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Kids & Families Together and Bike Ventura

Every child was so excited and enthused about their experience.

n celebration of National Bicycle Month and Foster/Resource Family awareness month, two local nonprofits came together for a special day! Kids & Families Together and Bike Ventura.

Kids & Families Together is a local nonprofit who provides therapy and support services to kinship, adoption, foster, and birth families in Ventura County and Bike Ventura whose mission is to foster a safe, healthy community through bicycle-centered education, empowerment, and advocacy in Ventura County.

In partnership with Cross Pointe Church Ventura provided an amazing bike event for these kinship, adoption, and foster families. This event was created because a grandmother caring for a grandchild called Kids & Families Together, because of the age of her and her husband, there granddaughter, who was 8, didn’t know how to ride a bike and they didn’t feel comfortable teaching her.

Bike Ventura’s passion to educate the community on bike education and training was the perfect collaboration. With over 30 kids in attendance each child was given a free helmet, free bike repair, lessons on bike safety and how to ride, some or more seasoned riders were able to go on a bike ride around the neighborhood; practicing what they learned from the event.

Every child was so excited and enthused about their experience. Lunch was donated by Domino’s Pizza and Jersey Mikes. Cross Pointe provided many of the volunteers and blow up slides for the kids to have fun after the event. All in all, is was a great day where families could create fun memories and times together.

A couple of the favorite moments of the day was one girl who had her training wheels removed for the first time and was able to go on the bike ride around the neighborhood. Another was that one child was able to receive a free bike through Shelter Care Resources. By the end of the day each child had a huge smile on their face and was proud and confident in what they had learned and excited to keep learning how to ride.

Botanic Gardens open for First Post Fire Community Gathering

“We rolled out our mats and settled into a meditation.”

by Chris Roberts

In its first community event since the Thomas fire, Jo Ann Wedding led a small group of yogis through the impressive new Ventura Botanical Garden gateway to the base of the trail.

The view was astonishing. The trail is fully restored between the trailhead and Summit Road, about half way to the top of the ridge. The rockwork takes me back to the hills in Greece or Portugal. Line upon line upon line of curved stone batter walls define he trail, the planters and those parts of the hillside that require additional stability reinforcement. The repetitive rhythm of the undulating walls is striking, and at a deeper level, my appreciation for the hours of handwork required to create this setting take me back to a time when manual labor, not machines, built structures. This is not like the stone walls that lined the edge of the trail before this fire. The stonework is so prevalent that it establishes an artwork array as far as the eye can see. The plants are in bloom, and the diversity of Mediterranean plants is breathtaking.

For those wanting a more vigorous ascent, curved stone steps, cross the low gradient switchbacks, offering a shorter, but more vigorous hillside ascent.

The group reached a patio overlook at the Summit Drive terminus. We rolled out our mats and settled into a meditation that include breathing in the fresh air, feasting on the ocean and mountains views, and the quiet natural setting. Attention to the breath, and a peaceful setting are prime yoga session components.

Master yogi LeeAnn McGuire led us through a series of relaxing but energetic poses and we all had gentle smiles as we rolled up the mats and made the refreshing decent back to the trailhead. Thanks to Yoga Jones and the Ventura Botanical Gardens for making this special event possible. Future gatherings are planned on June 13 and June 27.

The rebuilt trail and vastly improved gardens are gentle yet spectacular. I will return often.

City of Ventura names 2018-2019 Green School Award Winners

ATLAS Elementary School teacher Therese Palmisano; Principal Jennifer Duston and teacher Sara Viscarra accepting the award.

In celebration of Earth Day, the City of Ventura has announced that Buena High School and ATLAS Elementary School have been named winners of this year’s Green School Awards. The recipients are recognized for their outstanding programs in sustainability and efforts to prepare the next generation of environmental leaders. The winners received an honorary certificate and a $500 cash prize sponsored by the City of Ventura, Agromin Premium Soil Products and E. J. Harrison & Sons, Inc.

“The annual Green School Award is an opportunity to celebrate students and staff who are improving and protecting natural resources through innovative projects. This year’s winners continue to be environmental leaders in our community” said Brandon Kaysen, Environmental Sustainability Supervisor.

Buena High School was presented the Environmental Leadership Award for reducing their environmental footprint and enhancing health and wellness opportunities for students. The school is in the process of renovating an abandoned garden to include fruit trees, vegetable planters, and space for native plant propagation. The new landscape will include rainwater capture features and a water efficient drip irrigation system. The school plans to use the renovated space to reduce food waste through composting.

