The Ventura Friends of the Library celebrated the future Hill Road library site with a book sale. Hundreds turned out to meet library staff and learn about the new branch.
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Eatery celebrates anniversary with block party and massive Cornhole Tournament
The nation’s largest cash cornhole tournament will take place as part of Spencer Makenzie’s 8th annual End of Summer Block Party. This California-classic multi-day party will feature the eatery’s award-winning food, ice cold drinks and craft beer, and a free concert with rockin’ local bands on Saturday evening, as well as DJs spinning great music throughout the tournament for players and spectators alike.
Now in its 8th year, the Cornhole Throw Down has continued to grow into a national event, hosting incredibly skilled players of all ages from states across the country. This year’s competition includes teams from: Alabama; Arizona; Florida; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Michigan; Nevada; North Carolina; Ohio; Kentucky; Texas and Virginia – and of course, California. Additionally, notable Cornhole Leagues/Teams from across the nation are sending some of their best players: 702 Cornhole (Las Vegas, NV); TCL (Texas); Original Cornhole (Arizona) and KB Games (Arizona) are all sending players to join the games.
Not to be outdone, California is putting its best foot forward as well, with teams from across the state coming to Ventura in droves.
This competition is unique because it is accessible to players from all walks of life – and due to the size of this tournament, the competition is fierce.
Spencer Makenzie’s 8th annual End of Summer Throw Down will take place from Friday, August 25 through Sunday, August 27. Friday’s activities are from 6 to 10 pm and include check in for players, a D.J. and live music provided by popular local band Rey Fresco.
Saturday and Sunday are devoted to the tournament and free play, accompanied by a D.J., with food and drink available for purchase. Saturday night features live bands. There is no charge to attend the all-ages End of Summer Block Party and Throw Down. Spectators and participants are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. The Throw Down will take place at Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Co., located at 806 East Thompson Blvd. For more information, please visit www.spencermakenzies.com or call 643-8226.
News Survey
by Jennifer Tipton
I asked 20 Venturans that read the Ventura Breeze:
What are your other sources for news?
And -do you think the Breeze should have a column for international news, state or government?
Lucy Maddux
age 55
also reads the VC Reporter.
I don’t think that’s why people pick up the Breeze, they just want to see what’s going on locally, I like to look for new businesses or things to try out.”
Boni Howery
age 59
also gets news from the internet and the VC Star.
“No, I personally don’t think it’s necessary. There are a multitude of news outlets readily available, community news is about what is going on in our own backyard. I enjoy reading about my hometown, a place I feel connected to. I learn something new about Ventura every time I read a Ventura Breeze issue – leave all the world weariness to another news source.”
Ashley Pope
age 27 gets her other news from Facebook, KTVA and the VC Star Sunday edition.
“No, I think people read the Breeze because they want to know what’s happening in Ventura. Maybe ok to do some statewide news but definitely wouldn’t go international, I’d skip that page.”
Bob Emerick
age 58 also watches CBS news.
“I think it should stay local.”
Frank Boross
age 64
gets other news from KTVA and online. “I don’t think it would hurt. It’s a good idea, everybody seems to be a news junkie.”
C.J. Barnett
age 35 also reads the LA Times, BBC, NPR, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal – all on her phone she says. (Did someone just say news junkie?)
“Yes, it should, how else do you know what’s going on in Sacramento?”
David Glaser
age 57 gets news as well from the internet.
“Maybe some, but that’s not why I look at the Breeze.”
L.B. Tempkin
age 56
gets other news from radio, KCLU and KRW.
“I like local news, there’s enough of the other stuff going on.”
Boid Goodman
age 56
says he only gets other news when he hears about it, then he looks it up on his phone.
“I think local events are fine.”
Alex Guertler
age 54
gets all other news on his phone and says his wife can’t believe how many news apps he has.
“I like the Breeze just the way it is.”
Barry Pillard
age 66 also gets his news from the internet, telephone and word of mouth.
“If they’ve got the space, fine. It would give people a chance to see what they might not see anywhere else.”
