Ventura Breeze staff member Mary Thompson won first place honors for her booth at the Fair celebrating the Olivas Adobe. Mary can be found at most events held at Olivas as a docent dressed up in the clothes depicting the early times at the Adobe.

For most, August is an ordinary month like any other. But for Tarja Huuskonen, August marks a new beginning of her life; one filled with challenges and disadvantages, but also hope and newfound gratitude for everything precious this life has to offer.

Three years ago, on a beautiful August morning, Tarja suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm while kayaking in the Ventura Harbor. The traumatic injury happened without warning, and suddenly the perfect summer day turned into a fight for her life.

Thanks to fast action by her friend and CMH Emergency Room staff, Tarja was transported to the Stroke and Neurovascular Center at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital where she underwent emergency brain surgery. After surgery, her outlook was uncertain, as her spirit waned while her body dealt with the aftermath of a serious brain hemorrhage. When she left the hospital, it seemed the worst of the ordeal was over. She survived. But this was only the beginning of a long, winding road to recovery.

There is no shortcut for recovering from a brain injury. Coming to terms with the physical, emotional and social limitations and challenges can be painful and isolating. Online support groups connect survivors but often lack professional guidance to key questions and challenges. In Tarja’s case, she invented her own support system, consisting of online groups, medical advisors, and a social network of dancers. She credits dance as a key therapy that has allowed her to gain balance and physical strength while rediscovering joy and connection to others.

Today, Tarja has a clear mission: to help other brain aneurysm patients and survivors on their journey to recovery. She is launching her own website and blog about brain health, and has joined The Lisa Foundation in building national awareness and education about brain aneurysms. One in 20 people in the United States will develop a brain aneurysm in their lifetime, and women are at a 50% higher risk. Most people don’t know the symptoms that could save lives.

To celebrate her third anniversary, Tarja has organized the Harbor of Life Benefit to engage our local community in learning the signs and symptoms of brain aneurysms while having a great night of social dancing, music, food and fun. The ability to move with the music, to hear the strum of a guitar, and to laugh with friends and family are gifts of life that can be lost at any time. So most importantly, this special celebration is about the connections and everyday triumphs that keep us going, while recognizing the resilience of broken brains and the recoveries made possible through the generosity of the human spirit.

The event will take place at The Greek restaurant at the Ventura Harbor on Saturday, August 17th from 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm. To reserve your tickets to this event, and to learn more about her story, visit Tarja’s website: iamtarja.com.

Author and historian Dr. Michael H. Gorn, who specializes in the field of aeronautics and spaceflight, will present a special talk, “Lucky and Smart: Apollo 11 @ 50” at the Hill Road Library at noon on Sunday, September 8.

At this free event, Gorn will discuss how the Apollo program got started and the many ways in which good (and bad) fortune influenced the outcome of the mission. He also speaks about his book, Spacecraft: 100 Iconic Rockets, Shuttles, and Satellites that Put Us in Space (Quarto Publishers, London, 2018).

The book is an ambitiously illustrated aerospace history that profiles and depicts spacecraft from Sputnik 1 through the International Space Station and everything in between. Illustrator, and aerospace professional, Giuseppe De Chiara teams up with Gorn to present a profusely illustrated and authoritatively written collection of profiles depicting the design, development, and deployment of these manned and unmanned spacecraft. Satellites, capsules, spaceplanes, rockets, and space stations are illustrated in multiple-view, sometimes cross-section, and in many cases shown in archival period photography to provide further historical context.

Gorn, who lives in Thousand Oaks, is a federal historian of nearly 30 years and is the author of eight books on the history of aeronautics and spaceflight. He spent 13 of those years at NASA and is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships for his aerospace writing. He has been featured in interviews on National Public Radio, the British Broadcasting Corporation, the History Channel, and the Discovery Channel.

Hill Road Library is located at 1070 South Hill Road in Ventura. A book signing will follow the presentation. For additional information, contact Linda Cherry, Librarian, at (805) 677-7180. The Ventura County Library web site is available at www.vencolibrary.org.

