Now through June 20: Channel Islands Choral Association presents “Into the Light”; A virtual choral experience celebrating Black composers in choral music.
Performances include CSU Channel Islands University Chorus and Pleasant Valley School District Chorus. Online Video on-demand streaming event is available now through June 20. Tickets available at www.cicachoir.org

June 17: The East Ventura Community Council anticipates hearing from several elected officials, or their field representatives, at its next virtual meeting on Thursday, at 7 pm. Invited to discuss their legislative priorities as they impact Ventura are representatives of  County Supervisor Matt LaVere, State Assemblymember Steve Bennett, State Senator Monique Limon, and U. S. Congressmember Julia Brownley. A Question and Answer period will follow each presentation.

In addition, there will be a report on city of Ventura Senior Services and an update on area crime statistics. Other topics may be added to the agenda, so be sure to check the group’s Facebook page for updates.East Ventura City Councilmembers are invited to weigh in, as always.

The Council represents those who live east of Victoria Avenue and the public is encouraged to attend and participate.

Join Zoom Meeting, 7 pm.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86085199558?pwd=RXZHMVVtSklsYnJRbWdTQlpuZ3VlUT09.
Meeting ID: 860 8519 9558 Passcode: 020080

For more information, Contact EVCC Chairperson, Deborah Meyer-Morris at [email protected]

June 23: The Ventura College Area Community Council will be holding a Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7pm.  An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list.   Council meetings include speakers and discussion on topics of neighborhood and community interest, including public safety and economic development. At the June meeting Ventura Fire Chief Endaya and Fire Marshall Morelli will be discussing fire prevention and homeowner fire mitigation strategies.  CACC represents citizens in Council District 3, neighborhoods between Dunning/Lemon Grove and Hill Road, north of Hwy. 126.  <collegeareacouncil.com/map>  Visit the College Area Community Council website @ caccVentura.com to be added to the mailing list and to access a link to the Zoom meeting.

June 26: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.The popular monthly plant sale continues at the Dudley House. Bromeliads, orchids, succulents, tillandsias, rhipsalis, garden art and more. Vendors welcome (plants only), please call Charlie at 805 746 4317. The museum is located at the corner of Loma
Vista and Ashwood streets (197 N. Ashwood) in Ventura. Free.

June 27&28: Bank of Books is excited to announce their launch of book clubs! They will begin by holding two book clubs with the hopes to expand into other genres. If you are interested in starting a group of your own they would be happy to talk with you more about purchasing the books and scheduling a day and time.

The two clubs this month are as follows:
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig June 27th, 2021 from 11:00am – 12:00pm
Dune by Frank Herbert June 28th, 2021 from 4:30pm – 5:30pm

Both of these books are available for purchase at either Bank of Books or Abednego Book Shoppe.

Bank of Books 748 E Main St. – Abednego Book Shoppe 2682 E Main St.

With an eye for plans to expand its theatrical programs, the Ojai Performing Arts Theater (OPAT) announces two new board members, Jane Seiler Weil and Michal Gaidano. Ms. Weil will become the first Chief Operating Officer (COO) for OPAT, and Ms. Gaidano will assist with special events and other functions.

“OPAT has some wonderful ideas about expanding its offerings,” said Ms. Weil, “and bringing in talent from all over Southern California. I’m excited about joining the board at such a launching point of its growth and, of course, most excited about working with Joan Kemper and learning from her.”

Many in Ojai are familiar with Jane Seiler Weil for her work with the Weil Tennis Academy, various charities, and as President of the Ojai Unified School District. She comes from theater originally with a professional reputation at leading theaters across America and overseas for production work from lighting design to stage management.

Michal Gaidano and her husband Don have been involved with theater in Ojai since they moved here in 2010.

OPAT has several projects in the wings awaiting the relaxing of COVID restrictions, including the production of “Harvey,” which was forced to close just one week before opening in 2020. Stay tuned for more news at OjaiTheater.org.

