Ventura County Library (VC Library) announced the grand opening of the new Meiners Oaks Library. The new facility is located at 400 S. Lomita Ave, Ojai, CA 93023.

The new library is a partnership between the Ventura County Library and the Ojai Unified School District. It was made possible by a Building Forward grant from the California State Library. www.vencolibrary.org.

This issue’s Local Legend is Clarey Rudd, a beloved local business owner and founder of the Ventura Downtown Organization, which advocated for the responsible growth, beautification, and development of downtown Ventura. Clarey was born in Oxnard in 1952 but has spent most of his life in Ventura. He grew up working in his parents’ bookstore in Oxnard. During his time at California State University, Fresno, the owner of one of the largest independent bookstores in the nation invited Clarey to work for him, and just 12 months later, he became manager of the bookstore.

In June 1974, at age 22, Clarey opened a bookstore in Ventura called Rudd’s Christian Supplies. This was the second store for the family business, which eventually expanded to Camarillo and Santa Paula. After his father had an accident, Clarey became responsible for the Ventura and Santa Paula bookstores, and then expanded to Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and Bellflower. Clarey also conducted workshops and wrote for a trade magazine.

By 1994, all of the family bookstores had been sold, and Clarey bought the Second Time Around bookstore in historic downtown Ventura, which he renamed Bank of Books. Bank of Books went on to be voted Ventura County’s number one independent bookstore for 19 years. The store was known for its large selection of new, used, and rare books, including some from the 1700s and 1800s, and many original signed editions. Bank of Books also hosted events such as readings, talks, author signings, and book groups to support the local arts community.

In 2022, Bank of Books was forced to close due to a significant rent increase. However, Clarey and his wife, Debby, continue to share their passion for books from their Bank of Books shop in Santa Paula and their Midtown Ventura bookstore, Abednego Book Shoppe.

“We read for so many reasons,” says Clarey. “Reading gives us hope; we see how others have lived through difficult challenges. Reading helps us escape and relax… to travel to other places. It helps us gain knowledge. Reading helps us discover history; in learning from the past we might learn how not to destroy ourselves with ignorance. Reading helps us gain empathy, by learning about other peoples and cultures different from our own.”

Clarey has served on various boards and committees in Ventura, including Ventura Missionary Church and Bible Fellowship Church. On three occasions, he has been listed as a finalist on the Ventura County Star’s “Hardest Working People of Ventura County.” In 2021, due to the devastation wrought on the restaurant industry by the pandemic, Clarey made a New Year’s resolution to show support to local small businesses and committed to eat at 150 different restaurants that year, posting photos of the restaurants he visited. He currently serves as a volunteer on the board of directors for the Santa Paula Downtown Property Business Improvement District (PBID), which finances activities and amenities that improve Santa Paula’s downtown corridor and enhance the experience for residents and visitors. Last year, Clarey was part of the marketing committee promoting the 150th anniversary of Ventura County.

Today, in addition to his many civic roles and responsibilities, Clarey continues to thrive doing what he loves best – selling books. He lives in Ventura with beloved his wife of 44 years, Debby, and enjoys spending time with his three daughters and two granddaughters.

by Mary Olson

The Summer Reading Program: Read, Renew, Repeat at Ventura County Library is coming to a close. See final dates below.

Christoper T. Magician performing magical feats inspired by and based upon popular children’s books, bringing each book to life with wacky, interactive, and hysterical magic at Hill Road Library: Friday, August 2, 10:30 am and The Party Puppet Show at Hill Road Library: Tuesday, August 6, 3:00 pm and celebrate your summer reading accomplishments at End of Summer Parties featuring everyone’s favorite treat – Mister Softee! Free for kids and teens!

Hill Road Library: Thursday, July 25, 2:30 pm

Saticoy Library: Saturday, July 27, 12:00 pm

E.P. Foster Library: Monday, July 29, 3:00 pm
Ventura Friends of the Library will have a pop-up book sale of children’s and young adult books at E.P. Foster Library on the patio outside the children’s entrance along with the End of Summer Party.

Avenue Library: Tuesday, July 30, 2:00 pm

There’s still one more Hill Road Library Movie Monday, July 29, 3:30 to 5:00 pm – Cool off, color, have a snack and watch Big Hero 6.

Game On! Board Games for all ages continues into the Fall at Hill Road Library. Every Sunday, 11 am to 1 pm. Drop by and choose from over 35 games to play! Fun for families or a great reason to meet with friends.

Wise Owls is a Book Club for adults that enjoy reading children’s literature, meeting quarterly at Hill Road Library. The Summer selection is Odder by Katherine Applegate. Inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers, this poignant and humorous tale told in free verse examines bravery and healing through the eyes of one of nature’s most beloved and charming animals. Tuesday, August 20, 5:00 to 6:00 pm. To join the mailing list for this Book Club please email [email protected]. Visit the Hill Road Library to pick up the latest Wise Owls Book Club selection.

Hill Road Library Book Club meets monthly on the last Tuesday at 4:00 pm. On July 30 at 4:00 pm, discuss The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvinm. The August Club Selection is The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. Visit the Hill Road Library to pick up the latest Book Club selection.

Local film historian and composer Ross Care brings Walt’s People: The Ross Care Letters to E.P. Foster Library on Saturday, August 17, 1:00 to 2:00 pm Join Ross Care as he discusses this new collection, in which Disney studio artists recall in their own words what it was like to work with Walt Disney on classic films ranging from Snow White and Fantasia in the early 1940s to later films such as Sleeping Beauty.

