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Rubicon announces upcoming 2016 summer programs

Director Brian McDonald works with the students from Rubicon’s Theatre Camp. Photo courtesy of Rubicon Theatre Company

by Richard Lieberman

Brian McDonald Director, and acting instructor at the Rubicon Theatre Company has announced a new season of performance camps and intensives, master classes and workshops. McDonald founder and program director of Rubicon’s Summer Youth Program has appeared in national tours of Miss Saigon and Forever Plaid.

The program designed for youth from 5 years to 19 plus years, gives participants an opportunity to “play, explore and create in a professional environment, “McDonald said. “Our program is a place for students to take a risk, stretching beyond their comfort zone.”

Classes are held at Rubicon Theatre Company located at 1006 East main Street in the heart of Ventura’s Cultural Arts District. The program offers students an opportunity to study with trained, experienced instructors, who are working theatre arts professionals.

McDonald who has spent the past 15 years at the Rubicon said, “we focus on making our programs the best they can be.” “I think throughout my life I have been a creative person,” he added. Creative from an early age he shared a memory of his early creative talent “I remember when I was 8 or 9 years old, my bicycle was stolen, and I got some neighborhood kids together, and I set up a mock trial, and we all played parts like a real trial.”

The 2016 summer programs offered by the Rubicon Theatre Company this season include The Stinky Feet Theatre Workshop designed for youth from 5-12, Theatre Camp, Ages 11-14, The Fearless Shakespeare Intensive from ages 15-23, and The Musical Theatre Intensive, Ages 15-23.

These programs offer students of all ages the opportunity to develop performance and personal skills in a challenging yet nurturing professional environment with top theatre artists and instructors. For more information on these summer programs email to [email protected] or check the Rubicon website at rubicontheatre.org.

The Art of Chalk: by Venturean Tracy Lee Stum

For anyone who pays the least bit of attention, chalk art is making a comeback. As an outdoor chalk artist, Venturean Tracy Lee Stum boldly embraces both the perils of precipitation and the casualties of crowds. The impermanence and “delightful and pleasing ephemera” of outdoor chalk art is part of its allure, according to Stum. She is an internationally renowned, award winning street painter who brings integrity to this ethereal art form. In her recently released book, The Art of Chalk: Techniques & inspiration for creating art with chalk, Stum explores the types, techniques and topography used by some of the world’s most prominent chalk artist. The Art of Chalk is part how-to and part where-to-go. Published by Quarto, Stum’s book explains the chalk painting process, a blow by blow of making your own pastels and a list of national and international street painting festivals for inspiration.

After graduating with a degree in art from Temple University, Stum went on to paint murals in luxury Las Vegas casinos. As an envoy of the U.S. Department of State, Stum also conducts international 3D street-painting workshops as far away as Tajikistan and India.

What is on your Bucket List?

Fred Nagelschmidt and advisor Leon Roullard falling from 10,000 feet.

by Phil Chandler, Owner of Right at Home of Ventura County, Home Care Agency

In the first of an occasional series, the Breeze interviews local residents about their bucket lists – or “what we wish to accomplish before we are shuffled off this mortal coil”.

You may remember the movie “The Bucket List” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It was an engaging story about two men facing a terminal illness. They were able to leave their shared hospital room and accomplish some amazing feats, and have a lot of fun and laughs along the way.

Creating your bucket list will help you to remember what you enjoy in life, and can cheer you up. It is energizing, and just talking about what is on your list can motivate you to get it done. There is no right or wrong activity; it is completely up to you. You can write your list any time of your life and describe any activities you dream of. It will remind you of what you enjoy in life, suited to your physical ability and risk tolerance.

One local Ventura resident, Fred Nagelschmidt, has always wanted to skydive. For his 92^nd birthday, he called up Skydive Coastal California at the Camarillo Airport and booked a flight. Fred has always been an adventurous soul. An avid runner, he has run marathons (26.2 miles), and five ultra-marathons, which are 50 to 100 miles. He would train by running from Ventura to Santa Barbara and back. The last marathon he ran was 12 years ago, when he was 80 years old. Even at 92, Fred is in great shape.

