Everyone at CAPS Media Congratulates all the 2022 Graduates from Buena, El Camino, Foothill, Pacific and Ventura High School as well as all the adult grads from Ventura Adult and Continuing Education and Ventura College.

CAPS Media crews, including El Camino students in the CAPS/VUSD ECTV media education program, are recording and live-streaming commencement ceremonies at Ventura College and all Ventura Unified School District high schools. The kickoff was on May 19 at Ventura College and will be followed by back-to-back celebrations at VHS on June 15, Buena on June 16 and the final all-day ceremonies for Foothill, El Camino, Pacific and VACE grads held at the Ventura College stadium on June 17. CAPS crews will set up and direct the live-stream distributions of every celebration for, enabling the graduation ceremonies to be seen live locally and worldwide on the VUSD and VC YouTube channels as well as live on Channel 15.

CAPS Media crews are staying very busy. Recently the entire CAPS team pitched in on two extensive video productions. The first was for the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters, Mark Lunn, and his supporting cast led by Miranda Nobriga. The CAPS staff, led by senior producer/editor Gary Roll, collaborated with the county staff to produce a series of detailed training videos for county election site workers. The series included step-by-step instructional videos for workers staffing dozens of voting locations throughout the county. The video series demonstrated how to set up and manage the equipment at the voting sites, and how to protect and deliver completed ballots to the county government center for counting. In the past this vital worker instruction was conducted in extensive in-person training sessions. The new video series allows election site workers to be trained online and provides as series of reference materials to use throughout the process.

Speaking of voting – its time for every voter in Ventura County to VOTE! If you haven’t received your ballot in the mail, call the Ventura County Elections Division at 805-654-2664 or go tovoterstatus.sos.ca.gov. Ballots can be mailed in, no postage required, or dropped off at Ballot Drop Boxes locations throughout the county including in front of the CAPS Media Center at 65 Day Road in Ventura. You still have time to vote if you missed the online registration date. Go to a vote center in your community and register and vote up to and on election day.

The second major CAPS Media production was a collaboration with the Ventura County Indian Education Consortium. Led by local coordinator Robin Jacobs, the VCIEC is a federally funded program that provides direct services to American Indian and Alaskan Native students in grades TK-12 throughout multiple Ventura County school districts.

For CAPS Media the end of the school year honoring celebration, was an all-hands-on-deck production that engaged the entire CAPS media team and facilities. The extensive forty-five-minute presentation featured inspirational messages and performances by numerous local Native American elders and community members, as well as individual profiles on Indian Students of the Year from all grade levels, plus personalized messages from this year’s VCIEC Outstanding 2022 Graduates. For more information about this program go to VenturaVUSD.org/students/Indian-education.

As a final note, out of caution the CAPS Media Center has been closed throughout the pandemic. During this time, the CAPS Media staff and board of directors have undertaken an extensive internal evaluation to determine the most effective services to provide to the public once we are fully operational. The CAPS Media mission remains: To create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media.

Matsumoto, Murphy and Loy at Haole’s Memorial Garden remembering Haole Boy’s one year anniversary. 

by Amy Brown

If you walk along the iconic Ventura promenade near Surfer’s Point, you’ll encounter a beautiful tribute to another major Ventura icon: Haole Boy, the city’s late surfing Ambassadog. Haole had been surfing C Street and traveling the country for seven years as a surf therapist with the non-profit A Walk On Water for children and adults with special needs. He helped hundreds of aspiring surfers feel comfortable catching waves, riding right on the board with them—and he always made it look easy.

Haole passed away after a long battle with cancer in May of 2020, and was mourned by folks from across the country in person at his memorial and through ongoing worldwide outpourings of love and support. His mom, Kim Murphy and her friends Cris Loy and Dorianne Matsumoto decided to create a rock garden memorial to honor his beautiful surfing stoke and spirit on the one-year anniversary of Haole’s passing. It started with just a few brightly painted rocks, and now, at the one-year anniversary of the garden itself, it’s a beautiful kaleidoscopic tribute that grows every week.

