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It’s always the right time to join the CAPS family

M.B. Hanrahan, Claire Villegas and Phil Taggart prepping for the ECTV 2017 Art Walk interview.

ECTV, the El Camino High School media program is in full swing with a slew of shows featuring artists, historians and local figures talking about important events and issues. Ventura’s Mayor for A Moment series where outstanding 5th graders are recognized by the City and the Ventura Unified School District launched this month with video profiles of the young Mayors for a Moment from Portola Elementary and Poinsettia Elementary with more to come. Spotlight on Business featuring unique businesses around Ventura is back in action as well. Watch for their interesting profiles to be featured at City Council meetings.

Everyone in and outside of Ventura can enjoy the diversified programming from CAPS Media on cable, on the radio airwaves and streaming on the web. CAPS Radio, KPPQ 104.1 FM has joined CAPS Television (Channel 6 & 15) by streaming programming on the web 24×7.

Now What’s on? Programming schedules are on the CAPS Media website, capsmedia.org. Plus, with a click of a button, capsmedia.org has direct access to live streaming of both TV channels and KPPQ-LP’s station. Listen to the radio where ever you are and tell your friends to listen in. Wake up and go to sleep with a wide variety of programming to listen to.

It’s always the right time to join the CAPS family, learn media production and direct your own show. Orientation meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month. HD videography/camera classes are on the 2nd Thursday, Final Cut postproduction editing classes are on the 3rd Thursday. CAPS Radio (KPPQ, FM 104.1) holds classes Wednesdays and Thursdays of the 4th week of the month. Come to radio orientation Wednesday to learn more. In every training session 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. Once trained member/producers may check out CAPS Media’s equipment to record their story and then book editing suites to craft the story they want to tell.
CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. Go to capsmedia.org to see programming schedules, search the archives for past programs, get general info and sign up for classes. Anyone who lives, works or attends school in the city of Ventura may become a Member/Producer. Annual membership fees are only $25 for an individual and $75 for a non-profit organization. CAPS Radio DJs require an additional annual fee of $50. For complete information go to www.capsmedia.org.

Court of Honor held at Museum of Ventura County for Devin Kress and Joseph Emmerich

On Oct.14 a Court of Honor was held at the Museum of Ventura County for Devin Kress and Joseph Emmerich both six year Boy Scouts with Troop 119. They were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at the ceremony. Each boy completed the required amount of merit badges and in addition to merit badges, both boys completed Eagle community service projects, both for the museum. In 2015, Devin completed work on the exhibit’s Chumash “ap” and Joseph fabricated six custom made wood benches. The Ventura High Jazz Quartet provided great jazz with Devin on bass. Devin’s proud mom is the assistant to the Ventura Breeze publisher.

Second Annual Haunted Housing Run/Walk to raise funds for Scholarship Program

Cocina Sin Fronteras, the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura’s (HACSB) associated resident services non-profit, is hosting its Second Annual Haunted Housing Run/Walk to raise funds for the HACSB’s Scholarship Program. One hundred percent of the race proceeds will benefit the HACSB Scholarship Program, which is entering its fourth year of providing support to low income families working toward educational goals.

The event will take place at the San Buenaventura State Beach on Saturday Oct. 28 and consists of a 5k, 10k, and a Kids 1k Fun Run. The course is flat, making it runner, walker, stroller, and pet friendly! Don your best costume and join in for an exciting run for a great cause!

Ventura Police Officer Jack Ortega and his K9, Miles, are the 2017 Grand Marshals.

All participants will receive a t-shirt, medal, and goody bag. Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers. There will be goodies, crafts, photos and more at the finish line. You don’t want to miss it!

For more information and to register, visit www.hauntedhousingrun.com. Use coupon code “HHR20OFF” for 20% off all distances.

School on Wheels provides for homeless children

Maggie Wells is a volunteer tutor for School on Wheels.

School on Wheels is a non-profit organization based in Southern California. Whose mission is to enhance the educational opportunities for homeless children living in shelters, motels, group foster homes, cars, or on the street. They do this by providing homeless children with one-on-one volunteer tutors, who work with them individually to improve their academic skills. The children and youth in their program are also provided with school supplies, reading materials, and are eligible for scholarship programs that allow them to participate in extracurricular activities they may not otherwise have access to. Each year they reach over 3,500 students across Southern California. This mission could not be achieved without volunteers like Maggie, who work tirelessly to encourage, educate, and motivate the children and youth in our communities.

