Category Archives: News and Notes

Betsy Blanchard Chess elected to board of directors

Betsy Chess has received a number of awards.

The Limoneira Company has announced that Betsy Blanchard Chess has been elected to the Company’s Board of Directors.

Chess is currently the Director of Development, Museum of Ventura County. Prior to this, she was the Editor and Publisher of Central Coast Farm and Ranch Magazine and the Executive Director of the New West Symphony.

She has received a number of awards including the 2014 Volunteer of the Year for Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the 2014 Ventura County Star 25 over 50, and an Art Star in Education award from the Ventura County Arts Council. She is a decedent of Nathan Blanchard, one of Limoneira’s founders.

She received her Master’s Degree in European History from The University of Southern California.

“We are honored to have Betsy join the Limoneira Board of Directors” said Gordon Kimball, Chairman. “She has strong core values and a real passion for Limoneira, its history and its culture. She brings a fresh new perspective to the board, and I am looking forward to working with her in the coming years.”

“This storied Company has become an agricultural powerhouse, and I’m thrilled to join the board” said Chess. “Limoneira has an exciting future, and I look forward to making a contribution”.

Limoneira Company, a 124-year-old international agribusiness headquartered in Santa Paula.

The Company is a leading producer of lemons, avocados, oranges, specialty citrus and other crops. For more about Limoneira Company, visit www.limoneira.com.

Media Contact: Limoneira Company John Chamberlain 805-525-5541 x1056
[email protected] or
Investor Contact:
ICR
John Mills Partner
646-277-1254

Mike Evans selected as new Facilities and Risk Manager for Channel Islands YMCA

stuff-ymcaChannel Islands YMCA Association has announced Mike Evans as their new Facilities and Risk Manager. Evans has been certified as a YMCA Team Leader, and was recognized as the Channel Islands YMCA Rookie Director of the Year in 2013.

In 2011, he joined the Channel Islands YMCA as the Director of Facilities at the Ventura Family YMCA.  Evans lives in Ventura with his wife, Denise. Evans attended Ventura College, Oxnard College and Allan Hancock College and studied Fire Science. He is California Firefighter 1 Certified.

 

Suz Montgomery on breast cancer

Suz Montgomery demonstrates strength and determination in a Wonder Woman T-shirt given by her grandchildren.

by Lori Harasta, Community Relations Associate for Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association

“I’m grateful for the experience of having cancer. It has given me a better quality of life by defining me and what I’m here on this earth to do.”

For the past two years, Suz Montgomery has been fighting her third recurrence of breast cancer. Treatment included a double mastectomy, extensive chemotherapy and radiation.

She had a mammogram about six months prior to finding that a lump that was growing. She insisted on having another mammogram, even though it meant paying for it out-of-pocket. The results showed a mass. She requested an ultra sound and went into high gear to assemble her cancer team. Within two weeks, she underwent surgery.

The radiation burned her skin and made her hair fall out. Rather than hide her baldness with a wig or hat, she sported it proudly (I would say beautifully!) and used it as a teaching tool for the curious. One was a young boy with his mother at the grocery store. The Pre-K kid stared at her hairless crown as they wandered the aisles. Finally, Suz crouched down and spoke softly to the boy, “This is what happens when you don’t eat your carrots.” His mother chimed in, “Or your peas!”

Her hair has since grown back, but she’s had other complications. It was the chemo that weakened her vertebrae, causing two of them to fracture. She has neuropathy and severe back pain for which she continues to receive treatment. Many people experience severe pain after having issues with their back and spinal area but there are lots of treatment options available to help ease the pain. Some may choose to smoke some cannabis (such as this black diamond strain) and others may simply take pain killers. The important thing is finding a way to ease the pain.

“Chemo was the most rigorous challenge of my life. It’s hard to get my energy back, even though I work out daily.” She says going to the gym helps mitigate some of the pain.

Suz rises at 4 am to start her day. “I’m determined to leave this earth better than I found it. I need to pack as much as I can into every day.” Her fitness and feistiness belie the fatigue and pain she feels constantly. She looks about 20 years younger than her chronological age. She’s got a strong and stubborn outlook on life and squeezes more into a day than most can imagine.

A passionate lover of life who seeks justice for the downtrodden and underserved, one of Suz’ current causes is to ensure the growing elderly population of Ventura has adequate services and resources to live their final chapters comfortably.

She is the Resource Coordinator of ENCORE at Ventura Continuing Adult Education, Chair of the Ventura Council for Seniors, Vice-Chair of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, Ventura County District Liaison for AARP, Ventura County representative of State Senator Hannah Beth Jackson’s Senior Legislative Board and many more commissions and committees.

