Fireworks was limited to weekends this year. Some liked it some didn’t.

The Ventura County Fair is proud and happy to report another successful Fair. Celebrating the diverse traditions of Ventura County, the 143rd edition, “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” closed with thousands having come out to enjoy the 12-day event, many returning for the first time since making the Fairgrounds their home during the December Thomas Fire evacuations.

The Ventura County Fair’s mission is to preserve, promote, and showcase agriculture and the traditions of Ventura County, this was accomplished with competitive livestock and horse shows, agricultural exhibits and baking contests.

Fairgoers were greeted with an abundance of attractions, which included Fido 500 Dog Races, Star Child Stilt Circus, who delighted young and old as they strolled high above the Fair, and Gus Flamingo, the hilarious magician in the Youth Expo. Tasty new food offerings like Cajun Catfish and Lobster Mac & Cheese pleased the taste for new summer treats while the mini donuts and turkey legs satisfied the traditional cravings of Fairgoers.

Despite extremely hot and humid weather, attendance was strong at 299,011.  By the virtues of comfort, variety, safety, cleanliness and value the Fair was a success.

“We are always working on ways to make the Fair a better experience for our visitors.” said Fair CEO Barbara Quaid, who once again shared the Fair’s winning formula: “For us the focus is not about the numbers of people coming through the gates, but about the quality of the experience our guests have at the Fair. We measure our success by the number of smiles on the faces of the Fairgoers.  The Fair is committed to offering a clean, safe and fun experience that visitors will remember forever.”

A new carnival layout welcomed thrill seekers lending a sense of rediscovery to the already exciting midway. The Star Tower was a new addition that took riders up 100 feet to swing high above the lights in the ocean air.

Nearly 16,000 County residents entered art, crafts, projects and other curiosities in the competitive exhibits, winning prizes and sharing their talents with Fair visitors.

Free entertainment was one of the features that drew so many to the Fair, not only the top name Concerts including Sublime with Rome, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and Hunter Hayes but local bands were a huge favorite. Crowds came out to enjoy and lend their support for local entertainers including KNS Rockstar, 99 Mondays, Crooked Eye Tommy, Aaron Pax Taylor, Hard Six, The Rockin’ Henrys, Dezmo’s Blues, Revelry Country, Doc Rogers Band, and many others.

As is the case every year, overall success would not be possible without the tremendous support of the sponsors and the community. While the gates have closed on the 2018 Ventura County Fair, planning is already underway for the 2019 Fair.

The Ventura County Fair entertained thousands of guests and participants. It employs up to 700 seasonal staff during the annual 12-day event. With annual attendance of approximately 300,000 visitors to the Fair, the communities throughout Ventura County share in the economic vitality derived from the Ventura County Fair. The Fair brings economic, social, educational, and cultural resources and provides lasting impressions on Fairgoers. While agriculture is the heart of the Fair, it’s the diverse entertainment that typically draws Fairgoers through the gates. Known for free top name concerts, the Fair takes pride in the overall dynamics and diversity of the entertainment, the esthetics and cleanliness of the grounds, as well as the vast educational and innovative exhibits that are showcased throughout the Fair each year.

Reflecting on the Fair Breeze contributing writer Jennifer Tipton stated.

“When I think about our Fair here in Ventura, I can almost feel the crisp ocean breeze and smell the corn dogs and cotton candy wafting alongside the scents of hay and livestock. I love the animals, from the 4h kids proudly showing the pig or lamb they’ve raised themselves and then bravely saying goodbye, to Uncle Leo’s Little Red Barn with those baby pigs! Other favorite attractions are the agriculture and photography buildings, its fun to get landscaping ideas and to see our local artistic talent. And always a challenge is to time it just right, to be on top of the Ferris wheel when the fireworks start – best seat in the house! “

More than 400 attended the reunion.

On Saturday, August 11th, Ventura Adult and Continuing Education (VACE) celebrated its 50th Anniversary of providing Lifelong Learning to the community at the main campus on Valentine Road. In the past fifty years, VACE has offered adult education and training in over 150 locations throughout Ventura.

