The City of Ventura released the third episode of its new podcast, Ventura Voices. The latest episode features an in-depth interview with Ventura’s Economic Development Manager, Meredith Hart, and Visit Ventura’s President and CEO, Marlyss Auster. Community members can listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music, or watch it on the City’s YouTube channel.
In this episode, Meredith and Marlyss are enthusiastic about returning the X Games to Ventura for a second consecutive year. They discuss the significant economic benefits this event brings to the community and highlight new features of the 2024 event, including an expanded event floor plan, musical performances, new sporting events, drone shows, a free shuttle and parking sites, plus a variety of free community events throughout Ventura.
“It was exciting to give an inside look at what it takes to host one of the most thrilling sports events in the world right here in Ventura and what’s new this year with X Games Ventura,” said Meredith Hart, Ventura’s Economic Development Manager. “Hosting the X Games requires a true team effort, and we are proud to partner with Visit Ventura and other local organizations to ensure a successful event that benefits our local businesses and community members.”
Episode three of Ventura Voices also underscores the significant economic impact of the event, drawing visitors and offering opportunities to support local shops, restaurants, and service providers.
Last year’s X Games event drew 52,000 attendees, generating approximately $6.4 million for Ventura County’s economy, with $5 million spent in Ventura. The event staff contributed significantly, accounting for more than 2,700 hotel nights and over $900,000 in hotel spending. More participants are expected this year, with plans for 5,100 hotel nights.
Tune in to learn more and receive a special discount code for listeners. X Games Ventura returns to the Ventura County Fairgrounds from June 28-30, 2024.
Fourth of July Street Fair and Pushem-Pullem Parade
Ventura’s 47th annual 4th of July Street Fair & Pushem-Pullem Parade, presented by the Rotary Club of East Ventura, begins at 10:00 a.m. on Main Street in front of Cemetery Memorial Park and continues into Downtown Ventura, leading into the Street Fair. The road will be closed, and participants are welcome to begin queuing up as early as 9:00 a.m. This is a pedestrian parade. This year’s Street Fair features artisan vendors, a car exhibit, live entertainment, a kids’ activity area, a corn hole zone, and more. Attendees can also enjoy Downtown’s local shops and outdoor dining as part of Main Street Moves. Community members are welcome to bring their bikes, scooters, strollers, and wagons. Motorized vehicles are not allowed. No registration is required.
A complimentary Bike Valet, courtesy of the City of Ventura Transportation Division and Bike Ventura, will be located at the corner of Main Street and South Chestnut Street from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Subhead: Fourth of July Fireworks Show at Ventura College
Tickets are now on sale for the spectacular, 31st annual 4th of July Fireworks Show & Family Picnic at Ventura College. This fun, family event features a Kids’ Zone, Live Music, Food Trucks and a world-class Fireworks Show. Sponsored by the Rotary Club, the event starts at 5 pm on Thursday, July 4th at the Ventura College Athletic Fields. Fireworks start at 9:00 pm. Tickets are $5 child, $10 adult and a Family-of-4 ticket is $30. For more information, visit www.VenturaFireworks.com.
Jessica Alten’s journey into the world of brewing began at Island Brewing Company in Carpinteria, where she started working. It was during a visit from her parents, particularly her father who had years of experience at Nestlé Purina, that she became intrigued by the manufacturing side of beer. With a newfound interest in brewing, Jessica began asking questions and delving deeper into the craft. Her passion skyrocketed when she had the opportunity to collaborate with the brewers and owners of Island Brewing as part of the Pink Boots Collaborative.
Jessica joined the Pink Boots Collaborative, an inspiring and vibrant community within the beer industry that brings together women who are passionate about brewing and promoting quality craft beer. Founded in 2007 by Teri Fahrendorf, a veteran brewmaster, the collaborative hosts events, workshops, and networking opportunities for women in brewing. Through this initiative, Jessica and many other women have come together to brew unique beers using hops generously donated by hop producers. These collaboration brews celebrate the talents of women in brewing while raising awareness about their crucial role in the industry.
The Pink Boots Collaborative has played a pivotal role in encouraging diversity and inclusivity within the beer industry, an aspect that Jessica finds particularly important. By offering a supportive and creative community, the Pink Boots collaboration has helped elevate the voices and talents of women brewers worldwide. It has also shattered barriers and served as an inspiration for future generations of women to pursue their dreams in the beer world. Additionally, the collaborative organizes “Brew Days” at local breweries, providing hands-on experience and educational opportunities for members.
