Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Mirth, Merriment and Memory Making at the 144th Ventura County Fair

Thrill-seekers will enjoy this ride at the Fair. Photo by Richard Lieberman

The Ventura County Fair returns July 31 – August 11 with twelve days of fun, excitement and entertainment. This year’s fair, themed “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” is a celebration of one of Ventura County’s oldest and most beloved traditions. The Fair will feature unique exhibits, exciting contests, and top-of-the line Grandstand Entertainment performances, free with Fair admission.

The Ventura County Fair carries out the tradition of great values. Special admission days offer opportunities to enter the Fair free or at low prices.

Thrill-seekers will enjoy Carnival Wristband Days again this year. On August 1, 5, 6, and 8, purchase a $35 wristband, good for unlimited carnival rides until 7:00 pm.

The Fair offers a unique way for visitors to have fun while giving to the community at the “Feed the Need” Food Drive, presented by FOOD Share on Thursday, August 1. Bring 5 cans of food to donate to FOOD Share. For this, you’ll receive a free return ticket good for August 5-8.

Grandstand concerts are a Fair favorite, visitors can see wonderful musicals acts and rodeos free with paid admission. Rodeo Days are a sure way to Cowboy Up and experience great P.R.C.A. Pro Rodeo action and adventure with your family and friends!

Everywhere you look you will see someone singing, dancing, playing music, making magic and more. While there are acts from all over California the Fair takes great pride in presenting Ventura County talent. Check the schedule of events for these great local acts and say hello to our neighbors as they take to the stage.

The Fair makes transportation easy with free shuttle rides to and from the Fair. Convenient and comfortable, the shuttles begin ½ hour before the fair opens and bring visitors to the Fair’s front gate. No traffic hassles, no parking problems, free parking and free shuttle bus service to the Fair is available from 10:30 am until 11:00 pm at these locations: Oxnard Performing Arts Center (on Hobson Way in Oxnard) County Government Center (Lots E & F, off Telephone Rd. in Ventura) Pacific View Mall (off Mills Rd. in Ventura, near Sears Auto) Ventura High School (Larrabee lots off Poli St. in Ventura) Parking lot at Schooner & Harbor Blvd. (across from Sheraton 4 Points Hotel in Ventura) Free shuttle service is also provided from San Buenaventura State Beach off Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, but regular State Beach parking fees will be charged. Wheelchair capable busing is available from all sites.

Follow the Fair on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For more information, please visit www.venturacountyfair.org or call (805) 648-3376.

NBA superstar James Ennis III gives back to Ventura Youth

Before Ennis was drafted to the NBA he played for Ventura High and Ventura College.

by Maryssa Rillo

On Saturday, July 27th, NBA superstar and Ventura local, James Ennis III, returned to his old stomping grounds and organized a basketball camp for the westside Ventura youth at the Westpark Community Center.

“One of the biggest reasons I put on this camp today is my dad had mentioned to me probably two years ago when I did a camp at Ventura College, he told me to do one where I am from and this is where I grew up at. This is where I used to come every day after school, always here. We didn’t really have nothing else to do so I just stayed in this gym,” Ennis said.

Before Ennis was drafted to the NBA, he played for Ventura High School, Ventura College, Long Beach State and internationally in Australia. Throughout his NBA career, Ennis has played for Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets. He is currently a shooting guard for the Philadelphia 76ers. He has been a favorite amongst those who use sportsbook sites (click here to learn more about popular options) and enjoy fantasy leagues online.

The camp was funded by Ennis’s foundation, Ennis Elite Camp, therefore it was free to all participants. According to Westpark’s Youth Coordinator, Anita Diaz, James wanted to make sure that the camp participants were predominantly from westside Ventura. To accomplish this, there wasn’t any outside advertising.

“First of all he’s a celebrity and he’s a NBA player so the idea of meeting James Ennis and then learning from James Ennis was a phenomenal opportunity for any kid but especially for the kids from the westside, because they are predominantly low income kids and so they don’t get to see someone like this every day,” Diaz said.

