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“Pig with no name” to return for St. Patrick’s Day Parade

When the Ventura Elks Lodge’s 30th annual County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade makes its march up Main St., it will feature a new green pig.

As Ventura history can report, Shamhock – the giant inflatable green pig who’d been a mainstay of the parade for 26 of its 29 years – collapsed last year along the parade route, right in front of the judges’ viewing stand.

To parade committee chairman Tim O’Neil, who’d “fathered” the pig back in the 1980s, it was a devastating loss. “He died right there in front of me,” said O’Neil, who announces the parade every year.

Now, the parade committee is thrilled to announce that, using the dead pig’s “DNA” (i.e. fabric) along with copious photos, they’ve been able to create a new exact identical pig, who will debut at this year’s parade!

The resilient pig plays right into the “Ventura Strong” theme of the milestone parade, which will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at the San Buenaventura Mission on Main St., and will proceed along Main to Ash Street.

The true heroes of the “Ventura Strong” movement are the parade’s grand marshals: the incredible first responders who worked tirelessly to suppress the raging Thomas Fire and to help its victims.

To honor them, the parade committee encourages all spectators to bring homemade signs thanking the first responders for their remarkable efforts and courage. We really want them to feel the love.

Also joining the parade this year will be Irish Belles Cameryn Boggio-Shean of Ventura High and Jonyssa Carrillo of El Camino High. For the first time in the eight-year history of its Irish Belle program, the parade committee has selected two winners to share the honor. Both Cameryn and Jonyssa are seniors at their Ventura high schools.

Presented each year by the Elks Club’s Ventura Lodge No. 1430, the popular St. Patrick’s Day parade draws thousands of spectators, and dozens of entries.

The judges who will select winning entries this year are Nicole Ipach of California State University, Channel Islands; Ventura Unified School District Superintendent David Creswell; parade committee member James Lockwood, Sue Georgino of Georgino Development and the Elks Club’s Connie Stahl.

Dozens of sponsors support the annual parade, including many who have given generously every year for decades.

Thomas Fire stories

Do you have a story to share?

CAPS Media is recording Thomas Fire Stories with the public, fire fighters, first responders and others who want to share their story. The extensive documentary project is a collaboration with Ventura City Fire and Police, Ventura County Fire, Sheriff, Office of Emergency Response and the Museum of Ventura County. The year-long, comprehensive project includes an ongoing series of television and radio archival interviews and recordings with first responders, individuals and families whose lives were dramatically changed the night of December 4th.

Recordings of Thomas Fire Stories are being scheduled at locations throughout the county including the Museum of Ventura County, EP Foster Library, the Ojai Museum, the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula and CAPS Media Center in Ventura. The public is invited and encouraged to share their story. Each recording will be conducted by CAPS Media producers and is expected to last 15-20 minutes. Selected stories will air on CAPS Television and CAPS Radio KPPQ 104.1 FM, and will stream on capsmedia.org. Visit capsmedia.org to find a convenient day and time to record your story and add it to the museum’s historic archive.

If you have photos or video to contribute to the legacy, CAPS Media has set up a simple process for the public to share recordings of the Thomas Fire for the historic project. Go to the CAPS Media website homepage (capsmedia.org) and click on the Read More arrow on the lower right corner of the Thomas Fires Stories image. The page presents more details on the project and step-by-step instructions on how to contribute photos, video and other media.

If you have a story to share, send an email to [email protected] or call the CAPS Media Center at 805.658.0500.

Season 3 of Mayor for a Moment is in full swing. The 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 a profile on each young mayor that is shown at the council meeting and at the VUSD board meeting. Honorees thus far this school year are Braydon Rocco (Portola), Olivia Blomquist (Poinsettia), Allison Cabeza (Citrus Glen) and Isabella Coleman (Sunset). Congratulations to all the young mayors.

CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. Join our community of enthusiastic engaged member/producers. To find out more come to orientation on the first Thursday of every month and learn how to become a member of CAPS. Member classes include 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 this month on the 5th 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, member/producers may check out CAPS Media’s video cameras, tripods, audio gear and other production equipment to record their story and then book postproduction editing suites to craft the story they want to tell. Go to capsmedia.org for information or call 658-0500.

United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund grows to more than $3.7 million

Eric Harrison, President & CEO of United Way of Ventura County was a recent guest on the radio show Face of Ventura on FM station KPPQLP hosted by Publisher Brown.

Disaster victims can apply for the next phase of relief funding through the United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund, which has grown to more than $3.7 million. Through April 30, United Way of Ventura County (UWVC) will be releasing as much as $1.5 million from the fund for individual hardship assistance.

Until March 15, application forms for victims will be available at vcunitedway.org or 211ventura.org. Applicants can also call 2-1-1 or text “ThomasFire” to 898-211 to find out more. Local partnering agencies will assess each applicant’s needs and eligibility.

