Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Celebrating black composers in choral music

by Molly Kohler Pei, Channel Islands Choral Association

Channel Islands Choral Association (CICA) presents a Virtual Choral Experience, streaming On Demand from June 4th – 20th. Into the Light: Celebrating Black Composers in Choral Music features the CSU Channel Islands University Chorus and the Pleasant Valley School District Chorus. The program is hosted by CICA Artistic Director Dr. KuanFen Liu and President Dean Butler.

CICA continues its commitment to present choral literature and composers that represent diversity in genre, style, racial, ethnic, and cultural heritages. The event highlights non-idiomatic choral music of some of the most famous and influential Black composers that have too long been neglected in the Western tradition. The Virtual Choruses perform music by Bobby McFerrin, Undine Smith Moore, Mark Miller, Victor C. Johnson and Ysaÿe Barnwell.

CICA in partnership with CSU Channel Islands and Pleasant Valley School District aims to promote choral music that raises awareness and celebrates the diversities among us. Southern California is shaped by the remarkable contributions of its residents. The program pairs the music with examples of individuals and communities that showcase the rich diversity of Los Angeles.

The CSU Channel Islands University Chorus is composed of students, faculty and staff and community members. A highlight of the weekly Zoom rehearsals are the dedicated segments for a community circle in which the participants engage in subject matter related to the music and the theme of the program. Dr. Raquel Baker, Assistant Professor of English at CSU Channel Islands, facilitated a Two-Way Conversation about performing the music of Black composers as well as other provocative issues. Highlights of this unique exchange is a part of the virtual program. Viewers will enjoy the robust dialogue covering topics such as how to use choral music to create equality and how a community can advocate for Asian Americans during this time when there is an upsurge of anti-Asian violence. Inspired by the interchange of heartfelt comments and calls to action for social justice, the students in the chorus created a video poem performance piece in which each reflects on how to be a part of change.

Virtual performances are mastered by Arts Laureate, an elite recording team that sets up virtual performances for groups such as the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and NPR’s JazzSet at the Kennedy Center.

Tickets are $15. Proceeds benefit the Virtual Choir programs sponsored by CICA. Information for the On Demand event and ticket purchase is available at cicachoir.org.

Paris has the Eiffel Tower. Ventura has trees

Photos by Michael Gordon

by Visit Ventura

If you live in Ventura you know the Trees. Many still call them Two Trees, no matter that Trees come and go. They are simply called Two Trees because we are a town without pretension. Paris has The Eiffel Tower. New York has the Statue of Liberty. Sydney, the Opera House. San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge.

For Ventura, Trees are enough.

Like so many seemingly innocuous things, our Trees are fascinating. Some say they were planted as a beacon for seagoing ships, to aid captains in making Ventura landfall. It is said that on certain sailing charts you can still find the Hill of the Trees, marking Ventura. Either way, it is a nice story. Ships ferry romance, and in this day and age of Google Earth the thought of scanning the horizon for trees has a lovely charm.

The Trees’ real story is fascinating, too. In 1898 Joseph Sexton, a horticulturist of note, planted 13 Blue Gum Eucalyptus saplings atop the hill. It’s said he did this for the best of reasons; because he thought they would look nice. Mr. Sexton had an eye for beauty. He had good sense, too. He hired his neighbor Owen Marron to do the planting and subsequent caretaking. In 1898 it was a hellish business hauling water, by horseback and burro, up the steep hillside.

On again and off again, the Trees have been part of Ventura’s story. One year, for their senior prank, the seniors at Ventura High School moved an entire classroom of desks up to Two Trees. One must salute such creativity.

People are drawn to our Trees, though not everyone brings their desk. Our Trees have a hypnotic quality, a far-reaching siren call. Once, after the Trees skirted a fiery disaster, our local paper printed a letter from a woman immensely relieved that the Trees were still there. “I scan the horizon so avidly that my eyes are nearly popping out of their sockets until I finally sight my favorite view …” the woman wrote from her home in Florida.

Trees come and go. This piece was first written when there were indeed Two Trees. But, regardless of number, our Trees remain Ventura’s icon.

Because, regardless of number, their whisper is the same.

It is a special town where the icon dissolves with the sunset.

 

 

CAPS Media ECTV crew interviews Councilmember Lorrie Brown

ECTV in the studio with Lorie Brown.

Recently students at El Camino High School, known as the ECTV crew, produced an engaging and informative discussion with Ventura City Councilmember Lorrie Brown and Dr. Raquel Baker, Assistant Professor at Cal State Channel Islands.  The program is part of an ongoing series on Black Culture.  ECTV crew members attend school at El Camino High School and Ventura College.  El Camino is located on the college campus next to the CAPS Media Center.

The students sit in during the pre-interview meeting between Councilmember Brown and Dr. Baker. The ECTV crew handles the production and post production aspects of the show. After the interview there is an informal discussion on the set with Dr. Baker and Councilmember Brown, for feedback and questions from the students. So far, the show has featured Julius Sokenu, the President of Moorpark College, and Joelle Hannah, a Professor at Moorpark College. Lynne Thompson, the current Los Angeles Poet Laureate, is to be interviewed next.

