by Karen Leslie, writer with heart

Adventure, meeting people from all walks of life, thrilling experiences, weaves a tapestry of memories that last a lifetime and when held in the mind and heart, become priceless beyond monetary value.

From Oklahoma, Sedona to California, Richard Keller and Elaine Keller, enthusiastic spirited travelers, humanitarians and dream catchers walked the-red-path as generous souls. From a one room school house to collectible cars, these land rovers and skydiving enthusiast, engineered their way across the country, leaving their footprints and love onto the world. These lives well lived in a century with all its spurts of growth, from the dust bowl to route 66, solo flights and with outstanding achievements, these second half of lifers left no cliff hangers!

The first 21 years of Richard Keller’s life was spent on a farm in the 20^th century which modestly boasted kerosene wick lights, a wood coal burning heater, rain water pumped by hand out of a cistern and a two stall wood out-house. The one room wood structure school house was 2 miles away. Richard shares, “To get to school I walked, took a horse and buggy or rode a horse. There were no sports or special classes only three basic academic fields; Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. Grades 9-11, I drove a $10.00 model-T and in 12^th grade drove a 6 cylinder rumble seat Chevrolet Roaster and tractor gasoline was .05/gal.”

A world away, a half Cherokee Indian girl, born on a reservation in Oklahoma, Elaine’s life path was of a different nature. She shares, “As a child I would lie on my back in the grass and watch the clouds change, the birds soar and dive in an ethereal ballet. We lived totally off the land, hung out in the wild and medicine was made up of berries, roots and leaves. My mother and grandmother made clothes out of beautifully patterned sugar and flour sacks. I had a wonderful childhood!” While Elaine made her first solo flight in a Piper Cub at 17, companion to Jane Russell, member US Power and Sail Squadron’s and first female Squadron and District Commander, fearlessly skydiving on her 70^thbirthday, little did she know her adventures and achievements would lead to Richard, “Her Miracle Man!”

In 1938 Richard migrated from Oklahoma on a Harley Davidson down route 66 to San Jacinto. Richard shares, “At the California border I needed to prove a destination and sufficient money to obtain a card permitting me to be in California. 1939 I was employed at Lockheed as design engineer when hourly wage was $.45. A USAAF-2^nd L.T. B-25 pilot, I trained for the proposed invasion of Japan then attended Chounard Art Institute.” The next rung on the ladder of Richard’s life was in 1953 at William R. Whitaker Corp, Hollywood, California where he designed 24 volt actuators to operate aircraft valves on the Apollo. After 45 years widowed from first wife Lupe Peinado, Richard met Elaine and love graced his path again. Richard retired in 1982 from ABEX Corps, Oxnard. Years later Richard and Elaine married in 1995 in Sedona, Arizona. Residing in Ventura in their 23rd year of marriage, these love birds continue to look to the future! Elaine shares, “I look forward to zip lining the Grand Canyon on my 100^th birthday!” Richard, humanitarian quotes, “On the ladder of life, I have climbed a number of feet up, by having successful accomplishments, beautiful memories of my contacts with human beings, fortunate to find love again and my many years of employment that was enjoyable, motivating and most important creative.” Longevity be your!

Ventura Land Trust (VLT) is pleased to announce that it is currently applying for accreditation and invites the public to comment as part of the application process. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. “The accreditation program is one way to show that Ventura Land Trust strives to meet the highest possible standards and operates in highly professional way,” said Derek Poultney, VLT Executive Director. “Accreditation is important because it ensures that VLT will always utilize the policies, procedures and practices to protect our conservation lands in perpetuity.”

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Ventura Land Trust complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-practices.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to [email protected].

Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

A public comment period is now open and comments on Ventura Land Trust’s application will be most useful if received by Friday, August 24.

The Ventura Land Trust (formerly the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy) is dedicated to permanently preserving and protecting the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Founded in 2003, the 501(C)(3) non-profit organization is supported by over 600 members, local businesses and government partners. The land trust manages 90 acres of land along the Ventura River and is negotiating the purchase of its first hillside property. The Ventura Land Trust’s offices are located in the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura, CA 93003. For more information, visit www.venturalandtrust.org.

How history, culture and immigration shape our dining habits, menus and food traditions

The Museum of Ventura County will host an opening reception, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Aug. 30, for “At Table: The Business of Food and Community,” an exhibit that explores and celebrates the cultural impact of immigration through a shared love of food.

Each wave of immigration brings with it recipes passed down through generations, methods of preparation and styles of presentation that add a rich ethnic diversity to Ventura County’s local food traditions and eating experiences. “At Table: The Business of Food and Community” takes a look at how the influx of immigrants into the region has influenced local recipes, menus and dining habits, as well as food-related businesses and restaurants.

“Not only did immigrants bring their long-standing family recipes with them and share them, but as they arrived they learned to adapt their recipes to use whatever meat, fruit and vegetables were available to them. This exhibit explores adaptation on both sides of the immigration experience,” said Anna Bermudez, Museum of Ventura County curator.

From the museum’s archives, “At Table” pays homage to iconic local restaurants that no longer exist such as The Colonial House and The Lobster Trap in Oxnard, and The King and I and Merle’s in Ventura and examines locally-sourced foods and food movements currently taking place throughout the region.

Tickets for the August 30 opening reception are $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers with tickets available at the door. The opening is in conjunction with the Ventura Chamber’s TASTE event which includes free admission to the Museum opening. TASTE tickets are available by calling 805-643-7222 or visiting venturachamber.com/taste2018. Museum members purchasing tickets for TASTE can use promo code Museum18 to receive the chamber member discount.

“At Table: The Business of Food and Community” will be on display through Nov. 25 with special events occurring throughout the months, including a panel discussion featuring notable food writers, a farm-to-table dinner event and a book talk by a noted local food author. Dates and details will be made available at venturamuseum.org.

Located at 100 East Main Street, the Museum of Ventura County is open Tuesday – Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.