“The outpouring of support has been incredible, and we’re so proud to be able to get these funds out to help residents who have lost so much,” said Eric Harrison, President & CEO of United Way of Ventura County. “We have a long way to go to rebuild our community, but nobody is in it alone. Whether you lost a home, income, or have been impacted in another way, I encourage you to give 2-1-1 a call and learn more about the resources that are being extended.”

Eligible applicants for individual hardship assistance must be Ventura County residents.. Eligibility will be based on household income limits, determined by family size of 120% AMI or less. Funds will support residents in expenses related to housing, livelihood/income and habitability of their homes.

The United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund recently grew thanks to a $100,000 gift from AT&T and $150,000 from Bank of America. To provide immediate assistance in December from the fund, $500 prepaid credit cards went out to up to 1,000 residents whose homes were destroyed by the Thomas Fire.

United Way of Ventura County and United Way of Santa Barbara County formed a strategic partnership vital in helping the community recover from the Thomas Fire. The fund was later expanded to also assist flood victims and $500,000 was given for assistance in Santa Barbara County.

Further information and to donate:

Online at www.unitedwaythomasfirefund.org

By texting UWVC to 41444

By phone or mail: call 485-6288 or checks may be sent to the United Way office at 702 County Square Drive, Suite 100, Ventura, CA 93003. Please write “Thomas Fire Fund” in the memo.

Warning regarding virtual kidnapping scams

by the Ventura Police Department

The Ventura Police Department has seen an increase in “virtual kidnapping” extortion calls in the City of Ventura. There have been multiple reported incidents targeting Spanish speakers. These extortion schemes are particularly alarming in nature because a scammer contacts the victim via telephone and demands payment for the return of a “kidnapped” family member or loved one. While no actual kidnapping has taken place, the callers often use co-conspirators to convince their victims of the legitimacy of the threat. For example, a caller might attempt to convince a victim that his daughter was kidnapped by having a young female scream for help in the background during the call.

Scammers sometimes represent themselves as members of a drug cartel from Mexico targeting victims with family in Mexico. They will typically provide the victim with specific instructions to ensure the safe “return” of the alleged kidnapped individual. These instructions usually involve demands of a ransom payment and instructions usually require the ransom payment to be made immediately and most often by wire transfer or prepaid cards. These schemes involve varying amounts of ransom demands. In one case an amount was paid by the victim and the scammer later called again demanding a higher payment.

Most schemes use various techniques to instill a sense of fear, panic and urgency in an effort to rush the victim into making a very haste decision. The criminal’s success depends on this general urgency and fear. They know they only have a short time to exact a ransom payment before the victim and their families determine it is a scam or authorities become involved.

Criminals often use social media to gather information and track their potential victims. The Ventura Police Department would like to remind the community to be cautious of the amount of personal information posted on social media.

To avoid becoming a victim, look for these possible scam indicators:

  • Callers go to great lengths to keep you on the phone, insisting you remain on the line. Calls do not come from the victim’s phone.
  • Callers try to prevent you from contacting the “kidnapped” victim. Multiple excessive phone calls.
    Incoming calls made from an outside area code.
  • Demands for ransom money to be paid via wire transfer, not in person.

Due to an increased frequency of phone scams, if you receive a phone call from someone demanding a ransom for an alleged kidnap victim and you suspect it is a scam, the following course of action should be considered:

  • Hang up the phone.
  • Immediately contact family members. Notify the Ventura Police Department.
  • Report to the FBI Los Angeles Office at 310-477-6565 or submit an anonymous tip at online.

Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship Award

Joshua Rance was a previous $5,000 scholorship recipient

The Ventura Police Officers Association (VPOA) is accepting applications for the 15th annual Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship. The scholarships will be presented in May, 2018 to honor Sergeant Darlon “Dee” Dowell, who was shot and killed on August 7, 1978. Sergeant Dowell is the only officer in Ventura’s history to die in the line of duty.

In selecting scholarship recipients, the VPOA will consider academic achievement, school and community service, and financial needs. Applications must contain all required information and be returned no later than April 13. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Scholarship Awards:

  • 1st Place $5,000.00
  • 2nd Place $3,500.00
  • 3rd Place $2,000.00
  • Honorable Mention(s) $500.00

Applicants must:

  • Be entering his/her freshman through senior year in college;
  • Plan a course of study related to the field of public service;
  • Ventura resident or have graduated from a high school in Ventura within the past three years, or a Ventura Police Department employee or employee’s child.
  • Have a grade point average of 3.0 or better (based on a 4.0 system);
  • Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better if selected as a recipient;
  • Submit a resume of school and community activities, including a copy of transcripts through the most recent semester;
  • Submit a typed essay of 1000 words or less on “Leadership, what it means to me”;
  • Submit a letter of recommendation from a public servant.

