Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Ventura High School football takes W in hometown rivalry game for tenth year in a row

Ventura High players celebrating their rivalry win.

by Maryssa Rillo

The Ventura High School Cougars took on the Buena High School Bulldogs on Friday, October 25th at Larrabee Stadium in their annual rivalry football game. The cougars have consistently defeated the bulldogs the past nine years. After Friday night’s win with a 49-28 score, Ventura High accumulated a decade worth of winning streaks against Buena.

“They’re very happy because they know there is a lot of tradition in beating Buena and they don’t want to let down the guys before them,” AB Marin, Ventura High School’s Secondary Coach said.

With slick handoffs by junior wide receiver, Cade Ledesma to senior wide receiver, Zack Rodriguez and rushes for touchdowns by senior half back, Jadon Cline, the Cougars were able to set up a 14-0 lead against the Bulldogs.

“My personal performance was, I know I could have done better, but other than that I felt very accomplished. I felt very happy and I couldn’t have done it without my guys,” Ventura wide receiver, Zack Rodriguez said.

Though, Ventura came into the game ready to win, Buena came in hungry and ready to fight. The bulldogs were led by their senior running back, Bruce Powell-Mathis who had two touchdowns against the cougars.

“I think we gave up too many points to Buena, but I am very happy with the way our offense played. They actually kept us in the game and kept us ahead,” Curt Garner Ventura’s Defensive Coordinator said.

Senior running back for the Cougars, Dane Kapler, was also able to find multiple pockets where he could rush the ball. Kapler had a touchdown on 16 carries Friday night.

“I’m excited. I’m excited for our guys. I feel like they came out and prepared all week to perform on Friday night, tonight, and they did that,” Ventura’s Head Coach, Tim Garcia said.

Friday night wasn’t only a big night for the Cougars because of the rivalry tradition, but it was also senior night. Friday night was the last rivalry football game and last league game at home for 24 Ventura High School seniors.

“I am very happy for the seniors. No one wants to be the class that loses to Buena, so they really want to keep it going. They haven’t lost to Buena,” said Coach Garner.

At the end of the game, Ventura High flooded the field with black and yellow as the team celebrated their victory with the Suzanne Brown Memorial Trophy while chanting, “ten more years.”

“It feels amazing. Team effort, everything was energetic, it was all outstanding. Ten years in a row. Big ole smile on my face,” Rodriguez said. “It added way more motivation. These next few years, these kids are going to grind their butts off to get another 10 years.”

Though this victory is huge, the season isn’t over yet. The Ventura Cougars take on the Channel Islands Raiders, away on Friday, November 1st. The team needs this last victory in order to make playoffs.

“Next week we are going to do the same thing. We are going to dominate we’re going to penetrate and we’re going to take a W,” Rodriguez said.

Ventura Friends of the Library celebrates 50 years of service

The Rubicon’s Broadway Juniors entertained at the library.

by Jill Forman

“Libraries were my salvation!” That statement was made by local author and speaker Ivor Davis.

In that spirit, knowing that a flourishing library system is vital to so many in the community, in 1969 a small group of Ventura citizens formed what they then called the Friends of the San Buenaventura Library. Fifty years later the current Friends group celebrated the original organization’s members and the accomplishments of the Friends with a big party at the Hill Road Library, which the Friends partially funded.

Around 100 people showed up to the event: Friends, their guests, local dignitaries and helpers. They were greeted by balloons, music, hors d’oeuvres, door prizes and displays. The new Mobile Library/Bookmobile was parked outside for tours and information. A PowerPoint was playing on the library’s giant flat-screen with photos, documents, letters, newspaper articles and so on from the Friends’ archives. The original documents were displayed in scrapbooks that had been loving assembled for 50 years. One of the original Friends, Hazel Clymer, was on hand and enjoyed seeing a news photo of herself from the early days.

Hill Road Café furnished finger food on the patio; Ivor Davis served up drinks along with good cheer and smiles. Guitarist John Bardi strummed lovely, relaxing music. Guests checked in, chatted with Board members and local folks such as Councilmember Christy Weir, Mayor Matt LaVere, Library Director Nancy Schram, Senior City Librarian Irma Morales, and each other. Door prizes displayed were oohed and ahhed over as guests decided which one to put their tickets toward.

And then it was time for the show. Mark Lager, Library Technology Manager, served as Master of Ceremonies. After a welcome, he introduced the Broadway Juniors, directed by Miriam Arichea. These seven teens sang songs picked especially for the occasion to honor the Friends, such as “Thank You for Being a Friend” and “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” The partygoers loved it.

Mayor LaVere spoke about the importance of a vibrant library system to a community. The emphasized that libraries are not a thing of the past, that all are welcome and all have access. He stated he is proud to be the mayor of a community that values and utilizes its libraries.

