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Vol. 11, No. 26 – Sept 26 – Oct 9, 2018 – Person to Person

by Jennifer Tipton

But first, a little history … “Top Hat Palace” is a little burger joint located at 2050 East Main Street that closed its doors in 2010 after 63 years of peddling hamburgers and hotdogs to our fair city. It has remained there, boarded up ever since …

Do you think Top Hat should be declared a historical building and should it remain there as part of the planned new development?

Vincent Mujica
age 70
retired IT specialist
“I think it could probably use a little upgrading, but it’s been there for so long! People walk by and just know it’s always been there and the food was good. My favorite was the burgers, I ate one every time I got a chance. I’d sneak over and grab one and my wife didn’t even know!”

And after 50 years of marriage, now Sally knows …

Kori Moriwaki
age 22
works at We Olive
“I do believe that it should be made a historical landmark, as it was one of the first post offices in Ventura. It should absolutely remain there as part of the new development. The building has been there as long as I can remember – as long as my parents can remember! Maybe they could make it into an information booth for downtown?”

Writer’s note-can’t find any information on Top Hat once being a post office … anyone out there know?

Ashley Latini
age 29
manager at American Flags & Cutlery
“That’s a really tough question and here’s why, I heard they’re trying to put in a new development and Top Hat (that hasn’t been open for years) is holding up the project, so it remains a vacant lot when it could be bringing in so much more revenue for the city!”

 

Heather Peckfelder age 33 and
John Lyon age 39
Both work at El Rey across the street from Top Hat
Heather remembers the day the Top Hat closed, “there was a line down the street and people were so sad! Now they want to put in a development with store fronts on the bottom and apartments on top, when it used to be a parking lot and that was perfect for downtown! But yes, it should remain there and be declared a historical landmark … did you know there was once a murder there and it was the first case where they used DNA evidence!”

Debbie Fox
age 58
owner Fox Fine Jewelry downtown Ventura
“Our historic buildings are important, with wonderful memories. The Top Hat has a special place in the hearts of many. The option to move the Top Hat was opposed by Ventura’s Historic Preservation Committee.  The public was invited to comment, but none was made.

Building proposals have been through years of design and redesign for the long vacant corner. The latest design still struggles to carve out the Top Hat. It’s simply a fact: a large, corner property of shops and apartments can’t do justice to the Top Hat memory. You get one or the other.

Is the decision that the Top Hat stay in the same exact location the view of the majority of Venturans? Or are we the silent majority who would be fine seeing the Top Hat in another location? No it should not stay there.”

Writer’s note: Please, if you have an opinion about Top Hat, take a moment and email your council members at [email protected] or write to us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear your opinion!

VCAAA announces fall line-up of free community classes

“I hope my fall prevention class helps if I fall!”

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s Fall Prevention Program is now registering individuals 60 and older for a variety of evidence-based classes scheduled throughout Ventura County. All classes are free of charge and range in focus from strengthening mobility and balance to empowering information for individuals with pre-diabetes and diabetes.

Classes offered include Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance, Walk with Ease, Stepping On, and A Matter of Balance. Each class emphasizes practical strategies to manage and prevent falls. Participants will learn methods to enhance and increase activity levels and mobility, making the changes necessary to reduce fall risks. Individuals concerned about falls or those who have recently experienced a fall, as well as those who are interested in improving balance, flexibility, and strength, are encouraged to participate.

Nationally recognized research shows that one in four adults over the age of 65, and half of the population over the age of 75, fall each year. Of those individuals, half will die within a year from complications and injuries sustained from the fall.

Additional classes include DEEP, a diabetes educational and empowerment course.

Classes are available in English and Spanish. To learn more about the Fall Prevention Program or classes offered, or to sign-up for a class, please contact the VCAAA at (805) 477-7300. More information can also be found by visiting www.vcaaa.org.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, an agency of the County of Ventura, is the principal agency in Ventura County charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting and to advocate for the needs of those 60 years of age and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.

Bowl Hop and pottery demonstrations Oct. 6-7 downtown at Ventura’s Artwalk

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Bowl Hop and pottery demonstrations Saturday, October 6 & Sunday, October 7 corner of Main Street and California in conjunction with downtown Ventura’s Artwalk.