Danny Blanco
age 46
gets other news from the internet – online news.
“Of course! It’s very important, I was a political science major.”
Jack Doughty
age 68
also reads the VC Star, the VC Reporter and Ventana.
“Everybody’s getting news on their device and it changes every minute (shows me CNN on his phone). If it has a direct effect on Ventura then yes, it makes sense.”
Melinda Escalante
age 41
catches her other news on channel 3.
“No, because if you want the extras, pick up the LA Times or watch another channel.”
Jim Molina
age 58
also gets news from the internet, the VC Star and TV.
“Probably a little bit, but I read the Breeze because it’s about what’s going on around here.”
Teresa Ramirez
age 45
gets other news on the TV (15 minutes in the morning while she gets ready for work).
“No, I like just our stuff.”
Kristy Campos
age 30
also checks the Independent, an online news source.
“No, I like the local news in the Breeze.”
Colleen Russell
age 60
acquires other news from the VC Star and TV.
“No, I like the local stuff, everything in there is light and breezy.” (gotta love this answer!)
Marshall Culver
age 32
only reads the Breeze.
“I think so, it’s always helpful.”
Edie Fowkes
age 75 also reads the VC Star, the LA Times and the Wall Street Journal.
“Well, for people that only read the Breeze – yes!”
And there you have it!
Constant creativity at the CAPS Media Center
You can view the Fair Parade online at capsmedia.org/videos.
The CAPS Media Crew captured all of the festivities in the 2017 Ventura County Fair Parade. Grand Marshal Edgar Terry of Terry Farms led a dazzling display of marching bands, floats, horses, vintage cars, tractors, clowns, city and county representatives, queens, princesses, celebrities, and other fair folks filling Main Street for the annual event. With Tim O’Neil and Jerry Breiner calling the play-by-play, CAPS Media’s live coverage of the parade aired live on CAPS Media Channel 6 and live streamed on capsmedia.org. The parade has been rebroadcast and streamed multiple times and you can view the event online at capsmedia.org/videos.
Recently CAPS Media produced the first in a series of Measure O video messages to highlight the projects and programs being supported by the successful initiative. Mayor Erik Nasarenko hosted the video at Fire Station 4. Thanks in part to Measure O funding, Fire Station 4 will continue to provide vital services to the east side of the Ventura community. CAPS Media is also working with city departments to produce additional stories of interest for airing on the channel, website and social media in the next few months. And CAPS Media is pleased to be a creative partner with the Museum of Ventura County to help with the revitalization and storytelling of the historic and valuable resources in Ventura and Santa Paula.
The new school year is also a good time to become a Member/Producer at CAPS Media. Every month CAPS Media offers new member orientation meetings on the first Thursday. HD videography/camera classes are held on the 2nd Thursday and Final Cut postproduction editing classes are on the 3rd Thursday. The next CAPS Radio (KPPQ, FM 104.1) training is on the 4th week: Wednesday and Thursday, August 23 & 24. Every class is fun, informative and engaging. 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 video cameras, tripods, audio gear and other production equipment to record their story and then book postproduction editing suites to craft the story they want to tell.
Go to capsmedia.org to see a schedule of upcoming programs on Channel 6 & 15, search the archives for past programs, get info on upcoming video and radio classes and much more. Every member of the community is welcome and encouraged to visit the CAPS Media Center to take a tour and consider becoming a Member/Producer. CAPS Media is a nonprofit, membership organization located at 65 Day Road on the east side of Ventura College. Anyone who lives, works or attends school in the city of Ventura is eligible to become a Member/Producer at CAPS Media. Annual fees are only $25 for an individual and $75 for a non-profit organization. CAPS Radio is an additional annual fee of $50 for DJs. For complete information go to capsmedia.org.
Vol. 10, No. 23 – Aug 16 – Aug 29, 2017 – Person to Person
by Jennifer Tipton
What’s Your Favorite Thing at the Fair?
