These volunteers are what makes this program successful.

by Ross Williams

Kathy Powell is the founder of The Moving In Project, a local grassroots community effort that helps to provide furnishings for the newly housed homeless. This year they have provided furnishings for 120 households and have had the pleasure of serving 200 people. In the 2-½ years since its inception The Moving in Project has helped to furnish a total 234 households and created warm welcoming environments for 373 people.

Ten years ago Kathy lived in the neighborhood close to Harbor Church. There in the church’s courtyard homeless people would often congregate; playing music, using the facilities to shower and dress and spend time just hanging out. At the church were a variety of people; Veterans, those with disabilities or mental illness, those that struggled with abuse or addiction, those with financial hardships and elderly people who just couldn’t afford an apartment. Their stories were layered and tragic and always had some devastating circumstances that had led to their current situation. Kathy understood their positions. Their stories grabbed at her heart and so she began to help.

Kathy always wanted to be a chef and she had the opportunity to do so at Harbor Church where she ran the kitchen. “I always wanted to have a restaurant and I loved the experience. Everyone wanted to be a part of the restaurant.” Her favorite thing to make was quiche. A local country club would often donate food items after Sunday brunch and that allowed Kathy access to ingredients for daily fresh squeezed juices and the ability to explore her culinary creativity.

Then everything changed. The church closed their doors due to a controversy, but Kathy had already moved on and had been doing outreach in the homeless community in various ways. It was then that Kathy found out that she had cancer and although she won the battle she had to have a lung removed leaving her immune system compromised. With that her role as a volunteer was uncertain. Then the pandemic hit.

Shortly after the pandemic started the homeless were moved into hotels and motels via Project Room Key. When she was finally able to volunteer again a man that had volunteered with her called her called about a woman that he knew. She had been given permanent housing, and as great of a gift as that was, there was a problem. She didn’t have anything. Not a couch to sit on, not a plate to eat off of. Not a pillow or a lamp. A wonderful opportunity came with a lot of open-ended questions and concerns and to make things harder she was nearly blind.

Kathy wanted to help. She reached out to her network and asked if anyone could contribute. The donations poured in and they kept coming. Soon the program took shape. Lynn Gellar helped Kathy start The Moving in Project and different people stepped up to volunteer in various ways. One woman makes bathroom boxes, another makes stationary boxes. Some make kitchen boxes. A local shelter hires a guy with a box truck to transport furniture and veterans come and help with the moving process. One man was living on the streets for 12 years. Now he’s found a way to give back by becoming a volunteer driver for the program.

The three main sources of donations are realtors, the community and houses of faith. Case managers work to find the homeless a place to live. That’s the hard part. Kathy’s role is to get the furniture for the people. She asks important questions in order to understand each individual’s specific needs. What they like, what they need, if they enjoy cooking, and if they have any kids. Then people get to pick out their furniture.

The costs of operating the program are approximately $ 1,000 a month, from storage rentals to U hauls and that $1,000 can make for a huge impact. It keeps furniture out of the landfill and gives the furniture a whole new life. Not to mention it keeps Kathy’s life vibrant and jam packed.

People are implored to donate, but only items that are in good condition. When discussing the condition of the donated items Kathy says “The items have to be good enough to give to a family member that you like!”

The Moving in Project is associated with the nonprofit Lift Up Your Voice to End Homelessness.

If you would like to contribute to The Moving in Project please contact:

Kathy Powell 805-910-8860 [email protected].

Aera is committed to improving the lives of citizens.

The City of Ventura and Aera Energy partnered to provide 120 Thanksgiving meals to low-income families enrolled in the Ventura Unified School District. Each Thanksgiving meal included a turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, a pie, and other traditional thanksgiving meal sides.

“Many of these families, identified by the school district, rely on this program each year to help make ends meet,” said City of Ventura Recreation Manager Emily Fox. “The holidays can be financially challenging for many. We’re grateful to local community partners that help us alleviate some of those burdens during this season of giving.”