100% of money collected will go to Downtown Ventura’s Family Reconnection Program. https://downtownventura.org/reconnection/

Saturday only demonstrations

11 – 1:30 pm Ellen Wohlstadter hand-building demonstration

1:30 – 4 pm   Firestick Pottery owner and potter Robin Nahin will do a potter’s wheel demonstration

Founded in 1957, Ventura County Potters’ Guild and friends are again donating 200 + gorgeous handmade ceramic bowls!

For $25 you will receive a bowl of your choice and a punch card that will lead to a variety of downtown Ventura Restaurants and a sampling of many yummy delights. For more information http://www.artwalkventura.org/bowl-hop.html

Ventura County Potters’ Guild
1567 Spinnaker Drive Suite 105 (805) 644-6800

Ventura Harbor Village Art Gallery student artist of the month Kyeli Robinson

Ventura Harbor Village Art Gallery new student artist of the month is Kyeli Robinson.  Kyeli is currently a senior at Buena High School and is in the advanced art class.  Kyeli will be at the Ventura Harbor Village Art Gallery from October 1 to 31.  She will have originals, prints and cards of her work for sale in the gallery.  She is now a member of the Buenaventura Art Association.  Kyeli has plans to attend art school after graduation in 2019.

Vol. 11, No. 26 – Sept 26 – Oct 9, 2018 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

After closing their popular music venue Zoey’s in 2014, Steve and Polly Hoganson have found other ways of supporting indie artists mostly of the Americana genre with their Ones to Watch Productions. They sponsor shows throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and the next one will feature Tim Curran with full band, The Brambles and Max Kasch on Thursday, September 27th, in the backroom at Bombay’s Bar and Grill. The backroom allows intimate listening room style concerts; tickets will be available at the door.

The Rubicon Theatre Company will be offering the following two concerts in the next few weeks. First David Burnham (Broadway’s Wicked) and Tami Tappan for two nights, Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30; this one is a part of The Goldenson Broadway Concert Series. Then it’s “The Folk Legends” with George Grove, Rick Dougherty and Jerry Siggins (The Kingston Trio, The Limeliters) on Monday and Tuesday, October 1 and 2. Ticket information can be found at RubiconTheatre.org.

Grapes and Hops starts a new monthly show on the first Thursday of the month called The Session Reboot with Tommy Marsh and his first guest on Thursday, October 4, will be Guy Martin. I for one am very happy Tommy has new venue supporting these Blues jams.

Frost and Fire 2018 will fall over three days at the Ventura Theater. Cirith Ungol returns after reuniting a couple of years ago and will headline Thursday night’s show along with Gygax and Sloughfeg; Friday has Midnight, Warbringer and Night Demon; and Saturday’s concert features Satan, Ashbury and Visigoth. To get a complete list of all bands (just a handful mentioned here) go to VenturaTheater.net. By the way, just announced at the Ventura Theater, an evening with Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians, Mazzy Star and Morrissey.

Quick notes: Tony Ybarra will be at Café Fiore Thursday, September 27; Hail the Sun has an in-store performance at Saltzer’s on Friday, September 28 at 6 pm; Rock on the Dock wraps up September shows with Decadent Decades on Saturday the 29th; Vitamin X out of Amsterdam plays a punk show at the Garage on Thursday, October 4; the Colette Lovejoy Band plays Pier Under the Stars on Saturday, October 6; and the Army of Freshmen 20th anniversary show at Discovery October 13, more on that next issue.

I continue to produce radio shows bi-monthly for CAPS Media’s KPPQ-LP at 104.1 FM in and around Ventura, and if you didn’t know, they also stream their radio station on the internet at CAPSMedia.org/Radio. The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour features mostly local artists out of the 805 and airs Tuesdays at 5 with rebroadcasts on Friday at 5 and Sundays at noon. Please help spread the word and support our local musicians!

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ribbon cutting at free eye clinic

The Ventura Rotary Club, Ventura Downtown Lions Club and the Salvation Army of Ventura have partnered to bring the community a free Eye Clinic. Their goal and vision is to provide free eye glasses for those in need (no questions asked).

The clinic was finally launched on July 12. The Ventura Chamber of Commerce official Ribbon Cutting for the eye clinic will be on September 28 from 4-5 pm. All are welcome to attend.

Silvia Benetti Simoes, Lieutenant Ventura Corps Officer stated “It has been a privilege to be part of this great organization where we can provide services that are needed for the community. The eye clinic is a new opportunity to show what the Salvation Army is all about, giving back.”