The Midtown Ventura Certified Farmers’ Market will welcome the Ventura County Mobile Library on Wednesday, August 28 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Pacific View Mall. The mobile library will be offering many of the main services offered at a small branch library.

The community will be able to obtain information about library resources and services, process new or replacement library cards, check out books, and receive books from their main system. In addition, a story time and a craft activity for kids will be offered. A book giveaway will also be available for children and teens on a first-come, first-serve basis.

About the Ventura County Mobile Library

The Ventura County Mobile Library was completely funded through grants and donated funds with a generous donation from the Ventura County Library Foundation, which included significant donations from Premier America Credit Union and the Port of Hueneme.  In addition, the Ventura County Mobile Library project was also funded through a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and awarded through the California State Library.

About the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association

The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association a non-profit farmers’ market cooperative, serves the community of Ventura with two Certified Farmers’ Markets on Wednesdays at the Pacific View Mall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays in Downtown Ventura from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market held Thursdays at The Oaks Shopping Center, East End Parking Lot, Wilbur Road & Oaks Mall Drive from 12 noon to 5 p.m. and in Santa Clarita at the College of the Canyons from 8:30 to 12 noon.

For more information on the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association, call 805-529-6266, or visit the website at www.vccfarmersmarkets.com.

by Victoria Usher

Turning Point Foundation and River Haven have given an incredible and special opportunity to so many people, the type of opportunity that not everyone will get the chance to have. They have given people the opportunity and the tools to start truly living happier and healthier lives. It does not matter who you are or what you have done, all that matters is the future and what you want to do with your future.

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Mark O’Toole, a current River Haven resident. Mark has been a member of the River Haven community ever since December of 2018. Mark’s upbringing was something that no child should ever experience. He is originally from New York but was constantly moving around to different cities when he was younger, while also having to deal with a terribly abusive father and an extremely neglectful mother.

Mark moved to the Greater Los Angeles area during his teenage years, and when he moved to Ventura he attended Buena High School. Unfortunately, it didn’t take him too long to fall in with the wrong crowd. It was during that time and crowd that Mark was introduced to heroin for the first time.

Fast forward to today, Mark has now been sober for almost thirteen years, and despite the horrendous abuse and neglect that he was made to endure throughout his childhood he has grown to be an extremely kind, gentle, caring, and understanding individual. Mark is a huge fan of River Haven and the love that he gets to be part of the special community. “It is safe. I don’t have to worry about getting beat up or worry about anything bad happening. It is stability,” said Mark.

“It is a wonderful feeling when you know that the people in your life surrounding you every day completely understand you, completely accept you for who you are, and truly want to help you succeed. They have proven to people that as long as you draw breath you have the ability to turn your life around. This is the feeling that Turning Point Foundation and River Haven have given to so many people.”

I also had the opportunity to talk with an outgoing and sweet River Haven resident, Rosie Willis. Rosie became homeless for the first time back in 2009. She has been a River Haven resident ever since April of 2019. Rosie is a congestive heart failure survivor, and despite having a history of drug abuse, she has now been completely sober ever since July of 2018. She also did one year at Ventura College and she has her GED.

“I love River Haven because I love having my own little place, I love not having to carry all of my stuff around with me every day anymore,” said Rosie. As she continues to move forward, Rosie revealed that her main long-term goal is to simply continue working on herself and to continue working on her own personal healing.

All of River Haven residents are provided with mental health services, physical health services, addiction services, career assistance, income assistance, and medical assistance. Important life skills such as opening bank accounts, learning about budgeting, and learning how to live as part of a community are taught to the River Haven residents.

If you would like to learn more about River Haven, Turning Point Foundation, or if you would like to donate you can visit www.turningpointfoundation.org.

Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer (@MaryannRidiniSpencer)

Luscious berries, organic veggies, tantalizing baked treats, and colorful blooms are just a few of the items that can be found in abundance at Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Markets.

