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“Spring Bloom” Photo Contest

Cacti can also bloom. Photo by Bernie Goldstein

Ventura Botanical Gardens (VBG) is now accepting entries for its first-ever “Spring Bloom” photo competition. Photographers of all ages and levels are invited to submit their best images of the Gardens (taken this year) for a chance to win. The deadline for submitting photos is Friday, April 28.

“This contest is an opportunity to engage the entire community in the beauty of the Gardens,” said Barbara Brown, Board President. “With this year’s rains, we’re hoping that there are lots of flowers to shoot, but even if there isn’t, there are always the spectacular vistas of the coastline and agriculture.”

“Planners Nancy Kettner and Terri Strober have done a wonderful job pulling this together,” says Joe Cahill, Executive Director, “we hope this will become a community tradition.”

Participants must send a Facebook message to the VBG Facebook page (2 entries max) with their photos using the hashtag #VBGinBloom. There are two ways to win–the first category is People’s Choice. Winners in that category will win by getting the most “likes” on Facebook. The Ventura Botanical Gardens will showcase the images on their Facebook page during the “Like” voting period between May 1- May 5.

Additionally, a panel of visual art professionals will judge the photos and award the Judges’ Choice. Winning photos will be announced on the Facebook page and published on the VBG website and in the summer newsletter. For more information, please visit venturabotanicalgardens.com

This public benefit nonprofit organization is dedicated to creating a world-class botanical garden for the preservation, education, cultural contribution and enhancement of the community. The gardens, when complete, will celebrate the five Mediterranean climate regions. The locale boasts spectacular 180-degree views of the California coast and the Channel Islands. The Ventura Botanical Gardens is located at 398 Ferro Drive in Ventura, California.

The first trail is a popular hiking destination. While still in its rustic state, the seedlings of the Chilean Gardens are beginning to thrive. VBG planning includes outdoor opportunities like community gathering spaces, training and research opportunities, and educational programs ranging from horticulture and botany to sustainability. To find out more, visit www.VenturaBotanicalGardens.com and join us on Facebook.

Cypress Place accepting scholarship applications

Scholarships are open to senior students at Ventura high schools.

When the owners of Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura decided to create a scholarship fund for local high school students wanting to pursue a college degree, the Cypress Place Senior Living “Senior to Senior Legacy Scholarship” was created. 

Cypress Place Senior Living is an independent, assisted, and memory care community for seniors.  By awarding two $2500 scholarships to local high school seniors, residents at Cypress Place are attempting to pass on opportunities for young people in the community, according to Steve Spira, executive director at Cypress Place.

Applicants need to have a verified 3.2 or higher GPA and to have applied for fall 2017 admission to a college or university with the intention of obtaining a degree.  Applicants are also asked to submit  an essay about their reason for pursuing higher education along with a personal account of how a senior or seniors has affected their life, including specific examples of intergenerational experiences of the applicant.

Residents on the Resident Scholarship Committee at Cypress Place will read the essays, then hold oral interviews with the semi-finalists to determine the two award winners.

The scholarships are open to senior students at Ventura High School, Buena High School, Foothill Technology High School, El Camino High School, and St. Bonaventure High School.  The deadline for submitting a completed application packet is Friday, April 21,  at 5:00pm.  Qualified applicants will be invited to a mandatory oral interview on May 12.   The presentation of the two scholarships will be held Thursday, June 1,  at 5:30p.m. at Cypress Place Senior Living. The recipients must be available to attend the presentation event to receive an award.

For more information or to receive an application packet please contact Pam Staniland, Director of Sales and Marketing at Cypress Place Senior Living, 805-656-9500 x 201,or via email at [email protected].

Cypress Place Senior Living is at 1200/1220 Cypress Point Lane, Ventura, CA 93003.  To learn more about Cypress Place Senior Living of Ventura, visit their web site at www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com.

 

 

Kids’ Arts Ventura celebrate 25 years with Spring Art Show and Auction April 29

Kids’ Arts Ventura is celebrating 25 years of service with a Spring Art Show and Auction on Saturday, April 29th from 4-7pm at the WAV Theater Gallery located at 175 S. Ventura Avenue at Thompson Blvd.

