To RSVP call Patty at 805-766-6070.

June 14: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution
April luncheon meeting will take place at 11:30 AM, Friday, 14 June
2019, in the Poinsettia Pavilion.  The program will be “The Contributions of Spain During the American Revolutionary War” presented by
Dr. Sunny Vazquez Ron McMullen.
If you choose lunch, cost is $20 per person.  For
additional information or for assistance in determining your possible
Revolutionary War genealogical
roots, please call Bill Bays (805) 650-3036 or Robert Taylor (805)216-7992.
Please visit the chapter website http://pattonpatriots.org.

June 15: The Ventura County chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and Pure Stoke are excited to partner on International Surfing Day! A nationally recognized day to celebrate our oceans, waves and beaches. Come join in on the fun, meet the volunteers behind both of our organizations and learn about our year-round efforts to protect these precious resources at Surfer’s Point from 10am-2pm.

Activities throughout the event include surfing, a raffle, a beach clean-up, yoga, kite flying, and more!

Donate your used wetsuit at our SUGA donation station and be automatically entered in our raffle for a chance to win a Patagonia wetsuit! Don’t have a wetsuit to donate? You can purchase raffle tickets.

June 18: The Model Investment Club of the Channel Islands meets on the 3rd Tues. of the month, 1:45 p.m.  June 18 and July 16.  In Ventura County for twenty years, people interested in learning more about investment clubs can attend a model club meeting to observe a real stock investment club. These events are free. Please contact our hostess Jeanette Casserly for directions to the Ventura location and reserve a spot. (805)  506-7997. For further information on non-profit 501(c)3 Investor education, visit: www.betterinvesting.org/channel.

June 22: Saturday 1-3pm – Join Evelyn Taylor an afternoon of conversation on the History of Camarillo State Hospital and get your signed copy of this fantastic new book.

This book is a pictorial reflection of Cam’s rapid expansion as the largest state hospital west of the Mississippi to the shuttering of its doors 60 years later. After having earned a master’s degree in history, with an emphasis in archives, Evelyn S. Taylor became the first archivist for California State University Channel Islands.

Bank of Books 748 E. Main St. (805) 643-3154 [email protected]

Brian Pendleton announced as new General Manager of Ventura Port District

Pendleton joined the Ventura Port District in 2015.

The Ventura Port District Board of Port Commissioners announced the appointment and promotion of Brian Pendleton to General Manager of the Ventura Port District effective May 1, 2019. Pendleton, was the Deputy General Manager of the Port District, he succeeds Oscar Pena, who retired after 20 years of service to the Port.

Pendleton joined the Ventura Port District in 2015 as the Business Operations Manager, responsible for management, supervision and oversight of District finances, facilities, marinas, property and risk management.   In 2018, due to his successes at the Port, the Board of Commissioners promoted Pendleton to Deputy General Manager to perform asset management duties for a diversified portfolio of real estate holdings including Ventura Harbor Village, hotels, marinas, boatyards, and rental housing.

“I want to personally thank Chris Stephens, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, along with Vice-Chair Brian Brennan, and fellow Port Commissioners for providing me with the opportunity and privilege of serving the Port District as its next General Manager,” said Pendleton. “I look forward to collaborating with our Board to establish key priorities in the coming months and work alongside the hard-working team of the Port District, our Harbor tenants, and key stakeholders to achieve our goals.”

In his new role, Pendleton plans to enhance and expand the Port’s mission to provide a safe and navigable harbor and a seaside destination that benefits residents, visitors, fisherman, and boaters to experience Ventura Harbor’s exceptional facilities, events and services.

“The District Board has recognized the value Mr. Pendleton has brought to the organization since he joined us four years ago,” says Chris Stephens, Chairman of the Ventura Port District Commission.  “We are confident that Mr. Pendleton will lead the Ventura Port District to fulfill its mission and serve as a leading commercial fishing center and a valued recreational marina and tourism destination.”

Pendleton says he recognizes and appreciates the dedicated service, leadership, and personal support of retiring Port District General Manager, Pena. “Pena established strong financial principals for the Ventura Harbor, strengthening its economic position in the County and is leaving with the Port District more vibrant and financially sound,” states Pendleton.