Starting in June 2021, the Humane Society of Ventura County (HSVC) in partnership with Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation (OVLFF) and Ventura County Libraries will begin a read-aloud program that promotes the proper treatment of animals. The program is being initially piloted with three Ojai Valley Libraries in the hope it will grow to include other Ventura County Libraries over time.

Kris Humphries, OVLFF Outreach Chair says, “The Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation (OVLFF) is honored to be partnering with HSVC on another literacy program to serve the Ojai Valley community. OVLFF’s sponsoring of the RedRover Readers Program is another fantastic opportunity to bring literacy, a love of reading, and humane education to our youth.”

The program was created by RedRover, a national nonprofit animal welfare organization and aligns perfectly with the missions of all the organizations involved. The new books will be used in the Ojai Valley Libraries (Oak View, Meiners Oaks, Ojai) and read aloud by HSVC Humane Educator, Angie Chupek Sagliani.

HSVC is excited about the possibilities of seeing this literacy program grow throughout Ventura County. RedRover Readers is an essential program that uses books about animals to help students practice making responsible decisions and become more aware of themselves and their communities.

Inspired by the previous collaborations, the Little Free Library and the Animal Reading Friends (A.R.F) program was built with the help of OVLFF. Now that the libraries are scheduled to open, RedRover’s Readers program will further develop the themes of literacy and empathy. The hope is that HSVC can create a culture of compassionate and mindful animal advocates.

“I hope that these partnerships that we created this month will last a long time,” says Angie Chupek Sagliani. “I feel excited to promote positive animal care through literacy.”

For more info on the Humane Society of Ventura County, visit www.hsvc.org.

June 4 – June 20: Channel Islands Choral Association presents “Into the Light”; A virtual choral experience celebrating Black composers in choral music.

Performances include CSU Channel Islands University Chorus and Pleasant Valley School District Chorus.

Online Video on-demand streaming event will be available from June 4 through June 20. Tickets available at www.cicachoir.org

June 13th – The Historic Olivas Adobe located at 4200 Olivas Park Drive is now open 11am-3 pm the second Sunday of each month for visitors. On June 13th join us as we invite all plien aire artists to come and paint or sketch on the park grounds. You will find lots of inspiration, from the 160-year-old fuchsia to the rose garden, from the historic two story rancho home to the bell tower and everything in-between.

Be sure to stop in the small adobe as you tour the grounds to see the exhibit of Laura Jean Jespersen paintings , all inspired by Olivas Family stories.

July 3: The Sespe Flyfishers of Ventura will again be conducting their “First Saturday” introductory class on Fly Fishing and Casting the Fly Rod. In July the “First Saturday” is on the 3rd. There is no charge and all are welcome. Whether you are an experienced fly fisher or a complete novice we want to help you learn and enjoy this great sport. If you don’t yet have a fly rod, don’t worry, just come and use one of theirs. Please join us at Chumash Park, Petit and Waco, 9:00 to 11:00AM, in East Ventura, off Telephone Rd. For every one’s safety we ask all those attending to please comply with current recommendations by the Ventura County Health Department.

For more information: Bob Smith (805) 647-3522 www.sespeflyfishers.org

The life and writings of Emily Dickinson, one of America’s most treasured poets, come vividly to life in a reprise of the acclaimed Rubicon, Namba Arts, and Ojai Art Center productions of The Belle of Amherst by William Luce. The production stars Ojai actor and choreographer Anna Kotula under the direction of Steve Grumette, Artistic Director of the Ojai Film Festival.

See The Belle Of Amherst presented live on-stage until May 23, at the Ojai Art Center Theater Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm.
Tickets are $22, $19 for OACT members.
Additional donations can be made and are much appreciated. For tickets to the live show, please call 805-640-8797
Stay tuned to ojaiact.org for information about the streamed version.

The Ojai Art Center is kicking off their 44th annual Art in the Park celebration Memorial weekend on May 29 and May 30, 2021. This will be the first sizable festival in Ojai since COVID started. Unlike last year’s virtual Art in the Park, 2021 brings us back to walking through downtown Ojai’s Libbey Park where artists will showcase their recent works and festival goers can enjoy a sense of normalcy.

