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Kids N’ Canvas classes at VC Arts Collective Studio Pacific View Mall

Kids N’ Canvas classes scheduled for July 21, 4pm to 5:30pm and August 13, 3pm to 4:30pm at the VC Arts Collective Studio Pacific View Mall second floor, next to Sears.Taught by Lorrie Milton.

Enjoy summer fun with a Kid’s sized step by step “Painting Party”. Class price includes all instruction by an experienced artist and Kids get to take home their 16 x 20 Painting.

Ages 6 – 16. Cost is $25 per student.

Every Saturday at 11am to 12pm, there is a kid’s class for 6 years old to 8 years old brings something different. It can be color theory, drawing techniques, collaging, painting, doing pastels, watercolors or acrylics.

Pastel class scheduled for July 16th 1pm-4pm. Tasia Erickson is a great teacher too. Cost is $57.00 including materials. Email [email protected] or call 676-1540 to reserve a spot.

WEV Spanish Self-Employment Training graduates set for business success

Business ideas include day care, landscaping, transportation, housecleaning, manicurist, and more.

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) recently celebrated the accomplishments of 17 women and men who successfully completed WEV’s Ventura County-based Advanced Spanish Self-Employment Training (SSET) course with a graduation ceremony held at Ventura Adult & Continuing Education (VACE) in Ventura.

After 14 weeks of training on topics including finances, marketing and sales, public relations and advertising, legal and insurance issues, record keeping, and how to write a business plan, these graduates completed the course with the necessary tools and support needed to start or expand their businesses. It might be helpful for a lot of these graduates to check out Landscape Software to improve the grounds of their brick and mortar offices.

“We are so proud of the dedication and passion these graduates showed in class” said Leticia Sandoval, WEV Spanish Program Coordinator. “Even though some had to travel or come straight after a long day of work, they committed to doing the work and now have graduated with more confidence and the resources necessary to achieve their dreams. We can’t wait to see how far they can go!”

The graduates range from first-time business owners to those who have turned to WEV to help expand their existing businesses. Graduate businesses and business ideas include day care, landscaping, transportation, healthy meals for delivery, restaurants, housecleaning, manicurist, and more.

WEV offers an Advanced 14 week Self Employment Training course for Spanish-speakers who wish to learn step by step how to start, improve, or grow a small business. The course is held once a week for 14 consecutive weeks. The next Advanced Spanish Self-Employment Training (SSET) course in Ventura County begins August 23rd. To qualify for the course, interested participants must set an appointment to interview with Spanish Program Coordinator Leticia Sandoval. For more information please call 456-2383 or visit www.wevonline.org/wev-en-espanol-2/capacitacion.

WEV is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. Since 1991, WEV has been providing a continuum of comprehensive services – training, consulting and loans – to help entrepreneurs start grow and thrive in business. WEV’s service area includes Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, with offices in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Santa Maria. WEV provides start-up and expansion loans of up to $50,000 to pre-bankable microenterprises. For more information, visit WEV’s Web site at http://www.wevonline.org.

Vol. 10, No. 20 – July 5 – July 18, 2017 – Movie Review

Baby Driver
by Manuel Reynoso
4 Palm Trees out of 4

Baby Driver is a 2017 action film written and directed by Edgar Wright, starring Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Jon Bernthal, Eiza González, Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx

Forced to a getaway drive to repay his debt, Baby finds that it takes a lot more than a fast car to escape the pull of the criminal world.

I don’t think anyone’s ever thought to themselves “Boy, I sure hope someone makes a musical crime thriller.” But I assure you, Baby Driver is the musical crime thriller we all needed but certainly do not deserve. Baby Driver oozes style. Top notch cinematography, amazing editing, and some of the smoothest dialogue I have ever witnessed, Edgar Wright absolutely hit it out of the park. I can feel my fingertips wanting to gush all over the keyboard, but I’m going to reel it back and go into why Baby Driver might be in my personal top 10 films list.

