The event launched the organization into its 25th year.

On October 8, under a beautiful Ventura evening, A Starry Soirée fundraiser was held for the Rubicon Theatre Company at the wonderful Ventura home of Julia Campbell. It featured the wonderful singing of Emmy, Grammy, Tony and SAG Award Nominee Norm Lewis.

The event launched the organization into its 25th year. Attendees were treated to a concert of musical theatre hits sung by Lewis, Broadway’s first African-American Phantom and one of the most acclaimed artists of stage and screen.

Along with pre-show drinks and hors d’oeuvres, silent auction (including 10 spots at an exclusive luncheon with Mr. Lewis), and a post-concert talkback with the Broadway Star, audience members provided generous philanthropic support to the Rubicon as it heads into the final year of its first quarter century.

Between his songs Lewis reflected on his music career. As a youth he wanted to be a professional tennis player until his junior high school year when his choice of electives were home economics or chorus and he chose chorus which was the beginning of his most successful stage career.

Besides starring in many many Broadway hits Norm Lewis recently starred in Spike Lee’s critically acclaimed, “Da 5 Bloods,” and in the groundbreaking FX series, Pose. Additionally, Mr. Lewis can be seen starring in ABC’s newest series, Women of The Movement, and offscreen, his voice can be heard in the latest season of Apple TV’s animated series, Central Park. He was also seen as ‘Caiaphas’ in the award-winning NBC television special, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!,” alongside John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Alice Cooper.

Speakers NY Times bestselling mystery author William Bernhardt, Edgar Allen Poe winner Wendelin Van Draanen, Penny Sansevieri and Desiree Duffy.

Declaring the Covid hiatus over, the 805 Writers Conference returns from hibernation on November 5 & 6 to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ventura, with in-person and virtual sessions, a Book Expo, and half-day workshops. This will be the tenth annual conference, which started in 2011.

“No more hiding behind our keyboards,” said Kathleen Kaiser, president of the Writers & Publishers Network (WPN), a national literary nonprofit based in Ojai, California, and sponsor of the conference. “By November, everyone can be boosted against Covid, a virus that is becoming the new flu. We must learn to live and thrive with Covid, and coming to a writing conference is a great way to get out and back on track.”

For book lovers, there will be a free Book Expo on both days from 10 am to 5 pm, with regional authors selling their books and various speakers available to sign their books. A author speakers will be in and out of the expo through the weekend, chatting with everyone and signing their books.

The Book Expo is free for the public to attend, making sure you can go pick up your winter TBR stack. So even if you haven’t bought a ticket to the conference—there is still a way to meet all these amazingly talented humans at the Book Expo. Register in advance for the expo and have a chance to win one of four Bags of Books worth over $100 each.

Every writer needs community, and attending writing conferences is the best place to build one by meeting other writers and learning from successful authors, agents, editors, and book marketers. Face-to-face meetings, talking during breaks, and finding like-minded people—it’s the best way to keep on track, learn new ways to market your book, finish your book, and get published.

The 805 brings together top authors from all genres to discuss their process or specific craft elements all writers need to know. In addition, book marketing experts discuss how to launch a book and understand how to sell books on Amazon. Small publishers looking for direct submissions will discuss their search for new writers and be ready to meet them at the conference. Plus, there will be literary agents, book editors, and more. And one session showcases successful indie authors from the 805 area code.

“As the conference director,” said Kaiser, “I’ve found the best experts to talk with writers of all ages. Hear how they started, the obstacles they overcame, their process, and the joy of writing, which should inspire everyone to go home and get back to work on that manuscript.”

Learn more about the conference and how to register for the Book Expo at https://805writersconference.com.

In 2020, the land trust bought the property for approximately $4 million.

On September 21, the Ventura Land Trust (VLT) held an official ceremony on the Mariano Rancho Preserve. At the ceremony they received a $7.2 million check to fund purchase of the ranch property and establish an endowment for improvements, restoration and maintenance. The new Mariano Rancho preserve will go from the Ventura Botanical Gardens to Two Trees in the Ventura hills. A major addition to Ventura’s open spaces.

In 2020, the land trust bought the property for approximately $4 million with plans to preserve even more miles of public trails forever.

In July, Ventura Land Trust was awarded $7.2 million from the State of California to complete the acquisition and permanent conservation of the 1,645-acre Ventura hillsides property
that will allow the organization to pay off the loan and provide funds to open the 1,645 acres to the public. The land trust hopes to open the preserve publicly in two to three years.

