Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Performances added to VC Fair Grandstand Entertainment lineup

The VC Fair has added 3 performances to the 2019 Grandstand Entertainment Series, rounding out the diverse schedule of concerts to the fair.

Adding a concert on opening night, July 31, the 2019 VC Fair will now present 11 free concerts. This year’s list of Fair entertainers will satisfy Ventura County music lovers with every unique performance:

All Grandstand Concerts are free with Fair admission!

·     Wednesday, July 31 @7:30: Styx

·     Thursday, August 1 @7:30: Martina McBride

·     Friday, August 2 @7:30:  Melissa Etheridge

·     Saturday, August 3 @7:30: The Ohio Players with special guests The Emotions and Evelyn “Champagne” King

·     Sunday, August 4 @3:00: Banda Carnaval, Luis Coronel, Cuarto de Milla

·     Monday, August 5 @7:30: X Ambassadors

·     Tuesday, August 6 @1:00: Tommy James and the Shondells (matinee only)

·     Tuesday, August 6 @7:30: Brothers Osborne

·     Wednesday, August 7 @7:30: Daughtry

·     Thursday, August 8 @7:30: George Thorogood and the Destroyers “Good to be Bad Tour – 45 Years of Rock”

·     Friday, August 9 @7:30 : Collective Soul

·     Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11 will bring the fair to an end with Western style Rodeos, free with paid fair admission.

The 144th Ventura County Fair, “A Country Fair with Ocean Air”, begins Wednesday, July 31 and runs through to Sunday August 11. For more information please call (805) 648 -3376 or visit www.venturacountyfair.org.

 

Take to the sea with Island Packers new dinner cruises

With summer fast approaching, visitors to Ventura Harbor Village, Ventura’s top seaside attraction, can now enjoy the warmer days ahead on a two-hour Island Packers boat dinner cruise where they will experience delicious cuisine paired to live entertainment from June through September, 2019.

Beginning in June, and operating on selected Saturdays through September cruise the protected waters of Ventura Harbor and enjoy a savory meal, and listen to quality music aboard a comfortable motor catamaran. Cuisine on these limited capacity ships is catered by the Ventura’s top restaurants, including Anacapa Brewery, The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood, and Margarita Villa. A variety of beers, wines produced by local wineries, as well as non-alcoholic beverages, are also available for purchase.

Guests will enjoy live music featuring blues, jazz, rock, country, bluegrass and more. With seating available inside the lower and upper cabins, passengers have several comfortable seating options as they cruise through Ventura Harbor and the waterfront homes of the Ventura Keys.

Dinner Cruises $ 60 Adult, $ 56 Senior (55+), $ 45 Child (age 12 and under)

Includes: Harbor Cruise from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., live music, one appetizer, dinner, dessert and one free beverage of choice.

Island Packers is the authorized concessionaire servicing the Channel Islands National Park and has been family-owned and operated since 1968. For information, reservations or to purchase gift certificates: Visit www.islandpackers.com, call 805-642-1393, or visit Island Packers at 1691 Spinnaker Dr., Suite 105B, in Ventura Harbor Village.

Opera Santa Barbara embarks on First Youth Opera Summer Program

Opera Santa Barbara is excited to embark on its first Santa Barbara Youth Opera summer camp. From June 10-23, the talented group of young singers will be producing, rehearsing, and then performing Ben Moore and Kelley Rourke’s Odyssey (commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival) at the Alhecama Theatre.

The Santa Barbara Youth Opera provides young singers with tuition-free instruction and performance opportunities in a fun, rewarding and artistically challenging environment. Students enjoy unparalleled exposure to the workings of a professional opera company.

Camp schedule consists of morning workshops with our production team—the same costume manager, stage manager, prop designer, and hair/wigs/makeup designer that work locally throughout the year for all main stage production. Afternoons will be spent staging the production, music rehearsals, and dance.

Performances will be held on Friday, June 21st at 7:30pm and on Sunday, June 23rd at 2:30pm. There will be a special preview performance at The Solstice Festival Youth Stage on Saturday, June 22nd at 1:30pm. Leadership includes Stage Director, Layna Chianakas of San Jose Opera, Music Director, Erin McKibben of the Santa Barbara Revels, and Program Director, Lex Benes, Education and Outreach Manager for Opera Santa Barbara.

There are still spots open for the summer camp! Please email our Education and Outreach Manager for more info: [email protected].