In the Ventura, certified markets are Wednesday mornings from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Pacific View Mall. Saturdays, the Downtown Ventura market (corner of Santa Clara and Poli Street) operates 8:30 am to Noon.

Thanks to a beneficial climate, Ventura County produces a variety of crops year-round. The most recent national data available put Ventura County at No. 11 among all counties in the U.S.

Shopping for local produce when it’s in season is excellent for your health — the food is fresh and doesn’t have to be preserved to travel long distances. Purchasing locally produced goods is better for the environment (less travel time for transporting means less greenhouse gas emissions). When you shop locally, it boosts the community’s economy. It’s a win-win for you, the local farmers, and the community-at-large.

When you buy local, it’s also an excellent opportunity to know your local farmer’s one-on-one. It’s the perfect opportunity to ask farmers specific questions about their growing practices. Do they farm with chemicals? You’ll also find they’re happy to offer recipe, preparation and storage suggestions.

According to the 2017 Ventura County Crop and Livestock Report, the top 10 leading crops in the area are strawberries, lemons, celery, nursery stock, raspberries, avocados, cut flowers, tomatoes, peppers, and cabbage.

What’s in season for summer?

A partial list of fruits and vegetables in season for summer:

Here’s a list of helpful bullets to make shopping at your local certified Farmer’s Market pleasant and productive:

Make sure to shop your pantry cabinets before leaving for the market and make a list of what you’ll need. Knowing what you’ll need before you make your purchases will help reduce food waste and keep you within your budget.

Be sure to bring your reusable shopping bag or basket. Keep one in your car just in case you need backup.

When you get to the market, scout the market to make sure you’re getting what you need at the best price.

Bring your credit cards, but some vendors like small bills, so make sure you have some cash on hand.

If you see a veggie or fruit and you’re not familiar with it, ask the farmer what it is and how to use it in a recipe.

For more of what’s in season, visit Southland Farmers’ Market Association:

http://www.sfma.net/consumer/inseason.shtml

Members of the Ventura Rotaract Club held a meeting in the community conference room and toured the CAPS Media Center. Rotaract brings together people ages 18-30 to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service. In communities worldwide, Rotary and Rotaract members work side by side to take action through service. Among other community service projects, the Rotaract crew is exploring a collaboration with CAPS Media to document the group’s annual housing building project in Mexico.

Congratulations to the ECTV team of young journalists from El Camino High School at Ventura College for winning the 2019 National Hometown Media Award from the Alliance for Community Media. The high school students won the top award at the annual ACM conference in Portland, Oregon in the category of Entertainment and Art. The winning episode featured ECTV interviews with Ojai artist, Gayel Childress, Afghani artist Shamsia Hassani and music therapist, Jab Dlami.

ECTV (El Camino Television) is a career pathways, media internship program developed by CAPS Media in collaboration with the Ventura Unified School District and VC Innovates. ECTV students produce engaging and award winning programs in the CAPS Media studio and in the community. Every episode is developed, written, produced, directed, hosted and edited by the students on topics that are meaningful to their lives.

This summer the CAPS Media student intership program expanded to the Westside of Ventura with the Avenue TV program, an education immersion experience focusing on topics and issues produced by high school students on the Westside. All of the ECTV programs broadcast on CAPS Community Channel 6, stream on the CAPS Media website capsmedia.org, archived at www.capsmedia.org/videos/ and broadcast on KPPQ at 104.1fm

CAPS Media’s Thomas Fire Stories series continues every Friday evening on channel 6 with firefighters, first responders and members of the public sharing inspirational stories. Upcoming episodes include Ventura County Fire Battilion Chief’s Scott Quiarante, Mike Weisenberg and Todd Leake.

KPPQ-LP, CAPS Community radio station, broadcasting at 104.1fm and streaming online continues to grow with new voices on the air. If you are interested in learning more about the station, creating a radio series or using KPPQ-LP to publicize an upcoming contact Elizabeth at [email protected].

