Ventura Charter School is excited to once again present Ventura EcoFest, an Earth Day celebration of our planet for the community of Ventura. This family-friendly free event welcomes the community to enjoy good green fun in the form of live performances, a silent auction, a raffle, local vendors and nonprofits, food trucks, eco arts and crafts and educational games on Sunday, April 28^th, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ventura Charter School campus, 2060 Cameron Street, Ventura. In 2023 more than 2500 attendees enjoyed the Earth Day festivities, with more expected for this year’s event.

In support of Earth-friendly practices Ventura Charter School’s EcoFest welcomes the community to head to the campus utilizing a variety of transportation options. Bicycle to event and receive bike valet services sponsored by Bike Ventura County. Through Gold Coast Transit District’s Youth Ride Free Program, students and children 18 and under ride free with no identification required. There will be a variety of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, including a kid zone, an EV car exhibit, live music and dance and plenty more.

Guests can bid in a silent auction, benefiting Ventura Charter School’s many diverse and inclusive academic programs. Among the items available for in-person bidding are outdoor gear, tickets for local entertainment, yoga class passes, whale watching passes, local restaurant gift cards and much more.

In addition to the silent auction, the event will feature a raffle. Pre-sale raffle tickets can be purchased from families of Ventura Charter School students or at the event. All tickets are $1. The grand prize is $1,000 in Disney Cash. The raffle will be pulled each hour, with the grand prize drawing at 4:00 p.m. Winners need not be present.

Sponsors include Kirby Auto Group of Ventura, UNPaste, Bamieh & De Smeth, Amigos Party Rental, Brooklyn Charm, Bodhi Salt Yoga, Bella Luna Gardens, Edible Ojai and Ventura County, and Mission Bank.

“We are excited to continue this important annual tradition for our community, and our students,” said Lisa Hildebrand, Executive Director of Ventura Charter School, “Our students look forward to this event for the fun but it’s also an important reminder for them and for us that we are stewards for our planet and change starts with our own choices.”

Proceeds from this event benefit Ventura Charter School, a tuition-free nonprofit school that serves 450 students from kindergarten to eighth grade. During school hours, Ventura EcoFest encourages students to take a closer look at their personal habits to see how they affect the planet and make changes, such as a student-led campaign to reduce disposable utensils on campus. Along with the EcoFest celebration, students experience an involved project-based curriculum centered upon empowerment through critical thinking, empathy, research, and action to benefit the spaces they occupy throughout their lives with inclusion and equity. To learn more about Ventura EcoFest or enrollment at Ventura Charter School, please visit, https://earthdayventura.org.

Kathy Odell, CEO of Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), announced her retirement and resignation, effective May 1st, 2024. After five years of dedicated service, Kathy will transition to the role of CEO Emerita, marking the end of a transformative chapter in her career.

Under Kathy’s leadership the WEV team has achieved significant milestones and made lasting contributions to the lives of thousands of women and small business entrepreneurs within our community. WEV has provided essential training and resources, technical support and funding to women entrepreneurs, advocated for gender equality in the business world, helped local businesses thrive, and inspired hope for a brighter future for women in business.

Reflecting on her time as CEO, Kathy expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to lead such a dynamic and impactful organization. “The last five years have been some of the most rewarding of my career,” she said. “But now, it is time for me to embrace the next chapter of my journey.”

Despite stepping down from her role, Kathy emphasized her unwavering commitment to WEV’s mission. “WEV is a strong and enduring participant in our communities,” she remarked. “And while I may be stepping away from day-to-day involvement, my dedication to supporting women entrepreneurs and driving economic prosperity remains steadfast.”

In announcing her resignation, Kathy expressed confidence in WEV’s continued success under the leadership of Nicki Parr, who has been appointed Interim CEO. Nicki has been an employee of WEV since 2018, most recently in the role of Chief Operating Officer.  “Nicki’s experience, expertise, and leadership will undoubtedly ensure that WEV continues to thrive and make a meaningful difference in the lives of women entrepreneurs and small business owners,” Kathy stated.