The Art in the Park celebration attracts artists from all over the state and serves as a great opportunity for artists, locals, tourists and art lovers of all ages to meet, browse and buy.

Everyone is invited to browse, meet the artists, grab a bite and enjoy the weekend in Libbey Park. Free admission. We ask that face coverings are worn and social distancing practiced. Call 805-646-0117 for further information or visit www.ojaiartcenter.org. More artist photos, contact info and bios are available upon request.

June 12  (10 – 6) and Sunday, June 13 (10 – 5)Where: Libbey Park in Ojai.

Discover the hand-made ceramics of over 25 clay artists as they showcase their work at Libbey Park in Ojai June 13 (10-6) and June 14 (10-5). Everyone is excited to be safely back outdoors selling in downtown Ojai.

Enjoy seeing the pottery and demonstrations safely! Following COVID guidelines, masks and social distancing will be required. We want you to go home with a beautiful ceramic creation, not COVID. We are all anxious to get out and enjoy a beautiful weekend. We hope you can join us.

The Ventura County Potters’ Guild is a non-profit organization. This is a major fundraiser and supports ceramic education and venues for local artists. Work can also be seen year round at their gallery store in Ventura Harbor at 1567 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 105. We also have an online store (www.venturapotteryonline.com).
More information can be found at www.venturapottersguild.org.

May 20: Ventura City Councilmember Lorrie Brown, Chairperson of the city’s General Plan revision process, will address the East Ventura Community Council, at its next virtual meeting, on Thursday, at 7:00 p.m.  She will speak about issues of concern in the General Plan for East Ventura, as well as citywide. A question and answer period will follow Ms. Brown’s presentation.

In addition, Meredith Hart, Director of the City of Ventura’s Homeless Services, will present an update on efforts to house the homeless, with a focus on the City’s new FAQ educational campaign.

Area crime statistics will be shared by Commander Weeks of the Ventura Police Department.

The Council represents those who live east of Victoria Avenue, and the public is encouraged to attend and participate.

The meeting will be held online at 7:00 p.m. via the Zoom application.

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84788961123?pwd=QXhnazZHMkJPcWJCU2hNZGR1T3VTZz09

Meeting ID: 847 8896 1123

Passcode: 874800

You will first need to download the Zoom app on your computer or smart phone. You do not need an account.  If you miss the meeting, you can always view it later on the website, www.eastventura.org. For more information, contact EVCC Chairperson, Deborah Meyer-Morris at [email protected].

May 21-22: Ventura County high school students are invited to attend the Hackathon by the Sea, a two-day computer coding event presented by the Ventura County Office of Education with support from the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Engineering & Expeditionary Warfare Center. Hacker Fund, which is a national nonprofit network of STEM mentors, is joining us again this year to deliver the event.

Participants will have the chance to “hack together” all types of creative projects which they will present as they compete for awards. This is an opportunity for students to team up with some of the brightest minds in Ventura County through a variety of workshops. This free event is open to students in grades 9-12 and will be held on Friday, May 21, and Saturday, May 22. All experience levels are welcome.

Registration is available at https://www.vcoe.org/hackathon. Please address any questions to [email protected] or [email protected].

May 26: The Ventura College Area Community Council will be holding a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, at 7pm.  An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list.   Council meetings include speakers and discussion on topics of neighborhood and community interest, including public safety and economic development. At the May meeting, a representative of Ventura College will be discussing long-range plans for developing facilities at the college.  Also, Christy Weir, from the Ventura Tree Alliance, will explain how residents can get involved in “urban forestry.”  CACC represents citizens in Council District 3, neighborhoods between Dunning/Lemon Grove and Hill Road, north of Hwy. 126.  collegeareacouncil.com/map.  Visit the College Area Community Council website @ http://collegeareacouncil.com/wp/ to be added to the mailing list and to access a link to the Zoom meeting.

June 4 – June 20: Channel Islands Choral Association presents “Into the Light”; A virtual choral experience celebrating Black composers in choral music.

