Category Archives: Home Page Links

A Funny Thing Happened at the Scherr Forum

A ribald, raucous and politically incorrect good time.

by Sheli Ellsworth

Opening night at A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum by the Cabrillo Music Theatre was a ribald, raucous and politically incorrect good time. Utilizing vaudevillian humor and burlesque bawdry, the cast launched the tale of Roman slave Pseudolus scheming his way to freedom with veteran showman Nick Santa Maria playing Pseudolus. Santa Maria led the comedic charge brilliantly. Flanked by the hysterical Larry Raben as Hysterium, the two ingenious funnymen had the audience in stitches for the entire two acts while they ad-libbed at will. Andrew Metzger as Marcus Lycus, “the merchant of love, gentlemen and procurer,” introduced his own fresh conviviality as the flesh peddler next door.

The classic song, “Everybody Ought to have a Maid,” was an instant audience favorite explaining the neighborhood courtesans were merely maids. However, choreographer John Charron did due diligence to disclaim this when the courtesans took the stage. Adeptly directed by Ovation winner Lewis Wilkenfeld, the entire cast ticked off exact comedic timing leaving no moment without hilarity. Look for mistaken identities, long lost

The musical farce runs through Sunday, February 14, making it the perfect sweetheart date. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an additional matinee with free parking on February 10 at 1 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office at 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. They can also be purchased at www.cabrillomusictheatre.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.

Decades of heartfelt care the hallmark of Ventura’s Treacy Villa

Rita Solomon Kovacs, Patrick Treacy and Colleen Conboy make Treacy Villa a wonderful place to live.

by Karen Helen Szatkowski

Treacy Villa, on the corner of Mills and Loma Vista, is a landmark of some note in our fair city.  Established in 1987 by Mr. Patrick Treacy, it has  taken on the challenge of caring for our aging population and has provided a uniquely warm family setting for the residents.

The care provided ranges from temporary stay, assisted living, diet management, memory care, diabetic management, hospice and respite care.  Throughout the facility there are unusual framed collections of locks and latches on the walls for manipulation by the residents that enjoy some tactile activity. The rooms are airy and well-kept and the atmosphere is homey, cheerful and serene.

The facility houses 49 residents with rarely an empty bed. The exceptional aspect of Treacy Villa is the founder, Patrick Treacy, who visits daily for breakfast and lunch, hugging residents and greeting the staff members with his Irish charm and wit as well.   Treacy left Ireland as a young twenty-two year old and found his way into caregiving and the startup of a facility in Santa Barbara until permanently settling in Ventura.  He tells everyone that asks that he is married to Treacy Villa and its residents.  Many of these have been Ventura notables in our community.

The money matters aspect of eldercare is paramount and increasingly troublesome.  To combat this as much as possible for the residents, Treacy Villa’s fee system is All Inclusive (with the exception of medicine.)  The residents and their families also receive a quarterly newsletter with pithy quotes and detailed “what’s going on” at the Villa.  Any visiting relative or friend can spend significant time with the staff and or Mr. Treacy to fully understand the care they are providing for their loved one.

The leadership of the facility includes Treacy’s “right hand” Colleen Conboy, Administrator and “left hand” Sarah Stonebraker, Director of Resident Care Services.

Rita Solomon Kovacs is the Marketing Director.

These women have not years but decades with Treacy Villa and will, without provocation, expound on the highest quality of care that is provided and the outstanding staff retention.  These attributes flow directly, they say, from the commitment and concern that Mr. Treacy wakes with every day as he contemplates his duties at the Villa.

Patrick Treacy stated  “Working with the elderly was not my goal, but every day, every smile since has told me I am blessed to be able to make a difference in these people’s lives.”

Coleen Conboy went on to say  “When we see our families relax, we’ve done something good.”  And Rita Solomon-Kovacs,  “Treacy Villa is truly an exceptional find. Stop by to see us, you will be glad you did!”