Even though she’s in pain 24/7, Suz says she and cancer are friends. “Because of cancer, I’m grateful for every day I’m alive, and for the love and support of wonderful friends, family and the Ventura community (which I consider my family). Because of cancer, I’m even more determined and fearless. I know I have a mission and that God is not done with me yet.”

If you had the chance to circumnavigate the globe in a hand-built plane, would you?

Ryan Shields  meeting an employee of S7 Airlines when he stopped for fuel in Novosibirsk, Russia .

by Jenny Guy

With the start of 2016, Ventura resident Ryan Shields was faced with this question. And, while the business owner and father of four had reservations about departing from all that he knew to be part of a journey that covered two oceans, three continents, nine countries and 21 cities, his wife simply said, “You’d be stupid not to.”

Shields first began flying in his twenties in Mammoth Lakes, California. He studied at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and joined the Peace Corps after graduating, where he was stationed in El Salvador. During this time, he developed a love of travel –– venturing through much of Central and South America. Returning stateside, almost two decades ago, Shields married and founded a telecommunications company, placing its headquarters in Ventura, California.

When his business expanded, opening offices in Los Angeles and other locations in the Western United States, Shields decided an airplane was a logical solution to his frequent travel between corporate divisions. He chose the six-seater Epic LT, “a Tesla of the skies,” for its carbon-fiber technology and high-performance handling.

As an experienced pilot and dedicated customer, Shields was offered the opportunity to test the full capabilities of his state-of-the-art aircraft as a participant of the Epic Odyssey World Tour. This inaugural trip was hosted by Oregon-based aviation company Epic Aircraft, which specializes in the design and manufacture of all composite, single-engine turboprop airplanes, like Shields’ Epic LT.

With his family’s encouragement and all lights glowing green, Shields embarked on the first-of-its-kind Epic journey in July 2016. The trip consisted of six Epic aircraft and their owners, including Epic CEO Doug King –– accompanied by professional pilots, staff members and a documentary film crew. Epic and its team of international aviation partners scheduled the logistics of this world tour, and sponsors of the journey included Pratt & Whitney Canada, Garmin, Hartzell, Jeppesen, Spidertracks, Globalstar, and GoPro.

The itinerary spanned 21 days, beginning in Wisconsin and traveling to Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, England, Italy, the Czech Republic and Russia. Coordinating prior commitments to go on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, Shields joined the 26-person travel party on the ninth day of the expedition in Prague. The trip ended with a finale in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where participants celebrated their victory at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) conference, AirVenture 2016.

“The longest flight leg spanned from Magadan, Siberia, to Nome, Alaska, totaling more than 1,200 nautical miles,” said Shields. “It really is a testament to Epic’s craftsmanship that all six aircrafts made the entire length of the trip without any major mechanical issues.”

The complete Epic Odyssey World Tour covered 16,405 nautical miles, lasting 51.5 flight hours and achieving an average ground speed of 318.5 knots. Shields, who houses his Epic at Oxnard Airport, explained that he came back from the trip with a new respect for the United States’ airspace and a better understanding of the broader world.

“I found myself in Moscow’s Red Square, and I couldn’t help but think of my time in Washington, D.C., with my family several months earlier at the Blossom Kite Festival,” said Shields. “There are significant similarities between all cultures, and this trip really helped to dispel a lot of geopolitical myths.”

With all 26 voices shouting “success” at the journey’s completion, Epic is currently planning its next world adventure. For more information, please visit www.epicaircraft.com.

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

Sandra Laby will never be forgotten

Laby (78), died on September 24, 2016 at 8:05pm. She was in the company of her husband Jordan and two sons Phillip and Todd. Her passing was peaceful and short. Being the fighter she has always been, she outlived all predictions, over and over again. The family is grateful that she is no longer suffering.”

Sandra  died at home from pancreatic cancer after a very short battle with illness.

Donna Granata, Executive Director of Focus on the Masters said, “The sad news has arrived. Our community has lost one of its brightest lights. Sandra Laby’s life was a beautiful life well spent. Her devotion to the arts will have a lasting impact for generations to come. Rest in peace dear friend. My love is with you Jordan, Todd, Phillip and your families.”

Sandra was born on October 10, 1937 in Brooklyn. In 1947 she moved to Los Angeles with her family and later attended Fairfax High School in West Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College and Cal State Los Angeles.

Sandra married Jordan Laby at Factors Hall in Los Angeles in 1960 and remained married for 56 years until her passing. In 1979, Jordan and Sandra Laby moved to Ventura after falling in love with Ventura’s beauty and arts. They made it their mission to unearth the artistic talents in Ventura which they did over and over again.

