On June 3, Aloha Ranch Day was presented by Aloha Dog Grooming at the AB Ranch in Santa Paula on Wheeler Canyon. At the event, Diane Brown got to brush Sheldon the pig (yes, there are at least two Sheldon’s in the world).
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Rubicon Theatre Company kicks off sixteenth year of summer programs
Rubicon Theatre Company kicks off its 16th year of summer education programs with four family friendly production performed by kids for kids: The Grunch :Madagascar; Julius Caesar and Grease .
Rubicon’s new Education and Outreach Directors, Broadway veterans Beverly and Kirby Ward, will oversee the administration of the four productions and their respective camps: Stinky Feet, Theatre Camp, Fearless Shakespeare, and the Musical Theatre Intensive.
The Grunch – Inspired by “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” The Grunch tells the story of Rudy Grunch, a grumpy 6th-grader who always feels like an outsider. When the entire school gets excited about the annual musical, he comes up with a perfect plan to ruin it for everyone.
Show Dates: Sat Jun 30, 2018 | 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. Ticket Price: $11
Madagascar – Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture “Madascar,” the story follows Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo, and plotting penguins.
Show Dates: Fri Jul 6, 2018 | 7:00 p.m.; Sat Jul 7, 2018 | 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.; Sun Jul 8, 2018 | 2:00 p.m. Ticket Price: $11/$16
Julius Caesar – In this story of loyalty and patriotism, betrayal and individual ambition, Julius Caesar returns to Rome in glory, having defeated his rival. The adoring crowds want to crown him king, but those around him worry that he has become too ambitious. On a stormy night filled with foreboding, Cassius persuades Caesar’s noble friend Brutus to join a conspiracy that changes the course of history.
Show Dates: Fri Jul 20, 2018 | 7:00 p.m.; Sat Jul 21, 2018 | 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.; Sun Jul 22, 2018 | 2:00 p.m. Ticket Price: $11/$16
Grease – Rubicon’s Musical Theatre students present this musical during its 40th anniversary. Head greaser Danny Zuko and new girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to re-live the romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances to songs that recall the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley.
Show Dates: Fri Aug 3, 2018 | 7:00 p.m.; Sat Aug 4, 2018 | 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.; Sun Aug 5, 2018 | 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.; Tue Aug 7, 2018 | 7:00 p.m.; Wed Aug 8, 2018 | 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.; Thu Aug 9, 2018 | 7:00 p.m.; Fri Aug 10, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. Ticket Price: $11/$16
Although this is be the Wards’ first time working with the Rubicon Summer Programs, they are seasoned professionals with five Broadway shows and eight National Tours to their credit. The two met in the San Diego Junior Theatre program, which was run by Kirby’s parents, and have a deep appreciation of the skills and values learned.
In reflecting on the youth program of which they were a part, Kirby remarks that, “The focus wasn’t solely on training great actors. It was on training great people.”
Tickets may be purchased in person through the Rubicon Theatre Box Office, located at 1006 E. Main Street (Laurel entrance). To charge by phone, call (805) 667-2900. Or visit Rubicon online at www.rubicontheatre.org.
Vol. 11, No. 19 – June 20 – July 3, 2018 – Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
It’s hard to believe this will be the final full cross-country Vans WARPED Tour before they celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2019, this according to the founder of the festival, Kevin Lyman. There are no final details on what next year will bring, but scaled back dates is definitely part of the plan. All that being said, this year, the tour once again stops in Ventura with a full line up of bands on Sunday, June 24, at the Ventura Fairgrounds. With over six stages and bands playing continuously throughout the day, you’ll need a game plan once your inside, but you won’t want to miss Simple Plan, Reel Big Fish and the Used. This year the tour will also include a stage for local artists such as Ill Repute, Stalag 13, and The Velveteen Band. General admission is $45 and tickets should still be available the day of the show; doors open at 11 AM.
Namba has launched a new series, “NambaYouth” that opens its doors to 18 years and under talent of all art forms. O.K. Service kicks off the series on Friday, June 22, featuring four Moorpark High School recent graduates playing modern Jazz. Namba is downtown at 47 S. Oak Street. Doors open at 7 with tickets $10-$20.
