Category Archives: Featured News

Norm Lewis helped raise funds for the Rubicon

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.

Congratulations to the graduates of Project SEARCH at Cypress Place Senior Living

“You will be able to move forward with passion.”

by Carol Leish, MA

On October 7, Nicholas (Nick) Riesgo, Maria (LuLu) Martinez, and Jeremy Moore graduated from a 10-month internship at Cypress Place. They interned in the areas of dietary, laundry, and housekeeping.

By getting involved in the Project SEARCH program, Executive Director of Cypress Place, Gina Salman said, “We wanted our interns to gain independence, work as a team and interact with our residents. They have been a tremendous support to the community. Our staff and residents have enjoyed their presence. We as a community have learned patience, empathy and humility from them. There is a mutual respect between all of us.”

In her remarks congratulating the graduates, Salman said, “You will be able to move forward with passion, while not being afraid of change. We appreciate that you have been a part of our community.”

India Lakoda, Program Manager, and Ricardo Castellon, Direct Support Staff, both at Project SEARCH, guided the interns during their 10-month internship.

Lakoda said, “I am so excited to celebrate our graduating class today! One of the qualities that I love about interns participating in Project SEARCH is that the amount of growth they curate in just 10 months. Through this journey the interns have learned another quality—to be courageous.”

Of her internship, Lulu Martinez said, “Thanks for all the kindness you have all given to us, like a family. I will say, ‘See you later,’ instead of saying goodbye.”

Regarding his internship, Nick Riesgo said, “I will be missing the residents at Cypress Place. I would like to thank Ricardo for keeping things under control, and giving all of us support.”

Of his internship, Jereme Moore said, “I am thankful for having gone through this program. I’m also thankful that Ricardo made the program work out for me.”

Lakoda also mentioned that, “Your commencement today is a celebration of your commitment to growth and readiness to embark on this new journey into the workforce. My wish for all of you is to continue to hold onto the courage within you and allow it to guide you. While you are no longer an intern of Project SEARCH, you will always be part of our PathPoint family.”

805 Writers Conference returns with Book Expo

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.

General Plan: Guiding the vision and future of Ventura for the next 30 years!

The General Plan provides the City with a comprehensive framework of guiding policies for land use, housing, roads, recreation, historical and natural resources, balance of adequate water supply infrastructure, public safety services, and serves as a basis for decisions that affect all aspects of our everyday lives from where we live and work to how we move about.  

In November 2020, the City launched the General Plan update process, and formed a 22-member advisory committee, known as the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), which serves as a sounding board for the process. The GPAC is comprised of residents, business owners, educators, students, and other Ventura residents who represent a diverse cross-section of our community.   

To date, extensive outreach in English and Spanish along with a variety of tools and platforms helped to spread the word and get the community involved. Thousands of community members have shared input through workshops, surveys, and pop-up events, which have shaped where we are now – which is the Land Use Alternatives Phase.  

The Land Use Alternatives were developed based on public input from thousands of residents and discussions that has been gathered up until this point sharing feedback that ranges from needing more housing, jobs, growth and preservations in our community, and everything in between.    

The land use alternatives try to balance these differing views by providing several options to consider and as discussion points of how the City could evolve over time. The goal is to hear all the feedback on the ideas presented and try to develop an option that best represents the community’s desires. The survey, which is open through the end of October, is divided up by the different areas of the City along with an overall Citywide survey.   

Everyone’s participation is critical to the process. Please don’t miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity to be involved. Visit the General Plan website at www.PlanVentura.com to take the survey, see upcoming events, or sign up for the mailing list to stay informed.  

Open spaces continue to expand in Ventura hills

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.

At Ventura’s Board of Education meeting passion and intensity took center stage

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.

Participants climbed the equivalent of 110 stories

Ventura Fire Department honored 9/11 fallen heroes. Photos by Patricia Schallert

Community members joined the Ventura Fire Department and the Ventura Fire Foundation for a Memorial Stair Climb at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

“Now, more than 20 years after 9/11, the tragedy remains a moment forever etched in our minds and this memorial stair climb is just a small way to honor the first responders and others who were lost that day,” said Fire Chief David Endaya. “We are grateful to help provide the opportunity to recognize those heroes and raise money for the Ventura Fire Foundation.”

Participants climbed the equivalent of 110 stories, the height of the fallen World Trade Center towers. The stair climb is not a timed race and participants climbed at any desired level.

Venturans who were interested in participating in the climb attended as a spectator in support of the event.

The memorial climb honored the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, the 60 first responders who died that day from multiple agencies, as well as the 200 firefighters who have since died from illnesses related to the attack.

The Ventura Fire Department supports the Ventura Fire Foundation’s mission to enhance the lives and provide assistance to firefighters and their families. The Ventura Fire Foundation currently serves families from CAL Fire, Fillmore Fire, Oxnard Fire, Ventura County Fire, the Naval Base of Ventura County Federal Fire, the US Forest Service, and Ventura City Fire.