Director Schram thanked the Friends for their hard work and dedication; she said that Hill Road could not have opened without their financial contribution, over $200,000. The Friends also pay for the Summer Reading programs, and many other programs. She gave Mary Olson, Friends President, a certificate from the County library system of thanks for 50 years of service and advocacy.

Olson gave a brief overview of the history of the Friends. She emphasized that libraries are dynamic, offer more services than most people realize, and that everyone is welcome.

Door prizes were eagerly awaited, and local celebrity Ivor Davis made the ticket-drawing fun. There were wine and cheese baskets, a beautiful hand-made wooden salad bowl, tickets to theater and music events, books, etc.

$200,000 raised by WEV to support local entrepreneurs

Kathy Odell, WEV CEO Elect; Andy Winchester; Caleigh Hernandez, Marianne Partridge, and Marsha Bailey, WEV Founder and CEO at fundraiser event. Photo by Sarita Relis Photography

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) raised more than $220,000 to support local entrepreneurs at their Empowerment is Priceless event held October 25th at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The non-profit’s 14th annual breakfast fundraiser recognized WEV’s 2019 Trailblazer, Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year award winners. 300 guests interacted with featured WEV clients who shared their personal experiences as entrepreneurs.

Each year WEV presents the Trailblazer Award to a woman who is a pioneer in her industry, exemplifying courage, vision and the tenacity to overcome barriers. This year, WEV honored Marianne Partridge, editor-in-chief and co-founder of The Santa Barbara Independent who was also the first female senior editor of Rolling Stone Magazine.

WEV’s Business of the Year award honors a business owner who demonstrates the unique, inspiring and powerful impact made by local small businesses from the WEV community. Caleigh Hernandez, owner of RoHo, is WEV’s 2019 Business of the Year award recipient.

Andy Winchester, Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor at Wells Fargo Private Bank and Co-Vice chair of WEV’s Board of Directors, was honored as the 2019 Volunteer of the Year.

For 28 years WEV has been working to help women entrepreneurs succeed. “Nearly three decades later, we have proven that business ownership can provide not only a viable pathway out of poverty, but can also build family wealth and stability, as well as contribute to the economic well-being of our communities,” said WEV Founder & CEO Marsha Bailey.

Our local heroes

Ventura Police Chief Ken Corney with hero Sal Flores at Westside Park.

The 2nd Annual Heroes Among Us event hosted by the Ventura Police Community Foundation was supported by CAPS Media. We not only produced heartwarming presentations about the nominees and why they were nominated for such a prestigious award. Our camera crew was there recording the event for those who could not attend.

The award ceremony recognized and honored community individuals or groups who have displayed dedication and made a positive impact to the city of Ventura. The organization has raised funds to supply the Ventura Police officers with bulletproof vests in every car and much more.

Last week CAPS Media and the Ventura College film department started a film studies collaboration. Utilizing CAPS equipment and studio VC students learn the basic skills of studio production, camera and editing skills throughout the semester to supplement their ongoing film studies. These students of all ages are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn from the pros right next door.

The ECTV high school students continue to produce their award-winning program and are incorporating radio and audio production into their training. Several of the students are supporting events outside of CAPS using their expert camera and editing skills. Several ECTV graduates are continuing to pursue film and television studies in college.

CAPS has added the College Area Community Council meetings to our scheduled recordings. The community members throughout the city are pleased to be able to catch the monthly meetings on CAPS and streaming online if they are not able to attend. These meetings are broadcast the following Thursday at 8pm on channel 6. Some community council members post the meetings on social media as well. It has proven to be a great way for citizens to meet their city council representatives and keep abreast of issues and events important to their area and the city at large.

CAPS Media’s The Perfect Firestorm – The Thomas Fire Story was screened at the Ojai Film Festival Sunday November 3rd at 1pm to an enthusiastic crowd. The documentary will screen on Friday November 8th at 1pm at the Sane Living Center at 316 E Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023. The festival wraps November 10th. The public is encouraged to attend. Details can be found at www.ojaifilmfestival.com. David Endaya, Ventura City Fire Chief said “The Perfect Firestorm is an amazing achievement that has had a tremendous impact on so many people in and around this community.  Being recognized by the Ojai Film Festival is well-deserved.  Thank you to CAPS Media for capturing this historic event in such a meaningful way.” For everyone at CAPS Media, The Perfect Firestorm is our way of giving back to the community.

Join our growing community of CAPS Media Member/Producers. If you have an interest in community television or radio production, or are just curious, drop by the CAPS Media Center on the first Thursday of the month and learn how to become a member of CAPS and join our community of enthusiastic and engaged Member/Producers. Go to CAPSMedia.org for more information.