Quick notes: Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers open for Los Lobos on Friday, June 22, at Libbey Bowl; Max Fite plays the Garage on June 22; the Out Run the Sun Festival featuring loads of Electronica music will be at the Golden China on June 23; The Rose Valley Thorns bring their style of Bluegrass to Made West Brewing on Sunday, June 24; The 10th annual Maximum Bob’s Memorial Open Mic is Tuesday, June 26 at Golden China; Lume out of Chicago will be at The Tavern on Tuesday, June 26; The White Buffalo returns to the Ventura Theater on Friday, June 29; Katchafire from New Zealand play two nights at Discovery, June 29 and June 30; Medicine Hat will be at Pizza Chief on the Eastside during the lunch time hour on Sunday July 1; Jane Doe & Co. with traditional Country will be at The Red Cove on Sunday afternoon, July 1 and finally the Star Lounge will have live music on Tuesday night, July 3 (Wednesday is Independence Day), with CRV and special guest Ruben Duarte.
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.
Austen’s Restaurant at the Pierpont Inn – where the food is as good as the view
by Jennifer Tipton
Located at 550 Sanjon Road in Ventura, Austen’s sits at the top of the hill beside the Pierpont Inn and offers an enclosed outdoor dining area along with tables inside. We had lunch in the outdoor area where the view began with lush green gardens and ended with the vast blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The ambience is truly spectacular!
These beautiful grounds are normally reserved for weddings and banquets, but while the main building of the Pierpont Inn is undergoing renovation, Austen’s is open to the public for breakfast 6:30am – 11:30am, lunch 11:30am – 5pm, Dinner 5pm – 10pm and a happy hour Monday through Sunday 4pm – 7pm.
The lunch menu begins with appetizers such as Kung Pao Calamari which consists of calamari prepared with peanuts, red bell pepper, chile de arbol, scallions and a sweet spicy sauce or Soft Pretzels served with Italian sausage, butter pickle chips, caramelized onions and a mustard sauce amongst others. Appetizers $4 – $12
There are a variety of salads to choose from such as Shrimp Nectarine, Grilled Steak or Cauliflower Falafel (for our vegetarian friends). I almost opted for the Salmon Salad with grilled salmon accompanied by Aleppo pepper gremolata, Peruvian potatoes, English peas, asparagus, baby arugula all tossed in a lemon dill vinaigrette. Salads range $6 – $14
On the next page there are sandwiches, burgers, tacos (including salmon tacos), pastas and clam linguini. Sandwiches and burgers come with a choice of French fries, sweet potato fries, homemade chips or a “small” salad and again, there are vegetarian selections available. Prices $10 – $12 except for the pastas and linguini at $15 – $16 (the fettuccini is homemade)
I had the Chile Lime Shrimp Tacos with a roasted tomatillo salsa, tomato and house coleslaw for $12, the shrimp was plump and juicy, the sweet and spicy flavors were tantalizing and each taco was packed so full, they were challenging to eat gracefully! My discretionary dining companion ordered the Pierpont Naan Chicken Sandwich that consisted of a grilled chicken breast with pesto, tomato, red onion, avocado, mozzarella cheese, bacon and butter lettuce snuggled into naan bread with a side salad for $10. The chicken breast was moist and tender and at least ½ inch thick, the warm gooey mozzarella embraced the crisp salty bacon and the “small” side of fresh chilled greens was not so small, each plate tasted as perfect as it looked and while my tacos were divine, have you ever had one of those “I wish I’d ordered that!” moments …?
The service was outstanding, our server, Martin refilled ice tea without us having to ask and checked on us routinely. A full bar is available and when we asked if Austen’s was dog friendly and the response was “sometimes”. I guess it depends on the dog, one of those cute little fur balls peeking out of your purse – ok, but a big Rottweiler named “Brutus” – not so much.