3482 Loma Vista, Ventura 644-1292

 

Vol. 9, No. 9 – February 3 – February 16, 2016 – News at CAPS

By Elizabeth Rodeno

Ventura’s public channel 6 is the place for the citizens of Ventura to share their news.  Our bulletin boards feature information about upcoming events, classes and programs. We broadcast public service announcements about newsworthy issues and events, including useful tips on preparation for El Nino and motorcycle safety.   Shows from our members in the community share newsworthy and noteworthy information with viewers all day. Programs addressing the issues including homelessness, the drought, and social justice. On the lighter side, we also broadcast cooking, health, travel, and the latest in the arts and poetry scene.

On channel 15, our education and government channel provides the community with some great news programming also. Above all, are the broadcasts of the City Council meetings. You can’t get more up-to-date information than the Monday night meetings in this city. Other broadcasted city meetings from the Planning Commission, Design Review and Historic Preservation Committee, provide even more city related news on development in the area.  Ventura County Board of Supervisor’s meetings are also hosted on 15. Check them out Thursday evenings. Don’t forget to check out CAPS’ Business of the Month and Mayor for a Moment shorts shared at the Council meetings.

The staff is proud to be working on the Ventura County News Channel with Bill Nash. We are learning a lot about what county services are out there and how they affect us. Do you know what it takes to rescue a horse who fell into a ravine? The place to find out is on the VCNC channel, hosted on Ventura County’s website.

Channel 15 is also the outlet for Ventura’s educational institutions.  Every other Tuesday night you can get a glimpse of how the VUSD works and what news they have to tell. We have spent a lot of time on the Ventura College campus bringing you stories about the students from the varied certificate programs such as Water Sciences, Welding and Manufacturing.

Our closest neighbor is the unique El Camino High School at Ventura College. We have close to a dozen of their enthusiastic students learning the ropes of news making. With thoughtful investigation and a lot of hard work, these students are producing news, pure and simple. Their news program, ECTV, addresses current issues that affect young people. After watching their shows, it is pretty clear these are issues that affect us all.

CAPS is one of the several news outlets in Ventura. We thank the Breeze for bringing pertinent news to the people and working with us to keep you current. Go to our website, capstv.org for more information and links to newsworthy programming. Call us at 805-658-0500 for information on how to produce your own news.

 

VVCB in the news

Earthscape art project led by sand artist, Andres Amador. Photo by John Ferritto

The Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau (VVCB) is excited to announce that they have been named finalists for the ‘Commitment to Community’ award in Visit California’s 2016 Poppy Awards.

This special project is being recognized by Visit California at the Poppy Awards and Industry Recognition Gala Feb. 23 in Oakland, when the winners will be revealed.

The Visit California Poppy Awards are a biennial contest that honors the best and brightest of California tourism promotion. Winners will be selected by a panel of industry marketing experts in 10 categories ranging from best public relations campaign, to best digital campaign to best regional collaborative marketing campaign.

VVCB entered the awards based on Ventura’s first temporary earthscape art project led by sand artist, Andres Amador. This project was innovative and creative from the start.

The Board of Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau (VVCB) is pleased to announce a title change for Executive Director, Marlyss Auster. Effective immediately, Ms. Auster’s title will be President and CEO. Board Chairperson, Nancy Pedersen, stated “This title is more consistent with industry standards as tracked by Destination Marketing Association of the West, and warranted based on Ms. Auster’s stellar work at VVCB.”

Ms. Auster joined VVCB as Executive Director three years ago. In that time she has revamped and revitalized the organization by building a strong, enthusiastic team that, under her leadership, operates in an environment where new ideas and creativity flourish. That team has put VVCB at the forefront of driving tourism to Ventura and has worked to develop and strengthen partnerships with all stakeholders involved in that effort.