Since 1992 Kids’ Arts has been growing young artists and our mission remains: to provide a creative hands-on experience in art, music, movement and theater for kids ages 5-14. Every Saturday kids and the professional artists who lead them are engaged in exploring art expression and having a great time. In addition to the Saturday program, the organization participates in community events such as the  Ventura Art and Street Painting Festival, Ventura Art Walk, Surf Rodeo and StoryFest. In over two decades of service, Kids’ Arts has worked cooperatively with other nonprofits and arts organizations such as the WAV, Kids & Families Together, The Arc of Ventura County, and  Ventura Education Partnership.

The event  will feature artwork created by participating kids and the grown up artists who guide them, offered on exhibit and for sale. All proceeds go toward funding the nonprofit’s commitment to enriching the lives of local families. http://www.kidsartsventura.org/

Concours Motors has found a new way to give back to Ventura

Concours Motors will be giving away a 2000  Volkswagen Golf to one Ventura County Resident on May 2. The Volkswagen is completely refinished for optimum safety, and it will be given away with one completely free year of service.

The team at Concours Motors created “Wheels to Shine” to substantially change someone’s life in the Ventura County. Each spring every year, their fleet of master technicians will rebuild a great, reliable car and give it away to someone who needs it.

All Ventura County community members are invited to nominate a recipient for this year’s “Wheels to Shine.” Nominations will be accepted through April 30.

A small group of community leaders have been invited to review the nominations and choose a recipient. To nominate a recipient visit: wheelstoshine.org/nominate-someone.

Vol. 10, No. 14 – April 12 – April 25, 2017 – Tech Today

Tech Today with Ken May

How the ISP Law Change Affects Your Privacy

On Tuesday, March 28th, Congress sent proposed legislation to President Donald Trump that wipes away landmark online privacy protections, the first salvo in what is likely to become a significant reworking of the rules governing Internet access. The legislation would kill a set of Obama-era privacy regulations for internet service providers created by the Federal Communications Commission last October.

The most notable part of the rules, which has not yet taken effect, would require broadband providers such as Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T to obtain explicit consent before selling their customers’ web-browsing histories, app-usage data, and other personal information to advertisers and other third-parties. The vote is concerned with some recent changes to what the internet is in the eyes of the American government.

In February of 2015, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reclassified ISPs as “common carriers,” which means they traffic in utilities. This effectively put the internet in the same category as telephones, water, gas, and other necessary components for living in terms of how it’s regulated. This allowed the FCC to enforce net neutrality laws, which force all ISPs to provide access to all kinds of content on the internet equally. (In the past, ISPs would slow down users’ traffic when visiting certain websites or sharing files to discourage them from engaging in these acts.) Classifying the internet as a utility also meant ISPs had to follow the privacy guidelines previously written for telephones. This legislation would effectively roll back many of these changes, allowing ISPs to do whatever they want with their users’ browsing data.

So, this is a complicated issue. What’s the easiest way to get my privacy back?

Well, states could try to implement some form of the FCC rules for their own residents. ISPs might conceivably change their practices nationwide if enough states do so, or customers in some states could have fewer privacy protections than customers in other states.

“As on climate change, immigration and a host of other issues, some state legislatures may prove to be a counterweight to Washington by enacting new regulations to increase consumers’ privacy rights, a New York Times article said this week. The Times article mentioned laws in California, Connecticut, Nebraska, and West Virginia and proposals for new laws in Illinois, Hawaii, and Missouri, but none of these laws and proposals was specifically targeted at ISPs.

But let’s assume that doesn’t happen. Now what?

Last year, Opera, the little browser that everyone seems to forget about, rolled out the best vpn in canada server. It’s easily the simplest, cheapest, and most reasonably private way to access a VPN that will circumvent your ISP right now. It does come with a slew of caveats though. An Opera spokesperson said that the VPN is a no-log service, which is good, however, while Opera is a Norwegian company and therefore acts under Norwegian law, SurfEasy, the company that provides the VPN service, is a Canadian company, and Canada is known to hand over intelligence data. Regardless, using the VPN means you’re agreeing to SurfEasy’s Privacy Policy. Opera was also purchased by a Chinese consortium last year, so any data Opera does collect could be accessible by that company at some point. Also, keep in mind, only the web browsing you do in Opera will go through their VPN. It’s not perfect, but it’s a good step forward. Hopefully, we see something similar implemented in other browsers. If you were interested in learning more about VPNs check out HideMyAss Review. They have some interesting insights into VPNs.

h/t Business Insider, Game Informer, Lifehacker, Ars Technica

Vol. 10, No. 14 – April 12 – April 25, 2017 – City Classes

City of Ventura classes and camps.  Check out hundreds more on web-site.