It started with someone painting a single special memorial rock for Haole, and the idea for the garden germinated from there, according to Loy. “We said ‘we should start a rock garden with this rock, and it should really be overlooking Haole’s surf break,’” said Loy. “We all went home and started painting rocks like crazy.” The garden started from that group of friends with about 40 memorial rocks, with a kindness rock section soon added. “I kind of wanted both memorial and kindness rocks, since Haole was all about kindness, and we wanted this to be about kindness too,” said Loy.

The Kindness Rock Project started a few years ago, and is now a viral trend—people paint inspirational messages or images on rocks and leave them out for strangers to find and be inspired by. The distinction between memorial rocks and kindness rocks is that memorial rocks are to be left in place, honoring a lost loved one, human or pet, while kindness rocks are to be shared, in a ‘take a rock, leave a rock’ philosophy. Haole’s garden has a section for both. “Nothing fills my heart quite like the love and support we still receive. I feel as if the spirit of Haole is still so present in Ventura by the community continuing to support us, and cherish the memories that Haole made for all of them,” said Murphy. “We still often hear stories of Haole, and how he continues to touch people’s hearts.”

You don’t have to be an artist to participate, but you might just become one. “I first thought, I am not artistic. Art is not my thing!” said Matsumoto. Then, “I could paint a few rocks.” However, she is now one of the most prolific contributors, having since created nearly 100 rocks, beautifully painted with many time-consuming coats of resin, to the garden. She shared that she is always moved by the sentiments expressed in rocks created by others. “You see the rocks made by little kids for their pets, or others made for lost loved ones, and it’s clear they’ve all been made with love,” said Matsumoto.

One particularly talented artist who regularly contributes to the memorial garden creates photorealistic paintings on rocks of people’s pets, while others are more simple, but all are powerful. Murphy and her husband John share that anyone is invited to visit the memorial, and leave a rock for a loved one, but ask that if visitors would like a memento to take a kindness rock, while leaving the memorial rocks in place, as they are meaningful and meant to be permanent. “This garden has brought much healing and happiness to us, and we absolutely love that Haole is still bringing people together,” said Murphy.

Photos by Patricia Schallert and Yana Khiyod.

In a previous issue we had an article about the Gentry Eagle that was stored in the Ventura Harbor boat yard. It was once the fastest luxury yacht in the world. This yacht has been berthed and idled in the Ventura Harbor for over 15 years.

The Gentry Eagle was built in 1988 and on July 26th, 1989 she crossed the Atlantic to win a race, at an average speed of 73 miles per hour in one of the biggest Transatlantic
races in maritime history.

Even though there were many rumors about its future the Eagle has now been demolished by a huge mechanical “hand.” It was carefully pulled apart piece by piece so that the aluminum (and other valuable parts) could be salvaged. Her ghost will always remain in the harbor.

by Patricia Schallert

“Sobre Las Olas”, a charming, antique motor yacht has berthed in the Ventura Harbor (At the Portside Ventura Harbor docks) since November, 2021. “Sobre Las Olas”, translates to “Over the Waves”, was built in the 1920’s and its craftsmanship reflects an era long past. Once owned  by JP Getty, this vessel reflects exceptional attention to detail and continues to be a source of joy and historical appeal for the current owners and now the Ventura community.

The yacht was built around the same time Black Tuesday overwhelmed the country in the 1920’s. The original owners were forced to sell it  and JP Getty was an eager buyer. He held on to it until 1932 where it began to change hands several times before being purchased by the current owners. At present time, “Sobre Las Olas” is one of the largest antique classic yachts on the West Coast.

Strolling the decks of this rare beauty, one is left in awe and a special feeling of charm and wonder. The interior is stunning and there is ample indoor and outdoor space to enjoy with guests and one’s imagination. It feels adventure ready and her elegance is apparent.

The decks and railings are teak and the beautiful Honduras mahogany is all original in the dining salon. Smaller touches, like the dining salon’s lighting fixtures, are also all original.

The interior is gracious, clean and smooth with a  superstructure over the back deck. A new galley was constructed and the lounge area has been renovated, with cabinets, windows and lighting refurbished to keep the living area comfortable for guests.

She comfortably sleeps 12, with a master stateroom, 3 bathrooms, a crew’s quarter for 5, a guest cabin for 2, a master cabin, a pilot cabin, and an additional cabin in the back of the hull. The owners are committed to keep the yacht’s original design intact even as they modernize various areas throughout yacht.

