The 13th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards nomination forms are now available online at https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/maa, until August 31. These awards recognize the artistic achievements and contributions to the cultural community of Ventura residents in seven categories:

Arts Patron, a business or individual whose strong support of the arts has been ongoing through philanthropic and/or volunteer service

Artist in the Community, an established individual artist in any discipline for artistic excellence and singular efforts in contributing to Ventura’s cultural vitality

Creative Entrepreneur, a locally owned for-profit business which exemplifies the impact and vitality of Ventura’s creative economy

Arts Leader, a nonprofit arts professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, organizational stewardship, and partnership within the arts community

Arts Educator, an individual or organization whose achievements and contributions to arts education have been significant and far-reaching

Emerging Artist, a working artist under 40 who has demonstrated outstanding promise and commitment to Ventura’s arts community (students are ineligible)

Student Artist, an active student artist in any discipline under the age of 19 who has demonstrated outstanding promise and commitment to the arts

“Ventura’s thriving art community allows us all to experience the beauty, stories, and diversity of our city,” said Mayor Erik Nasarenko. “The Mayor’s Arts Awards are an important way to showcase the exceptional work and talent of local artists, teachers, and patrons that enrich our city and contribute to the economic and cultural well-being in Ventura.”

In September, a panel of community members representing the arts and business worlds, will review applications based on: the significance and magnitude of the nominee’s contributions; leadership in the arts community and commitment to service to the arts; benefit and impact of the nominee’s contribution to the citizens of the City of Ventura; and potential contribution to the arts in the emerging artist and student artist categories. The panel’s selections will be presented to Cultural Affairs Commissioners who will make recommendations for the Mayor to approve. The Mayor will announce honorees on October 9, and present each recipient an award, at a reception on November 2, including a limited edition artwork, Mark of Excellence, created by Lis J. Schwitters. The awards are presented as a joint project of the City Manager’s Office and the Office of Cultural Affairs.

by city staff

On July 24, 2017 the Ventura City Council approved a General Plan Amendment, Specific Plan amendment, and Sign Agreement within the Auto Center Specific Plan that will make the surrounding area significantly more conducive to economic investment. The amendments pave the way to increased economic vitality by improving accessibility, visibility, and circulation in the Ventura Auto Center.

In January, the City Council reinstated economic development and vitality as one of its top priorities, emphasizing progress on Focus Area One and the Auto Center Specific Plan. Ventura Auto Center employs more than 1,000 workers and is the City’s top revenue generator. The new amendments are consistent with the policies and actions contained in the 2005 General Plan and make the area more supportive of business investment.

“This is a significant step for economic well-being in Ventura,” said City Manager Mark Watkins. “With the City Council’s support, Focus Area One is positioned for long term growth and expansion.”

The revisions to the Auto Center Specific Plan add 7.5 acres to the Specific Plan area to facilitate a road widening, improve circulation for motorists by creating safer vehicular travel lanes, and the installation of extra signage, like you can get from this company.

The adoption of the Auto Center Specific Plan Sign Agreement allows additional signage locations and an 82 foot high multiple-user, electronic, reader-board sign. A sign content agreement limits the type of content displayed and allocates the amount of time dedicated to specific types of advertising, including public service announcements such as Amber Alerts and Ventura events. Visitors and residents will see an improvement in the identity of the Auto Center with new signage visible from US 101 and Olivas Park Drive.

Last year, the City installed a new sewer pipeline to bypass the decommissioned Montalvo wastewater plant. An earthen levee will also be constructed to protect the site from the adjacent Santa Clara River and allow for new construction and the highly anticipated extension of Olivas Park Drive which will connect to Auto Center Drive and Johnson Drive, significantly improving access to the auto dealers.

On June 12, the Ventura City Council voted unanimously to approve $1.64M of
Measure O revenue annually to keep all fire stations in Ventura open. Consistent with the
Measure O ordinance, the ongoing funding will maintain nine rotating full-time firefighters who
staff Fire Station 4 (three firefighters daily), located at Telephone Road and Montgomery
Avenue, and ensure the fire station remains open for the next 25 years. The Measure O
funding was approved with the adoption of the City’s fiscal year 2017-2018 Operating Budget
of $278M; Ventura’s General Fund budget is $110.6M.

