Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Crocheting to make people happy

by Trish Davis

This Is Finn, a local 6th grader who crochets all the local street polls. I asked him about it and here’s what he said.

“I started yarnbombing, which is when you take knitting or crochet and hang it up as art, with little hearts all over my neighborhood. These were very small, but they spread joy and had people commenting on how they loved searching for them, so I started to plan bigger projects. I did bigger hearts, rocks, and a bridge; then one night I measured a street sign while on a walk and I knew it would be my next subject.  Everyone loved it, it seemed that this random street sign was making runners smile and giving people joy, so obviously I had to do more and here we are today.“

 LAUNCH Videos Premiere Online Week May 26, 27, 28 at 4:30 PM

See Kristie Steinlicht of Anacapa Middle School on her video.

Curated by Ventura Education Partnership (VEP), LAUNCH engages business, community and school leaders to come together during fast-paced, inspiring presentations from highly innovative Ventura Unified School District educators. During this unique gathering, public education supporters hear first-hand from passionate educators about how they connect with students to strengthen engagement and deepen learning.

In it’s second year, LAUNCH also raises funds to support grants for VUSD classrooms.

As with so many of our community events, this year’s LAUNCH, scheduled for March 12, had to be executed differently than planned due to COVID-19. President of VEP, Madhu Bajaj said, “We closed the program to a live audience with only a small, socially distanced group in attendance. Rather than postponing, we felt it was important to capture our amazing educators’ stories who had been working hard to prepare for the evening. We thank our courageous presenters who shared their stories in a most beautiful and compelling way.”

Thanks to a partnership with Ventura Adult and Continuing Education (VACE) the evening’s presentations were captured on video by students and staff from the Digital Multimedia and Studio programs, lead by Rich Sigerist. These programs prepare students for careers such as graphic artist, video editor, camera operator, production assistant, and much more.

VEP invites the community to join us for the LAUNCH Video Premieres on Facebook. Each video is approximately 10 minutes and will feature the presenter available for comments and Q/A through chat. A strong theme that emerges is how the educator not only focuses on teaching content, but also the social emotional and varying needs of students so students can become empowered citizens in our community.

May 26 4:30 PM Cameron Crouch of Foothill High School

May 27 4:30 PM Petra McCullough of ATLAS Elementary

May 28 4:30 PM Kristie Steinlicht of Anacapa Middle School

“As we all look for inspiration and positive activities during this time, the LAUNCH Video Premieres are a quick and easy way to celebrate amazing educators and learn from their stories of classroom innovation,” said Bajaj.

LAUNCH is made possible by sponsors such as Aera Energy, Mountains 2 Beach Marathon, Fred Evans Team at Remax, FASTSIGNS of Ventura and many more.

For more information on this shared viewing experience please like Ventura Education Partnership on Facebook, visit our website www.venturaeducationpartnership.org or contact Madhu Bajaj (805) 754-9861.

Venturans who deserve to have a statue put up to their memory

Toward the end of his career he pitched a no hitter.

by Richard Senate

A famed major league baseball player Charlie “Sea Lion” Hall  now rests at Ventura’s Ivy Lawn Cemetery.  He was born in Ventura in 1885, his mother Elvira Hall was a decedent of one of the early Spanish families of Santa Barbara. He was baptized at the Mission San Buenaventura as Carlos Luis Hall and spoke both English and Spanish. Though he would go on to achieve fame, his life was filled with tragedy.

At the age of three he lost his mother.  He learned baseball as a teen playing on a local team called the Palm Street Nine being noticed as an accomplished pitcher with a mean fastball pitch. The Pacific Coast League discovered him at age 19 and he quickly was recognized as a valuable pitcher.

In 1906 he married Emma Larson and, sadly, in 1909, she died in childbirth. The son she had lived and was raised by his grandparents. At that time Charlie went into the majors and played for the Cincinnati Reds as a relief pitcher. He was hard pressed in a game and choked. The Reds traded him to the Boston White Sox and it was with Boston that Charlie made his best mark. In 1910 he even faced off the great Ty Cobb and struck him out, no small feat.

In 1911 he married Bostonian Marie Cullen, bringing his new bride to Ventura.