The children had the opportunity to participate in different basketball drills from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Eight-year-old Adrian Watts had the opportunity to attend the Ennis Elite Camp.

“I played games and we did defensive drills and stuff like that,” Watts said. “I think it was really cool that I got to meet an NBA player.”

According to Ennis, the motivation behind coordinating this camp was to give back to the community and to show the children of westside Ventura that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.

James’ younger sister, Demetra Ennis, assisted with the camp and worked the different basketball stations during the day.

“The main goal behind this camp was to teach children that you can be anything you want to be in life if you just work hard and stay focused,” said Demetra. “I believe it’s very motivational because James comes from a very low poverty background and a lot of these children that attended our camp come from the same background so I believe that them seeing where James came from to where he is at now was very inspirational.”

According to James’ agent, Scott Nichols, this was the first time Ennis Elite Camp took place in Ventura. Though they have done something similar in Australia, this was also the first time the camp was free of charge.

“He loves kids and I think that was really important. He has a really stressful life and a lot of pressure for him to perform on the court, but you can tell today that there was no pressure for him at all, this is what he loves to do,” Nichols said.

James’ younger brother, Jamaal Ennis, who is also making his way to the NBA helped the kids with their ball handling skills.

“My main goal is to make sure that they know I’m here and I care and I’m not just here just to be here. Make sure that I build relationships even though it’s a short amount of time,” Jamaal said.

Sitting on the sidelines was James’ dad, James Ennis II. According to Ennis II, he always told James to never forget where he came from and to always find a way to give back.

“I am proud that he did this,” said James Ennis II. “If my son can make it anyone else can make it, but you don’t have to make it in basketball you can make it any other sports or just get your degree in college and don’t run with the bad people.”

Growing up in westside Ventura himself, James was able to relate to the kids who now play at the community center.

“People like myself, we didn’t have NBA players come here and do this stuff like that. So, if I can help someone and motivate someone by being here, my presence, that’s why I am doing this.”

James also had advice for the children.

“Never be afraid to fail. If you’re afraid to do something you won’t attempt to do it and that was one big thing about me, I didn’t know I was going to make it to the league, I just had my mind set to help my family and I did. That’s what kept pushing me every day and putting in the work in here. If you believe in something work hard at it,” James said.

“I look up to my brother a lot. He’s my role model. He taught me a lot about life and shows me what to do and what not to do,” James’ younger brother Jamar Ennis said.

According to Nichols the Ennis Elite Camp will return to Ventura every summer.

“Every summer he plans on doing it again. The cool thing is, is that the Sixers helped out, Bodyarmor sponsored with the drinks, and Chick Fil A too, to help the kids,” Nichols said.

James enjoyed being able to spend time with the westside community.

“My favorite part about today was just seeing everyone smile and having a good time,” James said. “I know everyone appreciates everything and we had a good day today.”

CAPS Media In The Game

James’ father and family helped him present his clinic at Westpark.

CAPS Media was part of the enthusiastic fans welcoming hometown hero and NBA superstar James Ennis III to the Westpark Community Center for a free basketball clinic for Westside youth. Ennis grew up on the Westside of Ventura and played at Westpark before attending Ventura High School and Ventura College. After playing basketball internationally, Ennis jumped to the NBA and has played for the Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers.

The special Westpark clinic was a once-in-a-lilfetime experience for dozens of aspiring athletes and adoring fans. Ennis graciously shared his extraordinary basketball skills, encouraged future stars and dazzled fans with his easy going attitude and awe inspiring talent. See the cover article about the Ennis Elite Camp.

In addition to producing ongoing live broadcasts of City Council meetings and select City community meetings, CAPS Media is expending the collaborative partnership with departments throughout the City of Ventura to produce informational and educational videos on City services. The comprehensive outreach program is being developed and directed by Ashley Bautista, Interim Communications Manager in the Ventura City Manager’s office. The campaign will include a wide variety of stories and subjects providing information and insight into the expansive services provided by the City.

