Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Never Not Once at the Rubicon

Sydney Berk plays Eleanor and Melanie Cruz plays her mother Allison in the West Coast premiere of Never Not Once. Photo by Veronica Slavin

Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura begins the new year with the West Coast Premiere of Never Not Once, a powerful, compelling and timely new drama by Carey Crim. Never Not Once is about the families we choose, and the secrets that can pull them apart. The production is helmed by Brit Katharine Farmer, who has directed acclaimed Rubicon productions of Gulf View Drive (Ovation Award, Best Production of a Play, Larger Theatre), Incognito (West Coast Premiere), Heisenberg with Faline England and Joe Spano, and South Pacific (all Critic’s Choices in the L.A. Times).

Please note that Never Not Once contains strong language and sexual themes and is recommended for mature audiences.

Never Not Once runs from Wednesday, February 5 through Sunday, February 23, 2020. Performances are Wednesdays at 2 and 7 p.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Low-priced previews are available Wednesday, February 5 at 7 p.m., Thursday, February 6 at 7 p.m. and Friday, February 7 at 8 p.m. Opening night is Saturday, February 8 at 7 p.m. with a pre-show party downstairs at Rubicon beginning at 6 p.m. with champagne, hors d’oeuvres and photos, and a post-show gathering with the cast hosted by Water’s Edge on the Harbor. Talkbacks are scheduled following all 7:00 p.m. Wednesday performances (except the first preview).

A new Coffeehouse Mixer Night for students is scheduled for the third Thursday of the run (February 20) at 7 p.m. with $20 tickets for all college students (plus the $5 handling fee). The price includes complimentary pizza and wings and one free beverage starting downstairs at 6 p.m. A special talkback particularly focused on the perspective of the college-aged characters in the play will follow.

Never Not Once is held at Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main Street (the corner of Main and Laurel). Ticket prices range from $25 to $59, with special discounts for students, seniors, teachers, Equity, active members of the military and groups of 15 or more. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to www.rubicontheatre.org or call 805.667.2900.

Ventura County Leadership Academy

You’re invited! VCLA’s Cohort XXVI Recruitment & Reconnection Mixer – West County

Join us for our once a year recruitment mixer!

Learn more about VCLA and how the program can connect you to other leaders throughout the county
Meet community leaders and speakers who are a part of the program
Meet or reconnect with alumni and friends from past cohorts
Hear testimonials from VCLA graduates on how this program impacted them
Learn about the application process for Cohort XXVI

A special thank you to Sharon Cromartie, VCLA Board member and
VCLA Cohort XIX for sponsoring this event.
www.VCLeadership.org
[email protected] or (805) 665-3504

West County Mixer, Wednesday, February 12, 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Kids & Families Together
864 E. Santa Clara Street
Ventura

Workshops help students access funds for college

To help students overcome the challenge of paying for college, the Ventura County Community College District is holding free Cash 4 College workshops at its four campuses. Workshops will be held on Feb. 8 and Feb. 22. Financial aid staff will assist students in completing applications for the 2020-2021 school year FAFSA and the California Dream Act. The workshops are free and open to the community; people may attend workshops at any campus or either date. Advanced registration is preferred. For more information or to register, visit VCCCD.edu/cash4college.

February 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ventura College, Learning Resource Center, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura

February 22, 9 a.m. – noon Ventura College East Campus, 957 Faulkner Road, Unit 106, Santa Paula

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 115-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 32,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges–Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura–offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, please visit www.vcccd.edu.

Ventura College Foundation Board of Directors has added two new board members: Harald Wulff and Abra Flores.

Harald Wulff and Abra Flores

Wulff is a retired chemical industry executive. He served on the management board of Henkel KGaA headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany. As the business was spun off into a self-standing entity called Cognis GmbH, he served as CEO of the new company, and became chairman of the board after it was sold to Goldman Sachs and Permira.

“Industry needs young people with technical skills and young people need well-paying, challenging jobs,” says Wulff. “I hope to see Ventura College expand its STEM and STEAM programs, particularly in vocational training.”

Flores retired in 2018 after a decades-long career as the resident costume designer at Ventura College. She initiated and developed costume design and makeup programs at the college where she currently teaches classes in these subjects part-time.