Call 658-4726 to register, if you already have an ACTIVENET account online, visit www.cityofventura.net Classes held at the Barranca Vista Center, 7050 E Ralston.

Beautiful Ballerinas  3-9 years
$72
4/13-5/18            Th           3:15-4 pm            5-6 years with Marni King             #7979
4/13-5/18            Th           4-5 pm                  7-9 years with Marni King             #7981
4/14-5/19            F              9:45-10:30 am    3-4 years with Tiara Pitre              #7983
Learn fundamental techniques, positions and exercises for flexibility, balance, poise and grace and the importance of following instructions, taking turns and being a productive member of a group.

Yoga to Unwind  16 years-adult
4/13-5/18            Th           5:10-6:10 pm      $65         #7665
Leave the work day behind to relax with simple yoga poses, stretching and breathing. Bring towel, mat and dress comfortably. Instructor Aurora Heinemann.

Parent & Me Ballet/Tumble Combo  1½-3 years with adult
4/14-5/19            F              9-9:45 am                            $72         #7985
Dance, tumble, stretch and play instruments together! Wear comfortable clothes to more in. Instructor Tiara Pitre.

Hip Hop Flip Flop  3-5 years
4/14-5/19            F              10:30-11:15 am                  $72         #7987
Learn age appropriate moves geared toward rhythm, precision, isolated moves and personal grooves plus beginner acro/tumbling. Wear comfortable clothes to move in with sneakers. Instructor Tiara Pitre.

Friday Fitness Party!  16 years-adult
4/14-5/19            F              6:15-7:15 pm      $40 or $7/day     #7876
Join us and dance, body condition and cool down to fabulous music. Bring mat and water. Walk in fee of $7 is due at start of class. Certified Zumba® Instructor Dala Sondors.

Friday Night Tap  12 years-adult
4/14-5/5                               F              6:30-7:30 pm      $40         #8017
Learn basic steps, combinations and routines to upbeat rhythms and music. Classes are progressive but designed for the beginner. Instructor Elli Busch. Classes held at Billy Clower Dance Studio, 75 MacMillian Ave. in Ventura. To register call (805) 658-4726.

Pop Dance with Cassie Lawhead  7-11 years
$65
4/19-6/7               W            4-4:45 pm            7-9 years              #7786
4/19-6/7               W            4:45-5:30 pm      9-11 years           #7789
Energetic boys and girls mix and move to hip hop and jazz! Wear your funky attitude, comfortable attire and rubber soled shoes. Parents may stay for first and last class only. No class 5/29.

Belly Dance-4-Fitness  18 years-adult
4/24-5/22            M            6-7 pm                  $55         #7674
Dress comfortably to shimmy, twist and tone in this fun cardio class that includes a warmup, belly dance workout, choreography and cool down. Instructor Anja Christy.

SYSTEM 4 Mad Science Fun!  5-12 years
4/25-5/30            Tu           4:30-5:30              $115+ $35 supply fee      #8191
Dig in to earth science, tectonic plates, rocks and minerals. Explore creepy crawly creatures. Work with axles, levers and wheels. Race your very own rocket car. Direct a movie and create special effects. Use our crime lab to solve real crimes.

Vol. 10, No. 14 – April 12 – April 25, 2017 – Mailbox

To publisher

So sorry he (Scamp) is not well. Dad may have a title, but everyone knows who the real mascot of The Breeze is.

My dogs have loved meeting Scamp at various Breeze sponsored events through the years.

We are here for whatever you may need.  Sending good wishes .

Pschuman

HI Sheldon,

I read the Breeze today about poor Scamp.  I am so sorry.  Pets just don’t live long enough.  I am very sad for you, Diane, and Scamp.  I think even Savana will miss him.

