Nance Hodge has been making art for over 40 years. “As a lifetime member of BAA, I am proud to present an overview of my accomplishments. My artworks have been my life’s journey. It is a major part of who I am.” Her subjects include women, music, and horses, plus a cat or two!
Some of Nance’s quotes on her art include: “Beauty is not in the face, but a light in the heart.”
“You have a treasure within you that is greater than anything the world can offer.”
Come see her treasures at the Harbor Village Gallery, open 7 days a week, 11am-6pm, (until 9pm on Sat.).
The inkspots of San Buenaventura, Ventura County’s only fine art printmaking group will be exhibiting their new works at 643 A Project Space. Come meet the artists at the opening reception Friday November 3rd 5 to 8pm at 643 Ventura Ave.
The exhibit titled “ImPRESSive” will showcase work by artists Christina Altfeld, Karen L. Brown, Beverly Decker, Virginia Furmanski, Rosemarie Gebhart, Judy Gibbs, Bay Hallowell, Tiger Huang, Colleen Kelly, Ines Monguio, Minga Opazo, Jane Peterson, Leslie Plimpton, Betsy Quinn and Monica Wiesblott.
A free drawing for their annual folio project will take place at the reception that includes a signed and numbered print by fourteen artists in the group. Three additional folios will be offered for sale.
A series of special events will be taking place at the gallery each Saturday of the exhibition:
For more information please contact Leslie Plimpton [email protected] or call
850-8848. inkspotsventura.com.
“Now that I have herded these wild animals at the Highland Games I can take a nap”
• The Herman Bennett Foundation is having their 4th Annual “Haunted Dinner, Magic, and Dancing” at the Bard Mansion October 28, from 6:00 pm – 10:00pm.
This fundraiser is to support these dog programs:
Help Military Dogs with their medical needs when they return from service
Ventura Police K-9 Unit (not paid for by the City)
Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) Camarillo Shelter, a “No Kill” shelter
Vouchers for Low income families Spay/Neuter (cats & dogs) & Feral cats
Support of Animal Rescue Groups
This exclusive fundraising event has grown in both popularity and exposure over the past 3 years.
The event is held at the Historic Bard Mansion on the Port Hueneme Naval Base. It includes a formal sit down dinner, wine and beverages, Magician Bob Bolivar, Ghost Hunters Richard & Debbie Senate, live music by CosoLive, laughs provided by comedian Jason Love, a charity raffle and so much more!
“Walking of the dogs on the Promenade” by Murray Robertson.
Tickets are $140 each, 6 or more tickets are only $100 each.
Call 445-7171 to reserve or visit our website:
Sponsorship opportunities may still be available! See website for details.
hermanbennettfoundation.org/events
• Many humans aren’t aware of the Halloween dangers to their loving pets. All that candy might be lethal for pet dogs and cats. They can’t metabolize candy like humans.
Chocolates contain caffeine and a compound called theobromine, which can be toxic in certain doses to both dogs and cats. Cats (poor things)can’t taste sweet so aren’t necessarily as drawn to chocolate as dogs. Theobromine is more concentrated in darker chocolates so that type is particularly bad.
Symptoms of eating chocolate are vomiting, diarrhea, trembling and hyperactivity.
Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in some sugarless gums and candies can cause hypoglycemia, seizures and even liver failure in dogs. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning can include vomiting, weakness and lack of coordination.
It important to keep candy secured in a location above the animal’s reach and make sure they aren’t there when you spread it out all over the floor.
Wrappers can also be a problem for pets, especially for cats that love to play with them
Many pet stores stock up on safe seasonal and Halloween treats so check them out.
• A tribute to Mom Cat by Cappi Patterson.
My precious little feral whom I fed for 10 years … she walked down the
block with me at night to her feeding place … meowing and holding her
tail straight up as she pranced along.
Mom Cat was killed by a hit and run driver.
Rest in Peace, Mom Cat. You were very loved.
