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What? I’m not going to live forever?!

by Patty Jenkins

What is that new California law all about anyway and how does it work? What exactly are our end-of-life choices? What other options are there to help keep me and my loved ones comfortable before I go?

The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is having a special meeting to enlighten us all about a subject we mostly avoid because after all, we are all going to live forever, right? Come to our meeting Wednesday, June 14,  from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at The Lexington Assisted Living, 5440 Ralston St. for answers and information about all of the choices available to us in California. Then we can all go back to not talking about it because we’ll have some peace of mind.

We are pleased to have Erika Ruiz, California Outreach Manager for Compassion & Choices, give us a presentation at the beginning of our meeting to explain the California End of Life Option Act that authorizes medical aid in dying and how to access the Act. Erika’s interest in advocating for and educating on end of life care options stems from her personal experience trying to help a beloved family member during his final days.

Although we mostly don’t want to have these conversations it is important to have them and understand our priorities and options to help overcome our fears. Which is why we are also pleased to have the Director of Community Memorial Health Care’s Palliative Care/Ventura Care Partners, Diana Jaquez, RN and Cathy Dorsey, LCSW along with Bruce Bednar, MAG and Director of Managed Care, Roze Room Hospice of Ventura, joining us to help us understand the differences between Palliative and Hospice Care and how they all work to help us and our loved ones when it turns out apparently we aren’t going to live forever, at least probably not on this planet.

Thanks to the generosity of the Lexington Assisted for donating space for us, the Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is able to have meetings every second Wednesday of each month from 1-3pm at the Lexington. Please check in at the front desk for directions and sign-in at the meeting. Extra parking is graciously available across the street from the Lexington in the Baptist Church parking lot. Call me at 766-6070 for further information. Reservations are not required. We are an independent and volunteer-organized group not affiliated with or a part of any other organization or group

Vol. 10, No. 18 – June 7 – June 20, 2017 – Music Calendar

Music Calendar
or more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Sundays: 9 pm Karaoke
Mondays: 6 pm Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson; 9 pm Musician’s Night Out
Tuesdays: Open Mic
Wednesdays: Locals Showcase
Fri 6/16: The Inside Break, Nucklehead
Sun 6/18: 5 pm Corsican Brothers; 9 pm Karaoke

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Wednesdays: Jam Night
Fridays: DJs
Saturdays DJs
Fri 6/9: Ash Aria, Cooper & Queen, We Govern We
Sun 6/11: 5 pm The Barn Burners, The Tenderloin, Serena
Sat 6/17: Brothers Fortune, Goodnight Kiss

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
(805) 653-1266
Wed 6/7: Bryan McCann
Thurs 6/8: Coso Live
Fri 6/9: Young Dempsey
Sat 6/10: Red Muffs
Sun 6/11: NIS Roots
Tues 6/13: Fabulous Hangovers
Wed 6/14: Big Adventure
Thurs 6/15: Amber & Smoke
Fri 6/16: Alex Nestor
Sat 6/17: Otis Hayes
Tues 6/20: Bernie Meisinger

Cask Alehouse
5952 Telegraph Road
Music Thurs 8 pm; Sun 4 pm
Thurs 6/8: Sarah Lightman
Sun 6/11: Ventucky String Band
Thurs 6/15: Hot Cuppa Three
Sun 6/18: Soul 4 II

The Cave
4435 McGrath Street
Weds & Saturdays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Varon Thomas
Thurs & Fridays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Week nights 7 pm; Sundays 3 pm
Fri 6/9: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 6/10: Hot Roux
Sun 6/11: Brandon Ragan Project
Fri 6/16: Havana Cinco
Sat 6/17: Havana Cinco
Sun 6/18: Hot Roux

Dargan’s Irish Pub
593 E. Main Street
Sun 6/18: 4 pm The Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Late Fridays 10 pm: Flashback Fridays
Late Saturdays 10 pm: Disco Bowl
Thurs 6/8: Gonzo, aloha Radio, Dubbest, Shams
Sat 6/10: The Band that Fell to Earth
Thurs 6/15: The Question, Truezion
Fri 6/16: Metalachi

Duke’s
1124 S. Seaward
Sat 6/10: 1-4 pm Rin-Kon-Tiki

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: 4 pm Xoco Moraza and Friends
Saturdays: 9:30 DJ Erock

