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Summertime is Ventura County Fair time

The Ventura County Fair is Ventura County’s original Social Network, come out and connect with your neighbors, friends and families as we gather for a celebration of our great County. The Fair runs from August 1 through 12 and will feature unique exhibits, exciting contests, and entertainment, free with Fair admission.

The Ventura County Fair carries out the tradition of great values. Special admission days offer these opportunities to enter the Fair free or at low prices:

  • Wednesday, August 1: Dollar Day, $1 admission until 3PM.
  • Thursday, August 2: “Feed the Need” Food Drive. Bring 5 cans of food to donate to FOOD Share to receive a free return ticket to the fair, valid August 6-9.
  • Friday, August 3: Youth Day, children under 12 are admitted free all day.
  • Tuesday, August 7: Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Day, Seniors (62+) and Persons with Disabilities are admitted free all day.
  • Wednesday, August 8: “$3 Before 3” Day is; admission is $3 until 3PM.
  • Thursday, August 9: Military Appreciation Day, all military personnel holding a current, valid military ID will be admitted free. Thank you for your service!

If you are a kid or a kid at heart, Carnival Wristband Days are back again this year. On August 2, 6, 7, and 9, purchase a $30 wristband, good for unlimited carnival rides until 7:00 pm.

Grandstand concerts are a Fair favorite, visitors can see their favorite musicals acts and rodeos free with paid admission to the Fair.The Grandstand Entertainment begins on August 1 with Motor Sports, a great way to get revved up for 12 days of amazing fun. (Motor Sports requires a $5 admission in addition to paid fair admission.)

Rodeo Days at the fair are Saturday, August 11 and Sunday August 12.

Everywhere you look at the Fair you will see performers singing, dancing, playing music, making magic and more. This year’s grounds entertainment features Fair favorites like the All Alaskan Pig Races, Sweet Caribbean Steel Drums, Hypnotist Tina Marie and some new treats including Fido 500 Dog Show, Dezmo’s Blues Band and masking tape sculpture from Tapigami.

The Ventura County Fair makes transportation easy with free shuttle rides to and from the Fair. Convenient and comfortable, the shuttles begin ½ hour before the fair opens and bring visitors to the Fair’s front gate. No traffic hassles, no parking problems, free parking and free shuttle bus service to the Fair is available from 10:30 am until 11:00 pm Wheelchair capable busing is available from all sites.

Follow the Fair on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For hours, admission, schedules, and more information, please visit www.venturacountyfair.org or call 648-3376.​

Music that comforts the soul

Board-Certified Music Therapist Lori Sunshine strums the harp for hospice patient Geneva Fergusson.

Geneva Fergusson, diagnosed with bone cancer, was given six months to live, and was placed on hospice care. Three years later, she was holding strong at age 95, as she and her husband Fergie enjoyed a music therapy session with Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association’s Board-Certified Music Therapist, Lori Sunshine.

Sunshine arrived at the Fergusson home with a myriad of exotic instruments. The collection included a harp, Tibetan bells, xylophone, ocean drum, and various percussion instruments. Instruments are chosen for their beautiful sound and the ease of participants playing them. Songs are selected to stimulate meaningful memories and joy.

The purpose of hospice is to provide comfort care and emotional support to the terminally ill in their homes so that quality of life is maintained and family members may be active participants in care.

Music Therapy is a vital part of the interdisciplinary team Livingston Hospice provides. The interdisciplinary lineup also includes a medical doctor, nurses, therapists, social workers, home health aides, and chaplains to provide for the patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. Volunteers that provide respite for caregivers and companionship for the patient round out the team.

According to Sunshine, the purpose of Music Therapy as an adjunct to hospice is “to increase spiritual support, peacefulness, and meaningful connections, to distract from pain, and enable participants to emotionally express themselves, both verbally and non-verbally.

To commence the session, Sunshine invited Geneva and Fergie to choose which instrument they would like to begin with. They chose the harp.

Because Sunshine has been with this couple for three years, she was able to immediately tune in to their needs and instinctively select songs that spoke to their souls. She gave Fergie an instrument, on which he strummed and gently sang as Sunshine played her harp and sang along too. They improvised together, in harmony, moving into tunes familiar and spontaneously created, as Geneva looked on lovingly, content to just listen and bask in her love for her life and husband.

At one point, Sunshine gently placed an instrument called a Kalimba on Fergie’s upper back, while playing and singing softly to him to help create positive energy with the vibrations, knowing of his tight neck and shoulder muscles.

In addition to the home visits, Lori Sunshine regularly provides Music Therapy for Livingston hospice patients at assisted living facilities. She brings drums and other instruments and welcomes other residents to join in the making of music.