I agree with you about the golf courses.  If we want the city to take a hit on a golf course for the benefit and draw of tourists, okay.  But we don’t need two of them.  I would like to see some of the land for one of them used as a park, and some used as a tiny house enclave for the homeless (with social services all in one place), or for veterans, or both.  I would like to see a nice bike path.  I would like to see Ventura become more friendly to RVers by having a place they could park overnight (self-contained aka boon docking) for a minimal fee, like $10 or so.  In the summer there are few options for RVers.  The beach ones are quickly filled, and the Ventura RV resort charges an outrageous $65-105 per night.  The city does not allow RVers to park anywhere in the city overnight.  We are losing this tourist biz.  If we had a reasonable place to just park overnight, we could send the trolley round there and take those tourists to where they can spend some money.

That’s my suggestion list.
Anyway, back to Scamp.  I hope this sorrowful time is not too terrible.
Alison Carlson

Alison

Thanks for your kind words about Scamp, are tough times for us. See his article for an update.

To the Editor:

The article written by “City Staff” regarding Local Home –Based Businesses is absolutely correct. “The economy gets a boost because more money spent at a local business stays in the local area. Local dollars are re-spent as payroll, goods and services……and even as donations to community charities”. Further, the article notes the multiplier effect of local dollars spent. This is the very same factual economic concept that I have written about several times, including in the Breeze, with regard to Vacation Rentals. Vacation Rentals are a negative to our economy because the owners, for the greater extent, and their booking agents reside not in Ventura but elsewhere. Some are out of the State. There is not a possibility that a vacationer, here for a week can out spend a full time resident living in that same residential home. This article points to the hypocrisy of our City Council and staff. They have ignored the beneficial economic benefit to businesses in Ventura by not allowing vacation rentals. Instead they prefer to collect a 10% “bed tax” going directly to the City coffers, and not supporting businesses for a better economy. The taxes they do collect are at the cost to neighbors living next to these quasi-hotels. What arrogance! I believe that we have had enough. It is time to change the form of government in Ventura, starting with an elected mayor. We also need to query each person running for council on there position on vacation rentals, or any other economic fallacy, and vote accordingly.

John Whitman

Ventura, Ca

Sheldon,

There was a time that I agreed with you concerning historical buildings, but after open debates with others, I have changed my mind. Here is my reasoning.

The reason to preserve Ventura’s history is to make sure that future visitors and citizens are given a glimpse into our past way of life.

Here’s an example. Ventura at one time had so many horse hitching posts and wagon street rings that most thought nothing of removing them. There were plenty. As the years went on, we are now down to a few. Now the city puts some value on them as historical. Why ? The reason is not that they are beautiful , but because they are a historical utility item from our past way of life. They are rare now.

Just as rare are barns and carriage houses within the city limits. They were once plentiful,  but now very rare in our unique city. They are historic because they are rare.

Buildings considered for historical status should not need to be beautiful or build by noted architects. Being a rare glimpse of Ventura’s true past should be part of the consideration process. Rare is the key word.

The Top Hat may not be beautiful, but it is a rare downtown example of what our city looked like. Once gone , future visitors and citizens will not have a true historic view of our historical downtown area. So many great examples of our past are lost to short sighted business people and council members.

Change is inevitable and should be done carefully. We only have one historical downtown area. Historical areas draw tourist who bring in tourist dollars. Leave the Top Hat downtown.

Condominiums are usually never charming nor historical yet.

Mike Art

Great paper:

Just a thought City Council is wondering what to do with the 1/2c sales tax. Drive the city streets and what to do with the money will come to y’all.

Some potholes are tire eaters. Of course the money will probably go to increased salaries and perks for the bureaucrats. But it would be a nice idea to put a little down on the streets.

Charlie Hillman

Charlie

Street repair is one of the things being considered for the use of the additional money. An oversite committee is being formed to watch over the City Council’s use of the money perhaps you should apply for a position on the committee.

As far as increased salaries for City Council members that won’t happen so they will just need to be happy with the $600 they get now per month (or around $5.00 per hour for the time that they spend on city and other committee matters).

A government big enough to give you everything you want,
is strong enough to take everything you have.
~ Thomas Jefferson

Ventura marketing agency collects Easter Baskets for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

by Dale Myers

The NALA, a boutique marketing agency headquartered in Ventura recently collected numerous Easter baskets for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) to assist families with children fighting cancer. TBCF is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization providing financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer living in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties.

“The Easter baskets were given to children with cancer, as well as their siblings,” said Tiffani Tendell, the NALA’s Press Manager and Charity Director. “Sometimes it is the smallest gesture that can bring the biggest joy.”