My raw enjoyment level during the film almost never dropped below an 11. Seeing Baby whip nondescript cars into a Rockford spin, all to the beat of Brighton Rock, was just one example of the many rushes in Baby Driver. Nearly the entire film is choreographed to the music that Baby is currently listening to. From Barry White to Queen, the soundtrack to Baby Driver doesn’t just serve as a music bed to compliment the action, but even helps to flesh out Baby as a more nuanced character. Eventually the music bed feels so integral to the film, you get this premonition on where the action is going to go. You can feel the flow of the action as your mind follows every beat of the music.

On que, every cut is perfectly in sync with the music of the film. Despite the hectic pace of some scenes, using the music and editing as a guide, you’ll never find yourself lost in the action. Not once did I think to myself, “wait, what happened? Where am I?” This isn’t just a testament to the choreography, but to the editing prowess of Jonathan Amos and Paul Machliss. The camera work and lighting was equally as amazing as well. Bill Pope’s mix between snappy jump cuts and long takes gave the viewing experience almost a texture. Now I’m sure by this point you would expect me to stop making references to music, but the dialogue has to be the best piece of music in this entire film.

First let me explain. The written word is music. You vary the tone and length; you create rhythm and beats. Tension, Action, Horror: how you choose to write a line, what you leave in, or what you take out. This is where the music in words can be found. So when I hear dialogue, I hear its flow, its beat, and its rhythm. You can have a great story, but with flat dialogue. However, Edgar Wright went so much further than giving each character their own personalities. He gave them their own rhythm; He gave them their own music. Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx’s acting prowess really shone through when you hear them deliver each line. Each character spoke to the beat of their own drum, and they felt so much more alive.

Man, I liked this movie. Like, really liked this movie. It’s not perfect, and I have my criticisms, but the feeling of passion and care that went into this film just makes these small issues fade away. I can’t recommend it enough, see Baby Driver in theaters and enjoy the ride. Rated R 1h 53m

Vol. 10, No. 20 – July 5 – July 18, 2017 – Person to Person

by Jennifer Tipton
What type of housing do you think Ventura needs –
affordable or executive?

Connie Colloizo
age 51
Office manager for Dr. Faulstich D.D.S.
“Affordable housing! Prices are going up and that way everyone can afford their own home.”

 

 

Sally Campbell
age 68
Business owner at Spa Warehouse
“I think we need more executive type beach houses or apartments. Ventura is known for all the upscale restaurants, attractions and (of course) the beautiful beaches – perhaps people from the movie industry or young dynamic executive families would move here.”

 

Jessica McGuire
age 27
Does billing for The Trade Desk
“I don’t think Ventura needs either, I think we have plenty of both. I don’t qualify for low income and yet I don’t make enough to own an executive home – what about the middle class?”

 

Louie Luna
age 60
Truckdriver
“I’d say the majority of people would say affordable housing, but I think they should still offer executive (expensive) homes. There is a difference between affordable and low-income housing. I think it’s a balance and I don’t think Ventura meets the balance.”

 

Bon Wakam
age 58
Business Broker
“I think we need both, but to attract a lot of big companies we need to have housing for the executives to live in and there is more of a shortage of executive housing.”

 

Dennis Stevenson
age 61
Construction Contractor
“They both have merit – low income housing allows more people to get into the housing market, but executive housing would bring wealthier people and with them they would bring commerce and jobs’”

 

Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s

The Ventura Parkinson’s Support Group is delighted to be hosting Jocelyn Scherr, Associate Director, Advancement, of the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research on Wednesday, July 12, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Jocelyn will present an overview of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, an update on some promising Parkinson’s Disease Research in the pipeline, an update on the latest legislation passed that impacts the lives of people with Parkinson‘s Disease, priority areas for Parkinson’s policy work and information on how people can get involved through “Fox Trial Finder” and “Fox Insight”.

