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Photographers explore Ventura Botanical Gardens

Adela Lisanti

Winners of the 2022 VBG in Bloom Photo Contest highlighted the variety of colors, textures, views and other delights found in the continually expanding botanical gardens above City Hall.

Ten winning entries, the “Judges’ Choice”, were chosen by a panel of local photography professionals and three entries, the “Peoples’ Choice”, were chosen by open voting on the Ventura Botanical Gardens Facebook page.

The contest judges again this year were former commercial photographer and photography instructor Phil Ranger; Dexter’s Camera owner and photographer Greg Montana; and architectural photographer Stephen Schafer (AKA Schäf), who specializes in HABS, HAER, HALS formats to support preservation of architectural, engineering and landscape resources.

More than 150 photos from 81 entrants were placed into four categories: Botanical Detail; Color and Texture; Seen in the Garden; and View/Scenes. Judges chose winners in each category. No categories were used in open voting and selection was based on most “likes”.

The judges noted the increased number of entries this year as an endorsement of the growing popularity of Ventura Botanical Gardens as a special place for photographers of all experience levels.

Winners in the Judges’ Choice by category were:

  • Botanical Detail:
    Sylvia Gabrie (1st), Johanna Washington (2nd), and Jacqueline Counter (3rd)
  • Color and Texture:
    Sarah Dillon (1st), Becky Clearwater (2nd) and Sean Doll (3rd)
  • Seen in the Garden:
    Sarah Dillion (1st)
  • Views/Scenes:
    Kelly Nakamaru (1st)), Nicky Diaz(2nd) and Damian Merritt (3rd)

Winners in the Peoples’ Choice were:
Adela Lisanti (1st and 2nd) and Sarah Dillion (3rd)

Damian Merritt

Come and enjoy our beautiful park like setting

Home of the finest entertainment, concerts, arts, music and more.

Oceanview Pavilion is a multi-faceted venue located steps from Hueneme Beach located at 575 E. Surfside Drive Port Hueneme.

Home of the finest entertainment, concerts, arts, music, theatre, professional boxing , pro wrestling, as well as operating the best social and recreational adult day program where we serve individuals ages 18 – 80 with developmental disabilities.

Being in the community for over 18 years our relationship is outstanding. We give back in so many ways, from providing the venue for fundraising events, schools, and city events, to providing various Military concerts free to the public.
This Internationally acclaimed multi-Media company also offers over 20,000 square feet of filming space, which include a fully equipped television and streaming production facility, an editing suite, professional crew, and other amenities which make it truly, one of a kind.

In addition to the above, we offer a professional state of the art filming and live broadcasting studio. Our mission is to provide a complete all-inclusive livestreaming solution so that you can focus on your project while we manage the technical, creative, and logistical operations. We are capable of streaming worldwide to multi destinations simultaneously including Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo and more.

Whether it is your engagement party, wedding anniversary, Quinceanera or wedding we are the finest venue in the county to serve all your special needs. We offer tiered seating, an expansive stage for you or your entertainment, stunning terrace for pictures and mingling, plus a beautiful white Gazebo all onsite.

Our flexibility and amenities are beyond your expectations and Beach ceremonies are available to make your day unforgettable.

For additional information on upcoming events, videos and pictures please visit
our websites: www.oceanviewpavilion.com or www.oceanviewproductionstudios.com

Support held for Captain Myles “Danny” Smith

Captain Smith was injured doing what he loved.

Photos by Michael Gordon

The Ventura community gathered on July 10 to support injured firefighter Myles “Danny” Smith with a fundraiser and raffle. Captain Smith was severely injured while fighting a brush fire in 2015, and forced to retire. Since then, he’s continued to battle his injuries and most recently had a leg amputated as a result of his injuries due to a lack of blood flow.

On April 12, 2015, Smith was responding to a brush fire near Highway 33 when he fell backwards 15’ into a concrete drainage ditch. The fall shattered his arm and fractured his hip. Smith has undergone many many surgeries since the accident.

Friends, family, and colleagues were all there to help with his medical costs and the costs to make his home more accessible. It was held at the MadeWest Brewery at 1744 Donlan St.

“Danny pushed me to become a firefighter and helped me along the way,” stated fundraiser organizer and Ventura County Fed Fire engineer Chris Botelho. “His family has always stepped up to support the community and help others…now it’s our turn to return the favor to them.”

“Our mission is to serve Ventura firefighters and their families,” said Joe Booth, executive director of the Foundation. “Community support for the event has been amazing – so many businesses have donated raffle prizes – we’re excited to have a fun time on Sunday and help raise money for a great family.” The Ventura Fire Foundation is acting as fiscal sponsor for the event.