Boasting three decades of local government in Ventura, Oxnard, and port district experience in real estate, economic development, commercial revitalization and public agency operations, Pendleton has worked extensively with the business community serving as a key liaison between the public and private sectors in the communities he’s served, including the redevelopment project of the Oxnard Esplanade from a closed to an open-air shopping center.

Currently serving as a board member for Ventura Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Chamber’s Economic Development & Legislative/Government Affairs Committee, Pendleton was recently appointed to a two-year board term with Visit Ventura in 2019.  Pendleton is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Urban Land Institute, and California Association for Local Economic Development.

endleton’s holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and a Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California and is a licensed real estate professional in California.

He and his wife, Arlene and three children Matt, Shane and Melissa, are longtime Ventura County residents.   For more information on Ventura Port District, visit www.VenturaHarbor.com.

Vol. 12, No. 18 – June 5 – June 18, 2019 – Movie Review

Movie Review by Cindy Summers
Booksmart

4 palm trees out of 4

Booksmart is a coming of age comedy about two high school seniors, Molly and Amy, on their way to graduation when they come to the realization that they’ve spent all their time working hard thinking they’ll get ahead, only to discover that they’re on pace with all the other students that enjoyed their high school days partying and slacking off. Released by United Artists, Directed by Olivia Wilde, and Written by Katie Silberman, Emily Halpern, Susanna Fogel and Sarah Haskins. Starring Beanie Feldstein as Molly and Kaitlyn Dever as Amy.

The chemistry between Dever and Feldstein is phenomenal, and their on screen friendship is endlessly comical and believable. Though outcasts among their peers, they both have strong, somewhat misguided confidence in themselves fueled by constantly supporting and inspiring each other.

Molly is on her way to Yale and graduating as class valedictorian, while Amy is heading to Botswana to help women and right behind Molly as salutatorian. Molly is the driving force behind the duos escapades as they go from party to party throughout the town searching for the big graduation party with all the popular students, including Amy’s crush.

Interestingly, Amy is gay, though has had no physical experience, just a crush on another seemingly gay girl, and her sexuality is strongly supported by her best friend and parents, who think Amy and Molly are a couple due to the amount of time they spend together.

The movie touches on some somewhat taboo subjects, such as teen masturbation, but does so in a way that disarms the audience with humor and hilarious comedic timing. It also presents homosexuality as an openly accepted way of life between the students, and even with the parents and teachers as well.

Beanie Feldstein is fierce as Molly, and truly embodies the spirit of an awkward academic outsider. Kaitlyn Dever is well cast in her role as Amy, the quieter of the two who is focused finding a nice girl to have her first experience with and does well at portraying the confusion and vulnerability that comes with teen sexuality.

Additional standouts are Billie Lourd as Gigi, a wild party girl who strangely pops up doing random things everywhere Molly and Amy end up, and Skyler Gisondo as Jared who outwardly seems superficial and not so bright, but is actually very conscientious coming to the rescue in his own way several times in the movie.

I found myself laughing out loud throughout the movie, but there were also touching moments of kindness and several unexpected twists that have you rooting for the two to succeed. It also does very well at depicting how teenage life can be so exciting, confusing, awkward and challenging all at the same time and has a genuine way of sharing it from the teen perspective.

Rated R – 105m

Vol. 12, No. 18 – June 5 – June 18, 2019 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine
Mayhem takes over Conejo Stage

Audiences can count on Conejo Players in Thousand Oaks to make going to the theater fun. Their current production of Don’t Dress for Dinner pulls laughs from beginning to end in a fast-paced, try-to-keep-up storyline of infidelity, alibis and misunderstandings.

Written by French playwright Marc Camoletti, the play was adapted for British audiences and finally, for Americans. Conejo Players director and set designer John Eslick has taken the script a step further by relocating the setting to New York, circa 1970’s which works extremely well. The 70’s was a ménage of bad clothes, high hair and exploratory morals, all of which keeps the audience in stitches throughout.

