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Our Ventura TV surpassed 900 video/tv productions

Veronica Slavin, Dan Feliz, George Alger, Sandra Siepak and Michelle Hoover are all part of the Our Ventura TV team. In-studio interview productions are done in association with CAPS Media Center

Our Ventura TV is an award-winning, weekly talk-show television series broadcast on Ventura cable channel 6 TV and also published on OurVentura.com as well as on social media networks. For over ten years the programs have been, and still are, primarily about nonprofits, local leaders, artists and organizations who contribute in some way to the Ventura County community.  Anyone who contributes to the theme of “People doing good things in Ventura County” and the surrounding area is welcome to be interviewed as a guest.

The show’s executive producer, George Alger, stated, “We started producing in-studio cable TV segments in 2008. In 2010 we also posted them online. Since then, we’ve posted over 900 segments that were created in and out of the studio and each week a new show is broadcast on Ventura cable channel 6 and posted online.”

In-studio interview productions are done in association with CAPS Media Center in Ventura, which broadcasts the programming for channels 6 and 15 cable television.

The Our Ventura TV production team includes on-air hosts and a behind-the-camera crew who bring the interviews and other segments onto local TV as well as online. Our Ventura TV Host, Sandra Siepak stated that the mission of the series is to “Connect our viewers with those making a difference for the better here in Ventura County.”

Show Director, Michelle Hoover, added that, “There are no fees for guests who speak about nonprofit or noncommercial messages.”  The weekly cable TV series is sponsored by Nonprofit Fire, Skyworks Marketing and GWC Productions. The Our Ventura TV team, including interview hosts and behind-the-camera technical crew contribute to the show’s success.

Additionally, the production team also creates video and TV segments for commercial messages and businesses in the community.  Paid video and TV production services include:

* TV Commercials * Business Interviews* Facility Tour Videos* Product Videos
* “How To” Videos* Public Service Announcements* Infomercials* Documentaries

Our Ventura TV shows are broadcast every week on Ventura cable channel 6. The majority of shows feature guests who are interviewed about their expertise and/or community activities. Additionally, there are music, theatrical and other entertainment productions.

To become a guest on Our Ventura TV, just visit OurVentura.com and click “Contact.”
Visit OurVentura.com for more information or email George Alger at [email protected]

Photo: left to right: Veronica Slavin, Dan Feliz, George Alger, Sandra Siepak and Michelle Hoover are all part of the Our Ventura TV team.

ARTLIFE Foundation will exhibit new Mail Art from around the world

For three weekends in March the ARTLIFE Foundation will exhibit new Mail Art from around the world, the US, and Ventura, in a show that reprises artist Joe Cardella’s 25-year promotion of Mail (Postal) Art.

The “plein air” exhibit of 200 mailed-in pieces of art from 20 countries and 13 states is at 539 Howard Street, Ventura. This is the site of Cardella’s home/studio and the ARTLIFE Foundation.

The time is 2:00 to 6:00 pm on March 9-10, March 16-17 and March 23-24. The event is free, with a reception on the first Saturday, March 9.

Parking will be scarce, so walk or car pool if you can. The Vons parking lot on Borchard is not far away.

http://joecardellalegacy.blogspot.com

The ARTLIFE Inc Board,
Bob Chianese, Nell Panelli, Jonell McLain, Curtis Cormane, Pete Ippel
[email protected].

Ribbon cutting held for Riverside Apartments

Cutting the ribbon is City of Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere surrounded by people that made it happen.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Wednesday, February 20 , for Riverside Street Apartments, a new 23-unit affordable housing community located at 791 Riverside Drive, Ventura. The project was developed by W & J Investments, LLC and built by Judson Builders, Inc. of Ventura.

The community is composed of two- and three- bedroom apartments with an onsite community center featuring computer stations and a large screen TV. Outdoor amenities include a playground and mini-soccer field. Constructed sustainability, the project is built with zero net energy consumption due to its solar water heating and solar electrical generation as well as a ground water recharge system. Additionally, the community connects to the Ventura River Bike Trail which is located right behind the property.