Santa Barbara Youth Opera provides young singers with tuition-free instruction and performance opportunities in a fun, rewarding and artistically challenging environment. Young singers will also enjoy unparalleled exposure to the workings of a professional opera company. For additional information on the Santa Barbara Youth Opera, email [email protected] or call 805-898-3890.

Ventura’s Salvation Army helps homeless man reconnect with his daughter after 27 years

Lt. Fabio Simoes snaps a selfie with the men in Ventura’s Salvation Army Program. Kc, David, Kent Spurlock, Joseph, Adam, Leo, Jerry, Gabriel and Brendan. Photo courtesy of Lt. Fabio Simoes

by Maryssa Rillo

Kent Spurlock, a Ventura native and transient homeless man returned to his hometown of Ventura, in November 2018. After having a stent operation, Spurlock was placed in recuperative care and was introduced to the people of the Ventura Salvation Army. There he received the help he needed and was reconnected with his daughter after 27 years.

“I was in Little Rock, Arkansas and I bought a motor cycle and was flying down the highway with no helmet and the holy spirit came upon me and I tried to get back with life. I have been a transient homeless person for many years and I owe California. I came back to California and in doing so, I got introduced to the Salvation Army,” Spurlock said.

At the Salvation Army, Spurlock met Lieutenants Fabio and Silvia Simoes, Corps Officers of the Salvation Army California South Divisions, and they changed his life.

“I can’t even explain to the people of Ventura County and the donors to the Salvation Army how important it is to support the Salvation Army of Ventura. Pastor Fabio and Silvia have been working there for five years. I did not know them and when I met them, they opened my eyes,” Spurlock said. “I started going to church with Salvation Army which opened other doors and my mind.”

Spurlock said that he was inspired to search for his daughter after witnessing Lt. Fabio Simoes help others reconnect with their family members.

Through the Salvation Army’s shelter, Spurlock had unlimited access to computers, so he decided to begin his search for his daughter in February 2019.

“By going to church Pastor Fabio had helped another individual reconnect his life with his family and I started thinking ‘why can’t I do that?’ And I did, and guess what? She was there, she was there. It took me how many texts, probably a good dozen until she responded,” Spurlock said.

Spurlock said the last time he saw his daughter was in 1991 when he was on parole from prison. At the end of May, 2019 his daughter responded to his texts. Spurlock’s daughter now lives in North Carolina, so they have not been able to meet in person, but they do keep in contact. Spurlock also learned that he has a ten-year-old grandson and a seven-year-old granddaughter.

“I sat there on that computer day in and day out and she finally responded. I have Pastor Fabio Simoes to thank for that,” Spurlock said.

The Simoes began working with Ventura’s Salvation Army Ministry in 2014. The couple works on five-year assignments so they will be moving to Portland, Oregon this summer.

Lt. Fabio Simoes said he enjoys helping people through the missionary and the Salvation Army. He said they have case managers who help the residents find jobs which gives them opportunities to save money for a better life.

“Working with the Salvation Army is priceless. Seeing people without any hope and we just get to offer them the possibility to have a good life. It’s priceless,” said Simoes.

Simoes said that he always encourages the residents to reconnect with their families. Once a resident leaves the Salvation Army, Simoes said he still tries to keep in contact with them.

“I give them my business card with my cell phone number. If they need a friend, I tell them to ask me for help and I give them advice,” Simoes said.

The Simoes’ last day in Ventura will be on June, 23rd 2019.

“If it hadn’t been for Pastor Fabio, his solidness and Silvia’s goodness, between the two of them, Ventura is going to lose very important people towards the community. Those two people made a difference in my life,” Spurlock said. “The church was not that way before the Simoes took demand of the Salvation Army. They made a huge change.”

Ventura Land Trust’s Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival 2019: Bigger, bolder, better and under the stars

Enjoy an array of award-winning short films. Photo by Dan Holmes

Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer (@MaryannRidiniSpencer)

Ventura Land Trust’s 10th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival featuring an array of award-winning short films that educate, entertain and inspire, will take place Saturday, August 17, 2019, under the stars on the picturesque grounds of the Ventura County Credit Union, 2575 Vista Del Mar Drive for the second year in a row. Doors open at 5:00 pm for the popular event which sells out annually. Films begin screening at 8:00 pm.