“The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today. Since its launch in 2000, The Michael J. Fox Foundation has funded more than $700 million to speed a cure for Parkinson’s disease. When we find a cure for Parkinson’s – and we will – it won’t be because of any single person. It will be because of all of us, working together. We won’t stop until a cure is found. We’re on it.” (michaeljfox.org)

Thanks to the generosity of the Lexington Assisted for donating space the Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is able to have meetings every second Wednesday of each month from 1-3pm on the 3rd floor of the Lexington Assisted Living; 5440 Ralston St.

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 Patty at 766-6070 for further information. Reservations are not required. They are an independent and volunteer-organized group not affiliated with or a part of any other organization or group

Scam alerts

Buying a gift card for a graduate in your life? Choose wisely. In the store, thieves can remove gift cards from racks, copy the codes, and then dial the number on the back of the card to learn when they were activated and their value for online spending or to clone cards for in-store use. Purchase gift cards directly from a store cashier, customer service counter or the company’s website. The cashier should scan and activate the card in your presence. And get a receipt in case there’s a problem.

Don’t let scammers ruin your summer vacation. One way thieves prey on travelers is through front-desk fraud. Hotel guests receive a call in the middle of the night, supposedly from the front desk. There’s a problem with your payment, the caller says, asking you to confirm your credit card number. Only it’s not hotel staff calling (they’d wait until morning); it’s a scammer using a lobby phone. Never give your account numbers in unsolicited calls; contact the front desk yourself.

Getting calls from debt collectors? They might be fake if the person is trying to collect on a loan you don’t recognize, asks you for sensitive information, or uses threats to try to scare you into paying. Tell the caller you won’t discuss the debt unless they provide a written notice that includes the debt amount, the name of the creditor, and your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. Never give out or confirm personal financial or other sensitive information unless you know who you’re talking to. If the debt is legitimate, but the collector may be a fake, contact your creditor about the calls.

Scammers are creating fake websites that look like known and trusted news sites to sell “brain booster” pills. They post bogus articles about the pills with endorsements from people like Stephen Hawking and Anderson Cooper (neither has endorsed any such product). The site then links you to the sales page for the pills where you can place an order with a credit or debit card. The scammers claim the pills will lead to an increase in concentration and memory recall, but there is no evidence to support these claims, according to the Federal Trade Commission. It’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before purchasing health products.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Report scams to local law enforcement. Contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork for more information on fraud prevention.

The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson sets eighth consecutive Guinness World Record™

On Thursday, June 22nd, tens of thousands of kids and adults at aquatic facilities around the world met for the eighth year in a row to set a new Guinness World Record™. The global record attempt for The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL) took place locally at the Ventura Family YMCA.

Swimming Lessons Save Lives™ is the primary message for this global event. Tragically, drowning remains the leading cause of unintended injury related death for children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14.

Since its inception, more than 195,000 children and adults have participated in WLSL lessons generating more than half a billion media impressions about the vital importance of learning to swim.

Photos by Michael Gordon

Vol. 10, No. 20 – July 5 – July 18, 2017 – Music Calendar

Music Calendar
For 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
Wed 7/5: Smokey & Friends

Beach House Tacos
Ventura Pier
Sun 7/16: 4 pm Tim Curran, The Brambles

Bell Arts Factory
432 N. Ventura Avenue
Sat 7/15: Amber Bassett, Donna Lynn Caskey, Shelby Figueroa, Andrea Landin, Michelle Rosenblum

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Fridays: DJs; Karaoke
Saturdays DJs

Casa Bella
391 E. Main Street
(805) 340-1119
Music starts 7 pm
Tuesdays: Adam Tunney
Fridays: Encore
Saturday: Ricky Williams


Cask Alexhouse
5952 Telegraph Road
(805) 765-4201
Thurs 7/6: The Swillys
Sun 7/9: Miranda & Tia
Sun 7/16: Doc Ventura

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

Tuesdays: Down Home Trio
Fridays: Havana Cinco
Sun 7/9: Havana Cinco
Sat 7/15: Havana Cinco