CAPS Media continues to record local community council meetings throughout the city. Recently CAPS recorded, broadcast and streamed the Mid Town Community Council and the East Ventura Community Council meetings. In the coming months coverage will continue at MidTown and East Ventura along with the Westside, College Area and Montalvo community councils. All programs air on CAPS Media Channel 6 and stream on capsmedia.org. Go to the schedule tab on the CAPSMedia.org website for dates and times.

KPPQ-LP, CAPS Community radio station, broadcasting at 104.1fm and streaming online, has been hosting local non-profits to record public service announcements about their organizations and upcoming events. Do you want to get your message out? Radio is a great way to do it. Non-profits are always welcome. Contact Elizabeth at [email protected] to schedule a time to come in and record a spot.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to visit and tour the CAPS Media Center located at 65 Day Road on the Ventura College campus, directly across the street from Foothill high school. Any community group including nonprofit, faith-based organizations, youth groups, service clubs can arrange a tour.

CAPS Media 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. Member/Producers receive hands-on instruction in videography, video editing, radio production (additional fee required) and more. To find out more go to capsmedia.org/events, sign up for the next orientation class on the first Thursday of the month and discover how easy it is to become a producer at CAPS. Go to capsmedia.org, or you can call 805-658-0500 to get complete information.

Ventura Housing Authority celebrates Take Your Dog to Work Day

Maria Paniagua and Kopdak, Will Sholy and Buba and Dash, Chris Beck and Charlie, Carmen Ramirez and Ginger, Susan Everett and Darby, Krystalin Bullicer and Evey, Cheryl Tabbi and Snickers enjoying being at work together.

Recently the Ventura Housing Authority celebrated a very special day for employees and their dogs Take Your Dog to Work Day. The annual celebration brings together furry friends and their owners for a very special work day.

A catered and sponsored lunch was made possible by Human Resources manager Cheryl Tabbi, and the sponsorship of Triunfo Sanitation District, VCA Westlake Village Animal Hospital, Pioneer Women, Purina Pet Care Co.,Lucy Pet Products, Bow Wow Doggie Dental Care, Petco, PetSmart, Sailor and Friends Pet Supply, Smiling Canines and Furry Faces Holistic.

Photo by Richard Lieberman

“Walk with a Doc”

Ventura County physician Dr. Megan Mescher-Cox, a board-certified specialist in Internal Medicine and a Lifestyle Medicine specialist, is inviting the public to join her and her guest, dermatologist Larissa Larsen MD, on a leisurely “Walk with a Doc” to give people a chance to exercise and enjoy some free health tips. Dr. Mescher-Cox is leading the walk as part of the international Walk with A Doc program, which gets people exercising in a fun way while learning ways to improve their health. The walk will last for one hour and is free. Dr. Mescher-Cox will present a five-minute talk with tips on good health at the beginning of the walk. After the talk, a local business will lead a stretch warm-up before the walk.  For more information about the local walk, call 805-988-2821.

  When: 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 3.

 Where: the Ventura Pier boardwalk, meeting at the pier.

Thirteen-year-old to share her life with autism

Thirteen-year-old author Micaela Ellis will visit Hill Road Library at 12 p.m. on Sunday. August 18, to speak about her book, Autism over the Years: A Twelve Year Old’s Memoir. During this talk Micaela will share her perspectives on life as a kid with autism.

While expanding perceptions of autism, Micaela hopes to educate others on some of the challenges that people with autism might face and share the many opportunities for growth and learning that are available to children like her when they are respected and understood.

Micaela wrote Autism over the years as a way to share her experiences growing up with autism. She was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and a half and has spent the past decade learning, growing, and working to overcome the many challenges associated with this disorder. She is currently an eighth-grade student at the Lighthouse School of Ojai, a private school that specializes in educating children with unique learning profiles. In Micaela’s words:

“I wrote this memoir because I want to show people how I see the world, as a person with autism. I want to explain how my life has been different from many other people’s lives, and how certain thoughts and ideas came into my mind that other people did not understand. I want to share why I did things that seemed strange to others… I want to put an end to the idea that autism is a disease that needs a ‘cure.’ I want to put an end to autism being a taboo subject.”