The funding was spearheaded by Ventura’s own Assemblyman Steve Bennett, D-Ventura and State Sen. Monique Limón, D-Santa Barbara who joined in the celebration State Sen. Monique Limón and Bennett presented the check for $7.2 million to the Ventura Land Trust.

Ventura Land Trust Executive Director Melissa Baffa spoke about the future community meetings that will take place that will seek input from the public on Mariano Rancho Preserve’s goals and public access.

Since 2003, Ventura Land Trust has conserved and stewarded open spaces in Ventura County. Ventura Land Trust protects over 3,800 acres of land in the Ventura hillsides, Ventura River, and coastal estuary. Outdoor education programs for children foster a connection to the natural world. More information about the preserve is available at venturaland trust.org.

The voices were loud and at times raucous throughout the passion filled meeting.

Part 1 of 2
by Ross Williams

Arriving at the parking lot of the VUSD building on Stanley Ave, I didn’t know what to expect. A long line of cars waiting to pull into a nearly full lot, directed by what seemed to be an ecstatic security guard with a huge welcoming smile on his face, waving everybody in place.

Approaching the building at 6:45 pm on Tuesday September 13th there was a huge crowd outside. There were boxes and boxes of pizza, sodas, people with guitars, tambourines and somewhere in the crowd someone tooted on a jug. Laughing, hugs, the buzz of conversation, everything pointed towards a celebration except for the picket signs and posters with sayings such as “We Love Kids,” “Save The Heart of Foothill,” “For All We’re Worth” and “VESPA Strong.”

As I entered the meeting room I realized that all of the people here were not going to fit inside as I had to weave through people to make my way closer to the front. Taking position, I took up as little room as possible as more and more people began to push their way in. The meeting came to order but the buzz of chatter that still permeated the air and was enough for the board to ask if they could close the door. Which was met with a resounding “Nooo!”

At heart today were two topics of deep passion and deep frustration, the compensation package currently being negotiated between VUSD and the Teachers Associations and the removal of Foothill Technology High Schools prep periods for teachers. This had brought together the community of people now focusing their energies on the small handful of VUSD board members that sat beyond the wooden pony wall.

First up were students who attend Foothill Tech. At the start of the semester coordinating periods for teachers were cut from their schedules in order to add more classes and shrink class sizes. This previously allotted time allowed for teachers to build, coordinate and facilitate programs that students and faculty alike had become so passionate about. Students declared their appreciation for the opportunities that they had been given at Foothill and stated that the prep periods were an absolute necessity for the teachers.

Foothill Tech’s Principal Gibbs was present at the meeting and explained the need to make the painful balancing corrections in order to address classroom overflow stating that in some classes up to 10 students at a time could be found sitting on the floor.

However, Foothill Tech’s instructor Mika Anderson stated in a passionate, moving and at times teary speech that she had worked for decades to build and provide programs and activities that were varied and vital to their students’ futures. From job shadows and internships to networking and special projects. This adjustment was not taken as just a change in schedule, but a disregard for years of hard work as well as a lack of support for staff and a lack of understanding of the repercussions of these changes.

“What I can say is that as the Bioscience Academy advisor and teacher, I want to do more than just teach or deliver curriculum. It is my life’s mission to provide students access to rich and relevant experiences so they can be inspired to break barriers and achieve beyond any limitations they or others might have set for themselves. I want to light their passion, sometimes in areas of study that they never heard of by providing them with rich, relevant and meaningful experiences. Finally, I love helping students grow their leadership and show compassion towards others through acts of service.

Kevin Ayala heard the cries of a frantic mother seeking help for her baby.

Kevin Ayala, a traffic controller working near a recreation area by the beach in Carpinteria leapt into action as he heard the cries of a frantic mother seeking help for her baby. The traffic controller, from Traffic Management, Inc., responded to her pleas to get her baby out of a locked car in the parking lot.

“His dedication to keeping his community safe may have saved a life,” TMI Executive Management stated.

Though 911 was called, minutes were ticking by and the baby continued to cry. With the mother’s permission, he safely broke the front car window so that the doors could be opened, and the baby rescued. Mom and child were reunited.

TMI awarded this employee the TMI Hero Award in recognition of his quick thinking and service to the community.