Bernard (Kyle Johnson) and Jacqueline (Melissa Higashi) portray a married couple who live in a converted farmhouse in upstate New York. The living room was once a barn, the kitchen a chicken coop and connected rooms feature a cow shed and a piggery, now serving as bedrooms. The layout and style of the house itself adds to the comedy.
Both harbor a secret. Jacqueline is scheduled to visit her mother when she finds out that Bernard has invited his best friend, Robert (Alex Carrasco) for the weekend to supply an alibi for him so that he can invite his mistress Suzanne (Reign Lewis).

However, Jacqueline and Robert are having an affair of their own and when Jacqueline learns Robert is coming, she quickly cancels her plans to go away which in turn skews Bernard’s plans. A cordon bleu trained chef named Suzette (Olivia Heulitt) is hired to provide a sumptuous dinner but quickly becomes ensnared in an endless charade of mixed-up identity, causing mounting confusion all around. No fool, she plays along – for a price.

When Suzanne finally arrives, she is thought to be the cook and shuffled to the kitchen which results in a less than perfect dinner. Trying their best to salvage the weekend, the couples and the real cook build on the lies to a hysterical degree. Last, but not least, the cook’s husband George (Nick Schmidt) appears to bring the evening’s mayhem to a conclusion.

The cast is a tight ensemble which handles the pace and non-stop challenge of keeping their lies straight very well. Kyle Johnson and Melissa Higashi pull off the kitsch of the 70’s beautifully via their wardrobe and attitudes, and, in Higashi’s case, the high hair. Definitely an era of notable fashion.

The others are dressed in more generic era clothing, giving the lead roles the spotlight. While Suzanne’s big blonde “do” is character appropriate, her facial expressions are often hidden by her curls. Too bad, as she has some looks that shoot clear messages without words.

Director Eslick and the entire cast have captured playwright Camoletti’s sense of high frivolity, desires, resignations and anxieties for our enjoyment. And we shall. Don’t Dress for Dinner provides a worthwhile evening filled with laughs. Go and enjoy.
Don’t Dress for Dinner continues through June 22. Performances are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. and one Thursday (6/6) at 8 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Seating is open. Tickets available at www. ConejoPlayers.org. (805) 495-3715 and at the door.

Ventura’s Salvation Army helps homeless man reconnect with his daughter after 27 years

Lt. Fabio Simoes snaps a selfie with the men in Ventura’s Salvation Army Program. Kc, David, Kent Spurlock, Joseph, Adam, Leo, Jerry, Gabriel and Brendan. Photo courtesy of Lt. Fabio Simoes

by Maryssa Rillo

Kent Spurlock, a Ventura native and transient homeless man returned to his hometown of Ventura, in November 2018. After having a stent operation, Spurlock was placed in recuperative care and was introduced to the people of the Ventura Salvation Army. There he received the help he needed and was reconnected with his daughter after 27 years.

“I was in Little Rock, Arkansas and I bought a motor cycle and was flying down the highway with no helmet and the holy spirit came upon me and I tried to get back with life. I have been a transient homeless person for many years and I owe California. I came back to California and in doing so, I got introduced to the Salvation Army,” Spurlock said.

At the Salvation Army, Spurlock met Lieutenants Fabio and Silvia Simoes, Corps Officers of the Salvation Army California South Divisions, and they changed his life.

“I can’t even explain to the people of Ventura County and the donors to the Salvation Army how important it is to support the Salvation Army of Ventura. Pastor Fabio and Silvia have been working there for five years. I did not know them and when I met them, they opened my eyes,” Spurlock said. “I started going to church with Salvation Army which opened other doors and my mind.”

Spurlock said that he was inspired to search for his daughter after witnessing Lt. Fabio Simoes help others reconnect with their family members.

Through the Salvation Army’s shelter, Spurlock had unlimited access to computers, so he decided to begin his search for his daughter in February 2019.

“By going to church Pastor Fabio had helped another individual reconnect his life with his family and I started thinking ‘why can’t I do that?’ And I did, and guess what? She was there, she was there. It took me how many texts, probably a good dozen until she responded,” Spurlock said.