“The City Council is upholding the promise we made to Ventura voters,” said Mayor
Nasarenko. “All revenue from Measure O stays right here in Ventura and this initial allocation
will help to maintain fire and paramedic response times for the 15,000 calls for service
received each year from citizens who need emergency care.”

The FY 2017-2018 balanced budget reflects the City Council goals to steward Measure O
dollars responsibly, create and maintain economic development and vitality, and enhance the
response to homelessness. General Fund budget highlights include: increasing the City’s
operating reserves by $1.5M to prepare for the future, funding for public safety to improve
emergency communications center response, and one-time funding for the parks
ambassador program. The City held four public workshops and two public hearings regarding
the proposed operating budget for FY 2017-2018.

In November 2016, Ventura voters approved Measure O, a half-cent transaction and use tax
for 25 years that will generate $10.8M annually to maintain vital services. In accordance with
the San Buenaventura Municipal Code Section 4.129.160, the Measure O Citizens Oversight
Committee reviewed and unanimously recommended that the City Council approve ongoing
funding to staff Fire Station 4.

The City established a separate Measure O Fund to review expenditures and ensure that
they are appropriate under the Measure O ordinance. An annual, independent financial audit
of the funding is required.

Fire Station 4 was closed in 2010 as a result of budget cuts. To maintain area coverage and
keep the fire engine in service the City applied for and received two, 2-year Staffing for
Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants consecutively from Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2010 and 2013 totaling nearly $5M, to provide
previous staffing levels for four years during the economic recovery. The total cost to
maintain a fire station is approximately $2.23M annually; Measure O dollars will fund the
staffing for Fire Station 4 and the City’s General Fund will cover the operating expenses.

This is just a small sampling of City of Ventura classes and camps. Check out hundreds more on web-site including Cooking International Cuisine and

Best of Broadway Musical Theatre Camps 7-13 years
Call 658-4726 to register, if you already have an ACTIVENET account online, visit www.cityofventura.net
Held at the Barranca Vista Center, 7050 E Ralston St. unless noted. To register call 658-4726.

Murder Mystery Drama Camp “A Lovely, Deadly Cruise” CAMP 9-14 years
7/10-7/14 M-F 9 am-4 pm $190+$20 materials fee #8549
Learn the art of interactive drama as we work towards a murder mystery performance for family and friends at BVC, Friday at 6:30-8:30 pm. All campers are cast in a speaking part. $20 cash production fee includes: scripts, costume materials and a camp t-shirt

Capturing Color Art CAMPS At Red Brick Gallery 8-15 years
$120 per week
7/10-7/12 M-W 9 am-12 pm Outer Space & Undersea #8613
7/17-7/19 M-W 9 am-12 pm Furry Friends #8614
Push your creativity and understanding of art into a new direction! Work in a variety of mediums including watercolors, acrylics, pencils, mixed media, print making, mosaics and sculpture. No previous art experience necessary. All supplies are included in the cost of class. Red Brick Art is located at 4601 Telephone Road #112 (Telemark Business Center).

Cartooning 8-12 years
7/10-8/14 M 4:15-5:15 pm $50 #9005
Draw wonderful characters with Mr. Scott, a cartoon master.

Mr. Scott’s Chess Club 8-12 years
7/10-8/14 M 5:15-6:15 pm $50 #8983
Improve skills and gain new strategies with a National Championship Coach.

Beginning Argentine Tango 18 years-adult
7/12-8/16 W 6:30-7:30 pm $70/person #9062
Tango in no time with our “true basics in six weeks” class. Classes held at The House of Dance, 3007 Bunsen #E .

I Made a Video Game CAMP 6-9 years
7/17-7/21 M-F 9 am-12 pm $190 #8529
Working with a partner students conceive, design and build their own original 2D “bouncy ball” computer game. Very basic design and coding techniques will be introduced and students will complete fun activities like creating characters and making them bounce around the game screen! Camp held at Bible Fellowship Church.