I got to celebrate Pam Baumgardner’s VenturaRocks.com’s 15th anniversary party and even got a hug out of it (lucky me).

Attendees enjoyed the thrill of bingo and talented performances.

by Patricia Schallert

Calendars were marked and the crowd arrived. The Parkinson’s Foundation and the Ventura County Neuro-fitness Center Bingo/Talent Show aimed at supporting the mission to improve care and advance research for Parkinson’s disease and to support fundraising efforts for the Parkinson’s Foundation.

On Friday, March 15th, from 7-9 pm, the Ventura Marina Community clubhouse came alive with over 250 attendees eager to participate in the Bingo/Talent Show extravaganza. The doors opened at 6:00pm, allowing everyone time to settle in before the bingo games that kicked off promptly at 7pm.

To join in the excitement, the entry fee was just $10 per person, with an additional $5 buy-in for bingo. Each of the five regular bingo games offered a minimum prize value of $100, in the form of Amazon or Wood Ranch gift cards. As a special treat, the talent show began at 8pm, showcasing the impressive talents of Ventura’s local community.

This event was open to the public, and 100% of the proceeds will go directly towards supporting the Parkinson’s Foundation. Dr. Vanessa White, owner/founder of the Ventura County Neurofitness Center and Director of the Ventura County Parkinson’s Support Group, expressed her enthusiasm for this partnership and hopes to establish this as an annual event.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nervous system, leading to a range of motor and non-motor symptoms. Vanessa White added , “One of the most effective ways to manage and combat the symptoms of Parkinson’s is through regular physical exercise.” In recent years, a particular form of exercise known as “Neuroboxing” or “Neurofitness” has gained significant popularity for its positive impact on individuals living with Parkinson’s. “The success and popularity of neurofitness in managing Parkinson’s symptoms are evident by the growing number of specialized gyms and programs dedicated to offering these classes worldwide.” “These facilities provide safe and supportive environments where individuals with Parkinson’s can engage in regular exercise, improve their quality of life, and build a network with others who share similar experiences.” Bernice Detig, Foundation Development Manager.

For those who were unable to attend the The Parkinson’s Foundation and the Ventura County Neurofitness Center Bingo/Talent Show but would like to contribute, donations can be made directly through the Parkinson’s Foundation website via the A-Team page (Ventura County Moving Day – http://www3.parkinson.org/goto/ATeam_2024).

For more information, please visit vcneurofitness.com or reach out to Dr. Vanessa White at 805.300.7749 or [email protected]. This incredible evening, supported a worthy cause while attendees enjoyed the thrill of bingo and talented performances.

Pier remains closed. Photos by Patricia Schallert

The iconic Ventura Pier, a cherished local landmark, has faced unprecedented challenges in the last year, leading to its closure to the public in January 2023. The closure was necessitated by significant storm damage that raised serious safety concerns. Despite setbacks, the City of Ventura has been unwavering in its commitment to address the damage and secure the pier’s long-term integrity.

In response to the severity of damage caused by winter storms and high surf, the City declared a local state of emergency to expedite disaster response and seek emergency funding from the state to aid in the recovery process. The City Council officially ratified the local state of emergency on January 9, 2024.

The reopening of the Ventura Pier, initially scheduled for March, has been postponed to the summer of 2024 due to additional damage caused by heavy surf in December 2023. The high surf, plus winter storm events from January 2023, dislodged support pilings, braces, and brackets, necessitating extensive repairs and causing a delay in the reopening date.

Last year’s damage involved a total of 34 damaged and 20 dislodged piles, with the recent inspection revealing 19 missing or damaged timber piles, 20 dislodged piles, and 62 damaged or missing braces. The Ventura City Council members recently approved a $1.75 million agreement with Jilk Heavy Construction Inc. to address the December damages, adding to the $1.45 million allocated for last year’s repairs. The comprehensive repair cost amounts to $3.2 million, with the city expecting approximately $1.58 million in reimbursements, including support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the California Disaster Assistance Act, and the Ventura County Community Foundation.

Recently, the City of Ventura received a $40,000 donation from Pier Into the Future to help support restoration efforts. Read the press release.

The Ventura Pier, formerly known as the Ventura Wharf and the San Buenaventura Wharf, is a wooden pier. The pier is the oldest pier in the state and is designated as Ventura Historic Landmark No. 20.

Since 1872, the Ventura Pier has stood as a symbol of the region’s rich history and natural resources. Once the cornerstone of Ventura County’s agricultural, construction and oil trade, today the Ventura Pier is a favorite attraction for fishing, picnics, sunset strolls and beautiful views.

On Monday, April 1 CAPS is launching ReCAPS

On Monday, April 1 CAPS is launching ReCAPS, a very special weekly series of original programs featuring storytellers throughout Ventura County. Every Monday night at 7pm a new edition of ReCAPS will premiere on CAPS Channel 6 and stream online, with stories and histories by a variety of local storytellers sharing their personal journeys.

CAPS crews have recorded hundreds of interviews with fascinating people on a wide range of productions including Ventura County’s 150th Celebration, The Thomas Fire, Ventura City’s 150th Celebration, Ventura Legacies and many more. CAPS has also recorded personal histories for special presentations for the Museum of Ventura County, the Ventura College Foundation, and many other organizations. Brief segments from all the interviews were included in CAPS programs and presentations, but that leaves a lot of wonderful history and storytelling to be shared. ReCAPS is the place where all the complete interviews can be found.