We asked to see a dinner menu and for starters there are selections such as Crispy Artichoke Hearts served with goat cheese aioli or Tuna Poke with a mango papaya relish, sea weed, Thai sweet chili and sesame sauce with wonton chips. Prices $10 – $14
Enticing soups and salads are listed for $5 – $10
A BBQ Tri Tip sandwich and an Ahi Tuna Burger with a choice of a side are offered along with that same Pierpont Naan Chicken Sandwich still priced at $10. There are pasta selections and taking it up a notch are the many entrees to choose from including Pan Seared Scallops with a roasted corn succotash and green mojo sauce, Filet Mignon with baby potatoes, grilled seasonal vegetable and a madeira wine sauce and Rack of Lamb with spring vegetables and carrot puree. They offer halibut, seabass and other steaks as well. Prices $10 – $32
Can you imagine dinner accompanied by the view of a beautiful Ventura sunset?
Vol. 11, No. 19 – June 20 – July 3, 2018 – Opinion/Editorial
•In past issues, I have commented on the horrible workmanship performed on the pedestrian crossing bridge that runs over the freeway to the promenade. Especially the fact that it was not painted when the construction was completed which, amazingly, the $400,00 budget did not include.
I have contacted the contractor and the state (DOT) about this but have never heard back from either of them. Even though this is state property, and not the city’s, it certainly reflects on Ventura so I also “complained” to city’s Staff and the Council.
It seems that my “complaining” might do some good. I’ve heard from a city employee to discuss the problem further and was told that they will be making contact with the DOT to see if they can get them to paint it. If not, I, and the Breeze staff are standing-by with paint brushes in hand.
•America’s allies:
North Korea
Russia
America’s enemies:
The rest of the world
• Several years ago, Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) installed fencing on Vista Del Mar between Seaward and San Jon for security reasons – without all of the required approvals. UPRR filed for a Coastal Development Permit to legalize the fences and applied to the Ventura Planning Commission for approval. It met with generally unfavorable comments and was to return at the July 11th hearing for what was expected to be the final action, and probably a denial. UPRR has decided to not pursue this at this time, but instead to rely upon new trespass signage to ensure the safety of those crossing the tracks.
I know people that live in midtown don’t want the fences there, because it keeps them from taking this short cut to the beach. People have cut holes in the fences anyway to cross over the railroad tracks.
I am opposed to folks using this shortcut because crossing over the tracks can be very dangerous, especially because it curves at that point and the Amtrak trains are extremely quiet. I have seen very young kids crossing over carrying surfboards and skateboards without taking as much caution as they should. So, if you must take this route, be extremely careful, as there have been deaths from trains at this location.
•Some of Trump’s staff have used the Bible to justify the internment of children who are separated from their parents trying to enter the country illegally. Perhaps they should go further and use this extract from Deuteronomy in the Bible to solve the whole problem:
“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
•The Museum of Ventura County has received additional funding from the City of Ventura and Ventura County. $1.7 million from county taxpayers, and the Ventura City Council earlier this month approved giving the museum $1.075 million.
The money will help the nonprofit operate its downtown Ventura location and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula.
I think that this is wonderful. I wouldn’t have thought so several years ago, but Executive Director Elena Brokaw and the museum board have been doing wonderful things there. And non-museum events who have been leasing the facilities have introduced many new people to the Museum and brought in additional funds.
•The City of Ventura is suing Southern California Edison to recoup some of the costs spent on the Thomas Fire. The City Council voted unanimously to initiate this legal action.
Ventura will be represented by outside counsel – the law firm of Baron & Budd. Several other cities have also hired this firm to represent them in similar law suits. The city isn’t paying any money to the law firm and won’t pay unless it wins the case.
Even though state and federal government are reimbursing millions of dollars related to the firefighting effort and damages, the city has still spent over $5 million on the fire.
Ventura might need the money because it also faces lawsuits that allege the water system failed so that firefighters weren’t able to fight the fires. As I’ve mentioned, I stood with firefighters watching homes burn to the ground because of lack of water. It was very sad.
•Folks try to contact me through nextdoor.com and Facebook. I don’t routinely look at either, so if you would like to contact me please email [email protected].
•The City Council voted 7-0 to lift the ban on leaf blowers, which was put into place shortly after the Thomas Fire to reduce the spread of ash. With cleanup nearly complete, staff recommended lifting the ban and the Council agreed. And it does save water.
Temporary rulings like this are rather symbolic anyway, because they are largely unenforceable. The police don’t have the time/manpower to stop gardeners and write citations. And, if they had received a complaint, the gardeners will probably have stopped the activity anyway by the time the police showed up.
