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Ventura Legacies and the 150th

Legacy family members Jim and Myron Harrison with Suz Montgomery at CAPSTV. 
Photo by Michael Gordon

By Elizabeth Rodeno

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the City of Ventura is in the forefront of our minds these days. It’s the countdown to April 2nd for the grand party to be held at Plaza Park and later at Mission Park.

Venturans have been celebrating since November with many events have been held throughout the city. We were at the kickoff event at the Ventura County Museum where we all were introduced to some of the Legacy families; the Harrisions, Chaffees, Tumamaits and the Smith-Hobsons.

CAPS and crew, along with Suz Montgomery, invited several of the Legacy families including the Foster and Dudley families into our newly refurbished studio. We enjoyed learning about the history of Ventura through the eyes and ears of those who were there or from stories told to them.  We have made the history of Ventura and its’ legacies an important part of our programming. Our member’s continue to provide vibrant content that is Ventura centric all the while touching issues that are important to everyone.

Ventura’s party continues with the State of the City, the new West Park open house and Kellogg Park groundbreakings and launch of the Corporate Games. Check out channel 15 for coverage and stories on these events and much more. These events are all a run up to the big celebration on April 2nd.  Plaza Park will be filled with activity and CAPS Media will be there. We will be ready to hear your stories and share your memories with CAPS Media viewers. Look for our truck and film crew. We will ready to record your own special story. The day ends with a concert in Mission Park featuring Big Bad VooDoo Daddy.

Check out our new website and become a member for $25, seriously.  You can sign up and reserve your space in a class, enroll your kids in our Summer programs and get information on and support our new venture, CAPS Radio. CAPS Media is everywhere, on Vimeo, Channels 6 & 15 and live streaming at www.CAPSMedia.org. Thanks to Donald for the great new website, and the staff, crew and members who make CAPS Media the best media center around. Heading down Day Road you’ll catch sight of our sign and that means you need to drop in and say hello.

 

Explore Ventura’s Art scene at Paint Ventura April 2nd

Find your creative side and explore Ventura’s Art scene at this year’s Paint Ventura April 2nd featuring a variety of artists in all mediums creating, selling and competing in downtown Ventura

art paint ventura insetSpring Art Fair And Paint Out/ 10am – 4pm at Plaza Park in Downtown Ventura / free

Spend the day enjoying local arts and craft vendors as you watch them create in their artisan booths. More than 70 fine artists and crafts persons display and sell their original work amid a street festival atmosphere in conjunction with the City of Ventura’s 150th Anniversary Festival.

Grab your art supplies and join in the all-inclusive Quick Draw Paint Out where you have 2 hours to paint/ collage/ draw your work of art from start to finish. Open to All subjects, All mediums and All ages.  $10 participation fee,

Or join in and watch the fun happen and be one of the judges to pick the several winners.  Free Kids Interactive Art Activities- Kids QuickDraw Painting Competition, taking place alongside the adult QuickDraw(12-2) kids 12 and under have the chance to paint or draw their own creation. Join us for a fun Spring Afternoon of art and celebration, find out more info at www.PaintVentura.com or  Red Brick Art 643-6400.

 

Induction ceremony held at Fox Fine Jewelry

Debbie Fox, Spencer Garrett and Bill Hicks are supporters of the Boys and Girls Club.

For 78 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura has been serving youth and providing life changing experiences, often for those who need it most. The “Boys” started as the Police Boys Club at the Ortega Adobe on Main Street in 1938, while the “Girls” began in 1967. The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Ventura was one of the first clubs to merge the boys and the girls and form one club. The Club has grown over the years, from their small beginnings to four centers serving hundreds of youth from Ventura and the surrounding cities.

The Club wouldn’t have grown without tremendous support from our community. To recognize those individuals who have gone above and beyond, the Founder’s Society was formed. Awards were given out at an induction ceremony at Fox Fine Jewelry in downtown Ventura on February 26th.

The Founder’s Society recognizes individuals who have given 20 or more years of service, made a contribution over a period of time that has created Club sustainability or has built Club capacity, or established a program that has been in existence for over ten years.