The Ventura Festival, part of SYRCL’S Wild & Scenic Film Festival, which celebrates 18 years of inspiring activism through film and art in 2019, aligns with Ventura Land Trust’s mission, to protect and preserve Ventura County’s land, water, wildlife, and scenic beauty for current and future generations.

“We currently manage 90 acres, and we’re growing,” said Ventura Land Trust’s Executive Director Derek Poultney. “The Wild and Scenic Film Festival is a perfect event for us because it helps connect the Land Trust’s work to the greater global environment. The films are beautiful, educational, and just plain fun.”

“After the success of last year, we discovered that the Credit Union provides a fantastic backdrop for the Festival,” continued Poultney. “Last year attendees loved sitting on blankets and low-back chairs on the park-like lawn while enjoying great food and drink, as well as the terrific line-up of environmentally-minded shorts.”

This year, a new feature has been added into the mix — a VIP Experience Pass. When purchased for $125, VIP Pass holders will have exclusive access to the VIP Lounge and Courtyard where they will enjoy free beer, wine, appetizers, and desserts from 5 – 8 pm. Additionally, VIPS have access to indoor bathrooms throughout the evening. VIP tickets are limited to 80 and are being sold on a first come, first serve basis.

This year’s pre-show entertainment features family-friendly games and activities, booths staffed by a variety of environmentally-minded community partners, and a host of food trucks including It’s in the Sauce, Mr. Softee, and We Bee Poppin. Libations on board include Castoro Cellars, San Antonio Winery, Rincon Brewery, and Topa Topa Brewery. Raffle prizes will consist of Patagonia and REI clothing and gear, original artwork, gift certificates, and more.

Live music presenters include Ojai-based composer, singer/songwriter, and Grammy Award-winning film mixer and sound designer, Todd Hannigan, who along with his band, Sleeping Chief, will perform original folk music with sounds of the mountains and sea. Blues guitarist, Ventura born and raised Guy Martin will play SRV, Hendrix, and original tunes along with his band members longtime bass player Tony Trigueiro, and drummer Pete Galagher.

This year’s “Marquee Sponsor” is The Trade Desk, the “Celebrity Sponsors” are Lorraine Lim Catering, Rabobank and Slaughter, Reagan and Cole, LLP, and the “Venue Sponsor” is Ventura County Credit Union. A full list of sponsors is available at venturalandtrust.org (Wild and Scenic tab).

General admission to the festival is $25/per person (which increases to $35.00 on July 1) and $5.00/per person children ages 12 and under. VIP Experience Passes are $125/person. Purchase at https://www.venturalandtrust.org/2019_wsff and click the drop-down ticket tab.

Proceeds from this year’s event fund VLT’s ongoing open space preservation projects.

The Ventura College-California promise

by Esther Cole

Neighborhood Community Colleges were operable before I graduated from high school, in 1942. They extended the educational opportunities for anyone enrolling. The only requirement was being 18 years of age, or a high school graduate. Without Los Angeles City College, I would never have gotten into U.C., Berkeley.  Berkeley changed my life. But this article is not about me.

This article is about the current advantages of enrolling in Ventura Community College. Ventura College offers many programs, and, a chance to earn an AA, without paying tuition.

This program is titled the Ventura College-California Promise. This Promise is to provide college credit courses at no cost.

That’s right. No tuition. The current program is good for one year. The current program is expected to be extended another year, so any student, eligible for this Ventura College-California Promise, may be able to complete two years, at Ventura Community, without paying tuition fees.

This is the best college news I’ve heard in a long time.

The big noise, about college attendance, is the enormous debt students accrue. Or, the illegal attempts. by parents, to get their children into name schools.

The Ventura College-California Promise is not limited to Ventura College, but the helpful people at Ventura College, are the ones who told me of this program and how it works. This helpful person is

Catherine Mundy, Disabled Student Services Technician, who has worked for the college for over 20 years.

Anyone wanting to get into this program must apply online.

www.ventura college.edu/departments/administrative/foundation.

An interview must be scheduled. That’s it. As stated above, once the student is accepted into this program, there are no tuition fees for the first year.

I sure hope this information is shared with anyone planning to attend Ventura College for the first time.

