by Jill Forman

Update from Dolly Knight, Ventura Senior City Librarian

As of the end of September, the majority of events are still virtual. Some are transitioning to outdoor venues at the libraries. The Foster Ukulele Jam is meeting out in front of the library, to the great joy of passers-by. Storytimes at Hill Road will be moving out to the patio. Hill Road’s book club will also meet on the patio.

Always, check with your branch as things change!

One County, One Book (from library press release)

The Ventura County Library is proud to announce its fourth annual One County, One Book community reading program in October. One County, One Book aims to unite the Ventura County community around a common narrative, spreading interest in and facilitating discussions about the selected book. This year’s One County, One Book selection is Your House Will Pay by Steph Cha; per its official web site, the book is “A powerful and taut novel about racial tensions in L. A., following two families—one Korean-American, one African-American—grappling with the effects of a decades-old crime.” It is also based on a real event.
I have read this book and found it mesmerizing.

Book Author talk and Q&A will take place virtually via Zoom at 2pm on October 30, 2021. A Faculty Panel Discussion presented by California Lutheran University, will be at 6pm on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. Be sure to register for these events (information below.)

To participate in One County, One Book, pick up a copy of Your House Will Pay from one of our 12 library branches or our Mobile Library. In addition to our regular holdings, beginning in September each library will have an Honor Book Shelf set up with additional copies. You can take one of these special copies to read and return it when you are done—or pass it on to a friend. You can even donate a new copy for others!

Once you have read the book you will be ready for our October events. Visit our website at www.vencolibrary.org/library-events for more information as programs are scheduled.
All events associated with One County, One Book are free and open to the public.

Note from Online Bookstore Manager Leslie Bellmore

If you can’t find what you are looking for at Ventura Friends of the Library’s Foster Bookstore, try our Online Bookstore at venturafriendsofthelibrary.org! The Online Bookstore began during the closures as a way to get good books out to those of you who needed them, but now that things are open again volunteers are finding it is a great way to offer materials that don’t fit at Foster Bookstore.  You will now find Graphic Novels, Comic Books, and Vintage book selections online!  Of course, you will still also find great quality reading selections in both fiction and non-fiction for youth and adults, puzzles and audiobooks as well. Just order and pick up at Foster in as little as two days.

by Richard Senate

HUTASH . Perhaps the first holiday was celebrated by the Chumash people, perhaps well over a thousand years ago. The Chumash had a very accurate calendar, and this harvest festival was celebrated on the 29th of September. It was the most important holiday of the Native Chumash people. It was a time of feasting and special dances with each of the brotherhood performing important religious dances. They would decorate and set up special feather poles, decorated with multicolored birds’ feathers. Between the two a line flew elaborate feather banger flow to the music and chanting. It was a time of games and song. The Spanish who came saw all of the Natives celebrating and, looking at their calendar’s and they saw that September 29th happens to fall on San Miguel Day, September 29th. So, the Spanish held their own events on that day too.

SAN MIGUEL DAY, Celebrates St. Michael the archangel who defeated Satan. This holiday had processions that went from the old Mission church to the chapel of San Miguel that once stood on the corner of Palm and Thompson streets, in Ventura. It started with a high Mass and went into that sport beloved by European and Chumash alike—horse racing (Many of the best jockeys were Chumash). They would line up along what is today Thompson and race in a straight away race. The betting was fast and furious and legends say whole ranchos could change ownership on the outcome of one race. It was also a time of feasting and, after sundown, large fandango was held. Later they added bullfighting to the day’s afternoon activities. They would fence off Main Street and the matadors would face the bull as locals watched. These were not true bullfights for, because bulls were expensive, they were never killed. The Yankees came and saw all the Latino people having fun and they set the start of the County Fair at September 29—that was done was for many years.

JUDAS DAY Good Friday, evening. This is perhaps the strangest holiday celebrated at the old Missions. On Holy Week, a wicker statue of Judas Iscariot was hung on a gibbet in front of the church and members of the congregation were encouraged to beat the image with a stick. The statue was stuffed full of fireworks. That night it would be set on fire and when the flames hit the fireworks it would go out in an explosion of rockets and bombs. This started Judas night when the spirit of Judas was released from Hell to walk the land and cause people to do sinful things like drink, party, and have a good time. It was not your fault—Judas made me do it. People played tricks and did pranks, a bit like our April Fools Day. One of the things people did was steal things—embarrassing things like underwear and such. When morning came Judas was returned to the underworld. The the revelers, now sober, would place all the items they took on the steps of the Old Mission where a crowd gathered to watch people collect their things to many rude comments and laughter. It was a bit of fun in the middle of Holy Week.

Maybe one of these holidays should be brought back and enjoyed today, well, maybe not Judas Day.

The Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program recognized 16 global shipping companies for reducing speeds to 10 knots or less in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Southern California Region in 2020.