Thanks to a more than $4,300 donation from Aera Energy, the City purchased ingredients for the Thanksgiving meal kits. Meals were packed into reusable bags by employees and volunteers from the City and Aera on Monday, November 21, at the Westpark Community Center. The bags were dropped off at schools throughout the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) by City staff and distributed to select families by VUSD staff before the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Aera is committed to improving the lives of citizens in the communities where we live and work,” said Aera External Affairs Advisor Amy Fonzo. “We see that rising costs for life’s necessities are making it even more difficult for people to justify spending their limited funds on a single Thanksgiving meal. We hope this food allows our residents a moment to pause and enjoy time spent with family over a hearty meal this Thanksgiving.”

Who was able to read the Breeze first?

On October 20-27th, a delegation of 15 people from the Ventura Sister City Association (VSCA) went down to Ventura’s first and only Sister City, Loreto Baja Sur, Mexico, to participate in the 325th year of Loreto’s founding. Loreto served as the first capital of California, and it has ties to Ventura through its Mission and the headquarters for the five island Mexican National Park off of its coast in the Sea of Cortez.

The trip included a visit to San Javier, an older mission in the Gigante’ Mountain range, boat rides out to the islands, a stop at a working ranchero where goats are raised, visits with artists, the Loreto Fire Department and a foster home and a beach clean-up. Additionally, we had an orientation session with Eco-Alianza, on organization that supports and collaborates with, which is dedicated to environmental protection of the Sea of Cortez and promotion of ecotourism.

Most importantly, the delegation got to participate in the four-day celebration of Loreto’s founding, including the presentation of a proclamation from Ventura’s Mayor and City Council to their Mayor and Council. Pictures and a video of the trip can be found on the Ventura Sister City Facebook page.

This is the second year in a row that the VCSA has partnered with the Hermosa Beach Sister City Association (HBSCA), as Hermosa Beach has been a Sister City of Loreto for 55 years. Beyond the October visit, which coincides with Loreto’s founding on October 25, 1697, the VSCA is working on developing trips to enhance our purpose of building cultural exchanges in the arts, with our museum and with our schools. If you are interested in getting involved with the Ventura Sister City Association, please visit our webpage at VenturaSisterCity.org.

Rubicon Co-Founders James O’Neil and Karyl Lynn Burns with goddaughter Lauren Patten.

Rubicon Producing Artistic Director and Co-Founder Karyl Lynn Burns retired from the company on Sunday, November 13, following the acclaimed sold-out run of In the Heights. Says Burns, “It’s been a long and beautiful run and Jim [O’Neil] and I will forever be grateful to those we’ve met during our 25 years in Ventura who have taught us the meaning of community and showed us what can happen when dedicated and passionate people come together in pursuit of common goals. We are looking forward to beginning a new chapter, and to spending more time with each other and our families.”

“What we’re most excited about,” continues Burns, “is the opportunity to pass the torch to two longtime friends and collaborators, Beverly and Kirby Ward. They are multi-talented, incredibly diverse veteran performers with West End, Broadway and National Tour credits. After years of knowing them and working together at Rubicon, we have complete faith in them and trust that, with continued board and community support, they will take the company and the art to new heights.”

Burns and husband James O’Neil co-founded Rubicon in November of 1998 and have led the organization for nearly 25 years. During their tenure, the company has produced more than 160 comedies, dramas and musicals, including more than 20 world premieres. Under Karyl Lynn and Jim’s leadership, Rubicon received numerous awards, including the L.A. Drama Critics Special Award for Sustained Excellence, two New York Drama Desk Awards, Ovation Awards for Best Production of a Play, Larger Theatre (for Arthur Miller’s All My Sons and Gulf View Drive by Arlene Hutton), and an NAACP Award. Rubicon has taken five shows to New York and has also toured productions across the U.S. and to Tokyo, South Korea, London and Dublin. In addition to mainstage programming, Burns and O’Neil have produced festivals, special events, a Broadway concert series and extensive educational programming for young people ages 6-23.

The Wards have a long history at Rubicon, freelancing as directors and actors at the company since 2008. They stepped into ongoing administrative/creative staff positions in 2018 and were responsible for the direction and choreography of Rubicon’s critically acclaimed, sold-out run of Big River in 2019. The couple have worked together on stage and off for nearly half-a-century. They bring with them West End, Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National and International Tour credits.