CAPS Media continues to record local community council meetings throughout the city. All air on CAPS Media Channel 6 and stream on capsmedia.org. Live coverage of city meetings can be found on channel 15. Go to the schedule tab on the CAPSMedia.org website for dates and times.

The CAPS Media Center conference room, which accommodates up to 30 people, is available to nonprofit, faith-based organizations, youth groups, service clubs and educational groups for community meetings and tours. Contact CAPS at [email protected] or call 805-658-0500.

Membership and privileges are available to anyone who lives, works or attends school in Ventura and available to members of nonprofit organizations throughout Ventura County. To find out more go to capsmedia.org/events, The next orientation class will be held Thursday September 5th t 6pm. Discover how easy it is to become a producer at CAPS. Receive hands-on instruction in videography, video editing, radio production and more. Go to capsmedia.org, or you can call 805-658-0500 to get complete information.

by Andy Ludlum, Museum Volunteer

The county’s first newspaper, The Ventura Signal, was established by John Harden Bradley and began publishing in April 1871. It had 200 readers. Bradley had done many things in his short life. He’d been a miner, surveyor, schoolteacher, justice of the peace and real estate salesman.

In 1869 Bradley worked for a Santa Barbara newspaper, drumming up new subscribers in Ventura, which was then part of Santa Barbara County. In March of 1871, Santa Barbara Press editor J. A. Johnson reported Bradley had “gone to San Buena Ventura to try to start a newspaper” but cautioned him it was “a somewhat expensive business” and it was “much easier to start a newspaper than to run it a year after the start.” (now they tell Sheldon)

A few months later, the Santa Barbara Press said it had “armed the editor and chief (Johnson) with three Henry rifles and a 32-pounder (cannon) to go to Los Angeles.” Bradley saw his chance to take a shot at the Santa Barbara paper. On November 4, 1871 he wrote, “He had no such weapons when he passed here. Don’t you mean three pint-flasks and a jug?”

Bradley’s Signal was a strong advocate of splitting Santa Barbara County in two, which happened in early 1873 with the creation of Ventura County. Bradley contracted tuberculosis and his health forced him to sell the paper in June 1873; he died later that year at the age of 31. After Bradley’s death, John Sheridan and W.E. Shepherd took over as publishers of the Signal. Shepherd and Sheridan were publishers of the Signal in November of 1875 when the Ventura County Republicans began an effort to start a rival paper.

24 bald eagle chicks have fledged from nests on the Channel Islands, making for the most successful breeding season since recovery effort began over 35 years ago.

This year there were 19 breeding bald eagle pairs on the Channel Islands producing 24 chicks, including 10 on Santa Cruz Island, 9 on Santa Catalina Island, two each on Anacapa and San Clemente Islands, and one on Santa Rosa Island.

“Since 2006, when the first bald eagle to hatch naturally on the Channel Islands in over 50 years, we have seen a steady rise in the population of these majestic birds,” said Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Ethan McKinley. “Today, not only do we celebrate the birth of our great nation, but also the recovery of a species that symbolizes our freedom.”

Recovery efforts this year were made possible from a generous grant from the Annenberg Foundation and the diligent survey and monitoring work conducted by biologists with the Institute for Wildlife Studies.

Explore Annenberg LLC is a charitable, non-profit organization with a mission to champion the selfless acts of others, create a portal for the education of humanity and inspire lifelong learning. Explore uses the power of the internet, images, music, dialogue and the written word to fulfill its mission. Both educational and inspirational, Explore offers a portal for public viewing of live video and live webcams at explore.org

The Institute for Wildlife Studies (IWS), a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife species, is involved in conservation projects around the world. IWS has conducted bald eagle restoration on Catalina Island for over 35 years. iws.org

Landowners who support restoration efforts include the National Park Service (who manages on five of the eight California Channel Islands), The Nature Conservancy (who jointly owns and manages Santa Cruz Island with the NPS), the Catalina Island Conservancy for Santa Catalina Island, and the U.S. Navy on San Clemente Island.