The Baker-Brown interview was conducted in the CAPS Media Center Studio which was the first time in nearly 18 months that ECTV crews have been able to conduct in-studio interviews because of COVID-19 precautions.  Despite the restrictions, the resourceful ECTV students haven’t missed a beat and have continued producing informative and engaging programs throughout the pandemic.

ECTV (El Camino Television) is part of the Ventura Unified School District’s career pathways initiative.  Under the direction of media guru Phil Taggart, ECTV has evolved into an award-winning media education program.  In weekly immersive workshops students utilize the resources of the CAPS Media Center including cameras, editing equipment and the studio, and benefit from the media, journalism and storytelling expertise from Taggart and others on the CAPS staff.

ECTV Students work collaboratively to identify, write, produce, direct, record and edit projects of interest to themselves, the greater youth culture, and the community.  In the past few years ECTV crews have been recognized with numerous local, regional, and national awards for their innovative, thought provoking and informative productions.

In other CAPS Media news, in the coming weeks CAPS crews will cover, broadcast and live stream high school graduation ceremonies for Buena, El Camino, Foothill, Pacific, Ventura and VACE (Ventura Adult and Continuing Education) from multiple locations throughout the city. The specific dates and times can be found on the VUSD website – https://www.venturausd.org

Due to the COVID-19 emergency the CAPS Media Center is closed to Members and the public until further notice. CAPS is continuing to play it safe, follow sensible guidelines, and therefore will remain closed to the public for the near term. The CAPS goal is for the community to reach the benchmark of herd immunity before reopening (approx. 85% of the public being fully vaccinated). All of us at CAPS Media hope everyone stays Safe, Strong, Socially Distant and Healthy during these very challenging times.

First Responders for Mental Health during Mental Health Awareness month of May

Vista del Mar Hospital raise awareness in honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month.

by Carol Leish

Vista del Mar Hospital, in collaboration with the City of Port Hueneme and the Port Hueneme Police Department, have presented a countywide campaign to educate, fundraise, and raise awareness in honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month.

Dan Powell, MA, MFT, BCBA, CEO of Vista del Mar Hospital, said, “We are proud to be a part of this initiative to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and to bring meaning to mental health awareness. Those (clients) in need come to a psychiatric hospital in time of crisis, but often depart in a much better place where they can begin to feel hopeful for the future.”

“During May (Mental Health Awareness Month), the main focus is raising awareness,” according to, Maya Lazos, Community Liaison at Vista del Mar Hospital. “Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-24 in the state of California, and the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-45 in the United States. We want our community to participate in free trainings in order to be educated about the alarming statistics regarding mental illness and suicide. Since so many suffer from mental illness and lose their lives by suicide, we want to help our community to become educated on how to help people in crisis and to become aware of the resources that are available within Ventura County.”

“We have been concerned about our First Responders for Mental Health, since while they have valiantly been taking care of others, we wondered who was taking care of them. More first responders die by suicide than they do in the line of duty. Thus, we chose First Responders for Mental Health as the focus of our initiative,” according to Lazos.

“The countywide Mental Health Month Campaign,” according to Lazos, “has included free trainings for first responders, community members and coaches. Trainings have addressed youth suicide within the community and within their own profession, since more firefighters and police officers die from suicide than in the line of duty. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression rates among police officers are five times higher than it is in the general population. A Community Cares Webinar has focused on recovery, wellness, and hope. The Coaches Assistance Program has provided education to ensure that coaches recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide. The campaign also has featured leaders and elected officials showing their support and connection to raising awareness.”

Andrew Sallinas, the Cirty of Port Hueneme’s Chief of Police said, “It is essential that my officers and first responders know how important it is to get the help that they need. And, nearly 25% of all calls for service in the City of Port Hueneme involve someone suffering from mental illness.” Salinas is the Honorary Co-Cahir of this year’s National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) walk. He also emphasized that, “Most importantly, we want those who have a mental illness to know that they are not alone, especially during these times of physical distancing. We want to fight the stigma, educate the public, and to advocate for all people with mental illness and their families, too.”

“Many things have happened as a result of this campaign,” according to Lazos. “First, every law enforcement agency in the county has come together within the communities that they serve to raise awareness and funds. The county has come together for a collaborative PSA that is being shared by all agencies involved. The First Responders Team to date has raised $60,000 for NAM, Ventura County. Government agencies around the county have lit up their building with green lights in honor of Mental Health Awareness. And, most importantly, 4 lives have been saved, and many have reached out for help.”

Lazos said, “Other first responders in Ventura County who weren’t able to join this year in the first annual First Responders’ Event, are looking forward to joining next year. This annual event will pave the way for change.”

