All posts by admin

The Albinger Museum

The Albinger Museum, located next to Mission San Buenaventura, was once the home to five different cultures spanning 3,500 years of history. Learn about the Chumash Indians, Chinese immigrants and others who resided on the site by viewing displays, and archaeological digs uncovered in 1974. During the summer, until Sept. 3 the Museum is open from 11am-4pm.

Named after Ventura Mayor (1969-1973) Albert R Albinger, the museum is built on the home site of saloon keeper, and early mayor, Angel Escondon.

Displays of stone bowls, shell beads, arrowheads, bone whistles, crucifixes, bottles, buttons and pottery inside the exhibit building are complimented outside by excavations of the foundations of the lost mission church, Native American barracks, a Tomol (plank canoe reproduction), a well and the oldest standing structure in Ventura County – the mission water filtration building.

For more information visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/albinger.

Amgen Foundation’s “Biotech Summer Experience” workshop

Photo by Bernie Goldstein

Ventura College hosted students from Oxnard’s Santa Clara High School for the Amgen Foundation’s “Biotech Summer Experience” workshop. Students, mostly seniors at Santa Clara High School, were exposed to skills of advanced biotechnology including working with DNA and bacteria. Andrea Ocampo, Alyna Zarate and Sabrina Ramirez are shown performing lab testing. The Amgen Biotech Experience is an innovative four-day science education program that provides research-grade equipment, supplies, curriculum, and professional development to middle and high schools. The program features a hands-on molecular biology curriculum designed to introduce students to the excitement of scientific discovery.

Madhu Bajaj announces school board candidacy

Bajaj devoted her early career to youth and education.

Local business owner and nonprofit professional Madhu Bajaj announced that she is running for VUSD School Board, District 4 citing priorities in community engagement, innovative learning and enhanced communication.

“As a mom of a VUSD student and a volunteer with Ventura Education Partnership I have had the great pleasure of working with many of our schools and seeing first-hand the amazing, forward thinking work happening daily,” said Bajaj. “I want to serve as a school board member so we can continue strengthening schools for a more vibrant community where our kids thrive.​”

Retired VUSD School Board Member, Debbie Golden says of Bajaj, “I’m fortunate to have worked closely with Madhu over the last few years. Her fresh, thoughtful and devoted leadership will greatly benefit all children and our community.”

Bajaj devoted her early career to youth and education working for Girls Scouts in San Diego; Camp Laurel, a camp for children living with HIV/AIDS; and a literacy organization that brought teens and preschoolers together to develop a love of reading.

Locally, in addition to owning Fastsigns of Ventura with her husband, she has worked in nonprofit management supporting boards, volunteers and collaborations. She is a skilled listener and communicator with strengths in needs assessment, evaluation, grant writing, building consensus and grassroots fundraising.

“Madhu is passionate about finding creative solutions to enrich our children’s education. We would be lucky to have her serve our community and watch over our kids’ education” says ​Ashley Pope, Business Owner, mother to ​a child with special needs.

Bajaj says, “We have a huge and exciting responsibility to make sure our kids are prepared for their future. I see schools as a source of inspiration where students find their success in life and become engaged members of our community. I will work hard on behalf of all kids.”

For more information on her campaign visit madhubajaj.com.

Vol. 11, No. 21 – July 18 – July 31, 2018 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

Have you or a loved one suffered a brain injury, stroke, or concussion? Looking for information, resources, and connection with others who have similar experiences? Join for a support group on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church, Building 300, 6950 Ralston St. We also have groups that meet in Oxnard, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks. Call 805-482-1312 for more information.

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club Monday nights 7:30 – 9:45p.m. Poinsettia Pavilion. Ballroom, swing, Latin and line dancing. $10 members, $12 non-members. Dance lessons 6:45 – 7:15 $5 for couple $3 for single. Call Rick 415-8842 for more information.

 

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 – 5:45 p.m. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Bring an interesting topic to discuss if you can.

Ventura’s ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club offers games for all levels of play.  Learn the game, play with your peers, and earn master points while you are having fun.  There is a game every day of the week.  Check out their website at www.vcbridge.org

The Ventura Retired Men’s Group welcomes interested men to their semi-monthly Tuesday lunch ($15) meetings at the Ventura Elks lodge. This regular congenial social event, besides a healthy, satisfying meal, supplies a welcome atmosphere to talk and joke, hear a speaker on a variety of relevant topics. Hear more from Steve at 642-1359

Country Western Line Dancing every Tuesday 7 – 9 p.m. Instruction every night. Located at the Moose lodge, 10269 Telephone Road. More information at countrylovers.com.

 

The Ventura County Philatelic Society meets on the first and third Mondays each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Rd. Admission and parking are free. Come for a great evening.

Contact: Bill Garner / 320-1601 or [email protected]

Mended Hearts of Ventura. Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. Group meets the first Tuesday each month at noon at Lemon Wood Mobile Homes, 850 Johnson Dr. Excellent speakers leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists, and Dietitians etc. from our area.