Ken Karagozian’s mesmerizing tunnel photographs reveal the captivating essence of underground construction’s unique subculture.

by Patricia Schallert

Ventura resident Ken Karagozian was born and raised in Woodland Hills. He studied photography in high school and worked at ABC/Disney Studios in Hollywood. When Ken first ventured into fine art photography, he initially focused on capturing the beauty of landscapes. However, his workshop instructors, including John Sexton, assistant to the late Ansel Adams, Bruce Barnbaum, and Ray McSavaney, suggested he start a project closer to home. Inspired by their advice, he embarked on his first project: capturing the vibrant atmosphere of buyers and sellers at the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market. To his delight, his work received recognition and was published in Pasadena Magazine.

One day, while driving along Hollywood Boulevard, Ken stumbled upon an abandoned car wash. Curiosity took hold of him as he saw a massive fence around the car wash with a sign indicating a federally funded Metro Transportation Construction Project. Fascinated, Ken decided to inquire with the MTA in the early 1990s regarding permission to photograph the construction. After patiently waiting, he received a favorable response, granting him a single day to capture the essence of the project. Excited at the opportunity, Ken described feeling “like I was riding a Disneyland train.” This single day marked the start of an extraordinary three-decade-long journey documenting the Los Angeles underground transportation system, including the monumental task of capturing the rebuilding of the iconic Sixth Street Bridge.

During his time photographing the Metro Red Line, Ken often heard stories from construction workers about the media frenzy surrounding O.J. Simpson. Interestingly, the construction of the Metro Red Line along Hollywood Boulevard seemed to be the second most talked-about topic at the time. Inspired by this narrative, Ken decided to incorporate it into his photography, starting with images of construction workers’ gloves.

Embarking on a lifelong journey, Ken has dedicated himself to capturing the captivating essence of a one-of-a-kind subculture through his mesmerizing tunnel photographs. He found himself irresistibly drawn to the depths of the underground, where he descends an impressive 50 to 75 feet. The sheer enchantment of being in a space that so few have had the privilege to explore fills him with wonder. As tunnel crews uncover ancient fossils and Ken witnesses the remarkable discoveries of diligent workers and brilliant paleontologists, he explains that he can’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude. He treasures the unique privilege of immersing himself in a world where an ancient ocean once thrived silently beneath the bustling streets of Hollywood Boulevard. The enormity of this fact never fails to leave him in awe.

Ken’s award winning photography has been widely exhibited locally and nationally, and has been featured in many publications, including LIFE Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and Pasadena Magazine. Currently, his photo projects focus on photographing the depths below Wilshire Boulevard, which Ken explains “presents its own set of challenges for the construction workers due to the presence of gas and tar underground.” Being mindful of his surroundings is crucial, especially with the presence of heavy construction equipment. Thankfully, his hard hat has come to his rescue on a few occasions, protecting him from accidental head bumps on structural support beams.

Continuously seeking unique perspectives and different lighting conditions, Ken is “perpetually searching for that one photograph that captures the essence of the subculture from angles and lighting never explored before.” Through his photographs of the underground metro, he hopes viewers gain an appreciation for the complexity and laborious nature of this work. Witnessing the skill and precision of miners as they navigate tunnel boring machines and achieve exact “hole through” moments when entering a station is truly astonishing. Ken also noted that when he first began documenting the Hollywood Red Line, there were only a few women in construction roles. However, today there is an increasing presence of women as electricians, carpenters, ironworkers, and engineers. As the stations are built, those women and men serve as connections linking the LA metro’s diverse communities. Ken’s ultimate hope is to learn from and appreciate the richness of all ethnicities within our beautiful cities in California. He loves the “human interest” part of the project. “If it wasn’t for the workers, we would not have this subway construction in Los Angeles,” he continues, adding, “So, I’m really indebted to the men and women that are building Los Angeles’ future transportation and enjoy when my work is on display. Seeing the reactions of the viewers to my tunnel photography, where the tunnel is seen to go into infinity, is fascinating and rewarding.”

“I never know what I’ll photograph upon entering the construction site. I try to visit each site about twice a month. The progress keeps changing underground. The lighting can be very dramatic in the tunnels or you may even get sun rays entering from above ground.”

by Richard Senate

Angel Escandon, born in Spain and a resident of Peru before arriving in California in 1854, settled in what was then a cluster of adobe buildings around the Old Mission Church. Trained as a lawyer, he quickly became a prominent figure in the burgeoning community of Ventura. He married Francesca Sanchez, and as part of her dowry, he acquired a large adobe on Main Street near the Mission. During the Gold Rush era, when demand for cattle enriched ranch owners, Angel seized the opportunity and opened a saloon catering to local cowboys. It distinguished itself with amenities like a billiard table, the town’s first. He also produced wines and brandies from grapes grown on his land along the Ventura River.

The saloon, strategically located next to the polling place, likely thrived during the pivotal presidential election of 1860, where all voters at the location cast their ballots for Abraham Lincoln, contrasting with the rest of Santa Barbara County’s support for Stephen Douglas. In 1863, Angel Escandon was elected to the State Assembly. He championed the cause of Ventura’s incorporation as a city, which was granted in April 1866. In 1870, he introduced AB 442 to establish Ventura County as an independent entity from Santa Barbara County. The bill passed, and Ventura County was officially formed on January 1, 1873. Angel played a pivotal role in organizing the county’s first government.

After his tenure in the Assembly, Angel Escandon served as mayor of Ventura in 1875, when it was still known as San Buenaventura. He continued to serve the community as a member of the city council. Tragically, he passed away suddenly on Thanksgiving Day in 1884, at the age of 51, shortly after playing cards at the Tico Adobe, located where the Burger King now stands on Ventura Avenue.

Perhaps our community should consider erecting a statue or plaque in honor of this overlooked founder, Angel Escandon.