Interface board members Terri McGray, Spencer Garrett, Tom Pecht and Kathy Hartley, and Interface Director of Fund Development and Marketing Catherine Kort are “Painting it Purple.”

Interface Children & Family Services’ volunteers armed with purple nail polish, are participating in dozens of scheduled and pop-up events in every major city of Ventura County and adjacent to support Domestic Violence Prevention Awareness Month – their most public event was at ArtWalk Ventura. On display was Project Hope Healing Art Exhibit – a travelling display of artwork created by domestic violence survivors, their children and Interface advocates to highlight their journey and healing process.

Interface’s west county regional advisory board co-led by Ojai’s Lavender Inn owner, Kathy Hartley, and Ventura County Credit Union CAO, Linda Rossi, are spearheading the effort with a highly energized small group of local professionals. The concept started last year and with little formal planning volunteers hosted 29 events reaching over 600 people.

In addition to ArtWalk Ventura, dozens of schools, businesses, non-profits and government leaders are participating including Foothill High School in Ventura, Kirby Auto Group at Ventura Auto Mall, St. Bonaventure High School, Ventura City Council and Ventura County Board of Supervisors .

With help from Kaiser Foundation Hospitals Woodland Hills, texting for help from 2-1-1 Ventura County, a program of Interface Children & Family Services, is available 24/7. Anyone can call 2-1-1, text 898211, or click 211ventura.org to be connected with information about all the health and human services available to them in Ventura County.

Founded in 1973, Interface works to prevent and heal the effects of child abuse, neglect and abandonment; domestic violence; family conflict and mental health issues. For more information please contact Interface Children & Family Services at 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd, Suite I, Camarillo or at 485.6114 or visit www.icfs.org.

Maggie Wells is a volunteer tutor for School on Wheels.

School on Wheels is a non-profit organization based in Southern California. Whose mission is to enhance the educational opportunities for homeless children living in shelters, motels, group foster homes, cars, or on the street. They do this by providing homeless children with one-on-one volunteer tutors, who work with them individually to improve their academic skills. The children and youth in their program are also provided with school supplies, reading materials, and are eligible for scholarship programs that allow them to participate in extracurricular activities they may not otherwise have access to. Each year they reach over 3,500 students across Southern California. This mission could not be achieved without volunteers like Maggie, who work tirelessly to encourage, educate, and motivate the children and youth in our communities.

Every day, School on Wheels serves children who are eager to learn and succeed, but who may not have had the same resources and support as their peers. Education not only helps break cycles of poverty, but success in school can mean increased confidence for children on an individual level. Margaret speaks to these effects: “A year ago, Savannah had no reading skills. Whenever she came across a word she did not understand, instead of sounding it out, she looked up at me timidly. It made my heart cry out to sound it out for her. She had no confidence and when frustrated, tried all the tricks in the book to derail her hour of tutoring. Little by little, as I gained her confidence and found ways to make our time together appealing, this started to change. Now, I realize the value of tutoring. “

“When I was in grade school, I was very behind in my reading. One day, a teacher embarrassed me in front of the class when I was asked to stand and read my own story and stumbled over words. My low confidence plummeted further. Fortunately, the next year I had a very kind teacher who took time with me and helped me to get back on track and on grade level. When I became a teacher, I vowed to be like the second teacher.”

School on Wheels is always looking for positive role models like Maggie to work with students experiencing homelessness. If you have an hour or more a week to spare and have a love of learning you can make a difference in the life of a kid today, visit www.schoolonwheels.org/volunteer/ to find out more and apply online.

Zombies will roam the promenade. Photo by Richard Lieberman

Ventura Harbor Village is getting into the spooky spirit with lots of Halloween happenings this month and there is no better place to be than seaside on Saturday, October 28, from 1-3pm for Kid Seaside Trick or Treat and Thrill the World.