Sandra loved to dance and performed Flamenco, ballroom and other types of dancing in shows as a hobby.

The way Sandra saw it – art and life are intertwined.  A local visionary, Sandra Laby helped keep that gift alive in Ventura through many gifts, and her time to the arts.

When asked what she liked most about living in Ventura, Sandra said, “It is all about the people, the location and the weather.  It is such a relaxed place to live and raise a family.  People are kind and caring and it gives one the feeling of a very small town.  Every day I get to watch the ocean, the birds and the boats.  That is not a bad way to live. The weather is balmy and sometimes very moody and exciting. I like it all.”.

In 2015 Johanna Spinks painted the portrait of Sandra Laby for The Face of Ventura series appearing on the Ventura Breeze. In remembering Sandra, artist Johanna Spinks said “Sandra sat for The Face of Ventura and just had an effervescence to her spirit and personality that I enjoyed being around. When her gaze was on you, when she pulled you in for a photo op, with her arm protectively around you, you felt so blessed. When she talked directly to you, about art and life, how she met Jordan, you felt like the luckiest gal in the room.”
In 2015 Johanna Spinks painted the portrait of Sandra Laby for The Face of Ventura series appearing on the Ventura Breeze. In remembering Sandra, artist Johanna Spinks said “Sandra sat for The Face of Ventura and just had an effervescence to her spirit and personality that I enjoyed being around. When her gaze was on you, when she pulled you in for a photo op, with her arm protectively around you, you felt so blessed. When she talked directly to you, about art and life, how she met Jordan, you felt like the luckiest gal in the room.”

Here are just a very few of her – and Jordan’s – incredible accomplishments:

  • One of the ladies of the Rubicon’s “Hot Dames 2010 Calendar
  • President of the National Council of Jewish Women Ventura County
  • Honored for serving on the first foundation board of the California State University Channel Islands.
  • Jewish Federation “Woman of Valor”
  • Honored as the Mayors Arts Award,
  • Ventura Music Festivals First Founders Award,
  • Ventura Interfaith Ministerial Award as “Woman of Vision”
  • Ventura Chamber of Commerce “Shining Stars”
  • Ventura County Ballet Company “Partner in Dance Award”
  • Oxnard Salsa Dance Contest Winner where she raised the most money for “Music in the Schools with Nuvi Mehta” in association with the Ventura Music Festival.
  • Helped start the new “Harmony Project of Ventura County”
  • Supported key cultural venues like Rubicon Theatre Company, Ventura Music Festival, the bi-annual Arts Forum for City Council Candidates, and Focus on the Master Learning to See Series in the Ventura Schools, Working Artists Ventura WAV,  California International Theatre Festival, Bell Arts Factory and the New West Symphony
  • Was active as a board member and/or advisor of organizations such as the Ojai Music Festival, Ventura County Ballet, Ventura  College Orchestra, ART City and Camerata Pacifica. Also supported the Ventura Film Society, Jewish Federation of Ventura County, Jewish Family Services, and FOOD Share.
  • Founding member of the Ventura Botanical Gardens
  • The San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts, which she and Jordan, founded in 1999.
  • Sandra and Jordan gave scholarships through the “Phoenix Program” at the Ventura College Foundation.
  • Museum of Ventura County an “Evening Of Note Celebrity Dinner” was held by the Ventura Music Festival honoring Sandra and Jordan Laby for their unending contributions to the arts in Ventura County and specifically in Ventura.
  • Harmony Project of Ventura County Celebration Lunch “For The Love of Children, Community and Music” was held at the Marriott Ventura Beach. The lunch was presented by the New West Symphony League to award Sandra and Jordan Laby the 2016 Humanitarian Award of the Harmony Project.
Sandra was a philanthropist, dancer, art collector, wife, mother, and grandmother.
Sandra was a philanthropist, dancer, art collector, wife, mother, and grandmother.

When presenting the Laby’s with the 2016 Humanitarian Award, Peter Goldenring, a funding sponsor of the Harmony Project, stated, “We are all here honoring Jordan and Sandy for being bright lights and leaders in philanthropy and for making a huge difference in people’s lives. Some would call what Jordan and Sandy do quiet acts of generosity. When done they never know whether or not it will change a life, be something big or be small. It doesn’t matter.”

Remembering Sandra Ventura City Councilmember Cheryl Heittman said “Sandra will be missed by our entire community but particularly the arts community. She contributed her time, talent and treasure to all the arts in Ventura.  My favorite memory is her winning the Oxnard Salsa Festival contest.  Dancing and the arts were her passion and she has left our community a better place.”