As she embarks on the next phase of her journey, Kathy expressed heartfelt appreciation to the entire WEV community for their dedication, passion, and support. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as CEO,” she said. “And I look forward to continuing to advocate for WEV and being an active participant in our community.”

Rubicon Theatre Company, celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season, is proud to announce the launch of its exciting new special event series, “Ventura Live: Music, Laughter And Comedy,” featuring one-night and short-run concerts, jam sessions, new play readings, magic nights, comedy, and much more. The series runs from May 11 – June 15, 2024. From a reading of a new rock-and-roll musical, to a side-splitting comedy and soulful tributes, this diverse series promises to dazzle and delight audiences of all ages and tastes.

The series kicks off on Saturday, May 11 at 7 pm with “Make Your Own Kind of Music,” celebrating the iconic women of the 60s and 70s. Led by Heather Youmans (Dark of the Moon at Rubicon) and featuring an all-star band, this event will showcase musical guests from hit shows such as “The Voice,” “American Idol,” and “Dancing with the Stars.”

On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12 at 3 pm, Tony and Emmy Award-Winner Lillias White will take the stage in “From Brooklyn to Broadway.” With a stellar career spanning 16 Broadway shows, including The Life, Fela!, and Hadestown, White will delight audiences with some of Broadway’s best-loved songs.

“The Folk Legacy Trio in Concert” on May 17 and 18, offers folk favorites featuring George Grove and Rick Dougherty (both Lifetime Grammy Winners with The Kingston Trio) and JERRY SIGGINS (The Diamonds). For theatre enthusiasts, Somebody to Love, a Plays-in-Progress of a new rock-and-roll musical in development will be showcased on May 20 with a post-show talkback.

Additional highlights of the series will include a range of musical tributes, including “Palomino Nights” on May 26, a Country and Rhythm Revue Benefit for Rubicon’s Education Programs featuring Beau Red, Mark Masson (Shaky Feelin), the Van Allen Twins, And Jay Ponti, “Marley’s Ghost” on May 30, and “Trevor and Sylvie Sing James & Joni” on June 4.

On June 1, audiences can enjoy a night of uproarious laughter with “Jerry Rocha Comedy Hour: Cancer Culture.” Known for his appearances on Netflix, Conan, Comedy Central, and Last Comic Standing, Jerry Rocha brings his unique brand of humor to shed light on even the darkest of subjects. “In Love with a Wonderful Guy” on June 2 featuring Golden Globe Award-Winner Amanda Mcbroom (“The Rose”) celebrates love in various forms in celebration of Rubicon Company Member (and her husband) George Ball’s big birthday!

“Forever Motown,” featuring the original New York cast, will run from June 6 to 9 with a tribute to Motown legends. Closing out the series on June 15 and 16, “John Carney in CarneyMagic” presents a show about secrets, mentors and the art of illusion. Regarded by his peers as one of the top sleight-of-hand performers in the world, Carney has won more awards from Hollywood’s Magic Castle than anyone in history.

All events will take place at The Karyn Jackson Theatre in Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District, 1006 E. Main Street. For tickets and prices, or more information about “Ventura Live” go to www.rubicontheatre.org or call (805) 667-2900.

The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) and the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) recently organized the second Dual Enrollment Community of Practice, emphasizing the importance of designing college pathways for high school students in Ventura County. Held on March 4, 2024, the workshop brought together educators and leaders from both school systems in a dynamic meeting of collaboration and inspiration.

The workshop, titled “Empowering Futures: Building Intentional Pathways for All Students,” highlighted the increasing opportunities available for the county’s high school students. These dual enrollment programs allow students to complete college-level courses while still in high school, providing them with a head start on their higher education journey. This event marked the continuation of efforts initiated during the first meeting in November 2023, where educators from both systems collaborated to envision dual enrollment opportunities across the county.

The ongoing collaboration between VCCCD and its K-12 partners underscores the commitment to advancing education and empowering students to pursue their academic and career goals. 

