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Mission Church’s Christmas Party Extravaganza Illuminates Hearts and Sparks Holiday Giving

Nearly a thousand people gathered to revel in the festivities.

On December 1, as festivities adorned Downtown Ventura with the annual tree lighting event, an enchanting celebration unfolded on the opposite side of town – Mission Church’s Christmas Party Extravaganza! This heartwarming spectacle left hearts aglow amid the magic of the season.

Nearly a thousand people gathered to revel in the festivities, surrounded by bounce houses, face painting, (temporary) tattoos, popcorn, hot cocoa, cotton candy, giveaways, Christmas candy, and the joyous sight of Santa posing for pictures under snow falls. Adding to the festive ambiance, the classic Elf movie played in the parking lot amidst laughter and cheer.

Beyond the glitz, Mission Church had a deeper mission at heart. The event served as a beacon for a noble cause – the collection of new toys for the Holiday Toy Store, offering hope to foster families in our county during the Holiday season.

In collaboration with James Storehouse, Mission Church is on a heartfelt mission to gather new toys for the Holiday Toy Store. This unique store provides a free holiday shopping experience for families affiliated with Children and Family Services in the County. The grand finale will be hosted at Mission Church, turning the lobby into a haven for caregivers to shop for the Christmas wishes of the children under their care in a joyous and dignified manner on December 15 and 16.

Vol. 17, No. 06 – Dec 13 – Dec 26, 2023 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

Wednes 11/22

 1:24am, dispatched to breathing problems in the Ventura Marina Community. Officers responded and assisted VFD/AMR with the patient.

5:39am, dispatched to a fall victim in the Ventura Marina Community. Officers assisted VFD/AMR with the patient.

Thursday 11/23

 8:13am, dispatched to a boat fire at VWM A-dock. Officers responded in the Fireboat to a 55ft motor vessel with a fire in the engine room. Once on scene, officers boarded the vessel and were able to extinguish the fire. The boat owner was able to turn off the power dockside and on the vessel which helped save it.

Friday 11/24

 12:50pm, observed a small sabot sailboat in distress near the launch ramp docks. Officers attempted several times to coach then catch the vessel, until eventually the skipper was able to get close enough so they could grab and secure the boat.

Saturday 11/25

 8:41pm, received report of a distressed vessel near the detached breakwall. Officers responded in Fireboat, found vessel being assisted by a Good Samaritan

Sunday 11/26

 9:15am, received report from the mother of an individual who had their vehicle stolen in Village lot, but was able to retrieve it. Advised to contact Ventura PD but the caller refused. Further advised Harbor Patrol not the agency to call for stolen vehicles or major crimes but apparently the victim was on his way to our office. The victim never arrived at Port District, so assuming everything was ok.

Monday 11/27

 11:30am, while on patrol in Fireboat, observed an unmanned single kayak caught in east winds eventually caught on the North Jetty. Searched the area, no persons in the water found, placed the green kayak into lost and found locker.

Wednes 11/29

 8:45am, raised flags to half mast in honor of Rosalynn Carter

Thursday 11/30

 6:40pm, observed distress flares near Surfers Knoll, offshore. Officers responded and found several hand & aerial flares in the area, but unable to locate vessels in distress after searching the area. Received several reports of flares.

Friday 12/1

 4:05pm, dispatched to swimmer in distress at VHV G-dock. Officers responded in Fireboat to assist VPD with a fleeing subject. Eventually, the subject was caught with a boat hook, pulled from the water then arrested by Ventura PD.

6:43pm, officers on patrol in Fireboat with Fish & Wildlife wardens to enforce fishing at the breakwall. Several vessels boarded, wardens educated and warned fishermen of violations of state, federal and local ordinances / laws.

Saturday 12/2

 10:57am, received a call concerning the recent earthquake in the Philippines, specifically if there was a tsunami threat for Ventura Harbor. Officers advised that tsunami warning center had not issued a warning or threat of tsunami for the west coast. Also relayed website for tsunami warnings info: tsunami.gov.

Sunday 12/3

 8:08am, dispatched to swimmer in distress near Seward Ave. Officers responded in the Fireboat and Rescue watercraft to assist with Ocean Rescue. The victim was suffering from behavioral issues and detained by Ventura PD.

1:52pm, observed an individual locked in a vehicle, frantically using a key fob to escape. Officers were able to coach the victim to use the manual door unlock button and removed person from vehicle. The car battery was dead, officers jump started the vehicle, the individual was able to drive away, get to work.

5:50pm, dispatched to gas odor near the firepit in the village. Officers responded with VFD, found the firepit extinguished, no gas odor in the area.

Monday 12/4

 10:15am, dispatched to seizure patient at 1080 Navigator. Officers responded and assisted VFD/AMR with the patient, who was transported to hospital.

12:51pm, received request to remove homeless from the L/R restrooms so that maintenance can clean them. Removed several transients without incident.