On the big day, Fred was suited up for a tandem skydive with Leon Roullard , the Drop Zone Manager and USPA Safety and Training Advisor. Leon has been skydiving since 1997 and makes about 500 jumps per year. After a short class on what to expect and some do’s and don’ts, they left the ground in a Cessna 172. Fred’s wife Mona, left the airfield with their son Chris and drove over to the drop zone a few miles away. After climbing to about 10,000 feet, it was time to go. They were freefalling for about 40 seconds, reaching 120 miles per hour. When Leon pulled the chute at 5,000 feet, they floated the rest of the way to the drop zone for about seven minutes. After the hurricane strength wind of the freefall, the float was calm, quiet, and peaceful. Fred was able enjoy the view of Catalina and the Channel Islands all the way to downtown Los Angeles. Leon let Fred steer the square canopy until they were ready to land, then Leon took over. Lean had several cameras capturing different angles to memorialize the event. Fred enjoyed it so much he wants to do it again in August.

For more information, call Bucket List Skydiving at 322-4763 or visit www.skydivecoastalcalifornia.com .

If you have an interesting bucket list story to share, call Phil Chandler at 389-5320.

Palermo Pizzeria has gained a following of local supporters

Yoshi’s career path into the restaurant business was “almost like an accident.” Photo by Zach Frankart

by Jenny Guy

Yoshi Namiki, owner of Palermo Pizzeria in Ventura, says his career path into the restaurant business was “almost like an accident.” Namiki came to California when he was 14, moving from Japan after his father, a mechanical engineer, took a position in Northridge –– and decided to call Simi Valley home. Fluent in both English and Japanese, Namiki held a career in computer sciences with an international company until he was 40.

After losing his job, he found himself headed toward bankruptcy. With a family of his own and no prospects, Namiki stumbled upon an opportunity to go into business for himself. He purchased a small deli in Simi Valley called Simi Sam’s Sandwich Factory –– one of the oldest delis in the region. Solely self-taught without any prior restaurant experience, Namiki chose to maintain the authenticity of the sandwich shop and kept many of the previous owner’s original recipes. This on-the-job training allowed him to develop his own culinary skills, and the gamble eventually paid off. The restaurant business has never been an easy sector of work to get into, which is why many aspiring restaurants never quite make it. While efforts can be made simpler by using a service such as QSR accounting to ensure that the books are properly managed, it is genuinely difficult to create a restaurant business that is both successful and sustainable.

Namiki sold Simi Sam’s to his brother and became the sole proprietor of the Italian Simi Valley staple Palermo Pizzeria. Seeing this new enterprise as an opportunity to make the restaurant his own, Namiki did a complete overhaul of the inherited menu. He spent months testing ingredients to find the perfect combinations –– placing special significance on perfecting his sauces.

On August 23, 2010, Namiki reopened the restaurant. He introduced new dishes under the Palermo Pizzeria name as a tribute to the original owners, the Cascio family, who established the restaurant in 1972. After two years of managing Palermo Pizzeria in Simi Valley, Namiki, a surfer, felt drawn to Ventura to be closer to the water. Two years to the day that Namiki had purchased the first Simi Valley location, August 23, 2012, Palermo Pizzeria was founded in Ventura.

The Ventura Palermo Pizzeria has since gained a following of local supporters for its fresh ingredients and meals made from scratch. The pizza dough is made onsite daily, all pasta sauces and salad dressings are homemade, and Namiki personally visits the market each morning (seven days a week) to handpick produce for Palermo Pizzeria’s salads and toppings. The results of these efforts are delicious dishes ranging from vibrant salads and flavorful soups to Italian classics like spaghetti and meatballs.

Located in Midtown Ventura at 1751 East Main Street, Palermo Pizzeria has a customer base estimated at 90 percent locals, and Namiki has come to know most by name. Palermo Pizzeria caters to its following, providing local favorites such as Surf Brewery beer and Panaro Brothers wine. The 1,500-square-foot establishment also houses a wide selection of art from Ventura native Scott O’Connor, who gifted Namiki with the restaurant’s one-of-kind signboard.