“Community colleges are in the business of creating hope and opportunity. Dual enrollment experiences help all students realize that they are indeed college material,” said Dr. Rick MacLennan, Chancellor of the VCCCD.

Monday’s Community of Practice workshop was sponsored by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office and facilitated by Career Ladders Project, a California nonprofit organization specializing in equity-minded community college redesign processes. Participants discussed the importance of establishing clear and intentional pathways to provide a seamless transition from high school to college, enabling students to pursue higher education and career opportunities more quickly and at little-to-no cost. These discussions underscored the importance of tailored approaches to address the needs of varying student populations and help them overcome existing obstacles to access. Done strategically, dual enrollment can serve as both a powerful tool for student success and future workforce development.

“Implementing dual enrollment to meet equity goals for the students in our community will require a lot of hard work,” said Melissa Johnson, Program Director of Dual Enrollment at VCCCD. “There’s not a one size fits all solution—it will be school by school, college by college, and district by district, and we are committed.”

Through the Community of Practice event series, the VCCCD and VCOE are aligning with state-wide educational objectives. Vision 2030, California’s strategic plan for the community college system, sets the ambitious goal of 12+ units of college credit for every high school graduate. Such credit may not only count toward high school graduation but can also pave the way for career or apprenticeship pathways at local community colleges. By fostering an environment where any high school student can earn college credits tailored to their future careers, the VCCCD and VCOE are laying the groundwork for a future where dual enrollment is a cornerstone of educational equity and success.

A third Community of Practice event will be held later this year. For more information about dual enrollment in the Ventura County community colleges, please visit vcccd.edu/Dual-Enrollment or contact Melissa Johnson at [email protected].

Nesting season arrives for the Western snowy plover along Ventura County’s shores, marking a critical time for awareness and conservation efforts. Responding to the challenges posed by habitat changes and human activity, the Ventura Audubon Society introduces a month of awareness events and ‘Raise the Roost,’ an April fundraiser aimed at supporting the protection of these shorebirds. With habitats under pressure from urban development, human disturbance and shifting sands, the initiative seeks community support to fund the Shorebird Recovery Program. Ventura’s coastal ecosystem faces significant threats, urging collective action to safeguard the snowy plover’s survival, along with all other dune ecosystem wildlife.

Throughout April, Ventura Audubon Society welcomes the public to engage with a variety of events designed to cater to diverse preferences and foster public support for the conservation of the western snowy plover and the dune ecosystem on our Ventura County beaches.

Key Events:

• Saturday, April 20th, 8:30am: Come birding with us for a guided nature walk with chapter leaders at Ormond Beach. Registration is required through our field trips webpage; we will have binoculars to loan.
• Tuesday, April 23rd, 6pm: Test your avian knowledge at Bird Trivia Night with Ventura Audubon at Ventura Coast Brewing Company. Meet our Shorebird Recovery Team
• Saturday, April 27th, 1pm-4pm: Raise the Roost Fundraiser: Join us for a social gathering, prize raffles, and exclusive merchandise at Ventura Coast Brewing Company. Proceeds benefit the Shorebird Recovery Program.

Western snowy plovers, among California’s smallest shorebirds, nest directly on the sand in small depressions known as ‘scrapes,’ which they make above the high tide line. Their camouflaged eggs seemly vanish into the sandy surroundings. Protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1993, the Pacific Coast population faces threats from habitat loss, human disturbance, urban development. Locally, persistent issues arise from off-road vehicle users cutting fencing designed to safeguard nesting habitat, trespassing into restricted areas, and causing habitat destruction. In addition to threats from human activity, snowy plovers also face natural factors such as predators, erosion, inclement weather, and climate change.

Ventura Audubon seeks the support of the public in joining our efforts to protect nesting snowy plovers and preserve our coastal ecosystems. We invite interested individuals to attend one of our events, where they can meet us, learn more about the special wildlife on our County Beaches, and be inspired to volunteer. Together, we can make a difference.

Ventura Audubon Society is dedicated to promoting the protection and restoration of bird populations and wildlife habitats for the benefit of humanity and biodiversity.