As Jessica’s experience and knowledge in brewing expanded, she was given the opportunity to assist in opening the tasting room for Ojai Valley Brewing. Eager to learn more about the brewing process, she shadowed the brewers and developed a deep fascination with the craft. Determined to explore the various aspects of brewing, she seized the chance to work at M. Special Brew Co. Starting from the bottom, Jessica steadily worked her way up to becoming an assistant brewer. With the guidance and support of the head brewer, Michael Alcantar, and owner, Josh Ellis, she honed her skills and growth as a brewer.
After two years at M. Special Brew Co., Jessica, now a brewer, moved to Ventura and began working at Seaward Brewing in January 2024. What captivates her the most about brewing is the chemistry involved, especially in the “hot side” of the process. She emphasizes the importance of precise timing and temperature control, comparing it to the precision of baking. Interacting with patrons and discussing beers brings her immense satisfaction as well, and she cherishes compliments for the beers she crafts.
Being a woman brewer, Jessica has faced her share of challenges. Some men, for unexplainable reasons, doubt her abilities as a brewer. She often encounters skepticism and questioning at beer festivals regarding her role and brewing knowledge. Nevertheless, she remains dedicated to her craft, preferring to keep her beer traditional and straightforward. However, when it comes to making seltzers, she especially enjoys experimenting with different flavors and embraces the spicy notes of rye malt, which complement dark malty beers and IPAs.
Currently, Seaward Brewing is gearing up for the X Games in Ventura, which will take place from June 28 to 30. Jessica is thrilled about this event and has crafted a pilsner called the White Knuckle Pilsner with a motocross theme, which will be perfect for a hot day at the X Games. She also hopes to collaborate with Balcom Canyon Cidery, located nearby, to create a shandy-style cider-beer hybrid. Exciting endeavors lie ahead for Jessica and Seaward Brewing!
Becoming a skilled and accomplished brewer requires time, dedication, and a constant drive for improvement. Jessica is continuously honing her skills, experimenting with new brews, and staying passionate about the craft. Cheers to Jessica and her unwavering dedication to the art of brewing!
“Watts Up!” – Kelly Cooke and Sasha Benitez won $900 as first-place winners in the Energy Tier. Images courtesy of the MERITO Foundation.
Students will present proposals to reduce schools’ environmental footprint and receive cash prizes
In May, the MERITO Foundation and Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) hosted the 9th annual EECCOA Challenge Awards Ceremony. At this event, 7th-12th-grade student finalists presented their environmental business proposals to either reduce their school’s carbon footprint or advocate for removing the relic Matilija Dam from the Ventura River. The primary sponsor of this year’s EECCOA Challenge was the Clean Power Alliance.
For the EECCOA Challenge, students had the option of choosing a project theme from four categories: water conservation and waste reduction at their school campuses, energy efficiency at their homes, or outreach about the ecological benefits of the Matilija dam removal. This multidisciplinary competition allowed our youth to combine environmental science with green entrepreneurship and environmental advocacy. School administrators benefit from hearing from students about improving their schools’ infrastructure, reducing thousands of pounds of greenhouse gases and utility costs.
Water Fountain Woes” – Olivia Mowd, Rihanna Samples and Merric Bayless won $750 as first-place winners in the Water Tier
Held at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura, the keynote speaker for the event was Holly Lohuis, marine biologist, educator, and naturalist in the Santa Barbara area, working for a variety of organizations, including Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, and Island Packers-boat concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park. A Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) representative also addressed parents, students, and all attendees.
This year, 50 teams competed in the EECCOA Challenge 2024, from students attending Buena High School, Ventura High School, Foothill Technology High School, and DATA Middle School. After the first round of judging, the top 16 finalists presented their projects in person before the judges at the May 20th event. After the presentations, the MERITO Foundation and VUSD awarded cash or in-kind prizes for each category for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention. All participating students have been immersed since September 2023 in MERITO Foundation’s “Ventura Action Network” (V-RAN) Program or “From the Avenue to Channel Islands (ATCI) program in partnership with the VUSD.
“Paint the River” – Harper Thorn and Rey Brookes won $750 as first-place winners in the Matilija Dam Outreach Tier
The V-RAN program provided professional development, field training, and curriculum to science teachers and hands-on field experiences to ~735 middle and high school students throughout the Ventura River watershed and coast. Through the ATCI program, 580 students from DATA Middle School enjoyed outdoor experiences at the Ventura River, State Beaches, and the Channel Islands. In addition to environmental education, students also participated in biking, hiking, kayaking, camping, snorkeling, sailing, and surfing, and learned leadership skills which they put into practice at outdoor community events.