Irene Vagi
age 52 with daughter Tatiana Vagi age 28
“The art and the animals, it’s different every year. You get to look at what people in your community are capable of, and of course those baby pigs!”
Alexa Garner
age 30
“The animals! All the animals! My best friend’s niece just won Grand Champion for her pig named Leo” (after Uncle Leo’s Little Red Barn?)
Michael Reed
age 64
“Besides the beer? I always like to look at the landscaping and it’s a tradition to ride the Ferris wheel – I love it! That’s why I come to the fair, to ride the Ferris wheel.”
Shannon Culligan
age 58 with Jordyn Hill age 23
“Ventura Cattlemen’s Sorority! We have an event that’s all about the cows and horses, they are numbered from 0 – 9 and we must sort them in less than 60 seconds.” Shannon’s been doing this for seven years.
Keith Moore
age 42 with sons Tyson 17 and Taite 13
“My favorite part is going home! Nah, people watching I guess and getting dressed up to go with my wife and family. This is about as dressed up as I get.”
Byron Gin
age 58 with Patty Jenkins age 52
“The fish tacos from Palapa, this is our second time! They are healthy, tasty, generous and easy to eat. We like to mix the hot and mild sauces. We also like the polish dogs and kettle corn.”
Update on Oak Street
The ongoing dispute between Ventura Realty & Investment Company and the City of Ventura continues regarding the commercial building located at 51 Oak Street. The reasons include a writ of mandate, a demolition permit , appeals, Ventura Building Official , the Historic Preservation Committee, the San Buenaventura Conservancy, City Community Developments Director Jeff lambert and Sid White partner at Ventura Realty. In the meantime the building sits there vacant and deteriorating .
The City and Ventura Realty have had other problems in the past . The ironic part is that Sid White is the former Ventura economic development director. The issue is not getting immediately addressed while City staff and the property owner discuss mutually acceptable next steps.. Hopefully this can be resolved so that this mess is taken care of soon.
Own a brand new home at Solana Heights on Ventura’s Westside
Discover Solana Heights, a brand new residential community now selling on Ventura’s Westside. Solana Heights consists of the 3 exceptional new home neighborhoods, Alondra, Ladera and Barcelo. Choose from among stylish townhomes and beautiful single-family homes from the mid $400,000s to the low $600,000s.
Decorated model homes will open in September.
Solana Heights offers home shoppers an opportunity to purchase a spectacular new home only 2 miles from Ventura’s downtown and close to shopping and dining, the Pacific Coast and local freeways. Solana Heights is perfectly situated close to local freeways including the US-101 and SR-33, sandy beaches, sought-after shopping and dining, Ojai and Santa Barbara.
Alondra showcases two- and three-story attached, low maintenance townhomes with up to 2,045 square feet of living space, up to 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, large Great Rooms, cook’s kitchens and 2-car garages. Included front yard landscaping and covered porches beautifully frame the homes featuring Spanish-style architectural designs.
Ladera’s single-family homes are priced from the mid $500,000s and provide up to 2,604 square feet of living space. Elegant interiors feature up to 5 bedrooms and 3 baths, generous Great Rooms, contemporary kitchens, 2-car garages and plentiful natural light. Distinctive architectural styling, covered entries, included front yard landscaping, elegant owner’s suites and significant storage enhance these new homes.
Barcelo showcases large single-family homes priced from the low $600,000s. Two-story floor plans highlight generous family gathering spaces and compelling indoor-outdoor living possibilities. Residents will enjoy up to 2,971 square feet, up to 5 bedrooms and 3 baths, dens or lofts, oversized Great Rooms, gourmet kitchens, coveted storage space and 2-car garages with drop zones.
The sales center is located at 204 Chickasaw Street in Ventura and is open daily. Call 665.6085 or visit SolanaHeights.com for details and driving directions.
CalAtlantic Group, Inc. offers well-crafted homes in thoughtfully designed communities that meet the desires of customers across the homebuilding spectrum, from entry level to luxury, in 41 metropolitan statistical areas spanning 17 states. CalAtlantic Group, Inc. utilizes its over five decades of land acquisition, development and homebuilding expertise to acquire and build desirable communities in locations that meet the high expectations of the company’s homebuyers. Learn more by visiting calatlantichomes.com.