Spurlock said the last time he saw his daughter was in 1991 when he was on parole from prison. At the end of May, 2019 his daughter responded to his texts. Spurlock’s daughter now lives in North Carolina, so they have not been able to meet in person, but they do keep in contact. Spurlock also learned that he has a ten-year-old grandson and a seven-year-old granddaughter.

“I sat there on that computer day in and day out and she finally responded. I have Pastor Fabio Simoes to thank for that,” Spurlock said.

The Simoes began working with Ventura’s Salvation Army Ministry in 2014. The couple works on five-year assignments so they will be moving to Portland, Oregon this summer.

Lt. Fabio Simoes said he enjoys helping people through the missionary and the Salvation Army. He said they have case managers who help the residents find jobs which gives them opportunities to save money for a better life.

“Working with the Salvation Army is priceless. Seeing people without any hope and we just get to offer them the possibility to have a good life. It’s priceless,” said Simoes.

Simoes said that he always encourages the residents to reconnect with their families. Once a resident leaves the Salvation Army, Simoes said he still tries to keep in contact with them.

“I give them my business card with my cell phone number. If they need a friend, I tell them to ask me for help and I give them advice,” Simoes said.

The Simoes’ last day in Ventura will be on June, 23rd 2019.

“If it hadn’t been for Pastor Fabio, his solidness and Silvia’s goodness, between the two of them, Ventura is going to lose very important people towards the community. Those two people made a difference in my life,” Spurlock said. “The church was not that way before the Simoes took demand of the Salvation Army. They made a huge change.”

Vol. 12, No. 18 – June 5 – June 18, 2019 – Opinion/Editorial

∙ Recently, Richard Lieberman, and I had lunch with Jeff Lambert, the City’s former Community Development Director (see cover story). He is now working for the City of Oxnard and very happy there. A real loss for Ventura.

∙ Circus Vargas will not be coming to Ventura this year, but will perform in Camarillo and Santa Barbara. Tried to find out why they are not coming to Ventura, but I wasn’t able to get an answer.

∙ I do not like guns. I think only law enforcement (and not sure about some of them) should possess them. But I have no problem with the Fair board who earlier voted 5-2 to allow Crossroads of the West to put on two shows as the board works on developing a policy governing them. The company is seeking authorization to host three more this year.

Owning most guns is legal, so in my opinion gun shows should be allowed to take place here just as marijuana stores should be allowed in Ventura.

∙Baseball now has instant replay – it takes 20 minutes.

∙The U.S. Navy has acknowledged that a request was made to hide the USS John S. McCain during President Donald Trump’s recent state visit to Japan. Couldn’t they just add a beard to it, so it is not recognizable?

∙ The California Senate has voted 33-0 to let pet owners, 18 and older, purchase medical marijuana for their animals if they have a recommendation from a veterinarian who has completed a specific course. The bill would give veterinarians the same protections as doctors who recommend marijuana for human patients. So, pretend you have a dog and share their pot.

∙Why do hospitals wake people up to give them their sleeping pills?

∙Ventura’s development process is cumbersome and slow, with many, many planning and review processes to apply for. And, then doesn’t provide nearly enough certainty that the development will ever be approved, even if all procedures are followed.

During a recent City Council meeting, member Jim Friedman stated, “The time to change it is now. We need a plan that tells the world Ventura is open for business. We need to change the way we do business drastically in the city of Ventura.” I could not agree more.

Too often projects are appealed to the council, and instead of looking at the big picture, (should the project have 40 units, or 38, for example), the council becomes the defacto design review committee and ends up commenting on innocuous things, such as the color of the front doors.

Whether you agree or disagree that we need new development (we do), developers should have a clear understanding of what they need to do to receive approval. Often, they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and then decide to just walk away from Ventura.

In order to make that happen, the Council voted to have staff return with information on streamlining, improving and simplifying the current design review process and to consider the following (among other things);

Disbanding the Historical Preservation Committee and replacing it with staff review and, where needed, outside consultants. This I strongly agree with.

Allowing each Council member to appoint her or his own Planning Commission member whose term would run concurrent with that of the elected official.

∙After all this time, the family of slain Anthony Mele Jr. is suing the city and the Aloha Steakhouse where he was stabbed to death by Jamal Jackson, a 50-year-old homeless man.