A 2010 Cal Lutheran study by Dr. Damooei showed that 97% of their enrolled youth graduate high school. Other benefits include increased self-confidence, improved family relations, 0% teen pregnancy and an increased propensity to attend higher education.

There are over 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs in the United States and throughout the world, serving over 4 million youth on a daily basis. Boys & Girls Clubs continue to be the fastest growing youth organization in the country.

The Founder’s Society inductees to date include: Spencer Garrett, Bill Hicks, Richard Buchanan, Melvyn Fowler, G. David Sherrill, M.D., Joe Carmody, Gary Nasalroad, Susanne Lammot, M.D., Larry Rasmussen, John Brant, Jymmye Hitch, and E.J. and Myra Harrison.

 

SPAN:  A thrift store with a heart for animals

Val Bereman, SPAN Manager is always happy to help you select something to buy.
By Gail Field

Inside the clean and tidy thrift store on North Olive Street, the all-volunteer staff happily sells clothing, household goods, tools and more, for a cause they believe in: saving lives of cats and dogs in Ventura County.

The Spay Neuter Animal Network (SPAN), which the store supports, is a non-profit organization offering Ventura County low cost spay and neuter services by subsidizing the cost for low-income and no-income pet owners. There are plans to expand into other areas, such as providing medication for deworming like Drontal Allwormer and subsidizing vet visits for these demographics, but for now, the focus is on spay and neuter.

Store manager Valerie Bereman’s broad smile lights up when she talks about what the proceeds from the store allows them to do for animals. “My heart goes out to pet owners as well as to the cats and dogs who have no real home, and to those whose owners are low income people struggling to feed and house their pets.”

A big problem is pet homelessness. Valerie explains that one reason is that there are not enough homes for all the kittens born. In warmer climates like what we have in Ventura County, the breeding season for cats is lengthened, allowing for more kittens to be born in a single year. By humanely trapping stray feral cats and taking them to a spay clinic, cat overpopulation can be lessened, resulting in fewer cats in the shelters, and reducing the need for euthanasia. Dogs have more predictable mating seasons, which leads to a more predictable dog population. Valerie sums it up like this: “Spay an animal and save a life.”

Residents are encouraged to call SPAN to report the presence of wild or stray cats. Ideally, cats are humanely trapped, taken to a registered veterinary clinic, spayed or neutered, then returned to the animal’s home or location where they were originally found. SPAN can loan humane traps, and volunteers are available to help.

SPAN acknowledges that the task of managing the pet population takes a community effort. They work in concert with low-cost clinics in Ventura County and a few local veterinarians helping with the feral cat population. Last year alone, the SPAN thrift shop, through their funding and volunteerism, facilitated 763 spay/neuter operations. SPAN began operating in 1992 on a limited basis, growing over time to their current full capacity. Since then, they have facilitated over 33,500 such operations.

On Thursday, March 3, SPAN is sponsoring an on-site spay/neuter clinic in conjunction with Valley-Vet Non-Profit Simi Valley Spay and Neuter Clinic. The clinic will be held in the parking lot of the SPAN Thrift and Gift shop in Ventura beginning with appointments scheduled at 9 AM. Look for the large Winnebago, which holds a state-of-the-art operating room, staffed with professionals who care about the health and longevity of animals. The cost on this special occasion is $10 for qualified low-income residents. Appointments are required. To enroll, call 584-3823.

SPAN Thrift and Gift happily accepts donations in the form of clothing furniture, appliances, and other household items as well as tax-deductible cash donations. Drivers are available to pick up large donations.

SPAN is the only all-volunteer organization in Ventura County raising money to spay/neuter cats and dogs for low-and no-income pet owners. For information or appointments, call 641-1170 or stop by the SPAN Thrift and Gift shop at 110 N. Olive St. Ventura. Closed Sunday and Monday. Se habla español.

Insert photo of Valerie Bereman, SPAN Manager.

 

Egg-Citement and mermaids at Ventura Harbor Village

Mermaids have been spotted seaside at Ventura Harbor Village. Photo by Dan Harding

Hop on over for family fun at Ventura Harbor’s Cottontail Day Festival, Saturday, March 19th from 10 AM – 3 PM, featuring egg hunts, petting zoo, kid’s crafts, and children’s entertainment; all geared towards families with kids ages 1 – 7 years old.