“Stop the Drip” – Alexandra Esquivel, Gracelynn Beas, Lelimaine Tagi, and Nataly Sandoval won $400 as second-place winners in the Water Tier.
Sponsors for the V-RAN Program included NOAA B-WET Grant, Ventura Water, and UC Davis Center for Community and Citizen Science. The ‘From the Avenue to the Channel Islands’ (ATCI) Program of the MERITO Foundation was funded by the Outdoors Equity Grant, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants, and Local Services.
The MERITO Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Ventura, CA. It is dedicated to protecting the ocean by facilitating environmental education, conservation, and scientific research opportunities for multicultural youth and their communities. It has immersed over 27,000 4th-12th grade students enrolled in Title 1 schools in ocean science and ocean protection and has disbursed over $50,000 in cash prizes to student winners of previous EECCOA Challenges.
MERITO Board Members and EECCOA Judges (left to right): Alejandra Belacázar (City of Ventura, Community Outreach Specialist), Cliff Rodrigues (MERITO Board President), Linda Chilton (MERITO Treasurer), Ernesto Dúran (Ventura County Office of Education, Regional Director, Region 8 County Lead), Rocío Lozano-Knowlton (Founder and Director of MERITO Foundation).
Artist Reception, Art Show, Print Sale, and Documentary Premiere
The work of international automotive designer Mark Stehrenberger will be presented to the public at Crown Classics & Exotics, in the Ventura Auto Center. The event, held from 10am-2pm on June 22nd, will feature 12 large-scale works by Stehrenberger printed on brushed aluminum at sizes up to 6ft x 4ft. Approximately 12 smaller originals will be displayed on easels, and several prints will be offered for sale. At noon, the premiere of a 25-minute documentary about Stehrenberger will be aired on a big-screen TV, all in a setting of an exotic car showroom. Coffee drinks and light fare will be offered.
Mark Stehrenberger Art Exhibition
Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 10am-2pm
Crown Classics & Exotics, 6100 King Drive, Ventura
Artist Mark Stehrenbergerwas born and raised in Switzerland, but was inspired by the American “Yank Tanks” of the late 1950s with their huge proportions and tailfins. He began his long career designing concept cars and accessories for an international clientele, including all of the most famous marques. He taught automotive design at the Art Center of Design in Pasadena. With dual citizenship, he currently lives in Oxnard, California; and Montreux, Switzerland.
This event will highlight the more recent art pieces of Mark Stehrenberger, including work created for Bugatti, Ferrari, Citroen, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, and Ford. Locals may recognize Stehrenberger from his appearance as the Honoree of the 2022 Montecito Motor Classic car show. Car buffs will recognize Stehrenberger’s artwork from Car & Driver and Motor Trend magazines. His concept car pieces served as the predecessor to today’s “spy cam” photos of new auto designs.
Michelle Annette Leveille of Crown Classics & Exotics, is ebullient about the upcoming event. “Whether you’re into exotic cars or not, you’re bound to be impressed by Mark’s vision, as well as his artistic and technical prowess.”
For many, transitioning to retirement often means downsizing. Moving from a house with a garden to a smaller accommodation with a patio or balcony can make life easier and more affordable. However, for gardening enthusiasts, giving up a garden can be challenging. Studies suggest that gardening is key to maintaining physical and mental health as we age.
A 2020 Australian study examined the relationships between home and community gardening and the self-reported psychosocial and physical well-being of older adults. Researchers Theresa L. Scott, Barbara M. Masser, and Nancy A. Pachana published their findings in the National Library of Medicine under the title “Positive aging benefits of home and community gardening activities: Older adults report enhanced self-esteem, productive endeavors, social engagement and exercise.” Their study of 331 Australian gardeners aged 60-95 reported numerous benefits from leisure gardening. According to the study, “Restoration and Physical benefits were the strongest explanatory variables of participants’ positive aging self-perceptions. Members of gardening groups reported significantly more social and physical benefits than non-members.”
Image by Freepik
Psychological Benefits The study supports promoting positive aging through gardening. Whether gardening or simply being in a garden, contact with nature is crucial for attaining therapeutic benefits. Exposure to nature through gardens can enhance psychological well-being by regulating emotions and relieving stress. Early research shows that viewing nature through windows or pictures can positively affect stress recovery, lowering blood pressure and slowing heart rate. Because natural environments require less effortful attention and can distract from daily hassles, especially for frail older adults, simply being in a garden or viewing garden elements may provide relaxation and restoration.