Dress up the kids and navigate through the waterfront village with over 20 treat stops at participating Harbor boutiques and restaurants. It will be an afternoon full of Halloween sweets, face painting and family fun! Participation for the Trick or Treat is complimentary.

That very same day, Zombies will roam the promenade and come together for a world record breaking dance to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. Spectators be sure to show up by 3pm to catch the dance in action. However, if you want to participate, it takes some preparation! Learn the dance, by joining Molly at FitZone in Ventura for classes. Ages 6 and up are welcome to join in on the fun. To sign up, email [email protected] or call 766-4480. There is a $20 Dancer Registration fee – all proceeds go to “Make a Wish Foundation”.

This wonderful tree carving is the work of artist John Mahoney, with the assistance of Jason Rose.

The tree is an American Redwood, and was a part of a grove of Redwoods planted in Arroyo Verde Park many years ago.

Our Southern California drought took its toll on the trees, and the grove of redwoods died within the last few years. West Coast Arborists removed the trees (39 of them) and the wood was harvested and milled and will be made into picnic benches that will be put back into the park. West Coast Arborist, Inc. are the Urban Forestry Contractor the city has used for over 10 years to help maintain the City trees.

Photos by Michael Gordon

The Baker and Kress families never looked so colorful.

The Color Run®, the largest 5k event series in the world, is bringing its 2017 tour theme, The Color Run Dream Tour, Presented by Lay’s®, to Ventura on Saturday, Nov. 18, kicking off at 8:00 a.m.

The Ventura run benefits Doing Good in Ventura – the Julius Gius Memorial Rotary Foundation, the charitable arm of the Rotary Club of Ventura. It provides assistance to needy individuals in our community by engaging in and carrying on programs for charitable and educational purposes, and encouraging greater philanthropy and appreciation of the needs of those less fortunate.

The Color Run Dream Tour creates a world where anything is possible, unicorns are real and foam clouds make everything better. The 2017 theme will make Color Runners’ dreams a lot more colorful with unforgettable music, color throws and an all new Lay’s Poppables™ Foam Zone and Dream Wall.

The Color Run Ventura is one of 5 cities on The Color Run’s “Colorfornia Dreamin’” mini-tour. Participants can collect Colorfornia Dreamin’ collectors’ button at each stop on the tour and buy a limited-edition Colorfornia t-shirt on-site and online.

Each Color Runner receives a custom race kit, including a limited-edition 2017 race shirt, a Unicorn Finisher’s Medal, embroidered headband, fun temporary tattoos and a color-in runner’s bib—to inspire participants to decoratetheir runner’s bib. An option to upgrade race kits to receive additional gear is also available with the deluxe registration package. Participants can color it up with more accessories, clothing and fun dream inspired items at The Color Run store.

The Color Run Dream Tour, Saturday, Nov. 18, 8:00 a.m., Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Pierpont Racquet Club is excited about the planned renovations.

When the PRC first opened its clubhouse doors 40 years ago this October 1^st it was one of the first multi-purpose clubs in the United States. Tennis and swim clubs were common and racquetball was growing in popularity throughout the country. Yet the Garrett brothers were among the first to combine tennis, racquetball, swimming and a workout room to create a private membership club. Fourth generation Venturans, Scott and Spencer Garrett returned to Ventura in the summer of 1975 and started developing the Club on 5.5 acres leased from the Pierpont Inn. With the backing of their parents Betty and Joe Garrett they attracted a few investors and secured a loan from the Bank of A Levy. Over the years the Garrett’s have continued to make improvements to the Club to keep pace with the changing needs of its members.

Shortly after the 40^th Anniversary party to be held Sept. 30^th, the Club will begin yet another construction phase. More fitness areas will be created, an elevator added, and the locker rooms, clubroom and lobby will be remodeled.

There aren’t many businesses that make it through 40 years. When asked what gives him the greatest satisfaction, Spencer Garrett said “I think what we have done well and still do is to create an atmosphere where people can meet and make life-long friends.”