 

Vol. 17, No. 06 – Dec 13 – Dec 26, 2023 – Police Reports

On December 19, at 4:45, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call reference subjects who had entered the caller’s locked garage in the 500 block of Valley View Way. Arriving officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle leaving the area. During the stop, officers detained three subjects, Shane Dumas Jr., Cy Segovia Jr., and a male juvenile. During the investigation, officers discovered the subjects to be in possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, and various property taken during the burglary.

Dumas, Segovia, and the male juvenile were arrested for multiple charges including Residential Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Residential Burglary and Firearms Possession. Dumas and Segovia were booked into custody at the Ventura County Jail. The male juvenile was booked into custody at the Ventura County Juvenile Detention.

Museum of Ventura County presents “Winter”

The Museum of Ventura County is excited to present a new exhibit, “Winter,” featuring figures from the popular George Stuart Historical Figures® Collection. The exhibit includes miniature depictions of life through six cultures from around the world and throughout time including Russia, Norse Scandinavia, Qing Dynasty China, Winter at Valley Forge, Victorian England, and the native Chumash and examines the rich history of their winter symbols, customs, and celebrations. Each of the figures in this exhibit demonstrates the comprehensive historical research and artistic details essential to their creation.

Elena Brokaw, The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director, “We are fortunate and grateful to be surrounded by such talented artists.”

River Haven is now gone forever

Before.

The City of Ventura and Turning Point Foundation decided to close the River Haven Transitional Housing Program on Oct 1, 2023. Turning Point Foundation managed this transitional housing program for over 17 years.

After

River Haven allowed clients to stay for 24 months while working on a transition to permanent housing, River Haven was located on Harbor Blvd. near Spinnaker Dr. A curved dirt road led to the site which made passage very difficult after heavy rains.

The community was funded partly by the city of Ventura and Turning Point Foundation’s donors.

The city provided Turning Point with financial support to hire and retain a case manager and operating costs using federal Community Development Block Grant funding and Measure O dollars.

Ventura provided $25,000-$30,000 in grants and $40,000-$60,000 from Measure O to River Haven.. Measure O, passed by voters in 2016, authorized a half-cent tax sales to help pay for infrastructure repairs and city services.

River Haven residents paid about $300 a month.

There is, or will be soon , other permanent supportive housing as a former hotel is being converted into housing for the homeless.

River Haven started during the El Nino in 2006. Clients/residents of River Haven received case management services that followed up with service plan goals and their well-being to promote and create action plans for clients that helped them to become more successful and to maintain service connections obtained.

Through support and housing both Turning Point Foundation and River Haven have given people the opportunity and the tools to start truly living happier and healthier lives.

All of River Haven residents were provided with mental health services, physical health services, addiction services, career assistance, income assistance, and medical assistance. Important life skills such as opening bank accounts, learning about budgeting, and learning how to live as part of a community to the River Haven residents.

Turning Point will continue its commitment to providing quality housing, mental health, and wellness services to this population in the City of Ventura and countywide through their variety of other program.

To learn more about the programs and services Turning Point offers please visit turningpointfoundation.org.

BAA presents Art Studio Live!

Become another Rembrandt.

Weekly Life Drawing Sessions & Monthly Workshops beginning in 2024.

Buenaventura Art Association is excited to share some good news with our patrons, friends, collectors and fellow artists!

We are adding a fourth BAA location — joining Studio 99 @ The Bell Arts Factory, Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts, and SpiceTopia — at H Gallery & Studios, 1793 E. Main St. in midtown Ventura!

We will continue to have art exhibits at our other three locations but now we can forge ahead with our mission of connecting artists with each other, the community with artists, and learning and growing as artists ourselves, by launching art education programs for the public.

To start, we will be hosting weekly Life Drawing Sessions with live models on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings starting Tuesday, January 9th for $20 each session (pre-registered). But you can preview these sessions in December for the low cost of $15 each session (pre-registered)!

H Gallery + Studios is a 10,000 square foot vintage 1930’s building completely dedicated to creatives and entrepreneurs. It includes a 2000 square foot contemporary art gallery, a 2700 cubic foot suspended installation area and 22 work studios for individuals to nurture their creative endeavors. We will hold our sessions in Studio #14, just inside the building entrance on the right.

The main house and small adobe still exists

What was the Olivas Adobe like long ago?

by Richard Senate

The main house and small adobe still exists, as does the wall but little more still stands. Letters and news stories give some hints as do census reports of what it was like. It was clearly a complex of structures, as were most ranches and farms of the era. Being prosperous it may well have had  the look of a small town or village. Outside of the few references made, we can only speculate on the look of the Olivas Rancho. But as a fun project I set to work attempt to reconstruct what it might have been like in say 1865.

The known sites:
There was a large, impressive barn. This was mentioned in several sources. Some say it rivaled the size of the house. One account said it was part adobe and part wood. (such a barn stands at the Reyes Adobe in Agoura Hills). One “psychic” account said it had a wooden lantern on top where a powerful lantern was placed on foggy nights. Such a folly would have been impressive and might appeal to man wishing to impress visitors—like Don Raymundo Olivas. Such barns are susceptible to termites and it didn’t survive.