The voluntary program is an initiative to cut air pollution, protect endangered whales, and reduce underwater noise. The 2020 program ran from May 15, 2020 through November 15, 2020.

Three award tiers and financial incentives recognize participating companies, based on the percent of distance their fleet traveled through the Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) zones at speeds of 10 knots or less. Credit was only given if the average speed of a transit through an entire VSR Zone did not exceed 12 knots.

“We are delighted to be able to set an industry example by voluntarily reducing vessel speeds in areas where endangered whale species regularly feed, helping us improve the way we do business, while continuing to deeply care for our environment,” said Stanley Kwiaton, MSC General Manager of Port Operations – West Coast.

MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, Yang Ming, and MOL ACE notably achieved the Sapphire tier in the large company category (greater than 30 transits) by slowing down more than 800 transits, combined. Swire Shipping achieved the Sapphire tier in the small company category (less than 30 transits). For their outstanding commitment, all five of these companies earned the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Whale Tail award.

“Biodiversity is an integral part of our sustainability strategy,” said Wolfram Guntermann, Director Regulatory Affairs & Sustainability at Hapag-Lloyd, calling the program a “remarkable initiative.”

Seven companies – COSCO Shipping Lines, Evergreen, GALI, “K” Line, Maersk, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, and Swire Shipping – generously declined their financial incentive payment. Those funds will be reinvested in the 2021 program.

The 10-knot target follows the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) and the United States Coast Guard’s request for all vessels (300 gross tons or larger) to slow down during the months of peak blue, humpback, and fin whale abundance to protect these endangered whales from deadly ship strikes.

Ship strikes continue to be a global threat to all large whale populations. Reducing fatal ship strikes is a major priority of NOAA’s, especially in NOAA’s West Coast national marine sanctuaries.

“One of Yang Ming’s priorities has been promoting the sustainability of the ocean and coastal environments,” said Leo Chiang, Vice President of Marine Operations. “That is why we take immense pride in being a volunteer in the Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program.”

Ocean-going vessels transiting the California coast generate nitrogen oxides (NOx, a precursor to smog), sulfur oxides (SOx), particle pollution, and greenhouse gases. These vessels account for more than 200 tons of NOx per day emitted off the coast of California, which affects ozone levels onshore in many regions of the state.

The VSR incentive program has expanded in scope and environmental benefits each year, including 2020, which marked the sixth year. The 2021 program began on May 15, 2021, and runs through November 15, 2021. Eighteen companies are currently enrolled in the 2021 program.

The Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program is a collaborative effort by Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District; Ventura County Air Pollution Control District; Bay Area Air Quality Management District; Channel Islands, Greater Farallones, and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries; The Volgenau Foundation; California Marine Sanctuary Foundation; Greater Farallones Association; National Marine Sanctuary Foundation; and Environmental Defense Center.

For more information about the program, visit www.bluewhalesblueskies.org or www.ourair.org/air-pollution-marine-shipping.

Note: To get a close up view of the local whales (and dolphins) check out the Island Packers Cruises at islandpackers.com

Betsy Blanchard Chess will speak about the history of agriculture in Ventura County and her new book, “Daughter of the Land.” Ms. Chess is fourth generation farming and ranching in the county. Her family started and still operates Limoneira, one of the leading distributors of lemons, avocados, and other produce throughout America and internationally. Ms. Chess is a longtime champion and friend of Ventura County agriculture.

The event will be at the Foster Library in on Sunday, October 24, and presented by the Friends of the Library. There will be a display of historical pictures and artifacts featured in the book. Ms. Chess begins speaking at 1:45 for twenty minutes, and then a Q&A will follow. Learn about the state of Foster Library during the Pandemic and how it continues to serve the community. This is a free event. Ms. Chess will have copies of the book for sale.

In “Daughter of the Land,” Betsy Chess presents captivating vignettes of her many relatives and their impact on Santa Paula and the verdant Santa Clara Valley of Ventura County. She provides insight into marginalized communities that for 125 years have constituted the majority of the workforce for the citrus capital of the world. Daughter of the Land sweeps readers through almost 200 years of a family’s history yet is grounded in hard work and delight of life on the ranch. It presents a unique view, in words and pictures, of a way of living that no longer exists.

For more information about the book, visit BetsyChess.com.

The Foundation of VCCU, a philanthropic nonprofit organization established by Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU), gave a total of $40,000 in grants to 10 local nonprofit organizations to support their efforts on behalf of the community.

“Each of these nonprofits is doing incredible work to support the Ventura County community,” said The Foundation’s board president, Alma Medina. “They are making a meaningful difference every day in so many vital causes, and we are honored to contribute to their efforts.”