As a child, Flores was in and out of the foster care system. She understands how difficult learning can be. It was a simple $50 scholarship, given by her undergraduate university, which made a huge impact on her education. That small grant created a feeling that success was possible, and that her dreams had validity.Flores instituted and funded a scholarship program at Ventura College known as the “Excellence in Volunteering in Costume Design.” It is awarded each year to performing arts students who show excellence in production work.

“I’d like to do more outreach to high schoolers about the college’s theatre department and the available funding and resources through the foundation and the VC Promise paid tuition program,” says Flores. “The more we can help students access educational funding, the better chances for success in their career path.”

“Harald and Abra bring different skills and experiences to the board,” says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair. “What unites them is their love of learning and their desire to share the value of education to our students. We look forward to their contributions and insight.”

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace; an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus east parking lot. For more information, contact Julie Harvey at (805) 289-6502 or [email protected] or visit www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org.

The Ventura County Family Justice Center is a welcoming community

Ribbon cutting held for Family Justice Center. Photo by Michael Gordon

A Ventura Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting was held for the Ventura County Family Justice Center, located at 3170 Loma Vista Rd. in Ventura. All too often, those facing violence or abuse suffer in silence as fear, confusion and lack of access discourage them from getting much-needed help and support.

Ventura County FJC simplifies this overwhelming process by providing a caring, safe environment where victims and their families can access the comprehensive resources they need to recover, heal and break the cycle of violence. All Ventura County FJC services are offered free of charge.

The mission of the Center is to support and improve the lives of those impacted by family violence and trauma. Together, as a team of more than 35 agencies and 120 volunteers dedicated to a shared, vital cause, they help to reduce trauma, eliminate repeat victimization, mitigate future risks and make a lasting, positive difference in countless lives. Through their welcoming community and comprehensive, holistic services that focus on the whole person, Ventura County FJC empowers and supports survivors of all ages and their families.

Their collaborative approach creates a safe space where the use of strength-based practices are used to end abuse and exploitation, pursue justice, and create pathways to hope.

CAPS Media Oscar Party and open house

CAPS Member/Producers and staff are vying for top honors in multiple categories.

Join us on Sunday, February 9 at the CAPS Media Center for a Special Event: Oscar Party, Open House and Anniversary Celebration celebrating CAPS Radio KPPQ’s 3-Year Anniversary of delivering outstanding local radio production to Ventura.

The Open House provides an opportunity for the public to take a tour of the CAPS Media Center, meet the CAPS Crew and learn more about becoming a Member/Producer. The evening is also an Oscar party so everyone can play along and guess who the winners will be. And it’s time to share the KPPQ birthday cake celebrating three years of amazing radio programming in Ventura. The evening’s festivities begin at 4pm (Oscars start at 5p).

Speaking of awards, the finalists for the highly prized 2020 Alliance for Community Media WAVE Awards (Western Alliance Video Excellence) have been announced and CAPS Member/Producers and staff are vying for top honors in multiple categories. The awards are presented by the Alliance for Community Media, a national network of affiliate TV and Radio stations and Public Access advocates whose mission is to promote free speech and greater civic engagement through Community Media.

This year, as they have done in year’s past, the talented El Camino High School students continue to have a strong showing with three nominations for ECTV: “Why Should We Vote” in the Youth Public Service category, “Gracie & Michael” in the Youth Talk Show category and “Gayel, Shamsia & Jab” in the Youth Arts & Entertainment Performance category. Plus Member/Producer Lea Welles is up for an award with her “Travel Today with Lea – Danish Days” in the Community Events category.

CAPS staff members are finalists in the professional sector for “Central Ventura County, Firesafe Council” directed and edited by Jamie Cawelti in the Professional Community Event category, “Thomas Fire Stories – Vista Del Mar & Hawaiian Village” edited by Jorge Godinez in the Professional Community Issues category and “Thomas Fire Stories – Chiefs Quiararte, Weisenberg & Leake” also edited by Jorge Godinez is in the Professional Magazine Show category. “The Perfect Firestorm” is a finalist in the Professional Documentary category. The creation of the feature film was a team effort by CAPS staff producers Evan Carpenter, Patrick Davidson, Donald McConnell, Elizabeth Rodeno and Gary Roll and editors Aaron Cortez, Jorge Godinez and Gary Roll.

The New Year is a great time to join CAPS Media, where Member/Producers can explore any subject that interests them and CAPS will broadcast the story on television and stream it online. Who knows? Next year’s WAVE award could be yours.