Gardening allows older adults to connect with nature, nurture the environment, and care for plants. It also offers creative opportunities in planning and designing gardens. For those driven to learn about new plants or plan new projects, gardening stimulates mental activity. Cognitive benefits are also present in gardening societies or groups focused on learning about plants, gardening history, or Latin plant names.
Physical Benefits Gardening requires regular care, offering older adults increased physical activity. This can prevent osteoporosis and reduce the risk of some cancers, type 2 diabetes, depression, and heart disease, which are significant health risks and contributors to healthcare costs. A UK study found that moderate to heavy gardening activity of four or more hours per week significantly reduced morbidity and mortality rates in middle-aged and older men with cardiovascular disease.
Social Benefits of Gardening: Community Gardens and Gardening Clubs Gardening groups offer individuals a way to connect with nature and each other, providing social benefits. Group membership can be especially important for older adults during changes like retirement. Connecting with gardening group members allows people to receive social support and contribute positively to others’ lives, protecting against isolation and loneliness.
Ventura’s Community Gardens Locals have several options for community gardening. For more information, call the City of Ventura Garden Hotline at 805-658-4754 or visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1715/Community-Gardens.
Cornucopia Community Garden
Cornucopia Community Garden is Ventura’s largest community garden, with approximately 150 plots available for rent. Managed by the Parks and Recreation Department, the garden attracts community members from all walks of life who come together to cultivate the land and enjoy the outdoors.
Kellogg Community Garden
Kellogg Park Community Garden is Ventura’s newest community garden with 47 plots available for rent. Managed by the Parks and Recreation Department, the garden attracts community members who come together to garden, enjoy time with neighbors, and celebrate their harvest.
Westpark Community Garden
Westpark Community Garden has 22 plots available to rent. Managed by the Parks and Recreation Department, the garden attracts community members who live near Westpark, enjoy cultivating the land, and celebrating their harvest.
Circus Vargas, a critically acclaimed family show, voted best circus in San Diego by Sandiego.com, just completed a three week run in Ventura. Billed as “An Epic World Celebration,” Circus Vargas describes the show as, “a celebration of different cultures and nationalities, joining hand in hand, coming together to entertain, laugh, live, love and celebrate as one!” Staff from the Ventura Breeze attended one of the performances and had a blast! We’re looking forward to seeing Circus Vargas in Ventura next year.
Everyone at CAPS Media joins in congratulating and thanking Sheldon Brown for creating and publishing the Ventura Breeze for nearly two decades. The legendary, ever present and always smiling Sheldon, has been entertaining and informing our community with Ventura’s true Hometown Newspaper since October 24, 2007. “Neither snow (in Ventura … surf) nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays Sheldon and his loyal Breeze crew from completion of their appointed rounds.” Week after week, month after month, year after year, weathering economic hardships, pandemics and more, Sheldon has inspired and guided a dedicated crew of family members, friends, reporters, photographers, and other supporters to keep the presses and online publications rolling. “Sheldon – best wishes on your retirement from a true labor of love. We are certain the Breeze is in very capable hands, but we are equally certain there is only one Sheldon Brown.”
Additional kudos go out to CAPS producers for winning awards from the Alliance for Community Media. ACM recognized CAPS/KPPQ DJ Nadine Piche for “Ventura Vibe! Pride Ventura County 2023” as the Best of Community Events – Activism/Rallies Community Radio Program of the year. And high school students in the CAPS/ECTV program were honored for “Best of Informational Talk Show Series” with the team’s in-depth and engaging interview with Ventura County DA, Erik Nasarenko, hosted by Shayan Barati, recorded by an all-ECTV crew guided by their mentor Phil Taggart.
At this year’s WAVE Awards, Taggart’s “Arts in Exile” crew won a WAVE Award for Outstanding News/Documentary/Magazine Show – Community Production. WAVE, the Western Access Video Excellence, is a national network of TV and radio stations whose mission is to promote free speech and greater civic engagement through community media.
Currently CAPS crews are very busy covering graduation ceremonies for Ventura College and all VUSD high schools. The ceremonies are live streamed and then rebroadcast on CAPS channel 15 in the days that follow.