Performances include CSU Channel Islands University Chorus and Pleasant Valley School District Chorus. Online Video on-demand streaming event will be available from June 4 through June 20. Tickets available at www.cicachoir.org

June 6: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum has resumed the first Sunday afternoon docent-led tours with covid protocols from 1 to 4 p.m. Group size is strictly limited. Admission is free. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets (197 N. Ashwood) in Ventura. For information please call (805) 642-3345 or visit the website at dudleyhouse.org.

June 6: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc.

Sunday 2 :00-4:00 pm

Moorpark Community Center, 799 Moorpark Ave.

Live Music on stage. Jamming on the Patio. Free Admission. Free parking Open to Public. For more information call 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA

A virtual event full of community, celebration, and fun.

Back by popular demand, hosts Curtis Knight, CalTrout executive director, and George Revel, CalTrout board member and owner of Lost Coast Outfitters, will entertain and inspire. Plus, live special reports from CalTrout member Sydnie Kohara.

The 2021 Trout Camp Gala will celebrate 50 years of taking action for California’s fish, water, and people – a milestone success made possible by partners and members like you. Tune in for a high-energy virtual showcase of innovative conservation work across the state, cameos from CalTrout staff, and more!

Register now at https://caltrout.org/trout-camp-gala. Event site: https://caltrout.org/trout-camp-gala

Denis O’Leary Book Signing Sat. June 5th (1-3 pm)

Bank of Books 748 E Main St (805) 643-3154

Denis O’Leary, a prolific writer an Illustrator, became an advocate and spokesperson for many in the Latino community. Denis took leadership roles in organizations such as the California Association for Bilingual Education, the League of United Latin American Citizens and the United Farm Workers.

He served 17 years as a School Board Trustee of the Oxnard School District. Denis has worked to better represent Latino families in their efforts to improve the lives of their next generation. Today, Denis O’Leary often receives calls for help from organizations, law enforcement and foreign governments to assist in issues of education and human rights.

 April 20: The Museum of Ventura County just announced two upcoming online events that are not to be missed! Local History Happy Hour, a bi-monthly series where local authors and historians will sit down with Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director Elena Brokaw to discuss their unique perspectives on our region’s history and take questions from the audience.

Roz McGrath, author of Memoir of a Feminist, will join us for the first installment of Local History Happy Hour on Tuesday, from 5-6 p.m. Registration is free!

April 28: “The Ventura College Area Community Council will be holding a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, at 7p.m.  An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list.   Council meetings include speakers and discussion on topics of neighborhood and community interest, including public safety and economic development. At the April meeting, Heather Sumagaysay, PIO of the City of Ventura, will be providing an update on issues facing the city in 2021.  CACC represents citizens in Council District 3, neighborhoods between Dunning/Lemon Grove and Hill Road, north of Hwy. 126.  <collegeareacouncil.com/map>  Visit the College Area Community Council website @ http://collegeareacouncil.com/wp/ to be added to the mailing list and to access a link to the Zoom meeting.”

April 30: Permanent Acting Interim Executive Director Louise Reilly Sacco will join the Ventura County Library at 6 p.m. on Friday, to talk about the collections at the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA). This event will take place virtually via Zoom.

The Museum of Bad Art collects, exhibits, and celebrates art that will be seen in no other venue. Since 1993, they have collected art from thrift stores, yard sales, sidewalk trash, and even the artists who create it. They analyze, compare to classic art, and share with thousands of fans around the world. Louise Reilly Sacco—the Permanent Acting Interim Executive Director of the Museum of Bad Art—was part of MOBA’s founding team in 1993.

This event is free and open to the public. To register visit bit.ly/VCLMOBA. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at 805-218-9146 or [email protected]. Instructions for registering for this event on Zoom can also be found online calendar at www.vencolibrary.org/calendar.

May 2. The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum is resuming the first Sunday afternoon docent-led tours with covid protocols, from 1-4 p.m. Group size will be strictly limited. Admission is free. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets (197 N. Ashwood). For information please call 642-3345 or visit the website at dudleyhouse.webs.com.

May 8: Mother’s Day weekend plant sale at the Dudley House Museum 8-2 p.m.