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Avenue
Fri 6/9: Fido

Garage
1091 Scandia Ave
Thurs 6/8: Break the Tides, Noogy, Chill Child, Species Unknown

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Avenue
(805) 642-2411
Thurs, Fri & Sat: Karaoke

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week 9 pm
Tuesdays 7 pm: Open Mic
Sat 6/17: As Empires Fall, Wonton Soup, Gravity Layne

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed 6/7: Phil Salazar Bluegrass Jam
Sat 6/10: Brandon Ragan Project
Wed 6/14: The Swillys
Sat 6/17: Shawn Jones Trio

The Greek Mediterranean
Fri & Sats 7:30 pm
Belly Dancing, Greek music and show

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 6/9: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps
Sun 6/11: 4 pm Del Franklin
Fri 6/16: Hi Hat Entertainment presents John Nemeth
Sat 6/17: The Brian Faith Band

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 6/9: Stranglehold
Sat 6/10: Unusual Suspects
Fri 6/16: Whiskey Stone
Sat 6/17: Fasha & the Flapjacks

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street
Thurs 6/8: Shea Salisbury
Sat 6/10: Erisy Watt
Sun 6/11: Skin and Bones
Thurs 6/15: Jeff Uzzel
Sat 6/17: Sea at Last

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Tues 6/10: Phora

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Dave Rae
Fri 6/9: Firestick
Sat 6/10: Cross cut
Sun 6/11: Greasy Kid Stuff
Fri 6/16: James Bros
Sat 6/17: Vertigo Blend
Sun 6/18: Vanise & John Band

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri 6/9: Live Band Karaoke

Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs

Patio at The Players Casino
Auto Center Drive
Fri 6/9: Instone
Sat 6/10: Natalie Gelman

Plan B Wine Cellars
3520 Arundell Circle
Sun 6/11: 4:30 pm Midlife Crisis

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Music 7:30 pm
Fri 6/9: Ventura Jazz Orchestra
Mon 6/12: Teddy & Betty, DJ Dennis
Mon 6/19: Dick Parent Band

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D
Fridays: Mike Moody
Saturdays: Jessica Ash

Red Cove
1809 E. Main Street
Thursdays: Music Club Open Jam Night

Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Fri and Sat: Rotating DJs

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 6/10: Herbal Rootz
Sun 6/11: Patrick Gillham
Sat 6/17: Grant Dougharty
Sun 6/18: Patrick Gillham

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Transform Tuesdays w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 6/9: Blues Bullet
Sat 6/10: Flames of Durga, Strange Weather
Fri 6/16: DJ Pistolero
Sat 6/17: Porcelain Hill

Social Tap
1105 S Seaward Avenue
Sun 6/11: 2 pm Sin Chonies

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 6/7: Meridian Trio
Thurs 6/8: Lett, Mancini & Dutz
Sat 6/10: Equinox
Wed 6/14: Bevan Manson & Friends
Thurs 6/15: Native Vibe
Fri 6/16: Hans Ottsen Trio
Sat 6/17: Rachel Flowers Trio

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Tues: Karaoke
Fri 6/9: Big Adventure
Sat 6/10: Time Bomb
Sun 6/11: 3 pm Bomba Fiya
Fri 6/16: Action Down
Sat 6/17: Inna Rude Mood
Sun 6/18: 3 pm Rising Son

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Music 6-8 pm
Sat 6/10: Moss Man
Sat 6/17: Southside Richie

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Sundays: DJ Steezy Steve
Metal Wednesdays
Get it Right Thursday DJs
Fri 6/16: Soul Infusion
Fri 6/9: DJ Aycer
Sat 6/10: Rich Sheldon

Topa Topa Brewing Co.
104 E. Thompson Blvd
(805) 628-9255
Music 6 pm
Tuesdays: Jeff Uzzel
Wed 6/7: Open Mic

Ventura Beach Club
281 W. Main Street
Sat 6/17: Split Second, Yearbooks, Love Nothing, No Advisory, Two Brothers, Pretty Well

Ventura High School
2 N. Catalina Street
Thurs 6/8: 6:30 pm Songfest w/ Noteables, Crescendo
Sun 6/11: 3 pm Ventura County Concert Band