Her engines are original 1929 Atlas Imperial diesel engines and two of four are left in existence. A similarly constructed engine from the same era currently sits in the Smithsonian Institute.

Her appeal is timeless throughout the meticulously handcrafted workmanship. Her classic lines and vintage charm have been only enhanced by her extensive updates over the years, making her the perfect blend of old and new. Since it has been in Ventura, the community has embraced it as heads are turned when strolling by on the promenade or sailing by on more modernized vessels.

The waltz “Sobre Las Olas” (or “Over the Waves”) is the best-known work of Mexican composer Juventino Rosas (1868–1894). It “remains one of the most famous Latin American pieces worldwide”, according to the “Latin America” article in The Oxford Companion to Music.

Editor’s note: This is the second article in the Breeze featuring an historically important yacht berthed in Ventura. If you know of a local yacht that might also be historical to be featured in the Breeze let us know at [email protected].

On Saturday, April 30, under a beautiful Ventura evening “La Dolce Vita, Silent Auction Dinner Dancing” was held celebrating and benefiting the families and children at the City Center. The fund-raiser event was held in the beautiful back yard at a magnificent home located on Barnard Way in Ventura.

The evening featured a cocktail party, snacks, great food, live music, dancing and fund-raising auctions. It was attended by several hundred enthusiastic caring people.

Pastor Jim Duran, Executive Director of the center was the MC for the event. He stated “ Not one of our “graduates” have gone back to being homeless. All of our residents start out being homeless. The City Center is the only transitional housing center that does not receive government funding.”

He went on “Thank you for being at tonight‘s event and for all your support! It is because of your donations we are able shelter homeless children in a safe place they can call home. While providing their parents the life skills they need to graduate our program and to be self-sufficient.  This program exists because of the caring people in our community and the desire of giving a hand up not just a handout.”

He stated “Residents must find work and put a portion of their salaries into an account.” He spoke of a resident that left the facility with $19,000 and another with $25,000. Of the approximately 80 residents living there now, 50 are children.

Besides the income from the auctions when Jim Duran asked for donations from the crowd the first one was for $10,000.00.

The City Center and its staff, case managers, therapists, and mentors are dedicated to helping homeless, often single parent families with child transitioning from homelessness to independence. They do this over the course of many months.

The residents and their care team put in a lot of hard work, and it is all worth it. Though the housing is temporary it is a safe place to call their own during that time, a place they can find some needed stability in their life. The City Center is a place where they can concentrate on getting their life under control.

Residents are given more than just spiritual and life skills as mentioned by Jim, residents are empowered to become financially stable through a savings program and employment requirement. With this help and structure, they find themselves back on their feet and on their own. All it takes is a willing heart, and a determined spirit.

The Center is located at 837 E. Thompson in Ventura.

Alec Benke created a custom pedestal, including scales, for the mermaid sculpture on Spinnaker drive.

by Amy Brown

For many years there have been two iconic bronze mermaid statues, each gracing a separate entrance to the Ventura harbor. One has a plaque reading “From Russia with Love,” but today they both wear Ukrainian flower crowns in yellow and blue. Their donor, Alec Benke, is no stranger to the mysticism and idea of mermaids. A native of the former Soviet Union, starting in 1987 he served for three years as a sonar technician on submarines near Vietnam, and spent countless hours on watch, differentiating between friends (fishing barges lumbering past) and foes, which included at that time the 6th Fleet of the U.S. Navy. Other unexpected friends were heard during those lonely assignments, which Benke is sure were mermaids. “I know it sounds crazy,” he laughs. He never saw these fabled sirens, but shares that he heard and felt them, and the idea of their presence filled him with calmness and quiet joy. Later during his service he was surprised when he came to realize that Americans are just regular people, like his own countrymen. “You should not underestimate the power of Soviet propaganda about Americans at that time,” said Benke.

Benke was living in Kazakhstan when the Iron Curtain fell. “Suddenly, I was not welcome there anymore and I wasn’t welcome in Russia anymore; I was a foreigner. It was shocking,” said Benke, who soon attended a marine academy, and met his wife Tatyana. The two travelled to Kodiak, Alaska and since they already had visas, they went to the US embassy and eventually became citizens.