The widow and daughter of Anthony have sued the restaurant and the City over his death. They claim that the City of Ventura and the restaurant may have some responsibility.

I can’t comment on the City’s liability but to sue Aloha seems absurd. Should they be required to have a security guard sit at every table? In fact, diners at the restaurant and Aloha employees acted in a heroic manner chasing Jackson and attending to Anthony’s wounds. In my opinion, they should be commended not sued.

All newspaper reports (except the Breeze) stated that Mele’s daughter, then 5 years old, was sitting on his lap during the murder. She was present but not sitting on his lap. But this would certainly get to the emotions of jury members.

∙ An REO, or “real estate owned,” refers to a kind of property owned by a lender, like a bank, after a foreclosure. An Oreo is a sandwich cookie.

In a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson mixed-up the two terms. Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., was attempting to ask Secretary Carson about disparities in REO rates. Federal Housing Administration loans have far more properties that become real estate owned, than other loans from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

“I would also like to ask you to get back to me, if you don’t mind, to explain the disparity in REO rates. Do you know what an REO is?” asked the congresswoman.

“An Oreo…” replied Carson. “No not an Oreo. An R-E-O,” she replied.

∙E-cigarette flavors can damage the cells that line your blood vessels and perhaps your heart health down the line, according to a new study of human cells in the lab. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, adds to growing evidence that the flavored “e-liquids” used in vapes can hinder human cells’ ability to survive and function. The authors say these changes, some observed in the absence of nicotine, are known to play a role in heart disease.

∙ After 42 years in business, co-founders Larry Fitzgerald and Mark Hartley have announced they are closing their Management company in Ventura and Nashville, The Fitzgerald Hartley Company. Hartley is very well known in Ventura for the wonderful businesses that he started here including the building where Limon y Sol is now located on Main. He will continue to manage artists and develop film and television properties. He has been missed since he left Ventura.

Ventura Land Trust’s Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival 2019: Bigger, bolder, better and under the stars

Enjoy an array of award-winning short films. Photo by Dan Holmes

Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer (@MaryannRidiniSpencer)

Ventura Land Trust’s 10th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival featuring an array of award-winning short films that educate, entertain and inspire, will take place Saturday, August 17, 2019, under the stars on the picturesque grounds of the Ventura County Credit Union, 2575 Vista Del Mar Drive for the second year in a row. Doors open at 5:00 pm for the popular event which sells out annually. Films begin screening at 8:00 pm.

The Ventura Festival, part of SYRCL’S Wild & Scenic Film Festival, which celebrates 18 years of inspiring activism through film and art in 2019, aligns with Ventura Land Trust’s mission, to protect and preserve Ventura County’s land, water, wildlife, and scenic beauty for current and future generations.

“We currently manage 90 acres, and we’re growing,” said Ventura Land Trust’s Executive Director Derek Poultney. “The Wild and Scenic Film Festival is a perfect event for us because it helps connect the Land Trust’s work to the greater global environment. The films are beautiful, educational, and just plain fun.”

“After the success of last year, we discovered that the Credit Union provides a fantastic backdrop for the Festival,” continued Poultney. “Last year attendees loved sitting on blankets and low-back chairs on the park-like lawn while enjoying great food and drink, as well as the terrific line-up of environmentally-minded shorts.”

This year, a new feature has been added into the mix — a VIP Experience Pass. When purchased for $125, VIP Pass holders will have exclusive access to the VIP Lounge and Courtyard where they will enjoy free beer, wine, appetizers, and desserts from 5 – 8 pm. Additionally, VIPS have access to indoor bathrooms throughout the evening. VIP tickets are limited to 80 and are being sold on a first come, first serve basis.

This year’s pre-show entertainment features family-friendly games and activities, booths staffed by a variety of environmentally-minded community partners, and a host of food trucks including It’s in the Sauce, Mr. Softee, and We Bee Poppin. Libations on board include Castoro Cellars, San Antonio Winery, Rincon Brewery, and Topa Topa Brewery. Raffle prizes will consist of Patagonia and REI clothing and gear, original artwork, gift certificates, and more.