The Wine Rack (Vintura)
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Thurs 6/8: Jason Ho
Fri 6/9: 805 Allstarz
Sat 6/10: Paul Mars Black
Sun 6/11: Juanita
Thurs 6/15: Alfred Morales
Fri 6/16: Paul Mars Black
Sat 6/17: Déjà vu Too
Sun 6/18: Alfred Morales

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Music at noon
Sun 6/9: Frank Barajas
Sat 6/10: Noon Kenny Devoe; 8 pm Teresa Russell
Sun 6/11: Noon Kenny Devoe
Thurs 6/15: Carlo Fontane
Fri 6/16: Carlo Fontane
Sat 6/17: Noon Kenny Devoe; 8 pm Jason Ho
Sun 6/18: Noon Kenny Devoe; 7 pm Carlo Fontane

Ventura County Medical Center’s newest volunteers

Starting May 22,  the Ventura County Medical Center’s (VCMC) Emergency Room, operated by Seaside Emergency Associates, Inc. will be accompanied by new, caring faces as high school and college student volunteers begin their positions as Emergency Room Greeters.

Volunteers from various schools throughout Ventura County, including Foothill Technology High School, Ventura High School, Camarillo High School, and Ventura College, will be guiding and assisting patients, family members, and visitors while they are waiting in the department. Not only will they be interacting with patients and their families, but will be in direct communication with nurses and staff regarding inquiries of patient conditions for visitors.

This volunteer position provides not only training and knowledge to our future nurses and doctors of a Level II Trauma Emergency Room activity, but also continued involvement and efforts as a Ventura County community member.

For more information or to join the volunteer team please contact:

Margarida Eidson,Operation Manager
Seaside Emergency Associates
216-7277 or [email protected].

A dream in the making

Photographer took “little camera box” with him everywhere.

by Jennifer Tipton

Stuart Goldman’s love of photography was greatly influenced by his grandfather when he was still quite young. Stuart’s grandfather spent greater than 20 years teaching in China and Japan pre-war era and was later taken prisoner of war in Japan during the war, he was in the first exchange of prisoners.

The stories and paintings done by Stuart’s grandfather to tell his story greatly inspired young Stuart to capture memories as well by taking his very own “little camera box” with him everywhere, that is when he could mow enough lawns to buy the film he says. Stuart accounts this for awakening his love for photography, video and writing as well, he sees it as a technique to communicate these stories and goes on to say that “communication is so vital to understanding and growth.”

Initially hired as one of the Directors of Admissions in 2003, Stuart Goldman was promoted to the first Dean (Director of Academic Affairs) at The Brooks Institute, Ventura Campus (since shuttered). During his tenure as Dean, he would constantly receive calls from students from other colleges, professionals in the industry, and from amateurs interested in short courses, seminars and workshops. With each call, he would have to tell them no, Brooks didn’t offer these types of courses. This started the process of Stuart creating a school designed to fill the void.

Stuart left Brooks in 2006, and in 2007 after much research, developing a business plan, establishing a faculty base and formulating financial projections, he created the beginnings of his own school. He says he knows that much has changed in the field of technology since that time.

Stuart believes that now the best way to reach a large volume of potential students is through an online approach and has amassed over 1,200 contributing faculty from around the world in the media arts to include photography, film, visual journalism, networking, employment, competitive festivals and psychology of communication.

The business model is a subscription based online program and he reports he’s working with a network that has the capability of streaming to over 2 billion mobile devices around the world at any one time.

He’s calling it “Masters Institute of Media Arts” and he’s seeking those “who understand the benefits of knowledge and the ability of creating the opportunity to bring cultures together by communicating and understanding more effectively through knowledge, and creating a more global vision.”

For more information contact Stuart at [email protected].

 

 

 

 

Local activists promote diversity, equality at Sunset Coffee event

Co-chairs Ana Maria Enke and Christine Burke lead members of the Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Equity task force through a series of “perspective” activities.

by Jared Brewer

What began on a single day with a single march has since evolved into a full-fledged coalition consisting of nine distinct task forces, each with a particular issue at its focal point. The grassroots organization Justice for All was formed after the resounding success of January’s March for Justice, which assembled an estimated 2,500 people to coincide with the Women’s March on Washington. As a whole, the organization aims to “mobilize a positive and peaceful movement in West Ventura County that supports an inclusive America that upholds human rights and equality for all.” For more information, including ways to get involved, visit Facebook.com/justiceforallventura.