There are still 44 people who have been members ever since the clubhouse opened in 1977. As they did for the 35^th Anniversary in 2012, the Garrett’s have invited the Charter Members to a special reception the afternoon before the club wide party. On Saturday, September 30^th, this year’s party, “Neon Nights”, will feature a barbecue and dancing to the tunes of D.J. Marty Glassman. Once again party proceeds will go to benefit a local non-profit. This year the Museum of Ventura County is the beneficiary.

Club Manager Kerrie Anderson, who first started at the Club in 1986 as a Fitness Director, is excited about the planned renovations to the Pierpont Racquet Club. “The changes we are making will enhance our partnerships that we have now with various community groups such as CMH to provide services not only to our members but to the general public as well,” added Kerrie.

When asked about future plans, Spencer Garrett said, “Scott and I never gave much thought to what was in store 10 years after we opened let alone 40. We’ve been blessed with so many great employees and members that this has never felt like a job. It’s been a privilege to see all that we have created and I know the future will be even brighter. It is a dream come true.”

Pierpont Racquet Club, 500 San Jon Road 648-5161

www.pierpontrc.com

Besides teaching gardening techniques Marco would like to build a stage and see community events happen there.

by Jill Forman

“The givers of life grow food from the Earth.” Those words are from Marco Arroyo, a native Venturan with a dream. Several of them, actually.

A musician, founding member of the local band Herbal Rootz, he is also trying to bring a garden back to life. His vision includes food, education, community togetherness, activism, beauty, music and poetry. He calls it the G.I.F.T. Garden: Growing in Faith Together.

This is how it happened. He lives downtown, and works as a grocery store supervisor on the East side of town. Every day, he drove along Poli, past E.P Foster Library and the vacant slope in back of it. It was nothing but weeds, but he could see where someone had tried to make a garden there. It was such a waste of land and it really bothered him.

About three months ago, he just pulled over and started cleaning the site. He pulled weeds, raked, dug up earth. Friends and family joined him, and a recognizable garden started to take shape.

He assumed it was city-owned, and went to City Hall to get authorization for his work. Turns out its private land; he was able to contact the owner and get permission to revamp the space. He has no funding, just community goodwill at this point. People have donated tools, plants and labor. A construction company gave him a load of wood.

Marco’s interest in gardening started at Sheridan Way Elementary School, when his class worked on the garden at West Park. “Food keeps growing,” he says, and there is no reason for people to go hungry. He wants his garden to be a source of learning for kids, hands-on, both to grow food and teach them to live closer to the earth and to share nature’s gifts.

The band, which he described as roots/rock/reggae and his nephew (with a chuckle) calls “heavy roots,” is made up of his family and friends. They have a history of food donations, giving pumpkins to the E.P. Foster pumpkin drive. The school had to cease funding for the drive, so Herbal Rootz started asking audiences to bring pumpkins for the school as the price of admission to band events.

Marco has researched the site, and discovered the story of Theodosia Burr Shepherd who was the first woman to hybridize flowers and had a very prosperous seed company based in Ventura. Burr was called the “Flower Wizard of California” and is credited with founding California’s seed industry. Susan B. Anthony visited; she was compared to Luther Burbank. Another garden had been planted there in her honor a few years ago, and had harvested the community, but is no longer active.

The garden, being on a slope, is being formed with the Aztec style of farming; watering in a pyramid effect, trickling down from one bed to another. There is a bee hive nearby, and pollinator-friendly plants. Besides teaching gardening techniques, he would like to build a stage and see community events happen there: speakers, music, poetry, activism; his vision is broad.

The band’s Facebook page will soon have a Pay Pal link to contribute to the G.I.F.T. garden. Donations of plants, gardening supplies, tools etc. are welcome. Some grant writers would be handy too. Marco can be reached at 651-6056, or just stop by if you see someone working. Best of all, get out and start digging!