The vision of TBCF is to be the lead agency to instill resilience in families experiencing pediatric cancer. It provides programs that allow parents to be supported and to know they are not alone, and helps defray costs that are often overlooked. These include monthly bills (rent/mortgage, utilities, etc.), automobile and related transportation costs, and other similar expenses, as a parent usually has to take time off work or quit their job to spend quality time caring for their child in the hospital during their treatment.

Through its Charity Branding program, the NALA enables businesses to align with great causes, such as TBCF, to increase awareness and position them as a leader who cares about making the world a better place. Some of its other charity partners include USA Cares, which exists to help bear the burden of service by providing post-9/11 military families with financial and advocacy support in their time of need; The Greatest Generations Foundation, which is dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of veterans and ensuring that their legacies are recorded and retold in perpetuity to future generations; and Soles4Souls, a nonprofit global social enterprise committed to fighting poverty through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing.

For more information about the NALA, please visit www.thenala.com or call ​ 767-3238.

TSUNAMI meeting leaves questions unanswered

by Randal Beeman

In 1812 an epic tsunami inundated the Ventura area. The surge of water deposited a large sailing vessel floating in the harbor all the way inland to Santa Paula and residents of the Mission San Buenaventura spent the next two years living on the hillside in fear of another calamity.

Representatives of several state and local agencies hosted a meeting on Tsunami Preparedness at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Mar 28th attended by approximately 200 concerned citizens.

An elderly man who would only give his first name – Ray – stated that he was as uncertain as before the meeting regarding what he would do if a tsunami threatened his home in the Ventura Keys neighborhood. “They told us that we would have 15 minutes warning to get to high ground,” Ray noted, “and that we should walk or take our cars if we are elderly and infirm, but if everyone in the neighborhood tries to drive I am afraid there will be gridlock.” Speakers acknowledged past confusion as to the evacuation plans, and cautioned that the meeting was only one component of the first stage of revised plan.

Ventura neighborhoods in the “inundation zone” – the most vulnerable to a tsunami surge – are generally the areas on the seaward side of Highway 101, specifically the Ventura Keys, the Harbor, and the Pierpont neighborhoods. Unlike Japan and other tsunami vulnerable zones on the Pacific Rim, geologic conditions in the Ventura area would likely limit the wave (officially it is a “surge” but the scientist at the event consistently reverted to the term ”wave”) to a height of 15 to 20 feet. Nonetheless the potential for loss of life and immense property damage are present in Ventura, but with an anticipated 15-20 minute warning most Venturans can get to safety if they are alert and prepared.

Speakers urged the audience to make a family plan for a tsunami event much like they would in case of a fire or an earthquake. If an earthquake occurs and you are in a low lying area by the coast immediately seek higher ground. If you are at the beach and hear a louder than normal ocean roar, or if the sea floor is exposed, get to high ground or, if no high ground is near, go to the nearest sturdy structure to get above the surge, which is not just water but also a morass of debris and mud. The threat lasts longer than one wave and can be present for 24 hours after the precipitating event.

Visit www.vcemergency.com for more information and to go to www.vcalert.org or text VCALERT to 313131 to sign up for the free countywide emergency alert system, In the event of emergency locals can also tune into KTVA 1690, and the Emergency Alert System in place since the 1950s will also provide warning should a tsunami threaten Ventura.

An afternoon with renowned FOTM documented artists

Tom and Connie Jenkins in their Malibu Canyon home and studios.
(Limited to 25 guests.)
All proceeds benefit FOTM Arts Education programs.
Sunday, April 23, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Wine and appetizers will be served.
Participants will rendezvous at 2 p.m. on Ellice St. and caravan to the studios.
FOTM Members – $100  Non-members – $125
RSVP: www.FocusOnTheMasters.com

The dynamic duo of Tom & Connie Jenkins will open their studios for a special afternoon of demonstrations and insights into the creative process. The studios are in the Santa Monica Mountains and wildflowers should be at their peak during our visit. A private sound performance by Tom Jenkins will be one of the highlights of the afternoon. Tom Jenkins is a painter, sculptor, inventor, sound installation artist and performance artist. Tom also uses sophisticated handmade drawing instruments and tops in his creation of art pieces.

Connie Jenkins is an accomplished realist painter whose canvases feature rocks, water and the natural world combined with elements that are not easily defined.