• There have now been a total of 7 SDF (National Disaster Search Dog Foundation) trained Search Teams deployed to Mexico City for the earthquake that struck the region and another 5 SDF Teams in Puerto Rico to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
The two- and four-legged rescuers that have deployed to help them are well-trained and prepared for whatever they may face. We wish them luck in their rescue operations and know that these teams will do all that they can to help those in need.
• Lung cancer is the biggest cause of cancer death in New Zealand largely because it is often detected late, but now Waikato University researchers believe dogs could be the key to saving lives (just another wonderful thing that dogs can do).
Dr Tim Edwards and his team are training pet dogs, including his own dog Tui, to sniff breath and saliva samples from the Waikato District Health board’s respiratory clinic.
“We will bring those breath and saliva samples into the lab and will have the dogs here evaluate those samples and see if they can tell us which ones are cancer positive and which ones are cancer negative,” stated Dr. Edwards.
Sensitive snouts are a well-known weapon in biosecurity, rescue operations and bomb detection.
And studies even suggest dogs may be able to sniff out even the lowest concentrations of aromatic compounds that come from tumors.
Here the focus will be on people with suspected lung cancer – one of New Zealand’s biggest killers.
“When the dogs sniff they are breaking an infrared beam and if they don’t like what’s in there, if it’s negative, they activate this switch which goes to the next sample, and if their nose stays in and breaks the beam for long enough it’s considered a positive sample and it’s treat time,” Dr Edwards said.
“The promise this technology brings is quick and cheap cancer detection solutions.”
Dr Edwards says one of the first things people ask him is what are the dogs smelling.
“They’re probably actually smelling a whole bouquet of compounds, and each dog’s definition is likely to be a bit different.”
He is using a range of pet dogs. “It’s not about the breed, as all dogs have ridiculously sensitive olfaction. It’s about their temperament and willingness to work,” he said.
805 Gift Emporium had their official Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, October 12th. Owner Nancy Farrar, her dedicated staff, many friends, Chamber Members, and community supporters including Stephanie Caldwell President & CEO Ventura Chamber and Councilmember’s Christy Weir and Mike Tracy joined her for this special occasion. Mike Tracy welcomed her on behalf of the City council.
805 Gift Emporium is your one stop gift shop! They specialize in unique gifts and decor, fun accessories and more for every day, all holidays and occasions. They even carry clothes for you, your babies and fur babies too!
805 Gift Emporium hours are Monday through Saturday, 9am – 6pm, (closed Sundays) and is located at 3875 Telegraph Rd., Suite A. 658-0805.
Lysa Urban joins local firm after working for the City of Ventura.
Consortium Media + Public Relations is pleased to announce that Lysa Urban has joined the Consortium Media team as a Public Relations Correspondent. In this role, Urban will be fostering community relations and facilitating public relations campaigns from strategy to implementation.
Urban comes to Consortium with ten years of experience at the City of Ventura, most recently as the City’s Public Information Officer (PIO). During her tenure with the City of Ventura, Urban worked with the city’s executive team handling media relations and public outreach, as well as performing key PIO duties during emergency operations center activations. Urban has a background in advertising, communications and public relations, and has worked with Fortune 500 companies to develop and execute marketing campaigns through non-traditional media.
A graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Urban lives in Ventura and enjoys volunteering at FOOD Share, Project Understanding and other local non-profits as well as participating on the Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Community Advisory Council.
“Lysa Urban is a very inspiring person to have join our team. Her highly regarded professional background helps her easily fit into our Consortium Media client success culture” says Denise Bean-White, Consortium Media President and CEO.
For more information, please contact Denise Bean-White at 654-1654 ext.111, email [email protected] or visit the Consortium Media + Public Relations website at www.consortium-media.com.
• The Public is Invited to meet Ventura Water’s new General Manager Kevin Brown on Nov. 2, 5:30- 6:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room at Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St. An opportunity to learn more about our water situation and plans for the future.