The Cottontail Day festivities give children a chance to take a photo or grab a hug with the Cottontail Bunny.  Children ages 1 –7 can join in the $2 Egg Hunt held every 15-30 minutes from  11 AM – 2 PM (includes free coloring book while supplies last).  Kids that find a “Golden Egg” will happily hop away with extra prizes.  A Village Scavenger Hunt offers clues leading guests to a Hoppy Surprise!  More family fun activities include:  pony rides, petting zoo, henna and glitter tattoos, face painting, tumbling fun

Come early and enjoy breakfast or lunch at one of the many harbor-view restaurants, and visit Harbor Village boutiques for unique gift items.  Stop by the Village Arcade and play a fun family game or explore sea-life on a Harbor cruise or pedal boat rental with the family.   Need an extra treat for Easter baskets?  Take home delicious homemade fudge, French pastries, or waffle cone gift certificates.

On Sunday, March 27th  from Noon – 3 PM the Harbor Is Hopping with Easter brunches, Cottontail Bunny, free kids’ crafts, Village Arcade & Carousel, boutique shops, and live Dixieland Jazz band, “Main Street Jazz” at the Village Carousel Stage.

In March mermaids have been spotted seaside at Ventura Harbor Village. From nautical finds to coastal décor, fashion and artwork inspired by the sea, Ventura Harbor Village pays homage to the mermaid in all of us to celebrate seaside with Mermaid Madness!

A colorful Mermaid People’s Parade will kick off the month long festivities on Sunday, March 6 at 1 pm at the Fisherman’ s Memorial , followed by a Ukulele Jam at the Ventura Harbor Village Carousel Stage.

Mermaid  Meet & Greets Sunday, March 6, 13, 20 from 1-4 pm, complimented with special sales, classes and culinary delights through the month.

Sip on a Blue Mermaid Margarita or savor a Seafood Scramble at the Boatyard Café or homemade Seafood Crepes on special for month of March at Le Petit Café.  For a sweet treat taste the Sea Monster Oreo Shake or Mermaid Dream Sundae at Coastal Cone Ice Cream this March, or mermaid-inspired spun cotton candy at Village Carousel & Arcade on weekends. Beautiful jewelry, coastal finds for kids and adults are found throughout the locally owned boutiques and galleries at Ventura Harbor Village.

March features various classes and art activities as well, such as Tina O’ Brien Gallery & Studio Mermaid Painting or Drawing Demo every Wednesday and Friday in March from noon-2pm or adult coloring days and kids’ crafts, and Sunday, March 13th  from 6-8pm attend a Mermaid Paint Party at The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood hosted by The December Store and More (Reservations and fee apply).

For a listing of full details and to learn more, visit Venturaharborvillage.com with updates added regularly.

 

Amazing John Funk Turns 100

John and Gloria enjoying John’s golden birthday.

By Jody Fickes Shapiro

Turning 100 is definitely a big deal…and still playing bridge besides.  Well, that is downright impressive. To celebrate both amazing achievements, John Funk invited the entire membership of his bridge group and their spouses to join him for a catered supper at the Ventura Marina Mobilehome Park.

John was born on February 2, 1916, on Staten Island, N. Y. Europe was already at war , but General Pershing, who in 1917 led the American’s into battle overseas, was in Mexico in hot pursuit of  Pancho Villa.  Montanan Jeanette Rankin was the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress, and a first class letter stamp was 2 cents.

John’s family expected he would eventually join the family’s publishing business.  After all, his father was editor-in-chief of the Funk and Wagnell’s dictionary division.  John and his five siblings spent many hours at spelling practice.  He continues to be a stickler when it comes to correct English. His friends say he is unbeatable at Scrabble.

In spite of the family’s expectations that he become a reference book publisher, he avoided college for five years working at a variety of odd jobs until he finally enrolled at The University of Michigan. In 1942, he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and married his beautiful wife, Jean whom he met as she sat with friends at a bridge table.  When he graduated, the country was again at war.