This summer the CAPS Digital Storytelling program is back in action for students ages 10-14 on July 15-19 and July 29-August 2. Guided by CAPS professional videographers and storytellers, the fast paced and engaging creative program features hands-on experiential learning in all aspects of media storytelling including story development, scripting, casting, staging, directing, camera operation, remote and in-studio production, graphic design, editing and more. Each week-long session runs Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 1:00pm at the CAPS Media Center at 65 Day Road. The $250 fee includes five, 4-hour sessions, a one-year CAPS membership, CAPS Crew Member shirt, graduation certificate and a special Friday film festival for friends and family. Registration is open now at capsmedia.org.
Everyone is invited to visit the CAPS Media Center on the first Monday of each month at 6pm for an informal tour, info on CAPS membership benefits, and an overview of the creative resources including cameras, edit suites and production studio that are available at CAPS. Drop by and discover what CAPS has to offer.
CAPS Media manages and programs cable channels 6 (Public) and 15 (Education and Government), and CAPS Radio KPPQ, and manages the CAPS Media Center, at 65 Day Road, which is open Tuesday through Thursday from 12 noon to 8pm. All CAPS programming and schedules can be seen on CAPS’ newly updated website at capsmedia.org.
Housing Land Trust Ventura County (Housing Land Trust VC) has been awarded the U.S. Bank Foundation’s Community Possible grant. The nonprofit will receive $25,000 in support of its mission to provide permanently affordable housing opportunities on donated land for those who contribute to the fabric of Ventura County’s economy and community. U.S. Bank created the Community Possible grant with the belief that all people deserve the opportunity to dream, believe, and achieve.
“This grant highlights the impact that private businesses can have on affordable housing,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Land Trust Ventura County. Linda also serves as CEO for Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, her guidance of which has helped to fund and commit to loans totaling $40 million since 2013, paving the way for 1,669 affordable units in Ventura County. “These funds help support Housing Land Trust VC’s mission, ensuring that affordable housing within Ventura County is accessible for all.”
The grant will provide resources to Housing Land Trust VC which will advance the organization, positioning it to acquire more land donations that will then become affordable homes. Land donations managed by Housing Land Trust VC have continued in their development including Casa de Carmen at the Oxnard Navigation Center being developed by Community Development Partners and Mercy House, which will provide 55 permanent housing units, 110 shelter beds and 24-hour supportive services for our community’s homeless population. In Thousand Oaks, a donated parcel will become Hillcrest Homes developed by People’s Self-Help Housing into nearly 80 affordable for-sale townhomes, creating an opportunity for home ownership for our community’s low-income to moderate-income individuals and families. The project is set to begin construction this year.
Housing Land Trust Ventura County is a Community Land Trust that seeks to identify and secure, through donation, undeveloped and surplus land to bring down the costs to develop affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents in Ventura County. The organization is governed by an 11-member all-volunteer Board of Directors led by Chair Alex Russell, CEO of Homes and Hope, Vice Chair Peter Lyons, Community Development Consultant, Treasurer Marni Brook of Women’s Economic Ventures, and Secretary Tracy McAulay with the County of Ventura. The Board also includes Bertha Garcia with VC Community Development Corporation, Retired City Planner MaryAnn Krause, AICP, Anthony Mireles with Laborer’s International Union Local 585, Maria Navarro of CAUSE, Stratis Perros from City of Simi Valley Environmental Services Department, Architect Mark Petit of Lauterbach & Associates, Architects, and Derrick Wada of Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation. Visit www.housinglandtrustvc.org to learn more about Housing Land Trust Ventura County and how donated land can help to bring more affordable housing to Ventura County.
Launched as a 501c3 nonprofit corporation in 2020 Housing Land Trust VC is helping to facilitate the development of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents of Ventura County by creating and maintaining permanently affordable single-family or multi-family residences through a community land trust. Housing Land Trust VC was created to address one of the County’s most common barriers to affordable housing – the high cost of land. As of September 2023, Housing Land Trust VC has received two parcels of land set to create 135 affordable apartments and homes in Ventura County.
Sheldon Brown (right) with Mayor Joe Schroeder at the May 14 ceremony.
On May 14, the city of San Buenaventura honored Sheldon Brown, publisher emeritus of the Ventura Breeze, with a city proclamation. Signed by Joe Schroeder, mayor of Ventura, the proclamation recognized Brown’s outstanding contributions and remarkable achievements as founder and leader of the Ventura Breeze newspaper. The proclamation also designated May 14 as “Sheldon Brown Day” in recognition of Brown’s “exemplary service, outstanding leadership, and enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.”
