Photos by Patricia Schallert
On September 9 &10, the Ventura Harbor became alive with chalk as 20 chalk artists applied their skills to the concrete walkway. All as part of the Ventura Art and Street Painting Festival. Besides the chalk art there were booths that offered pottery and other works of art. Proceeds from the annual event go to Food Share.
CAPS is holding an open house.
Meet the new CAPS/ECTV Crew – the talented high school students at El Camino in the media education program at CAPS. Recently the ECTV team worked with Ventura Police school resource officers (SROs) to produce a new school preparedness instructional video for teachers and students in the Ventura Unified School District.
The ECTV program was created by CAPS in partnership with the VUSD. The career education program provides high school students with hands-on training in all aspects of media production including writing, directing, producing, recording, and editing their own award-winning programs.
KPPQ’s DJ of the month is Kathleen Good, host of “In the Women’s Room”. She has been a member of CAPS for fifteen years which constitutes nearly her entire retirement. For eight years she produced environmental videos for CAPS-TV.
When CAPS Media invested in a local community radio station—it was a no-brainer for Kathleen to propose a show. The format came together almost instantly because she had been working with women’s issues as well as environmental issues, and had honed skills such as preparation, timing, sequencing, interviewing skills, as well as storytelling.
Kathleen says” “In the Women’s Room” is your place for enlightening discussions with experts about our history, health, psychology, politics, workplace, art, child-rearing, literature, social and economic issues, environment, and much, much more. Every woman knows what the issues are—we live them every day!” Tune in Monday and Wednesday at 8a, Tuesday and Thursday at 2pm and Saturday at 1pm on KPPQ at 104.1fm or streaming on myTuner.
Join us for a special CAPS Open House on Thursday, October 5th from 4-p.m. to 8pm at the CAPS Media Center. Everyone is invited to drop by, meet the CAPS crew, tour the facility, and enjoy brief, hands-on, informative demonstrations on all aspects of media production including videography, studio, radio and podcast production, scripting and storytelling, live streaming, video editing and much more.
CAPS is Ventura’s public access media center, managing Channel 6 (public) and Channel 15 (government and education), plus KPPQ radio at 104.1fm and video streaming. CAPS crew members provide expertise and service to the City of Ventura by covering City Council and other meetings at City Hall, as well as producing informational public service videos and more.
At the CAPS Media Center, the team offers one-on-one training to the public in all aspects of media production helping CAPS Members to produce their own projects. In addition, CAPS has all the tools Members need to produce their stories including cameras, tripods, sound gear, editing computers and more.
Anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Ventura is welcome to become a CAPS Member and take advantage of the training and resources CAPS has to offer. Currently CAPS Members include teenagers, young and mid-career professionals, educators, storytellers, retirees, and everyone in between. In addition, CAPS Members also include local community councils, and nonprofit, faith-based and other community service organizations throughout Ventura.
The CAPS Media Center is located a 65 Day Road, between Loma Vista and Telegraph, on the east side of Ventura College directly across from Foothill High School.
Join us for the CAPS Open House on Thursday, October 5th. Discover a world of limitless creative possibilities at CAPS. We know you’ll be surprised and enjoy the people you’ll meet and what you’ll find inside the CAPS Media Center.
Turning Point Foundation has managed this unique transitional housing program for 17+ years.
The City of Ventura and Turning Point Foundation have decided to sunset the River Haven Transitional Housing Program on Oct 1, 2023 due to challenging weather conditions (recent high winds/heavy rains) and increasing safety/security issues with nearby encampments. This decision, while not an easy one, was made in the best interest of our residents’ wellbeing.
Turning Point Foundation is grateful to have managed this unique transitional housing program for 17+ years bridging the gap between unsheltered and permanent housing for hundreds of residents experiencing homelessness. While unfortunate circumstances
(mentioned above) have become the root cause of River Haven’s closure, Turning Point is unwavering in its commitment to providing quality housing, mental health, and wellness services to this vulnerable population in the City of Ventura and countywide through our variety of other program locations.
Turning Point Case Managers will continue to support and work one-on one with current members during the sunset of this location. Our priority is to transition current residents in finding optimal permanent or alternative sheltered housing programs within Turning Point’s internal and external networks.
For questions or concerns, we welcome you to contact us at [email protected]. To learn more about the programs and services we offer please visit turningpointfoundation.org.
Sincerely,
Turning Point Foundation
Many people are confused about what is happening at Crown Classics & Museum, the car dealership that held its grand opening at the old Toys R Us building in Ventura, just to be shut down by the City over a permit issue within days. The business appears to have plenty of beautiful classic vehicles in excellent condition, and yet it has been closed to the public for over a year now. Customers may only enter by calling (805) 291-8281 for an appointment.