Ms. Auster’s decision to involve stakeholders to develop VVCB’s branding set the pace for VVCB’s overall strategy to grow partnerships and value community collaboration to promote Ventura. Ms. Auster also led efforts to bring sand artist Andres Amador to Ventura to create temporary earthscape art that introduced VVCB’s new branding and created opportunities for community ownership and engagement.

Ms. Auster is highly respected in the industry and was recently elected President of the Central Coast Tourism Council (CCTC). She also was instrumental in gaining Ventura recognition as a finalist for Sunset Magazine’s Travel Awards Municipal Makeover category.

 

Julie Maechler will be on display at Very Ventura

Gallery V in collaboration with renowned local artist, Gerald Zwers, welcomes 2016 with the “New Beginnings” art show.  Artist reception will be held on Jan.23 from 6pm-9pm. The exhibit features the creative and inspirational artistry of Julie Maechler, Mark Tovar, Margery Spielman and Gerald Zwers. Gallery V is located inside Very Ventura Gift Shop @ 540 E. Main Street, downtown Ventura.   Exhibit runs through Feb 28.

Teacher of deaf and hard-ofhearing students recognized

Attendees at the presentation honoring Hewer included several members of Hewer’s family as well as friends and dignitaries.

 

On Jan. 6, the Ventura Commerce and Education Foundation (VCEF) designated Heather Hewer, instructor for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students at Cabrillo Middle School in Ventura, California, as January’s Teacher of the Month.

Hewer is responsible for providing language arts, social studies, math and science instruction for DHH students in grades six through eight at Cabrillo Middle School. She also spearheads a variety of other activities and programs for her students, including the school’s Laurent Clerc Club — an on-campus organization that aims to bring DHH students and other students closer together through cultural events and learning experiences — and an annual trip to the California School for the Deaf, Riverside.

“Heather does everything she can to encourage her students to believe in themselves and to empower them to achieve their goals,” said Cabrillo Middle School’s principal, Lorelle Dawes. “She works incredibly hard and is constantly planning experiences to make learning more meaningful for her students, from preparing international foods to supplement her geography lessons to coordinating science-related field trips.”

Teacher of the Month nominees must be credentialed teachers and display certain qualities, such as outstanding commitment to students, service to school or district committees, involvement in projects on their own time and/or participation in youth-focused activities in the community. All principals and parent-teacher organizations from schools within the Ventura Unified School District are eligible to submit nominations. For more information about the Teacher of the Month program, please contact Pattie Braga, chair of the Teacher Appreciation Committee with the VCEF, at [email protected] or 477-4052.

 

A poignant love story set in 1940’s

Last year’s “Last Train To Nibroc” starring Erik Odom and Lily Nicksay who return in See Rock City. Photo by Christopher Brown

Rubicon Theatre Company presents See Rock City by Arlene Hutton, a poignant love story set in 1940’s Appalachia about young newlyweds trying to find their footing in a world on the brink of great change. May (played by Lily Nicksay “Boy Meets World”/”The Client”) is a principal at the local school, and Raleigh (Erik Odom “Twilight: Breaking Dawn”/Sons of the Prophet), is an aspiring writer.

The play begins with the couple returning to their home in Corbin, Kentucky after plans to honeymoon in Rock City are derailed. There they grapple with domestic realities and the desire for approval from community and family, especially their very different mothers (played by Clarinda Ross and Sharon Sharth).

When victory overseas results in unexpected consequences on the home front, the couple must confront hidden truths and May must consider a difficult sacrifice. The sequel to last year’s critically acclaimed hit Last Train to Nibroc, See Rock City stands alone as a funny, touching and universal portrayal of a devoted young couple grappling with change in the advent of a new, post-war America.

Katharine Farmer returns from London to helm See Rock City having directed the first play in the Nibroc Series last season to critical and popular acclaim. The production was nominated for an Ovation Award for “Best Production of a Play, Larger Theatre,” and was a part of Rubicon’s “Best Season” nomination. Farmer was also the recipient of an Indy Award for her direction (collecting her statue on her 22nd birthday). She has since made her West End directing debut with Pig Farm by Greg Kotsis. Mike Billings designs sets, lights and projections; Marcy Froehlich is Costume Designer, and Austin Quan is Sound Designer.