Every day, School on Wheels serves children who are eager to learn and succeed, but who may not have had the same resources and support as their peers. Education not only helps break cycles of poverty, but success in school can mean increased confidence for children on an individual level. Margaret speaks to these effects: “A year ago, Savannah had no reading skills. Whenever she came across a word she did not understand, instead of sounding it out, she looked up at me timidly. It made my heart cry out to sound it out for her. She had no confidence and when frustrated, tried all the tricks in the book to derail her hour of tutoring. Little by little, as I gained her confidence and found ways to make our time together appealing, this started to change. Now, I realize the value of tutoring. “

“When I was in grade school, I was very behind in my reading. One day, a teacher embarrassed me in front of the class when I was asked to stand and read my own story and stumbled over words. My low confidence plummeted further. Fortunately, the next year I had a very kind teacher who took time with me and helped me to get back on track and on grade level. When I became a teacher, I vowed to be like the second teacher.”

School on Wheels is always looking for positive role models like Maggie to work with students experiencing homelessness. If you have an hour or more a week to spare and have a love of learning you can make a difference in the life of a kid today, visit www.schoolonwheels.org/volunteer/ to find out more and apply online.

County Museum in the news

The Museum of Ventura County has elected a new board of directors who will direct the museum’s fundraising, exhibits and programming, connecting the community with the history and culture of Ventura County. “We have a past, present and future that make us a celebrated place to live or visit,” said Elena Brokaw, interim executive director of the museum.

The new board members are: Yissel Barajas, Betsy Chess, William Kearney ,Gordon Kimball ,Leslie Leavens, Al Lowe, Kate McLean ,Richard Rush, Mike Sedell , Jim Scanlon and Peter T. Zierhut.

The Museum is seeking volunteers interested in history or art and working with the public in a fun and educational setting, to help support the museum’s events and educational programs and in the research library. All prospective volunteers should attend training workshops on Tuesdays, October 31, and November 7, 14, 21 from 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Director of Education and Outreach Megan Gately at [email protected] 653-0323 ext. 310.

Coming events:

Dia de los Muertos Ofrendas: A Chicano Art Practice for Honoring our Loved Ones

Thursday, October 26, 6 – 7 p.m. | Free for members | $5 for non-members

Special guest, Roberto Vargas will present the use of ofrendas (altars) .

Sunday, November 5, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. | Free admission

A free family event celebrating Dia de los Muertos with music, art, dance and crafts. Performances include De Anza Academy Mariachi Ballet Folklorico de Bell Arts, Danza Mexica Cuautemoc and Ballet Folklorico Mestizo of Oxnard College. Displays will include traditional alters created by Buena High School, Carpinteria Public Library, De Anza Middle School and other local artists.

Saturday, November 11, 2 – 4 p.m. | Free for members | $5 for non-members

The Chicano Moratorium, the massive mobilization in 1969 to raise awareness of the Vietnam War as a civil rights issue in the Chicano community, is the topic of a panel discussion.

Tuesday, November 14, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Free for members | $5 for non-members

Ventura College professor and avid art collector, Tomás Sanchez, will be the featured speaker for the “Speaking Of Ventura County” lecture series. At Ventura College Santa Paula, Sanchez teaches World History, Western Civilization History, United States History and Chicano History. Light refreshments will be served.

Coles named Board Chair of Channel Islands YMCA

Robert J. Coles

The Channel Islands YMCA is proud to announce that Robert J. Coles has joined its Board of Directors as the Board Chair. His term began in June, 2017 and runs through May, 2019.

Mr. Coles is the President of RJC, Inc., an architectural design and construction management company. Coles has a Bachelor’s of Architecture from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, has been practicing architecture since 1985.

“We welcome Robert to his new role with CIYMCA Board,” said Sal Cisneros, President and CEO of the Channel Islands YMCA. “He has been serving on the association board since 2006 and chaired the Risk Management & Facilities Committee from 2007 to 2015. We are excited to move forward under his leadership.”

Ventura High graduate Nadine Jenson becomes full time professional ballet dancer with New Mexico Ballet Company

Ventura High graduate 24-year old Nadine Jenson recently became a full time professional ballet dancer with the New Mexico Ballet Company. She stated “They offered me my first professional contract, and I was excited beyond words given it has been my life’s ambition to become a professional ballerina.”

After Ventura High she attended Loyola Marymount University graduating at the age of 20 with a degree in English with an emphasis in writing. In addition to this she had an additional 30 hours of ballet a week at a separate Russian ballet school in Los Angeles.

She also attended the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, known to be one of the very best ballet schools in the world.

Ventura Unified School District high school countdown!

Enrollment at Pacific is 150-200.

by Jennifer Tipton

Pacific High School.

