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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.

stuff public works insetVCPWA 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!

Three downtown Ventura galleries will host artist receptions on Saturday, May 21.

Buenaventura Art Association (5 – 7pm), Fox Fine Jewelry (6 – 8pm), and Gallery V (6 – 8pm).

Buenaventura Art Association presents the 4th Annual Collage and Mixed Media Open Competition from May 17 – June 11.  The reception is May 21 from 5 – 7pm with award presentation at 6pm.

Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara Street, (805) 648-1235, buenaventuragallery.org.

Fox Fine Jewelry presents “An Affinity for Light” with works by Christine Beirne and Sparkle Taylor from May 19 – July 10. An Artist Reception will be held on May 21 from 6 – 8pm. Kris Sheppard, Magic Castle member, will perform (http://krissheppardmagic.com/).

Fox Fine Jewelry, 560 E. Main Street, (805) 652-1800,

Gallery V presents the group show “A New Earth” from April 30 – June 5. An artist reception will be held on May 21 from 6 – 9pm.

Very Ventura Gift Shop and Gallery V, 540 E. Main Street, (805) 628-3540, [email protected], very-ventura.com. Hours Sunday – Thursday 11 – 6pm; Friday and Saturday 11 – 10pm.

 

 

Free community event held at YMCA

Event held to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. Photos by Michael Gordon

On Saturday, April 30 the Ventura Family YMCA held a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. This year marks the 25th annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families.

youth ymca insetCheryl Heitmann  delivered the welcome address.  The day-long event featured a football clinic run by former NFL players Lorenzo Booker, Ronney Jenkins, and Kevin Thomas. The Major League Baseball’s Pitch, Hit & Run skills competition and much more.  Lost child fingerprinting was provided by the Community Police Foundation and the Ventura Police Department.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is celebrated at over 1,300 Ys across the country by over 1.2 million participants. Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. As spring turns to summer, Healthy Kids Day is a powerful reminder not to let children idle away their summer days. Ventura Family YMCA is located at 3760 Telegraph Road.

 

The Vagabond Coffee Shop turns 50

Ventura Breeze Account Executive Breezy Gledhill and Publisher Emeritus Staci Brown helped Jolene celebrate Vagabond’s anniversary.

The Vagabond is celebrating 50 years of service to their most valued and dedicated customers.

Owner Jolene McBee told the Breeze “I came to the Vagabond in February 1975. I wasn’t really looking for a job as I had four children at home  . My sister worked there and asked me to come and help out until the manager could hire someone. I could just work half a day and I’d be home before my kids got home. So, I said, okay.”

“Vagabond opened in 1966. Mr. McBee was the manager at the time, working for  Duke Carter, the original owner of the Vagabond. He worked for  Carter for 19 years and was allowed to operate the restaurant like it was his own. When I started there he was supposed to hire someone else,. As it turned out, he never hired anyone else and a 1979, Mac and I were married.”

business vagabond inset“Six years later, Mr. Carter was ready to sell the business. We purchased it and worked  together. We both had the same goals…to offer our customers good food and good service at a fair price. Sadly, we lost Mac in 2003.”

“A lot of restaurants refer to themselves as “a family restaurant”. Vagabond truly is that. Over the years, a lot of people have come to recognize that the Vagabond is different from most businesses, that it is much, much more than just a restaurant. It is a very special place. A place where friends gather to enjoy each other’s company over a good meal. Where executives meet to discuss business over a quick lunch. Where a loan diner can come and have a meal and feel comfortable and safe and welcome. “

“On numerous occasions, customers have come to me and said “don’t ever change” and “don’t ever go away”, because there is no place like Vagabond. “

“Their stories are many  like the young boy who had a life-threatening illness and the Make-A-Wish foundation granted some of his wishes. One of which was to arrive in a limo and have dinner at the Vagabond. “

“In the past few years, I have had some health issues that have affected my ability to do things the way I used to do them. In spite of that, I still go to the restaurant almost every day. I know the place would operate just fine without me, but I go because it is where the people I love are. It is my special place in life. “

“It has been our privilege, our pleasure and an honor to have been of service to so many for so many years. Many thanks to all of you for allowing us to do so. “

The Vagabond is located at 760 E. Thompson so stop in and say hi to Jolene and her wonderful staff.

A May graduation for VCLA

VCLA’s mission is to connect and empower a diverse group of leaders.

by Jenny Guy

The 35 cohort members of the 2016 Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) will be graduating this May, with a celebration at Ventura City Hall.

Founded in 1994 as an initiative of United Way of Ventura County, VCLA’s mission is to connect and empower “a diverse group of leaders whose actions enhance the quality of life throughout Ventura County.” Now in its 21st year, the academy’s “Blackjack” Cohort XXI consists of a prestigious roster of executives and budding personnel from a wide variety of regionally based organizations. Organizations of VCLA’s Cohort XXI include Habitat for Humanity, Ventura County Animal Services, Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast, Ventura County Credit Union, American Red Cross, Ventura County Fire and many more.