Free Eye Exams Salvation Army Eye Clinic

Salvation Army Hope Center, 155 S Oak St, Ventura.

7:30am-9:30am Thursday. Venturarotaryeye.com or 805-648-4977 for more information.

To donate eye glasses visit Venturalions.org for a list of donation sites

 

Vita Art Center presents Song Byeok, North Korean dissident artist Oct. 6-7

Vita Art Center presents Song Byeok, North Korean dissident artist honored as the Global Artist of Distinction For Artwalk Ventura, 2018. A free city wide event Oct. 6-7, 11 am-6 pm Saturday & noon-5 pm Sunday.

Champagne Reception Wednesday, October 3, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, VIP tickets: $75 tickets:  http://vitaartcenter.com/index.php?name=song

Join in honoring visiting artist Song Byeok for his work promoting freedom. Vita will be serving Koji BBQ and there will be an open bar. Have a special preview of Mr. Song’s art on exhibit. tickets:  http://vitaartcenter.com/index.php?name=song

Entering its 25th year, Artwalk Ventura is a super fun, virtually free, self-guided tour of dozens of galleries, studios, pop-up venues and transformed pods containers in Ventura’s Westside Cultural District and downtown.  One of Ventura’s signature events, drawing thousands of visitors every year.

His work will be exhibited for the first time in Ventura.
Vita Art Center, 28 W. Main St., www.vitaartcenter.com

Local schools encouraged to participate in High School Voter Education Weeks

Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn encourages local schools to participate in High School Voter Education Weeks. Lunn stated, “High School Voter Education Weeks provides an opportunity for educators to highlight the electoral process and build excitement among future voters.”

The California Education Code designates the last two full weeks in April and September to be High School Voter Education Weeks. This provides an opportunity for high schools and their students to partner with county elections officials to promote civic education and foster an environment that cultivates lifelong voters and active citizens. This year, High School Voter Education Weeks began September 17 and continues through September 28.

The Ventura County Elections Division contacted high schools throughout the county to provide information and recommendations to recognize High School Voter Education Weeks. Schools can hold a mock election, nominate students for the County’s Student Poll Worker Program, or coordinate a voter registration drive on campus.

In recent years, Ventura County Elections has implemented several programs to encourage civic engagement including creating a mobile app, launching a texting program, and offering pre-registration to 16 and 17-year olds, making them automatically eligible to vote on their 18th birthday.

For more information on programs, High School Voter Education Weeks, or to partner with local elections officials, visit http://www.venturavote.org or call the Elections Division at (805) 654-2664.

Harriet H. Samuelsson Foundation awards $560,000

The trustees of the Harriet H. Samuelsson Foundation recently awarded a total of $560,000 in grants to 13 local non-profit organizations providing services to youth and adolescents. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $135,000 and were allocated to fund children’s services in the coming year, including homework, art, music, sports, educational, and game supplies for PEAK and Westpark After School Programs by Ventura Police Activities League, Inc.

Grants are awarded in the spring and fall of each year. The spring 2019 grant application deadline is December 17, 2018. For more information about the Harriet H. Samuelsson Foundation, including instructions on how to apply for a grant, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.samuelssonfoundation.org.

The Harriet H. Samuelsson Foundation was established in 2005 upon the death of Harriet H. Samuelsson, an Oxnard philanthropist, at age 96.  The Foundation awards over $1 million in grants each year to organizations providing services for the health, education, guidance, or welfare of children under the age of 18 residing in Ventura County, or to organizations conducting cancer research.

California Coastal Art & Poetry Contest winners on display until Nov. 18

The winning entries from this year’s California Coastal Art & Poetry Contest will be on display at the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center until November 18. The art and poetry display includes 47 winning pieces from over 2,500 entries. A special unveiling of the artwork occurred on Sept. 15 during Coastal Cleanup Day.

The annual contest is designed to encourage youth to reflect on the beauty and spirit of California’s coasts and ocean. Through this effort, the California Coastal Commission hopes to inspire a greater sense of appreciation and stewardship for these natural places.

Enjoying the unveiling were Channel Islands Park Foundation members Ken McAlpine, Vahagn Nahabedian, Ranger Lauren Boross, art winner Ventura kindergartener, Serenity Rayne Holmes, art winner Lompoc High senior Marina Zellers and Tigran Nahabedian .

The winning contest entries can all be viewed and are available for purchase at

https://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/poster/poster.html.