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Arroyo Verde Park’s inclusive playground receives Project of the Year Award

Arroyo Verde Park’s main play structure was destroyed in the Thomas Fire.

The recently completed first-ever inclusive playground in Ventura at Arroyo Verde Park received the 2021 Project of the Year Award from the Ventura County Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) in the structures category for its safety performance, effective construction management, environmental considerations, and community outreach.

During the City Council meeting on May 9, APWA Ventura County director at large Andrew Grubb shared that, “this project stood out for its inclusive play area with unique considerations to children with sensory and cognitive needs along with the community support and donations received for the playground’s replacement after the Thomas Fire.”

The APWA Project of the Year Award distinguishes the project’s efficient and effective construction management techniques, schedule mitigation amid COVID-19 supply chain challenges, construction management, control techniques, jobsite safety practices, and a demonstrated commitment to sustainability.

The 10,750 square foot play area at Arroyo Verde Park features a colorful play surface, new landscaping, gathering areas, swings, hammocks, balance beams, a sensory garden, a motion-inclusive carousel, embankment climbers, and music play areas. It also features a sensory wall with recognition tiles dedicated to those who donated to the project.

In December 2017, Arroyo Verde Park’s main play structure was destroyed in the Thomas Fire. Rather than rebuilding the same structure, the City of Ventura decided to re-imagine the space and create the first fully inclusive play area in Ventura; a space where the community could have fun together without barriers.

The Parks and Recreation Department engaged with the community to understand which features they would most like included in the rebuild. Families, community members, medical professionals, and playground manufacturers were included in the playground design conversations. Extensive renderings and options were presented at neighborhood council meetings, and community feedback was gathered to capture the heart and soul of the project.

To learn more about this project, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/AVP.

Ventura Girls Fastpitch 10u Silver Western C District Champions

Top row coaches Larry Molina, Malissa Thompson, Jim Thompson, John Higgins, Shaun Jacobs, and Manager Justin Welch. Players are Taylor Bellitski, Addison Dutter, Adeline Luttenberger, Gianna Speer, Delanie Thompson, Kennedy Welch, Ivy Higgins, Kaylin Jacobs, Valentina Garcia, Mailie Norris and Andrea Molina. 

Congratulations to the Ventura Girls Fastpitch 10U Silver team for becoming the 2022 USA Softball of Southern California Western C District 10U All-Star Tournament Champions in Newbury Park Father’s Day weekend.

The team started the tournament Friday night defeating La Canada Spartans (Gold) 12-0. They continued their winning streak Saturday defeating Moorpark Gold All-Stars 6-2 and Camarillo Silver All-Stars 13-5. Sunday morning, they garnered another win against the undefeated Newbury Park Gold All-Stars 3-2, giving them an undefeated record and automatically advancing them to the championship game.

In this 2-game elimination tournament Ventura Silver headed to the Championship Game Sunday afternoon with no prior losses. After waiting 4 hours to find out who their opponent would be in the Championship game, Ventura Silver once again played Newbury Park Gold and lost 11-0 the first game, forcing them to play a second championship game to determine the ultimate winner.

However, the girls did not let the loss bring their spirits down. Instead, they used the defeat to pump themselves up for the second game. After three innings Ventura failed to score any runs and gave up 2 to Newbury Park. During the 4th inning Ventura scored 5 runs taking the lead and holding it. During the 5th and final inning Ventura Scored 4 more runs. For a final score of 9-7 to clinch 1st place and became the 2022 USA Softball of Southern California Western C District 10U All-Star Tournament Champions!

With an overall All-Star season record of 14-5-1 these girls have worked hard, practicing 3 times a week with multiple games on the weekends.

Next stop the 2022 Southern California C State Championship in Lancaster.

The team is sponsored by Kirby Auto Group, Paradise Chevrolet, Sushi Yusho, Theis Construction, Higgins Financial and Insurance Services, and their families.