“Our doors may be closed,” says Classic Auto Museum Curator Michelle Annette Leveille, “but we still want to play an active role in promoting car culture.”
Thus, Crown Classics & Museum has been hosting car meets in their parking lot for several months. Car afficionados can be seen with their vintage vehicles there from 3pm to 6pm on the first and third Sunday of the month. Each meet is a fundraiser for a different local charity.
This Saturday, September 9th, there will be a car show from 9am-1pm to benefit the Ventura Police K-9 Unit. The Momentum Charity Car Show is presented at Crown Classics & Museum by Pastor Ted Pugh, of Higher Vision Ventura.
This is the ninth annual show for Ted Pugh, who chose the good cause because, “People don’t realize that our K-9 Unit isn’t funded by our taxes. Training, veterinary bills, dog food – it’s all paid for by donations. They’re a nonprofit, so they have to raise all their own money.”
Spectators at this event are in for a real treat. There is no admission charge to see the show. Besides the classic cars, there will also be a live DJ, food trucks, merchandise vendors, souvenirs, a raffle, and special demonstrations of Police K-9 training.
The family-friendly car show will be held this Saturday in the parking lot at Crown Classics & Museum, 2975 Johnson Drive, in Ventura, from 9am-1pm. Roll in is from 7am-9am. Trophies will be awarded at 12:45.
Show car owners can register to enter the show online at www.MomentumCarShow.com or pay $30 cash during roll-in from 7am-9am the day of the show.
Registration is open to most categories of show cars of all eras. Trophy categories include Best Antique (pre-1940), Classic (1940-75), Modified (1950-2023), Sports Car (1954-2023), Muscle Car (1964-75
Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder and Jim Duran, City Center Executive Director welcomed the attendees. Photos by Michael Gordon
The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children opened a Bright Space at The City Center, 837 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura, on Thursday, August, 24. Bright Spaces, the signature program of the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, provide engaging environments for play that are cheerful, inviting, safe, and fun, and support non-profits like The City Center and the children and families in their care. The Bright Horizons Foundation has created over 300 Bright Spaces in the United States. This Bright Space will be a play space for families with young children who are experiencing homelessness.
The City Center provides a safe place for homeless families to learn the skills need to become productive members of society.
“Our goal with Bright Spaces is to give children the opportunities they deserve to develop resilience and form stronger bonds with their families and other caring adults. We strive to promote healing, offer nurturing and stimulating activities, and provide a stable, enriching environment for each child who walks through the door.” stated Yvonne Lynch, President of The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children.
Bright Spaces are customized based on the needs of the non-profit organization. The space created at City Center will allow preschool-aged and school aged children to experience a sense of normalcy and stability through play and learning. Through the collaboration between Bright Horizons foundation for Children, Amgen Foundation, The Rotary Club East, and a very special donor Fred C. Ferro, there is new furniture, toys, learning materials, and computers. Each area was intentionally designed to engage a variety of ages. The walls are adorned with beautiful candid photos of the children living at The City Center, courtesy of Tana Hayes Photography.
The City Center is a transitional living center for homeless families with children in Ventura County, equipping them to rebuild their lives and become self-sufficient. Almost 100% of our graduates do not return to homelessness. We provide our residents with a safe place where they can receive support through counseling, mentoring, case management, financial coaching & employment assistance. They learn life skills necessary for self-sufficiency, acquire transportation, obtain employment, and no longer require government assistance.
Bright Horizons® is a leading global provider of high-quality early education and childcare, back-up care, and workforce education services. For 35 years, we have partnered with employers to support workforces by providing services that help working families and employees thrive personally and professionally. Bright Horizons operates approximately 1,100 early education and childcare centers in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, and India, and serves more than 1,400 of the world’s leading employers. Bright Horizons’ early education and childcare centers, back-up child and elder care, and workforce education programs help employees succeed at each life and career stage. For more information, go to www.brighthorizons.com.
Since 1991, WEV has provided business training and small business advisory services to more than 28,000.
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)’s Emprendimiento Program increases opportunities for historically marginalized individuals by providing entrepreneurial training and access to capital for limited English proficient (LEP) and Hispanic community members.
On August 23, Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) presented $337,500 in grant funding to participants who completed WEV’s Emprendimiento Program for entrepreneurial Hispanic and Indigenous Ventura County community members. Forty-five of the 90 participants who successfully completed WEV’s free, 8-week business training program taught in Spanish each received a $7,500 microgrant to grow their existing small business. For more information about the Emprendimiento Program, including enrollment for the fall 2023 Santa Barbara County cohort, visit: www.wevonline.org/classes-resources/emprendimiento/ .