On Wednesday, May 17th, the Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Equity task force convened at A Secret Garden Florist Café to celebrate diversity and equality through communal discussion, poetry, and music. The event, which lasted from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., included original performance art provided by members of the task force and inspired by personal experiences or encounters with discrimination and inequality.

Tino Garcia, professor of English at Antelope Valley College, kicked off the festivities with his song, “Sankofa.” The title, an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana, literally translates as “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.” Garcia, who is originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, said he was drawn to the Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Equity task force largely because of his personal background and celebration of diversity as an educator.

Ana Maria Enke, co-chair of the task force, recited a poem from her native Colombia, which she translated to English. For her, activism was not always a viable option. “Growing up in Colombia we were told to be quiet because it was too dangerous to speak,” she said. “There were so many people that were killed when they were just trying to defend what was right. So we were always told to just be safe and to not ruffle any feathers. But now that I’m older I’ve decided that I’m not going to let anyone else tell me to not ruffle the feathers. This matters to me and it matters to my daughter, and I just couldn’t stand by and be quiet.” She and her family immigrated to the United States in 1989.

The evening drew to a close with a series of activities designed to identify implicit biases and help group members empathize with those from unique backgrounds and perspectives. In one activity, co-chair Christine Burke invited participants to count the number of “f’s” in a portion of text. Many failed to detect those in the word “of,” which Burke described as “just one example of how our brains go in the direction they are taught.”

Kathleen Shore, co-founder of Justice for All and doctor at Ventura County Medical Center, underscored the importance of unity in times of increasing division and intolerance. “The mission of Justice for All is really to bring people together and to stand up for one another,” she said. “People are being put down and attacked, and we want to empower people to stand up for whoever and whatever is being attacked. And that’s our grand vision of this organization, to create avenues for people to do that. I think this movement is critical for learning to make more bridges between each other rather than walls. As a doctor, I believe that all humans are created equal, and that’s a big part of why I’m a doctor and part of how I live out that vision.”

Vol. 10, No. 18 – June 7 – June 20, 2017 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $10, non-members $12. Call Rick at 415-8842 for more information.

Ventura’s ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club offers games for all levels of play.  Learn the game, play with your peers, and earn master points while you are having fun.  There is a game every day of the week.  Check out their website at www.vcbridge.org   Life is Better with Bridge.

The Ventura Retired Men’s Group welcomes interested men to their semi-monthly Tuesday lunch ($15) meetings at the Ventura Elks lodge. This regular congenial social event, besides a healthy, satisfying meal, supplies a welcome atmosphere to talk and joke, hear a speaker on a variety of relevant topics and brighten your week. Hear more from Steve at 642-1359

Country Western Line Dancing every Tuesday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Instruction every night. Located at the Mooselodge, 10269 Telephone Road. More information at countrylovers.com.

Do you know what the present administration’s foreign policy is? Are we taxed too much, causing businesses to suffer and move to lower tax regions and individuals to lose incentive to work?  Find out the answers to these and other tantalizing questions at the Ventura Discussion Group at the Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St. Wednesday’s from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

June 7: Vista Real Charter High School will be celebrating the graduates for 2017 at 6 p.m. at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Student speakers will be sharing the obstacles that they had to overcome to get to graduation and the dream of completing high school. Keynote speaker for the evening will be Santa Paula’s Chief of Police Steve McLean. Graduation commencement is open to community members that would like to share in the celebration or simply learn more about Vista Real.

June 9: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution June luncheon meeting will include a special program presentation ” Privateers, Pirates, Frigates & Politics: The Beginning of the United States Navy “, presented by Jim Kosinski, Channel Islands Maritime Museum.  11:30 a.m., Friday, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant.  All SAR & DAR Compatriots, friends, fans of the Museum, and visitors are welcome.  Lunch is $20 per person.  For additional information call Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992. Please visit the chapter website at http://pattonpatriots.org.

