ECTV students Sienna Shaifer, Bella Welch, Mohamad Abdulah, Josh Brook, Eleana Newton, Gina Favazzo, Claire Villegas, Jessica Llamas, Keegan Pancretz and Jacob.

Congratulations to CAPS Media producers and students from El Camino High School for winning WAVE Awards at the recent ACM conference in Long Beach. The WAVE Awards (Western Alliance Video Excellence) were presented at the recent Alliance for Community Media conference. The competition was open to residents in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, and New Mexico.

CAPS Media’s won for the “Thomas Fire Stories – Clark Tulberg, Thomas Aquinas College” story in the category of Community Issues. The ECTV students won three awards: “ECTV – Peace Corps and Amber Bassett” in the Educational Access category, “ECTV – Women’s Rights and Hijabs” in the Underserved Voices category and “ECTV Chicano Art and Mariachi” in the Community Event category.

This is the third year in a row that ECTV teams have won awards at the ACM Western Region conference. Students in the CAPS Media/El Camino media internship program master the skills and art of video production and digital storytelling. The ECTV topics and stories are selected, developed and produced by the El Camino team members. All of the ECTV programs are available on the CAPS Media website at capsmedia.org/videos.

Happy 2nd Birthday! CAPS RADIO KPPQ 104.1FM

Two short years ago CAPS Media launched CAPS Radio – KPPQ-104.1 FM, Ventura’s public access radio station serving the community 24×7 from the CAPS Media Center.

CAPS Radio brings together a passionate group of deejays, personalities and producers. During the past two years the station has continued to expand its voice and has become an essential part of the fabric of Ventura’s conversation and entertainment.

Listen to KPPQ throughout the county @ 104.1FM, on the myTuner app or streaming on capsmedia.org. The program schedule and information is available at capsmedia.org/radio. Share all that Ventura has to offer by joining the crew and inviting your friends to listen to KPPQ.

For those who missed the initial screenings of The Perfect Firestorm – The Thomas Fire Story in December, two additional screenings are scheduled at the Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula on Saturday, March 9th at 1pm & 3pm. This is a free event, open to the public, no reservations are required. Also, in response to requests from the community, the documentary is open for viewing on the CAPS Media website homepage – capsmedia.org.

Explore the possibilities at CAPS Media. If you have an interest in community television or radio production, or are just curious, drop by the CAPS Media Center on the first Thursday of the month and learn how to become a member of CAPS and join our community of enthusiastic and engaged member/producers. A CAPS Media staff member directs a tour of the television studio and radio station, demonstrates the equipment and resources that are available, and answers questions about the benefits of becoming a CAPS Media member for only $25 per year.

Member/Producers receive hands-on instruction in videography, video editing, radio production and more. Once certified, member/producers check out CAPS Media’s video cameras, tripods, audio gear and other production equipment to record their project and craft the story they want to tell. Go to capsmedia.org for information or call 805-658-0500.

CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media.

Nuvi Mehta introduced the artists for the Silver Anniversary.

On Monday, January 28, a presentation was held at the Museum of Ventura County for the “Silver Anniversary Festival Preview” for the Ventura Music Festival new season. The program included artist previews of the Festival’s July line-up along with live music and refreshments.

Always informative and entertaining Nuvi Mehta – VMF Janet & Mark L. Goldenson Artistic Director, who presented the artists on a large screen, told the standing room only audience that a “major star” was set to close the year in November, but that the artist’s name must remain a secret for some months. “Wait till May,” he said; “you’ll love it.”

VMF Board president Richard Reisman provided the endnote to the sponsor gathering by announcing that the VMF Board had voted unanimously to invest Miriam Schwab’s recent $1.3 million bequest in a special endowment-like VMF Legacy Fund. “The Festival is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with an investment in our future,” Reisman said. “We’re stable financially with a prudent cash reserve. What we didn’t have was a fund to grow for the future. Now, thanks to Miriam, we have created a substantial Legacy Fund. Donors can join our Legacy Circle with a planned gift and be sponsors in perpetuity while the Fund – and the music – continue to grow.”

Leading off the year on February 9th were Anderson & Roe, lauded as “the most exciting piano duo on the planet.” Then in a special concert on May 10th NICO – the New Ideas Chamber Orchestra – take center stage as “the rock stars of chamber music.” Both events at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center.

Since 1994, the mission of the Ventura Music Festival has been to bring world-class music to the community, foster audience-artist relationships, and enhance the joy of music through diverse programs for all ages. VMF seeks to create an inclusive, welcoming environment in which people both see and hear themselves reflected in the music.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.venturamusicfestival.org.

renowned conductor and Ventura Music Festival Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta, 25TH Annual Festival to Feature World-Class Artists, including The Summit: Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6, Ranky Tanky, Calidore String Quartet and more this summer

(Ventura, CA) – Each year, the Ventura Music Festival fills venues across the city with top-tier music for two weekends of multi-genre music, dance performances and world-class culture. This summer, the festival is returning with a lineup that promises to be bigger and better than ever. Headlined by the one and only The Summit: Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6 with support by world class acts such as classical guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening with extraordinary baritone Jubilant Sykes, the thrilling Rastrelli Cello Quartet and many others, the festival has something for every musical taste.