“When people come here, I want them to laugh and have fun. If I am, they will. And if I like it, chances are my guests will too,” said Namiki, a husband and father of two who now lives just across the street from Palermo Pizzeria in Ventura.

Both Palermo Pizzeria’s Simi Valley and the Ventura locations are open for business Monday through Sunday, more information can be found at www.palermos.biz.

Jenny Guy is the director of communications for Mustang Marketing and a resident of the City of Ventura.

Wheel Fun Rentals renews partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big sister Ashley Bryant and little sister Roselith enjoying a ride at Wheel Fun Rentals.

Wheel Fun Rentals, the number one recreational rental company in the country, announced it is renewing a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters for a program called “Biking Buddies.” For the tenth consecutive year, the Biking Buddies program will provide free rentals to underprivileged children and their mentors around the nation. To date, 1.25 million dollars’ worth of free rentals have been donated to Bigs and Littles.

Wheel Fun Rentals launched the “Biking Buddies” program in 2006 each year, more than 30,000 individuals directly benefit from Biking Buddies – 15,000 underprivileged youth and their mentors have the opportunity to rent products that range from a fleet of unique bikes, including multi-passenger Surrey cycles, tandem bikes, beach cruisers, several styles of low-to-the-ground recumbent cycles, and more. The program is valid at more than 50 locations nationwide and supports over twenty Big Brother Big Sister chapters.

“At Wheel Fun Rentals we like to see children moving, biking, paddling, laughing, and enjoying the great outdoors,” said Sheena Walenta, Marketing Director at Wheel Fun Rentals.

“This is a great gesture that will bring lots of fun to our Littles,” said Lonna Radford, member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Advisory Board.

“I’d like to thank Wheel Fun Rentals for extending this very generous donation to BBBS,” said Mike, a Big Volunteer at Big Brothers Big Sisters San Diego Chapter. “Much of today’s youth spend their time inside, off their feet, completely reliant on electronics for entertainment; so it’s great to have a fun outdoor activity readily available.”

By being part of the program, these children see “Little Moments turn into Big Magic.” If you’d like to become a volunteer or support BBBS programs, please call your local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter, or find your local chapter online at https://aim.bbbs.org/einquiry/einquiryzip.aspx?t=2. To find out more about the Biking Buddies program visit http://www.wheelfunrentals.com/Content/BBBS.aspx.

Ventura wins National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation!

Sanding in front of the grand prize Toyota Prius are Karen Matsuyama of Toyota, Steve Creech of the Wyland Foundation, Rhonda Glasscock of Toyota, Craig Jones of Ventura Water, Ventura Water General Manager Shana Epstein, Scott Donoho of the Toro Company, and Vivian Panou of Earth Friendly Products.

The city of Ventura and its residents have been nationally recognized for pledging to conserve water and cut pollution.

Ventura placed first in the fifth annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, which ran from April 1-30. The contest asked residents to pledge online to conserve water, and Ventura had the highest percentage of pledges for cities with populations between 100,000 and 299,999. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, placed second in Ventura’s population category.

Wyland spokesman Steve Creech presented Ventura Mayor Eric Nasarenko with the first-place plaque during a noontime ceremony on the steps of Ventura City Hall on Thursday May 19.

“I don’t usually like to brag, but ‘Way to go, Ventura!” Nasarenko told an enthusiastic audience that included City Councilman Jim Monahan, Fire Chief David Endaya and many city employees.

Nasarenko congratulated the Ventura residents who pledged at www.mywaterpledge.com, saying their efforts will save over 26 million gallons of water. Venturans also pledged to reduce their use of single-use plastic bottles by 48,931, eliminate 1,172 pounds of hazardous waste from entering watersheds, and cut the amount of waste sent to landfills by 562,475 pounds.

Overall, 4,100 cities across the U.S. participated, with residents making pledges to reduce their water use at home, around the yard, and in their lives. Residents nationwide pledged to reduce their cumulative water consumption by over 1.9 billion gallons – an amount totaling the equivalent of 2,877 Olympic-sized pools!