Free Concerts at the Country Fair with Ocean Air

All this fun and free concerts. Photo by Richard Lieberman

The VC Fair has announced the 2022 Grandstand Entertainment Series. Fair visitors can see favorite musical acts and rodeos free with paid admission to the fair.

Good vibrations and great live music will be the standard for the 2022 Grandstand Entertainment series, sponsored by Chumash Casino and Resort. The VC Fair Grandstand Arena, presented by Firestone 805, will present 8 free concerts covering a range of music from Country to Pop, Rock R&B and Funk.

This year’s list of Fair entertainers will satisfy Ventura County music lovers with every unique performance:

All Grandstand Concerts and Rodeos are free with Fair admission!

  • Martina McBride; Wednesday, August 3 at 7:30PM
  • KC & The Sunshine Band; Thursday, August 4 at 7:30PM
  • The All-American Rejects; Friday, August 5 at 7:30PM
  • Blue Oyster Cult; Saturday, August 6 at 7:30PM
  • Día De La Familia Concert; Sunday, August 7 at 3PM
  • (performers will be announced at a later date)
  • The Beach Boys; Monday, August 8 at 7:30PM
  • Clay Walker; Tuesday, August 9 at 7:30PM
  • Cheap Trick ; Wednesday, August 10 at 7:30PM
  • PRCA Rodeo: Friday, Aug. 12 at 7:00 PM; Saturday, Aug. 13 & Sunday, Aug. 14 at 2 and 7PM

The 147th Ventura County Fair, “A Country Air with Ocean Air”, begins Wednesday, August 3 and runs through to Sunday August 14. For more information please call (805) 648 -3376 or visit www.venturacountyfair.org.

Successful ending of the Ventura River Action Network (V-RAN) Program with awards for students

Finalists at the Awards Ceremony at the Museum of Ventura County.

After six months of involving 750 students from Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) in the monitoring and restoration of the Ventura River and its tributaries in support of the work of many environmental organizations, the last three months of the V-RAN program focused on students conducting energy, water, or waste audits of their school campuses, or researching the issues around the removal of the Matilija Dam, then crafting and submitting project proposals to reduce the environmental footprint of their schools or advocating for the removal of the dam.

Students submitted 78 projects which were reviewed by a judging panel for the first phase. The top 16 finalists moved on to present their proposals in person for the second and final phase to an expert panel of judges at the 7th Energy Efficiency to Mitigate Climate Change and Ocean Acidification (EECCOA) Challenge Award Ceremony on May 5th, 2022 held at the Museum of Ventura County.

The young authors of the top environmental business proposals in each category were awarded cash or in-kind prizes by the Ventura Unified School District. Cash prizes ranged from $500-$200, and in-kind prizes included tickets to the Channel Islands.

The MERITO Foundation would like to thank V-RAN program partners and sponsors that including UC Davis Center for Community and Citizen Science, and Ventura Water for their support, and all the event sponsors that helped with our culminating event. We are ready for the launch of the 2022-2023 V-RAN program!

New enhanced viewer for color blind visitors installed at Ventura Botanical Gardens

Flowers at Ventura Botanical Gardens. Color blind conversion courtesy of EnChroma Photo by Barbara Brown

The Ventura Botanical Gardens and EnChroma® (creators of glasses for color blindness) announced this week the installation of a special viewer for colorblind visitors. The Gardens will be the first botanical gardens in California to have a viewer for color blindness onsite.

Installed at the Merewether site in the California Native Garden, this special scope, made by SeeCoast Manufacturing and fitted with EnChroma lenses, is for guests who are red-green colorblind. Many colorblind visitors cannot see the brilliant reds, yellow and oranges in the flowering plants of, for example, the aloe or California poppy. With this special viewer, those colors can be seen more like non-colorblind visitors see them. Additionally, visitors with color blindness will soon be able to borrow a limited number of EnChroma glasses at the Merewether Welcome Center and experience the colors in scenic vistas and vibrant, chromatic flora for the first time.