Local traffic controller receives company award for bravery

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.

Ventura City Fire mourns the loss of Firefighter-Paramedic Matthew Clapsaddle

Firefighter Clapsaddle was an active-duty member of the department since 1994.

It is with deep sadness and regret that the Ventura City Fire Chief announces the loss of Firefighter-Paramedic Matthew Clapsaddle.

At about 7:00 a.m. on August 20, Firefighter Clapsaddle passed away from a sudden, critical medical emergency while off-duty.

“It is truly heartbreaking when we lose a teammate and friend. Matt was a positive and dedicated leader who brought so much joy and energy to our fire family,” shared Fire Chief David Endaya. “These are difficult days with more to come. We hold Matt’s family in our hearts and will continue to lift them up as they navigate this unexpected path.”

Firefighter Clapsaddle was an active-duty member of the department since 1994. In addition to his role as a firefighter and paramedic, he had been integrally involved in the department’s Ocean Rescue Team, Urban Search and Rescue Team, and ladder truck company at Fire Station 5. Clapsaddle is survived by his wife, Jennifer and son, Tanner.

The community and public safety agencies are invited to join the Ventura Fire Department in paying tribute to Firefighter-Paramedic Matthew Clapsaddle.

Amemorial service will be hosted at Calvary Community Church on Friday, September 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The church is located at 5495 Via Rocas in Westlake Village.

Starting at 8:30 a.m., firefighting apparatus will arrive at Calvary Community Church and be staged along La Tienda Road and Via Rocas surrounding the church. Uniformed personnel are requested to be seated inside the church by 9:00 a.m.

Memorial service attendees should plan to arrive early as parking and space are limited. Motorists in the area are asked to be mindful of the presence of emergency vehicles and drive cautiously.

For donation information, visit the Ventura Fire Foundation at www.VenturaFireFoundation.org.

Safety concerns pushes back one school’s re-opening

A structural inspection deemed the century-old school property unsafe.

by Mira Reverente

The first day of school at Ventura County Christian School (VCCS) was pushed back by a week after its lease was terminated by its landlord, the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD).

Almost 200 students in the K-12 private school headed back to their classrooms last Monday, August 29, amidst an air of uncertainty and unpredictability. Parents congregated outside while doing their morning drop-off, mostly seeking answers and clarity amidst the ongoing discord between the school and the school district.

A structural inspection by architectural firm 19six had deemed the century-old school property along MacMillan Avenue unsafe.

VUSD board president Sabrena Rodriguez said, “The results were that it would not provide safety in the event of a natural disaster.”

The private school’s principal Perry Geue pushed to re-open classes last Monday, August 29, claiming the district misinterpreted the findings of the inspection report. In a recent interview, Geue said, “School has started and we have no place to go.”

Geue also said that they do not agree that their school is unsafe and feels that “other intentions are at play.”

Lease negotiations have been ongoing for months now between VUSD and VCCS first over the rent negotiations followed by a lease clause saying the school would agree not to discriminate in hiring based on religion.

Geue said they could potentially be forced to hire teachers who “don’t hold to a Christian worldview.”

Ron Bamieh, a lawyer for the school, claims the clause was an “overt act of prejudice against the Christian school.” But Rodriguez disagrees, saying the lease language is standard in all district leases and also covers race, gender, sexual orientation, among other categories.

In a letter to district officials, Bamieh said the district refused to strike the religion component from the clause. The district pointed out that the same clause could be found in the school’s last lease, but Bamieh claims he was not aware of the clause’s inclusion in the previous lease.

Also based on the report’s findings, the Ventura County Schools Self-Funding Authority, a multi-district cooperative that provides property insurance for the district, has also declared that the school building would not be covered in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake.

VCCS moved into the former Washington School building almost two decades after the public school closed in 1983 amid structural concerns. An inspection in 2001 found the ground sufficiently stable and the school began leasing the building. It also poured in about $3.5 million for various repairs and improvements.

In 2003, Thousand Oaks engineering firm Vinci & Associates declared the building structurally sound.

But the school and its lawyers say the district misinterpreted the report, citing the findings of its own commissioned report by Vinci & Associates.

According to the Vinci report, “While further study of the building is prudent, nothing on-site or in the recommendations by the (19six report) warrants vacating the facility at this time.”

Furthermore, the report said, “The items noted as recommendations either can be easily addressed and rectified, or require further study and review.”

While Rodriguez contends the lease is no longer in effect as of August 19, Bamieh said the district could not terminate the lease under the terms of the agreement. The district had already validated the new lease by cashing the school’s deposit and two rent payments.

“If they think they have a good case, let’s bring it to court, litigate it.” said Bamieh, during a news conference on the first day of school.

Amidst the crowd gathered at the school’s entrance, their board president Dustin Lyons said she and her fellow parents had “zero concern” with the building’s integrity and “feels like we’re standing on solid ground.”