Launched in 2021, WEV’s Emprendimiento Program provides entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, and microgrants for small business owners to grow their enterprise in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. To date, 330 people have participated in WEV’s Emprendimiento Program and 261 have graduated. With the August 2023 Grant Awards Ceremony, a total of $937,500 in microgrants have been awarded to entrepreneurs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
At WEV’s Emprendimiento Award Ceremony, graduate Catalina Almazán Sosa, owner of Artesania Ita Indivi Oaxaqueña, was one of the class speakers who shared her story with the attendees. “My first language is Mixteco… Spanish is my second language and I speak some English. When I was a child, my mother taught me that you don’t win every time – you must learn to lose, don’t worry, tomorrow will be better,” said Almazán.
Gloria Martinez, Economic Vitality Manager for the County of Ventura, gave the welcome remarks and congratulated the program graduates. “With your creativity, skills and sheer determination, I have no doubt your businesses will thrive and make important contributions to Ventura County’s economy and community,” said Martinez. “This is an incredible accomplishment and demonstrates your commitment, passion, and vision to start or grow your own businesses here.”
Martinez also thanked WEV “for designing and implementing this outstanding program to empower Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs. We are grateful for WEV’s partnership and dedication to creating economic opportunity in our region.”
The program was approved by the County of Ventura’s Board of Supervisors for support through the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Plan.
Women’s Economic Ventures is dedicated to the economic empowerment of women. WEV is a business resource network for anyone looking to start a business, grow a local business, or improve their business skills. WEV provides a full range of small business support – including classes, consulting, and funding – as well as financial literacy programs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. While WEV’s focus is on women, it welcomes people of all gender identities into the WEV community. Business courses, programs and loans are provided in both English and Spanish.
Since 1991, WEV has provided business training and small business advisory services to more than 28,000 people throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. WEV has made more than $6.9 million in small business loans and helped nearly 5,300 local businesses start or expand, generating an estimated $873 million in annual sales and creating over 12,400 local jobs. WEV is a U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center and Microlender, as well as a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
To support WEV’s work, please visit www.wevonline.org/support.
Free tickets for young people available.
Opera Santa Barbara will make free tickets available to young people for all the performances of its 30th anniversary season, including Carmen, Il trovatore, Zorro, LA DIVINA, and El gato con botas (Puss in Boots.)
“Our experience from the student matinee performances last season has shown that a live, fully staged performance with world class performers and professional orchestra in one of our city’s state-of-the-art theaters is a life-changing experience for young people”, said Artistic and General Director Kostis Protopapas. “For our 30th anniversary we would like to go one step further, and give parents the opportunity to introduce their children to the power of professional music theater without worrying about price, and to students ages 16-18 to put together a group of friends and enjoy our shows, even if their school is not coming to one of our student matinees.”
Free tickets for young patrons are offered based on the following conditions:
Patrons 8-15 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Limit two (2) free Young Patron tickets for each paying adult. For group requests please contact [email protected].
Patrons 16-18 do not have to be accompanied by paying patrons, but a two-ticket-per-patron limit applies . For group requests please contact [email protected].
All Young Patron tickets and accompanying adult tickets will be seated at the discretion of management
All Young Patron tickets and paid accompanying adult tickets have to be obtained in person at the box office or over the phone (Granada Theatre: 805-899-2222, Lobero Theatre: 805-963-0761
Unless otherwise published, Opera Santa Barbara productions are not recommended for persons under 8.
A limited number of free Young Patron tickets will be available for each production.
In addition to its regular perfomances, Opera Santa Barbara is planning to offer student matinee performances of Zorro, and El gato con botas. Interested teachers and school administrators can contact Tim Accurso at [email protected] for information.
For the full schedule of Opera Santa Barbara’s performances, please visit: https://www.operasb.org/on-stage/
Visitors got to witness breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers. Photos by Daniel Jackson and Janie Tran
Wings Over Camarillo Air Show, the premier air show on the Central Coast of California.
Took place on August 19. This year’s event was filled with captivating performances, static aircraft displays, family-friendly activities, and a touch of history.
Visitors got to witness breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers as skilled stunt pilots take to the skies, showcasing an array of thrilling moves such as loops, rolls, spins, hammerheads, and stalls. But that’s not all – the event was more than just high-flying entertainment. Attendees explored a diverse collection of static aircraft models, offering an up-close look at aviation history and innovation.