John joined the Army Air Corps, and remained in the military for 27 years.  During World War II, he served as pilot and engineering officer on the DC-3, B-17, B-29, and B-24 aircraft.  Although a knee injury prevented him from seeing combat, he accrued over 5,000 hours of flight time, serving in the U.S. and England.  During the Vietnam War, he alternated between there and The Philippines as Commander of the 1867th Facilities Checking Squadron.

Following his Air Force retirement, Major John returned to engineering.  In 1979, upon retirement from The County of San Bernadino, he and Jean, with whom he had raised four children, discovered the Ventura Marina Mobile Home Park.

John, a bridge Life Master, was taught the game by his parents.  John and his wife Jean played social bridge and tried duplicate when was at the Air Force Station in Newark, Ohio, but Jean preferred social bridge.  John, however, continued to play wherever he was.

In the early 1980’s John met Mike Gaddis at the mobile home park and introduced him to duplicate and they have been Sunday partners ever since.

When John’s wife passed away, in 1991, he continued to play duplicate.  One day up at a game in Ojai, he met another lovely lady, Gloria Lemmo, who had taught pharmacy at Ventura College. They married in 1994 and spent many years travelling the world, finding a bridge game wherever they could.

When asked by a reporter what makes John happy, his response was, “I’m just happy to wake up in the morning.”

Tournament celebrating 85 years of golf in Ventura to be held April 1st

Buenaventura is an award-winning 18-hole golf facility.
Photo by Michael Gordon

Coinciding with the City of Ventura’s 150th year celebration, Buenaventura Golf Course will host a golf tournament in celebration of 85 years of golf in Ventura. The tournament will be held on Friday, April 1st, at 1:00 in the afternoon. Take a step back in time to the way golf used to be, with knickers and hickory sticks. A fun afternoon is planned and golfers are encouraged to dress in 1930’s golf attire. An award will be given to the best dressed as well as many other awards and prizes. Food and beverage will also be provided to all participants before and after the round. For more information and to register, please visit www.buenaventuragolf.com/85years.

“We are looking forward to a great day on the golf course in celebration of the long-standing history of golf in the city of Ventura.” said Carl-Van Vallier, General Manager of Buenaventura Golf Course.

Fans of the sport will most definitely enjoy this celebration of the course. Fans may also be interested in FanDuel’s fantasy golf to switch up the way they view the sport.

About Buenaventura Golf Course

Owned by the City of Ventura, and managed by KemperSports since 2010, Buenaventura is an award-winning 18-hole golf facility originally designed by William F. Bell and redesigned by Forrest Richardson. The parkland-style design of the 6,054-yard golf course incorporates mature trees, subtle undulations and rolling contours suitable for all playing abilities. Buenaventura has previously been rated 4 Stars by Golf Digest “Best Places to Play.” For more information visit www.buenaventuragolf.com

Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports builds, owns and manages golf courses, resorts, athletic clubs and lodging venues across the U.S., Caribbean and Central America. The company’s award-winning portfolio includes nationally-ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, named the No. 1 Golf Resort in North America by Golf Digest and GOLF magazine; The Glen Club; Desert Willow Golf Resort; Harbor Shores, site of the 2012 and 2014 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid; and Chambers Bay, host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open. For more information about KemperSports, please visit http://www.kempersports.com.

Ventura County Potters’ Guild First Annual March Mermaid Madness

Mesmerizing Mermaids . The month of March

Artist Demonstration March 12, 12 – 3 pm

Join the Potters’ Guild at the First Annual March Mermaid Madness. The mystical Mermaids have migrated to the Ventura Harbor Village for the month of March. So come celebrate the Mermaids at the Ventura County Potters’ Guild Gallery with 3 Featured Gallery members. Hannah French creates colorful and whimsical mermaids that will make you smile. Ellen Williams’ mermaids are delicate and shy while Genie Thomsen’s are playful raku fired sculptures. Raymond Harris adds to the collection with his taunting sirens on mugs

Saturday March 5th from 12-3pm, Artist Sandy Swanson will  demonstrate and display her mermaid plaques in front of the Pottery Gallery.