Livingston is proud to have two Music Therapists. Laura Demiera Fercano brings joy to hospice patients with her keyboard and knowing just the right songs to sing.

Music Therapy is evidence-based, with research showing effectiveness for increased wellness of mind, body and spirit.
In Geneva’s case, Music Therapy may also be a part of prolonging her life. No one can know for sure, but she feels that as a part of the whole hospice experience, Sunshine’s visits have been overwhelmingly positive. “I’m sure Music Therapy has contributed to my longevity.”

BeeCause art installation realized

Four years from conception to funding, the BeeCause art installation has finally been realized. Community members painted hubcaps, under the direction of MB Hanrahan who designed this latest public art project for our Barranca Vista Recreation Center.

The project was funded by the California Arts Council, and City of Ventura Community Partnerships.

In addition to being colorful and fun, and involving our community, the project advocates for awareness and protection of native bees and honey bees.

Thomas Fire Stories Project premieres on CAPSTV

ECTV interviewed Ventura Fire Chief Endaya at CAPS studio.

The Thomas Fire Stories project will premiere on Friday, June 1 at 6pm on CAPS Media TV Channel 6. Every Friday evening a new story will début and repeat throughout the week on channel 6 and on CAPS Radio (104.1FM). The ongoing series features personal stories by fire fighters, first responders and community members impacted by the fire. The stories are supported by photos and videos contributed by the public and news agencies.

For the past few months CAPS Media has recorded dozens of first-person stories in the CAPS Media studio and at radio recording events throughout the county. The diversity and depth of the individual experiences is captivating, breath-taking and heart-warming. The Thomas Fire stories include first-hand accounts from fire fighters in the field and directing the army of response from command posts to citizens helping others, fighting to save their homes and fleeing for their lives. The unscripted accounts capture personal experiences of extraordinary heroism, sacrifice, tragedy and healing surrounding the Thomas Fire.

Each 30 minute story will rerun throughout the week. The stories also stream on capsmedia.org and are available on the CAPS Media website at capsmedia.org/videos. Audio recordings will air and stream on CAPS Radio, KPPQ 104.1FM.

The Museum of Ventura County is gathering all of the stories into an all-inclusive archive and will include some of the material in the museum’s Thomas Fire exhibit in the fall. Selected stories from the video series will be included in a comprehensive documentary scheduled to premiere in December – to coincide with the museum’s exhibit and the one-year anniversary of the Thomas Fire.

CAPS Media’s Digital Storytelling Summer program is accepting applications for three-day sessions on June 26 – 28, July 10 – 12 and July 17 – 19. The June 28 session will feature production in the CAPS Media studio, July 10 focuses on documentary production with field and studio production, and the July 17 session is geared to dramatic production. The sessions are geared to ages 10-15 and no experience in media or production is required. Every week crew members receive hands-on instruction in the use of video cameras, audio, lighting, studio production and postproduction editing. The fast paced, activity packed programs are directed by CAPS Media professional staff and assisted by student interns from El Camino’s award winning ECTV media program. Digital Storytelling Summer Sessions will teach teamwork and skills needed to produce commercials, documentaries, news reporting, comedy shows and more that include organization and teamwork. To learn more or sign up call the CAPS Media Center, 805.658.0500 or go to capsmedia.org.

Recently the CAPS Media crew recorded graduation ceremonies for Ventura College and the work continues with recording, broadcasting and streaming graduation ceremonies for El Camino High School (June 8) and Foothill Technical High School (June 14).

Everyone in the community is invited to tour the CAPS Media Center and learn more about the resources available to the public. General orientation sessions are held on the first Thursday of every month at 6pm at the CAPS Media Center which is located at 65 Day Road, on the eastside of Ventura College directly across from Foothill Technology high school. 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.

Circus Vargas – The Big One Is Back!

Preserving an American Tradition Like No Other, Circus Vargas Delivers the Ultimate Entertainment Extravaganza for 2018! Debuting their latest, new and crowd-pleaser production in Ventura, the much-anticipated tour runs May 24th through 28th at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, returning to the area next month in Santa Barbara at the Earl Warren Show Grounds, June 21st through 25th.

Always fun for the entire family, Circus Vargas’ incredible new production highlights an amazing cast of world-renowned performers! See Death-Defying Acrobats, Daredevils, Flying Trapeze Artists, Jugglers, Contortionists, Comedians, Clowns, Motorcycles and much, much, more!

Get ready to unleash your imagination and discover a world of pure circus magic and wonderment under the Big Top, where memories are made and cherished for a lifetime!