Project collaborators represented at the ceremony were W & J Investments, City of Ventura, City of Ventura Planning Department, J. E. Armstrong Architects, Housing Authority of San Buenaventura, Integrity Housing, Chase Bank, Judson Builders, FPI Management and Ventura Chamber of Commerce.

“One of the City of Ventura’s most critical priorities is to create affordable housing options for its residents,” said Mayor Matt LaVere. “This beautiful project, a collaboration of multiple partners, brings us closer to achieving that goal.”

Rotary Club of Ventura South to host Mardi Gras Fundraiser

The Rotary Club of Ventura South will host its 4th annual Mardi Gras fundraiser in support of Turning Point Foundation on Sunday, March 3. The gala event begins at 3:00 p.m. at the Tower Club, 300 E. Esplanade Drive in Oxnard, and will feature traditional New Orleans jazz and food, silent and live auctions of exciting items, and a view from the foothills to the Channel Islands that only the Tower Club can provide.

For over 30 years, Turning Point Foundation, a local Ventura County non-profit (Tax ID #0213467), has operated community-based mental health programs. Turning Point’s programs address the full range of personal needs, including a homeless shelter to meet necessary physical and safety requirements, supported housing to provide decent, affordable housing for those permanently disabled by mental health issues, and rehabilitation and socialization centers to provide meaningful, productive activities, companionship and a sense of purpose.

Because of the myths and stigmas attached to mental illness, many people struggle with its effects alone and unaware that their symptoms can be controlled by medication and the functional problems they experience can be addressed through rehabilitation and support services. Turning Point works with clients to reverse the devastating effects of their illnesses, such as job loss, homelessness, isolation, addiction, incarceration, and even thoughts of suicide.

Tickets for the event are $50, and there is also a variety of sponsorships available for businesses and individuals. Contact Suki Sir at Turning Point Foundation ([email protected] / 805-947-5400). Proceeds from the event will go directly to Turning Point Foundation and other charitable causes supported by Ventura Rotary South. As they say in New Orleans, “Laissez Les bon Temps Roulez” (Let the Good Times Roll)!

The Rotary Club of Ventura South is one of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs with 1.2 million members around the world. Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our clubs work together to promote peace; fight disease; provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; save mothers and children; support education; and grow local economies. Rotary Ventura South meets at noon every Monday at the Tower Club in Oxnard (300 E. Esplanade Drive, 22nd Floor). Visitors are always welcome. For more information, visit venturasouthrotary.org.

Sunshine, Wings, Honey – mixed media on board, Lisa Skyheart Marshall

Buenaventura Art Association artists will present some creative flights of fancy in “Things With Wings,” a Feb. 28-March 24 exhibit at the Buenaventura Gallery.

This member’s show theme is intentionally broad and includes “birds, bees, airplanes, angels, dragons and more.” Juror for this show is Lisa Mahoney, a plein-air painter and teacher.

Opening reception will be 6-9 p.m. March 1, during Ventura’s First Friday gallery crawl, when many of the city’s art groups open their studios so visitors can mingle and talk with the artists.

Buenaventura Gallery, in Studio 30 at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. For more about the 65-year-old nonprofit cooperative and its programs, visit www.buenaventuragallery.org or call 648-1235 during gallery hours.

Oxnard Salsa Festival accepting applications for Community Stage

Dates for the 26th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival are July 27 and 28, 2019. Attracting visitors from throughout southern California, the festival is a celebration of everything salsa – the food, music and dance. It takes place at Plaza Park, Fifth and “B” streets in historic downtown Oxnard from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. both days.

Festival organizers are currently accepting applications from local dance and vocal performers who would like to showcase their talent on the festival’s Community Stage. Fourteen performance time slots are available and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Acts will be chosen at the discretion of the festival committee. A Community Stage application is online at www.OxnardSalsaFestival.com/Community-Stage.

Presented by the Oxnard Downtowners, the annual event attracts an estimated 35,000 attendees who love spicy foods and sizzling entertainment. Highlights include live salsa bands, salsa dance lessons, a salsa recipe challenge and a “Dancing With Our Community Stars” competition on Sunday. The two days also feature a vendor marketplace, international foods and a kids’ zone.