June 9, 10: Rummage sale at First United Methodist Church 1338 E. Santa Clara on Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday June 10th 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday is $5 a bag day.

June 10: Three organizations have united to give Cabrillo Village parents and their kids a field of options for a transformative summer. Best Summer Ever Fair, Cabrillo Village soccer field, 1515 S. Saticoy Ave, 11 a.m. to 2 pm.

June 10: The Ventura Beginners PC Users Group will meet Saturday at Cypress Place, 1220 Cypress Place, from 9:15 a.m. to noon. The 9:15 workshop topic will focus on what can be created in Microsoft Word.  At 11 a.m. Michelle Rogers, will discuss Facebook Basics.  There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about computer problems for beginners and intermediates.  Everyone who would like to know more about their computer is welcome to attend.  For more information call 648-1368.

June 11, 9-11am Guided nature hike Ormond beach at Arnold Rd.  The Nature Conservancy offers a free, guided walk on the beach to learn about the coast, the Channel Islands and how the area is teeming with life.  For more information, contact Amy Davis at guideamy@gmail or 770-853-4715.

June 11: The Ventura International Folk Dancers are having a folk dance party at the Ventura YMCA Sunday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Come dance and bring your requests. Will have light refreshments. Unless you are a member of the Y, bring a photo ID and a $5 donation to the Y’s community building scholarship fund.

June 14: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a critique meeting on Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. Donna Granata, from FOTM will critique member’s prints. Each month a special topic is chosen. June is a prints only meeting. Anyone with an interest in photography is welcome and admission is free. Only members may submit images for critique. For more information www.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com or call 908-5663.

June 19: CA Zeta Chi parliamentarians will meet at 7 p.m and will feature a lesson by Sally LaMacchia entitled “Motions that Bring a Question Again before the Assembly.”  The Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse, 3159 E. Main St.  Those wishing to eat should arrive at 6 p.m.  Non-members are welcome.  Membership is $25 per year.  For information, contact Sharon Hillbrant, 479-6738, or zetachi.webstarts.com.

July 21&22: Buena High Class of 1967, will hold its 50 year reunion at the Pierpont Racquet Club. Saturday, from 6p.m.to 10 p.m.  Casual dress and Beach Boy Theme.  DJ and catered food will be provided.   Photo op at 7:30 p.m.  $67 for individuals and $100 per couple. Friday night July 21st, meet and greet at The Discovery Bowling Alley, 1888 E Thompson. For more information please contact Bonnie (Wolever) Long at [email protected], or Facebook Page “Buena Class of ’67 50th Reunion”

Vol. 10, No. 18 – June 7 – June 20, 2017 – Movie Review

Alien: Covenant
by Manuel Reynoso
2 Palm trees out of 4

Alien: Covenant is a 2017 American sci-fi horror film and sequel to Prometheus. Directed by Ridley Scott and written by John Logan and Dante Harper, with story by Michael Green and Jack Paglen.

I have to admit I came into Alien: Covenant with no idea that it was a sequel to Prometheus, which itself was a prequel to Alien. I’ve heard plenty of mixed reactions about Prometheus but truthfully I came into Alien: Covenant pretty blind. I’ve heard from plenty of self-proclaimed, die-hard Alien fans that this film isn’t for “real Alien fans” or it’s only good if you’re “not an Alien fan” and other such nonsense. But to be blunt, I found Alien: Covenant to be a mess, albeit a very pretty one.

From start to finish, Alien: Covenant did not feel very cohesive. Each act felt as if it was a separate genre all its own. Alien: Covenant starts of as a fairly entertaining space odyssey, becomes a bit of a slow horror in the second act, and decides to finish as a uninspired action flick in the last act. While this in itself was not a huge problem, it just left the film feeling off and without a strong sense of direction. Alien: Covenant’s art direction and effects were so strong, it was a shame that there was no cohesive theme to back them up.

And there is no way to exaggerate how strong the art direction of Alien: Covenant really is. Most of the set pieces were amazing and intricate; truly practical effects at its finest. It’s almost a shame that they had to use computer effects at all, but that’s just me being unreasonable. I would say that the movie would be worth seeing for this alone, but Alien: Covenant is mostly held back by poor writing.