Lake Casitas, which supplies water to the Ojai Valley and parts of Ventura, dropped to 38% capacity recently. That’s a little higher than this time last year, but not enough to get us out of our water shortage so drink gin and tonic instead of water (and bathe with a friend).
•My radio show (and that of Ventura Breeze music writer Pam Baumgardner and others ) on KPPQLP104.1FM can now be heard on computer, etc. even when you are in Paris. CAPS Radio, KPPQ 104.1 FM has joined CAPS Television (Channel 6 & 15) by streaming programming on the web 24×7. Station is a little difficult to pick up because it is low wattage but is very clear this way.
My show(13 so far) is on Mon., Wed. and Sat. at 10am and some other undisclosed times. CAPS is always looking for folks to start their own TV or radio show so go to CAPSMEDIA to find out more details. Not as intimidating as it seems and they teach you how to do it.
• The City Council has ratified the re-appointments of City’s representatives, Suz Montgomery and LoriHarasta, to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council. Proud of them, both contributors to the Breeze.
•Consortium Media + Public Relations has announced that Lysa Urban has joined them (see article in this issue). Lysa spent many years with the city. Wish her all the best in her new position (and keep sending us ads).
• Ventura County’s Treasurer-Tax Collector, Steven Hintz, has announced that his office has concluded negotiations with ACI/OPAY, the County’s on-line and credit card processor that reduces the cost to taxpayers who use a credit card or an electronic check to make payments to his office. The new rate for electronic checks is $1.50, down from $2.00. Now the question is where to spend the extra 50c?
• The Ventura Unified School District and its teacher and support staff unions could not come to an agreement on salary increases. Now a state mediator will be brought in to come up with a solution.
What I have never understood is where does the zillions of dollars brought in by the state lottery, and the school fees paid for every building permit in California go? Why do teachers still need to pay for some of their own classroom supplies?
• In this issue we have an article regarding the state’s mandate that Ventura must select council members by council districts and not at-large.
Councilmember Christy Weir said “The council had little choice but to move to districts unless we want to spend a lot of taxpayer money fighting something we probably will lose.” City Attorney Gregory Diaz stated the same thing at the recent council meeting.
Weir said moving to districts translated to people giving up rights, rather than gaining them. Instead of voting for all seven council members, now people would only get to vote for one council member every four years, she said.
Personally I am against all seven councilmembers having to live in seven different districts in Ventura. If acceptable to the state I think four by district and three at-large makes more sense.
We would not have some excellent councilmembers that would be excluded from the council because they live in what will become the same district. Some districts may not have qualified candidates that will end up on the City Council.
In September 2014, the City Council appointed a citizens Charter Review Committee and the charge to the Committee included reviewing district-based elections. This would need to be approved by Ventura’s voting. It was determined at that time that other charter revisions were more important to be on the ballot which were approved.
The direct voting for a mayor was also considered but not placed on the ballot. On page 23 we have some opinions regarding this, would love to hear yours.
•Speaking of the City Council, I wish to thank Councilmember Mike Tracy for his kind words in congratulating the Ventura Breeze on our 10th anniversary at a recent City Council meeting. Always with his great sense of humor. Who would have thought that an ex-chief of police could be so funny.
• Trumpism (I’m sorry I just can’t help myself). Regarding Puerto Rico. “Only 16 have died (up to 50 and more coming). You are very lucky it could have been much worse.” Puerto Rico father “My wife and two daughters died but I feel much better now knowing that it could have been much worse.”
• ”Hypocrisy” you don’t need to look it up, here it is.
Pennsylvania Republican antiabortion congressman Tim Murphy had engaged in an extramarital affair. When he found out that she might be pregnant he told her to get an abortion.
He has previously stated “I am so proud the House passed this important bill to clearly stand for the dignity and value of all human life, both the born and the unborn. We will once again be a nation committed to honoring life from the moment of conception onward and ensuring American taxpayer dollars are never spent to end a life before it even begins.”
I guess he thought it was okay because it was his dollars and not taxpayer’s.