Sunday March 13th, the Gallery will provide ceramic mermaids and fish pendants for the children to color and take home between 1-3pm. (While supplies last.)  So come, children of all ages to see our mermaids and all the other beautiful pottery our talented artist create.

The VCPG Gallery is open daily from 11am-6pm.
Ventura County Potters’ Guild Gallery
Ventura Harbor Village
644-6800

 

Team VFD will be climbing to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Greek Restaurant will host a fundraiser for Team VFD

For the fourth year, Team VFD and the Ventura Fire Foundation will be participating in the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb. 14 members of Team VFD will be climbing the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle, Washington to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. All 14 members will have the grueling task of climbing 69 floors, 1356 steps, and 788 feet of vertical elevation in full firefighting safety equipment to bring awareness and raise money for this great cause.

This year, Team VFD has partnered with The Greek Restaurant in Ventura Harbor to host a fundraiser. The fundraiser will be Feb. 20,  from 12:00 to 3:00pm. Your $20 donation will include buffet style lunch, Greek dancers, silent auction, raffle prizes and a performance by the Ventura City Firefighters Pipes and Drums.

This year Team VFD will be climbing in honor of Shaloma McCay. Shaloma is a beautiful 10 year old girl who just finished her 8th round of chemo, which means if all of her tests come with good results, she only has one round left. She cannot wait to get her IV’s out so she can go swimming again. All proceeds from this event will go to support Shaloma and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Please come show your support for Team VFD and Shaloma. This great event will sell out quickly. Tickets will be sold at the door or Pre-sale tickets may be purchased at www.venturafirefoundation.com

 

Jeff Bridges at Discovery February 28

It’s the Dude!
By Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Ventura’s music community is not only comprised of talented artists, but the people who support live music are just as important to the scene.  When we lost Chris Pinger of the band Malice Thoughts, his friends quickly pulled together a fundraiser to help Pinger’s family with the cost of his funeral. The fundraising event will be held at Bombay’s on Saturday, February 20, with a silent auction and other ways to make a donation.  Bands on the bill include his former bandmates in Malice Thoughts, The Kane Gang, Grim, The NaVaNaX, and Civil Conflict.  Chris lost his life while being driven by a drunk driver, a somber reminder to all of us to not drink and drive, to not get in the car with someone else who has been drinking, and to think ahead about alternative ways of getting home safely.

You won’t want to miss an evening of music and conversation with Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges February 28 at Discovery.  Seriously, how can you pass up an evening with “The Dude” and in a bowling alley no less?

Jerry Vivino, the bandleader for the Conan O’Brien Show returns to the Squashed Grapes Saturday, February 20.

Saturday, February 27 at the Garage on the east end of town will play host to one rockin’ punk show featuring The Dickies with Ill Repute and Mothers of Dissension. You should remember the Dickies, “Stuck in a Pagoda with Tricia Toyota” and other quirky punk tunes.

If swing is your thing, then you’ll want to dress up and be a part of the Speakeasy Swing Dance with The Barrelhouse Wailers on Saturday, February 20 at the Ventura Beach Club. The event will kick off with swing dance lessons with Kim Clever and David Frutos at 8 pm and then the band follows 9 to midnight.

Dan Grimm’s song, “Peachy Keen” was played on the “New Girl” show staring Zooey Deschanel this month.

Joy Burnworth who has been playing a number of gigs here in Ventura the past few months including one at Grapes and Hops recently received the fantastic news that she’s the new lead singer for Jefferson Starship starting initially as a first sub for Cathy Richerdson who had apparently quit the band last year.

Congratulations to Ventura County Blues Society’s Delgado Brothers for winning the Memphis challenge.  The band took the top prize this past month beating out 250 other bands from all over the world.  Last year our very own Crooked Eye Tommy made it to the semifinals.

And speaking of Crooked Eye Tommy, the newest episode of Ventura Rocks on CAPS Media is now airing featuring Crooked Eye Tommy. There’s a link to the show on VenturaRocks.com as well as being on the schedule this month on CAPS Media.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing?  Send all information short or long to  [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.