Among the grant recipients were the Ventura County Family Justice Center, Students for Eco-Education & Agriculture, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, Mercy House Living Centers, Moorpark College Foundation, Health Care Foundation for Ventura County, No Limits Theatre Group, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Turner Foundation, and Assistance League of Conejo Valley.

The Foundation honored the grant recipients at a virtual celebration held on Sept. 15. Representatives from all 10 nonprofits were in attendance.

Since its founding in 2015, The Foundation has provided a total of more than $200,000 in grants to support nonprofits serving the Ventura and Santa Barbara County communities. The Foundation’s giving focuses on the underserved, the beautification and preservation of the environment, and the health and well-being of the region.

For more information about VCCU and The Foundation, visit http://www.vccuonline.net.

To help students overcome the challenge of paying for college, Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus are holding free Cash 4 College workshops. Workshops are scheduled for Oct. 9 and Oct. 23, and will be in-person or by Zoom, depending on the campus. Students can drop in anytime during the workshops and attend any campus workshop.

Bilingual financial aid staff will assist students in completing applications for the 2022-2023 school-year FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). The workshops are free and open to the community; people may attend a workshop on either date and at any campus. Advance registration is preferred.

For more information, visit vcccd.edu/cash4college

Ventura College Oct. 9 9 a.m. – noon
In-person
Learning Resource Center
4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura
All attendees must wear a face mask and follow all COVID safety protocols.
For info: Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus Financial Aid Office
Phone: (805) 289-6369
Email: [email protected]

Ventura College East Campus Oct. 23 9 a.m. – noon
In-person
Ventura College East Campus
957 Faulkner Road, Unit 106, Santa Paula
All attendees must wear a face mask and follow all COVID safety protocols.
For info: Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus Financial Aid Office
Phone: (805) 289-6369
Email: [email protected]

I am the Executive Director of CAPS Media, or as we are officially known: Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura. 2021 marks the 21st anniversary of CAPS Media serving the city and public throughout Ventura. In honor of this momentous occasion I thought it would be appropriate and informative to share A Brief History of CAPS Media.

The CAPS Media saga starts in 2000 when a group of community minded citizens came together with a common goal: to create a media center for Ventura residents, to encourage civic engagement, provide access to information and a platform for expressing desires, ideas, and opinions. The collaboration evolved into the formation of a nonprofit corporation named Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura, more commonly known as CAPS Media.

The project utilized a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling that required cable operators to set aside certain stations for public, educational, or government use. As outlined in the FCC regulations, these PEG Channels, as they are called, provide citizens a vehicle for public discourse and, as such, provide First Amendment protections for those speakers.

“Public access channels are often the video equivalent of the speaker’s soap box or the electronic parallel to the printed leaflet.

They provide groups and individuals who generally have not had access to the electronic media with the opportunity to become sources of information in the electronic marketplace of ideas. PEG channels also contribute to an informed citizenry by bringing local schools into the home, and by showing the public local government at work.”

Establishing the nonprofit was only the first step. Fundamental to the effort was the goal to establish an independent broadcast homes for CAPS both in the community and on television. It took the determined founders more than five years to work out the agreements. In the end, a very innovative game plan was devised that combined resources from the City of Ventura, the Ventura County Community College District, and the two cable companies operating in Ventura: Avenue and Adelphia Cable (subsequently Charter, Time Warner, and Spectrum). The City provided partial funding, VCCCD contributed the land for the construction of a media center, and the cable companies added additional funding and most importantly, contributed two broadcast television channels on the lower band: Channel 6 and Channel 15. These low numbered channels were extremely valuable and coveted “electronic real estate” at the time.

In September 2005 the “partners” broke ground for a state-of-the-art media center at 65 Day Road on the east side of the Ventura College campus. Fifteen months later, after countless revisions, setbacks, compromises and adjustments the CAPS Media Center opened to the Ventura community on January 18, 2007.

As a membership-based organization, CAPS Media has grown dramatically since it was launched, continually responding to the ever-changing landscape of community interests, needs and technological innovations. CAPS Media Membership is open to anyone who lives, works or attends school in the city of Ventura. Membership is also available to any nonprofit within Ventura County that serves the city of Ventura, as well as anyone who is a member of a nonprofit organization in Ventura County. To find out how to become a member, go to capsmedia.org.

In the past 15 years CAPS Media has had more than 2500 active Member/Producers. During that time they have created thousands of hours of locally produced, informative and engaging programming, thereby enriching the lives of everyone in Ventura.

In 2017 CAPS Media added online streaming to the distribution vehicles in order to expand the reach of Channel 6 and Channel 15 to those who do not have cable television. In 2018 CAPS Media built an in-house, state-of-the-art, radio studio, launching KPPQ at 104.1fm. The station provides the community with another vehicle for personal and creative expression, as well as information and entertainment. In less than three years, the CAPS/KPPQ team has trained more than 100 local Member/Producer DJs and produced more than 600 hours of original music shows in the KPPQ studio.