The healing power of books
by Maryann Ridini Spencer
In October 2014 I learned the devastating news that my mother was suffering from a massive brain tumor. Doctors gave her six to eight months to live. As it turned out, we celebrated for six weeks with family and friends, enjoying dinners and the most beautiful moments together. She died on November 25, 2014.
Although she lived a long life — she was in her 80s — I was deeply affected. As I discovered, no one knows what it’s like to lose a parent until they have that personal experience. You can sympathize with people, but until it happens to you, there are no words to describe the depth of what you feel. Thankfully, there were no words of love that weren’t shared over and over again with my mother.
To help heal, I turned to reading books of a spiritual nature, an activity that kicked into full swing a few days after my Mom’s funeral. Books such as Proof of Heaven by Dr. Eben Alexander, Raymond Moody’s Life After Life, Judith Marshall’s My Conversations with Angels, Theresa Caputo’s You Can’t Make This Stuff Up, and There’s More to Life Than This, and the Bible, have provided me with comfort and affirmation beyond words.
I was in the midst of writing “Lady in the Window,” a novel about family and healing when my dear mother passed. I poured my heart into my work, drawing from some of my experiences and observations, and family home in Hawaii. In the book, my main character Kate experiences a series of events that turn her life upside down.
When she retreats to Hawaii to welcome the land and its beauty into her healing process, angelic and other worldly occurrences transpire that are too poignant to ignore, which ultimately lead her to her destiny and provide proof that our loved ones live in spirit and surround and guide us. A belief I hold to be true.
To this day, in addition to finding great comfort in reading and praying, I also find solace in life’s synchronicities or “signs.”
Shortly after my Mom passed, my sister and I decided to dine out for breakfast. Driving around looking for a venue and busy in conversation about Mom, we turned into the parking lot of what looked like might be an eatery without even taking note of the name. When we finally looked up at the sign, we turned to each other at the same time in complete awe. “Sweet Momma’s Good Kitchen” was the name and the sweet retro-looking woman with a short dark bob pictured on the logo was an absolute cartoon version of our mom if there ever was one! We both felt chills. Sweet Momma was a name we often called our Mom. It was no accident that we just happened to land at Sweet Momma’s; it was our sweet Momma letting us know that she was with us and that she would be with us always.
Maryann Ridini Spencer is a local author of the Lady in the Window (SelectBooks), a new novel sold at Barnes & Noble and Amazon, which captures Aloha Magic, Hope, Healing & the Infinite Mother-Daughter Bond. Please visit her website at MaryannRidiniSpencer.com.
Spectacular views and a special sunset celebration
Join the Ventura Botanical Gardens Beer Tasting on Friday, September 8 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Beer, wine and spirit tastings, snacks, games, a DJ, spectacular views and a special sunset celebration make this an event not to miss.
Three local breweries; Casa Agria Specialty Ales, Topa Topa Brewing Company, and Ventura Coast Brewing Company, will be joined by Labryinth Winery and Ventura Spirits Company to provide samples for everyone.
Play games including Cornhole and Ringtoss to win prizes. Have your picture taken at the photo booth. Dance to great music. Enter the raffle for your choice of great prizes. Enjoy a special sunset celebration featuring Pulse Drumming (audience participation invited) and a bubble machine.
“We’re so excited to have this first-ever public event at Summit Plateau—the community has been asking for something like this for a very long time.” said Peggy Dolan, Event Coordinator. “It’s going to be a really fun event.”
Tickets are $35 and are available through venturabotanicalgardens.com or by calling 232-3113, ext. 4. No one under 21 will be admitted and no pets are allowed.
The event will be held at Summit Plateau (formerly known as the barbecue area). Park in the upper parking lot behind City Hall. Shuttle busses will run to the location as there is no parking at the celebration site, or you are invited to walk up the trail.