For additional information please contact Ofc. Mike Hibdon at 339-4443 or [email protected]. Applications are available at the front desk of the Ventura Police Department (located at 1425 Dowell Dr. named after Officer Dowell).

Art festival to support fire-flood victims Feb 17 at Bell Arts Factory

The Ventura Unified School District Office in West Ventura will be the site of the Thomas Arts Festival, an art auction and benefit also featuring music and performing arts created to assist those rebuilding their lives as a result of the Thomas fires and flood. The event will take place Saturday, February 17, 2018 from 12 noon – 5:00 p.m. The address of the Ventura Unified School District Office is 255 W. Stanley Avenue, Ventura, 93001. Admission and parking are free. Donations will be accepted.

“Our community is filled with artists expressing many art forms, yet hundreds of neighbors suffered tremendous loss due to the recent fires and flood. Many of these people do not fit in the constructs of society because they focus on creativity and helping others and therefore may not qualify for traditional assistance,” said Greg Gillis-Smith.

This event will showcase the creative work of local and surrounding artists, and introduce working artists to members of the community where relationships of mutual support for the arts in the community can form beyond this event.

Food trucks will be on-site to offer their cuisine to attendees. A family art space will be a place for parents, care givers and children to come together and create art. Live performances by musicians and other performing artists will occur throughout the afternoon.

The Ventura Unified School District Office location is easily accessible from the Stanley exit off highway 33, with plenty of free parking.

Admission is free, with donations accepted. Bell Arts Factory is at 432 N. Ventura Avenue.

Ventura County Fair announces Poster Contest for County Youth

Anna Sorensen, James Lockwood and Jorja Garcia at 2017 poster award presentation.

The Ventura County Fair has announced that the 9th annual Fair poster contest will be held for the 2018 Ventura County Fair. The contest is open to young artists in grades 5 – 12 who reside in Ventura County.

The theme of the 2018 Fair is “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” and will serve as the guideline to the imagery.

Artwork may be created in any medium but may not include the use of glitter, metallic paint, or 3 dimensional objects attached to the artwork.

Poster designs will be judged on Theme, Originality, Composition and Skill. Entries will be accepted until the entry deadline, Friday, April 6. Entries can be brought to the Fairgrounds administration office at 10 W. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8AM until 5PM. (Closed from 12-1PM daily)

Rules, deadlines and other information can be found on the Fair website, www.venturacountyfair.org. For more information about the contest call 648-3376 or send an email to [email protected]. (Please put “Poster Contest” in the subject line)

Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries, First prize: $500, Second Prize: $250, Third Prize: $100.

The winning design will be used to advertise the Fair on Fair posters, souvenirs, advertisements and other applications. Second and third place winners will also be used in various applications. All contestants entries will be displayed in the Youth Expo at the Ventura County Fair.

The Ventura County Fair will begin its annual 12-day run Wednesday, August 1 and continue until Sunday, August 12.

For more information about the Fair, or the poster contest, please call the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 648-3376 or visit www.venturacountyfair.org.

Ventura residents urged to plan ahead and be prepared for natural disasters

Evacuation routes can be found at www.venturapd.org.

The City of Ventura encourages residents to be prepared for possible natural disasters. Residents living in and around Thomas Fire burn areas or near flood-prone areas, need to prepare for possible storms in 2018. Police Chief Ken Corney and Fire Chief David Endaya provided a presentation about preparation efforts at the January 22, 2018 Ventura City Council meeting encouraging the community to stay informed and take action by reviewing the following points:

Sign up to receive VC Alert mobile messages by contacting the VC Alert Hotline at 648-9283 or visiting www.vcalert.org. Subscribers will receive emergency notifications such as evacuation notices specific to their neighborhood.

Make sure extra supplies are on hand at home, including: a flashlight, water, food, personal medical supplies and filled prescriptions. Learn how to prepare an emergency kit at www.readyventuracounty.org.

Monitor www.vcemergency.com or call the information hotline at 805-465-6650 during an emergency to stay informed on evacuations, road closures and important emergency information.

Review evacuation routes. The Ventura Police Department has created recommended evacuation routes to help with traffic flow during an emergency. The information will be provided at all Community Council meetings, door to door in impacted areas and online at www.venturapd.org.

Get to know your neighbors! During an emergency public safety resources are limited. Residents are encouraged to help alert neighbors during an emergency and to stay connected to their neighborhood on Nextdoor.com. Nextdoor is a private social network. Over 20,000 Ventura residents are using Nextdoor. It’s also a platform to receive alerts from the City of Ventura and crime and safety information from the Ventura Police Department.

