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A Holiday Boutique at Plaza Park

The City of Ventura Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships Department will host a Holiday Boutique on Saturday, December 9 from 10 am- 4 pm in historic Plaza Park. Come shop, play and stay to see the 160 live, decorated, twinkling trees. This is an opportunity to purchase a one-of-a-kind holiday gift for that special someone on your list! The boutique features over 30 talented artisans selling hand-crafted, quality items including; holiday decorations, gifts, ornaments and specialty pieces.

This free event will also include activities for children, and feature stage entertainment throughout the event. Don’t miss Mario Bocalli introducing the Cabrillo Jazz Band, the Holiday Choirs from the ChannelAire Chorus, the Bible Fellowship Church Kids Choir, holiday selections from the 2016 Mayor’s Arts Award recipient Jodi Farrell’s vocal students, dancers from Cassie’s Nutcracker Ballet class, Holidays on the Island Polynesian dancers and line dancing with Jackie.

Ventura Land Trust (VLT) and Ventura County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation host 1st Annual Ventura River to the Sea Coastal Cleanup

A previous year’s trash and debris cleanup.

A recent report states that by 2050, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish

On Sunday, Nov. 19, the Ventura Land Trust (VLT) and Ventura County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation teamed up to host the 1st Annual Ventura River to the Sea Coastal Cleanup. Both organizations invited volunteers to join them to clear trash and debris from the Ventura River estuary and beaches near the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

“The sad fact is that 80 % of plastics and other trash found in our ocean comes from land–based sources,” said Dashiell Dunkell, VLT Conservation Director. “Our goal is to remove as much trash as possible from the beach and along the Ventura River before the rainy season begins and washes it into the sea.”

“This is one day when the community can come together in defense of the beautiful coastline, waterways and ecosystems that make Ventura such a beautiful place to live,” said Dunkell.

Visit www.venturalandtrust.org for more information or call 643-8044.

Buenaventura Art Association’s 32nd Annual Open Competition

3rd Place, 31st Annual Open Competition, 2017 winner
A Lotta Lepidoptera by Linda Shaner

Call for Entries:
Buenaventura Art Association’s 32nd Annual Open Competition
Deadline: Midnight, Saturday, January 6, 2018
Cash Awards and Membership Benefits

Awards:

First Place $400
Second Place $300
Third Place $200
Four Honorable Mentions at $75 ea.
1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners also receive a free one-year membership to BAA. Honorable Mention winners receive a 6-month membership.

Juror: Carol Shaw-Sutton. Find out more about Carol at www.carolshawsutton.com.

For entry details go to Online Entry at website, BuenaventuraGallery.org

It’s Party Time at the Buenaventura Gallery

Please join us for Buenaventura Art Association’s Holiday Charity Party Saturday, December 9, 3 – 6pm

Let’s start the holiday season with a get together at the BAA gallery. Come join your friends, make some new ones, and have some fun; it’s a celebration and a time for giving back!

Please come and help us bring art into the lives of at-risk and homeless children by bringing a donation of children’s art materials as your “price” of admission. Your donation could be crayons, pencils, paper, anything with which a child could entertain themselves or be creative. Expressing themselves through art can be emotionally healing for a child at risk.

We will pass your donation along to Interface Children & Family Services. Interface’s six major program areas include mental health services, youth services, family violence intervention, and more. If you cannot bring art supplies, a monetary donation of any amount would help. We want your presence regardless!

BAA’s Small Image Show and Holiday Boutique will be on display for your shopping pleasure. There will be live bluegrass music by Ruby Skye, champagne, sparkling cider, and chocolate treats!

And finally, there will be raffle prizes galore! Purchase or win tickets by participating in the afternoon’s activities! 700 E. Santa Clara in downtown

Fundraising event at Jewelry Couture Dec. 9 to support Ventura Police K9 Unit

The Ventura Police Department currently has five K9 teams.

Jewelry Couture will be hosting a fundraising event to support the Ventura Police K9 Unit on Dec. 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 390 S. Mills Road. A portion of the sales will be donated to the Ventura Police K9 Unit. The community is invited to meet the K9s and handlers and support the effort. The K9 meet and greet will take place between 2p.m. and 4:00 p.m. with a K9 demonstration beginning at 2 p.m.