• There is a fear of everything and a word to describe it. Triskaidekaphobia is fear or avoidance of the number 13. It is also a reason for the fear of Friday the 13th, called paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia. The term was used as early as in 1910 by Isador Coriat in Abnormal Psychology.
• The public can report damage from graffiti by leaving a message on the City of Ventura’s Graffiti Removal Hotline number at 654-7805.
Lynda Nahra, 2017 Trailblazer; Kathy Odell, WEV Board President; Marsha Bailey, WEV Founder and CEO honored by WEV. Photo by Theresa Gingras/Theresa Gingras Photography
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) welcomed close to 400 guests and raised more than $400,000 at their Empowerment is Priceless event held on October 10th at the Fess Parker Hotel in Santa Barbara. The non-profit’s annual breakfast fundraiser recognized WEV’s 2017 Trailblazer, Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year award winners.
Each year WEV presents the Trailblazer Award to a woman who is a pioneer in her industry. This year, WEV honored Lynda Nahra, the first female bank president in Santa Barbara and the current President of the Central Coast Region of Pacific Western Bank.
WEV’s Business of the Year award honors a business owner who represents the clients the organization serves and recognizes the unique and inspiring nature of a business. Business of the Year award went to Claudia Cordova Papa, owner of Aqua Skin & Nail Care, a dedicated client who has utilized the WEV loan program and Thrive-in-Five business consulting.
WEV honored Hudson Institute of Coaching as Volunteer of the Year for their commitment and service to WEV. For more than 10 years Hudson has provided entrepreneurial coaching to push WEV clients to work at their peak capacity.
“Women’s business ownership is about freedom and options, security — and human potential. It is about empowering women to dream big dreams, to act on a bigger stage, to become leaders,” said Marsha Bailey, WEV’s founder and CEO.
From over 80 submissions, “My Husband, the Dick” emerged as the winner of the second annual Ojai Film Festival Screenplay Competition. It is about a struggling mystery author who is writing a novel based on her fiancé detective’s big murder case. A live read of the entire script will be presented on Sunday, November 5 at 2 pm in the Ojai Art Center Gallery. Ojai director, Larry Swerdlove, will direct area actors for the table read.
On Sunday October 29th, Topa Mountain Winery will host the 10th Annual Concert Fundraiser for local nonprofit, Safety Harbor Kids (SHK) to support music education programs for orphans, foster and homeless children.
The event will be emceed by actor and radio personality, Hal Sparks and will feature Danny Seraphine of Chicago and Tommy Thayer of KISS, Tony Grant of AZ Yet and SHK Music Director Edward Roth on keys. Also performing will be American Idol top four finalist Jessica Meuse, Italian entertainer, Maria Elena Infantino and a live Facebook broadcast by social media sensation singer Kirsten Collins.
The event will have door prizes, silent auction, food and drinks . SHK’s Personal Enrichment Programs teach essay writing, goal achievement, work ethic, music and art in a one on one format. Visit www.safetyharborkids.org for more information.
Daniel Champagne was described as ‘the finest guitar player of his generation.’ The young Australian born and Nashville based artist spent his early twenties touring the world with the likes of Ani DiFranco. Now with his fourth LP ‘Fault Lines’ set for release Daniel Champagne is on his most extensive tour yet.
Tickets are available at these Ojai locations for $20: Ojai Creates, Serendipity Toys, Ojai Coffee Roasting Company, and Cardinali Brothers Music, or online for $22 (www.ojaiconcertseries.com). Tickets will be $25 at the door, kids 7 to 15 are $10 at the door and youngsters on your lap are free.
Enjoy the last Sunday of Daylight Savings Time on the Horn Canyon Trail in the east end of the Ojai Valley with native plant guide Lanny Kaufer, observing and discussing nature and native plants. This slow-paced walk of about 1 mile round trip will take place on Sunday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The outing is suitable for hikers of all levels of ability who are capable of walking that distance and standing for periods of time.