More than 400 attended the reunion, including past and present students, instructors, staff, VUSD administrators and School Board members, and honored guests.

“It is so wonderful to see our entire VACE Family together again,” exclaimed Director/Principal Carolyn Vang-Walker who welcomed the happy crowd. “Today, we are celebrating five decades of history together!”

Highlights of the special event included a chronological retrospective from 1968-2018 featuring numerous awards, archival photo albums, historical facts, course catalogs, and a very entertaining PowerPoint presentation of 2000+ Faces of VACE. Over the years, beloved VACE historian Barbara Dunmire had carefully compiled and archived thousands of artifacts that were on display. Attendees enjoyed reconnecting with former colleagues, teachers celebrated their students’ successes, and alumni reminisced about individuals who had made a positive impact on their lives. They posted favorite VACE memories on a Memory Wall.

Visitors strolled through the innovative 3D printer lab in the AutoCAD classroom, and then explored film projects currently in production at TDC Studios. Students enrolled in the Medical Assistant program were available during the day to conduct free blood pressure readings and health screenings. Attendees also toured through the career technical education (CTE) classrooms. An award-winning school, VACE boasts a 90% job placement rate for its graduates who have completed training and been awarded certification in the following career pathways: 3D Design and Drafting, Business Administration, Computerized Accounting, Front and Back Office Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, Computer Network Support and Security, Graphics and Web Design, and Digital Multimedia/Studio Production.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch of barbecued chicken and tri-tip catered by the new StoneFire Grill.

The next event scheduled to commemorate VACE’s 50th Anniversary will be a Fall Open House. If you are interested in learning more about VACE, or would like to schedule a tour, please call (805) 289-1744.

Jules Plumadore and Terri Byrne, facilitators of the homeless speaker program. They are from the Mental Health Association of San Francisco.

by Jill Forman

An innovative speaker training event took place July 16 and 17 in our town. Homeless and previously-homeless persons attended, learning how to speak in public and advocate for themselves. These future activists want a say in the decisions that affect their lives.

Sixteen participants met at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura for this workshop, sponsored by Lift Up Your Voice (LUYV,) the church’s advocacy group. McCune Foundation generously sponsored the event.

Mental Health Association of San Francisco Training Institute supplied two guides, Terri Byrne and Jules Plumadore, who drove down to facilitate. Both have mental health histories; Jules has experienced homelessness. Their experiences and compassion made them ideal educators.

Additional funding was provided by LUYV and by Brian Gellato, whose poetry about homelessness has been featured in this paper.

Participants were driven to the church by volunteers, given breakfast and lunch. Fourteen were homeless or in temporary situations; the others were on-site pastors of a transitional living facility who hope to share this training. A 4-month-old baby came with his mother, adding occasional commentary. And a well-behaved dog named Sunshine.

Monday included introductions and some life stories. One attendee said, “I was surprised how emotional it was.” They discussed the stigma of homelessness, and community perceptions which affect their behavior, then started working on 3-minute presentations.

On Tuesday, Terri and Jules praised the group for coming up with good ideas. It is important, they stressed, to generate communities who are willing to speak in public and have their opinions known. Voting was a point; a speaker is more credible saying, “I vote.”

Mental illness was an significant topic; both a contributing cause and a result of homelessness due to trauma, illness, abuse and PTSD. Jules talked about different therapies and how vital it is to have access to all of them.

Terri led a dialogue on self-care for speakers: preparation, practice, timing, pauses, feedback, don’t be too hard on yourself, thank everybody, “let it go.” At this point the UU minister, Dana Worsnop, sat in for a while listening and then spoke briefly to reassure them that she, too, is “…nervous…every time…it’s okay.”

Five participants presented on varied topics: showers, harassment, city-sponsored homeless encampments, up to 10-year wait for low-income housing (yes, TEN years!), difficulty getting jobs. The group gave what is termed “strength-based feedback”: positive aspects of the speech, followed by something like “I would love to know more about…” or “I would like to hear…”

What did everyone think of this experience? One person said, “…what I’m taking from this is hope…that my voice can be heard…not something I would ever have been seeking.” Sue, a volunteer, believed, “This can help give a face to homelessness.” Jules, the trainer, “…love to train…renews my faith in the work that I do.”