Says Board President Doug Halter, “This is an ideal succession plan for the company that we all have been quietly working on together for some time and we are pleased to share the news with the public. We as a board and community owe Karyl Lynn and Jim a great debt for their many years of service,” adds Halter, “and for giving Ventura the gift of a professional not-for-profit theatre that we know and trust will be here for generations.”

Says Burns, “Parting with people and places you love is always sweet sorrow, but we leave knowing that this is the right time to infuse new vitality and vision into the organization as Bev and Kirby move Rubicon from a founder-driven organization to a strong and sustainable institution. There’s so much more to say; we look forward to time to express our gratitude personally to those who have made this Rubicon journey possible.”

True to the company’s name and the vision of founding artistic directors Karyl Lynn Burns and James O’Neil, Rubicon has created an environment where commitment and risk are encouraged, and where artists are nurtured and respected. As a result, the company has gained a reputation for invigorating interpretations of the classics and for supporting the development of new works. Rubicon presents at least one World Premiere each season, as well as readings of works-in-progress.

Guests enjoyed fine food, entertainment and inspiring speeches. Photos by Yana Khiyod

Kids & Families Together hosted their 4th Annual November Fundraising Event Fostering the Next Wave 2022, held on Saturday, November 5th, at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach, was a surf inspired fundraising celebration supporting Ventura County foster youth and families. The event raised funds for Kids & Families Together (K&FT) and More Than Conquerors Surf (MTC Surf).

More than 150 guests joined us for this fun and successful event! Guests enjoyed surf inspired music and films during Happy Hour, along with a silent auction filled with a wide variety of items up for bid. The evening’s program included inspiring testimonial speakers and messages from two Ventura County political leaders and a local professional surfer!

Speakers for the event included: an opening and welcome from Ventura County Supervisor Matt LaVere; Sharon Watts Woolley, K&FT’s Board Chair; David & Faith Friedlander, K&FT’s Co-Founders; and Elle Miller, Founder of MTC Surf. Kids & Families Together presented the 4th Annual Founders’ Award to CA State Assemblymember Steve Bennett for his continued support of programs benefitting Ventura County foster youth.

Testimonial speakers included: Dr. Barbara Morris Jensen, adoptive parent supported by K&FT; Gwendolyn Herrera, Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager Union Bank and kinship caregiver supported by K&FT;

Lea Martinez, Ventura County foster/resource parent supported by K&FT and an “MTC Surf family” participating in their monthly surf events; and John Villela, Board Member of MTC Surf.

Featured guest speaker was professional surfer, long board champion and Ventura local, Mary Osborne. We want to thank Mary for stepping in at the last minute to join us. The event closed with a fantastic hula performance by Hula Anyone from Santa Barbara. https://www.hulaanyone.com/ Our event emcee was, Matthew Graczyk. Our event DJ was, Logan Graczyk. https://djmajestic.com/

We gratefully acknowledge our event sponsors! Sponsorship levels were surf themed, recognizing the top big wave surf spots in California and our local favorites here along the Ventura County coast!

Top Level “Maverick Sponsor” at $5,000 was Union Bank. “Rincon, Queen of the Coast Sponsors” at $2,500 were, Assured Partners and Aqua-Flo Supply. “C-Street Sponsors” at $1,000 included, Mission Produce, Gold Coast Health Plan, The Partnership for Safe Families & Communities of Ventura County, Pacific Western Bank, Liz Donnelly Group Re/MAX, Gold Coast Health Plan, Ventura Townehouse, Community Memorial Health System, Sharon Watts Woolley, John Woolley, Marianne Bloom and the Kearney Family Fund. “Mondos Sponsors” at $500 were, Rick & Sheri Ashleman, Dorn & Dr. Kathleen Van Antwerp, the Mullett Family, Robert & Jean Bonar, Lu Setnicka, Kyle & Crystal Cummings, Controlled Elements Heating & A/C, and the Ventura Breeze.