Sponsored by Mike and Loretta Merewether, the special viewer honors their young granddaughter, Carlie. “We wanted colorblind youngsters and oldsters alike to experience the Gardens in a new way, and to share the way we see it, full of color and drama.”

The installation of the viewer is part of the Ventura Botanical Gardens interest in accessibility and inclusivity for visitors. “This new viewer offers a wider range of visitor experience and opens the door for guests who previously could not see many of the colors of the Gardens,” explains Joe Cahill, Executive Director.

“We’re so thankful for the Merewether family’s generous support and their desire to bring the Gardens alive for those with color vision deficiency,” said Erik Ritchie, CEO of EnChroma. “With both the viewer and EnChroma loaner glasses now available to color blind guests, visits to the Garden will be even more memorable. We encourage gardens, museums, and attractions to incorporate EnChroma into their accessibility plans.”

One in 12 men (8%) and one in 200 women (.5%) are color vision deficient; an estimated 13 million in the United States and 350 million worldwide. While people with normal color vision see over one million shades of color, those with color vision deficiency only see an estimated 10% of hues and shades (see images attached). As a result, colors can appear dull, indistinct, and difficult to discern.

A live press event is planned for later this year.

Located at Grant Park in the City of Ventura, the Ventura Botanical Gardens’ goals include conserving plant species and encouraging visitors to strengthen their connection to nature.

To find out more, visit the VenturaBotanicalGardens.com and join us on Facebook.

Based in Berkeley, Calif., EnChroma produces leading-edge eyewear for color blindness and low vision, and other solutions for color vision, sold online and through Authorized Retailers worldwide. Invented in 2010, EnChroma’s patented eyewear combines the latest in color perception, neuroscience and lens innovation to improve the lives of people with color vision deficiency around the world. For more information, call 510.497.0048 or visit enchroma.com.

Kent Streeb, Vice President of Communications & Partnerships, [email protected], 530.908.9225.

 

Brownley presents $5.5 million to Ventura Harbor for maintenance dredging

Funding will help meet the dredging needs and navigation depths of the Ventura Harbor.

On Monday, June 6th , at Harbor Cove Beach in the Ventura Harbor, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) presented a check to Chris Stephens, Chair of the Ventura Port District Board of Commissioners and to Ventura Port District and Harbormaster John Higgins. The check for $5,500,000,00 was signed by President Joe Biden on March 15th, 2022 and will be for maintenance dredging of the Ventura Harbor. This funding will help meet the dredging needs and navigation depths of the Ventura Harbor which is instrumental in keeping the harbor safe and open for industries which include the fishing industry, tourism and recreation and the supply chain for local businesses. Ventura Harbor is the leading harbor for the squid market due in large part to the infrastructure and commercial fishing fleets in Ventura Harbor as well as home to a thriving visitor economy with hotels, restaurants, retail shops with coastal access on both on and off the harbor.

Presen were Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26),,Chris Stephens, Ventura Port District, Chair of the Board of Port Commissioners, Mike Blumenberg, Ventura Port District, Vice Chair of the Board of Port Commissioners, John Higgins, Ventura Port District, Harbormaster,

Todd Mitchell, Ventura Port District, Sr. Business Operations Manager and others.

On March 9, 2022, Brownley announced the inclusion of nine community projects totaling $27 million in the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2471) that passed the House of Representatives by a 260-171-1 vote. The historic government funding package will help working families with the cost of living, create good-paying jobs, and make direct investments in community priorities throughout the country, such as dredging are harbors to protect downcoast federal and municipal infrastructure and operations and keep key industries that rely on the harbor in business.

AIDS/LifeCycle rolls through Ventura

On Friday, June 10, thousands of bicycles arrived in Ventura and stayed at the San Buenaventura State Beach. More than 2,400 cyclists and 600 volunteer “roadies” continued their 7-day, 545-mile journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles on Friday, June 10, beginning in Lompoc to Ventura. AIDS/LifeCycle is a fully-supported, seven-day bike ride. It’s a life-changing ride, not a race.