In 1912 he played in the World Series. The then went to the St. Louis Cardinals for a year and then, for a time, with the Detroit Tigers.  It was here that his fans gave him the unique nickname of “Sea Lion” because of his rasping voice that sounded like a walrus. In 1920, toward the end of his career, he pitched a no hitter game. After 27 years of professional baseball, Charlie Hall retired, returning to his beloved Ventura where he took a job as a member of the Ventura Police Department.  Tragedy struck again when his six-year-old son accidentally shot his three year old brother.

He worked as a jailer at Ventura County Courthouse ( now Ventura City Hall) and then served as a Ventura County deputy sheriff.  He passed away in 1943. He was a great ball player and an excellent police officer. Such an inspirational Venturan deserves to have his statue put up so his memory and accomplishments will not be forgotten.

Answer in a Breeze

Question:

We received the following request (in a much longer form) but this is a summation of what Rob was requesting. “Regarding the low-flying personal aircraft hazards and the creation of constant noise pollution in Ventura I am kindly requesting you to find out what our legal rights are for low-flying aircraft. It seems the skies are getting more and more congested over our neighborhoods putting public safety at risk.”

Respectfully Rob Lewis.

We sent this request to our contributing writer Sheli Ellsworth whose husband Jeff is a pilot to secure an answer. Jeff is professional pilot who has been flying since 1989 including 20 years for the US Navy.

Answer:

The minimum safe altitude for aircraft operations depends on few factors including where the aircraft is operating.  According to the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR 91.119) regardless of where the aircraft is operated, the altitude should be sufficient for an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface in the event of an engine failure.  Over a congested area like the city of Ventura an aircraft shall be flown no lower than 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 2,000 foot radius below the aircraft.  Over the water or sparsely populated areas the aircraft cannot be operated closer than 500 feet from any person, vessel, vehicle or structure. These minimum altitudes do not apply to helicopters, powered parachutes or hang gliders.

 Altitudes can be very difficult to judge by eye.  Jets routinely cross paths with 1,000 feet of vertical separation up at altitude.  I can promise that will get your full attention; it looks like they’re coming right at you until you get used to it.  But in airplanes just like cars, boats and motorcycles, sometimes poor judgement prevails.  The Federal Aviation Regulations also prohibit Careless or Reckless Operation of an aircraft which endanger the life or property of another person.  If you see an aircraft operating in a reckless manor or wish to make a noise complaint, call the Ventura County Department of Airports Office at 805 388-4497

Do you have a question? Send it to [email protected] and we will try to get an answer.

New version of walking the dog

by Ivor Davis

Bicycling on Ventura path by the Pier recently I ran across this brave lady who gave new meaning to the phrase “walking your dog.” She was actually as you can see– walking with the dog on her shoulders—and it was a pretty large pooch. And a warm day!

I took her photo–said I would send her a copy–but got the wrong email address.

If you can run this photo, then maybe she can get her picture.

Anyway, I am sure all her friends will recognize her–mask or not!

Staci Brown is the latest member of MADD

Staci needs no introduction to readers of the Breeze.

MADD would like to introduce Staci Brown; she is the latest member of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving team. Her role is that of a Program Specialist. As a Program Specialist, Staci presents three programs. One is called “The Power of Youth”. This is to speak to youth ages 13-18 on the negative effects of drinking, statistics and effects on the brain. This can be done in any setting where there are a group of youths, such as a school, a youth group, the YMCA or the Boys and Girls Club.

The next presentation is to college students providing the same facts yet geared toward older students. The final presentation is called “The Power of Parents”. This is for parents to learn how to speak to their children about underage drinking.

Studies show that 75% percent of teens are first and foremost influenced by their parents. MADD’s goal is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. One component of MADD is assisting victims from the beginning of the crash and through the court process to the conviction. MADD has annual walks to raise money and has a Law Enforcement Recognition luncheon. They are always looking for volunteers and need victims who would like to tell their stories to offenders at their Victim Impact Panels. You can also donate and find more information at MADD.org. To reach Staci to volunteer or to set up presentations, please call 714-838-6199 Ext 6649 or email at [email protected].

CAPS Media producing updates on COVID-19

Student Jacob Sommer from El Camino High School is part of the team.