Spend better on conferences

by Venturans for Responsible and Efficient Government (VREG)

The cost and benefit of every spending decision by Ventura’s City Council is magnified as the city faces budgetary losses for the next five years. The city is projecting to have a $10-$25 million shortfall, so the City Council should be more careful how it spends tax dollars. Are we getting our money’s worth from our Councilmembers’ travel to conferences and seminars?

The City Councilmembers don’t think anyone is watching their spending or cares what they do. They believe voters gave them the mandate to be concerned with the details of how and where the city spends money. And, they’re right—to a degree. While citizens fret over the large expenditures on pensions, water, public safety, and staffing, it’s easy to overlook the spending habits of our elected officials.

Conference Boondoggles

The city publishes the expenditures by each sitting Councilmember quarterly. Here’s a summary of the expenses for the past three full fiscal years of the active members of Council:

It’s immediately clear that the spending by the active Councilmembers is rising year-over-year. It jumped 32% to $15,964 from $12,039 from Fiscal Year 2016-2017 to Fiscal Year 2017-2018. It increased 76% to $28,098 from $15,964 from Fiscal Year 2017-2018 to Fiscal Year 2018-2019.

Highlighted in yellow is the amount spent each year to attend the National League of Cities (NLC) Conferences. The NLC holds regional conferences and a national conference in Washington, DC.

Where’s The Value?

Ventura taxpayers get little information about the benefits the city derives from these conferences. There are no written reports of what the attendees accomplished.

If all the value we receive is a report on the “relevant legislative issues from the NLC,” do we need to send representatives to Washington, D.C.? Couldn’t we get the same information by email or in written form? If we did, there would be a permanent record of the discussions for others to review.

The Value Is In The Connections

The attending City Councilmembers may claim the value of attending these meetings is in the contacts Ventura nurtures with other politicians throughout the country. That’s a specious argument. The relationships are personal between our serving Councilmembers and the people they meet. Those relationships break whenever our Councilmember or his/her contact leaves the office. What’s more, the value in a relationship with a politician in another city has a small direct impact on Ventura.

The justification may be to learn the “best practices” from other cities attending the conferences. What best practices did we learn on homelessness from representatives from Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle? Homelessness in those cities is worse than it is in Ventura, and it’s not improving. Or did we learn something about water from Sacramento? Except, the California River Tunnel isn’t working out so well. Or did the reps from Washington, D.C., or Sacramento teach us about budgeting? The fact is, our reps need to convey any best practices we learned at those conferences need to city staff. The staff are the ones to put in place new ideas in City Hall. And without written guidelines, implementing the changes is nearly impossible.

The truth is any networking with others at these conferences is nothing more than socializing. Should we pay the expenses for two Councilmembers to hobnob with politicians? No.

Next Conference

Mayor Matt LaVere, Deputy Mayor Sofia Rubalcava, and Councilmember Brown are attending the National League of Cities Regional Meeting in Long Beach, CA, on October 16-18, 2019. What value will Ventura get from sending three Councilmembers to this meeting?

Editor’s Comments

In the best of times, these conferences may benefit Ventura, but these are not the best of times. The city faces a multimillion-dollar shortfall over the next five years. Frivolous spending of any kind must not happen, regardless of the dollar amount spent. Spending taxpayer money on these seminars and conferences may appear to be harmless at first. Still, scrutinize each trip to decide whether it’s a necessity. And if it is determined to be necessary, the value must outweigh the expense.

YMCA presenting prayer breakfast

A free community breakfast where members of Ventura County come together with religious leaders to listen to George Vincent, writer, director, actor.

Ventura Family YMCA collaborating with the following churches for their prayer breakfast Two Trees, Community Presbyterian, Encounter, Grace, New Harvest, The River Community, New Seasons, Fortress, Cross Point, Anthem, Arise, Coastline Bible, Ventura Seventh Day Adventist and Church of Christ.
Wednesday, November 13, 7:30am
Ventura Family YMCA, 3760 Telegraph Road.
For 13 years, the Annual Prayer Breakfast has inspired and united the community to come together for the common good.

With a cast of about 60 children and teens the Nutcracker will dazzle audiences

Footworks Youth Ballet presents two full-length performances of the Christmas classical ballet The Nutcracker, performed with The Footworks Community Orchestra and singers from the Carpe Diem Chorus.

Come join Footworks Youth Ballet for their performance of The Nutcracker, the all-time family classic and holiday treat. A traditional holiday party and a very typical sibling rivalry set the stage for an entertaining fantasy journey to the Land of Sweets. with its colorful costumes, professional sets and live orchestra and choir. In keeping with the mission of Footworks, student dancers often perform in principal roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy or Snow Queen, giving young artists opportunities not found elsewhere.

Join Footworks Youth Ballet for their Family Educational Hour one hour prior to each show to learn about the production, costumes, ballet history and music. To provide more family-friendly options to attend the performances, Footworks Youth Ballet offers matinees on both regular performance days (December 14th and 15th at 2 p.m.).