County of Ventura in honor of Pride Month raises Progress Pride Flag

Progress Pride Flag raised. Photos by Richard Lieberman

The second annual Progress Pride Flag raising was held on June 9t at the Government Center in Ventura located at 800 S Victoria Ave. The flag raising was in support of the LGBQT+ community. The pride flag will be displayed throughout the month at several county facilities. Pride month is to acknowledge the courage and history of the LGBTQ community.

Speakers included Steven Auclair with the County’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office, Interim County Executive Officer Dr. Sevet Johnson, Supervisor Matt LaVere and Genevieve Flores-Haro with the Diversity Collective.

Corporal Eric Vazquez recognized as Officer of the Year

Corporal Vazquez started with VPD as a police officer trainee in 2006.

During National Police Week, happening May 15-21, 2022, the Ventura Police Department (VPD) recognizes the courageous police officers who’ve selflessly sworn to protect and serve Ventura and honors Corporal Eric Vazquez as the Officer of the Year.

“Corporal Eric Vazquez brings an incredibly positive attitude and work ethic to our team,” said Sergeant Mike Acquarelli. “Vazquez makes an effort to connect with and mentor younger officers and holds a variety of collateral assignments further developing his professional and leadership skills. He is truly an outstanding representative of our agency and the City of Ventura as a whole.”

Corporal Vazquez started with VPD as a police officer trainee in 2006 and has held assignments in patrol, gang prevention, major crimes, the Communications Center, and the Patrol Task Force. He is also a Field Training Officer and a member of the SWAT team. He was promoted to Corporal in 2017 and will be promoted to Sergeant in May 2022.

“I am extremely proud of our team of officers who’ve dedicated their lives to Ventura’s safety,” said Police Chief Darin Schindler. “Our officers provide exceptional service with integrity, respect, and professionalism, and I am proud to lead an agency that is compassionate and dedicated to public safety. Their great work does not go unnoticed!”

National Police Week is also a time to honor those fallen officers who have given their lives in the line of duty, including the loss of Ventura Police Sergeant Darlon “Dee” Dowell who was tragically killed on August 7, 1978. The street in which the Ventura Police headquarters is located was named Dowell Drive in his honor.

Currently, VPD has 137 sworn officers who have completed an intensive 6-month training academy, a 6-month field training program, and a one-year probationary period.

The Ventura Police Department is currently hiring lateral, academy-trained officers, as well as police officer trainees. For more information about the Ventura Police Department recruitment and hiring process, visit www.VenturaPoliceJobs.org.

What is Plein Art Painting?

The before and after photos are Andrea Vargas from New Mexico and Maddi Simpson from Ventura. Photos by Patricia Schallert

by Patricia Schallert

“En Plein air” is a French expression that means “in the open air”. It is used by artists to describe the art of outdoor painting, capturing landscapes, sunsets, bodies of water and majestic views. Santa Cruz Island fit the description perfectly.

Saturday morning, May 21st brought a group of artists to the Island Packers boat launch for a one-of-a-kind adventure to Santa Cruz Island to paint with esteemed artist Margaret Garcia. Unfortunately, Margaret Garcia was unable to go but her replacement, Renee Tallent , Ventura coordinator for the Arts from the County of Ventura Museum was able to take the lead in making sure the experience would go on.

Roberto Vargas, Latino Advisory committee joined the group and was instrumental in helping the artists get to know each other once they arrived on the Island. From there, the artists went their separate ways and found a variety of locations to create their open-air art and as Claudia Soto enthusiastically said, “We will let the art unfold”.

Upon returning to Ventura Harbor, several of the artists said, “It was like being in a different world.” There were no cellphone or Wi-Fi distractions and Andrea Vargas, from New Mexico said “We could just stay focused on our art.” Others commented that they could go slow as they were inspired by the beauty of Santa Cruz Island with its incredible weather and beautiful scenery.” When asked if they would do this again, a resounding “absolutely” was the answer.