Coverly Professional Services, Inc. records double-digit growth, expands team with Social Media Specialist and full-time Account Strategist

Bobak Tarighi and Ikia Velazquez

Coverly Professional Services (CoverlyPro) continues its growth trajectory that began in 2020, recording almost 50% revenue growth in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same quarter last year. With this growth, the company announces the hiring of Social Media Specialist, Bobak Tarighi and the promotion of Ikia Velazquez to Account Strategist.

Bobak Tarighi joins the team with extensive knowledge and education in digital communications, and an extra flair for the luxury customer service experience. A recent graduate from University of Arizona, Tarighi’s Bachelor’s of Art in Communications with a minor in eSociety, positions him perfectly to contribute to the company’s client social media strategy, implementation, and growth. “I am passionate about unifying communities through social media and see great value in creating engaging content, with a focus on driving organic, successful interactions,” commented Tarighi. His responsibilities include managing client social media channels, providing creative input for best client social media outcomes, and following trends to keep CoverlyPro clients ahead of the social media curve.

Formerly CoverlyPro’s Digital Communications and Project Management Specialist, Ikia Velazquez has moved into a full-time role as an Account Strategist. In addition to leading the development and management of virtual events, Velazquez works directly with clients to proactively strategize client communications efforts, working with subject-matter experts on the CoverlyPro team to implement on those strategies. Velazquez also leads the social media team in all client social media programs.

“With 2020 being such a historically challenging year, and that’s an understatement, I feel so lucky that CoverlyPro has actually grown,” said Lynnette Coverly, Founder and CEO of Coverly Professional Services. “We closed out our 10th year in business last July and I was determined to start thinking bigger so that we could help more companies, especially nonprofits and women-owned businesses, to tell their stories through effective communications. I also began surrounding myself with a team smarter than me.” CoverlyPro now has five employees with plans to expand its team in the coming months. Anyone interested in joining this dynamic, friendly, marketing project management firm and who enjoys working virtually on a flexible schedule may reach out to [email protected].

Coverly Professional Services, Inc. – Founded in 2010 by Lynnette Coverly, Coverly Professional Services (CoverlyPro) is a full- service marketing and public relations project management firm based in Ventura, California. With a varied portfolio of clients, CoverlyPro’s focus is creating and implementing branding and marketing strategies for the “service” industry from veterinary practices to in-home service companies, professional services, non-profits, and more. Leveraging its Three-Tiered Approach, the firm’s turnkey services include brand and marketing development, social media strategic management, media/public relations, SEO copywriting, development of all client-facing communications, print layout and design, vendor negotiations and management, website content management and user experience (UX) direction, and media placement. www.CoverlyPro.com, 805-642-1301.

The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Jill Forman

Thanks to Sheldon…

Somehow, the Bookmark for April 21 was left out of the Breeze; Sheldon was kind enough to print it and the current one in the May 5 issue. Unfortunately, some of the information was out of date by then. I encourage you to sign up for the emailed newsletter from the Ventura Friends of the Library, and to check the library website often to keep up with events.

Browsing now available!

Here is the most welcome news of the month.
Ventura County Libraries are open for in-person browsing of the physical collections. Browsing areas are based on the capacity of each building, available staff, and social distancing guidelines. Appointments can be made by contacting individual libraries. Walk-ins may be accommodated based on capacity, but appointments are strongly suggested.
All browsing visits are limited to 50 minutes and anyone entering the library MUST wear a mask and follow the Library’s COVID-19 Code of Conduct — see library website

Online Bookstore News

Did you know the VFOL Online Bookstore is managed and staffed completely by volunteers who donate their time, book expertise, and sometimes car trunks? Gently used books find new homes while making money for new books and services at Ventura libraries. It really is wonderful that community helping community works here in Ventura! Thank you to Sandy Greenberg, Jill Forman, Lynn Weitzel, Annie Winch, Teddy Woods, Debbie Hill, Davita Cooper, Leslie Bellmore, and all the warehouse volunteers who sort through donations daily, for helping VFOL Online Bookstore succeed.
We anticipate that the online store will remain even after the Pandemic has moved on. For now, you can purchase books at the online store and pick them up at Hill Road Library. We have limited storage so please try to pick your orders up within a week. We also accept donations of books in bags or boxes (2 per visit, please) during these times.

For updates and to keep up with the activities of the Friends of the Library, visit our website: https://venturafriendsofthelibrary.org

For Families – “Every story matters. Every child counts”

I was hanging out at my local library (something I do a lot) and saw boxes of colorful bags near the checkout station. I asked my favorite librarian what they were, and found out about “El Dia de los Ninos, El Dia de los Libros/ Children’s Day, Book Day! A celebration of children and wonderful books. Di honors the culture and language of all children.”

The bags are packets to give away system-wide, all month, as long as supplies last. There are two family activities: “Planting Spearmint” and “Make a Meal with Mint.” They are available at your local library.

Capping off the month is a virtual Zoom performance by a Grammy-nominated performer of Latin American Family Music Sonia De Los Santos, May 26 at 4:00 p.m. Meeting ID 821 7570 3315, Passcode 890783.

For more fun for kids, check out
https://www.vencolibrary.org/youth/kids/kids-fun