In the hands of the 2019 musical lineup consists of:

7/12: Festival headliners and acclaimed vocal groups are The Summit: Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6 as the renowned groups join forces to wow audiences at the Oxnard PACC

7/13: Celebrated guitarist Christopher Parkening joins renowned baritone Jubilant Sykes in a recital ranging from classical and jazz to American spirituals at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

7/14: Calidore String Quartet brings “synergistic brilliance and ferocious commitment” to the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

7/19: Youth jazz pianist star-on-the-rise and “brightest light” Joey Alexander at the Ventura College Performing Arts center

7/20: Ranky Tanky brings Gullah culture and “soulful honey for the ears” through a prism of African, gospel and R&B music at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

7/22: Rastrelli Cello Quartet’s “simply infectious” musical sizzle at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center

Additionally, the festival will host a “Tea & Trumpets” at the Ventura Pierpont Inn, where guests will enjoy a four-course English tea with the Festival Brass Quintet’s hallmark wit, humor and fanfare on 7/11, as well as a free public concert with high octane Latin guitar ensemble Incendio at Mission Park in Ventura on 7/18. For times, updates and more details in the coming months, follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The 25th annual Ventura Music Festival will take place on July 11-15 and July 20-22, 2018 at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, located at 4700 Loma Vista Road, Ventura CA 93003 unless otherwise noted above. Tickets will range in price from $25-$50 (special student rates excepted) and will be available for purchase in April. For more information please visit www.venturamusicfestival.org or call (805) 648-3146.

Since 1994, the mission of the Ventura Music Festival has been to bring world-class music to the community, foster audience-artist relationships, and enhance the joy of music through diverse programs for all ages. VMF seeks to create an inclusive, welcoming environment in which people both see and hear themselves reflected in the music.

Join the Hokuloa on Feb.23, 10am-2pm for an Open House on the Beach. An introduction for youth and adult Outrigger Paddling in a 6-man canoe. Provided will be a paddle, a short lesson and practice on the water at Ventura Harbor at the end of Spinnaker Dr. For more information Hokuloaoutrigger.com.

Hokuloa is celebrating 30 years as an Outrigger Canoe Club in Ventura. They are a competitive club that participates in races along the Southern California coast. From San Diego all the way to Santa Barbara. They host their annual Ventura Challenge race in June.

A Majestic sight – tall ships sail into Ventura Harbor.

It’s time to plan an adventure to Ventura Harbor Village as the majestic Tall Ships are voyaging back into town just in time for Valentine’s Day and the Presidential Weekends! Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington will commence their annual journey along the California coast to sail into Ventura Harbor on February 12th at noon until March 5th. The ships will dock in front of Ventura Harbor Village’s waterfront promenade and their stay coincides with additional seaside activities for the whole family!

During select times, visitors have the opportunity to take a step back in history and hop onboard for a tour of a Tall Ship or better yet, book a spot for a special sail to see the ship in action. Tickets are now on sale! Please note: sail dates and tour times are weather pending and schedule may be subject to change. Please check VenturaHarborVillage.com for latest updates.

Seeking more excitement? Three-Hour Battle Sails or Two-Hour Adventure Sails, complete with firing cannons and hoisting of the main sails are just the ticket! Battle Sails feature a recreation of a naval skirmish with close quarter maneuvers. Adventure Sails take place out in the channel to experience life on the high seas. For Battle and Adventure Sail ticket reservations call 800-200-5239 or visit www.historicalseaport.org.

New in 2019 is the Natural History Sail on March 3 from 2pm to 4pm (on Lady Washington). Returning will be the Grand Arrival on February 12 at approximately noon (followed by tours), the Valentine’s Day Sweethearts Sail on February 14 from 4pm to 6pm, and the ships will be open on President’s Day, February 18, 2019.

The Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington travel down the West Coast stopping in ports and harbors for historical and educational visits. These ships host over 8,000 school children a year. Educators should contact the Historical Seaport education office, 1-800-200-5239 to arrange dockside, or on-the-water programming while here in Ventura Harbor February 12 through March 5, 2019.

Rich in history and seaside lure, the visiting ships, Hawaiian Chieftain was built in Hawaii in 1988 and originally designed for cargo trade among the Hawaiian Islands. Launched in 1989, Lady Washington is a full-scale reproduction of the original Lady Washington, which was built in 1750s and was one of the first U.S. flagged ships to explore the west coast of North America.

Share your Tall Ships photos by using #SeaTallShips and tag @VenturaHarbor on Instagram! For more Tall Ship information, please visit www.venturaharborvillage.com or Ventura Harbor’s Facebook Page. Admission and parking are free at Ventura Harbor Village daily. For a complete schedule: www.historicalseaport.org or call 800-200-5239.