ATLAS Elementary School was presented with the Watershed Hero Award from Ventura Water for implementing a water wise garden on campus. The garden conserves water, supports pollinators such as birds and bees and provides a beautiful space for students to engage with nature. This project was a collaboration between students, parents and volunteers from local Cub Scout Troops. “Our model of leadership at ATLAS empowers students to be the catalyst for the change they want to see in the world”, stated Sara Bergman Viscarra, teacher at ATLAS Elementary School.

For more than ten years, the City of Ventura Green School Award has supported environmental initiatives at local schools. Public and private schools are encouraged to apply for the annual award on the City’s website.

Preserving an American tradition like no other

Circus Vargas – the big one is back!

The Big One is Back with “The Greatest of Ease’ bringing acrobats, daredevils and flying trapeze! Join us in celebrating, Circus Vargas’ 50th anniversary extravaganza, an homage to the golden era of circus in America, in Camarillo at the Camarillo Premium Outlets June 13th through 17th, and continuing up the Central Coast to Santa Barbara at the Earl Warren Showgrounds June 20th through 24th, and San Luis Obispo at Madonna Inn June 27th through July 8th.

All aboard our spectacular circus steam engine as we ride the railways back in time, to relive the nostalgia of yesteryear! Marvel at the sights and sounds emanating from the big top, just as audiences did decades ago!

The hypnotic call of the calliope, the sawdust, the sequins, the spangles!

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry! Witness the unusual, the astonishing, the unimaginable! Wonder at the daring and the beauty! Experience the phenomenal, the extraordinary!

Run away with the circus, for two unforgettable hours of nonstop action and adventure, as we transport you back through the ages of circus history and tradition! A magnificent, mega-hit production guaranteed to thrill and enchant children of all ages …only at Circus Vargas, where memories are made and cherished for a lifetime!

Always fun for the entire family, Circus Vargas’ incredible new 2019 production highlights an amazing cast of world-renowned performers! Death- Defying Acrobats, Daredevils, Aerialists, Jugglers, Contortionists, Clowns, Motorcycles and much, much, more!

Arrive 30 minutes early for an entertaining, interactive pre-show celebration, where kids can create their own magic under the big top, learning circus skills such as juggling, balancing and more! Meet and mingle with the entire cast after each performance. Capture the fun by posing for pics or selfies with your favorite cast members, all part of an unforgettable Circus Vargas experience!

For Circus Vargas performance dates, times and to purchase tickets, visit www.circusvargas.com, call 877-GOTFUN-1 (877-468-3861) or visit the box office at each location. Follow Circus Vargas on Facebook and Twitter for updates, discounts and behind the scenes video.

Performance Schedule

Thursday, June 13 through Monday, June 17 Camarillo, Camarillo Premium Outlets

740 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, 93010

Thur

Fri

 13-Jun

14-Jun

 4:30pm 7:30pm

7:30pm
Sat 15-Jun 1:00pm 4:00pm 7:30pm
Sun 16-Jun 12:30pm 3:30pm 7:30pm
Mon 17-Jun 6:30pm

Thursday, June 20 through Monday, June 24 Earl Warren Show Grounds

3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, 93105

Thur 20-Jun 7:30pm
Fri

Sat

 21-Jun

22-Jun

 1:00pm 4:30pm

4:00pm

 7:30pm

7:30pm
Sun

Mon

 23-Jun

24-Jun

 12:30pm 3:30pm 7:00pm

6:30pm

The new course is the first step towards improving the city

by Venturans for Responsible & Efficient Gov’t staff

Ventura voters paid little attention to the City Council’s revamped process for committees and commissions. That’s too bad because the new course is the first step towards improving the city.

Voters elected a new City Council in 2018 seeking bold changes in the way Ventura operates. Because of the revamped process, Ventura will become more business-friendly. Moreover, the new procedures will make it easier for residents to improve their homes.

Unlike in the past, the Council recognizes that the development process is cumbersome. There are too many planning and review layers to navigate and not enough certainty. The Council is breaking down decades of ineffective planning, permit processing and internal red tape.

Proposed Changes To Committees And Commissions

The Council has proposed some significant changes. They include:

Streamlining, improving and simplifying the current design review process.

Disbanding the Historical Preservation Committee. Replacing it with staff review and, where needed, outside consultants.

Merging the Cultural Affairs, Library Advisory and Public Arts commissions. Three members of each commission stay on to form a nine-member board.

The most significant change is the appointment of Planning Commissioners.

Under the proposed changes, each City Councilmember will appoint a Planning Commission member. Commissioner terms would run concurrently with that of the elected official. The appointing Councilmember may replace them at any time during their tenure.

Increased Accountability For Committees And Commissions

Every Planning Commissioner would be accountable to the Councilmember who appointed him or her; the same Councilmember whom we elected. It is less likely they will obstruct progress.