Event admission and parking are free. Main stage open seating is $5 per person. In the last 10 years, the festival has raised a half a million dollars for the local community by supporting and partnering with non-profits. For festival information, call 805‐535‐4060 or visit www.OxnardSalsaFestival.com and on Facebook.

Planning your solo show – Artists’ Talk Saturday, March 1

Planning your solo show – Artists’ Talk Saturday, March 16, 10:00am – 12:00 pm

Instructor: Darlene Roker

Sooner or later, many artists dream of having their own solo show, yet they wonder

about all the details involved. The President of BAA’s Board, Darlene Roker, says,

“If this is you, help is at hand! After putting on numerous solo shows, both in Ventura and Santa Barbara, I’ve learned some of what works and what doesn’t. Let me walk you through the process, from creating a theme to opening night reception. It’s really quite do-able!”

Cost: $5.00 – Public Fee (non-member)

Free – BAA members

Buenaventura Gallery – 432 N. Ventura Ave.

At the Bell Arts Factory, entrance at the corner of Harrison and Ventura Ave.

Friends of the Ventura River: a dedicated coalition ensuring our community’s sustainability

More than half of the Ventura River watershed land area is undeveloped. Photo by Kathy Bremer

Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer (@MaryannRidiniSpencer)

The Ventura River watershed, made up of the Santa Ynez Mountains, chaparral, and the cities of Ojai and Ventura, is comprised of approximately 226 square miles with mountains and foothills ranging from 6,010 feet to sea level. Located within this watershed is the Ventura River, which flows about 16.2 miles from the confluence of Matilija Creek and North Fork Matilija Creek to the Ventura River Estuary at the Pacific Ocean.

For the community, the fact that more than half of the Ventura River watershed land area is undeveloped and protected terrain holds a special meaning for residents and visitors alike. The beautiful, wide open spaces and cherished vistas of this natural habitat afford people living in city neighborhoods a chance to connect to the native, rural environment.

In 1972, biologist Mark Capelli, who sought to restore the steelhead to the Ventura River, founded Friends of the Ventura River (“Friends”), an organization which has since evolved into a coalition of individuals, government entities and community groups who have joined together to protect and enhance the Ventura River watershed to ensure quality of life, recreational access and the future sustainability of the area. The group is comprised of non-profits, local, federal and state agencies, community groups, businesses, and individuals. It currently meets irregularly to share ideas, projects & discuss potential solutions to problematic issues.

Friend’s efforts to express the community’s appreciation for the River and surrounding land led to a National Park Service Technical grant from the NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. The grant allowed Friends to develop a trail map and led to the formation of the Ventura River Parkway Trail (which includes the Ventura River Trail and the Ojai Valley Trail). On June 7, 2014, the trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail. (http://www.nrtdatabase.org/trailDetail.php?recordID=3866)

“The dedication, hands down, was one of our biggest accomplishments to date, and accompanied the cooperative efforts of the Ventura Land Trust, the City, and County of Ventura, the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, and others who worked diligently to remove trash and arundo from the Ventura River,” said Kathy Bremer, Secretary. “There are roughly a little over 1200 trails designated as national recreation trails. People love to walk, hike, cycle, and bird watch along the Parkway and adjacent land trust trails and research shows how essential it is for our overall health to have a place in nature where we can get-away and immerse ourselves for a time.”

Brainstorming within the community to discuss concerns and pool resources and contacts is another vital aspect of Friends.

“The Ventura River Parkway has long had a problem with trash and human waste,” said Bremer. “So, when our group meets, we tackle issues like this, and we work together about what we can do to remedy issues that impact on our water quality. We essentially come together share information, find out who’s doing what, what concerns there are, and we work to find solutions together.”

Since its founding, community leaders such as Patagonia’s Founder Yvon Chouinard got involved, and today, Friends of the Ventura River also partners with organizations like the Ventura Land Trust, California State Parks, Surfrider, the Sierra Club, SOAR, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Ventura Watershed Council, Wishtoyo Foundation, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, and other organizations (full list is available at friendsofventurariver.org).