Families got to enjoy hands-on experiences that cater to all ages, from watching drones and UAVs take flight to participating in interactive STEM activities that shed light on aviation, aerospace, and STEM fields.
History buffs found a highlight in the 82nd Airborne Division 505th Reenactment Camp, a unit recognized by the California Historical Group. This camp pays tribute to World War II combat soldiers, and this year’s event proudly features their historical reenactments.
Adding to the excitement was the inclusion of a motorcycle and classic car show, offering a dynamic blend of aviation and automotive enthusiasts. As the day unfolded, an impressive lineup of performances takes center stage, including the USAF Wings of Blue Parachute Team, P-51 Mustang Fly-B, and the Ventura Sheriff HH-60L Helicopter Water Drop.
Amidst the action, the event paid homage to the C-46, the largest operational twin-engine aircraft in American service during WWII. The C-46 made history by ferrying crucial supplies over the treacherous Himalayan Mountains, a feat known as “Flying the Hump.” The iconic China Doll aircraft, built in 1945, stands as a rare survivor from that era.
With a blend of heart-pounding aerobatics, historical reenactments, engaging STEM displays, and a nod to aviation history, the Wings Over Camarillo Air Show delivered an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this thrilling and educational event that celebrates the wonders of flight and the spirit of exploration again next year!
The festival gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy street painting.
The 15th Annual Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival returns to picturesque Ventura Harbor Village on September 9th & 10th, 2023 from 10 AM to 5 PM. www.venturaartfestival.com.
Presented by Ventura County Art Events, Inc., the Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival boosts 30 curated artist vendors showcasing their art in Ventura Harbor Village. Works of art include paintings, pottery, photography, and jewelry — all available for purchase. Additionally, the sidewalks along the Ventura Harbor Village promenade and Fisherman’s Memorial will be the canvas for more than 20 talented and colorful chalk artists, creating murals ranging from 10×5 ft. to 10×10 ft. in size. Well known chalk artists, Clif Gold, Julio Jimenez and Rod Tryon, plan to attend.
The festival gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy art, street painting, and the beauty of the Ventura County coast. Admission & parking are free.
Said Barbara Hinton, Executive Director of the Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival “The street painters are working in real time right before your very eyes.”
The Ventura Art & Street Painting festival weekend at Ventura Harbor Village highlights live seaside music on the Village Promenade Stage all weekend long including versatile entertainer, Preston Smith, a legend in the Southern California music scene, on September 9, 2023 from noon-3 PM. Visitors can also take in a performance by reggae favorite Tony Lee and Forbidden Fruit, who plan to bring their pop reggae style, that is both infectious and fun for the entire family, from Noon-3 PM on September 10.
A benefit for FOOD Share of Ventura County, Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival has raised over $60,000 for FOOD Share of Ventura County over the years according to Ventura County Art Events, Inc. For more festival details or to get involved visit www.venturaartfestival.com.
The destination is the picture-perfect weekend getaway for couples, friends, and families. While at the festival, visit Ventura Harbor Village art galleries and even more unique maker spaces, eateries and a new wine tasting room. For additional information regarding Village galleries art demonstrations and activities, visit VenturaHarborVillage.com.
Raise funds to get the historic Ventura Pier reopened. Photo by Michael Gordon
Tickets are now on sale for Pier Under the Stars—the 28th annual benefit for the historic Ventura Pier on Saturday, October 7th, from 4-7pm. Each year more than 500 residents and visitors attend this beachfront culinary event adjacent to the pier to sample the county’s best food, wine and spirits provided by over 25 area businesses. This year the event is needed more than ever to raise funds to get the historic Ventura Pier reopened.
Restaurants, cafes, wineries and breweries serve their signature dishes and beverages from tented booths along the seaside Promenade while guests enjoy live music and dancing under the stars and an amazing silent auction.
The sell-out event hosted by Pier into the Future–-a non-profit organization-
“is a much anticipated community gathering of friends that raises funds for our beloved Pier”, said Pier Into the Future Executive Director Jenise Wagar-Hernandez. The organization was founded by a group of dedicated
community leaders, in partnership with the City of Ventura, to establish an endowment fund to maintain and enhance the historic Ventura Pier for future generations to enjoy. The organization has contributed over $1,128,000 to the City of Ventura over the last 30 years to enhance the Pier.
General admission tickets are $95 and include food and beverage tasting and a commemorative Pier wine glass. A limited number of VIP tickets are offered at $185. VIP tickets include all of the benefits associated with General Admission, plus a reserved seat at a VIP table along the promenade and a special wine tasting in the VIP area.
Tickets are available on line at www.eventbrite.com.
Visit www.pierintothefuture.org for more information.