The Wyland Foundation, a nonprofit founded by renowned marine life artist Wyland, has helped children and families around the nation to rediscover the importance of healthy oceans and waterways through public art programs, classroom science education and live events. The Mayor’s Challenge also is sponsored by Toyota, with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National League of Cities, The Toro Company, Earth

Ventura’s Climate Report Card presented by iMatter Youth

Tatum Becker, El Camino High School (ECHS); Joe Yahner, Environmental Services Supervisor City of Ventura; Zayan Reza, ECHS; Sophie Nguyen ECHS; Ventura City Councilmember Cheryl Heitmann; Summeya Islam,ECHS; Olivia Loorz,ECHS and Sierra Manske,ECHS.

by Karen Helen Szatkowski

Recently six young women from El Camino High School presented to the Ventura City Council what was a less than congratulatory report card on the city’s efforts to combat climate change. The report card is the result of iMatterYouth and their consultation with some of the most knowledgeable people and organizations on information that is science based and publicly available . The range of such consultation is broad and deep, from local governments for Sustainability USA to Natural Capitalism Solutions. The kid’shave been committed to covering all of the bases.

IMatter is now a national organization and the founder, Alec Loorz, is a young man raised and educated in Ventura: “I worked with a group of about 50 of my fellow middle schoolers to design and install poles along the beach and we met with the City of Ventura to get their cooperation. The poles are still up today, five years later, and have helped the City Council to include sea level rise in their planning. Now there are poles in several other cities as well, and one of the original poles can be seen at the Museum of Natural History in NYC.”

An A-F grading system evaluates Ventura’s action (or inaction) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to levels needed to end the climate crisis. These are their grades.

Zero Emissions: Climate Action Plan: Measures when the city’s Climate Action Plan gets to net zero human emissions D-

Renewable Energy: Measures when the percent of renewables used to generate a city’s electricity is more than the national average, and the percentage is rising. A+

Waste: Measures when the amount of waste per person is decreasing and the percent of that waste that is recycled or composted is increasing. B-

Carbon Removal: Measures when there is some kind of a program that will result in more carbon being removed from the atmosphere. F

Youth Involvement: A bonus area that rewards a half grade for having youth involved in advising on or setting climate change related policies and plans. None

Ventura’s overall grade is a C- which means a lot needs to be done to bring the city’s efforts on our carbon footprint to a more effective standpoint. The fact that the City Council made time to listen intently to the presentation shows the seriousness they assign to the efforts of the young activists. Many Councilmembers expressed their appreciation for the professional presentation and the kid’s commitment to the wellbeing of Ventura. For more information on IMatter, contact Larry Kraft, Executive Director, [email protected]

Happy seventh anniversary Ladies Luncheon!

At a recent Ladies Luncheon lucky Breeze publisher Sheldon was the first man invited to one of their luncheons.

by Carol Leish

The Ladies Luncheon is having its 7th Anniversary luncheon on June 2 at the Pierpont Inn Pavilion Room in beautiful Ventura.

The Ladies Luncheon was started by local Ventura Realtor, Laurie Ann Meyer-Ehrhardt, in June, 2009.

“A few of us met at the My Florist and Bakery in downtown Ventura. The next month, when we met at the Pierpont Inn, we had 15 women for lunch. By the third month, we had 35 women attending, I knew that it was important to continue these monthly lunches.”

Laurie started Ladies Luncheon because she saw a need for women to come together on a regular basis with a ‘no join’ obligation. “With both no limit on the number of categories represented, and no need to attend every month women are able to attend when it’s convenient for them. And, there is no limit on the number of categories represented. Thus, we are representing many local businesses and various nonprofits within Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. We continue to be able to provide women with both support and encouragement.”

Ladies Luncheon is the place, “To eat, meet, greet and shop,” according to Laurie. “Our luncheons are not just for business. It is also the place to relax, shop, and, to have fun! What goes on at Ladies Luncheon stays at Ladies Luncheon! We average 45 women each month. By allowing multiple categories, we are able to support the philosophy of the importance of building relationships in order to do business. There is always enough business for everyone.”

Laurie’s mom, Pat Morris, who relocated to Ventura in 2012, started coming to Ladies Luncheon when she moved here. “Mom has always been an inspiration to me and I am so blessed and fortunate for her to be able to participate here and to be supportive of all of us. Elaine O’Malia, of Laine Designs (www.lainedesigns.com) is the web wizard and acts as my right hand helper.”