There was another House. This was mentioned in the US Census report beyond the small adobe and main house but its location was not listed. It must have been close.

There was a small adobe by the Santa Clara River where Candelaria the cook lived. This was in the Bookman letters and Oral Histories. It must not have been far as the Olivas Children would go down and visit her. She made them huge flour tortillas that impressed them. But where was this house located? I believe it was not far from the well, just south of the house.

The Olivas Dance Hall and Saloon. A painting exists of this structure and the painting seems to indicate a bank behind it so it may have been closer to the Santa Clara River. It was perhaps swept away in a storm. Its location is unknown but, to an enterprising man like Don Raymundo such a place might make good business sense. It would be a place to sell his home made “Tinto” wine and apricot Brandy. This seems to indicate a new side to Raymundo. It may have been close to Main Street, then El Camino Real to attract thirsty travelers–and far from the house.

Another speculated site that may or may not have exited:
The Olivas Carriage House.  Psychic Archaeology is an inexact and disputed science at best and a pseudo science at worst. But findings from such a team “found” a carriage house foundations in the Memorial Grove, near the road. They said it was a two story adobe and wood structure that held two fancy carriages and place for the driver and his family as well as a fancy team of matched gray horses. The driver was a tall, half Chumash, half Irish man, who stood six feet tall and his wife who came it at five feet. Possible? Yes. They would want a tall impressive coachman to drive them to church on Sunday.

38th Annual California Strawberry Festival Artwork Contest Deadline Jan. 12

Friday, January 12, 2024 is the deadline to enter and submit artwork for the 38th Annual California Strawberry Festival Artwork Contest. The artist with the winning strawberry-themed design will receive $2,000 and VIP tickets to the Festival, which takes place May 18-19, 2024 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Entries will be evaluated by a judging panel looking for creativity and the best use of a strawberry design. The winning design may be used in printed and digital advertising collateral as well as on souvenir merchandise. Artists should keep in mind that judges may give preference to artwork that will print well on promotional items like t-shirts.

Artists can create their designs in a variety of mediums–digital, oils, watercolors, inks, pencil, photograph, and mixed media. Entries must be 16-1/2 inches wide by 17 inches high. Artwork should be scanned or photographed and submitted digitally through the Festival website. Uploaded files should be of the highest quality possible in jpg or png format. Artists may be contacted by the Festival for access to the original work. Multiple entries by a single artist will be accepted. There is no fee to enter.

The winner will be notified around the second week of February and will be the guest of honor at a March luncheon when the design will be revealed to media, dignitaries, and festival sponsors. The winning original design and all rights of the winning design will become the property of the California Strawberry Festival.

Visit www.castrawberryfestival.org (click on Interactive Events) for artwork contest rules and entry form.

Business Profile: ABC Rugs Kilims: Weaving Stories of Tradition and Elegance in Oxnard

ABC Rugs Kilims is more than just rugs.

Located in Oxnard, ABC Rugs Kilims is not just a store but a testament to the rich tapestry of life, culture, and art. Founded by Mano Zandi in 1975, the journey began in Spain, where his love for art and rugs took root. Since then, ABC Rugs Kilims has evolved into a global destination, with branches in Canada and LA before finding its current home in Oxnard in 2022.

Mano and several partners / investors behind ABC Rugs Kilims bring not only a diverse cultural background but also a commitment to excellence. With a collection curated over decades, their one-of-a-kind rugs are personally chosen for quality, colors, designs, and various sizes. Setting themselves apart, they proudly match prices and offer an additional 20% discount against competitors, ensuring unparalleled value.

What truly distinguishes ABC Rugs Kilims is the personalized touch. From lifetime warranties to 6 months of interest-free payments, Mano Zandi goes above and beyond to cater to his customers’ needs. Specialized orders, whether it’s a unique size, color, or design, are crafted with precision, attracting a diverse clientele, including notable figures like Beau Bridges, Bob Safari and family of Michael Jackson along with many more other celebrities.

But ABC Rugs Kilims is more than just rugs; it’s a haven for home decor enthusiasts. The store boasts a captivating collection of famous oil paintings from Spain, France, Italy, and alongside Persian Miniature fine art handmade paintings. Antique enthusiasts can find treasures like authentic Art Antique Persian engraved brass vases and timeless antique furniture.

One of the partners will soon be retiring. As the dynamic duo and some other partners embark on this journey, ABC Rugs Kilims invites you to partake in their grand retirement sale. 

With over 35,000 items to choose from, this is a rare opportunity to own a piece of art, culture, and history. Whether you’re a homeowner, a fellow rug store, or an interior designer, ABC Rugs Kilims welcomes you to experience the allure of tradition and elegance in the vibrant city of Oxnard. 

Come and explore the world woven into every rug, kilim and discover the great opportunity that awaits you.