Neighborhood Watch
Does (did) this bike belong to any of you? If stolen, maybe this photo would help the police identify the thief. If this was a homeless guy, likely the police know who he is.
Nonprofit honored by Assemblymember Monique Limón
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura (BGCGV) has been selected as a 2018 California Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Monique Limón, 37th District.
Patti Birmingham, BGCGV CEO along with Maria Ventura, SoCalGas Public Affairs Manager and BGCGV Board President traveled to Sacramento and joined with one hundred other nonprofit leaders honored by their state senators and assemblymembers during a celebration luncheon as part of California Nonprofits Day on June 6th.
With an emphasis on academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyle programming, 97% of their members are on track to graduate from high school and become productive citizens.
“The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura offered free childcare and activities during a community emergency. They helped hundreds of families affected by the Thomas Fire find needed child care when schools were closed which alleviated a major financial burden for families. I am proud to honor them as the 2018 Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 37” said Assemblymember Monique Limón.
“It is an honor and privilege to serve children and their families for the last 80 years, and especially during the recent natural disasters. On behalf of our CEO Patti Birmingham, staff and board members – we are deeply humbled to be recognized by Assemblymember Monique Limón as a Nonprofit of the Year,” comments Maria Ventura.
Cabrillo welcomes Naomi Ontiveros and Victor Rodriguez to its Board of Directors
The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is pleased to welcome the addition of Naomi Ontiveros and Victor Rodriguez to its Board of Directors.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are delighted to have new board members with professional and life experiences like Naomi and Victor”, said Cabrillo CEO Margarita H. de Escontrias.
Ontiveros, an Oxnard resident, is a consultant for the Department of Rehabilitation. She previously served on the Cabrillo board for five years, ending in 2006. She also served as the President of the Board for the El Paseo Homeowners Association, where she currently owns a home after being homeless.
Rodriguez has been a human resources professional for nearly 20 years. He is currently the Director of Human Resources at 4over LLC in Glendale. His professional background includes similar positions at Reiter Affiliated Companies, Monsanto Company (Seminis), and Your People Professionals. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of La Verne.
Rodriguez grew up in Cabrillo Village farmworker community from which CEDC originated. He said growing up in Cabrillo Village had a positive impact on his life, creating opportunities for his family they otherwise would not have had.
Rodriguez also has served as a previous board member for Habitat for Humanity and the Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County.
“Cabrillo has a wonderful mission and a great brand. I am hoping my personal experience with affordable housing, my previous board experience with organizations in Ventura County, and my professional background leading Human Resources teams will help Cabrillo accomplish their goals and continue to create housing opportunities for low-income families,” he said.
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation’s mission is to provide comprehensive housing services and community economic development activities through a community-building approach that facilitates self-sufficiency for individuals and families who are most lacking in opportunity in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and adjacent areas of Los Angeles County. Incorporated in 1981, Cabrillo’s early roots were in response to a farmworker community’s demand for secure housing. Although this continues to be important, today there is a more widespread need for affordable housing in this region. As such, Cabrillo now provides housing for low- to moderate-income residents and families, including farmworkers, seniors, veterans and individuals with special needs.
Vol. 11, No. 19 – June 20 – July 3, 2018 – Scamp Club
Chewie (the blonde) and Ling Ling (the white one) are around one year old and adorable ladies.
They love 24 hour dog wrestling, fetching their toys, going on walks and sitting and shaking hands, for a treat.
Free summer camp
by Silvia Benetti Simoes, Lieutenant Ventura Corps Officer
The Salvation Army is proving a free summer camp experience for the kids affected by the Thomas fire. Our camp is Located in the heart of Malibu Canyon, Camp Lawrence Daley at Mt. Crags, Gilmore and Wilderness . We have been providing life changing Christian summer camp experiences for up to 2000 children every summer since 1939. We are here to serve and build relationships that will lead to last lasting change.
Please contact Lt. Silvia Simoes for more information (805)859 3598.
The Salvation Army Southern California Division
650 S. Petit Ave, Ventura, CA 93004
www.salvationarmy-socal.org