Some native plants participants can expect to see include California Bay, Black Walnut, Yerba Santa, Black Sage, Coastal Sagebrush, Yucca, and Mugwort.
The cost is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors 62 years of age and up, and $10 for students 13-18. Payment can be made by cash or check on the morning of the walk. Kids 5-12 can go free, one per adult, by prior arrangement. Toddlers must be in a carrier. No dogs or smoking, please.
To register visit www.HerbWalks.com or call 805-646-6281. Registrants will receive a confirmation email with all necessary info during the week before the event.
Yolanda has been the Chief Building Official for three years. by Yolanda Bundy, Chief Building Official City of Ventura The Building and Safety Division is the City office that issues building permits for construction projects in Ventura, such as new housing developments, commercial structures, small residential remodeling projects, or the installation of solar panels on a commercial or residential structure. The permitting process embraces all aspects of building construction – life/safety, structural, plumbing, electrical and mechanical – and is based upon the mandated state building codes, regulations and city ordinances. With the ever-growing concern for health and safety within construction, it is no surprise that construction jobs of this nature often require a qualification similar to a hsr certificate in order to maintain employee safety at all times.In the past year, Building and Safety has experienced an influx of projects, ranging from large developments to tenant improvements, to DIY home remodeling projects thanks to the internet offering vast amounts of advice and information to complete such projects, for example, see the likes of these tips to inspect your commercial plumbing and other improvement or maintenance articles that are for people trying to cut down on maintenance costs, etc. With more and more people wanting to complete construction projects, it’s vital that they receive initial assessments of the land they’re wanting to build or develop on. This needs to be done by professionals who can accurately examine the sub-surface to ensure the building site is safe. By getting in touch with a company that offers concrete sanning services, potential building projects can be reassured that their site is safe to begin building work.
Currently our Building and Safety counter (room 117, City Hall) serves approximately 800 to 1200 walk-in customers each month. Some of the services that we provide include issuing building permits, answering building code questions, processing Public Records Requests and assisting architects, engineers, owner-builders and contractors with their building plans. We have processed an average of over 4,300 permit applications for the past two years and are on track to exceed a total of 4,500 permit applications that will have been processed by the end of 2017. The number of plan checks received and reviewed is expected to exceed over 5,000 this year, topping last year’s record number of 4,400 plan checks. Our inspection volume has increased tremendously over this past year as a result of the many projects and building activities in our community, with a steadily increasing monthly average of 1,200 per month. As a point of reference, our office was conducting an average of 600 monthly inspections just two years ago, so the increase in construction has had a definite impact on all aspects of our operations. It can be sometimes hard to tell whether your building is solid enough to pass any test or inspection it may face, which is why you might want to get in contact with the trusted building inspections service in Melbourne sooner rather than later.While this construction activity can be seen by all in the medical hub of Midtown, at the Harbor, in the housing projects on the east end, the commercial projects on South Victoria, new dealerships at the Auto Center and prominently along the Highway 101 corridor with Kaiser Permanente’s clinic in final construction activity, it is important to note that the planned and predicted population growth rate of .88% in the 2005 General Plan remains only at .45% population growth over the ten year period from 2006-2016, per Department of Finance data. This growth rate when applied to “predicted” development activity shows that the City is growing at 45% – residential, 27% – industrial, 22% – hotel, 17% – retail, 14% – office of the totals identified in the General Plan. These percentages through end of 2016 account for all built and under construction, but also approved projects not yet issued building permits. The city is in year 12 of a 20-year General Plan projection period with the expectation in 2018 to commence a 3-year effort to formally update the General Plan, which will include significant community and City Council engagement to determine our land uses and community development for a new projection period.Building and Safety is committed to continuing to work with all community members to ensure that each project is reviewed in a timely manner and that we provide the best possible customer service for our city.
Nance Hodge has been making art for over 40 years. “As a lifetime member of BAA, I am proud to present an overview of my accomplishments. My artworks have been my life’s journey. It is a major part of who I am.” Her subjects include women, music, and horses, plus a cat or two!