Mayor for a Moment, season 4, is in full swing. The student recognition program is a collaboration with the City of Ventura, the Ventura Unified School District and CAPS Media. Each month an outstanding 5th grader is selected by the individual elementary schools. The “young mayor” is invited to gavel the start of a City Council meeting and present an essay on a leadership topic to the council and community. CAPS Media produces an onsite profile on each young mayor that is shown at the City council meeting and at the VUSD board meeting. Worthy honorees thus far this school year are Tyleigh Matheson (Loma Vista), Jazzmn Viot-Preciado (ATLAS), Alexa Swanson (E.P. Foster), Ammar Atiah (Elmhurst), and Darby Mussehl (Blanche Reynolds).

An addition screening of The Perfect Firestorm – The Thomas Fire Story will be held at the Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula on Saturday, March 9th at 1pm and 3pm. This is a free event, open to the public, no reservations are required. Go to our website for information. The Perfect Firestorm is a tribute to our entire community of heroes who, in the face of an overwhelming crisis, responded with astonishing calm and then opened their hearts, hands and homes to rescue neighbors and strangers and together rebuild their lives. The film is also airing on CAPS Media, go to capsmedia.org/schedule to find days and time. And, in response to requests from the community, the film is open for viewing on the CAPS Media website homepage – capsmedia.org.

Explore the possibilities at CAPS Media. Have you ever wondered what’s inside the CAPS Media Center – that red, black and glass building on Day Road, across from Foothill High school? There’s a lot more inside than you can imagine including limitless creative opportunities waiting for you. To find out more come to orientation on the first Thursday of every month and learn how to become a member of CAPS and join our community of enthusiastic engaged member/producers. A CAPS Media staff member directs a tour of the television studio and radio station, displays and explains the equipment and resources that are available to Member/Producers, and answer questions about the benefits of becoming a CAPS Media member.

Member classes include a Production/Storytelling class on the 1st Thursday of the month, a HD videography/camera class held on the 2nd Thursday, Final Cut postproduction editing class on the 3rd Thursday, and CAPS Radio (KPPQ, FM 104.1) two-part classes on the 4th week. In every training session Member/Producers receive hands-on instruction in videography, video editing, radio production and more. All classes begin at 6pm at the CAPS Media Center, 65 Day Road. Once trained and certified, member/producers may check out CAPS Media’s video cameras, tripods, audio gear and other production equipment to record their project and then book postproduction editing suites to craft the story they want to tell. Go to capsmedia.org for information or call 805-658-0500.

CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media.

WBC students resting at Sheep Camp monument in the snow. Photo by Michael Kuredjian

The local Sierra Club’s annual Wilderness Basics Course begins Feb 6, gathering local outdoor experts to teach and share tips on how to be safe and comfortable outdoors, enhancing day hikes to backpacking adventures.

Considering the number of people that do things like read this site and look for any help they can improving their wilderness skills, the Los Padres Chapter’s popular course is in its 11th year and typically sells out. It caters to all physical levels and ages from teen to seniors so would be great to learn more about surviving in your local area.

WBC includes evening hands-on classes and day and overnight adventures, including car camp. Camaraderie always comes along.

WBC has close ties with the Search and Rescue teams in both counties; in fact, some surplus funds from class fees are donated to them. Other “after-cost” funds have been donated for trail maintenance to the Los Padres Forest Assn. and the chapter for use in its free Outings, wildlife protection and trail access.

Volunteer leaders teach people the skills to enjoy the wilderness in 8 classroom sessions and guide the students on 4 exciting outings, sponsored by the Los Padres Chapter, Sierra Club.

Evening classes are held at Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura Feb. 6 to March 27. Day, overnight and car camps are held in both counties. The course serves people of all levels from beginners to seasoned hikers, teens to seniors and outings are student’s choice, ranked from easy, moderate or strenuous. Various discounts apply, and a few scholarships are available.

To register: http://bit.ly/LPWBC19
For information call (805) 524-7170 or [email protected].
www.facebook.com/lospadreswbc.

Ventura Land Trust volunteers celebrate their success after a 2018 Ocean Friendly Garden work day.

On Monday, January 21, Ventura Land Trust (VLT) will host a volunteer community gardening event at their ocean friendly garden in Ventura. VLT invites volunteers of all ages to join them from 9 a.m. – 12 noon to plant native plants on property owned and managed by VLT near the “Welcome to Ventura” sign along the Ventura-Ojai bike path.

“On the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service holiday, we will honor his legacy through volunteerism and community service,” said Kate Furlong, VLT Conservation Director.

Ventura Land Trust has teamed up with the Ventura County Chapter of Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Gardens team to re-landscape and reinvigorate the garden near the entrance to their Willoughby Preserve. This event is one of thousands happening across the country on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Volunteers should meet VLT staff at 9 a.m. next to the informational kiosk at the Main St. Bridge near downtown Ventura. For more information and to RSVP, go to: www.venturalandtrust.org/events.

About Ventura Land Trust:

Ventura Land Trust (formerly Ventura Hillsides Conservancy) is dedicated to permanently preserving and protecting the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Founded in 2003, the 501(C)(3) non-profit organization is supported by over 600 members, local businesses and government partners. The land trust manages 90 acres of land along the Ventura River and is negotiating the purchase of its first hillside property. Ventura Land Trust’s offices are located in the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura, CA 93003. For more information, visit www.venturalandtrust.org.