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Linda Cherry, Librarian, at (805) 677-7180.

Hill Road Library is located at 1070 South Hill Road. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

“Positive Rocks”

The team is there to play winning softball.

First published at Parentdugout.com

“We try to throw positive rocks at them during games and practices to keep them up. Just a little encouragement or positive reinforcement.” Ruben Segovia is a modern-day coach. He’s been coaching baseball and softball for decades yet retains his trademark high levels of enthusiasm and positivity. “These young athletes are always on the receiving end of negativity. It comes from the stands during games, their homes, or in the classroom. You hear some coaches during games and they only speak negatively to their team. We try to be positive.”

The 2019 Ventura Girls Fast Pitch 12u All Star team is in Medford, Oregon. They will compete against the best softball teams in the western United States over the course of a week. There will be skills contests, hotel pool parties, and other fun, distracting activities that can only occur during a sports vacation. The team is there to play winning softball but will find some fun away from the diamond.

Headed to Oregon to compete against the very best isn’t where this team appeared to be headed when the all-star season began. “We lost badly in one of the first tourneys we played in. Our older girls weren’t being leaders and there were separate groups within a team,” lamented Coach Ruben. Anyone who was paying attention could see this and a true team formed in the aftermath of disappointing early results on the field. “I really let them have it after a bad game. I knew they could take it and needed to hear it. The older girls on the team needed to step up and lead the team on the field and in the dugout,” Ruben said. Coach Ruben’s words didn’t fall on deaf ears as he noticed changes in the players’ attitudes and efforts in practice and games. Team parents stimulated team chemistry by coordinating team parties at homes and at the beach. The coaching staff strategically assigned groups during practices to encourage team bonding.

The coaching staff, players, and parents make up a team in any form of youth sports at every level. Success is dependent upon all 3 groups putting in max effort and staying positive.

About half of these girls have played together for 6 years or more. They’re sisters now. They have played regular season, all stars, and fall ball together. High school and travel softball are on the horizon for many of these athletes but first there’s some business to handle in Oregon.

Good luck ladies. The city of Ventura will be cheering you on!

Marketplace looks to expand number of Saturdays

The Ventura College Foundation Marketplace, which operates every Saturday and Sunday on the Ventura College campus, is looking to expand the number of Saturday produce and pre-packaged food vendors. The Marketplace attracts between 2,000 and 5,000 visitors each weekend.

“The Marketplace sells all types of fruits and vegetables,” says Esmeralda Juarez, Marketplace supervisor. “Some vendors grow their own produce.The Marketplace is so popular because prices are low and the quality is high,” says Juarez. “It’s an ideal place to shop for families on a limited income and for people who seeking unique items at bargain prices.”

The Marketplace has 237 vendor spaces on Saturday and 325 on Sunday. In addition to produce and pre-packaged food, the Marketplace sells household products, appliances, tools, plants, arts/crafts, antiques/collectibles, toys, shoes, jewelry/accessories, cosmetics and imported and local bargains.

For over three decades, the Marketplace has hosted thousands of vendors and patrons every weekend. The Marketplace provides a link between Ventura College and the community. Vendors pay a modest fee to rent space. All county non-profit organizations can rent one or more free vendor spaces on Saturdays to set up an information booth or to use the space to sell goods for fundraising purposes. Marketplace proceeds pay for 50 percent of the VC Foundation’s budget, including 60 percent of the VC Promise free tuition program and 75 percent of the textbook lending program.

Marketplace hours are Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission and general parking are free (premium parking is $1 on Saturdays and $5 on Sundays). For more Marketplace and vendor information, go to www.vcgiving.org, and click on the “Marketplace” tab or call 805-289-6062.