More information is available at www.venturafirefoundation.org

Voices and strings rule the 2022 Ventura Music Festival

by Richard Newsham, VMF consultant

The Ventura Music Festival’s “Onward” 27th season will toast the communing of music’s two kissing cousins—voices and strings—in seven acts over two weekends from July 27 to August 7.

Three groups—the septet Adaawe , chanteuse Veronica Swift and choir The Crossing—explore Nina Simone’s declaration that “the human voice is the only pure instrument.” And three ensembles—We Banjo 3, Django Festival Allstars and The Moanin’ Frogs—plus pianist Sean Chen salute strings and instruments “that sing,” including the saxophone that Stan Getz claims is the instrument kingdom’s closest relative to the human voice.

The VMF Free Concert in the Park season opener—the all-female band Adaawe— springs from West African roots and brings gospel harmonies and American funk to their world-fusion mix on Wednesday, July 27, at 5:30 pm at Mission Park in downtown Ventura.

“The hottest group in Irish music”—We Banjo 3—will “open the road” to weekend one on Friday, July 29, at 7:30 pm, with their self-described Billboard chart topping “Celtgrass” blend of traditional Irish, old time Americana and wide blue(grass) yonder music. Two sets of Galway brothers vocalize with “musical intimacy” and play banjos, mandolins, (tenor) guitars, a fiddle and the goat-skinned bodhrán drum with a “freshness and finesse bordering on the magical,” says The Wall Street Journal, citing their Washington, DC, performance for President Obama.

Why hunt Paris’ Clignancourt flea market for his cabaret bar La Chope de Puce when the Django Festival Allstars will bring the music of the legendary 1930-40’s gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt to Ventura and fully into the 21st century on Saturday, July 30, at 7:30 pm? A quintet of jazz virtuosos—button-accordionist Ludovic Beier, violinist Pierre Blanchard, lead guitarist Samson Schmitt, rhythm guitarist DouDou Cuillerier and bassist Antonio Lucusati—capture the fierce, soulful and swirling intensity of Reinhardt’s “le jazz hot” style.

Globetrotting pianist, composer, arranger and in-demand master-class teacher Sean Chen is a Steinway Artist, Juilliard and Yale School of Music alumnus and pupil of beloved leader of Ventura County’s classical music community Edward Francis. He returns to Ventura on Sunday, July 31, at 3 pm for a program of piano power and magic featuring what the Republic calls “alluring, colorfully shaded renditions” of Mozart (Marriage of Figaro), Debussy (Images) , Liszt (Deux légendes), Chopin (Barcarolle), Rachmaninoff (Symphony No 2 Adagio) and Mendelssohn (Octet).

“Music festivals are a place for freedom, discovery and excitement,” says VMF Executive Director Susan Scott. “Find yours this summer at the Ventura Music Festival.”

Ventura College Performing Arts Center, 4700 Loma Vista Road, is the festival concert venue for all indoor performances.

Featured in the next Breeze issue: Sax septet The Moanin’ Frogs (Fri, 8/5), singer Veronica Swift (Sat, 8/6) and Grammy® Best Choral Group winner, The Crossing (Sun, 8/7).

Tickets: $15-65 at www.venturamusicfestival.org and 805.648.3146.

Patriotic Event Held at Cypress Place Senior Living

Helen dancing at Songs Across America with a lucky guy.

The 4th of July holiday got off to an early start at Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura when the senior living community hosted their “Songs Across America” patriotic event on Wednesday June 29, 2022.

In true old fashioned Americana style, Cypress Place celebrated the 4th of July with live patriotic music performed by Sam’s Mardi Gras Band. Desserts and specialty coffees were served to residents, their family members, and friends of the community, by Cypress Place staff during the festive event.

Ron Perkovich and Rick Peterson, from the Monday Night Poinsettia Dance Club, were also in attendance, adding to the lively environment while dancing with residents and attendees looking to celebrate life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“This was just such a wonderful, wonderful evening,” enthused Helen Brant, a resident at Cypress Place, who was seen frequently on the dance floor. “It was the best party ever.”

American classics such as Yankee Doodle Dandy, This Land Is Your Land, and American military branch of service songs, amongst many others, were performed by the five-piece band.

“We try to bring as much joy as possible to our residents,” said Gina Salman, executive director of Cypress Place. “It makes our hearts swell with happiness and pride to see everyone enjoy themselves with events like these here at our community.”

The evening wound down with everyone joining in on a rousing yet touching rendition of God Bless America, flags waving gently in the evening breeze.

Cypress Place Senior Living is a premiere independent living, assisted living, and memory care community in the city of Ventura. For more information about Cypress Place Senior Living located at 1200/1220 Cypress Point Ln Ventura, CA 93003, visit www.cypressplaceseniorlivig.com or call 805-650-8000.

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.