Ventura Education Partnership awards $18,000 to VUSD teachers

The VEP Board is proud to announce the Partnership has awarded Think Big Grants of $6000 each to three innovative teachers. Think Big Grants range over a two-year span. They are collaborative and bring together teachers, community members and students. They cross grade levels and subjects. VEP had 22 applications for three grants. The process involved a written application and an interview. Six of the 22 applicants were interviewed. The three recipients are:

Alex Wulff- DATA Middle School-SPARK VUSD will encourage and facilitate innovative practices throughout VUSD by establishing a student hosted “Makerspace” training and support center for all Ventura Unified teachers.

Petra McCullough- ATLAS Elementary School- “The Story Time Could Tell.” Students will explore the concept that Earth is organized into different systems by solving real-world problems, collecting data, organizing ideas, making predictions, collaborating as a team, and using time-lapse video.

Kristen Pelfrey- Foothill Technology High School- CREATE: Collaborative Responses (using) Electronics Art Technology Entrepreneurship- All 9th graders are CREATors producing individual and collaborative responses to prompts in a classroom makerspace.

Madhu Bajaj, President of the Ventura Education Partnership commented. “while we love our regular VEPGrants program which offer up to $1000 for classroom grants and will continue to offer those once a year, we wanted to do something more to support highly innovative educators. The Think Big Grants gave us the opportunity to invest in transformative projects that are collaborative and impact a large number of students. We look forward to sharing project results in the near future and expanding this new offering over time.”

Many community businesses and organizations support this program through their funding of VEPGrants. Some of them include MJP Technologies, Community Memorial Health System, Aera Energy, Mountains to Beach Marathon, the Rotary Club of Ventura and the Ventura Kiwanis Club. The Ventura Education Partnership connects community resources to support and sustain innovation in education to benefit VUSD students.

The VEPGrant program will be spotlighted at the inaugural “LAUNCH” event on June 20, 2019. This event will be held at the Ventura Masonic Center at 5:30 pm. LAUNCH will celebrate passionate educators who tell their stories of inspired classroom innovation. For more information contact: VenturaEducationPartnership.org .

Ventura Harbor Village celebrates Pirates Day

Be sure to protect your jewels from these pirates.

Yo ho, yo ho all ye landlubbers and buccaneers! Ventura Harbor Village is ready to hoist the flag for the 14th annual Pirates Day on Saturday, June 1, from 11:00am – 4:00pm around the theme Ahoy Me Hearties! Yo Ho! Pirates Day 2019 offers guests an unforgettable voyage around the Village featuring pirate characters, entertainment, activities, and photo opportunities around every corner.

Admission for Pirates Day is free. It’s best to arrive early to find free parking in the Village or jump on the complimentary shuttle service from the overflow lot on Harbor Blvd and Schooner Drive, running from 11am to 6pm!

For one day only, venture along the waterfront to find pirates in sword fights by professional Pirates for Hire, mermaids, treasure, exotic birds, live music, rum drinks, and pirate eats. Keep an eye out for Reece Ryan’s on-land Kids Pirate Ship, Captain Jack, Hook, Shmee, & Tink (look-a-likes), and strolling pirate musicians. Games are back and better than ever – take a ride on the bucking shark, jump on the inflatable kracken, kids can enjoy the new Rockin’ Pirate Ship, and more. Visit Port Royal Privateers’ historical encampment and shop at the vendor booths for pirate ware and nautical-themed loot. Hold tropical birds, snap a photo at themed selfie-stations, and stop for face painting or henna body art.

Everyone is encouraged to come dressed in their best pirate garb! Strut in the Pirates Day costume contests held throughout the day for different age brackets. Pirates up to 12 years old partake in the Kids Treasure Hunt ($5) leading to a magical treasure trove and free pirate craft activities.

For grog and grub, Village restaurants offer a variety of cuisine for hungry crews; including roasted turkey legs and rum specials. Live entertainment will range from Steel Drummers to the Sword Coast Medieval Fighters Club. Ventura Harbor Pirates Day gives you a chance to get in your best piratical gear and wander by the sea to interact with pirates and gypsies of all ages.

Admission and parking for Pirates Day 2019 are free. Ventura Harbor Village is located 1583 Spinnaker Drive off of Harbor Blvd. Do not miss this treasure-trove of excitement by the sea.

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) announces founder’s retirement and names successor

Kathy Odell is a well known Santa Barbara entrepreneur and business leader.

WEV has announced that its founder and CEO, Marsha Bailey, will retire next year after 30 years at the helm. Her successor will be Kathy Odell, an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader in the region.