Bromeliads, orchids, succulents, tillandsias, rhipsalis, garden art and cultural instructions. Vendors welcome (plants only), please call Charlie at 746-4317.

May 15: Lora Howe will be book signing at the Bank of Books. Saturday from 1-3 p.m. 748 E. Main St. 643-3154. I love nomad life, but I think it is important to show all aspects of the lifestyle so you can decide if it is right for you. In 2011, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2012, I hit the road full-time in a 5th wheel RV, because I realized how short life could be. Do what you love and go where you have always wanted to go, now, before it is too late. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

by Veronica Johnson

The Ojai Valley Museum reopened April 2, 2021 and invites all to view the new original exhibition “Ojai Eye: Master Photographers” in person.

The museum will be open every Friday from 1-7pm, and from 10am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

“Ojai Eye: Master Photographers” is an exploration of the work for six local, professional photographers. Examine images from J.C. Brewster, Horace Bristol, Guy Webster, Cindy Pitou, Joe Sohm, and Donna Granata.

The exhibit can be viewed online at OjaiValleyMuseum.org. However, the large size of many of the photographs makes an in-person visit a much richer experience. There are also additional elements to enjoy in person, that are not available online.

The exhibition will be on view through the end of June.

In addition to “Ojai Eye: Master Photographers”, small exhibitions on a range of topics related to the history of the valley and a diorama of the Sespe Wilderness are always on view at the museum.

The Ojai Valley Museum is located at 130 W. Ojai Avenue in Ojai. Free parking is available behind the museum, off Blanche Street. The Museum is open Friday from 1-7pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Suggested admission is $5 per adult, $1 children 5-18. Facemasks required.

For more information, call the museum at (805) 640-1390, ext. 201, email [email protected] or visit the museum website at OjaiValleyMuseum.org.

Beginning Sunday, April 11, 2021, Ojai author and naturalist Lanny Kaufer will lead a series of two-hour Ojai Urban Herb Walks in downtown Ojai on Sunday mornings in April and May. Meetup locations and itineraries will vary. All walks will start at 10 a.m. and end at 12 noon. Groups will walk less than a mile total distance and visit useful native and non-native plants in and around the downtown area. The April 11 and May 16 walks will start and end in Libbey Park. The walks on April 25 and May 30 will visit Cluff Vista Park and the Chumash Garden at the Ojai Valley Museum. Registrants will receive parking directions by email.

Libbey Park and Stewart Creek, which runs through the park, have been replanted with native California plants over the years. Renovations are ongoing. The park provides an easy-to-access place to see how these native plants do in urban landscapes. Kaufer also will discuss useful non-native plants such as rosemary and eucalyptus that are often found in Southern California’s urban and suburban areas. He will focus on how to identify these plants and discuss their edible and medicinal uses.

Cluff Vista Park is a native plant demonstration garden designed by the late Thomas Bostrom and maintained by the City of Ojai with assistance from the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. Kaufer was a consultant on the design and plant selection for the Chumash Garden at Ojai Valley Museum.

Until such time as they are no longer needed, safeguards will be in place to prevent possible transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Attendance will be limited to 12 participants. Temperatures will be checked digitally on arrival, face coverings will be required, and the group will maintain 6 feet of physical distance at all times.

The cost for these walks is $25/person. Registration is required. Please visit HerbWalks.com or call (805) 646-6281 for more information and registration. No dogs or smoking, please.

April 8: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mothers Day weekend plant sale at the Dudley House Museum Bromeliads, orchids, succulents, tillandsias, rhipsalis, garden art and cultural instructions. Vendors welcome (plants only), please call Charlie at 805 746 4317. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets (197 N. Ashwood). Covid protocols observed.

April 13: Causes and Treatment for Enlarged Prostate Explored at a Free Online CMHS Seminar

Some of the most common urological health issues in men include increased urinary frequency and benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate gland. In the United States, half of all men have an enlarged prostate by age 60. If you have a frequent need to urinate both day and night, you may have an enlarged prostate.