CAPS Media is Ventura’s public access television and radio center that fulfills a fundamental right guaranteed by the First Amendment. As a free society, the public has the right to have personal opinions published in the newspaper and on the airwaves.

CAPS Media provides Member/Producers the vehicle to express themselves on the television, radio and online. Some people refer to CAPS Media as Ventura’s electronic soapbox.

The highly professional and extremely friendly CAPS Media staff train members how to master the use of cameras and editing equipment to produce their own story. Video production services are provided for an annual membership fee of only $40. CAPS Radio requires an additional annual fee of $50 for DJs. Go to capsmedia.org/events to learn how to register for upcoming classes and become a Member/Producer.

Become a guest on Our Ventura TV.

Our Ventura TV recently surpassed 1000 productions

Have a message you want to get out to the community?

Our Ventura TV is an award-winning, weekly talk-show television series broadcast on Ventura Cable channel 6 TV and also published on OurVentura.com, as well as on social media networks. For over ten years the programs have features stories from nonprofits, community advocates, leaders, artists and organizations who contribute in some way to the Ventura County community.  In fact, anyone who contributes to the theme of “People doing good things in Ventura County” is welcome to be interviewed as a guest.

The show’s executive producer, George Alger stated, “In the past decade we’ve posted over 1000 segments online and broadcast programs on Ventura cable channel 6.”

The show director, Michelle Hoover, said, “We have a fantastic crew who are all about keeping things running efficiently.”  The weekly cable TV series is sponsored by Nonprofit Fire, Skyworks Marketing and GWC Productions.

Additionally, the production team also creates video and TV productions for commercial messages and businesses in the community.

Our team of television hosts help guests share their stories.  Our Ventura TV Host, Sandra Siepak, stated, “It’s an honor to present discussions about all kinds of people doing good things in Ventura County on our program.”

Our Ventura TV shows are broadcast on Ventura Cable channel 6 on Sundays at 2:00 pm, Tuesdays at 9:00 pm and Saturdays at noon, as well as additional floating times. Every week there is a new show and each program is broadcast 5 times per week.

For more information and to become a guest on Our Ventura TV, just visit OurVentura.com and click “Contact.”

To provide a safe and supervised after-school education

Congratulations to Spelling Bee winners.

PEAK & ASES are after-school partnerships that include the City of Ventura Department of Parks & Recreation, Ventura Unified School District and Ventura Police Activities League (PAL). PEAK was formed in 2002 to develop and implement an inclusive after-school program for elementary and middle school children serving 630 kids per year. ASES programs began in schools in the fall of 2011. To enroll, please contact your school principal for site-specific guidelines.

To provide a safe and supervised after-school education, enrichment and recreation programs for students. After-school is a partnership including the City of Ventura, the Ventura Unified School District and the Ventura Police Activities League.

Goals

  • Keep kids safe
  • Improve academic achievement
  • Give students choices and provide opportunities
  • Provide recreational, cultural and enrichment activities
  • Improve social development and self-esteem
  • Provide leadership and character development opportunities

The Annual PEAK/ASES Afterschool Program Spelling Bee program is one of many enrichment activities sponsored by the Ventura Police Community Foundation.

Students came from Montalvo, Portola, Elmhurst, Lincoln, Sheridan Way, EP Foster and Westpark.

Congratulations to Spelling Bee winners:

1st- Zoey Batten- Montalvo

2nd- Nick Feltner- Lincoln

3rd- Leah Mayoral – Sheridan Way

Judges included past Board Member Suzannah Underwood and Detective Misti Henderson. Emcee was Dave Daniels from KHAY.

For more information about either program please contact Mario Robinson, Youth Programs Supervisor, at 805-654-7807 or by email, Jamie Gill, After-School Programs Coordinator, at 805-658-4748 or by email or Anita Diaz, Westpark Coordinator at 805-648-1895 or by email.

On January 20 we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the main leaders of the American civil rights movement. A Baptist minister by training, King became a civil rights activist early in his career, leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott. His efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, raising public consciousness of the civil rights movement and establishing King as one of the greatest orators in American history.

In 1964, he became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a United States federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King’s birthday, January 15.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Martin Luther King Day was established as a national holiday in the United States in 1986. In 2004, King was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.

A national hero and a civil-rights figure King summoned together a number of black leaders in 1957 and laid the groundwork for the organization now known as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). King was elected its president, and he soon began helping other communities organize their own protests against discrimination.