Founded in January 2000, Kids & Families Together serves foster, adoptive, kinship, and birth families throughout Ventura County. For over two decades K&FT has become the leader in providing critical services and support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, loss, and multiple placements. K&FT is unique in that we provide counseling services, education, support and strategies to connect caregivers and parents to the children in their care. We wrap our arms around the entire family to help them raise healthy, nurtured children that thrive. To learn more visit – https://www.kidsandfamilies.org/

More Than Conquerors Surf, founded in 2020, serves foster youth in Ventura County by providing them with the opportunity to experience freedom, joy, and confidence through the gift of surfing. MTC Surf’s mission is to provide foster youth with the ultimate surf experience in a safe and fun environment while encouraging personal growth, community, and faith. MTC Surf desires that every child and teen that surfs with them would know that they are fully loved and capable of conquering any current and future challenges they may face. To learn more visit – https://www.mtcsurf.org/

We thank everyone that came out to support this event! Thank You!!!

Missed the event? You can still support by texting the word “Fostering” to 91999 to donate.

A video recap of the event can be viewed on Kids & Families Together’s YouTube Channel … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvTYSC241Kc

Bill Hubina has long been a fixture in the Ventura surf community. Photo by Cecilia Ortiz @thepixelchick

by Amy Brown

In the 1960s, surfing was still in its relative infancy along the California coast. The ‘Sport of Kings’ started in ancient Polynesia, and had a surge of U.S. mainstream popularity in the Post-Vietnam war, as it gravitated from Waikiki to Malibu. The next few years were referred to as the Golden Age of surfing, as surfing gained momentum, media visibility and exponentially evolved. Meanwhile, Ventura was blossoming with its peeling point, reef and beach breaks and a small but seriously stoked cadre of enthusiasts was putting the sport and the city on the map.

One of them was Bill “Blinky” Hubina, now owner of Ventura Surf Shop, who was recently inducted into the International Surfboard Builders Hall of Fame. He moved to Ventura in 1961 to attend Ventura College, but his academic fervor quickly gave way to following his real passion on the waves. “It was the very beginning back then, there were probably only ten major surf shops on the whole California coast at that time, “ he said. “With the boom of the Golden Age, Ventura soon had a major surfboard business on Callens Road, Ventura International Plastics, that made mass production surfboards sold all across the country.”

Hubina and his friends didn’t have wetsuits in the 1960s, and while there were not yet a lot of surfers, when they came they were welcomed. “Mile for mile, we have more surf here than any other place on the coast,” said Hubina. Around that time he created what he calls the first short board in Ventura—by accident. “I was broke, and wanted a new board but didn’t have enough money. I was doing repairs and had a blank that I’d sawed the nose off to repair and then sawed the tail off to put on another board. I made a shorter longboard that was 7’11 that I took to C Street and was amazed at how it surfed; all my friends wanted to ride it. That started my career of making short boards.”

For many, surfing is legacy passed down in the family, like Bobby Biggerstaff, who grew up surfing in Hueneme with his dad, who learned from his father. Biggerstaff is now a shaper for Fletcher Chouinard, a surf division of Patagonia, but started making boards in the garage with his father. “It started because of my dad, and because boards are so expensive. My dad has a DIY mentality,” said Biggerstaff. “You don’t have to have a pro’s name on a board to make you surf better.” He says his family has seen the local surfing culture change and grow over the years. “Back when my dad was young, the Strand was super local spot. You kind of had to be more respectful in the water and more aware. Now it’s a bit more of a free for all.” He suggests that if someone is just learning to surf, it’s a good idea to hire someone to show them the ropes and learn safety rules and etiquette. “Surfing is for everyone. No matter where you’re from, your skin color, how you identify, there’s a place for you in surfing. You need to know the rules of the road—it’s kind of like driving a car, if you’re out of your lane or cutting people off, you can seriously hurt someone. It’s important to learn the right way.”

Learning the right way is a legacy that can come from strangers in the lineup and can grow to include ocean literacy and social responsibility, according to Nancy Cairns. She been surfing in Ventura for 20 years, and remains grateful for the folks that were willing to help her learn. She joined local groups that focus on surfing and environmental and social responsibility. “That’s really grown in Ventura’s culture of surfing, activism around surfing is about maintaining and preserving our environment. I’m really impressed with the younger generation that are activists, protecting our environment and wanting to engage people with disabilities and get them connected with surfing, with something that will change their lives.”