CAPS Media Crews are working with Ventura City and County officials to produce ongoing COVID-19 updates for the community. In addition to helping facilitate coverage and streaming of City Council meetings from Ventura City Hall, CAPS crews are producing weekly updates by Ventura City Mayor Matt LaVere and collaborating with Ventura City Fire, Police and Public Works departments to provide the community with additional accurate information.

CAPS Crews are also on site for the Monday, Wednesday and Friday County updates by Ventura County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin and other officials. All of the updates are distributed on multiple social media platforms as well as translated for the Spanish speaking community. Rest assured that CAPS crew members are taking every precaution to be safe during this difficult time.

CAPS RADIO KPPQ 104.1 FM is very involved in the public COVID-19 information campaign. City Council meetings held on Monday evenings are rebroadcast on KPPQ on Wednesday nights at 10pm. CAPS RADIO is also rebroadcasting every County and City update the following day and reposting videos on CAPS Media’s Facebook page and other social media platforms.

KPPQ producers are creating video diaries and recording their shows from home including interviews with community members and leaders. The KPPQ productions extend beyond the borders with radio producer Mary Egan working in her home studio and sending audio updates from Sydney, Australia for airing on KPPQ.

Students in the El Camino high school at Ventura College program who are actively engaged in the ECTV immersive media program, recently won two national awards from ACM (Alliance for Community Media). In the Community Events category, ECTV won for an in-depth profile and interview by Eli Zarate and her ECTV crew with Ventura Deputy Mayor, Sofia Rubalcava at the first Va Por La Avenida at Kellogg Park. The second award, in the Entertainment and Arts Series category, was for a series of programs called Creative Community 2.0, which is a collaboration between host David Starkey, a teacher at Santa Barbara City College and the entire ECTV crew. During the COVID-19 crisis ECTV students are producing PSA and other messages that are broadcast and streamed on CAPS Media and rebroadcast on KPPQ.

Thanks to everyone who submitted projects to CAPS Media’s #VENTURASTORIES. CAPS is reviewing the submissions and will start rolling out selected stories in the next couple of weeks. Send CAPS your Story. Be creative, imaginative and informative. Make #VenturaStories a family project with videos of kids, pets, cooking, hobbies, sports, art, music, games, movie/book/tv reviews, exercise and more.

Or, if you know a health care worker, service person or neighbor you want to thank, #VenturaStories is a great way to do it. When you’re ready for your television premiere, submit your work of art to #VenturaStories at capsmedia.org/venturastories where you will find simple instructions on how to upload your video as well as production tips and additional information.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis the CAPS Media Center is closed to Member/Producers and the public until further notice. CAPS Member/Producers can submit programming via the online portal at capsmedia.org for broadcast and streaming on CAPS public access television Channel 6 and on CAPS Radio KPPQ 104.1FM.

All of us at CAPS Media hope everyone is Staying Safe and Healthy during this challenging time.

Ventura Pier provides meaningful memories

Wouldn’t you like your name here? Photo by Bernie Goldstein

Pier into the Future, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the historic Ventura Pier is offering permanent engravings on the granite panels at the entrance to the Pier for $175 through May 31, 2020. Beginning June1st the price will increase to $200. The engravings provide a meaningful way to honor a family or to memorialize a loved one.

“Our goal this year is to raise funds to provide increased security, graffiti removal and extra cleanings to ensure the Pier is safe and clean. Once the Pier is reopened, we look forward to welcoming residents back to a place that is safe and provides a sense of hope”, said Pier Into the Future Executive Director Jenise Wagar-Hernandez.

With the largest fundraiser of the year, Pier Under the Stars (normally held in October), cancelled this year due to Covid 19, Pier into the Future is hoping the community will consider having their name engraved on the Pier to help supplement the loss of revenue from the event. Pier Under the Stars- Ventura’s largest food and drink event- will take a year off and will return again on October 2, 2021.

Pier into the Future was founded by a group of dedicated community leaders, in partnership with the City of Ventura, to establish an endowment fund to maintain and enhance the historic Ventura Pier for future generations to enjoy. The organization has contributed over $811,000 to the City of Ventura over the last 27 years to enhance the Pier.

Please visit www.pierintothefuture.org or call 805.804.7735 for more information about pier engravings or other ways to support the historic Ventura Pier