The initial set of ReCAPS features numerous storytellers included in the Museum of Ventura County’s landmark exhibit “Ventura County: The Place We Call Home”, created for the county’s 150th Celebration, personal interviews recorded for “The Perfect Firestorm,” CAPS Media’s documentary on the Thomas fire, and for CAPS’ storytelling series, “Ventura Legacies.” A complete list of ReCAPS programs and schedule are on the CAPS website at capsmedia.org.

Starting on Monday, April 1, ReCAPS storytellers include Carlos Ortega, chief curator of the Museum of Ventura County, Moses Mora, longtime resident of Ventura’s westside community and Tortilla Flats historian, and Jake and Jennie Dilbeck, firefighter, and survivor of the Thomas Fire.

In coming weeks ReCAPS programs will feature “Home” stories and memories from Jim and John Proctor, Barbara Macri-Ortiz, Pedro Chavez, Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, and others, plus complete heart-wrenching, first-person stories from Thomas Fire survivors and fire fighters Kat Merrick, Clark Tulberg, Trevor Quirk, Chad Cook, David Endaya, and others. The series will include “Ventura Legacies,” personal histories by Ventura County’s most influential families including the Fosters, Harrisons, Smith, Hobson, and Petit families, plus county histories of tortilla flats, surfing, and oil exploration.

The ReCAPS includes engaging interviews by museum director Elena Brokaw with innovators from a wide range or organizations throughout the county, plus tasty and entertaining “Feast or Flop” food programs that recreate Ventura County historic recipes, flavored with county origin stories hosted by Renee Tallent, collections manager at the Museum of Ventura County and recreated by local chefs.

Every Monday night at 7pm ReCAPS features a new storyteller that has a special and personal story to share. The programs will repeat throughout the week on Channel 6 and streaming online. The schedule is posted on the CAPS Media website.

You may think you’ve heard all the great Ventura County stories, but the ReCAPS storytellers are certain to entertain and surprise you.

CAPS manages and programs cable channels 6 (Public) and 15 (Education and Government), and CAPS Radio KPPQ in Ventura, and manages the CAPS Media Center, at 65 Day Road, which is open Tuesday – Thursday, 12p– 8pm. CAPS provides unlimited creative resources and expertise in Ventura. Everyone in the community is invited to join us for an orientation session held on the first Monday of each month at 6pm. Drop by and discover what the CAPS Crew and our creative community have to offer.

Olivas Adobe have been for decades the home of a family of Great Horned Owls.

by Richard Senate

The large eucalyptus trees that grow near the Olivas Adobe have been, for decades the home of a family of Great Horned Owls. They are the largest of the owl family and they are called “great horned” because of two tufts of feathers on  their head that resembles horns.

Sometimes they are called Tiger Owls or Hoot Owls and they can have a wingspan of up to 4.5 feet (1.4 meters). They can  weigh in as much as three pounds (1.4 Kilograms). Their Latin name is Bibo Virginianus Pacifica. They use their excellent eyesight to prey upon the gophers from the near-by golf course. They are known for their distinctive call, hence the name “hoot owls.”  Their cry is believed to be an omen of ill fortune and coming death. They say if you see an owl perched atop a house it means that one of the  residents will die soon.  Folklore says that owls only make their nest near haunted houses.

In the Middle Ages owls were linked to witches and witchcraft. Because of this they were, like cats, hunted and killed by superstitious people. Owls have been part of the Olivas Adobe for decades and each spring new owlets are hatched in the large tree where the baby owls in the nest can be viewed in the Spring.  It is only fitting because the Olivas Family descended from warrior knights who served the Spanish King. The family crest is a shield with a large owl!

Ships greatly decrease the likelihood of striking whales with their ships.

by David Goldstein

Ship captains are reducing the speed of large vessels passing through the channel off our coast, providing three environmental benefits. They cut fuel consumption, reduce air pollution, and. This program expanded last year, despite the end of financial incentives for participation.

From 2014 to 2022, participating captains earned financial incentives for their shipping companies by slowing to 10 knots or less, but in 2023, despite the end of incentives, the program grew from 23 to 33 participating companies. Also, captains of these participating companies’ ships met slowing standards 81 percent of the time, compared to 78 percent in the previous year, according to data from automatic transponders installed on ships.

Rather than money, these companies now receive only public recognition for authorizing their ship captains to cooperate with the ongoing, voluntary program. Recognition is promoted by the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District and its partners through press releases, social media posts, and advertisements. Additionally, the consumer products shipped through this program can advertise participation in “sustainable shipping” initiatives.

Pilots of the French shipping line CMA CGM achieved 96 percent cooperation, the highest rate of any line in the 2023 season, and 12 additional companies reached “Sapphire” level, the top recognition category. These are CSL Group, D’Amico Tankers DAC, Hapag-Lloyd, Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC), NingBo Ocean Shipping Co., NYK Ro-Ro, Ocean Network Express (ONE), Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), OSG Ship Management, Swire Shipping, Yang Ming, and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

David Goldstein, Ventura County Public Works Agency Environmental Resource Analyst, may be reached at (805) 658-4312 or [email protected]

Photos by Michael Gordon

This year’s theme for the St. Pats Parade was “Shamrocks & Shenanigans,” giving parade participants an invitation to embrace their inner leprechaun with whimsy and mischief in the creation of their parade entries.

The Grand Marshal was Elena Brokaw, Executive Director of the Museum of Ventura County.

Elena is a perennial Ventura County civic leader who before heading up the museum worked with the city of Ventura for 13 years.