Launched under Bailey’s leadership in 1991, WEV has provided business training and consulting to more than 14,000 women and men throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. WEV has made more than $5 million in business loans, and helped 4,500 local businesses start or expand. WEV-supported businesses generate over $300 million in annual sales revenues and have created nearly 9,000 jobs.

“The idea that women’s economic status could be improved by helping them start their own businesses was both innovative and unproven,” Bailey says, “But twenty-eight years later, WEV has proven not only that business ownership can provide a viable pathway to self-sufficiency, but that it can build family wealth and stability and contribute to the economic well-being of our communities.”

“It’s clear that women have more opportunities today than we did thirty years ago,” Bailey says, “But while many things have changed, we still have a long way to go to achieve equal opportunity and economic parity.”

As WEV’s CEO, Bailey has served on many local, state and national boards and has been a consultant as well as mentor to emerging women leaders and women’s organizations nationally and internationally. She is a former member of the National Women’s Business Council, which provides policy guidance to the White House, Congress and the Small Business Administration on issues related to women’s business ownership. She is the former Chair of the National Association of Women’s Business Centers, the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO), and Union Bank’s Community Advisory Board.

Kathy Odell, well known Santa Barbara entrepreneur and business leader, has been chosen as Bailey’s successor.

“Over the past 28 years, Marsha’s leadership and steadfast commitment to the mission, has grown WEV into a major economic development engine for both Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties,” says Melissa Livingston, WEV’s Board Chair. “Kathy Odell is an effective leader and visionary who’s been a key supporter and board member since 2010. We couldn’t have found a better person to carry on Marsha’s legacy and guide the organization as we create the next generation of WEV services.”

Odell says, “Women are starting businesses at a higher rate than any time in our history and now run 40% of all small businesses. Under Marsha Bailey’s leadership WEV has become a key resource for women in business on the Central Coast. I am excited and proud to carry her legacy forward.”

WEV provides training, consulting and loans to help entrepreneurs start, grow and thrive in business. While WEV targets its services toward women, it helps men as well. Services are provided in both English and Spanish. Visit WEV at www.wevonline.org.

Bingo Night at the Rubicon Theatre

Penny Barnds and Andy Contarino have got your number.

Bingo Night at the Rubicon Theatre hosted by the Grandes Dames will take place on Jun. 11, 2019 at 7 pm in the Rubicon Theatre Rehearsal Hall 1006 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001. BINGO numbers will be called out by two local celebrities. Guests will be surprised. A total of four games will be played and multiple cards may be played at one time. Each BINGO card will cost $5 with a minimum of 2 cards played during the night. Cash prizes will be awarded. Snacks and beverages will be complimentary. Donations will be accepted.  Please RSVP by leaving a message with  Seryozha La Porte at 805-667-2912 x 232 or email [email protected] or visit the Rubicon Theatre Grandes Dames Facebook page to learn more.

The first quarterly Grandes Dames BINGO event took place on Mar. 26, 2019 with the talented Actor/DirectorJoseph Fuqua and handsome former Old Spice Model John Bennett Perry calling out the numbers. Cash prizes were awarded and proceeds of the event benefitted the Rubicon Theatre.

The Rubicon Theatre Grandes Dames organization was initiated by Nancy Gregory, Sandra Laby, Rosa Lee Measures, Barbara Meister and Dottie Novatt on Nov. 28, 1998. The women were in attendance at the Rubicon Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Barbara turned to her dear friend Dottie and remarked, “Don’t we all look grand?” The women were already active members of the Casa Pacifica Angels volunteer organization and they thought it might be nice to start another charity and model it after the Angels. Having heard the word “grand”, Dottie suggested they name themselves the Grandes Dames and Dottie was unanimously elected its first president.

Over the last two decades, the Grandes Dames have supported the Rubicon Theatre through fundraising, quarterly luncheons with live entertainment, an Anniversary Calendar, a cookbook, and a Murder Mystery Party. Being a member of the Grandes Dames is a fun way to socialize and support the Rubicon Theatre. Annual membership is $48.

This summer, the Grandes Dames will be expanding the organization to include young professionals to the group and will host a networking event at Ventura Spirits 3891 N Ventura Ave. Guest speakers will include representatives from Economic Development Collaborative Ventura County and Nick Norris Owner and Consultant at ID Marketing & Design, Adjunct Marketing Professor at Ventura College. The event date is to be determined. If you or your business would like to participate in this fun and informative event, please contact Nicole Scurrah at [email protected].