The proposed system eliminates duplicated efforts. It also saves the city staff time in unproductive meetings.

City staff will assume the responsibility of the Historical Preservation Committee. Combining the Cultural Affairs, Library Advisory and Public Arts Commissions reduces three meetings down to one.

City staff spends time preparing, attending and summarizing the findings for these meetings. They will no longer need to do so under the proposed changes.

The new system offers less duplicated effort, fewer meetings and allows the staff to do more work. City staff will spend less time in meetings. They will save the time they’d otherwise spend preparing for, attending and summarizing the meetings.

The proposed changes don’t please everyone. The immediate resistance came from some existing committee members and commissioners. There are two main objections. Some complained about the process. Others believe there will be less transparency and citizen involvement.

Those annoyed by the process claim the city should have notified members in advance about the change.

Committee members and commissioners serve at the pleasure of the City Council. It’s unimportant if the Council or city staff notified them in advance of proposing any changes.

Others feel the new process will reduce the number of voices participating. The criticism is unfounded. All the committee and commission meetings are open to the public. Any interested citizen can attend and take part. That includes all ex-committee or ex-commission members.

The City Council acknowledged Ventura could improve. They’re taking steps to change that; starting first with the committees and commissions. No one knows what impact these changes will have. What we do know is that doing the same thing and expecting different results will not work.

Supporting these recommendations may move Ventura forward. We applaud the Council’s effort to infuse more responsibility into city government. The new initiatives will improve transparency.

2019 Call to Artists Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival

2019 Call to Artists
Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival
September 7th and 8th 10 am-5 pm
Ventura Harbor Village

Artists of all original fine art and fine craft disciplines may apply. Artists must submit one application per category. All entries will be juried, and digital images of artwork required for jurying.

Booth Fees: $150 for 10×10 booth. Artists must provide own tent and or canopy.

This outdoor event features fine art and crafts, and street painters from around Southern California creating vibrant works of art on the pavement at the Harbor.

Event benefits FOOD Share, Inc. and Kids’ Arts, Inc.

Last year, 14,000 people attended each day!

For more information or an application www.venturaartfestival.com or
[email protected]

Photo by Richard Lieberman

A Conversation with Carlos Grasso at Museum of Ventura County June 16

A Conversation with Carlos Grasso Sunday, June 16, 2019 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street, Ventura

Ojai based artist Carlos Grasso studied visual arts and music as a child while growing up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a “Visionary Artist and Compulsive Visual Explorer” his world has always revolved around art whether drawing, painting, playing music or teaching. He studied figure drawing as well as the piano and flute at the National Conservatory of Music.

Carlos Grasso is interested in philosophy and spirituality, by playing and experimenting with our inner relationship to the outer world he allows himself the freedom of expression to compose pieces that harmonize between the real and the abstract gracefully. His collage-based compositions juxtapose found objects with abstract paintings, creating a dialogue between the tangible and the intangible, the subjective and the material. Grasso exhibits throughout Ventura and Los Angeles and is a member of the prestigious Ojai Studio Artists, who open their studios annually the second weekend in October.

Free to FOTM members, $15 for public; $10 for seniors. To learn more about Carlos, visit www.CarlosGrasso.com

Special invitation to educators and students: The Artist Spotlight is open to students attending as a class assignment free of charge. FOTM is happy to assist with tracking attendance and sign-in sheets. Reservations required. To RSVP visit www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or call 805.653.2501.

AfterGlow Fundraising Event: The public is welcome to join the artist for a celebratory fundraising dinner at the Ventura home of Terri Willison. Paid reservations are required prior to June 10. Maps will be given to paid guests at the interview.

$30 FOTM members, $40 Non-members.

Special Members Only Event: Grasso, along with Peter Fox, will be featured in Actual Reality, a two-person show at the Museum of Ventura County through August 17. FOTM is partnering with the Museum of Ventura County to produce a special walk through the exhibit with Carlos on June 21st at 11a.m. There is a $5 fee for non MVC members. Please RSVP with Michelle Glass at 805-653-2051 or [email protected]. Limited to 20 people. Participants are invited to join the artist for Dutch treat lunch in downtown Ventura following the event.

Nancy Hodge art at the Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts

The wonderful art of Nancy Hodge can be seen at the Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts, 1559 Spinnaker Drive, as well as the art of many other wonderful local artists.

The Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts contains affordable gift items made by members. Some members use the space in the gallery as their working studios. To see the artists’ latest work and buy a unique piece of art to decorate your home visit the gallery.

Open seven days a week: (805) 644-2750

11 AM – 6 PM Sunday-Thursday

11 AM – 9 PM Friday & Saturday