Fundamental to CAPS Media’s service to the community is assisting the City government in reaching the community. This includes multiple services including coverage and distribution of all City Council and other departmental meetings. As an example of the extent of these services, during the past year, in the midst of the COVID-19 shutdown, CAPS Media covered more than 100 separate City meetings, totally nearly 500 hours of live broadcast and streaming. At the same time, CAPS Media crews produced more than 220 separate informational and educational videos for the City.

Providing creative production services to other government agencies in the city and county is also a priority for CAPS Media. These include multiple departments at the County of Ventura and the Ventura Unified School District. In 2020 CAPS crews produced more than 300 separate projects for the County ranging from short public service announcements (PSAs) to long-form committee meetings, press conferences, and departmental productions.

CAPS Media broadcasts and streams 24×7, 365 days a year on Channel 6 and Channel 15 and streaming on capsmedia.org. KPPQ is also continuously on the air at104.1FM and streaming at capsmedia.org and on the My Tuner app.

CAPS Media is guided and governed by a dedicated board of directors comprised of community members, including various CAPS Media Member/Producers and representatives from the City, County, Community College and VUSD. All of the board members share a strong personal interest in public, education and government programming as well as a passion for community service and freedom of speech.

Funding for CAPS Media comes from multiple sources including cable franchise fees paid to the city with a portion allocated to CAPS Media, plus membership fees, donations and revenue from non-city productions. It may be important to note that CAPS Media does not receive any funding from local City or County tax revenues.

It is a tremendous pleasure to be part of the CAPS Media staff – which is small in size but mighty in its commitment to service. The full time staff members are Elizabeth Rodeno, Donald McConnell, Evan Carpenter, Gary Roll, Jamie Cawelti and myself, with a strong crew of supporting independents: Manny Reynosa, Alex Uvari, Jorge Godinez and Phil Taggart. On average the full time staff members have each worked at CAPS Media for more than 12 years, which reflects the tremendous dedication to our Member/Producers, our community and our mission.

Year in and year out, CAPS Media continues to evolve and flourish providing thousands of hours of creative community service to Ventura. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the CAPS Media Center is closed to Member/Producers and the public until further notice. However, the CAPS Media staff and crews continue to provide vital services to the community. Despite closure, CAPS Member/Producers can submit programming via the online portal at capsmedia.org for broadcast and streaming on television and KPPQ.

I encourage and welcome everyone in Ventura to join the CAPS Media team as a Member/Producer, volunteer or donor. Help us fulfill our Vision to Engage, Educate and Entertain and to realize our Mission to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media.

Happy 21st Anniversary CAPS Media! Here’s to at least two more decades of community service in beautiful Ventura.

Patrick Davidson Executive Director CAPS Media

Mustang Marketing, Ventura County’s premier full-service marketing agency, has unveiled a new brand identity. The updated logo embodies the qualities that have made the company successful over the past three decades while also capturing its future.

“Since 1986, our clients have come to depend on our ability to infuse the right combination of seriousness, fun, strategy and creativity into marketing pieces, and this logo represents all of those traits,” said Mustang Marketing President Dianne McKay. “While staying true to what we’re known for, we’re also excited by what lies ahead, and this new identity clearly reflects that, too.”

The fresh logo has a clean and modern feel with a forward-facing arrow on the left to symbolize the future. The more dominant right portion — which, once compared to an angled party hat, could never be seen as anything else — underscores the company’s focus on marketing while at the same time suggesting fun and creativity.

After much color exploration, Mustang has also added a new hue to its palette. The company had wanted to include blue in its brand identity for some time and finally found the perfect bold blue to complement the purple that has always been Mustang’s primary color.

“This new branding really does reflect my vision for the company,” said McKay, who has been part of the Mustang team since 2010 and assumed ownership in 2020 after founder Scott Harris retired. “We have a strong foundation of helping our clients reach their goals, and we’re going to continue to do that for many years to come.”

Mustang has recently completed some high-visibility projects, including the new logo for the County of Ventura and its ongoing COVID-19 creative, as well as the rebranding for Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. Current clients include Community Memorial Health System, the City of Ventura, the City of Thousand Oaks, Conejo Valley Unified School District, Conejo Recreation and Park District, American Medical Response (Ventura, Santa Barbara and Yolo counties), Ventura County Credit Union, Casa Pacifica, The Collection at Riverpark, the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Ventura County, New Horizons, Pindler, Mission Linen Supply, PSSI Global Services, Warner Pacific, and Klein Products Inc.

Ventura County-based Mustang Marketing is a woman-owned full-service marketing, advertising and communications company that has served Southern California businesses since 1986. Mustang offers strategic planning, branding programs, print/electronic ad campaigns, social media campaigns, corporate identities, and public, community and government relations. Visit mustangmktg.com for more information.