One speaker hoped that both speakers and listeners could “…leave…with a bigger heart and a bigger soul.”

Enjoy the photographic exhibit of David Mirisch.

Hollywood publicist David Mirisch will share stories about his five decades of working with celebrities, helping to raise more than $35 million for charitable causes, 11 a.m., Aug. 8 at the Museum of Ventura County, located at 100 E. Main. Enjoy the photographic exhibit of David and many of the celebrities he has worked with, now on display Wednesdays and Saturdays and by appointment in the Museum’s Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Pavilion. Free for members, $5 for nonmembers.

The Museum of Ventura County celebrates, preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of Ventura County, the California Channel Islands and the surrounding region through its collections, exhibitions, events, educational programs, publications and its research library, and serves as a gathering place for the community. The Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323

Approximately 1,100 square feet of turf replaced with water wise landscape.

Ventura Water, in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Garden Group (OFG) and Ventura High School’s Greener World Action Team (GWAT), replaced approximately 1,100 square feet of turf with a water wise landscape at the corner of Main and Catalina streets. This student-led initiative will save water, prevent storm water pollution, and act as a demonstration garden for the public.

The OFG program applies “CPR” – conservation, permeability, and retention – to landscapes. Ocean Friendly Gardens support healthy soils, retain rainwater, and incorporate climate-appropriate plants. Landscape experts from Surfrider Foundation’s local OFG chapter worked collaboratively with the Ventura High School students to design the sustainable campus garden.

In April 2018, the City Council recognized Ventura High School as the 2017-2018 Watershed Hero Award winner for their efforts. Be sure to stop by and admire the hard work of a passionate group of students and volunteers.

Jason Meek, Turning Point Executive Director cutting the ribbon at Tuff Shed celebration. Photos by Michael Gordon

Twelve years ago, Turning Point Foundation took a group of people living along in the river bottom in tents and started them on the path to hope and the promise of better things to come: A new beginning at River Haven where they have been living in cleverly-designed Geodesic domes that have surpassed their lifespan of five years by many years.

On July 27, a ribbon cutting was held to celebrate the new small houses made by Tuff Sheds as a replacement for the domes. Tuff Sheds have a 30-year guarantee with their sheds for sale, however these are meant to help the homeless population. These could help to provide not only a place to live but give them the help they need to find their feet. With companies similar to Tuffs this begins with shed foundations which builds into a new home.
Funded by the community and Turning Point Foundation, River Haven has been helping homeless people turn their lives since 2006. Turning Point’s case managers help residents with securing a source of income, job training, medical attention, drug, alcohol and mental health services. In 2017 River Haven served 29 residents, and Turning Point’s case manager helped nine people to find permanent housing.

There are no obvious indications that such a community exists right near the entrance to the Ventura Harbor. The City of Ventura owns the over two-acre land while Turning Point Foundation, a non-profit mental health agency, runs the community.

At the cutting Nicholas Deitch,R.A. (Mainstreet Architects and Planners, Inc.) Turning Point Board of Director stated “River Haven is a great example of how we as a community can take collective action together, to help offer people a way out of homelessness. Look at all of the partners who have come together to help make this happen. Public, private, corporate and faith-based, all working together. We don’t need to feel powerless. We can work together to cause real changes in people’s lives.”

Councilmember Cheryl Heitmann said of the new backyard sheds “With many of the domes at River Haven failing, the city purchased a Tuff Shed to replace one of the domes and the community has stepped up to replace almost all the rest. One replacement was a cabin constructed by girls attending a summer camp hosted by the National Association of Women in Construction (reported in last Breeze). Many of these girls knew nothing about construction but found out they could develop new skills and construct a 120 square foot tiny home soon to be used by one of the residents at River Haven. One young woman told me she was now considering a career in construction.”

“ River Haven has proven to be a successful transitional living space for homeless individuals who need a safe place to start a path to more permanent housing. The city is committed to its success and is so appreciative of the partnership with many organizations and individuals in Ventura to help it continue with the new structures; providing its residents with a safer and more durable place to live.”