Contact Richard Hatcher at 644-2733.

Are you a stamp collector? The Ventura County Philatelic Society meet on the first and third Mondays each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Rd. Admission and parking are free. Come for a great evening. They are a fun group. Contact Bill Garner 320-1601 or [email protected].

Cross Town Hikers on Wednesday nights for a moderate-paced hike that includes views of Ventura from the cross, a walk out to the end of the pier, and a stroll along the Promenade back to the Museum. Four miles with an 800-foot elevation gain. Meet at 7 p.m. sharp at the fountain across the street from the Mission. Join Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/800215670039426/

The members of the Ventura Investment Group meet on Mondays for an informal discussion of recent economic events. Topics cover current events that affect stocks, funds, real estate, and interest bearing investments. The meeting is from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Telephone Road and Main Street. Visitors and potential members are welcomed. There are no dues or requirements to participate, and all levels of experience are welcomed.

First Wednesday, of each month, 6-10 p.m., Gold Coast Modular Railroad Club meets at the Murphy Auto Museum, Oxnard. Now exhibiting Saturdays and Sundays, 10 – 4 p.m. Visitors and new members are welcome. Member initiation fee $10, monthly dues $20, $10 for Juniors. Murphy Auto Museum, 2230 Statham Blvd., Oxnard. www.gcmrc.com. For more information, call (805)229-7429.

July 19: The East Ventura Community Council will have a representative from Ashdon Development, will continue discussion with Council members, soliciting their views on the proposed retail establishments for the 4.7-acre parcel on the southeast corner of Wells Road and Darling. Ventura Police Department will present an update on area crime and safety. Some candidates for the November Ventura City Council election will make a brief presentation about their qualifications and their objectives. The council represents those who live east of Victoria Avenue. 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road.

July 19: Thursday, 6pm to 9pm. Open House for FIND (A Friend In Deed)

Attend to learn about peer-led creative, supportive and educational opportunities for folks experiencing or who have experienced mental health or substance misuse challenges. Light refreshments served.

Bell Arts 432 Ventura Ave Studio39

[email protected]

July 21: On Saturday, from 10- 3 p.m. Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a Book Sale

at the Vons 6040 Telegraph Road. Quality used books at bargain prices. All genres, including special interest, classics and vintage; fiction, including current hardcover and paperbacks, DVDs, books on cd and tape, puzzles, and more. Kathy Thomson, [email protected] (805) 750-6630

July 24: Pierpont Community Council general membership meeting has been moved from the 3rd Tues this month to the 4th Tuesday July 24th.

July 25: The College Area Community Council will meet on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Council meetings include speakers and discussion on topics of neighborhood and community interest. CACC represents citizens in City Council District 3. Wright Event Center at 57 Day Rd. Free parking is available adjacent to the Event Center. Call (805) 644-8695 for more information.

July 25: On Wednesday, from 10 – 1 p.m. Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a special

Fairy and Folktales Book sale at Hill Road Library, 1070 S. Hill Road. For those who love to share stories with children. Some well-known illustrators. No book is over $5. Many are like new or gently used.

Aug. 8: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. Admission is free. An instructional workshop will be followed by professional photographer’s critiquing of members images. VenturaCountyCameraClub.com

Damon Bell selected as interim president for Ventura College

Dr. Bell has 25 years of experience and is excited about returning to California.

Ventura County Community College District Chancellor Greg Gillespie is pleased to announce that Dr. Damon Bell has been selected as interim president for Ventura College, effective July 23, 2018. Bell has 25 years of experience that includes Washington and California college systems. He has held senior leadership positions at San Diego Mesa College; Long Beach City College; California State University San Marco; California State University Monterey Bay; and San Francisco State University. Most recently, Dr. Bell has served as Vice President for Student Services and Achievement at Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington.

Chancellor Gillespie stated, “We are fortunate to have Dr. Bell joining Ventura College and the District. He is an experienced leader with a proven track record of implementing innovative practices to increase student access and success.”

Bell’s appointment as interim president of Ventura College is the result of the retirement of Interim President Dave Keebler who served for one year as president and nine years as Vice President, Business Services; Keebler also served as Vice Chancellor of Business Services at the District Office during the recruitment of a permanent Vice Chancellor, now a position held by Dr. David El Fattal.

“I am excited about relocating back to California and working with the faculty and staff to continue moving the college forward in service to students. I look forward to being a part of the great things happening at Ventura College,” stated Bell.

Vol. 11, No. 21 – July 18 – July 31, 2018 – Ojai News & Events

Joan Dewhirst will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2018, to deliver a talk entitled “Color: More Than Meets the Eye.” Ms. Dewhirst comes via the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s Community Speakers Program.

Color has been an important tool for artists since prehistoric times, used in recording nature, capturing reality, and creating beauty, all the while engaging the senses. This lecture will explore some of the hidden mysteries of color—its power to evoke emotion, to convey meaning, and even to produce sound.

Viewing paintings by Van Gogh, Francisco de Goya, Marc Chagall, and many others, we’ll see how feelings of passion, fear, and love motivated artists to use certain colors.