Footworks Youth Ballet is a nonprofit ballet company whose purpose is to provide educational opportunities to young people through the art of ballet.

Oxnard Performing Arts Center – 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, CA
General Public matinees
Saturday, December 14th, 2:00 P.M.
Sunday, December 15th, 2:00 P.M.

Outreach Performances for Students
Friday, December 13th
10:00 A.M. Act I
11:30 A.M. Act II
Cost: Sliding scale of $0-$5 per ticket
Contact: [email protected]
Footworks Youth Ballet, Kirsten Oakley, Artistic Director
Tickets: $19, $24, $29
Ticket Hotline: (805) 486-2424
Online Ticket Orders: www.footworksyouthballet.org

Ventura County Library receives grant award from California Humanities

California Humanities has announced the recent round of Humanities For All Quick Grant awards, and the Ventura County Library has been awarded $5,000.00 for its One County, One Book Community Reading Program.

The Humanities For All Quick Grant is a competitive grant program of California Humanities that supports locally-initiated public humanities projects that respond to the needs and interests of Californians, encourage greater public participation in humanities programming, particularly by new and/or underserved audiences, and promotes understanding and empathy among all our state’s peoples in order to cultivate a thriving democracy.

One County, One Book unites the Ventura County community around a common narrative, spreading interest in and facilitating discussions about the selected book. People across the county have a chance to attend a variety of events related to the themes of the selection, including lectures, workshops, film screenings, and more. One County, One Book 2019 is truly a countywide initiative, and aims to spark community discussion, foster a stronger sense of community, and promote a love of reading and literature.

One County, One Book is also supported through a primary sponsorship from California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI), and additional sponsorships from a host of other organizations including California Lutheran University, Ventura College, the Museum of Ventura County, the Museum of Ventura County’s Docent Volunteer Council, the Camarillo Public Library, the Calabasas Library, the Ventura Friends of the Library, the Ojai Valley Library Friends & Foundation, and the Ventura County Library Foundation.

“These projects will bring the complexity and diversity of California to light in new ways that will engage Californians from every part of our state, and, will help us all understand each other better,” said Julie Fry, President & CEO of California Humanities. “We congratulate the grantees whose projects will promote understanding and provide insight into a wide range of topics, issues, and experiences.”

A complete list of all Humanities For All Quick Grants can be found on the calhum.org website here.

California Humanities, a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment of the Humanities, promotes the humanities—focused on ideas, conversation, and learning—as relevant, meaningful ways to understand the human condition and connect us to each other in order to help strengthen California. California Humanities has provided grants and programs across the state since 1975. To learn more visit calhum.org, or follow California Humanities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

All events associated with One County, One Book are free and open to the public. For more information about the 2019 One County, One Book program, visit www.vencolibrary.org/OCOB or contact Ron Solórzano at [email protected] or 805-218-9146.

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org. Please visit our website for information on the location and hours of the library closest to you.

Ventura Audubon Society November Events

Nov 9, 8:30 a.m. Canada Larga.  Leader:  Linda Easter 818-519-2833
We will drive and walk as we bird this beautiful canyon road and one of our best birding hotspots. Target birds will include: Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Nuttall’s Woodpecker and White-breasted Nuthatch.

Nov 12, 7:30 p.m.  VAS Monthly Program –  Exploring the Chaparral and Rediscovering Ourselves Through Nature by Richard Halsey at the  Poinsettia Pavilion – 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura (Free to the Public).  Join us as we explore how connecting with Nature through local native habitats like the chaparral, offers us a way to achieve what so many philosophers through the ages have identified as essential to achieving a meaningful existence – to “know thyself.”

Nov 17, 8:30 a.m. Alamos Canyon.  Leader:  Cody Swanson 805-304-2505
This is a beautiful but somewhat strenuous walk located between Moorpark and Simi Valley. We will be walking 4 miles which includes some uphill.  The canyon is a natural refuge for many plants and animals; including many species of birds.  Directions can be found googling Alamos Canyon Trail.

Nov 18, 8:30 a.m. Ormond Beach.   Leader: Adele Fergusson 805-415-4304
Join us at this excellent coastal location, where we will look for a variety of waterfowl, such as Willets, Whimbrels, Black necked Stilts, Black bellied plovers and other interesting birds. We will also look for Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Peregrine Falcon, and Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers.

Nov 24, 8 a.m.  Arroyo Verde Park.  Leader: Tevin Schmitt 661-904-1563
Enjoy birding the oak woodland, grassy areas, and chaparral in this long, broad canyon. We will be looking for the Common Yellowthroat, White-breasted nuthatch, song sparrow, California Thrasher and Wrentits among others.