The couple moved to Ventura in 2000, and Alec began a construction company, focused on rock formations and mosaics. During his travel for the business, he drove to and from San Diego, and along that route he first saw glorious 15’ tall mermaid sculptures, which reminded him viscerally of his experiences as a submariner, so he pulled off the highway to investigate. “It was because like I fell in love with them, and I would stop and visit them on every trip,” he said.

Benke eventually was able to buy them, maxing out his credit cards, and brought them back to Ventura. “By that time I had a small house, but what am I going to do with them? My wife finally had had enough of them lying in our little backyard, so I decided to give them to the city. They’re still mine, in my heart, but I decided to build everything for them.”

His love for his new country, the ocean and these beautiful mermaids dovetailed with other labors of love, when Benke met Sam Povar and Andy Soter. Povar was a community activist committed to private-public art projects, and sought to honor his late wife, Oriana and Soter was working on a project to upgrade paths in Marina Park to memorialize the loss of her daughter Andrea to cancer. “We came the three of us together and worked on this project. It was amazing. All three of us, different ages, but we were like old friends immediately.” The project was creating symbols of love with the donation of the two mermaid statues, on custom stone ten-foot-tall pedestals created by Benke. One plays the flute and is on what is now called Soter Point, and the other, playing a cello, is across the harbor on Spinnaker.

Today Benke’s personal labor of love includes raising awareness and activism to support the citizens of Ukraine. He shared that his support of Ukraine has cost him relationships with his parents and friends in Russia. “I decorated the mermaids with the traditional Ukrainian flower wreath as a sign of support and admiration for the fearless Ukrainian people,” said Benke. His partner in the project applauds Benke’s sentiments. “It is a great expression of love and fondness for Ukrainian people and joy to be an American citizen,” said Soter.

Benke encourages others to support the Ukrainians and petition legislators during this time by visiting the site www.protectukrainenow.com. “The world as we know it has been changed forever,” said Benke.

Photos by lots of people Patricia Schallert, Richard Lieberman, Trent Steven, Jenny Cooper and Kathy Navarro.

On Saturday, March 26, Mayor Rubalcava joined the Westside Community Development Corporation welcomed a large gathering to celebrate and honor the 57 artists who brought to life a 600-foot mural called Pura Avenida.

It featured a Chumash blessing, photo opportunities, and lowriders.

The Pura Avenida mural features images and icons celebrating beloved features of life on the Avenue in the Westside area of Ventura. The project stretches across a 600-foot public wall that runs along Wall Street, a well-known street located between and parallel to Ventura Avenue and Cedar Street in Ventura.

“Pura Avenida was brought to life thanks to the many established artists, mural makers, and youth who worked together every step of the way. From washing the wall to priming, sketching, painting, and sealing the mural, community members were involved in all aspects of the project,” said WCDC Director Jackie Pearce. “The Pura Avenida mural was led by a team of talented artists who also worked with at-risk youth to engage them in the project. They learned new skills and contributed to a community project designed to create something far more than they expected. It was so great to see.”

The project was conceived by the WCDC and artists Cynthia Polk, Vince Felix, Onofre Banderas, Juan Martinez, Dain Acevedo, and Patzy Salazar. Fifty-seven artists and over a dozen community members were involved in realizing the project. The mural design was developed by Cynthia Polk and begins with the image of a young girl, masked in traditional Día de los Muertos face paint, who is blowing bubbles that flow down the wall. Each bubble celebrates elements of the Avenue that are appreciated by residents and visitors alike. There are natural features such as the hillsides and “the point” surf spot, vintage cars, popular landmarks and iconic buildings, cultural images, foods, Chumash heritage, recreational features and more! The mural incorporates different graphic styles realized through both hand painting and spray paint techniques.

The WCDC is a local nonprofit and HUD-certified Community Based Development Organization that applies for and receives HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to bring economic development opportunities and revitalization to the Westside Community. For the past five years the WCDC has overseen five Westside mural beautification projects to deter graffiti and eliminate blight, celebrate the importance of the local creative economy, and increase community pride and engagement.

To learn more, visit www.westsideventura.org/pura-avenida or contact Pura Avenida Program Manager Onofre Banderas at [email protected]. To take a virtual tour of other Westside murals, visit www.westsideventura.org/mural-tour.

Mural Artists Celebration