Originally Mar Vista, the school’s name was changed to Pacific in 1990. Located at 501 College Drive, Pacific High School offers grades 9-12 and is based on a philosophy of individual accountability and responsibility, coupled with a commitment to maintain an atmosphere where students can feel secure, accepted, and challenged. According to Principal Diedre Monarres, “we cater to the students who have not been successful in the larger, traditional academic setting.”

Enrollment at Pacific is 150-200, student population fluctuates more than at the traditional high schools because students from other high schools that are credit deficient may come to Pacific to get caught up and then return to their own school or chose to stay and graduate from Pacific.

School hours are 8:10-12:42 with a lunch break of 18 minutes.

After 12:42, students have the opportunity to attend an after school program, do credit recovery or get a job. I’m told there is no traditional homework, only credit recovery and another unique feature is onsite daycare (First Steps Center). Principal Monarres tells me, “there is a lot of flexibility and opportunity here.”

Pacific High offers students the chance to acquire “21st Century Skills” (critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity), all needed to be successful in a workplace or college.

The school mascot is the shark and although Pacific does not have a competitive athletics program, the students do compete in small events with other continuation high schools such as flag football and basketball with soccer on the horizon.

Pacific utilizes “PLAYA” which is project, learning and youth activities, a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period to investigate and respond to a complex question, problem or challenge. It is believed that this exemplifies the school’s commitment to providing a different, more engaging learning curriculum.

The climate at Pacific High is designed to foster a sense of community and provide students with personal recognition and academic success in a structured yet flexible setting.

Successful alumni include Sam Cicero, a stand out graduate currently working in the music industry, playing and arranging concerts at the Ventura Theater, Jonathan Pu’u who now owns his own martial arts studio, Gillian Gilbert who went on to get her BA and Masters and is now a counselor at public schools and Dr. Trudy Arriaga who helped start the Hope Center (the school’s counseling center), bus transportation and the First Steps Center.

Principal Monarres shares, “Pacific is a gem of Ventura Unified!”

For more information visit venturausd.org/pacific.

Vol. 10, No. 2 – Oct 25 – Nov 7, 2017 – Movie Review

Blade Runner 2049
4 Palm Trees out of 4

by Manuel Reynoso

Blade Runner 2049 is a 2017 neo-noir sci-fi drama directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green. A sequel to the 1982 film Blade Runner, the film stars Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford and follows K as he learns of a replicant that has given birth, and attempts to find more answers.

As I’ve reviewed more and more films, I’ve grown to be far more conservative with my rating system. A film has to really wow me like no other if I’m going to give it a 4/4. I’m not just expecting excellence in its production, but it has to tell a story that pulls me in and keeps me engaged from start to finish

Now you see, Blade Runner 2049 pulled me in. I mean really pulled me in and somehow managed to hold on tight for a remarkable 2 hours and 45 minutes. Even more amazing to me, is that the vast majority of the film revolves around superbly written dialogue, with little reliance on action. The action is great, don’t get me wrong, but the dialogue is just so dense with world building, character development, and conflict. Every character has their own motivations, goals, and personality that while may clash, come together to create this living breathing world. While this is usually enough for me to hold a film in high regard, blade runner also has this neo-noir aesthetic that is gorgeously designed.

When a film finds its aesthetic and knows precisely how to build on it, that’s when you go from having a setting, to a whole world. With a ridiculous budget of at least $150 million, I haven’t seen a world this painstakingly crafted outside the likes of Star Wars and other mega budget films. But blade runner has this dark, almost dystopian edge to it that just really appeals to me without it veering off to ludicrous levels of angst and despair.

While the set design and production value of the film laid the groundwork for such a strong aesthetic. Roger deakin’s cinematography work and Hans Zimmer’s music is what places the final touches on the films stellar production. Dealing wasn’t shy to play with angles and light in unconventional ways. Zimmer’s score is also phenomenal and worth a listen independently of the movie.

However, as per usual, dialogue is what’s king to me, and the screenplay by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green is nothing short of phenomenal. The close personal relationship between K and Joi or the contention between K and others was mesmerizing. While some may find the film too long, I found every minute as tantalizing as the last. On top of the great dialogue, the acting was what carried it to the heights it achieved. Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford in particular were the strongest performances of the film, but I also feel the need to emphasis how surprised I was by the range Bautista showed in the film.

Two hours and forty minutes is a definite commitment to make, but a film of this caliber really deserves the attention. Seeing it in theaters really feels like the only option when Blade Runner 2049 boasts such a strong aesthetic and excellent sound design. Maybe neo-noir crime dramas just do something for me in particular, but I loved this film, and recommend all who can make it go watch it as well. Rated R 2h 43M