Live music presenters include Ojai-based composer, singer/songwriter, and Grammy Award-winning film mixer and sound designer, Todd Hannigan, who along with his band, Sleeping Chief, will perform original folk music with sounds of the mountains and sea. Blues guitarist, Ventura born and raised Guy Martin will play SRV, Hendrix, and original tunes along with his band members longtime bass player Tony Trigueiro, and drummer Pete Galagher.

This year’s “Marquee Sponsor” is The Trade Desk, the “Celebrity Sponsors” are Lorraine Lim Catering, Rabobank and Slaughter, Reagan and Cole, LLP, and the “Venue Sponsor” is Ventura County Credit Union. A full list of sponsors is available at venturalandtrust.org (Wild and Scenic tab).

General admission to the festival is $25/per person (which increases to $35.00 on July 1) and $5.00/per person children ages 12 and under. VIP Experience Passes are $125/person. Purchase at https://www.venturalandtrust.org/2019_wsff and click the drop-down ticket tab.

Proceeds from this year’s event fund VLT’s ongoing open space preservation projects.

The Ventura College-California promise

by Esther Cole

Neighborhood Community Colleges were operable before I graduated from high school, in 1942. They extended the educational opportunities for anyone enrolling. The only requirement was being 18 years of age, or a high school graduate. Without Los Angeles City College, I would never have gotten into U.C., Berkeley.  Berkeley changed my life. But this article is not about me.

This article is about the current advantages of enrolling in Ventura Community College. Ventura College offers many programs, and, a chance to earn an AA, without paying tuition.

This program is titled the Ventura College-California Promise. This Promise is to provide college credit courses at no cost.

That’s right. No tuition. The current program is good for one year. The current program is expected to be extended another year, so any student, eligible for this Ventura College-California Promise, may be able to complete two years, at Ventura Community, without paying tuition fees.

This is the best college news I’ve heard in a long time.

The big noise, about college attendance, is the enormous debt students accrue. Or, the illegal attempts. by parents, to get their children into name schools.

The Ventura College-California Promise is not limited to Ventura College, but the helpful people at Ventura College, are the ones who told me of this program and how it works. This helpful person is

Catherine Mundy, Disabled Student Services Technician, who has worked for the college for over 20 years.

Anyone wanting to get into this program must apply online.

www.ventura college.edu/departments/administrative/foundation.

An interview must be scheduled. That’s it. As stated above, once the student is accepted into this program, there are no tuition fees for the first year.

I sure hope this information is shared with anyone planning to attend Ventura College for the first time.

Vol. 12, No. 18 – June 5 – June 18, 2019 – The Pet Page

Justice and Livi working at CMHS on Memorial Day as part of the Dr. Peter Gall Therapy Dog Program.

∙The Dr. Peter Gall Therapy Dog Program is so popular and has such wonderful teams that two teams visit the second and fourth Monday, as well as the third Saturday each month at Community Memorial Hospital. These Certified Therapy Dogs are much appreciated by patients and staff alike and bring joy to all that they meet.

A visit to the shelter would not be complete without the main attraction — the animals.

∙Stop by the Humane Society of Ventura County on June 8 and help celebrate its 87 years of nonprofit service to the animals of Ventura County. The HSVC’s Open House & Birthday Bash will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, at its Ojai shelter facility, at 402 Bryant St.

Get a behind-the-scenes peek at its facility, participate in the barking or meowing contest, tour the kennels, meet the staff, and learn about different volunteer opportunities. Visitors also will have the opportunity to meet Dr. Christina Sisk, the HSVC’s new director of veterinarian services, and tour the state-of-the-art spay and neuter clinic.

Ma and Paw Kennel will be there, providing information and answering questions about rattlesnake avoidance for you and your dogs. And the folks of Firefly Ceramics will be there with the Tiles for Tails program, where participants paint tiles to be permanently displayed at the shelter, for a $25 donation.

Pam Williams with Service Dog Hibiscus of the Canine Companions for Independence at Ventura College.