Through the Friends of the Ventura River quarterly newsletter, community news and information is distributed alerting the public about a myriad of activities including River and Beach Clean-ups, water happenings and events, watershed studies, city initiatives and programs, and more.

“We encourage the public to get involved with our mission and to sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on work in the watershed, community meetings, events & volunteer opportunities. Every individual makes a difference when it comes to ensuring the longevity and sustainability of the natural areas surrounding our beautiful community,” said Bremer.

To view a Ventura River Parkway map, join the mailing list, and find out about upcoming community events, Visit: http://friendsofventurariver.org.

Focus on the Masters Learning To See Art Showcase

Learning To See landscape by Becky

Featuring art by Turning Point Foundation Clients

March 13 – April 1, 2019

Public Reception March 20 from 1:30 – 2:30 pm

At Ambrosia by Caffrodite 7:00am – 3:00pm (closed Tuesdays)

1987 E Main Street-805.628.9289.

Join Focus on the Masters Archive and Library (FOTM) and Turning Point Foundation for an exhibition featuring artwork created in FOTM’s Learning To See (LTS) art program through Turning Point’s Quality of Life Project by residents of Board and Care Homes who struggle with mental and physical health challenges this exhibition celebrates their endeavors and serves as inspiration for all in our community.

Turning Point’s Quality of Life members have been exploring their creative spirits through weekly art programs with the LTS program for over 4 years. Each class offers them the valuable opportunity to engage with others, express creativity, practice physical dexterity, and gain a sense of accomplishment as they face the challenges of living with mental illness.

Turning Point Foundation addresses the critical community support needs of mentally ill adults, serving more than 500 clients each year through its shelter, supported housing and rehabilitation programs. Turning Point improves our communities by helping those facing mental illness remain or become functioning, integral community members. They are a critical support organization for families dealing with the devastation of mental illness.

Participating locations The Elms in Ventura and Sunrise Manor in Oxnard.

For more information about Learning To See, contact [email protected] or 805.653.2501

Turning Point Foundation (805) 652-0000 TurningPointFoundation.org

United Way thanks the volunteers

Volunteers John Garcia, Kamryn Hansen and Jenn Harkey joined hundreds of others as part of the Homeless Count. Photo by Jenn Harkey

United Way of Ventura County would like to thank the 400 volunteers who fanned out across the community recently as part of the 2019 Ventura County Point-In-Time Homeless Count.

The Ventura County Continuum of Care (VC CoC) joined with UWVC and many other community organizations to conduct the annual count and individual surveys, a requirement to receive U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding. Volunteer teams spread out through Ventura, Camarillo, Ojai, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks, Fillmore, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Port Hueneme, Moorpark and unincorporated areas on Jan. 22, with follow-up taking place at service sites throughout the week.

“Our goal is to help all Ventura County residents reach their full potential in education, financial stability, and health,” said Eric Harrison, CEO of United Way of Ventura County. “Through the surveys volunteers collected, we find out more about what resources are needed most and where they can be directed. We’re so grateful to everyone who came out and did a wonderful job.”

UWVC has hosted volunteer sign-ups on its www.volunteerventuracounty.org website over the last three years. Teams went out in the early morning through mid-day to places where unsheltered homeless persons are known to gather to conduct the count and surveys.

The Ventura County Continuum of Care will release results of the count in the coming months.

“The Point-In-Time count is an important annual activity that helps inform the VC CoC of the needs of persons who are experiencing homelessness,” said Tara Carruth, County Executive Office, Ventura County Continuum of Care. “This snapshot data of one day of homelessness assists with evaluating and monitoring trends in demographics and needs of the population. Volunteer participation is a great value in this process since the count data results in State and Federal funding for housing and services for homeless individuals and families. Thank you to all of the volunteers who assisted with this year’s efforts.”

Since 1945, United Way of Ventura County has advanced the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. Our focus is on education, income and health, because these are the building blocks for a good quality of life. We support local services and programs that are more than just ‘stop gap’ measures, but rather solutions that help create lasting change. We invite everyone to be part of the change by giving, advocating and volunteering. When we work together in common purpose, we LIVE UNITED. For more information about United Way of Ventura County, visit www.vcunitedway.org.