Get connected! Residents are encouraged to attend monthly Community Council meetings. The City of Ventura has seven neighborhood Community Councils. Any resident, business owner or property owner can join their area group. The Ventura Police Department provides a monthly crime and safety update at each meeting and guest speakers provide information specific to the represented council. More information about meeting times and locations can be found at www.cityofventura.ca.gov or by calling 339-4317.

During an emergency listen to the directions provided by public safety officials. Mandatory Evacuation orders are initiated when danger is imminent. Voluntary Evacuations orders are initiated when residents should begin preparing for a potential mandatory evacuation order to be issued. The threat to lives is not yet imminent during a voluntary evacuation. A Shelter-in-Place Order is initiated when conditions exist that may endanger the lives of those in a defined area. Access to the area under a shelter in place order may by restricted by road closures.

Preparing and staying informed can help save lives and property. For questions or more information please contact Ventura Police Department Civic Engagement Specialist Ashley Bautista at 805-339-4317 or by email at [email protected].

A writing contest inspired by art

Cheryl Heitmann honored, and introduced writing contest winners at a previous Art Tales.

The City of Ventura is please to sponsor the 10th Annual Art Tales Creative Writing Contest. Open to writers worldwide, Art Tales invites imaginative writers of all ages to compose a short story or poem (500 words maximum) inspired by one of three Municipal Art Collection works currently on display at Ventura City Hall. “This year’s Art Tales theme ‘Music Inspires the Spirit’ invites you to share how art and its melody reach the invisible moving pieces inside your heart and soul,” states Tobie Roach, Public Art Project Manager.

The public is encouraged to visit historic Ventura City Hall, located at 501 Poli St., and enjoy two floors of eclectic artwork created by local Ventura County artists. A self-guided Municipal Art Collection brochure is available in room 226 and provides background information on the art and artist housed in the collection. The three pieces chosen for this year’s Art Tales contest can be found on the 2nd floor with a musical note symbol adjacent to each artwork. Creative writers are encouraged to select one of the three chosen artworks to inspire your writing. Writers unable to visit City Hall, may view the images, learn more about the art and artists and view a lesson plan for teachers on the Art Tales website at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/arttales. Entries are due no later than April 4.

A committee of professionals, educators, and City of Ventura staff will judge entries on creativity, presentation, and correspondence to a specific artwork. Judges will select their top three choices for poetry and short fiction categories in three age divisions:

• Youth (12 years or younger)

• Teen (13-17 years)

• Adult (18 years and up)

For more information on how to enter and contest rules, view the Art Tales website, www.cityofventura.ca.gov/arttales.

A Seaside Delight – Tall Ships sail into Ventura Harbor

Tours of the Tall Ships are a chance to meet the ship’s crew.

Tall Ships, Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington, commence their annual voyage along the California coast and sail into Ventura Harbor on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at noon until Monday, March 5, 2018. The historical vessels will dock in front of the Ventura Harbor Village Promenade.

Catch the mystical sight of the Tall Ships Grand Arrival in full parade-style entrance, as the crew “manning the yards” at noon on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. A photographer’s delight, the ships depart for Battle Sails throughout February and March, 2018 out of the Ventura Harbor.

The visiting Tall Ships are rich in history and seaside lure. 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.

Open to the public, the Dockside Tours (Vessel Tours) offer a living history experience. The tours focus on an authentic 18thCentury sailor’s view of traveling by Tall Ship, as well as a chance to meet the ship’s crew and learn what it took to adventure to new lands.

Looking for more adventure? 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 are available every weekend day from 2 p.m. -5 p.m. and feature a recreation of a naval skirmish with close quarter maneuvers.

For Battle and Adventure Sail ticket reservations call 800-200-5239 or visit www.historicalseaport.org. Tickets are on sale now.

In addition, live entertainment and roaming pirates can be enjoyed throughout Ventura Harbor Village on select days, and visitors can also send a Tall Ships postcard for free, join in a Tall Ship Scavenger Hunt.

Added to the Ventura Harbor visit, a special Valentine’s Day Tall Ship Sail on Wednesday, February 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. This special sail is reserved for adults only, and will highlight festive sea shanties and desserts for ticketed guests. Tickets are $55 per person, but couples can save $10 by purchasing tickets in pairs for a flat $100! Tickets are available by calling 800-200-5239 or visit www.venturaharborvillage.com for more details.

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 13- March 5, 2018.

Tall Ship schedule can change due to weather and unforeseen circumstances, please check VenturaHarborVillage.com for the most up to date information.

Share your Tall Ships photos @VenturaHarbor on Instagram! For more Tall Ship information visit www.venturaharborvillage.com or Facebook Ventura Harbor. Admission and parking free daily at Ventura Harbor Village. For a complete schedule: www.historicalseaport.org or call 800-200-5239.