Join us for a swashbuckling circus spectacular, with this year’s theme “Dreaming of Pirates!” A fantastic voyage of nonstop action and adventure guaranteed to thrill and enchant children of all ages! Prepare to witness the impossible and experience the unforgettable!

Circus Vargas’ Dreaming of Pirates… A true circus treasure!

Arrive 45 minutes early for an entertaining, interactive pre-show celebration, where kids can create their own magic under the big top, learning circus skills such as juggling, balancing and more! Meet and mingle with the entire cast after each performance. Capture the fun by posing for pics or selfies with your favorite cast members, all part of an unforgettable Circus Vargas experience!

Ticket Information:

For Circus Vargas performance dates, show times and to purchase tickets, visit www.circusvargas.com, call 877-GOTFUN-1 (877-468-3861) or visit the box office at each location. Follow Circus Vargas on Facebook and Twitter for updates, discounts and behind the scenes video. Veterans, catch our Memorial Day Special; present military ID at the box office and get 1 free member in per family.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Thursday, May 24 – Monday, May 28
Ventura County Fairgrounds
(10 W. Harbor Blvd, Ventura, CA 93001)
Thursday, May 24 – 7:30pm
Friday, May 25 – 4:30pm, 7:30pm
Saturday, May 26 – 1:00pm, 4:00pm, 7:30pm
Sunday, May 27– 12:30pm, 3:30pm, 7:00pm
Monday, May 28 – 2:30pm, 6:30pm

Thursday, June 21 – Monday, June 25
Earl Warren Showgrounds
(3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93105) Thursday, June 21 – 7:30pm
Friday, June 22 – 4:30pm, 7:30pm
Saturday, June 23 – 1:00pm, 4:00pm, 7:30pm
Sunday, June 24 – 12:30pm, 3:30pm, 6:30pm
Monday, June 25 – 6:30pm

Wine in the Pines

by Mark & Debbie Bailey Owners, The Wine Room Gallery, PMC

Fine wine lovers; mark your calendars for Saturday, June 9th, for the annual Pine Mountain Club “Wine in the Pines” in the Pine Mountain Village Center, an easy and scenic 90-minute drive from Ventura.

From 1-4pm (noon to 4pm with a VIP ticket) you’ll be able to taste exciting wines from throughout California’s wine- growing regions, with dozens of premiere wineries to choose from. If you need a break from too much fine wine, then enjoy some cold craft beer or cider from several wonderful breweries. And then there’s the food; some of Kern County’s favorite restaurants will be on hand serving gourmet hors d’oeuvres to compliment the fine wine.

Want a food pairing for the brews? Then how about a bacon-wrapped gourmet hot dog from “Brazil’s Gourmet Hot Dogs” of Bakersfield? Feel like cooling off and satisfying that exotic sweet tooth? May we suggest a late harvest viognier ice cream sundae?

Due to its immense popularity last year, we will once again have a specific Lompoc Wine Ghetto section in the PMC Village Center, featuring many of the wonderful Ghetto Wineries.

Great live music and wine-themed vendors completes this wonderful heavenly mountain setting. Proceeds this year benefits the American Cancer Society and various local non-profits.

You must be 21 or older to purchase tickets for Wine in the Pines and ID’s will be checked at the entrance. General Admission to the wine festival is just $55 in advance and $70 at the door if any tickets remain. VIP tickets allow for an intimate early noon entry. They are $80.00 and must be purchased in advance. This event usually sells out, so buy your tickets early. Admission includes wine & beer tasting, a logo glass, a custom wine glass holder plate, fabulous food, live music and scenery like none other.

Pine Mountain Club is located just 20 minutes west of Interstate 5 at the Frazier Park exit. For a map and directions, hotel and cabin rental links and other information, go to www. wineinthepines.com, or email [email protected].

Tickets for Wine in the Pines can be purchased online at the event website: www.wineinthepines.com. Wineries wishing to pour at this world-class event, can click on the winery link also located on our website, and there is no fee to pour.

Ventura Libraries June Events

Check out the new Hill Rd. Library, it’s wonderful.

Avenue Library

Children & Family Events
Summer Reading Events Tuesdays @ 3pm all ages
Nifty Balloons 6/19
Kealoha & Co 6/26

Summer STEAM Boxes
Lava Lamps 6/18
Rube Goldberg Art 6/25 Mondays @ 3pm
Create, design, and discover with our STEAM boxes aimed at kids 8+.

Bilingual Early Literacy Class
6/4, 11, 18, & 25 Mondays @ 6– 6:45 pm
Join us every week for stories, poems, music, movement, a simple craft & fun!