Alien: Covenant’s writing wasn’t bad at a personal level between the characters, character interactions felt genuine and helped bond the characters to one another. The writing issue was mostly with the plot. At no point do these highly trained scientists and pilots ever feel like one. Decisions come off as nonsensical and it’s these decisions that propel the entire plot along. The writing of this film simply does not feel well thought out. Clearly a lot of care was put into creating a world and backstory for the events leading up to Alien, but quite frankly it feels unnecessary. At least 30 minutes of exposition and backstory could have been removed and Alien: Covenant would have felt more cohesive as a result. Instead I found myself getting bored during the slower parts of the film.

It’s a shame that Alien: Covenant was a bit of a letdown for me. It’s not really bad but more so painfully mediocre. Strong acting performances and great set design was enough to keep Alien: Covenant from falling flat, but I left wanting more. There will likely be better summer blockbuster movies on the horizon, so maybe just go on discount day. Rated R 2h 2m

Leo Robbins Sailing Center summer Sailing and Kayaking Camp

Attend the City of Ventura’s Parks Recreation and Community Partnerships (PRCP) Department, Leo Robbins Sailing Center summer Sailing and Kayaking Camp.  Each day holds a new adventure and different water activities: sailing, kayaking, SUP, beach trips, swimming and much more. Returning campers improve skill levels and take on more advanced sailing challenges. The Leo Robbins Sailing Center is located at Marina Park. Children must be between the ages of 9 – 13 years old (volunteer opportunities for 14 – 17 YO). $165 per one week session/per child.

From June 19 until August 14. For more information and to register, go to www.cityofventura.ca.gov/sail or call 658-4726.

Vol. 10, No. 18 – June 7 – June 20, 2017 – Ojai News & Events

The Ojai Studio Artists awarded $13,650 in scholarships to 13 Ventura County high school and college art students this year. The winning students were honored and awarded their scholarships at a special reception at Ojai City Hall on Saturday, June 3. This marks a new high in scholarship fundraising in OSA’s 24 year-old scholarship program.

Selected works by the scholarship winners will be shown at a month-long exhibition at City Gallery at Ojai City Hall. Each year OSA raises money to support young artists in their pursuit of further art education. To date, the artists’ organization has funded over $220,300 in scholarships and other ArtReach programs.  Further information about the artist organization and those who wish to contribute to the scholarship fund go to www.ojaistudioartists.org and click “donate”.

Local author J.J. Brown will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 to deliver a talk on her book, Secrets & Howls. Brown will read an excerpt and will discuss how she got started with writing. There will be time for a Q&A session, and Brown will also share a short excerpt from the novel she is working on right now.

J.J. Brown grew up in Ojai and obtained a BA in theater at CSU Long Beach. She is passionate about art and has returned to drawing and painting, is learning tap dance from a local instructor, and hopes to soon pick up her violin lessons again. She believes that sometimes you just need to cram all the art and creativity into your life that you can get!

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at 218-9146.

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The public is invited to join Rev. Karen for a half-day retreat at Meditation Mount, on Saturday, June 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The morning will be devoted to “Waking up!” to the answers to all our questions and the fulfillment of all our needs—always already present inside us.

“We spend all our time looking outside ourselves for that which we think will make us whole and happy,” Rev. Karen says. “The truth is that what you are looking for is within you, and has always been within you.”

The morning will offer an opportunity for inner reflection, along with wisdom talks, sacred music, and quiet walks on the beautiful grounds of Meditation Mount. Randee Vasilakos, registered Science of Mind Practitioner, will be available to assist with prayers for personal healing and reconciliation. People of all faiths and traditions, or no tradition, are welcome to attend.

The retreat is by donation; $10 is suggested. Meditation Mount is located at 10340 Reeves Road. For more information, contact Rev. Karen at 310-968-8928, or register online at www.karenswylie.com.

Ventura nature photographer David N. Lee will present a workshop on the basics of nature photography at a private ranch near Ojai, June 15, 8:30am – 12:30pm.

“This workshop will present an overview of the types of nature photography,” says Lee. “Students will learn basic techniques for landscape, macro and wildlife photography.”

Enrollment is limited to the first eight participants. The suggested donation is $25. Please visit https://davidnleephoto.com/workshops for more information. Workshop directions and other details provided with registration.