Karyl Lynn Burns, Rubicon Theatre first met Sandra Laby more than twenty years ago. “I spoke to her on the phone my first day in Ventura as Executive Director of the fledgling Ventura Chamber Music Festival. The next day we met for lunch. She was a beacon of light – a force of nature – a beautiful bundle of passion and energy and enthusiasm. We met at Café Zack for lunch and stayed until the dinner dishes were done and they were ready to turn out the lights. In that 10-hour span of time, we had a new administrative and fundraising plan for the Festival; and I had a best friend, mentor and second mother (later a second father, too, in Jordan). Four years later, when my husband returned from the National Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and we were ready to start Rubicon Theatre Company, Sandra and Jordan Laby provided seed funding so we could secure rights for the first show.”

“I know there are so many other arts dreamers in Ventura County with similar stories. She was always there at the beginning of the movement – leading the charge for the best and biggest and boldest idea.”

“Sandra and Jordan Laby have forever transformed Ventura County and the City of Ventura. In addition to her beloved sons Phillip and Todd and their wives and children, Sandra’s legacy is a vibrant, unique and special arts community.”

“Sandra Laby has forever changed and enriched my life. I miss her already and am sad beyond measure and beyond words. But I take some comfort knowing that she will be a part of every act, though and decision I make for the rest of my life. And, in the words of Winnie the Pooh, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?”

A funeral service was held at Temple Beth Torah, on Wednesday, September 28th at 10:30am. A private burial followed.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to New West Symphony Harmony Project. For more information, go to www.newwestsymphony.org.

 

Ventura City Fire personnel respond to trash truck on fire

On Sept.27, at 1:20pm Ventura City Fire personnel responded to a report of a trash truck on fire, parked in the street amidst a commercial district by County Square Dr & Thille St, The first arriving unit reported smoke and flames visible from the rear cargo area of the trash truck. It took two engines and one support company 60 minutes to completely extinguish and overhaul the fire, which required that the contents be dumped out of the truck and onto the street. The unloaded trash material was ultimately removed by the waste management company who owned the truck, and the street area was cleaned up.

 

 

Professor Scamp presidential pup rally at A Secret Garden Florist Café at 1pm Sunday, Sept. 18

On Sunday, September 18, there will be a pup rally at A Secret Garden Florist Café (981 E. Main, Ventura) at 1pm to officially announce the candidacy for president of Professor Scamp PhD (Pretty happy Dog).

The public is encouraged to attend to support Scamp’s run for the Oval Office. Attendees are welcome to bring their dogs, and can buy some pupcakes at the cafe. The barking lot is small so bark in the street. Scamp will be handing out pawtographs.

Back in session

CAPS Media students in the field.
CAPS Media students in the field.

by Elizabeth Rodeno

September seems like the beginning of the year for those of us in the educational world. Students from a variety of schools and adults of all ages are passing through our doors. Our monthly HD Camera classes fill up quickly. With his breadth of knowledge, Evan shares the simplicity and secrets of the Panasonic HMC 150 HD cameras. Gary enjoys showing the finer points of editing as well as giving a great introduction to Final Cut X on the latest macs. Studio classes are helmed by Phil who teaches students how to put together a studio show. The studio has been quite busy these days, often with bookings back to back throughout the week. The members are loving it and tell us what a great resource the community has at CAPS Media. Get certified to access our cameras, 6 edit stations and the full 3 camera production studio with green screen.

El Camino and Foothill High School students are volunteering on a variety of programs providing them with technical and artistic experience, community service hours and a whole lot of fun. You’ll be seeing them at various Candidate election forums throughout the city. They also work with us on studio productions and have become skilled at sharing their knowledge with newbies. The El Camino students continue to enjoy and add to the creative energy at CAPS Media as they begin Season 2 of the award winning ECTV. They have been developing ideas over the Summer and have more than enough to last beyond the school year. We all look forward to seeing the shows come together. You’ll be able to view them online, streaming and on the website, and on channel 15. Go to the video page on our website today to view last years’ shows.

Between the Election candidate forums, informational programs about the propositions on November’s ballot and our Video Voter 2016, you’ll get information to help you make decisions come November 8.  The shows begin airing in September on CAPS channel 6 and streaming on the web at CAPSMedia.org. Check the website for dates and times.

We are all over the web so check out social media pages including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube. View it all on our frequently updated website. A yearly membership at CAPS is only $25, a best bargain for media fans, students and organizations to share your story.  Go to www.capsmedia.org or call 658-0500 for more information.