Adult Classes & Events
Adult Literacy Classes
Laubach Literacy English Classes
6/4, 11, 18, & 25 Mondays @11am – 12pm

Pumarosa English Classes
6/6, 13, 20, & 27 Wednesdays @ 9–10am & @ 6-7pm
Learn English in a fun environment that combines conversation, singing, and technology. In the meeting room.

E.P. Foster Library
Adult Programs & Special Events
Wilder than Wild Documentary
6/22 Friday @ 6-8pm Film Screening
6/23 Saturday @12-5pm Interview Sessions
StoryCenter presents the Wilder Than Wild documentary – on the issues surrounding megafires. Participants will be interviewed, apply at www.storycenter.org/ventura-fire-stories-june2018

A California Native Plant Society Lecture
6/19 Tuesday @ 7-9pm
Join us for this lecture series presented by the California Native Plant Society, Channel Islands Chapter. See you in the Topping Room!

Children’s Events
Summer Reading Shows Wednesdays @ 3pm 2nd floor
6/20 SR Show: Kick-off Show Nifty Balloons!
6/27 SR Show: Kealoha Dancers!

Early Literacy Class
6/5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, & 27
Tuesdays & Wednesdays @ 10:30am
Join us every week for stories, poems, music, movement, a simple craft, and fun!

Teen Happenings
STEAM Boxes
6/19 & 26 Tuesdays @ 2-4pm
Each week will have a new and exciting challenge. 19th – Rocket Launcher, 26th – Lava Lamps

Hill Road
Children’s Events
Summer Reading Events Mondays @ 3pm all ages
Nifty Balloons 6/18
Kealoha & Co. 6/25
Join us to kick off our Summer Reading Takes You Everywhere Program

Summer STEAM Boxes
6/19 Lava Lamps
6/26 Rube Goldberg Art
Tuesdays @ 3pm
Create, design, and discover with our STEAM boxes aimed at kids 8 and up. Aimed at ages 8+

Discover Science
6/12 Tuesday @ 4pm
Join Rachel Chang for this hands on workshop as she demonstrates science principles of chemistry, physics, and biology.

Early Literacy Class
6/6, 13, 20, & 27 Wednesdays @ 10:30 am
6/16 Saturday @ 10:30 am
Join us every week for stories, poems, music, movement, a simple craft, and fun! Kids 0-5

Saticoy Library
Children & Family Events
Summer Reading Events Thursdays @ 3pm all ages
6/21 Nifty Balloons
6/28 TBA

Summer STEAM Boxes
Lava Lamps 6/20 Wednesday @ 3pm
Rube Goldberg Art 6/27 Wednesday @ 3pm
Create, design, and discover with our STEAM boxes aimed at kids 8+.

Early Literacy Class
6/5, 12, 19, & 26 Tuesdays @ 10am
Join us each week for stories, poems, music, movement, a simple craft & fun! Kids 0-5

Adult Classes & Events
English Classes
6/4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, & 27 Monday & Wednesday @ 3- 5pm
ESL Conversation Groups hosted by Laubach Literacy of Ventura County

It was and will most definitely be a night to remember

Throughout the night Zane would gaze upon his date with a warm and bright smile.

A “Night to Remember” lived up to its name on May 19. The event is a special prom sponsored by the Mission Church in Ventura for special teens and young adults at the Ventura Fairgrounds.

My name is Kelli McLaughlin and I recently moved to Ventura from San Francisco. My son Zane has physical and cognitive delays and uses a wheelchair, so it is often hard for us to attend and participate in events like this. The event was incredibly well planned for accessibility and fun, from beginning to end.

The number of volunteers was inspiring, as was all of the e?ort and care that was taken to create such a fun and inclusive event. It was a tender and heartfelt night full of fun and joy.

Preparing and planning for this event was no easy task. Every guest was fitted with a tux or an evening gown prior to the night. Each guest was also paired with a host, if he or she did not already have a date. Also, hair and make-up was provided by local talented hair and make-up artists.

My son was fitted for a tux at Mission Tux on Telegraph – and the person who did the fitting was gracious and professional. Many organizations and unsung heroes worked behind the scenes to make this special night a possibility.

The night of the event, my son got dressed and was already excited by the fact that he was wearing a tux with a violet bow tie. Then we went to pick up his host/date, Zane was smitten.

Zane and his date were then swept away into a big white stretch limo and dropped o? at the red carpet where many hundreds of people had gathered to greet the guests. This part was particularly touching and heartfelt as the group hollered and cheered for each couple as they arrived. If a particular guest was sensitive to noise, the music would stop and the crowd waved their hands in the air, a sign used for clapping in American Sign Language (ASL).