To join our wonderful group please come on June 2 at our anniversary luncheon. Go to our website www.TheLadiesLuncheon.com to pre-register or pay at the door. Like me, you’ll see the immense value of the supportive and lively group of women who do make a difference!

Our regular Ladies Luncheon’s May mixer, on May 26, from 5:30–7:30pm, will be co-ed so you men can join in the fun. It will be at Grapes & Hops at 454 E. Main St. in Downtown There will be wine tasting and a no host bar. All are welcome (Guys too!). $15 for wine tasting.

National Public Works Day held in Ventura

David Goldstein from Public Works Agency explaining composting to Elsa and Lila. Photo by John Ferritto

In what’s becoming a favorite educational experience among local students, Ventura County Public Works Agency’s National Public Works Day public event held on Tuesday, May 17 piqued students’ interests in the Public Works sector.

With over 500 students attending ranging from elementary schools to high schools, VCPWA transformed the Government Center parking lot and a number of conference rooms into interactive learning centers highlighting the many facets of our local Public Works team. The emphasis was on educating young minds on the endless internship and job opportunities a career in Public Works may offer, giving students the chance to connect with several Public Works officials at a career booth.

VCPWA employees lead tours of several display booths, including heavy equipment demonstrations that gave students a chance to get up close to the equipment that is used by VCPWA on many of the work sites around the county. Fun activities included hands-on stations where students learned about native and drought tolerant plants, surveying, rain and stream measurements, composting with worms, a chance to visit the Storm Operations Center and for the first time and the unveiling of the new Raptor Study program showcasing hawk and owl exhibits.

VCPWA Director Jeff Pratt stated “National Public Works Day is a very important opportunity for us to educate and connect with the public. The community has a chance to get an in-depth look into a vital organization that is dedicated to providing and sustaining the county’s infrastructure and environment while enhancing the safety, health and quality of life for them.”

Surf ‘n’ Suds Beer Festival Ventura

Don’t miss the best beer festival in Ventura!

For the second consecutive year the Trek Bikes of Ventura Surf ‘n’ Suds Beer Festival in Ventura is mixing surf and craft beer to bring you the best beer festival in town!

On Saturday, May 21st the Surf ‘n’ Suds Beer Festival in Ventura will take place at San Buenaventura State Beach and have over 50 breweries on site!

Live entertainment by local bands After the Smoke, Crosscut 805 and DJ Hecktik of 103.3 The Vibe will keep the vibe flowing throughout the day. There will also be surfboard shapers on site, select vendors and ocean related non-profit groups like Young and Brave, Save the Mermaids, Surfrider and more!

Craft breweries include; 805, Anacapa, Anchor Steam, Angel City, Ballast Point, Belching Beaver, BJs Brewhouse, Captain Fatty’s, Cayman Jack Margarita, Elysian, Enegren, Figueroa Mountain, Firemans, Firestone, Founders, Golden Road, Goose Island, Green Flash, Institution, Island Brewing Col, JT Schmid’s, Karl Strauss, King Harbor, Knee Deep, Kona, Lagunitas, New Belgium, Palm Breeze, Poseidon, Rincon, Saint Archer, SanTan, Sierra Nevada, SLO Brewing, Surf Brewery, Tap it, Topa Topa, Wolf Creek, Washington Gold Hard Cider, M Special, Lucky Luke, Pocock, 101 Cider House, Five Threads, Red Tandem, Common Cider Co., Coney Island, 911 Wine Co., Lucky Dogg Winery, Bloody Cure and Barrelhouse 101. More are being added as well!

Surf ’n’ Suds Beer Festival was ranked the #8 beer festival in all of the U.S. by BeerYeti.com in 2015!!!

VIP tickets are $65 and include an hour early entry, as well as special VIP beers from select breweries that will not be available during the General Admission session.

General Admission tickets are $50 and include a souvenir glass and unlimited samples from any of the breweries and wineries on site!

Tickets and information available at www.surfbeerfest.com. This event will sell out!

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