Low-Priced Previews: Wed., Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. and Fri., Jan. 29 at 8 p.m.

Opening Night: Sat., Jan. 30, 2016 at 7 p.m. with post-show party with cast hosted by Busy Bee Cafe

Closing: Sun., Feb. 14, 2016 at 2 p.m.

Box Office (for single and group tickets)667.2900

Website www.rubicontheatre.org

Rubicon Theatre Company has been described as, “the rising star of the Southern California cultural constellation.” A not-for-profit professional regional theatre, Rubicon serves area residents and visitors with innovative productions of classic and contemporary plays, as well as a wide array of educational programs and events. Founded in 1998, Rubicon’s work has been lauded by critics and industry professionals.

 

Ventura College Foundation to award scholarships

Students who receive financial support from VCF tend to have higher completion rates.

With its scholarship application deadline on Jan. 24, the Ventura College Foundation (VCF) is welcoming a final flood of applications from Ventura College students who have completed at least 12 units. Foundation officials expect to award more than $400,000 to some 280 students this Spring, for an average award of $2,000 per student.

“Nearly all of these scholarships are awarded based on the donors’ wishes, in honor of or in memory of a loved one. It’s a living legacy, to have an impact on a student and that student’s family,” said Norbert Tan, executive director of the Ventura College Foundation.

Nearly half of scholarship applicants will receive some funds. Most awards are based on a combination of need and achievement with criteria designated by the donors, such as students’ area of study.

Students who receive financial support from the Ventura College Foundation tend to have higher completion rates than students who don’t, according to foundation statistics. Many scholarship recipients graduate to enter a career that allows them to support a family, and many students graduate from Ventura College to pursue a four-year degree.

“Many students come to us wanting to get a college education but have to overcome the hurdle of cost. The Foundation helps with student success, enabling scholarship recipients to focus on their studies to achieve their career goals,” said Tan.

For more information on scholarships or to download an application, visit www.venturacollege.edu. Students with questions should contact the foundation at 289-6491 or email [email protected].

The Art Tales contest for writers inspired by art is now open

Previous Mayor Cheryl Heitmann addressing last year’s Art Tales at Foster Library

The City of Ventura is pleased to sponsor the eighth annual creative writing contest inspired by art, in partnership with E.P. Foster Library. Selections from the Public and Municipal Art Collections at Ventura City Hall are rotated annually to a special second floor exhibit space near the library’s rear (children’s) entrance in an effort to make them more accessible to the community.

Visit E. P. Foster Library or the links below and choose the artwork that inspires you to create and enter your own poem or short story, 500 words or less by April 4, 2016.

  • Free and open to all writers worldwide
  • Prizes in 3 age categories

“Artist Next Door/Our Local Story” is the Art Tales theme for 2016, celebrating Ventura’s 150th birthday in April, through four artists whose works in the Municipal and Public Art Collections tell our city’s unique story by depicting its classic neighborhoods, citrus orchards, proud history and hip downtown.”

Click the links below to view and download featured art, contest info and the required release form:

Teachers can contact Art Tales curator Tobie Roach at 658-4759 or [email protected] to request printed copies of materials for your classes and for further contest information.

More news about Art Tales can be found at http://www.cityofventura.net/arttales.

Ventura Key Club Sock Drive for homeless

Photo by Ranferi Perea

Ventura Key Club is a dedicated and passionate community service club at Ventura High School. Club members have been working for several weeks on collecting socks for their latest service project -a Sock Drive to donate socks to the homeless in Ventura to help them stay warm during the winter. Group members were able to collect 90 pairs of socks. The socks were donated to Community Action in Ventura, which is an organization that helps the homeless. Thanks to Key Club members, a little warmth was given to the less fortunate this holiday season.