∙If you travel around Ventura and Santa Barbara counties you may have seen people with a service dog sporting a hallmark blue vest and yellow trim. If so, you have seen the contribution that Canine Companions for Independence makes in the local community. These dogs are highly skilled, adapted to the needs of their ‘forever person’, public service animals, that perform many of the tasks that might otherwise cause people with disabilities to simply stay home.

Canine Companions for Independence is the nation’s largest provider of highly trained assistance dogs for people with physical or developmental challenges. The organization provides professionally-trained dogs at no cost to the recipient.

Canine Companions provides Service Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Skilled Companions, Facility Dogs, and very recently have added PTSD dogs into their offering. Service Dogs are able to open doors, pick up dropped objects, turn on and off lights, among other tasks for people with significant physical impairments.

Skilled Companions are available for people under 18, and for people who may have an attendant in their company but can benefit from a dog to assist. They can help to focus attention, keep children calm and engaged, and relieve anxiety during times of high stress, among other skills.

Since 1975, Canine Companions has placed more than 5,000 graduate teams in the U.S.

The local volunteer chapter, the Valley to Sea Chapter, started two years ago when veteran volunteer Puppy Raiser, Elizabeth Howell, saw the opportunity to bring her knowledge of CCI to the local community.

Canine Companions breeds and raises all their own dogs with the assistance of a large network of volunteer puppy raisers and puppy sitters. It costs approximately $50,000 to breed, raise, train, care for, and graduate each dog. This task would not be possible without generous donors from businesses and the public.

The Valley to Sea Chapter will be hosting its second annual Canines and Comedy event on June 27th at Levity Live, at The Collection in Oxnard. Festivities will include an opportunity to learn more about Canine Companions, and meet and pet graduate dogs and puppies in training.

Individual tickets as well as packages can be purchased online or at the Levity Live box office, or by emailing the chapter at [email protected]. Individual tickets are $20 from the chapter, and $25 from the Levity Live box office. $20 from every ticket goes directly to support CCI.

If you would like to find out more about CCI, please email the chapter at [email protected] or go online to cci.org. You can also find the chapter on Facebook at @cciv2c.

Ventura Education Partnership awards $18,000 to VUSD teachers

The VEP Board is proud to announce the Partnership has awarded Think Big Grants of $6000 each to three innovative teachers. Think Big Grants range over a two-year span. They are collaborative and bring together teachers, community members and students. They cross grade levels and subjects. VEP had 22 applications for three grants. The process involved a written application and an interview. Six of the 22 applicants were interviewed. The three recipients are:

Alex Wulff- DATA Middle School-SPARK VUSD will encourage and facilitate innovative practices throughout VUSD by establishing a student hosted “Makerspace” training and support center for all Ventura Unified teachers.

Petra McCullough- ATLAS Elementary School- “The Story Time Could Tell.” Students will explore the concept that Earth is organized into different systems by solving real-world problems, collecting data, organizing ideas, making predictions, collaborating as a team, and using time-lapse video.

Kristen Pelfrey- Foothill Technology High School- CREATE: Collaborative Responses (using) Electronics Art Technology Entrepreneurship- All 9th graders are CREATors producing individual and collaborative responses to prompts in a classroom makerspace.

Madhu Bajaj, President of the Ventura Education Partnership commented. “while we love our regular VEPGrants program which offer up to $1000 for classroom grants and will continue to offer those once a year, we wanted to do something more to support highly innovative educators. The Think Big Grants gave us the opportunity to invest in transformative projects that are collaborative and impact a large number of students. We look forward to sharing project results in the near future and expanding this new offering over time.”

Many community businesses and organizations support this program through their funding of VEPGrants. Some of them include MJP Technologies, Community Memorial Health System, Aera Energy, Mountains to Beach Marathon, the Rotary Club of Ventura and the Ventura Kiwanis Club. The Ventura Education Partnership connects community resources to support and sustain innovation in education to benefit VUSD students.

The VEPGrant program will be spotlighted at the inaugural “LAUNCH” event on June 20, 2019. This event will be held at the Ventura Masonic Center at 5:30 pm. LAUNCH will celebrate passionate educators who tell their stories of inspired classroom innovation. For more information contact: VenturaEducationPartnership.org .