“We are honored to be giving back to those who continually give so much to our community. After being a part of the wonderful City of Ventura for over 30 years and residents ourselves, we really want to show our support for the Ventura Police Department” said the Sehati Family of Jewelry Couture.

The Ventura Police Department currently has five K9 teams. Two new K9s, Bolt and Miles, joined the team in July of 2017. Officer Anthony Avila has been partnered with K9 Bolt. Bolt is related to current K9 Yoschi and retired K9 Yankee. Bolt was purchased by a generous donation made by Automotive Racing Products. Officer Jack Ortega has been partnered with K9 Miles who was purchased by a generous donation made by Mile 26 Sports.

K9s are assigned to the Patrol Unit so that a team is on-duty seven days a week, providing around the clock service to the community.

On average the cost of a canine is $12,000 with an additional $8,000- $10,000 for training and certification, all of which is paid for through donations to the Ventura Police K9 Unit. All of Ventura Police K9s past and present, have been purchased through community donations and event fundraising. The K9 Unit appreciates the support of the community and the many businesses and organizations who have supported the crime fighting team.

Opening reception of NOD to MOD at H Gallery Dec. 9

Join us at H Gallery Saturday, December 9th for the opening reception of NOD to MOD from 7-10pm, presented by Dab Art. A collection of contemporary works indicative of and inspired by the postmodern art movement of the 1960’s. The artists of this era experimented with new materials and concepts, changing the characteristics of conventional art forever.

The 18 artists featured in NOD to MOD exemplify the styles and philosophy of modern art through each of their selected works. NOD to MOD emulates a period of minimalism, moving away from traditional narratives towards conceptual abstraction.

1793 East Main Street 626 8876 www.DabArt.me

Watercolor by Katherine McGuire in the art collection at City Hall

In May of 1999, the City Council established the Municipal Art Acquisition Program to document the history of visual art in Ventura through the annual purchase of important works of art created by area artists. The collection provides increased access to art of the highest quality and of distinctive merit through its display in the public areas of City Hall . This water color by Katherine McGuire can be enjoyed in the art collection in the corridors at City Hall.

Wish granters provide special tomato collapsible wheelchair for 6 year-old Yuleima Manriquez

After working with 6 year-old Yuleima Manriquez of Ventura, her family and Wish granters determined her true wish was to have a special tomato collapsible wheelchair. In having her own wheelchair, she would be able to go on family outings. Yuleima’s father explained how the tomato chair was a real blessing.

Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties collaborated with Merlin Medical Supply & Magic] in Camarillo to surprise Yuliema and present her with her custom fit tomato chair. Owner, Paul Dwork was passionate about serving and accommodating Yuleima’s family, and went above and beyond to ensure Yuleima’s comfort in her new chair.

Wild Birds Unlimited Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting celebration

On November 10th Wild Birds Unlimited held a Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting celebration.

Wild Birds Unlimited feeders are made to fit your needs and those of your birds. They can also help you know where in your yard to put your feeders. Feeders with different seeds or seed blends can be placed throughout the yard at different levels to attract different types of birds.

Owner’s Frank & Cynthia DeMartino welcome you to visit their store.
Located at 4020 E. Main Wild Birds is open daily.

Active shooter response training

The Ventura Police Department will host an Active Shooter Response Training for business and church leadership. Leaders of any faith-based organization and business owners, operators and/or managers within the City of Ventura are invited to attend on December 20 at the Ventura Police Department located at 1425 Dowell Drive in Ventura. The training will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The training is being offered in response to community concerns regarding active shooter incidents in Nevada, Texas and California. FBI statistics show that mass shootings are rare, but the Ventura Police Department is committed to partner with the community in providing safety information. According to the FBI, between 2000 and 2016, there were 216 active shooter incidents throughout the country.

An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.

Because active shooter situations are often over within a short time, before police arrive on scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

The training is free. Registration is required by calling 339-4317 or emailing [email protected].

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