Throughout the night Zane would gaze upon his date with a warm and bright smile, certain that he was the luckiest boy alive.

I am feeling so grateful today for being able to participate in such a wonderfully inspiring and fun event – thank you Ventura.

If you’d like to be part of this magical evening next year, please look into volunteering.

MissionChurch

www.missionentura.com 626-8850

Kelli McLaughlin is a new account executive for the Ventura Breeze. We welcome her to the Breeze and Ventura. You should be meeting her soon.

Students will present their Environmental Business Plans and will receive awards

On Thursday, May 31, over forty 5th-12th-grade students from six public schools in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties will be presenting their authored environmental business proposals to a judging panel. Students’ proposals focus on water conservation, energy efficiency, or waste reduction of their school campuses, or educate a community about ocean acidification. The event will take place at the Museum of Ventura County from 4 -7 pm.

In the first hour and a half, the 40 finalists will present to a panel of judges who will rank the project proposals based on merit and cost effectiveness. Then at 5:30 pm, the MERITO Foundation in partnership with NOAA Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary will award cash or in kind prizes to the young authors of top environmental business proposals.

Energy Efficiency to Mitigate Climate Change and Ocean Acidification “EECCOA” is a project-based science education program of the MERITO Foundation that provides energy, climate and ocean literacy services and products to 8th – 12th grade teachers and their students aligned to Next Generation of Science Standards (NGSS1) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS2).

The EECCOA Awards Event is the culmination of the 9 month-long EECCCOA Program. The following schools will have students present or display their project proposals:

The Multicultural Education for Resource Issues Threatening Oceans (MERITO) Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Ventura dedicated to protecting the ocean by facilitating education, conservation and scientific research opportunities to multicultural youth and their communities. The EECCOA Challenge empowers students to be environmental entrepreneurs by providing them through their teachers, with the tools to understand climate change, ocean acidification, drought and wildfires and address these issues with money saving project proposals for their school campuses. Students are also given the option to develop awareness campaigns that inform and involve their communities.

The EECCCOA Program and EECCOA Awards Event sponsors include: NOAA B-WET Grant, Sea Forward Fund, Ventura Water, Arcturus Manufacturing Corp (through a settlement agreement filed by Wishtoyo Foundation), Island Packers and Montecito Bank and Trust.

Upcoming events for the Museum of Ventura County

Noted author and acclaimed biographer Yunte Huang will be signing his book

The Museum of Ventura County has multiple exciting events coming up including:

• An Evening with Yunte Huang. Noted author and acclaimed biographer Yunte Huang will be reading from, discussing and signing his book, “INSEPARABLE: The Original Siamese Twins and Their Rendezvous with American History,” on May 24. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails at a no-host bar. Huang will speak starting at 6:30 p.m., followed by a discussion with KCLU’s Duncan Lively. Activities will conclude with a book signing. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the Museum. Admission to the event is free.

• The annual Wearable Art Fashion Show. See ad in this issue for details.

• The Night Bobby Died: An Eyewitness account of the assassination of Bobby Kennedy. Ventura County writer-journalist Ivor Davis was in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel half a century ago to witness the horrendous assassination of the man who would be president—Senator Robert Kennedy, younger brother of John F. Kennedy. On Wednesday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. – the 50th anniversary of the assassination – Davis will appear at the Ventura County Museum with an eyewitness account, which vividly brings to life that shocking night in American political history. Admission is $5 for museum members, $10 for non-members. No host bar.

• Exhibit of Paintings by Pedro González Pulido – The Museum will host the U.S. premiere of an exhibit of paintings by prominent Cuban artist and educator Pedro González Pulido from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 8. The event will feature a reception and screening of the documentary “Hearing is Believing” by Ventura filmmaker Lorenzo DeStefano, which inspired Pulido’s work. World-renowned musician Rachel Flowers, who hails from Oxnard, is the subject of the film and will perform her music at the opening reception. Advance purchase tickets to the opening event are recommended and cost $20 each. Proceeds benefit the Flowers family, the Museum of Ventura County and Hearing is Believing Productions. Tickets may be purchased at http://bit.ly/MVC_HearingisBelieving. There may be limited tickets available at the door.

The Museum of Ventura County celebrates, preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of Ventura County, the California Channel Islands and the surrounding region through its collections, exhibitions, events, educational programs, publications and its research library at 100 East Main Street, open Tuesday – Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit venturamuseum.org or call 653-0323.