At 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2018, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) will visit the Ojai Library to host a screening of the documentary film Do the Math.

Written and directed by Kelly Nyks and Jared P. Scott, Do the Math follows environmentalist Bill McKibben as he confronts the fossil fuel industry in an attempt to alter the terrifying math of the climate crisis.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146.

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The Ojai Playwrights Conference (OPC), one of the nation’s most acclaimed new play development programs, announces its 21st season with another inspirational and thought-provoking program featuring playwrights, new play workshop presentations, and special performance events from August 5 through 12,

The 2018 OPC New Works Festival, Breaking Light, will feature twelve public events over six days with both seasoned and up-and-coming playwrights, Actor Patrick J. Adams and other guest artists will be performing scenes from Bill Cain’s newest play, Road to Glory, during the Intersection Event on August 9.

“The 2018 OPC season is titled BREAKING LIGHT because this year’s playwrights are breaking through the darkness of division, despair and polarity, and lighting the way toward compassion, inclusion and hope,” Seating is limited for the OPC New Works Festival; tickets ($30) may be purchased online at www.ojaiplays.org.

Performances To Grow On is proud to present Jamaica Farewell, the award-winning play starring Debra Ehrhardt and directed by Joel Zwick, of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame on Saturday, August 18 at 7:30 pm at the Ojai Art Center Theater. Tickets are $35 in advance and are available at www.ptgo.org. Tickets are $5 more at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Ojai Storytelling Festival. Following the play, famed director Joel Zwick will offer a Q&A following the performance.

On Sunday night , July 29th, Ojai Jazz Concerts presents The Carl Saunders Quartet at the Ojai Art Center 113 South Montgomery St. from 7-9:30pm

Tickets are $30 online and $35 at the door

Doors open at 6:30 pm Rich Tell 805-746-0936

Tickets at Eventbrite : www.ojaijazzconcerts.com.

Ventura Police updates produced at CAPS Media Center

Ashley Bautista, VPD Civic Engagement Specialist hosts CAPS show.

Multiple times a month the Ventura Police Department creates community updates and informational videos in the CAPS Media Studio. Hosted by Ashley Bautista, VPD Civic Engagement Specialist, and VPD officers the segments provide the community with important facts, crime statistics and additional valuable information. The segments air and stream on CAPS Media and on multiple social media sites including the Ventura Police Facebook page and numerous Nextdoor sites.

CAPS Media’s Thomas Fire Stories series of extraordinary first-person storytelling continues on July 20 when Clark Tulberg wraps up his emotional experience of defending Thomas Aquinas College and traveling throughout upper Ojai to help friends and family impacted by the fire. On July 27, Ventura County Deputy Fire Chief Vaughn Miller and Assistant Fire Chief Mike Milkovich share their experiences on the night of December 4th and the days and weeks that followed. And, on August 3 Debbie Brokaw Jackson and ranch manager Jose Alcarez recount the remarkably inspiring story of Jose and his crew fighting to save the Brokaw avocado ranch throughout the Thomas Fire.

Each 20-30 minute Thomas Fire Story repeats throughout the week and can be viewed at any time online at capsmedia.org/videos. Thomas Fire Stories are produced by CAPS Media in collaboration with the Museum of Ventura County and are supported by photos and videos contributed by the public, firefighters and news agencies.

Recently CAPS Media recorded Thomas Fire public meetings held by the Ventura County Resource Management Agency for property owners, in upper Ojai on June 26, and for contractors and designers at the county government center on June 27. The meetings included representatives from Ventura County Building and Safety Department, other County agencies, and the California State Licensing Board. Videos of the meetings will be shown on county websites, contact held by the Ventura County Resource Management Agency for details.

Summer is a great time to join the CAPS Media creative community. No prior experience is required and everyone is invited to join. Anyone who lives, works or attends school in the city of Ventura is eligible to become a member as are members of non-profit organizations throughout the county. To learn more about CAPS Media’s extensive television and radio resources and training attend an orientation tour held on the first Thursday of every month. HD videography/camera classes are held on the 2nd Thursday, Final Cut postproduction editing class are on the 3rd Thursday, and CAPS Radio (KPPQ, FM 104.1) two-part classes are on the 4th week. Member/Producers receive hands-on instruction in videography, video editing, radio production and more. All classes begin at 6pm at the CAPS Media Center, 65 Day Road.

CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. For more information, go to capsmedia.org or call 805.658.0500.

CMH will finish the 250-bed project in Ventura and turn it over in August

General Contractor Fred Kummer, of HBE Corp. in St. Louis, has informed CMH that he will finish the 250-bed project in Ventura and turn it over in August, some 3 years after the promised completion date. After that, training on new state-of-the-art equipment and more approvals could take another four 4 months so the hospital could open at the end of this year, or the beginning of next year.

HBE has built over 1,000 hospitals (as designer-builder) and has been paying a $10,000 daily delay penalty. Original estimates were $200 million, but the final cost will be closer to $280 million.