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Late Fridays 10 pm: Flashback Fridays
Late Saturdays 10 pm: Disco Bowl
Thurs 7/6: Layover
Fri 7/7: Slaves Against the Machine
Sat 7/8: Red Not Chili Peppers
Fri 7/14: Victimas Del Dr. Cerebro, Marujah, Venum Rush, Decibel

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

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

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Fri 7/7: Dallas Hodge
Sat 7/8: Shawn Jones
Fri 7/14: Tex Pistols


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 7/7: Hi Hat Entertainment presents The Mighty Mojo Prophets
Sat 7/8: The Brian Faith Band
Sun 7/9: Del Franklin & Friends
Fri 7/14: Hi Hat Entertainment presents: Paulie Cerra

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 7/7: Strange Weather
Sat 7/8: Caliente Band 805
Fri 7/14: Pull the Trigger
Sat 7/15: Loose Cannons

Leashless Brewing
Corner of Thompson & Chestnut
Grand Opening Party
Sat 7/8: 4:30 pm The Expanders

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox
Wednesdays: Karaoke

Olivas Adobe
4200 Olivas Park Drive
Thurs 7/13: Ventura Music Festival presents John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band
Sat 7/15: Music Under the Stars: WhosNext

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

Pierpont Inn
550 San Jon Road
Fri 7/14: Ventura Music Festival presents Tea & Trumpets Festival Brass Quintet

Plan B Winery
3520 Arundell Circle
Sun 7/9: 4:30 Unusual Suspects

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

Saloon BBQ
456 E. Main Street
Fri 7/7: Anchor & Bear
Sat 7/8: Sin Chonies
Fri 7/14: The Inside Break
Sat 7/15: The Black Hips

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 7/8: Bruce Mancuso
Sat 7/15: Thomas Hopkins & Guest
Sun 7/16: Patrick Gillham Band

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Transform Tuesdays w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic

Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 7/7: DJ Pistolero
Sat 7/8: Big Rig Dollhouse
Fri 7/14: Hubcap Stealers
Sat 7/15: DJ Pistolero

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 7/5: Brad Dutz, Bruce Lett, Jasper Dutz & Chris Fishman
Thurs 7/6: Bill Banister’s Blue Dog Project
Fri 7/7: Jazz Express
Sat 7/8: Doug Webb Group featuring Danny Carey of TOOL
Wed 7/12: Meridian Trio
Fri 7/14: Brad Rabuchin & Friends

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Tues: Karaoke
Thurs 7/6: DJ Nolan Trovble
Fri 7/7: Big Adventure
Sat 7/8: Johnny Hawthorn Band
Fri 7/14: The Automatics
Sat 7/15: Shawn Jones
Sun 7/16: Rebel Shake Down

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Music 6-8 pm
Sat 7/8: Catterwailers

Surf Rodeo
Pierpont and Seaward
at Beach
Sat 7/15: Mariachi El Bronx, Tijuana Panthers, Raging Arb & the Redheads, The Rouse, Velveteen Band, Honey Owl, Bird Brain, Herbal Rootz, more…
Sun 7/16: Super Duper Kyle, The Aggrolites, Rey Fresco, Thee Commons, Aunt Jane’s Pancakes, Highway Starr, Vonettes, Ashe Blanco, more…

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Sundays: DJ Steezy Steve
Metal Wednesdays
Get it Right Thursday DJs
Wed 3/5: Disrupted, Euphoria

Ventura College Performing Arts Center
4700 Loma Vista Road
Ventura Music Festival events
Fri 7/14: Roger Kellaway
Sat 7/15: Anderson & Roe Piano Duo
Sun 7/16: Nuvi Mehta & Friends

The Wine Rack (Vintura)
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Thurs 7/6: Scott Avendano
Fri 7/7: Jason Ho
Sat 7/8: Medicine Hat
Sun 7/9: Juanita
Fri 7/14: Jason “Gordo” Gordon
Sat 7/15: James Broz
Sun 7/16: Jason Ho

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Music at noon Sat & Sun
with Kenny Devoe