Basing curriculum on the relational leadership model, the 10-month VCLA program promotes and trains members on ethical and inclusive decision-making that benefits the common good. Once per month, the academy holds full-day sessions which confront cohort members with the interconnected realities of Ventura County’s economic development, transportation, health care, public safety, governance, agriculture, natural environment and education

“VCLA offers an amazing opportunity to be exposed to key challenges of, and opportunities for, the county as well as to meet the people that are charged with creating new visions to serve and grow our local economy,” said Ventura resident and employer liaison to VC Innovates, Hilary Howard of Cohort XXI.

The program spans from September to May with sessions taking place in various parts of the county. Beyond the monthly meetings, VCLA members are invited to participate in ride-alongs with local fire stations and law enforcement in order to gain additional insight into the county. They are also encouraged to network, socialize and share ideas outside of the academy’s scheduled itinerary.

“The VCLA program has taken my strength as a connector, and allowed me to expand my reach,” said Jill Shaffer, current executive director of VCLA. “Along the way, I’ve learned so much about the critical issues in our county and the actions I can take as an individual.”

For one session each year, the VCLA members are divided into small groups and assigned to explore Ventura County’s 10 cities. Each city group is then responsible for presenting their community explorations back to the cohort at later sessions.

VCLA members are also asked to Sacramento to hear from elected officials and other influencers of policy over a three-day session. On the 2016 Sacramento trip, Cohort XXI heard from Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, Assemblymember Das Williams, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and a number of other dignitaries on issues relating to Ventura County — as well as the state of California and the nation.

For more information on VCLA, visit vcunitedway.org.

Jenny Guy is the director of communications for Mustang Marketing, a current member of the VCLA’s Cohort XXI, co-chair for the Public Relations Society of America’s Young Professionals Club and a resident of the City of Ventura.

Ventura County Fair in the news

Shanté Morgan-Durisseau was one of seven honorees at CSU Channel Islands.

The Board of Directors of the 31st District Agricultural Association, better known as the Ventura County Fairgrounds, has elected Bonnie Atmore to the office of President and Director Daniel Long to the office of Vice-President.

Atmore is President and CEO of FOODShare, Inc. She has been listed by the Pacific Coast Business Times (2007-2015) in the “Top 50 Women in Business.” Her honors include the Rotary International “Service above Self Award,” City of Oxnard Woman of the Year, Tri County Women’s Economic Ventures Trailblazer Award and various proclamations and commendations from Ventura County, Assembly and Senate representatives.

Long is a founding Board member on The Midtown Ventura Community Council and The San Buenaventura Conservancy and has been a wish granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties for over twenty years. He has volunteered at the Ventura County Fair since 1989 and has served since 2007 on the City of Ventura Planning Commission. He is owner of Daniel Long Painting.

The Ventura County Fairgrounds is proud to announce that director Shanté Morgan-Durisseau has been honored at CSU Channel Islands’  4th Annual African American Achievement Awards Luncheon for her work in civic engagement. She was one of seven honorees, who were chosen for their work to make the community a better place.

The awards ceremony, hosted by CI’s Intercultural Services, recognized individuals who have made a substantial difference in their respective fields and have worked to better the community.

Morgan-Durisseau, a Moorpark resident, was appointed to the Ventura County Fairgrounds Board of Directors in June 2015. She is managing editor at the California State University, Northridge Marketing and Communications Office. She has been an instructor at California Lutheran University, a lecturer at the CSUN department of journalism and a political affairs reporter at Copley News Service. She also has served as chair of the Ventura County Commission for Women; is an appointee to the Ventura County Women’s Economic Roundtable; and is a member of the Simi Valley AAUW, Ventura County branch of the NAACP, and Ventura County Women’s Political Council.

“We are proud of Shanté for her achievements and for the honor that has been bestowed on her.” said Fairgrounds CEO Barbara Quaid, “Her work in our community reflects the Ventura County Fairgrounds’ own commitment to making Ventura County a better place.”

The 2016 Ventura County Fair, “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” will open Wednesday, August 3 and run through Sunday, August 14. More information can be found at www.venturacountyfair.org or by calling  648-3376.

 

 

Film viewing opens discussion about reinventing education

Darcy Duffy and Melissa Watz led the discussion after the film.

by Ana K. Gonzalez

A viewing of the award winning documentary film Most Likely to Succeed was held at the Poinsettia Pavilion on April 7th. KiteStream, a new online community helped organize the presentation of the film.

KiteStream was initiated by Venturan Melissa Wantz, to lead conversations about improving today’s education systems.

The event brought together over a hundred teachers, students, parents, and educational administrators.  A short discussion was held after the film about the earlier educational experiences with the audience. The discussion went over key points which were mentioned in the film, for instance “Student engagement in school plummets as they get to higher grades—from 80% in elementary school to just 40% by the beginning of high school.” Or “The Lego Foundation study reports that students lose more than 90% of their creative capacity during their school years.”

The audience was left with mixed emotions of frustration for the current situation but also inspiration for the future of education.

Since Most Likely To Succeed premiered just a year ago, the film has reached hundreds of thousands of people, inspiring them to help America’s schools prepare our students for the future.

The film focuses on a charter high school in San Diego, High Tech High. The school decided to take a chance and strive away from the traditional education system to focus on student development through only project based learning. The documentary followed a few students through their experience in the school, and their projects. It also interviewed teachers and parents about their impressions and concerns in this new style.

If you would like to join the KiteStream community or get more information about the next showing follow them on facebook.com/kitestream.