Join Dr. Marc A. Beaghler from San Buenaventura Urology group for a free webinar on causes, symptoms, screening, diagnosis, and the latest treatments for an enlarged prostate. Among the treatment options he will discuss is the UroLift® System, a minimally invasive procedure that may help relieve symptoms.

Dr. Beaghler specializes in urology and is Community Memorial Hospital’s Medical Director of Robotic Surgery, as well as a former chief of staff and chief of surgery. He earned his medical degree from the Creighton University School of Medicine and completed a residency at Loma Linda University School of Medicine.

This free virtual event takes place on Zoom at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13. To register, visit www.cmhshealth.org/RSVP.

April 28: The Ventura College Area Community Council will be holding a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, at 7pm. Council meetings include speakers and discussion on topics of neighborhood and community interest, including public safety and economic development. CACC represents citizens in Council District 3, neighborhoods between Dunning/Lemon Grove and Hill Road, north of Hwy. 126. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ http://collegeareacouncil.com/wp/ to be added to the mailing list and to access a link to the Zoom meeting.”

April 9: The Ventura College Theatre Arts Department will present five plays over the next two months. The all-virtual season is a blend of recorded and live-streamed productions featuring a diverse slate of plays that has something for everyone.

The Theatre Department launches its spring season with SHEL-SHOCKED, An Evening of Plays by Shel Silverstein, which have been fully directed, acted and designed by VC Theatre Arts students. SHEL-SHOCKED will stream all day on both April 9 & 10.

On April 16, VC will present an encore streaming performance of Jessica Dickey’s moving play, THE AMISH PROJECT, a work about a rural Amish town finding acceptance and learning to move forward after a shocking act of violence nearly shatters their community.

DEVIL BOYS FROM BEYOND a hilarious, high camp southern-fried comedy will stream on both April 16 & 17.

The Staged Reading Series will conclude with a live-stream of ADA AND THE ENGINE on April 30 and May 1 at 7:30pm.

VC ends the theatre season with EVERYMAN (streaming May 7, 8, & 9), a re-imagined and modernized tale of one of the fifteenth century’s greatest myths.

March 28: This Sunday NAMBA Performing Arts Space kickstarts its’ return to regular programming with a monthly streaming event featuring musicians, dancers and improvisational theatre. Dubbed ‘IN PERFORMANCE Live’, the show is donation based and designed to re-engage a shuttered community in the power of artistic expression. Curated by Doc Ventura of Delta by the Beach, Cathy Butter formerly of Aloft Dance Theatre and Ventura College Dance, and Gary Best of Ventura Improv, IN PERFORMANCE Live is NAMBA’s collaborative expression of performance as a means to bridge rising waters in challenging times.

Due to on-going issues related to the pandemic and the nearly impossible restrictions on live performance, NAMBA has been shuttered to audiences for the last year. With vaccines and loosening restrictions, NAMBA is anticipating a return to live community service. Tamara Varney, Chairperson of NAMBA’s Board said, “NAMBA seeks to engage Community partners to safely access our Theatre, to energize performing arts disciplines and to deliver programs to the public.” To contact NAMBA, or for information on upcoming limited in-person dance and theatre classes, senior and youth programming, continued streaming/zooming opportunities for teachers and performers, as well as to register for IN PERFORMANCE Live, visit nambaarts.com.

April 17: George Yenney Book Signing Saturday 1-3 pm Bank of Books 748 E. Main (805) 643-3154. Mr. Yenney, a Navy brat, was born in Virginia, raised in California and attended military boarding school in Wisconsin before serving two tours with the U.S. Navy in Vietnam. He earned degrees from UCSB and CSUDH. He has lived in Oregon, Texas and Mexico. For more than a decade he taught English and conducted international business in the republic of China on Taiwan. He was a bilingual educator in Oxnard for 20 years. He speaks Spanish and Chinese. He currently resides in Ventura where he is working on his next novel.

George has seven novels to share at this book signing. They are: “Ventura, A Novel of 1975”, “Education by Chaos”, “The Cayeguas File” “West Pac”, “Nayeli Means, “I Love You”, “Ellie, A Vietnam War Romance” and “The Spoils of War “